The Duke of Shu Han began guarding Jingzhou in place of Guan Yu.

Chapter 358 Eastward and Southward Return
It's not like Xiao Liu has been belittling himself for the first time.

Fortunately, after years of advice from Zhuge Liang, Dong Yun, and others, and after reading a large number of printed books by someone, my horizons have broadened considerably.

Therefore, he would privately confide these inappropriate remarks to his close advisors, revealing his true colors.

But in the eyes of most people...

This Han emperor, who ruled from behind the curtain in Chang'an, truly possessed the qualities of a wise ruler.

This includes this trip to Luoyang.

Aside from the necessary guards, the Imperial Guards and the Tiger Guards did not even conscript local laborers.

The number of palace servants accompanying and attending to the emperor was only in the single digits.

If this isn't a wise ruler, then what is?

Not to mention that the emperor of the Han Dynasty's visit to the old capital Luoyang to appease the newly surrendered people of Henan was a legitimate and important national affair.

This leaves one speechless.

In fact, the first thing Liu Shan did upon arriving in Luoyang was to offer sacrifices at the newly renovated ancestral temple of the Han dynasty.

One more thing to say here.

Because Liu Bei's recognized direct ancestor was Liu Sheng, the Prince of Zhongshan, son of Emperor Jing of the Former Han Dynasty.

Therefore, it should be strictly determined according to blood relations.

Liu Shan's lineage directly inherited from Emperor Gaozu (the founding emperor), not Emperor Guangwu (the founding emperor).

On the other hand, the opportunity for Liu Bei to declare himself emperor was the murder of Liu Xie.

Later, due to changes in the times, it was changed to an "imperial edict in a belt" by someone, and even the person involved was "invited" to Chang'an to give a personal account.

However, the throne was generally inherited by Liu Xie himself.

From this perspective, the influence of the Later Han dynasty cannot be ignored either.

Therefore, Liu Shan's visit to Luoyang to offer sacrifices can be seen as a political statement at the level of the imperial clan.

In other words, regardless of whether it was the Former Han or the Later Han dynasty, the Shu Han emperor acknowledged their legitimacy.

We are still a loving family.

With this grand gesture, or rather, this showmanship, no matter what Liu Shan did afterward, no one else would dare to criticize him.

However, despite having taken the initiative and seized the moral high ground, Liu Shan did not do anything particularly egregious.

Following this was a great reward for the people and scholars of Henan.

The sons of aristocratic families were either recruited as officials or enlisted in the Tiger Guard and Feathered Forest Guard, in exchange for a promise of a certain career path.

Commoners, on the other hand, would directly benefit from reduced or exempted land taxes.

Among them, the governors of Hongnong and Henan were responsible for half of the taxes for three years.

The counties and prefectures of Yan and Yu, which had just been recovered, were exempted from taxes for one year, and then taxed at half capacity for another two years.

They're incredibly wealthy and powerful, selling off their family's land without a second thought.

As a result, the calls for a wise ruler grew even louder than before.

In addition to appeasing the local people, Liu Shan also did not neglect to reward meritorious generals and officials.

among them.

General Zhang Fei was promoted to General of the Flying Cavalry and continued to garrison Luoyang.

General Wei Mi Wei was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry, and was still granted the authority to act as the governor of Yuzhou.

Xu Miwei's daughter was betrothed to the eldest son of the emperor, Liu Xuan.

In this way, it would be more in line with the tradition of the Han Dynasty for Mi Wei, who had gained the advantage of being a relative of the emperor, to become the General of Chariots and Cavalry again.

It can only be said that Liu Shan was indeed well-prepared this time.

In addition, Zhao Yun was transferred from Governor of Yizhou to Governor of Youzhou, and Chen Zhen, the Prefect of Jianwei and Right Commander of Yijiang, was transferred to Governor of Yizhou, with his position as Right Commander being taken over by Deputy Zhang Yi... These minor transfers were numerous.

It is worth mentioning that.

Guan Yu was too old and sick to attend to his duties.

Therefore, he requested to resign from his position as Governor of Jingzhou and return the imperial insignia and battle-axe.

Liu Shan personally visited Guan Yu and confirmed that what he said was true, so he could only agree with tears in his eyes.

He then appointed his eldest son, Guan Ping, the General Who Assists the Han, as the Governor of Yanzhou.

Deng Zhi, the prefect of Xiangyang, was appointed as the governor of Jingzhou.

The title of Grand General will be retained.

This demonstrates that while maintaining a balance in personnel matters, Liu Shan treated his subjects with the same utmost respect. After this series of excellent actions, Liu Shan then held lavish banquets in the palace in Luoyang, inviting guests from all directions, leaving everyone with nothing to say.

Not to mention that he even said something like "I'm so happy here that I don't even want to go back to my homeland" during the banquet.

This is clearly an imitation of the story of the late emperor "sharing joy with all people" at the site of the Jianzhang Palace in Chang'an.

Who would dare say that His Majesty came here seeking pleasure?
A wise ruler, a truly wise ruler.

In a short time, many scholars and commoners in Henan seized the opportunity to petition the emperor to move the capital to Luoyang, just like in the Later Han Dynasty.

Although Liu Shan did not act rashly, he had a convenient excuse to stay in the bustling world of Luoyang for a while longer.

Although Dong Yun had some reservations about this, Liu Shan was mostly focused on doing important things, so he did not persuade him to return home for the time being.

In particular, Liu Shan revealed to him privately one day after drinking that before coming to Luoyang, he had corresponded with Mi Wei, who was then the General of the Guards and is now the General of Chariots and Cavalry.

Now Dong Yun had no more doubts whatsoever.

……

Wei Commandery, Ye City.

Sima Yi entered the city on the first day of the third month.

After the court assembly ended, the officials and ministers left in twos and threes.

When they encountered Sima Yi along the way, they merely nodded from afar, and no one approached to strike up a conversation.

Except for Wu Zhi.

Sima Yi looked at the three-colored black ribbon around his friend's waist and understood.

He deliberately made a strange sound:
"Since the capital was moved, the position of the magistrate of Yecheng has been comparable to that of the magistrate of Luoyang in the past. Ji Zhong is now a magistrate with a salary of 1,000 shi under the emperor's watchful eye. His future is bright and he is truly delightful."

Wu Ji naturally sensed the other party's sarcasm and replied with a half-smile:

"You flatter me. Compared to the current Prefect of Wei Commandery, what am I, the Magistrate of Ye City?"

"Zhongda doesn't know yet, does he? After Wang Xiong and Wang Yuanbo were driven out of Youzhou by you, they were depressed for several years. One day, the emperor suddenly remembered their military achievements and appointed them as governors."

"It is said that he threatened to take revenge on you after drinking, and you actually dared to come alone. You are truly ignorant and fearless!"

Sima Yi's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he also gave a half-smile:

"So Ji Zhong's goal was the position of two thousand shi in Wei Commandery!"

"Unfortunately, as you said, I am currently in dire straits myself and am afraid I cannot be of any help!"

Having said that, he was about to move to another place.

Wu Zhi was slightly taken aback, and quickly stepped forward to stop him:

"Sima Zhongda!"

"We are both down on our luck, and both are selfish and petty people. Why should we keep putting on airs?"

"You've been away from the central government for many years, and the court is no longer under your control. The people in the city only regard you as a border general. You have few allies left. If you don't form a faction with me, are you going to pretend to be some selfless saint?"

Upon hearing this, Sima Yi calmly asked:
"But who is in charge in the imperial court now? Lord Zhong or Lord Hua?"

Wu Zhi replied hastily:

"These two gentlemen are both old and frail. Although they are renowned, what do they amount to to you and me?"

"The only people in Ye City who can influence the court are Chen Changwen and Xu Yuanzhi."

"After Xu Yuanzhi went to Youzhou, only Chen Changwen, the Minister of Works and Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, remained!"

Upon hearing this, Sima Yi's eyes flashed again, but in the end he walked toward the palace without saying a word.

Wu Zhi had no choice but to hurry to catch up, panting slightly as he walked:
"I'll be blunt!"

"The fact that Xu Yuan was appointed as the governor of Youzhou in your place is partly due to His Majesty's suspicion of you, and partly due to Chen Changwen's gossip behind your back!"

"Both of you already have the reputation and the reality of being entrusted with important responsibilities by the emperor. His sending you back is definitely to use the current emperor to eliminate you!"

Even if you want to be a hypocrite, you can't just let your guard down against real villains!

despair.

Sima Yi suddenly stopped, glanced sideways, and said coldly:
"Lord Sikong shares the emperor's burdens and speaks only the truth. How can he be considered a villain?"

Wu Zhi was dumbfounded.

But a moment later, he pointed at Sima Yi and burst into laughter:
"I knew you, Sima Zhongda, wouldn't willingly submit to slaughter!"

"Speak, what are your plans for this trip to the capital?"

(End of this chapter)