After the Chongyuan Night Banquet, it also meant that the military and political affairs of the Han Dynasty were able to get rid of the tense and eventful state in the first half of the twelfth year of Qianyu. The next step was to implement the tasks of eliminating troops and improving public order.
Emperor Liu Chengyou also began to turn his attention to the south again and consider the matter of unifying the world. The great cause of unification may be slowed down, but his thoughts will not stop.
In the Chongzheng Hall, Fan Zhi, Wei Renpu, Xue Juzheng, Wang Pu and Li Chuyun were all there. Liu Chengyou told Li Chongju who was waiting in the hall: "Let me know what the situation in Jiangnan and Lingnan is like!"
But it was news from the south that there had been another change in Tang and Guangdong. Li Chongju did not delay at all, and narrated in his usual smooth tone: "News came from Jinling that the leader of the country, Li Jing, suddenly fell ill with fever and suffered from high fever continuously. If he refused to retreat and could not take matters into his own hands, he made his sixth son Li Congjia the crown prince and took charge of the East Palace. The people of Jinling and the public were in panic and unrest!"
"So, the leader of the Jiangnan Kingdom will die, and the political situation in Jinling will change!" Fan Zhi became more energetic.
Li Chongju said: "In the past few years, Li Jing has become ill with worries and has long been out of health. Coupled with the decline of the country and unrest at home, the situation has worsened. He has suffered from frequent illnesses and is now on the verge of death. Even if the illness is alleviated this time. , given his physical condition, he won’t be able to sustain it for much longer!”
"From this point of view, the former Li Jing's polite refusal to come to Beijing is not an excuse. He is really suffering from the disease!" Liu Chengyou said lightly.
Li Chuyun said: "The illness is true, and the excuse is also true. If you want to send the chief minister of Jinling to go north to Tokyo, you still have to wait for the king's army to cross the river and break through the city!"
After Li Chuyun finished speaking, Fan Zhi glanced at him subconsciously, and he suddenly became wary. This newly appointed Privy Councilor should not incite the emperor to take the opportunity to attack Tang Dynasty!
Liu Chengyou's thoughts were obviously not on the above, and he asked again: "I heard that their new prince is very famous?"
Li Chongju: "Li Congjia, the sixth son of Li Jing, was twenty-three years old at the time. He was first granted the title of Duke of Anding, and later was granted the title of Prince of Zheng. He was good at poetry, calligraphy and painting, and was extremely talented, surpassing his father. He had a large forehead and parallel teeth, and his eyesight was clear. Chongpuzi. In his early years, he focused on poetry and poetry, and was obsessed with classics and did not care about political affairs."
"Since ancient times, people with extraordinary appearance have their own peculiarities. This Li Congjia looks like an ordinary person!" Liu Chengyou said with great interest.
Of course Liu Chengyou knew who Li Congjia was. He was a famous poet throughout the ages. After hearing what Liu Chengyou said, Wei Renpu expressed his opinion: "I have heard that the elders under Li Jing's knees have suffered a lot of misfortune. Li Hongji After his death, Li Congjia became the direct eldest son, so he has this standing! However, from the above, I am afraid that this son is not his master."
"What Wei Qing said is true, and I think so too!" Liu Chengyou said.
Noticing Fan Zhi's expression, he hesitated to speak and seemed a little nervous, Liu Chengyou said again: "If Fan Qing has anything to say, just say it freely!"
Fan Zhi responded: "Your Majesty, the crown prince in Jiangnan has not been reported to the Ming court yet!"
Liu Chengyou responded: "Did Fan Qing suggest that I use this to send troops to punish Jinling?"
"I have no such intention!" After hearing this, Fan Zhi immediately became anxious and hurriedly stood up and said: "I just suggested that you send an envoy to inquire and give some brief instructions. The country is exhausted and unable to fight, so we should rest our troops to recuperate. The people are a national policy, how can we take it lightly? I hope your majesty will be cautious!"
Seeing Fan Zhi's excited look, Liu Chengyou also hurriedly said: "I have no intention of sending troops, so Prime Minister Fan doesn't need to be nervous. As for the matter of Jinling, an envoy will be sent. You can ask, but there is no need to issue orders. Li Jing Since you are not feeling well, you can express your condolences on my behalf to show my concern! Let Prime Minister Fan arrange this matter!"
"Yes!" Fan Zhi breathed a sigh of relief.
Of course, when envoys from the Han Dynasty went to Jinling, judging from past situations, even their condolences would eventually turn into fright.
"What's the situation in Guangdong?" Liu Chengyou looked at Li Chongju.
Li Chongju said: "Lingnan secret agents report that Liu Yuan, the leader of Southern Guangdong, intends to reclaim his title as Emperor!"
Everyone was quite surprised by this statement, and Fan Zhi even said in an unbelievable tone: "How dare you?"
The emperors and ministers of the Han Dynasty were extremely surprised by this news. They really didn't understand where Liu Yun got the courage. But the reality is that he did have this intention.
At that time, under the great military power of the Han Dynasty, Liu Sheng had no choice but to change his country's title, remove the throne, claim vassal status and pay tribute in order to protect himself and prevent the Han army from turning their attention to his fake Han. Liu Sheng's purpose was He has achieved this, at least he is not the king of the country's subjugation.
However, just like in Jinling, behind closed doors in Prince Xing's Mansion, he still regarded himself as the emperor. But after Liu Yuan succeeded to the throne, he felt that although he was treated as an emperor, he was the leader of a small country in his title. Isn't this deceiving one's ears and stealing the bell?
His father and ancestors had all been emperors, and now that he had made the decision, how could he not taste the taste of an emperor? So, Liu Yuan discussed the matter with his close friends, which naturally aroused a lot of opposition, but the opposition was ineffective, and his intention was decided.
Therefore, when Li Chongju finished explaining, the emperors and ministers of the Han Dynasty were still a little stunned. The reason was as simple as Liu Yuan just wanted to taste what it was like to be an emperor.
"The ignorant are fearless!" Xue Juzheng, who said little, sighed with emotion.
Li Chongju continued: "That Liu Sheng was already a fool and a tyrant, but he still showed awe in the face of the majesty of the Han Dynasty. However, this Liu Yuan was stupid, absurd, and cruel, even worse than his father. He killed his brothers, cut off civil and military officials, and witchcraft. The eunuchs wielded power, were harsh on the people, built large palaces, were arrogant and extravagant..."
Talking about these, even Li Chongju, who had never been very emotional, felt a little angry. Wang Pu immediately said: "How can such a mediocre and cruel master not perish, and how can he be tolerated in the world? The people of Lingnan are in great suffering!"
Compared with the righteous indignation of his ministers, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but frown, feeling a little headache. From the bottom of his heart, he certainly hoped that Liu Yuan would be as dim as possible and Lingnan would be as chaotic as possible, but there had to be a limit.
In the former, when Liu Yuan succeeded to the throne, he failed to send envoys in time to pay tribute, and he also neglected the annual tribute. Now he wants to proclaim himself emperor, which is simply a contempt and challenge to the authority of the imperial court. His ignorance and ignorance are like this, but for today's Han Dynasty court, it is It's a problem.
"If Liu Yuan really proclaims himself emperor, how will the court control it?" Liu Chengyou asked after hesitating for a while.
"Sending troops south to defeat his army, destroy his country and capture Liu Yuan is the most effective way!" Li Chuyun said this, but he sighed: "However, the current situation of the court is not the time to use troops!"
"I think it's better to send an envoy to give a stern warning to prevent him from committing the unfaithful act!" Fan Zhi's expression was also a little ugly, but he still said calmly.
Liu Chengyou's eyes became cold and he ordered indifferently: "Then send someone to tell Liu Yuan that if he really dares to overstep the imperial title, then when the king's army goes south, he will be quartered with five horses. Thank you world, don’t say you didn’t predict what you said!”
"Yes!" Liu Chengyou's words were murderous. Everyone could feel his anger, and all the important ministers hurriedly responded.
At the same time, everyone also understood the emperor's attitude towards this matter. Although he was angry, he still maintained his rationality. Even if Liu Yu really proclaimed himself emperor, he would not rush to send troops to retaliate and interrupt the national policy of recuperation.
However, after a moment's consideration, Liu Chengyou ordered Li Chuyun: "Plan the plan and send it to Panmei and Cao Bin in Hunan, and tell them that if Liu Su doesn't listen to the advice and insists on proclaiming himself emperor, let them make a move and teach him a lesson. A big battle." If you can’t fight, control the scale and punish them lightly first!”
"Yes!" No one objected to Liu Chengyou's relatively calm order. If the situation really develops in that direction, the court should have some reaction.
After the ministers had retreated, Liu Chengyou was still angry and felt a little offended. Liu Yang was also listening. Seeing his sullen expression, he took the initiative to serve tea and said, "Dad, please calm down!"
Turning to look at his son, Liu Chengyou looked at him cautiously, his face filled with anger, and he said to him: "Then Liu Yun is the king of subjugation. His debauchery and cruelty should be taken as a warning!"
Liu Yang raised his hands and said yes.
"Be kind to your brothers and subjects as you should be treated!" Liu Chengyou said again abruptly.
Liu Yang responded solemnly again.
"Guan family, Ping Haijun Jiedushi will stay and follow Xiao to see you!"
