With the birth of his fourteenth son, Emperor Liu's mood improved a bit. Many palace residents noticed that the smile they had not seen for months reappeared on his face. This also made the eunuchs and maids who served him breathe a sigh of relief and no longer The emperor was so nervous. Inside the Han Palace, the emperor's mood was a barometer.
"Report to the official family, Your Highness King Yong asks for an audience!" Yantuo approached and reported.
"Xuan! No, go and welcome him in!" Emperor Liu raised his eyes and ordered.
"yes!"
After a while, Liu Chengxun walked in with a calm face and a calm pace. Inside, Emperor Liu was sitting cross-legged behind a food table. On the table was a plate of steaming dumplings...
"See Your Majesty!"
"Call me second brother!" Emperor Liu raised his eyelids and pretended to be displeased.
Seeing this, Liu Chengxun couldn't help but raise a slight smile, and softly called: "Second brother!"
"Sit down!" Emperor Liu stretched out his hand and said, "You and I, brothers, will eat up the case!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty...Second Brother!" Facing Emperor Liu, Liu Chengxun was still a little embarrassed, even though the emperor's brother was acting so gentle and kind at this time. He was somewhat awe-inspiring, which had become a habit.
A pair of bowls and chopsticks were already added to the table. Emperor Liu pushed the dipping sauce he had prepared to one side of Liu Chengxun and said, "It's almost the winter solstice. I'm going to have a meal of dumplings in advance. You're here just in time. Come, Taste it!"
"Yes!" In response, Liu Chengxun moved his chopsticks, picked up a beautifully wrapped dumpling, dipped it in some of the palace's secret sauce, and swallowed it in one bite.
It is said that although he did not deliberately change it, Emperor Liu brought some influence and some "inventions" in terms of diet.
"Pork stuffing!" Liu Chengxun said.
"Pork with mushrooms!" Emperor Liu said.
Looking at his biological brother, Liu Chengxun, who is over thirty years old, he no longer retains the youthful spirit of the past. What he sees in his eyes is calmness, aristocratic temperament, and open-minded demeanor.
"Second brother, I'm here to say goodbye to you!" After eating a few dumplings, Liu Chengxun started talking.
"It's time to leave! Why not stay a little longer? It's winter now, so traveling is inconvenient!" Looking at Liu Chengxun, Emperor Liu was not particularly surprised by his intention.
Liu Chengxun was silent. The position he currently holds is still Hebei's pacification envoy. This is a temporary assignment. It is different from the situation in the southeast back then. It has a greater symbolic meaning. Although he can take charge of everything, his actual power is not great. It is better to sit in charge back then. When I was in Chang'an, even though I was young, I could still do some practical things.
Nowadays, sometimes Liu Chengxun himself feels that he can only do things to gain fame. Liu Chengxun is always happy to stay in Kaifeng, but it depends on the wishes of Liu Chengyou, the imperial brother.
Looking at him, Emperor Liu sighed softly and said: "I put you in Hebei because I want you to represent the Heavenly Family and sit down to comfort him as a prince. Now, several years have passed, the New Deal is running well, and everything has been settled. On track..."
After pondering for a while, Emperor Liu said again: "Let's stay in Tokyo for now. After this winter, we can make arrangements for next year!"
"Yes!" Hearing this, Liu Chengxun responded with his hands raised.
"Although mother has gone, there are still me and my sister!" Emperor Liu sighed and said: "In the family of six back then, there are only three of us, my sister and my brother, left. It's time to get together!" "
Emperor Liu's words obviously affected Liu Chengxun's mood, and his face also showed sadness, obviously thinking of Mr. Li again.
"Liu Chun is eleven years old too!" Liu Chengyou expressed concern.
"It's almost twelve!" Liu Chengxun smiled slightly.
Liu Chun is the eldest son of Liu Chengxun. He has been smart since he was a child and is very popular with him. Compared with Emperor Liu, Liu Chengxun is much more single-minded. Except for Concubine Qian of King Yong, he almost disdains other women. Because of this, he The number of children under his knees was not as prosperous as that of Emperor Liu. It was not until this summer that Qian gave birth to their fourth child.
"Let's do this, let him enter the palace and also go to the Wenhua Palace to practice!" Liu Chengyou said.
For this, Liu Chengxun naturally expressed his gratitude. This was not like those aristocratic children who studied in the palace, at least on the surface, who treated Liu Chun as a prince.
It was rare for the two brothers to talk freely. A plate of dumplings was obviously not enough, so they drank some wine before saying goodbye.
Liu Chengxun was in awe of Emperor Liu, and Emperor Liu actually valued his younger brother very much. At least, in the early years when the country was in difficulty, Emperor Liu regarded him as his successor.
Although there was never an explicit edict, it was clear to everyone above and below. However, as the country was in peace, Emperor Liu's sons also grew up one after another, so naturally this matter was treated as if it had never happened.
When Liu Chengxun was put in charge of Chang'an, it was entirely to train him, and he lived up to expectations and became a "good king". It is unrealistic to say that he is not wary of this younger brother at all. After all, Emperor Liu is like this personal.
However, that caution is just the instinct of a suspicious emperor. Seriously speaking, after so many years, Liu Chengxun's performance is still quite satisfactory to him. His reputation as a wise man is not enough to make him afraid. After all, his reputation is great. Those who do this are often easily burdened by it.
In Emperor Liu's expectations, he hoped that Liu Chengxun would become the "head of the clan" in the future. Compared with King Xu Liu Chengyun, he would have much greater advantages and be closer to the royal family.
After Liu Chengxun resigned, Emperor Liu couldn't help but seriously ponder. What position should he be given when he was transferred back to the imperial court? Is he the governor of Kaifeng? Be the prime minister? In charge of the ministry? Or should he be given to a feudal official with real power?
It is really not easy to have Liu Chengxun's status and authority arrangement.
...
"Chai Rong resigned from office, and he has to resign again. What's the reason this time?" Before the winter solstice, Emperor Liu received a letter of resignation from Luoyang, expressing his surprise.
If you observe carefully, you will find that Emperor Liu's face shows a little displeasure. It seems that such matters must be reported to Emperor Liu and obey his instructions. Neither the prince nor the ministers have the power to make decisions.
After hearing the inquiry, Dou Yi, who came to report the matter, reported: "The father of Ying Gong passed away, so he has this appearance!"
As soon as this reason came out, Emperor Liu's expression returned to normal, and he even showed a little sympathy for the same illness, and murmured in a low voice: "My deceased mother, his deceased father, the sorrow of the old man, alas..."
"Your Majesty, I don't know how to reply to Duke Ying?" Dou Yi asked for instructions.
"I can't bear to rob you of my love, so I agree!" Emperor Liu took a deep breath and responded: "In addition, the Ministry of Rites will send an official to express condolences on behalf of the imperial court!"
"yes!"
After Chai's father died, Chai Rong was about to leave his official position temporarily, and the post in Xijing suddenly became vacant. Emperor Liu suddenly thought of Liu Chengxun. It seemed appropriate, but should he be allowed to go?
After Dou Yi withdrew, Emperor Liu told Yan Tuo: "Go there in person, send an order to Liu Xu, and ask him to go to Luoyang to pay homage on his behalf."
After saying that, Emperor Liu quickly wrote a handwritten letter, sealed it, and handed it to Yantuo. The person sent by the Ministry of Rites represented the imperial court, and the person sent by the Ministry of Rites represented Liu Xu on his own behalf.
After thinking about it for a while, Emperor Liu ordered someone to summon Wu Deshi Li Chongju. He was a little dissatisfied. The news of Chai's father's death was actually presented to him through a memorial in the ministry hall, but Wu Deshi did not respond in advance... ..
Of course, if we insist on blaming him for this matter, the reason is somewhat untenable. It is just that Emperor Liu wanted to give him a beating or a spur.
It has been twenty years since Wudesi came into existence from scratch, and it is now considered a behemoth. And with this growth and stability for so many years, it is inevitable that some problems will arise, such as slackness and malfeasance. Even if Li Chongju is diligent, it will be difficult for him to do so. Comprehensive.
