Paying attention to the emperor's expression, Wang Pu asked cautiously: "Your Majesty, do you want to establish a prince?"
"I have grown up, and I have this idea! This is a major matter for the family and the country, and it is of great concern to the country. I want to hear your opinion!" Liu Chengyou seemed very relaxed and answered casually, as if he was not talking about a major matter of national importance.
After hearing this, Wang Pu's expression became more serious, but without much hesitation, he responded directly: "If your Majesty wants to determine the foundation of the country, my opinion should belong to the second prince!"
Wang Pu spoke straightforwardly, which surprised Liu Chengyou. He turned his head to look at him and chuckled: "Why? What is there about Liu Yang that deserves your outspoken praise? Do you think he can inherit Datong's talents?"
Facing the emperor's gaze, Wang Pu looked very calm: "Since ancient times, the system has been inherited by the direct descendants first. This is the way to consolidate the foundation. If it is very special, it cannot be easy."
After a pause, and seeing Liu Chengyou's expression of listening attentively, Wang Pu continued: "Although His Highness is young, he is as good as an emperor. With His Majesty's wisdom and the virtue of a saint, he can teach and cultivate with all his heart." Virtue is the name of one's position.
Furthermore, Your Majesty is a man of great age, and can still serve the country for decades and pioneer great undertakings, which will surely be accomplished. Once the achievements are accomplished, the successor king does not need to be as heroic as your majesty, a virtuous and wise man, in order to protect the country, and benevolent and caring for the people, this is enough! "
Wang Pu's words have three meanings when analyzed.
First, the direct eldest son system, if it is very special, cannot be easy; second, the son is more valuable than the mother, and he and the queen have enough time to teach; third, he, the pioneer and founder, has completed all the great achievements, and the successors need It’s about keeping the rules, and the requirements don’t need to be too high.
"I understand!" Liu Chengyou breathed a sigh of relief. He replied without saying too much. He just warned: "The matter of establishing the crown prince is just a private chat between me and you, and it is not for the benefit of outsiders!"
"I understand!" Wang Pu noticed that the emperor seemed not to have made up his mind yet, but the words had already been said and it was inconvenient to say more.
Regarding the issue of the prince, Liu Chengyou consulted Wang Pu, not to test him. Wang Pu had been in charge of Yangzhou for many years and was far away from the center of power, so what he said would be more objective. At the same time, Liu Chengyou also wanted to express his feelings about this and relieve some of his depression.
Regarding the issue of the crown prince, it’s not that Liu Chengyou didn’t have a good idea of who to appoint. As long as the Great Talisman is there, there is no other choice except Liu Yang. In addition, Liu Yang has no intellectual or physical defects. From the perspective of status, he is the first heir. Liu Chengyou himself admitted it.
What he hesitated about was the timing of establishing the crown prince, which was a reflection of his complex psychology. If he were established early, he would not be sure how Liu Yang would grow in the future. At the same time, he would also be sharing the authority of Emperor Liu, and would face the problem of father, son, monarch, and minister.
Moreover, Liu Chengyou has many heirs, and they are not fully grown yet. But in the future, if he is established as a prince early, won't he make Liu Yang the target of all the princes? Liu Chengyou cannot guarantee that all of his sons will accept this honestly, and he might not have the idea of "protecting" Liu Yang.
However, there was another voice reminding him that if Liu Yang's status was not established this morning, and the princes could establish and get used to the subordinate status of "monarch and ministers" from an early age, then when they were older, everyone would be tempted to fight for the throne. .
As a power animal, Liu Chengyou's considerations are actually based on the word "power", otherwise he wouldn't be so entangled. In front of Queen Dafu, she had explicitly hinted at establishing Liu Yang more than once, but she had never really pushed for it to be implemented.
As for the choice of the prince, there is actually a basic consensus among the officials, which is Liu Yang. Although the final decision-making power is firmly in Liu Chengyou's hands, their tendency is always to grow up.
In fact, if you want to reduce palace coups and ensure the stability of the succession of the throne, the heir apparent system is already in line with the values of internal and external ministers. Choosing according to regulations can at least stabilize people's hearts.
As for the so-called establishment of talents, it is a topic that is prone to disputes. There is no standard for how to define talents, but the identity of the eldest son is always clear. Before Yang Guang ascended the throne, he was definitely a wise prince and a qualified heir. But who would have thought that in more than ten years, he could bring down the Sui Empire, which was once flourishing?
Liu Chengyou is also very clear about the attitudes and tendencies of ministers, but many times, as a bystander, he can see other people's affairs clearly, but when it is his turn, he will take a similar path. Yin Jian is useless, why? In the word "power". Moreover, if the emperor reigns for too long, it will also be a huge pressure for the prince, the kind that can make people sick...
This is why, from ancient times to the present, so many princes born as eldest sons have not achieved good results. Half-king and half-minister, although they are based on the country, they are on the opposite side of the emperor to a certain extent. If they do something wrong, they will easily arouse jealousy. But when they meet a monarch with a strong personality and a strong desire for power like Liu Chengyou, those days It’s hard to live well.
Among the ministers, Wang Pu was the first person to bluntly declare Liu Yang the crown prince. If Liu Chengyou hadn't revealed his thoughts and asked about it, Wang Pu wouldn't have taken the initiative to get involved in the matter and make comments. But since the emperor asked, he expressed his opinion without reservation. Based on Liu Chengyou's understanding of Wang Pu, he also believed that he was giving advice and advice for the sake of the Han Dynasty and for the consideration of himself, the emperor.
Originally, in Liu Chengyou's idea, after the Southern Tang, Wuyue, and Southern Guangdong were eliminated and the south was unified, the crown prince would be established. At that time, the Han Dynasty will enter a new stage of development, and the prince will rise to the occasion, which will also help further consolidate the Han Dynasty's political power, stabilize the situation of the government, and unite people's hearts.
However, now that the Northern Expedition has been agreed upon, Liu Chengyou has to think more about it. The commander-in-chief of the Northern Expedition did not need to think too much. Liu Chengyou had already made plans in his heart to lead the expedition himself. Under this premise, the prince's proposal was put on Liu Chengyou's agenda.
The imperial commander's personal expedition is not like the previous patrol to the north. It involves fighting and is close to the frontline battlefield. No one can guarantee that there will be nothing wrong. Liu Chengyou is a very thoughtful person, so he has to make responsible preparations for the big man. The prince is a measure to stabilize the rear.
Seeing that the emperor was in a state of trance, Wang Pu stood by and did not disturb him. After a long time, Liu Chengyou finally came back to his senses, turned to Wang Pu, smiled again, and said kindly: "Your Majesty, you are very tired this day, I won't try to persuade you to stay, go back to your hometown to rest! I have been away from Beijing for many years. Tokyo has been completely renewed. Next, you can fully familiarize yourself with the changes in Tokyo’s customs and customs. You can also take this opportunity to rest for a while, relieve yourself from years of hard work, and recharge your batteries. I will be of great use to you!”
"Yes! I retire!" Upon seeing this, Wang Pu also bowed and resigned in due time.
After Wang Pu left, Liu Chengyou stood and meditated for a while, then called Sun Yanxi and said: "I have given an oral instruction to allocate 100,000 yuan and 50 pieces of silk from the internal funds to be given to Wang Pu's house!"
"yes!"
When Wang Pu returned to Beijing, Liu Chengyou let him rest for 20 days before letting him return to work. He was appointed as a bachelor of Chongzhengdian and Tongping Zhangshi, and his title was promoted to Duke of Dongping County.
This is another measure to check and balance the power of Zhengshi Hall. Although the pattern of Chongzheng Hall and Guangzheng Hall coexisting has long been formed, when it comes to real power, Guangzheng Hall has always been stronger than Chongzheng Hall.
The scholar-officials in Chongzheng Hall were more of the emperor's close ministers, counselors in state affairs, and their every move mainly represented the emperor's will. However, in terms of grade and status, they are far inferior to the prime ministers of Zhengshi Hall. The main responsible scholar, Chongzheng Hall, was designated as the fourth grade. Now that Wang Pu, an important minister with a bachelor's degree, has entered the court, his status has suddenly risen, which also represents a further rise in the status of Chongzheng Palace.
During the period leading up to June, the entire Han Dynasty was basically in a war-preparing atmosphere of tight external and internal tension. Without any massive use of civilian power, ordnance, food, and troops were transferred northward in batches under various names.
In the court, the "North-South Controversy" that lasted for more than a month has finally subsided, and there seems to be no conclusion to the discussion. On the Han-Liao border, the tense atmosphere caused by the Battle of Yanmen seemed to have eased, and both sides were still exercising restraint. However, appearances are just appearances after all. The most intuitive change is that the border trade, which had been prosperous for several years, has completely declined. From Hedong to Youyan, all the large and small shopping malls and markets have been basically shut down.
The Han envoy Wang Zhaoyuan went north to the fortress. With the goodwill and sincerity of the Han Dynasty, he wanted to visit the Liao Emperor Yelujing, but he chased him until he went to Linhuang Mansion in Beijing to see him.
Coincidentally, before the Liao emperor returned to the north, he also sent envoys to the south, hoping to explain the "conflict" in Yanmen and ease the contradiction. The envoy was none other than Yelu Dilie, the defeated King of Liao'an Ping. But this time, there were Han cavalry escorts all the way, and they were protected tightly and airtight.
On June 20, Liu Chengyou suddenly summoned the civil and military ministers to the palace garden to enjoy the cool air and hold a symposium. Although the sun was shining brightly, it was still a pleasant scene under the green shade, on the bank of the green lake, drinking herbal tea, eating Tokyo snacks and cakes, and chatting with the emperor and his ministers.
After taking a bite of cake, Liu Chengyou picked up the ice handkerchief and wiped his mouth. Suddenly he coughed lightly, which attracted the attention of the officials, who all stopped and looked at him. Putting down the silk handkerchief, Liu Chengyou asked with a smile: "I want to establish a prince now to consolidate the foundation of the country and extend the future of the country. Among my descendants, who can be the successor?"
These questions surprised and delighted Fan Zhi and others. Looking at his calm expression, they all realized that the emperor finally relented. As for who should be appointed as the prince, there is nothing worthy of controversy.
...
In the Kunming Hall, Queen Fu leaned on a soft chair with her bulging pregnant belly, holding a book in her hand and reading silently. Her graceful and luxurious appearance was enough to put a mortal to shame.
A eunuch ran in in a hurry, and his reckless behavior attracted a slight scolding from the imperial eunuch. But it was a big talisman. Wen Yan asked: "Why is it so impetuous?"
"I'm so happy, my empress! The official has issued an edict to appoint Prince Yang as the crown prince on July 1st!" the eunuch replied without smiling.
After he finished speaking, the big talisman's jade fingers suddenly grasped the book tightly, and the nails almost pricked the fingers. However, he soon showed a calm smile, as if he didn't care.
