"To be clear and virtuous, you can be close to the nine tribes; when the nine tribes are in harmony, the common people can be harmonious."
The eighth day of the twelfth lunar month in the third year of Chuping.
After the emperor retired from the court, he formally summoned the Prince of Jibei, Liu Zheng, the second son of King of Donghai, Liu Wan, the younger brother of King Langxie, the Marquis of Yangdu, Liu Miao and other Liu family members in the Xuanshi Office; as well as the side branches who were officials in the court, such as Zongzheng,
Liu Song, the Marquis of Luxiang, the Governor of Bingzhou, Liu Yu, the Marquis of Xiangben, Liu Fan, the General of Zuo Zhonglang, Liu Dan, the Censor of the Censor, Liu Zhang, the Captain of Fengche, and others.
In addition, there were also a number of kinships among the filial piety and integrity, Maocai and other scholars who accompanied the envoys to the dynasty, as well as the chief planners of the county and state. The emperor, as a cousin, after the investigation by the Zongzheng Mansion, specially issued a decree
Enzhao allowed these distant relatives to enter the propaganda room to meet.
In the announcement room, more than a dozen Han clan clan members were seated in order of blood relationship. Sitting at the front was undoubtedly Xiaozong, the vassal king of Emperor Guangwu's lineage. Sitting opposite each other in the middle were Liu Yu and Liu Song, and further down.
He is a descendant of the emperor of the Western Han Dynasty and a distant relative of Chu Wufu.
After the initial unfamiliarity and embarrassment, these distant relatives were quickly divided into three small groups before the emperor came, and each gathered together to have a long talk and laugh.
It was rare for relatives of the current feudal lord to get together. After discussing seniority with each other, they began to gather together to talk about the affairs of their respective families and countries. Although the table in front of them was filled with warm wine and meat that they had rarely eaten, or even had not eaten for a long time.
, they still put on the airs of royal relatives, turned a blind eye to these, and resisted the temptation with their will.
This is not only based on the dignity of the princes and grandsons, but also due to the rules of banquets. Before the emperor comes, no one can touch chopsticks. So these people can only keep drinking water to quench their hunger and talk to distract their attention.
Li Li, while talking to people, his eyes would pierce through the steaming meat from time to time like a knife, and then he would continue talking to people as if nothing had happened.
Members of the royal family who were closely related by blood gathered together. On the other side, Liu Yu, Zongzheng, Liu Song and other family members who were officials in the court also gathered together to talk.
The prince of Jibei, Liu Zheng, and the others talked about nothing more than the customs and customs of their respective countries. They also lamented the difficult times in the world. They had no interest entanglements with each other, and they spoke much more frankly. It was like a big family when you came and went.
But Liu Yu's side is different. In addition to being members of the clan, they are also ministers of the imperial court. Naturally, they have to be more scrupulous about talking to each other.
Zongzheng, Liu Song, the Marquis of Luxiang, is about forty or fifty years old. In this era, people of this age almost always have gray beards and hair, and their temples are full of wrinkles. In particular, he is thin, his eyes are cloudy, and his appearance is older than his real age.
Much older.
Although Liu Yu's reputation was greater than that of the little-known Liu Song, and he was his predecessor Zongzheng, he still did not dare to underestimate this old man when standing in front of him.
Because his father was the teacher of Emperor Xiaoling, the former Taiwei Liu Kuan. Liu Kuan had a great reputation during his lifetime, even as famous as Yang Ci and others. As a scholar and a descendant of famous ministers, Liu Song's father Liu Kuan
He has a large number of disciples and former officials as his political legacy. He is also talented and belongs to the clan. Ordinary people who meet any of the above conditions can have smooth sailing in the officialdom and a bright career.
But Liu Song was satisfied with everything. This was his luck and his misfortune.
It is said that things must be reversed at the extreme, and too much is not enough. It is precisely because of so many advantages that Liu Song will never have more room for promotion after inheriting his father's title. The most he can do is Zongzheng. This is Emperor Xiaoling's repayment of his teacher's kindness.
reason.
Liu Song is the sixteenth generation grandson of Han Emperor Gaozu. According to seniority, Liu Yu is still Liu Song's great uncle: "It's been a long time since I've been able to talk with my uncle. The last time was in Luoyang, right? My uncle was appointed to Youzhou and took charge of Zongzheng affairs.
He entrusted it to me. His teachings that day were of great benefit to me, and I have always kept them in mind."
"What's the point of talking about this?" Liu Yu didn't dare to ask for help. He waved his hands and said humbly: "You are already qualified for this position because of your virtues. Why do you need my teachings? It's just that over the years, I have wronged you.
of."
Liu Song's white eyebrows twitched slightly, and then he showed a disapproving look, and said with a cheerful smile: "Is it true that only being a three-gong can be regarded as serving the country? Being a county official can also cultivate oneself and bring peace to the people. It all sounds the same.
There is no grievance or grievance. I am very happy to see that the imperial court has the Emperor of Tomorrow, that it is ready to revive, and that the clan has many capable ministers."
When talking about the clan, Liu Song looked around with a smile, his eyes full of expectation, and nodded cheerfully to the clan members who were officials in the court next to him. As a junior, Zuo Zhonglang, General Liu Fan, was responsible for governing the book.
When the imperial censor Liu Dan and others saw him, they immediately bowed their hands and said yes.
Liu Yu turned his eyes, took a deep look at Liu Fan and the other three brothers, and suddenly asked: "Have you sent letters to Shu recently? Don't be away from your parents for a long time, and you can't even complete your filial piety by sending greetings through letters."
"Ah?" Liu Zhang, the captain of Fengche, did not react. He thought that Liu Yu had misunderstood that he and others were unfilial. If this was revealed, the crime would be serious. He immediately defended honestly: "We have written letters...
…”
Before he finished speaking, Liu Dan, the censor of the second line of business, quietly grabbed Liu Zhang's hanging right hand and squeezed it secretly to signal him to keep quiet.
"Return to my uncle." As the eldest brother, General Zuo Zhonglang Liu Fan was much more experienced than Liu Zhang. He quickly took over the conversation: "New Year's Eve is coming. During these days, my brothers and I really miss our parents in Shu.
I have sent a family letter to Jiajun. I can only regret that the rice thief Zhang Lu is entrenched in Hanzhong and blocking the road. Not only the imperial order, but also business travelers and messengers are not allowed to go south. My brothers and I have no contact with Jiajun, so we are very worried about Jiajun in our hearts.
"
Liu Yu noticed this little move behind Liu Fan's back. His expression did not change, he nodded slightly, as if he accepted the reason, and continued: "Zhang Lu deceived the people in Hanzhong, divided the states and counties, and his deeds were extremely corrupt. When the court vacates the
Sooner or later, we will have to send troops south. If you brothers can contact Liu Junlang from Shu, that would be great; if not, it doesn't matter, as long as he understands the situation clearly."
"Wei, wei." Liu Fan and others quickly agreed. After a while of conversation, especially Liu Yu's last words "understand the situation", Liu Zhang didn't care. On the contrary, Liu Fan and Liu Dan were frightened.
, sweating profusely.
Liu Song watched from the side as Liu Yu pretended to be an elder and beat the younger generation without saying a word, just smiling and stroking his long beard.
Whether the other party was talking to juniors like Liu Fan or to him, Liu Song actually understood what was behind his words. It was just that he had made up his mind to abide by neutrality and be impartial. This was why he had stood tall in the court for a long time.
The way to protect yourself without falling is to never easily waver in your position just because of a few words from Liu Yu.
At least, not yet.
Liu Song looked at Liu Yu and Liu Fan, then raised his eyes and looked forward at the princes, emperors and grandsons. His gloomy eyes did a good job of hiding their frightening light in the chaos.
In the Han Dynasty, the son who had the right to inherit the vassal state was always called "Prince", but later it was changed to "Prince".
"Hanshu": During the period of Xiaowen, Prince Wu came to see him and had to serve the crown prince for a drink.
"Book of the Later Han Dynasty: Biography of the Ten Kings of Guangwu": When King Zijian had the wrong heir and became the crown prince by mistake, Aikang encouraged the prostitute Song Run, and the doctor Zhang Zun failed to recruit her. In anger, he stabbed Song Run with his sword.