159 Chapter 159
◎South Vietnam. ◎
The Queen Mother of Nanyue was easily persuaded. Putting aside personal feelings, from a public perspective, submitting to the Han Dynasty was the best way for them and their son.
But Prime Minister Lu Jia now holds great power. Not only does he not want to submit to the Han Dynasty, but because the mother and son of the King of Nanyue are close to the Han envoys, he even has the idea of rebellion.
When the news reached Ganquan Palace, Liu Che and his son Liu Ju were fishing with Wei Huo.
"Interesting," Liu Che said with a smile. "Lü Jia controls the affairs of Nanyue, and his relatives all hold positions in the court. The events of the Tian family replacing Qi and the division of Jin among the three families are still fresh in our minds. It's understandable that these mother and son would seek refuge in the Han Dynasty."
Liu Ju laughed and said, "When the snipe and the clam quarrel, the fisherman benefits. Uncle, there is no need for us to protect them."
Wei Qing warned, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, while the fisherman may profit, he must also beware of the mantis catching the cicada while the oriole waits behind."
Liu Che nodded: "Zhongqing is absolutely right."
Huo Qubing said, "Your Majesty, I will lead the troops."
"It's just a small matter, there's no need to be a champion, old man." Liu Ju tilted his head.
Liu Che stroked his fishing rod and said, "Qubing, if you were to leave now, I'd be worried that Nanyue wouldn't be able to cause chaos."
Liu Ju sighed and said, "My cousin, your reputation can be quite troublesome sometimes."
His Majesty the Emperor took the fan at hand and tapped the prince on the head: "Fisherman, tell me, how do you want to gain advantage?"
"Let me tell you?" Liu Ju said with a smile, "Ah, if you want Lü Jia to rebel, you have to make him feel that he has no choice but to rebel. Otherwise, he will die."
Liu Che nodded: "Go on."
Liu Ju added, "Lü Jia rebelled and killed the King of Nanyue and the Queen Mother. It was only natural for the Han Dynasty to send troops to suppress the rebellion."
Liu Che nodded and smiled, "That's right, Qubing..." He turned his head and said, "I have given full authority over the Nanyue matter to the Crown Prince. When you can take action, you will receive the Crown Prince's orders."
Liu Ju was stunned for a moment: "Aunt, I...I will do it all?"
"Yes." His Majesty the Emperor affirmed.
Huo Qubing stood up and saluted Liu Ju: "Your Highness."
Liu Ju had regained his composure: "Cousin, please sit down. I'll think about what to do next."
Regarding the affairs of the Nanyue Kingdom, Liu Ju had the experience from his previous life, which gave him the upper hand and allowed him to cheat, but the political situation and battlefield situation were changing rapidly, and Liu Ju could not rely solely on the experience of his previous life.
In view of his experience in his previous life, Liu Ju had little confidence in himself regarding the deployment of troops, so he consulted the two great marshals Wei and Huo before formulating a proper plan. Unexpectedly, this aroused the dissatisfaction of the Emperor.
"I taught both of them, why don't you come and ask me?" Liu Che said.
Liu Ju said honestly, "Grandfather only knows theory, but my uncle and cousin have practical experience."
The Emperor choked and said, "Sooner or later I will lead the army myself!"
"If there is anything, I will do it for you, old man. In the future, I will also take charge of the military expedition!" Liu Ju massaged his father's shoulders attentively.
Liu Ju laughed and said, "You are dreaming."
Liu Ju withdrew his hand: "Ah Weng, I have something else to do, so I'll take my leave now."
"Hey!" Liu Che shook his head and laughed, "Stinky boy!"
…
Because he was busy with the affairs of Nanyue, Liu Ju requested the emperor to postpone the bear paw hunting in autumn to next year. Liu Che agreed very generously and did not add interest.
Later, the delegation brought back a message to Chang'an that the Queen Mother of Nanyue attempted to assassinate Lü Jia but failed. Although the King of Nanyue was afraid of Lü Jia, he had no intention of killing him personally.
Liu Ju smiled and said, "While Lü Jia certainly threatens Zhao Xing, the Han Dynasty is also a threat to him. He thinks he can attack or defend, but he is completely mistaken."
"How are An Guo Shao Ji and others?" Liu Ju asked again.
The messenger replied, "They are still in Nanyue awaiting orders from Your Majesty and Your Highness, and dare not move without authorization."
"When a general is away from home, he may not obey military orders," Liu Ju said. "Go back and tell An Guo Shaoji that he has only one thing to do, from beginning to end, and that is to intensify the conflict between the Queen Mother of Nanyue and Lü Jia."
The visitor bowed his head and said respectfully, "As you command."
Liu Ju waved his hand and said, "Go ahead."
After everyone left, Liu Ju changed his clothes, got up and went to Xuanshi Hall to find his father to report the latest situation, but was told that the Emperor had gone to Madam Li.
In July, Lady Li gave birth to a daughter. The little girl was a little thin, pitiful and cute, and needed to be taken care of carefully. The Emperor felt distressed for his own flesh and blood, so he often went to see her in person.
It was inconvenient for Liu Ju to chase after him, and he was just about to return to the Prince's Palace when the Emperor came back.
The Emperor thought of the past: "When Min'er was born, it was the same. He was always sick every other day, and he is still weak now."
Liu Ju helped his father sit down and said, "Aunt is missing my second brother. When he comes to pay homage, why not let him stay for two more months?"
"Is that something you can say?" Liu Che glanced at him, "Prince."
Liu Ju was not afraid: "Ah Weng, you are the emperor. If you want to enjoy the happiness of family, what's wrong with that?"
Liu Che rubbed his brow and said, "Just make me angry."
Liu Ju didn't dare to say anything more. He stood up and rubbed his father's forehead and temples. "Aunt, I won't say anything more. Don't be angry. I didn't mean anything else."
Liu Che was still furious: "I just said a few words casually, it's not like I don't love you anymore, why are you still so sarcastic."
He misunderstood that Liu Ju cared about his father thinking about other children. Liu Ju hurriedly explained: "Aunt, you misunderstood me. I really just want to make you happy."
Liu Che looked up at the prince's expression, nodded after a moment and said, "That's more or less the case." He patted the prince's hand and said, "I know you are filial, but the royal family has to think so much. If you don't think about it, someone else will."
"I understand. Thank you, Mr. Weng, for your guidance." Liu Ju said seriously.
Liu Che smiled and said, "You, once you encounter my affairs, you lose your usual sense of propriety."
Liu Ju hugged his father's shoulders affectionately: "Because I love Grandpa."
"Oh, you love your father-in-law and want him to enjoy the happiness of family life, right?" His Majesty the Emperor asked, tilting his head.
"Yeah..." Liu Ju was caught off guard.
"Then you should give me a grandson soon, and I will naturally be able to enjoy the happiness of family." Liu Che said with a smile.
Liu Ju looked up at the rooftop. After a moment, he lowered his head again and said, "Grandfather, your granddaughter is doing well, isn't she?"
"Tsk." His Majesty the Emperor said dissatisfiedly, "Don't say such things."
Liu Ju was also dissatisfied: "Auntie clearly likes the little princess very much. Don't you only like your own daughter and not your son's daughter?"
"First of all, a grandson is better." Liu Che said hurriedly.
"That's not right, Grandfather, listen to me," Liu Ju said logically. "Grandfather waited for many years before he got you, Grandfather. Grandfather waited for many years before he got me. Although the waiting process was long, the final result was good!"
The Emperor said expressionlessly, "Of course what you said makes sense, but if you dare to make me wait for so many years, I will beat you."
Liu Ju's eyes widened: "Ah Weng, you are unreasonable."
"I am the emperor and I can be unreasonable." Liu Che said righteously.
Liu Ju had nothing to say.
…
It was already late autumn when chaos broke out in Nanyue. Although Marquis Guanjun was the Grand Marshal and General of Cavalry, he still had a strong interest in leading the troops personally. With his help, the time Lu Jia could struggle was shortened by two-thirds compared to his previous life.
The Nanyue Kingdom was destroyed in the early winter of the fourth year of Yuanding.
Liu Che established seven counties in the area where Nanyue was located. Soon, good news came from the front. Marquis Guanjun led his army across the sea and once again expanded the territory for the Han Dynasty.
When the battle report arrived, His Majesty had just returned from an inspection tour of the palace and was chatting with the Crown Prince, Cao Zong, and Huo Xian. After they left, he pinched Huo Xian's cheek and said with a smile, "My dear old man, whenever you go out, you always bring me some unexpected surprises."
Huo Xian smiled and said, "I would like to follow my father's example and expand the territory for Your Majesty in the future."
"What a good ambition!" Liu Che patted his shoulder and praised him.
"What about Han'er, what do you want to do in the future?" Liu Che asked his grandson again.
Cao Zong thought for a moment and said, "My grandfather is not as good as the Marquis of Guanjun. I am afraid I can't expand the territory for my grandfather."
"Alas, serving His Majesty doesn't just mean expanding territory. The Han Dynasty has a vast territory, and His Majesty needs all kinds of people to serve him." Liu Ju said with a smile, "There are 360 professions, and your skills are bound to be useful to His Majesty."
Cao Zong nodded vigorously: "Uncle, don't worry, I will work hard!"
Liu Che nodded and smiled, "Your Highness is right. The imperial court cannot do without either of the military commanders or the civil officials." He patted the two men on the shoulders again, very amiable, "Would you like to stay by my side and study so that you can serve me soon, just like your grandfather did?"
Without waiting for the two children to answer, Liu Ju said bluntly: "Aunt, it seems like you are kidnapping and selling children."
Liu Che said angrily, "You only know how to ruin my plans."
Liu Ju laughed and said, "Ah Weng, you admit that you are kidnapping other people's children."
Liu Che became even more angry: "Why don't I kidnap your child? Don't you have any idea?"
The Crown Prince, already numb from the hasty birth, smiled fearlessly, "There's nothing I can do about it." He simply offered his father an idea, "Aunt, while my cousin is away in the capital, how about you issue an imperial decree to have Shan'er enter the palace as a minister? Once my cousin returns and the dust settles, he'll definitely not disobey."
Huo Xian looked in shock at the Crown Prince who was plotting in front of him, but was shushed by someone. The child immediately pouted in grievance.
Cao Zong looked at his little friend with sympathy. Fortunately, his grandfather was at home, otherwise he would have been taken to the palace as well.
"I won't fall for your tricks." It was the Emperor who rescued Huo Shan. "It's not easy for me to see Shan'er, why bother being so annoying?"
Huo Xian immediately looked at the Emperor with shining eyes: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Liu Che raised his eyebrows at his son, indicating that he was still far from it.
Liu Ju gave his father a thumbs up: "Aunt, your skills are superior."
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