Chapter 419 Emperor Xiaowu of the Han Dynasty (End of Volume)
The Huns fled far away, and there was no royal court in the north of the Great Wall.
The sword opened up the Western Regions, and the Han Dynasty expanded its vast territory.
After destroying that extremely powerful nomadic empire, everyone in the entire Han Dynasty had a feeling, that is - the sky is clear!
The uneasy feeling of being on edge all the time and worrying about what might happen at any moment has completely disappeared, and even left many people with a sense of emptiness.
Although the ten years of war almost emptied the imperial treasury, it was all worth it. Our ancestors had accumulated national strength for so many years just to use it for such a major event.
Because it was a quick victory, although the ten-year war increased the number of military service, the court did not increase taxes on the people, and the world was still prosperous.
As long as the imperial court can survive these two most difficult years, a prosperous era with no external enemies, no internal worries and peace in the world will come.
Just when everything was thriving, Emperor Liu Che fell into a coma after a banquet, which instantly made everyone panic.
Because this scene was so terrifying, almost everyone's heart was filled with gloom, and they couldn't help but think of some things, "Emperor Xiaohui and Emperor Xiaowen, it seems..."
Emperor Liu Che woke up slowly, his face was very ugly, he turned his head to look at Wei Zifu, and then said with difficulty: "I never thought it would be like this, I thought that Emperor Xiaohui and the previous emperor's illness were accidental.
Queen, I can't accept this!
I still have countless great plans and undertakings, how can I fail here?
I wanted to be the greatest holy king of all time, without any predecessors or successors, but I fell here."
Wei Zifu burst into tears and said, "Your Majesty, you are already a holy king. Listen, the whole Han Dynasty is singing your name."
Liu Che has a much better reputation in this time and space.
The treasury left to him by Emperor Wen of Han was more substantial, with more money and grain, and his battles against the Huns were smoother and his results were greater.
Although he did come up with policies to improve finances such as the state-run salt and iron industries, the drawbacks did not become apparent because the main purpose was not to make money but to centralize power.
After all, Liu Che was not a person who felt sorry for himself. He quickly pulled himself together and said in a deep voice, "Life and death, disaster and fortune are controlled by the Su Wang. I must be destined to be in this situation today.
But I can leave, but my achievements must continue. Queen, call all the ministers, while I am still conscious, I want to make arrangements for my final affairs. "
The important officials in Liu Che's reign were mainly the prime minister, the grand marshal and general, the grand marshal and general of the cavalry, and the grand marshal and general of the brave cavalry.
During Emperor Wen's reign, civil officials were more powerful, and the prime minister was the only court official whose rank was above that of the princes.
However, due to Liu Che's love of military affairs, the expansion of military power was inevitable. The three grand marshals were the highest leaders in the army, with gold seals and purple ribbons.
When the ministers walked in, they saw the pale-faced emperor. Everyone's heart sank. It was indeed as expected.
When Liu Che saw that all the ministers had arrived, he asked Wei Zifu to help him up, and said, "I can't do it anymore.
The Han Dynasty received the Mandate of Heaven during the reign of Emperor Gaozu, and after decades of hard work, it has achieved its current prosperity.
This is because the emperor of the Han Dynasty was wise and thus received the blessing of the King of Su.
But now that I am about to die, and there are still things I have not done, how can I not feel worried? "
The Queen cried and asked, "Your Majesty, these are all ministers who are worthy of your trust. Please tell us everything without reservation. We will definitely fulfill your last wish."
Liu Che sighed and said, "The Xiongnu were almost annihilated, and they probably wouldn't be able to prosper again within fifty years, but they fled to the far north, and their people are like a spark in the dry grass, ready to ignite again at any time.
How can I feel at ease?"
The Queen heard this and said, "Your Majesty, the Han Dynasty was blessed by the Mandate of Heaven. With you, the Prime Minister, the generals, and the brave soldiers, we were able to defeat the Xiongnu. Although the Crown Prince is not as gifted and decisive as you, he is not a mediocre person. With the assistance of the court officials, he can defeat the incomplete Xiongnu."
Liu Che nodded, agreeing with Wei Zifu's words. He looked at his ministers and said, "The Western Regions are the right arm of the Xiongnu. If you cut it off, the Xiongnu will lose everything. Liaodong is the left arm of the Xiongnu. If you cut it off, the Xiongnu will be trapped in the Wolf Mountain.
If we control the Western Regions and Liaodong, the Xiongnu will not be able to revive."
Liu Che's eyes wandered over the ministers, and then landed on Luo Wuji, and he said leisurely: "The proudest thing in my life is that on the day of Jianyuan, I received the revelation from the Emperor Su Wang and established the Yuanshi era.
Since ancient times, emperors have claimed that they were appointed by Heaven, but how many people are truly appointed by Heaven?
I!
He is the true king appointed by Heaven!
The Han Dynasty is the country that the Supreme Emperor Su Wang looks upon with favor. The Western Regions is the land guided by the Supreme Emperor Su Wang and is an inseparable territory of the Han Dynasty.
I have thought about it over and over again, Marquis Wushuang, this is a heavy responsibility that is shouldered on you.
I know that you are carrying out your father's last wishes, so I appoint you as the Protector General of the Western Regions, commanding all the kings, marquises, and officials, and controlling the political and military affairs of the Western Regions.
You are the son of Duke Zhao, and you will have to return to Zhaocheng in the future. When you inherit the throne of Duke Zhao, you will pass the title of Wushuang Hou to your second son, and rebuild the country in the Yishui River Valley."
This is equivalent to conferring the title of King of the Western Regions on Luo Wuji, a position above everyone else.
If one wants to command the princes, only the four most senior people can go. Liu Che knew that Luo Wuji originally wanted to go to the Western Regions, so he went with the flow and appointed him to go to the Western Regions.
Luo Wuji bowed and said, "I accept your command."
This was the emperor's first will, given to the future head of the Luo family. In Liu Che's plan, the Luo family should always occupy a relatively important position in the Han Dynasty.
"Champion Marquis, come forward."
Huo Qubing's face was filled with sorrow. He knelt forward like a son to his father, kowtowed heavily, and couldn't help crying. "Your Majesty, I am here."
Liu Che patted his shoulder gently and said, "Qubing, I really like you, but it's a pity that you are not my son.
The Western Regions have been handed over to Marquis Wushuang, and Liaodong is now handed over to you.
I have set up the Liaodong Protectorate in Liaodong, which governs the four counties, five states and tribes of Liaodong. You will be the Protector of Liaodong. The county governors, princes, marquises, and the Protector of the Donghu and the Protector of the Wuhuan will all obey your orders. All military and political power will be handed over to you. Do you have confidence in me?"
Liu Che's words were very gentle. Huo Qubing suppressed his grief and said in a painful voice: "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will definitely protect Liaodong for the Han Dynasty and will never let the Xiongnu revive."
Liu Che turned his attention to Wei Qing, this general who had always kept a low profile, but was actually one of the most powerful people in the Han Dynasty.
He is not only a relative by marriage, but also represents the interests of the founding nobles. "General, you are the prince's uncle. You should help him well in the future."
Liu Che finally spoke up and appointed Wei Qing as the chief regent. In fact, the most suitable candidate in his mind was Luo Jing, but Luo Jing was old and had been ill frequently in the past two years. He was probably going to die soon and could no longer serve as the regent.
Wei Qing was a cautious, low-key and introverted person. He was polite to others and knew when to do things. He was also a relative of the emperor, so he was a good candidate to assist in the administration.
Wei Qing's body was shocked. Even though he had some guesses, when the position of regent really fell on him, he still felt inexplicably shocked.
Although this is far from comparable to the King of Luo Wen in the past, and the prince is already very old and can handle state affairs independently, it is still a great honor.
In the past, there was a saying that went, "Born as Taifu of Jin, and posthumously named Wen Zheng," which represented the highest honor for being a subject. However, this is not the case in the current Han Dynasty.
Due to the continuous regency of the Luo family, the highest honor for a minister is to become a trusted minister of the monarch, especially those trusted ministers of wise monarchs. This is the highest recognition for a minister and is called "loyalty that can be entrusted to the country and ability that can support the country."
There is no doubt that Liu Che was a wise and enlightened ruler, so the important ministers he appointed to assist the crown prince in governing were of quite high quality. In addition to these three people, Liu Che selected four more important ministers to assist the crown prince in governing.
Make arrangements, issue the decree, and then promulgate it. After all this is done, Liu Che asked everyone to leave.
…
A few days later, the bell in the palace rang. The ministers, who had been mentally prepared, stood solemnly dressed in mourning, waiting for the call from the palace.
The summons from the palace came quickly. Everyone was mentally prepared for the emperor's death. Everything was ready. The ministers filed into the palace, and countless white cloths had been hung in the palace.
The first priority was to determine the temple name and posthumous title for the late emperor.
The posthumous title is very simple. Almost everyone decided on the posthumous title "Wu" at the first moment. There is really no name more suitable for this emperor than Wu.
On the contrary, there are some twists and turns in the evaluation of temple names. There are four highest temple names, Tai, Gao, Shi and Zhong, which respectively mean founding the foundation, making great contributions, maintaining the status quo, transferring the lineage, and being the master of the revival.
To Liu Che, both Gaozong and Shizong were acceptable. However, after some debate, the ministers thought, "To maintain the status quo and make the emperor a great ruler implies that the country is declining. Now the Han Dynasty is as bright as the sun, how can there be a trace of decline?
Your Majesty's achievements and virtues are so great that even the saintly kings of previous generations cannot even compare to you, which is exactly what Emperor Gaozong said."
"good!"
Emperor Gaozong Xiaowu of the Han Dynasty!
————
Xiaowu was a man of high talent and character. He inherited the virtues of Xiaowen and held the supreme position. He established education and rectified the people, valued life and practiced benevolence and righteousness, loved scholars and people and bestowed blessings widely, recruited virtuous people and selected humble people for their great achievements. He first established the reign, established the system, changed the calendar, coordinated the music, and covered the Xia with the Han, unifying the world. His achievements were unparalleled.
When Emperor Xiaowu ascended the throne, the Xiongnu's invasions became more and more severe. Since the Three Dynasties, no barbarian tribe had been as powerful as the Xiongnu. At that time, the Xiongnu's country was thousands of miles wide, bordering the vast ocean in the east, Wei Man, and Kunlun in the west, and all nations were subject to it.
Emperor Xiaowu, with his heroic and wise character, powerful and virtuous, selected wise generals, exerted his military might, and suppressed the calamities and chaos. He conquered all who were conquered and laid the foundation for the eternal world. Only Emperor Gaozong Wu of the Han Dynasty had the virtue to rule the world and the merit to bring peace to the world for eternity. ——"Book of Han·Annals of Emperor Xiaowu"
(End of this chapter)
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