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

Chapter 251 Mending
Compared with widely distributed and large-scale surnames such as Li, Wang, and Chen, Wei is considered a small surname.

During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, surnames were surnames and clan names were clan names.

Surnames are used to distinguish between marriages, and clan names are used to distinguish between noble and humble status. Men are called by their clan names, which come before their given names.

for example.

Shang Yang, Yang is his 'name', Shang is his 'clan', and his surname is 'Ji'.

Shang Yang was not called this in his early years. He was born into the royal family of Wei State, and others called him "Gongsun Yang", which means: the descendant of the monarch.

At this time, Gongsun was his clan name.

later.

Gongsun Yang left Wei and went to Qin. People then called him by two more appropriate names: Wei Yang, which means: Yang of Wei.

after that.

Wei Yang was granted a fiefdom in the State of Qin, Shang, and so he had another surname, and people called him Shang Yang.

It means: Yang, the owner of the Shang fiefdom.

Surname plus given name.

That is, the custom of calling men by their given names in the Pre-Qin period.

During the unified Qin and Han dynasties, surnames and clan names gradually merged and no longer served the purpose of distinguishing between blood ties or nobility.

Surname and clan name combined into one.

This is what we see today - surname plus given name.

During this confluence process, the two elements, clan name and family name, were combined into one, so there must be a trade-off, right?

Most people use "氏" as their surname. If there is no "氏" or for some special reasons, they may use "姓" or other names as their surname.

For special reasons like this, for example, the descendants of the Wang family of a certain country might change their surnames to ones related to the country's name because their country was lost.

E.g.

The descendants of the Zhou royal family changed their surnames to Ji, Zhou, Wang, etc.

The descendants of the royal family of Wei State changed their surname to "Wei"!

In addition, after the founding of the Han Dynasty, the reasons for surname changes became more complicated. The superiors gave surnames to slaves, such as Jin Midi; they changed their surnames on their own, such as the aforementioned family who had been in charge of the warehouse for generations, so they took Cang and Ku as their surnames...

And so on and so forth, a lot.

The reason why I have said so much is that I want to discuss a phenomenon. Although Wei is a small surname, it is not absolutely rare nowadays!
When mentioning the surname "Wei", it does not necessarily refer to the line of General Wei Qing.

True.

Nowadays, when people mention "Wei" in the Han Dynasty, their first impression will inevitably be related to Wei Qing, but this is due to fame and status.

In the world today, there are at least eight hundred people with the surname Wei. Isn’t Emperor Liu Che’s teacher, Wei Wan, also surnamed Wei?

When we talk about spies with the surname Wei, it must be the great general Wei?
Not necessarily.

However, can we conclude based on this that it is definitely not the case?
maybe……

"Wei, Wei?" In the main hall of the Prince's Palace, Liu Ju sat upright, staring at the note in his hand for a while, then stretched it towards the flames and let it devour him.

The spy within the court, beyond the emperor's expectation, had nothing to do with the princes, but was related to an unexpected surname.

guard.

There was silence in the hall, and Liu Ju sat alone in deep thought.

After a while, he called Eunuch Wei in and said, "Go to the Grand Marshal's Mansion tonight and ask if your uncle has time to come to the Crown Prince's Palace to teach you."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Liu Ju used to study classics with Shi Qing, and now he was asking Zhuang Qingzhai for advice on government affairs. While he was learning civil skills and military strategies, Liu Ju naturally did not fall behind in military skills.

The "Wu" here does not refer to archery or physical fitness, but to military affairs.

Since he grew older, Liu Ju would learn military skills such as deploying troops and allocating food and fodder from Wei Qing and Huo Qubing whenever he had free time.

First of all, it’s always better to have many skills.

Secondly, Liu Ju did not expect to become a peerless warrior, but only hoped that when he was in charge of government in the future, he would be able to distinguish who was loyal and who was treacherous, and who was talking nonsense when it came to military affairs...

After instructing his uncle Wei Qing to enter the palace, Wei Sheng was about to turn around and do it, but Liu Ju added:
"Let Su Sheren come over."

Soon, Su Wu, wearing armor, entered the room. Before he could salute, Liu Ju waved his hand to stop him, called him closer, and spoke directly:
"The Crown Prince's Palace has several caravans that go to the Western Regions for trade. I want you to take over."

Caravan?

Su Wu was a little surprised, but he clasped his fists quickly and said, "Your Highness has entrusted me with this. I will do my best, but..." He hesitated for a few breaths and said sincerely, "I am not good at business, and I am afraid that I will lose your wealth."

"It doesn't matter."

Liu Ju looked at the other party and said bluntly: "I will not hide it from you. Those caravans transported goods to the Western Regions to trade with the Right Wise King of the Xiongnu."

Ok?
If Su Wu was surprised just now, he was horrified now! Trading with the Xiongnu, and being the Right Wise King! ?
At this moment, Su Wu's face changed drastically and many thoughts flashed through his mind. He was so frightened that he almost jumped up. Fortunately, the prince started talking again at this time.

"Don't panic. This matter has been approved by Weiyang Palace and involves some intelligence from the north..."

Before he finished speaking, Su Wu had already breathed a sigh of relief.

Realizing that he had lost his composure, he immediately clasped his fists and interrupted, "This involves confidential information, Your Highness, there is no need to discuss it with me. Just give me your orders!"

See this.

Liu Ju nodded. It was because he valued Su Wu's loyalty and silence that he gave the matter to him.

Liu Ju then instructed on some details, such as confidentiality, the goods in the caravan, and how to contact the Right Wise King's men after leaving Yumen Pass.

Salt, tea leaves, pots and pans, in exchange for horses.

It was a mutually beneficial relationship, with both sides taking what they needed. As for Qu Bi, he got the scarce resources on the grassland and used them to trade with others and secretly enhance his own strength.

That's his business...

at the moment.

After Su Wu left, another person came. To be precise, it was the Minister of Agriculture, Wang Heng, who was the person Liu Ju wanted to meet in the main hall today.

As the crown prince, the state affairs he has to deal with are so complicated, including foreign enemies, internal affairs, and so many other things that touch upon every aspect.

"I have met His Highness."

"No need to be polite, please take a seat."

After Wang Heng sat down, Liu Ju talked about the main topic for which he was called here. It was not a big matter, but it was not a small matter either - to take care of the Daitian method that Zhao Guo was experimenting with.

This first-time top scorer in the imperial examination was different from the other two runners-up, the third place, and even the more than one hundred successful candidates.

Liu De and others were granted official positions and could enter the civil service.

When Zhao Guo entered officialdom, he also had to prove a point he had made in the palace examination - the Daitian Law.

Liu Ju later learned from Wang Heng, a professional, that this method was promising, but Wang Heng's approval was useless, and Liu Ju's approval was useless.

When it comes to farming, facts must speak for themselves!

Practice brings true knowledge.

If Liu Ju did not speak, Wang Heng, as the Minister of Agriculture, could also provide some assistance to Zhao Guo who was experimenting with the farming method in the detached palace.

But Liu Ju's status was different after all. Once he opened his mouth, he was able to raise many things that were difficult for Wang Heng to handle or difficult to raise in the Sinong Temple.

The resources and treatment that could be given to Zhao Guo were completely different...

Liu Ju supported this northern farmer's son in order to show the outside world the Crown Prince's Palace's consistent principle of emphasizing agriculture.

Secondly.

It is also about promoting young people and training some teams.

These three are the most important reasons why Liu Ju helped Zhao, to fill in the gaps for his father, the emperor!

Since the death of Uwe Kobe, the emperor has now devoted most of his energy to two areas, which are very familiar to everyone:

Make money and fight!
There had been no large-scale military operations for several years, and the treasury had accumulated some surplus. Now Liu was only thinking about fighting! The emperor, who had always been devoted to martial arts, was embracing his martial arts, and it was inevitable that he would pay less attention to other aspects.

For example, farming.

If Liu Ju doesn't step forward to mend the situation at this time, who will?

While Old Liu was thinking about the war, Little Liu could only focus on domestic affairs. It was always good to increase the wealth of the Han people and reduce their burden...

After Wang Heng left, Cai Cheng came again.

The latter came to inquire about the construction of official schools in various places.

Time passed in the midst of one government matter after another. Since Liu Ju did not hide anything, he met with many ministers in one day. During this time, the emperor noticed the movements in the Prince's Palace and recalled the matters handled by Liu Ju for review.

after that.

The emperor ordered the Prime Minister's Office to make a copy of the memorial submitted and send it to the Crown Prince's Palace.

When the court officials learned about it, some were shocked, some were happy, and some were sad.

But whatever.

Since the passing of the Empress Dowager, the scene of the two palaces, Weiyang and Changle, appearing again today, which can be called: the small two palaces system.

After all, the status of Changle Palace is not comparable to that of the Crown Prince's Palace...

That night.

Princess Pingyang Mansion.

It was late at night, and Princess Pingyang had not yet rested. At about the first quarter of the evening, footsteps and greetings were heard in the corridor:
"Master of the house."

"The master of the house is back."

Hearing the noise, Princess Pingyang stood up and went out to greet him. Before she left the house, Wei Qing stepped in.

"Why is it so late today?"

"Well, it will be later." Wei Qing replied casually as he took off his shoes.

In the past, Wei Qing often came home late, and Princess Pingyang would always light a lamp and wait for him. Even though it had become a habit, Wei Qing would still show concern for his wife when he responded.

Today, however, I will keep my words brief.

Seeing that he was worried, Princess Pingyang restrained her expression slightly. After helping Wei Qing finish washing and sending the maid away, she asked softly:

"Aren't we going to the Crown Prince's Palace to teach the Crown Prince today? Did something go wrong?"

Wei Qing shook his head.

Then he just sat there in silence, his eyes flickering. Although he tried his best to act like nothing serious had happened, he couldn't hide it from the person next to him.

"Wei Zhongqing!"

Princess Pingyang raised her eyebrows, and whispered, then stepped forward and held Wei Qing's hand, "You are not a person who can lie!"

She stared at her husband, her tone firm and worried, "What happened?"

Wei Qing's expression shifted, but he finally said in a deep voice: "The Crown Prince has received news that someone in the court leaked military information to the Xiongnu. That person's surname is Wei."

hum!
Princess Pingyang only felt a buzzing in her ears. Sure enough, it was true!
Every time her husband showed this expression, he must have encountered a disaster. Princess Pingyang approached Wei Qing and asked anxiously: "The prince suspects you!?"

"I knew it, I knew it, my nephew is just like the emperor, suspicious by nature, mean and ungrateful!"

Princess Pingyang's extremely suppressed anger rang out, and in just a moment, she was horrified and panicked, and she spoke without thinking.

"How stupid!"

"You are his uncle, how can I doubt you? You are his helper, he..."

"That's not the case!" Wei Qing, who was stunned for a moment, finally came to his senses and quickly stopped his wife: "The prince is not doubting me, he is reminding me!"

When Princess Pingyang heard this, her panic disappeared and she became more anxious. "What's going on? Tell me quickly!"

"Ugh."

Wei Qing sighed and told the story of his visit to the Prince's Palace today.

Liu Ju found out that the spy's surname was Wei, but he did not tell his father. Instead, he chose to call his uncle.

Does he suspect Wei Qing?

No, Liu Ju had to be crazy to think so, but to be honest, he was a little suspicious of the huge Wei family, and he was even a little afraid that his father had also learned about the spy named Wei from other channels!
By then.

It is hard to say whether the emperor would suspect Wei and even implicate Wei Qing.

"Yes, the emperor today does not hide anything and gives the Embroidered Uniform Envoy such great power. Who knows whether these emperor's spies have planted spies in the Xiongnu." Princess Pingyang said with lingering fear.

Wei Qing, however, had no illusions. He thought that if he could place the crown prince in a position of power, then given the emperor's temperament, he would certainly be able to and would be able to place the crown prince in a position of power!
"The prince is suspicious of you, but he has kept it a secret from the emperor and told you this specifically..."

At this time.

Princess Pingyang, whose panic gradually subsided, slowly sat back on the brocade couch and said as she thought, "He wants to remind you to pay attention, pay attention... He suspects Wei!"

After hearing this, Wei Qing nodded with a grim expression. This was also the reason why he was so worried today.

Tell the truth.

After the prince told Wei Qing about this matter, he himself began to suspect that it was his own son who did it!

In order to leak military secrets to the Huns, one must have a high enough position to know the intelligence of the border troops, and also have huge manpower and material resources to transmit the message. Coincidentally, Wei has all of the above conditions.

If the spy adds the restriction of the last name "Wei", then...

The house was silent for a long time.

Wei Qing said with an unpleasant expression: "What have my nephews and my third brother been doing recently?"

Princess Pingyang's expression changed as she realized what her husband meant. She replied carefully, "Wei Guang is staying indoors as usual."

"I asked Gongsun He to arrange several positions for the two Wei Jin brothers, and they will serve together with Erlang and Sanlang."

Erlang and Sanlang are Wei Buyi and Wei Deng.

And Wei Jin.

He is the son of Wei Qing's elder brother.

Yes, Wei Qing had brothers, and quite a few of them, all half-brothers, and all had the surname Wei.

An eldest brother died during the Yuanguang period, and a fourth brother died even earlier, dying of illness before he reached adulthood, leaving behind a third brother.

But the third brother, Wei Guang, has a dull personality and rarely interacts with others.

and.

How should I put it? This person's abilities are average. All his abilities are average.

With Wei Zifu in front and Wei Qing behind, to be frank, anyone in the Wei family with a little ability can be led to success.

Girls like Wei Junru and Wei Shaoer were able to marry into good families, and as soon as Huo Qubing's nephew showed his military talent, he immediately rose to prominence!

But what about Wei Qing, the third brother?

So far.

He is neither good at literature nor martial arts, and has no outstanding qualities at all.

In fact, this is very normal. The Wei siblings grew up in the circumstances of being slaves. They had to endure hardships and had no education since childhood. It was already an anomaly that they had a Wei Qing!
It is even more unbelievable that Huo Qubing followed behind him!
If there were a few more gifted people among the Wei brothers, wouldn’t they be a family of monsters?
Fortunately not.

However, anyone would feel a little uneasy when their elder brother is in a high position and very famous, while they themselves are unknown.

As a result, the third son of the Wei family, who was already dull in character, has become even more withdrawn in recent years. He rarely hangs out with Wei Qing, the palace, or even the prince's nephew.

Think about this.

Wei Qing whispered, "Prepare a gift tomorrow and I will take it to visit my third brother's house."

Princess Pingyang paused, lowered her brows, and said, "You should know what's going on."

"……I know."

(End of this chapter)