Chapter 702 Returning to the court and accepting the title
Luoyang, Imperial Palace.
The ruins that had been burned down when Dong Zhuo moved the capital have now been rebuilt. The new Luoyang City is still under construction, but the main outline has been completed.
The new Luoyang City straddles the Luoshui River. The main structure of the city is based on Bagua. When viewed from above, it is a regular octagon. The city covers an area of nine miles vertically and horizontally. The city wall alone is ten feet high. Standing at the bottom of the city and looking at it
, making people feel insignificant.
As the symbol of the capital, the Royal Palace has been designed and planned three years ago. It has still not been completed until now. However, the main hall for discussing affairs with courtiers and some main bedrooms have been completed. They are not luxurious, but they fully display the majesty of the royal family.
But as the emperor, Liu Xie didn't feel too happy since he moved back to Luoyang.
The Luoyang City he was familiar with in the past is no longer there. Although the new Luoyang City is more majestic, he knows very well that this is not his Luoyang City. He is just a passerby in this huge palace.
After a coup that year, five years have passed now. Fu Shou gave birth to a daughter for him. She was very cute. However, Fu Shou was massacred because the Fu family participated in the coup. After giving birth, he had been depressed. After giving birth to his daughter, Fu Shou
In the second year of his life, he died of depression.
There are few people around me who can talk.
In the past five years, whether it was the Southern Expedition or other matters, the decision was basically made by the Prime Minister's Office. Finally, he gave himself a notice that the three ministers, nine ministers, and six ministers, except Kong Rong, were now all subordinates of Chu Nan.
In addition, the older generation of officials have disappeared one after another in recent years, and Yang Biao turned to Chu Nan. Others also followed Jingzhou's surrender, either quietly leaving the official position, or defecting, becoming among Chu Nan's countless supporters.
a member of.
In recent years, Liu Xie has truly realized what it means to be alone.
The Han Dynasty was dead in name only, and as the emperor, even though he knew what would happen in the future, he had no choice but to wait for that day to arrive in this magnificent palace.
"Your Majesty~"
Yang Rang came in excitedly with small steps, and saluted Liu Xie: "Your Majesty, I am so happy, so happy!"
Chu Nan died suddenly?
Or was he killed by an assassin?
Such thoughts flashed through Liu Xie's mind. For him, apart from this news, he couldn't think of anything else that could be considered a happy event.
"The prime minister just sent back news from Jingzhou that Jiaozhou voluntarily surrendered. The imperial court captured Jiaozhou without spending a single soldier. The Ministry of Civil Affairs has appointed Xu Shu as the governor of Jiaozhou and rushed to Jiaozhou to take up his post." Yang Rang said with a smile: "There are also western Liaoning provinces.
Gongsun also took the initiative to send all his people to Luoyang, and the unification of the world is imminent!"
That’s such a joy!
A smile appeared on Liu Xie's face, but in this smile, in addition to self-deprecation, he was also sarcastic. He knew that these people surrendered to Chu Nan, not himself. In the eyes of these "loyal ministers of the Han Dynasty", the big man
, no longer exists.
"There's more~" Yang Rang pinched his orchid fingers, looked at Liu Xie and said with a smile: "The Prime Minister's army has been mobilized, and in a few days, the Prime Minister will return to the court~"
"That's great. There is no Prime Minister sitting in this court, so I feel empty in my heart." Liu Xie nodded and smiled. He smiled very naturally. He had been prepared for this result. Although he still felt sad, he
I'm used to accepting it.
Yang Rang laughed twice and said nothing, but he didn't leave either.
"Tell me, what do you want me to do?" Liu Xie glanced at him and said indifferently.
"The Ministry of Rites hopes that Your Majesty can personally greet the victorious army." Yang Rang said cautiously.
"Are you asking me to forcefully accept the Prime Minister?" Liu Xie chuckled, closed his eyes and said, "Is this the order from Kong Rong?"
"Kong Lingjun... he has been feeling unwell these past few days and said he was ill at home." Yang Rang whispered.
"I understand." After a long silence, Liu Xie nodded and said, "When the army returns, I will go out of the city to greet them."
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave first." Yang Rang found that since the queen's death, he could no longer understand the emperor's emotions and anger, so he didn't dare to stay any longer, so he bowed silently and bowed to leave.
Liu Xie looked at the empty hall in front of him and was silent for a long time. It wasn't until his daughter came to him that he felt some comfort in his heart.
Three days later, Chu Nan reunited with the returning army at Yinque Pass and merged into Yinque Pass.
Naturally, it is impossible for all the 130,000 troops to return from this expedition. Except for the 10,000 troops sent to the Tianwai battlefield, the other armies have tasks. They may be stationed in Jingzhou and Jiangdong to continue to stabilize the place, or they may move to Guanzhong to prepare for the next war.
Despite one step of planning, only 30,000 soldiers and horses actually returned to the capital. These will also be the force to defend the capital in the future.
"Prime Minister, this is a letter from Hanzhong. Zhang Lu, the Five Dou Rice Master, is willing to come to Luoyang, but..." Jushou handed Chu Nan a memorial he had recently received.
"What are your requirements?" Chu Nan looked at the other party and asked.
"Zhang Lu is willing to offer all the household registrations in Hanzhong, but he hopes that the imperial court can retain the Five Pecks of Rice religion." Jushou bowed.
Chu Nan sat on the horse, thinking as he walked.
This matter does not seem serious, but it is not unreasonable for Jushu to be a little embarrassed. The Taiping Sect has great advantages ahead. Once this religion spreads, the harm will be no worse than a party struggle, and it may shake the foundation of the country.
At present, the Five Pecks of Rice Religion is only spread in the Hanzhong area, and its influence is not too great, at least in the world. But if it is given a broader platform, it is hard to say what kind of development it will develop.
"Have Zhang Lu send people to bring all the teachings of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect and the sect's classics. I want to check them out. Remember, it's all of them!" Chu Nan looked at Jushu and said.
"The Prime Minister can absolutely refuse. With the current strength of our army, it is not difficult to attack Hanzhong." Ju Shou took the memorial and asked, "Moreover, Zhang Lu's attitude in the memorial was not tough."
"It has nothing to do with his attitude." Chu Nan shook his head and said: "Religion is inevitable. People's hearts sometimes need comfort. It's not enough to feed and clothe people. It's better to remove all obstacles than to use force once.
Instead of suppressing it, it is better to guide it to develop in a direction that is beneficial to the court. If this religion is used well, it can also lead people to do good."
Jushou nodded when he heard this. If this is the case, there cannot be only one family of Five Pecks of Rice. Otherwise, if one family dominates, it may still cause harm in the end.
"Report~"
Just when Chu Nan was about to discuss the matter, a young general rushed over, came to Chu Nan's side, cupped his fists and saluted: "Prime Minister, your Majesty, led by hundreds of officials, is waiting ten miles outside Luoyang City to greet you."
"I know, pay attention to your surroundings and be careful of thieves." Chu Nan nodded, and demon ants and demon mantises flew out to explore the surroundings. He believed that even now, there are still many people who want to die, even among those officials who surrendered to him.
, and there are not many of them. At this time, the more we cannot relax our vigilance.
"No!" the young general agreed and ran away.
"Let's go, don't keep your majesty waiting." Chu Nan signaled the whole army to speed up, and soon they arrived outside Luoyang City, where they saw Liu Xie, surrounded by many courtiers, already waiting here.
Chu Nan straightened his clothes, rode out with Zhou Cang, came a few steps in front of Liu Xie, turned over and dismounted, met Liu Xie, clasped his fists and said, "How dare you, Your Majesty, come out to greet him personally?"
"It doesn't matter, it seems that this is all I can do now." Liu Xie shook his head and smiled: "Congratulations, Prime Minister, the world is now at peace, all thanks to the Prime Minister's efforts."
"Your Majesty's words are serious. I can only do my duty as a minister. Your Majesty, please return to the palace as soon as possible. Don't catch the cold outside." Chu Nan said with a smile.
Liu Xie nodded and returned to the city side by side with Chu Nan, talking and laughing along the way without any hint of discord.
Chu Nan's return to the court also announced that the battle in Jingzhou and Jiangdong was completely calm. The next thing would naturally be to reward according to merit.
In this battle, Huang Zhong, Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, and Yu Jin, as commanders of various armies, made great contributions. The four of them have already reached the position of four expeditions. It is difficult to move up the official ranks, but meritorious service will naturally be rewarded.
In addition to the property, Chu Nan asked for help, and the titles of the four of them were promoted and they became county princes.
For generals like them, the title means that most of the luck of the people in the fief will be added to them. Others may not know it, but they have the status, so they naturally understand how great the benefits are. It means that in addition to the official position in the court itself, they bring
In addition to the good luck you received, you will also share some extra good luck.
Wei Yan, Xu Huang, Li Tong, and Zhang He officially entered the ranks of the generals of the four towns and were granted the title of rural governor. In addition, Jia Xu, Chen Gong, Man Chong, Lu Lingqi, and Zhou Cang made great contributions in resisting the enemies from heaven.
Rewards are also awarded.
After that, a group of counselors, including Yang Xiu and others who served as Zhang Liao's staff in this battle, were rewarded accordingly.
Although Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong had talents in managing the world, after all, when they first arrived, Chu Nan did not give them too high a position. Pang Tong became the left minister of the Ministry of War, and Zhuge Liang became the minister of household affairs. These two official positions were not high, but they had great authority.
, the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Household are now basically managed by the left and right ministers. Chu Nan's approach is to train the two as the future ministers of the six departments. They can be promoted only after they have made enough achievements and qualifications.
For the officers and men of the three armies who have made great achievements in defeating the enemy, they will be given financial aid, and those who died in battle will receive five times the pension.
But Liu Xie gradually noticed the difference. Just like last time, Chu Nan rewarded everyone, but left himself behind. Liu Xie knew that Chu Nan must have something to ask for in doing so.
However, this time Chu Nan did not give in. The day after he awarded the reward to the soldiers, someone asked Chu Nan to ascend the throne and become the duke.
"Proclaim yourself duke." In the Jiade Hall, Liu Xie touched his chin after hearing this, nodded and said with a smile: "With the Prime Minister's merits, this is what he deserves. What does the Prime Minister think?"
"My merits are so small that they are not worth mentioning. I dare not be greedy for them. I am able to achieve such a record because of the bravery of all the soldiers, which led to today's great victory." Chu Nan shook his head and said.
"The Prime Minister is being humble." Liu Xie shook his head and said, "In that case, I will make the Prime Minister the Duke of Chu and enjoy the food and towns of the six counties of Xuzhou. What do you think?"
"Your Majesty, your Majesty!" Upon hearing this, all the ministers bowed in response, thinking that it was natural for Chu Nan to be crowned Duke.
Under Chu Nan's repeated refusals, one month later, Chu Nan officially ascended the throne as Duke of Chu. Two months later, rumors began to spread among the people that it was not too much to make him the king of Chu because of Chu Nan's contribution...