Establishing a thousand-year family from the nobles of the Western Han Dynasty

Chapter 104 Liu Ao succeeds to the throne and the eunuchs lose power

The death of Liu Shi had a huge impact on the world. After all, he was a powerful emperor who had been in power for more than 20 years. During that time, he seized the highest power by appointing eunuchs to kill dissidents.

This officially created a precedent for the dictatorship of eunuchs. It is not known whether this is good or bad. Of course, it may also depend on how future monarchs use it.

Most of the time, with the exception of the Tang Dynasty eunuchs, castrators were just tools. All power came from the emperor, who could take it back at will.

At this time, power also entered a period of change. The most saddened person was of course the eunuch Shi Xian, but he was still not worried.

Shi Xian had spoken up for the prince many times in the past, and he thought that the most he would suffer would be dismissal from office, not death.

Before Liu Shi died, he appointed four ministers to take care of his son, two of whom were Xu's sons. They were the Xu Ning and Xu Bo who had been promised before. He completely entrusted the Han Dynasty to the Xu family.

What he was most worried about before his death was the crown prince. He successfully experienced the feeling that Emperor Xuan had back then. He was afraid of the emperor being overthrown, afraid that his successor would not be able to control the court officials. He was afraid of everything, but there was nothing he could do. Death is like the extinguishing of a light.

This is an iron law. Yin and Yang are separated and you cannot influence reality even if you have supernatural powers.

After burying his father, Liu Ao officially succeeded to the throne, becoming Emperor Cheng of Han in the future.

If Liu Shi led the Han Dynasty downhill, then Emperor Cheng was the gravedigger who dragged the empire into the abyss! During his reign, the Wang family's relatives officially became powerful and began to control the government. They were also the family of the famous Xin Dynasty emperor, Wang Mang!
Although Liu Shi did not like to deal with state affairs, he still had some political ability. His choice of using eunuchs was quite wise, which dealt a heavy blow to the Confucian officials, causing their leader Wang Si to die in depression. He gave up the political power, but kept the military power in his hands at all times.

This is why Liu Shi can guarantee his authority! Eunuchs will never usurp the throne. Even the eunuchs who controlled the Shen Ce Army in the Tang Dynasty could only depose and enthrone emperors at most.

They cannot change the dynasty. After all, what is the point of people without roots taking over the world? And who would believe them?
After Liu Ao ascended the throne, he immediately liquidated the eunuchs, thus securing his throne and gaining strong support from Confucian officials throughout the country. The successor he chose was a relative of his mother's...

This is the biggest problem. Eunuchs can attract hatred, and they are naturally opposed to court officials, but there is no need for that for relatives by marriage, who can have enough reputation.

As long as they are given enough chips, the ministers will abandon the Liu family without hesitation and switch to other families. There are no absolutely loyal ministers in this world.

Even if it was the Xu family, it was for the sake of family inheritance and wider ambitions, otherwise they would have usurped power and established themselves as emperor long ago.

Liu Ao knelt uncomfortably at the top, looking at the ministers below who were shouting "Long live the emperor", and felt a little flustered for a moment.

But he obviously has some talent for pretending. Even if he is panicking inside, he still behaves as steady as an old dog in reality.

There was something dignified and majestic about his posture.

"The new emperor has passed away. Do you have any posthumous titles that you have discussed that can be used?"

Liu Ao said in a deep voice, with an incredible calmness on his face. Even the court officials couldn't help but look up to this Majesty.

Maybe he is a ruler who can revive the country no less powerful than Emperor Xuan and Emperor Kang!

The Confucian officials began to think actively. They had been suppressed by the power of Shi Xian's foreign relatives and had long been unable to bear it. The previous emperor was close to the eunuchs, but the new emperor was not sure!

Having eunuchs in power is not a long-term solution after all, as they have no idea how to govern the country.

Xu Ning stepped out and announced the posthumous title that had been agreed upon long ago: "The late emperor was dignified and dignified throughout his life and was always diligent in his work. His posthumous title can be "Yuan", which means Emperor Yuan of Han."

Nowadays, people generally don't give bad posthumous titles, so we can only lie with our eyes open. "Yuan" is actually a good posthumous title, not even a neutral posthumous title.

"Yes." Liu Ao nodded slightly, very satisfied, and then asked: "What do you think the posthumous title should be, General?"

In order to maintain his image as a filial son, he planned to give his father a temple name! After all, the Han Dynasty ruled the world with loyalty and filial piety.

In this era, temple names were not yet commonplace and had very high value. Just look at who had temple names: Emperor Gao, Emperor Wen, Emperor Wu, Emperor Kang, Emperor Xuan! Even a monarch as talented and ambitious as Emperor Jing did not have a temple name.

This is enough to show how much he values ​​his father.

"Your Majesty, I think the late emperor is not worthy of being given a temple title."

Xu Ning thought for a moment and finally said it.

Liu Ao frowned. In his opinion, this was a provocation to himself! He wanted to give his father a temple name, which was originally an insignificant matter, but the general insisted on singing a different tune. What else could this be but a demonstration?
If I were to back down, I would become a puppet in the future.

Xu Ning had never thought that a mere temple name issue would cause the emperor to distance himself from the Xu family! In the later period, the Qinghe Xu family was gradually suppressed and withdrew from the court.

If the Xu family in Henan had not still been around, all Xu Zhen’s efforts would have been wasted!
"The general said that the late emperor was not worthy of being given a temple title. May I ask where he said that?" Liu Ao suppressed his anger and tried to remain calm. He would have to rely on the general in the future.

"The reason is very simple. When the previous emperor was alive, the Han Dynasty had no outstanding military force, no prosperous economy, and no pioneering merits. How could it be given a temple name?"

"Gao Wen Wu Kang Xuan, these five emperors are inferior to the previous emperor, so they should not be given temple names. I can understand your majesty's filial piety, but this is not in accordance with etiquette after all, so it is better to avoid it as much as possible."

Xu Ning explained that he really wasn't trying to establish his authority, nor was he trying to go against the emperor. He wasn't bored. He was just simply indignant and felt that the late emperor was unworthy of him.

Even Emperor Jing did not have a temple name, so the late emperor should have even less.

But he didn't expect that the emperor had so many thoughts in his mind.

Liu Ao was silent for a moment, then said: "What the general said is too one-sided. The late emperor's merits are also sufficient. I think it is worthy of adding a temple title."

He was speechless because it was indeed the truth. Ten previous emperors put together could not compare to Emperor Xuan, so it was indeed inappropriate to add the temple name to him.

But he couldn't give in! He had to fight to the end.

"Well... Your Majesty is filial and we, as subjects, should not stop him." Xu Ning also came to his senses. Why did His Majesty attach so much importance to his father's temple name?

Forget it, I'd better not always go against the emperor.

In the end, under Liu Ao's insistence, Xu Ning chose to give in, and Emperor Yuan of Han, Liu Shi, was given the temple name Dezong, with the full name Emperor Dezong of Han Yuan.

Queen Wang Zhengjun was the empress dowager, assisted the emperor in handling government affairs. With the help of Xu Ning, he quickly became familiar with state affairs.

The first step for Liu Ao to take power was to establish his authority! He wanted to kill a chicken to scare the monkeys, and there was no doubt that the person he would choose could only be Shi Xian, the Minister of the Central Secretariat, who was powerful but had a bad reputation!

This guy is simply a gift package for novices left by Emperor Yuan. Not only does he hold a high position and have great power, which can help him establish his authority, but he will also not be criticized. On the contrary, the court officials will applaud and respect the emperor even more.

It’s simply a double-edged sword!
In the Weiyang Palace, Liu Ao looked at the kneeling eunuch Shi Xian, and felt a little touched. This powerful official who had helped his father take the blame for many years was about to be eliminated. "Shi Xian, how many years have you been in the palace?"

"I...I have been castrated since I was a child, and now I can't remember how much time has passed." Although Shi Xian was puzzled, he always had a bad premonition.

As a powerful official who manipulated the whole world at his fingertips, he had a very keen political sense. Naturally, he was aware of the late emperor's intention to keep him around, but he just didn't dare to believe it.

I have been his white glove for decades, so even if I have no credit, I have worked hard, right? It is not that the new king cannot wait to take action against me as soon as he ascends the throne.

That would be like killing the donkey after it has done its work, and without you, how can you check and balance the foreign relatives and Confucian officials in the court?

Shi Xian always hoped to stay in power for a few more years, but it was his greed that ruined him. If he had known how to retreat from the current and give up power, he might still be alive.

Now the knife is at his neck.

"It should be thirty years, right? It's a pity that I've let you be the Minister of the Central Secretariat for so many years. Everyone else has been promoted, but you've stayed where you are. You won't blame me, will you?"

Liu Ao said lightly, his face calm, no one knew what he was thinking.

what?
Shi Xian was confused. Wasn't he the most powerful official now? For eunuchs, being the chief eunuch was the best of the best, equivalent to the eunuch holding the seal in the Ming Dynasty. What was the next step? The emperor?
His ominous feeling grew stronger and stronger.

"I intend to promote you to the position of Grand Horseman in Changxin Palace, to serve the Queen Mother. This will help you to show your achievements."

A smile appeared on Liu Ao's lips, which made Shi Xian feel a chill down his spine.

The Grand Coachman in Changxin Palace... This is a typical promotion in name only, demotion in reality! On the surface, his position is higher than that of the Minister of the Secretariat, but in reality, his power is almost zero, and he cannot interfere in the affairs of the Secretariat at all.

Sure enough, the thing I least want to face has come. His Majesty wants to use himself as a scapegoat!

Shi Xian was somewhat desperate, but there was nothing he could do. Everything he had was given by the emperor, so he could only bow his hands in thanks and say, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your support. I am deeply grateful."

He could only hope that His Majesty would let him go. He could accept being demoted, as long as he was alive.

Over the years, he has already earned hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes, enough for him to squander for the rest of his life. As long as he can return to his hometown, everything will be fine!

Shi Xian left with a hunched back, looking very lonely and desolate. Liu Ao saw all this and felt extremely satisfied.

A new emperor has new ministers. These are all my father's people. They may be loyal to my father but not necessarily to me. It is best to replace them all!
It has to be said that Liu Ao was worse than his father in politics and governing the country, and he had a bit of a selfish tendency, which was even worse for the emperor and had a very bad influence.

.........

The news that Shi Xian was transferred to the position of Grand Coachman in Changxin Palace soon spread throughout the capital, and the court was filled with applause.

This means that His Majesty is also dissatisfied with the eunuchs' dictatorship and plans to purge these people. Finally, the disease that has plagued the Han Dynasty for many years is finally going to disappear! Congratulations, without the eunuchs blocking us, I can definitely save the Han Dynasty!
This was what most Confucian officials thought in their hearts. They believed that they simply lacked a suitable political environment and a monarch who dared to delegate power. They had no idea that the decline of the Han Dynasty was irreversible.

Unless you can conjure up extra land, there's no hope.

"Brother, this is so kind! The treacherous minister Shi Xian has finally been punished! It makes people happy..."

Taichang Kuang Heng re-entered the room and said with an ecstatic look on his face.

He was really too excited. Shi Xian, whom he had hated for many years, had lost his power. The most important thing was that he had lost the emperor's trust. Then he could submit an impeachment petition!

His Majesty will certainly not protect him anymore, but will follow the will of the people and enforce justice on behalf of Heaven.

Chen Nian, who was transferred to be the Minister of Agriculture, also had a smile on his face, because he could finally avenge his teacher!
He has always hated the eunuch group to the core. After all, they indirectly killed his teacher, and the hatred of killing his teacher is irreconcilable!
"No, not yet. He is now the Grand Coachman of Changxin, still an important official in the inner court. Hou Yuan is also in charge of the Secretariat. Add to that the hundreds of millions of dollars he embezzled... this guy is still living a carefree life."

Chen Nian snorted coldly. He hated this kind of corruption and bribery. A real man should act in an upright manner, serve the country and the people wholeheartedly and put aside selfish desires. What was going on?

Hundreds of millions of dollars, plus jade, collectibles, land and the like, are of an inestimable value. If they were added to the government treasury, how many disaster victims could be saved!

"Brother, what you think is... impeachment?" Kuang Heng quickly understood what the other party meant. For such a treacherous minister, the best outcome would be death.

Since His Majesty has deprived him of his power, he no longer believes in him. If I impeach him now, the possibility of it working is very high! He is just a eunuch. If he is killed, then he is killed. The emperor will not care.

"Yes, impeachment, but before that, we must first ask the general's opinion." Chen pondered.

He has learned a lot over the years. As long as he follows the general, the eunuchs will not dare to persecute him, and he can concentrate on governing the country. Therefore, he must not forget to ask the general about this matter!

"General? That's fine." Kuang Heng agreed. If they wanted to get rid of this important official in the inner court, Xu Ning's opinion was very important.

The two Xus are now the most powerful people in the court. Xu Boqian has become the right prime minister, and the left prime minister is the foreign relative Wang Shang. As for the chief censor, it is still Xu Ming.

The real big relative by marriage, that is, the brother of Queen Mother Wang Zhengjun, Wang Feng, was the Grand Marshal and General of Cavalry, and was also in charge of the Secretariat. In fact, he was firmly suppressed by General Xu Ning.

But it seems that he has great potential, and His Majesty attaches great importance to him. Xu Ning is not young anymore. After his death, the position of general will undoubtedly go to Wang Feng!

Liu Ao's idea is to use external relatives to check and balance external relatives. Now the power of Feng Yewang, Xu Jia, Wang Shang and others is very strong, and if they are manipulated well, they can play a good restraining role.

.........

Chen Nian and others rushed to the general without stopping, but Xu Ning seemed to have expected it and did not even meet him. He just left a message:

"You are welcome to do as you please."

With this affirmation, the two finally felt relieved. It seemed that Shi Xian had already aroused public anger! No one in the world would speak for him anymore.

At the same time, with the downfall of Shi Xian, Hou Yuan's power declined and became less and less. Soon he was deprived of the power to lead the Secretariat. Lao Liang, Wu Lu, Chongzong and others were gradually marginalized, and the eunuch group completely lost its power.

The various forces of the foreign relatives led the Confucian officials in a full-scale counterattack, apparently intending to get a piece of the pie.

Of course, this also means that the external relatives officially replaced the Confucian officials. Without the existence of great Confucian scholars like Wang Si, Confucianism would inevitably decline.

The dispute between the two sides reached a climax, and the reports of Kuang Heng, Chen Nian and others were also handed over to Emperor Liu Ao.

(End of this chapter)