Late Han Zhao Tang

In the first month of the sixth year of Shenwu's reign in 204 AD.

The army's expedition, with 300,000 soldiers, was extremely costly. Therefore, compared to the beginning of last year, the first month of the lunar calendar this year was rather quiet, with even alcohol sales lower than in previous years.

Inside the Chang'an Palace, Zhang Yu and Xun You played chess while discussing military and political matters.

"Wen Ping's military intelligence arrived yesterday, saying that he had defeated Cao Ren, Ling Cao was seriously injured and died, Li Yan defected on the battlefield, Deng Chi was defeated and surrendered, and more than 10,000 Cao soldiers were killed or captured."

Xun You placed the white piece on the board and said, "Your Majesty, I congratulate you. Judging from the current situation, we are not far from breaking through Yidao and taking Jingzhou!"

Zhang Yu smiled and said, "Gongan controls the waterway of the Yangtze River. Now Cao Ren is holding Gongan firmly, and Wen Ping is crossing the river to besiege us. This is not in our favor, so we should not rush things. Let things take their natural course!"

"Your Majesty's composure is truly admirable!" Xun You said.

"How is the situation in Huainan?" Zhang Yu asked after placing the black pieces on the board.

Xun You pondered for a moment and said, "Cao Cao's soldiers are guarding the city walls, so there has been no progress in the military affairs in Huainan for the time being. However, Xu Huang has repeatedly contacted Li Song, wanting to join forces to deal with Cao Cao's army."

Zhang Yu said, "Yidao, Shouchun, and Huaiyin are not easy cities to conquer. Compared to Shouchun, Huaiyin is a smaller city and not as precipitous. If Generals Xu and Li can cooperate in their military operations, they will be able to take Huainan sooner or later. There is no need to ask too much about the military operations."

As he spoke, Zhang Yu played with the black chess piece in his palm, then suddenly asked, "Gongda, have you heard anything about the demolition of the private weir and millstone at Zhengbai Canal recently?"

"I've heard about it!"

When Zhang Yu brought up the Zheng Bai Canal, Xun You said, "The Zheng Bai Canal is the foundation of Guanzhong. The powerful families are vying to dam the canal's water, which is undermining our very foundation. I wonder how the rectification is going?"

Zhang Yu said, "Under the leadership of Lü Sili, the Third Prince, and Wang Fengyi, all the private millstones on the Zheng Bai Canal have been dismantled, and the canal water can now reach Linjin. To prevent private individuals from intercepting the water, Fengyi now has river guards patrolling the canal, repairing and dredging the silt every month, and inspecting any private constructions."

"Lord Lü and Lord Wang are loyal to the king, and the third prince is decisive and intelligent," Xun You said, gradually understanding Zhang Yu's meaning.

"Yes!"

Zhang Yuhei lingered, sighing, "The Third Prince is indeed intelligent and wise. I know him well. When I ask him about state affairs, Zhang'er can answer all my questions and draw inferences from one instance to another, which is beyond the reach of ordinary people!"

Xun You dared not speak recklessly, and merely echoed Zhang Yu's words.

After a pause, Zhang Yu revealed his purpose and asked, "Gongda, if I were to change the name of the Third Prince to Crown Prince, what would you think?"

Upon hearing this, Xun You was taken aback for a moment, then cautiously said, "The Crown Prince has not made any mistakes. If His Majesty appoints another prince, I fear that the ministers may have objections."

"I ask you!"

Zhang Yu didn't give Xun You a chance to play tricks and asked directly.

Seeing that Zhang Yu insisted on answering himself, Xun You considered for a moment and said, "I dare not speak presumptuously, but there is one thing I dare not remain silent about."

"The Crown Prince's maternal family is the Wang family, whose uncles and elders are high-ranking officials in the court, and whose elders are His Majesty's tutors; his wife, the Liu family, has Han imperial blood, and her father-in-law was the former ruler of Youzhou, with many disciples and former officials."

Seeing that there was no one around, Xun You spoke frankly, saying, "Judging from this, the Crown Prince's power is growing stronger. Why should Your Majesty replace him? Besides, the Crown Prince has done nothing wrong. How can Your Majesty depose him?"

"Although the Crown Prince has no faults, he is not as intelligent as the Third Prince!"

Zhang Yu threw the black pieces into the chess tube and said, "In the past, Emperor Guangwu made his eldest son the crown prince, but later Emperor Ming was wise and changed the crown prince. Why can't I follow his example? Besides, if we don't make a crown prince now, when he grows up, the household officials and guests will gather, and it will be difficult to depose him!"

Ever since the idea of ​​changing the crown prince arose, Zhang Yu has been considering whether it is feasible.

Zhang Yu's intention to replace the crown prince stemmed not only from the crown prince's lack of talent, but also from his concern that the growing power of his maternal clan, the Wang family, would negatively impact the crown prince.

Zhang Yu was particularly moved after reading about the deeds of Emperor Ming of Han, Liu Zhuang. Liu Zhuang was an iron-fisted emperor who did not allow his relatives to interfere in politics, suppressed powerful clans, limited the power of the local magnates, and strictly rectified officials.

For example, after Liu Zhuang came to power, he expressed his dissatisfaction with Liu Xiu, believing that Liu Xiu's governance was "not rid of its ills and the punishments were not just."

Regarding Liu Xiu's land survey policy, Liu Zhuang bluntly commented, "Powerful officials solicit favors, corrupt officials are allowed to act with impunity, the people are filled with resentment and have no one to confide in... Counties and prefectures, whenever they levy taxes, readily engage in corrupt practices, falsely accuse the strong and weak, and prioritize the poor." He believed that during Liu Xiu's land survey, governors and prefects were often unfair, favoring the powerful and mistreating the weak.

Therefore, Zhang Yu was able to boldly say that among the two emperors, there were very few who could be compared to Liu Zhuang throughout history, and that he could be compared to Emperor Wen of Han and Emperor Taizong of Tang.

Therefore, in order to ensure the prosperity of Zhang Tang and to prevent the crown prince from ruining the country, Zhang Yu intended to change the crown prince to Zhang Zhang.

"Your Majesty, please forgive my presumption!" Xun You bowed to the side and said, "The illegitimate son replacing the eldest son is a lesson from the misfortunes of our ancestors, and we hope Your Majesty will consider this carefully. Moreover, Emperor Guangwu established a new crown prince, proceeding step by step. We hope Your Majesty will be cautious."

Xun You's attitude was ambiguous. On the one hand, he advised Zhang Yu not to depose the crown prince, but on the other hand, he was analyzing the crown prince's situation for Zhang Yu.

"If I were to depose the Crown Prince, what would you say?" Zhang Yu asked.

Xun You remained silent for a moment before saying, "I have heard that Your Majesty's tutor has been unwell recently, so it would be better to postpone it for now. Moreover, the Third Prince is still young. Rather than making him the Crown Prince too early, it would be better to give him more time to hone his skills and observe his talents. I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's high regard, and now I should worry about the state of the nation for Your Majesty."

Under Zhang Yu's persistent questioning, Xun You finally stated that he would support Zhang Yu in changing the crown prince. However, based on the current situation, Xun You advised Zhang Yu to first outlive his father-in-law, Wang Hong.

Wang Hong, as a veteran official of the Han Dynasty, not only had long service, but also, because Zhang Yu was based in Taiyuan, many middle and lower-ranking civil and military officials were connected with the Wang family, and even some high-ranking officials were Wang family disciples. For example, Sun Zi was Wang Hong's student, Ji Xiang Yu Yi was recommended by Wang Yun, or Wang Chang, the Left Fengyi, had a close relationship with Wang Ling.

Previously, the punishment of Wang Hong was made possible by Zhang Yu's behind-the-scenes intervention, allowing Lü Fan to take the blame. After taking the blame, Lü Fan faced considerable marginalization in court. Therefore, if Zhang Yu were to depose the Crown Prince while Wang Hong was still alive, the pressure on him would be immense, and even the retired Emperor Zhang Ji might intervene to speak on the Crown Prince's behalf.

Once Wang Hong died, the bridge connecting the Wang family with their many disciples and former officials was severed. With no one to intervene, Zhang Yu replaced the crown prince, and even if the Wang family was dissatisfied, they dared not voice too much objection.

"I understand what Gongda has said!"

Zhang Yu dropped the black chess piece he had been holding for a long time and said, "The matter of the Crown Prince is known only to Heaven, Earth, you, and me. It must not be told to a third party."

“I shall remain silent!” Xun You said.

While Zhang Yu and Xun You were playing chess, a servant rushed into the hall.

"Your Majesty, General Jia sent his son Jia Mu with an urgent message to Your Majesty. Jia Mu is now waiting outside the palace to request an audience."

"Xuan!"

Upon seeing Jia Xu suddenly arrange for his son to return to the capital, Zhang Yu instinctively sensed something was amiss and asked, "Is there any urgent military matter?"

"According to Jia Mu's report, Protector-General Jia has an urgent matter to report, but it is unrelated to military affairs," the attendant said.

"it is good!"

After a short while, Jia Mu, looking tired, entered the hall and perked up when he saw Zhang Yu.

"This humble servant, Jia Mu, has rushed to pay homage to Your Majesty on the orders of Protector-General Jia!"

"What is it?" Zhang Yu asked.

"The villain doesn't know!"

Jia Mu presented the letter, saying, "Before I left, my father told me to send this back as soon as possible. I will know when the letter arrives in Chang'an."

Zhang Yu opened the letter and saw what Jia Xu had said in it.

In the letter, Jia Xu stated that Zhang Liao longed to send troops to achieve merit, but under Zhang Yu's verbal instruction and his reassurance, Zhang Liao refrained from leaving the city to fight. However, Jia Xu worried that Zhang Liao might disregard advice and send troops in the future, so Jia Xu hoped that Zhang Yu would grant him the imperial insignia so that he could restrain Zhang Liao's military actions.

"Jia Mu, hand over the imperial insignia to your father and order him to oversee all the generals and troops," Zhang Yu said decisively.

"I accept your order!"

After receiving the imperial insignia, Jia Mu rode back to Xiakou and delivered it to Jia Xu as soon as possible.

After Jia Mu left, Xun You asked curiously, "Why did His Majesty bestow the imperial axe upon Wenhe?"

Zhang Yu handed the letter to Xun You and said with a smile, "Wen Yuan saw that Wen Ping had defeated Cao Ren and is now eager for war. Cao Cao is also eager for war. I fear that Wen Yuan will send troops as Cao Cao wishes, so I am requesting the imperial command from afar to prepare for any eventuality."

In matters of life and death, Zhang Yu would not trust Jia Xu. However, in matters of national importance, Zhang Yu would choose to trust Jia Xu. Therefore, when Jia Xu requested the imperial seal and axe, Zhang Yu agreed immediately.

Xun You smiled and said, "Wenhe understands people's hearts very well. His Majesty's choice of Wenhe as Protector of the Army is a perfect fit!"

"Haha!" (End of Chapter)