Lu Xuan was busy moving to the Western Regions, and planned to cause trouble for Dayuan after everything was settled.

Liu Tan faced numerous opposition voices at the small court meeting.

To be honest, he never knew he was so popular and had such a high profile.

After Liu Che announced the news of his intention to become a vassal at the small court meeting, he did not want to discuss it with everyone, but only said that he wanted to select a prime minister and a chief censor.

As for the officials below these two, the princes can choose them themselves.

Of course, when Liu Che first started to set up the team, he was naturally preparing it for his son.

This is what happened to his previous sons who were thrown into fiefdoms.

As a result, as soon as this issue was raised, someone took the lead in opposing it.

Because the position of prime minister was vacant, the first person to step forward was the Grand Censor.

Liu Tan was very shocked. The Imperial Censor had previously complained about his greenhouse policy, so why was he now siding with him?

No...that's not right. It's not like I'm on his side. Rather, I'm obstructing him.

Because the Imperial Censor stood up and said forcefully, "I think this is inappropriate! The Fifth Prince has made great contributions to the country. It is neither moral nor logical to grant him the title of Shuofang Prefecture!"

As soon as he stood up, others followed suit and expressed their disapproval.

Liu Che looked at Liu Tan with a smile and asked, "How is it?"

The ministers were a little surprised for a moment and all looked at Liu Tan.

Liu Tan was also at a loss at this time. He originally thought that persuading Liu Che was enough, but he never expected that he would have to persuade this group of ministers again.

Although these people are indeed doing this for his own good, but... it's a little too difficult.

Liu Tan coughed lightly and said, "Shuofang Prefecture is also a good place..."

"How can Your Majesty behave like this!" The Imperial Censor did not respond to Liu Tan, but looked up at Liu Che in condemnation.

Liu Che chuckled: "This is not my idea. He insisted on going, and even I couldn't convince him. If you have confidence, please help me convince him."

The ministers looked at each other for a moment, and none of them quite believed what Liu Che said.

Even if Liu Che cannot be said to be autocratic now, he is not much better than before. Once he makes up his mind about something or thinks it is wrong, no one can make him change his mind.

What did the fifth prince do to make even the emperor compromise?

This can't be explained simply by pampering.

Liu Tan faced the gazes of the ministers and felt his scalp tingling for a moment. It would be difficult for others to convince Liu Che.

But for Liu Tan, it was not that difficult. Liu Che was not unreasonable. If he really felt that there was no problem, he would agree.

But the ministers in the court are not so easy to fool, mainly because there are many of them and they have different ideas. Everyone has his own opinions. At that time, he will need to convince everyone one by one. If he does not have the ability to debate with a group of scholars, forget it!

Liu Tan hadn't expected that just because he was granted a fiefdom, the ministers in the court would be so opposed to it. What was wrong with the world? Didn't they think that the royal family was full of parasites?

While he was wondering, he put on a righteous look and shouted, "Everyone, listen to me first!"

Apart from anything else, this remark truly stunned everyone. Liu Tan looked around and said, "Shuofang Prefecture is where I want to go. I've made my mind clear. As for the reason, it can be summed up in one sentence: The king shoulders the responsibility of the country, and the prince guards the national border."

There was a moment of silence in the court.

Liu Tan continued, "I know Shuofang Province is a dangerous place, but precisely because of this, my father and my brothers have worked so hard for the Han Dynasty. I don't want to just sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labor. I don't have any other special abilities, but I heard that since the war with the Jieguo, the small countries in the Western Regions that were previously restless have become much more docile. Moreover, the Han Dynasty now has close ties with the Left Grand Commandant. Perhaps I can play a role there."

After he said this, he observed everyone's expressions and found that some people seemed to be thinking about something, some were nodding their heads repeatedly, and some... were wiping their tears?

He understood the first two, but what about those who were wiping their tears?

Especially since it even includes the Grand Censor.

Even though the Imperial Censor of the Han Dynasty did not have the power to supervise all officials like in later generations, he was still a powerful figure. How could such a person who had experienced the ups and downs of officialdom be so easily moved?

The Imperial Censor wiped his tears while muttering, "The king shoulders the responsibility of the country, and the prince guards the national border."

Liu Tan suddenly realized that he was struck by this sentence.

This is normal. In fact, there was no particularly clear distinction between civil and military officials in the Han Dynasty. For example, many prime ministers had fought against the Huns, or it was generally accepted that the one with the most important military merits left over from history was the one who made the greatest contributions.

In this situation, more passionate slogans can always touch the heart more.

Liu Tan felt a little guilty. In fact, this sentence was transformed from "The emperor guards the national gate, and the king dies for the country."

However, he didn't dare to say the original words. This sentence originally referred to the relocation of the capital to Beijing by Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty and the hanging of Emperor Chongzhen on Coal Hill. If he really said it out loud, he would probably be locked up in a small dark room. He still wanted to become a vassal state, but he was dreaming.

It would be a good idea to make some changes, and it can also flatter Liu Che and praise his hard work for the Han Dynasty.

Thinking of this, Liu Tan looked up at Liu Che, and sure enough, he saw that the corners of Liu Che's lips were slightly raised, and he was obviously in a good mood.

The Imperial Censor muttered a few more words, then raised his head and said, "So, it's really a bit shabby for the Crown Prince to rule Shuofang Prefecture. Shuofang Prefecture has a small population and is not enough to serve as a country. Your Majesty, please reconsider."

Liu Che glanced at Liu Tan and said bluntly, "Since that's the case, then Bingzhou and Liangzhou will be combined into the Northern Border Kingdom, and the fifth prince will be named the King of the Northern Border."

Liu Tan was stunned after hearing this. It was not because Liu Che really gave him Xiliang, which is now Liangzhou, but the most important thing was that he gave him Bingzhou as well!

Judging from the map, it basically means that the entire Inner Mongolia in later generations was given to him as a fiefdom!

This place is a bit too big.

Liu Tan said with some uneasiness: "Is this...is this too big?"

Liu Ju, who was standing by, immediately said, "Not big. The area is vast and sparsely populated, with a population of only about 900,000."

But... more than 900,000...

Liu Tan once again felt that he had never seen the world. More than 900,000... For a moment he felt overwhelmed. How should he handle this?

He swallowed and retreated for once. Before, he only thought that he would be free after going to the fiefdom and could even do whatever he wanted, but he never thought that he would be responsible for the life and death of so many people.

But soon he suddenly thought that even if he wanted to take responsibility, it would depend on whether the prime minister would allow him to do so.

By this time, Liu Che had basically grasped the power of the vassal states. The internal affairs of the vassal states were handled by the prime minister, and the very important chief censor was also appointed by the court.

As for the officials below, although they can be appointed and dismissed freely, what will happen in reality? The position of the prime minister is indestructible. Even if those people are grateful to the princes at the beginning, they will eventually turn against the prime minister.

Let me put it this way, if the prime minister does a good job, he may be promoted to the court in the future. Although the prime minister is called a prime minister, his actual salary is two thousand stones. If you really compare it, it is at the level of deputy of the Nine Ministers. There is still a way for promotion.

If I can catch the eyes of the Prime Minister, what wouldn't be better than bringing me to Chang'an?

Therefore, the only right that the princes now actually have is to ask for taxes from the prime minister. After all, the taxes from the fiefdoms are theirs, and for the rest... they can just go and do whatever they want.

This is also one of the reasons why Liu Tan insisted on choosing Shuofang Prefecture. The main reason is that this place is remote and dangerous. Most people don’t like to go there. If someone follows him, he will be excluded if he is capable. Liu Tan can find a way to show kindness to him and win him over. If he is not capable, then it is even easier. Isn’t it easy to undermine him?

Even those who have no ability may be more willing to join him.

However, no matter what, he asked for the fiefdom himself, and he will have to bear the consequences himself, whether it is good or bad in the future.

Only after this wave is over will things get back on track - appointing the prime minister and the chief censor.

This was rarely brought up at court meetings. Emperor Liu Che would directly ask the relevant departments to select suitable people. This would involve checking their resumes, then having a conversation with them to confirm that they were willing and available, and then reporting the names. Finally, Emperor Liu Che would make the selection.

The current election is basically the last hurdle set by Liu Che for Liu Tan.

He also doesn't mind going back on his word if no one is willing.

The king is responsible for the country and the prince guards the national border. This sentence sounds very inspiring, but whoever has the son will feel sorry for him. The Han Dynasty is already very powerful, so why does it need his son to take risks?

What? You're saying the King of Yan's vassal states also border the Xiongnu?

Can a spoiled son be the same as an unspoiled son?

Liu Che has always been very hypocritical. When he came to Liu Tan, he tried to find a way to prevent him from going. But when his son wrote to Yan Wang Liu Dan to complain, he directly sent a letter to Liu Dan, encouraging him to guard the border and become a vassal of the Han Dynasty.

Everyone was already accustomed to this about him, so when the five words "Prime Minister of the Northern Border Kingdom" were placed before their eyes, many people looked at each other in bewilderment.

After being moved, everyone regained their rationality and didn't want to talk much.

The officials who can participate in the small court meeting are not low-ranking. Most of them will not become prime ministers, and those few people either have potential themselves or have power behind them. What they strive for is the position of Nine Ministers, so they will not choose to be prime ministers of vassal states. However, no matter who they are asked to nominate, it will make enemies.

Many people had heard rumors long before that the fifth and sixth princes would be made kings, and even that the emperor had chosen Qi as the fiefdom for the fifth prince. At that time, everyone was eager to compete for the position of prime minister of Qi.

Now...it's all gone silent.

The court was silent. Everyone knew that they shouldn't be so disrespectful to the Fifth Prince, but they really couldn't say anything.

Liu Che looked at Liu Tan and was about to say that without a prime minister, he could not become a vassal, and asked him to go back and think about it carefully.

Before he could open his mouth, he saw someone suddenly stand up.

Liu Che looked up and found that it was Huo Guang.

Huo Guang held the imperial sceptre in his hand, saluted Liu Che, and said, "I wish to follow the King of the Northern Border to the Northern Kingdom."

Liu Che raised his eyebrows in surprise, while Liu Tan was shocked.

Not to mention him, even Liu Ju and other ministers were a little shocked.

Huo Guang was a special existence in the court. Everyone knew that although he was only the Commandant of the Imperial Chariots now, and was only given the title of Grand Master of Ceremonies for his great contribution last time, he would sooner or later be given an official position such as the Prime Minister of the Nine Ministers. In the future, he would definitely have a place in the Nine Ministers, and even the title of Grand Censor or Prime Minister was not impossible.

But what was he saying now? He wanted to go to the Northern Kingdom to be the Prime Minister?

Is there anything wrong with your brain?

Liu Che asked, "Have you thought it through?"

Huo Guang said solemnly, "I have made up my mind. My elder brother has made the annihilation of the Xiongnu his life's goal. I am not talented, and my military and literary skills are not even half as good as his, but I am willing to carry on his legacy and assist the King of the Northern Border in defending the border."

After he finished speaking, there was an instant uproar in the court. This time it was even more lively than when Liu Tan asked for Shuofang Prefecture as his fiefdom.

Huo Guang expressed in front of Liu Che his intention to follow Liu Tan's lead, which is basically contrary to Liu Che's current attitude towards the princes!

Even if Liu Tan was Liu Che's son, Liu Che would not care too much, but what about the crown prince?

Even if Huo Guang and the prince were not related by blood, they were still cousins. However, considering that Huo Guang had never shown any obvious political inclinations, everyone felt a little awkward for a moment.

The lack of blood relationship meant that Huo Guang would most likely side with someone else. Could it be the Fifth Prince?

No, even if we want to choose the fifth prince, we can't follow him to a remote area.

Liu Tan was getting a little impatient, and looked at Huo Guang and reminded him, "Think carefully, you know what the situation is like in the Western Regions. The Northern Border Kingdom is not stronger than the Western Regions."

Huo Guang smiled carefreely: "I have thought it over carefully and I hope Your Majesty will agree."

Liu Tan looked at Huo Guang seriously for a while, and after confirming that he was serious, he turned to look at Liu Che.

Liu Che obviously knew Huo Guang better than Liu Tan. He didn't even ask Huo Guang, but just looked at Liu Tan and asked, "He said he wanted to go with you, so what official position did you give him?"

Liu Tan said decisively: "Prime Minister, I would like to appoint the Commandant of the Imperial Chariot as Prime Minister."

This is a top-notch civil official. Even if he is not now, he is still a potential top-notch civil official. People are going to follow him. Could it be that he is reluctant to give up the position of prime minister?

After hearing this, Liu Che said casually: "Well, then I will order the Grand Master of Imperial Households to appoint the Grand Master of Chariots Huo Guang as the Prime Minister of the Northern Frontier."

Everyone: ??? What happened to the imperial appointment? Why let the King of the North decide on his own?