Chapter 551: Disagreement among the Luo Clan
The emperor's mind would certainly not change quickly. Luo Fu guessed that the last straw that broke the emperor's back was the memorial.
The Lu, Han, Xiao, Zhang, and Luo families, the five founding families and seven clans from Guandong, submitted a memorial.
The memorials were submitted by the four princes, King Zhao, King Liang, King Chu, and King Jiaodong (i.e. King Qi), who were based in the strategic location of Guandong.
The memorial reported the situation in Guandong. These families were the most important princes of the Han Dynasty in Guandong.
Not to mention the princes, except Yinghou Luo and Anyang Han, in order to ensure their loyalty, the other families have married into the royal family many times.
These families controlled the important transportation routes and strategic locations in the five most densely populated states in Guanzhong, and firmly guarded all roads leading to Luoyang from the five states.
If these kingdoms and marquisates cannot withstand the pressure, it proves that Guandong is corrupt. Guandong's overall resources and population naturally far exceed those of Guanzhong. How can the emperor not be worried?
Guandong was in decay, the princes were unable to help, Guanzhong was unstable, and the voices calling for reform were growing louder and louder. Faced with this situation, what could the emperor do?
"During the reign of Emperor Li Dan, there was a petition signed by hundreds of princes requesting Emperor Li to change the law. They even forced the public office open and summoned the prime minister, but Emperor Li Dan did not accept it. I'm afraid the emperor would not dare to do so this time."
The emperor does have great power, but power comes from the bottom up. Without younger brothers, no one can be so powerful. Even a powerful family like the Luo family, which only has its own rules, still needs allies to exercise its power.
If the emperor dares to continue to resist and becomes isolated, his ministers will wonder why he doesn't do the right thing.
You are such a tyrant!
At that time, except for the die-hard and foolishly loyal ministers, the thoughts of other ministers will change.
Once someone leads the way, the best outcome is to purge the emperor’s side, and the worst outcome is to execute the tyrant!
Everyone in the room agreed with what Luo Fu said, "The general trend of the world now is reform, and Wang Mang has seized power smoothly.
If the emperor of the Han Dynasty died at this time, and only a young emperor could be appointed, who would not say that this was the will of heaven?"
A slightly younger son of the Luo family asked in surprise: "Master, what Wang Mang has always wanted to do is to crack down on the powerful. We all know how difficult it is.
When Duke Zhaozhongyi did this, he encountered great resistance and it took him several years to prepare.
Everyone knew what Wang Mang and the people behind him wanted to do, so why didn't anyone stop Wang Mang from taking the throne? "
Hearing this, Luo Fu smiled and shook his head, explaining, "Because it wasn't the powerful people who supported Wang Mang.
What kind of people are the reformists?
We, the Luo family, are a family of Confucian scholars who hold the power to interpret Confucian classics, the nobles who do not make a living by annexing land, the group of passionate and idealistic scholars, and the upright officials who hope to establish a prosperous era.
To sum up, they are a group of upright people who have a say but do not depend on the land for their living. They hope to recover to the level of Emperor Xiaowen or even achieve the level described in the books of sages.
What about the opponents?
The powerful tyrants in the counties and prefectures are the main force of opposition. They have extensive local connections and are powerful, but they have no say!
No one listens to what they say, so they can only speak through the scholar group. However, the scholar group looks down on these local rich people. After all, the scholar group is still in its rising period, and its goal is to build the prosperous age described in the books of sages.
The other opposition mainly consisted of clan relatives and eunuchs, who were close to the emperor. These people were even more extreme than the powerful. The powerful would look for opportunities to seize power, such as lending money in years of disaster, or colluding with local officials.
The relatives of the clan and the eunuchs directly robbed it. I remember that ten years ago in Hedong County, a son of a branch family became an official, and finally brought the matter to the emperor. If this was not a son of a branch family, but an official with no background, what would be the end of it?"
What will be the outcome?
What could be the fate of the clan members who ruined their families and the eunuchs who wiped out their clans?
Aren’t the Wang family’s relatives by marriage now also a group of playboys?
It is precisely because of this that the emergence of Wang Mang is so precious.
In the midst of a group of filthy people, there is such a noble person. Who can not yearn for him?
He must have written to some of you, asking you to come out and help him, and some of you were tempted and forgot about the ending of Zhao Zhongyi.
In other words, I would rather take that path and try my best."
As soon as Luo Fu finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room changed a little. Several people immediately prostrated themselves on the ground. Luo Fu's third son said in a deep voice, "Father.
Jujun did write letters to his son and several brothers, but he was still hesitant.
The son has been wondering why his grandfather Zhaozhongyi failed back then?
Could it be because of our Luo family?
What if we don't do it ourselves?
What if we only serve as assistants?
A hundred years ago, the family was determined to fight against the powerful. Now, after decades of waiting, such a person has finally appeared. If they do not help him, they will not be able to overcome this hurdle in their hearts.
Moreover, the family's business income fell by 20% last year because the chaos in the world made trade inconvenient. Except for luxury goods, the prices of daily necessities were unlikely to increase, and things would only become more difficult in the future.
Now the caravans of Yinghou State have begun to be attacked by refugees and bandits. If this continues, it is only a matter of time before the family's caravans are attacked.
Increasing our influence on the world and restoring stability to the world is the most important thing.
A son does not need to inherit the family line, and the family does not lack a son.
It is most appropriate for me to go to the human world for a while. Even if I die in troubled times, it is just my fate. As long as I can contribute to the world, it is better than just watching from here."
This speech is clear and logical, demonstrating the necessity of everything from one's own heart to the situation faced by the family, and is free and easy towards life and death.
"What if he's not the one who can save the world?"
Hearing his father's words, Luo Qi was stunned, and then said firmly: "Then my son must go!
He holds such great power. If he cannot use it properly, it will cause great harm to the world. Only by being by his side can we control things from going as bad as possible. "
The Luo family members sitting on both sides looked at the people crawling on the ground, their eyes fluctuating. Luo Qi was the first son of the Luo family to take up an official position after the death of Lord Zhaozhongyi. Although some agreed and some disagreed, everyone expressed their understanding.
People are inherently complex.
Some people believe that a monarch’s morality is more important than his ability, while others believe that ability is more important than morality. Some people like a strong monarch, while others like a monarch who is willing to listen to advice.
Some people are willing to risk their lives for their friends.
No one knows Wang Mang's specific ability to do things, but he has bright ideals in his heart, which is enough in the eyes of many people. A monarch does not need to know everything, and Wang Mang and Luo Qi are gentlemen friends.
Luo Fu was silent for a long time this time. His eldest son Luo Yi said softly: "Father, since Aqi wants to go, let him go. At the end of the Qin Dynasty, didn't King Zhaosheng allow his family members to move freely?
The world was even more chaotic at that time than it is now, and the family at that time did not have the prestige it has now. Since the family members want to fight for their ideals, we should support them.
Not only Aqi, if there are other young men who want to leave Zhaocheng, they can also be recommended.
"Our Luo family has a thousand-year reputation and has produced many saints and sages throughout the ages. We cannot let Wang Jujun take the cake."
As soon as Roy finished speaking, everyone in the room bowed their heads and said, "Your Majesty, Su Wang!"
Luo Fu sighed and said, "The Su King is with you!"
Luo Qi was overjoyed when he heard this, and immediately kowtowed heavily, saying happily: "Your Majesty, I will definitely not bring disgrace to our family's reputation."
After everyone left, Luo Fu looked at his eldest son and asked, "Do you think Wang Mang can accomplish this?"
Luo Yi pondered for a moment, thinking back to his impression of Wang Mang, who was relatively clear about the ills of the world, so he said: "This is not something my son can understand, but it is enough for him to take charge of the government.
I'm afraid we'll hear news of his promotion to prime minister soon.
After becoming the prime minister, he would probably have to exclude dissidents and make the court speak with one voice.
How far he can achieve in the future depends on his ideas and means.
His son had heard the few words Wang Mang said before. His main method was to distribute the land of the powerful to the poor people who lacked land, so that the court could achieve the model of one family owning 100 acres.
If we want to restore the situation to the time of Emperor Xiaocheng, it would be relatively simple.
If we want to restore the situation to the time of Emperor Xiaoxuan, we need to bring back a capable and well-governed minister like King Luo Wen.
If we want to return to the time of Emperor Xiaowen, we will inevitably fail.
Taking big steps is not just about walking fast.
But if Aqi is by his side, he should be able to understand the interests involved."
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Mang was promoted to the position of prime minister and held everyone hostage. Those who were obedient were promoted and those who were disobedient were exiled and executed. He deployed his minions widely and had many henchmen.
A scholar said that his party was united in attacking dissidents. Mang took off his hat and bowed his head, weeping profusely, begging to be buried. The ministers came forward and said, "Mang is a man of great virtue and great ambition. He is respectful and filial to the emperor and praised by the world. Why would he become a minister who speaks evil words and destroys the country?"
The Empress Dowager was furious and said, "The country is in decline and the wise are in charge. You do not want to assist them, but instead speak evil words. You deserve to be killed!"
The emperor was also angry, so Wang Mang put on his crown again, which was even more impressive.
(End of this chapter)
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