A thousand-year-old family that began with the Battle of Makino

Chapter 191 Be cautious, new dynasty, new atmosphere
Daidu, Daixian

Prime Minister Bai Jun, Taiwei Zhou Bo and others sent people to welcome the acting king Liu Heng before he went to Chang'an to ascend the throne.

Liu Heng asked his close ministers, Lang Zhongling, Zhang Wu and others.

Zhang Wu and others suggested: "The current ministers in the imperial court are all generals from the days of Emperor Gao and Emperor Ren. They are familiar with military affairs and have many powerful strategies. I am afraid their intention is more than that. They are afraid of the power of Emperor Gao and Emperor Ren." That’s all.

Now they have killed the Lu family and bloodbathed the capital, but the Bai family is still entrenched in Chang'an. In name, they are welcoming the king, but in fact they cannot be trusted. I hope that the king will not go there because he is ill, so as to observe the changes in the situation. "

Liu Heng thought it was reasonable, so he sent someone to refuse.

When the Han envoy came back for the second time, Liu Heng asked his close ministers Zhang Wu and others, but they were not sure. Only Lieutenant Song Chang said:

"The suggestions of the ministers are all wrong. At the beginning, the Qin Dynasty was in political chaos, and the princes and heroes revolted one after another. There were tens of thousands of people who thought they could conquer the world. But who finally ascended to the throne of emperor? It was the Liu family Ah, this is because the heroes of the world have given up hope of competing for the position of emperor. This is the first point.

Emperor Gao made the descendants of the Liu family kings, and the borders of the feudal kingdoms were intertwined and restricted each other. This is what people call a clan that is as solid as a rock. The people of the world surrendered because of its strength. This is the second point.

After the founding of the Han Dynasty, the harsh decrees of the Qin Dynasty were abolished, the laws were streamlined, and favors were granted. People lived and worked in peace and contentment. The prestige of the Liu family of the Han Dynasty was deeply rooted in the hearts of the people and was difficult to shake. This is the third point.

With the majesty of Empress Lu, more than a dozen people in the Lu family have been granted the title of marquis, and one person has been granted the title of Duke. The descendants of the Lu family have arbitrary power in the court. However, the Taiwei entered the Northern Army with only a talisman, and with a single shout, all the soldiers revealed their left sides. Arm, supported the Liu family, betrayed the Lu family, and finally eliminated the Lu family.

This is the divine power granted to the Liu family by God, and it cannot be achieved by human power. As a large ancient clan, the Bai family must also know that the destiny of heaven cannot be violated. This is why they surrendered to Emperor Gao and assisted Emperor Ren.

Therefore, even if the ministers want to cause chaos, the people will not be driven by them. Can even their party members work together? Now there are relatives like Zhu Xuhou and loyal ministers like Anqiu Hou Tian Guangyong. Externally, they are afraid of the power of the King of Wu, the King of Chu, the King of Huainan, the King of Liang, the King of Qi, and the King of Dai.

Now the only sons of Emperor Gao are the King of Huainan and the Great King. The Great King is the eldest, and is famous for his virtuous, wise, kind, and filial piety. Therefore, the ministers want to comply with the people of the world and welcome the Great King as the emperor. This is a wise choice. Your Majesty, don’t doubt it. "

Liu Heng still hesitated after hearing this, and discussed with the Queen Mother, but couldn't decide, so he used tortoise shells for divination, and got a big hexagram.

The inscription says: "Da Heng Geng Geng, Yu is the King of Heaven, Xia Qi is the light." That is to say: "Da Heng represents the horizontal texture, and I, as the King of Heaven, Xia Qi's career radiates light."

Liu Heng asked the fortune teller: "I am already a king, what else do I want to be?"

The diviner said: "The king in question is the Son of Heaven."

This hexagram made Liu Heng firm up his determination, and then he sent Empress Dowager Bo's younger brother Bo Zhao to meet with Taiwei Zhou Bo. Zhou Bo and others truthfully informed Bo Zhao of their true intention to establish the acting king.

Bo Zhao immediately returned to Dai County and reported: "Your Majesty, you can believe it now, there is no need to doubt it."

Liu Heng smiled and said to Song Chang, "It's exactly what you said."

So he ordered Song Chang to take part in the post train to Chang'an with Zhang Wu and other six people.

December 20
Liu Heng and his party stopped to rest when they reached Gaoling, and sent Song Chang to drive to Chang'an first to observe the changes in the situation.

When Song Chang came to Weiqiao, officials from the prime minister level down came to greet him. Song Chang returned and reported that there was nothing unusual. Liu Heng then relaxed and drove to Weiqiao, where all the ministers came to pay homage to him.

Liu Heng did not get carried away, but got out of the car and paid his respects very respectfully.

At this time, Taiwei Zhou Bo came forward and said: "I request to report to the king privately."

Liu Heng gave Song Chang a look. Song Chang understood and said to Zhou Bo: "If what the captain is talking about is a public matter, please say it publicly. If what is being said is a private matter, then please forgive me for not accepting private matters."

Reluctantly, Zhou Bo knelt down and presented the emperor's seal and talisman.

Liu Heng did not accept the application, but declined and said, "Let's discuss this matter when we arrive at Daiguo's official residence!" Zhou Bo looked at the man in front of him and muttered in his heart, this is too cautious! But there was no choice but to follow Liu Heng and drive into the Daiwang Palace, and all the officials followed.

Zhou Bo told Bai Jun about this, and Bai Jun smiled and said: "This is human nature, so let's give our Majesty a little sense of security!"

Subsequently, Prime Minister Bai Jun, Taiwei Zhou Bo, General Guan Ying, Pingyang Hou Cao Cheng, Zongzheng Liu Zhang, Lang Zhongling Tian Guangyong, Lu Gong's son Lu Tong, Wei Wei Bai Qi, and Qu Nihou Chen Mai all bowed twice and then spoke. :
"Liu Jing has no imperial virtues and should not preside over the ancestral temple sacrifices. So we respectfully asked Queen Qing of Yin'an to discuss with the clan, ministers, princes, and officials of more than 2,000 shi, and they all said: 'Your Majesty is the eldest son of Emperor Gao. And if you are virtuous, you should be the successor of Emperor Gao.' I hope that the king will ascend to the throne of emperor."

Liu Heng said: "Respecting the ancestral temple of Emperor Gaodi is of great importance. I am not talented enough to respect the ancestral temple. I hope to ask Queen Qing to reconsider. I dare not take on this important responsibility."

All the ministers knelt down and made a firm request. Liu Heng faced the west and yielded three times, and faced the south twice.

At this time, Prime Minister Bai Jun also realized what Zhou Bo meant by being overly cautious, and could only say: "After discussion, we believe that it is most appropriate for the king to enshrine Gaodi's ancestral temple. Even if the princes and people of the world consider it, they will not be more cautious." It’s a good choice. We don’t dare to make a rash decision for the sake of the country and the country. So I hope your Majesty will listen to our suggestions, and when we bow down again to present the emperor’s seal and talismans, I hope your Majesty will not refuse again.”

Liu Heng also felt that they really wanted to be emperor, so he said: "Since the clan, generals, kings, and princes all think that no one is more suitable than me, then I don't dare to refuse anymore."

So Liu Heng accepted the emperor's seal and talisman, ascended to the throne of emperor, and became the fourth emperor of the Han Dynasty. The ministers stood in order according to etiquette.

On the same day, the officials drove the emperor to the official residence of Daiguo to greet the new emperor. After a series of complicated etiquette, the new emperor entered Weiyang Palace that night.

After entering Weiyang Palace, he appointed Song Chang as General of the Guard with the emperor's edict overnight to suppress and support the Northern and Southern armies. Tian Guangyong was moved to the position of imperial censor, and Zhang Wu was appointed as Lang Zhongling to patrol the palace.

After doing all this, Emperor Han returned to the front hall with peace of mind, sat down, and issued an edict overnight:
"Previously, I tried to sympathize with the Lu family's dictatorship, conspired to rebel, and wanted to harm the Liu family's ancestral temple. Fortunately, I relied on the generals, princes, clans, and ministers to kill them and make them admit their crimes and be punished. I have decided to grant amnesty for the first time. In addition, the people of the world will be rewarded with a promotion to one level of nobility, and at the same time, wine and meat will be given to one hundred households, and the people will gather and feast for five days."

The first year of Emperor Han
January, Xinhai Day

The emperor formally ascended the throne and paid homage to the Gaomiao. Right Prime Minister Bai Jun was appointed as Left Prime Minister, Taiwei Zhou Bo was appointed as Right Prime Minister, General Guan Ying was appointed as Taiwei, Weiwei Bai Qi was appointed as Lieutenant of the Northern Army, and Zongzheng Liu Zhang was granted the title of Grand Master. The land that originally belonged to Qi and Chu that Emperor Dang and the Lu family had conspired to invade were returned to the kings of Qi and Chu.

On the day of Renzi, Emperor Wen sent the chariot general Bo Zhao to Daiguo to greet the Empress Dowager.

Later, the Emperor of the Han Dynasty issued an edict to summarize the cause and reward the meritorious officials: "Since he became the prime minister, Lu Chan has served as the general of the guard and Lu Lu has served as the general. He falsely conveyed the imperial edict without authorization and sent the general Guan Ying to lead the army to attack the state of Qi. He wanted to To replace the Liu family, the general discovered the conspiracy and stayed in Xingyang instead of attacking Qi. Instead, he conspired with the princes to kill the Lu family and punish them.

Lu Chan and Shen Shiqi wanted to cause rebellion. Prime Minister Bai Jun, Taiwei Zhou Bo, Zongzheng Liu Zhang and others planned to seize the military power of Lu Chan and others. Zhu Xuhou Liu Zhang, Xiuwu Hou Crown Prince Bai Qi, imperial censor Tian Guangyong and others took the lead in arresting Lu Chan and others.

The Taiwei personally led Xiangping Hou Jitong to enter the Northern Army with a talisman and an imperial edict. Lu Tong, the crown prince of Lu Gong, personally seized the general's seal from General Lu Lu. I decided to kill Shen Shi and his associates, and exterminate Shen Shi's clan, except for the title and land of Piyang Marquis. Lu Lu repented before the battle, so he spared his life, demoted him to a commoner, and ordered Lu Gong to take care of him, and he was not allowed to leave for life. Lu Guo.

It was decided to grant the title of 10,000 households to Taiwei Zhou Bo, with a reward of 5,000 jins; to grant the title of 9,000 households to Prime Minister Bai Jun, with a reward of 4,000 jins; to grant the title of 3,000 households to the general Guanying and Xiuwu Marquis Bai Yu, with a reward of 2,000 jins. .

The titles of Zhu Xuhou Liu Zhang, Xiangping Hou Jitong, and Anqiu Hou Tian Guangyong were granted to 2,000 households each, with a reward of 1,000 catties. Lu Gong, Lu Tai, killed his relatives in a righteous way and served the country well. However, his relatives were in trouble, so his merits and demerits were offset by neither reward nor punishment. "

After the Han emperor succeeded to the throne, he did not express opinions at will at first. Instead, he continued to collect information from courtiers and analyze the situation of various forces every day, for fear that something would happen.

He also heard that Emperor Dang had died mysteriously in the palace, and knew that Weiyang Palace was not safe, so he moved to Changle Palace. He only went to Weiyang Palace for court meetings, and dismissed hundreds of Emperor Dang's concubines, as well as Recruiting maids on a large scale to reduce the expenses of the inner palace.

After analysis, it can be concluded that the current power of the court is relatively balanced. The Liu family, Bai family, and Chehou are three pillars, maintaining a simple balance. The Liu family has mastered the channels of communication with the princes and kings, and has a good relationship with the Liu family. The princes The king can be generally stable, but he still needs to take precautions.

Although the Bai family has a good reputation and controls most of the power in the court, after seeing the secret reports collected by Song Chang, she learned that Bai Jun was so rude to his nephew and was distant from him. She knew that the Bai family could be used, but Don't get too close. They are horribly indifferent to people other than the Bai family.

Chehou, headed by Zhou Bo, has mastered a large amount of military power and is relatively stable now, but they don't seem to have much respect for themselves, and they are the most powerful now. It seems that he will join forces with other forces to suppress them.

Later, because the Beigong was built under the orders of Emperor Dang, and less than half of it had been built at this time, it was not easy to stop the work at will, but it was too laborious for the people, so he ordered to reduce the corvee for the construction of the Beigong.
Labor was only allowed to be used during slack periods, and recruitment was done around Chang'an. At the same time, the completion time was relaxed. The purpose was not to waste people and money. For a while, the people in Guanzhong cheered and instantly recognized the new Han emperor. Bai Jun, the prime minister of the left, also He was impressed by the new Han Emperor.

(End of this chapter)