In the winter and twelfth month of the sixth year of Yuande, Panyu, the capital of South Vietnam.
Zhao Tuo, the king of South Vietnam, was lying on a soft mattress, looking at the king, grandson and ministers kneeling in front of him.
His shriveled skin has now completely lost its luster, and his eyes, which once made people feel frightened even when he opened them, are now dim and dull.
This hero, who was born before Qin unified the world, finally ran out of steam after nearly a hundred years of struggle.
Especially two years ago, when he went to Chang'an, the long journey consumed too much of his energy and vitality.
Being able to return to Panyu and continue to be king to this day is a miracle in itself.
"Grandson..." Zhao Tuo struggled to do it with the support of Prime Minister Lu Jia, and waved to his chosen successor, Zhao Hu.
Zhao Hu was his chosen successor, and he was also the crown prince of Nanyue appointed by the two emperors of Chang'an.
This makes Zhao Hu basically have no people or forces in South Vietnam who can challenge his status.
At this time, Zhao Hu had also matured a lot.
He has even become the father of several children.
He took his sons, knelt down in front of his grandfather, and said in tears: "Grandpa, my grandson is here..."
Zhao Tuo looked at Zhao Hu's appearance. To be honest, he didn't like Zhao Hu very much.
This grandson is too loyal and simple, and does not have much scheming. In troubled times, such an heir will either be ignored by his ministers and then killed, or he will be torn apart by outsiders.
but……
"Foolish people are blessed..." Zhao Tuo sighed inwardly.
Looking at Zhao Hu, he now had to admit that it was the most appropriate thing for this grandson to inherit the country and the country of South Vietnam!
He was even more fortunate that he bowed his head to Chang'an and went to Chang'an in person.
Otherwise, I'm afraid at this moment...
The Kingdom of South Vietnam will turn into powder...
"After my death, you must mourn me immediately..." Zhao Tuo took Zhao Hu's hand and said, "Send a memorial to Chang'an and ask the emperor to give me a posthumous title and a coffin..."
In the past, it would not have mattered to South Vietnam whether there was Chang'an's canonization and recognition.
Panyu is far away from China, as the sky is high and the road is far away.
It is not easy for the soldiers of Chang'an to attack Panyu.
Moreover, South Vietnam also has sufficient depth.
Even if Pan Yu could not defend, Zhao Tuo still had the confidence to lead the people and troops to retreat to Cangwu and Jiaozhi.
But not anymore.
China has been restored to its full form.
It has even surpassed the power of Qin in its heyday.
Not long ago, news came from Chang'an that Wang's army had left the fortress, captured the fortress of Gaoque, the danger of Dingyang Mountain, restored the homeland of Jiuyuan County of Qin and Zhao, and even Yinshan Mountain was once again owned by China.
As a former attendant of the First Emperor, Qi Lang, and deputy commander of Qin's conquering army, Long Qiling.
Zhao Tuo was well aware of the strength of Gaoque, and even more aware of the terrifying nature of the Yangshan defense line.
Qin and Zhao have been operating in the area for more than a hundred years.
Especially the Great Qin Empire, in order to build the Great Wall, it recruited hundreds of thousands of people and mobilized troops, and it took more than ten years to complete it.
At that time, the Great Qin Dynasty paid the most attention to the Yulinsai-Gaoque section of the Great Wall.
General Meng Tian commanded 300,000 troops and stationed them locally. Fusu, the eldest son of the First Emperor, was the supervisor of the army.
In its heyday, the entire Gaoque defense line had as many as seven or eight forts on the outer perimeter. There were also Yulin Fortress and Jiuyuan City on the north and south sides, relying on each other.
It can be said to be impregnable.
Even though it has been dilapidated and declined over the past few decades, it is still a formidable defense system.
But the Han army took back Gaoque in less than a month.
Shocking!
It also makes everyone who knows this matter understand the truth that now is the Han Dynasty!
The destiny of the Han Dynasty means that all monsters, demons and snake gods must stay away, otherwise, they will be crushed to pieces!
Therefore, Zhao Tuo knew that no matter whether he wanted to or not, he had no choice but to accept Chang'an's leadership and recognize Chang'an's authority.
Any other choice is a wrong path, and you will definitely be crushed easily like a mantis using its arm as a car.
What's more, the trip to Chang'an eliminated all the grudges in Zhao Tuo's heart.
Today, the emperor has given his colleagues and brothers an honor that even Qin Shi Huang could not give.
He was even buried in Lishan Mountain with honor and dignity, accompanying Qin Shihuang.
This kind of mind is enough to convince him.
Therefore, at this critical moment of his life, Zhao Tuo finally looked away and took the initiative to extend his hands to Chang'an.
"Maybe, this is reincarnation..." Zhao Tuo thought in his heart.
The Kingdom of South Vietnam began when his old boss Ren Xiao died of illness.
At that time, Ren Xiao judged that the civil war in China was endless, the second generation was incompetent, and Zhao Gaolisi pushed the empire to destruction for his own selfish interests.
Therefore, before he died, he told Zhao Tuo to consider the lives of the immigrants and soldiers who moved here, destroy the passes, cut off the roads, block the five passes, and block the war from South Vietnam.
The Kingdom of South Vietnam was separated from China until today.
And now his time is running out.
China has long since restored peace and has even entered a prosperous age.
On his deathbed, it might be a good choice to let the Kingdom of South Vietnam return.
After all, Zhao Tuo knew how powerful his descendants were, and he knew even more clearly how terrifying the power of the Han family was now.
Even the main elite of the Qin army in its heyday, under the command of Lord Wu An, might not be able to fight with them!
But Zhao Hu cried even harder after listening to his grandfather's words.
Zhao Tuo's serious illness caused undercurrents throughout the South Vietnam Kingdom.
Many powerful nobles and separatist princes are ready to take action.
They may not dare to challenge his throne, but they will definitely dare to jump out to embarrass their grandfather after his death, and even separatist territory.
Zhao Hu even heard that powerful factions in some places, such as those Tu kings and Yue tribes who only nominally obeyed Pan Yu, were already working together.
There are even people who want to use the Fujian and Vietnam soldiers to protect themselves.
These incidents left young Zhao Hu at a loss and not even sure how to deal with them.
But he didn't dare to bring it up at this time and cause worries to his grandfather.
Like most young people, he chose to bury these things in his heart.
On the contrary, it was Lu Jia, the Prime Minister of South Vietnam, who had a clear mind and clear thoughts.
He took advantage of Zhao Tuo's sober moment, seized the opportunity, and asked: "If unfortunately, the nobles in the country change, what will happen to the ministers?"
Zhao Tuo looked at Lu Jia, and of course he knew what his trusted minister was thinking in his mind.
Zhao Tuo has been in power for decades, has experienced countless changes, and has read countless people. Basically, he can know other people's thoughts through judgment.
Not to mention, Lu Jia had been with him for decades. How could Lu Jia's little thoughts be hidden from him?
Zhao Tuo knew very well what Lu Jia wanted to do?
He wanted a posthumous edict, a posthumous edict written by himself, entrusting him with orders.
Relying on this edict, Lu Jia can abolish and establish things whenever necessary in the future.
If in the past, the Han Dynasty was weak, Zhao Tuo would naturally be willing to give this edict.
but now……
The Han Dynasty was at its peak, and its extremely powerful army conquered the world.
The most powerful Huns in the known world were all scurrying away.
The South Vietnamese soldiers and horses were probably like chickens and dogs in front of the Han army.
Furthermore, today, even in South Vietnam, there are countless people worshiping and worshiping the Holy King.
South Vietnam simply did not have the qualifications or strength to compete with such an emperor.
Therefore, Lu Jia's small thoughts will not only fail to protect the South Vietnamese nation, but the more likely result will be that the emperor will be angry, bleeding and floating in the oars, with corpses floating thousands of miles away!
The entire South Vietnam country and country were completely turned into powder!
Therefore, Zhao Tuo looked at Lu Jia, the minister he had relied on as his right-hand man for many years, and sighed deeply in his heart.
"For the sake of the country and the country of Nanyue, even if I am reluctant to part with it, I am afraid I can only regret it..."
Lu Jia had assisted him for decades, coordinating the various tribes of Baiyue, and also worked closely to communicate with those rebellious Yue tribes, thus maintaining the unity and stability of the South Vietnam Kingdom.
But, this is the past.
Now, Lu Jia has become a time bomb.
He has close ties with various powerful factions of the Yue people and the local vassal towns of the South Vietnam Kingdom.
He even opposed the incorporation of South Vietnam into the Han Dynasty and became the backbone of the Han vassal states.
Lu Jia's ideas were also in line with the thoughts of many Yue nobles and Panyu ministers.
What these people think is very simple. South Vietnam has been a country for decades and has been independent for a long time. Chang'an actually wants to annex us? How is it possible? Moreover, if South Vietnam is merged into the Han Dynasty, how can the culture and independence of the Vietnamese people be maintained?
Therefore, Zhao Tuo knew that once he died, Zhao Hu would become increasingly close to Chang'an, which would likely trigger an embarrassment or even a coup from the local faction headed by Lu Jia!
And once this happens, Chang'an cannot remain indifferent.
Just the terrifying Lou Chuan Yamen of the Han Dynasty had the ability to destroy the entire South Vietnamese boat fleet and control the waterway.
Since there were no ships, the Han Dynasty cavalry could march straight in.
By that time, Panyu might not be able to hold on for even half a month.
Then what?
In the face of war, Zhao's country and the mountains and rivers of Nanyue will all be reduced to ruins.
By that time, it will be too late to regret!
Therefore, Zhao Tuo looked at Lu Jia and said to him: "Prime Minister, you have been following me for ten years and have been assisting me to this day. You have worked hard with all your heart and soul. I once said: I can't live without a prime minister for a day. Now I will collapse. Please follow me."
Just go away alone..."
When Lu Jia heard this, he was startled at first.
How could he not expect that Zhao Tuo would answer like this.
He still remembered how majestic Zhao Tuo was when he proclaimed himself emperor!
But what now?
only……
Lu Jia himself was also a Yue nobleman who was deeply influenced by Chinese culture. In his mind, loyalty to the king was always the first choice.
Now, his king asked him to accompany...
He couldn't find any reason to refuse...
Moreover, Zhao Tuo did not intend to let him refuse.
Zhao Tuo struggled to stand up and said to the outside: "Mr. Yuan, please come in..."
With a creak, the palace door was opened, and dozens of heavily armed soldiers, surrounded by the Taisun Taifu, the current King of Nanyue, and Yuan An, the Superintendent of the South Vietnam Kingdom, walked in.
Yuan An looked at Zhao Tuo, bowed slightly, and said, "Ang is here, what are your orders, Your Majesty?"
"Please ask Mr. Yuan to record a suicide note for me..." Zhao Tuo struggled to breathe out.
"No!" Yuan Ang was sitting down when someone immediately brought him pen, ink, paper and inkstone.
…………
"I am a humble man and do not know how to be a king. Fortunately, Emperor Gao did not abandon me and made me the leader of a country. I went to the south and became the king. It has been for decades...forcing ià benevolent sage and doing great favors to me...the ancients
He said: The fox died on the first hill, and now this minister dies. Please be my lackey, and I will be buried in the Maoling Mausoleum. I will always be my minister, in order to repay your favor in case of death..." Zhao Tuo's cultural level is not
It's too high, so what I say is not polished.
But the meaning is very simple and clear that the Kingdom of Nanyue will give up most of its autonomy and become a vassal within the Han family, following the story of Wu Bin, the king of Changsha.
But at the same time, he also requested Chang'an's permission and commitment to Zhao's dominance.
This is very reasonable.
Yuan An put down his pen and said respectfully to Zhao Tuo: "Your Majesty is Gaoyi!"
With Zhao Tuo's testament, the Kingdom of Nanyue will completely become a part of the Han Dynasty.
In the future, South Vietnam's military politics and the appointment and removal of officials will depend on Chang'an.
And he, Yuan An, might be able to fight his way back to Chang'an with this merit.
Zhao Tuo smiled.
He was a mature man, so I don't know. In fact, whether he had this legacy or not, it didn't make much difference.
Today's financial and economic lifeline of South Vietnam has long been controlled by the Han family.
What's even more frightening is that Lou Chuan Yamen's fleet has been stationed at the dock outside Panyu City, and thousands of soldiers may cross the sea at any time.
Not to mention, the slave trade and cane sugar trade that have been launched in Jiaozhi, Rinan, Cangwu and other places in the past two years have allowed a large number of Han Dynasty forces to infiltrate.
To put it bluntly, as long as Yuan An is willing, the Nanyue Palace will probably be a river of blood today.
It's ridiculous, but Lu Jia doesn't know this yet.
Zhao Tuo turned around, looked at Lu Jia, and said: "Prime Minister, I am going to die. Please go with me to Jiuyou..."
He said to Yuan An again: "Please help me, Mr. Yuan..."
Yuan Anggong said: "Your Majesty, you have given your order, how dare you disobey it?"
Eliminating Lu Jia was something Yuan An and his predecessor Mei Juan had always wanted to do, but Zhao Tuo did not dare to do it.
Now that Zhao Tuo has spoken, what else does Yuan Ang dare not do?
Immediately, several soldiers brought a wine flask to Lu Jia: "Invite the King of South Vietnam to drink..."
Lu Jia, on the other hand, looked so cute.
He couldn't understand why he was doing it for the good of the king and the country of South Vietnam.
Why has your Majesty never mentioned the matter of self-reliance since his trip to Chang'an, and has repeatedly stopped his preparations for making small moves?
However, if the king wants the minister to die, the minister has to die.
In fact, Lu Jia should have died long ago.
If it hadn't been for the kindness and generosity of the king, he would have died in the jungle long ago. Where would he be today?
Therefore, when the wine was brought to him, he didn't hesitate much. He took it in his hand, knelt down respectfully, kowtowed and said, "I am following your orders. I will go first..." After saying this, he drank it all.
Zhao Tuo couldn't help but shed tears when he saw Lu Jia's expression and movements.
"It's a pity... you shouldn't still hold on to the thoughts of the past now..."
……………………
The cold is still not gone, and I am still dizzy. I have become a waste this month~ (To be continued.)
