Paying attention to the emperor's expression, Wang Pu asked cautiously: "Your Majesty, do you want to establish a prince?"
"I have grown up, and I have this idea! This is a major matter for the family and the country, and it is of great concern to the country. I want to hear your opinion!" Liu Chengyou seemed very relaxed and answered casually, as if he was not talking about a major matter of national importance.
After hearing this, Wang Pu's expression became more serious, but without much hesitation, he responded directly: "If your Majesty wants to determine the foundation of the country, my opinion should belong to the second prince!"
Wang Pu spoke straightforwardly, which surprised Liu Chengyou. He turned his head to look at him and chuckled: "Why? What is there about Liu Yang that deserves your outspoken praise? Do you think he has the talent to inherit the throne?"
Facing the emperor's gaze, Wang Pu looked very calm: "Since ancient times, the system has been inherited by the direct descendants first. This is the way to consolidate the foundation. If it is very special, it cannot be easy."
After a pause, seeing Liu Chengyou's expression of listening attentively, Wang Pu continued: "Although His Majesty is young, he is as good as an emperor. With His Majesty's wisdom and the virtuousness of a saint, he can be taught and cultivated carefully." Virtue is the name of one's position.
Furthermore, your Majesty is rich in age and can still serve the country for decades and open up great undertakings, which will inevitably be successful. Once the achievements are accomplished, the successors do not need to be as heroic as your Majesty, and they do not need to be as virtuous and virtuous as your Majesty in order to protect the country and be benevolent and caring for the people. , that’s enough!”
Wang Pu's words have three meanings when analyzed.
First, the direct eldest son system, if it is very special, cannot be easy; second, the son is more valuable than the mother, and he and the queen have enough time to teach; third, he, the pioneer and founder, has completed all the great achievements, and the successors need It’s a matter of keeping the rules, and the requirements don’t need to be too high.
"I understand!" Liu Chengyou breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't express too much in reply, but just warned: "The matter of establishing the crown prince is just a private conversation between me and you, and it is not enough for outsiders to judge!"
"I understand!" Wang Pu noticed that the emperor seemed not to have made up his mind yet, but the words had ended and it was inconvenient to say more.
Regarding the issue of the crown prince, Liu Chengyou consulted Wang Pu not really to test him. Wang Pu had been in power in Yangzhou for many years and was far away from the center of power. What he said would be more objective. At the same time, Liu Chengyou also wanted to express his feelings about this and relieve some of his depression. .
Regarding the issue of the crown prince, it’s not that Liu Chengyou didn’t have a good idea of who to appoint. As long as the Great Talisman is there, there is no other choice except Liu Yang. In addition, Liu Yang has no intelligence and physical defects. From the perspective of status, he is the first heir. This is something Liu Chengyou himself admitted.
What he hesitates about is the timing of establishing the crown prince, which is a manifestation of his complex psychology. If he establishes the crown prince early, he is not sure how Liu Yang will grow in the future. At the same time, it will also divide the authority of Emperor Liu among him, and he will face a father and son monarch. The problem.
Moreover, Liu Chengyou has many heirs, and they are not fully grown yet. But in the future, if he establishes the crown prince early, won't he make Liu Yang the target of his disciples? Liu Chengyou cannot guarantee that all of his sons will be honest. Accepting this point of view might not be without the idea of "protecting" Liu Yang.
However, another voice reminded him that if Liu Yang's status is not established this morning, and the princes are allowed to establish and get used to the status of "monarch and ministers" from an early age, when they are older, then everyone will start to fight for the throne. .
As a power animal, Liu Chengyou's considerations were actually based on the word "power", otherwise he wouldn't be so entangled. In front of Queen Dafu, he explicitly hinted at establishing Liu Yang more than once, but he never really pushed for it.
As for the selection of the prince, there is actually a basic consensus among the ministers that Liu Yang will be appointed. Although the final decision-making power is firmly in the hands of Liu Chengyou, their tendency is always towards the heir apparent.
In fact, if you want to reduce palace coups and ensure the stability of the succession of the throne, the direct chief system is already in line with the values of internal and external ministers. Choosing according to regulations can at least stabilize people's hearts.
As for the so-called establishment of talents, it is a topic that is prone to disputes. There is no standard for how to define talents, but the identity of the eldest son is always clear. Before Yang Guang ascended the throne, he was definitely a wise prince and a qualified heir. But who would have thought that the Sui Empire, which was once flourishing, could be brought to ruin in just a dozen years?
Liu Chengyou is also very clear about the attitudes and tendencies of the ministers, but many times, as a bystander, he can see other people's affairs clearly, but when it is his turn, he will take a similar path. It is useless to judge, so why? In the word "power". Moreover, if the emperor reigns for too long, it will also be a huge pressure for the prince, the kind that can make people sick...
This is why, from ancient times to the present, so many princes who are directly descended from the family have not achieved good results. Although they are half-kings and half-ministers, they are the foundation of the country, but they are on the opposite side of the emperor to a certain extent. If they do something wrong, it will be easy for them to do so. It arouses fear, and when you encounter a monarch with a strong personality and a strong desire for power like Liu Chengyou, it will be difficult to live an easy life.
Among the ministers, Wang Pu was the first person to speak out and make Liu Yang the crown prince. If Liu Chengyou hadn't revealed his thoughts and took the initiative to ask, Wang Pu would not have taken the initiative to get involved in the matter and make remarks. But since the emperor asked , he expressed his opinions directly without any reservation. And based on Liu Chengyou's understanding of Wang Pu, he also believed that he was giving advice and advice for the sake of the Han Dynasty and for the consideration of himself, the emperor.
Originally, in Liu Chengyou's idea, after the Southern Tang Dynasty, Wu Yue, and Southern Guangdong were eliminated and the south was unified, the crown prince would be appointed. At that time, the Han Dynasty would enter a new stage of development, and the crown prince would rise to the occasion, which would also be conducive to further consolidating the Han regime. Stabilize the political situation and unite people's hearts.
However, now that the Northern Expedition has been agreed upon, Liu Chengyou has to think more about it. The commander-in-chief of the Northern Expedition does not need to think too much. Liu Chengyou has already made plans in his heart to lead the expedition in person. Under this premise, the prince's proposal was put on the table. Liu Chengyou’s schedule.
The imperial commander's personal expedition is not like the previous patrols to the north. It involves fighting and is close to the frontline battlefield. Who can guarantee that there will be no mistakes. Liu Chengyou is a thoughtful person and has to make responsible preparations for the big man. The prince is a person who stabilizes the rear. Measures.
Seeing that the emperor was in a state of trance, Wang Pu stood by without disturbing him. After a long time, Liu Chengyou finally came back to his senses, turned to Wang Pu, smiled again, and said kindly: "You have been very tired this day, I think. I won’t hesitate to stay, go back home and have a rest! After many years away from Beijing, Tokyo has completely changed. Next, you can fully familiarize yourself with the changes in Tokyo’s scenery and people. You can also take the opportunity to rest for a while, relieve years of hard work, and recharge your batteries. I am still of great use to you!"
"Yes! I retire!" Seeing this, Wang Pu also bowed and resigned in due time.
After Wang Pu left, Liu Chengyou stood and meditated for a while, called Sun Yanxi and said: "I have given you an oral instruction to allocate 100,000 yuan and 50 pieces of silk from the internal funds to be given to Wang Pu's house!"
"yes!"
When Wang Pu returned to Beijing, Liu Chengyou let him rest for 20 days before letting him return to work. He was appointed as a bachelor of Chongzheng Hall and Tongping Zhangshi, and his title was promoted to Duke of Dongping County.
This is another measure to check and balance the power of Zhengshi Hall. Although the pattern of Chongzheng Hall and Guangzheng Hall coexisting has long been formed, when it comes to real power, Guangzheng Hall has always been stronger than Chongzheng Hall.
The bachelors and ministers of the Chongzheng Hall were more of the emperor's close ministers, counselors in state affairs, and mainly represented the emperor's will in every move. However, in terms of grade and status, they were far inferior to the prime ministers of the Zhengshi Hall, who were mainly responsible. The bachelor of Chongzheng Palace accepted the decree and was designated as the fourth grade. Now that Wang Pu, an important official with the title of bachelor, has entered the court, his rank has risen immediately, which also represents the further rise of the status of Chongzheng Palace.
During the period leading up to June, the entire Han Dynasty was basically in an atmosphere of preparation for war, with a tight external environment and a tight internal environment. Without a large-scale use of civilian power, ordnance, food, and troops were transferred north in batches under various names.
The "North-South Controversy" that lasted for more than a month in the court has finally subsided, and there seems to be no result from the discussion. The tense atmosphere on the Han-Liao border due to the Battle of Yanmen seems to have eased, and both sides are still Restraint. However, appearances are just appearances after all. The most intuitive change is that the border trade that had been prosperous for several years has completely declined. From Hedong to Youyan, all the large and small shopping malls and bazaars have basically been closed. Stopped.
Wang Zhaoyuan, the Han envoy, went north to the fortress. With the goodwill and sincerity of the Han Dynasty, he wanted to visit the Liao Emperor Yelujing, but he chased him all the way to Linhuang Mansion in Beijing before he saw him.
Coincidentally, before the Liao Emperor returned to the north, he also sent an envoy to the south, hoping to explain the "conflict" in Yanmen and ease the contradiction. The envoy was none other than the defeated Liaoan Ping King Yelu Dilie. However, This time, there were Han cavalry escorts all the way, and they were protected tightly and airtight.
On June 20, Liu Chengyou suddenly summoned the civil and military ministers to the palace garden to enjoy the coolness and escape the summer heat, and held a symposium. Although the sun was shining brightly, under the green shade and by the green lake, they drank herbal tea and ate. The kings and ministers laughed and talked about Tokyo's snacks and pastries, but it was also a pleasant scene.
After taking a bite of the cake, Liu Chengyou picked up the ice handkerchief and wiped his mouth. He suddenly coughed lightly, which attracted the attention of the ministers. They all stopped talking and looked at him. Putting down the silk handkerchief, Liu Chengyou asked with a smile: "I want to establish a prince now, so what? To consolidate the foundation of the country and to extend its future, who among the disciples under my knees can be the successor?"
These questions made Fan Zhi and others both surprised and happy. Looking at his calm expression, they all realized that the emperor finally relented. As for who should be appointed as the prince, there is nothing worthy of controversy.
...
In the Kunming Hall, Fuhou leaned on a soft chair with her bulging pregnant belly, holding a book in her hand and reading silently. Her graceful and luxurious appearance was enough to make a mortal feel ashamed.
A eunuch ran in in a hurry, and his reckless behavior attracted the imperial eunuch to scold him. But it was Dafu who asked Wenyan: "Why are you so impetuous?"
"I am so happy! The official has issued an edict to appoint Prince Yang as the crown prince on July 1st!" the eunuch replied with a smile on his face.
As soon as he finished speaking, the big talisman's jade fingers grasped the book tightly, and his nails almost pierced it. However, he soon showed a calm smile, as if he didn't care.