I, the prince, only want to be deposed.

Chapter 484 Pressure on Huo Guang
Not long after, Huo Guang was summoned into the palace.

Entering the palace with him were General Lu Bode, who had led troops to support Liu Ju when he was pacifying the Kingdom of Nanyue, and Li Ling, the grandson of the famous general Li Guang.

"Lu Bode, Li Ling, Liu Ju and Zhao Po Nu have been on an expedition to the bitter cold land of the Western Regions for some time now. Although they have gained a lot, they are exhausted both physically and mentally."

In front of Huo Guang, Liu Che said to Lu Bode and Li Ling,

"I order the two of you to carry the tiger talisman and staff, one master and one assistant, to replace them. Do you have the confidence?"

"This……"

The two looked at each other, and for a moment they didn't dare to speak.

Naturally, they very much wanted to succeed Liu Ju and Zhao Po Nu. After all, in the past two years, almost everyone who went to the Western Regions had made great contributions, especially the main generals like Zhao Po Nu and Wang Hui, almost all of whom had been confirmed to be granted the title of nobility.

Even some envoys who went to the Western Regions to convey imperial edicts could pick up merits along the way and be easily promoted to higher positions.

Therefore, many people in the court have begun to envy and jealous, and they wish they could also be sent to the Western Regions, a place full of achievements by Liu Che, so that they might be able to make further progress.

But they should be asked to replace Liu Ju and Zhao Po Nu.

That's another matter entirely.

The current favorable situation in the Western Regions, including the Xiongnu's flight to the west, was all facilitated by Liu Ju, Zhao Po Nu and others, and, by the way, Wei Qing who has passed away due to illness.

Going to replace Liu Ju and Zhao Po Nu at this time would be no different from running to reap the fruits of victory.

Therefore, although Liu Che asked this question on his own initiative.

But if anyone really agrees and goes there happily, he will probably be criticized and ridiculed afterwards.

Besides, who is Liu Ju?

He is the eldest prince of the emperor. Even if he had been deposed from the crown prince position before, as long as the emperor did not appoint another crown prince, he would still be the most legitimate heir to the throne.

Even if we don’t consider the present, we have to consider the future, right?
Whoever dares to pick Liu Ju's peaches now, if Liu Ju succeeds to the throne in the future, he might try to take them back twice as much. The consequences are not something that they, the ministers, can afford.

"?"

Huo Guang was also somewhat surprised when he heard this, but he kept his head down, not revealing even the slightest fluctuation in the deepest part of his eyes.

He was not sure what Liu Che meant now.

But he already had his own worries.

He felt that Liu Ju's performance in the Western Regions was a bit too ostentatious. Even if he was really capable, he should not have shown it all. Not only did he conquer most of the Western Regions in one fell swoop, he also crippled the Huns, forcing them to migrate west with their entire clan.

He also clearly remembered what Liu Ju's mission was for this expedition.

It was just an attack on Loulan and Gushi.

Even whether to attack Gu Shi depends on the situation and is not a definite goal.

As a result, Liu Ju not only exceeded the task, but also exerted his subjective initiative to achieve the goal that Wei Qing and Huo Qubing had never achieved...

Huo Guang thought this was very bad.

Liu Ju should not have been so aggressive. Sometimes doing too much is not a good thing. It would be better for him to obey Liu Che's orders and fight wherever he was told. After completing the task, he would come back and report immediately. This way, he could avoid unnecessary trouble.

What’s more, Liu Ju did much more than “too much”.

This achievement not only surpassed that of Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, but probably even surpassed that of Emperor Liu Che.

If this continues, what was originally a good thing may turn into a bad thing.

Although he could understand Liu Ju's eagerness to make achievements after being deposed, he felt that doing this was already superfluous.

Even if Liu Ju really has the ability to accomplish this.

You should also keep a low profile and wait until you truly succeed to the throne and hold power before doing it.

Besides, this credit won’t run away.

If I can accomplish these things now as a prince, it will be an achievement. But if I can accomplish these things in the future as an emperor, will it not be an achievement?
Isn't it better to be the greatest emperor in history than to be a deposed prince?

With these in mind.

Huo Guang felt that Liu Che's sudden decision to order Lu Bode and Li Ling to pick peaches was probably because he was worried that Liu Ju's "achievements would surpass his father's."

"I ask you, do you have faith?"

There was no expression on Liu Che's face, he just asked again in a dull voice.

"In reply to your Majesty, even if I am not as good as you and General Zhao, I will never dare to disappoint your Majesty."

Lu Bode quickly bowed and replied.

Li Ling is still young and is still serving as the Jianzhang Supervisor in Jianzhang Camp. He is not as experienced as Lu Bode, a veteran general with a long history. After hearing Lu Bode's words, he finally realized what was going on and quickly bowed and said:
"Although I am not talented, I would rather die than disappoint your majesty's expectations, let alone bring shame to the Han Dynasty. I am willing to sacrifice my life to serve your majesty and the country!"

Li Ling was so excited that his legs were shaking.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

If he could really lead his troops to the Western Regions to attack the barbarians, then he would have the opportunity to fulfill his grandfather Li Guang's lifelong wish, and at the same time he would have the opportunity to revive the Li family's military spirit.

Although the current Li family is better off than the average person, it is still in decline compared to the past.

Ever since his uncle Li Gan was shot to death by Huo Qubing.

Now he is the only one in the court serving as the Jianzhang Supervisor, which is simply the emperor's bodyguard. The rest of the people have become marginalized people in the court, and it is difficult for them to even receive the salary from the court. Sometimes they have to rely on him for support to survive.

So no one knows what kind of desire he has in his heart.

"In that case, I will ask Su Wen to draft the edict. You two should go back and make preparations. You should leave for the Western Regions in the next few days to replace Liu Ju and Zhao Po Nu."

Liu Che nodded and made the decision in a few words.

After the two of them thanked him and left, he finally cast his gaze on Huo Guang and asked:
"Huo Guang, are you confused about my decision just now?"

"Wei Chen dare not."

Huo Guang's heart trembled and he responded quickly.

"You should be confused. Liu Ju is not only the eldest son of the emperor, but also your cousin. He alone represents the interests of both your Wei and Huo clans."

Liu Che said calmly,
"I don't believe that when Liu Ju's interests are damaged, you will not feel the slightest bit of emotion or injustice for him."

"?!"

Huo Guang's heart was gripped again. He sensed a serious warning in Liu Che's words, so he immediately knelt on the ground and bowed his head, saying:

"Your Majesty, please understand. Since the day I entered the palace, I have only been loyal to Your Majesty and the interests of the Han Dynasty. I have no regard for the interests of the Wei or Huo families!" "Besides, I have not had any contact with the Wei family for many years, and I have never had a private relationship with Your Highness."

"So no matter what your majesty decides, there must be some thoughts that ordinary people cannot understand. I will never be confused by anyone or anything, let alone comment on it!"

Seeing this, Liu Che just waved his hand without comment:
"Okay, get up."

"I am not questioning you, I just want to understand your position."

"I have seen everything you have done by my side over the years, so how could I doubt your loyalty?"

"But you don't have to be so absolute. Wei Qing is your uncle, Wei Zifu is your aunt, and Wei Junru is also your aunt. Even if they are not blood relatives, they are still your closest relatives. Without them, there would be no Huo Qubing, let alone you today. No one can change these."

"Even if you are my subject, I cannot ask you to cut off contact with them, nor will I have any doubts about you because of this."

"By the way, in a few days, the body of your uncle Wei Qing will be sent back to Chang'an."

"I have already decided to bury him in Maoling Mausoleum, and to build his tomb in the shape of Yinshan Mountain to show his achievements in life. As his nephew, you should also wear sackcloth and send him off. You must show some human touch. I am not an unreasonable person."

"..."

Huo Guang really couldn't understand what Liu Che meant by these words, but he still bowed and replied with a "yes".

"One more thing."

Liu Che nodded slightly, and then continued,

"After you send Wei Qing off, go to the Western Regions with Lu Bode and Li Ling and bring Liu Ju back to me."

"Now that Wei Qing is gone, your aunt Wei Zifu has many sorrows in her heart that she cannot tell me. If Liu Ju could be by her side, he could help ease her pain and prevent her from hurting herself."

"Just say that I said so. Wei Zifu raised and taught him for many years. Now is the time for him to fulfill his filial duty. He has to come back this time. Haven't you heard that a son wants to take care of his parents but they don't wait to call?"

"I... can I trust you and entrust this matter to you?"

The real purpose is revealed!
Huo Guang instantly understood what Liu Che meant. He was giving himself an ultimatum, as well as an ultimatum to Liu Ju.

Although Huo Guang did not know how many times Liu Che ordered people to summon Liu Ju, nor what the process was.

But it is obvious that Liu Ju will not listen again!
That was why Emperor Liu Che summoned him, gave him the tiger talisman to let Lu Bode and Li Ling replace Liu Ju, and asked him to recall Liu Ju.

There is no doubt that his previous concerns were correct.

Liu Ju had done so much that it had caused Emperor Liu Che to have reservations. Especially when he was unable to summon Liu Ju back to report, these reservations would only become more serious.

Finished!

It's all fucking over!

This cousin is disobedient at this time, and a good thing is finally turning into a bad thing.

He didn't even dare to think about what kind of situation Liu Ju would face after being forcibly recalled?
Control? House arrest? Ignorance?

These are probably just basic operations. I am afraid that if the concerns are too serious, worse situations may occur.

As for reinstating the crown prince, forget it.

Which emperor would make a prince he is concerned about the crown prince, let alone this emperor is Liu Che!
But what if I don’t come back?
If Lu Bode and Li Ling went there, they would immediately use the tiger talisman to take away the military power from Liu Ju.

Liu Che had just mentioned Wei Zifu, Wei Junru and others, and even mentioned the Huo family. Although he was talking about family affection and kinship, what Huo Guang heard was the word "punishment of the entire family."

This is the threat of Chi Guoguo!

Liu Che was telling him in a disguised way that if he could not recall Liu Ju this time, even if the Huo family had severed all overt contacts with the Wei family long ago, they would not be able to remain unscathed.

"Alas, cousin, my dear cousin, you have ruined all my late brother's wishes. Sooner or later, I will be killed by you..."

Huo Guang wanted to cry but had no tears, but he could only bow and say:
"I will obey your orders and will never betray your majesty's trust."

"If Liu Ju finds excuses to delay, you can discuss this matter with Sang Hongyang who has already arrived in the Western Regions. When Sang Hongyang sees you, he will naturally know what to do."

Liu Che pondered again.

Although he had not heard that Huo Guang, Wei Qing and Wei Zifu had been exchanging letters privately, he had long understood the little thoughts of Huo Guang and the Huo family.

Regardless of whether it is a tacit understanding between the Wei and Huo families, the two families have been cutting ties.

This is a way to avoid putting all your eggs in one basket, so that if something goes wrong, you won’t get hurt all at once.

But it was precisely because of this that Liu Che asked Huo Guang to do this.

Unlike others, if Huo Guang wanted to show his loyalty to himself and let others continue to trust him, he had to do more than others... Just like those traitors in later generations, when they went abroad, they wanted to integrate into the Western ethnic group and be accepted by them, and when they treated their motherland and compatriots, they often treated them worse than Westerners.

This was also Liu Che's way of ruling people. He understood human nature too well, and he understood Huo Guang too well.

Therefore, no one is more suitable to do this than Huo Guang, and no one bears more pressure than Huo Guang. Even if he does not hesitate to completely break up with Liu Ju, he must get this done...

……

Liu Ju had already sensed that the storm was coming, but he was unable to predict what tricks Liu Che would use for the time being.

It shouldn't be a conventional tactic anymore.

After all, Wei Qing had tried it, and Sang Hongyang had also tried it, which was enough to prove that conventional tactics were ineffective against Liu Ju. Liu Che would definitely not do it again and again after having done it once or twice.

And in the process of Liu Che receiving the news and responding.

The situation in the Western Regions is also undergoing rapid and gratifying changes.

The first one is naturally the Wusun Kingdom.

After the operations of Liu Ju, Su Wu and Liu Xijun, Liu Xijun has now successfully become the queen mother of Wusun. The second prince of Wusun also gladly accepted this stepmother who is younger than his granddaughter, and then became the new king of Wusun.

During this period, there was almost no opposition from the already fragmented Wusun Kingdom.

After all, most people were still in grief over the loss of their families and lands, and then, having survived a disaster, they were busy accepting relief from the newly married Han princess and rebuilding their homes as quickly as possible.

For such a lifesaver, how could the so-called customs be so important?

Secondly, more small countries in the Western Regions began to submit letters requesting to join the "Western Alliance", almost all of them east of the Pamir Mountains.

However, it is different from the first batch of countries that joined NATO.

Now Liu Ju has set a threshold for them, and no one can join if they want to.

This move has also received strong support from countries that have already joined NATO.

After all, that's what the circle is like.

If anyone can join, how can the value of NATO be demonstrated, and how can the nobility of countries like us who joined first be demonstrated?
(End of this chapter)