Father Han Gaozu

"come in."

Zhao Ping pushed open the door of the shabby room, followed closely by Zhang Buyi, and walked in together. The mansion looks a bit shabby from the outside, but from the inside, the decoration is still very good.Immediately, two dogs, one big and one small, came out and surrounded Zhaoping excitedly. Hearing the movement, an old woman walked out of the inner room. Seeing Zhaoping who came back suddenly, the more surprised she was, " How did you come back?"

Immediately, he saw the guests following Zhao Ping, and greeted him with a smile.

Zhang Buyi returned the gift, but Zhao Ping said: "Suddenly met an old friend on the road, so I came back, borrowed some meat from the neighbors, and entertained the guests today!"

The old woman got busy immediately, Zhao Ping asked Zhang Buyi to sit down in the mansion.

"It's rare... I never thought that you would be the first to visit me after the old man left the temple."

"Haha, I haven't seen you for many years, but you still look like this... no one dares to hit you now, right?"

Zhang Buyi said proudly: "Now that I am a Sangong, no one dares to be rude to me."

"Didn't Duke Zhou often beat you when you were the imperial censor?"

Zhang Buyi wasn't angry when Zhao Ping found out, he just shook his head and said, "Nowadays, there are no ministers like Duke Zhou, but there are lunatics like Chao Cuo."

The two hadn't seen each other for a long time. Although they had many conflicts when they were ministers of the same court and quarreled five times in three days, they were still on good terms at the moment.

Zhaoping talked about his life today.

"Both the eldest son and the second son went to Jinyang's Chinese school, and the youngest child went to the county school...It is not easy to support the three of them to study..."

Zhao Ping has already lived the life of ordinary people. Since he was dismissed from office and returned home, he has never contacted the temple. Even if he encountered some difficulties, he has never asked these former friends for help... Living on his own, life is not very good , but it also has a special charm. Zhang Buyi listened to him talk about homework, which Zhang Buyi was not very good at, but he still talked about his family's situation hesitantly.

"My daughter has grown up too... But she hasn't read yet, and she doesn't like to read. Her personality is very naughty, and she always makes her mother angry. When she starts crying, her crying can cover the entire mansion..."

Zhao Ping nodded, "I remember your daughter has a marriage contract with Dai Wang?"

"That's right... Dai Wang is not very old, and my daughter is also very young, not yet married."

The two exchanged pleasantries, until the food was brought to court, and then Zhao Ping asked Zhang Buyi the purpose of coming here.

"I'm here to investigate the situation of the frontier fortress... After the Huns retreated, their original territory was annexed by their former subordinates. His Majesty was furious... He wanted to recover all the power of the Huns in the past, but it was not easy. Development The difficulty beyond the Great Wall requires the full cooperation of many princes and kings, and to order the princes and kings, it is natural to send a person three kilometers away, but Chao Cuo really wanted to come, and His Majesty did not let him come."

"It's right not to let him come... He came to inspect the princes, and when he returned, he would definitely bring a few heads of the princes and kings..."

Zhao Ping said: "I can hear about Chao Cuo in such a remote place... The local officials are terrified. They used to go to various houses to eat and drink from time to time, but now they just throw meat into their mansions. , they won't take it"

"This is the wisdom of the Holy Son of Heaven! Someone like Chao Cuo can play a role under His Majesty's command!"

Zhang Buyi said adoringly.

But Zhao Ping shook his head, seeing him for so many years, why did Zhang Buyi's condition worsen?
"Long time no see, you haven't changed at all."

"Back then I was young and unknown, so I didn't get much love. People in the world only knew my younger brother and didn't know me...Your Majesty treated me as a national soldier at that time, and reprimanded my father because of me...A king treats his ministers like brothers and sisters, but the ministers treat him like his heart!"

Zhang Buyi changed the subject again, "I passed by the county where you are this time, and I'm here to visit you. You have lived here for a long time... I also know a lot about the situation here, and I also want to hear about it. your thoughts."

"I don't have any other ideas... There are precedents for this matter.

After Qin defeated the Hu people, they sent a large number of people to build cities in the wilderness of the Hu people, and turned the land that was not suitable for farming into their own territory... This is the safest way, but the disadvantages are also obvious, and the cost is huge. Not only do they have to move a large number of people, but they also need to provide them with tools. The power of the Xiongnu is so huge, and it is impossible to imagine the cost of building a city here. "

"The Tang State is currently adopting this method. They use prisoners of war to build cities. The annual investment is huge, but so far, only four cities have been built..."

Zhang Buyi pondered for a long time, then shook his head, "Impossible...Your Majesty loves the people, it is impossible to relocate hundreds of thousands of people to the outside of the Great Wall, let alone launch such a large-scale corvee to build a city."

"Then we can only adopt the second method."

"you say."

"I live in isolation with a few Huns. The street opposite the Yuezhi people is a street...all of them are Yuezhi people."

Zhang Buyi was taken aback, "What do you mean?"

"It's the same as treating those small countries in the Western Regions. Recover these tribes...The population of these tribes is very small, basically not reaching the size of the Huns...The attack of the Tang State made them very painful, and they moved around to avoid the army of the Tang State. If you want to inherit the territory of the Xiongnu, it is best to learn from the way the Xiongnu governed the tribes and let them submit to the Han... Divide them into different settlements, let them build cities, and let them become the foreign kings of the Han... Then intermarry to win them over Their nobles send officials to interfere and control their actions... Doing so will not see much effect in the short term, but it will not cost too much. Of course, there will also be a risk of breeding tigers, but this is all something you have to think about."

Zhang Buyi frowned and said nothing.

Seeing that he was silent, Zhao Ping said, "Actually, there is no need for your majesty to be so anxious... If he is worried that the enemies in the wilderness will become popular, it will take at least a hundred years. With the current development of the big man, no one will be robbed after a hundred years. It’s easy to say... Besides, there are so many places where money is needed in temples nowadays, it’s really not worthwhile to focus on barren land..."

"No! Since His Majesty said he wants to govern the wilderness, he must have a reason! Anyone who thinks he is wrong is a female gangster!!"

Zhang Buyi said firmly.

Zhao Ping murmured in a low voice: "You have transformed from a big traitor to the number one loyal minister, but this real loyal minister has become a traitor...how decent..."

"I've made up my mind! I'm going to become the Xiongnu Chanyu outside the Great Wall!"

"Pfft~"

When Hu Wusheng heard about his junior brother's great ambition, he immediately sprayed out the tea in his mouth, and then began to cough violently.

Liu Ci hurried forward and patted his back lightly.

"Brother! Although my ambition is great, don't be afraid!"

Hu Wusheng's eyes widened, and he looked at Liu Ci who was on the side in surprise, "Ci... The Huns are the sworn enemy of my great man. Your Majesty led the army to fight against the Huns and paid a huge price to defeat them. , drove them to a remote place, so that they could not harm the big man... You can't say this in front of outsiders..."

Liu Ci said proudly, "You don't know yet!"

"This is my father's idea. In the temple, I heard my father tell others that it will cost a lot to develop the grassland, and he also said that he will rebuild the glory of the Huns!"

Looking at Hu Wusheng's suspicious eyes, Liu Ci became anxious.

"What I said is true!"

"I also saw my father writing a letter in my mother's bedroom. It was all about the Huns... a minister gave a play to my father... yes..."

Liu Ci recalled it for a moment, and then confidently shouted: "It was the Guagua Shui Junhou who said it!"

Dong Zhongshu couldn't stand it any longer, "Hunhou Hou..."

"And His Majesty is not trying to rebuild the Xiongnu, but His Majesty wants to accept the territory of the Xiongnu at the peak of the past... I want to set up a few counties there, imitating the original Qin State... Your Majesty sent Sangong to investigate there..."

With Dong Zhongshu's explanation, Hu Wusheng immediately understood.

He is white
He glanced at Liu Ci and reprimanded him: "You must speak clearly, and you must not speak so frighteningly, you know?"

"Why is it scary... I've already thought about it, I'm going to build a country here, imitating the original Modu! Unify the tribes, and then take them south..."

"Ok??"

"Go north!"

"The Huns were able to fight against the big man back then, so how big would their territory be? If they could become the king here...how amazing and powerful they are! They can even rival the big man!!"

The more Liu Ci said, the more excited he was

Dong Zhongshu reminded in a low voice: "Modun is a patricide beast, you must stop saying that you should follow Maodun... Otherwise, not only will you not be able to become a king, but you may not even be able to be a marquis..."

Hu Wusheng was a little worried. If His Majesty wanted to follow Qin's example of opening up land, wouldn't he launch large-scale corvee for development?If that's the case, the people of the world will suffer.

After making a fuss for a long time, Liu Ci went to sleep in the back room.

Dong Zhongshu continued to learn from Hu Wusheng and asked the truth.

Hu Wusheng looked at the younger brother in front of him, and couldn't help but said: "Governing the ram is to serve the king... I agree with this, but a minister must be able to stop the wrong words and deeds of the king. Don't stop it, but agree with his wrong behavior in order to get a reward, this is the most disloyal behavior! I know you are very talented, but there is no need to imitate the current Sangong...Zhang Zuoxiang is not entirely because of his flattery King, it’s because he can do things.”

Dong Zhongshu was stunned for a moment, then said solemnly: "Brother, I understand what you mean, but those who want to persuade the king must first make the king listen to him."

"If you don't have any status, the king will cover his nose and avoid you when he sees you, so what's the point of admonishing the king?"

"If your own words are not taken seriously by the king, then what's the use of persuasion? It's just useless work like an old woman who complains at home when her lover leaves."

"Therefore, if you want to persuade the king and stop the wrong words and deeds of the king, you must first let the king listen to your own words, and let your voice be heard."

Hu Wusheng shook his head again, "I'm afraid that your words can only be heard when you are flattering, but you will be ignored when you are admonishing." Dong Zhongshu just looked at him without saying a word.

Hu Wusheng picked up the book again and began to interpret Gongyang Chunqiu for him seriously.

When Liu Ci woke up, Dong Zhongshu had almost finished his studies. The two said goodbye to Hu Wusheng, and then walked towards the palace under the guard of soldiers.

"Zhongshu...you said if I f*** go to be king beyond the Great Wall...would Father be very happy?"

"It shouldn't be...the territory outside the Great Wall is very large, but it is not suitable for farming. Life there is very difficult. You are the son of His Majesty, so you will not be sent to such a difficult place..."

"If I insist on going, will you make me the Prime Minister?"

Dong Zhongshu didn't understand, he looked at Liu Ci, "Why are you so obsessed, son? You are His Majesty's own son, and in the future, you will definitely be entrusted to treasure lands such as Huainan and Nanyang... The people are rich, but it is a first-class powerful country, so why go to that barren country?" where?"

Liu Ci raised his chest and raised his head, "Governing the country is not what I'm good at... I don't want to be like those fathers who stay in that place all day, doing nothing, just knowing to intrigue with my own officials... I want to go big enough where I lead my cavalry, conquer everywhere, defeat my enemies, expand the territory, and die on horseback! That’s what a man should do!!”

When the two returned to the palace, it was still daylight.They passed by outside Houde Hall, and just approached, they heard a roar coming from inside.

Liu Ci shrank his neck in fright.

"Father, why are you angry again?"

"Who is this person who is not afraid of death to provoke Father?"

Dong Zhongshu looked in the direction of Houde Hall and shook his head.

In Houde Hall, Lu Jia sat helplessly in front of Liu Chang, who roared angrily and walked back and forth in front of him.

Lu Jia brought bad news, Baicheng King

After leaving the big man and entering the territory of Shendu, he was attacked. King Baicheng was seriously injured and returned to his country under the desperate protection of soldiers. King Baicheng thought it was the work of the Peacock Kingdom, but the King of Peacocks thought it was The Baicheng King himself pretended to frame the widow!For a time, the two affiliated countries of the Han Dynasty were at war with each other, and soldiers from all over the country were on the border, and even the merchants who had traded with the Han Dynasty dared not go out. Both countries were asking the Han Dynasty for help.

This caused a lot of trouble to Liu Chang. Liu Chang didn't want to make a choice between the two countries. He wanted both countries, and he didn't want to see the two countries go to war. This would seriously affect the The business between the big man and them... It's only been two years. If the road is closed again, the blow it will cause will be very huge, including the rising Xiting Kingdom, which will be affected by it...

Liu Chang was so angry that he said, "Which dog is the one who ruined my big business?!"

"If you let me know!! I will definitely destroy his country!!"

Looking at the furious emperor, Lu Jia said helplessly: "Your Majesty still has to find a solution... If these two countries go to war, it will not be in the interests of the big man..."

Liu Chang became even more anxious, he couldn't help shouting: "It's all the fault of Qu Ni Wenwenhou!"

"If it wasn't for him, why would I let King Baicheng come to Chang'an to pay a visit?"

"That's good, I encountered an attack on the way... The attacker must have let him go on purpose, just to provoke a confrontation between the two countries!"

Lu Jia didn't speak. He didn't expect that Qu Nihou's absence could be blamed on him.

"Didn't Feng Jing say anything? What does he eat?"

"Not yet... I guess he is also investigating the truth."

"He was an outsider after all..."

Liu Chang sat down again, looking a little unhappy, "Lu! Go and call Taiwei, Yafu, and others!"

Lu Jia's face changed drastically, "Your Majesty! The poison is very far away...you can't go on an expedition..."

Lu Jia was completely terrified. Baicheng was basically in the south of Shendu. The two countries went to war, and the big man wanted to intervene. The soldiers of the northern army had to walk non-stop for three years to get to the battlefield... This journey The consumption can instantly drain the national treasury...not just dry it out, it can completely break the current balance of payments...Is this still worth it?Why didn't Liu Chang take action against the poisoned countries?Isn't it because the road is too far away that the big man has no way to attack them?Even if troops are sent from the Xiting Kingdom, they can only send cavalry to clear the way... The cavalry costs a lot.

Liu Chang glanced at him, "You don't have to worry so much... If I want to fight against Shen Po, do I still need to call them? I am enough alone... My fighting skills have long surpassed my teacher. Leading an army by one person can take down all the poison!

Lu Jia nodded hurriedly, "That's natural, that's natural."

Today's body poison is not easy to fight, and it has not become fragmented. There are still millions of people everywhere. The Huns are deadlocked. If the big man wants to send an army there, take them all... That's almost impossible.

"Even if you can't beat the body poison, you can't let the body poisoner be so daring... This time it must be the peacock king who sent someone..."

"The King of Baicheng is not the opponent of the Peacock Kingdom at all. He has always been afraid that the big man will abandon him, so he will not take such a risk...How dare the other countries provoke the big man? He knows that if the King of Baicheng dies in his territory, he will anger the big man , so he just sent people to attack, and did not directly kill him. This is forcing me to choose between the two countries. He seems to believe that the big man will choose him... This guy is worthy of being a regicide. He has no fighting skills. Courage is good."

Soon, the Taiwei walked in with two small followers.

Zhou Yafu and Lu Tazhi didn't even dare to sit down. After the Taiwei sat down, they stood on both sides with their heads bowed in respect.

"Master... King Baicheng was attacked when he was going back. He was injured and fled back to his own country. He said it was the work of the Peacock Kingdom... The two countries are preparing to go to war, and merchants are afraid to come and go."

"I can probably guess that this is what the Peacock King did."

"But

It is impossible for me to send large-scale troops without pampering them... If I back down once, they will become even more unscrupulous...Master, you have to help me find a way! "

Lu Jia glanced at His Majesty again. You looked confident just now. According to your confidence, you are the Marquis of Huaiyin? ?