In front of the mansion, several of Xiang Xun's descendants are present, but there are not many of them. The total number of descendants and grandsons is only five. Compared with those luxuriant and noble families, Xiang Xun's family is considered to have a weak bloodline. , and they are all slightly mediocre. Except for the eldest son Xiang Deming, there is no one who stands out.
Xiang Deming was still serving in Anxi at this time and served as the logistics manager of the Anxi army. Therefore, Emperor Liu set his sights on Xiang Xun's second son Xiang Yu and asked, "What is your current official position?"
Xiang Yu was only in his twenties, and was the son of Xiang Xun. He was always favored and well-educated. He seemed relatively gentle and had a strong scholarly temperament.
With a look that has not been tempered by the world, he felt a little embarrassed when asked by Emperor Liu. However, the sad mood could cover up some shortcomings in his performance. Xiang Yu responded with red eyes: "I have the protection of my father and your majesty's blessing." , I am now residing in court to invite you!"
Chao Qinglang is an official of the seventh rank. Although it is a vacuous position, his rank is not low. For these sons and daughters of meritorious officials, in view of the merits of their fathers, the court will give them some grace as appropriate, but if they want to have Greater achievements and a higher position of power must rely on one's own quality and ability, at least in the current political ecology of the Han Dynasty.
Xiang Yu is obviously not as good as his brother. However, Emperor Liu acted a little emotionally at this time, or in order to express his respect and regret for Xiang Xun, he immediately said: "That's too low! How can a good man satisfy his empty title of seventh rank! Report to the Ministry of Civil Affairs tomorrow. , let Lu Duan arrange a real vacancy for you!"
Hearing this, Xiang Yu looked at Emperor Liu blankly. After Yantuo winked at him, he realized what he was saying and hurriedly thanked him.
Emperor Liu looked at him and said in a serious tone: "I heard that you are Xiang Xingmin's favorite son. Do a good job and don't ruin your father's reputation! Also, take good care of your father!"
"I obey!" Hearing what Emperor Liu said, Xiang Yu couldn't help but choked up. He was not a shrewd person, but he could feel that Emperor Liu was already helping Xiang Xun arrange his funeral...
"Twenty-four ministers..." Emperor Liu said again as he stepped on the footstool and boarded the carriage. He stopped on the carriage shaft and thought for a while, then turned to Yantuo and ordered: "Send someone to Jiangning immediately to meet Shou." Lord, please tell me a word for me, let him take good care of his health, live a good life for me, and when I am sixty years old, I will have a good time with him over wine!"
"Yes!" Yantuo responded immediately.
Emperor Liu's words sometimes need to be listened to in reverse, but with Yantuo's many years of experience in figuring out Emperor Liu's thoughts, these words of concern for Duke Shou Li Shaoyou must be true and come from the heart.
After all, once Xiang Xunruo is gone, only the Duke of Shou, Li Shaoyou, is left among the twenty-four ministers of Qianyou who were once envied by the government and the public and attracted the attention of the whole country.
…
Even though the sun was shining brightly, the morning breeze in early spring was still cold. As the spring sun rose, King Yong Liu Chengxun entered the palace to pay his respects. In front of the Chui Gong Hall, Yan Tuo met Yan Tuojian who was rushed out of the hall by Emperor Liu to wait on him. He greeted him enthusiastically and worshiped with a worried look on his face: "Young man, see you, Your Majesty!"
Liu Chengxun nodded to Yantuo, subconsciously looked into the open door of the palace, and asked habitually: "Is your Majesty here?"
"Yes!" Yantuo nodded quickly, and then said: "Your Majesty has arrived just in time. Please ask Haosheng to persuade the officials. The officials have not eaten all day and night!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Chengxun's expression immediately changed, and he sternly reprimanded: "How did you serve me!"
"It's your fault, but the officials have been in a bad mood these past two days and I really can't persuade them..." Yan Tuo said.
Hearing what Yantuo said, Liu Chengxun ignored him and went straight in without waiting for notification. It's not that he's overstepping the rules, it's just that King Yong Liu Chengxun has the privilege of meeting Emperor Liu without notification. He just doesn't use it at ordinary times, but this is not usual. The emperor has not eaten for so long. What should I do if his health is broken? …
As for why Emperor Liu was in a bad mood, Liu Chengxun naturally knew it well. He didn't close his eyes or listen. Being in the capital, he also heard about the recent feudal turmoil and the serious illness of Duke Wen. However, in Liu Chengxun's opinion, it was the former that probably upset Emperor Liu more.
In the palace, Emperor Liu was crossing his legs, leaning on the throne in a shivering posture, flipping through official documents in his hand. Different from the memorials submitted by ordinary ministers, what Emperor Liu had in his hands was a secret report. It was an observation of the public opinion of the court and public in Xijing reported to Emperor Liu by the Imperial City Department and the Wude Department.
Instead of relying solely on suspicion and speculation, Emperor Liu now relied more and more on intelligence information from these two secret service agencies, and the result made Emperor Liu even more depressed.
Judging from the results presented in the report, among the government and the public, there were many people who were disappointed with the proposal to enfeoff Emperor Liu, and many people were watching the show. And as time went by, the trend became more and more obvious, and only a few people praised Emperor Liu's pioneering and enterprising spirit. In addition, among these few people, not many people may really support it. At least in Emperor Liu's view, the majority of them are speculators seeking luck...
"Your Majesty!" Liu Chengxun saluted Emperor Liu solemnly from ten steps away.
Looking up to see his brother, Emperor Liu's gloomy expression relaxed a little, smiled, and said to Liu Chengxun: "You are here, sit down!"
Liu Chengxun thanked him, but did not sit down. Looking at Emperor Liu's disheveled face, he asked with concern: "I heard that Your Majesty has not eaten for a whole day and night?"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu waved his hands and said indifferently: "Not in the mood, not in the appetite!"
Hearing this, Liu Chengxun shook his head and consoled: "This is not possible, you still have to enjoy meals on time! Nothing is more important than your body. I hope your majesty will eat early and take care of yourself. The imperial court cannot do without it. you……"
"Haha!" Emperor Liu smiled and said lightly: "I'm not that important. I'm just one of all living beings. Without me, the government can't function normally? The people can't live?
What's more, everyone is telling me to take care of myself, but it's hard to know what the intentions are! There are probably not a few people in this palace who are looking forward to my early death so that the restrictions and restraints imposed on them can be released..."
Emperor Liu's indifferent words made Liu Chengxun's complexion change drastically, and he lowered his head almost instinctively. He did not dare to answer these words randomly, even if he was King Yong, Emperor Liu's brother.
Without Liu Chengxun's feedback, Emperor Liu came back to his senses and looked at him. Noticing his quail-like posture, he couldn't help but ask, "What's your reaction?"
Liu Chengxun took a deep breath, bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty's words make me frightened!"
"What are you afraid of!" Emperor Liu said impatiently: "I'm not talking about you!"
Perhaps he was consciously overreacting and being a little harsh. Emperor Liu calmed down and said in a calm tone: "You are my brother and my bodyguard. You are different from outsiders, and you have nothing to say." explain!"
Liu Chengxun didn't believe a word of Emperor Liu's words at this time. His whole life, he had been shining under Emperor Liu's light and shrouded in his shadow. It had been like this for decades, and to this day , how could he really dare to treat Emperor Liu as his elder brother? Even the second brother hasn’t been called me for several years...
"I am extremely grateful for your Majesty's trust and kindness!" Liu Chengxun could only express his stance.
Obviously, it was impossible for Liu Chengxun to let go like he did when he was young in front of Emperor Liu. Emperor Liu sighed a little and changed the subject and asked: "You haven't entered the palace for many days. Why did you come to see me today?" ?”
"I haven't seen you for many days, so I came to visit His Majesty."
"Not necessarily! In your eyes now, I'm afraid I've already been regarded as an evil tiger, and you might as well avoid it..."
"Your Majesty!" Liu Chengxun was really unable to bear Emperor Liu's harsh words and way of talking, so he couldn't help but speak louder and more solemnly: "No matter what your Majesty thinks, no matter what others think, at least I am worthy of my heart and your Majesty. !”
Liu Chengxun's words to show his true feelings were categorical. No matter whether it was true or not, at least he had sufficient momentum, and Emperor Liu was really shocked.
Looking at the serious-faced emperor's younger brother, Emperor Liu breathed a sigh of relief: "I've been in a bad mood recently, and I've been a little rude when I speak. Don't be surprised!"
"I don't dare!" Seeing Emperor Liu's tendency to speak normally, Liu Chengxun immediately lowered his head and his attitude returned to his usual humility and meekness.
"You are also here to persuade me about enfeoffment, right?" Emperor Liu said leisurely.
Liu Chengxun pondered for a moment and responded: "Your Majesty is wise!"
Looking at Liu Chengxun, Emperor Liu also said solemnly: "I don't care who came to find you, and I don't care what your considerations are, but I don't need you to persuade me. I am very clear-headed and am not an old fool!"
(End of chapter)
