Chapter 526: Princes and the Emperor
Countless princes entered Chang'an City, especially the marquises and princes from Guandong, who attracted great attention from the people of Chang'an.
The positions of the kings and marquises of the Han Dynasty are now becoming increasingly different.
No matter which class, in the end it all comes down to the competition of talent. The rise of Confucian scholars is the gathering of the strength of the world's powerful people.
This led to the emergence of an endless stream of talented people among the county governors and ministers of state, which had a profound impact on the positions of the kings and marquises.
The kings and marquises had kingdoms and marquisates to inherit, which were the remnants of the feudal system of the previous era. This was an advantage, but also a shackle.
During the Zhou Dynasty, it was common for vassal states to grow in power and eventually annex their suzerain states, so the imperial court kept a close eye on these semi-independent vassal states.
But in this era of great land annexation, the shackles imposed on them by the royal family were too heavy.
The provincial governors, county magistrates, prime ministers, and imperial guards were all keeping an eye on whether these princes and dukes were expanding outward. If they did, they would report it, which would be a great achievement.
On the contrary, the powerful people in the counties can annex land without any scruples. Although the nature of the land is different, the land of the kings and princes is "their own" and the land of the powerful people is "bought", but who will care when it comes to actual use?
Many princes came to Chang'an to file complaints.
"Your Majesty, the private armies in my country are not as numerous as the retainers of the powerful. The land owned by the powerful in the counties is several times larger than that in my country. The powerful have even built fortresses on the land, which is like a country within a country.
I am a marquis canonized by the imperial court.
My ancestors followed Emperor Gao to found the country, and followed Emperor Xiaowu to fight against the Xiongnu, suppress rebellion, and restore order to the country.
As a result, I was bullied to this extent by a mere local tyrant who colluded with the county magistrate. I am really ashamed and find it difficult to face my ancestors.
Even in the middle of the night, I often wanted to commit suicide to thank the world.
I hate it! "
Looking at the marquises kneeling in the hall and crying, Liu She and Huo Guang were dumbfounded. The marquises of the country should not be in such a miserable state!
Of course, they would not end up in such a miserable state. The value of the garrison marquises was to quell unrest and prevent the spread of peasant uprisings like the one that broke out across the country at the end of the Qin Dynasty.
It has only been thirty years since the Jingnan Campaign, and the second generations of the Jingnan princes have not all died out yet, so how could their fighting power be deteriorated so quickly?
But only the crying child gets the candy. If you don't make yourself sound miserable, how can you get benefits from the court?
Besides, what he said is not wrong. There is indeed such a trend now. Using the powerful future forces to defeat the powerful present forces is called taking precautions before they occur. Is there anything wrong with that?
After coming back to their senses from their shock, Huo Guang and Liu She's faces immediately darkened. Who was kneeling in front of them?
They are descendants of the founding heroes of the Han Dynasty and the heroes who helped to win the Jingnan Rebellion. Those who still retain their titles and marquisates 150 years after the founding of the country have all made great contributions to the Han Dynasty.
Both Emperor Gao and Emperor Xiaoxuan had made oaths, one saying "the country will be forever peaceful" and the other saying "the succession will be uninterrupted". Even if one does not take Emperor Gao's oath seriously, Emperor Xiaoxuan is his own father and he must fulfill his oath!
In other words, in the Han Dynasty, when a powerful man confronted a marquis, the outcome was determined by the identities of both parties.
Thinking of this, Liu She said in a stern voice: "Don't worry, I will reassign Xiu Yizhizhi from the court to lead the palace guards to investigate. The powerful are often lawless, and I didn't expect that they would bully the marquises!
What kind of tigers, leopards, jackals and wolves are these? They are even more ferocious than the worst wild beasts. With such a family entrenched in the county, how can the people in the county live in peace?
I am angry!
What does the county magistrate eat?
Why is this not reported?
Are they colluding with powerful families?"
Liu She was truly a qualified leader. After a few words, he began to expand his thinking, from the conflict between powerful families and marquis families to whether the officials in the counties were illegal.
The marquises were overjoyed when they heard this, and could not help feeling proud, knowing that their enemy was doomed.
Dare to go against the Marquis family?
After suddenly becoming rich, I don’t know how much I weigh anymore!
Even if our family is impoverished, we still have political privileges, the quota to recommend officials, the power to enter the palace to meet the emperor on time, and the achievements that our ancestors have struggled for 150 years.
As long as the imperial power is at its peak, toppling a local powerful family is a piece of cake. What can you, a mere local tyrant, do to fight against our marquisate family?
Do you really think we are local bumpkins like you?
If it were a wealthy family in Chang'an, I would be a little scared.
Thinking of this, the marquis hurriedly thanked him and left the palace with brisk steps.
Looking at the figure walking out of the hall, and thinking back to the various kings and dukes he had met in the past few days, Liu She asked with some doubt: "General, are the powerful really that strong nowadays?
All the kings and dukes who entered the palace denounced the powerful.
Forget about others, but why are the Lanling Xiao, Zhang, Lu, and Han families also denouncing it?
There wouldn't be any powerful person so blind as to provoke these great marquises, right?
Even I have to respect these families, they are all families of the same dynasty."
The Guochao Tongxiu family of the Han Dynasty did not mean that they would not destroy their country. Rather, if they destroyed their country, once there was a happy event, they would look for their descendants to restore the country. This is called Guochao Tongxiu.
There are not many families who can enjoy such treatment, and they are all those who have made the greatest contributions to the founding of the Han Dynasty.
Liu She was still very smart, and then he heard Huo Guang say faintly: "Whether it is true or not, what does it matter?
The Han Dynasty has never relied on the powerful to rule the world, but in recent years the powerful have continued to grow stronger. If there is really no other way, we can only let it go.
But since there are garrison marquises willing to assist the court, naturally we can only sacrifice the powerful. "
Liu She was startled when he heard this, and then he realized that this was a question of stance, not a question of right or wrong!
…
What is the prosperous scene of the national dynasty?
What is the power of the Son of Heaven?
What is the prestige of the court?
In Changle Palace, Huo Guang was quite excited when he saw the tribute list piled up like a mountain. He said to Liu She: "Your Majesty.
When did the Shang Dynasty decline?
It started when the Zhou people at the foot of Mount Qishan lost their king and crown prince in Chaoge. It started when the Zhou people united with the princes and no longer respected the Shang Dynasty.
When did the Zhou Dynasty decline?
It started with the princes being unwilling to pay homage to the emperor, and with the princes gradually beginning to ignore the role of the emperor.
When Emperor Xiaoxuan first ascended the throne, he did not even dare to allow the princes to come and pay homage to him.
What about now?
Your Majesty, you issued a decree when the sun rises, and the princes must complete it before the sun sets.
The princes wanted to see His Majesty, just like students wanting to hear their teacher's instructions.
The kings want to continue their wealth and prosperity, and they are trembling in fear before Your Majesty.
Even the King of Dayuan East and the King of Lingnan, who are five thousand miles away, will come to Chang'an and respectfully pay their loyalty to you.
The princes and nobles who came to Chang'an blocked the roads in and out of the city gates, and countless rare treasures filled the treasury and still could not be stored.
All families are willing to offer their daughters in order to achieve the goal of entering the heavenly home.
This is what Emperor Xiaoxuan and I have been working tirelessly on for the past thirty years.
Today, I finally saw this scene.”
Huo Guang's words were so passionate that Liu She's heart was shaken. He was about to take over a revival that was second only to Emperor Wen. Could he protect the foundation laid by his ancestors?
He calmed down his excitement and said, "This is all thanks to Emperor Xiaoxuan and you. I am just sitting back and enjoying the fruits of their labor. I am really ashamed."
"Your Majesty, do not worry. In the past, Emperor Xiaowen was a man of extraordinary talent and had Prince Luowen as regent. After Prince Luowen returned power, Emperor Xiaowen would establish his achievements.
You are still so young, you will definitely achieve great things in the future."
After Huo Guang finished speaking, he turned his gaze towards the tomb of King Su in Chang'an. His gaze seemed to be able to travel through space. There was not only the human body of King Su Shanghuangtian, but also King Luo Wen!
In the 150-year-old Han Dynasty, who wouldn't want to be the second King Luo Wen!
He was rich and glorious during his lifetime, and held all the political power in his hands. After his death, he was treated with great honor and was not held accountable. His name was recorded in history, and his loyalty was passed down through the ages. He was enshrined in the Liu Ancestral Temple and received incense from the dynasty every year. Who wouldn't want that?
But throughout the 150 years of the Han Dynasty, only I, Huo Guang, have this opportunity!
As long as I return power during my lifetime, my reputation in the Han Dynasty will always be second only to King Luo Wen. Thinking of this, Huo Guang couldn't help but tremble with excitement.
Liu She had not yet been crowned, so he should not have returned power so early, but Huo Guang could not wait any longer. He wanted to let the princes stay for a while when they came to the capital.
Within one year, all the grand ceremonies to celebrate the birth of royal children, the ceremony to select the queen, the wedding of the emperor and empress, the crowning ceremony after the wedding, and the ceremony to return power will be held!
The princes would never have thought that they would not be able to go back after just coming to attend a celebration ceremony.
But the advantage is probably that he doesn't have to run back and forth. Huo Guang believes that the kings and nobles should thank him.
…
Liu She returned to the harem. With the birth of the prince and the increasing number of pregnant women, the empress dowager relaxed a little about safety.
When Liu She entered the garden, all he saw were enchanting beauties, spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums, each with its own beauty. Many of the women had bulging bellies, and he couldn't help feeling pleased.
After more than a year of experience and comparison, Liu She was quite displeased with the young woman that Huo Guang and his mother had found before. The experience he gave from both sides was really very different. He believed that this was the reason why he had no heirs before.
Thinking about this in his mind, Liu She walked quickly with a smile on his face and approached the girls, causing a burst of exclamations and laughter.
"It would be great if the general could always assist me. Life is only fifty years long, and it would be too tiring to spend all of it governing the country. It would be better to make a beautiful woman smile."
Thinking back to the kings and marquises he had seen in the palace, and then looking at the beauties in front of him, Liu She's ambitions that had just been aroused by Huo Guang completely calmed down, "It is enough to protect the foundation of our ancestors."
————
Until one hundred and fifty years after its establishment, the Han Dynasty still possessed strong vitality. The author believes that the root of this lies in the double insurance of the central and local governments. In the Han Dynasty, the central government implemented the prime minister system. The prime minister had great power and could even check the imperial power. The Grand Marshal and General during the reign of Huo Guang could replace the prime minister. This system prevented the court's policies from going to extremes.
When Emperor Li Liu Dan destroyed the central system, the Jingnan Princes, which was the double insurance set up by the Han Dynasty in the local areas, played a role and quickly corrected the mistakes made in the central court. The Han Dynasty seemed to be back on track.
However, when I read the historical materials of the 11th and 12th years of Lingjue, I came to a new conclusion: Emperor Xuan of Han restored the prime minister system that could check the imperial power at the central level, especially his appointment of Huo Guang as the assistant to further strengthen the power of the prime minister. However, at the local level, the double insurance was almost ineffective! ——"The Rise and Fall of the Han Dynasty"
(End of this chapter)
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