Volume 4 is in the ascendant Chapter 526: Jiaozhou Enters Chu
In the sixth year of Xingshun, on the first day of the first lunar month, at the grand court meeting of the Han Dynasty in Chang'an, Liu Xie emotionally delivered a piece of ...
Shi Xie of Jiaozhou has come to pay tribute again this year!
Moreover, the scale of this annual tribute was quite large, and it even included an auspicious stone tablet that appeared in the "South of the Sky" and implied that Liu Xie was the Lord of Heaven's Mandate...
Therefore, the emperor was very pleased!
However, whether it was Zhang Yan, Marquis of Zheng, Yang Feng, Marquis of Sai, or Liu Bei, Marquis of Qi, they were all wondering - how come I didn't notice before how such a large tribute team came to Chang'an?
However, considering that Zhong Ji had been missing for more than half a year, everyone decided to bury their doubts in their hearts for the time being.
As for Ma Teng, Marquis of Yong, Han Sui, Marquis of Zhai, and Liu Zhang, the "most powerful Marquis of Shu", they all sent envoys to Chang'an.
In terms of distance, Liu Bei was not close, but in order to show respect, Liu Bei would take the initiative to ask Liu Xie whether he needed to come to the capital. This year, Liu Xie specially asked him to come...
As expected, after a lot of boasting, not only did he praise Shi Xie, but he also praised himself. Then Liu Xie acted very exaggeratedly in front of the Tianming Monument for a while, and then said solemnly: "Shi Shi, the governor, ruled the south of the country for the Han Dynasty, and prevented the land of Nanyue from repeating the mistakes of the late Qin Dynasty. He was also loyal to the Han Dynasty. Not only I... I am very moved!
Moreover, last month, I dreamed of my ancestors Gaozu and Guangwu. The two ancestors held my hands and took me to a golden light, where I saw this stone tablet... and told me that the person who sent the stone tablet would be a loyal minister of the Han Dynasty and would also be the one who would stabilize the south for the Han Dynasty.
It was not until a few days ago when the stone tablet of the Shishishi arrived that I finally understood what the two ancestors meant! "
Although he has "God's Will PTSD", Liu Xie feels that only "God's Will" can defeat "God's Will".
It is time to show the true will of heaven to the people of the Han Dynasty.
"So I have decided... to enthrone Shi Xie of Jiaozhou as the King of Nanyue, so that he can rule the south of the country forever for the Han Dynasty!" Liu Xie announced.
In fact, the truly savvy people had already heard some of this result before.
I can probably guess why...
The "Five Ridges Road" issue is the focus of Chu's publicity this year. Various soul-stirring songs and dramas showing the spirit of the road builders can often be seen... It can only be stopped by a strong ban!
It’s difficult not to know.
Moreover, Liu Xie specifically mentioned "stabilizing the south". Does this "south" refer to Jiaozhou, or... does it start from Huainan?
Therefore, although Liu Bei and others were somewhat unhappy about Liu Xie's previous secrecy, no one raised any objection - everyone at this time tacitly agreed that Liu Xie must have already communicated with Shi Xie!
Zhong Ji must be busy with this matter, that's why he hasn't been seen for half a year...
After that, it was time for the much-anticipated ceremony of offering sacrifices to the heavens - the previous one was just a symbolic notification to everyone, and now it is official.
After a complicated ceremony, they first worshipped Taiyi, and finally Liu Xie stepped forward, first praying for the prosperity of the Han Dynasty, and then... enthrone Shi Xie!
It was also at this time that the campaign of "all envoys knowing the news" began - to enfeoff a king of a state. This force was naturally enough to attract "all envoys knowing the news", and it was nationwide.
All the cities and towns where the castle princesses were located saw this scene in the air.
Because of urbanization, the people of Chu who saw this scene were definitely the most...
Liu Xie first described Shi Xie's achievements in a vivid and emotional way, especially his own stele of destiny, and the dreams of Emperor Gaozu of Han and Emperor Guangwu... Then he announced the matter of conferring him the title of king.
Especially at the end...
He also quietly changed "Yongzhen Tiannan" to "Yongzhen Nanjing", which has a subtle provocative flavor.
The people of Jinling and even all over Chu State began to talk and point fingers at this time - normally when the Han emperor appeared in front of the envoys, he should kneel, but in Chu State, this had been ignored long ago.
Especially after the Duke of Shu, under the instigation of the "mastermind", "intended to destroy Chu", the Chu people's respect for the Han Dynasty had long been discounted to a bargain price.
Besides...the King of Chu didn’t ask us to kneel, so why should we kneel to the Emperor of Han?
"The Destiny Stele? What the hell is that? Is it a fake?"
"Ahem, there's no evidence, don't talk nonsense!"
"Speaking of which...how did you transport such a large stone tablet? By ship?"
"They actually made Shi Xie a king? Wouldn't it be possible that Shi Xie would start to ban regular drama troupes like the princes of the Han Dynasty? I still want to bring people to develop it..."
The people of Chu were talking about Shi Xie's reaction.
But in Jinling, the scene was a bit awkward...
Just now, Bai Tu was offering sacrifices to heaven, which was a rare event, but was interrupted by Xian Shi Zhiwen. Bai Tu looked at Xian Shi Zhiwen above his head with a strange expression, but he seemed very relaxed. He did not have the troubles and headaches that Liu Xie had expected.
After Liu Xie’s announcement, the image in “All the envoys knew the news” changed to the “camera” of the recipient.
As soon as Shi Xiefang appeared, Liu Xie breathed a sigh of relief...
It seems that Zhong Ji has already arrived in Jiaozhou, but was delayed on the way back - it is obvious that Shi Xie has already known about the enthronement, and is also in full dress on the high platform!
The original message conveyed by Zhong Ji was to inform Shi Xie that Liu Huihui would confer him the title of King of Nanyue at the New Year's Day meeting...
Shi Xie must be ready to accept the enthronement, which is why the preparations are so grand!
Although Liu Xie was headstrong and insisted on making the announcement today, he was actually a little nervous - he was not afraid that Shi Xie would not accept it, but... he was worried that something might go wrong when Zhong Ji went there, and then he would have to rely on Shi Xie's on-the-spot performance.
After all, Shi Xie is quite old. If he is too surprised or speaks incoherently, it would be a loss of face.
At this moment, Liu Xie's heart finally relaxed...
Shi Xie returned the greeting with a serious look towards the north, and then said in a rhythmic voice: "I am an old man, thank you for your kindness... I am a famous scholar. I am one of the four brothers who managed Jiaozhou and returned to the Linghai area. However, the Central Plains was in chaos. At this time, Xie used the power of armor and soldiers to avoid the wolves and connected with Yizhou in the west and Da Chu in the north.
Although I have not achieved any great success, I have fulfilled my duty of protecting the land and keeping the people safe. I am worthy of the people of Jiaozhou and the late emperor..."
Liu Xie was quite happy at first, but... the more he listened, the more he felt something was not right!
How could this old turtle be so unmodest?
It's time to make him a king. There's no need to prove his legality in Jiaozhou anymore, right?
I have been praising him non-stop, so according to the procedure, shouldn't he be more humble and then accept it?
Why is he still counting his own merits? Wasn't it said that the Shi family was a family that passed down poetry and literature?
Liu Xie disliked him a little in his heart, but he didn't show it. He had now mastered the skill of not showing his emotions.
I even thought in my heart that after I pacify the rebellion of Chu... ahem, well, Shi Xie would probably be dead by then!
Liu Bei, who was also attending the court meeting in Chang'an, had some bad guesses in his mind. There was something wrong with , but he could not change anything.
Just when Liu Xie was about to "thank you for your kindness", after enduring the old man's boasting, he heard Shi Xie's tone change and said, "But... Xie is already old, and none of my brothers or descendants are capable of anything! Whenever he thinks of the people in Jiaozhou, Xie is anxious, fearing that he will fail them.
Fortunately, a saint descended from heaven..."
Liu Xie was not even waiting to be happy - he wanted to praise Shi Xie in his heart, this old man finally stopped just praising himself and also knew how to praise him...
"It originated in Yangzhou and flourished in Jingchu, just like the sun in the sky, shining brightly above..."
Liu Xie's brain exploded with a buzzing sound. He hadn't digested the first two words "Yangzhou" yet when he heard the key word "Jingchu". He felt as if his ears and eyes were all covered with a layer of fog. The surroundings were so quiet that you could hear a pin drop, but he only felt dizziness in front of his eyes and ringing in his ears. He was unable to perceive the outside world at all, and even... the world was spinning and he almost fell down.
"Xie is originally a common man. He should obey the will of heaven and respond to the will of people. I dare not accept the title of King of Nanyue. I only wish to lead the people of Jiaozhou to become citizens of Chu and participate in the prosperous era of Chu. Only then will I live up to my life and the people of Jiaozhou!" Shi Xie announced solemnly.
In comparison, Shi Xie was obviously well prepared.
Although the subjects around him didn't know what they were thinking, they all cheered and praised Shi Xie, the State of Chu, and the King of Chu...
In this way, the effect of "letting everyone know" continued, but... the "camera" shifted to the person Shi Xie defected to, King Bai Tu of Chu.
"Shi Lao is too modest. Shi's family has made indelible contributions to the peace of the Han and Yi people in Jiaozhou. They have protected the Han people and quelled rebellions, and educated the people of all ethnic groups. In this chaotic time, it is a blessing for Jiaozhou to have Shi Lao!
The Shi family now understands the righteousness of the cause and has entrusted the development of Jiaozhou and the well-being of the people of Jiaozhou to our Great Chu. I also promise here that I will never let you down and will fight for the happiness and stability of the people of Jiaozhou all my life!
Now, Shi Xie is enfeoffed as the Marquis of Longbian, with an estate of 6,000 households, hereditary without replacement; Shi Yi is enfeoffed as the Marquis of Hepu, with an estate of 3,000 households, hereditary without replacement..."
Bai Tu seemed to be very "following the formalities" at the beginning, with the mutual flattery in the court, and then the promises that were very much in the spirit of Chu studies, but... in general, Bai Tu's words were more "straightforward", which was also in line with the current change in the literary style of the Chu State.
Of course, these are not the point. The point is that judging from Bai Tu's arrangements, he had obviously known about this matter a long time ago. And from the rewards given to Shi Xie, Shi Yi... the two most important of the four brothers of the Shi family, it is possible to infer that the Shi family was in a situation of "surrendering to Chu".
Before, Shi Xie's attitude was very humble, and he even said that he was willing to enter Chu as a "Chu citizen", but... just listen to it, maybe he was just being humble?
However, Bai Tu's reward at this time actually reflected the "inside story" of Jiaozhou's surrender to Chu.
The two of them were only granted the title of county marquis...
Longbian County was the seat of the Jiaozhi Prefecture, and "Hepu" County was the seat of the "Hepu" Prefecture of the same name - but if it was "three thousand households", it would be a county marquis no matter how you look at it.
As for other members of the Shi clan, they were only given the title of Guannei Hou, which was an honorary title without any fiefdom.
The title conferring by the State of Chu was the most cautious among all the princes, and was generally considered to be the most "value-preserving", but... the Han Dynasty just wanted to confer a king!
Not only did you reject the Emperor of Han and resolutely join the State of Chu, but you also only accepted the title of County Marquis?
Liu Xie had to hold on to the Destiny Monument beside him to keep his balance. Suddenly, he seemed to hear someone talking...
"Huh? Then why did Shi Xie send the Mandate of Heaven tablet to the Emperor of Han?"
"Stupid! It must have been given to the King of Chu. The King of Chu refused to accept it, so he gave it to the Emperor of Han!"
"That makes sense, that makes sense..."
"Oh, right, the emperor said before that it was Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Guangwu who told him that the stone tablet was a symbol of the saints of the world, so..."
"Gaozu and Guangwu are still sensible!"
