Chapter 164 Traitor, eat the old man's crutch! (Thanks to the leader of Nanyue Manlong)
After seeing off the Huns envoy, Liu Ying was a little confused. He asked: "Why doesn't Marquis Chen agree? An armistice and peace negotiation are a good thing for both countries."
Chen Ping was silent for a moment and looked at Cao Shen.
Mao Dun sent an envoy here not to negotiate peace, but to deal with Yuezhi and Ding Ling with peace of mind and solve the problems of the Tang State. Now the Xiongnu is fighting on two sides and has no way to deal with the Han, and the Tang State is constantly giving in to the Xiongnu.
make trouble.
The biggest problem that troubled Moton was that there were too few Huns. Now there are millions of nomads under Moton, but there are only a few hundred thousand Huns among them. The territory of the Huns is very huge. In order to control the Huns, Moton
The various tribes of the Huns arranged for the Huns to serve as princes in various places, forcing these Hu people to speak the Huns' language and follow the Huns' customs.
Sprinkling hundreds of thousands of people into such a huge territory, there are actually not too many Huns in each place. The Xiongnu forces at the border with Tang are the original Linhu and part of the conquered Donghu, and guarding them
The Xiongnu tribe only had about 10,000 people.
The Tang State would go out from time to time, killing the Huns in those places, and even used grain and cloth to buy the heads of the Huns from the conquered Linhu and Donghu people.
This indeed caused chaos within the Huns. The relationship between the Huns who guarded other tribes and the local Hu people became increasingly bad. It was often the case that the Hu people cut off the heads of their masters and fled to the Tang Dynasty.
The Tang State also accepted all comers and did not persecute the Hu people. As long as the Hu people came to join the Tang Dynasty, they could become common people of the Tang Dynasty and were distributed in Yunzhong, Shangjun, and were protected by the Tang Dynasty.
There were not many Huns in the first place, so how could they withstand such a cut by the Tang State.
In addition, there is the problem of the Yuezhi and other tribes. Since the Tang Dynasty began to vigorously support the Yuezhi, providing weapons and food, and accepting the old and weak, the Yuezhi's combat effectiveness has improved a lot. If the Huns want to gnaw them down, they will have to break their teeth. The most terrible thing is
What's more, the Yuezhi gave other tribes another way.
If the Huns bully us, can we join the Tang Dynasty?
Therefore, the Xiongnu tribes outside the Zhou Dynasty and even within the territory secretly sent people to the Tang State in order to get in touch with the Tang State.
This gave Mao Dun a huge headache. He had no choice but to change his usual iron-blooded style and began to adopt a semi-soft policy to appease the domestic tribes. If these tribes were all gone, then he, the emperor of the grassland, would really become a figurehead.
.
Chen Ping saw through Mao Dun's thoughts at a glance, but he didn't say it.
Mao Dun treated him politely and asked for peace. Chen Ping knew that if he denounced the Xiongnu and opposed the peace negotiation at this moment, he would really become the target of the ministers... Mao Dun's strategy was not to make the Tang Dynasty change.
Will he become the culprit who started the war and make him the target of being punished by the ministers? In the future, if a war starts in Maodun, he can also use the rude name of the Tang Dynasty King to declare war, further damaging the Tang Dynasty King's reputation.
When the whole country longs for peace, whoever opposes it is the public enemy of the world.
Chen Ping looked at Cao Shen opposite and said to Liu Ying: "I just feel that the Xiongnu may not be sincere in negotiating peace, so I want to hear the opinions of the officials."
Liu Ying also looked at Cao Shen, wanting to know what the prime minister was thinking.
Cao Shen said indifferently: "This is Shan Yu's treacherous plan. He wants to sow discord between the foreign king and the officials, weaken the Tang state, and ruin the reputation of the Tang king... When he calms down the domestic chaos, he will take action against the Han Dynasty.
"
Chen Ping closed his eyes and stopped talking.
After hearing Cao Shen's words, Shusun Tong stood up first and retorted: "Even the Huns' treacherous plot is beneficial to the Han Dynasty... The Han Dynasty is in dire straits and is waiting to be revived. It is the time when it is necessary to restore the national strength. As long as there are ten years
,No, after five years of peace, the Han Dynasty will have enough food, weapons, and war horses. By then, there will be no need to fear the Huns!"
"right!"
Liu Jing stood up and said seriously: "At present, the Han Dynasty is short of food and horses. In the previous battle, we obtained a large number of horses. Five years is enough for us to cultivate a cavalry team that is not afraid of the Huns.
By then, the offensive and defensive momentum will change!"
After Liu Jing, several ministers stood up, all of them supported negotiating peace with the Xiongnu. Their rhetoric was the same, for the stable development of the Han Dynasty in the future. The Han Dynasty is currently not as good as the Xiongnu, but if it has five years to develop,
, even if the Han could not take the initiative to go out to attack the Xiongnu, the Xiongnu would not dare to attack easily.
Fan Kuai was about to speak, but Zhao Yao said first: "Wuyang Marquis will not ignore the people of the world in order to obtain a title, right?"
Fan Kuai was speechless immediately, and Zhao Yao said again: "Although there are sage kings in the Han Dynasty today, there are very few young and strong men. The cultivated land is barren and there is no savings in the granary. Once a disaster occurs, we will be helpless. If we can
Negotiate peace with the Xiongnu, send fewer people to the border to guard the border, reduce food support to the border, and make every effort to govern the country..."
The common people of the Han Dynasty often had to go to the border to serve. At the same time, the food for the soldiers guarding the border was also a big expense for the Han Dynasty. The money spent on military equipment every year was much more than the money spent on internal affairs.
The generals were immediately speechless. In the palace, the peace negotiators quickly gained the upper hand.
"enough!"
Liu Ying suddenly spoke and scolded: "Young masters only talk about peace talks but don't mention the affairs of the King of Tang. Do you want to harm the King of Tang and bring peace to the world?!"
"Your Majesty! I don't dare!"
Everyone hurriedly paid their respects, and Shusun Tong said seriously: "This matter will not hinder the Tang State... let alone implicate the King of Tang..."
"How dare you lie to me?!"
Liu Ying stood up and said angrily: "It is rare for the Tang Kingdom to be in the current situation. If I ask him to sever ties with the Yuezhi and expel the barbarians in the country, wouldn't this be weakening the Tang Kingdom? When the Huns come to attack, you go
Block it?!"
"Maodun wants to put all the blame for the war on the king of Tang! If I allow it, how will the people of the world view the king of Tang? Why are we fighting? Isn't it because the Xiongnu robbed my people! Isn't it because of risk?
Are you writing a letter to insult the mother of the country?!"
"Now the Huns are using their clever words to accuse my young brother? I will never agree!"
"Modun wants to negotiate peace? Then apologize to my mother first! Admit your previous plundering trip! Who started the war? Who knows best!"
Liu Ying's face turned red with anger, and she scolded the officials.
The ministers lowered their heads and said nothing.
Shusuntong raised his head helplessly, "Your Majesty..."
"I won't listen! I won't negotiate for peace!"
Liu Ying left a word and left angrily, leaving only the ministers looking at each other.
Zhao Yao walked helplessly to Shusun Tong's side, "Your Majesty loves the King of Tang very much, but this matter is beneficial to the man. I want to persuade you again, but the Queen Mother also loves the King of Tang very much... I
Worry...."
Shusun Tong raised his head and sighed. After hesitating for a long time, he gritted his teeth and said, "I'll go and persuade the Queen Mother!"
Zhao Yao was stunned and looked at the important minister in front of him who was known as a "villain". He still had such courage?
.......
Liu Ying left Jiaofang Palace and returned directly to Ganquan Palace. Seeing Queen Cao coaxing the little guy, his face became better. He took the baby and started shaking with a smile. However, the queen saw that the emperor
She was not in a good mood and asked curiously: "What did King Tang do again?"
"It's not the king of Tang, it's the Xiongnu!"
Liu Ying told what happened in the court, and said angrily: "I was almost deceived by Mao Dun. If Chen Hou hadn't reminded me, I would have made a big mistake! Mao Dun was vicious and wanted to murder his eldest brother.
!”
Queen Cao looked at Liu Ying and said with emotion: "Your Majesty loves the King of Tang very much."
Liu Ying said seriously with a straight face: "I love him, but I also love the people of the world...I will never sacrifice anyone in order to achieve great things, even if the Xiongnu either wants to kill his eldest brother or wants to
I will never allow anyone to murder a commoner whom I have never met."
"The people of the Han Dynasty are all my subjects. As the emperor, I must protect them. If the Huns want to attack because of this, I will personally go and fight. Even if I die on the battlefield, I will never do anything harmful!"
Empress Cao shook her head and said softly: "Your Majesty is kind-hearted... I'm afraid that the ministers... won't just let it go."
"By the way, Queen, I have an idea..."
Liu Ying hesitated a little, lowered her head and said: "Queen...my younger brother Jian...has lost his biological mother since he was a child...all alone, the palace maid has always taken care of him...I think...this
..."
Seeing Liu Ying's hesitant expression, Empress Cao laughed and said, "Your Majesty, you want to take him over and let me raise him as your mother and let him grow up with Xiang?"
Liu Ying nodded cautiously and said hesitantly: "It's just that the queen is also very tired now...my brother is very obedient and well-behaved...will not make us angry..."
Empress Cao pretended to be serious and said: "That won't work! Your Majesty is busy with state affairs all year round. I am very tired of taking care of one child. How can I take care of another one?"
"Ah??" Liu Ying's eyes widened and she was at a loss.
Only then did Empress Cao laugh, "Hahaha, what are you waiting for, Your Majesty? Go and pick up Jian!"
"good!"
"Very good!"
Liu Ying was overjoyed, held the queen's hand, and said seriously: "It's just a shame for the queen... I will make up for it..."
"Your Majesty, please don't say such words again...I am His Majesty's wife...No matter what Your Majesty wants to do, I will support Your Majesty and always will..."
Liu Ying looked at the good wife in front of her, her eyes were full of tenderness, and she could no longer contain the love in her heart. She couldn't help but move closer and was about to kiss...
"Wow~~~"
Xiang burst into tears suddenly, and Liu Ying stood up helplessly and cursed: "You are such a bastard, you can't be imitated by anyone but your father-in-law!"
Shusuntong was sitting in front of his disciples at this moment, and the disciples were sitting on his left and right sides, listening to his lectures.
"Mencius said: People do not do anything, and then they can do something. He said: "If you talk about people's bad deeds, what will happen later?" He said: "Zhongni does not do what he has already done." He said: "Sir, you don't have to believe your words, and your actions don't have results.
Only righteousness lies..."
"Sometimes, we have to do some things that go against the bottom line. We do them because there are more important things that we need to do. Sometimes, we have to do some things that cannot be done. We do them because they are
Things that are in line with our ideas... A virtuous person does not necessarily have to keep his word every word, and his actions do not have to be consistent from beginning to end. As long as the righteousness lies, he will do his best!"
After Shusun Tong finished teaching this last lesson, he stood up slowly and said: "Today, I have something to do... If I am convicted for this, don't have any resentment. This is what I want to do.
Yes, you should study with peace of mind, restore Confucianism, set up schools everywhere, and recruit disciples. Remember, teach without distinction. Don't be too harsh on students, don't charge too much, don't keep it privately, and don't attack other Confucians.
School of thought..."
Hearing these words of Shusun Tong, his disciples were shocked and were about to stand up to ask, but Shusun Tong frowned and said, "Why don't you review what I just said?!"
Everyone hurriedly lowered their heads and continued reading.
Shusun Tong did not go to say goodbye to his family, but directly ordered his disciples to drive towards the palace.
Soon after, he sat in front of Queen Lu.
"Queen Mother, I have no talent, but I am ranked among the three princes. I know that this is because of King Tang's words. Therefore, I respect King Tang very much and often want to repay his kindness."
Empress Lu had a cold face. She knew what happened in the court, so she naturally knew why Shusun Tong came to her. As soon as Shusun Tong said something, Empress Lu scolded: "This is how you repay him."
What about kindness? Should everything in the world be blamed on an eleven-year-old child?!"
Shusun Tong said hurriedly: "Please tell me, Queen Mother, that this is not the case."
"My son is not yet married, so should he take a Hun daughter as his wife? There is no such truth!"
Empress Lu was even more angry than Liu Ying. She said angrily: "Anyone who makes this statement again should be executed!"
Shusun Tong was so frightened that his legs began to shake. He mustered up his courage and said tremblingly: "Queen Mother, I am a Confucian disciple who is highly valued in the Tang Dynasty. I have no grudges against the King of Tang."
"When Moton wrote a letter to insult the Queen Mother, the Queen Mother was unwilling to fight. Why was that?"
Empress Lu had a straight face and did not answer.
Shusun Tong added: "This is because the Queen Mother values the world more than her own reputation... How similar it is now to the beginning. The Han Dynasty has sage kings, virtuous ministers, and everyone is united. What is lacking is development.
As long as there are ten years of stability, the Han Dynasty will no longer have to fear foreign enemies, and the Huns will not dare to humiliate them easily."
"Does the Queen Mother love her own son or the world more?"
"The reason why I dare to come to the Queen Mother is not because I am not afraid of death. I am very timid and most afraid of death in my life. I came to come to the Queen Mother because I know that the Queen Mother will not kill me... The Queen Mother is the mother of the Han Dynasty. Although
She loves her youngest son, but she loves the world even more... Although this matter will affect the reputation of King Tang, it will not harm his life. The Queen Mother was willing to endure insults but was unwilling to go to war easily. Why is she so tough now for her youngest son?
Woolen cloth?"
Empress Lu didn't speak, just looked at him coldly.
Shusun Tong added: "We all know that the war was not because of King Tang. People in the world will not blame King Tang for starting the war rashly. Future generations will also know that King Tang sacrificed his reputation for the sake of the world, so they will respect him even more."
.Please consider this carefully, Her Majesty."
Queen Lu hesitated for a moment, then stood up slowly, "The Huns are cruel by nature. They will soon tear up the contract and start again."
"Even so, the people of the world know that I, a big man, do not want to take the initiative to fight against the Huns. If the Huns come again, the people of the world will be extremely angry, and they will understand that he is at fault for the war, so I am willing to fight to the death for Your Majesty."
Empress Lu was thoughtful.
"Queen Mother, please give me an order to convince Your Majesty to agree to the marriage. The Han Dynasty needs peace..."
While they were talking, Liu Chang suddenly broke into the Jiaofang Hall. He slapped the snow on his body and cursed: "This weather is really... Huh? Shusun Tong? Why did you come to Jiaofang?"
The palace?"
Mr. Liu sat aside and looked at them carelessly.
Queen Lu said: "I came here to negotiate peace... The Xiongnu wants to negotiate peace and will marry you with a girl."
"Hahaha, is that all? It's okay, Mom, I agreed to him! After agreeing, I will contact the Yuezhi as usual and chop off the heads of the Hun dogs as usual. I can also get a wife for free. How great is this!"
Liu Chang said with a smile.
Empress Lu added: "It's just that Mao Dun thinks that the war is your fault. If you do as usual, everyone in the world will blame you."
"You're blaming it on me. The people of Tang are eager to have a war. If we fight, we can be promoted to nobility!"
"The people in this world are not just the people of Tang Kingdom."
"Ah? Are you talking about the Zhao State? Hahaha, what if they blame it? If you dare to say one more thing, I will let them know what the military merit system is!"
Queen Lu shook her head, "I'm talking about the crowd in the temple."
"Officials of the temple? Except for Zhou Bo, Fan Kuai, Chen Ping, Guan Ying, Xia Houying, Cao Thief..., everyone else is just a loser! I don't take them seriously at all!"
"Aren't you worried about your reputation at all?"
"Reputation? How many war horses can that thing be exchanged for?"
...
Liu Ying sat in the upper position and looked at the ministers angrily.
Liu Ying had never been so angry. After Shusun Tong met the Queen Mother, the ministers felt at ease. Facts proved once again that the ministers were not afraid of him, the emperor, but the person in Jiaofang Palace. After the Queen Mother said
After they no longer objected, the ministers became even more enthusiastic. They directly united and presented the memorial together, hoping to negotiate peace with the Xiongnu and exchange for peace.
Cao Shen's face was dark and he said nothing. He was against this.
It's just that when all the ministers united, he, the prime minister, really couldn't stand on the emperor's side. He had to properly control the balance in the temple. If the ministers felt that he had completely fallen to the emperor, then he would
It would be difficult to command the ministers. Therefore, Cao Shen could only remain silent at this time, but he was also angry and his eyes were very unkind.
Chen Ping did not speak. He just watched the ministers' discussion calmly and had no intention of intervening. Like him, there were also generals headed by Zhou Bo. Most of these people also lowered their heads and remained silent.
"Your Majesty, state affairs are of paramount importance! Both the Queen Mother and the King of Tang agreed, why doesn't Your Majesty agree?!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, the King of Tang personally wrote a letter hoping to negotiate peace. Why don't you allow it?"
The ministers began to attack. When Liu Bang wanted to replace Liu Ying, he was besieged by the ministers. Even Liu Bang could not defeat the ministers who united, let alone Liu Ying.
Relying on Liu Ying's good temper, the ministers presented memorials one after another, leaving Liu Ying unable to refute at all.
"Your Majesty, please put state affairs first! Please put the world first! Please agree!!"
Everyone asked to play again.
Liu Ying was trembling all over, her face was ashen, and she said nothing.
At this moment, a soldier suddenly walked in and said, "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Xiao is outside the door, asking to see you."
"Ah? Mr. Xiao??"
Liu Ying was shocked, and then her face became even more ugly. Did even Xiao Xiang come to persuade her?
"Let him come in quickly! Help him come in!"
However, it was freezing cold at the moment, and Liu Ying did not dare to let Xiao He, who was suffering from illness, stay outside the palace.
Soon, Xiao He walked in.
At this moment, Xiao He had gray hair and his body was no longer as straight as before. He was hunched over, with snow piled on his shoulders. He was trembling all over. He was leaning on a cane. There were two people around him supporting him. He couldn't even walk.
Now, I can only take one small step, one small step forward, and it is very difficult.
The ministers all stood up to pay their respects. Xiao He walked up to Liu Ying with great difficulty, his head hanging down. Just as he was about to salute, Liu Ying hurriedly said: "Xiao Xiang, there is no need to be polite! Help Xiang Xiang sit down quickly!"
Zhao Yao happily walked to Xiao He's side. He knew that once Xiao He came, the matter would be settled. You must know that Xiao He is the most important person in the Han Dynasty.
"Xiao Xiang, let me help you..."
"Stupid thing!!!"
Xiao He suddenly raised his head and hit Zhao Yao on the head with the crutch in his hand. Zhao Yao screamed in pain and looked at Xiao He in surprise.
Xiao He looked at everyone angrily and cursed: "Idiot! Idiot! They are all a group of idiots! Cao Shen! You idiot!"
Being scolded by Xiao He, Cao Shen said nothing and just lowered his head to accept it.
Xiao He looked very excited and shouted: "Who asked you to negotiate peace with the Xiongnu! The Yueshi formed an alliance with the Han Dynasty, which forced the Xiongnu to negotiate peace. Now all the tribes of the Xiongnu rely on the Han Dynasty and want to defect to the Han Dynasty.
This is the catastrophe of the Xiongnu! You fools, by negotiating peace with the Xiongnu now, do you want to scare away those countries that want to ally with the Han?!"
"The Huns are strong, and only the Han can defeat them. If we don't make a contract, can the Huns attack the Han now? If we make a contract, can the Huns not attack the Han again?"
"At this time, we don't show the majesty of the Han Dynasty and let all the countries and tribes outside the wall return to their hearts, but they still think about making peace! Fight when it's time to make peace, and make peace when it's time to fight!"
"Who said you want to negotiate peace? Stand up! Let me see!!"
The ministers were silent, no one dared to speak.
Liu Ying was overjoyed and said, "That's what Shu Sun Tong, the imperial censor, said!"
Shusuntong's eyes widened and he looked at the Emperor, "Your Majesty, what you are doing is a bit unkind!"
But before Shusun Tong could explain, a crutch hit him on the head.
"Ah! Mr. Xiao, be careful. I'll do it by myself. Don't hurt yourself...please be careful...can I fight on my own?"
ps: Thank you very much to the leader of Nanyue Barbarian Dragon. I will write a little more today and try to add updates for the two bosses tomorrow.
My favorite minister in the early Han Dynasty was Xiao He. Really, he spent the first half of his life creating the Han Dynasty, and the second half of his life he has been running for the Han Dynasty. He served the people all his life, and even risked being killed to persuade Liu Bang to lend his gardens to the people for farming. The Han Dynasty
In the early days, all the policies that benefited the people were formulated by him alone. Before he died of illness, he had been writing new laws at home, enduring the pain, and died after finishing writing... Alas, he was the most virtuous prime minister of the Han Dynasty.