Chapter 277 Emperor Collapse
The twelfth year of the Han Dynasty.
Ying Bu was ultimately unable to resist the urge to rebel. He was unwilling to give up the throne, did not understand Liu Bang's character, could not see the situation in the world clearly, and was confident in his own military strength. Under countless factors, he chose to launch an uprising.
Chang'an City, Changle Palace.
The urgent war report did not make the core of the empire feel nervous at all. The owner of the palace even wanted to laugh.
Ying Bu was indeed a brave general, but he was just a brave general. Even if he was in poor health, the great General Han Xin was still there, and Ying Bu could not turn the tables.
It's like an ant showing off its power, baring its fangs and claws, and saying to someone, I'm going to kill you, who would care?
Liu Bang finally decided to lead the army himself. There was already a Luo Ling in the world, so there shouldn't be another great general named Han Xin.
The Han Dynasty was the kingdom of the Liu family, and it should have been pacified by the emperor of the Liu family, rather than always relying on external forces.
When he decided to lead the army, he said to his ministers: "Ying Bu received my kindness, but he did not know how to be grateful. He coerced the subjects of the Han Dynasty, did not abide by the moral code of loyalty, and even wanted to rebel. This kind of thing happened once, twice, but not a third time.
I am the Emperor of the Han Dynasty, the Son of Heaven of the Chinese. I obey the will of Heaven and carry out Heaven's punishment. Now is the time to punish him."
Luo Yi said with some concern: "Your Majesty, your health...please let Yi accompany you on the southern expedition."
Liu Bang coughed twice and chuckled, "Okay, then Ziyu will accompany me on my southern expedition. With you helping me find out the shortcomings and make up for them, how could Ying Bu not fail?"
Then he turned and looked at the generals who had helped him build the Han Dynasty. "Pick up your weapons and see if they are still sharp. Ride your horses and see if you are still brave. Follow me into battle and work hard. I will reward you."
Everyone felt Liu Bang's aging and weakness. He was like a tiger in the mountains, whose claws and fangs had gradually fallen off, but he was still not someone that anyone could bully.
"We are loyal to you and will follow you to quell Ying Bu's rebellion."
Liu Bang led 30,000 troops from Chang'an City to Huainan, and asked his brother, the King of Chu, to lead the army as auxiliary troops to cooperate with the central government in the war, which was said to be 500,000.
As the army marched, Liu Bang said to Luo Yi, "Zi Yu, you know, my health may only last for one or two years.
After pacifying Ying Bu, there were no kings of different surnames in the Han Dynasty, and the world must have been stable.
The prince has so many people assisting him, Lü Zhi..."
Speaking of his first wife, Liu Bang paused for a moment before saying, "Lü Zhi is capable. With her around, the world will not be in chaos. As for the meritorious officials, they will definitely fight.
All I worry about is my wish."
Luo Yi sighed in his heart. No matter who you are, you will be a little different when you get old. Most monarchs will become incompetent when they get old.
There were also some monarchs who attempted to achieve immortality and did many ridiculous things.
Liu Bang was a very free and easy person, and he did not have any concerns about this, but he placed his feelings on Liu Ruyi and even had the idea of deposing the crown prince.
Eventually, he was suppressed by the huge power of the Ji-Jiang alliance and the lack of support from the meritorious group. Now he only wants to save Liu Ruyi's life and let him live a life of wealth and glory.
"Your Majesty, please speak. I am listening here."
Luo Yi pretended to listen attentively. Liu Bang pondered and said, "You are someone I trust. Zhao is rich and located in the Central Plains. I want to make Ruyi the King of Zhao. I wonder if it is feasible?"
Luo Yi's expression did not change at all. He said calmly, "You know, this is not possible. Zhao is too important. It shoulders the heavy responsibility of the northern defense line and has great power. Giving it to the prince is like letting a child walk through a busy market with gold in his arms. This is not your love for him, but a harm."
The importance of King Zhao is unimaginable. Liu Ruyi cannot control him, and staying in that position is just a piece of fat meat waiting to be slaughtered.
Liu Bang sighed and said, "Zi Yu, I own the four seas, but I can't even give my son a rich fief. This is a failure."
This time, Luo Yi cupped his hands and said, "I think this is exactly the wisdom of your Majesty. It's not that you can't make the prince the King of Zhao, but you have a long-term vision, so you don't do it."
Liu Bang felt relieved a little, and then asked: "What if he is made the King of Han?"
Luo Yi pondered for a moment. Han was not strong. It had always been a marginal vassal state since its founding. If he gave it to Liu Ruyi now, it would not cause the Queen to be overly vigilant. He thought about the gains and losses of Han again, and confirmed that the King of Han was not a threat to Chang'an. Then he nodded and said, "The King of Han is fine."
Liu Bang said again: "Zi Yu, I want you to be the Prime Minister of Han."
Luo Yi had anticipated this. Liu Bang did not really want Luo Yi to assist Liu Ruyi, but wanted Luo Yi to save Liu Ruyi's life. Among the people around Liu Bang, there were not many people who were capable and willing to do this.
Especially because of the relationship with Luo Xin, Lu Zhi treated Luo Yi very kindly. If Luo Yi became the Prime Minister of Korea, Lu Zhi would most likely not take action against Liu Ruyi who had lost his threat.
The emperor and his minister did not speak any more. Everything was implied. Liu Bang got Luo Yi's consent without any setbacks. He suddenly became full of energy.
Looking at the process of Liu Bang's pacification of kings of different surnames, the speed was extremely fast, especially when he pacified the King of Yan, he took over the entire territory of Yan in just three months.
Most people believed that this was because the King of Yan was not a powerful ruler and was not good at military affairs, so it was normal for him to be defeated so quickly.
King Ying Bu of Huainan was different. Whether it was the destruction of Qin or the battle against Xiang Yu, he made great contributions.
In the entire Liu Bang group, only Liu Bang and Han Xin could firmly control his command. Others, such as Fan Kuai and others, were not at the same level.
Then the development of the situation was beyond everyone's expectations. Ying Bu failed so quickly that he was even worse than the King of Yan. It was just a normal defeat on the battlefield, but the entire Huainan Kingdom collapsed in an instant.
Ying Bu tried to gather his soldiers but failed, and he was still in disbelief until he was captured.
After meeting Liu Bang, Ying Bu answered arrogantly in response to Liu Bang's questioning: "Your Majesty, I did rebel, but is this my fault?
You are an outstanding commander, and I don't think I am your opponent. There is also Han Xin, Marquis of Huaiyin, in Chang'an City, who is far superior to me.
I have heard that a person who can earn a hundred gold coins cannot buy a BMW worth a thousand gold coins.
People who are well-versed in poetry and books cannot work as clerks.
I am not the strongest commander in the world, so how dare I rebel?
Can't you understand my thoughts?"
The meaning of the words is very clear. I know I am no match for you, but I have to rebel.
This is blaming Liu Bang. It was you who forced me to do this. It’s not my fault.
Luo Yi shook his head. Ying Bu's political acumen was almost on the same level as Xiang Yu's. The general trend of the world was so unstoppable that a man like him could only be crushed.
Liu Bang was not angry, and asked with interest: "Ying Bu, from what you said, you think that although you rebelled, the fault is not yours. Then tell me, whose fault is it?"
Ying Bu was about to say that it was Liu Bang, but then he saw the cold light in Liu Bang's eyes and immediately stopped talking. He remembered the old story of the King of Yan. If he blamed Liu Bang again today, he was afraid that he would not even get the treatment of the King of Yan.
Seeing Ying Bu remained silent, Liu Bang smiled with satisfaction and said, "It seems that the King of Huainan still knows his faults.
If there is no punishment for mistakes, then the merits cannot be highlighted. Rebels must die. Ying Bu, do you agree?"
Death to rebels!
This is an iron rule.
This is very reasonable. After all, if the rebellion is successful, the benefits gained are huge, and the punishment for failure is equally severe. This is fair.
Ying Bu couldn't help but shudder. Although he had thought about what to do today when he rebelled, he was not as calm as he thought when he really faced death. His voice couldn't help but tremble, "I... I agree."
Liu Bang drew out his sword, gestured lightly, and said casually: "I will not kill your family members, just like the family members of the King of Yan, I will send them all to Lingnan. If we follow the law, I am afraid that thousands of people in Huainan will die because of you.
All of these people went to Lingnan to build a town. I look forward to the day when these criminals who went to Lingnan can return to the Central Plains. "
Ying Bu thanked Liu Bang for his kindness, and then was dragged away. Liu Bang sighed and said, "Why bother? If he had learned from the King of Changsha, he would not be where he is today. The Han Dynasty is as stable as Mount Tai. I am not worried about what he will do."
Luo Yi knew that Liu Bang was telling the truth. Liu Bang just wanted to eliminate the kings of different surnames, but with Lu Zhi and Han Xin around, he just wanted to eliminate the country and was not worried that the abilities of these kings of different surnames would threaten the existence of the Han Dynasty.
The Han army began to return, and their speed was relatively slow at first, but they soon began to travel at a rapid speed because Liu Bang suddenly fell seriously ill and had to return to Chang'an immediately to arrange follow-up matters.
Whether it was Liu Ruyi's enthronement as king, Liu Ying's succession to the throne, or the distribution of power after his death, he had to decide personally.
With such a strong desire to survive, Liu Bang held on to his last breath and rushed back to Chang'an City. By then, the news that the emperor was seriously ill had spread, and the whole city of Chang'an was instantly stirred up by waves of undercurrents.
Just seven days after returning to Chang'an City, Liu Bang could no longer hold on. He hurriedly finished the last few things, drove away the doctors who tried to treat him, and passed away while laughing.
At the beginning of the 13th year of the Han Dynasty, an emperor who rose from a commoner with a sword passed away, leaving behind a unified empire.
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Emperor Gaozu rose from a commoner. He picked up a three-foot sword, destroyed the tyrannical Qin State, and established the country. He wielded the sword and marched eastward. Within three years, he defeated the State of Chu in Ying, and thus the whole country was united.
In four years, he established his empire. Since the Three Sovereigns, even the Five Emperors and the Three Kings, it has never been so easy. If he had not received the mandate from heaven, how could he have done so? - "Records of the Grand Historian: Annals of Emperor Gaozu"
I will revise the last classical Chinese text
(End of this chapter)
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