Chapter 6 Ten Posthumous Articles

Style: Historical Author: Mi MuliWords: 2139Update Time: 24/01/18 12:31:07
In the hall, there were loud cries, but Emperor Liu still squatted down and calmly explained to Wang Pu who had lost his breath. An emotion called sadness accumulated and brewed in his heart. Wang Pu walked peacefully, and it could even be said that he felt relieved.

Taking a deep breath, Liu Chengyou gently put Wang Pu's hand on his abdomen and stood up. Because he had been squatting for a long time, he felt dizzy and his body shook. Yan Tuo was shocked and he hurriedly helped him. , nervously concerned: "Guan family!"

After a while, Liu Chengyou suppressed the sadness in his heart, got rid of Yantuo's support, looked at Wang Pu's body again, turned around, stopped in front of Wang Qian who had a sad face, and ordered: "Haosheng takes care of your father's funeral." !”

"Yes!" Wang Qian burst into tears.

With a sad mood, he left the palace with heavy and slow steps. As he walked, the sadness on his face gradually appeared. Over the years, Emperor Liu has experienced the death of too many virtuous ministers and generals, and there are also many people who make him feel sad, such as Gao Xingzhou, Zhe Congruan, Zhao Hui, Jing Fan...

But what I have to say is that no one has ever made Emperor Liu feel more sentimental than the death of Wang Pu. To be unfilial, when the great ancestor Liu Zhiyuan passed away, he was not so sad and reluctant.

"I have told you that Wang Pu's reputation and virtue should be determined, and Wei Xianggong is responsible for it. Let Xue Juzheng personally write a biography for Wang Pu and write a Shinto inscription!" Liu Chengyou ordered Yan Tuo before boarding the car back to the palace.

"Your Majesty!" Lu Yin rushed up, holding a document in both hands. Noticing Emperor Liu's gaze, Lu Yin took the initiative to report: "This is the testament submitted by Wang Qian before his death!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu directly reached out to take it and ordered: "Go back to the palace!"

The broad imperial chariot, under the close protection of the imperial guards, returned to the imperial city with majestic honors and a solemn atmosphere. In the car, leaning slightly against the carriage, Liu Chengyou opened Wang Pu's suicide note and read it silently.

In this posthumous memorial, Wang Pu did not mention one word of his previous achievements or his posthumous reputation. What he considered was still the Han Dynasty, the imperial court, and the people of the world. Wang Pu first affirmed Qianyou's achievements in the fifteen years, and then began to warn Emperor Liu. His core idea was only one, which was the rule of Qianyou. Although the world was in peace and tending to rule the world, it was still a chaotic world after all. It is still a process of pacifying the world, but after the unification of the north and the south, policies need to be changed in terms of governing the country, the military, and the people. The policies of the Qianyou period need to be adjusted according to changes in the current situation and changes in people's hearts.

It can be said that Wang Pu's thoughts and consciousness are consistent with Emperor Liu. Wang Pu did not mention the specific strategies for governing the country. In his words, there were many talented and capable officials in the court. As long as they were properly appointed, they would be able to govern the Han Dynasty well.

Finally, Wang Pu put forward a few targeted issues regarding the problems existing in the Han Dynasty.

First, there is the problem of redundant officials and redundant personnel. There is too much slack and bloated personnel in the imperial court and central places, which not only consumes the country's money and food, but also hinders administrative efficiency;

Secondly, the issue of the tax system. The Two Tax Laws inherited from the Middle Tang Dynasty. Although it has been implemented for two hundred years, the problems it has caused have become very prominent. The gap between the rich and the poor is increasing day by day, and the principle of sharing taxes between the rich and the poor is difficult to implement. , if there are no reforms and adjustments to increase revenue and reduce expenditure, one day the national finance will be impoverished;

Thirdly, regarding the issue of government-run industries, the imperial government’s involvement in the government-run industry was too extensive, and there were many complaints from the people. Industries such as wine and sugar should be opened appropriately to allow freedom for the people;

Fourth, the problem of meritorious officials: excessive rewards, excessive treatment, too many meritorious officials, and a chaotic noble system. If no adjustments are made, this will bring a huge financial burden to the court;

Fifth, regarding the land issue, although the imperial court formulated some policies to inhibit annexation, they ultimately addressed the symptoms rather than the root cause. As long as the free sale and purchase of land was not prohibited, social conflicts would inevitably break out as the population surged, and the nobles and bureaucrats of the Han Dynasty occupied land extensively. There are so many of them that we must not ignore them;

Sixth, the issue of the official system, from the central to the local level, is full of contradictions and unclear powers and responsibilities. It needs to be sorted out as a whole. The system of selection, education, and training of officials needs to be further improved;

Seventh, the issue of border opening. At present, the country should focus on recuperating and developing its national strength. When deploying troops abroad, it should be done cautiously and not to enjoy great achievements and expand blindly;

Eighth, the problem of floods in Huang-Bian-Huai River must be taken seriously by water and river engineering;

Ninth, the issue of the South. The South, especially Jiangsu and Zhejiang, has become the most important fiscal and taxation area for the imperial court, and old disadvantages must be eliminated;

Tenth, regarding the capital issue, Kaifeng is the strategic hub between the north and the south and the hub of connections between the north and the south, and the imperial court is deeply rooted in this, so it is not appropriate to move the capital rashly.

"While on the sick bed, I still worry about the country and care about the world. I am honored to have such a minister!" Putting away the memorial, Liu Chengyou let out a deep sigh: "It is a pity that God is unkind and takes away this good minister. What a pity!”

In general, Wang Pu's ten articles covered all aspects of the current Han Dynasty. Some of them were urgent matters, some of which Emperor Liu had already started to adjust, and most of them were very satisfactory to him. Therefore, Emperor Liu, while sighing with emotion, also paid special attention to this legacy.

In addition to these ten points, Wang Pu only reminded Emperor Liu at the end, to the effect that none of his sons, except for the eldest son Wang Qian, had any outstanding talents, and Wang Qian was despicable and could not be a good minister. Because he, a deceased person, was given too much importance in promoting him...

For a minister like Wang Pu, Liu Chengyou's heart was not only sad but also moved when he passed away. Although, in the fifteen years of the Qianyou year, Wang Pu was not a figure who had been in the center for a long time and ruled the world. He did not have so many great achievements and high prestige, and he was even criticized many times, but his actions and his loyalty to the Han Dynasty and achievements, but they are real. In the process of the Han conquering the world, Wang Pu must have a place among the ministers who played a key role.

Judging from his performance up to the time of his death, it is not an exaggeration at all to describe him as having devoted himself to death.

When the emperor viewed and evaluated Wang Pu with such a mentality, the country naturally respected Wang Pu very much. He was granted the title of Grand Master, Grand Attendant, special rank, the title of Duke of Yan, and the posthumous title given to Wang Pu, which was also the highest level of Wen Zhen among civil servants.

When the imperial court sorted out the heroes of Qianyou, Wang Pu was the first to be "finalized".

Emperor Liu announced that he would withdraw from court for three days as a sign of mourning. Even the family banquet on the Lantern Festival was simply passed, and neither the prince nor the eldest son showed much joy for the prince and the eldest son who returned to Beijing.

However, what happened during the funeral of Wang Pu made Emperor Liu feel a little uncomfortable. There was no other reason. Wang Qian made the funeral too grand, so grand that Emperor Liu felt that it had tarnished Wang Pu's reputation. However, he did not express any other opinions on the matter. After all, the former expressed his best wishes to Wang Pu. It is a noble tribute, but it would not be appropriate to reprimand or even condemn someone just because their descendants made the funeral grander.

Therefore, Emperor Liu was not stingy at all in the treatment he should give Wang Pu. In addition to the above honors, he also gave him a title with Wang Qian and promoted him to an official position. At the same time, such a decision also gave reassurance to many civil and military heroes. After all, the former's edict to reset the rank and salary of meritorious officials caused a stir.

Wang Pu's funeral at least proves that the emperor will not treat meritorious officials harshly.