Chapter 079 Compensate me for the chariot!
Liu Bang's health was indeed very poor.
Empress Lü specially found a famous doctor to treat Liu Bang. Of course, the doctor also told him to avoid various foods, such as not drinking alcohol, not being close to women, not doing this, not doing that. When Liu Bang heard this, he was furious and gave the doctor some money and asked him to get out.
In Liu Bang’s own words: This doesn’t work, that doesn’t work, so why am I still alive?
According to the historian, Gaozu consulted a doctor, who said: "The disease can be cured." Gaozu then insulted him and said: "I conquered the world with a commoner and a three-foot sword. Isn't this destiny? Destiny is in the hands of God. What good is Bian Que!" So he stopped treating the disease and gave him fifty catties of gold.
However, Liu Bang's condition was not too serious, he was just a little old. Seeing that he can still jump around and play games with his two wives, it can be seen that he has no major problems.
Liu Chang was very depressed. I was doing important things in Shangjun, and when I came back in a hurry, I saw such an eye-catching scene. If I had known this would happen, why did I come back?
However, this time Liu Chang had accumulated a lot of bragging capital, which he could just share with everyone. Thinking of this, he was not so angry. Anyway, iron smelting can be done anywhere. With Liu Bang's order, even if Liu Chang wants an iron mine, Shangfang will have to move it to him!
At this moment , a major event happened in the court.
The Imperial Censor Zhao Yao suddenly submitted a memorial to the emperor, impeaching the servants of Lü Shizhi, Marquis of Jiancheng, for seizing the people's land and exchanging inferior land for the people's good land.
Liu Bang was furious and demanded a thorough investigation of the matter.
The atmosphere inside the palace suddenly became somewhat different.
My father stayed in the Xuanshi Hall all day and never went out, so it was very difficult for the prime minister to see him.
Xiao He felt very strange, why did His Majesty avoid me?
Xiao He had a lot of things on his hands, and all of them required Liu Bang to make the final decision. If Liu Bang didn't see him, he would have no way of completing these things.
Just as Xiao He was sighing in his mansion, a retainer came up, knelt down in front of him and asked to say goodbye.
Xiao He was shocked and asked hurriedly, "I have heard of your reputation and have invited you to my office. Whenever I have to do something, I have consulted with you and have benefited a lot from you. Why are you leaving me today?"
This retainer was called Zhao Ping. He was the same retainer who had praised Xiao Yan at the beginning. He was once the Marquis of Dongling . After the fall of Qin, he lived in seclusion in his home outside the city and planted melons. The melons tasted extremely sweet, so people at that time called them Dongling melons. After Xiao He learned of his reputation, he invited him as a guest and asked him to give him advice.
After pacifying Zhao Dai, Liu Bang happily told everyone that the success of this war was due to Xiao He's contribution! He was given a higher title and a captain was sent to lead 500 soldiers as the prime minister's guard. For a time, Xiao He's status was unmatched and he was considered the most favored minister.
When Xiao He was happily holding a banquet, Zhao Ping came in proudly wearing plain clothes and white shoes to pay his respects.
When Xiao He asked the reason, Zhao Ping explained, "Your Majesty has been fighting in the south and the north, braving the arrows and stones, while Gong'an lives in the capital, not participating in the battles, yet he was given an additional fief. I guess your majesty may be suspicious of you."
Xiao He was shocked, and then he realized what was happening. He hurried to the court to see the emperor, refused the fief, and took out a lot of his wealth, which he transferred to the state treasury for military supplies. Liu Bang laughed and did not force him to accept the reward.
After this incident, Xiao He respected him even more.
Zhao Ping said helplessly: "I am enjoying the salary of the Duke, so I should share your worries, but now you are sighing alone and refusing to ask for advice. How can I stay here with dignity?"
Xiao He hurriedly apologized, asked him to sit down, and told him that he had not been able to see Liu Bang several times.
Zhao Ping thought for a moment, "I heard that when your majesty was at war, every time you sent people to deliver food and grass, he would ask what you were doing... This is to guard against you. Your reputation is too high, and the people support you. Until now, you are still trying your best to do things for the people in order to appease them..."
"How could His Majesty be willing to meet you? His Majesty is so concerned about your movements because he is afraid that you will lead the people to rebellion!"
Hearing these words, Xiao He broke out in a cold sweat.
Zhao Ping said, "There is only one solution now. You can force people to buy their land and houses at a low price, deliberately let the people scold you, resent you, and create a bad reputation. Then His Majesty will see that you are not popular among the people and will feel at ease with you."
Xiao He was stunned for a long time, and murmured: "How can I bully the people..."
"Alas, you see others so clearly, why can't you see yourself clearly?"
"It's not that I can't see clearly..."
Xiao He shook his head but said nothing more.
…
The solemn atmosphere of the entire palace did not affect Liu Chang at all.
Liu Chang led everyone and sat in Xiahou Mansion. "This time, our cause was a great success. From my father to the prime minister, everyone admires us! It's amazing!"
"Hahaha, I have made a great weapon! In the future, with this weapon, I can lead you to snatch back a few titles of Guannei Marquis!"
"You are so ambitious, young master!"
At this moment, someone suddenly spoke up and interrupted Liu Chang's bragging.
Liu Chang turned around and saw Xiahou Ying standing not far away, looking at him with a smile.
Liu Chang hurriedly stood up, walked up to him with a smile, and bowed.
"I didn't know Zhongfu was at home... Please forgive my rudeness... Zao, there are adults at home... Then I'll come to visit next time..."
Xiahou Ying suddenly stretched out his hand and grabbed Liu Chang's arm, "Don't leave in a hurry, I have something else I want to show you."
Xiahou Ying brought Liu Chang to the backyard, where a chariot with cracked wheels was parked. "This chariot is my first chariot. Although it is very simple, it has accompanied me in battles for many years... But when I came back this time, I found that the chariot has become like this... Sir, what do you think is the reason for this?"
"I think... this is mainly because you didn't teach Xiahou Zao how to drive on weekdays, which is why it turned out like this..."
"You've done a lot of good things with the stove... I put three chariots here, and you didn't leave any for me!"
"This matter is all my fault, and has nothing to do with the stove. If General Xiahou is angry, just beat me up. I will never fight back or complain! If you are worried about money, I will compensate you with ten cars!"
Liu Chang raised his head and said proudly.
Seeing him like this, Xiahou Ying couldn't help but shout, "Good boy! Just because of what you said, I don't want you to pay me back!"
Liu Chang asked hurriedly: "Really?"
"Of course! But the chariot I promised you is gone, so I have to keep it for myself!"
"good!"
After talking, Xiahou Ying took Liu Chang's hand and said seriously: "I don't object to you playing together, but you are still young, don't do dangerous things..." General Xiahou Ying explained a lot of things, and Liu Chang listened respectfully and accepted the advice.
Xiahou Ying then let him go and let him continue playing with the children.
Xiahou Zao looked at him with some emotion, "Your Majesty..."
"Okay, okay, you don't have to say anything more, just drive carefully next time!"
Liu Chang said domineeringly, Zhou Shengzhi smiled and said: "Your Majesty is really willing to accept advice, the wise kings of the ancient times were no more than this!"
Liu Chang shook his head, "I don't always accept advice, it depends on the situation."
"What's the situation?"
"It depends on whether he can beat me..."
…
At this time, Zhao Yaomei made his second impeachment and submitted another memorial. This time, the person he impeached was the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty, Xiao He.
Zhao Yao impeached Xiao He, saying that he had forcibly purchased land and houses from the people at low prices, with a value of tens of millions, which had a despicable impact and should be severely punished.
Suddenly, everyone in Chang'an was shocked. No one believed what Zhao Yao said. Don't they know who the prime minister is? He treats the people like his own children. How could he do something to persecute the people?
When Liu Bang heard the news, he did not send soldiers to arrest Xiao He, but only sent a close attendant to ask Xiao He to come to the palace as soon as possible.
Zhao Ping was overjoyed. He said to Xiao He, "Prime Minister, you can finally save your life this time!"
Xiao He's face was somewhat melancholy. The man who always smiled could no longer smile this time. He looked deeply at Zhao Ping and said, "If I can't come back, please help me take good care of my little son."
Zhao Ping was shocked. He seemed to realize something. He wanted to say something, but in the end, he could only sigh, "Yes."
Xiao He leaned down, kissed Xiao Yan on the forehead with a smile, raised his head, and walked out of the prime minister's residence proudly.
Xiao Yan touched his forehead and stared blankly at his father's tall and straight back as he walked away.
