111 Anli Yuanshu
◎Huo Yan: Your Majesty is tired of me,◎
Huo Yan and Huo Qubing had only been back in Chang'an for three months, and already the Huo residence's threshold was practically trampled. Visiting cards and business cards, adorned with gilded hues, streamed into the residence like snowflakes, piling up on the gatehouse's desk. The procession of carriages and horses, arriving for their visits, often stretched from the alleys in front of the residence to the street corner, their canopies like clouds and their attendants thronging like a swarm.
They were noisy and clamorous, just like a bunch of skylarks.
Although most of the noise was not directed at him, Huo Yan, but at his brother, Huo Qubing, who had reached the highest position in the country at a young age, and was appointed as the Grand Marshal and General of the Cavalry, with a rank comparable to that of the Three Dukes.
After his triumphant return from Mobei, he had enjoyed the emperor's favor and power, unparalleled at the time. The emperor generously granted him additional titles, and even his trusted generals and officers were promoted to high positions, receiving generous rewards. His brother was the most sought-after and prestigious figure in Chang'an.
In contrast, the residence of General Wei Qing was much deserted, and the hustle and bustle of the past seemed to have shifted direction overnight.
Huo Yan was fed up with the fickleness of the world, where the powerful were flattered and the weak were trampled upon. Every trip home felt like a journey through enemy lines. He simply packed up his things and moved into his uncle Wei Qing's residence. This stirred up a hornet's nest, and when Liu Che sent someone to complain, Huo Yan was so upset that he had to file a complaint privately and demanded Huo Yan move into his palace.
Huo Yan ignored him. He was so busy every day now, with the salt and iron, equal transportation, and price stabilization, which one of them was not a heavy burden? He had no time to comfort his father.
Liu Che was fuming like this. He was usually critical, but he couldn't bring himself to publicly scold or belittle him. After all, he'd said he wouldn't do it, and with Liu Che desperate for cash, who else but Sang Hongyang and him would dare take on this mess? So Huo Yan simply endured the barbs and went about his business, muttering to himself, "My uncle's just too free!"
Living in Wei Qing's mansion was quite peaceful. Several of Wei Qing's trusted old subordinates often visited, most of them upright warriors, who privately complained about the injustice done to their great general. Huo Yan knew that Liu Che was disengaged and had placed the responsibility of balancing the power of Wei and Huo on his brother. However, as a junior, he could not speak much. He could only occasionally show his face in front of these uncles, acting as a "hostage" to show that the Wei and Huo families were still united and close.
But these uncles were all cunning! Not only did they not understand his intention, but they thought that he came to show off his power and wanted to force Wei Qing to abdicate. They believed that they were all generals, so they brought this "worry" to Wei Qing. Wei Qing laughed and turned to ask Huo Yan to serve tea to his uncles. Huo Yan came in with a glass lacquer ear cup with an expressionless face. Listening to the clumsy temptations of those people who were deliberately beating around the bush, he became angry and raised his hand to pour a cup of warm Junshan Yinzhen tea over him, "Did a dog eat your brain? I'm here as a hostage! The friendly diplomatic relations between the two countries were almost destroyed in your hands!"
The tea dripped down the general's beard, and the scene froze for a moment.
Wei Qing's former subordinates: ...
Ayan, sometimes you really have to be the one to take on this position!
Huo Yan poured the tea and turned away expressionlessly, his heart still bleeding, "What a waste of my good tea!"
He was not afraid of offending those generals at all, because those generals treated him as a weak and helpless little white flower. Ah Yan had that kind of temper. Oh, he only splashed water on me, but not on others.
Sure enough, the generals who were splashed with tea were not annoyed at all. Instead, they grinned and joked with each other as they looked at Huo Yan's familiar arrogant back.
"Oh my goodness, Ah Yan personally served tea, and it scared the old guys!"
"That's right, Ah Yan is such a straightforward person! He gets tired of beating around the bush, and we can't understand him!"
"Why else would they say our Ah Yan could become a high-ranking official at such a young age? What an aura!"
"Ayan just spilled a cup of tea, and his temper has improved a lot!"
Wei Qing listened to his old subordinates' chatter with a smile. When they had laughed enough, he casually said, "Qubing is no different from my own son."
With just a few words, the "dissatisfaction" in everyone's hearts was completely suppressed, and there was no more ripple.
The general's mantle and future were destined to be handed over to Huo Qubing.
With Huo Qubing in command, Wei Qing was content to be at ease. He simply took a leave of absence, dumping the tedious daily duties of military training and reviewing on Huo Qubing. He himself would don light, casual Hu clothing, go to the horse farm west of the city for a few hearty rounds of polo, or take his children and family members on outings. Or he would recline on a cushioned Hu bed in the theater, listening to a newly rehearsed play while enjoying a few delicate sesame snacks in the warm sunlight. His expression was so carefree that it truly made others envious.
Huo Yan is the person he envies the most! This morning, the sycamore leaves outside the window fell another layer, and deep autumn has arrived unknowingly. Huo Qubing sent someone to bring a message, and Wei Qing urged Huo Yan to return to his own house early in the morning, and he was too lazy to make up a reason. Then the general asked Princess Pingyang to prepare the horse, and the sound of horse hooves could be heard, as he planned to go out for a horse race to relax. Huo Yan watched his uncle's back as he left in a leisurely manner, and then looked down at the pile of bamboo slips, account books and documents waiting for approval on his desk. The jealousy in his heart was about to overflow - he also wanted a vacation.
Huo Qubing had not been at home for some time, and the situation outside the door had improved a lot.
government office.
Outside the window, a few tall bamboos swayed in the breeze, casting mottled light and shadows.
The servants had already moved the mountains of bamboo slips, and when Huo Qubing got on the carriage, the bamboo slips almost covered the large desk.
Huo Qubing, his brow furrowed, his thin lips pressed into a cold, hard line, was bent over his desk, writing furiously. The ink spread rapidly across the paper, making a fine, rustling sound. He felt like a stubborn donkey yoked to a yoke, grinding the millstones all day without a moment's rest.
The day before yesterday, he personally went to see Sang Hongyang, the Minister of Agriculture, who oversees the national treasury, regarding the delay in disbursing full compensation for fallen soldiers. The old fox sat in his office, calculating slowly and methodically, without even raising his eyelids. He dismissed him with the simple remark, "Military and national affairs have their own procedures and rules," and yesterday he racked his brains over the resettlement of the surrendered Xiongnu tribes and the deployment of additional troops to the Shuofang garrison. Though the Xiongnu royal court had been destroyed, troops were needed to garrison the vast expanse north and south of the desert. Even more troubling, now that the fighting was over, the peasant sons who had been conscripted for years were due to return to their farms. He had to oversee every aspect of this resettlement. He also had yet to fight for this year's military budget. Although the emperor had decreed a special allocation for them, the Xiongnu were gone this year. According to Han Chinese custom, budgets are like "the crying child gets the milk"—if you don't fight, you'll be left with nothing.
He put down his pen in annoyance and rubbed his swollen temples. Those idiots of Zhao Po Nu's could only stare and say "Ah Ba Ah Ba," insisting on everything, "It's all up to the general." Ning Cheng, who actually had some brains and could share the burden, had long been driven around by them, constantly busy.
"How annoying!" Huo Qubing cursed softly and threw the bamboo slips he had just reviewed aside with a crisp "pa" sound.
Just then, as the carriage reached the main road in front of the mansion, it was stopped again. Huo Qubing impatiently lifted a corner of the curtain and cast a cold glance. The man was a gaunt, middle-aged scholar in Confucian robes, bowing deeply to the carriage and speaking incessantly, recommending his talents.
This was already the 30th person this month who had tried to stop the carriage and offer advice, hoping to advance his career. Huo Qubing didn't hear a single word of the other party's long speech, only keenly catching the line "The power of Wei and Huo is overwhelming, and their influence is overwhelming..." A nameless anger suddenly shot up his head, and he wanted to kick the man away!
They thought he was their uncle and even gave him three hundred gold and the position of prefect!
He doesn't have the time!
Huo Qubing was annoyed and said, "Throw the fork away!"
The attendants pounced on the scribe like wolves and tigers, dragging the still stunned scholar away from the center of the road.
The sound of horse hooves could be heard. "We still have to ask Ah Yan for money." Huo Qubing leaned against the carriage wall, closed his eyes and rested, thinking in his heart, "That old man Sang Hongyang is so stingy!"
When he returned to the Huo Mansion, the tall pear trees had already lost their leaves. Huo Yan had not returned yet. Huo Qubing walked around for a while, then strolled into the inner room, holding his chin with boredom, his eyes fell on the delicate little girl on the couch.
Huo Xian, just one year old, was wrapped in a soft, fine gauze swaddling cloth, his big, dark eyes looking out curiously. Seeing Huo Qubing come in, the little fellow immediately became excited, babbling and struggling to crawl towards him, his little butt sticking out in a naive manner.
Normally, Huo Qubing was a veteran of battle, imbued with a fierce, murderous aura. Ordinary children would be terrified and cry. Even his aunt's children gave him a wide berth when they were young. But Huo Shan, the little one, showed no fear and clung to him. With a deliberately stern face, Huo Qubing reached out a finger and gently poked Huo Shan's soft belly. With a little pressure, he pushed him onto his back, onto the thick brocade quilt. Far from crying, the little fellow broke into a toothless grin, giggling and waving his arms and legs wildly, as if having fun with his father.
“It’s fun.”
Huo Qubing's tense lips finally curved upward, a rare, genuine smile. He sat cross-legged on the edge of the couch, one hand firmly supporting the back of the child's round head while using the other to gently nudge the child as he crawled towards him. Huo Shan reveled in this, drooling profusely from being "bullied," leaving Huo Qubing's hands soaked. Huo Qubing didn't despise him, but slowly and with a gentleness he barely noticed, he carefully wiped away the glistening saliva with the soft collar of Huo Shan's dress.
"The doctor said you're a little weak," Huo Qubing said, his voice unconsciously lowering and softening as he looked at the giggling little figure in his arms. "But it doesn't matter. Your uncle said he'll ensure you live a long life. Your uncle never speaks without a purpose."
Huo Yan's four-horse carriage rolled along Chang'an City's smooth Zhuque Street, the wheels making a dull, rhythmic rumbling sound on the bluestone slabs. Dusk gradually fell, and the evening breeze, carrying the hustle and bustle of the market stalls about to close and the scent of distant cooking smoke, brushed the carriage curtains. Normally, because Huo Yan disliked being disturbed, and Huo Qubing was away, the area in front of the Huo Mansion was relatively quiet, with only a few students and old friends visiting at most. But today was different. Dozens of carriages were still waiting in front of the gate, unwilling to leave. The Huo Mansion's two newly painted vermilion gates opened and closed constantly, and the guards rushed back and forth. Huo Yan looked at his half-new linen shoes, and saw that the soles had worn thinner, revealing the ramie lining underneath. The shoes were completely worn out.
There is no one at home, where can I run?
Are you reporting to your one-year-old daughter?
When Huo Yan got out of the carriage, many people's eyes lit up. Especially the young man guarding the gate. Seeing his master's carriage, he felt like he had seen a savior. He trotted over from a distance and said in a low voice, "Master, please go in quickly. The prince said he will lock the door in a while."
Huo Yan's face was expressionless as he glanced at the curious visitors. He was immediately escorted into the mansion by the swift servants. As soon as he stepped over the high, vermilion-lacquered threshold, the guard slammed the heavy door shut with a clang, releasing the thick bolt and completely closing the door to visitors. He also shouted, "Quick! Bolt the back corner door!"
Huo Yan: ..., just lock the door today. I know there is a dog hole at the east wall, so I have to break it open.
Cangtou was used to his psychopathic behavior and pretended not to hear him. He wiped his sweat and urged, "Master, please go in quickly. The Lord is waiting for you."
Huo Yan laughed for a moment, then hurried to find Huo Qubing. He was still wearing his solemn black court robe, with wide sleeves and a leather belt inlaid with gold and jade around his waist. It was obvious that he had heard that Huo Qubing was looking for him, so he hurried over without even having time to change out of his official uniform.
When Huo Qubing saw him, he was as if he had been pardoned. He immediately took the still smiling Huo Xian from his arms and held her in front of Huo Yan like a little baby. "Here, let me hold her!"
Huo Xian was a bit bewildered by this sudden shift. Blinking his eyes, he looked at his father, dressed in finery and possessing a gentle demeanor. Then, he turned to look at his father, who sat on the couch in a light, dark robe and with a stern expression, but who had just been teasing him. Two nearly identical, handsome faces posed a formidable cognitive challenge for the one-year-old. The little boy glanced left and right, his head tilted, a look of bewilderment on his face, as if trying to distinguish one from the other.
Huo Yan quickly waved his hand and stepped back, signaling Huo Qubing to put the child back on the couch. "Put him down quickly! My court robes are adorned with gold and jade, and they have sharp edges. What if I scratch Shan'er's delicate skin?"
As he spoke, he leaned over, his eyes landing on Huo Xian's rosy little face. A warm smile naturally filled his eyes. He stretched out his slender fingers and gently pinched the back of Huo Xian's chubby, dimpled hand. His voice was gentle, "Good boy, Xiao Xian'er is so good."
Huo Yan's gaze lingered on Huo Xian's innocent smile for a moment, then a hint of mischief flashed in his eyes, as if he had remembered something. He casually untied a small, delicate, warm, and translucent white jade seal from the intricate ribbon at his waist and thrust it into Huo Xian's flailing hand, which was trying to grasp his fingers. The jade seal was exquisitely carved, and the key was a naive, evil-repelling beast.
Huo Qubing had sharp eyes and recognized the unique shape of the seal button and the two words engraved in exquisite small seal script on it at a glance - Pingyang!
In a flash, Huo Qubing recalled that spring afternoon many years ago. He and Ah Yan, a group of teenagers, had been galloping on horseback, so wildly amused that they trampled the wheat fields of Cao Xiang, the Marquis of Pingyang, and were apprehended by a group of angry farmers, mistaken for thieves. Young and impetuous, yet fearful of reprimands from his uncle, Wei Qing, Huo Yan, quick-witted, snatched the talisman from Cao Xiang's waist, who was pale with fear. Impersonating the Marquis of Pingyang, he delivered a stern "reprimand" that actually frightened the farmers, allowing him to escape with impunity...
"Ha!" Huo Qubing couldn't help but burst out laughing. His hearty laughter echoed in the inner room, startling a few sparrows perched on the branches outside the window and sending them fluttering away. He pointed at Huo Xian, who was clumsily grasping the jade seal and trying to put it in his mouth, and said jokingly, "You are so lucky! You have received the token of the Marquis of Pingyang at such a young age! You can go wild in any wheat field you want in the future. What a blessing! You are much better off than your father and uncle were in their time!"
The past is still vivid in my mind, with the recklessness and vitality unique to youth.
Huo Yan chuckled at the words, a deep weariness hard to conceal between his brows, even a faint blue shadow under his eyes. He rubbed his brows, his movements revealing a deep sense of fatigue.
He is too tired.
The state-run salt and iron industry, the newly implemented "equalized transport and price stabilization" system to regulate national finances... these heavy responsibilities fell almost entirely on the shoulders of the Grand Minister of Agriculture, Sang Hongyang. Sang Hongyang was a complete "money-gathering minister," focused solely on quickly amassing vast wealth for the emperor and the treasury, and he turned a blind eye to the suffering of the people. He was eager to implement the nationalization of salt and iron, establish numerous "salt inspectors," and impose harsh laws to crack down on illicit salt production, attempting to reap huge profits through monopoly, with no regard for whether ordinary people in coastal counties could still afford salt.
This ran counter to Huo Yan's ideas. Huo Yan advocated first expanding the "beach drying method," proven in Jiaodong County and proven to significantly increase sea salt production and quality, to all coastal counties. Once production stabilized and salt quality improved, a reasonable price would be agreed upon that balanced national revenue with the affordability of the people. Now that the "beach drying method" was proving successful, Sang Hongyang had reported to Emperor Wu of Han that he planned to expand it to all counties, his sole purpose being to amass wealth.
Simply because of this price dispute, Huo Yan and Sang Hongyang had more than one private argument, their faces red and ears furious, neither side willing to give in. Sang Hongyang slammed the table and scolded him, "You son, you don't feel bad selling your father's land." Huo Yan sneered and mocked him, "You're draining the pond to catch all the fish, so foolish!"
In the court, power always prevailed, with the east prevailing over the west. Fortunately, the two men had a close personal relationship, and despite their arguments, they kept their relationship secret. Furthermore, Sima Qian, who was responsible for implementing the salt administration, was a staunch supporter of Huo Yan, and the lower official price advocated by Huo Yan was implemented at the local level. Weighing the pros and cons, Sang Hongyang had no choice but to accept the loss, often calling Huo Yan a "silly child with a shaky elbow."
Huo Yan was just trying to catch his breath when Sima Qian's secret report hit him like a bucket of cold water. When Du Zhou was implementing the salt policy, he used his token to execute local powerful families who obstructed his decree. He also claimed that these powerful families were backed by Prime Minister Li Cai. They had been dragging their feet for a while, and now they could no longer hide it.
This letter comes at the perfect time.
As expected, at the court meeting the next day, Prime Minister Li Cai was the first to launch a protest. They dared not provoke Huo Yan and Huo Qubing, but instead denounced Sima Qian's brutality and indiscriminate killing of innocent people, demanding his dismissal and investigation. Li Cai's move stirred up a hornet's nest, and officials from powerful families across the country, already resentful of the new state-run salt and iron industry policies, attacked him en masse. At the time, eight out of ten officials in the court came from local powerful families, with complex connections among them. Although Sima Qian was also from an aristocratic family, his promotion of the new policies had already incurred public wrath, and he had long been considered an outcast by his peers, leaving no one willing to speak up for him.
Huo Yan's efforts to protect Sima Qian had led to another heated argument a few days earlier. Fortunately, he was surrounded by a number of capable officials, some from humble backgrounds. He didn't argue with the other side about whether the killings were "indiscriminate," but instead focused on one point: these powerful families were obstructing the salt administration, impacting the state's annual revenue! He was determined to exploit Liu Che's most pressing weakness, the "empty treasury," to force the emperor to protect his men.
However, this time, Emperor Wu of Han did not show his usual partiality. Frustrated with Huo Yan's recent rebellious behavior, he was looking for an opportunity to discipline this overly opinionated child and force him to yield. This time, a fatality had occurred, and Du Zhou's tactics were clearly excessive. Emperor Wu of Han, taking advantage of the situation, reprimanded Huo Yan for his lack of discipline and ordered Sima Qian to pay a gold penalty and a fine of 500 kilograms of copper. A mere 500 kilograms was a pittance for Huo Yan, a man worthy of a nation, and without batting an eyelid, he prepared to pay the price for Sima Qian's life.
But what he cared about was not the money, but the fact that the emperor had publicly rejected his strong support for the first time in the court and did not stand on his side! If there was a first time, there might be a second time, which was a heavy blow to his authority.
Of course, if Huo Yan can win the first time, he can win the second time. The state-run salt and iron industry must be implemented.
What he was really worried about at the moment was far more than this case.
As the commander of the grain-collecting army, his duty was to "feed the people of the world."
The iron-smelting recipe he had shared years earlier through a chance encounter on the "danmu" platform had already significantly increased the Han Dynasty's iron production capacity. Sang Hongyang had already established "iron officials" throughout the major iron-producing areas to oversee mining and smelting. The majority of the refined iron produced was shipped to the workshops controlled by Huo Yan, primarily used to craft improved military equipment. Now that the fighting had subsided, Huo Yan immediately began recruiting more artisans and establishing new production lines, mass-producing new agricultural tools like curved plows, hoe carts, and tipping carts.
Now that the war is over, the people need to have enough to eat. This was Huo Yan's most simple belief. He planned to secure a large sum from the imperial treasury this year to promote nationwide these new agricultural tools that would greatly improve farming efficiency. Feng Chang, the nephew of one of his eunuchs, was ingenious and had successfully improved the tipping cart based on his model, significantly reducing manufacturing costs. Huo Yan also prepared to dispatch a swift convoy to Huang County, Donglai Commandery, to summon Zhao Guo to the capital. He intended to have Zhao Guo spearhead the promotion of the curved plow, the plow, and the improved tipping cart.
He also planned to have Han Qingnian take the lead in compiling easy-to-understand agricultural instruction manuals. He would then select a group of hardworking and diligent individuals, grant them the title of "Encouraging Agricultural Officials," and send them to various counties and villages to provide on-site guidance on farming. This move would not only promote agricultural techniques but also address the problem of some children of artisans in Chang'an who, after completing their basic education under Jiang Gong, were left without suitable career paths.
"For those who are good at studying and have a skill, I will recommend them and let them become officials. For those who are not so good at studying but are willing to work hard, I will create positions for them and let them become clerks."
Feed the people, create jobs and revitalize the economy.
Huo Yan's thinking is clear and pragmatic.
But Liu Che didn't even look at Huo Yan's memorial.
The emperor even made it clear that he did not want to read any of his memorials now.
Liu Che wanted to force Huo Yan to meet him in person, admit his mistakes, and acknowledge his "disobedience."
Huo Yan raised his hand and pinched his sore brows hard, as if trying to dissipate the heavy pressure.
Seeing this, Huo Qubing signaled the wet nurse to come in and take Huo Xian, who was reluctant to leave and still stretched out her little hands to grab the edge of Huo Yan's clothes. He said to Huo Yan, "Rest for a while before we talk."
Huo Yan slowly shook his head, his voice filled with the exhaustion and helplessness of someone who knew everything, and said bluntly, "There's no need to rest. What's the point of getting anxious? If His Majesty doesn't approve my memorial, I'll either submit or take matters into my own hands."
He doesn't want to give in, so he takes matters into his own hands.
Huo Qubing had been busy reorganizing the Northern Army for the past two weeks and hadn't attended court. However, he had heard that his younger brother had argued with someone in the court, even displeasing the emperor. He put down the bamboo slips in his hand and asked sternly, "What did you write in that memorial? Let me see it."
Huo Yan was silent for a moment, then pulled a scroll of copied memorials from his sleeve and handed it to Huo Qubing. His gaze drifted toward the gradually sinking dusk outside the window, half his face shrouded in the dim shadows of his study, his expression filled with a melancholy that bordered on pathetic.
Huo Qubing opened the memorial, his eyebrows twitching, and after a long silence, he said, "Ayan's literary talent is getting better and better."
Little Huo Lang not only had a sharp tongue, but also a good writer. His "Six Strategies for Liquor Tax" is still circulated among students of the Imperial College. This "An Li Yuan Book" is the culmination of his literary talent.
The tens of thousands of words fully demonstrate the talent of his father, Ah Yan.
Huo Yan glanced at him softly, feeling as cool as a mint ice in summer.
Huo Qubing laughed.
"Your Majesty didn't beat you to death at that time. He really loved you enough."
Look at this article. Only the first sentence, "Your Majesty inherits the throne of Heaven, and your power extends to the four seas. You have defeated the Xiongnu in the north and pacified the Yue in the south. The world is at peace, and the people are united," is acceptable to Liu Che. The rest of the article is just a slap in the face, with every sentence about destroying the powerful, fighting the landlords, and liberating the people. Your Majesty, can you do it?
Consider these last few paragraphs. Today, while external threats are gradually easing, internal worries persist. The powerful are rising, vying for wealth and wealth, and the trend of annexation is rampant. The rich have fields stretching for miles, while the poor have no place to stand. In good years, low grain prices hurt farmers, and many abandon their land. In bad years, food prices soar, and in famines, starving people are everywhere. To make ends meet, the poor sell their land and homes, pawn their wives and children, or even become forced laborers, living in ditches. This is not just a misfortune for the people; it is a hidden concern for the nation.
Floods and droughts are unpredictable, and there are harvests and shortages each year. This is the way of nature. If we can prepare for them in advance, disasters will not cause harm. I humbly believe that we can learn from the wisdom of the ancients, incorporate it into the needs of today, and implement two policies to alleviate the people's suffering.
This isn't the end of the story; there are further measures to address this. First, establish granaries in counties and prefectures. In good years, county and prefecture officials would purchase surplus grain from the people by adding a tenth to the prevailing price and store it in the granaries, preventing low grain prices from harming farmers. In bad years, they would sell grain at a tenth lower than the original price, stabilizing market prices and preventing merchants from hoarding. In this way, "good harvests won't harm farmers, and bad harvests won't harm the people." People would have stable property, families would have savings, and they wouldn't have to suffer the hardship of selling their land or children.
Second, establish a poverty relief station in Chang'an. During this spring famine, farmers lack access to crops and tools, often leaving them helpless and helpless. Leveraging Your Majesty's divine authority, we can establish a station in the capital to lend money, grain, and farm tools to the poor. Loans must be made after verifying the household registration and clarifying the purpose of the loan. The principal must be repaid at the end of the year, with no interest charged. In the event of a major disaster, repayment can be extended to the following year. This way, the people can receive relief, farming season can be avoided, spring planting can be secured, and autumn harvests can be expected, thus preventing the danger of self-destruction.
After reading it, Huo Qubing suddenly wondered what Liu Che's face looked like. It must have been as black as coal.
Huo Yan took the letter and said, "I am not wrong."
While the Xiongnu were a major threat, the real thorn in the empire's side was the powerful landlord class, which was frantically annexing land and growing stronger day by day. In any era, landlords who frantically annexed land and exploited the peasants were the greatest enemy of national stability!
He had seen someone in a "bullet screen" casually say that landlords were just occupying some land and hiring people to grow crops. Huo Yan could only respond with a heavy sigh - those who said this must have been too comfortable in the peaceful times and had long forgotten the greedy nature of the landlord class! They confused the concepts of "farmer" and "landlord". Farmers relied on cultivating crops for profit and they feared bad years;
The landlords' core profit model lies not in crops themselves, but in the merger and sale of land! What they most eagerly await is a year of famine. When famine strikes, impoverished peasants, starving to death, are forced to sell their ancestral land at exorbitant prices to survive. Landlords seize this opportunity to scoop up vast swathes of land at bargain-basement prices. Some even resort to usurious loan sharking during years of famine, turning landless peasants into debt slaves, cultivating their own land and paying heavy rent and taxes.
Huo Yan would never allow such a tragedy to spread across the Han Dynasty! After repeated consultations with the "Danmu," he decided to establish "Changping Granaries" in various counties and prefectures. During good years, surplus grain would be purchased at reasonable prices for storage, and in years of disaster, it would be sold at par or even lower prices, stabilizing grain prices and providing relief to the victims. He planned to pilot a "Jipinfang" (Poverty Relief Square) in Chang'an City. Drawing on the concept of "modern banking" from the "Danmu," he would provide small, low-interest, or even interest-free loans to impoverished farmers, using Emperor Liu Che as a credit guarantor. This would help them purchase grain seeds and farm tools, helping them weather the difficulties of spring famine or disaster years.
He was not wrong, and this memorial, which embodied countless of his efforts, was also not wrong.
"He doesn't understand business, so he shouldn't be involved."
His appearance now resonated with a stone statue Huo Qubing had stumbled upon years earlier on the banks of the Yellow River, a statue secretly built by local people in gratitude for Huo Yan's contributions to flood control. Back then, Huo Qubing had mocked the statue for depicting the young Huo Yan as a compassionate old man. But now, the heavy worry between Huo Yan's brows bore a striking resemblance to that statue.
Huo Qubing looked at Huo Yan, his eyes sharp as a hawk, and pointedly pointed out: "Even if you admit your mistakes, His Majesty may not approve. Ah Yan, you know better than me." He paused, then said, "The reason why His Majesty is angry."
Unlike Sang Hongyang, you weren't single-mindedly focused on amassing wealth for Your Majesty. Instead, you were obsessed with spending money on the common people, who were like ants in Your Majesty's eyes. Perhaps, from the very beginning, you submitted this memorial to test Your Majesty's attitude and bottom line?
Your Majesty is not stupid.
Huo Yan felt as if pierced by this sharp gaze, his thoughts exposed. He pulled the corners of his mouth weakly and cursed softly, "Fool! The key to currency lies in its circulation! The common people are short of money and have nothing to spend. Even if the emperor's treasury is piled high with gold, it is nothing but dead money! Besides, how can the wealth of the world only come in and not go out? Your Majesty can support the state-run salt and iron industry and reform the liquor policy to enrich the treasury, so why can't you accept my reforms that benefit agriculture and strengthen the foundation? The emperor has money and the treasury is full, but that is only superficial wealth. Only when the common people have enough food and money in their hands can we truly achieve national prosperity and people's peace!"
Huo Qubing listened to his brother's grand speech with a half-smile on his face, and his slender fingers tapped the hard rosewood table top from time to time, making a light "thu thu" sound.
"Ah Yan," he spoke slowly, his voice low but every word clear, "you are not a minister of the emperor."
You claim to serve the emperor and the national treasury, but at heart, you, Huo Yan, are the most disloyal. You have no desire to obey your superiors. Not only must you not be so rigid yourself, but you must also cultivate officials like Sima Qian, who care about the people, the law, and their own convictions. You want a country that operates on the principles of "Tao" and "Fa," not simply at the mercy of the emperor.
Ah Yan! You little fox, you can't hide your tail anymore.
Huo Yan's body trembled slightly upon hearing this, and he froze in shock. The inner room fell into complete silence, with only the chirping of returning birds outside the window.
After a long time, Huo Yan was the first to break the silence. He suddenly laughed softly. The laughter was suppressed at first, and then it carried a sharp edge of a broken jar.
"When he needs money, I help him increase his income. When he wants to fight, I support him with all my might. When he needs talent, I recommend and train it for him. What I have given is a thousand times more than those termites who can only kneel on the ground and shout that the emperor is wise!" His eyes suddenly became as sharp as a knife, staring directly at Huo Qubing, "Now, I want to share such an insignificant little scoop from this raging flood to moisten the seedlings that are about to die of thirst. Isn't it natural? Do I have to be like Sang Hongyang, constantly calculating how to empty the pockets of the people to fill His Majesty's private treasury, in order to be loyal?"
He made no secret of his ambition. "He wants to block my way, so I'll go around him first."
The precious iron would be delivered to his workshop. Many of the iron officials Sang Hongyang dispatched were orphans he had adopted earlier in his career, or the sons and nephews of his workshop's artisans. He had his own methods for coaxing them into tacitly disobeying him, secretly allocating some of the iron to forge farm tools. He would then covertly sell or lease the iron through his Huo's trading companies, spread across the counties, undetected. Furthermore, he possessed several high-quality iron mines, acquired at extremely low prices years earlier, hidden deep in the mountains of Huainan and Jiaodong. With proper management, this would be sufficient to support his initial expansion efforts.
I'll just go head to head with him. I'll take good care of myself, and we'll see who can outlast the other.
At worst, I will support the young master and act as regent.
Huo Qubing laughed heartily, his eyes showing no sign of anger at all, but rather a hint of understanding and appreciation. He stood up, walked over to Huo Yan, and unceremoniously reached out to mess up his meticulously combed hair, just like he did when he was a child, "How many of the high-ranking officials in the court are truly loyal to His Majesty? We don't like this kind of empty talk. But Ah Yan, you are different from them. His Majesty really treats you as his own son, so don't always act like a hedgehog, bumping into him." He paused, and with a hint of ridicule from an experienced person, "You should at least learn to be smart, contain your sharpness, and coax him with soft words. Otherwise, once our uncle, His Majesty, gets petty and doesn't do what you want, it will be really annoying and will annoy you to death."
Huo Yan angrily slapped away his hand that was causing trouble on his head, muttering softly, "That's easy for you to say! I'm a rebellious son, but how could you, General Huo, be any better? Now it's you who's being punished to handle these trivial government affairs like a donkey pulling a millstone, aren't you?"
Far from being annoyed, Huo Qubing raised his eyebrows smugly, revealing a smile that said, "What can you do to me?" "Yes! So, you should ask your uncle to submit this memorial! Your uncle is the Grand Marshal and General, and his position is there! Your Majesty already feels guilty towards your uncle, so if he submits it, Your Majesty should at least give him some face, right?"
Huo Yan looked at him expressionlessly, his eyes cold: "...your leave application, your uncle threw it away without even looking at it."
My uncle is in cahoots with Liu Che, both of them are accomplices in exploiting us! Ahhhh!
The smug smile on Huo Qubing's face froze in an instant, and his shoulders slumped down like a punctured fish bladder.
"...Then Brother must be truly ill, exhausted and in dire need of rest."
Huo Yan looked at his brother's rogue behavior and sighed helplessly, "Alas. Forget it. How about... you go and give in? Ask your uncle to come back, and I'll give him the memorial. Then, in the name of the Grand Marshal, he can issue the order to execute it. At least we can get around His Majesty, right?"
Upon hearing this, Huo Qubing suddenly jumped up from his bed, moving as fast as a leopard. He grabbed the heavy golden seal of "Grand Marshal and General of Cavalry" on the table and said with great courage, "Why are you giving in? I am your brother, and I am also the Grand Marshal now! What your uncle can do, I can do too! Isn't it just a matter of finding a place to try it out first? It's easy! You go to Jiaodong, that's your old territory, and let Sima Qian set up the Changping Warehouse there first! I will go to the Secretariat and pressure them to approve the documents for you as soon as possible! As for the people..." He waved his hand, "In the name of recruiting officials for the Grand Marshal's Mansion, I will issue an order for Zhao Guo to come to the capital immediately and work as a chief secretary in my mansion! He will work with you on a daily basis! It's legitimate!"
Logically speaking, as the Grand Marshal and General of Cavalry, Huo Qubing had a rank equivalent to one of the Three Dukes. There was nothing wrong with him recruiting subordinates and arranging a pilot project, and there was nothing wrong with the procedure.
Huo Yan was amused by his brother's simple, yet effective, method. The hearty laughter seemed to dispel some of the gloom he had been harboring for days. Deciding to make a last-ditch effort, he immediately spread out a plain piece of silk and, picking up his wolf-hair brush, swiftly wrote the document appointing Zhao Guo as Chief Clerk of the Grand Marshal and General of the Cavalry. With a firm, decisive press, Huo Qubing affixed the seal, symbolizing supreme authority, with the golden seal of "Grand Marshal and General of the Cavalry."
A few days later, this conscription document, stamped with the golden seal of the Grand Marshal, was escorted by a team of elite knights and delivered to Huang County, Donglai County, at full speed in the biting autumn wind.
Zhao Guo accepted the document and bowed deeply towards Chang'an. He packed up the several volumes of agricultural books and notes he had accumulated over the years, bid farewell to his neighbors, and, filled with hope and a wealth of skills, set out on the road to Chang'an. Soon, he became the new "Chief Clerk" of the Grand Marshal's Cavalry General's Office, and he followed Huo Yan almost every day.
Today Huo Yan took him to experiment with the newly reclaimed wasteland, and tomorrow he will go to check the progress of the composting.
"Master is going to take us to the fields again today!"
Zhao Guo expressed his gratitude to his colleague Feng Chang, saying, "Although we're tired, we're full of energy." The new farm tools—the lightweight, labor-saving curved plow, the even-seeding harrow, and the irrigation wheel—were far superior to the old straight-beam plow, sowing machine, and winch. Even more touching, his father brought him snacks and warm goat milk tea as a reward for their hard work.
"My little dad is so nice!" Zhao Guo and Feng Chang muttered to themselves.
Huo Qubing, using Zhao Guo, successfully extorted the captured Xiongnu nobles and the confiscated cattle, sheep, and valuables from Huo Yan. Huo Yan readily agreed. The two brothers teamed up to sell the stolen goods. Anyone who came to the Huo residence, regardless of whether they were wealthy merchants or powerful figures, was taken into the Huo Mansion and packaged up at the "wholesale price." They couldn't refuse!
Crucially, the proceeds from these sales never passed through the hands of the stingy Sang Hongyang, nor did they have to be negotiated with the national treasury. Instead, they went directly into the private treasury of the General of the Cavalry's residence, at Huo Qubing's disposal. This amount was enough for him to pay out full pensions to each soldier, as well as provide an additional resettlement allowance and several dan of grain to each soldier returning to the countryside. More importantly, his own operations, combined with Huo Yan Trading Company's assistance in transportation and sales, eliminated layers of exploitation and cumbersome procedures, resulting in incredibly high efficiency.
Huo Qubing no longer had to argue with Sang Hongyang, and his mood instantly improved. Everything he saw was pleasing to him. He had been very decisive in everything he did during this period. Not only did he get a lot of military funds for himself, he also got some for Huo Yan as well.
Huo Yan's mood had improved considerably recently. Leveraging his brother's powerful authority as Grand Marshal, he had been able to move forward much more smoothly, deftly avoiding direct interference from Emperor Wu of Han. Sima Qian was also hard at work on establishing the Changping Granary in the local area. Zhao Guo and Feng Chang, his two capable assistants, were constantly at his side. Together, the three of them sparked a flurry of inspiration. Two or three of the most practical agricultural tools, such as a lightweight curved plow and a small plow cart, were already being quietly distributed through the Huo family's trading routes throughout the prefectures, on a "rental trial" basis, to farmers in need.
Huo Yan's agronomy section of "Han Youth" is even more well-organized. Jiang Gong is impatient with these mundane affairs. Those doctors now listen to Xiahou Shichang. Who does Xiahou Shichang belong to?
Huo Yan was very proud, Xiahou is my man.
Xiahou Shichang was immediately excited when he heard Huo Yan's vision of compiling an unprecedented agricultural book, compiling the world's best agricultural techniques to guide the people in intensive farming and free the Han people from famine. He felt this was truly practical knowledge. He immediately accepted Huo Yan's request and personally led a group of young students, rolling up their trousers and heading deep into the fields and lanes outside Chang'an, visiting experienced farmers in the streets and alleys. The students respectfully sought advice, meticulously scribbling notes on bamboo slips, which they then compiled into clear, accessible text.
Huo Yan himself exemplified this, often seeking advice from the veteran doctors at the Ministry of Agriculture, who had dedicated their lives to the study of agriculture and sericulture. He braved the dirt and fatigue, personally working in the fields, even enthusiastically working with Zhao Guo and the others on how to compost high-efficiency fertilizer. His dedication was so heartwarming that Sang Hongyang cried out in admiration.
If Wei Qing was the father who played along with them, then Sang Hongyang, Zhufu Yan and Dongfang Shuo were the loving mothers who doted on their children. The three of them took turns to go into battle, earnestly admonishing, "Ayan, just let the lower-level people do these rough jobs!"
"You're so delicate, what if you get bumped?"
"Come up quickly and try the new candied fruits!"
If Huo Yan listens, he will no longer be Huo Yan.
It was a beautiful day, perfect for testing the efficiency of the newly improved water-pumping wheel. Huo Yan, along with Zhao Guo, Feng Chang, and a few others, rolled up their sleeves and set off to test the system by a canal at a test farm outside Chang'an. The waterwheel creaked, pumping a steady stream of clear water up the bank and into the dry ridges, drawing curious onlookers from nearby farmers.
At this moment, Huo Yan's "mother", who had a strong desire for control, finally couldn't hold back anymore.
Liu Che was like a beagle. When he heard that his eldest son would rather get down to the ground than talk to him and give in, he was furious.
"It's been nearly four months! He just ignores me?! He'd rather roll in the mud than talk to me?!"
Eunuch Feng, who was sent to summon him to the palace immediately, looked at Huo Yan, who was covered in mud and had his trouser legs rolled up to his knees. His face was almost wrinkled like a bitter gourd, and he gave him a sympathetic look that said "I wish you good luck."
Huo Yan felt powerless and depressed at the thought of another quarrel.
Anyone who quarrels with Liu Che will feel powerless.
He lingered, unwilling to change his clothes, and even considered jumping into the nearby canal to soak in the quiet. Eunuch Feng kept winking at his nephew, Feng Chang, but Feng Chang pretended to be absorbed in studying the structure of the waterwheel, not daring to raise his head.
Huo Yan encouraged himself secretly, then followed Feng Neijian into the carriage, looking back every few steps. Before leaving, he did not forget to silently make a few mouth shapes in the direction of Zhao Guo and Feng Chang.
Looking for my uncle!
Find my brother!
Help!
HELP!
The sunset glow has risen in the sky, and the sky is dyed pink.
The towering outline of the Weiyang Palace remained resplendent in the afterglow, like a dormant giant beast. A guard in black armor stood, halberd in hand, his expression solemn. This solemn scene reminded Huo Yan of a documentary he had seen.
Huo Yan, dressed in his Xuanduan court robes, with deep, wide sleeves, walked steadily up the white jade steps leading to the Xuanshi Hall. His figure was stretched long by the setting sun, casting a shadow on the cold, smooth stone steps.
One step, one step.
Inside the hall, golden pillars with coiled dragons supported the tall and wide dome, a huge copper clock ticked, and a unique scent of agarwood mixed with ink and bamboo filled the air.
Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, sat high on the throne, reading a memorial. He was not wearing a crown, but only a copper ring. The shadow cast by his lowered head obscured most of his expression, leaving only the lines of his tightly pursed lips and the tense jaw.
None of the servants around dared to speak.
He was just waiting for Huo Yan.
Huo Yan stepped forward and performed a meticulous ceremony, his wide sleeves brushing against the polished gold-tiled floor, making a gentle scraping sound. His back was straight, and his voice was clear and steady: "Your Majesty, I, Huo Yan, pay my respects to you."
"Hmm." Liu Che hummed a single note through his nose, his expression unrecognizable. He didn't let Huo Yan stand up, his fingertips tapping the imperial desk intermittently, making a crisp tapping sound that was particularly piercing in the silent hall. His eyes fell on Huo Yan's lowered head, with scrutiny and a hint of imperceptible anger. "You went to the ground today?"
Huo Yan maintained his saluting posture, a few strands of hair falling from his forehead. He took a deep breath, the agarwood fragrance filling his mouth, a stagnant taste. When he spoke again, his voice was still steady, but with a certain rigidity, "Your Majesty, you will understand. The foundation of a country lies in agriculture. As the commander of the grain-collecting army, it is my duty to work in the fields and understand the farmers' conditions. It is my responsibility and I must do my duty."
"Hmm." Liu Che's voice remained low and cold, echoing throughout the empty hall. "Is that all you have to say to me?"
He felt his throat become dry unconsciously.
Huo Yan knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, what do you want me to say? Everything I said is in the memorial, but Your Majesty doesn't want to read it."
After he finished speaking, he fell silent again.
Such a dead look.
Liu Che slammed his hand on the imperial desk, causing the pen holder and inkstone to clink. "Rebellious son! I didn't read it! Look at what you wrote. On the left, you're talking about people selling their land to survive, and on the right, you're talking about the suffering of the people. Are you accusing me of being indifferent to the people?!"
The jade pendant on his body shook violently with his movements, making a crackling sound. His eyes, sharp as an eagle but burning with anger at this moment, stared at Huo Yan.
"I am your king! I am your father!"
You are like this! You are like this!
He stood up suddenly, with the hem of his skirt creating a gust of wind. He walked to the edge of the imperial steps in a few steps, looking down at Huo Yan who was still kneeling on the ground. He lifted Huo Yan's face and questioned him.
"Do you still have me, the Son of Heaven, in your eyes?! Did I give you the authority to win over people's hearts and spread wealth and show favor?!"
Liu Che's voice was like ice, and every word struck Huo Yan's heart. "Ah Yan, everyone in the court can win people's hearts in this way, except you and your uncle! Do you understand?"
"What I want is a powerful ruler who can expand our territory and attract all nations to pay tribute! Money and food are my sword and my arrows! I don't want you to use them to fill those poverty pits that will never be filled!"
His chest heaved slightly, clearly furious. The finger pointing at Huo Yan trembled slightly. "You argued with Sang Hongyang about the price of salt, and I tolerated it! You defended that cruel official Sima Qian, and I also allowed it! A fine of 500 yuan was just a small punishment, but a warning! But you? You've gone even further! You're using my money to buy the hearts of the people! Ah Yan, where exactly is your heart?!"
The last sentence was almost shouted.
"I treat you... badly, don't I?"
You could hear a pin drop in the hall, and the servants held their breath and lowered their heads.
The emperor's wrath was so intense.
Huo Yan knelt on the cold gold bricks, his knees shivering. He could clearly feel the piercing gaze from above him, as well as the complex looks from the attendants around him, a mixture of sympathy, fear, and, most of all, worry. The emperor's rebuke was like a hammer, hammering at his nerves. He slowly raised his head, his face pale, but his eyes were remarkably calm, even revealing a clarity that bordered on sadness.
"Your Majesty treats me well, am I not treating Your Majesty well?"
He didn't argue, but took a deep breath. The scent of agarwood mixed with ink was particularly strong at this moment. He broke free from Liu Che's hand and lowered himself again, his forehead gently touching the cold ground. His voice was low but clear.
"I have never sought to win hearts and minds. My memorials bear witness to the majesty's divine authority, using the name of the Holy Son of Heaven. My uncle asks where my heart lies. All I seek is the stability of the state, a respite for the people, a chance to escape famine and displacement. Only when the granaries are full can they learn propriety. Only when they have enough food and clothing can they understand honor and disgrace. I want the well-being of the people of the Han Dynasty. But this does not conflict with your unparalleled achievements. A towering building is built on piles of earth. If the people's strength is exhausted, it is like fishing in a dry pond. Even if you catch a few fish, you will lose the entire pond."
He paused, as if he wanted to say something, but it eventually turned into an almost inaudible sigh, and he kowtowed heavily again.
"I dare not presume to question Your Majesty's wishes, much less to overstep my bounds. I only ask Your Majesty... to take one more look at this memorial. I will pay for it with my life."
His head bowed heavily.
The words, uttered like a thorn, irritated Liu Che more than a heated protest. He saw Huo Yan's hands tremble slightly as he kowtowed, clenching into fists and then trying to loosen them. Huo Yan had never been a docile sheep; his obedience always concealed a stubborn streak. Liu Che's fury hadn't subsided, but it was less intense. He snorted coldly, waved his sleeves, and turned away.
"Bring him a Hu bed!"
Liu Che walked back to the throne but didn't sit down. Instead, he turned his back to Huo Yan and faced the setting sun outside the hall. He looked lonely. "Ah Yan, I saw it." He tilted his head slightly, his eyes glancing coldly at the kneeling figure. "I also know you did it without my knowledge. Sima Qian, very good. Qu Bing, very good."
Huo Yan's body stiffened imperceptibly, as if pierced by an invisible icicle. He jerked his head up, the forced calm in his eyes finally shattered. A flash of disbelief and deep pain flashed across his face, then he forcibly suppressed it, leaving only a deeper gloom. His fingers curled up in his sleeves, his nails practically digging into his palms.
Embroidered Messenger...
"I'm just waiting, waiting for you to come and confess your thoughts to me! Come and tell me your thoughts, what can I gain?" Liu Che's voice was like the collision of metal and stone, decisive, "Not these advice! How could I not know what is good! How could I not know that you will not harm me! Starting from the price of the wine minister, I know what you are like. I am not surprised that you make suggestions. You oppose my dividing the guards and Huo, I can tolerate you."
"But what are you now?!" Liu Che turned around abruptly, anger rekindled in his eyes. "You secretly transferred personnel, embezzled military funds, and acted arbitrarily without my knowledge! You are a disloyal person who has no respect for the emperor or his father! Do you still have my name as your emperor in your eyes?"
"When you figure it out, come and talk to me about your national affairs and people's livelihood!" He waved his hand, his movements showing unmistakable fatigue and boredom. "Back off! I'm tired."
"Your Majesty, this is all my fault!" Huo Yan's throat rolled, as if he wanted to say something.
"Can't you hear me?" Liu Che's voice suddenly rose, like thunder exploding in the hall. "Back off!"
Huo Yan's words were silenced. He took a deep, deep breath, as if sucking the heavy, cold air of the hall into his lungs. Slowly and meticulously, he kowtowed again, his forehead hitting the gold brick with a dull thud. When he raised his head again, tears streamed down his face.
"I will not retreat."
His voice was low and hoarse, as if he had used up all his strength.
"Your Majesty hates me. I have a father and a king."
His loose, dark-colored court robes seemed somewhat empty.
"My uncle insulted me."
Liu Che was like a cat whose tail was stepped on. After a long pause, he said, "You step back."
"Your Majesty, I only ask one question. If I admit that I have no king and no father," Huo Yan raised his head, his eyes misty with tears, but he looked directly at Liu Che. "Your Majesty... are you willing to implement my plan? If Your Majesty approves this plan, within five years, I can guarantee that the world will be safe and the granaries will be filled!"
Liu Che was choked by this almost provocative intimacy and firm assurance. He waved his hands irritably, like shooing away a fly: "Go away! I don't have that much money to bother you! Go away!"
Huo Yan suddenly smiled, a smile tinged with tears, "I understand!"
He bowed deeply, not once looking at Liu Che, nor acknowledging the mixed glances from the attendants on either side. He simply straightened his back, turned, and steadily walked out of the Xuanshi Hall. Sunlight poured in from the tall hallway, outlining his solitary figure. He stepped step by step into the dazzling halo, finally disappearing at the end of the long palace path outside the hall. Inside the hall, only the monotonous ticking of the bronze clock remained, and a suffocating silence enveloped him.
Huo Yan stood in the shadow of the towering walls of the Weiyang Palace, looking up at the gray-blue sky, which was cut into a narrow strip by the vermilion walls. A lone goose flew by, wailing mournfully.
It’s time for Gao Minling to appear.
Inside the palace, Liu Che stood alone on the empty imperial steps, watching Huo Yan disappear. Anger, frustration, resentment, and a hint of... inexplicable resentment swirled within him. He paced back to the imperial desk, grabbed the copy of the memorial, and unfolded it again.
He read it three or four times. Huo Yan's writing was sharper and more sophisticated than it had been a few years ago, his edge sharp and sharp, almost every word hitting home. However, the concern for the country and the people that shone between the lines, and the meticulous presentation, made him unable to help but love it.
Who can not love the talented little Huo Lang.
I feel mixed emotions.
"I have never seen a child like him!" Liu Che cursed in a low voice, with a helplessness that was almost crazy.
No! The bastard is gone, but there's still an accomplice!
Liu Che suddenly raised his head, anger rekindled in his eyes, and roared into the empty hall, "Come! Go! Tell that bastard Huo Qubing to come here immediately! Right now!"
【Author’s words】
Tetsuko: I love and hate it.
The insults of being without a king or a father were particularly harsh!
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