Wei Renpu's suicide note may be a little thin to describe it as a note, but it is thick enough to be as thick as two fingers. It is wrapped with a simple cover and looks more like a book.
Holding this suicide note, Wei Renpu trembled slightly and stroked the surface gently, as if wiping away the non-existent dust. His fingers slid over the blank space of the title, looking thoughtful.
"Tell someone to bring the brazier!" After a long time, Wei Renpu raised his head and ordered Wei Xianxin.
Soon, two servants quickly carried a pot of charcoal fire through the door, and the empty hall suddenly became a little warmer. The charcoal fire was very strong, and with a few wisps of light smoke, a flame was rising, stubbornly fighting against the winter wind.
It was still early, but the sky seemed much dimmer against the flames. The firelight reflected on Wei Renpu's face, revealing a face with complex emotions.
With a leisurely sigh, Wei Renpu raised his hand and threw the suicide note in his hand into the brazier. When Wei Xianxin saw it, his face was shocked and he didn't care about anything. He rushed forward with all his strength and rescued the suicide note.
Regardless of his embarrassment, Wei Xianxin carefully inspected the damage, then raised his hand and looked at Wei Renpu: "Father, this is your hard work! Why destroy it!"
"All this hard work has aroused His Majesty's suspicion. What's the use of saving it?" Wei Renpu sighed.
Others didn't know it, but Wei Xian, who served his father all day long, knew very well that there was absolutely nothing rebellious in this suicide note. It was just a political commentary, a summary of Wei Renpu's career as an official.
Seeing that Wei Renpu was going to destroy his hard work with his own hands, Wei Xianxin tried to dissuade him excitedly: "Father, now that Your Majesty knows this, but you are going to burn it, how will you explain it then? Wouldn't it be more annoying if you do this? Suspect?"
Wei Xianxin obviously just wanted to dissuade him in order to save his hard work, but this obviously gave Wei Renpu a wake-up call. There was also a trace of hesitation on the old face. He thought for a while and waved his hand tiredly: "You are right, I was confused! "
Seeing that his father's attitude softened, Wei Xianxin breathed a sigh of relief, stood up, held the memorial in his hands, and asked, "Father, what about this memorial?"
After looking at him, Wei Renpu said: "Put it away! As you said, you should report this thing to His Majesty on my behalf someday!"
"Yes!" When he responded, Wei Xianxin's voice was choked with sobs.
Seeing this, Wei Renpu smiled heartily: "You don't have to be like this, I am already suffering from old illness and I am about to die! When I die, nothing will happen, and there is no need to worry. Your Majesty's consideration is far from ordinary, at least for you guys. Junior, I will still take more care of you!"
Wei Renpu spoke calmly, but Wei Xianxin felt even more desolate when he heard it. Before he knew it, his eyes were already red.
...
Wei Renpu left after all. He did not even survive the thirteenth year of Kaibao. On the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month of that year, he died suddenly in the palace of Duke Yu.
Just like before his death, Wei Renpu walked low-key and peacefully. In the few months before his death, except for Emperor Liu's visit once, no one else disturbed him. Even those who came to visit him with various thoughts were politely turned away. Okay, accept the gift and bring a gift in return, that's all.
Therefore, when the news of Wei Renpu's death spread, it also caused a wave of turmoil within the imperial court, which had been quiet for several months. Officialdom is a place for individuals to take a leisurely approach, and even Wei Renpu is no exception. After ten years of silence, his actual influence on the court has faded to an extreme level.
But things are often like this. When people are alive, few people pay attention to them or even forget them. But after people die, all kinds of memorials and remembrances come one after another.
The crowds who came to express their condolences almost broke through the threshold of the Duke Yu's mansion, and facts also proved that Wei Renpu's reputation exploded for the last time, and the effect was considerable.
Those officials who had been promoted and favored by Wei Renpu all looked sad and mournful. Several disciples even cried loudly in the mourning hall, their voices hoarse, and they appeared even sadder than Wei Xianxin.
Many people can't help but sigh. One of the twenty-four ministers of Qian and You has passed away. Wei Renpu's death is like saying goodbye to an era. The magnificent and exciting era has indeed gradually faded away from today's people.
At the same time, it also means that the current Han Dynasty is the world of "latecomers" and "young people". This is indeed the case. The nobles and bureaucrats who now hold great power in the military and political affairs of the Han Dynasty have taken a step backward. Years ago, he was still "lost to everyone". Even if he was somewhat famous, it was only the beginning of his career.
No matter how the ministers viewed Wei Renpu's death, Emperor Liu's mood was particularly complicated. Over the years, Emperor Liu had witnessed the departure of so many old ministers, and most of them had feelings of sadness, regret, and regret.
But only for Wei Renpu, there is an extra layer of complexity, and this layer of complexity can be explained by guilt. The guilt comes from the unreasonable and inexplicable suspicion.
Ask yourself, is a minister like Wei Renpu worth doubting? Is it necessary to doubt him? Of course, the answer in Emperor Liu's heart is yes...
However, after Wei Renpu passed away so desolately, Emperor Liu could calm down, mourn a little, express regret, and comfort himself.
It was bitterly cold outside and warm as spring indoors. Emperor Liu was wearing a solemn black coat and stood calmly in front of a row of lamp stands. He held a pair of scissors in his hand and slowly cut the candlelight.
Cut off a little candle wick, bring a little flame, watch it extinguish before your eyes, return to eternal silence, and so on. Even when Prince Liu Yang entered the palace and stood beside him to salute, the rhythm of his movements did not change at all.
"Have you been to Duke Yu's Mansion?" Emperor Liu asked in a normal tone while continuing his work, with a slight hint of sadness in his voice.
Liu Yang also looked very serious and was not in a very high mood. The teacher with whom he had the deepest friendship was undoubtedly Li Fang. However, when the crown prince was first appointed, Wei Renpu was the tutor appointed by Emperor Liu, and he also had a passion for teaching. . In terms of name, Wei Renpu was his master, and Liu Yang had experienced Wei Renpu's character and talents since childhood and respected him very much.
The prince's temperament was much gentler than that of Emperor Liu. Therefore, since the person has passed away, the feeling of sadness and condolences is inevitable.
"I have been ordered by my father to go to the Duke of Yu's Mansion to express condolences on my behalf!" Liu Yang was not in a very high mood and said in a low voice.
"It's very lively!" Emperor Liu said.
Liu Yang looked slightly stern. The word "lively" always seemed a bit inappropriate when it came from Emperor Liu's mouth at this time. However, Liu Yang did not dare to point it out, and just responded: "When I heard that Duke Yu died of illness, many of the distinguished officials and officials in the capital came to express their condolences!"
"You are the prince and a student of Daoji. I think you are doing your best to go there on my behalf!" Emperor Liu murmured, as if he was asking Liu Yang, but also seemed to be asking himself.
After Liu Yang heard this, he hesitated for a moment and then asked: "Father, Mr. Yu was a distinguished veteran and a close friend of yours. Now that he has passed away, why don't you leave the palace in person and visit the Wei Mansion to express your condolences?"
Liu Yang was indeed curious. In the past, after the death of an old minister with a status like Wei Renpu, Emperor Liu would personally go there to show his respect.
"I'm afraid that many people in this court are wondering and making random assumptions again!" Emperor Liu sighed, pointed at his old face with his free hand, and said, "To tell you the truth, I’m a little embarrassed to face it!”
After a pause, Emperor Liu said quietly: "Besides, I have already said goodbye to him Daoji!"
There was a slight sense of desolation in Emperor Liu's tone, and Liu Yang was silent for a moment after hearing this.
After a while, Liu Yang mentioned something again and said: "When I was passing the government to pay my respects, I heard something. Wei Xianxin organized the funeral for Mr. Yu and only paid fifty guan of money. Many people said that because of Mr. Yu's Given his status, even if his funeral ceremony is not too grand, it should not be so shabby, which is meant to accuse Wei Xianxin of being unfilial!"
"This is probably explained by Wei Daoji. Wei Xianxin is indeed a frugal character!" Emperor Liu sighed: "Although he lives in a noble family, he lives in simplicity. There is no shortage of such moral monarchs in the Han Dynasty. I feel that What a relief!”
Liu Yang: "Gong Yu's moral character and conduct are truly admirable!"
With a slight sigh, Emperor Liu said: "I have already drafted an edict regarding Wei Daoji's funeral, and it is up to you to announce and implement it!"
"yes!"
The mourning and honoring of Wei Renpu after his death did not exceed the usual practice, but this time Emperor Liu personally drafted the edict, and his intentions were considered sincere.
As if he thought of something, he raised his left hand and pointed at the imperial case. Emperor Liu said: "The Wei Mansion has submitted Daoji's memorial. There are a lot of things written on it. You should also take a look. Some of the contents should be useful to you!"
"Yes!" Liu Yang vaguely felt something unusual, bowed his hands, walked to the imperial case, picked up the memorial, and started reading it on the spot.
In this legacy of Wei Renpu, in addition to the summary of his career and the discussion of governance, the most critical, or most sensitive, part talks about some of the problems that exist in the Han Dynasty today. Translationally, it means pointing out some of the gains and losses of Emperor Liu's administration.
Among them, the key points mentioned are Emperor Liu's high-pressure assimilation policy towards the minority Hu people, his unyielding treatment of the Mobei Khitan, his hasty military reform, the consequences of forced relocation of wealthy people, prison camps, etc. ....
It can be said that Wei Renpu saw risks and hidden dangers in every policy that highlighted Emperor Liu's will, and saw the contradictions and crises hidden under the calm surface...
Liu Yang also obviously read this paragraph. After all, it was marked with Emperor Liu's ink pen, and his face became solemn. He raised his eyes and observed Emperor Liu's expression. Although he couldn't see anything, he still asked carefully: "I don't know what dad is talking about." What are the instructions given by Duke Yu?"
"What instructions can I give?" Emperor Liu finally turned around, looked at Liu Yang, and said in a tired voice: "Among the court ministers, few can compare with Wei Daoji in terms of profound understanding of righteousness and foresight." What he said These are not aimless. As for the instructions, my instruction is that you should study it carefully. If it really causes long-term disadvantages, you will need to make up for it in the future.
I will not and will not overthrow my own policies and ideas, but you are different. When you are the master of the country, you can do whatever you want! "
Hearing what Emperor Liu said, Liu Yang felt a little heavy and complicated. He opened his mouth to say something, but didn't know where to start.
Emperor Liu continued with emotion: "Obviously, although Wei Daoji lived in the palace, he was always concerned about the affairs of the court and the people of the world. This legacy is a great treatise.
I also understood why he didn't want to talk to me face to face during his lifetime. It was because he was afraid of arousing my suspicion and dissatisfaction. After his death, I naturally couldn't blame him harshly and live up to his sincere loyalty.
What a pity, did he underestimate me after all? Am I so stubborn and stupid that I can’t listen to what others say..."
