Han Shizu

Chapter 2135 Sejong Chapter 10 Three Years Duan Gong

On the first day of June in the summer of the third year of Duangong, Liu Wenji held a royal court in the Qianyuan Hall. Witnessed by hundreds of officials and envoys from various countries, he issued an imperial edict, granted a gold title, crowned him, and officially named the emperor's eldest son Liu Jili as the crown prince.

Liu Jili was the eldest son of Liu Wenji and Empress Li. He was born in the sixth year of Yongxi's reign. He was under nineteen years old at the time. Under the constraints of the heir apparent system, it was impossible to avoid him if he wanted to establish a prince. Liu Jili, on the other hand, has been filial and filial since he was a child, and has a reputation as a virtuous person.

Therefore, for the nobles and bureaucrats of the empire, they had no objection to the emperor appointing a prince and the person he appointed. They just couldn't help but turn their attention to another young prince of the Han Dynasty.

From the eyes of many people, one can see the enthusiasm. Obviously, a new round of political speculation will inevitably begin. The most valuable investment in the empire is the prince. Counting Emperor Shizu, there are already three princes in the Han Dynasty who have achieved enlightenment. In the Han Empire, the success rate is 100.

Liu Wenji did not pretend to have high hopes for his eldest son. According to the regular system, he was assigned East Palace subordinate officials and guards. Most importantly, Zhao Wang Liu Fang was appointed as the crown prince and tutor.

Before establishing the crown prince, Liu Wenji consulted two people for their opinions, one was the Queen Mother Xiao, and the other was Zhao Wangshu Liu Fang, and both of them agreed with this proposal. The reasons are also surprisingly consistent. The country has a well-established system and its direct descendants have no faults and faults, so it should be established.

In order to show support, when Liu Wenji asked Liu Fang to be Liu Jili's tutor, after a little hesitation, he finally spoke up and agreed to come out again. This is the second time that Liu Fang has served as the Crown Prince and Tutor, and it is also another brand-new challenge. Perhaps for King Zhao, raising an emperor is not as difficult as cultivating a qualified successor to the empire.

In any case, after the crown prince was appointed, the physical and mental pressure on Emperor Liu Wenji brought by the death of Annan King Liu Wenhuan was greatly reduced, so he picked up his mood, went back to battle, and continued his career as emperor.

In the autumn of the third year of Duangong, floods occurred continuously in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. The counties along the river in the north of Jinghu Province were particularly severely affected, with millions of victims and countless casualties. In fact, in recent years, floods in the Yangtze River have occurred frequently and never stopped. In the autumn of the third year of Duangong, the floods were concentrated.

This is the first major disaster that Liu Wenji has faced since he succeeded to the throne, with far-reaching impact, wide spread, and serious losses. Whether it is to perform meritorious service or to establish virtue, he must show the emperor's responsibility of compassion for the people and make a gesture of rescuing people. .

Therefore, from top to bottom, the imperial court mobilized capable personnel, raised grain, rice, clothing, and medicines, and devoted all its efforts to disaster relief. Amidst the torrent of disasters, heroes show their true colors. This flood was a hardship for the people in the counties and counties along the Yangtze River, but for the emperor Liu Wenji, it was a good opportunity to rectify Hubei's officialdom.

But his complaints are obviously unfounded. For example, Feng Duan, the prefect of Jiangling, and Xue Kui, the prefect of Ezhou, were promoted because of their outstanding performance in the disaster relief process (one was dedicated and the other was successful in the rescue).

Under the leadership of the Imperial City Envoy Cai Jing, the Imperial City Division has become more and more powerful. Although it has not yet reached the point of biting people randomly, its fangs and sharp teeth have been sharply displayed in front of everyone, making people dare not ignore them.

There was also a minister who fell due to the Yangtze River floods, and his position of power was special. The financial envoy Xiang Minzhong, with his ridiculous oversight and disorderly allocation, delayed the disaster relief emergency. For Xiang Lao Xianggong, who is always known for his maturity and prudentness, it is obviously abnormal for such a major fallacy to occur.

Even the Andong Kingdom has become much more peaceful after receiving the news of the changes in the Luoyang Dynasty. Whether it is the Shuibin Mansion or the border area between the northeastern part of Liaodong Road and the Andong Kingdom, the chaos has been reduced a lot. Anton merchants have done Business has become more disciplined, and the frequency of various criminal cases has decreased.

But obviously, Liu Wenji had no objection to Xiang Lao Xianggong's character and talents, and he directly left his words alone. After discussing with Kou Zhun, they decided to let Xiang Minzhong go to Jinghu North Road to take over as chief envoy and take charge of the work of pacifying the officials and people of Hubei after the flood. The ministers of the Han Empire had precedents from the time of Shizu. The details are not too surprising.

Chai Zongjie died in the second year after the incident. He died of illness, anger, or drunkenness. According to rumors, there were various kinds of death. In short, it was not a good death. He felt that he had been wronged until he died. How could human power resist God's will?

The specific reason and the hidden story behind it are unknown. Judging from the results, another prime minister was removed from the imperial center during the Duan Gong period. Xiang Minzhong was also a man who knew how to advance and retreat. After being criticized, he took the initiative to submit a resignation letter to the emperor, saying that he was too old and too dim to bear the heavy responsibility.

Especially in the summer of the third year of Duangong, the Zenghui Joint Command carried out several months of public security rectification in the northeastern border areas, thoroughly teaching the Andong people how to abide by the rules of the Han Dynasty and Liaodong. Even if Liu Wenyuan, the king of Anton, came forward, there was no one. use. No matter how powerful Liu Wenyuan was in Anton's country, he could only express his powerlessness when facing Zeng Hui.

Of course, in addition to the macroeconomic impact of the revival of imperial power and the increasing stability of the central court, the new Liaodong Province Chief Envoy Zeng Hui also played an important role in such a result. In two years, Zeng Hui took the lead to carry out comprehensive management of Liaodong Road from the aspects of official administration and commercial order, both of which were inevitably influenced by the Andong Kingdom.

The management of officials is the most obvious and easiest thing to do, but the least effective thing. But taking advantage of this flood, Liu Wenji directly carried out a large-scale rectification of Hubei's officialdom. From the Daosi to the yamen at all levels of prefectures, counties and towns, those on the Yangtze River, those in the Navy, those who were corrupt, those who took bribes, and those who were ineffective in disaster relief. Yes, someone who deceives the king and harms the people.

A large number of people were held accountable and punished after the incident. Emperor Duangong's first fierce wind blew through the officialdom of Hubei, making Jinghu North Road spend an unforgettable year.

Many things are terrifying to think about carefully. The difference between Emperor Duangong and Emperor Pingkang was already widely known in the second half of Duangong's third year. In the first two years, there were still people talking about the issue of Liu Wenji's succession among the government and the public. But three years after entering Duangong, similar people and things have disappeared, at least in the capital.

During the Yangtze River flood, the imperial court lost two important officials. The local governor of Hubei Province, Chai Zongjie, was severely reprimanded by the imperial court for his lax governance, lack of preparedness, and ineffective disaster relief. According to the inspection envoy. Chai Zongjiao was not young and had a strong temperament. After entering Sichuan, he went to Fengjie Post House and asked to be promoted to an official position. Liu Wenji directly approved the resignation and demoted him to another level on the spot. His face was completely ruined.

It is God's will that some people die, some are demoted, and some are promoted and make money. This is the most obvious difference. It is a mediocre act to blame others.

You know, during the Kangzong Dynasty, in order to drive away those auxiliary ministers, they struggled for several years, and every time they resorted to violent warfare. In the short three years of the Duan Gong Dynasty, there were also many political struggles. This is known to everyone. However, with so many people changing in the Political Affairs Hall, in everyone's impression, it was as dull as boiled water. The imperial court The situation inside and outside is also obviously becoming more peaceful.

Zeng Hui has become a man of the hour in the Northeast region during the Pingkang-Duanggong period. He is a much-talked-about figure in the Northeast political arena. He has made outstanding contributions to the stability of the situation in Liaodong and the suppression of Anton.

After half a year of peace and prosperity, including the two years of Duan Gong without much overhaul, some problems and shortcomings have appeared throughout the empire. This is an undeniable fact. When Liu Wenji was dormant in Jiangling Mansion, although Liu Wenji didn't care about politics or do anything, he didn't really think he was there to rest. While he was unknown, he could clearly see the politics and people's livelihood of Jinghu North Road. After he ascended the throne, there was more detailed and comprehensive intelligence from Wude to support his understanding, and his understanding became deeper.

However, after Xiang Minzhong was released to the outside world, many people suddenly looked back and suddenly discovered that in less than three years, the political situation in the first year of Duangong had completely changed.

Although he was sitting far away in the court, after hearing about Zeng Hui's political performance in Liaodong, Liu Wenji greatly praised him, and even once had the idea of ​​​​moving him back to Beijing to pay homage to the prime minister. In the end, the trip failed because Liu Wenji felt that the matter in Liaodong could not be solved in three or two years, and that Zeng Hui, a cadre of officials, would be needed to guard him there for a few more years.

Therefore, after careful consideration, Liu Wenji selected Zhang Zhibai, the chief envoy of Guangnan East Road, as the financial envoy after Xiang Minzhong. This time, he did not let various factions compete for power, but made his own decisions. This was the first time since he came to the throne, but no one spoke out against it.

The appointment of Zhang Zhibai first received strong support from Kou Zhun, the Minister of Civil Affairs, for three reasons: Zhang Zhibai was a Jinshi, Zhang Zhibai was from the north, and Zhang Zhibai had sufficient qualifications. There is another reason why Liu Wenji chose Zhang Zhibai. There was a long-standing relationship between the emperor and his ministers. Looking back carefully, it was more than 20 to 30 years ago, during Emperor Shizu's last southern tour.

When the camp was passing through Jiangling, Shizu made some changes to the Hubei Navy and Jiangling officialdom. At that time, two brothers, Liu Wenhuan and Liu Wenji, were left to deal with the aftermath. Zhang Zhibai was a staff member of the Prime Minister.

At that time, Liu Wenji was still young, but it was the first time that he truly participated in and participated in national affairs, and it was still a major event. That special experience was an important trace of his growth and was of great significance. It had a great impact on the people and events at that time. The memory is also very profound, including Zhang Zhibai, who helped him a lot at that time.

Because of this origin, Zhang Zhibai was able to enter the court and pay homage to the prime minister at an age when he was about to become an official. Under normal circumstances, for a commoner bureaucrat who has not yet entered the court at the age of sixty-two, he has basically no chance.

In the twelfth lunar month of the third year of Duangong, another major change occurred in the center of the empire, which could be said to completely overturn the situation of the Duangong Dynasty. Shangshu Ling Xiang Deming suddenly suffered a stroke while in charge of the political affairs hall.

When the respected Xiang Laolinggong was rushed to the hospital, it also meant that the prime minister of the Han Empire was about to be replaced again. Xiang Deming's fall greatly surprised Emperor Liu Wenji and completely broke his conception and arrangements for the court situation.

According to his original intention, he wanted to maintain the current court structure for a while. It was not easy to be a minister, and a qualified prime minister was even rarer. Obviously, in Liu Wenji's mind, Xiang Deming, a long-tested military and political talent who knows how to advance and retreat, and has an overall view, is a qualified prime minister. The more important point is that he can be recognized by both the imperial military and political administrations, which is conducive to Help Liu Wenji maintain the stability of the court.

But the sudden arrival of the unexpected caught people so unprepared. In fact, with the drastic changes in the government over the past three years, especially the major changes in the personnel and power structure, even if nothing happens to Xiang Deming, it will be very difficult to maintain the status of Duangong's early years.

Fundamentally, it was the emperor who showed his sharpness and took many actions to control the imperial court, which had a huge impact. However, there are many things that Liu Wenji cannot fully control.

After Xiang Deming, who should be the prime minister and enforce the law became Liu Wenji's primary consideration. It was also a matter of concern to everyone in the court, and it affected almost everyone's hearts.

Just when Liu Wenji had a headache, another moth arose in the palace. It should be said that Empress Dowager Murong was unwilling to be lonely again. I don’t know where Empress Dowager Murong got her energy. She was nearly seventy years old, and the loss of her husband, son, and power did not completely break her down. She was still thinking about troubles in her twilight years.

Empress Dowager Murong summoned her, but Liu Wenji had no choice but to go to Ciming Hall and salute respectfully and filial piety. The purpose of Empress Dowager Murong in finding Liu Wenji was also very clear. Although her words were roundabout and circumlocutory, the underlying meaning was clearly expressed. She was looking for the post of Minister of Order, and she hoped that Liu Wenji could appoint Murong Dechen.

In the past three years, whether it was to show "filial piety" or to appease the huge political power of the Murong family, Liu Wenji has always been more tolerant of the Empress Dowager Murong and took back some of her political interference. , don’t care about small things.

In terms of personnel issues in the imperial court, more than a dozen people from the Murong family were appointed to important civil and military positions. During this process, Liu Wenji kept giving in, and the anger in his heart continued to accumulate and swell. If not for the advice of Empress Dowager Xiao, he would have taken measures against Murong.

I won’t mention it before, but now it is the third year of winter in Duangong. Empress Dowager Murong still doesn’t know how to advance or retreat. Liu Wenji’s patience has reached its limit. Regarding the empress dowager’s appeal, he rejected it on the spot. His expression was calm and his tone was gentle, but his attitude was Determined.

Empress Dowager Murong was furious at that time, but what made her even more angry was yet to come. When Liu Wenji asked Empress Dowager Xiao again about the Murong family, Empress Dowager Xiao remained silent for a long time and asked Liu Wenji to decide what to do.

So Liu Wenji took action decisively. Soon afterwards, Wang Xuanzhen, the former Wude envoy, former Ducha envoy, Prime Minister, Shanyang governor envoy, and Monan Xuanwei envoy, was seriously ill and could not manage affairs, so he sent the Prime Minister Murong Dechen to Shanyang. , the governor plugged in.

What a familiar plot. It was the same more than ten years ago. Murong Dechen was released to Huguang. Ten years later, the same experience happened again. Even the relatives of the emperor and the dignitaries of the dynasty could only become victims in the power struggle at the top of the empire.

At the same time, Liu Wenji issued an edict grounding Empress Dowager Murong. To be precise, it should be called "banned government". They are fully treated and can travel under surveillance, but no interference in military personnel is allowed.

After Empress Dowager Murong's incident, Liu Wenji seemed to have gotten rid of his shackles and dealt with the state affairs vigorously and resolutely. After all, Xiang Deming failed to survive the winter of the third year of Duangong, and died in the Duke Wen's mansion half a month later.

After that, Liu Wenji officially issued an edict, appointing Kou Zhun, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, as the Minister of the Ministry of Finance. Han Chenggang, the Chief Envoy of the Gyeonggi Province, was appointed as the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Tong Pingzhangshi, and paid homage to the prime minister. Han Chenggang was the grandson of the late ancestor Yuan Cong and the founding general Han Tong, and the second son of Han Hui, the "Prime Minister" and Duke of Hanoi.

Liu Wenji was also tangled up in letting Kou Zhun be appointed as Shangshu Ling. This person was upright and strong, and he could really do things, but it was also true that he had a bad relationship with the courtiers, and he was not the kind of person who really followed the rules. This especially worried Liu Wenji.

But in the end, Kou Zhun was decided. He needed a prime minister who could do things, and Kou Zhun had almost all the qualities. At the same time, after Xiang Deming, an old nobleman, he also needed a prime minister from a commoner family.

Han Chenggang's promotion to prime minister was based on similar considerations, and he needed to use this to balance and appease the aristocratic bureaucracy. Speaking of the Han family, Han Tong started out as a martial artist with different literary skills. The Han family is also a military aristocrat, but both Han Hui and Han Chenggang are good at literature and governance, and they can be regarded as a unique flower among the military aristocrats of the empire. It is also a good story that both father and son worship the prime minister.

When the cold winter passed, time entered the spring of the fourth year. On the first day of the first lunar month, at the great court meeting in the Qianyuan Hall, Emperor Liu Wenji delivered a New Year's message and at the same time announced an imperial edict to change the Yuan Dynasty to Jianlong.

Also revised was the Chui Gong Hall, which was reorganized. Liu Wenji moved into it in the summer of the third year of Duangong. This was the office of Shizu, Taizong, and Kangzong. Although Ziwei City was large, it was most suitable for the emperor. The multifunctional palace for living, managing, studying, and nourishing the mind is exactly the Chui Gong Palace.

Liu Wenji changed his name to "Chongzheng" to inherit the aspirations of his ancestors and follow Taizong's legacy, officially starting his era of "Jianlong and Chongzheng". At this point, the "true face" of the Han emperor was finally exposed to the people of the world.

PS: In the Zhengshitang during the Jianlong period, there were still nine prime ministers: Shangshu Ling Kou Zhun, Zhongshu Ling, Xuchang Wang Liu Yao, Ministry of Civil Affairs Shangshu Han Chengjun, Privy Councilor Ma Huaiyu, Finance Envoy Zhang Zhibai, Ducha Envoy Wang Qinruo, Under the leadership of Guo Yi, the Minister of War, Chen Yaozuo, the Minister of Rites, and Zhang Shixun, the Minister of Pushe, the Han Empire also ushered in a period of stable development.

(End of this chapter)