In the eleventh year of Kaibao's reign, in March of late spring, I did not stay in Yanzhou for long. The next day, I announced my return to Beijing and hurriedly fled Daiyue Town. Perhaps it was not as vivid as hiding his face and rolling his sleeves, but Emperor Liu's self-perception was to escape, and he felt ashamed to see his elders in Yanzhou.
Of course, both the nobles accompanying him and the subjects watching the ceremony were still reminiscing about the first grand ceremony since the founding of the People's Republic of China. Apart from feeling that His Majesty the Emperor's return to the capital was a bit hasty, they had no other strange feelings.
The bureaucrats at all levels who participated in the ceremony before and after the ceremony also took a breather as the ceremony came to an end. For them, this was a test related to official career, fame and fortune.
The process was very hard and difficult, but the result was obviously good, at least no major problems were encountered, and the merits, resume, and political achievements were all collected.
And, it was quickly fulfilled. On the second day of his journey back to Beijing, Emperor Liu summoned Liu Yang and Zhao Pu. After a brief discussion with the two, he decided on rewards for his subordinates who had worked hard in the process of conferring Zen. Although Emperor Liu felt a little guilty and unhappy, the fault did not lie with his ministers. He had been busy for so long, so he would not be stingy with the rewards he deserved.
Either promotion or salary increase, benefiting hundreds of bureaucrats. Of course, most people still consider salary, and Emperor Liu would not be able to get a large-scale promotion.
However, basically all of them have added a glorious touch to their resumes, and have more benefits that are worth paying attention to, which may be reflected again in their future official careers.
Several major officials also had their own merits. Emperor Liu felt Zhao Pu's hard work and increased his salary by 500 yuan, which was paid from the Shaofu. Zhang Qixian had to work harder, because being promoted to Yanzhou Prefecture was a leapfrog promotion, which was not reflected in his position. However, there was no shortage of salary and honors. Emperor Liu also asked Zhao Pu to prepare a special commendation.
It is foreseeable that after Zhang Qixian stays in Yanzhou for a few more years and settles down, he will be given a senior official position at the Taoist level, and the future can be expected.
Of course, keeping Zhang Qixian in Yanzhou also has another purpose, which is to clean up the civil affairs of Yanzhou. There is a problem that cannot be concealed. Even if the court has a large amount of support, in the process of preparing for the Zen ceremony, Yanzhou Prefecture has excessive consumption of people, financial resources and material resources. After the ceremony, Daiyue left behind The house is also in a mess, and Zhang Qixian needs to clean it up.
This is also a political task. After all, the title of Zen cannot be stained, and Emperor Liu's reputation cannot be damaged.
The rest of the people, including Yong Wang Liu Chengxun and Palace Commander Yang Ye, who were not very involved in the civil and military affairs, also received varying amounts of rewards.
It can be said that for this ceremony, the court invested a lot of money, starting from the complex and meticulous preparations in the early stage, to the large-scale execution in the mid-term, and finally to the generous rewards at the end.
If we were to make a detailed statistics and summary, I am afraid that even five million yuan would not be able to stop the expenditure alone. Of course, there will definitely be a report from the finance department, but I don’t know how embarrassed Emperor Liu will be when he “awakens” by then.
No matter how high-sounding the emperor was, Emperor Liu already believed that he was granted the title of Zen for his own selfish desires. Such a situation would have been unimaginable ten years ago.
Even Emperor Liu was imagining that if Wang Pu and Shen Yilun borrowed money from him for Fengchan's expenses, could they refuse with dignity and determination?
In late spring, the land of the Central Plains is full of vitality, and a faint warmth begins to fill the air. However, this small wave of heat did not last long, and was extinguished by a spring rain. It rained for three consecutive days, which delayed the trip back to Beijing and had to stop in Jeju.
However, during the past few days when he was stationed in Juye County, Jeju, Emperor Liu also received some good news. For example, the local famine has been smoothly transitioned due to the food relief sent by the court. For this reason, Emperor Liu even pretended to ask Zhao Kuangyin to drink a few more glasses of wine to show his happiness.
Yes, during the period of Emperor Liu's enthronement, the Han Dynasty was not entirely prosperous, and the country was peaceful and the people were safe. There were more or less famines in the Central Plains, Ji, Song, Bo and other prefectures and counties, which were still affected by last year's disaster. However, they were suppressed, and the imperial court also actively adjusted grains for relief.
Inside, Emperor Liu was playing chess, well, chess with King Liu Xi of Jin. He had a serious look on his face, his brows were slightly furrowed, and he was thinking hard. He was holding a "rook" in his hand and was hesitating. It was obvious that the situation on the chess board was not good.
Concubine Zhou Yifei's eyes were like water, and she was waiting beside her gracefully. His anxious mood was well hidden, but when he looked up at Liu Xi, his eyes seemed to say: You are such a traitor, and you don't know how to give in to me.
Liu Xi seemed to have felt it, and smiled slightly awkwardly, and soon became expressionless. He was also thinking about how to make Emperor Liu, who has become increasingly addicted to chess, next.
The arrival of the prince relieved Emperor Liu's siege, and he put the chess pieces back to their original positions. Naturally, he rushed to the side and ordered Yantuo: "Write down the end game and continue another day!"
Emperor Liu was not embarrassed, and everyone present obeyed. When he saw Liu Yang, Liu Xi hurriedly got up to pay homage, and Concubine Zhou Ying also greeted her.
"What's the matter?" He asked to watch. Emperor Liu was serious about Liu Yang's purpose.
With keen eyesight, he captured the situation at the scene. Liu Yang was very cooperative and said, "There are several matters for which I need your opinion!"
"Is there anything else that you and Zhao Pu can't deal with?" Emperor Liu expressed surprise and said, "Tell me about it!"
Liu Yang said: "Just now, the crown prince of Goryeo, Wang Min, asked for an audience. He said that King Wang Zhao of Goryeo intends to come to Beijing with his own son to pay tribute!"
"Oh?" Emperor Liu became somewhat interested, his eyes showed a brief thought, and then he smiled softly: "This Wang Zhao has been in office for more than 20 years. In the past many years, whether he is close to the court or alienated, he has always lived on the peninsula. , why are you thinking about moving away and coming to Beijing in person now?"
"According to Wang Min, Wang Zhao admires His Majesty, longs to see the face of the sky, and wants to listen to the emperor's teachings in person!" Liu Yang also smiled softly, seeming to find it interesting.
After thinking for a while, Emperor Liu asked: "How is the chaos in Goryeo?"
Liu Yang replied: "I have inquired, and it is said that after these two years of anxiety, the rebels have long since died. Not long ago, Xu Xi split the rebels, and the rebels fought among themselves and killed each other. This was decided by the Goryeo officials and soldiers. In Goryeo, Although there is still chaos, the overall situation has been decided!"
After listening to what Liu Yang said, Emperor Liu sighed: "This Xu Xi decided to return to the country in the first place, and he was allowed to make meritorious deeds. The rebellion has been established, and this is probably the reason why Wang Zhao came to Beijing, but his purpose is to submit to me. Or show off your power?"
There was obvious ridicule in Emperor Liu's tone, and Liu Yang said seriously: "Since Goryeo was defeated by the king's army in the eighth year of Kaibao, Goryeo has been in turmoil. After these years of internal strife, its vitality has been greatly reduced.
Now that the chaos is over and his country is in a state of exhaustion, Wang Zhao would not have the guts to demonstrate to the court even if he wanted to. In my son's opinion, Wang Zhao came here to express his surrender to the court. He hoped to beg for his father's forgiveness and came to Beijing in person to show his sincerity in the future!
The chaos in Goryeo was largely driven by the imperial court. The kings and ministers of Goryeo were well aware of this. If the court doesn't let go, they won't be able to rest in peace! "
Emperor Liu nodded and agreed with Liu Yang's analysis. Without thinking too much, he waved his hand and said: "The visitor is a guest. Let the Ministry of Rites prepare for the reception. As for the rest, we will wait until Wang Zhao arrives!"
"yes!"
"Anything else?"
Generally speaking, except for special or major incidents, Liu Yang would choose to sort things out and report them together.
Liu Yangze continued: "In the past two days, Er has received many memorials, all of which stated two things that were beyond the ability of Er and Duke Zhao to decide on their own! First, the officials believed that after the Zen ceremony, the imperial court should grant amnesty to the world and release prisoners. , to show the great grace of heaven!”
"I have stated more than once that I will never grant amnesty!" Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu interrupted him rudely and said forcefully: "Are those criminals who are serving their sentences worthy of mercy from the court? Go and spread the word. If anyone thinks that the prisoners are If you can’t bear the suffering, then ask someone to replace you. If anyone is willing to serve the prison sentence in the mines or the border, I will grant it to him!”
Liu Yang was not surprised by Emperor Liu's firm attitude. However, he was a little surprised by such a reaction, and there was a strange look on his face.
Of course, Emperor Liu's orders must still be conveyed faithfully, but it may not be very friendly to those officials who petition for orders.
Emperor Liu was still a little upset and continued: "These people, if they have time to pity those criminals, why don't they care about the good people who are suffering from famine?"
"Yes! I will definitely convey the instructions in place!" Seeing this, Liu Yang immediately expressed his stance, sighing slightly in his heart.
After Emperor Liu's words spread, I am afraid that the voices within the imperial court on certain matters will fall silent again, and those who want to use Emperor Liu's conferment of Zen to dissuade some policies will be disappointed again. Moreover, it is certain that as long as Emperor Liu is still in power in the future, no one will speak for the prisoners anymore, unless they feel uncomfortable and want to scold them.
"What's one more thing?"
Liu Yang quickly put away his thoughts and reported: "If we follow the precedent, many ministers believe that after being enshrined in Zen, the Yuan Dynasty should be changed to adapt to the new times!"
Regarding this proposal, Emperor Liu did not directly express his position, but fell into serious thinking, and his expression gradually became serious. After thinking about it for a while, Emperor Liu said leisurely: "Do you still remember the original intention of changing Yuan Kaibao?"
Without waiting for Liu Yang to answer, Emperor Liu said to himself: "To put it bluntly, it is Li Longji's Kaiyuan Tianbao rule that will catch up or even surpass him in the future, and create a prosperous Kaiyuan era for the Han Dynasty. Do you think this goal has been achieved now? ?
Since the end of the Tang Dynasty, the world has been in chaos for hundreds of years. How long did it take for the Han Dynasty to establish a country, and how long did it take for the world to turn from chaos to order? If you don't perform a Zen ceremony, it means that a prosperous age has arrived and you can enjoy peace! "
"I understand!" After listening to Emperor Liu's words, Liu Yang raised his hands and expressed. Obviously, this proposal to change the Yuan Dynasty was rejected again.
