The Three Kingdoms: My Wife is a Great and Good Teacher

Liu Hong said calmly, "There are no 'immortals' in this world. There are only spirit beasts and the hard-working people. We are human beings, but we are blessed by Emperor Guangwu, and we are lucky enough to have a little ability to fight against heaven and earth."

"I asked the Grand Historian to investigate your background. You were born in Sili, and traveled with your father in Yu and Yan when you were young. You crossed the Yellow River and went to Julu, where you grew up. Then you moved to Pingyuan County when you were fifteen years old." Liu Hong continued.

"In the past twenty years, you haven't met any great people or celebrities, nor have you seen many prosperous times. You have only been displaced. In recent years, you have been engaged in business and accumulated some wealth."

"The 'poet immortal' you mentioned does not exist. So Li Bai should be the person in your dream, right?"

Liu Zhaoqing's lips moved slightly, still unsure how to answer.

At this time, Liu Hong continued: "Save the people and protect the country..."

"There are tens of thousands of outstanding people in the world, but the one who dares to fight against heaven and earth is a commoner of humble origin."

Liu Hong chuckled again, but this time he seemed a little helpless.

"Get up and come to me."

With the emperor's permission, Liu Zhaoqing immediately stood up, then walked into the pavilion with his head lowered, his eyes slowly glancing from the dazzling array of exquisite food on the stone table to Liu Hong.

Liu Hong wore a crown with twelve tassels, had a ruddy complexion and a black beard, and even though he was as big as an elephant, his red and gold imperial robe exuded supreme majesty.

After taking a look, Liu Zhaoqing immediately lowered his head. Looking directly at the emperor was extremely disrespectful. If Liu Hong was in a bad mood at the moment, it would be reasonable to punish him directly for this.

"Am I fat?"

"..."

Liu Zhaoqing didn't dare to answer this question, as it would cost him his life.

"I, a commoner... dare not look at the face of a real dragon." Liu Zhaoqing said as he crouched down.

Liu Hong shook his head, seeming a little disappointed: "Since you offended the Ten Eunuchs when you first entered Luoyang, I thought you were a troublemaker, but I didn't expect that you are just like them and dare not speak out."

"But, there's really no need to ask about something that's obvious at a glance."

Liu Hong raised his hand, and the servant next to the maid holding a huge five-pointed fan immediately stepped forward and handed a plate of exquisite cut fruits and vegetables to Liu Hong.

After picking up a piece and taking a bite, Liu Hong said, "Since you dare to go against the Ten Attendants and have the ambition to save the people and the country, you must have a lot to ask me, right?"

Now it was time to get to the point. Liu Zhaoqing bowed his head and said, "I do have many doubts in my mind..."

"Go ahead. I can chat with you more this morning when there aren't many people around."

After waiting for a while, Liu Hong found that Liu Zhaoqing was still silent, so he frowned slightly: "Why? Are you afraid that I will punish you for your wrong words? Just speak, I will forgive you."

After a moment of silence, Liu Zhaoqing thought about it and asked what he wanted to ask the most: "Why... does Your Majesty indulge in pleasure and allow the chaos in the court to develop?"

Liu Hong did not say anything, but waved his hand slightly. The servants around him bowed their heads and left, leaving only Liu Zhaoqing and Liu Hong in the courtyard.

After a moment's silence, Liu Hong looked at Liu Zhaoqing and asked, "Do you know Liang Ji?"

Liu Zhaoqing lowered his head and nodded, "The great general of the previous dynasty."

"More than a general." Liu Hong's eyes were slightly cold. "He was also a powerful minister in four dynasties. He controlled the government and the country. He established the Chong, Zhi, and Huan emperors. He was greedy and domineering. He poisoned Emperor Zhi. He was a rare evil in the entire Han Dynasty!"

"And Liang Ji has another identity."

"That's - a relative by marriage."

Liu Hong went on to say: "Fortunately, when Liang Ji was arrogant and self-indulgent, Emperor Huan and the eunuchs killed him, executed his entire family, and confiscated his family property of more than 300 million yuan, and the country became safe."

Liu Zhaoqing opened his mouth and said, "More than three hundred million, which is three billion."

This is not the most important thing. The key is the reason why Liu Hong told the history of the previous dynasty.

"There are lessons from previous dynasties about the chaos caused by external relatives in politics. Your Majesty is aware of this, and is wise." Liu Zhaoqing bowed his head and praised.

Of course, this is not a sincere compliment, but it is necessary to praise in this way at this time, otherwise your life may be in danger.

"How do you think He Jin compares to Liang Ji?" Liu Hong asked.

"…Not as good as the latter." Liu Zhaoqing said without even thinking.

"Then how do you think the current Ten Eunuchs compare to Zhao Gao and others?"

"... Zhao Gao was able to force Fusu to death, tamper with imperial edicts, and call a deer a horse. But the Ten Attendants today dare not be disrespectful to Your Majesty." Liu Zhaoqing continued to answer.

"Then how do you think the officials in the court today compare to those during the reign of Emperor Guangwu?"

"…Emperor Guangwu used the aristocracy as his foundation, and with his bravery and wisdom, he killed the enemy and restored the Han Dynasty…"

"Of course not." Liu Hong said before he could finish, "I and the previous emperor implemented the policy of banning factions and weakening the power of the literati. Most of the literati today are not as powerful as the imperial relatives."

"Of course, scholars in later generations will also defame me for this."

"..."

"However, I don't care what the scholars think of me." Liu Hong said, "I just want the Han Dynasty to survive in my hands and for the foundation of our ancestors to continue for another hundred years."

"I understand that I cannot become Emperor Guangwu, but I also cannot become Emperor Ping, who was usurped by the thief Wang Mang."

Now Liu Zhaoqing understood that Liu Hong was not incompetent or unjust, but he had no choice but to do so.

Once a dynasty's foundation is in decline, even the emperor will find it difficult to restore it.

The emperor has the ambition to fight against heaven and earth, but he does not have the ability to lift up the country alone.

With the Ten Attendants around, He Jin would not dare to overstep the line. With the gentry around, the Ten Attendants and He Jin would not covet the imperial power. And with the Ten Attendants and He Jin around, the gentry would remain loyal to the Han Dynasty and not have any other thoughts.

The art of imperial rule is the art of balance. Liu Hong understood this and did so. However, the Han Dynasty today is no longer the Han Dynasty of Emperor Wu.

"Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. Only the people are the foundation of the dynasty." Liu Hong said, "However, the foundation of the people lies in the land, and the land is in the hands of the gentry. The eunuchs and relatives of the emperor can only disrupt the government, and the gentry can shake the foundation of the Han Dynasty."

Liu Zhaoqing remained silent. Liu Hong understood this principle, but it was impossible for him to change it because the maintenance of the gentry and other forces was the reason why his imperial power was imperial power.

"My only heirs who can carry on my legacy are Xie and Bian. Xie is still young, and Bian is weak." Liu Hong continued, looking at the rising sun in the distance, "How can these two sons restore the prosperous era described in your poems..."

Hearing the sadness in his words, Liu Zhaoqing knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, is your body in good health? Now that the River Map has been revealed, the Han Dynasty will rise. The rebellious officials in the court are already worried... We can definitely quell it."

Looking at Liu Zhaoqing, Liu Hong smiled again.

"As the palace guard said, you have indeed made great contributions. If it weren't for the appearance of this river map and your participation in the game, I'm afraid I would have felt that the country was hopeless."

Liu Zhaoqing immediately said, "Your Majesty has been working hard for a long time, and now the time has come. As long as you take advantage of this situation, you can reduce the number of relatives by marriage, control the eunuchs, control the nobles, and revive the Han Dynasty."

Liu Hong remained silent.

The emperor suddenly stopped talking. Liu Zhaoqing felt anxious, knowing that Liu Hong had great ambitions and that this was the time to make a concerted effort.

Liu Hong balanced the three forces. Although the three forces controlled the court, they still obeyed him and the imperial power did not fall into the hands of others.

If this great man could really revive, it would not be a bad idea for Liu Zhaoqing to go home with his wife and servants to retire.

And the most important thing is that he has already offended the Ten Eunuchs. In order to save his life and bury the eunuch party, he has just colluded with Liu Hong. If Liu Hong still can't make up his mind, then all his work will be in vain.

"Your Majesty, why are you still hesitating?!" Liu Zhaoqing plucked up his courage and knelt down to continue to advise.

"Because..." Liu Hong looked at the rising sun and sighed.

"…I am going to die soon."

"!!"

Chapter 89: Granted the Sword Tassel

Liu Zhaoqing knew that Emperor Ling of Han, Liu Hong, would not survive this year, but how did Liu Hong himself know?

Moreover, his rosy complexion does not seem like he is sick. Moreover, even if the emperor was ill, in this mythical late Han Dynasty, he could be cured by catching some auspicious beasts, right?

Liu Hong shouldn't have known that he would die.

"Your Majesty's body is as strong as a unicorn, how could he be ill? It must be because of overwork and accumulated fatigue." Liu Zhaoqing said immediately.

Liu Hong laughed again: "I don't have any hard work, I just enjoy myself all day long."

After laughing, he looked at the food on the table and said again: "I have a gift from heaven, named - Zhitian."

"Know...God?" Liu Zhaoqing stared.

"To know the will of heaven is to know one's destiny. As long as I can remember, I have known the moment of my death."

"..."

Rather than being a "God-given gift", this is more like a "God-given disease"...

"When I was young, I didn't think it was a big deal. I would become the emperor in the future, so how could I die?" Liu Hong smiled, his eyes calm. "Even if that time really comes, the Han Dynasty will belong to me. How can I not find a way to save it?"

"However, as I ascended the throne and grew older, my youthful thoughts now seem a little ridiculous when I think back on them."

"After ascending the throne, I saw that the world was irreversible and that the powerful officials in the court could not be eradicated. I gradually began to understand that the will of heaven cannot be violated, but I am also a human being, and I also feel fear and terror."

Liu Hong said, and sighed: "After ascending the throne, I have also done many wrong things, such as listening to slander and harming loyal officials."

"But this is not an excuse for me to do something wrong. I know that I am not a wise ruler, and even maintaining my position is extremely difficult."

After listening to Liu Hong's words, Liu Zhaoqing remained silent for a long time. This was a shocking secret, and Liu Hong actually told it to a commoner like him.

"His Majesty……"

"You don't have to comfort me. I understand now." Liu Hong looked at the rising sun. "Even if I die, if the Han Dynasty can be revived, I will have the face to see Emperor Gaozu and will not be afraid."

"I originally wanted to wait two months before announcing the emperor's appointment of other ministers to the palace. The profits from my selling of officials over the years have filled the treasury, and the imperial guards are under my control. Although the various royal families are powerful, they are still loyal to me on the surface. As long as I arrange loyal and capable ministers for my successors, I can kill the rebellious ministers before and after my death, just like the previous emperor killed Liang Ji."

"I have wealth, power, and soldiers. Maybe my successor will not be as capable as I am, but at least the Han Dynasty will not perish."

Liu Zhaoqing was very surprised that Liu Hong had even thought about his funeral.

Yes, in the mythical late Han Dynasty, as a descendant of Emperor Guangwu, Emperor Lingdi could not have been unintelligent.

And if you think about it, it is indeed so. The wealth of the Ten Eunuchs and local bureaucrats and aristocrats was squeezed from the people, while Liu Hong made money directly from the aristocratic class by selling official positions. Although this also led to bureaucratic chaos, the Han Dynasty was about to collapse, and this was all Emperor Ling could do.

Knowing that the situation was irreversible and that he was going to die, he managed to keep the country in the hands of the Han family, then indulged himself in pleasure and left a foundation for his successor, and died in peace.

This should be what Emperor Ling had thought before.

If it had really been as Emperor Ling had imagined, with the successor emperor having money, power, and his own strong generals and soldiers, then perhaps the Han Dynasty could have lasted for another hundred years.

However, Liu Zhaoqing knew that Lingdi's successor was indeed inferior to him as Lingdi had expected. Not only was he not good at balancing things, but even his power had been taken away by others.

"I would like to ask, Your Majesty, what does you want to do now?" Liu Zhaoqing asked with his head down.

What Liu Hong said just now was "originally wanted to", which means that the appearance of Hetu and himself made him change his mind.

Liu Hong smiled and said, "It should be just as you think."

Liu Zhaoqing breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this.

He was waiting for the emperor to say this.

At this time, Liu Hong also stood up with a sharp look in his eyes.

"In two days, I will have the Grand Historian summon all the great fortune tellers from across the country to gather in the Weiyang Palace to offer sacrifices to the heavens and ask for the divine beast to grant me another three years of life."

"The Grand Historian has told me that to prolong my life, I need to see the auspicious beast come to pay homage, and it will consume the fortune of the Han Dynasty. Now the auspicious beast has come, and the situation has changed."

"There are signs that the Han Dynasty will rise. I am confident that I can use the fortune of the Han Dynasty to lead the people to the dawn of the Han Dynasty's revival in three years."

"Your Majesty is wise..." Liu Zhaoqing said with his head down.

"However, even though I said so, don't think that I am going to massacre the court with blood." Liu Hong turned his head and said to Liu Zhaoqing.

"This... I naturally understand. The frog must be boiled in warm water before the Emperor Wu can show his favor and then reduce the royal power. Now, Your Majesty should be more cautious..." Liu Zhaoqing frowned slightly as he spoke.

"It's just... I think that maybe three years is a bit..."

"Yes, it's not enough." Liu Hong nodded, "So I need you to be loyal ministers of the Han Dynasty for the people."

"I?"

"What?" Liu Hong looked at Liu Zhaoqing and laughed, "Do you think that you, who made Zheng Xuan, Wang Yun and others, and even me, come out of seclusion one after another, still want to keep it to yourself?"

"This..." Liu Zhaoqing was a little embarrassed.

"I have seen Cai Yong's letter and heard that you want to bury the eunuch party." Liu Hong became serious.

"The eunuch party can be buried, but not all of them, otherwise the overall situation will be in chaos again."

Liu Zhaoqing nodded to indicate that he understood and it was still a question of balance.

Weakening the three forces, like balancing them, requires a slow process.

Unless there is an invasion by foreign enemies or a major change in the world, if you want to successfully eliminate all the ministers in one step, there are countless examples of emperors in the previous or later dynasties who were killed or deposed because of their centralization of power.

"If this is accomplished, I will appoint you as the Minister of the Treasury. I just happened to hear that you have a talent for business." Liu Hong said lightly.

Liu Zhaoqing was surprised again.