Thousand-year-old family: its rise began with Shang Yang’s reforms

Chapter 306 Young Man

The first year of Jianyuan, winter.

The heavy snow almost covered the entire Kyoto in snow and frost. Many common people in Chang'an City were hawking their wares, and they still could not rest even on such a snowy day.

The spring of the second year of Jianyuan is approaching.

In the post station
Sweat kept flowing from Balzaci's face and his whole body was trembling. In his hand was a letter from the Khan of the Huns.

The content of the letter was very simple. It was to ask him to test the current situation of the Han Dynasty and then pass the message back to decide whether the Huns should go to war with the Han Dynasty.

Logically speaking, Balzac was actually very reluctant to see this happen.

After all, Balzaxin is now considered a nobleman in Chang'an City. He lives a life that many Han people in Qiandu cannot live.

What’s more, what about those people who eat sand in Langjuxu Mountain?

But does Balzasi have the guts to deceive the Xiongnu Khan? He doesn't have the guts for the time being, because his family is still near the Wolf Mountain, and the current Xiongnu Khan is not a good person.

not to mention.
Balzaci looked at the sturdy man beside him in a flattering manner, cupped his hands, and said like a Han Chinese: "I have fully understood what the Khan meant. I will certainly be at your disposal and follow your lead."

The sturdy man just glanced at Balzaci, then said coldly: "It's better this way."

He sat there, like a small mountain, intimidating people: "Tell me everything you know about the things in Chang'an and the Han Dynasty. If there is anything missing, please tell me."

Seeing the sharpness and brutality in the sturdy man's eyes, Balzaxin naturally told the story seriously.

Half an hour later.

Balza looked at the sturdy man and said, "This is roughly the situation in Chang'an."

"Among them, the one that you should not mess with the most is probably the Chen family. As for the others, there is nothing that needs extra attention."

"But this big man's embroidered messenger is always watching us. Now that you are here, will you..."

The strong man, Moss, nodded and said, "When you report tomorrow, tell them that I, the Xiongnu Khan, sent me as an envoy to pay my respects."

He narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at the courtyard scenery in the distance.

"The Khan said that the time for us Xiongnu to return to the grasslands is approaching."

"I hope all this is really as the big man guessed."

In fact, Moss didn't quite understand why the Khan had to bring his people back to the northern border. Although the grasslands there were rich, they would be enemies with the Han Dynasty, which was not a good thing.

But he was willing to support the decision of his own Khan.

Therefore, he collected information about the people in Chang'an City more seriously. He wanted to meet the "people in power" in the capital city before the grand court meeting, or perhaps the people who had the power to answer questions and resolve doubts for the Huns.

Most of these people hold high positions.

after all
The salaries given by the Han Dynasty were not too high. How could such a meager salary support these officials?
Not to mention the Huns' money, they dared to take money from other people as well.

It's just manipulation.

Chen Qiu sat in the courtyard. The green bamboo in the courtyard was dancing gently in the wind, like shadows dancing rhythmically.

There was another person sitting in front of him.

Moss.

Moss looked at Chen Qiu with a very humble expression, but the words he said did not seem very "gentle".

"Prime Minister Chen, after hearing about your story, the Khan felt great respect for you."

"On the grassland, a man like Chen Xiang would definitely be given a throne and crowned king. But now Chen Xiang has not received such treatment in the Han Dynasty. This is really chilling to the hearts of the people."

Chen Qiu poured the tea with no change in expression.

Seeing this, Moss said in a flattering tone, "I heard that your brother went to the Western Regions to do business and trade. Is he trying to find a way for the Han Dynasty to communicate with the Western Regions?"

There was a hint of smile in his tone: "Coincidentally, the Xiongnu have some roots in the Western Regions. When the Khan knew that the "Prince An Guo" whom he admired very much in the past was going to the Western Regions, he specifically instructed someone to go there to protect him."

Moss said softly, "I just don't know what the situation is now?"

"Has Minister Chen received Brother Leng's letter?"

Moss's face had a somewhat provocative look, but Chen Qiu's expression remained unchanged. He just smiled faintly and looked at Moss: "Thank you Khan for your concern."

"But my brother's letter has already arrived, saying that he has returned safely."

"Now that we have entered the territory of the Han Dynasty, I am afraid there is no need for the Khan to worry about it."

"and--"

Chen Qiu raised his head, looked at Moss and whispered, "Besides, has Khan forgotten?"

"What happened to the Wu'an Jun of my Chen family in the past?"

His voice was calm but with a hint of sarcasm, and his eyes seemed to be filled with endless murderous intent.

"In the past, someone from the Chen clan was able to defeat the Xiongnu. This year, someone from the Chen clan can also defeat the Xiongnu!"

"Khan, please remember to think twice before speaking or doing anything!"

A gloomy look flashed across Moss's face. He just smiled and said, "Thank you for your teachings, Prime Minister Chen. I will convey all of your advice to the Khan."

After Moss left in a hurry, Chen Qiu slowly stood up with a hint of thunder in his eyes.

What are the Huns?
This rubbish, whom the Chen ancestors almost wiped out several times, now dares to challenge the Chen family at this time?

Or when the Chen family was at its peak?
He closed his eyes. Although he knew that this was a plan by Moss and the Xiongnu Khan, he still couldn't calm the rage in his heart.

This is a "conspiracy".

Moss was just a guard. Could he speak on behalf of the Xiongnu Khan? Or, even if he could, would he dare to speak like that without the Khan's permission?
He dare not.

Even the Huns didn't dare.

Is the new Khan of the Xiongnu a fool?

of course not.

When the Huns were in the worst situation, he was able to single-handedly shoulder the fate of the Huns, integrate the Huns who were almost forced to huddle near the Langjuxu Mountain, and within ten years annex the Huns who were almost scattered like stars in the sky.

Can such a person be a fool?

Chen Qiu had a sneer on his face. After putting everything together, he could see what the Huns meant.

They want to start a war between the Han Dynasty and the Huns!
"Huns, why are you so confident?"

"Is there any other plan?"

Thinking of this, Chen Qiu walked out and said in a deep voice: "Prepare a sedan chair for me, I want to go to the palace to meet His Majesty!"

Weiyang Palace
After listening to Chen Qiu's remarks, Liu Che raised his eyebrows: "Teacher, do you mean that the Xiongnu people are making unusual moves and want to go to war with our Han Dynasty?"

Chen Qiu nodded: "In fact, I am not very sure about this matter, but it is almost certain." "Otherwise, it cannot explain why this envoy dared to threaten Chen. I am afraid that he heard some rumors and thought that this big man was controlled by Chen. If he offended Chen, he would be so angry that I would start a war with the Xiongnu at all costs."

Hearing this, Liu Che's brows flashed with a little haze: "It's a pity that the only good general that my Han Dynasty can use and can use is Marquis Jiang, who is struggling to support it. If Marquis Jiang is sent to the northern border at this time..."

Chang'an City with Zhou Yafu in charge and Chang'an City without Zhou Yafu in charge are two completely different concepts.

Zhou Yafu's greatest role is to intimidate the kings of the world so that these princes will not have any other thoughts. If Zhou Yafu leaves, I am afraid that those kings will be tempted one by one.

Chen Qiu also tried to comfort him: "So, as soon as the messenger left, I quickly came here."

Liu Che's expression did not show the slightest sign of relaxation. He just asked: "Teacher, is there no one else in the Han Dynasty except Marquis Jiang? If this continues, Marquis Jiang's health..."

Chen Qiu raised his head and sighed slightly.

After thinking for a while, he said, "My fifth uncle's lineage is also the lineage of Marquis Wu'an in the early days of the founding of the country. There are still descendants who inherit the tradition. They are just young now, but it seems that they have inherited some of the true teachings of the former Marquis Wu'an."

Chen Qiu's words were very vague, mixed with a lot of possibilities and speculations.

And Chen De's lineage now has a legitimate son who carries on the inheritance.

It is very strange to say that his fifth uncle, Chen Zhan, the first generation "Wu'an Jun" during the reign of King Huiwen, who had the blood of the Qin family flowing in his veins, always seemed to be more inclined towards the military side between the two.

Of course, no matter how much of a genius Chen Qulu appeared to be, Chen Qiu was always very careful when talking about him.

After all, Chen Qulu is only fourteen years old now.

It’s still six years before I get crowned.

Liu Che was well aware that distant water cannot quench immediate thirst, so he seemed very uninterested.

He yawned and said, "I'll leave this matter to Prime Minister Chen."

Liu Che stretched and said softly, "Today, my elder sister said that she has acquired a group of stunning dancers. It just so happens that she has finished her mourning period. Now he can also take concubines."

He said lazily: "Everything is up to you, teacher!"

Pingyang Houfu
After the eldest princess married the Marquis of Pingyang, she lived a secluded life. Except for some occasional extravagance, she was cautious in everything else.

Of course, after ascending the throne this year, the eldest princess, who had always been low-key, is no longer low-key. Instead, she tries to improve the favorability of her younger brother, the current emperor, every now and then.

Her purpose is also simple.

I hope that the emperor’s grace can benefit the Marquis of Changping’s mansion.

They also hope that she can be like their "aunt" Liu Biao who is seeking her own death and try to please the emperor.

Why was Liu Biao still able to act arrogantly in the capital when Empress Dowager Dou was useless? It was because the emperor was more tolerant of Liu Biao.

why?
Because of the close relationship between us.

The so-called close relationship between them is that many of Liu Qi's wives in the harem were introduced by Liu Biao. Do you have the nerve to deal with Liu Biao because of some trivial matters?
Of course I'm sorry.

Therefore, Princess Pingyang also wanted to learn this way and find some ways out for her descendants.

Inside the Mansion of Marquis Pingyang

Although there was singing and dancing, the emperor did not look very well and seemed a little gloomy.

The Marquis of Pingyang and Princess Pingyang were both curious when they saw this. When the dancers stopped dancing, Princess Pingyang smiled and said, "Your Majesty, do you find this unattractive? Why do you look so listless?"

Liu Che yawned. He did not say what he was thinking. He just glanced into the distance and said with a smile, "It is indeed a little unsightly."

He was a little curious: "Could it be that Sister has something else hidden?"

Liu Che became excited and said, "Hurry up and send someone up to let me take a look."

Pingyang had a smile on her face, she just clapped her hands. A woman slowly walked over from the distance, holding a tray with some pastries on it.

The woman's face was almost without any makeup, but she looked exceptionally pretty and beautiful. Her long hair hung behind her, swaying slightly in the wind, and her graceful body swayed with her movements.

"Your servant Wei Zifu greets your majesty."

"May your majesty live a long life—"

Seeing Wei Zifu kneeling in front of him, Liu Che's eyes almost popped out.

Wei Zifu might not be considered stunningly beautiful, but the elusive aura she possessed was truly fascinating.

When Princess Pingyang saw Liu Che's expression, she knew that the matter was 80% successful.

He immediately smiled and said, "Your Majesty, my sister still has some things to deal with, so I will not accompany you."

She stood up, and Marquis Pingyang stood up with her.

Pingyang's voice was filled with ambiguity: "Your Majesty, there is no one in the backyard. After I leave, I will also order people not to enter. There are guards guarding outside the door."

Liu Che and Wei Zifu immediately understood what Princess Pingyang meant and laughed out loud, "Okay, okay, my sister is still good to me."

His hands had already embraced Wei Zifu to his side, and feeling the tenderness of the person almost clinging to him, he said with a smile: "Then it would be disrespectful for my brother to refuse!"

Guandu Chen family
In the building
A young man was sitting in the pavilion with a book in his hand, his face full of excitement: "It turns out that the art of war can be used like this!"

What he was reading were the letters left by the generals of the Chen family who were conferred the title of "Wu'an" throughout the generations. Of course, there were not only these in Zhuoshen Building, but also the military books left by the ancestor Chen Ye!

"Chen Zi's Art of War".

The young man's brows were excited, and at this moment a voice calling came from outside the building.

"Go to the captives? Go to the captives?!"

"The emperor has issued an order! Come out quickly!"

The winter of the first year of Jianyuan finally ended. When the spring of the second year of Jianyuan came, many people in Chang'an City knew that after Princess Guantao, Princess Pingyang had also become a favorite of the emperor.

The reason why he became famous is exactly the same as Guantao.

Presenting beauty.

In the winter of that year, three people were missing from Princess Pingyang's mansion, while one person was added to the emperor's harem.

Wei Zifu.

She is ranked as Lady, just below the Queen.

And now, the emperor of today.

No queen was enthroned.

Weiyang Palace

Liu Che looked at the person kneeling on the ground in front of him with a faint smile on his face.

"Tell me, do you have a plan to repel the Xiongnu?"

(End of this chapter)