The sky gradually darkened, and the cold wind blew gently. The candlelight began to sway with the cold wind.
Liu An was sitting in the Houde Hall, looking at the memorial in front of him under the candlelight, and couldn't help but narrow his eyes.
Today is the first day that he officially governs the Han Dynasty. Through some less than honorable means, he barely achieved a small victory in the battle with the ministers. This is the first time that he has the upper hand only through his own strength. He
He doesn't have the means and strength like his father. He can deal with these ministers without scruples and even beat them during court meetings, but Liu An can't. If Liu An deliberately imitates his father's behavior, it will be ruined.
The future prince.
Among today's ministers, there are still many founding ministers. Except for the founding ministers, the rest have followed their father to establish a great reputation. Liu An's prestige is simply not worth mentioning in front of them.
For example, Mr. Lu of Fengchang Mansion, my father can bite an old dog in his mouth and pinch his neck... But what about me? This man even called me an old dog during the court meeting. I guess he could only endure it.
Look, the other party is almost seventy years old... He once followed Emperor Gao to fight everywhere. He is a lobbyist who has made great achievements in the establishment of the country, and he is also a famous scholar in the world. To deal with such a person hard, only my father can do it.
arrive.
Liu An could only use his own way to deal with these ministers.
Fortunately, the first step was relatively successful. In fact, what Liu An and the officials were fighting for was not just the release of those people, but the most important issue was the right to speak.
Now that my father is not here, the ministers in the temple hope that they can be a mascot honestly and wait for my father to come back. During this period, they will be responsible for governing the Han Dynasty. Liu An will naturally not be willing to accept it.
, and the last failure allowed Liu An to accumulate a lot of experience, so this time, he took the lead and started planning when his father just left, in order to establish his own voice in the temple.
Liu An looked at the memorial in front of him, feeling a little dazed. Suddenly, Lu Lu walked in.
Seeing the change of people in Houde Hall, Lu Lu's mood was actually a bit complicated.
This feeling is quite strange, as if...ahem, anyway, Lu Lu has automatically entered the ranks of the ministers who care about life.
In these years, Lu Lu has always been by Liu Chang's side. No matter where Liu Chang went, he would definitely follow him. But this time, he stayed in the palace. On the one hand, Lu Lu was not suitable for going to the battlefield.
, he doesn’t have such ability, it can’t be said that Liu Chang has to be distracted on the battlefield to protect him?? On the other hand, the palace needs an experienced confidant, who can help Liu An solve many problems.
The problem is, after all, this is the man's number one relative, a trustworthy relative of his own.
Liu Chang, who represents the interests of Liu and Lu, has been in power for so long, and the idea that Liu and Lu share the same world has gradually become a consensus.
In these years, marriages between two major surnames have become extremely common. Basically, the wives of princes and kings of a generation all have the surname Lu. Liu Chang also used a large number of these Lu family members to marry the kings of the Yuezhi in the Western Regions.
The relationship has become inseparable.
There is absolutely no chance that the events like the execution of Lu in history will happen. Even if Liu Chang and Empress Lu are gone, there is almost no such possibility. Almost all the legitimate sons of princes and kings in various places bear the burden of two surnames.
Lu then turned to kill them themselves.
Although the Cao family has two queens, the Cao family cannot reach the level of the Lu family, and they probably do not want to reach the level of the Lu family.
The current disciple of the Cao family, Cao Qi, is not too bad, but he is definitely not a kind person... How should I put it? He is just an ordinary Chehou Dandy with no ability. He was beaten by Xiahou Zao for insulting others before.
A meal...a loss of face.
Looking at Liu An with a dull expression, Lu Lu sighed.
After all, he is the child he has watched grow up, and it is hard for him to face so many old dogs alone.
Lu Lu immediately straightened his face and said seriously: "Your Highness, don't worry. Although Your Majesty is no longer here, the old minister is still there... As long as the old minister is still there, I will never let these old dogs bully His Highness!!"
Liu An was stunned. He was just thinking about how to regain Chao Cuo. Why did his uncle get involved in the drama so quickly? From what you said, it seemed that his father was not going to fight, but to see Taiyi.
Because Liu Chang married Fan Qing, the relationship between relatives became extremely confusing. For example, Lu Yu, she was Liu Chang's mother-in-law, but she was also Liu Chang's aunt. Lu Lu also married the granddaughter of the Gao Emperor's brother's family.
The two parties have been kissing each other many times, and the hierarchy of generations is extremely confusing.
Therefore, when Liu An and Liu Bo met Lu Lu, they would directly call him uncle. This was based on Fan Qing and also showed their respect for Empress Lu.
In fact, there is no problem in calling him Zhongfu or uncle, and Lu Lu doesn't care about it.
Liu An hurriedly explained: "Uncle, I have never worried that these ministers will not cause trouble for me because of this matter."
"Oh, then you must underestimate them... They were just planning to come together to meet His Highness. From the looks of it, they want to ****...to demonstrate to His Highness."
"Ah??? What about them?"
"I sent soldiers to fight them."
Lu Lu calmly said a very scary thing. Liu An was stunned, "You were beaten out??"
"Your Majesty asked me to stay for this purpose. Your Majesty, don't worry. No one dares to mess around outside Houde Hall with me here...Here, even the three princes!!! Except for Prime Minister Zhang, Prime Minister Zuo, and Taiwei
..You all have to abide by the rules here!!"
Chao Cuo is the only one who has to abide by the rules??
Liu An can also understand that uncles at the Jiuqing level can be easily dismissed, but it is really hard to say at the Sangong level...especially the two state ministers and Taiwei, his uncle may not be able to stop them.
However, there is currently only one Prime Minister in the court, and he seems unwilling to interfere in anything. "Hasn't Chao Cuo come yet?"
Liu An suddenly asked.
He never rested, just waiting for Chao Cuo to come and see him.
After all, he released Chao Cuo today. After all, this imperial censor must come to thank him, right? It has been so long, why is there no trace of him?
Lu Lu curled his lips, "This guy has a bad character... Even if His Highness is kind to him, he may not appreciate it." "I'm afraid it's impossible for him to come to see you."
Liu An was a little helpless. These people under his father's command were really indescribable. Of course he knew Chao Cuo's bad character, but he didn't expect that this person's character could be so bad. How can I put it?
Now he is in power, and today he negotiated with the ministers to release him. He actually didn’t really want to come to see him? Even if he didn’t thank him, he just wanted to see him.
However, Liu An had been prepared for a long time. He was no longer the young bird he was before... To deal with these unreliable ministers, he had to use unreliable methods.
"Uncle...could you please send this letter to Chao Cuo's residence?"
"You can give it as a gift... However, Your Highness, this person may not appreciate it. He was originally a talented minister. The reason why he is always beaten by Your Majesty is because of his bad temper. I am afraid that this letter will mean nothing."
Use it..."
Liu An chuckled, "He will definitely come."
Lu Lu was dubious. He originally wanted to send someone to deliver the message, but thinking that this was the first time Liu An wanted to contact the minister, he decided to go in person... When Lu Lu came to Chao Cuo's residence, Chao Cuo
This guy is in the study, dealing with the documents he has saved these days.
There are soldiers guarding both inside and outside the mansion. This is because he has offended too many people and is afraid that someone will do something bad to him. But inside the mansion, it is deserted. This guy has never married, and I am afraid that no wealthy family is willing to take care of him.
If my daughter marries a man like him, she is afraid that one day he will be killed by the clan...
The housekeepers had also been worried about Chao Cuo's family affairs, and finally came to the conclusion that with the workaholic character of this guy, even if he got married, he would probably use his wife as a subordinate.
My wife stayed up all night organizing documents and other things for herself.
Lu Lu's sudden visit didn't even attract Chao Cuo's slightest attention. He didn't even look at Lu Lu.
Lu Lu said quietly: "Mr. Chao...after all, the reason why you can sit here to deal with the memorial is because of His Highness's contribution. Are you so unwilling to go and thank His Highness?"
Chao Cuo didn't even raise his head, "His Majesty allowed me to join the imperial court to protect me. He was worried that the ministers would attack me after I left... Now that His Majesty has released me... He still wants me to go and thank you???"
"So, you don't want to come out?"
Chao Cuo finally put down his pen and looked at Lu Lu in front of him with some disgust.
"It's the same wherever I am. Being in Tingwei doesn't delay my work... Why did you come to me all the time?" "His Highness's letter."
Chao Cuo took the letter with disdain, put it aside casually, and prepared to continue handling the documents. Lu Lu's face instantly turned cold.
"Pick it up." Chao Cuo raised his head.
Lu Lu just stared into his eyes coldly. "Pick it up...read it."
Lu Lu slowly placed his hand on the hilt of the sword. Seeing that Chao Cuo didn't move, Lu Lu began to draw the sword. The sound of the sword being unsheathed sounded in the room, making people shudder.
When Lu Lu's sword was halfway drawn, Chao Cuo picked up the letter with interest.
Chao Cuo is not afraid of death, but he doesn't want to die in vain. If it were someone else, he wouldn't care. The three dignitaries cannot be threatened, but Lu Lu... This guy has a special status and supports him behind the scenes.
If a person is too powerful, no matter how big the trouble is, there will still be people protecting him, but no one can punish him.
Chao Cuo looked at the letter in his hand with some annoyance, but as soon as he read some of it, he jumped up suddenly.
He didn't even pack up the papers in front of him, and hurried out the door, "Quick! Quick! Take me to see the prince!!!" The coldness on Lu Lu's face suddenly disappeared, and his eyes were full of astonishment. What is this?
Condition??
Chao Cuo came to Houde Hall in a hurry, and Liu An was already waiting for him.
Lu Lu followed him in. He was also very curious about Chao Cuo's huge changes. What was it about Chao Cuo that made him so interested?
When Chao Cuo saw Liu An, he suddenly smiled. "Your Highness!!"
Chao Cuo was a person who was loyal to his own ambitions. In order to realize his ambitions, he would not care about anything, and his attitude towards Liu An changed drastically. Liu An let him sit aside with a smile.
"Your Highness is absolutely right! The duty of these vassal states is to go out for the emperor while standing. Now that they cannot go out, they should provide the supplies for sending troops, right? This is what the vassal states should do.
..”
As soon as Chao Cuo opened his mouth, Lu Lu understood and simply turned away and ignored them.
Liu Chang led the cavalry in a rampage. This group of elite cavalry passed through Longxi at the fastest speed. Their size made the local officials who came to greet them feel in awe, especially the leader Liu Chang, who was wearing heavy armor.
Liu Chang was very oppressive, like a god. Liu Chang also checked the recovery situation of Longxi in the name of going on an expedition. The recovery situation of Longxi was better than he thought. Luan Bu had indeed done a good job.
The new city deployment shortened the road from Chang'an to the Western Regions, and the road was very smooth.
When Liu Chang led the cavalry to the Hexi Kingdom, he saw thousands of cavalry galloping back and forth in the distance. The dust was flying and the smoke was billowing, and Liu Chang could not help but squint his eyes.
When Liu Chang approached, some knights came quickly towards Liu Chang's direction. Of course, they were quickly stopped. The knights jumped off their horses and ran towards Liu Chang's direction.
"Father Zhong!!!" The knight is none other than Liu Xiang.
Liu Xiang was also wearing armor and fully armed at the moment, and he looked somewhat brave.
Liu Chang had not seen him for a long time. When he saw him like this, he jumped off the horse with a smile. Zhou Bo stood behind Liu Xiang, also maintaining a salute.
"Get up!!"
Liu Chang said loudly, and pulled Liu Xiang to his side, looking up and down at the tall boy. "Yes, he has grown up a lot."
"What are you doing here with the cavalry?!"
Liu Xiang saluted Liu Chang again, "Father Zhong! I am leading the domestic cavalry to follow you on the expedition! Since ancient times, there has never been a reason for the emperor to go to war alone. When the emperor goes to war, the princes
The king should follow, and I am willing to fight with Father Zhong!!"
Liu Xiang is not lying. In the past wars, the emperor led the princes and kings to fight. An important obligation of the princes and kings was to accompany them in the battle... During the period of Emperor Gao, the main force for several rebellions was actually the princes*
The ** team, including Liu Fei, Liu Jiao, Liu Jia and others at that time, all went on the expedition with Emperor Gao... and made great contributions in the war.
Liu Chang looked at him suspiciously, "Who taught you to do this?"
"Father Zhong, no one taught me, this is what I should do... I will not let you distract from protecting... I will follow you, obey your orders, and protect the emperor with all my strength!!
!"
Liu Chang couldn't help laughing.
He thought for a moment and did not rush to reject the man in front of him. "Originally, I just wanted to recruit Zhou Bo... Well, since you want to go, then you come! You don't need to bring too many people... Let Zhou Bo pick out
A thousand elite knights! You will be the commander!" "Yi!!!"
Liu Xiang was overjoyed and hurriedly reorganized the army. However, Liu Chang was no longer in a hurry at the moment. He was waiting with peace of mind for Liu Xiang to be ready. Liu Chang's idea was not complicated. Since this guy wanted to see the battlefield, let him take him to see it.
, this is good for him
, the army of Hexi Kingdom should also go see the blood... Liu Xiang's army followed the emperor's army, while Liu Xiang and Zhou Bo followed Liu Chang. Liu Xiang kept talking about Hexi
Regarding the situation in the country, his words were full of pride.
But Zhou Bo didn't say much. Perhaps because of his age, Zhou Bo looked no longer as sharp as before, and the sharp sword was hidden in the scabbard.
Liu Chang really didn't expect that Xiang, a tough guy, would have the courage to openly stop his army and ask for a battle.
Chatting with Xiang along the way, the time passed quickly. When Liu Chang came to Beiting Kingdom, he found that it was the same here. Liu Yan also summoned the cavalry, accompanied by Chai Wu, and came to ask for a battle.
Liu Xun was somewhat similar to Liu Chang in terms of stature. He was a head taller than Liu Xiang. Standing among the soldiers, he stood out like a bird among the chickens, and was particularly conspicuous.
He was wearing the same heavy armor as Liu Chang, and when he grinned stupidly, he really looked exactly like Liu Chang.
Among the first-generation descendants of the old Liu family, the most capable was Liu Chang. Among the second generation, it was Liu Xuan. He was tall and powerful. It is said that when Xiahou Zao passed by here one time, because of the past enmity between the two countries,
, the soldiers of Beiting Kingdom are unwilling to let go
OK, Xia Houzao fought hard and injured more than ten people alone. Liu Xian was furious and rode a horse to chase Xiahou Zao. The two started fighting hand-to-hand in front of everyone. Liu Xuan didn't even suffer a loss. Both sides were beaten with bruises and swollen faces.
No distinction between top and bottom.
Xia Houzao was very good at fighting, the best among all the sages, and Liu Xun was able to tie with him. It can be seen that his martial arts skills are getting better and better.
But when Liu Chang patted his shoulder approvingly, Liu Xuan still grimaced in pain.
"Father Zhong!! I heard that you are going to take Xiang to fight against Shendu. Xiang has gone to the capital. I have to go, right? With Xiang like that, I can beat him ten times!!"
Liu Xuan patted his chest, but Liu Xiang was very disdainful.
"When marching and fighting, we rely on the art of war, not brute force. If I lead an army of the same size, I can defeat your whole army and annihilate it! I studied the art of war with Jianghou..."
At this moment, Jianghou was chatting with Tiaohou in the rear area and did not pay attention to the situation here.
Liu Chang interrupted the two men and said, "Okay, you come too! Your physique is really wasted if you don't fight."
These two are supposed to guard the border fortress. There is nothing wrong with letting them bring their knowledge to the battlefield to sharpen it... Anyway, Zhou Bo and Chai Wu will protect them very well. As the guardians of the border fortress, they must
You must understand the principles of warfare.
They moved forward again, and the size of the army became quite large. Along the way, Liu Xiang and Liu Xuan were bickering.
When he arrived at Xiting Kingdom, it was no longer the heavily armed princes and kings who came to greet him. Liu Qi, dressed simply, stood on the side of the road, saluting respectfully, waiting for the emperor's arrival.
Liu Xiang's eyes lit up and he hurriedly stopped arguing with Liu Xuan, "Qi didn't even wear armor! Could it be that he
Don’t you want to go with me?”
"Hahaha, Qi Ke doesn't have the courage like us!"
Facing the rising star Liu Qi, the two seemed to have found common ground, and quickly turned the target of ridicule into Liu Qi. Liu Chang looked at these young people in his family and stroked his beard proudly.
"I can rest assured that the gateway to the northwest is entrusted to these three men."