Chapter 2 Sejong Chapter 4 Empire Territory, Queuing to Die
In the Duke of Shou's Mansion, in the Jingyuan, beside the green lake, under the green shade, Duke Li Shaoyou of the Shou State, with snow-white beard and hair without a trace of color, lay quietly on a wicker chair to enjoy the coolness, and fell asleep with the cicadas chirping around him.
If you look carefully, you can still hear even snoring.
Li Zongkai, the current head of the palace, walked over with quiet steps. It was not only the new emperor Liu Wenji who also came forward, but also Li Zongkai, the seventh son of Shougong. When he was nearly sixty years old, he finally brought all six of his brothers together.
He died, and in the sixth year of Pingkang, he was petitioned by Li Shaoyou to be his heir, becoming the successor of the Li family (Li Hongxin-Li Shaoyou lineage).
Of course, that is to say, the old Duke is still alive and has a long-lasting vitality. He is nearly ninety years old and is still alive and well. Even if he died ten years earlier, it would be difficult for Li Zongkai to be the first heir to the Duke of Shouguo.
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They are both the top dignitaries in the empire, and some families have been passed down to the fourth or fifth generation, and have even begun to strictly implement the downgrade system. For example, the Li Shaoyou family is still in the first generation of glory. Even though the sunset has long since passed, the radiance is still enough.
Shine on and protect all future generations.
It turns out that at the end of the fight, it is still about who can survive the longest. Among the upper-class elite circles of the Han Empire, the Li family is obviously one of the best-run ones. Whether there is a fate of being with the country or not, maybe starting from the first
It has been laid down in one generation.
As for Li Zongkai, who is about to become or has already become the "talker" of the Li family, he can reach this point today, of course, it is not purely due to Li Shaoyou's preference. The dignified Shou Guogong, with more than half a century of observation, does not value him.
Could be a mediocre person.
In the past twenty years or so, Li Zongkai's greatest achievement has been the colonization and management of Nanyang fiefdoms (principality).
During the Yongxi era, on the basis of the enfeoffment of the ancestors, Emperor Taizong made another round of enfeoffment arrangements that lasted for several years. In addition to the clan kings, the biggest progress was the conferment of titles on some meritorious officials, which completely laid the foundation for
Understand the current feudal structure of the Han Empire.
Although the temptation of transforming into a barbaric land was limited, under the wave of "Great Navigation" and "Great Development" forced by Emperor Shizu, Taizong's actions still gained the loyalty and gratitude of a large number of heroes.
By the first year of Duangong, if you unfold the complete imperial map, you will find that the entire Southeast Asia (the part that has been discovered) has been surrounded by the Han Empire (including Indochina Peninsula, Ceylon Island, part of Tianzhu, and the North and South Jinzhou
That is Sumatra and Java, Bo Ni Island is Borneo, and South China Sea Island is the Philippine Islands).
In this vast land, the major feudal states are naturally the main body, and under the feudal states, there are various big nobles, small nobles, maritime merchant families, and the landlord class, including ordinary Han people and even those Han people who went to sea for crimes.
Under the country's system, one can obtain the status of "shi".
Counting from the Kaibao Year, sixty years later, a situation was finally formed that could not easily go back. As long as the authority of the Han Empire remained, the central court still had the ability to control the situation of the empire. This kind of external
The trend of pioneering development will continue. From the current point of view, this state can last for at least a hundred years.
Although some maps have limited territory, the Han Empire today has truly become a huge empire that borders the sea in the east, the Nanyang in the south, the desert in the north, and the river in the west. This is an unprecedented super empire.
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Under such an extraordinary and great imperial system, the Duke of Shouguo, located in Beijinzhou (Southern Qi Kingdom), seemed small and insignificant.
But this small place, after more than 20 years of development and development by Li Zongkai and the Li family, has undergone earth-shaking changes. It is a seaport city located at the front end of the import and export of Jinzhou Strait (Malacca) - Shouzhou (
Penang), came into being.
By the first year of Duangong, the Southern Qi State Shouzhou, dominated by Li Shaoyou's family, had more than 17,000 Han people under its rule. It was ranked among the best new cities in the entire Nanyang, and second only to the entire Beijinzhou.
Yuncheng, the royal city of the Southern Qi Dynasty (approximately located in Kuala Lumpur) and Liangping Island (Singapore).
That’s right, in the current Nanyang region, comparing the size and development of cities depends on the number of Han people. As for the indigenous population, agricultural and fishery output, and other economic development, they are not the main weight. In the rapid export of Han people and Han culture to the outside world,
The era and the measure of development are so simple and crude.
As for the family fiefdom, Li Zongkai personally went to Nanyang three times in the past twenty years. Now that he is old and can no longer run away, he also arranged for his two sons, Li Deqin and Li Defang, to go to the fiefdom.
Judging from the development in the past twenty years, the colonization policy of the Han Empire has entered a cycle of virtuous development. Development with clans, even powerful people, and landlords as the main body is a more efficient and vital model.
Of course, there is no fear that overseas fiefdoms will grow and break away from the mainland clan, at least for now. Not to mention the binding force of the clan collective on each clan member, first of all, the top feudal king will not allow it, and can arbitrate, and then
There are still troops stationed in Nanyang up there, and further north there is the threat of the big empire.
Even from a macro perspective, for a long period of time, if the Nanyang kingdoms, principalities, and princes want to develop, they cannot do without exchanges with the mainland. They may be able to have a certain "force" effect on the center, but other
Dependence on the empire cannot be shaken off in a short time.
In such a general environment and trend, if anyone dares to go against the trend and destroy the common consciousness and rules, he will not only be spurned, but will also be trapped in a desperate situation.
In the final analysis, the authority of the central court and the population and resources of the old empire are the most fundamental and powerful support for the Han's influence to continue to radiate to the outside world.
As for what kind of development and changes there will be in the further future, it cannot be said clearly now. It is still unclear what the situation of the Han Empire will be like a hundred years from now.
Returning to the quiet garden, beside the pavilion, exposed to the summer sun, Li Zongkai looked at his old father's eyes, cupped his hands and said, "Father, Your Majesty is here to visit my father."
There was no response. Li Zongkai listened carefully, noticed the snoring, and reported it again loudly. Finally, Li Shaoyou reacted and made a sound like a pig's braying. Then he woke up, opened his misty old eyes, and looked dull.
He looked weak and said feebly: "Is it Zong Rui?"
"Father, this is my son Zongkai (the eldest son of Li Shaoyou is named Li Zongrui)!" Li Zongkai responded loudly.
"What's the matter?" Li Shaoyou asked.
Li Zongkai repeated it again.
"Who's coming?"
Seeing this, Li Zongkai showed great patience, raised his lower body to Li Shaoyou's ear, raised his voice again, and reported the news of the emperor's arrival.
Hearing this, Li Shaoyou's body tensed up, his cloudy eyes glowed with a strange light, and he was refreshed, and then asked: "Which Your Majesty?"
"Today's emperor, the grandson of Shizu and the son of Taizong, is His Majesty Emperor Duangong," Li Zongkai explained.
"Isn't Taizong's son Emperor Pingkang?" Li Shaoyou seemed to understand and responded.
Hearing this, Li Zongkai said again: "Emperor Kangzong passed away last year. Now he has ascended the throne and changed his reign to Duangong. This time he came out of the palace to visit his father!"
"Oh! The emperor is here." Li Shaoyou looked like he suddenly realized it. He raised his hand and ordered: "Hurry up and change the imperial clothes for me. Open the door of the palace. I will welcome you in person!"
While Li and his son were pulling back and forth, Emperor Liu Wenji had already walked in, interrupting the "harmonious and smooth" communication between father and son.
Approaching, with a calm look showing majesty, Liu Wenji carefully observed Li Shaoyou for a few times, and said he wanted to greet the emperor, but everyone had already arrived, and he was still lying there, with even a little saliva hanging from the corner of his mouth.
"Is Shougong already so weak that he is dead?" Liu Wenji turned his head and looked at Li Zongkai.
For some reason, when he met the emperor's gaze, Li Zongkai felt great pressure in his heart, and he immediately said: "My father is old and mentally ill. He is sometimes sober and sometimes confused. He thinks about the past more often."
After hearing what Li Zongkai said, Liu Wenji withdrew his gaze, knelt down in front of Li Shaoyou with his legs bent, took the initiative to hold his splotchy and scary hand, and said in a gentle tone: "Young man Liu Wenji, I have free time today, so I came here.
I'm visiting Mr. Shougong. I wonder if Mr. Shougong is well?"
"Okay! Okay! Okay." Perhaps it was due to the emperor's authority. Li Shaoyou seemed to understand and responded in a nonchalant manner.
Noticing the dripping water at the corner of his mouth, Liu Wenji took out a handkerchief and wiped it clean for him. Li Zongkai, who had been paying attention to Liu Wenji, saw this and hurriedly wanted to help, but Liu Wenji refused.
After helping Li Shaoyou cook the food himself, he just sat on the stone bench on the side with an easy-going expression and looked at Li Shaoyou with a smile.
During this period, Liu Wenji went out of the palace quite frequently. Of course, he was not as playful as Kangzong. He only went to visit old ministers, especially those who had served for many dynasties, to comfort the old ministers and continue to support them and earn money.
He gained the reputation of "Emperor Duangong".
As for the Duke of Shou, Li Shaoyou, who is nearly ninety years old and is still alive, he is a figure that cannot be avoided. Liu Wenji's performance is also worthy of his attention.
While thinking about it, I suddenly saw Li Shaoyou's eyes wide open, his energy high, and his arms and legs dancing. Then he began to preach: "I think back then, when Emperor Gaozu raised an army, Shizu was only seventeen years old, and I was only a crown prince."
The communication between Liu Wenji and Li Shaoyou is basically that each has his own talk. Li Shaoyou is immersed in his own world, while Liu Wenji talks about what he wants to express. Even if the questions are wrong, under the filter formed by the emperor's aura
, the picture looks particularly harmonious.
When Liu Wenji left the palace and Luan Jia set off, Liu Wenji couldn't help but sigh sadly. Although Li Shaoyou did not belong to that traditional heroic figure, he was a founding hero after all.
It has had an important impact on politics, economy and people's livelihood.
Now that I am old, I am in such a twilight state, which is really sad. At the same time, "veterans of the Five Dynasties" like Li Shaoyou are very rare in the empire, and every fruit is precious. After returning to the palace
, Liu Wenji issued an edict and gave Li Shaoyou, Duke of Longevity, clothing, gold utensils, jade staff and other items.
In the Duke Shou's mansion, after seeing off the emperor, Li Zongkai subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief. When he returned to the pavilion, he found that Li Shaoyou had already fallen asleep again, snoring again, and his face was peaceful.
Li Zongkai also observed his old father carefully. At this time, his heart was full of wonder. He didn't know whether his old father was awake or confused just now.
The first year of Duangong was a year of decline. A large number of nobles from the "ancient times" passed away one after another, including several important figures.
First of all, Zhao Kuangyi, Marquis of Guangyang, passed away in the Marquis Mansion in early July of that year. He passed away without any illness. It was considered a good death at the age of seventy-seven. Regarding Zhao Kuangyi, his resume and titles need no introduction. It is worth mentioning that he
After Liu Wenji ascended the throne, he laughed endlessly in the palace, cried endlessly at the end of the laugh, and ended up with a hangover.
For Zhao Kuangyi, who has always been deep and reserved, there are obviously many complex and unspeakable emotions behind such abnormal performance, and the source of depression must be related to the throne.
Liu Wenji could be the emperor, but what about Liu Wenhuan? The more he thought about this kind of thing, the more depressed he became. Perhaps Zhao Kuangyi was still silently cursing "women's views" in his heart until his death!
Following Zhao Kuangyi was the Duke of Shou, Li Shaoyou, who was killed by a sudden autumn cold at the age of eighty-nine.
Although he did not live past ninety, it was considered a happy funeral. After all, the funeral had been settled long ago, and the court would give him the honor he deserved. What he left behind was a noble family with profound heritage and powerful influence.
It can be mentioned that the "heir" Li Zongkai took the title. Li Zongkai's takeover also planted the seeds of conflict within the Li family. Not to mention the dozens of children of Li Shaoyou, including the eldest son Li Zongrui, it is impossible to be convinced.
Orally, after all, in their eyes, their grandfather's inheritance should be theirs.
There is another important figure, the former Shangshu Ling Zhang Qixian. Before ascending the throne, Liu Wenji made an important move, which was to recall the ministers and ministers who had been demoted by Kangzong to the capital to attend the enthronement ceremony to comfort the old ministers and loyal ministers.
heart of.
Zhang Qixian is the most representative figure, and his influence on Liu Wenji is also huge. If it were not for Li Hang, Lu Mengzheng would have passed away, and the "three political heroes" in the middle period of Kaibao would gather together again in the center. It would be a good story. Of course, it would also play a great role in Liu Wenji's life.
The supporting role will also be stronger. Liu Wenji can only secretly feel that it is a pity.
After coming to Beijing to attend the grand ceremony, he discussed with the new emperor some strategies for governing the country, and submitted to him a summary of his life's political experience. Then he passed away in the guesthouse.
In addition to Li, Zhao, and Zhang, there was also a less important but noble enough figure who also went there that year, and that was King Wu Liu Hui. With his decadent and laissez-faire living habits for many years, he could live like this
For a long time, it was an accident in itself.
For the empire, Liu Hui was not important, and it was even difficult to talk about his influence. However, Liu Hui's death caused a wave of waves.
Rumor has it that King Wu did not die of illness, but for another reason. The real reason is related to the original struggle for the throne. The specific details need to be avoided.
Such rumors and insinuations can be described as heartbreaking. Emperor Liu Wenji was horrified when he heard about it. He did not want to bear the charge of "killing his uncle", and such rumors for the purpose of slander made him even more angry.