Under the dim sky, there were roars all over Mang Mountain. At first, you might think that there was winter thunder, but you soon found out that it was not the sound. It was wrong, too dense and messy. It was the sound of large-scale explosives detonating.
Deep in Mang Mountain, all mountain roads, valleys, and paths leading or potentially leading to Gaoling were destroyed. The purpose was simple and clear, to protect the safety of Emperor Shizu's mausoleum. This aspect was clearly instructed by Emperor Shizu.
However, the ministers executed various tricks.
In the relevant mountains, the imperial court used more than 300,000 kilograms of gunpowder, which was distributed on various mountains, slopes, and gaps to make everything unrecognizable and drastically change the topography.
This amount of gunpowder, under the current war mode of the imperial army, can fully meet the needs of a large-scale war. Several gunpowder depots around Luoyang have been emptied.
Therefore, after the gunpowder was detonated in a concentrated manner, all we could see in the depths of Mang Mountain was the earth shaking, the birds frightened and the beasts fleeing, dust flying, and black smoke filling the sky. It was as if the sky was thundering and the end of the world was coming.
At the southern foot of Mang Mountain, a funeral camp was set up. Tens of thousands of concubines, royal relatives, nobles, bureaucrats, soldiers, and palace people gathered here. They could only accompany Zi Gong here, and then pay homage to the mausoleum from a distance.
At this time, facing the "roar" coming from the depths of Mang Mountain, everyone in the camp reacted with surprise or fear. There were also young nobles who were so frightened that they howled and couldn't be comforted.
Gunpowder is no longer a mysterious thing in the Han Dynasty, but I have only heard that it has a lot of applications in war and mining. It is difficult to have an intuitive understanding of its power. Of course, few nobles have it in daily life.
Opportunity to get in touch.
It was the first time that the upper-class dignitaries of the Han Dynasty faced such a large-scale explosion scene so carefully. Many people couldn't help but think of the "Tokyo Explosion" of that year, but that explosion was much covered up by the subsequent horrific fires.
If this was not an extremely serious and solemn occasion, I'm afraid the discussion would have started already, but even if they restrained themselves, there would inevitably be a noise of gossip, and some people would keep tiptoeing and raising their heads, as if this way they could clearly see the Mang Mountain behind the thick smoke.
The dignitaries of the Han Dynasty did not pay attention to the cost of hundreds of thousands of kilograms of gunpowder. They were just immersed in the impact of this huge momentum. They even lamented that mortals could actually create such things, produce such great power, and cause such earth-shattering effects.
Compared with the curiosity of his ministers, Emperor Liu Yang was not in a happy mood. The reason was that the noise was too loud and the arrangements were too wasteful.
Even excluding the cost of the gunpowder, the various expenses invested in funerals in the past few months have exceeded 3 million yuan. Liu Yang really can't imagine how a funeral can cost so much money.
The loyal ministers and virtuous ministers of the Han Dynasty had too many thoughts and worries, and seemed to want to impose all the lofty and beautiful things on Emperor Shizu. However, looking at the rights and wrongs of the past few months after the emperor's death, Liu Yang could not feel it.
No matter how many people love Emperor Shizu wholeheartedly, there are too many condolences and praises, but in essence it is just a political show.
Even after the road is destroyed and all traces are destroyed, the matter is not over yet. The thousands of palace people, guards, and craftsmen who escorted the Zi Palace to the mausoleum have to go through a round of identity verification to confirm that nothing is missing, and then they are broken up again and distributed to various places.
Close the country.
You can bring your family and property with you to the feudal country, and you can also obtain official positions, land and even slaves in the feudal country, and become a master in the feudal country, but the premise is that you will never return to your country.
You can also choose not to go, then there will be another option, death. In fact, according to some people's ideas, all the people who were buried in the mausoleum should be executed to bury Emperor Shizu. Only in this way can the location of the mausoleum be guaranteed.
be exposed.
However, this suggestion, which was supported by many people, was strongly rejected by Liu Yang. The reason was very simple. The palace people and guards were innocent, and this move was harmful to Tianhe. It was definitely not Shizu's original intention, and it was not conducive to Emperor Shizu's mighty virtue.
Finally, such a resettlement method was introduced.
For those who insist on being buried, Liu Yang also has a way to deal with them. Whoever insists will take the lead in being buried, and let him follow Emperor Shizu to serve underground. In this way, a consensus is quickly reached, and the benevolence of the new emperor spreads.
.
In addition, they also requested that Mang Mountain be closed for three years, that soldiers and ordinary people be prohibited from entering the mountain, and that a road block be set up outside the area where Gaoling is located. This was also the result of Liu Yang's struggle. The mountain was originally supposed to be closed for ten years!
Liu Yang really couldn't imagine how those gentlemen who usually talked about benevolence, justice and virtue could be so upright and precise when they came up with the idea of harming the country and disturbing the people.
It can be said that the whole funeral process made Liu Yang feel awkward and uncomfortable. He had to hold his nose to admit many things. The hat called "filial piety" on his head was so heavy that he almost had to wear it.
The harm has reached the level of the common people.
And the countless disturbances surrounding the funeral system made Liu Yang doubt the intentions behind any suggestions and measures taken by the ministers.
In the past, people often expressed concern or even dissatisfaction with Emperor Shizu's many twists and turns, showing concern for the country and the people. Now, when Liu Yang sat in this position, he found that the tossing of these ministers and bureaucrats was nothing compared to
Emperor Shizu was weak, but he could still speak eloquently and plausibly.
So, who is more capable of tormenting? And who is tormented? With this question in his mind all the way, Emperor Liu Yang returned to Luoyang from Mang Mountain on the first day of winter.
Returning to the city, back to the palace, and arriving at the Chui Gong Hall. Before I took off my mourning clothes, I heard that Xu Shilian, a bachelor of the cabinet, asked for an audience. As a close minister of the East Palace, he was naturally received smoothly, and from Xu Shilian's mouth, I got another piece of bad news. Ding'an Bo Li Jian
So gone.
"How could this happen? Why did he die?" Liu Yang frowned slightly, his face clouded.
Xu Shilian's tone was low and he reported: "After the tomb ceremony yesterday, Ding'an Bo fell ill in the camp and died suddenly not long after his death!"
"Why didn't anyone come to report it?" Liu Yang was slightly sullen.
Xu Shilian said: "Back to your majesty, it is said that before Ding'anbo passed away, he told his family that he had received so much kindness from the late emperor that he would die when he died. He should not disturb the court and continue to receive favors. The funeral only requires a coffin and a tomb. It is simple.
Just take care of it”
Hearing what Xu Shilian said, Liu Yang looked at him and whispered: "How do you know these things?"
Xu Shilian hurriedly explained: "Li Congli, the fifth son of Ding'an Bo, was once the Sima of Fengzhou. When the Yulin rebellion and bandits invaded, I had friendship with him. After returning to the court, the contact was not severed."
After hearing this, Liu Yang fell silent. After a while, when he raised his head again, he said with some sadness: "Bo Ding'an's loyalty to the late emperor is impressive, and his indifference and calmness are also admirable.
Everyone is saddened by the death of the old minister, and Ding Anbo is noble and does not want any favors, but how can the court be silent, otherwise how will the world view him?"
After sighing with emotion, Liu Yang asked: "How is Uncle Ding'an's heir? Can he be successful?"
Aware of the emperor's intention, Xu Shilian immediately said: "Ding'an Bo had five sons, the eldest son, the second son, and the fourth son all died young. Only the third son obeyed the letter, and the fifth son grew up according to the rites. The third son obeyed the letter and was honest. He always took care of the family affairs at home and took care of the food inside and outside.
, As for the five sons’ obedience to the rites, I have a personal relationship with them, so it is really inconvenient for me to judge!”
After hearing what he said, Liu Yang thought about it for a while, and then ordered: "Assign Li Congxin to inherit the Earl of Ding'an and lower him to attack him!"
After saying that, he asked again: "What is Li Congli's current position?"
"Return to Your Majesty, Luoyang Prefecture recommends officials!"
Liu Yang nodded, stared at Xu Shilian and said playfully: "If you can make Xu Shilian fall in love with you, you must be more than a mortal, and you must be talented. I will promote Li Congli to be the judge of Luoyang Prefecture!"
"Your Majesty is wise, I am ashamed of myself!" Xu Shilian lowered his head and expressed.
In fact, from the moment Xu Shilian mentioned Li Congli, it was equivalent to a recommendation. Liu Yang didn't know it, he just didn't mind. As a close minister of the imperial court, it is natural that he would have some invisible benefits.
Of course, from this moment on, Xu Shilian and Li Congli were basically tied together. If something happened to Li Congli in the future, Xu Shilian should be implicated.
"Pass the imperial edict!" Withdrawing his gaze, Liu Yang said to an old eunuch waiting in the palace.
"yes!"
The old eunuch's name is Zheng Yuan, he is estimated to be over fifty years old, and his hair is a little gray. He is the new eunuch eunuch, taking on the role that Wang Yue used to play beside Liu Yang.
As for why he chose this person, the reason is not complicated. Zheng Yuan had served Empress Xiaoxianren for more than 20 years. After the queen's death, his status and treatment in the palace inevitably declined gradually. He had been responsible for the management of Guanjia Palace before.
When he received the transfer order from the new monarch, Zheng Yuan burst into tears. He knelt down in front of the envoy and expressed his gratitude. He knew that His Majesty had not forgotten them old people.
——————
Although various decorations during the mourning period are still maintained throughout the imperial city, everyone in the imperial court knows that the empire has basically bid farewell to the Kaibao era, and history will also open a new chapter.
In less than two months of the thirty-year anniversary of Kaibao, the entire central court, from the emperor down, was busy with only one thing, the coronation ceremony of the new emperor.
The importance of the enthronement ceremony cannot be overstated in any serious terms. For Liu Yang, it was a formal announcement of the beginning of his rule over the empire. It also announced to all the subjects in the world that you have welcomed a new emperor.
For those ministers, there is no need to give in too much. Before starting a new era, there are too many interest entanglements and power struggles. It is a period of chaos, change and uncertainty. Everyone has to fight for their own power.
, make choices, entanglements, and fights based on interests.
Compared with the new emperor's calmness, the imperial dignitaries are much more nervous. They have already tested out before that the new emperor is not so easy to deal with, and his kindness is not easy for them to manipulate.
As an emperor and a minister, all ministers have a sword of Damocles hanging above their heads. No one knows what position they will be in the new dynasty, and everyone wants to have a good life.
Location.
Compared with the various struggles before the ceremony, the various disturbances that occurred during the national mourning period can only be said to be appetizers. In this new situation, Liu Yang, as the emperor, began to take the initiative. This was imperial power.
The advantages given to him will become bigger and bigger, and with the help of this trend, he will only become more and more calm.
The first thing to do in the main hall is the date of the ceremony. There is not much controversy about this point, it is set on the first day of the first lunar month of the coming year.
Liu Yang is very familiar with Guangzheng Hall. In the past year, he has spent 300 days in the political hall to manage politics. However, he has never set foot there since Emperor Shizu's Zi Palace returned the capital.
here.
Therefore, when he came to Guangzheng Hall again, Liu Yang even felt that things were different and people were different. He almost habitually sat there where he used to deal with major state affairs. When he accepted the worship of the prime ministers of the Political Hall, he felt that
The strange feeling brought about by this identity change also came to mind again.
During this period, everyone was very active and diligent, and the rotation system was in vain. All ministers arrived at their posts on time every day and stayed there all day. Except for the Privy Councilor who was vacated due to Pan Mei's death, even the Minister of War
So is Joan.
Even Gao Qiong knew in his heart that what was discussed in the political hall was, at the most serious level, related to the future of the empire, and at the most minor level, it was related to the interests of the military and political ministries. If he did not get involved, who knew whether he would be
These civil servants, who have a kind face but a dark heart, have set up a scheme.
Liu Yang glanced at Gao Qiong playfully, with a carefree look. It was an interesting thing to be in the political hall. After looking around, Liu Yang asked: "How are the ministers discussing the reign name?"
After hearing the question, Liu Ai, Duke of Lu State, immediately stood up and responded respectfully: "Your Majesty, the ministers and others have carefully selected the reigns. There are three reign titles selected: Duangong, Yongxi, and Zhilong. Please leave your Majesty to draw up the specific selection."
Liu Yang recited the three era names again, with a thoughtful look in his eyes, and asked softly: "Which one do you prefer?"
Liu Yan answered honestly: "Xiangong Zhao and others think that since His Majesty is approaching the court solemnly and the Qing Dynasty is in charge of government, it is appropriate to use Duan Gong!"
Hearing what Liu Yan said, Liu Yang had not yet responded, but Zhao Kuangyi was secretly shocked. He raised his eyes to meet Liu Yang's scrutinizing gaze and could only smile along with him.
Liu Yang maintained a half-smiling expression, thought for a little, and then said quietly: "Duan Gong does nothing, and the emperor has not yet arrived, so let's fix Yong Xi!"
After saying this, Zhao Kuangyi and other ministers looked at each other and seemed to feel regretful, but they still bowed respectfully and submissively on their faces: "Your Majesty is wise!"
It's just the year number, it's not that important, right...