The great man will live forever

Chapter 254 Preparing to Supervise the Country
The year before last, which was the fifth year of Jianwu (29th year), Emperor Guangwu once again sent She to persuade Wei Xiao to send his son to serve. Wei Xiao heard that both Liu Yong and Peng Chong had been ruined.

So, he sent his eldest son Wei Xun to follow She to the capital for an audience. Liu Xiu was very happy and made Wei Xun a captain of Huqi school and a Marquis of Qiang.

In fact, at this time, Wei Xiao was close to Liu Xiu. He had killed Gongsun Shu's envoys a few years ago, sent troops to attack, and defeated Gongsun Shu's army, so Shu soldiers no longer went north.

However, Wang Yuan and Wang Jie, the generals of Weixiao, often thought that the success or failure of the world was still uncertain, and they were unwilling to submit to Emperor Guangwu wholeheartedly.

Wang Yuan once said to Wei Xiao: "In the past, when Chang'an, the capital of the West, was launched, everyone responded, and the world looked up to him, saying that the world was at peace.

Once Emperor Gengshi failed, the king would have almost no place to stay.Now there are Gongsun Shu in the south, Lu Fang in the north, Jianghu Haitai, Zhang Bu, Dong Xian and more than ten princes, each occupying one side.

And you want to accommodate Ma Yuan's opinions, give up the foundation of Qiancheng, and live as a guest in a dangerous country in order to be safe. This is following the track of overturning the car, and it is not a good strategy.

Now Tianshui is complete and prosperous, and the army and horses are the most powerful. Xihe and Shangjun are attacked in the north, and the three auxiliary lands are taken in the east. According to the old traces of Qin, the outer mountains and inner rivers are the inside and outside of each other.

Yuan asked to use a small number of troops to guard the dangerous Hangu Pass for the king. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.If this strategy cannot be adopted now, then temporarily raise troops and horses, defend yourself according to danger, and hold on to wait for changes in all directions. Even if the king fails, taking a step back is enough to dominate one party.

In short, fish cannot escape from deep water, and a dragon is no different from an earthworm if it loses its support. "

Wei Xiao was very much in favor of Wang Yuan's plan. Although he sent his son to the court as a hostage, he still wanted to dominate the country by relying on its dangerous geographical conditions.

So some elders gradually left him.

Last year, in the sixth year of Jianwu (30th year), Guandong was pacified.Emperor Guangwu had been suffering from military hardship for a long time, so he had a son from Kaixiao as a servant, and Gongsun Shu was stationed far away from the border.

So he said to the generals: "Put these two boys aside for the time being." Therefore, he sent letters to Wei Xiao and Gongsun Shu several times, telling them about good and bad fortune.

Most of Kui Xiao's guests and ministers were bachelors of literature. Every time they wrote a letter to express their opinions, the scholar-bureaucrats of the time would read and recite it aloud. Therefore, they paid special attention to Emperor Guangwu's comments.

Wei Xiao once again sent envoys to travel around the capital. They first went to Feng Yiying, but Zhou You was killed by his enemies.Emperor Guangwu sent Wei Wei Yaoqi to bring treasures and silk to reward Kaixiao. When Yaoqi went to Zheng County, he encountered thieves and all the treasures and property were stolen.

Emperor Guangwu often called Wei Xiao an elder and tried every means to recruit him. After hearing the news, he sighed: "Things between me and Wei Xiao are not going well. The envoy he sent was killed, and the property I gave him was also on the way." Stolen."

Emperor Guangwu was tired of the war and wanted to call it quits, but someone refused to let him. Not long after he called it quits, Gongsun Shu sent troops to invade Nanjun.

When Emperor Guangwu learned of this, he was furious and ordered Wei Xiao to attack Shu from Tianshui, hoping to divide and dismantle his confidants.

Wei Xiao wrote again and said: "The terrain of Baishui is very dangerous, the mountain road is dangerous, and the road is made of stacks of trees." The difficulties were emphasized in many ways.

Emperor Guangwu knew that Wei Xiao would never be used by him, so he wanted to attack him.

In the sixth year of Jianwu (30th year), Emperor Guangwu went to Chang'an and informed General Weixiao to send Jianwei General Geng Yan and other seven generals to attack Shu from Longxi.

Wei Xiao objected and sent general Wang Yuan to lead his troops to occupy Longdi (now northwest of Longxian County, Shaanxi Province) and cut down the city and road to prevent the Han army from attacking.In April, the Han army crossed the Longshan Mountains along the Weibei Plain to attack Longdi, and was defeated.

Wang Yuan followed and pursued, but fortunately Ma Wu led his elite cavalry to cut off the enemy, allowing the Han army to withdraw.

Liu Xiu left Gengyan to guard Qixian (today's Binxian, Shaanxi), Feng Yi to guard Quyi (today's northeast of Xunyi, Shaanxi), and offered sacrifices to Shunyi County (today's south of Longxian, Shaanxi). Wu Han was also transferred to the west from Luoyang to gather troops in Chang'an.

Kaixiao took advantage of the victory and sent a patrol to attack Quyi, and Wang Yuan took Ganxian County, but they were both defeated.

At that time, Dou Rong, who was in Hexi Province, had surrendered to Liu Xiu. He attacked Jincheng (now northwest of Lanzhou City, Gansu Province) and defeated He Feng, a powerful Qiang tribe that assisted Wei Xiao. Wei Xiao was attacked from both sides.

Weixiao's general Ma Yuan also surrendered to the Han when Weixiao rebelled against the Han.Emperor Guangwu gave him [-] elite cavalry, recruited and surrendered Wei Xiao's subordinates and Qiang leaders, and divided and disintegrated Wei Xiao from within.

Wei Xiao then wrote a letter to apologize and said: "When my subordinates heard about the sudden arrival of the soldiers, they were frightened and saved themselves. I, Wei Xiao, could not stop it. I did not dare to break the courtesy of officials and recover the spoils I obtained. In the past, Yu Shun served his father, and his father punished him with a big stick. He ran away when his father hit him with a stick, but let him hit him when his father hit him with a stick.

Although I am not smart, I dare not forget this etiquette.Now my affairs are all decided by this dynasty. If you want to kill me, I will kill you, and if you want to increase the punishment, I will increase the punishment.If you are forgiven by grace and can change your mind, your life will be immortal. "

The officials thought that Wei Xiao had spoken arrogantly and requested that his son Wei Xun be killed. Emperor Guangwu couldn't bear it, so he sent Lai She to Qian County again and wrote a letter to Wei Xiao, saying: "General Chai once wrote to Han Xin: 'Your Majesty is lenient. Benevolence, even if some princes rebel and come back, their titles will be restored and no one will be killed.'

Since you, Kuai Xiao, are a civil servant and understand justice, I give you this book.If you speak more clearly, it will appear impolite. If you say too little, it will be difficult to make a decision.

If you stop now and send your son Wei Xun to me as you did in the past, then you will get all the honors and fortunes, and you will enjoy great blessings.I am almost forty years old and have been in the military for ten years. I hate those empty words.If you don't want to, don't report it. "

Kaixiao knew that Emperor Guangwu had noticed his treachery, so he sent an envoy to Gongsun Shu to profess his tribulation.

Now, in the spring of the seventh year of Jianwu (31st year), Gongsun Shu established Kai Xiao as King Shuoning and sent troops to aid Long.

In the autumn, Kuai led [-] infantry and cavalry to attack Anding County (the county was governed by Gaoping, today's Guyuan, Ningxia) and advanced to Yinjia (east of today's Jingchuan, Gansu).

When Liu Xiu learned about it, he was furious and wanted to take control of the army himself.

But this time, he brought Yin Lihua with him. Guo Shengtong was naturally very unhappy when he learned the news. She had never accompanied Liu Xiu to fight in person, and it was Yin Lihua every time.

How could she be happy about this? She immediately invited Yin Lihua, claiming to accompany her to enjoy the flowers, but in fact she had other plans.

"This flower is so beautiful. I heard that my sister is going to accompany His Majesty on a military expedition again?"

"Yes."

"But this battlefield is chaotic, and swords don't have eyesight. My sister has been injured before, and her body is not strong. I think if there is any danger on the battlefield, what should I do?"

As he said that, he pretended to care about Yin Lihua very much. This acting skill was very superb.

"Thank you, Queen, for your concern. I have been practicing martial arts since I was a child. Sword wounds are nothing. Maybe the Queen feels that fighting on the battlefield is extremely dangerous. In fact, actual combat with real swords is better than hidden arrows."

Good guy, this means that Guo Shengtong is doing things behind his back.

Both of them had something to say. Guo Shengtong was stunned, and then smiled and said: "But there is no shortage of brave generals in the court. Why does my sister have to take the lead? What if the court makes a fuss about it again? …”

"His Majesty has been working hard for state affairs all year round, and now he suffers from dizziness. I don't trust him alone, so I went to accompany him and serve him."

Seeing that Yin Lihua was struggling, Guo Shengtong changed his direction and said, "My sister has a son and a daughter who are still young and need her care. Moreover, my sister is pregnant now. If my sister goes on an expedition with His Majesty, these two Wouldn't the child be left alone in the palace? What if he bumps into me?"

Good guy, these words already contain a threatening meaning.

"Why don't you bring these two children to my Jiaofang Palace, and I will take care of them first for my sister."

Yin Lihua didn't understand what she meant, so she immediately said: "Thank you for your kindness, but Princess Huyang likes Yang'er very much. I thought the princess was lonely, so I sent Yang'er to the princess, and I didn't dare to bother the queen."

The Princess of Huyang in her mouth was Liu Xiu's eldest sister Liu Huang. In the second year of Jianwu (AD 26), Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu named his eldest sister Liu Huang the eldest princess of Huyang.

Later, the servants of Liu Huang's family killed people in broad daylight and hid in Liu Huang's house, unable to be caught by the officials.

When Liu Huang went out, he asked his servants to accompany him. Dong Xuan, the magistrate of Luoyang County, was waiting at Xiamen Pavilion. As soon as Liu Huang arrived, Dong Xuan stopped the carriage and knelt in front of the horse. He gestured on the ground with a knife and said loudly to Liu Huang. No, he yelled at the slave to get out of the car, and then beat the slave to death.

Of course Liu Huang was not happy, and immediately returned to the palace to tell Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu. Liu Xiu was furious, summoned Dong Xuan, and prepared to beat him to death with a stick.

Dong Xuan was a great man, he was famous for sticking to the law and not fearing the powerful. He kowtowed and said: "Please let me say a word before I die." Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu said: "What do you want to say?"

Dong Xuan said: "Your Majesty is morally sage and has rebuilt the Han Dynasty, but he allows his slaves to kill the common people. How are you going to govern the world? I don't need to wait for the rod to strike. Please allow me to commit suicide." Then he hit his head against a pillar, and his face was bleeding. .

Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu immediately asked the young eunuch to support Dong Xuan and forgive him, but asked him to kowtow to Liu Huang and apologize. Dong Xuan refused. Emperor Guangwu asked the young eunuch to force him to kowtow. Dong Xuan supported him on the ground with both hands. Never bow his head.

Liu Huang said: "When Uncle Wen was a common man, he hid fugitives and people who committed capital crimes, and officials did not dare to come. Now that he is the emperor, can't his authority be used as a county magistrate?"

Emperor Guangwu smiled and said: "The emperor is different from ordinary people." Then he ordered the strong and unyielding Dong Xuan to go out and rewarded him with 30 yuan.

Dong Xuan also lived up to Liu Xiu's expectations. His feat of adhering to the law, serving the people wholeheartedly, and not bowing to the powerful made Emperor Guangwu trust him even more.

The people called Dong Xuan "Crouching Tiger" and regarded him as a model of fearlessness of power and strict law enforcement.

He has been an official for many years. No matter where he is, he always takes it as his duty to attack the powerful and benefit the people. He severely punishes those who violate laws and disciplines and never bows to the powerful. He was praised by Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty Liu Xiu as a strong command and an indispensable person. There are many ministers who can govern the world.

Later, not long after Liu Huang's husband Hu Zhen passed away, Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu planned to find another husband for his sister Liu Huang, so he discussed the court ministers with her and secretly observed her intentions.

Liu Huang fell in love with a handsome man, Song Hong. She said, "No one among the ministers can match Song Hong's appearance and moral character."

Emperor Guangwu said: "Let me think of a solution."

Later, Emperor Guangwu summoned Song Hong and asked Liu Huang to sit behind a screen, so he said to Song Hong: "As the saying goes, when your status is high, you change your friends, and when your family is rich, you change your wife. Is this human nature?"

Song Hong was so smart that he had already guessed what he was doing. He did not refuse explicitly, but said: "I heard that friends from humble times should not be forgotten, and wives who have shared hardships together should not be abandoned."

After hearing this, Emperor Guangwu turned around and said to Liu Huang behind the screen: "This matter can't be done."

He did not force Song Hong, but admired him very much. This is also the origin of the allusion of the idiom "Zhao Nang Zhi wife" (Zhao Nang zhi wife).

After learning that Yin Lihua had sent her child to Princess Huyang, Guo Shengtong felt helpless and felt like his fist had hit cotton.

She could only find her mother, Lord Guo, and wanted her to give her some advice. Lord Guo immediately said, "No, your Majesty will lead the expedition himself. It is already difficult for Hebei generals to achieve military success, so we must persuade your Majesty."

"I was also worried about this matter, so I called my mother to discuss countermeasures together. Moreover, His Majesty brought Yin Lihua with him this time. The generals in Hebei had been interested in that bitch a few days ago. If she leaves now, who knows how she will How to win people’s hearts?”

"If she goes and gives birth to a prince, it will be even more harmful. Your Majesty can't go, and she can't go. We have to find a way to keep them. Naturally, there will be people in the court saying that there are too many people saying it, and with the sky I guess His Majesty will consider it because it is unlucky."

At court that morning, Liu Xiu had already decided to lead the army, "I want to lead the expedition in person, and you two, Wu Han and Laishe, will be the vanguard generals."

"No!" Wu Han and Lai She were naturally very happy when they heard that they could be forwards.

At Guo Kuang's signal, a civil servant stood up. Your Majesty, this person is Guo Xian. This guy is quite famous. When he was young, he studied with Zhongzi, King of the East China Sea.

At that time, Wang Mang was the Grand Sima, and Guo Xian was highly regarded by Wang Mang.After Wang Mang usurped the throne, he was called a doctor and given clothes. Guo Xian burned the clothes and fled to the coast of the East China Sea.After Liu Xiu became emperor, he was called a doctor.

"His Majesty has always brought Yin nobles with him on his previous expeditions. I wonder if it will be the same this time?"

Liu Xiu looked at him and said, "So what?"

"Your Majesty, the east has been decided, the carriage is not ready for expedition, and the road to Longyou is far away. It is not suitable for Your Majesty to lead the expedition in person, and it is even more unlucky for a woman to join the army."

At this time, another man also stood up and said quickly: "Your Majesty, what Mr. Guo said is absolutely true. Our army is fighting on three fronts. The war in the front is tense and there is no room for failure. It will be inconvenient to take the nobles out."

"Yin Guiren has accompanied me on many personal expeditions, but have I ever been defeated?"

It has to be said that, except for the Xiao Chang'an gathering, Liu Xiu later fought cautiously and was very powerful. He basically won every battle.

"This time is different from the past. I am proficient in prophecies and have already calculated that this expedition will be unfavorable. It is a very bad omen for a woman to accompany the army."

Liu Xiu was already angry, "Guo Xian, you are my doctor, how can you believe in such prophecies? Besides, although Yin Guiren is a woman, her courage and strategy are not inferior to those of men. She is not comparable to ordinary women, and she is very gentle. General Hou Chi is also a woman, and she is good at conquering and fighting, but not many men can match her, so how can you say that women can't do it?"

Liu Xiu said and looked at Ayimei.

"Indeed, what Your Majesty said is absolutely true. Women may not be inferior to men. Is it possible that some people look down on me?"

Ayimei glanced at her, and many people lowered their heads. Her reputation was gained through fighting. If Liu Xiu hadn't suppressed her, she would probably have no worse military achievements than Wu Han.

"Your Majesty, I will also ask for a fight this time. Let them see if I, a woman, can do it?"

"Okay, I'm very happy that General Chi is willing to go on an expedition."

Guo Xian saw something was wrong and said, "Your Majesty, I don't mean to look down on women. What I mean is that the prince and princess are still young and need to be taken care of by noble people in the palace."

"The prince and princess are taken care of by Princess Huyang. I have become accustomed to being accompanied by noble Yin to take care of my daily life."

"This... Your Majesty, if you were to lead the expedition in person, who would guard the capital? And who would handle the affairs of the court? The prince is still young..."

"It's okay to be young. Now that I'm alone, and the high-ranking minister is here, it's time for me to share my father's worries."

At this time, Liu Han came in. He was only 7 years old, but he couldn't wait to take power. This was an opportunity. The emperor was in charge of the expedition, and the prince was in charge of the capital.

Liu Xiu was happy at first, then frowned, "Qiang'er, why are you here? This is the imperial court, and my father is discussing important matters."

"Someone, take the prince down."

Liu Han knelt down and said, "My son is 7 years old this year. In ancient times, he was 12 years old when he became prime minister. I have been the prince for 6 years, and I am barely sensible. I am loved by my father and supported by the people of the world."

I often see my father worrying about state affairs, and I feel very sad. I can't do anything for my father. It's because my sons and ministers are unfilial. Now that my father is in charge of the expedition, he will definitely win a great victory. The capital will be handed over to his sons, as well as the Marquis of Gaomi and other loyal ministers. Stabilize the rear for my father, and ask my father for his blessing. "

Liu Xiu was very happy and laughed loudly, "As expected of my son, you have a filial heart. My father is very happy. You are still young..."

"Father, my son and ministers should sit down if they are too old. At least let all the officials know that the prince of the Han Dynasty is here, the Han Dynasty is stable, and the affairs of the court are not understood by my sons and ministers, so just listen. Aren't there all loyal ministers? I beg you, my father, to help you!"

　When I was young, my family was poor, but I still didn’t know how to make progress. I was fond of playing and missed school, and lacked ambition. When the Internet was rising, I was addicted to it and couldn’t extricate myself.From now on, things get even worse, skipping classes and dragging out classes, which makes his family furious.Gao Tang tried his best to persuade him with reason, but he was annoyed and his grades declined.

　　I have wasted more than [-] years in my life. Fortunately, I have learned a skill to make myself better. I have to make amends against my will all day long and live in the market in exchange for food and clothing day and night.

　　I recall that when I was young, when I first read "Preface to Ma Sheng in Dongyang", I found it obscure and difficult to understand, and I didn't know its meaning.When I read the article now, a sense of desolation arises spontaneously, and I only understand its meaning after experiencing the hardships of life.For many years, I have been running around in various fields, suffering from not having any ink in my mind, and it is difficult to write beautiful articles.

　　Looking back, I am almost in my [-]s and it is too late to regret.I couldn't help but burst into tears, but the flowers bloomed again, and people are no longer young, so I felt regretful.The first time I read it, it was an article, but the second time I read it, it was life. I couldn’t help but feel a little self-pity.

　　Now I have tasted all the hardships of making a living, experienced all kinds of sorrows in the world, my hair is gradually growing, and I can regain my ambition again.Jiang Ziya was only able to show his talent at an age of seventy, while Baili Xi was worthy of becoming a prime minister at an old age.

　　The east corner has passed away, the mulberry tree is not late, I have no ambition, but I still have passion.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)