Chapter three hundred and ninetieth secretly accumulating power
The two most favored women around Liu Xuan were Mrs. Han and Mrs. Zhao. As Mrs. Zhao's father, Zhao Meng naturally won Liu Xuan's trust and importance.
As for Cao Jing, he was the prime minister of Zuo, and his son Cao Xu was the minister. Both father and son were officials in the court, and they both held important positions. They were very important in the Gengshi court.
The most important point is that neither of them is from the green forest family, and Liu Xuan is not too wary of his father and son, so Cao Jing and Cao Xu are both people who can speak in front of Liu Xuan.
On a deeper level, Liu Xuan has always been unwilling to be controlled by the Green Forest Department and be a puppet in the hands of the Green Forest Department. He is eager to cultivate his own power in the court, and Zhao Meng and Cao Jing are his main supporters.
Object.
Liu Xiu deliberately befriends and pleases Zhao Meng and Cao Jing, which will help him stabilize Liu Xuan and prevent Liu Xuan from murdering him. In addition, whether he can successfully escape Liu Xuan's control in the future, these two people can also
Play a vital role.
In her heart, Liu Xiu didn't like Zhao Meng and Cao Jing. The former was a complete villain, petty, greedy, narrow-minded, jealous of talents, and relied on his daughter to win Liu Xuan's favor and dominate them.
Cao Jing is slightly better than Zhao Meng. Although he is also greedy for money, he is not as unscrupulous and greedy as Zhao Meng. Cao Jing is a scholar after all, and he still has some cultural background.
Relatively speaking, Liu Xiu preferred Cao Jing's son Cao Xu.
Cao Xu's talents were not inferior to Cao Jing's, and he also had the integrity of a scholar. He was courteous and magnanimous, had high moral character, and possessed a sense of righteousness.
While drinking tea and chatting with Liu Xiu, he would express his dissatisfaction with the current chaos in the court from time to time. He believed that in the current court, the Green Forest Clan was powerful and monopolized the government affairs, while the Liu family was in decline.
Liu Yan was also harmed by the Green Forest Clan. If things continue like this, the Han Dynasty will have to make the same mistake again, and a second Wang Mang may pop up in the court. Although he did not mention him by name, Liu Xiu could tell that he
The person talking about this refers to Wang Kuang.
Regarding this point, Liu Xiu felt that Cao Xu was unfounded. Wang Kuang and Wang Mang were not the same kind of people at all, and there was no comparison.
Wang Mang was born into a powerful family and was exposed to power since he was a child. He was very aware of the power of power, so when he grew up, he concentrated on squeezing into the center of power until he sat on the supreme throne.
Wang Kuang, on the other hand, was born in a rough place and did not have too big or too lofty ambitions. From his bones, he had the temperament of being content with being a little rich.
As long as Wang Kuang can firmly sit in his position as the Grand Duke and does not feel threats from other aspects, he will continue to sit in his position as the Grand Duke, and he will sit there very happily, without any ambition or ambition to covet the throne.
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Liu Xiu has a very thorough understanding of people from the Green Forest Department such as Wang Kuang and Wang Feng, but he will not share these opinions with Cao Xu and let Liu Xuan and the Green Forest Department fight within each other. Currently, Liu Xiu is also
What I most want to see.
On this day, Cao Xu came to visit Liu Xiu again, and the two of them drank tea in the garden. I wonder if Cao Xu was angry with the Green Forest Department again during the morning court. After two cups of tea, he started to complain about the Green Forest Department again.
He is bullying others too much, has no regard for the emperor, is lawless, and acts wantonly.
He said angrily: "Wang Kuang is not in Wancheng now. If he is really allowed to capture Luoyang and return in triumph, he thinks Wang Kuang will become the second Wang Mang!"
Liu Xiu put down the teacup in his hand, looked around and said, "Zigui (Cao Xu's courtesy name Zigui) be careful what you say!"
Cao Xu subconsciously looked around, but there was no servant around. He felt relieved, shook his head and smiled bitterly: "In Uncle Wen's place, you have to guard against outsiders listening to what you say.
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Speaking of this, he couldn't help but sigh and said with emotion: "As long as the Green Forest System is still there, it will be difficult for the Han Dynasty to be revived!"
Liu Xiu changed the subject and said, "What Zigui should be worried about most now should not be the Green Forest family."
Cao Xu looked at Liu Xiu in confusion and asked, "Does Uncle Wen think there is someone more threatening than the Green Lin family?"
In his opinion, Wang Mang was already on his last legs, and it was only a matter of time before he was deposed from the throne.
What's more, recently, Shen Tujian and Li Song have been unstoppable. They have fought continuously and successfully captured Wuguan. They are aiming directly at Chang'an. It is estimated that it won't be long before their own army can enter Chang'an City.
The Green Forest family is making great achievements and firmly holds military power in their hands. Who else poses the greatest threat to the Han Dynasty, not the Green Forest family?
Liu Xiu smiled slightly and said: "Whether or not the Green Forest family will turn back is a matter for the future. At least it is not an imminent issue. The most direct threat to the imperial court at the moment is in Runan."
"Runan?" Cao Xu looked at Liu Xiu in surprise and said, "Isn't there Liu Sheng in Runan?"
"It is precisely because of Liu Sheng that Runan will become a threat to the imperial court." Liu Xiu said: "Liu Sheng recruited Yan You and Chen Mao who went to seek refuge. These two people were mortal enemies of the Han Dynasty. Liu Sheng
Sheng took the two of them under his command, and his disobedience was clearly revealed. In the past, I led my troops to suppress Liu Sheng in Runan. Now that I am gone, the army under my command has also withdrawn to Yingchuan. Runan has already
The world has become Liu Sheng's, and if this person is allowed to continue to grow in Runan, he will definitely rebel against the imperial court in the future!"
Hearing this, Cao Xu's expression changed drastically. He had been in contact with Liu Xiu for some time, and he had some understanding of Liu Xiu's temperament. Liu Xiu was by no means a person who made random suspicions and talked nonsense. He
Since it can be said with certainty that Liu Sheng has rebellious intentions, then it must be his judgment.
Cao Xu was silent for a moment and said urgently: "Uncle Wen should report such a big matter to His Majesty!"
You must know that Wancheng does not have many troops at present. Part of the main army is in the hands of Wang Kuang, who led him to fight Luoyang, and the other part is in the hands of Shen Tujian and Li Song, who led them to fight Wuguan.
Wancheng is currently empty. If Liu Shengzhen rebels in Runan and takes advantage of the situation, won't the imperial court be in danger?
Liu Xiu smiled bitterly and said: "Because of my brother's affairs, it is really inconvenient for me to participate in government affairs now."
Cao Xu shook his head repeatedly with disapproval on his face. Just as he was about to speak, Liu Xiu continued: "If someone from the Green Forest Group gets caught, I'm afraid even Your Majesty won't be able to save me."
After hearing this, Cao Xu fell silent and swallowed back the words that came to his mouth. Yes, your majesty is just a puppet in the hands of the Green Forest Department now. If the Green Forest Department is really determined to kill Liu Xiu, there is really nothing your Majesty can do.
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Liu Xiu said seriously: "Zigui needs to report this matter to His Majesty. Also, Zigui should not mention me in front of Your Majesty."
"This..." Liu Sheng had a disloyal heart. The information was provided by Liu Xiu. How could he not mention Liu Xiu and monopolize this credit?
Cao Xu frowned and said seriously: "Uncle Wen is too cautious. What will happen even if someone from the Green Forest Department knows about this matter?"
Liu Xiu smiled bitterly, sighed softly, and said: "It is a troubled time right now. As far as I am concerned, it is better to have more things to do than to have less things to do! If Zigui doesn't respond to me, then don't mention this matter to His Majesty.
Got it!"
Cao Xu looked at Liu Xiu, smiled bitterly and shook his head. He felt aggrieved for Liu Xiu.
The eldest brother was killed by someone from the Green Forest Department. Not only was he unable to take revenge, but he also lived so cautiously, fearing that if anything happened, it would affect him.
He nodded helplessly and said, "Uncle Wen, don't worry, I understand."
Seeing that he responded to her, a smile appeared on Liu Xiu's face.
That night, Liu Xuan summoned Cao Jing and Cao Xu to discuss matters, mainly for Wang Kuangzheng's transfer of money and grain. Currently, Wang Kuang had an army of 100,000 under his command, but he asked the court for 200,000 shi of grain and 8 million yuan.
With so much money and food, how could they use it for only a hundred thousand soldiers? Even a fool could guess that the remaining money and food must have fallen into the pockets of the Green Forest Group themselves.
At this time, Liu Xuan's face was very ugly, and he said angrily: "Two hundred thousand shi of grain and eight million yuan, they are trying to empty out my treasury!"
Cao Jing and Cao Xu looked at each other and lowered their heads, neither of them dared to answer.
They discussed this matter at court this morning and felt that the amount of money and food Wang Kuang demanded was too huge.
However, the people from the Green Forest Department were arrogant in the court and cited various unreasonable reasons and excuses. It seemed that if the court did not comply with Wang Kuang's request and did not send 200,000 shi of grain and 8 million yuan,
The soldiers cannot fight on the front line and seem to be defeated.
Liu Xuan had been holding back his anger for a whole day because of this matter. At night, he couldn't bear it anymore and summoned Cao Jing and Cao Xu into the palace to discuss the matter. He looked at Cao Jing and Cao Xu and asked
He said, "Do you have any good ideas, sir?"
Cao Xu still lowered his head and said nothing, but Cao Jing whispered: "The battle of Luoyang is very important. Our army can only win and must not lose. It was precisely this point that Duke Dingguo grasped, and the lion opened his mouth and asked for
Two hundred thousand shi of military rations and eight million taels of military pay, and your Majesty has to give these money and rations!"
If Wang Kuang's request is not met and Wang Kuang becomes violent and insists on not attacking Luoyang, the impact on the court will be too great. At present, the Xinmang court only has two arms left, one in Chang'an and one in Chang'an.
Just in Luoyang.
It can be said that whether the Han army can capture Luoyang is directly related to the life and death of the Xinmang court.
"So," Liu Xuan said with a gloomy face, "I can do nothing but accept Duke Ding's unreasonable request and send him 200,000 shi of military rations and 8 million in military pay."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Bang! Liu Xuan slammed the table and said through gritted teeth: "It's too much to bully others! His king Kuang has gone too far to bully me!"
Liu Xuan has been emperor for a long time and has gradually developed the dignity of an emperor. Now that he is being threatened like this, how can he feel better?
But for Wang Kuang, he dared to lose his temper behind others' backs. When he really saw Wang Kuang in person, he was no different from a mouse who saw a cat.
Listening to Liu Xuan's indignant complaints, Cao Jing and Cao Xu became silent again. They had nothing to say. No matter how much they talked now, they could not solve any practical problems.
When Liu Xuan's complaints came to an end and his anger subsided a little, Cao Xu changed the topic and said seriously: "I believe that the person your Majesty needs to deal with most urgently is not Duke Dingguo, but Liu Sheng of Runan!"
Liu Xuan was stunned by Cao Xu's remarks. How could he deal with Liu Sheng? What could Liu Sheng do to deal with him? Some time ago, he issued an order to Liu Sheng, asking him to send troops north to attack Liu Xiu's tribe. He even replied and agreed to the matter!
Seeing Liu Xuan's disapproving look, Cao Xu frowned and said: "Your Majesty, Liu Sheng took in Yan You and Chen Mao. You must know that Yan and Chen are both mortal enemies of our Han army. Liu Sheng took them in.
And entrusting him with important tasks shows his disobedience to the imperial court. In addition, Liu Sheng has occupied more than ten counties in Runan, and even the counties and cities in Runan are now in Liu Sheng's hands, and his power has grown so strong.
