I, the prince, only want to be deposed.

Chapter 68 Overturning the table
Hearing this, everyone in the delegation couldn't help but look at Zhongjun and asked with their eyes:
"This is your word, right? The one you taught the prince privately?"

Zhongjun frowned in grievance, shook his head slightly at everyone, and tried his best to explain with his expression: "I swear to God, I didn't do that!"

"At most, the prince himself is gifted and has mastered the art of understanding everything he hears. It has nothing to do with me!"

at the same time.

Huo Guang was also feeling indescribable struggle and worry in his heart.

This was naturally not just because Liu Ju did not straighten the ribbons one by one when placing the five official seals, which made him feel uncomfortable all over and couldn't help but want to go over to help.

What’s more important is that Liu Ju’s move was too absurd.

This is even more ridiculous than the military merit system and the atonement order that were implemented in Nanyue a few days ago...

After all, the previous promotion of military merit titles was mainly aimed at civilians. At that time, not many civilians were literate, and the impact on public opinion was relatively limited.

But now the policy of “paying grain to fill official posts” is aimed at those civil and military officials who have ideas, power and the ability to manipulate public opinion.

But Liu Ju kept saying that this was "the national policy recommended by my father". If these officials took advantage of the issue, wouldn't it be like throwing ink directly on the emperor's face, and smearing it on the four barbarians thousands of miles away?
If the emperor knew about this, he would be furious!
"What on earth is he going to do?"

"Is there really nothing in this world that he is afraid of?"

"Wouldn't it be good to be an obedient and sensible prince?"

"Or has he forgotten why he was driven to this godforsaken place by the Emperor?!"

But now that Liu Ju had already said it, he couldn't stop Liu Ju in public.

Otherwise, the Nanyue officials would still be laughed at, thinking that the Han delegation was in a mess and did not even have a unified charter, and they would naturally lack awe in their hearts.

This is also a big taboo for the diplomatic mission, which is harmful to the country and the purpose of this mission.

"..."

Hearing this, Lu Jia and a group of Nanyue officials also looked surprised and suspicious.

What kind of a trick is this by the Han Dynasty? They said they would come to discuss turning Nanyue into a vassal state at the request of Queen Mother Qin and the King of Nanyue, but now they are bringing contraband goods with them and coming here to sell official positions?
Lu Jia then gave him a look without making any expression.

Immediately an official stepped forward, bowed, and asked loudly:

"I don't know what the prince means by this."

"Didn't the "One Country, Two Policies" policy clearly state that after our country becomes a vassal state, the Han Dynasty will not interfere in the appointment and dismissal of our officials?"

"Why are we now implementing this so-called 'paying grain to fill official posts' policy?"

This has already involved their core interests, so naturally they can't just sit there and wait for death.

"Didn't I just say that?"

Liu Ju still smiled and said,

"This is not an attempt to interfere with the appointment and dismissal of officials in Nanyue, and the Han Dynasty has no intention of forcing you. Whether you are willing to go further is entirely up to you."

As soon as the voice fell, another official stood up and said solemnly:

"Your Highness, this national policy may work in the Han Dynasty, but Nanyue has its own national conditions and may not be able to be implemented."

"Please forgive me for speaking frankly, but the official system of Nanyue has always been fair and honest, and officials are appointed based on their ability and virtue. If such a national policy is forcibly implemented, I am afraid that profit-seeking people will come in and start a precedent of disrupting politics and undermining the law."

At this point, the official looked at Queen Mother Qin and King Zhao Xing of Nanyue, who were also confused at the moment, and knelt down to pay respect and cried:
"Queen Mother, Your Majesty, I beg you to put the country first and not insist on pursuing this national policy."

"Otherwise, a hundred years from now, the Queen Mother and the King will surely be cursed in our country's history books!"

The words fell.

Lü Jia, who was quite old, immediately followed suit and bowed, his voice full of tears:
"I beg the Queen Mother and the King to reconsider!"

"I beg the Queen Mother and the King to reconsider..."

When other high-ranking officials of the Nanyue Kingdom saw Lu Jia's reaction, they were like seeing a beacon, and they all knelt down and begged bitterly.

"..."

Seeing this, Qin became more and more at a loss.

She never expected that Liu Ju would give her such a big bomb right from the start, putting her in a dilemma.

If she listened to Liu Ju now, she would be standing against the people of Nanyue and would be a sinner who disregarded the foundation of Nanyue. The queen mother would be even more uneasy in the future.

But if he did not listen to Liu Ju and cut himself off from the Han Dynasty, how could he compete with Lu Jia in the future? Naturally, he would not have a good life.

at this time.

"Dangdang!"

Liu Ju suddenly raised his foot and kicked the table beside him, making a loud noise. This action instantly attracted the attention of everyone in the hall. He had already restrained his smile, and a fierce look gradually appeared on his face. He glared and asked in a stern voice:

"What do you mean? Are you trying to insinuate that my father's national policy is incompetent and will be cursed in history books?"

"You are just a small country in the South, how dare you!"

"My father has been so thoughtful about the welfare of your people that he has brought the national policy to share with you. You are so ungrateful!"

"Do you think my weapon is weak?!"

Liu Ju knew very well that this time was completely different from the pacification of Nanyue as recorded in history books.

That time, Liu Che only sent Lu Bode with 5,000 soldiers to meet the delegation in Guiyang.

But this time, Liu Che sent Lu Bode and Yang Pu with a total of 60,000 troops to be ready for battle.

For the Kingdom of Nanyue, any slight disturbance would lead to a war of annihilation.

Therefore, the officials of the Nanyue Kingdom must be under a lot of pressure now.

If Liu Ju does not make good use of this deterrent effect and show the power of the Han Dynasty in front of these barbaric small countries, he will be unworthy of the food and grass consumed in the process of mobilizing troops.

This was the real confidence that allowed him to do whatever he wanted after coming to the Kingdom of Nanyue!
"..."

The sounds of crying and begging suddenly became quieter.

The officials of Nanyue looked at each other, and finally turned their attention to Lu Jia.

Prime Minister Lu, please give me some advice. The Han people have already overturned the table. Should we do the same?

"This……"

However, at this moment, Lu Jia found Liu Ju's behavior even more difficult to understand.

His old eyes drooped, his mind working rapidly, but he couldn't make up his mind immediately.

He thought of the 60,000 Han troops who were ready for battle in Guiyang and Lingling.

I thought of the reputation of General Lu Bode.

I thought of the magic weapons that the Han army had already equipped... They were very powerful, and they were always effective. Lu Fang had already verified it himself!

Liu Ju was naturally blatantly threatening the Kingdom of Nanyue and them.

Rude, but useful!
If they choose to overturn the table now, there will be no turning back. They can only detain the Crown Prince of the Han Dynasty and the envoys, and then use this as a threat to try to negotiate with the Han Dynasty.

But what if it is really as previously thought, that this prince is just a discarded pawn used by the Han emperor to create a reason to destroy the Kingdom of Nanyue?

In this case, flipping the table rashly would be tantamount to committing suicide...

Moreover, he had long heard of the bravery of the Han army, and now they were equipped with magical weapons, so their attack on the Kingdom of Nanyue would be unstoppable!
How can there be any eggs in the nest?

Not only will the Lu family not be able to escape unscathed in this battle, they may even be destroyed along with the Nanyue Kingdom...

No!

It’s not the right time yet, it’s not time to turn the table!
Since the previous "one country, two policies" showed signs of being friendly to the Lu family, then the Han Dynasty should not go to extremes and should always leave some room for the Lu family and listen to what he says.

Besides, it’s just “paying grain to get a promotion”…

Although the emperor of the Han Dynasty was a despicable eater, others were able to buy official positions, and the Han Dynasty did not forbid our Lu family from buying official positions.

Is there anyone in Nanyue who is richer than my Lu family?

Thinking about this in his mind, Lu Jia finally bowed and said in a relatively gentle tone:

"Your Highness has misunderstood. I, your humble servant, have absolutely no intention of interfering with the emperor."

"It's just that I may have misunderstood the policy of 'paying grain to fill official posts' and failed to grasp the profound meaning of the emperor's recommendation of this national policy. Could you please explain it in more detail, Your Highness?"

"For example, I am now the Prime Minister, and I cannot advance any further. How can I raise my salary to become a higher official?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Ju's expression immediately changed again, and he immediately showed a look of approval, and said with a smile:

"That's a good question!"

"Look, all of you take a good look, otherwise how could he become the prime minister?"

"Just now I almost thought you were planning to start a rebellion, to capture or kill me, the crown prince of the Han Dynasty, and to clash with my mighty Han army and cavalry, whose sword is sharper?"

"I have always been timid and cherish my life. Are you sure you don't mean that?"

(End of this chapter)