Being an emperor is a job that looks beautiful but is actually very boring.
Yes, being an emperor can leave a name for future generations, but if you count carefully, except for the so-called "Mingjun" in Tatar and Qing Dynasty who were whitewashed by braid drama, how many emperors in China have enjoyed a good reputation in the past thousands of years?
The industrious Ming Taizu left countless infamy in later generations; the talented and scheming Ming Chengzu also did not gain any benefits; as for the Ming Wuzong Zhengde whose image was originally very vague, it is not necessary to mention that he was quite groundbreaking and courageous.
A perfect emperor has become synonymous with a cowardly emperor in later generations. Even Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, who expanded his territory, was regarded by future generations as a cruel and unintelligent tyrant just like Qin Shihuang.
On the contrary, the Sima father and son who usurped the throne; Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty who killed his brother and imprisoned his father; Emperor Ming of the Tang Dynasty who was extravagant; and the Qing Emperors of the Qing Dynasty who brutally suppressed internally and bowed externally, all have good reputations in later generations. Because they are good at using power and scholar-bureaucrats.
They make trades, so they can exchange for the historians' pen and ink to embellish it, so that future generations can worship it.
Wang Yu didn't like political power. He didn't know how to use it himself, and he didn't want his descendants to learn it. Therefore, he didn't care at all about the reputation that came from being an emperor.
It would be even worse if the power play was not done well. There were many puppet emperors in Chinese history. Thinking that his descendants were manipulated by puppets, but could only swallow his anger, Wang Yu became even less enthusiastic about being an emperor.
However, the tree wants to be quiet but the wind is not stopping. This is not something he just doesn't want to do.
After Xu Shu returned from Hedong, he mentioned in secret talks that Pan Zhang, Ma Zhong, and Bai Bo generals all asked him about this issue in their own ways in private.
When Wang Xiu and others talked about it again today, Wang Yu was surprised to find that not only in the army, but also in the shogunate, similar undercurrents were surging.
It is conceivable that if he does not take countermeasures in time and allows this undercurrent to surge, after the next big victory, he may have to stage a drama of crowds supporting him and wearing yellow robes. This alone is not terrible, Qingzhou
It's a big problem if the army slips in the direction of ordinary warlords, especially in terms of power.
What is power?
Wang Yu's understanding is to analyze people's hearts, weigh the pros and cons, and calculate the methods and tricks of his own people. Wang Yu has never advocated this, but it revolves around the question of whether to be emperor or not. There is already this tendency within the shogunate, especially Wang Xiu
The questions raised.
Wang Yu felt that the greatest tragedy of China in the previous life was that power had been developed to its peak. Although this knowledge was extensive and profound, many people pursued it diligently, but it did not contribute to social progress.
Think about it, in a country where the proportion of officials accounts for 23% of the total population, the administrative efficiency is low. The reason why this strange phenomenon occurs is because as an official, you spend your whole day thinking about your own people.
There are very few people who actually work.
If the problem of giving priority to power in politics cannot be corrected, no matter whether he becomes emperor or not, no matter how many new technologies he introduces that will only be found in later generations, or how perfect the political and legal system is established, he will not be able to save China for generations to come.
At most, like the founding monarchs in history, they began to rise for a while. By the time the second and third generations were passed on, they would soon languish.
All the strength was consumed by internal strife. Can you still dominate the world? Cao Cao is the best reference and lesson. If he hadn't spent his later years thinking about how to plot to usurp the throne, how could he have conquered the Central Plains, but couldn't do anything about Xichuan and Jiangdong?
?
As Wang Yu said, what he wants is a strong man who will be passed down for generations to come, not a new guy who just changes the soup without changing the medicine.
The hall was quiet, with only the heavy breathing of the ministers echoing. If a pin dropped, it would be very harsh.
After a long time, a childish and clear voice sounded: "The general's mind is really admirable. But has the general ever thought that if these words spread, someone will kidnap the emperor in the future, and Qiao will issue an order to the general? The general should
How to deal with yourself? Dong Zhuo has never done this, just because he thinks you care about the world, but in the future..."
Zhuge Liang didn't want to admit it, but there was indeed a moment when he was overwhelmed by Wang Yu's courage. Letting go of the dynasty's empire at will is the same shock as sweeping the world and achieving hegemony.
.How many heroes in ancient and modern times can see through this step and firmly lock the door on the threshold?
Relying on his unwillingness to admit defeat and his self-confidence, he reluctantly calmed down and raised questions. But even he himself did not notice that the questioning tone of his questions was much weaker than before. It was more like coming from the perspective of a staff member.
Helping the lord with suggestions and picking up missing pieces.
However, his question makes a lot of sense.
Wang Yu always claimed to be a loyal minister, but all the princes also did the same. His behavior was not conspicuous. Dong Zhuo would not bring trouble to himself and use the emperor as a cover to harass him.
Holding the emperor hostage to order the princes is also very technical. When the emperor is held hostage, his prestige has already dropped a lot. If nothing goes wrong, just issue an imperial edict and get it rejected. As time goes by, the emperor's remaining prestige will be reduced.
It will no longer exist.
The emperor's edict of the Ming Dynasty was like this. During the founding of the People's Republic of China, the emperor's edict was the edict. Anyone who dared to disobey would be punished. Later, when there was a cabinet and the votes of the bachelors, the emperor's edict was no longer the same.
That's good. Not only will the ministers not be punished for resisting the decree, but they will be honored for resisting the decree.
If Dong Zhuo thought he could conquer everything with the imperial edict, then he would just wait for the emperor to become a piece of paper.
In fact, when Dong Zhuo faced the siege of the Guandong princes, he used the imperial edict as a lethal weapon. As a result, the imperial edict was resisted. If Wang Yu had not disrupted the situation, all the five envoys he sent would have ended up dead.
end.
The princes were superficially loyal to the Han Dynasty, but no one was stupid. Would they still obey the imperial edict sternly despite knowing that there was something wrong with it and that it was not good for them?
The best way to coerce the emperor and control the princes is to go with the flow. For example, in history, Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao fought fiercely in Hebei. In the end, they fought to a stalemate, and no one could overwhelm the other. Dong Zhuo sent an imperial edict, and the two families took advantage of the situation to stop fighting. The emperor's appearance
His prestige has increased, and the two princes have also stopped a meaningless fight, which is considered a three-win situation.
However, this is the rule when facing false loyal ministers. If Wang Yu's previous words were spread and used as the basic principles for the Qingzhou Army's actions, things would be different.
Since he claims to be a loyal minister, he should respect the imperial edict. If he resists the edict once, he will be slapped in the face. Over time, Wang Yu's reputation that he has accumulated so easily will be ruined.
Dong Zhuo is not a fool. He will not fail to see this. Against Qingzhou, the most threatening enemy, he should not hesitate to use the largest weapon to kill both sides.
As for seizing the emperor, Wang Yu missed an opportunity in Luoyang. This action to rescue Bai Bo cut off Qingzhou's last hope of fighting for the emperor.
No matter how strong the troops are, they are still out of reach at such a distance.
"This general is a hussar general and a champion marquis who has been conferred by the emperor himself. I have the qualifications to patrol the sky and conquer unruly subjects!"
Wang Yu cupped his hands to the west and replied loudly: "The emperor is covered in dust, and all orders come from the hands of powerful ministers. Even if I don't follow the orders, how will it harm my prestige? At least, the soldiers and civilians under my command will respond to this."
There will be no doubts. In that case, what else is there to worry about?"
Zhuge Liang's thinking began to become confused.
Wang Yu's words are very simple and their meaning is very clear. They can be summed up as follows: first, he should not be emperor and must be loyal to the Han Dynasty; second, he, as a loyal minister, does not want the emperor; third, he does not accept the emperor's will.
Because the emperor had previously given him a widely applicable edict, as long as he did not follow the edict, he could do anything related to him, just like the emperor...
Summarizing these things, the summary is: Wang Yu wants to start a new business outside the central government, but he is still a minister of the Han Dynasty in name, and has no disrespect to the emperor. To put it more plainly, Wang Yu wants to implement the emperor's
Rights, rather than the title of emperor.
Very complex yet very simple.
Due to his age, Zhuge Liang's thoughts were a little confused for a while. However, all the ministers in Qingzhou were all veterans, especially Jia Xu and Tian Feng. When they heard Wang Yu's words, their eyes lit up.
This approach of only taking benefits and ignoring the name is in line with Wang Yu's consistent style. He does not claim to be emperor, but he can still let go of his hands and feet, which is more convenient than holding the emperor in his hands.
Even Dong Zhuo had to go to the palace when he wanted an imperial edict. After all, he had to get the emperor to stamp it, right? Wang Yu's side was much simpler. He patrolled the sky on behalf of the emperor, which was the same as the emperor's personal visit.
As long as Wang Yu says it, it can be used as an imperial edict, and it will not become infamous like Dong Zhuo did.
Which one would the emperor have a better impression of, the powerful ministers who are close at hand, or the powerful ministers who are outside? Of course, it is to make friends at a distance and attack at home.
The ministers nodded one after another, understanding in their hearts.
Wang Xiu asked tentatively: "So, my lord, is the matter of the year name..."
"Let's call it 'Kaiyuan'." Wang Yu thought for a while and found a name from his memory.
"Kaiyuan...Tongbao?" Wang Xiu repeated silently in his mouth several times, his eyes gradually brightened, he put his hands on his hands and said with a smile: "Wonderful, wonderful beyond words!"
Kaiyuan means ushering in a new era, and the current year number can also be used. It is just as appropriate as a good wish. It can also be consistent with the comprehensive implementation of Qingzhou's New Deal, which is really appropriate.
"The future government affairs process is that the general and the shogunate will decide the overall strategic direction. Each government office will formulate the details of the decree and then publicize it to the public. After receiving feedback, it will be revised and improved. Finally, the completed document will be submitted to the general for review, and the general will confirm it.
, issued an edict on behalf of the emperor. After it is implemented, it can also continue to be modified and improved..."
Wang Yu announced to the public the policy model he had been thinking about.
Of course, he will not pursue democracy in a hurry for quick success and engage in tricks such as elections. That is unrealistic. But he believes that government affairs cannot be as rigid as before, let alone allow officials to speculate on power all day long, or harm the public and private interests.
Those things.
What he finally chose was a system that was relatively flexible and changing all the time. What it will eventually evolve into, he still doesn’t know, but at least at this stage, Qingzhou officials can devote all their energy to practical work.
.
This is his style, as long as it is practical and practical, not just for fame. (To be continued)