Before the arrival of Kaibao in the twenty-eighth year, another grand funeral was held in Xijing City, with snow dancing all over the sky. Perhaps because Luoyang is originally a white world, when white flags stand in the forest and ghost coins fly, white blends with white. It’s not so unexpected in this snow season.
The funeral of King Liu Xu of Qin was, strictly speaking, just a memorial service. Liu Xu's body was buried in the Anton Tomb. As for the Han Dynasty Mausoleum, it was only symbolically buried with clothes. But even if it is just a memorial service, its high standards and grand scene can be called the fourth since the founding of the Han Dynasty.
The first three times were the great ancestor Liu Zhiyuan, the queen mother Li and the queen Fu. From this perspective, we can see Liu Xu's status in the mind of Emperor Liu. But everything is too much, and when Emperor Liu lifts Liu Xu up so high, there will inevitably be a lot of strange words from below.
In the eyes of some people, no matter how noble Liu Xu's status was, he was just a concubine. What's more, since he had enfeoffed Anton, he already belonged to a foreign vassal. It was a special grace for the King of Qin to retain his title. Although there is a saying that death is the ultimate mourning, but such a big funeral ceremony and extraordinary treatment are difficult to win over people's hearts. Since ancient times, people who do not match their virtue have been easily criticized by others.
One can imagine how the old emperor would react when such remarks reached his ears. What was originally a pot of cold oil was quickly stimulated into a pot of exploding hot oil. Those rumors were like cold water as cold as snow.
As a result, a retaliatory dismissal from office took place again. Dozens of officials in the capital were demoted. Instead of being sent to the border areas in the traditional way, they were all driven to Anxi and Nanyang by Emperor Liu.
Emperor Liu was very angry, not only because of the rumors, but also because those people dared to speak and criticize. He became bolder and stronger, giving Emperor Liu the feeling that he was old and unable to control others.
In fact, in the old emperor's state, he was very restrained and extremely tolerant without killing anyone. However, one thing is more frightening than the demotion of officials. That is, more than two-thirds of the officials who were demoted were employees of the East Palace or people involved with the East Palace. To sum up, it comes from "Princeling", this really can't help but give rise to many bad associations.
Therefore, after entering the New Year, Prince Liu Yang has obviously become much lower-key and has less presence. Except for important meetings of the court, he almost does not appear in front of people. With the arrival of the New Year, all things are striving for recovery, but the Han Dynasty court has fallen into silence. Even during the Lantern Festival, the scene is still grand and the subjects are still lively, but Emperor Liu remains lonely and becomes more and more boring.
It was late at night, and the Qianyuan Palace banquet ended as usual. Under the dark sky and the cold night wind, Prince Liu Yang and Deputy Privy Councilor Murong Defeng were walking between the palace rooms with drunken faces, slowly. Heading towards the East Palace.
Probably because too many fireworks had been set off before, the air was not so fresh, and there was still a lot of pungent smell left. Ever since Murong Defeng was promoted to Deputy Privy Councilor, the monarch and his ministers rarely walked together like this. Since they were performing their respective duties, they were inseparable and needed to avoid suspicion.
However, no matter how the situation changes, Murong Defeng is Liu Yang's closest, most trusted and most relied-upon minister. Of course, considering the existence of Ma Huaiyu, it is reasonable to add "one" after these "three most" .
"Your Highness, I heard a piece of news before, saying that Your Majesty intends to let Duke Yan replace His Highness the Prince of Jin and enter the political affairs hall to handle the affairs." Murong Defeng followed Liu Yang respectfully, but the palace lantern failed to illuminate his entire face. His face, but the words he spoke can reflect his expression: "These days, there are a lot of rumors in and out of the palace. I don't know about this. Is it a rumor?"
After hearing the question, Liu Yang's pace was still leisurely, without much change, but after a while, he nodded and said: "That's what happened, but the tenth brother refused."
Duke Yan Liu Zhao ranks tenth among the brothers. Of course, more importantly, he was born to Queen Fu and is Liu Yang's younger brother. From the perspective of inheritance law, in terms of the inheritance qualifications of the princes , second only to Liu Yang.
However, Liu Zhaoyi has not shown any extraordinary talents, nor has he shown any similar ambitions. His growth trajectory is also the same as that of ordinary princes at a later age. There is nothing special. Therefore, there are not many people. focus on.
However, when Emperor Liu suddenly issued an edict to allow Liu Zhao to enter the political hall as prime minister and participate in central government affairs, it inevitably aroused some people's associations and speculations. At this time, many people seemed to realize again that this was also the direct descendant of the Han Dynasty. prince
As a die-hard supporter of Liu Yang, Murong Defeng naturally belongs to those who have rich associations. Seeing the prince's calm reaction, he asked: "I wonder what your majesty means by this move?"
There was something in Murong Defeng's words that was difficult to understand, but Liu Yang clearly received it. He glanced at him, put his hands behind his back, and said calmly: "Didn't you already say that? In place of the King of Jin, you will serve as counselor to the government. , there needs to be a seat for members of the royal family in the political hall!”
Is that all? Murong Defeng was secretly scheming, but looking at Liu Yang, it was obvious that he was pretending to be stupid. After hesitating, Liu Yang spoke: "My tenth brother refused. The reason is that he lacks talent and virtue, has not studied government affairs, and cannot handle important tasks. He asked Your Majesty to find someone else who is worthy."
"I dare to ask directly, what is your Majesty's attitude?" Murong Defeng's eagerness was almost written on his face.
In response, Liu Yang showed a faint smile on his face: "Your Majesty agreed, and talked to the seventh brother, and the edict will be issued within these three or two days."
When he heard that it was Wu Guogong Liu Hui, Murong Defeng's wonderful expression returned to calm. Obviously, in his opinion, Liu Hui was not a big threat. Liu Hui's literary talent was very good, and he could almost be called the best in the capital. In terms of poetry, he was even called "Southern Li and Northern Liu" together with Li Yu. However, he was also indispensable for his shortcomings of being too ambitious and short-handed, and being vain and flashy. Even if he danced no matter how good he was, Joy is hard to cause fear.
What happened during the Henan Metropolitan Government's tax reform had already made many ministers see the seventh prince clearly, and now he would not be noticed by important ministers like Murong Defeng.
As if aware of Murong Defeng's relaxed aura, Liu Yang spoke in a calm and calm tone, and said something that surprised him: "I have been working on state affairs for these years without stopping, and I am really tired. I decided to ask your Majesty for a Take a vacation, leave the government for a while, cultivate your moral character, and live a relaxing life."
Hearing this, Murong Defeng frowned and boldly observed Liu Yang carefully. His face was still calm and hazy under the dim light. After thinking for a while, Murong Defeng sighed softly: "Why is this so?"
Liu Yang was silent for a moment, shook his head and sighed softly: "Donggong, many people have left during this period, and it feels a little lonely! Rixin, do you intend to serve somewhere else? With your current qualifications, you can become a frontier official." , it’s a matter of course.”
Murong Defeng's brows furrowed even more tightly, and his mind was spinning rapidly, thinking about the intention of the prince's words. After a while, he calmly raised his hands and asked, "I obey His Majesty's will!"
"Liaodong Road and Yanshan South Road, one of the two!" Liu Yang said.
Murong Defeng naturally wanted to go to Liaodong based on his original intention. However, considering Liu Yang's starting point for doing this, he hesitated and solemnly responded: "I would like to go to Yanshan South Road."
"Okay!" Liu Yang's answer was also brief and powerful.
The monarch and his ministers walked for a while, until they reached Xuanhui Gate. They stopped and looked at the majestic and heavily guarded palace gate. Liu Yang murmured in his mouth: "Thousands of rocks and canyons have been built without hesitation. Only when you look at it from a distance can you tell where it comes from; How can a stream survive? The sea will eventually become a wave."
Hearing this, Murong Defeng's face showed a look of surprise, and he also murmured to himself: "Hide your strength and bide your time!"
Liu Yang glanced sideways at Murong Defeng, stretched out his hand, and invited with a smile: "I'm afraid you haven't had enough fun in the Qianyuan Hall. Come to my Hongde Hall and have another drink, and you won't come back until you're drunk?"
"Then I have no choice but to sacrifice my life to accompany you!" Murong Defeng responded with a smile.
In fact, in Liu Yang's planning, not only Murong Defeng, but also a large number of nobles, bureaucrats and talents he valued who were close to the East Palace were to be gradually released outside.
The purpose was very clear, not only to train talents, but also to strengthen the prince's influence and control over the local area. At the same time, the capital also made the old emperor feel more comfortable.
