My life is like walking on thin ice

Chapter 400 Hot Potato
In fact, Empress Dowager Lu's political positioning has always been a bit awkward.

Even in the new era more than two thousand years later, people's discussion about Empress Dowager Lu is still mixed and polarized.

Some people say that it was Empress Dowager Lü's sophisticated political skills and her political responsibility that prevented the Han Dynasty from becoming the second Qin Dynasty and perishing in the second generation.

If Qin also had a Queen Mother Lu, then the second emperor, Hu Hai, might have become someone like Emperor Hui of Qin, and there would have been no chance of the Liu Han Dynasty in the Chinese Dynasty.

Some people also say that it is true that Empress Dowager Lü saved the day and saved the collapsing building.
But the reason why the Han Dynasty was in turmoil was precisely because Empress Dowager Lu, as a woman, abused her power and was greedy for authority.

To put it in a more understandable way, Empress Dowager Lü did help the Han Dynasty reverse its decline and rebound;
As for where the decline came from and why it hit bottom, don’t ask...

From the perspective of a time traveler, a participant of the times, and a feudal emperor, Liu Rong actually agrees with both statements.

Work is work, mistakes are mistakes.

Liu Rong never denies someone's achievements because of his mistakes.

Naturally, we will never ignore someone's sins because of his merits.

Take for example the late emperor’s teacher, the late internal historian Chao Cuo;

Liu Rong was extremely disdainful, and could even be said to sneer at Chao Cuo's subjective malice in gambling with the entire Han family on himself and the future of his school!
But no matter how much he hated and looked down on Chao Cuo, Liu Rong never denied that Chao Cuo's "Plan for Reducing the Power of the Feudal Princes" did objectively play an important and positive role in the Han Dynasty's process of resolving the problem of the powerful clan princes that were difficult to get rid of.

Therefore, Liu Rong looked down on Chao Cuo personally.
However, Emperor Rong was grateful for the help that Chao Cuo provided to the Han family without his subjective will.

Back to Empress Dowager Lu, the situation was not much different from Liu Rong's perception of Chao Cuo.

——Also, he had subjective mistakes and malicious intent, but objectively, he provided real help to the Han family.

Furthermore, Empress Dowager Lu was not a "minister" like Chao Cuo, but a real monarch.

Not only is she a monarch, but she is also the founding queen, a monarch with extremely special political significance!
Considering all this, do you think Empress Dowager Lu was wrong?

It doesn't seem to be.

Greedy for power, controlling the government - they have the power to do so, it is reasonable and legal.

Appointing people based on personal connections and favoring clan members - they also have this power, and those in power in this era basically do this.

But you're going to say she's right, right?

But I always feel like something is not quite right.

After all, it is an indisputable fact that during the reign of Empress Dowager Lü, the Han Dynasty court was dark and the central government was in chaos;
The Lü Rebellion that broke out after the death of Empress Dowager Lü was a stain that Empress Lü could never wash away in her lifetime.

In addition, because of her identity as "Empress Gao", no one dared to really break it down and study the merits and demerits of Empress Dowager Lu's life.

Therefore, after Emperor Taizong succeeded to the throne from Dai, the political characterization of Empress Dowager Lu was vaguely described and has been covered up to this day.

As mentioned earlier, in this era, and even in most dynasties of the feudal era, people often adopted an "extreme judgment" approach towards individuals.

That is: what good people do must be right, and what is wrong is also right;

On the contrary, everything that bad people do is definitely wrong, and even the right things are wrong.

To affirm a person, one must affirm everything about him;
To deny a person, you must also deny everything about him.

For example, Qin Shi Huang Ying Zheng was labeled as a "tyrant" by the current Han Dynasty politics, and his life's work was completely denied.

For example, Xiaolian - as long as a person is promoted to an official because of his filial piety and incorruptibility, even if he commits a huge mistake, people will still say: No way?

He is a filial and honest man!

Maybe someone framed me...

It is precisely for this reason that the Han Dynasty has been vague and confusing about the political characterization of Empress Dowager Lu until now.

—It is only a superficial and minor obstacle that future rulers do not dare to judge their deceased elders.

If the emperor dare not judge Empress Gao, why shouldn't all the ministers in the court dare to do so?

You should know that even the final verdict and posthumous title after the emperor's death were discussed and decided by the court.

If the emperor really lets slip that he wants to make a political characterization of someone, everyone in and outside the court will reach a consensus on the same day, and the next day they will all attack that person and compete to praise him.

Therefore, Empress Dowager Lü’s political characterization was never impossible in terms of procedures;
Rather, it was the way of judging people in this era as either this or that, good or bad, that made the political characterization of Empress Dowager Lu an extremely complicated issue.

The reason is simple;
If Empress Dowager Lu was a "bad person" and everything she did was wrong, then all policy orientations and political guidelines during her time in power would have to be overturned and started over again.

This includes the overall national policy of recuperation and light taxation that the Han Dynasty has maintained since its founding.

——During the reign of Emperor Taizu, the Han Dynasty was still constantly at war.

The society was truly stabilized, the people lived and worked in peace and contentment, and the Han Dynasty truly determined the general policy of "development through hardship". It was during the period when Empress Dowager Lü came to power after Taizu's death and Xiaohui's accession.

More importantly, Emperor Taizong followed this major policy without any compromise.
The late emperor also followed.

Once Empress Dowager Lu was labeled as "wrong", then Emperor Taizong and Emperor Xiaojing would also be wrong.

The past fifty years of Han history and all the efforts made by successive emperors and wise ministers have been wiped out.

Even Liu Rong's legal foundation might be shaken because of this.

Therefore, Empress Dowager Lu’s political characterization cannot be “wrong”.

As for characterizing Empress Dowager Lu as "right", that is even more outrageous.

——If Empress Dowager Lu was "right", then the Lü Rebellion was right!
On the contrary, it was the princes and ministers who jointly killed the Lü clan, and even Emperor Taizong's succession to the throne, which was all wrong...

It is precisely for this reason that when Emperor Taizong was making a political assessment of Empress Dowager Lu in person, he firmly chose "or" between right and wrong.

There's no other way - nothing works, so I can only try to smooth things over.

Political characterization?
to smooth things over;
Empress Zhang Xiaohui?
to smooth things over;
Even the entire "Two-Year Law", including the Jinbu Law, is still a compromise.

This compromise lasted for more than 30 years, from Empress Dowager Lu's illegitimate son Emperor Taizong to her great-grandson Liu Rong.

If Liu Rong had not intended to nationalize the right to mint coins and had not been constrained by the "Golden Cloth Law", this mess would have most likely continued endlessly.

Now, when the time has come for the "Golden Bullet Law" to be changed and history to be faced, this muddy situation can no longer be tolerated.

——The Han family must face up to the history that has been kept secret for decades.

Let's face it, that turmoil where no one could tell right from wrong, only who won and who lost...

Word spread quickly.

In just an hour or so, most of Chang'an City received the news - the current Liu Rong was about to touch the taboo.

For a time, people inside and outside the court were in panic, and undercurrents were surging.

Most people thought that Liu Rong was going to get burned this time.

Even the two empress dowagers of the Eastern Palace - mainly Empress Dowager Dou - sent people to ask Liu Rong: How is your health recently?
This is serious.

When the Empress Dowager of the Eastern Palace questioned the Emperor, she did not mention any specific incident - this was already a serious condemnation and criticism.

But Liu Rong, who had already made up his mind, resolutely replied to the Crown Prince: Thanks to the blessing of the Empress Dowager and the Queen Mother, my grandson will have two catties of wine and meat, and half a bucket of rice and flour for his meal.

He is strong and healthy, with full of energy.

So, that night, Liu Rong appeared in the side hall of Changxin Hall in Changle Palace as expected. Under the close attention of the entire court, an unknown meeting quietly began between Empress Dowager Dou and Emperor Rong...

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"How is mother these days?"

After a long silence, Liu Rong finally spoke first, breaking the silence in the hall.

But unlike in the past, the Queen Mother Li had a calm expression on her face, even if the sky fell, as if her son would hold it up.

What happened?
Empress Dowager Li didn't quite understand.

What Empress Dowager Li knew was that the Emperor's son, for some complicated and mind-boggling reasons, had been forced to force the court and its people to discuss Empress Dowager Lu.

But Queen Mother Li didn't know why everyone in and outside the court was so nervous and worried about this matter;
I don't know why even my mother's family, the Li clan, has repeatedly sent people to the palace to gather information in the past few days.

I don’t even know why my mother-in-law, Empress Dowager Dou, was so angry.

At this moment, the emperor's son was clearly trying to break the ice with his concern, causing Empress Dowager Li to nod in response subconsciously;

But beside her, she heard two light coughs from Empress Dowager Dou, and the words that Empress Dowager Li was about to say were swallowed back.

——Before Liu Rong came, the old empress dowager had already said: Today, Empress Dowager Li is not allowed to protect her son mindlessly.

Liu Rong must give an explanation to the Eastern Palace about what happened here!
This has nothing to do with Empress Dowager Dou's personal feelings, nor does it have anything to do with the dispute between the East and West Palaces, or the "healthy competition" between Empress Dowager Dou and Liu Rong.

But as the "safety bolt" of the Han family, Empress Dowager Dou must ask Liu Rong for an explanation.

As for Empress Dowager Li, she has basically satisfied Empress Dowager Dou in the past few years.

Although she didn't accomplish anything, the Queen Mother of the Han Dynasty didn't need to do anything;

Especially when there was the Empress Dowager above her head, all the Empress Dowager Han needed to do was not to make any mistakes.

On this point, Empress Dowager Li's performance in the past few years has been satisfactory and generally okay.

It’s not that Queen Mother Li really changed her personality;

Rather, many of the mistakes made by "Mrs. Li" in the past would basically no longer be considered mistakes if they were done by the current Empress Dowager Li.

For example, the Shaofu treasury - when Madam Li reached out for it, that was a real usurpation of power!

But now when Empress Dowager Li reaches out, she is literally taking money from her own treasury.

Another example is the in-laws - Madam Li once wanted to seek official positions for her relatives. She was greedy and had no self-awareness!

But now, Queen Mother Li is cultivating her maternal relatives, which is actually weaving wings for the emperor...

In fact, as early as the reign of Emperor Taizong, when Empress Dowager Li was selected into the Crown Prince's Palace of the previous emperor through a beauty pageant, she had always been known for being "unruly".

This person is not a bad person;

She would not torture her enemies cruelly like Empress Dowager Lu.

But she often fails to understand her own position, thinking that she can be the only one who is favored by the emperor and do whatever she wants.

In the past, she was Li Ji and acted like a queen, so she was naturally arrogant and domineering.

But now that she really has the identity of Empress Dowager Li, everything she does seems reasonable.

The most important thing is: I don't know how Liu Rong used it to make Empress Dowager Li pay visits to Empress Dowager Dou morning and evening in the past few years, and be as respectful as possible;

This made it difficult for Empress Dowager Dou to find any fault even if she wanted to.

——Thinking back then, when Empress Dowager Bo was still alive, Empress Dowager Dou even had such heaven-defying ideas as the succession from brother to brother and enthroning Prince Liang!

Compared to herself back then, the current Empress Dowager Li couldn't be more honest and dutiful.

Empress Dowager Dou thought so.

Also because the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law get along well with each other, Empress Dowager Dou is generally happy to see Empress Dowager Li's mindless behavior of protecting her children, and is very pleased.

But not today.

Today, no...

"The Emperor is indeed in good health."

"——This person with good teeth can chew the Empress Gao of the Han family?"

"It can be considered that Empress Dowager Lu is blessed~"

"When the emperor was born, Empress Dowager Lu had already passed away."

"If not, the emperor would have to rely on the living Empress Dowager Lu instead of the deceased Empress Dowager of Han Dynasty?"

Due to the tyranny of Empress Dowager Dou, Liu Rong's call to his mother, Empress Dowager Li, did not elicit a response from her.

On the contrary, it was the old empress dowager's direct remarks that made Liu Rong shake his head and smile bitterly, feeling as if he were in another world.

——This familiar recipe, this familiar taste!

The weirdness that was exclusive to Empress Dowager Dou, but also occasionally appeared in the late Emperor;

The taste is still so authentic.

Why is it still so heartbreaking, and never stops saying things that shock people...

"Grandmother, you are too kind."

"Too serious..."

Liu Rong naturally couldn't confront the old empress dowager's complaints, so he could only go along with the topic and try to calm the old lady down.

After another period of silence, Liu Rong felt that the old lady's emotions had stabilized a little, so he took a deep breath and carefully and tentatively gave his reasons.

"Ever since Emperor Taizong lifted the ban on the Jinguan Pass and allowed merchants from all over the world to travel to various places and exchange what they have, the benefits of industry and commerce have become an important source of income for our Han family that cannot be ignored."

"——In the past, there was the State of Qi, which was located at the intersection of a major road and had the benefits of industry and commerce, making huge sums of money every day and becoming strong quickly."

"Later, King Wu Liu Bi and others used the profits from money and salt to raise funds for rebellion against the Han Dynasty."

...

"During the Spring and Autumn Period, Guan Zhong strengthened Jin by relying on the benefits of fishing and salt, and helped Duke Huan to conquer all the princes and dominate the world."

"Now the princes are seeking the benefits of industry and commerce, but the court and the central government cannot do anything."

"——Isn't this putting the cart before the horse?"

"Instead of implementing the policy of strengthening the country among the princes, you are relying on the law of gold and cloth, which puts the ancestral temple and the country in danger, and there will be no day for the country to become strong again?"

These words roughly stated his position, and Liu Rong stopped talking at the right time, silently waiting for the old empress dowager's reply.

——What exactly was going on and why Liu Rong did this, the old empress dowager knew it all without Liu Rong explaining.

Rather than persuading her, it would be safer, more prudent, and more realistic for Liu Rong to let the old empress figure it out herself.

(End of this chapter)