Chapter 546 [Second Update] 546
As far as Liu Che was concerned, he wouldn't think it was a big deal even if Liu Tan said he wanted to make the Northern Border Country richer than Chang'an. But Liu Tan said he wanted to destroy the Huns. Wasn't this a joke?
If the Huns were so easy to destroy, why would Liu Che wait until today?
Liu Tan said seriously, "I honestly think that fighting the Xiongnu is easier than developing the economy of the Northern Border."
Liu Che sneered: "I think you have lost your bearings after winning a few battles. Do you think the Xiongnu are easy to defeat?"
Liu Tan thought seriously for a while before saying, "Actually... it's really easy to beat."
Liu Che was about to educate him, but after thinking about it, he found that it seemed not easy to educate him. His son defeated Wu Shilu twice and even stabbed the opponent to death. During this period, he killed the Cheshi Kingdom like lightning, and directly grasped the road to the outside world in the hands of the Han Dynasty itself.
It’s really... not easy to educate.
Liu Che thought for a long time and finally said reluctantly, "Don't be arrogant. Your battles with the Xiongnu have always been based on defense. To destroy the Xiongnu or drive them away, you need to attack. Are you sure you can win if you take the initiative to provoke a war?"
Liu Tan thought about it and felt that what his father said was right. He had always been passive when facing the Huns, and he felt aggrieved even if he won.
Why could the Huns come and go as they pleased? Why couldn't he take the initiative to fight the Huns?
Seeing that Liu Tan's expression was becoming increasingly strange, Liu Che knew that his son was probably planning to attack the Huns.
He could guess this on the one hand because he really knew Liu Tan, and on the other hand... who hasn't been through this age?
This was a time of great heroism. Liu Che had dared to send Wei Qing to the battle, which showed his courage. Not to mention that Liu Tan had already defeated the Huns many times, and there was even Lu Xuan who could form an alliance with him to attack from both sides.
If Liu Che were to analyze it, if all the soldiers of the Northern Border Kingdom were transformed into an elite group, then it would not be surprising that they could win.
But Liu Che still didn't want to let his youngest son take risks.
He didn't have many sons left. Liu Bo rebelled, and Emperor Wu of Han no longer intended to recognize him. Although Liu Fuling did not rebel, Emperor Wu of Han's feelings for him were almost invisible. They were only related by blood. In the future... it was estimated that Emperor Wu of Han would not pay too much attention to this son.
As for his newly-appointed youngest son, he had caused so much bloodshed before he even learned to walk, and almost killed Crown Prince Liu Ju.
Although he knew that the child was innocent, he did not want to look at him too much, lest he develop unrealistic fantasies in the future.
So after counting, the son whom he truly cared about was Liu Tan, the youngest one.
Of course, the only ones he really cares about now are his two sons, but the more this is the case, the more Liu Che doesn't want him to take risks.
So he decisively interrupted the topic and said, "When you return to Chang'an this time, don't rush back to the Northern Border."
Liu Tan opened his mouth to say something, but Liu Che didn't give him a chance and said directly, "Don't worry, Huo Guang is here, nothing will go wrong. If something big really happens, you will be able to get the news even if you are on the road."
Liu Tan thought about it and realized that this was true. Ever since Liu Che arrived in Jiaozhi and Chang'an confirmed that the emperor had returned safely, many documents were quickly handed to Liu Che. Even their hurried journey did not delay Liu Che from handling state affairs.
So during this period of time, Liu Che had a better understanding of the previous series of rebellions, and he felt a little emotional about it. He had known for a long time that Liu Quma was wrong, but he did not expect that this person would have such an idea.
Of course, Liu Che was not angry. He just thought that Liu Qumao was really dreaming. Even if he really disappeared and could not come back, his two sons would never give Liu Qumao a chance to take advantage of him, just like this time.
But precisely because he knew the whole story, Liu Che felt even more distressed for his sons. Since the accident, one of his two sons was poisoned and has not recovered yet, but he ran such a long distance to pick him up, and the other one has not even had a good night's sleep.
Liu Che's idea was to take good care of his two sons' health as soon as he returned to Chang'an, so that they would not neglect their health when they were young and develop chronic diseases that would cause them trouble in the future.
Liu Tan saw that Liu Che's expression was very serious and knew that he was very persistent in this matter. After thinking for a while, he said, "Okay."
He also had to stay for a while. First, he had to eliminate the influence he had previously created in Chang'an. Second, he had to stay and see whether Liu Fuling's mother, Zhao, would die.
It is hard to say who will suffer when Chen Ajiao faces Zhao. Anyway, if it were in the past, Chen Ajiao would definitely suffer, so he decided that if Zhao Shi still finds trouble, then don't blame him for being cruel and ruthless.
Because of the hot weather, they basically would not travel when it was hot. It was not that Liu Che was pampered, but he was worried that the people following him could not bear it, especially Liu Tan's elite regiment. No matter what, they were not qualified to ride in a carriage. In addition, their uniforms were all black, the color that absorbs the most heat. Liu Tan felt distressed when he saw them riding horses under the scorching sun.
As for Liu Che... he cared more about horses than people. The horses ridden by Liu Tan's elite troops were all selected from the better local horses in the Northern Border Kingdom and hybridized with Ferghana horses, taking the best of both. Liu Che also liked this kind of horses very much, so naturally he was unwilling to let the horses walk in the hot sun.
So it took them almost two months to reach Chang'an, and by the time they arrived in Chang'an, only the last bit of the summer heat was left.
When we entered the city, there were three dukes... Oh, now there are only two dukes left, and they came out to greet us with civil and military officials.
Liu Che got off the car to express his condolences and was satisfied to find that none of the ministers dared to get fat.
Well, he felt sad when his son lost weight, but he was satisfied when his ministers lost weight - it proved that these people cared about him.
Such double standards!
After some polite exchanges, Liu Che had to get on the car and take his people back to the palace, and these ministers also needed to follow him into the palace and say a few words before leaving. It was really just two words, they didn't dare to say more, for fear that saying more would upset the emperor who was already tired from the journey!
Liu Tan deeply felt that these official documents were simply sick and were simply a joke. Liu Che might not be very happy, but the ministers would definitely be unhappy.
However, there is no other way. Everyone can only hide their pain and smile sincerely. Otherwise, if the emperor finds out that you are reluctant to come to pick him up, you will be punished.
Back in the palace, the Grand Chamberlain beside Chen Ajiao came forward and said, "Your Majesty, my wife and the concubines are already waiting in the harem to welcome you."
Liu Che responded and turned to the ministers behind him and said, "Alright, don't gather here in this hot weather. Go back. I will announce the candidate for Prime Minister in two days."
Everyone: !!!!!!!!!
Wait, no one asked about the Prime Minister!
Many elderly officials were drowsy from the heat, but they woke up immediately after hearing these words - they were so scared!
It is no joke that Liu Che's prime ministers were consumables. Almost all of them died for various reasons. Some committed suicide out of fear of punishment, and some were executed for their crimes. Anyway, the common characteristic was that they all committed crimes, and the mortality rate was almost 100%.
Liu Qumao had been the prime minister for so many years before, and everyone thought that he could continue in office smoothly. After all, he was a member of the royal family, and the emperor seemed to value him very much. A minor crime would not bring him down, and no one would be so desperate as to frame him.
Everyone was celebrating and thought they were safe, but who would have thought that although the prime minister was not framed, he actually rebelled!
People these days are superstitious and deeply feel that the position of prime minister is simply a curse, so everyone has almost reached a tacit understanding that as long as the emperor does not mention it, they will definitely not mention it.
Unexpectedly, the emperor was so anxious that he started thinking about how to find a new prime minister on the first day after returning.
For a moment, those who calculated their resumes and thought they had a good chance of "winning" were in despair. It felt like there was a guillotine hanging over their heads, waiting to fall down with a "click" when the emperor announced it, and the person who was chosen could then start preparing for his funeral.
Liu Che had no idea that he had just returned and had dropped a huge bombshell on his subordinates. He turned around and went to meet his concubines.
When he arrived at the harem, Chen Ajiao and other concubines had already dressed up and were ready to welcome him.
Perhaps because he had been missing for a while, Chen Ajiao was much calmer when she saw Liu Che.
Whether you say she is worried about Liu Che or that she feels sorry for her son, Liu Che really can't afford to get into trouble right now.
Liu Tan is still young, and it is too difficult for him to take over the country.
So Chen Ajiao decided to be less angry with Liu Che, so as not to anger him to death and cause his son to work hard.
When Liu Che walked over, all the concubines except the queen knelt down to pay their respects, and his eyes naturally fell on Chen Ajiao.
When he saw Chen Ajiao's face clearly, Liu Che couldn't help but pause - he found that Chen Ajiao did not seem to be wearing any makeup today, and even had a hint of fatigue on her face.
For a moment, Liu Che suddenly realized that Chen Ajiao... was actually not young anymore.
It’s not that I dislike her faded complexion. Even though she is not young anymore, Chen Ajiao’s face is still bright. The concubines in the harem with dull looks are not as good as her.
Liu Che just suddenly remembered that he and Chen Ajiao had been through so many ups and downs for so many years, and if there was one person in the harem who truly understood him, it was Chen Ajiao.
I don’t know if it was because of this incident, but after meeting all the palace concubines, Liu Che only spoke a few words to Wei Zifu alone, comforted her, and then stayed in the Pepper Room.
After all the concubines had left, Liu Che couldn't help but ask, "Where's Tan'er?"
When he just returned to the palace, Liu Che secretly slipped away to see his mother. Although she didn't have the chance to tell Liu Che, he also knew that at this moment he didn't see Liu Tan in the Pepper Room.
While Chen Ajiao was busy serving him some iced juice, she said, "I sent him off to rest. He had lost a lot of weight in Chang'an before, and he became darker and thinner after running around. How do you take care of your son?"
Liu Che said somewhat embarrassedly: "Where is it dark? Tan'er is still very white!"
Chen Ajiao snorted: "Do you believe this yourself?"
Liu Che decisively changed the subject: "I heard that the Queen can't even afford rouge and powder?"
Chen Ajiao immediately covered her face and said, "Is it not good-looking?"
For a moment, Liu Che felt as if he had returned to their youth, when he had threatened to build a golden house for Chen Ajiao. For a moment, his heart softened: "Ajie is always beautiful."
Chen Ajiao smiled slightly, but thought to herself: Tan'er's so-called nude makeup is really useful.
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