Zhao Ping opened the door of the shabby room, and Zhang Buyi followed closely and walked in together. The house looked a bit shabby from the outside, but from the inside, the decoration was still very good. Immediately there were two people, one big and one small.
A dog came out and surrounded Zhao Ping excitedly. When he heard the noise, an old woman walked out of the inner room. When she saw Zhao Ping suddenly coming back, she was even more surprised, "Why are you back?"
Then he saw the guests following Zhao Ping and bowed with a smile.
Zhang Buyi returned the gift, but Zhao Ping said: "I suddenly met an old friend on the road, so I came back and borrowed some meat from my neighbors to entertain the guests today!"
The old woman immediately got busy, and Zhao Ping asked Zhang Buyi to sit down in the house.
"It's rare... I didn't expect that you would be the first to visit me after I left the temple."
"Haha, I haven't seen you for so many years, and you still look like this... No one dares to hit you anymore, right?"
Zhang Busu said proudly: "Now that I am the third noble, naturally no one dares to be rude to me."
"When you were the imperial censor, didn't Duke Zhou often beat you?"
Zhang Buyi was not angry even after being criticized by Zhao Ping. He just shook his head and said: "There are no ministers like Duke Zhou nowadays, but there are lunatics like Chao Cuo."
The two haven't seen each other for a long time. Although they had many conflicts when they were ministers in the same court and had quarrels five times in three days, they are still on friendly terms now.
Zhao Ping talked about his current life.
"Both my eldest son and my second son went to a Chinese school in Jinyang, and the youngest child went to a county school... It's not easy to provide for the three of them to study..."
Zhao Ping has already lived the life of an ordinary person. Since he resigned from office and returned home, he has never contacted the temple. Even if he encountered some difficulties, he has never asked his former friends for help... It is not a good life to support himself.
, but he also had a different charm. Zhang Buyi listened to him talk about home affairs, which Zhang Buyi was not very good at originally, but he still talked about the situation at home hesitantly.
"My daughter has also grown up...but she hasn't studied yet and doesn't like reading. She has a very naughty character and always makes her mother angry. When she starts crying, her cries can cover the entire mansion..."
Zhao Ping nodded, "I remember your daughter has a marriage contract with King Dai?"
"Yes... the king is not very old, and my daughter is also very young, not yet old enough to get married."
The two exchanged pleasantries, and it wasn't until the food was put on the table that Zhao Ping asked Zhang Buyi about the purpose of coming here.
"I'm here to inspect the situation at this frontier... After the Xiongnu retreated, all their original territories were annexed by their former tributaries. His Majesty was furious... He wanted to regain all the Xiongnu's past forces, but this is not easy. Development
The difficulty outside the Great Wall requires the full cooperation of multiple vassal states, and to order the vassal kings, it is natural to send someone from three kilometers across. Chao Cuo really wanted to come, but His Majesty did not let him come."
"It was right not to let him come... He came to inspect the vassal kingdoms, and he would definitely bring a few heads of vassal kings with him when he went back..."
Zhao Ping said: "I can hear what happened to Chao Cuo in such a remote place... The local officials were frightened. They used to go to various houses to eat and drink from time to time, but now they throw meat into their mansions.
, they won’t accept it.”
"This is the wisdom of the Holy Emperor! People like Chao Cuo can play a role under His Majesty!"
Zhang Buyi said with admiration.
Zhao Ping shook his head. After not seeing him for so many years, why did Zhang Buyi's condition get worse?
"I haven't seen you for a long time, but you haven't changed at all."
"Back then, I was young and unknown, so I didn't receive much love. People in the world only knew my younger brother but didn't know that I existed... Your Majesty treated me as a nobleman at that time and reprimanded my father for my sake... If you treat your ministers like your brothers and feet, then your ministers will treat you like your heart and soul!"
Zhang Buyi changed the subject again, "I passed by your county this time and came to visit you. You have lived in this frontier for a long time... and you know a lot about the situation here. I also want to hear about it.
Your thoughts."
"I don't have any other ideas... There is precedent for this matter. At the time
After the Qin State defeated the Hu people, it sent a large number of people to build cities in the Hu people's wilderness and turned the areas unsuitable for farming into its own territory... This was the safest method, but the shortcomings were also obvious and it was very costly.
Not only did a large number of people have to be relocated, but they also had to be provided with tools. The Xiongnu's power was so huge that if they had to build all the cities here... the cost would be unimaginable."
"The Tang State is using this method now. They use prisoners of war to build cities. The investment every year is huge, but so far, they have only built four cities..."
Zhang Buyi pondered for a long time and shook his head, "It's impossible... Your Majesty loves the people. It's impossible for him to move hundreds of thousands of people outside the fortress, let alone launch such a large-scale corvee to build the city."
"Then we can only take the second approach."
"you say."
"I live in isolation with a few Huns. The street opposite is a Yuezhi street...it's all Yuezhi people."
Zhang Buyi was stunned, "What do you mean?"
"Just like those small countries in the Western Regions, recover these tribes...these tribes have a very small population and basically cannot reach the size of the Xiongnu...The attack by the Tang State caused them great pain. They moved around to avoid the Tang Army. If
If you want to inherit the territory of the Xiongnu, it is best to learn from the Xiongnu's method of governing various tribes and let them submit to the Han... Divide them into different settlements, let them build cities, let them become the foreign kings of the Han... and then engage in intermarriage to win over them.
Their nobles sent officials to intervene and control their actions... Doing so will not see much results in the short term, but it will not consume too much. Of course, there will also be the risk of raising tigers, but this is all
Something you have to consider."
Zhang Buyu frowned and said nothing.
When Zhaoping saw that he was silent, he added: "Actually, Your Majesty, there is no need to be so anxious... If he is worried about the enemy in the wilderness becoming a threat, it will take at least a hundred years. With the current development of the Han Dynasty, no one will plunder anyone in a hundred years."
It’s easy to say...Besides, nowadays there are so many places where temples need money, so it’s really not worth putting your energy on barren land..."
"No! Since Your Majesty said he wanted to govern the wilderness, he must have a reason! Anyone who thinks he is wrong is a female thief!!"
Zhang Buji said firmly.
Zhao Ping murmured in a low voice: "You have suddenly transformed from a rebel to a loyal minister, and this true loyal minister has become a rebel... How unbecoming..."
"I've thought about it! I'm going to be a Hun chanyu outside the Great Wall!"
"Pfft~"
When Hu Wusheng heard his junior brother's great ambition, he immediately spit out all the tea in his mouth, and then began to cough violently.
Liu Ci hurriedly stepped forward and patted his back gently.
"Senior brother! Although I have lofty ambitions, don't be afraid!"
Hu Wusheng's eyes widened and he looked at Liu Ci beside him in surprise, "Ci... the Huns are the mortal enemies of our great Han Dynasty. Your Majesty personally led the army to fight against the Huns and paid a huge price to defeat them.
, drove them to a remote place so that they could not harm the big man... You can't say this in front of outsiders..."
Liu Ci said proudly, "You don't know yet!"
"This is my father's idea. I was in the temple and heard my father telling others that it would cost a lot to develop the grassland, and that he would rebuild the glory of the Huns!"
Seeing Hu Wusheng's suspicious eyes, Liu Ci became anxious.
"What I said is true!"
"I also saw a letter from my father in my mother's palace. It was all about the Huns... It was written by a minister to my father... It was..."
Liu Ci recalled it for a moment, and then confidently shouted: "Marquis Guaguashui said it!"
Dong Zhongshu couldn't stand it any longer, "Marquis Yuhun..."
"And your Majesty does not want to rebuild the Xiongnu. Your Majesty wants to take over the territory of the Xiongnu at its peak... You want to set up several counties there to imitate the original Qin State... Your Majesty sent the three princes to inspect there..."
When Dong Zhongshu explained this, Hu Wusheng understood immediately.
He is white
He glanced at Liu Ci and reprimanded: "You have to speak clearly and don't speak in such a scary way, you know?"
"Why is this scary... I have already thought about it. I will build a country here and imitate the original Moton! Unify the tribes and then lead them south..."
"Um??"
"Go north!"
"The Huns were able to fight against the big Han, so how big their territory would be. If they could become the king here...that would be amazing, how powerful they are! They can even rival the big Han!!"
The more Liu Ci talked, the more excited he became.
Dong Zhongshu reminded him in a low voice: "Mao Dun is a parricide beast. You must never say that you will imitate Mao Dun... Otherwise, not only will you not be able to be crowned king, you may not even be able to become a marquis..."
Hu Wusheng was a little worried. If His Majesty wanted to follow the example of the Qin State in opening up the country, wouldn't he launch large-scale corvee labor for development? If that were the case, the people of the world would suffer.
After Liu Ci made a fuss for a long time, he went to sleep in the inner room.
Dong Zhongshu continued to study with Hu Wusheng and asked about the truth.
Hu Wusheng looked at the junior brother in front of him and couldn't help but said: "To govern Gongyang, you must serve the king... I agree with this, but as a minister, you must be able to stop the king's wrong words and deeds. If you watch him make mistakes and
Not stopping him and agreeing with his wrong behavior in order to get rewards is the most disloyal behavior! I know you are very talented, but there is no need to imitate the current Three Dukes... Zhang Zuoxiang became the Three Dukes not entirely because of his flattery
The king is because he can do things."
Dong Zhongshu was stunned for a moment and said seriously: "Brother, I understand what you mean, but those who want to advise the king must first make the king listen to him."
"If you don't have any status, and the king will cover his nose and hide away when he sees you, then how can you advise the king?"
"If your words are not taken seriously by the king, then what is the use of admonishing them? They are just like the old woman complaining at home when her husband leaves."
"Therefore, if you want to admonish the king and stop the king's wrong words and deeds, you must first let the king listen to your words and let your voice be heard."
Hu Wusheng shook his head again, "I'm afraid that your words will only be heard when you are flattering, but ignored when you are admonishing." Dong Zhongshu just looked at him and said nothing.
Hu Wusheng picked up the book again and began to interpret Gongyang Chunqiu for him seriously.
By the time Liu Ci woke up, Dong Zhongshu had almost finished studying. The two of them said goodbye to Hu Wusheng, and then walked towards the palace under the protection of soldiers.
"Zhongshu...you said that if I go to the outside world to become king...would my father be very happy?"
"Probably not... The territory outside the Great Wall is very large, but it is not suitable for farming. Life there is very difficult. You are His Majesty's son, and you will not be sent to such a difficult place..."
"If I insist on going, will you make me the Prime Minister?"
Dong Zhongshu was a little confused. He looked at Liu Ci and said, "Why are you so obsessed with me? You are your majesty's own son. In the future, you will definitely be granted a title to Huainan, Nanyang and other treasures... The people are rich and it is a powerful country. Why go to that barren country?"
Where is the land?"
Liu Ci straightened his chest and raised his head, "Ruling the country is not what I am good at...I don't want to be like those uncles, who stay in that place all day long, doing nothing but scheming with their ministers...I want to go to a big enough country."
Wherever I go, I will lead my cavalry, conquer everywhere, defeat my enemies, expand my territory, and die in battle on horseback! That is what a man should do!!"
When the two returned to the palace, it was still daylight. They passed by Houde Hall and as soon as they approached, they heard a roar coming from inside.
Liu Ci shrank his neck in fear.
"Why is dad angry again?"
"Who is this person who is not afraid of death and is provoking my father?"
Dong Zhongshu looked in the direction of Houde Hall and shook his head.
In the Houde Hall, Lu Jia sat in front of Liu Chang with a helpless face. Liu Chang roared angrily and walked back and forth in front of him.
Lu Jia brought bad news. King Baicheng was here.
After leaving the Han Dynasty and entering the territory of Shendu, he was attacked. King Baicheng was seriously injured. Under the desperate protection of the soldiers, he returned to his country. King Baicheng thought this was done by the Peacock Kingdom, but the Peacock King thought it was
King Baicheng himself disguised himself just to frame me! For a time, the two vassal states of the Han Dynasty were at war with each other. Soldiers from all over the border were stationed on the border. Even the merchants who were doing business with the Han Dynasty did not dare to go out. Both countries were asking for help from the Han Dynasty.
.
This caused a lot of trouble to Liu Chang. Liu Chang did not want to make a choice between the two countries. He wanted both countries, and he did not want to see the two countries go to war. This would have a very serious impact on the country.
The Han Dynasty and their trade... This trade has only lasted two years. If the road is closed again, the impact will be huge, including the rising Xiting Kingdom, which will be affected by this...
Liu Chang was so angry, "Which dog is it that ruined my life?!"
"If you let me know!! I will definitely destroy his country!!"
Looking at the furious Emperor, Lu Jia said helplessly: "Your Majesty still needs to find a solution... If these two countries go to war, it will not be in the interests of the Han Dynasty..."
Liu Chang became even more anxious. He couldn't help shouting: "It's all the fault of Qu Niwen Hou!"
"If it weren't for him, how could I have asked King Baicheng to come to Chang'an to pay his respects?"
"This is great. We were attacked on the way...The attacker must have let him go on purpose, just to provoke a fight between the two countries!"
Lu Jia didn't say anything. He didn't expect that these things could still be blamed on him when Qu Nihou was gone.
"Didn't Feng Jing say anything? What does he do for food?"
"Not yet... I guess he is also investigating the truth."
"After all, he is an outsider there..."
Liu Chang sat down again, his face looking a little unhappy, "Lu! Go and call the Taiwei, Yafu, and the others over here!"
Lu Jia's expression changed greatly, "Your Majesty! The poison is extremely far away... we cannot go on an expedition..."
Lu Jia was completely frightened. Bai Chengna was basically in the south of Shendu. The two countries were at war, and the Han wanted to intervene. The soldiers of the Northern Army had to walk non-stop for three years to get to the battlefield... along the way.
The consumption can drain the national treasury in an instant... not only drain it dry, but also break the current balance of payments... Is that okay? Why doesn't Liu Chang take action against the various countries? Isn't it because the road is too far and the big man has no way to go?
Attack them? Even if we send troops from Xiting Kingdom, we can only send cavalry to clear the way... The cost of cavalry is also quite high.
Liu Chang glanced at him, "You don't have to worry so much... If I want to conquer Shendu, do I still need to call them here? I am enough alone... My fighting ability has long surpassed that of my teacher. I
If one person leads an army, he can take down all the body poisons!
Lu Jia nodded hurriedly, "That's natural, that's natural."
Today's body poison is not easy to fight, and it has not yet become the fragments it later became. There are still big countries with millions of people in various places. The Huns have reached a stalemate. If the Han wants to send a large army there, take them all...
That's almost impossible.
"Even if we can't defeat the body poison, we can't let the person with the body poison act so boldly... This time it must be the old immortal Maurya King who sent someone..."
"King Baicheng is no match for the Peacock Kingdom at all. He has always been afraid that the Han will abandon him and will not take such a risk... And how can other countries dare to provoke the Han? He knows that if King Baicheng dies in his territory, the Han will be angered.
, so he just sent people to attack without directly killing him. This was forcing me to choose between the two countries. He seemed to be sure that the big man would choose him... This guy is worthy of being a regicide. He has no ability to fight.
It’s not bad to be brave.”
Soon, the lieutenant came in with two young followers.
Zhou Yafu and Lu Tazhi did not even dare to sit down. After the Taiwei sat down, they stood on both sides with their heads lowered to show respect.
"Master... King Baicheng was attacked when he went back. "He was injured and fled back to his own country. He said it was the fault of the Peacock Kingdom... The two countries were preparing to go to war, and merchants did not dare to interact with each other."
"I can probably guess that this is what Maurya did."
"But
I can't send a large army but I can't condone them... If I give in once, they will become more unscrupulous... Master, you have to help me find a way!"
Lu Jia glanced at His Majesty again. You looked confident just now. With your confidence, you are the Marquis of Huaiyin??