Chapter 286: I want to be on par with Emperor Qin in everything
"In the seventh month of that year, Cang was guilty of a crime, and the emperor also ignored him. He reduced the number of towns and made Cang the Prime Minister of Liang."
After being promoted, Sima Xi recorded this moment.
He frowned, and the hand holding the pen trembled for a long time. The official beside him couldn't help but ask: "Sir, do you want to record the things that happened?"
Sima Xi's face became darker and darker, and he began to lose his hair since he became the historian. Every time the king of Tang did something ridiculous, the most difficult thing was for Sima Xi. He didn't know whether he should record it, or whether he should record it.
How to record it? Can the history you record really be shown to future generations?
Sima Xi is not afraid of the king's blame, but...it would be embarrassing for him to write this thing!
He could only record it through roundabout tactics. For example, Zhang Cang, who pondered for a long time, then wrote: "Cang Cang has hundreds of wives and concubines, and those who try to conceive will not be lucky!"
After writing this paragraph, Sima Xi just nodded with satisfaction. This is probably enough, right?
Two major events happened in the temple recently. The first one was that Gongsun Chen and other alchemists were suddenly summoned by the king. The ministers all thought that the king was preparing to ask for immortal elixirs, so they tried their best to stop it. The other major event was that Zhang Cang was summoned by the king.
He was dismissed. The reason for his dismissal was due to personal life issues, so he was immediately thrown to the Liang Kingdom.
Sima Xi also had very complicated thoughts about this person. This person was really capable and could be called a wise prime minister, but his behavior was really outrageous. Even though the prince had eight concubines, he actually took in hundreds of them.
The wives and concubines often liked to play some abnormal games, which ruined their reputation and completely disgraced Xunzi.
If it weren't for his talents and achievements, or if it weren't for his teacher, Sima Xi would really want to scold him in the record.
Recently, Sima Xi's work has been relatively busy, because many policies have been implemented in the country, and the King of Tang fought another battle. After this battle, he had several more people to record. However, he recorded the situation of this battle.
He was not serious. The king said that he had killed hundreds of thousands of Huns. This was obviously unbelievable. Even Luan Bu said that the king had killed thousands of people, but Sima Xi still didn't believe it.
Among Liu Chang's relatives, the only one Sima Xi trusted was Ji Bu. Ji Bu was the most honest man and would not lie. As for the others... they were similar to the King of Tang.
Just when Sima Xi was busy, a close servant came and asked him to go to Houde Hall.
Liu Chang was complaining to Liu Ying at the moment.
"I don't have anyone reliable under my command. If I don't punish you for this, I won't be able to convince everyone!"
Liu Ying also shook her head and sighed: "Zhang Xiang was misled by women!"
"Don't say this anymore... My father is not as exaggerated as you. Weiyang Palace is almost out of room... Look at yourself, you are so tired and out of breath even after beating a child. I'm afraid you can't even
Even Prime Minister Zhou can’t beat him!”
"Xianxiang Zhou is also...why should I hit him..."
Liu Ying quickly changed the subject and asked: "Who are you going to replace Prime Minister Zhang next?"
"I have two candidates here. Brother, please give me a reference... The first one is Zhang Buyi..."
"The second one! That's the second one!"
Liu Ying shouted hurriedly.
"I haven't even finished what I said!"
Liu Ying shook her head, "Zhang Buyi was a censor, and it made the temples restless. How can he be better off if he were to be the Prime Minister? If he is the Prime Minister, he should hone his skills for ten years first."
"The second candidate is Zhao Ping and Zhao Gong."
Liu Ying was stunned, "Why not Luan Bu?"
Liu Chang's former ministers now play important roles in various places. Zhang Buyi serves as the censor, Zhao Ping serves as the governor of Su Neishi in the Tang Dynasty, Ji Bu serves as the prime minister of Qi, Chao Cuo serves as an important official in the Shaofu, Jia Yi
As a county magistrate, all of them held important positions, but Luan Bu was the only one who even lost his original post in the Tang Dynasty.
Liu Chang waved his hand, "I have another important use for Luan Bu..."
While the two were chatting, Sima Xi walked in and paid homage to them.
When Liu Chang saw him, he suddenly became particularly enthusiastic. He took his hand and asked him to sit aside. He said with a smile: "Sima Gong is a great talent. The courtiers have praised you a lot. The Tang State still lacks a prime minister."
, I think you are quite suitable."
Liu Chang's sudden enthusiasm did not make Sima Xi grateful, but instead made him wary.
"Your Majesty, I will not show it to you... unless your Majesty kills me first."
Liu Chang was displeased, "Why did I ever say that I wanted to go see it?"
"I just hope you can record it truthfully. Did Luan Bu tell you the truth this time when he went out to fight?"
"I told you... I recorded it exactly according to Luan Jun's words."
"That's great!"
Liu Chang was delighted and whispered to Sima Xi: "There is one more thing... about Prime Minister Zhang..."
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I know how to record it."
"That's good."
"I don't mean to protect you, but...after all, this is a history book for future generations to read, so you still have to be...cautious."
So you still know this?
When it comes to torturing historians, Liu Chang is definitely a master, and he is no less good than Emperor Gao.
"Your Majesty... there is one more thing."
"What's up?"
"The so-called alchemists are just liars. Please don't be deceived by them..."
Liu Chang was angry, and immediately changed his face, and said angrily: "I want them to go to Shang Fang, not to practice elixir, but for other purposes! You can't remember it randomly! If you dare to remember that I asked for immortality and refining elixir, I will have to cook it."
You, let you be with Kuai Che!"
Sima Xi was also used to Liu Chang's intimidation. Among all the officials, he was probably the one who was intimidated the most by Liu Chang.
He just repeatedly persuaded Liu Chang not to be deceived by the alchemists, and then resigned.
Liu Chang explained it many times, but the officials didn't quite believe him. They all thought he was asking for immortality to make elixirs. After all, this approach was in line with Liu Changhunjun's character.
After seeing off his second brother, Liu Chang called Zhou Chang and Chen Ping into the Houde Hall.
There were many things to do before the war, and even more after the war. After taking back Hexi this time, it was natural to set up counties and counties. Hexi was larger than Henan, and Henan originally established Shuofang and Jiuyuan.
, and Hexi now seems to be able to establish at least four counties. These four counties all have to arrange officials and relocate people, which is very troublesome.
In addition to Hexi, Liu Chang is also planning to build several more cities outside Jiuyuan Yanmen to extend the defense line.
"Prime Minister Zhou...Hexi is a treasure land. It must be managed well...it must not be left in ruins..."
Zhou Chang frowned and said, "Your Majesty, I know that Hexi is a treasure land, but the situation is different now."
"There are many Hu people there, and their language and customs are different from those in the Central Plains. This is different from Shuofang Jiuyuan. Shuofang Jiuyuan and other places were once the land of the Qin State. Qin migrated people here. Before Qin, Zhao State also wanted to operate, and there were
With their foundation in place, the Han Dynasty could quickly build the old cities and send officials to manage them."
"But Hexi is different. The land in Hexi, even the former Qin State, has never been governed. If the Han Dynasty wanted to adopt it as a county, it would have to build cities on a large scale and relocate the people. But how can the Han Dynasty afford it now?
Besides, there are not many officials in the Han Dynasty anymore...O great king...there are not many ministers who followed Emperor Gao at the beginning."
There was a hint of emotion in Zhou Chang's words.
When Liu Chang first became the king of the Tang Dynasty, there was no shortage of officials in the Han Dynasty. No matter which county you went to, the officials at the top and bottom were almost all marquises. There were many meritorious officials and few official positions. The involution was quite serious, so serious that even the county captains and county ministers might be
Chehou, who has a seat, has quite abundant official resources. Each of them is a ruthless person who has fought in wars, is capable, and has emerged from troubled times.
If you think about the prime ministers of the vassal states at that time, you will know how serious the involution was. Ruthless people such as Zhou Chang, Cao Shen, Zhang Cang, and Fu Kuan all became local prime ministers. They were still at their peak.
Time, this is so involution.
But things are different now. As veterans gradually pass away, many positions are vacant.
People of their age like Chen Ping, Guan Ying, Zhou Bo, and Zhou Chang have to continue to be busy with state affairs. They are not young anymore... but no one can take over the important responsibilities in their hands.
Seeing Zhou Chang's somewhat lonely expression, Liu Chang asked with a smile: "Does Prime Minister Zhou mean that all the land that King Qin never took was taken by me?"
Zhou Chang's mood was interrupted by Liu Chang. I have said so much, what is the point?? I said it is difficult to govern, but you heard that Qin State did not take Hexi, right?
"Your Majesty, King Qin is cruel and tyrannical, why should we compare with him?"
"He has the most land. If you don't compare with him, who can you compare with? With Yao and Shun? That's not bullying Yao and Shun... Their land may not be as big as that of the Tang Dynasty!"
Zhou Chang was furious, and immediately began to preach, saying that some good kings were not because of their territory but because of their moral character, which was difficult to understand. He also scolded Liu Chang, calling him a tyrant like Jie and Zhou, and the king of Qin.
Not as good as you.
Liu Chang just laughed.
"Why is Prime Minister Zhou so angry?"
"I want to retire and return home!"
"You're leaving? What should we do in Hexi? Let Zhang Buyu take charge?"
Zhou Chang suppressed his anger and took a deep breath, "I will handle it."
Liu Chang still likes this stubborn old man. The old man's toughness is lower than that of Wang Ling. After all, Wang Ling will not say that he wants to resign when he meets Liu Chang. He will get angry when he gets angry. Think about it.
He was a ruthless man that even the Queen Mother dared to scold. Zhou Chang was softer than him, but he was still an upright minister.
Liu Chang pulled the stubborn old man and said, "Father Zhong... I will find a way to solve these things. You don't have to worry, the problems of officials will no longer bother us soon!"
"Your Majesty, you have sold out your title and are planning to sell your official position?"
"How do you know?"
Seeing Zhou Chang was about to scold again, Liu Chang smiled and pulled him back, "Xi Yaner, you are so old, why are you still so impatient? I am preparing to educate the world... You know I asked you earlier
Duke Fuqiu is looking for books for me, right?"
"Your Majesty, just some books can't change too many problems."
"No, you don't understand. My confidant Chen Tao, under my enlightenment, made a thing that can print books... Now they are printing all kinds of books. I have decided to set up bookstores all over the world.
Si, expose this technology so that everyone in the world can copy books and spread the books all over the Han Dynasty... By the way, I want to take out all the books in Tianlu Pavilion and distribute them to the world..."
Zhou Chang was shocked, "Your Majesty...it's a little inappropriate to do this...if it's someone with ulterior motives..."
"President Zhou... People who want to do evil can do evil even if they don't study. You can't stop tens of thousands of good people just because you are afraid of one or two evil people, right? If evil people appear, I will kill them.
Yes, why bother hiding it? The more people in the world are educated, the more talented people the Han will have to employ... Didn’t Confucius say that there is no distinction between education and distinction?"
After hearing Liu Chang's words, Zhou Chang was a little moved. He looked at Liu Chang seriously and scanned him up and down.
This look made Liu Chang feel uncomfortable.
"What are you doing, Prime Minister Zhou?"
"I didn't expect that the king could say such things and think of doing such a thing... I thought that the king would take everyone's books and sell them to them at a high price..."
Liu Chang was stunned and slapped his thigh violently, "Yes! I can sell it!"
Hearing these words, Zhou Chang suddenly got excited again, "Didn't Wang just say that he wants everyone in the world to read?!"
"This is not a conflict, everyone has their own ideas!"
"My great king!! You can't ruin the country's important affairs with money!"
"Don't worry, I know."
Liu Chang asked again: "Prime Minister Zhou, can you come up with some more policies? This time the food is all gone..."
Zhou Chang had a dark face and said nothing.
"However, these talents cannot be cultivated in a short time... The main thing is to let them study more, and to establish more Chinese studies in various places... I think, not only Chinese studies, if county schools and township schools can be established,
It would be better to enlighten young children...but there are not so many readers nowadays who can use it...we still have to wait."
"This education is really a major matter in the country... It is still managed by the Prime Minister and Feng Chang, which is a bit inappropriate... I plan to set up a special department to be responsible for this matter. What does Prime Minister Zhou think?"
"Can."
Liu Chang scratched his head and said helplessly: "Now that Prime Minister Zhang is away, I still have to trouble you more with domestic matters. I have already given the order, and someone will come to help soon..."
"only!"
When Zhou Chang left, it can only be said that he had mixed feelings. The policy the king mentioned today was really good, but the king was also really unreliable. No matter how good the policy was, it could turn into tyranny in his hands.
After he left, Chen Ping said: "Your Majesty should not have demoted Prime Minister Zhang."
"Many state affairs cannot be separated from him."
"That Gongsun Chen is not a kind person... If he were a kind person, he would not summon Prime Minister Zhang, let alone let his wife come to serve the wine... I think he did it on purpose to force Prime Minister Zhang away.
"
Liu Chang shook his head, "No matter what, this matter cannot be taken lightly... If I let him go, sooner or later he will kill himself because of this kind of thing..."
Seeing what Liu Chang said, Chen Ping stopped trying to persuade him, "In that case, your Majesty should arrange the candidate for the Prime Minister earlier. Otherwise, just rewarding meritorious soldiers will drag on for who knows how long."
Liu Chang looked at him and said, "Father Zhong, why are you so concerned about the affairs of the Prime Minister today?"
"Does Father Zhong intend to become the Prime Minister?"
Chen Ping narrowed his eyes, "I have no such intention, but I can recommend a person to the king. This person is the most suitable person to serve as the prime minister."
"who?"
"Liuhou."
Liu Chang suddenly laughed. Chen Ping was too petty. He couldn't bear to see Liu Hou living a leisurely life and wanted to push him out.
Liu Chang asked curiously: "If Liu Hou is good at strategy, can he also become the prime minister of the country?"
"Back then, Marquis Wuyang could be the Prime Minister of the country, why couldn't he?"
"That's true..."
"However, you may not be happy to stay as a marquis."
"As a minister of the King, how can I be reluctant?"
When Liu Chang got rid of these trivial matters and came to Shang Fang's mansion, Shang Fang ordered Chen Tao to be busy. Chu Mo, who was once kidnapped by Liu Chang, has now become an important minister of the Han Dynasty and the one with the highest title in the Mo family.
One of them even had a vague tendency to become the new giant of the Mohist family. Seeing Liu Chang coming, he went to visit him with a smile and showed great respect.
"Tao... how's the printing going?"
"The printing has started, but the number of people is still not enough... We are recruiting a large number of people."
"Well... that's right. When you print, select a few well-known books and print them on the best paper... to make them clearly different from other books. Don't print too many..."
"Your Majesty, are you going to keep it for yourself and read it?"
"No, I'm going to sell it!"
"Um???"
"The King of Qin collects books from all over the world. Many of the books in Tianlu Pavilion cannot be found outside... Those people outside want these books so much that they make two editions and put one edition in the book store.
, let ordinary people see it, make a better version, and then sell it to nobles and wealthy families everywhere!"
Chen Tao didn't care about this kind of behavior, he simply agreed.
"Also...in a few days, I need to arrest someone...invite some alchemists to come over. Didn't you say you wanted to increase the power of gunpowder or something? Let those alchemists do it for you!"
"But what use can an alchemist do?"
"They usually make alchemy, and they are quite capable in this area... Remember, you can't let them run away... You know what to do, right?"
Liu Chang asked in a low voice. Chen Tao grinned and patted his chest, "Don't worry, Your Majesty! As long as Your Majesty sends them here, I will never let them run away! Let them serve Your Majesty obediently!"
The monarch and his ministers suddenly laughed. Chen Tao, the former victim, has finally become Liu Chang's accomplice.
"Okay, print it as soon as possible... When the time comes, when I teach the world, your contribution will be enough to make you a prince! The Tang State still lacks a prime minister, so you can take care of it and I will make you the prime minister in the future!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
When Liu Chang returned with satisfaction, he found an uninvited guest waiting for him.
The uninvited guest who came to the door was the minister Liu Chang did not like very much, Liu Jing.
Liu Chang raised his head, sat in his seat, and looked at Liu Jing.
"Marquis Liu came here suddenly. What's the important matter?"
"I heard that your Majesty wants to establish a county in Hexi?"
"That's right... I plan to set up four counties in Hexi. Why, do you want to ask for a county governor?"
Liu Jing shook his head and said: "Your Majesty... It is not easy to govern Hexi. The first thing to do is not to arrange officials, but to enrich the household registration."
"oh?"
Liu Chang looked at him in surprise and asked, "Does Mr. Liu have some ideas?"
"Your Majesty, why not build an imperial mausoleum west of Hexi?"
"I have given a gift to the world's wealthy families to take their children to Hexi to build an imperial mausoleum for the king... Your majesty is kind and righteous, and is unwilling to listen to the advice of his ministers... But the king is Shengming... he must understand the reason."
"Father Zhong said it well!"
Liu Chang was overjoyed and stood up hurriedly, helping Liu Jing to sit next to him and holding his hand, "I wanted to build an imperial mausoleum in Qilian Mountain before, but the ministers opposed it and said that I was a tyrant. Now it seems
, among all the ministers, you are the only one who truly understands me! Father Zhong is truly my confidant!"
Liu Jing was stunned for a moment and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty... why not leave this matter to me?"
"good!"
"Repair! Major repair! Build an imperial mausoleum even more luxurious than the Qin Emperor's mausoleum!"