Han Shizu

Chapter 2134 Sejong Chapter 9 Duangong Three Years

Xiang Deming (Shang Shu Ling), Liu Jichang (Shang Shu of the Ministry of Personnel), Li Jilong (Privy Envoy), Murong Dechen (Shang Shu Zuocheng), Guo Yi (Shang Shu of the Ministry of War), Kou Zhun (Inspector of the Ministry of Civil Affairs), Xiang Minzhong (Relocation of the Capital) These nine people were the Minister of Finance), Xu Shilian (Shang Shu of the Ministry of Justice), and Wang Qinruo (Secretary Minister of Zhongshu). These nine people were the distribution of prime ministers in the Zhengshi Hall at the beginning of the Duangong Yuan Dynasty, and they basically represented the distribution of power structure of the entire court.

However, in less than three years, this power structure was fragmented. These influential figures who stood at the forefront of the empire's power left one after another for various reasons, giving up their positions and returning their power.

This is a process of kings advancing and ministers retreating. The whole process is far from peaceful, and even means chaos and disorder in itself. But in fact, the renewal of the political hall has been very smooth, so smooth that it gives people a sense of success. . What is reflected behind this is naturally the low-key but powerful control ability of Emperor Duangong.

Needless to say, the downfall and resignation of the two prime ministers Liu Jichang and Xu Shilian. In the summer of April of the second year of Duangong, Duke Leping and Privy Councilor Li Jilong died of illness at home, ending their magnificent lives.

Li Jilong is undoubtedly a dazzling star in the history of the Imperial Han Dynasty. He was a veteran of the four dynasties of Kaibao, Yongxi, Pingkang and Duangong. The torrent of time cannot wash away his light, but he is the mainstay of the Kangzong Dynasty. evaluation of.

He had a good background. He was favored by Liu Jia, the eldest princess of the world, at a young age. His consort did not hinder him from unleashing his brilliance and displaying his abilities. He served in the army for decades, fought in the west and in the north, and made countless achievements on the battlefield with few defeats. .

Li Jilong's life was smooth, glorious, splendid, successful and famous, with almost no bad deeds. He was completely the template of a winner in life, a model of noble elites promoted by the court, and an object of worship for many meritorious officials, even those who were faint. The dim-witted disciples of Gaoliang dream and hope to live like Li Jilong.

Even though Li Jilong's background and identity as consort are indispensable, no one can deny his outstanding military talents. Otherwise, there are so many meritorious officials in the Han Dynasty, and there are also many princesses in the ancestors. Besides Yang Yanzhao, who else can reach Li Jilong's level? Achievement.

He was perfect during his lifetime, and after his death, Liu Wenji also paid enough tribute to the achievements of the empire, the prime minister of the Han Dynasty, and the emperor's uncle. After the abolition of the dynasty, he was given Shinto inscriptions, entered the meritorious ministers' pavilion, and received favors and rewards. These were all the things he should have done. At the same time, Liu Wenji also allowed Li Jilong to enjoy the Ancestral Temple and posthumously presented it to Duke Lu.

Although Li Jilong was given lofty posthumous treatment, which could be regarded as the best for a human minister, it has to be said that even if Li Jilong had not died of illness, he would not have been able to hold the position of Privy Councilor for long.

Liu Wenji was not that small-minded. What he wanted to target was not Li Jilong, but his identity and position. Out of his instinct to consolidate his rule and maintain imperial power, he needed to take some actions.

However, in the Duan Gong Dynasty, there were only a few people who could really succeed Li Jilong. At first, only Guo Yi, Yang Yanzhao, and Guo Liangping were listed as public candidates.

However, Guo Yi himself became the Minister of War in Beijing not long ago and was already the prime minister, so it was not convenient for him to act lightly. Yang Yanzhao has retreated to the "second-tier" position of Commander-in-Chief. On the other hand, it is also related to Yang Ye's original support.

During Guo Liangping's tenure, the imperial navy's waist was straight and its voice was loud, but at the same time, it also reached the limit that the army veterans could endure. This limit will last until Guo Liangping retires or dies at most.

Throughout the Pingkang era, it is impossible to say how many military mobilizations inside and outside the empire were led by Li Jilong, and how many suppressed local areas and suppressed bandits and suppressed rebellions were due to Li Jilong's instructions. At the same time, if those old events are uncovered and the regulations are followed strictly, Li Jilong will not be wronged at all for being accused of exceeding the regulations and taking power.

In the military system of the Han Dynasty, although the Privy Council only had the power to mobilize troops, combined with Li Jilong's lofty prestige accumulated in the military during his decades of military service, coupled with his multiple identities as a noble, a consort, a veteran of the four dynasties, and an auxiliary minister, everything combined The power it can exert is far beyond what ordinary people imagine.

Guo Liangping had worked hard and rushed all his life, and there was no reason to choose to be weak in the end. However, this time, luck was not with him, and he fell as a loser in front of the Privy Council's position of power. And not long after that, he passed away at the age of sixty-eight.

Liu Wenji had a calm nature, and the city became even more somber after he ascended the throne. Even though he was racking his brains to change horses, he didn't show it at all on his face. He even showed consideration and condolences to Li Jilong on a daily basis.

Guo Liangping was excluded, and it was equally difficult to choose between Guo Yi and Yang Yanzhao. In the eyes of the world, these two people were the most qualified to serve as privy envoys. After all, they were the "Three Honorable Heroes" and "Three Young Heroes" during the Shizu period. "Jie", his reputation, resume, and achievements are all very solid.

If there is such a thing, and for him to succeed, there must be two or three things. This can be inferred, and it is not something that an aspiring emperor can tolerate.

Liu Wenji, in the second year of Duan Gong's reign, has completely secured his throne. He no longer needs to be as overly cautious as before and can make military and political decisions with an independent attitude.

Guo Liangping was the flagship figure of the Imperial Navy. With the support of Emperor Shizu, he used practical actions to lift the Han Navy to a position it should not have reached. During his second term in the Privy Council and as Deputy Privy Council, the Navy achieved greater success than in the past. Decades of leap-forward development, including Nanyang garrison reform, gunboat renewal plans, training upgrades, and ocean exploration, were all carried out under his leadership.

In that case, there will only be another Li Jilong.

But similarly, Guo Liangping is also the least likely, and even the first to be excluded. It is not because of his old age, nor because of his lack of merits and qualifications, nor because of his lack of background. The root cause lies in the "land and sea battle" of the Han army.

Among them, Guo Liangping is the most obviously eager to compete. As the First Deputy Privy Councilor, he is the closest to this position. At nearly seventy years old, he does not have much time and cannot wait any longer.

Of course, he relied heavily on the Yang family and had no restrictions on the promotion of the Yang family's children, but for Yang Ye and Yang Yanzhao, especially when the old master Yang was still alive, he asked him to promote Yang Yanzhao to the prime minister. After getting into the position, he really couldn't feel at ease.

From Yongxi, Pingkang to Duangong, Li Jilong has served as prime minister for ten years. Although this process belongs to a special period of the empire, and it plays a role in defending the regime and stabilizing the army during this special period, for the emperor, Especially for an emperor with a strong desire for control, his existence itself is a threat.

When Guo Liangping chose to attack the Privy Council, it was conceivable what kind of resistance and attacks he would encounter. This was not necessarily clear to him, but he still chose to attack, just like he led his army on a long voyage decades ago. Extending the empire's tentacles to the Persian region.

What really prompted Liu Wenji to make up his mind was when Li Jilong angrily criticized Xu Shilian in the first year of Duangong, causing Xu Shilian and a group of censors and officials to be demoted to the local government. Although Liu Wenji could understand Li Jilong's intention to safeguard the authority of the Privy Council and the interests of the army to a certain extent, and even had opinions about Xu Shilian and others, he just couldn't let go of the feeling of being "coerced" from his heart.

Li Jilong died of illness before the emperor took action, which saved Liu Wenji's troubles and left him a perfect reputation during his lifetime and after his death. This may also be a kind of luck.

After Li Jilong left, a game about the Privy Council was inevitable, but this was still a struggle within the military system. To be precise, it should be between military nobles and meritorious generals. If anyone else dared to get involved, they would suffer backlash. Even the emperor did not dare to break the long-established unspoken rules.

Therefore, the new prime minister of the Han Empire, who was newly elected in the midsummer of the second year of Duangong, was another unexpected choice. Both Fufeng Gong and Yu Houma met him in front of the palace. Although it was a bit unexpected, there was really no valid objection to Ma Huaiyu.

The "buffs" on Li Jilong and Yang Yanzhao include not only the title of Prince Consort, but also Ma Huaiyu. Moreover, he was once the adopted son of Shizu, and his relationship with Taizong was closer than that of brothers. However, his resume and achievements are not as dazzling as those of Li and Yang. That’s all. However, when he serves as prime minister, there really is no one who can challenge him.

When the dust settled, the emperor also made some appeasement operations. Yang Yanzhao was appointed Duke of Nao County, making the Yang family one family and two sons. Guo Yi was promoted to the first class of Wu Jinhou, opening up another line for the Guo family.

Not long after this incident, Guo Liangping, the Marquis of Zhiyuan, also died in depression. For the vacant position of First Deputy Privy Envoy, Emperor Liu Wenji, after careful consideration, selected Yuhou Cao Wei, the capital of the Guards Division, who was the fourth son of the late Zhending Hou Cao Bin. As for the vacated Guards Chief Yuhou, who actually held the important position of commanding the Guards Ma Bu Army, Liu Wenji confirmed Tian Bangyi, the Commander of the Guards Army.

This man is the grandson of the meritorious veteran Tian Chongjin. Although he belongs to the same noble family, his family is not so dazzling. Compared with Yang, Li, and Cao, he is not a bit dim. Of course, this is the main reason why Liu Wenji chose him to control the military power. one of the reasons. It is unknown how Shizu and Taizong felt, but after the Kangzong Rebellion, it was Liu Wenji's turn to take charge. He was inevitably wary of the powerful and solidified military aristocracy in the government and the public, especially in the army.

Liu Wenji knew that the army should not be moved lightly, and the core interests of nobles and nobles were not easily violated. Therefore, big moves could be suppressed, but small knives could cut slowly. First, we need to create a differentiation and balance within the military meritorious group, and promote noble families such as the Tian family, which are not strong and have relatively limited influence, and then train generals from common people and poor families. Of course, this is bound to be a long and hard work, and I am impatient. No.

On the other hand, after making "minor surgery" adjustments to the military and political order system, Liu Wenji issued an edict to re-establish the post of Privy Councilor, using it as a cabinet bachelor and a knowledge system. The reason for the reset was that he was not familiar with military affairs. , but one must be familiar with military and state affairs, so this position serves as a bridge between the emperor and the Privy Council to strengthen communication.

After a series of small but significant actions that strengthened the emperor's authority, some people with vicious eyes in the civil service system became aware of the emperor's unruly heart. The one who felt the most profound about this was undoubtedly It is the military system, especially the military-rich families.

However, the powerful people in the army did not say anything about this. The imperial military system gave them an almost transcendent status and treatment. It also had a set of restrictions on everyone. What they did offstage was one thing, but who dared to do anything to form a consensus on the rules on the stage? , you will face squeeze from above and below.

On the other hand, Liu Wenji's series of operations were within the established rules and did not shake the nobles' dominant position over the army. We can't expect every emperor to be like Kangzong. Everyone has to slowly accept the discomfort caused by the transition from the Pingkang era to the Duangong era. Moreover, it is the ministers who have to adapt to the emperor. This is determined by the strong imperial power. of.

In the spring of the third year of Duangong's reign, King Xuchang and Zhongshu ordered Liu Yao to submit a report. King Annan Liu Wenhuan died in Jiaozhi.

Liu Yao, the youngest son of Emperor Shizu, was born to Concubine Zhou Yifei in the 19th year of Kaibao. He was first granted the title of Duke of Han. After Kangzong succeeded to the throne, he was promoted to the title of Prince of Xuchang County. In the former, because Liu Jichang was dismissed and demoted, the clan members were selected into the political affairs hall according to the usual practice.

Emperor Liu Wenji once again invited Zhao Wang Liu Fang to come out, but he still refused. He also invited Yan Wang Liu Zhao, who was in charge of Zongzheng, and Liu Zhao also chose to decline. The two kings refused, so Liu Wenji had no choice but to turn his attention to others.

Apart from the two great princes of Zhao and Yan, the only ones in Beijing among the ancestors were the King of Shu, Liu Huan, and the King of Xuchang, Liu Yao. Finally, after an investigation, Liu Wenji decided to appoint Liu Yao, the King of Xuchang, to enter the Political Affairs Hall and pay homage to the Central Secretary. At the same time, he supervises the Lifan Yuan. In addition to balancing the court situation, he mainly engages in diplomacy, especially the exchanges and relations with the four feudal states and vassals.

The "Anton incident" has not yet been fully investigated, but regardless of whether it is true or false, it has given Liu Wenji a warning. As he paid more attention to various vassals this year and obtained a lot of political, military, and economic information, Liu Wenji also realized that the blood-connected empire had frequent exchanges with various feudal states, but they were moving away from the normal "state-to-state" relationship. relationship development.

As the emperor of the Central Empire, Liu Wenji felt very uncomfortable with this trend. It was a kind of discomfort that affairs were out of control. However, in the face of this trend, he had to calm down, analyze carefully, and treat it rationally.

Enfeoffment of countries is not uncommon in Chinese history, but enfeoffment of countries outside the territory is still a new matter, and it also requires a new way to get along with each other. If we ignore the old vision and old stories, problems will inevitably arise.

The constant situation in Anton Kingdom is an extremely obvious sign and manifestation. In fact, Liu Wenji also knew in his heart that the relationship between the Central Empire and various large and small feudal states must have a more practical set of rules and methods that are more in line with the development trend of the times to normalize them. Otherwise, it will only become more and more difficult. Amidst the conflicts and pulls, they drifted apart.

The geographical distance makes it difficult to maintain the friendship between the royal family members for a long time. The word interest may be cold, but for both parties, it allows them to treat the relationship calmly and rationally.

Of course, there is no doubt that the development direction of this relationship will be dominated by the will of the empire center for a long time. Therefore, Liu Wenji had high hopes for the appointment of King Liu Yao of Xuchang, and his real power was also very heavy. At the same time, Liu Yao was old enough (five years younger than Liu Wenji) to accompany him to build a further new vassal system.

When Liu Yao reported to Liu Wenji the death of Annan King Liu Wenhuan, it was also an opportunity to practice the "new sect and vassal system" that was still in the process of being formed. But before that, etiquette and human relations must be discussed first.

After failing to return to Beijing to seize the throne, Liu Wenhuan sadly left Beijing again in the early summer of the first year of Duangong and returned south to his feudal country. On the way, he contracted lung disease and returned to Annan. He could not be cured for a long time and finally passed away in the spring of three years.

Liu Wenhuan's life was somewhat tragic. He was of noble birth, extraordinary intellect, and ambitious. Sometimes he was aloof and arrogant, but he rarely relaxed. When he was a boy, he was the Chollima that Emperor Shizu loved, and when he was young, he was also the eldest son of the emperor who had high hopes for Emperor Taizong. However, God's will was hidden in him, and when he encountered unkind people, all his great ambitions came to nothing.

Of course, Liu Wenji, his opponent, had a much greater influence on him than what appeared on the surface. Although they did not face direct competition for a long time, as soon as they took action, they stepped directly on his shoulders and ascended to the supreme position.

Although tragedy is inevitable, it is also difficult for people to sympathize with the dignified King Annan, because no one in the world is qualified to sympathize with him. The last year or so of his life, although he was tortured by illness, was probably the most sober and calm period in which Liu Wenhuan lived.

Before his death, Liu Wenhuan also made arrangements for his funeral, naming his fourth son Liu Jidan as his heir, inheriting the throne, and at the same time using his queen Liu E to supervise the country. Liu Wenhuan had four sons in total. Liu Jiyuan and Liu Jichu, who were born to Concubine Chang, were undoubtedly excluded from the candidates.

The rest could only choose from the third son Liu Jicheng and the fourth son Liu Jidan. They were both young, one was fourteen and the other eleven. Liu Jidan was finally chosen because he had no mother and Queen Liu E was very popular with her. During the period when Liu Wenhuan was recuperating, Liu E was actually helping to deal with many affairs in Annan Kingdom, and she handled them well. Her excellent political ability surprised Liu Wenhuan, and also prompted him to make decisions that ultimately related to the fate of Annan Kingdom. .

According to the feudal system, Liu Wenhuan's arrangements had to be submitted to the capital for confirmation, approval by the central court, and official envoys before they became legally binding.

For this matter, Liu Wenji also specially summoned the ministers of the political affairs hall and held a court meeting. On the issue of succession to the throne, they did not have much opinion. The decision of King Annan should always be respected. The only objection was to the issue of Queen Liu E's supervision of the country. The prime ministers of the Han Dynasty, who had experienced and were still experiencing the interference of Queen Mother Murong in politics, were particularly uncomfortable with the situation of "Ji Si Chen".

However, after careful consideration, I can't find any other more suitable way. I can't hand over a "big country" like Annan directly to an 11-year-old child. No matter how unwilling I am, I can only hold my nose and admit it first. When Liu Jidan grows up, he will work in the district.

Kou Zhun still had great feelings for Annan. When he met the emperor alone, he proposed another solution to Liu Wenji, which was to take Annan back and return it to the central government. However, it is conceivable that Liu Wenji categorically rejected it. It is easy to separate a family but difficult to unite it. Even without considering other influences, Liu Wenji had to worry about the powerful influence of Shizu and Taizong's feudal government. This influence came from the strong protection of many vested interests.

The final decision was made according to Annan's suggestion. Yang Yi, a bachelor of Jixian Palace and Minister of Rites, was given the title of Annan's consolation envoy, and he went south to Jiaozhi to comfort him on behalf of the court, establish a new king, and grant him a gold title.

This is also a move that breaks the rules, because according to the original system, the throne of the king is hereditary, and the new king needs to go to the capital in person to accept the canonization. This approach reflects the strong control of Emperor Shizu who formulated these rules. However, in the third year of Duangong, it was obviously out of date, so it was reasonable to make some changes to suit the trend.

From then on, the imperial center began to formally change its policy on relations with various feudal states. For the Annan Kingdom, the succession of the new king Liu Jidan also ushered in a period of confusion and chaos with frequent struggles.

The reign of Queen Mother Liu E is destined to be full of challenges and difficulties. In the harem, there is Princess Zhao who is unwilling to be lonely. In the court, there are the Zhao family and Liu Wenhuan's close and old ministers. At the same time, there are many rebellious barbarians in the country, who suffer from contempt and jealousy. The resentful brothers Liu Jiyuan and Liu Jili also resented the loss of the throne. (Liu Wenhuan had a complicated relationship with these two sons, so he arranged for them to be guarded far away in Wenzhou and Wanzhou in the southwest, out of sight but out of sight.)

Various forces and various contradictions. Without Liu Wenhuan's strong support, Liu E's road to regency was visibly difficult, and there was really not much power he could rely on. The only advantage was that the king first gave orders and the court followed. The edict and firmly placed the new king Liu Jidan under his wings

PS: After receiving the news of Liu Wenhuan’s death, Liu Wenji burst into tears. After they grew up and matured, the two brothers gradually drifted apart. This was driven by the current situation and the choice of history, but there was a time when the brothers Friends and brothers, Gong, hugged the ancestor's knees together and laughed happily.

There may be a certain generation gap between the two of them, but there is always a sense of brotherhood between them. If Liu Wenhuan is alive, then "everyone is well", but when he dies, some emotions will no longer be suppressed.

Emperor Taizong had three sons in total. Now, two of the three have died, and they all died young. This also brought a lot of psychological pressure to Liu Wenji and prompted him to make the decision to establish a prince early.

(End of this chapter)