When Emperor Liu finished speaking, the nobles couldn't help but express surprise. Emperor Liu had made such a "promise" to many people in the past, but he had never made it to such an occasion. The people present included almost half of the honorable men of the Han Dynasty.
Gui, now I say it in front of everyone, it should have the meaning of appeasing people.
However, the effect was very poor. This not only did not make them feel relieved, but also made people feel worried. After all, Emperor Liu was also a master who hid his sword behind his smile. The gentler his attitude was, the more people suspected that there was an ambush behind them to avoid misunderstandings.
If you make a mistake, you will harm others and yourself, and you will regret it for the rest of your life.
However, many people still realized that what Emperor Liu was going to say next was the business. Looking at the serious expressions on the nobles’ faces and the suspicion in their eyes, Emperor Liu sighed silently, how could he tell the truth?
Sometimes, no one believes it?
Rejecting Liu Yang's support, Emperor Liu slowly sat down with his bamboo stick. Looking at Han, Pan, Shi, Yang and others in the front, Emperor Liu said in a calm tone: "You are all big men."
I have always regarded the meritorious officials as brothers and nephews. There are no outsiders here, so I will tell you the truth!"
Hearing what Emperor Liu said, the group of people cheered up and listened again. Emperor Liu raised his head slightly and said in a sad tone: "I can more or less understand your resentment. Don't look at it.
I am the emperor, but there are some things that I can relate to you.
In the past, your biggest dissatisfaction was probably that the title was reduced to hereditary status. Many of you felt that the inheritance system of title and rank that I established was too strict, even harsh.
Since ancient times, there has been no reward for meritorious officials, and so many rules and regulations have to be set up. It is not smooth at all, and it can be said to be extremely stingy. Most of you are rejecting and even panicking about the imperial court's inheritance system of title and salary. You are afraid that after a few generations,
, the descendants have become commoners, and they are also afraid that some accidents will occur and the inheritance will be cut off.
I say that I will rest with my country, but what I do seems to wish I could knock you down into the mortal world and treat you like those gangsters in Guizhou..."
"The cunning rabbit is dead and the lackey is cooked. Many of you must have had such an idea!" Emperor Liu opened his mouth and couldn't stop. He raised his hand and pointed back, saying: "This is the one enshrined in the Gongchen Pavilion.
Many of these people have had such thoughts and emotions in their lives. I know and see them clearly, and of course, I can understand them!"
"I also admit that the rules set in the nobility system are a bit strict and there are too many restrictions! I owe something to you, the old heroes and heroes who have walked through thick and thin with me through thick and thin.
However, there are some things that I have to do. As the emperor, I not only have to consider my small family, but also all the people in the world. Together with you, I will end the troubled times and separate the regimes, unify the universe, and create the glorious and peaceful world today.
!
Building a country is hard-earned, and it really needs to be cherished. In order for this peaceful time to last longer, I have to take precautions and make more considerations and preparations!"
"These words may sound high-sounding, or even a little hypocritical, so let me say something more real! What I want to establish is a healthy, sustainable, and honorable inheritance system that can truly stand with the country.
, what I want is a group of country cornerstones who are proactive, full of ambition, and will never give up, not a bunch of mediocrity who will only rest on their laurels and rest on their laurels!
Merits, honors, power, and status were obtained by our fathers and ancestors through hard work and sacrifice. It is right for you to be protected, but it does not mean that you can always enjoy it with peace of mind.
This may be a bit harsh, but you ask yourselves, does it make sense? With so many people and so many families present, how many of them are innocent, well-behaved, and peaceful?
In the past few years, have the troubles and troubles caused by the noble disciples been too little? If it only breeds disputes, that's it. Those who steal the country and steal officials, deceive the emperor and harm the people, prey on the people and even care about human lives, I wonder if you are
I forgot, but I can remember each one clearly! Shocking! Appalling! Death is not a pity!"
When he said this, Emperor Liu remained calm on his face, but his cold tone made the temperature in the hall seem to drop a few degrees, and every word was like a sharp knife piercing the noble heart.
Looking around, Emperor Liu continued to speak what he considered to be "the truth": "I regard you as the cornerstone of the country. The stability of the country and the continuation of the country need you to maintain and consolidate. You are my
In the eyes of our own people. But because of this, I have to strictly demand you. If you fall, the big man will be in danger!
In order to reward you for your merits, I will give you fame, benefits, and even privileges. This is what you deserve, but it does not mean that you can rely on the grace of the court to act arbitrarily and unscrupulously!"
Emperor Liu's rant made everyone present tremble with fear. Even Yang Ye, who had a clear conscience, could not help but shrink his head, frown, and kept asking himself whether he had committed any crime...
The ministers bowed their heads, and Emperor Liu calmed down and said: "The title of the Han Dynasty is based on military merit first, and this cannot be shaken. In the past, it was about helping people in danger and relieving difficulties, and unifying the world. It was about conquering the south and the north, conquering the east and advancing west.
.
Now that the world is at peace and there are few rivals around the Han Dynasty, you have no place to use your talents. You can leave Nanshan and enjoy prosperity. This is what most people think.
But let me say one more thing, from the time when such ideas breed and spread, it is the beginning of your depravity! I have taught you more than once that this world is very big, far more than Kyushu, and the land outside is very wide, enough for you to gallop and make achievements. However,
There are very few people who listen and are willing to endure hardships and work hard!"
At this point, Emperor Liu finally began to reveal his motive: "In the past twenty years, I have been thinking about a question. As powerful as the Han and Tang Dynasties, why could they not escape the result of destruction? The Han Dynasty was as strong as it is today.
It has only been forty years since the founding of the country. How many years will the national destiny last? A hundred years? Two hundred? Or three hundred?
Every time I think about it, I often feel frightened, even without eating and drinking, I also look for the root cause, and finally come up with a right or wrong answer. The decline of dynasties in the past can often be attributed to several reasons: the king is ignorant and the minister is mediocre, and the culture
Tian Wuxi, the officialdom is corrupt and the people are in dire straits...
But there is only one fundamental reason, and that is that the common people in the world can no longer survive. They have no land to cultivate, no clothes to wear, and no food to eat. They have to rise up and fight for their lives. People all over the world have resisted. How can the country
Can you survive?
However, what caused this is the royal family, the nobility, the bureaucrats, the landlords, the cruelty of the people! The cruelty of the people! I set up so many systems, and originally planned to restrain you through rules, but after so many years,
The effect is not great.
What should have happened is still happening inevitably. So many corrupt officials have been killed, and so many nobles and nobles have been dealt with. But how can it serve as a warning, and how can it be remembered in people's hearts?"
"If it were the past, I would have a heart of hatred to clean up the dirt in the world and make the world truly peaceful and clear!" Emperor Liu's face showed a slight look of twilight, and he sighed: "But I
After all, I’m getting old and can’t take any more trouble!
I have been thinking about it, but I can only come up with this one solution that is not a solution! If you are greedy and unstoppable, instead of using it at home and on the common people, why not do it to the outside world? Let you do whatever you want outside.
I don’t care, and neither does the court!
The edict of the feudal state has been issued, and you all know the content. Anyone who wants to be promoted, promoted, or made rich can go. I will not set any restrictions. In the past, when your fathers followed me to conquer the world, they fought for me.
, Now, for yourselves, I will give the kings the right to enfeoff. Whatever you conquer, occupy, or rob, whether it is land, population, livestock, houses, or property, can belong to you.
My only request is that you can be gentler to the common people of the Han Dynasty and have a little more compassion and consideration..."