Just a few days before Double Ninth Festival, Liu Bei finally rushed back to the capital Luoyang. But he did not enter the city, but rested in Shanglin Garden in the west of the city. At this time, all matters in the country, big and small, were basically decided by the prince Liu Xie.
Before June, the news that Liu Bei was seriously ill had spread to the streets of Dongdu. Almost no one knew about it. Everyone was talking about the great victory at the beginning of the year and the changes in the country's political situation since then. Some people are secretly discussing that the new emperor has only been on the throne for four years, and now he succumbed to his injuries. Is this a bad omen for the country? The world is just in chaos, and I'm afraid the country will be in turmoil again within a few years. The matter was written down by Tingwei and reported to the Chancellor's desk. Prince Liu Xie simply said: "This is a rumor spread by a Wu spy!" and burned it with a candle.
At this time, Liu Bei ended his northern tour and led his troops back to Luoyang. However, Liu Xie was not in a hurry to see his father. Instead, he ordered two thousand elite men to be selected from the palace, all wearing red armor and riding yellow steeds. Each of them held a small crimson flag and led the messenger to clear the way before leaving. , and when everyone in the city knew that the prince was about to leave the palace, he slowly left the city in a car.
When they heard that the prince was traveling, the people in the capital crowded the streets, eager to see him. But when I saw the palace guards holding flags like a forest and riding horses like a mountain, they naturally had a mighty and murderous air while walking slowly. Liu Xie, dressed in a green and white wide-sleeved dress, holding a three-foot sword at his waist, stood in the chariot. Look around left.
The common people saw this tall and well-groomed Han man from a distance, just like the first snowfall on the Jade Mountain, the rising sun after the rain, and a calm and authoritative temperament on his face. After seeing it, the common people all admired and sighed, saying secretly: "There is such a wonderful man in the world. If he is the emperor, the country will be safe." So the rumors disappeared.
Liu Xie, on the other hand, went non-stop, passing by Baima Temple and Ping Tangtan one after another, and rushed to Shanglin Garden that night. At this time, Liu Xiecai changed his calm demeanor and hurried to see his father. Liu Bei has been unable to get up for many days. Liu Xie saw that his father's face was thin and withered. How could he still be as heroic as before? In an instant, my soul was gone, and I knelt down on my father's bedside. I didn't dare to say anything, I just bowed my head and cried. Although Liu Bei was seriously ill, he still looked calm. He said to Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun beside him: "The prince is here, you should go and have a rest. It's hard on you to accompany me on this journey." He also said to Liu Xie: "I can't die tonight. You put national affairs first and don't stay here at night. If you have anything to say, I'll talk to you during the day." After saying that, he waved his hand to let him go down to rest.
However, Liu Xie's mind was heavy and he couldn't sleep for a while. In addition, palace people came and went from time to time outside the door, which disturbed the crows on the tree and kept croaking, which made him very unhappy. If he were in the palace, he would have ordered his servants to be angry. But thinking that he was by his father's side now, he had to calm down his emotions, call for Huang Zhong, and said to him: "Old general, the crow on the tree is very hateful, please shoot him."
Huang Zhongnuo said: "We warriors have always hated crows, just wait until I shoot them." He grabbed the three-stone bow, held a hunting arrow between his fingers, and put another arrow on the bow. Aim at a black shadow on the tree and shoot. There was a fluttering sound on the tree, a crow fell down, and another black figure flapped its wings and flew up. At this moment, Huang Zhong's second arrow flew quickly, and one arrow pierced the neck, and the crow When it fell from the sky, the body didn't expect it to fall, but it was caught by a tree branch and hung in mid-air.
Huang Zhong picked up the dead crow and went to revive him. He still held the bow in his other hand and stood with his hands bowed to Liu Xie.
When Liu Xie saw him grabbing the bloody dead crow and handing it over to him in a neither humble nor condescending manner, Liu Xie somehow felt uneasy in his heart. He suddenly realized that his confidence in the past came from his father, but now that his father is dying, he will have to deal with these old ministers entirely on his own. But these people have worked so hard and accomplished so much, do they really take their younger selves seriously? Liu Xie suddenly thought of his uncle Chen Chong again, and his mood became even heavier. When Chen Chong entered the court, he might not be as powerful as the emperor as the prince.
Just like this, Liu Xie fell into a deep sleep with many thoughts on his mind.
Let’s talk about the next day. Liu Xie first ordered the soldiers who accompanied Liu Bei on his northern tour to rest, and asked the two thousand palace guards he brought to take over Shanglin Garden, and process the documents sent from the Shangshu Desk. It was not until sunset that he returned Go and see Liu Bei.
Liu Bei looked better at this time, and the two talked for a while. Those who stood behind to serve were the civil servants Fazheng and Huangfu Jianshou, and the military men Meng Da and Chen Dao.
After a while, a messenger suddenly came outside the door and reported to Liu Bei: "Your Majesty, just last month, Chen Youzhou died of illness." Liu Bei was startled when he heard this, and soon a look of sadness appeared on his face, and he was depressed. Said: "Did Yuan Long walk in front of me? That's fine. After I die, with him by my side, I won't be lonely on the road."
He suddenly asked Liu Xie: "What do you plan to do with the old officials in the court after I die?"
Liu Xie was caught off guard, but he still managed to gather his energy and replied: "My son and minister are incompetent, so naturally it is Xiao Gui and Cao Sui. How my father uses people, I will still use them."
When Liu Bei heard this, he immediately closed his eyes and shook his head and said, "Don't tell lies in front of me. People are close and distant, and you are not me. How can it be the same as before?" At this point, he opened his eyes with a solemn expression and stood there. man waved his hand. Fazheng and others understood and retreated. Only Liu Xie was left in the room. Liu Xie knew that his father was going to make arrangements for his funeral, so he hurriedly knelt on the ground.
Liu Bei then slowly said to Liu Xie: "I leave the whole world to you. From now on, don't show weakness and shed tears in front of others. Stand up and speak!"
Seeing him stand up, Liu Bei said again: "As a master, Legalists say that all officials should be in awe. This cannot be said to be unreasonable, but it is just hegemony. Emperor Xiaoxuan said that hegemony and kingship should not be neglected. The reason why I can To win over Cao Cao, you need to gain a lot of people in the royal way. You are too far behind in this regard. You should practice more with your uncle. Remember, the so-called emperor is just a king and a mountain. If you can't appease all the people, this way Rivers will also be destroyed by rivers.”
"You are smart by nature. As long as you have good civil and military ministers to assist you, nothing serious will happen. As for the imperial court, you have been handling it for the past two years, and there is nothing serious. Military men of the Five Prefectures, please don't act rashly. You should calm down slowly, especially the East Prefecture. Yuan Tan comes from a high family and has far-reaching influence. You must treat him well, otherwise once trouble breaks out and harms Hebei, there will be another war for years."
Seeing that Liu Xie was hesitant to speak, Liu Bei knew what he was thinking and said, "This is just a temporary measure. The world is not peaceful at the moment. Sun Quan and Cao Pi are both waiting for my death. I'm afraid you will be asked to quell the chaos." When you lead the old ministers to fight in person and achieve military exploits that are enough to convince the public, it will be natural for you to change your ministers, so don't be impatient."
"Among relatives, don't underestimate your cousin (Liu Bao). Although he is a Huns, he is also a veteran of many battles. He is loyal and always asks for advice on everything. Don't be disrespectful. I have decided to send your second sister to marry Tuo Ba Liwei, you have to win over him, he is an outstanding person, and he is the one who speaks the truth among Xianbei people. If we can be friends from generation to generation, Northern Xinjiang will be stable."
"Among the brothers, the second brother doesn't talk much, but he is very knowledgeable. Don't underestimate him. Although the third brother is eager to make meritorious deeds, he has a good heart. Don't be wary of him because of this. If possible, let him become an official. It doesn't matter, if he doesn't want to, let him go to Shu and become a rich prince. No matter what, don't embarrass your brothers. You have stayed in Chang'an for too long and don't have much affection for your brothers. This is what worries me the most. "
After a pause, he continued: "Then there are these sworn brothers and former military ministers of my father, which must be a headache for you. Your uncle Yun Chang is a talented scholar in the country. After my death, he has the highest prestige in the army. , you must be respectful to him. With his support, no matter how big the chaos is, you can calm it down. Your Uncle Yide has a good nature and has many famous friends, but he often does not do things for the long term. If he behaves excessively and offends other relatives, you We must stop it in time so as not to hurt the feelings of several families.”
"Besides them, Duan Zhongming, an old man from Liangzhou, has followed me for decades and has reached the peak of his glory. He will not let you down. Wei Wenchang of Nanfu only knows how to use soldiers, but he is not good at human affairs. If you treat him more, you will definitely get his death. Huang Hansheng, Zhao Zilong has come to join me from afar, and he must have no different intentions. He can be my personal guard. My young friend Zianzijing is also popular in Hebei. You must also care about him. As for Ma Mengqi and others in Xifu, although they are separated by one floor, Don’t be too harsh, I’ll say it again, tolerance can win many people.”
At this point, Liu Bei was already very tired and kept calling for water. Liu Xie hurriedly poured water, raised his head, and fed him two sips. Water flowed through his beard and wet the skirt of his clothes.
Liu Bei looked at the prince: "I still have three people I have yet to explain."
"There are three more people? Uncle Ting Jian, and... who?" Liu Xie asked.
"Ahem! And your contemporaries!" Liu Bei coughed and continued: "Besides you, there are two other people in the younger generation who are both geniuses in the world. One is Zhuge Kongming and the other is Sima Zhongda. .”
"Zhuge Kongming is familiar with you, and you know him. He is more public-minded and more talented than the sages. He is enough to be your prime minister. If I didn't have your uncle Tingjian, I'm afraid I would have let him take charge of the government. After I die, you will also You have to work with him wholeheartedly to create a good story, do you understand?"
"Sima Zhongda is slightly two years older than Kong Ming. He is mature and decisive, and his grasp of political affairs is not inferior to Kong Ming. So I let him join the minister's desk to assist you. He is a surrendered minister who has betrayed his master and has no support in the court. Unreliable, it may be very useful, but you must also pay attention to propriety. I can't see the depth of his thoughts, and this kind of person should not be used too much."
At this point, the conversation was coming to an end, and Liu Bei finally talked about the core issue. He said: "As for your uncle Ting Jian, I have nothing to say. You just need to remember that after my death, you will serve me as your father. Do you understand? "
Liu Xie was silent for a moment, then immediately responded: "Understood."
Liu Bei looked at his son's face, reluctantly reached out and rubbed it, and then smiled. He thought to himself that he actually wanted Liu Xie to learn from him, but in fact, he definitely couldn't be himself. However, this is fine. But he still emphasized it again: "Don't do evil because it's small, and don't do good because it's small. Your father has weak virtues, so his life will not last long. You must do better than me!"
Liu Xie met Liu Bei's gaze and realized that his father was staring at his severed finger, his eyes full of annoyance and love. He was at a loss what to do with this look, but his heart was filled with ups and downs. He buried his head in his father's withered hands and held them tightly. At some point, warm tears started to flow out, and Liu Bei also showed a satisfied smile.
The next night, Liu Bei could no longer speak, so he ignored anyone and looked up at the roof, waiting for the last moment. The dim candlelight flickered, illuminating his skinny figure and dry, sallow face. The leader of the ZTE generation, lying there, was no different from any old man waiting to die. People were cautious and stood by with breathless silence. The room was extremely quiet, and it seemed that Liu Bei's last breath could be heard clearly. I don't know how long it took, but Liu Bei's eyes were still open. He seemed to be staring at something endlessly, and he seemed to be trapped in the memories of a lifetime of battles.
Three days later, on September 9th, the Double Ninth Festival, the emperor's horse, the black dragon colt, was resting idle in the outer courtyard. For some unknown reason, he raised his head and looked at the river and the vast wilderness in the distance. , making a long and harsh hiss.
This neighing made the people in the inner room uneasy. People rushed to see the emperor, and he finally slowly closed his eyes.
Liu Bei died in Shanglinyuan at the age of fifty-four. His temple name was Liezu and his posthumous title was Emperor Zhaowu.
(The bright moon was over at that time)
