Chapter 2: The Northern Old Man Knows His Ambush 3. Enfeoffment
Reading "Records of the Grand Historian" written by Sima Qian, one will feel deeply moved by the joys and sorrows of many imperial families. This masterpiece, which was later known as "Records of the Grand Historian", is now treasured and placed in one of the high pavilions of Nangong Yuntai.
Yuntai has four high pavilions, which is a treasure house for storing treasures and books. After Liu Xiu became emperor, he moved from Gaoyi to Luoyang and brought with him more than 2,000 carts of precious books, all of which were stored in Yuntai and Lantai to the north of Yuntai.
In the past few years, when I was bored in the palace, I would go to Yuntai to read ancient books. I don’t know why, burying my head in piles of bamboo and silk can naturally relax my tense nerves. Later, Liu Xiu knew my work and rest habits, so he specially cleaned up the Guangde Hall in Yuntai for me to sleep in. Occasionally, he would go to Guangde Hall to rest when he had free time.
Regarding the various experiences of Empress Gao and Empress Lü, it was only after I came here that I really came into contact with the legendary life of Empress Lü. After objectively putting myself in her shoes, I went from rejecting and despising her at the beginning to deeply admiring her in the end - Liu Xuan was right, Empress Gao was a powerful figure, and if I could learn a little bit of her true skills, I would be no less than any courtier in the Han court.
"What are you looking at so happily, sir?"
I collected the bamboo slips, carefully placed them in a cloth bag, tied a ribbon, and sealed it. Chen Min served me some fruit. On the lacquer plate were two peeled peaches , the size of a fist, juicy and dripping with honey.
"The peaches are ripe early this year."
Chen Min smiled and said, "How can we eat this season? This is the tribute from the county. It is the early peaches of this year. There are only two baskets of peaches. Your Majesty rewarded the princes and ministers, and the imperial officials didn't have any extra ones."
"Oh? Then this..."
"The Queen and the noble lady each have one copy in the Ye Ting." Chen Min pursed her lips, a smile in her eyes, "This other copy is for His Majesty, and His Majesty ordered it to be sent to the West Palace."
I was startled and uttered "Oh" softly. I picked up the peach, which was covered with juice. I thought about it and put it down again: "I'd better keep it for Yang'er and the others."
"Tsk." Chen Min laughed out loud, "The Fourth Prince is really smart. He had expected that you would be reluctant to eat it, so he asked me to peel it before sending it to you. You should eat it quickly. It's hot today, and this thing can't be kept for too long. If it goes bad, wouldn't it be wasted?"
"Yang'er..." I was stunned. This father and son, their behavior styles are really the same sometimes.
I took a bite of the peach flesh. Because it was an early peach, the flesh was delicate and juicy, but the taste was not very sweet. It was as light as water sliding across the tip of my tongue. Although the peach flesh was not sweet, it had its own sweetness that had already penetrated my heart. I happily ate two peaches one by one, and Chen Min handed me a wet towel. While wiping my hands, I smiled and asked, "Let me test you. In the past, Emperor Wu implemented the Enfeoffment Order to divide the royal power. How did he enfeoff his own princes as kings?"
Even though Chen Min was clever and could guess that I might be using an ancient metaphor to describe the present, he still couldn't come up with an allusion. After pondering for a while, he cleverly replied, "Your Excellency has chosen the Grand Marshal. In the past, Empress Wei should have had a courtier who was no less capable than the Grand Marshal to make suggestions to the Emperor."
"You are indeed a very smart woman!" I couldn't help but praise her, pointing at the pile of bamboo slips and saying, "Fortunately you haven't read much, otherwise those doctors and scholars would be ashamed to see you."
Chen Min smiled shyly and said, "Your Excellency, thank you for your praise. I am grateful for your praise." As she said this, she actually bowed to me.
Looking at her graceful and beautiful appearance, I suddenly sighed: "After some time, I will definitely find a good family for you."
Chen Min was shy and embarrassed when she heard this. She blushed and dared not reply. After a long while, she found a new topic to change the subject: "My dear, who proposed to enfeoff the princes back then?"
"Didn't you guess it all right?" I smiled calmly and said the answer word by word, "Grand Marshal - Huo Qubing!"
The trajectory of history is so similar, or perhaps Liu Xiu and I are deliberately imitating this trajectory. In the past, Huo Qubing first petitioned for the enfeoffment of the princes, and then the prime minister led the officials to petition several times. Finally, Emperor Wu of Han made an exception under the attitude of being "forced" by the court officials. Now, history seems to repeat itself again. Step by step, Wu Han petitioned, was rejected, petitioned again, and was rejected again. The tug-of-war dragged on for two years, and the final result will be finalized today.
"Go to Quefei Palace and ask when His Majesty will leave court."
"promise."
I stretched myself. Everything was infallible. The result would be revealed today.
"In ancient times, feudal princes were enfeoffed to protect the capital. Zhou enfeoffed 800 princes, and the princesses of the same surname founded their own states, supported the royal family, respected and served the emperor, and enjoyed a long and prosperous state, which became a model for later generations. Therefore, the poem says: 'Greatly enlighten you, and serve as the Zhou Dynasty's assistant.' Emperor Gaozu was a saintly and virtuous man who radiated the world. He also tried to be close to his relatives and enfeoffed his brothers and sons without violating the old rules. Your Majesty's virtue is as great as heaven and earth, and you have restored the lineage of the clan. You have rewarded merits with virtue, and have made peace with the nine clans. All the meritorious officials and clans have been granted titles, many of whom have been granted large territories, or even counties. Now the prince is blessed by heaven and can wear clothes and come to pay homage. Your Majesty is respectful and humble, but has not discussed it. All the ministers and people are disappointed. It is appropriate to determine the title and position in the auspicious time of midsummer, to expand the vassalage, to show closeness, to respect the ancestral temple, to value the altar of the country, to follow the ancient and the old, and to stop the resentment. I ask the Grand Marshal to submit the map and the Minister of Rites to select an auspicious day and perform the rituals."
In March of the 15th year of Jianwu, Grand Marshal Dou Rong, Marquis of Gushi Li Tong, Marquis of Jiaodong Jia Fu, Marquis of Gaomi Deng Yu and others jointly submitted a memorial requesting the emperor to enfeoff the princes.
This time, the emperor's reply was brief and concise, with only one word - "Yes!"
On the second day of April, the grand sacrifice is reported to the ancestral temple.
On April 11, the Grand Marshal Dou Rong was sent to the temple to report that all of Emperor Jianwu's eleven sons, except the Crown Prince Liu Qiang, including the eleventh prince Liu Jing, who was still in his infancy, were granted the title of Duke. However, although they were all listed as Dukes, the fiefs granted to the princes were of different levels, and even very different.
The Duke of Youyi, Liu Fu, was granted Zhongshan, located 1,400 li north of Luoyang. Thirteen cities, 97,412 households, 658,195 people; the Duke of Chu, Liu Ying, was granted Chu, located 1,220 li east of Luoyang. Eight cities, 86,170 households, 493,270 people; the Duke of Donghai, Liu Yang, was granted Donghai, located 1,500 li east of Luoyang. Thirteen cities, 148,784 households, 706,416 people; the Duke of Jinan, Liu Kang, was granted Jinan, located 1,800 li east of Luoyang. Ten cities, 78,544 households, 453,308 people; the Duke of Dongping, Liu Cang, was granted Dongping, located 975 li east of Luoyang. Seven cities, 79,120 households, 448,270 people; Liu Yan, Duke of Huaiyang, was granted Huaiyang, 700 li southeast of Luoyang. Nine cities, 112,653 households, 547,572 people; Liu Jing, Duke of Shanyang, was granted Shanyang, 810 li east of Luoyang. Ten cities, 109,898 households, 606,91 people; Liu Heng, Duke of Linhuai, was granted Linhuai, 1,400 li east of Luoyang. Seventeen cities, 136,389 households, 611,830 people; Liu Yan, Duke of Zuoyi, was granted Zuofengyi, 688 li west of Luoyang. Thirteen cities, 37,900 households, 145,195 people; Liu Jing, Duke of Langye, was granted Langye State, 1,500 li east of Luoyang. There are thirteen cities, 28,400 households and 579,670 people.
In addition to the ten princes, three princesses were also given titles - the eldest daughter, Liu Yi Wang, was given the title of Princess Wuyin; the second daughter, Liu Zhongli, was given the title of Princess Nieyang; and the third daughter, Liu Hongfu, was given the title of Princess Guantao.
According to the Han system, the emperor's daughters were given the title of county princesses, and their ceremonial attire was the same as that of a marquis. The daughters of the kings were given the title of township princesses or pavilion princesses, and their ceremonial attire was the same as that of a township marquis or pavilion marquis.
Since ancient times, the emperor's daughters were all given the title of princesses, and only the emperor's sisters who were more respected could be given the title of eldest princess, and their ceremonial clothes were the same as those of the princes. I never thought that Liu Xiu would give the title of eldest princess to King Yi. This ten-year-old girl actually became a princess who was no less than a prince, just like her name.
"Mother!" Prince Yi's cheeks flushed with excitement. He held up the long skirt of his pure blue robe in his hands. Because he ran too fast, the braids on his head were all loose.
"Princess Wuyin..." Chen Min just called out, but before she could salute, Prince Yi threw himself into her arms, laughing.
"Mother! My father has made me the eldest princess. Am I... already an adult?"
I stood in the courtyard, looking at the smiling face with disheveled hair, and suddenly I felt that the little girl in front of me had changed like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon.
"You are now the eldest princess." I extended my hand with emotion and braided her hair into a pigtail. "If you can't change your impetuous temper, you will always be a child."
She pouted unhappily and pushed my hand away: "Mom, you are lecturing me again, I am an adult now." She put her hands on her waist, raised her chin, and put on a noble posture. I was just thinking that her arrogant look looked a little familiar, and she smiled triumphantly, "Mom, my current rank is much higher than yours, and my sisters can't catch up with me..."
My eyes dimmed, and these words pierced my chest like a sharp sword. I remembered that her domineering demeanor was exactly like that of the queen.
"Yes." My tone turned cold, and I was silent for a while with a sullen face. Then I bowed to her and said, "Noble Lady Yin greets Her Royal Highness the Princess..."
"mother--"
"My dear——"
Chen Min supported me in time. I looked at him coldly. Prince Yi looked flustered and muttered incoherently: "This... this..."
I sighed calmly: "According to the rules, it should be so."
Prince Yi stood there blankly, his face pale. I couldn't bear it. Although I wanted to teach her a lesson, I couldn't help but feel pity for her because she seemed to be so scared and confused. I sighed and was about to say a few words to comfort her, asking her to learn a lesson and not be so arrogant in the future, when a loud shout suddenly broke out from the door: "Prince Liu Yi!"
Like a bolt of thunder exploding out of nowhere, King Yi's slender shoulders trembled and he lowered his head like an ostrich.
On the other side, Liu Yang and his brothers and sisters were walking into the courtyard angrily.
"Plop!" Liu Yang knelt down in front of me. He was the first, followed by Liu Cang, then Liu Jing, Zhongli, Hongfu, and even Liu Heng, under the guidance of the wet nurse, knelt on the ground like a little toad.
I didn't say anything. As an older brother, Liu Yang wanted to establish his prestige among his younger siblings, and this was exactly the opportunity he needed.
"Prince Yi was rude to you, mother. It was my fault for not supervising you properly. Mother, please do not be angry. But if you do scold me, I will take it on behalf of my sister."
I lowered my head and snorted softly through my nose.
Liu Yang turned around and shouted angrily: "Why don't you come over and apologize to your mother? Just because you are a princess, have you become so proud that you have forgotten who gave birth to you? Is the title of princess so great? Your mother was unconscious for three days in order to give birth to you..."
The harsh and fierce scolding, combined with threats and intimidation, finally frightened Prince Yi. She had been a bully since she was a child. Although she appeared to be a fearless and arrogant girl, she was actually a useless person at heart.
Prince Yi knelt down at my feet, hugged my legs and burst into tears: "Mother, I was wrong. I will never dare to do it again..."
Seeing that she had almost received her lesson, I saw that she was crying so pitifully. I was about to pull her up, but suddenly something came to my mind and I took the opportunity to ask, "I heard that you always like to cause trouble for the official Liang Song?"
Her little body trembled slightly, and after a pause in crying, her ears turned red as if blood could drip out: "I... I didn't cause any trouble to him, it was him... he bullied me..." She stammered and cried louder, trying to cover up her nervousness.
I tried to hold back my laughter, but then I heard Zhongli's soft voice say, "Mother, Liang Song never bullied my elder sister."
Prince Yi was annoyed when he heard this, and said angrily: "You are the only one who is trying to please me! Mother, you don't know that during the Shangsi Festival, she played with Dou Gu and even helped Dou Gu to purify himself..."
Zhongli was not angry, and continued to speak in a soft voice, "Yes, I like him. When I grow up, I will ask my father to grant me marriage and marry him!"
"Shame! Shame!" The younger sister was not ashamed, but the older sister was so embarrassed that she didn't know where to put her hands and feet. She jumped up from my feet and said, "You are a princess!"
Zhongli glanced at his sister with a smile: "Sister, you actually like Liang Song, right? If you like him, why do you always like to provoke trouble? Aren't you afraid of becoming more annoying?"
The sisters' conversation became more and more gossipy, causing the younger brothers and sisters to laugh. I knew what was going on, so I said, "You are all tired after the ancestral worship today, go back and rest. Prince Yi, Zhongli, and Hongfu, since you have been given titles, you will definitely have your own princess tutor. I don't ask for anything else, but only ask that you study hard, understand the rules, and stop causing trouble for your father and bringing shame to the royal family."
"promise."
A large group of people left in a flash, leaving Liu Yang alone, still kneeling on the ground. I felt strange and was about to ask him what was going on, but he suddenly stood up and said, "My son's title and fiefdom have been decided. Tomorrow I will go with my father to the Quefei Palace to attend the court."
Although I was prepared, I didn't expect it to happen so quickly: "Is this what your father meant?"
"promise."
"Is there anyone else besides you?"
"And the Crown Prince."
His heart was beating uncontrollably, finally coming to this point. If the fiefs of the ten princes could show how much Liu Xiu loved and valued his children, then putting the fourth prince, who was born out of wedlock, in the same position as the eldest legitimate prince was obviously more than just partiality.
"Yang'er, you have to take care of yourself."
Retreating in order to advance was always Liu Xiu's usual tactic. After the enfeoffment of the princes, on the surface, everything seemed to be a replica of the enfeoffment of the princes during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han. However, the biggest difference in essence was that the three princes enfeoffed by Emperor Wu of Han were all adults, so they had to leave the capital immediately and could not enter the capital without being summoned by the court. A prince who was not at the center of the imperial power naturally could not pose a threat to the crown prince.
However, the oldest of my five sons is only twelve years old this year, and he still has eight years to go before he reaches adulthood.
Eight years is enough time for many unexpected variables to emerge.
"I understand, kid." Liu Yang was in high spirits. His clear face, with bright eyes and a clear expression, was as cold as ice under the hot sun. My leaning shadow was reflected in his deep black eyes, revealing a resolute sense of oppression.
My heart suddenly relaxed a little . For some reason, I had great expectations for this child's abilities.
"Go ahead." I sighed. "If there are things that the court doesn't understand and it's inconvenient to ask your father, you might as well go and ask Gaomi Hou for advice."
"Mother." Liu Yang hesitated, "Marquis Gaomi said that he has done everything he can and will never interfere in government affairs again."
My heart sank, and I stared blankly outside the palace. The tall towers were as heavy as mountains. The summer cicadas on the treetops suddenly started buzzing, and their sharp cries pierced my eardrums. I felt a throbbing pain in my heart, and I looked away and said slowly, "I know."
Liu Yang seemed to see that I was in a bad mood, and said in a very obedient and flattering way: "If there is anything I don't understand, you can ask me for help."
I couldn't help but laugh: "Mother knows how capable she is, but she still knows how to be herself. If you don't understand something in the future, you can ask your second uncle for advice."
"Yes." After paying his respects, Liu Yang also went out.
I felt heavy-hearted and even more depressed than before. Chen Min misunderstood and stepped forward to whisper, "Your Excellency, please relax. The two princesses are still young and will not do anything inappropriate."
I sneered, hiding the real reason for my panic: "Don't mention that they are still young. Even if it's true, what's wrong with that?"
Chen Min didn't understand.
"As Zhongli said, my daughter, the princess of Han, can't she like anyone she wants?"
Chen Min paused when he heard this and looked at me in amazement.
I smiled and patted her shoulder: "What's more, Liang Song is Liang Tong's eldest son, and Dou Gu is Dou Rong's nephew. What kind of family background do these two have?"
"Your Excellency, this is..."
"Ah..." I smiled faintly and uttered four words, "I'm glad to see it happen!"
The sun was too hot, so I turned back to the palace. Before leaving, I glanced at the double towers outside the palace wall again, and my heart was filled with deep melancholy again.
That's it, that's it...
fair enough.
