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

Chapter 107: The Top Aristocratic Clan of the Han Dynasty
Emperor Cheng of Han, Liu Ao, was not a good emperor. He was absolutely a complete tyrant who had almost no ability to control the government. Emperor Yuan of Han was much better than him. At least he knew how to support eunuchs to handle his funeral.

He reigned for more than 20 years and always held great power. People like Wang Si were no match for him and died in depression.

In contrast, Liu Ao delegated power to Grand Marshal Wang Feng in the early stage, and supported foreign relatives such as Xu Jia, Wang Shang, Feng Ye, etc., intending to make them check and balance each other.

But the result was disastrous. He gave too much power to Wang Feng and overestimated the abilities of Wang Shang and others. In the end, the Wang family monopolized the government. Liu Ao himself could not control himself and was suppressed by his ministers!

Compared with Emperor Yuan, he is far inferior.

Xu Zhen watched everything about the Han Dynasty through the "Heavenly Eye" and decided to take a gamble. Although he didn't know whether Wang Mang would usurp the Han Dynasty, he still planned to give it a try.

Anyway, there is another branch family to support him. With his and Xu Gong's reputation, at most he will be suppressed, but at least he can get a position as one of the Nine Ministers.

Xu Zhen planned to allow the Qinghe Xu family to be suppressed by Wang Feng, and then take advantage of the situation to develop in the local area and prepare to support the future Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, so as to ensure continued prosperity in the new dynasty.

Otherwise, as the emperor has his own ministers, Liu Xiu would not necessarily continue to allow Xu to be in power. But it would be different if Xu's son had helped him, as this person is very nostalgic.

After the middle of the Eastern Han Dynasty, there was no need to worry because aristocratic families had successfully developed.

By then, they can at least guarantee survival until the Tang Dynasty. Even if history is not changed, the Eastern Jin Dynasty is still a political system of aristocratic families!

"It's up to you this time. There's only so much I can do to help you with this kind of thing."

Xu Zhen sipped his tea and said calmly.

.........

General Xu Ning died of illness, and Emperor Liu Ao buried him personally next to Emperor Xuan's tomb with tears in his eyes. Although he didn't feel anything about it, he still had to pretend.

After all, he was an important official who held high positions in both the reigns of Emperor Xuan and Emperor Yuan, and those in the court who had received his favors were very high-ranking.

Even if you don’t look at the monk’s face, you should look at the Buddha’s face.

In the court, Liu Ao sat at the top with red eyes. It could be said that he was pretending to be the best.

"Your Majesty, please accept my condolences. The general would not want you to be sad for him."

Wang Feng spoke to comfort her, his expression also looking very heavy.

Of course, he was already very happy in his heart. Before, General Xu Ning had been suppressing him and protecting Xu Jia, who had been forced into a desperate situation, and maintaining the stability of the court.

Now that he is dead, the sea is wide and fish can leap freely, and the sky is high and birds can fly freely. The room for maneuver has become larger, and the position of general is almost secure.

Thinking of this, Wang Feng's heart became hot. A great general, the pinnacle of power in the true sense! Even above the prime minister.

Originally this position belonged to a relative by marriage, but Emperor Xuan made an exception and gave it to Xu Ning, and Emperor Yuan still trusted him, so it never changed.

Wang Feng could only be a General of Cavalry, and the emperor could not demote him without reason.

Liu Ao then wiped away his tears and said: "Although the general has passed away, the military affairs of this general cannot be left unattended, so a minister must be selected to inherit this position."

Then, without asking, he made a decision directly: "According to convention, the position of general is supposed to be given to a relative by marriage, that is, the emperor's uncle, the brother of my mother."

"Except for Xu, no one is an exception. Today, everything just got back on track."

"Promote General Wang Feng from the rank of Grand General, give him the title of Grand Marshal, and concurrently take charge of the Secretariat and the overall administration of state affairs."

Wang Feng then stepped out of the line without hurrying: "I thank your Majesty, and I will definitely live up to the court's expectations!"

Finally, finally, the position of general is finally mine!
Next we have to see who can continue to stop it.

Watching this scene, the left prime minister Wang Shang remained silent. He knew that a bloody storm was coming! After Wang Feng came to power, he would certainly eliminate dissidents. Xu Bo had the protection of his ancestors, but he had nothing.

Or except for the relative by marriage who he thought had the greatest power, he would definitely be the number one target.

"Your Majesty, I have something to say today, but I don't know whether I should mention it or not."

Jingzhao Yi Wangzhang said in a deep voice.

Liu Ao didn't think much about it and nodded, "Go ahead."

"Your Majesty, I impeach the newly appointed General Wang Feng! He has committed treason and has discussed state affairs without authorization. His crimes are unforgivable. It is inappropriate to allow him to occupy a high position."

Wang Zhang had always wanted to impeach him, but this time he really couldn't sit still. He had long seen that Wang Feng was ambitious! When General Xu was in power, he often formed cliques and eliminated dissidents.

How can he become a general without anyone to restrain him? I'm afraid there will never be peace in the world!
Therefore, we must never allow him to take power, otherwise it will be too late.

"This..." Liu Ao was speechless for a moment. He didn't expect Wang Zhang to sabotage him now. He had just issued the imperial edict. It would be too trifling if he really took it back.

In fact, Wang Zhang knew it. He didn't expect to succeed this time. He just wanted to express his attitude, saying that he did not submit to Wang Feng and calling on like-minded people to resist together.

I believe that with gradual progress, Your Majesty will realize this man's ambition and remove him.

Wang Feng just watched coldly. He had already sentenced him to death in his heart, but now was not the right time. He had to wait until the critical moment to take action.

Liu Ao was silent for a long time before he said, "Since you think Wang Feng is not suitable, then who else is suitable? There are very few people in the court with such qualifications and abilities."

"Xu Ming and King Feng Ye are both capable ministers. I believe they will be promoted to the position of general."

"I would like to recommend the Imperial Censor Xu Ming. His father is the former general Xu Ning. With his family's reputation as a nobleman, he will surely win the support of the people."

Wang Zhang recommended Xu Ming.

In fact, he has been dissatisfied with Wang Feng for a long time. When this guy was the General of Cavalry, he was in charge of the Shangshu affairs, governed the country in a mess, and was extremely fond of forming factions.

How could he be a great general? He chose to fight it to the end.

"Let's discuss this matter later." Liu Ao waved his hand. At least now Wang Feng is a very suitable candidate, and he needs to think about it again.

In fact, Xu Ming was not a bad choice, but he happened to be not very fond of the Xu family, so they chose General Wang Feng.

After all, Xu Ning had not made any preparations before. According to the normal process, he should be sent to the frontier to gain military merit first, and then come back when the time is right to take over the family's power and connections.

With the support of Henan Xu family and right prime minister Xu Bo, and finally marrying a daughter to Liu Ao, it was almost certain that he would become the general, without any suspense.

Unfortunately, Xu Ning did not do so, which meant that he did not want the Xu family to continue to control the government.

Liu Ao was not a very capable emperor, otherwise, he would not have been suppressed by Wang Feng in the future. Xu Ming's eyes also lit up, he saw hope, an opportunity for the family to rise!

As long as he can become the general again, he can regain power.

Only Xu Bo remained calm. He knew the emperor very well. He knew that the emperor was indecisive and would never abolish Wang Feng's position as general.

Wang Zhang will definitely die! There is no way he will be alive. By then, even Xu Ming might be retaliated against and liquidated by the Wang family's in-laws. At that time, he might be expelled from the court.

.........

In the period that followed, undercurrents surged in the Han Dynasty and the power struggle intensified. The foreign relatives led by Wang Feng were the first to defeat the left prime minister Wang Shang.

Wang Shang was falsely accused of interfering with state affairs. Under his threat, Liu Ao chose to compromise, dismissed Wang Shang from his position as prime minister and sent him back to his hometown.

After that, Xu Bo was promoted to the position of left prime minister. He followed the example of Xu Ning in the past and remained neutral, turning a deaf ear to what was happening outside and concentrating on handling state affairs, so the fire did not spread here.

Xu Ming was not so lucky. He helped Wang Zhang and came into direct conflict with Wang Shang's in-laws. His power was severely damaged and a large number of his clansmen and disciples were dismissed from office and imprisoned.

Liu Ao really didn't like the Xu family. He was more inclined to his in-laws and supported Wang Feng intentionally or unintentionally.

It's not just him who has some plans.

Soon, Jingzhao Yi Wangzhang, who impeached Wang Feng, was impeached by the Shangshu and imprisoned, and died unjustly in prison. This greatly shocked the opposition forces in the court, and the originally tough Feng Yewang also backed down in an instant.

Because he was also one of the people Wang Zhang mentioned before! He was so worried that he fell seriously ill and couldn't get out of bed for three consecutive months. The courage to confront Shi Xian head-on was now completely wiped out.

In other words, his anger towards Wang was not strong at all, far less than that of the eunuchs.

Snapped!
Inside the Xu residence, Xu Ming angrily threw the bamboo slips to the ground with an ugly look on his face.

"This Wang Feng is so audacious! He even dared to frame the dignified Jingzhao Yi so blatantly! Where does he put me, the Imperial Censor, in such a blatant way?"

The person who impeached Wang Zhang was a Shangshu, and this person was under the jurisdiction of Xu Ming. It can be said that he was using a flood to flush out the Dragon King Temple.

The key point is that he, the Dragon King, has no solution! Because this is Liu Ao's will, he can't vent his anger on the emperor, that would be too inappropriate.

"Father, please calm down. You must not be reckless now." Xu Ming's eldest son Xu Min came over and whispered to comfort him. He was also very angry.

What a prestigious family we are! Ever since our ancestor Xu Zhen became the Grand Tutor, almost every generation of the Xu family has had a member who holds the title of one of the Three Dukes.

Among them, there were important ministers like Xu Gong and Xu Ning who monopolized power. Throughout history, apart from kings, which family could prosper to such an extent?

Coupled with the terrifying influence of the Imperial College he founded, no one could match him. "Three generations of officials in four generations" is completely inadequate to describe it.

The Wang family has only been prosperous for a few generations. Although they are still considered a bureaucratic family, they are truly nouveau riche compared to the Xu family.

It is no wonder that Xu Min looks down on them. He really has the capital to do so because his family's influence is too strong.

"Alas..." Xu Ming seemed to have aged by a dozen years, and said sadly: "If my father were still alive, how could this guy dare to be so presumptuous!"

When Xu Ning was alive, he really dominated the era. Who dared to be presumptuous like Shi Xian and Wang Feng? As a result, in his own generation, he was directly suppressed by his former vassal.

It's so embarrassing, really shameful.

"Father, don't panic. In the past, Gou Jian, the King of Yue, endured hardships and finally defeated the arrogant King Fu Chai of Wu with only 3,000 soldiers. We can only endure humiliation and bear heavy burdens."

Xu Min also advised his father to stay out of the spotlight for the time being. Originally, he did not agree with his uncle's ideas, but now he has really changed his mind. After all, the reality is here.

The Wang family’s in-laws are so powerful that no one can suppress them.

"No." Xu Ming waved his hand: "I have never given up easily in my life. If my father can suppress him, then I can do the same."

Xu Ming is a typical person who will not turn back until he hits the wall and will fight to the end.

After a while, he said to his eldest son, "Min'er, I have already recommended you to His Majesty. You will go to Qinghe to serve as the Prime Minister later. You must find a way out for yourself."

Xu Ming had already made plans. It was enough to have the support of the Henan lineage in the court. Xu Bo's position as prime minister was as stable as a rock. Coupled with his terrifying influence, even Wang Feng did not dare to offend him easily.

Therefore, Xu's power in the court will not completely disappear.

If I really fail, I can retreat to my base camp Qinghe, close the door and prepare to make a comeback.

This is the advantage of family background. Wang Zhang can kill all the members of the Xu family, but this is not the case. The public opinion war in the Imperial College is still useful. Xu Bo has become the head of the Imperial College half a year ago.

After nearly fifty years, the leadership of the Imperial College returned to the hands of Xu's descendants.

"Father, do you want me to go back to Qinghe?"

Of course Xu Min understood what his father meant, and couldn't help feeling sad. Even when Emperor Xuan was forced into such a situation, the family still did not give up its roots in Chang'an.

As a result, he has now been squeezed out by a mere Wang Feng and has fallen to this point.

"Yes, that's a good place, it's where our roots are."

The two Xus have always been developing their grassroots forces. Xu Ming's fiefdom is in Qinghe, so he has always focused on developing Qinghe.

They owned thousands of hectares of fertile land, nearly ten thousand slaves, and more than one hundred thousand subordinate tenants. They were the second most powerful family in the Han Dynasty. The Enfeoffment Order was of little use to the Xu family.

The number one wealthy family was the Xu family of Henan. Although their name contained the word Henan, in fact Jinghou’s fief was in Nanyang, and they had always been active in Henan.

Of course it is on the political level. In fact, the wealth is in Nanyang, with 30,000 hectares of fertile land, more than 10,000 slaves, hundreds of war horses, and even armed soldiers. This is unprecedented!
Anyone can have guards, but it is illegal for soldiers to wear armor in the Han Dynasty. Only the Jinghou of each generation have this privilege. They can maintain a guard team of 300 armored soldiers within the family fiefdom. If there are more than that, the title will be stripped.

Armor is strictly controlled. Even the hundreds of sets of armor owned by the Xu family are actually leftovers from soldiers on the front line.

But it is also quite terrifying "Ten thousand acres of fertile land, three hundred soldiers in armor, over ten thousand servants, and hundreds of millions of money" - this is the wealth of the title of Jinghou!
Henan Xu's power in Nanyang far exceeds that of Qinghe Xu
The two titles of Marquis Jing and Marquis Changyuan were actually privileges, and were obtained with the special approval of Emperor Wu and the efforts of Xu Gong.

This led to the Xu family being able to exploit the power of the people at will, that is, land annexation. Indeed, the Xu family themselves were not very honest, and there was no landlord who did not annex land.

This is no different from looking for a decent girl in a brothel.

The difference is that the Xu family's methods are more formal, and they will not use illegal means to bankrupt farmers. Everything is voluntary, and the rent is the lowest in the Han Dynasty, but it still cannot cover up the bad nature of the landlords.

(End of this chapter)