The Nameless of the Common Clans

Han Shou nineteenth year, winter.

It has been four months since Chen Mo returned to the court. It is already midwinter. For the people of Luoyang, the unification of the world does not make much difference. Life goes on and livelihoods still need to be busy. But for the court and the scholars of the world, this is not a trivial matter. The unification of the world represents the end of the era of princes. No one can say whether Chen Mo will take this opportunity to change the world.

Some smart people have begun to quietly stand in line, including the court of Chang'an. Many ministers have begun to secretly pledge allegiance to the Ming Palace, but the imagined change of dynasty has not occurred. Chen Mo has been busy with political affairs since he returned to the court in April. He is either busy with political affairs, discussing state affairs and people's livelihood with officials, or accompanying his wife and children at home. He is so quiet that it is a bit weird. No one understands what Chen Mo is thinking.

If you don't want to change the dynasty, just return the power to Liu Neng. If you want to change the dynasty, it is the best opportunity to pacify the troubled times. Why doesn't Chen Mo make any moves?

The court in Chang'an is still doing nothing in Chang'an, but the Ming Palace has been working hard in April to rectify government affairs and prepare for the spring plowing in Jiangdong and Shu after the beginning of next spring. In addition, Chen Mo has ordered more roads to be built in various places, especially the roads leading to the outside world in Shu, and many places have already started construction.

There are many speculations from the outside world, but Chen Mo has not expressed any opinion. Occasionally, he will talk with Sun Quan about governing the world.

This winter, the first snow did not fall until November, and it has been snowing for three days without stopping. On such days, it is really lonely. Whether it is an ordinary family or a rich family, every household rarely goes out.

"Why is your husband frowning?" In the courtyard of the palace, Sun Shangxiang and her children were playing in the snow. For her, who was born in Jiangdong, snow was rare or she had never seen it before. Now that she saw the snow, she was as excited as a child. Chen Rui was dragged by Sun Shangxiang to play in the snow with a look of despair on his face. Cai Yan helped Chen Mo put on a cloak, and asked when she saw Chen Mo staring at the sky.

"It is said that this auspicious snow is a good omen, and the people will have a good harvest next year." Chen Mo smiled.

"This is a good thing, why is your husband frowning?" Zhen Mi asked in confusion.

"There is no danger in Luoyang, but there is no snow in Bingzhou and Guanzhong this winter. If there is no heavy snow, there will be a severe drought in Guanzhong next year." Chen Mo sighed and said, "We must prepare for disaster relief in advance."

During the Xingping period, there was a severe drought in Guanzhong. Even though Chen Mo made great efforts to provide disaster relief, many people still starved to death. That drought is still fresh in our memory. Twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye, and Guanzhong seems to be facing another severe drought. I hope this time will be better than the last time.

Zhen Mi looked at Chen Rui, who was dragged by Sun Shangxiang to play snowballs in the yard. Her face was red from the cold. She was a little angry and amused: "This sixth sister is too playful."

Since Sun Shangxiang entered the palace, she seemed to have brought a lot of vitality to the palace. As the youngest in the palace and a newlywed, Sun Shangxiang was naturally favored. Her temperament did not restrain too much because of marrying into the palace. Of course, this was also related to Chen Mo's deliberate indulgence.

"The climate in Jiangdong is mild. Although it is cold in winter, it doesn't snow. She probably rarely sees such heavy snow." Chen Mo shook his head and smiled.

After a while, Chen Mo tightened his robe and said to Zhen Mi: "Tell Madam later that we won't have lunch at home today."

"Husband, are you going out in this weather?" Zhen Mi asked in confusion.

"Well, there will be a severe drought in Guanzhong next year. We have to make some preparations in advance." Chen Mo nodded and left in a hurry. Although the world is pacified, it is difficult to conquer the world and it is equally difficult to rule the world. Chen Mo has to worry about everything, such as the livelihood of the people and the border wars.

"My husband, be careful." Zhen Mi nodded and sent Chen Mo out. When she passed by Sun Shangxiang, Zhen Mi couldn't help but tap her forehead: "Wear more clothes."

"Oh." Sun Shangxiang only then noticed Chen Mo. Seeing that Chen Mo was going out, she asked: "My husband is leaving?"

"I'm going to do some things. Stay at home well. Don't just play around. Go see your mother later." Chen Mo glared at her.

Sun Shangxiang wrinkled her nose playfully, then bowed and said: "I know, my husband."

Chen Mo ignored her antics. Although she was making trouble, she still understood the rules. Chen Mo's indulgence was limited.

After leaving the palace, the wind and snow seemed to be even stronger. Chen Mo glanced at Dian Wei who was only wearing a single piece of clothing and said: "How old are you? Why are you still wearing this?"

"Don't worry, Your Majesty, I'm in good health." Dian Wei said with a grin.

Chen Mo ignored him and took Dian Wei to the government office. He saw Jia Xu sitting on a mat and drinking water. When he saw Chen Mo coming in, he trembled and wanted to get up, but Chen Mo stopped him with his hand.

"Don't move. Instead of bowing to me, Wenhe should walk more." Chen Mo looked at Jia Xu's body, which was getting fatter and fatter, and said speechlessly.

"I am old and don't want to move anymore." Jia Xu laughed: "Your Majesty, are you here for the affairs of Guanzhong?"

"Well, why is there only Wenhe?" Chen Mo nodded, let Dian Wei come in, and asked Jia Xu with a smile.

"Gongda and Yuanzhi went to Guanzhong, and it will take at least a month for them to come back." Jia Xu said with a smile.

"There will be a severe drought in Guanzhong next year, and disaster relief must be prepared early. But how to provide disaster relief, does Wenhe have any strategy?" Chen Mo asked with a smile.

"In fact, the method your king used to provide disaster relief in Guanzhong was quite appropriate. It would still be effective today. There is no reason for peace to come to the world. On the contrary, it would be even more difficult. However, I still suggest that you prepare a group of officials. I'm afraid that many of them will have to be killed by then." Jia Xu said with a smile.

The reason why Chen Mo was worried this time was not so much about the drought as about corruption. After the pacification of the country, the court had developed over the years, and the system established by Chen Mo had taken shape. However, as the saying goes, prosperity always leads to decline, and now many drawbacks have also emerged. The most serious one is corruption. In the early years, because of the pursuit of stability, Chen Mo turned a blind eye to the officials under his rule as long as they did not go too far. But now that the country is peaceful, some rules on corruption have been formed. But how easy is it to cure corruption? Moreover, the country has just been pacified, and Chen Mo does not want to cause too much trouble. This matter can only be done slowly.

Chen Mo nodded and looked at Jia Xu and said, "Does Wenhe have any countermeasures?"

"Don't be too hasty." Jia Xu sighed and said, "I know that the king wants to get rid of this matter before it has a big impact, but fighting corruption is different from fighting a war. The king is good at winning people's hearts, and you should know that people are greedy. Moreover, I think corrupt officials have their own advantages."

"Oh?" Chen Mo asked with a smile, "How do you say it?"

"Killing corruption can win the hearts of the people." Jia Xu picked up the water cup and said with a smile, "Although this is not a good thing, if it is used well, it will be of great benefit to the king."

As for what the benefit is, Jia Xu has already said it, the hearts of the people.

Chen Mo now holds the whole world in his hands. The Chang'an court is more of a nominal thing. Chen Mo is only one step away from the supreme position. And if Chen Mo wants to take this step, he can take it at any time with his current status, but Chen Mo did not do so. Since returning to Luoyang, he has been working diligently to benefit the people and govern the world. It seems that he has no intention of taking another step.

But do you really not want to take another step?

Even if Chen Mo doesn't want to, those soldiers who followed Chen Mo to conquer the world may not be willing to do so. Having come to this step, the final step is not something Chen Mo can not take if he doesn't want to.

As Chen Mo's most trusted adviser, Jia Xu naturally knows what Chen Mo is thinking.

"Wenhe knows... What I used to hate the most was this kind of thing. It is obviously for personal profit, but it has to be under the guise of doing it for the world." Chen Mo picked up the water cup in front of him, took a sip, and smiled bitterly.

"In this life, half of one's life is for oneself and the other half is for profit. This is true for all living beings. Your Majesty will probably understand it when you reach my age." Jia Xu said with a smile.

"No matter what, disaster relief should be provided first, and then the settlement should be made." Chen Mo nodded.

"There is one more thing that your Majesty needs to see." Jia Xu handed a bamboo slip to Chen Mo and said with a smile.

"Oh?" Chen Mo took the bamboo slip and opened it. After reading it for a long time, his brows gradually frowned: "Fengxian wants to retire?"

"Wen Hou is now sixty-seven years old and no longer young. In addition, Liu Boyuan has made great contributions in defeating the enemy this time, and his wife is pregnant. It is not difficult to understand that Wen Hou wants to come back." Jia Xu said with a smile.

Lu Bu had no children. He agreed to the marriage between Liu Yi and Lu Lingqi because the first son born by Lu Lingqi was named Lu to continue the Lu family's incense. When people get old, they always want to continue their bloodline. It is understandable that Lu Bu wants to return to the court to retire now.

"Well." After Chen Mo pondered for a long time, he smiled and said, "It's time for Fengxian to enjoy his old age."

"Who will guard Bingzhou?" Dian Wei frowned and said, "Without Wenhou, those Hu people may cause trouble again."

"Fengxian can be guarded for another year or two, but it can't be guarded for ten or eight years. There must be a successor." Chen Mo shook his head and said, "While Fengxian is still here, let the young people try to be independent. It may not be a bad thing for our dynasty."

After Xu Rong and Hua Xiong passed away one after another, Xiliang was also in chaos for a while, but Xu Kai and Hua Rong are now also ruling the place well.

It's better to change defenses in a prepared manner than to wait until Lu Bu really passes away one day and then find new people.

Not only Lü Bu, Zhao Yun is fifty-seven this year, Taishi Ci is fifty-three this year, and will be one year older after the New Year. Now most of the generals stationed at the border are veterans. Although they can still fight, they can't fight for a few more years. New generals must take their place to ensure the safety of the border.

Think about the years when Lü Bu, Zhao Yun, and Taishi Ci guarded the border, Wuhuan fled to the North Sea, the Xianbei King was imprisoned in Luoyang, the Xiongnu actively sought to join the Han Dynasty, or asked the Han Dynasty to re-establish the Xiongnu Lieutenant General, and later asked the court to set up the Hetao Governor. You will know how miserable the Hu people have lived in recent years. But if the old generation of generals leave one after another, whether these Hu people can still behave well is another matter. Chen Mo thinks that he should find successors for Taishi Ci and Zhao Yun earlier.