Feeling the ridicule in Emperor Liu's tone, Liu Shu breathed a sigh of relief, lowered his head, and waited for the next step.
Emperor Liu raised his head slightly, with a hint of melancholy on his old face, and said quietly: "Don't you often complain that I am partial? You only value a few brothers, treat you little ones like nothing, and refuse to give you a chance... …”
Hearing what Emperor Liu said, Liu Shu cried out almost instinctively, with even a bit of anger on his face: "Who is spreading rumors about me in front of His Majesty again!"
Subconsciously, the figure of Jin King Liu Xi emerged in Liu Shu's mind. Liu Shu was said to be a bit heartless, forgetting things as soon as they happened, and not having a long memory. However, he could remember some people and events for a lifetime, and would take them from time to time. Come out and look through old accounts.
"Although I am stupid, I can still feel your Majesty's care and love for me. Otherwise, for the ridiculous things I have committed, I would have been stripped of my title and deposed as a commoner. I can only be grateful to your Majesty, so why would I complain? Say?" Liu Shu's expression looked particularly sincere at this time.
Obviously, Emperor Liu's fall had quite a shock to Liu Shu. Although he was stubborn on the outside at the time, there was no fear and regret in his heart. Over the past few months, his words became more and more clever.
Hearing his words, Emperor Liu turned around and looked directly at Liu Shu, as if he wanted to see him through. Liu Shu was so confused that he said softly: "You don't have to rush to defend! I don't care what you think. , I don’t care what you said, what I want now is to give you a chance, and it is also the last chance!"
Hearing what Emperor Liu said, Liu Shu was surprised, and his eyes couldn't help but shine a little brightly. He looked at Emperor Liu with curiosity and expectation, and said cautiously: "Your Majesty, please give me your permission."
"Do you know the Champa Kingdom?" Emperor Liu asked softly without directly stating the purpose.
Liu Shu nodded: "It is south of Annan and east of Zhenla, but it was destroyed by the imperial court too early!"
"It's not bad, but I'm not ignorant at all!" Emperor Liu gave a dull evaluation, and then said: "How about I separate this ancient city of Champa from Annan and grant it to you?"
As soon as he said this, Liu Shu was completely shocked. He took a breath subconsciously and looked at Emperor Liu in disbelief: "Seriously?"
It can be seen from Liu Shu's expression that he even thought Emperor Liu was joking. However, Emperor Liu was not in the mood to joke now. He looked at Liu Shu and said calmly: "You are not joking! Can you take it?"
There is nothing to hesitate about. Liu Shu thanked him immediately: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Not only was he not accused, but he got a piece of land for free. Where could such a good thing be found? At this moment, Liu Shu was ready to get to know the old place of Zhancheng. In his knowledge, there were several states. The land has hundreds of thousands of people...
However, while he was happy, Liu Shu couldn't help but wonder what the purpose of Emperor Liu's move was. His thoughtful expression betrayed his thoughts. Emperor Liu saw it and said: "You are wondering why I issued this enfeoffment order." ?”
"Yes!" Liu Shu nodded simply: "I have no virtue and incompetence, and even act wildly and rebelliously from time to time. I have done nothing for the court. I may not be popular with people if I receive such a generous gift..."
After Liu Shu's words, Emperor Liu finally smiled: "How rare! You are so self-aware!"
Although there was some embarrassment, under the huge pie of Emperor Liu, this little sarcasm was really nothing, so he just smiled.
Looking at Liu Shu, Emperor Liu said solemnly: "This is indeed a gift, but if you only regard it as a reward, then I will be disappointed!"
Hearing this, Liu Shu's face immediately became serious, and he raised his hands as if he was listening: "I dare to ask your Majesty to teach you!"
Emperor Liu paused for a moment and then spoke eloquently: "After more than thirty years of expansion, the expansion of the Han Dynasty has reached its limit. Many border areas are already unable to make ends meet. Military and political affairs consume a lot of money and food from the court every year.
, to maintain system governance.
If things go on like this, the burden on the court will only continue to increase as time goes by. But these lands cannot be given up, and not a single piece of them can be thrown away.
This was not only the result of the Han Dynasty opening up and expanding its territory, but also a national policy to consolidate the frontiers and maintain the stability of the Han Dynasty.
However, we have to consider practical issues. I have been thinking about this matter for many years. After much thought, enfeoffment may be the most feasible way at the moment!
Being complacent should not be the character of a big man, so we must fight it out completely and keep foreign troubles out of the big man. A big man can be troubled by internal troubles, but he must not be controlled by foreign troubles. This is my psychological bottom line, and this is what I have given to you princes.
request!
Giving you the title of Champa is the beginning!"
Emperor Liu's words were almost pouring out of his heart. When Liu Shu heard this, he thought about it and said with emotion: "Your Majesty has such high expectations and regard for me. I am so grateful that I shed tears of gratitude!"
"It's not just you!" Emperor Liu waved his hand and said in a slightly higher tone: "You princes and grandsons, I will entrust you one by one! The world is very big, not just China, there are thousands of miles of territory beyond Kyushu.
The footprints of the Han Dynasty should be traveled all over the world. Under the sun, everything is Han soil. This is the great cause of the creation of the world.
However, I am already old, and my body can no longer support such lofty ideals. I will not see that day, and I can only look at you, my descendants!
I just hope that one day, when you are burning incense and paper, you can report some good news to me. The enfeoffment of the city is not only a gift, but also a task, a mission, and a responsibility!
Of course, as a father, I have to think more about you descendants, which can be regarded as a purely personal approach!
Although the man is big, he can't divide it into several parts for you to share like gold, silver, and silk. Fortunately, the world outside is vast enough for you to develop, but you just need to forge ahead on your own!"
"I will definitely remember your majesty's lessons and live up to your trust!" Liu Shu heard this and immediately vowed, his words ringing: "I will wholeheartedly consolidate the country and open up the Han Dynasty!"
"It's easy to say it, but to do it, you have to be careful!" Emperor Liu glanced at Liu Shu.
"yes!"
Probably because he had talked too much, Emperor Liu's energy was obviously low, but he still persisted. After pondering for a while, he added: "The recovery of the captured land was just a matter of convenience at the beginning. It was easy to obtain but difficult to control.
In the past ten years, Annan has mainly focused on the conquest and assimilation of the northern territory. He has been somewhat relaxed in the south. He only sent some officials and a small number of troops to guard it, barely maintaining the rule of the Han Dynasty.
But this rule is more in name only. In recent years, those remnants of rebels and die-hards have often caused troubles and attempted to restore the country. Chenla in the west is also restless and has frequently made provocations.
The land occupied by the city is not stable!
What I give you is not a piece of cultivated land, but a wilderness that is full of chaos and danger. There are still many things that you need to work hard to overcome!"
"It's just barbarians. They were allowed to run rampant before, but the imperial court ignored them. If I go there, I will definitely wipe out those disobedient ones one by one!" Liu Shu raised his head and said, looking a little arrogant.
If a minister with rich experience and outstanding abilities had said these words, Emperor Liu might have expressed affirmation and appreciation, but Liu Shu always made people feel uneasy. After all, he had never really proven himself. However,
Because of this, Emperor Liu could not attack directly, but said leisurely: "The opportunity is given to you, I will wait and see, I hope you will not fall from the majesty of the Tian family!"
"Yes!" Liu Shu's face showed a rare solemnity.
After a heart-to-heart talk, the father and son's emotions gradually calmed down. Once the man calmed down, many previously ignored thoughts continued to hit his brain.
Looking at the exhausted Emperor Liu, Liu Shu couldn't help but ask: "Your Majesty, if I go to capture the city, what will happen to the land and property in the country?"
As soon as Liu Shu dug his ass, he knew what he was going to do. Listening to his words, Emperor Liu couldn't help but raise his eyebrows and said calmly: "How do you want to deal with it!"
"Your Majesty, please give me the Holy Judgment!" Sensing the change in Emperor Liu's expression, Liu Shu immediately became downcast.
"Sell all your fields and properties, and leave a mansion in each of the two capitals. All the money and grain obtained from the sale will be used as capital for the country. All the servants and servants under your house will go with you. I will allocate some additional funds.
Money, food, soldiers, for support! How about that?" Emperor Liu said.
Emperor Liu had already spoken, how could Liu Shu dare to object? Although he felt a little reluctant, he still said simply and honestly: "That's very good. Please listen to your Majesty's arrangements!"
"Wait for the imperial edict! I'm going back to the palace!" After the explanation, Emperor Liu could no longer control his fatigue. He waved his hand, leaned on his bamboo stick, and left slowly.
"Congratulations to Your Majesty!"
He respectfully sent Emperor Liu to the gate of the mansion and watched Luan Jia leaving. It was not until Luan Jia disappeared from sight that Liu Shu came back to his senses.
Is this considered being sent to the border? Although he was a little worried about gains and losses, Liu Shu's mood was unavoidable. He had been living in a muddle for thirty years, and he had never been so restless as at this time.
There was no future for him in the country. Not to mention the prince, even those brothers who were like dragons and tigers were beyond his reach.
As the old emperor said, there is a lot of potential in the vast land beyond the Han Dynasty. If he can succeed in making some achievements, he can slap those who look down on him, Liu Shu, in the face!