Chapter 45 It’s all Han Fei’s fault
Among all the princes, Peng Yue was probably the most law-abiding and the one with the best moral character.
But he also had the worst ending among all the princes.
In the historical line where Liu Chang had never acted recklessly, the King of Liang foolishly followed Empress Lu back to Luoyang. Then Empress Lu bribed his followers and falsely accused him of treason for the second time, claiming that he was dissatisfied with Liu Bang's judgment and therefore wanted to summon other subordinates of Liang in Luoyang and take the opportunity to attack Chang'an.
Liu Bang was furious. Han Xin was also like this. You are giving me face, right? If you don’t kill me the first time, you will come again, right?
So, the furious Liu Bang executed Peng Yue and his clan members, dismembered Peng Yue's body and cooked it, and distributed his meat to everyone as a warning.
Then, Ying Bu, who was already dissatisfied with Liu Bang after seeing Peng Yue's fate, also rebelled.
The frightened King of Yan also rebelled.
The betrayal of everyone made Liu Bang physically and mentally exhausted and extremely painful. He passed away the year after he put down the rebellion of princes of different surnames.
But now, our young master, relying on his boastful mouth, has turned the world upside down and changed it beyond recognition.
…
Peng Yue sat in the carriage and continued on his journey towards Shu.
There was no reluctance or grievance on his face. At least, he was still alive. At least, he could see his family and pay tribute to his old brothers. The old subordinates of Liang State could also spend their old age in peace.
His followers followed him, and Peng Yue went to see Empress Lü alone, so they did not know about the communication between Empress Lü and Peng Yue. However, someone still asked Peng Yue why he did not ask the queen to help him plead for mercy? Peng Yue just shook his head and did not answer.
When they passed another county, the guests heard the loud sound of horse hooves coming from behind.
The retainers all looked behind them, guarding Peng Yue in the middle, while the soldiers in charge of escorting him also hurriedly formed a battle line. As if encountering a powerful enemy, the archers lined up to wait. At this moment, Peng Yue saw clearly the figure coming from afar.
Peng Yue hurriedly said, "Don't do it! That's the doctor from Liang State!"
After hearing Peng Yue's dissuasion, the soldiers did not shoot the knight. The knight rushed to the front of the crowd, jumped off his horse, staggered to Peng Yue, and knelt down in front of him. He lowered his head and cried, "Your Majesty is in trouble, but I was not by your side. Please punish me!"
Peng Yue's face was moved, and he stepped forward tremblingly to help him up.
"Doctor Luan..."
"Hey...you are still young, why do you want to come and see me?"
"Go back quickly... I am a sinner now."
Peng Yue persuaded helplessly.
The young man did not back down. He said seriously, "When I followed Zang Tu in the rebellion and became a prisoner, it was you who advised His Majesty to redeem me and let me serve as a doctor in Liang State."
"Now, how can I not follow you because I am afraid of being implicated?"
Peng Yue was a little excited. He wiped his tears, smiled, held the other person's hand, and sat beside him. The soldiers did not urge them, but stood around to guard them.
"I know you are not a coward, but you are very talented and so young. If you follow me to Shu, it would be a waste of your talent..."
"Fame, fortune and status are not what I pursue."
"Why!"
No matter how Peng Yue tried to persuade this stubborn young man, he couldn't persuade him. He was determined to go to Shu with him to farm.
Peng Yue thought for a long time, and finally said, "I have something I want to entrust you with."
"Please give your orders, my king!"
"The Queen has done me a favor. I want to write a letter. Please help me deliver it to the Queen."
The young man was stunned, "A favor?"
"Yes... You don't know... I left Luoyang and came to Zheng County... The Queen sent someone to find me. She told me to be content with what I have and not to have any other extravagant demands. I have been thinking about it all the way and finally realized that I have now protected my clan. If I still have any resentment, I am afraid that His Majesty will not forgive me..."
Peng Yue told the young man everything about Prince Chang, and also told him what Empress Lu had specially called Prince Chang to let him see.
The young man nodded carefully and said, "After delivering the letter to the king, I will come back and continue to follow the king!"
Peng Yue nodded with a smile.
…
Facts have proved that it is not difficult at all for Empress Lu to find out something.
She had a spy in Peng Yue's place. When one of Peng Yue's followers secretly sent someone to deliver a secret letter, Empress Lu realized what was happening on the spot.
"At that time, a young boy came to the inn. He was only five or six years old, but he was arrogant and boastful. He claimed to be a great sage. He often debated with the great sage Gai Gong of Qi State and loved meat..."
Empress Lu didn't even need to keep looking, she knew who the child was.
The more Empress Lu thought about it, the angrier she got. Her big plan was ruined by this bastard. If this bastard wasn't her own child, she would have cooked him to death! No wonder Peng Yue didn't want to do it. He must have seen Liu Chang beside him and discovered the loophole in his words.
He said he just came here today, but Liu Chang was already in Zheng County yesterday. How could he not be suspicious?
Liu Chang blinked his big eyes and sat in front of Empress Lu with an innocent look on his face.
He called sweetly, "Mother, I am reading the Analects in the inner room. What is it that you want to ask me?"
Empress Lu took out a wooden stick from the side and clapped her hands gently with it.
"Reading the Analects, right?"
"A person of little means is not worth mentioning. Do you know what this means?"
"No... I didn't read it... I just read that Zigong asked: Is there a saying that can be practiced for a lifetime? Confucius said: It is forgiveness! Don't do to others what you don't want others to do to you..."
"It means that... only forgiveness can be practiced throughout life. People should learn to forgive the sins of others..."
"To correct the mistakes of superiors, to question the evil of subordinates, to put an end to chaos and resolve errors, to eliminate the enviable and to rectify the wrong, to unify the people, nothing is better than law. To strengthen officials and intimidate the people, to discourage debauchery and to stop fraud, nothing is better than punishment... Do you know what this means?"
Liu Chang widened his eyes and shook his head blankly.
"There is nothing better than the law to correct mistakes, investigate evildoers, govern chaos, judge errors, reduce superfluity, correct mistakes, and unify standards. There is nothing better than punishment to discipline officials, deter the people, eliminate laziness, and prohibit fraud and hypocrisy... This is a famous passage in Han Feizi, which says that we should not despise laws and punishments because of forgiveness..."
Liu Chang was stunned and shouted hurriedly: "Mother! This is not in the Analects at all! You are cheating!!"
…
Just when Empress Lü was about to change her strategy, a soldier came to report that Peng Yue had sent someone to deliver a letter.
The person who delivered the letter was a solemn-looking young man with great dignity. He greeted Empress Lü respectfully, then knelt down and handed the letter to her.
Empress Lu took the letter, squinted her eyes, and read it carefully.
"I thank the Queen for saving my life and for reminding me... Otherwise, I am afraid I would have caused a disaster... I will keep this matter a secret and will never tell anyone else... With my broken body, if Your Highness gives me an order in the future, I will do my best to repay your kindness!"
Empress Lu was a little confused.
Why don't you play by the rules?
Did Peng Yue think that he had sent Liu Chang to rescue him? Or was he trying to protect himself? Was he trying to get away with it? Or was he threatening to tell Liu Bang?
At that moment, countless thoughts flashed through Empress Lü's mind. At the end of the letter, Peng Yue introduced the young man in front of her. According to Peng Yue, the young man was very talented, but he was determined to follow him to Shu, which was a waste of talent. He hoped that the empress would keep him.
After reading the letter, Empress Lu remained silent for a long time. She looked at the young man in front of her.
"Your name is Luan Bu?"
"Exactly!"
"Just stay with me, I will recommend you to the emperor."
"But……"
"This is King Liang's order. Do you want to disobey?"
"I don't dare."
Luan Bu then asked to meet Prince Chang, who was praised highly by King Liang. Empress Lu did not object and took Luan Bu to the side room to see Liu Chang.
When Luan Bu went in, Liu Chang was lying on the sickbed, groaning in pain.
"what happened?"
Luan Bu asked in surprise.
"It's all Han Fei's fault!"
