The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 544: Preparing to Enfeoff the Kings
The spring breeze of Zhuo County blew away the severe winter cold. Qin Shou stood on the high platform of the palace, holding the report just sent from Shu in his hand. His eyes looked over the courtyard wall, as if he could see the bustling scene in Chengdu thousands of miles away.

"Your Majesty, the Second Prince's southern expedition is progressing smoothly. The Shu noble families have provided great assistance. In the first battle, three counties of Zhuti Commandery have been recovered." Xun You reported the battle situation on the front line with a smile on his face.

"These aristocratic families are really generous this time."

Qin Shou's voice was low, his fingers tapped lightly on the railing, his face showed no emotion, and a sharp light flashed in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, Lord Chen Qun requests to see you." Another eunuch came hurriedly to report.

Qin Shou raised his lips slightly, nodded and said, "Let him come over! It's about time for him to come today."

Chen Qun walked over quickly, saluted and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, the news of the Second Prince's victory in Shu has spread throughout the court and the country, and we are all excited."

Xun You glanced at the other person with an inexplicable expression, and no one knew what he was thinking.

"Well, Chengji did a good job." Qin Shou nodded and said calmly: "The southern barbarian Meng Huo has been causing trouble for many years. It is time to solve it completely."

Chen Qun's eyes flashed with hesitation, and then he said: "The Shu family has contributed a lot this time, which shows that they are loyal to the court. It is a blessing for the court that His Royal Highness the Second Prince can get such support."

Qin Shou's eyes suddenly became sharp. He stared at Chen Qun for a long time, until beads of sweat oozed out of his forehead. Then he slowly said, "My dear minister, what you said is very true. Pass on my decree to reward the Shu family and let the Ministry of Personnel evaluate their merits."

Chen Qun was overjoyed and immediately kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty is wise! I will draft an order right away."

After Chen Qun left, Qin Shou turned to Xun You beside him and said, "Look, this long article is very happy."

Xun You immediately smiled and said, "Your Majesty's reward to the Bashu family this time has given him hope."

Qin Shou handed the report to Xun You and said with a smile: "Look, the Shu noble families have invested a lot this time. If I don't show some support, who will help the court in the future? Although I don't like noble families, I have to admit that these people are rich. I have to reward them heavily!"

Xun You pondered for a moment: "The Shu family has always been conservative. They are so active this time. I am afraid they have other intentions. The Second Prince is young and promising, and is favored by His Majesty. They may think that His Majesty wants to change the crown prince!"

"Want to place a bet?" Qin Shou sneered, "I'm not dead yet."

Xun You bowed quickly and said, "Your Majesty is in the prime of life. They are just wishful thinking. However, I am still worried that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will have other ideas."

"What's Cheng Qian's reaction?" Qin Shou suddenly asked.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince behaved very calmly and even praised the Second Prince." Xun You answered truthfully, and then added: "But after the court was dismissed, Jia Xu went to the East Palace."

Qin Shou's eyes flashed with a complex expression, then he regained his composure and said calmly: "Jia Wen and that old fox. Forget it, let the two brothers handle it themselves."

He turned and walked to the imperial desk, took out a secret report from the drawer, handed it to Xun You, and said, "Take a look at this."

Xun You unfolded it and looked at it, his face changed slightly: "Gongsun Kang actually attacked Wenyuan, and the army suffered a lot of losses."

"Gongsun Kang thinks that the emperor is far away and I can't do anything to him." Qin Shou's eyes flashed with cold light, and he said coldly: "It's time to let him know that the territory of the Tang Dynasty cannot be violated." Xun You immediately understood Qin Shou's intention and exclaimed: "Your Majesty is going to personally conquer Liaodong?"

"That's right." Qin Shou nodded, "Pass the order down. Three days later, I will lead 30,000 elite troops out of Zhuo County to attack Gongsun Kang."

We had originally planned to attack Liaodong last year, but the heavy snow made the roads difficult to travel, so we had to retreat to Zhuojun.
Three days later, outside the city of Zhuo, flags were flying and 30,000 elite cavalrymen were waiting in formation. Qin Shou was dressed in military uniform, riding on a jet-black warhorse, with his strategist Xun You and generals Dian Wei, Xu Chu, Zhao Yun and others following behind him.

"Your Majesty, everything is ready." Xu Chu clasped his fists and said.

Qin Shou nodded, his eyes swept across the neat army formation, and suddenly asked: "What's the latest news from Shu and Chang'an?"

Xun You stepped forward and said, "His Royal Highness the Second Prince has penetrated deep into the South and has won battle after battle. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is in charge of the grain and grass affairs in Chang'an, and also the Spring Examination. He will also reduce taxes in Hebei, Xiliang and other places and encourage farming. He will then rectify the administration of officials, focusing on investigating and prosecuting several officials who have close ties with aristocratic families."

Qin Shou raised his lips slightly and waved his hand, "Let's go."

The army marched out, their iron hooves kicked up a cloud of dust. Qin Shou led the way, but his mind was filled with thoughts. He chose this time to go out to fight, not only to solve the border troubles in Liaodong, but also to give his two sons a stage to show their abilities.

During the march, Xun You rode his horse close to Qin Shou and said, "Your Majesty, there is something I don't understand."

"explain."

"The Shu noble families are so supportive of the Second Prince, why doesn't Your Majesty impose any restrictions on them?" Xun You knew that Qin Shou didn't like noble families, so he asked bluntly.

Qin Shou glanced at him and said calmly, "The road to Shu is difficult, as difficult as ascending to heaven. No matter how powerful the Shu family is, they cannot escape my control. Besides, we still need these families now. After all, the southern expedition requires a large amount of food and grass, and the land of Bashu still needs the support of those families."

"Your Majesty is wise." Xun You immediately understood the reason, and then he looked at Qin Shou again. In fact, he really wanted to ask clearly what Qin Shou's attitude towards Qin Chengji was. Why did he let the other party lead the army? Didn't he know what Qin Chengji was thinking?
Xun You hesitated for a moment, and finally couldn't help asking: "Your Majesty, I dare to ask, do you have any other intentions about the Second Prince leading the army to the south?"

Qin Shou pulled the reins and the warhorse slowly stopped. He looked at the mountains in the distance and was silent for a long time before speaking: "Gongda, what do you think of my sons?"

Xun You was shocked and answered cautiously: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is kind and steady, His Royal Highness the Second Prince is brave and decisive, and the other princes are extremely intelligent and are all gifted by nature."

"Yes, they are all my good sons." Qin Shou sighed and said with a wry smile: "But there is only one dragon throne."

Xun You held his breath and dared not respond.

Qin Shou suddenly turned his head, staring at the other party with a sharp gaze, and said: "I have thought for a long time and decided to follow the ancient system. In the future, I will enfeoff the kings outside to protect the Central Plains."

"Enfeoffment?" Xun You exclaimed, "Your Majesty, this..."

"I know what you want to say." Qin Shou interrupted with a wave of his hand, saying nonchalantly, "The chaos of the Seven Kingdoms in the early Han Dynasty was a warning to later generations. But my enfeoffment is different from that in the early Han Dynasty. The country is too big, and Cheng Qian can't control the whole world. Outside the Central Plains, I can enfeoff a group of princes and let them return to their own countries."

Current means of transportation and communication determine that the territory of a dynasty cannot be too large, so Qin Shou can only use this method.

(End of this chapter)