Chinese New Year

Chapter 553 Court Meeting
“In ancient times and the middle dynasties, there were governors, inspectors, and censors, all of whom were in charge of governing but not in charge of politics…” In the Taiji Hall, Shangshu Lang Yu Bing brought out the “Edict on the Inspectors of Provinces” from the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and read it out in public.

The voice is clear and the emotion is indignant, and it reads with ups and downs, which is quite powerful.

Sima Chi sat at the top like a puppet.

In fact, he was not very supportive of giving away so many governors at once, because it seemed like cutting flesh from his body, and he was somewhat reluctant, but this did not prevent him from being dissatisfied.

When Sima Yue successively served as the governor of Yuzhou and Yanzhou, why didn't you jump out to stop it?

Didn't they know what the title of governor meant at that time? Why didn't they read the "Edict on the Resignation of Governors" in front of Sima Yue?
Faced with the powerful ministers who were submissive and the emperor who was attacked by many people, Sima Chi still felt disgusted even though he knew what kind of people they were.

"…This will bring chaos to the world and will certainly hinder Your Majesty's plan for revival. I request that your Majesty stop the order." Yu Bing had finished speaking.

After the words fell, several people stepped forward to second the motion, asking the emperor to revoke his order.

"Your Majesty." The Imperial Secretary Le Zhao stepped out and said, "There are many people who hold military power at home and abroad. In normal times, they have abused their power and pretended to be the emperor. They do not have the name of separatism, but they are independent in reality. Some people say that the separation of provincial governors and military governors is useless, because provincial governors are weak and military governors are strong. However, there is a difference between the name and the reality. If Your Majesty grants the post of governor, the name and the reality will be combined in one person, which will only make loyal ministers regretful and the ambitious people secretly happy. This is definitely not a way to revive the country."

"Your Majesty, at a time when wolves and jackals are rampant, if you give away a prestigious weapon so easily, I'm afraid it will shock the ancestral temple."

"Who is so reckless as to come up with such a short-sighted plan?"

"You evil people who are playing tricks on the country, do you dare to stand up?"

"If Your Majesty implements this plan, I, an old minister, will not be able to face the late emperor in the underworld."

The court officials still knew how powerful he was.

It's fine for Sima Yue to be the governor of Yuzhou and Yanzhou, after all, no one can beat him, and he really kills people in Luoyang. But if you give the post of governor to Fangbo who is thousands of miles away, everyone will oppose it. After all, once it is successfully implemented, what will the court officials do?

Besides, there is still a debt that I have not settled with you. Why does the Prince of Langya always "accept the order"? Your Majesty, do you want to explain it?
Sima Chi remained silent, only glancing at the ministers.

Yan Ding's heart ached slightly, Your Majesty, please don't betray me.

The other "loyal ministers" looked at each other, all a little suspicious. Who came up with this idea?

Wang Yan coughed, and the hall suddenly became quiet.

"Your Majesty." Wang Yan stood up, bowed, and said, "The matter of the governor is not in accordance with the state law, so it can be put aside for now. But the matter of discussing meritorious service cannot be delayed any longer."

"General, please feel free to speak." Sima Chi said expressionlessly.

Wang Yan did not bother to be polite with him and said directly: "Mr. Chen Shaoxun has been favored by two dynasties and has worked hard for ten years. He defeated Wang Mi, defeated the Xiongnu, recovered Heyang, conquered Yecheng, and rescued Luojing several times, leading to today. His achievements are great and extensive, and few people can compare with him. The Prince of Langya has the merits of pacifying the south of the Yangtze River and transporting grain, but is it appropriate to give him the position of prime minister?"

After saying this, Wang Yan listed the names of the kings when they established their own governments.

The most prominent among them is——

Sima Lun, King of Zhao: Prime Minister;

Sima Jiong, Prince of Qi: Grand Marshal, Regent, and granted the Nine Gifts;

Sima Ying, King of Chengdu: General, Prime Minister, and Crown Prince;

Sima Yue, King of Donghai: Taifu, Recorder of the Secretariat.

These four people are the ones who actually intervene in the affairs of the court. They have power over the government and the country, and no one else can compare to them.

"The King of Langya is thousands of miles away. How can he lead the people as the Prime Minister? This is one of the reasons."

"Zu Ti has not achieved anything, Liu Kun is trapped in an isolated city, Wang Jun is arrogant and shallow, how come they can get the post of governor, while Chen Gong has nothing? It is hard to believe that rewarding the former and suppressing the latter. This is the second reason."

"Who can come to rescue the emperor when Luoyang is in danger? Lord Chen has fought for ten years and has won many victories. The bandits are frightened and the Xiongnu are afraid. If he is not rewarded generously, the world will criticize him and no one will come to the king's aid. This is the third reason."

"I hope your Majesty will learn from this."

Sima Chi was silent for a while, and then said, "Shao Xun's nonsense about the autumn of the competition is extremely disrespectful. Shouldn't he be severely punished?"

Wang Yan cupped his hands and said, "How can a farmer who works on the farmland take away the cattle?"

Sima Chi turned his face away and didn't want to say more.

"Your Majesty, Shao Quanzhong has been loyal throughout his life and has made great contributions. If you don't reward him, it will be disheartening."

"Your Majesty, are you not afraid that the loyalist army will just sit back and watch?"

"If you want to convince the world's Fang Bo, you must first reward Chen Gong."

"Who is slandering Mr. Chen? It is really despicable that they are hindering your majesty's great cause of rejuvenation!"

"It is definitely not Mr. Chen's intention to speak such a lie. The evil cliques are just barking like dogs, but they are actually jealous of the talented."

The court officials came forward one after another to plead, and even the civil and military officials who were won over by the emperor lowered their heads and did not speak out to stop him at this time.

Wang Yan took a quick look and roughly understood who supported and who opposed.

Sima Chi was a little irritated by the ministers. He turned his head and looked at everyone. He was so angry that his face turned red.

"Your Majesty, I request to promote Lord Chen to the position of General of Chariots and Cavalry." Shangshu Lang Yu Bing said loudly.

"Please promote Mr. Chen to General of Chariots and Cavalry." Le Zhao stepped forward and seconded the proposal.

"Please invite Mr. Chen to be the General of Chariots and Cavalry." People echoed one after another.

Sima Chi felt that he was about to fall.

He felt that things were going from bad to worse.

When the governor put forward the proposal, he was really surprised by the strong opposition from the ministers.

Yes, he was not in favor of setting up many governors, but you were so fierce in your opposition, wasn't that too much? Did you all vote for Shao Xun? He felt that promoting Shao Xun to General of Chariots and Cavalry might just be the first step.

What's next? He didn't dare to think.

Prime Minister? No!
Great general? Even worse!
Mr. Liang? Impossible!

Recording the affairs of the Shangshu or even the Prime Minister? Absolutely impossible!
"Court dismissed!" He snorted coldly, then stood up and left.

The ministers looked at each other, at a loss.

Wang Yan stroked his beard lightly and looked at his ministers.

The people he glanced at were either delighted, flattering, uneasy, or terrified...

We need to try a few more times so that each party’s attitude will be clear.

Wang Yan chuckled and left the hall.

******
In the afternoon, a prison van arrived in Luoyang, immediately attracting everyone's attention.

Liang Fuci was half-crouching inside, his stubble covered with ice crystals.

After walking to the Imperial Street inside Dongyang Gate, Liang Fuzhi heard a lot of noisy sounds and suddenly opened his eyes.

It turns out we have arrived in Luoyang!
He was somewhat sad and angry.

The family's property was seized, the men were killed, and the wives and daughters were given to the so-called meritorious soldiers...

When two armies fight, each serving its own master, they lose, and there is nothing to say about this outcome. But when he thought about adding to the reputation of Shao the thief before he died, he felt very aggrieved.

Shao thief! Traitor! Dog thief!

"The thief Shao is trying to usurp the throne!" Liang Fuci wanted to say something, but he could only "ah ah" a few times. With a rag stuffed in his mouth, he couldn't say anything.

The escorting soldier hit him with his scabbard and scolded him, "Be quiet! If you scream again, I'll pull out your tongue."

Liang Fuci glared at him and calmed down a bit.

The soldier sneered.

This fake official knew he was going to die and couldn't avoid the knife, but he was actually afraid of having his tongue pulled out. Haha!

"A great victory was achieved in Anping, and thirty-one generals including the pseudo-Jizhou governor Liang Fuci were captured..." There was a knight with a loud voice shouting in the front.

When the officials and common people on Imperial Street heard this, they all rushed over and started talking about it.

"Over the years, with so many people coming and going, only Lord Chen can win the battle."

"They captured one thief after another and sent him to Luojing. It's amazing."

"How many people have you killed in these years? Wang Sang? Zhang Yue? Wang Zhang? And this Liang Fuci?"

"I can't even count them all, but it's a lot."

"It would be even better if Wang Mi could be captured and beheaded."

"Wang Mi's head is only temporarily placed on his neck. Mr. Chen can take it at any time."

"With all his achievements, shouldn't Lord Chen be made a general?"

"General? Wasn't that the position held by the King of Chengdu? Lord Chen is not a member of the royal family, so how could he be one?"

"King of Chengdu? Haha. Where is the Princess of Chengdu?"

The whole street was filled with noisy sounds. Everyone had a happy look on their face as they talked, and everyone felt proud of themselves.

Liang Fen, who had just left by car, listened to this and remained silent for a long time, and finally just sighed.

How does reputation come from? It is built up over and over again.

From the first time he captured an important enemy figure, Lord Chen did not kill him privately, but sent people to take him to Luoyang and hand him over to the court to be beheaded.

When the prisoners were escorted to the capital, they usually walked along the Imperial Street, where scholars, wealthy merchants, officials, royal family members and their slaves lived.

The place of beheading was located in the East Market, where people came and went, and most of those who watched the execution were from the lower classes.

As he went in and out, everyone saw him.

Over time, people got used to Mr. Chen's continuous victories, and their admiration for him grew.

It’s hard to even remember the reputation!
Listen, there are people outside who want Mr. Chen to be the "General", while people in the court have been arguing for a long time about the "General of Chariots and Cavalry".

Liang Fen didn't know how to describe her feelings.

The emperor was his son-in-law, so he should have been angry, but when he saw that the country was getting better day by day, he felt happy from the bottom of his heart.

This feeling of being torn apart made him extremely confused and uncomfortable, and he didn't know what to do.

Perhaps, he is not the only one who holds this mentality.

After sighing, he lowered the curtain.

The carriage rumbled along, heading eastward, and arrived at a manor near Jiuqu Du.

(End of this chapter)