Ji Han Da Sima

Chapter 565 Mutual humility
In February of the sixth year of Zhangwu.

After Liu Bei met with Zhuge Liang and recruited Lu Xun to return to the capital, he then recruited Xu Shu to return to the capital.

Lu Xun set out from Chongqing, went down the river, and arrived in Wuhan. Because Wuhan Yin was located in Jiangzhou, Liu Bei's edict was required, and Xu Shu also took a boat from Yuzhang to Wuhan.

Because Lu Xun arrived in Wuhan early, Liu Bei met Lu Xun first. During the conversation between Weng and his son-in-law, Liu Bei and Lu Xun talked about their family relationship, mostly talking about their eldest son Lu Yan, and the issue of family harmony.

When the atmosphere was right, Liu Bei asked Liu Chan to serve Lu Xun as his elder brother, and Lu Xun to serve Liu Chan as his younger brother. This made Lu Xun burst into tears and vowed to repay Liu Bei's kindness with his life.

During this period, Liu Bei tested Lu Xun and asked if he wanted to be the minister in charge. Lu Xun immediately expressed his lack of talent and recommended Zhuge Liang and Huo Jun, asking Liu Bei to choose one of them to be the minister in charge.

Seeing Lu Xun's sincerity, Liu Bei no longer had any doubts about Lu Xun, and wrote his name on the list of assistant ministers.

When Xu Shu arrived in Wuhan, although Liu Bei summoned him to the palace, he did not mention the matter of entrusting him as an orphan. They only exchanged a few words and asked Xu Shu to accompany him.

During this period, Huo Jun checked in as usual, either going to Huanghu Terrace or to Shangshu Terrace. Huo Jun didn't do much except for visits.

On that day, Liu Bei was in poor health and recruited Liu Chan to Huanghutai.

Liu Bei managed to brace himself up, sat down on the couch, and said, "Prince, let's go behind the fence."

"Cough cough~"

"No more drinking!"

"Your Majesty, Huo Du has arrived outside the palace!"

Liu Bei sighed and said: "My father originally thought that conquering the world was difficult, but later it was easy to govern the world. However, since I have been governing the country, I deeply feel that it is even more difficult to govern the world. My father doesn't like to read, and he governs roughly. "Guanzi", "Shang Junshu" and "Historical Records" "This is a book written by ancient sages. If we want to revive the Han Dynasty, we must learn from it."

Liu Bei wiped the medicine stain with a kerchief and said, "How have you been studying and studying these days?"

When Liu Chan saw Liu Bei coughing, he said sadly: "My father is ill now, so I hope you can take care of yourself."

Liu Chan felt something, raised his hands and said, "I hope my father will feel at ease. Zen will remember it."

Liu Chan is smart, Liu Bei knows a lot, and is happy for him. But while he was happy, Liu Bei was worried about Liu Chan. Being too smart and advocating power was not a good thing. Now Liu Bei can only give more advice to prevent Liu Chan from going astray in the future.

Liu Bei took a sip of warm water to soothe his chest and said, "I heard that Duke Zhang came here and said that all the ministers in the East Palace admired the prince's intelligence and his talent and learning. When Duke Zhang heard this, he also sighed for this. If this is true, my father has nothing to do with it. worry."

Liu Chan handed the medicine bowl to his attendant, sat respectfully on the side of the couch, and listened to Liu Bei's instructions.

"promise!"

Liu Bei coughed a few times and said, "Most of the decoctions prescribed by Du Du are useless. Drinking most of them today is enough."

"You should keep this in mind and study hard in the future!"

Liu Chan took the handkerchief and said, "Father, Chan is currently reading "Guanzi", which the Prime Minister taught him a few days ago."

Fortunately, Liu Chan has not experienced anything dangerous in the world. Although he is learning the art of Shang and Han, he is not very interested in power.

"Only the learning of Shang and Han is cruel, and slaves should take the essence and discard the dross. Using power to control ministers is beyond the ability of a prince to send slaves. Remember! The king treats his ministers with his hands and feet, and the ministers serve them with their heart and soul. Don't do evil for small things. , Don’t neglect good deeds because they are only virtuous and able to serve others.”

"promise!"

In order to fulfill his filial piety, Liu Chan personally served the soup and medicine on the side of the couch.

Liu Chan held the soup spoon, blew on it to dispel the heat, and said, "Father, there is still one more mouthful!"

"Let Huo Du enter the palace."

"promise!"

After a while, Huo Jun walked into the palace, bowed his hands and said, "I am here to pay my respects to Your Majesty. I wonder if Your Majesty has recovered a little bit?"

"Zhong Miao, come to the side of the couch!"

Liu Bei extended his hand to greet him and said, "I have something to tell you from my heart!"

Huo Jun sat on the side of the couch, only one step away from Liu Bei.

Liu Bei held Huo Jun tightly with his rough hands and said sadly: "When I went to Jingchu, I was lucky enough to have Zhong Miao running around. He first proposed two strategies to counterattack, and led his troops to Jiangdong; then he moved to Jianghan to welcome me into Chu. This is called Wu Zhong. Miao, then there is no foundation for today’s Han Dynasty.”

"The Han Dynasty has not yet been established. Your Majesty should not let down the expectations of the world," Huo Jun said.

"People in the past said that those who are over fifty are those who live a long life. I am over sixty, and I can restore the Han Dynasty with you, support the Han Dynasty together, and fight against the Cao family. Even if I die, I will have no regrets!" Liu Bei coughed several times. , said: "Now we will leave the middle road. There should be kings such as Lao Zhongmiao and Kong Ming to manage the country and punish thieves and save the people from water and fire."

Huo Jun couldn't help crying and said: "I hope your majesty will take care of your health. After you have conquered the southern land, you will lead your troops north to fight for Shouchun, and then go to Henan; go straight to Luoyang, and then revive the Han Dynasty."

Liu Bei gently stroked Huo Jun's back and said, "I still have something to say from my confidant. I wonder if Zhongmiao is willing to listen?"

"Your Majesty, please speak!"

"You have a strategy that traverses the sky and the earth, and you have unparalleled military strategies that few can match. Half of the territory of the Han Dynasty is conquered by you. Your talent is ten times better than that of Cao Pi. If you can conquer the world in the future. I have already said to the prince, I can give you the title of The vassal king protects the big man," Liu Bei said.

"No~"

Huo Jun was shocked and stood up suddenly. He didn't expect Liu Bei to think of dividing the princes and kings among themselves, and he didn't dare to accept it. After all, the story of Han Xin cannot be forgotten!

"In the past, Emperor Gaozu said that no one with the surname Liu could be king. If anyone violates this rule, the whole world will attack him."

Huo Jun was a little dazed. He didn't have time to think too much. He immediately knelt down on the side of the couch and said, "I have received the favor of your majesty. How dare you go against the words of your great ancestor and do things that cause chaos in the country. In the past, King Wen entrusted Jiang Shang with King Wu. I am not willing to serve Jiang Shang. Yi Yin, together with Kong Ming, Boyan, Yide and other ministers, assisted the prince and continued to build the Han Dynasty. "

Liu Bei's wish to be granted the title of prince was not just a whim. Now that he has passed away, if the Han Dynasty can really be restored, the merits of the generals will not be sealed. If Huo Jun really wants to be king, Liu Bei doesn't want to be stingy. Of course, what happens to his descendants and Huo Jun's descendants is beyond his control.

"Zhong Miao, please get up!"

Liu Bei helped Huo Jun up and said: "If the prince is not talented, it will be difficult to prosper the Han Dynasty. Zhong Miao and other princes can follow Huo Guang's story and choose another son to be emperor again."

Huo Jun didn't know what Liu Bei meant, so he hurriedly said: "The prince is smart and has the desire to be a wise king. How can he choose someone else? Your Majesty, please don't let outsiders hear it, so as not to cause trouble."

Huo Jun couldn't even accept changing the rights of the emperor. Liu Chan did a good job. If Liu Chan is replaced, should Liu Feng be replaced?
Let’s learn from Huo Guang’s story. Although Huo Guang died well, his family members did not die well after his death. Even if Liu Chan did something that made people angry and resentful, it would only happen later. How could he change the emperor now?

Seeing that Huo Jun did not accept this favor, Liu Bei sighed and said: "After the Yi Dynasty, the prince was young. Although there were ministers to assist the government, there must be no ruler. When the king leaves, he can destroy the enemy's country and control the world; when he enters, he can know the prosperity. Take over and govern the people. You are the only one who can serve as general and prime minister!"

"I want Zhong Miao to be the leader, and his ministers and ministers to be the assistants, so that we can prosper the affairs of the Han Dynasty together!"

"No!"

Although Liu Bei's words were sincere, Huo Jun could not agree and said with a wry smile: "Everyone who manages politics needs to cultivate their moral character. How can I manage the overall situation if my ministers have poor moral character? Moreover, if the Northern Expedition occurs, my ministers will be far away in Jianghuai for a long time, and it will be difficult to take care of the court. I hope Your Majesty will choose someone else to take charge!”

"Can you choose me?"

"Prime Minister Zhuge!"

Huo Jun immediately recommended Zhuge Liang and said: "Your Majesty, the Prime Minister has strict laws and disciplines, is good at managing politics, and is also good at military strategy. If the minister is fighting abroad, Kong Ming can assist the government at home, so there is no need to worry about the failure of the Han Dynasty!"

Huo Jun really had no idea of ​​becoming the minister in charge. In addition to his long-term fighting abroad, he also disliked being a minister in charge and was too tired.

Liu Chan was unable to take charge of the affairs of state, and political issues would almost fall on the ministers in charge. If complicated military matters were added, as well as the need to appease the hearts of the ruling and opposition parties, Huo Junzhen was not willing to do it.

Zhuge Liang is a workaholic, has experience in governing, and has a close relationship with Liu Chan. It is very suitable for him to be the minister in charge in Huo Jun's eyes.

"Kong Ming lifts the king up to the throne, and the king lifts Kong Ming up to the throne!"

Hearing this, Liu Bei shook his head helplessly and said: "The two monarchs are shirking each other, and I don't know who to choose as the chief!"

"You should choose Kong Ming!" Huo Jun recommended again.

"Allow me to think about it for a moment and ask the ministers for their opinions. It depends on you and Kong Ming, who can be the minister in charge," Liu Bei said.

Seeing that the two declined and were unwilling to serve as ministers, Liu Bei sighed. I hope that after him, Huo Jun and Zhuge Liang will be like him when he was alive and not have conflicts after his death.

After chatting for a long time, Liu Bei told Huo Jun that Xu Shu would be the auxiliary minister. Afterwards, Huo Jun saw that Liu Bei was tired and resigned from the palace.

As soon as Huo Jun left, Liu Chan came out from behind the screen.

"What do you think, Prince?" Liu Bei asked.

"Huo Du and the Prime Minister are both noble men, and they refuse each other. My father's words are only virtuous and virtuous, and can be obeyed by others. They are not true or false." Liu Chan said.

Liu Bei stroked his gray beard and said with a smile: "You are young today and do not have the ability of Shang Tang and Zhou Wu. You have to rely on the kings to govern the world and the Northern Expedition. After today, you should take Huo Du and the prime minister as your elders, and serve as your nephews."

"promise!"

(End of this chapter)