Hedong, Taiyuan Prefecture, Jinyang.
The original Taiyuan Prince's Palace and Jinyang Palace are still so majestic and magnificent, quietly located in the city. In the past few years, some officials echoed Liu Chong's mentality and suggested that he move to the palace or the palace city, but Liu Chong refused with "difficulty". However, although his newly built Beijing Left-behind Mansion is not as large as Jinyang Palace, it is even more magnificent.
In the lobby filled with extravagance and glitz, Liu Chong once again summoned several of his confidants to discuss matters. Liu Chong's complexion didn't look very good, and he felt a little weak. After several years of luxurious living, he didn't know how to control himself, and his body was obviously in some loss.
However, he still maintained his majestic appearance as the King of Taiyuan, sitting on the throne, and only spoke after the Hedong generals had finished paying homage.
Holding a document in his hand, Liu Chong said with dissatisfaction in his tone: "The Privy Council issued an edict again, asking Gu to select the best to replenish the Tokyo Forbidden Army! They also sent Zhao Kuangyin, the prince of Yu in front of the palace, to bring people to Jinyang The selection of soldiers is simply too much!"
Liu Chong almost dropped the book in his hand, his breath was up and down, and he glanced around: "Previously, you asked Rang Gu to ignore it as a sign of protest, but now it seems that the imperial court is not paying attention at all! Qinzhou has come to report in a series of orders. , Zhao Kuangyin has brought people into the country from Luzhou, how should I deal with it alone?"
"Your Majesty, how many people have been sent by the imperial court?" Yajiang Li Yuan couldn't help but ask.
"It's just a battalion of forbidden troops!" Liu Chong said.
"It's just five hundred soldiers! It's nothing to worry about. You can solve it by flipping your hands!" Li Yuan said immediately.
Listening to his tone, before Liu Chong expressed his position, Taiyuan Prefect Li Xiang immediately spoke: "Your Majesty, General Li, this is a rebellious move and a way to bring disaster. You must not think of it! The imperial court is powerful, has great righteousness, and has established systems. How can I not accept my fate!"
"Master Li Fu said it lightly!" Li Yuan said loudly: "Five thousand elites are trying to mobilize all the elites in Hedong! The armies in Hedong are what the king and I have accumulated for many years. The imperial court will have to make a book on paper. There is no such thing as surrender in the world. Furthermore, if the soldiers and horses are handed over, won't they be at the mercy of others?"
Li Yuan's words clearly expressed what Liu Chong was thinking, and he nodded subconsciously.
Seeing this, Li Xiang became a little excited. He stood up and glared at Li Yuan, saying sternly: "What the general said is very serious! Hedong is a state and town of the Han Dynasty. Your Majesty is your Majesty's minister. The troops and horses under your control should also be owned by the country!" How can those who serve as subordinates complain and resist when they are conscripted and streamlined?"
"Li Xiang!" After hearing what he said, Li Yuan shouted: "Are you still not the king's minister? Don't forget, if the king hadn't rewarded you with this official robe, you would be nothing more than a down-and-out scholar! How dare you not be grateful and grateful? It is unreasonable to talk about national justice in the lobby!"
"I am just grateful for the kindness of the king, so I don't want the king to make a mistake and bring disaster on himself because of his temporary suspicion!" Li Xiang also responded excitedly and knelt down to Liu Chong.
"That's enough!" Liu Chong looked at Li Xiang with a somewhat unkind look, and waved his hand: "I summoned you here to discuss a solution, not to listen to the quarrel between you two! This is the lobby of the palace, not a lane or village. You are free to act wild!"
Taking a deep breath, Liu Chong said coldly: "The emperor's ambition is so high that he doesn't like everything he looks at. Over the years, he has changed this and that without stopping. Now, he has won a great victory in the Southern Expedition, which is even more unparalleled." No wonder his orders are so forceful!
Who are the people in the Great Han Temple today? How many of the heroes and generals are left? I'm afraid this imperial uncle has already been ignored by him! "
After venting his anger, Liu Chong took a few breaths and sweated on his forehead. He suddenly looked at Judge Zheng Gong, his most trusted subordinate: "Zheng Gong, why don't you speak up?"
Zheng Gong seemed to be a little absent-minded. When he heard the voice, he couldn't help but tremble. He met Liu Chong's eyes and responded in a low voice: "Your Majesty, I believe that you must obey the orders of the imperial court!"
As soon as he said this, he noticed that Liu Chong's expression changed, and he quickly changed his words: "However, although we cannot resist fiercely as General Li said, we can delay and delay it. In addition, although the court said that five thousand people are strong, if I, Hedong, can only choose two thousand soldiers, so there is nothing we can do about it!"
Zheng Gong lifted his beard, showed a shrewd smile, and suggested: "Your Majesty, you only need to go to the court and express your feelings. I believe the court will not be too forced!"
Hearing what he said, Liu Chong became more energetic and his eyes shone, but after thinking about it, he hesitated and said: "How can the court believe it? Then Zhao Kuangyin has entered Hedong. I heard that this man is quite capable and has made great achievements in Huainan. How? Can you hide it from him?"
Li Yuan said hurriedly: "Your Majesty has been in charge of Hedong for many years. This is your territory. Who is Zhao Kuangyin? He only has 500 soldiers under his command. It is not his turn to show off his power!"
Li Yuan seemed a bit reckless, but Liu Chong liked his attitude and was loyal to him! A smile appeared on his face, he thought for a moment, and then ordered to Li Yuan: "Take two thousand tooth soldiers and go to meet Zhao Kuangyin. The soldiers must select Jinyang's elite and let Zhao Kuangyin see them. I have strong soldiers from Hedong. Don’t let me lose my prestige!”
"Follow your orders!" Li Yuan looked interested, the corners of his mouth curled up, looking quite arrogant.
"Is your Majesty trying to frighten him with this? To make the court fearful?" Zheng Gong asked.
"It's not my intention, it's just that the imperial court is forcing me too much, and I'm just being weak. I'm afraid I'll make Tokyo think I'm easy to bully, and let him take advantage of me!" Liu Chong replied: "I just want to make the imperial court more afraid of me by doing this!"
"In addition, let Ze and Lu's people keep an eye on Guduo to see if there is any abnormal movement. Also, tell Li Cungui of Xinzhou and ask him to be good at guarding Daizhou. Yang Ye is the emperor's loyal dog. It's easy. Bite! Also, the Jinyang garrison is on alert!"
After Liu Chong finished giving his instructions, the expressions of Hedong Wenwu who were present changed and they looked at each other. They did not expect that Liu Chong was already planning to carry out such a fierce "resistance".
Taiyuan Governor Li Xiang reacted the most violently. He stood up, looked directly at Liu Chong, and said loudly: "Your Majesty, you must not do this! Doing this will only deepen the wariness of the court and create conflicts between the two parties. Your Majesty and the Emperor are blood relatives. You are a subject, how can you do such a rebellious act!"
"Li Xiang!" After hearing what he said, Liu Chong stared at him with a confused look on his face: "Shut up!"
"Your Majesty, are you planning to rebel?" Li Xiang glared angrily.
"You are bold! You are presumptuous!" Liu Chong exploded completely and stared at him fiercely, but his eyes quickly swept across the civil and military hall to observe their expressions.
But his expression was filled with anger, and he stared directly at Li Xiang: "You are so arrogant! You are conceited about your talent and knowledge, and you are asking for favors. Are you someone who can be bullied? Come here, put this man in jail!"
After Li Xiang was taken away, the atmosphere in the hall was already very wrong. After all, he was the governor of Taiyuan, and he would take it as soon as he said he would. Liu Chongze said: "Li Xiang is ignorant of current affairs and makes arrogant remarks. He should no longer live in the palace!"
Taking a deep breath, looking around, Liu Chong sighed: "Everyone, I am the direct brother of the late emperor. I was ordered to guard the east of the river to preserve a way out for the Han Dynasty. For the loyal ministers of the Han Dynasty, heaven and earth can prove it, and the sun and moon can learn from it. But I have a clear conscience.
Today, the emperor places great emphasis on foreign ministers such as Guo Wei, but neglects his relatives. You have also seen that Gu is content to keep to himself, but the court wants to seize Gu's power. I am afraid that the emperor will be deceived by villains and sycophants, so he will do this.
Gu Shi has no intention of plotting rebellion, but in the face of chaos, he has to deal with it! "
After a pause, Liu Chong said in a calm voice, extremely serious: "Look at that Fan Zhi. He went to Hedong, under the guise of patrolling the prefectures and counties, and verifying the punishments and prisons. He attacked the officials under the solitary rule, dismissed them from office, seized power, and put them in prison." Questioning the crime. In just a short time, more than 20 state and county officials have been dismissed.
Most of you have been promoted personally since you were guarding Hedong alone. You have been following me for many years and you are my confidants. If we let the imperial court regulate it, I'm afraid you and others will have to protect themselves from now on! "
Listening to his words, many of the civil and military officials present were moved. After all, as Liu Chongzhi said, most of them were promoted by him and were close to him.
"The king has worked hard, I understand!" Zheng Gong said: "However, in the opinion of the minister, it is enough to take appropriate actions. Do not use weapons unless it is absolutely necessary. Otherwise, once you completely break with the imperial court, it will affect the country, the east of the river, and the country. There is no benefit to the emperor or the king!"
"Lonely knows!"
