Chapter 328 Successor
The group of meritorious officials wanted official positions.
In the Han Dynasty, official positions were obviously more important than titles. Only those with both official positions and titles had everything, while those with titles but no official positions were just fat sheep waiting to be slaughtered.
The group of meritorious officials won rich rewards for their great contributions at the founding of the country. In addition to the titles, they almost monopolized all the high-ranking official positions in the court.
Especially during the reign of Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang, all the three dukes and nine ministers were members of the group of meritorious officials. In real history, this situation continued until the reign of Emperor Wu.
Although Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing both dealt powerful blows to their top meritorious officials, it can be seen from the incident of Zhou Yafu's army attacking Xiuli that the strength of the meritorious official group cannot be achieved by attacking one or two people.
It was not until the reign of Emperor Wu that the Wei-Huo military merit group emerged and the group of founding heroes was finally swept into the trash heap.
But in this world, there was no crucial Rebellion of the Lü clan, and the undisputed Emperor Liu Ying ruled smoothly. Then Luo Xin betrayed the emperor, and the meritorious officials lost the most crucial step in supporting Emperor Wen of Han to ascend the throne, and began to gradually lose power from the period of Empress Lü.
Although it is still the largest force, there is a force in the court formed through the recommendation of the Luo family, the Lu family, etc., which is mainly composed of students from hundreds of schools and should not be underestimated.
Jia Yi was the key figure among them. Many people guessed that he was the prime minister prepared by Luo Xin for the emperor to rule the country personally.
This was difficult for the group of meritorious officials to accept. Luo's son was fine, but Luo Yi was the shadow of Emperor Gao and was also a member of the group of meritorious officials. Although Luo Xin was not a member of the group of meritorious officials, he was a close friend of Empress Gao and the prime minister of Emperor Xiaohui. Now the regent was no longer considered a minister and could not be compared with him.
But why did Jia Yi, that scholar, gain so much trust? We, the heroes, fought bravely, made great contributions to the Han Dynasty, and have always protected the Liu Dynasty. The royal family should have trusted us the most.
In recent years, heroes have been constantly going to Yinghou Mansion, secretly wanting to convey messages to Luo Xin and express their emotions.
Luo Xin naturally noticed this kind of emotion among the meritorious officials. This is a force that cannot be ignored. If Liu Heng wants to stabilize his throne, he needs the protection of these people, especially after Luo Xin returned to power.
"They not only want official positions themselves, but also want their children to become your close ministers."
Luo Xin revealed the hidden demands of the group of meritorious officials in one sentence.
Liu Heng asked doubtfully, "My close ministers?"
Luo Xin affirmed: "Your Majesty, you were directly canonized as the Crown Prince and then inherited the throne. You did not go through the Crown Prince stage. These meritorious officials did not have time to send their children to assist you, but you became the emperor directly. You did not have the meritorious officials' children who accompanied you to the throne, which made them very worried about losing your trust."
Liu Heng suddenly realized: "So that's it."
Luo Xin's language is still very artistic. He inadvertently leaned slightly towards the group of meritorious officials and portrayed the group as a kind of favor-seeking image.
"Uncle, these people are the descendants of the meritorious service of the Emperor Gao and the previous emperor. They are loyal to the Han Dynasty and should indeed be used. However, I do not know their talents. Please recommend some talented people to me so that I can use them."
Liu Heng really decided to reuse these people. Luo Xin said softly: "Zhou Bo's son Zhou Yafu has the talent of a great general. If the great general Han Zimu dies, you can let Zhou Yafu serve as the great general. He is the one who can ensure the stability of your throne."
Liu Heng repeated it again and said, "Zhou Yafu, I remember it."
"As for General Han Xin's family, Marquis Anyang wrote to us a few days ago, hoping that the court would allow the general to divide the marquisate between his son and grandson."
Luo Xin said casually, Liu Heng was stunned, then nodded.
A marquisate with 30,000 households at the beginning of the founding of the country was really too terrifying. Han Xin was the only marquis who had more than one county as his fiefdom. When Han Xin died, this would definitely be something the court would have to deal with. Rather than losing the country directly, it would be better to dismember it.
Moreover, Han Xin and Luo Cai also hoped to divide it equally among their sons.
As Luo Xin spoke, Liu Heng took notes. Luo Xin evaluated these people one by one, and these evaluations almost determined what positions they would achieve in the future Han court.
The more Liu Heng listened, the more he felt he had gained a lot. If these people were used well, it would be easy to achieve great things. No matter whether they were civil officials or military generals, there was a group of people available.
“Uncle, are these people going to be promoted based on their achievements this time?
But it seems that there are not so many official positions at the moment. It seems that only the Imperial Guards have vacancies. Should we give them honorary titles and then take over their fathers' positions later?"
Liu Heng was thinking about how to arrange these people based on his understanding of the dynasty's official system, but he didn't expect Luo Xin to just shake his head and say, "Your Majesty.
Just give them honorary titles for now so that you can get familiar with these people first.
After completely destroying the princes and splitting up their kingdoms, I will find an opportunity to drive all of them out of Chang'an City and have them return to their fiefdoms."
"ah!"
Liu Heng looked at Luo Xin in shock. He didn't understand why Luo Xin did this. He just said that these people were needed to stabilize the Han Dynasty, but now he wanted to demote them all.
Luo Xin looked at the gradually growing Liu Heng and chuckled, "Your Majesty, you have gradually grown up. I have already begun to arrange for close ministers for you. When you are crowned, I will return the government to you.
In the next few years, I am prepared to completely eliminate the threats posed by the princes to the imperial court for you.
At the same time, I will severely ravage the group of meritorious officials. These people who have been promoted due to their military merits have always been unruly and will definitely be domineering in the next few years. I will teach them a lesson severely.
In this way, when you call these people back to reuse them, they will definitely be grateful, cautious, and respectful. At that time, the group of meritorious officials will be a sharp blade that you can use without hurting your hands. "
Return power!
Liu Heng was shocked.
Although not many people talk about this matter, in fact it has always been a major issue in the minds of everyone in the world.
Liu Heng had never felt that Luo Xin posed a threat to the throne, but this was the first time that Luo Xin directly mentioned the issue of returning power to Liu Heng.
He just felt that at this moment, he seemed to have really grown up, and his uncle even believed that he could gradually take on the responsibility of the world.
Then he heard Luo Xin's next words, and his eyes were moistened instantly. He looked up at the tall Luo Xin beside him and said softly, "Uncle, why is it so? The late emperor was the eldest son of Emperor Gao, and I am the eldest grandson of Emperor Gao and the eldest son of the late emperor. The order of succession is clear and there is no room for doubt. I was born to be supported and loved by all the ministers, and I don't need your sacrifice."
Luo Xin smiled and said, "For the sake of the world, why should I care about my life? As long as you can carry on my legacy and bring glory to the country, everything I have done will be worth it."
His words were full of carefreeness. Ever since he met Lu Zhi, the young man who used to be so carefree became more and more taciturn, and even had a reputation for being cold.
But at this moment, it seemed that he felt that he could finally let go of the country and people he was carrying, and he actually regained some of his former carefree attitude.
Liu Heng nodded heavily.
The next day.
Many imperial edicts and decrees were issued from the Forbidden City, announcing to the world the results of the rebellion of the King of Huainan and the King of Wu. The King of Huainan and the King of Wu were executed directly, and the rest of the criminals were all exiled to Lingnan.
Most people in Chang'an City were grateful to the Regent Prime Minister and His Majesty for their mercy. They spared their lives for such a serious crime and only exiled them.
There are descendants of kings of different surnames in Chang'an City who have returned to Chang'an City, so perhaps after 20 or 30 years, or 50 or 60 years, some of these people will really be able to come back.
Only God knows what the future will be like.
Then, a large number of imperial decrees were sent to various Chehou Mansions. This was a feast for the group of meritorious officials and a sweet treat before Luo Xin gave them the big stick.
In addition to the sons of Che Hou who followed the army, many others received rewards, which made many people extremely excited.
Many people feel that fighting is really effective. By working for the royal family and then getting rewards, they can maintain the family's power and wealth.
How long can the glorious days of our founding achievements continue?
The hustle and bustle in Chang'an City was far less than the drastic changes in the Shandong states. With the execution of King Huainan and King Wu, the other states were all terrified.
However, when he saw that the imperial court had no intention of taking action, he felt relieved. However, the more he looked at the vast kingdom, the more he disliked it and felt that it was a way to death.
Luo Xin looked at the Shandong countries quietly, ready to split the country and extend his favor at any time.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
