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

Chapter 132: Chunyu Chang is dismissed from office and Wang Mang takes power
The next step was to take the first step, which was to overthrow the current Weiwei, who was also the favorite nephew of Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun, who had high hopes for him.

Now he has all the advantages. Not only has he formed a faction in the court, but he has also won the favor of Wang Gen. Now everyone in the family thinks that Chunyu Chang will take over the position of Grand Marshal! As for another strong competitor, Wang Mang, it is highly unlikely that he will have a chance.

After so many years, he is still just a Shizhong. The only title of Guanglu Dafu that has some value is just an honorary position without any specific power.

The Wang family has no influence or power, and has nothing except a good reputation. They have never cared about these external things. Only real power is the most real.

However, different voices have emerged now, and many people have changed their minds and stood behind Wang Mang. The reason is that they have lost their identity as a Confucian doctor! For the first time, someone from the Wang family has entered the core layer of the Imperial College.

There is no doubt what it represents. This right to approve red documents is undoubtedly crucial. Maybe it will be possible to emulate the Xu family and control a college in the Imperial College!

So some people started to think about making a small investment for a big gain, maybe Wang Gen would change his mind.

Zheng Liangrong nodded without saying anything to his student, with a look of contempt: "A high official in the court actually did such a shameful thing! How shameful! If we allow this person to continue to serve in the court, it will definitely not be a good example."

"Don't worry, Ju Jun. I will report the truth to Brother Li and give him a good report! As long as it is true, Chun Yuchang will not sit still."

Wang Mang heard this and said, "Teacher, Master, he still refuses to recognize me."

Although Li Nianzhao approved the appointment letter after Xu Bo's death and after much persuasion from a group of Confucian doctors, he actually still refused to truly trust Wang Mang.

The Wang family is a group of traitors, and this stereotype has been deeply rooted in people's minds. Li Nianzhao subconsciously believes that Wang Mang is a hypocrite! If he were in power, he would definitely do something to usurp the throne.

That’s right, although Li Nianzhao forced Emperor Li to abdicate, he was an extreme monarchist and believed that no one except the Liu family was qualified to be the emperor.

Since the Liu family had the examples of Emperor Wen and Emperor Kang, it was not impossible for another Emperor Kang and Emperor Xuan to appear.

However, the facts have proved that this is not a stereotype. Wang Mang really did usurp the throne, but whether he was a hypocrite or not remains to be discussed.

He is just trying to save the country in his own way.

Zheng Liangrong shook his head bitterly: "Ju Jun, you are good in every way, except that your surname is Wang. The Wang family is a great family with many generations, and it is good for outsiders."

"But if you want to stay in the Imperial College, there are great restrictions. Whether it is the Law School across the street or our Confucian Academy, they don't have a good impression of the Wang family. They are corrupt and form cliques for personal gain. Isn't this a disaster?"

"Although I know you are not that kind of person, Brother Li still doesn't want to believe you."

Sure enough, things couldn't go that smoothly.

Wang Mang's face changed slightly. He had a lot of thoughts in his mind. If he didn't get Li Nianzhao's recognition, then he would have no hope of becoming the chief doctor.

The fact that he had forced the emperor to abdicate had already brought his reputation to a certain point. If this person did not nod, then even if he became a doctor, he would not be able to move forward. The influence of the teacher on Confucianism is too profound, and it is not an exaggeration to say that once a teacher, always a father.

Wang Mang can be considered as Li Nianzhao's disciple.

"You don't have to be discouraged. People are all made of flesh and blood. Brother Li may not look nice on the outside, but he is very sensitive inside. As long as you can impress him, you will be respected."

"Exchange sincerity for sincerity. This is the advice your teacher gives you." Seeing the student's look, Zheng Liangrong gave a suggestion.

He and Li Nianzhao were not from the same school, but strictly speaking, they were both from the same lineage as Wang Si. They had worked together for many years and could call each other senior brothers. They also understood each other's personalities very well.

He will respond to soft words and not hard ones. Threats will only make him more disgusted. For example, this time the criticism of Hong caused him bad feelings.

"Well... I have learned a lot from your teachings. I will work harder and strive to be recognized by my uncle-master." Wang Mang responded respectfully.

This is definitely the best option at the moment, and the process must be fast! Li Nianzhao's health is not good, and he has recently been selecting a successor from the younger generation.

But we haven't found the right one yet. There are actually not many of these new PhDs who can take on important tasks, as they lack prestige, character, and ability.

Therefore, Wang Mang still had a chance. As long as he could get past Li Nianzhao, the probability of success would be quite high. It just so happened that he planned to withdraw from the court for a short period of time, so he had plenty of time.

"That's good. I will report Chun Yuchang's problem to the teacher. Relax."

.........

At this time, the battle for the throne within the Wang family had entered a white-hot stage. Chunyu Chang first went to serve and accompany Wang Zhengjun in person, winning the favor of the Empress Dowager, and then promised huge benefits to his own followers and family members who held important positions in the family.

After a set of operations, we have achieved almost absolute advantage.

On the other hand, Wang Mang remained the same as before, diligent and honest, doing his job well, and won the favor of many people outside the Wang family faction. The conscientious disciples of the Wang family also began to support him secretly, but his chances of winning were not high.

This calmness surprised everyone. Didn't he know that this was a life-and-death fight?
If Wang Mang stayed away from the core of the family, he might have been spared, but having his life in the hands of others was not a good choice.

Every day is like walking on thin ice, and Chunyu Chang is a typical villain. Will he let go of someone who can threaten him? The answer is definitely no. The superiors all understand that wildfires cannot be extinguished, and spring breezes will bring new life.

A moment of leniency can lead to a catastrophe! Similar examples have appeared countless times in history, such as Gou Jian, the King of Yue who slept on straw and tasted gall, and conquered Wu with only 3,000 soldiers. However, because of his negligence, he was turned into a guest and became the host, and his generation of hegemon ended in humiliation.

If you do it again, you will undoubtedly be a fool.

Therefore, Wang Mang's calm appearance seemed abnormal, and no one knew what was brewing in his mind.

Anyway, Wang Gen didn't believe that this junior whom he was most optimistic about would choose to lie down and do nothing. It was illogical. If he gave up on seizing the throne, why would he work so hard in the Imperial Academy and even take the great Confucian Zheng Liangrong as his teacher? He must have big ambitions.

In June of the first year of Yuanshou, Li Nianzhao, the chief doctor of the Imperial Academy, submitted a memorial to the Grand Censor, impeaching Weiwei Chunyu Chang for having an affair with the wife of a nobleman, which was immoral, and requested that she be removed from her official position.

This incident shocked the whole of Chang'an. Who is this Chunyu Chang? The heir that the Wang family basically recognized. If he really did such a thing, the Xu family would not just let it go. They would definitely take advantage of the situation and do anything to weaken the Wang family. Moreover, this was a complaint filed by Li Nianzhao, the helmsman of contemporary Confucianism. How could it be suppressed so easily? The incident of Confucian scholars forcing Emperor Li to abdicate was still vivid in people's minds.

Long Sihou Han Bao had passed away long ago, so it was understandable that his widow couldn't stand the loneliness.

But this is undoubtedly against social customs! In addition, since it was exposed by the Confucianists, he must be severely punished this time!

It just so happened that Wang Gen was seriously ill and dying at that time. No one could speak for him anymore. Moreover, Wang Gen was the one who was going to choose his successor, and Chunyu Chang was certainly not qualified in his current state.

However, Chunyu Chang was Liu Xin's favorite minister and was highly valued. He still wanted to protect him, but not much, because it was impossible to protect him!
If he insisted on doing so, Li Nianzhao might repeat his actions back then.

"You are a doctor of the Imperial College, Lord Ju. Is this matter... what Dr. Li meant?"

In the palace, Wang Gen, who was lying on the couch, raised his head tremblingly and looked at Wang Mang, who was respectful below, feeling extremely angry.

He had high hopes for Chunyu Chang, who was also the nephew of his sister Wang Zhengjun, and was completely considered a close relative of his, the designated successor. He clearly had a bright future, with so many beauties waiting to choose from. Why would he do something that would bring disgrace upon himself?

Moreover, someone reported him to the evil spirit Li Nianzhao, so it would be useless even if I tried to protect him to the death.

"Yes..." Wang Mang was silent for a long time before he confirmed.

"This piece of trash! Can't he even control his lower body... cough cough cough..." Wang Gen coughed several times in anger. Wang Mang on the side hurried over to support him.

He knew that Chunyu Chang had extorted tens of millions of dollars from the wife of the previous emperor, Empress Xu, but he turned a blind eye to it because he was one of the few capable successors.

I had heard about the private promise of an official position, but I had no idea about the secret relationship with the widow of Marquis Long Si!
"Is this matter really hopeless? Ju Jun, please go and plead with Dr. Li. I still want to protect him." Wang Gen said this inexplicably. He knew that Wang Mang was his competitor, but he still asked.

Maybe it's because I'm old and I don't think before I speak.

Wang Mang looked embarrassed and said, "Uncle, it's not that I don't want to do it. You are not unaware of this uncle's attitude towards our Wang family. If I go to intercede, it will only have the opposite effect."

"It's very difficult. Very difficult. Even if I go to the teacher, it's unlikely to work."

"There is only one way to save Brother Chun, and that is to go find Prime Minister Xu Hua. The old Prime Minister Xu Bo has a history with Master Uncle, so maybe he can be saved."

Wang Gen fell silent after hearing this. He didn't say anything more. It was a good thing that Xu Hua didn't take advantage of his misfortune. Asking him for help? You must be dreaming. Dreams can hold anything.

To be honest, a member of the Wang family who is one of the nine ministers of the court and is trusted by the emperor is quite important. Maybe he can lead the family through the difficulties. After his death, the Xu family will definitely counterattack, and it will be difficult to withstand it then.

The reason why Chunyu Chang's surname is not Wang is that Liu Xin wants to recruit him without bloodshed. After overthrowing the Wang family, the Xu family will surely be the only one in power. Isn't this a typical case of the dragon slayer becoming the evil dragon?

It is quite difficult to divide the two Xu families from within in a short period of time. The method used by Emperor Wu and Emperor Kang to check and balance the family is to support the two branches of the Xu family separately and let them fight each other. This has been very useful for many years, and the emperors have been maneuvering between them.

But now the relationship between the two Xu leaders is very good, and Qinghe Xu's power is unable to compete with Henan Xu in any way. The strength is not equal, so how can we talk about checks and balances?
He could indeed be helped up in the later stage, but the problem was that Liu Xin himself was in poor health and he was anxious to make achievements, so recruiting the Wang family was a very good choice.

"Forget it, let him go. Jujun, go report to the Empress Dowager and let her decide how to deal with him."

Wang Gen gave up. It was fate and time. If that was the case, then forget it. All he could say was that this kid had a bad luck. He couldn't control his own crotch, and his wealth and glory slipped through his fingers.

.........

Soon, the matter was reported to the Changxin Palace. When the Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun heard about it, she was furious and demanded that the emperor immediately suspend him from office and put him in prison and severely punish such behavior!
Li Nianzhao was also constantly impeaching him and demanding that he should not be shielded. Although Liu Xin was reluctant, under the triple pressure of the empress dowager, the Imperial Academy and the court, he still dismissed Chunyu Chang from his official post and ordered him to return to his fiefdom Gaoling County and retire.

This is already an exception. If it were someone else, he would be badly injured if not dead.

Of course, it is hard to say whether Wang Mang and Xu Hua would let him go later, especially Wang Mang. He also understood the example of Goujian. Why would he gamble that nothing unexpected would happen when he could just kill him directly?
Moreover, this guy had tens of millions of dollars in wealth. With money in hand, who knows if there will be any accidents? So Chunyu Chang did not have a good end.

The storm came to an end, but it also marked that Wang Mang officially won the battle for the succession of the family. With his convenience in the Imperial College, he could kill without blinking an eye! With his super prestige, the doctor could even coerce the imperial power.

This Weiwei was dismissed, and there were not many people in the family who could take on important tasks, except Wang Mang! Although his official position was not high, he was a doctor of the Imperial College.

Soon, Wang Feng, one of the Five Marquisates, recommended the Shizhong Wang Mang as the Taifu. Liu Xin happened to have a good impression of this man, so he gladly accepted it without much hesitation.

Although Xu Hua tried to stop him, it was of no use because the emperor insisted on doing so.

It seems that Liu Xin has already set his target of recruitment on Wang Mang. It must be said that he was too rash. He did not even consider whether Wang Mang might be even more of a ferocious person.

From then on, the identity of the Wang family's successor was confirmed. He promised many benefits to Wang Feng and Wang Li, the only remaining of the Five Marquis, and gained the support of these main figures.

Through long-term and attentive care, he successfully won the favor of Wang Gen, who regarded him as the hope for the future of the Wang family. He provided him with a lot of conveniences and helped him to support his factions. His status as a doctor of the Imperial College made him even more powerful.

At the same time, Xu Hua was constantly condemning and impeaching Wang Mang, and intentionally or unintentionally helping the ambitious Hongyang Hou Wang Li in an attempt to change Wang Gen's mind.

He remembered his father's warning that Wang Mang was terrible! Even more difficult to deal with than Wang Feng. This man made up for his biggest shortcoming, which was reputation. In this way, his own advantage was gone.

Unfortunately, Emperor Liu Xin was again a bad teammate. He blocked all impeachments and was very satisfied with the new Grand Coachman.

This also proves the saying that "Wang Mang was humble before he usurped the throne."

With the emperor's indulgence, Wang Mang quickly grew powerful and seized almost all the power of the Wang family. After only two months as Taifu, he was transferred to Langzhongling, in charge of managing the palace guards.

He gradually became the leader of the Wang family in the court.

(End of this chapter)