My father is Emperor Wu of Han, how can I be different from him?

Chapter 239 Treat, Dinner

The prosperity of the world is for profit; the hustle and bustle of the world is for profit.

indeed.

Born in this world, no one can escape the word "private", but opposite to "private" stands the word "public".

The vast majority of ordinary people in the world put their own interests above public interests, or even only their own interests. Even so, others actually have nothing to blame them for.

It was nothing more than the day we bumped into each other, selfishness against selfishness, everything was based on selfishness...

Besides.

There are very few people who put the interests of the nation and the people first. They are undoubtedly worthy of admiration.

But at the same time, they are destined to be one in a million and rare.

What is more common in normal times are perhaps those who can take into account the public interest while pursuing their own interests, or even just put the "public" slightly before the "private".

Even just a little bit.

This kind of person, among the countless ordinary people in the world, can be considered extraordinary...

"Your Highness, I am Wang Heng, the commander of the grain-collecting army, and I am here to see you!"

The man, with a dark face and rough skin, who looked more like a farmer than an official of the imperial court, came to pay his respects. But before he could bend down, Liu Ju reached out to hold him up: "Uncle, please stand up quickly."

A disciple of the Nong family, the Commandant of the Grain Search Army, Wang Heng, whose courtesy name was Tongshu.

In the main hall of the Crown Prince's Palace, Liu Ju had just supported this person when a man beside him also bowed down, "Hey, Zijing, don't be so polite."

The Shi family of Lu State, the chief of the Sougu Commandery, was named Shi Gong, with the courtesy name Zijing.

Liu Ju used to tease him as "brother-in-law" in his heart, but because Shi Liangdi was actually a concubine, not a wife, the term "brother-in-law" was ultimately a teasing term.

Given Liu Ju's status as the crown prince, there was nothing wrong with calling Shi Gong by his given name. "Today I am hosting a banquet to welcome you. Please do not be too polite."

"Come!"

Liu Ju smiled and led the two of them to sit down.

After many years, Wang Heng and Shi Gong came to the Prince's Palace again and were treated with the same courtesy as before. They were flattered and felt inexplicably grateful.

After a trip to the southern counties, Wang Heng's timidity as a petty official disappeared, and his speech and behavior became more solemn and dignified.

He wasn't the only one who changed.

When Shi Gong first entered the Prince's Palace, he still had an obvious scholarly air. Now he is still as elegant as ever, but has become more down-to-earth and capable.

"good."

While talking, Liu Ju, who was also carefully observing the two, nodded and smiled, "It seems that going south can really train talents. You have worked hard these past few years."

Wang Heng immediately bowed and continued, "It is all thanks to your Highness's cultivation that we are able to contribute to the people's food and clothing, and at the same time, we can put our knowledge to good use. How can it be called hard work?"

"Exactly."

Shi Gong also bowed and said sincerely.

In recent years, the two men have been traveling back and forth between the southern counties with a large group of officials from the Sougu Duwei Mansion, and it goes without saying that the curved plow has been widely popularized.

Before the Nanyue Kingdom submitted to the imperial court, Wang Heng ordered people to go to Jiaozhi County and get high-yield rice, which was then planted on a large scale in counties south of the Yangtze River.

Promoting new agricultural tools, guiding farming, preventing pests and diseases, popularizing improved varieties, etc., etc., are easy to say but more difficult to do.

The Minister of Agriculture reported that taxes in the southern counties had been increasing year by year. If it weren't for the small population in the south, the contributions of Wang and Shi would have been even greater!
But it is impossible.

The climate and water conservancy in the south are suitable for farming, but the population is small, very small.

If you want to make the South the economic center of the Song and Ming dynasties, to put it bluntly, you have to migrate to the South several times...

Closer to home.

The people in the hall exchanged greetings for a while, and Liu Ju asked them in detail about their achievements in the south. Then he brought up the business.

"I sent a letter to you to return to the capital this time. You probably guessed why. In the near future, you will hand over the matters at hand."

Wang Heng and Shi Gong looked at each other, their expressions becoming more serious. The next moment, they both bowed behind the desk and saluted:
"Thank you, Your Highness!"

This time Liu Ju did not avoid or refuse. He recalled Wang and Shi back to Chang'an, which was naturally related to the recent changes in the court.

"I have submitted a recommendation to the palace, and I will get a reply soon. With your many years of contributions, the court will most likely not reject it."

Wang Heng and the other two knew that the prince was speaking modestly. Considering their merits and the prince's reputation, it would be a problem if they rejected the request.

at the moment.

Liu Ju first looked at Shi Gong and said sternly, "I recommend you to be the governor of Liangzhou. Although the salary is reduced from 1,000 dan to 600 dan, the governor is an unusual position."

"You are in a low position, but you have great power. It will be easier to be promoted in the future!"

Upon hearing this, Shi Gong was excited, and he quickly leaned forward and saluted, saying, "I know the importance of this matter, and I will definitely not let your Highness down!"

Liu Ju nodded slightly.

"Before you leave Beijing for your new post, you can go meet Yi Zong, the governor of Bingzhou, who is also in Beijing. He was previously an official in Liangzhou. You two can have a chat."

Yi Zong had made good achievements in his administration in Jiuquan County and was about to be promoted. It just so happened that the establishment of the Inspectorate Prefecture took place, so Liu Ju gave him a slight promotion.

Let Shi Gong talk to Yi Zong, so that he can prepare for the rainy day and get an understanding of the officialdom in Liangzhou in advance, so as not to be at a loss after taking office...

Liu Ju was very sincere to his 'brother-in-law'.

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

In just a few moments, Shi Gong expressed his gratitude many times. Words could not express his excitement at the moment. Unable to suppress his emotion, he immediately knelt down to pay homage.

"Eh."

Liu Ju waved his hand, signaling the eunuch Wei beside him to support the other person, "No need for the big gift, you just returned to the capital, and you should leave the capital soon to perform your duties."

"Take this opportunity to meet Liang Di."

Wei Sheng supported the other person and forced a flattering smile. Shi Gong was very emotional and insisted on bowing before leaving with the eunuch.

After they leave.

Liu Ju looked at Wang Heng who was sitting below him and said, "The government and the country are going to be a little turbulent recently. You have returned with your achievements, which is a good opportunity for you to take a big step forward."

"I plan to have you join the Grand Agriculture Officer's Office and serve as the Grand Agriculture Officer. What do you think?"

Wang Heng replied in a deep voice: "It's all up to your Highness!"

After the reform, the Minister of Agriculture will have full authority to manage the court's financial taxes and will have greater power than before. With Wang Heng's qualifications and merits, it is appropriate for him to serve as a deputy.

It’s appropriate.

But isn't there a problem? Are we going to assign people to the radish pits now? The people who originally occupied the radish pits have not said they are willing to vacate their positions!
A few days after the grain-collecting commander returned to the capital, the court was still noisy and even intensified. Finally, on the fourth day, a memorial full of cries and worries flew into the Weiyang Palace.

This time.

It cannot be described with words like snowflakes. The petitions of inquiry are like a flood that breaks through a dam. Once they start, they are endless and cannot be stopped at all.

It seems like it will flood the Weiyang Palace!
The officials under the Nine Ministers were all from the capital, and they were only a short walk away from the Weiyang Palace. It was more convenient for them to submit memorials than for ordinary local officials. The ministers were indignant and had only one request -

"Your Majesty, the Nine Ministers cannot be changed!"

Ok.

The effect was very good. The news released by the emperor and the prince together shocked many people.

With the memorial, there was a name, and then...

Do not misunderstand.

They certainly didn't just confiscate the property and exterminate the clan one by one according to their names. They were all high-ranking officials of the imperial court, so how could they be so rude? The Liu family father and son wanted to follow the map, and then first -

Treat me, let’s have a meal!
It was a sunny day with a gentle breeze.

Weiyang Palace, beside Cangchi Lake.

In the pavilion on the rockery in the lake, the emperor sat with three bigwigs of the court, the Grand Marshal Wei Qing, the Prime Minister Shi Qing, and the Imperial Censor Bu Shi. In the absence of the Grand Marshal, these three people were the three officials of the court!
"Did Zong Zheng go to the Prime Minister's residence some time ago?" Liu Che asked casually while ordering someone to give the minced meat on his desk to Shi Qing.

"Your Majesty, I am here."

"Oh, I am a little curious, what did the Prime Minister say to them?"

"The old minister gave me some advice."

"Ugh."

The emperor spread out his sleeves and leaned towards the brocade couch. "It seems that they are unwilling to listen to the prime minister. They are so bold."

The tone of this sentence was not harsh, nor did he sound angry. After appreciating the prime minister, the emperor casually asked another question:
"I heard that someone went to the Imperial Censor's house that day, but you didn't even let them in. Isn't that too rude?"

"Hehehe."

Imperial Censor Bu Shi smiled and continued, "Your Majesty, if even the Prime Minister cannot persuade someone, what is the point of my meeting him?"

Liu Che raised his eyebrows and nodded, "The Imperial Censor always gets my way, and I am very pleased."

"Come here, give me some wine!"

The wine is genuine royal wine and is not poisonous.

The emperor praised Bu Shi for always being able to "grasp my heart," which was genuine praise, not a sarcastic criticism.

Looking back at Bu Shi's path to officialdom and promotion, the imperial court was at war and faced financial difficulties. It called on wealthy people all over the world to donate, but no one donated except Bu Shi.

Then he got promoted.

The migration of immigrants to the border areas caused huge consumption of the national treasury, and no wealthy person donated money to help the country. Bu Shi donated money, and then he was promoted.

When attacking Nanyue, hundreds of nobles in the world remained silent. Only Bu Shi, a businessman who made his fortune in animal husbandry and a civil official who had never fought a war, made a memorial:
"I want to join the army with my son and head south!"

"Serve the court!"

From the subsequent situation, it is clear that he did not join the army, but it is true that Bu Shi was promoted again...

One could say that he was good at speculation or that he could guess his superiors' intentions, in short, Bu Shi was quite skilled in the field of "fawning".

As a leader of the group, Bu Shi actually held back a bit when he sensed that something was wrong with the Nine Ministers reform on the day when the ministers came to visit him.

If he had not been the Imperial Censor now, he would have had to save some face. Otherwise, according to the old practices, Bu Shi would have had to come out in person to block the door that day.

Then, I will give everyone another sentence:
"roll!"

However, even if he restrained his strength, His Majesty the Emperor was very satisfied. Look, isn't he being given wine?
Under the pavilion.

After the emperor finished talking to the two ministers, the general who was eating quietly beside him interrupted with a smile, "I wonder how the conversation went with the crown prince?"

The emperor heard this and glanced towards the shore not far away. He raised his chin to the eunuch and ordered, "Send someone to listen."

"Yes……"

By the lake, on the grass on the shore.

The screens were arranged in a circle, and a soft couch was placed on the ground, with the ministers sitting on it.

Among the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, the Three Dukes are invited by the Emperor, and the Ministers are with the Crown Prince.

The reason why "Nine Ministers" is no longer used here is because the Nine Ministers usually refer to the nine institutions in the court that are mainly led by ministers, but here, it refers to the number of ministers.

And the number of ministers is more than nine.

In addition to the nine well-known ones, there are Taichang, Langzhongling, Taipu, Tingwei, Daxingling, Zongzheng, Danongling, Shaofu and Weiwei.

The Left Internal Secretary, Right Internal Secretary, Prince's Grand Tutor, and Prince's Junior Tutor were also ministers, but these positions have either been changed or are unoccupied, so they are not mentioned.

After the official position was changed, it was still the Qing, and some people still held the position, such as the former lieutenant, which is now the Praetorian Prefect.

and also.

General of Chariots and Cavalry, General of Horsemen, Chief Architect, Grand Chamberlain...

Hey, you read that right. Although the position of Grand Chamberlain was mostly held by eunuchs, he was still a minister, the Queen’s minister!

If you count this way, there are quite a few people who are having a picnic with Liu Ju today.

There are many people and the composition is complex.

Even though Liu Ju specially chose a leisurely venue and created a popular conversation scene, the matter to be discussed was too serious.

The crowd was of mixed background, with eyes glancing around, looking reserved and pretending, talking nonsense and not saying a single honest word.

Liu Ju stared at them for a while, then chuckled and said, "You don't have to keep looking at the General of Cavalry and the General of Chariots. I let them sit on my left and right to show respect, not to rely on them."

Huo Qubing, who was sitting in the first seat on the left, didn't say anything and just ate his fish.

Li Guang, sitting in the first position on the right, looks up at the sky with his eyes and looks at people with his nostrils.

not bad.

The two of them vividly demonstrated what it means - you guys chat and we'll pretend you don't exist.

Liu Ju pointed to Li Gan and Lu Bode and said, "They are military officers. This reform does not involve them. They will not speak today. They are just here to attend the banquet."

"how?"

Liu Ju changed into a comfortable posture and asked with a smile: "Does anyone want to consult now?"

...Still nothing.

Zhou Zhongju and others kept their mouths shut and remained silent.

"I asked you to come here today, and I chose to come here by the Cang Pond instead of the Xuanshi Hall, just to have a casual chat."

Liu Ju smiled and said, "You are all pillars of the court and important officials. If you are not at peace, the court will not be at peace. Don't worry, the emperor is not here."

"Just say whatever you want to say. I promise I won't pursue the matter later."

This statement came out.

Especially when the last sentence was spoken, several ministers looked at each other, clearly intending to move, but still hesitant.

no way.

The ministers in the court have long been trembling in fear under the tyranny of Old Liu. The national policy of casually criticizing current affairs during the time of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing has now long been in name only.

No one is sure about Xiao Liu's approach yet, so it's normal for them to be cautious.

"Damn it, you're just dilly-dallying!"

When no one spoke, a rough voice sounded from the front row on the right, "Your Highness does not allow me to interrupt in the main business, so I will say something off topic."

"You don't even dare to express your political views, so why are you still occupying high positions? You might as well go home and farm!"

"A bunch of weaklings!"

The words are rough but the logic is sound, but Li Guang's words are too rough.

Someone immediately frowned. At this moment, Dongfang Shuo suddenly said, "Your Highness, the officials of the Grand Order Office are worried that their power will be reduced after the reform."

"We, the ministers, share this concern."

Tsk.

Wang Wenshu, who was sitting next to him, glanced at Dongfang Shuo and said, "We wait?" We don't have the prince as our backer, so we dare not wait with you.

"Since Your Highness asked, I will speak the truth." Zhao Yu said coldly, "Since I was promoted to the position of Nine Ministers, I have worked hard, not to mention getting up early and staying up late. Why should the Ministry of Personnel be reduced?"

"I don't understand."

Zhao Yu bowed to the main seat and said in a serious tone, "Your Highness, please solve my doubts."

The voice just fell.

Everyone looked at the prince.

(End of this chapter)