Han Shizu

Chapter 1908 The Court of Heroes

The Gongchen Pavilion under the spring sun is shrouded in a layer of soft light. Since February, the temperature has gradually warmed up, the sky is blue and bright, and the breeze brings comfort and coziness.

There is Zhaolie Temple in the east and Gongchen Pavilion in the west. These are landmark buildings in the two capitals. They commemorate the heroic soldiers who have fought bloody for the great man for decades, and they are also affirmation and praise for them.

Zhaolie Temple is a temple for martyrs, and Gongchen Pavilion is a temple for meritorious deeds. Different from the majestic stele forest in Zhaolie Temple, Gongchen Pavilion is much smaller in scale, but more majestic, and its specifications are much higher. endlessly.

Zhaolie Temple is open to the outside world on weekdays, for people to visit and pay homage to. Although the Gongchen Pavilion is also outside the imperial city, it has a high level of defense and is heavily guarded on weekdays. It is difficult for ordinary people to approach. It can only be outside the pavilion.

In decades of continuous publicity, the symbolic meaning of the Gongchen Pavilion and Zhaolie Temple has also been continuously enlarged, especially the Gongchen Pavilion, which is even more sacred and inviolable. spiritual symbol.

After all, the memorial tablets of their fathers and grandparents are enshrined inside, which is not only a symbol of spiritual honor, but also the source of their status, wealth, and power. Therefore, among the many policies and arrangements of Emperor Liu, only the "Pavilion of Heroes" It is absolutely supported by the nobles from top to bottom.

In the past 30 to [-] years, no matter how much Emperor Liu restricted and suppressed the noble class, for the nobles of the Han Dynasty, as long as the Pavilion of Meritorious Ministers is still there, they are still the ruling dignitaries who are closely related to the country.

Over the years, there has been a saying among the upper echelons of the Han Dynasty: It is easy to enter the temple of Zhaolie, but difficult to enter the pavilion of meritorious officials.The Hall of Meritorious Ministers is by no means accessible to ordinary people. There are hundreds of dukes and counts in the big man, but less than one-third of them can enjoy incense and worship in it after death.

The establishment of the Pavilion of Meritorious Officials was originally centered on the 24 heroes of Qianyou. Their plaques were placed in the center, supplemented by portraits hanging high. Similarly, only 24 ministers were eligible to hang portraits, which is directly different from the status of other heroes. coming.

For the rest, they will be arranged in order.The threshold to enter the Pavilion of Meritorious Ministers is very high. Although there are a series of comprehensive trade-offs, there is only one core, and those who are not great meritorious service will not be admitted.In this regard, Emperor Liu's attitude was clear and tough. Many relatives and relatives of the emperor who were nobles were uncompromisingly excluded. Up to now, except for the uncle Li Hongwei of Sishui, no one has joined the cabinet. It may be probably the King Yong Liu Chengxun, the Duke of Shouguo Li Shaoyou and the Duke of Huiguo Song Yanwo. According to the rules of Emperor Liu, even Xu Wang Liu Chengyun is not qualified, even if he is the head of the clan today.

In this way, the standard of the Pavilion of Meritorious Ministers has become higher and higher, and its status has become more prominent. Before passing away, many old nobles, besides the affairs of the afterlife, are probably whether they can enter the Pavilion of Meritorious Officials.

Over the past ten or twenty years, veteran officials withered and meritorious officials passed away. Naturally, the Pavilion of Meritorious Ministers is not as "deserted" as before. People continue to settle in, and the incense is becoming more and more prosperous.

Recently, two more newcomers have been added, one of which is naturally Wen Guogong Xiangxun.Xiang Xun's fate was still considered hard, but he couldn't withstand the power of metaphysics. He died of illness at home seven days after Emperor Liu visited him.

The other one is Prince Wuqing Wang Yanchao, the older generation's feudal governor.Wang Yanchao could not be regarded as the founding father of the country, nor was he a minister of the Emperor Liu, and he did not even join the imperial court early, but this man had outstanding military talents, and possessed a political sense and insight that were different from ordinary military officials. In the process of conquering the Northern War and unifying the world, he also made great contributions. Coupled with his profound qualifications and the good impression of Emperor Liu, he finally won a county duke title and lived a long life. He died at the age of 75, which is a hospice. What a pity.

Of course, the heroes of the Han Dynasty have withered too much, and together with Xiang Xun's passing away, the momentum was covered up and did not arouse too much repercussions, and the family's funeral was also very low-key. Wang Yanchao walked quietly of
At this time, the door of the hero's pavilion was wide open, and in the solemn and solemn pavilion, there was a crowd, and most of the heroes and noble heads of the big man in Beijing came.This is the second time this year, the last time it was at the public sacrifice ceremony hosted by the prince, this time it came by order.

The main hall has a large space, 200 people gathered together, it is not crowded at all, the scene is very serious and orderly, in this solemn and sacred place, everyone is in awe and dare not make any oversteps , but ranked according to the order of rank, looking up at the tablets and portraits of the ancestors with a devout attitude, silently comforting the heroic spirits.

Things always move forward, a new generation replaces the old ones. Back then, the nobles of the great Han Dynasty were those of Murong Yanzhao, Chai Rong, Xiang Xun, Gao Huaide, Zhao Kuangyin, Wei Renpu, Wang Pu, Li Gu, and Xue Juzheng. The man of the hour, now, has been replaced by some nobles of the second and third generations.

Among the people present, the most respected person has become Han Tong, Duke of Hanoi. You must know that although Han Tong followed Emperor Liu earlier, he was never the first-tier dignitary, and his status was always lower than others.

Today, things are different.For example, Murong Yanzhao, Chai Rong and even Zhao Kuangyin, no matter how great their contributions and abilities, what can they do? They have long been turned into loess.

And he, Han Tong, had a hard life, lived longer, and was in excellent health. He can still eat wine and meat.

Among the nobles present, whoever saw him Han Tong had to bow his head obediently, and respectfully called out "Han Gong" in a low voice, even if he relied on his elders and made accusations against them, he had to listen obediently.

This kind of status and treatment was not available to Han Tong at the beginning.Therefore, in the Pavilion of Meritorious Ministers, standing at the head of all the nobles, although Han Tong was leaning on a crutch, he held his head high. The crutch was gilded sandalwood and shaped like a dragon's head. It was given by Emperor Liu last year because he saw his legs and feet were inconvenient.

And Han Tong observed the "old guys" who were enshrined on the altar, and while he was feeling emotional, he couldn't help thinking that when he died, he should be able to join the cabinet.This should be inevitable, even Wang Yanchao is qualified, let alone Han Tong!
In the solemn environment, there was no noise, and everyone waited silently, after all, the Lord had not arrived yet.However, it didn't take long, and with a high-pitched shout, Emperor Liu's voice appeared.

When the old emperor came, these distinguished nobles were not as bad as a mouse seeing a cat, but they were not much different. They all lowered their eyebrows and held their breath. Even Han Tong didn't dare to keep his chest up.

The bamboo stick has become the standard equipment of Emperor Liu. He never leaves his hand for a moment while walking, and he no longer walks like a dragon and a tiger like before. He just walked slowly through the halls of all the honored people accompanied by the prince Liu Yang and the king of Jin Liu Xi. Gui, under cautious and awe-inspiring gazes, walked towards the crowd step by step.

A sudden stop made people tense up subconsciously.Emperor Liu stopped in front of Pingyuan Gongsunli. This "negative teaching material" who was often taught by Emperor Liu is now old, with gray beard and hair, thin body, and only a few rotten teeth left in his mouth. stand firm.

Seeing his old face, Emperor Liu couldn't help feeling a little sympathetic, pointing at Sun Li's old face covered with spots, and said, "You idiot, you're getting old too!"

Facing Emperor Liu's gentle gaze, Sun Li grinned and said straightforwardly: "Although the old minister is old, he is still His Majesty's pawn!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu smiled, took two steps forward, and stopped again. This time it was Wang Yansheng.General Yier, since the Northern Expedition, after returning from a near death in Mobei, his health has been poor. At one time, people felt that he was dying, but almost 20 years have passed, and his old comrades in arms, Bowang Hou Guojin and others all passed away early. still alive.

However, the erosion of the years is really hard to resist, Wang Yansheng is also very old, his legs are lame, his eyes are dim, and his ears are not working well. Emperor Liu called him, but there was no response. Yang Ye next to him reminded, Only then did he come back to his senses: "Your Majesty is coming? Where are you?"

"Your Majesty is in front of you!" Yang Ye couldn't help but raised his voice to remind him.

This time I heard it clearly, Wang Yansheng was going to salute immediately, his movements were clumsy, and he didn't look as strong as before.You know, Wang Yansheng was known for his bravery and valor back then.

Seeing his situation, Emperor Liu subconsciously reached out to support Wang Yansheng, shook his hand, asked Yang Ye to help him, and said, "Take good care of him!"

With Emperor Liu's nature, he should have doubted whether Wang Yansheng's behavior might be disguised, but at this time, he didn't think too much about it, not only pitied the old man, but also left a little warmth in the relationship between the monarch and his ministers.
Going forward, Emperor Liu noticed Shi Shouxin. Since returning to Beijing, he had served as the commander-in-chief for a period of time. However, he soon became sick and stayed in bed to recuperate.

Looking at Shi Shouxin's sickly old face, Emperor Liu frowned, and said, "I'm not feeling well, and I can't move, so I should take a good rest. Why do I need to move?"

Emperor Liu's words should be regarded as caring. Shi Shouxin coughed twice, and said in a weak voice: "Your Majesty summoned you, how can you be confined to a mere sick bed? I have a dying life, so I should cherish listening to you." Chance of Hadith”

Shi Shouxin's words are extremely humble and loyal, but hearing them is quite sad.Emperor Liu's old eyes were a little turbulent, he raised his hand and patted him on the shoulder lightly, without saying anything.

(End of this chapter)