100 Phoenix Spreads Its Wings
◎Huo Qubing: Don't be afraid.◎
In the summer of the third year of Yuanshou, Sima Qian, recommended by the Marquis of Tai'an, was appointed governor of Jiaodong. Thus ended the boiling salt method in Jiaodong and began the large-scale, systematic sun-drying method. Official salt, tasting like snow, neither bitter nor astringent, and available in large quantities and at a low price, immediately crushed the private salt market. Commoners preferred to avoid buying official salt, and Jiaodong's salt merchants, both large and small, faced bankruptcy. Sima Qian became a target of public criticism. Huo Yan introduced Sima Qian to Sang Hongyang, the newly appointed Minister of Agriculture, and the two discussed making Jiaodong the first stop in the official salt and iron industry.
Liu Che responded quickly, as he always responded quickly to anything that could make him money. Huo Yan stood up slowly, turned around and asked Liu Che to send Wei Bu to Jiaodong. He was worried that someone would become desperate and harm Sima Qian, leaving him with no one to rely on.
He opened his mouth, but before Wei Bu could respond, his wife pushed Wei Guang out the door, urging him to take up his post.
Wei Bu's impatience is hardly to blame. The early Western Han Dynasty implemented a system of parallel prefectures and kingdoms, with Jiaodong State being one of the vassal states. After Emperor Liu Che ascended to power, he gradually strengthened the administration of the vassal states to strengthen central power, and their administrative structures began to resemble those of a prefecture. While the title of "taishou" (prefectural governor) was originally the highest administrative official in a prefecture, Jiaodong State, as a vassal state, originally had its chief executive called "xiang" (prefectural prime minister).
However, the administrative structure of Jiaodong State was similar to that of a prefecture, and Huo Yan preferred to refer to them generically as "prefects." Sima Qian was, in fact, the chancellor of Jiaodong, akin to a small imperial court, with the chancellor commanding the officials, the internal historian managing the people, and the lieutenant managing the military. Huo Yan appointed Wei Bu as the lieutenant. Wei Bu, now a commoner, had suddenly become a rank equivalent to two thousand stone. His wife, Zhu Ruoer, was naturally delighted and ordered a lamb to be cooked for Huo Yan and the minor officials who followed him.
Huo Yan nodded, not rejecting her offer. Wei Bu had a gentle personality, perhaps even a bit cowardly. While skilled in martial arts, he was more easily influenced and weak-tempered than Wei Qing and Wei Guang, making him less capable of leading a successful career. Zhu Ruo'er was a fiery and decisive figure, and her and Wei Bu's life had been quite prosperous in recent years. Now that Huo Yan was showing concern for Wei Bu, she was naturally overjoyed, and she immediately placed delicious food in front of him.
Wei Bu looked at the empty table in front of him and smiled good-naturedly, asking Huo Yan to give him some. Zhu Ruoer gave him a look of reproach, and Wei Bu fell silent again, just staring at her and smiling. Huo Yan sat in the middle and couldn't help but complain that he was full of dog food. When all the dishes were served, Zhu Ruoer was about to leave when Huo Yan called her, "Aunt, wait a minute, Ah Yan has something to ask you."
Zhu Ruoer stopped, turned around and said directly, "We are a family, Ah Yan can speak for himself."
Huo Yan chuckled, "Is my aunt coming with you?"
Hearing this, Zhu Ruo'er pursed her lips slightly and covered her face with her fan, so that no one would see her in such a dilemma. "The child is young and can't stand the pressure. I have to ask my son-in-law about this matter."
This was just a polite remark. Wei Bu was reluctant to leave her behind. He naturally wanted to take his wife with him, but their children were still young and couldn't stand any setbacks.
Huo Yan sighed, "My youngest son is still young. If he catches a cold, it will be bad."
Zhu Ruoer nodded, agreed on her own, and went to the kitchen to prepare some food for Huo Yan.
Huo Yan was reluctant to accept it at first, but she said she had picked out some of Huo Qubing's favorite foods, so she agreed.
After Zhu Ruo'er left, Huo Yan stopped smiling and placed a seal from Liu Che's decree in Wei Bu's palm. Wei Bu clenched the seal in his hand. The cool texture made his hand curl slightly. He looked up with a look of doubt on his face, but his eyes were frighteningly firm. "Ayan, what do you want to do?"
It seemed that as long as Huo Yan said what he wanted, he would do it for Huo Yan.
Everyone in the Wei family is like this. On the surface, they are gentle herbivores, but when faced with difficulties, they become stubborn and reckless.
Huo Yantang's eyebrows were filled with gentle smiles, but he muttered, "I'm not your fake nephew. I have so many people under my command. I'm not crazy if I ask you to do something bad."
Wei Bu immediately laughed and rubbed his furry head vigorously, turning the most powerful official in the Han Dynasty into a sloppy puppy. "Uncle didn't say that, Ayan Duosi."
Huo Yan was often rubbed by his uncles who were military generals and his brothers, and he had become accustomed to it.
"Don't think too much about how to become a high-ranking official. I want to leave my name in history."
Wei Bu couldn't help laughing out loud, which made Huo Yan's face turn black. He coaxed the boy again, "Yes, yes, Ah Yan is smart and will definitely get what you want."
Huo Yan was happy now and said to him, "Uncle, just protect Sima Qian during this trip. I really don't feel at ease with him being there alone."
When Wei Bu heard that the person was the guarantor and also A Yan's friend, he patted his chest and made the promise.
Huo Yan smiled, responded twice, and introduced him to the chief secretary he brought with him. They had dinner together before leaving Wei Bu's house.
As soon as he left the house, Shi Ye and the coachman were already waiting. They boarded the carriage one after the other. Huo Yan leaned against the wall of the carriage, half-closed his eyes, and after a long moment, he said, "Master Changshi, have you recognized the person?"
The voice is soft and gentle.
The young man who had been burying his head behind him knelt beside him. He raised his head when he heard the words, with a smile on his lips and a dimple on his face. It was Du Zhou.
"Your Excellency told me to remember this, and I dare not forget it."
Huo Yan's lips curved slightly as he pulled out a jade plaque from his sleeve. The jade plaque was smooth and smooth, with a hollow dragon pattern carved into it.
"If anyone starts a rebellion, if necessary." He placed the jade token in Du Zhou's palm, paused, his eyes suddenly sharp, "kill them with the sword and bury them on the spot."
Du Zhou held the jade token tightly. He knew very well that if this happened, it would be the first step for him to surrender to Huo Yan. From then on, he would rise to prominence like Sima Qian, and even higher.
"You should also take good care of yourself. Don't worry if anything happens while I'm here."
The young official's expression returned to a gentle tone, and his words were light and effortless. The ambition that could not be wiped away in Du Zhou's eyes was suddenly interrupted. The young man nodded awkwardly, "Thank you, sir."
Huo Yan chuckled and reached out to straighten his robe collar. "Ting Wei Ping, I'll watch over you."
Tingwei Ping, the third in command of the Tingwei Palace, was specifically responsible for reviewing the sentencing level of crimes.
Du Zhou was radiant, and his hands holding the jade token were sweating.
Lord Huo is worthy of his trust.
The carriage drove through a hidden path and Du Zhou got off the carriage quietly. He did not stop, but just bowed respectfully, then stood up and walked towards his own courtyard.
The coachman drove the horse towards the downtown area. After a few hundred steps, Huo Yan tapped lightly on the wall of the carriage.
"Master," Shi Ye got into the car and asked softly.
Huo Yan then slowly half raised his eyes and handed him a plain brocade bag.
"When the man has made an appointment, you should have someone meet him and give him this. After he has read it, burn it."
Shi Ye nodded and took the brocade bag with both hands. He didn't ask why and remained silent, like a stubborn stone.
Huo Yan beckoned him, and he quickly stretched his ear, which was then twisted. He screamed in pain.
The person who was twisting him loosened his grip, wiped his hands with a smile, and watched him rub his ears in grievance.
"Don't think about going there on your own."
"Master, I won't go over. What if that person doesn't listen? You're going to hire someone, and this person must be important." Shi Ye spoke in a loud voice, without even showing his aggrieved teeth, and grumbled to Huo Yan, saying that he was worried.
Huo Yan picked up a plate of osmanthus cake and said, "Eat it."
Shi Ye was feeling aggrieved, but he felt better after eating.
Huo Yan took out his own small teapot and poured him some tea, and he became happy again.
The small teapot with white jade plum blossoms is filled with iced sour plum soup, which is a bit red.
"He will die." Huo Yan said slowly. He was wearing a long, soft gauze robe embroidered with cloud patterns. At his waist, a purple ribbon was tied with a gilded dragon-patterned belt hook, and a precious belt was used as a sash. He was elegant and had a natural nobility. However, his words were tinged with blood. "It's enough for him to die."
Shi Ye was eating a snack when he heard this and was shocked. He was going to kill him? He wasn't even warm yet!
His thoughts were easy to guess. Huo Yan started laughing, and he couldn't stop laughing. "Good boy, be obedient."
Shi Ye lowered his head, feeling coaxed.
The master will not harm him.
As he thought about this, he became bolder and asked, "Can I have another of that tea cake in front of you?"
Huo Yan stopped laughing and handed him the cake.
He seemed to be in an especially good mood.
Shi Ye didn't understand his twists and turns, he just felt that nothing in the world could be difficult for him.
Shi Ye obviously didn't understand Huo Yan, because Huo Yan was facing a difficult problem right now, which completely stumped him and he couldn't move.
Huo Qubing.
Huo Qubing sat in his room, waiting for him to return. The newly introduced state-run salt and iron industry had caused a stir throughout the court. Furthermore, Sima Qian, the pioneer in promoting the reform, had been recommended by his brother, Sima Qian. Today, those opponents had gone to Wei Qing again, causing too much commotion. Wei Qing had sent a messenger to tell Huo Yan to bring more people with him. With these words out, Huo Qubing had no choice but to ask, and he snorted softly, "He's back."
The voice was not loud. Huo Yan, who had sneaked back to avoid questioning, was like a cat with its fur standing on end. He handed the snacks given by Zhu Ruoer to Huo Qubing.
Don't hit someone who smiles at you, hehe.
Huo Qubing found it really funny. He sighed, and helplessly picked up his brother, looking him carefully from left to right and up to down, and even weighed him.
"It's light now." He said, "Please accompany me for another dinner."
Huo Yan was forcibly taken to the opposite side of Huo Qubing and sat in the corridor to quietly admire the moon. Then he put his head down and leaned on his brother's shoulder, trying to get away with it.
The waning crescent moon, the dark blue night sky, the bright stars. Huo Qubing touched his hair. A Yan had two whorls on his head, just like him.
Huo Yan was actually acting like a spoiled brat, trying to hide his brother's deep thoughts from him. But Huo Qubing saw this and felt a pang of heartache. His Ah Yan was so small. Even when he wasn't at court, he could hear the opposition to the salt and iron state-run system, not to mention Ah Yan, the leader of it. He must have been attacked and slandered by opponents throughout this process. How miserable must Ah Yan be?
He felt heartbroken, and his anger grew stronger. He blamed him for not going out for a long time, for his poor health, and for not being able to go to the war anymore. Now that he was well again and could put on armor immediately, he wanted to see who dared to bully him, A Yan, in front of him.
"My brother will also go to court tomorrow."
Huo Yan quickly raised his head, his almond-shaped eyes fluttering. Huo Qubing felt a tightness in his chest, unable to vent his heartache. He wished he could immediately throw on his armor and leave Chang'an to rip the Xiongnu king's head off. He remained silent for a long while before he managed to suppress his anger and said, "Your uncle has given some money to the person who scolded you. You can show it to your brother tomorrow."
I don't go out, do they think I'm dead?
He held Huo Yan's left palm with one hand and covered his head with the other hand, "Don't be afraid, Ah Yan."
Huo Qubing loved saying this, and so did Huo Yan. They both told everyone, "Don't worry," as if they were born with boundless strength, destined to hold up the world. Yes, who could be as perfect as they were? They were made marquises before they were twenty, their talent was immense, and they were favored by the emperor. Nothing in the world could stop them.
Now these words were said again by Huo Qubing, and he was targeting Huo Yan.
Ah Yan, my brother is here.
Huo Qubing always announced his presence to Huo Yan in a forceful manner, and he touched the scar on Huo Yan's left hand again.
Huo Yan was momentarily at a loss for what to do with the implicit and deep apology in his heart, as if someone had opened a hole in his heart, letting the blood flow out.
What a wonderful world it is to have such a good person like Huo Qubing.
Huo Yan thought.
The light from the sheep-horn lantern shone through the gauze, and Huo Yan smiled slowly.
"Who am I afraid of?" He spread his hands. "I'm only afraid of you."
I'm afraid of being separated from you forever.
Huo Qubing raised one of his eyebrows and looked down at him expressionlessly.
"Afraid of me?" He hesitated. "Have you ever been afraid? You're the one who makes all the decisions at home."
He stretched out a warm hand and pinched Huo Yan's face, saying, "Are you afraid of me? What are you afraid of me for? Huh?"
He said the last "hmm" in a long tone. To others, it sounded like arrogance, but to Huo Yan, it sounded like eight parts grievance and two parts complaint. An image of a little Huo Qubing appeared in his mind, standing with his hands on his hips and shouting, "Huo Ayan, you're going too far." He couldn't help laughing.
Huo Qubing became even angrier and asked, "Why are you afraid of me?"
Huo Yan hugged his arm, threw himself into his arms, and laughed uncontrollably.
"I'm afraid that my brother will abandon the people of this world."
Huo Qubing paused, and then answered seriously, "No."
The world is a good place. We have Ah Yan, our uncle, our relatives, our comrades-in-arms, our horses, and many, many wonderful things.
How could I give up so easily?
Huo Yan laughed out loud.
"Then what am I afraid of?" He tilted his head, his eyelashes slightly curved. "Those people can't argue with me. With my brother here, no one can snatch me away."
No one can beat me. With you and uncle here, I have countless chances, but they only have one chance.
The moon was as bright as water, and the shadows of pines and lotus flowers shone in the breeze. On such a poetic night, one should enjoy the moon, sip tea, smell the fragrance, and compose poetry, all in the utmost elegance. But Huo Qubing and Huo Yan sat opposite each other, eating meat pies, and their hands were covered in oil.
If others saw this, they would know that the elegance Huo Yan displayed before was all an act.
Huo Qubing had no idea of Huo Yan's fighting ability. In his mind, his younger brother had lost weight, and these idiots were scolding him, which was simply hateful.
Huo Yan was also helpless, but his heart was filled with joy.
The next morning, before Liu Che arrived, all the ministers gathered in the front hall of Weiyang Palace.
The general, who had stayed at the palace the previous day, was not among them. Without him as their leader, the faction splintered, vaguely splitting into two main groups. One, led by Sang Hongyang, supported the reform of the state-run salt and iron industry. The other, a more mixed bag, consisted mostly of students of the Confucianist Dong Zhongshu and the Huang-Lao school. The Confucianists countered this with "benevolent government" and "not competing with the people for profit," while the Huang-Lao school advocated rest and recuperation. These two factions merged, with Zheng, the Grand Minister of Agriculture, the highest-ranking official of the Huang-Lao school, prominently at the forefront.
Huo Yan slowly ascended the stairs. His Jinxian crown was inlaid with jade on its double beams. Under his dark-colored turban, his hair was lifted by the wind, revealing his gorgeous eyebrows and eyes. Everyone could vaguely see his black skirt fluttering in the wind. The purple ribbon at his waist was tied with a gold and ruby-studded belt hook, which swayed slightly with his steps. The light reflected by the ruby was dazzling, and they knew he was coming. Sang Hongyang and the people behind him straightened their backs a little. In contrast, Zheng Dang's face was as gloomy as water. Ji An, who was behind him, cursed him in his heart for being ostentatious. Dong Zhongshu coughed subconsciously twice. Seeing that everyone in his faction was looking at him, he coughed twice again and said calmly, "The Marquis of Tai'an is here. Aren't you going to greet him?"
Everyone declined the offer, which shows how lethal Huo Yan was.
The gem's light grew brighter, and everyone finally saw the young man's full appearance. Even the opponents he had scolded couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Of all the nobles in the court, Huo Lang was the youngest. He stood in a thin, elegant robe, smiling in the east wind.
Huo Yan walked up the stairs, still smiling. Before everyone could stop sighing, they saw another young man walking up behind him. He was wearing a light robe with arrow sleeves, and the hem of his Zen robe swept across the blue bricks. A sword dangled from his waist. The young man had a handsome face and held the sword in one hand. No sound was heard when he walked. His eyes were fierce, with a hint of attacking intent, and even his posture revealed arrogance.
With a casual glance, the bloody atmosphere of the battlefield hit everyone in the face. Everyone was speechless, and their hearts and souls were shocked.
Huo Qubing.
Champion Marquis.
A year ago, Huo Qubing was far from being so oppressive, which frightened everyone.
Huo Qubing walked forward slowly, neither hurried nor slow. Huo Yan followed him like a good boy. When he saw someone who had scolded him, he smiled at the person, making the person's fur stand up, and then he caught up with Huo Qubing.
All the ministers saluted, and Huo Qubing stood at the front without saying a word, only asking Huo Yan to stand next to him.
Huo Yan followed him obediently, and even Sang Hongyang felt jealous. You kid, just pretend.
Huo Yan didn't care about them and just whispered to Huo Qubing. Every time he said something, Huo Qubing would sweep someone away, and only moved away lightly after scaring them into a cold sweat.
This is the case with a fox taking advantage of the tiger's might.
Time was unbearable, but fortunately, within a moment, the eunuch summoned all the ministers to come in. Everyone followed Huo Qubing in as if they had been pardoned.
Liu Che sat at the top, and Wei Qing sat kneeling in the first seat on the right. Both of them were very happy to see Huo Qubing coming.
Liu Che asked, "You are well again!"
Huo Qubing nodded and saluted him. Liu Che hurriedly asked someone to help him. Huo Qubing stood up and returned to his previous position, the first person after the general.
The ministers took their places one by one, and then, disagreeing on a single point, they continued to quarrel. Even though the salt and iron industry had already been officially state-run, the Confucian scholars and Huang-Laoists were still bickering, as if they wouldn't be satisfied until they had a fight and had Sima Qian removed from office.
Wei Qing became distracted while listening. He said to Huo Qubing, who was also distracted, "Ayan will take action soon, and then everyone will behave themselves."
Huo Qubing said with a cold face, "Looking for a fight."
Wei Qing laughed and whispered, "You're too old to go alone. At least cover your face."
Huo Qubing snorted at Liu Che and continued to pretend to sleep.
Liu Che snorted for no apparent reason and looked at Wei Qing in confusion.
Wei Qing looked calm and composed, his eyes half closed.
His Majesty really deserves the scorn, always asking people to stop him from helping Ah Yan quarrel.
Isn't it just taking sides?
Among the three people, the emperor and his ministers, Liu Che was disliked by his two beloved ministers.
Over there, Huo Yan joined the fray, once again debating Sima Qian at court. Behind him came Sang Hongyang, who wanted to establish a state-run salt and iron industry, and beside him stood the scoundrel Zhufu Yan. Not far away was Zhang Tang, accompanied by a group of humble officials from less privileged backgrounds. They were forming a powerful force, rivaling the powerful like Ji An and his ilk.
Huo Yan was at the head of the group and was the one holding the reins.
As a leader, there is no better ability than protecting your subordinates.
What Huo Yan was fighting for was no longer whether Sima Qian should stay or leave, but to use Sima Qian to show his skills and abilities to everyone.
He was formidable in arguments, debates, and even physical fights.
Huo Qubing hadn't attended court in a long time, but whenever Huo Yan spoke, he was filled with joy. He didn't know from whom his younger brother's eloquence had been truly mastered. Not only was he eloquent, but when it came to his venomous, sarcastic, and merciless speech, he was truly the best in the world. Sure enough, within a short while, the faces of the several elderly nobles, all over fifty years old, who had been bullied, turned ashen, as if they were about to faint.
The sun came out, and the shadows of the trees outside the Weiyang Palace swayed, like rippling waves.
Liu Che was leaning comfortably on the table, watching the fun, looking lazy.
Mottled with light and shadow, Wei Qing raised his eyes, a glint of light floating on his cheek, making his gaze seem even gentler. Huo Qubing and he looked at each other in tacit understanding, and the smiles in their eyes could not be concealed. It was not because of any Wei-Huo power, but simply because Huo Yan had won the argument. They felt proud.
Huo Qubing didn't even bother to act. Whenever someone scolded Huo Yan, he would scan the person from head to toe until the person was trembling with fear, and then he would leisurely withdraw his gaze.
After another great victory in the debate, Huo Yan led his men back.
Opposition only strengthens unity. The salt and iron industry, now state-run, has long been established. Huo Yan's influence has also grown. He glanced at the humble official who followed him at the end, and the corners of his lips curled up silently.
Who is right and who is wrong, and who can protect others, are all visible.
Since you need a branch to lean on, find the strongest one.
And I am the strongest.
Wei Huo could not keep retainers because of his status, and Huo Yan did not want a fence-sitter like Zhufu Yan who would share wealth but not hardships. What he wanted was anyone who could be his ally as long as he wanted and their interests were compatible.
He works sincerely, so it's understandable that others trust him.
"Aiya," he said, following behind Huo Qubing and Wei Qing, speaking in a very childish voice, "We've sold all the Xiongnu and raised enough money for the war. My brother's health is better now."
He raised an eyebrow, "We're going to fight the Huns, aren't we?"
He is the best at acting like a spoiled child. When he smiles, his eyes and eyebrows are curved. He is very clever and mischievous. No one dislikes him.
Huo Qubing had a gentle expression, and the coldness on his profile completely disappeared when he looked at his younger brother and uncle.
"In this battle, I will destroy the Xiongnu in one fell swoop."
The tipsy summer breeze, as if intimidated by the cold murderous intent radiating from his pauldrons, swirled past him. He held his head high, poised for action. Wei Qing smiled, too. "Of course."
Huo Yan, standing beside him, said with a smile of encouragement that others thought was a bit exaggerated, "Okay, can you appoint me as a medical officer to accompany you, my second general."
Huo Qubing half-opened his eyes and replied vaguely, "Let's talk about it later."
Huo Yan pestered him, "Brother, brother, I'm twenty years old, not a child anymore."
Wei Qing watched them playing around and couldn't stop laughing.
Oh, yes, Qubing and Ayan seem to be turning twenty this year.
The two children whose arms were not as long as his were about to reach adulthood in the blink of an eye.
He has to take care of it.
After thinking it over, he went back to find Liu Che.
"Your Majesty, as Qubing and Ayan have reached adulthood, I would like to invite Your Majesty to be their guest of honor, as their father."
【Author’s words】
Ah Yan: Wei Huo doesn't keep retainers, but they can't lead without permission, they volunteered. [Smirk]
A Yan's catastrophe came one after another, with Liu Che as the host and the guest, and he was very boastful.
Hahahahahahaha, I met a very mean professor during the defense, who said I was writing an instruction manual.
Me: Are you praising my clear logic?
Then, I almost failed, but thanks to my tutor’s help.
I'm so stupid, really.
That girl is busy paying off a 20,000 yuan student loan, so I decided to learn painting. I just signed up for an amateur class. Which is better, watercolor or colored pencil? There is also sketching. I feel dizzy.
Finally, I wish all the babies taking the college entrance examination all the best~
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