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

Chapter 76 Xu Gong passed away

A few months passed quickly. During this period, Xu Nan was not idle, but stepped up his contacts with the clan members to prepare for starting a new business in the future. At this time, he had made up his mind and it was impossible for him to stay.

Although Xu Gong was helpless about his eldest son's little tricks, there was nothing he could do. It was his own fault, but he had no choice but to do it. He owed his eldest brother more than just the position of head of the family.

What's more, getting rid of the noble status is the only way out for the family. Liu Che was very determined to suppress his meritorious officials, which was almost the attitude of most emperors in later generations.

A new emperor has new ministers. Even the vassal kings cannot avoid it, let alone the ministers.

Just half a month ago, a major event happened. After Liu Che dealt with the Huns, he began to think about Nanyue. Without Xu Gong's obstruction, he immediately began to prepare.

The heroes who contributed to this war did not agree with it, because the King of Nanyue had already agreed to the request for the whole country to submit, but the prime minister who actually controlled the government did not allow it.

The emperor was very angry and asked his meritorious officials to send people to attack the Baiyue and expand the territory for the Han Dynasty.

Although Xu Gong learned of Yue Xiang's plot to usurp the throne through spies, the court officials were unaware and therefore made every effort to shirk responsibility.

Another interesting point is that Liu Che did not use the rebellion of Yue Xiang to silence him, but took this opportunity to strip him of his title.

This was the famous practice of stripping a noble of his title by paying a fine! He used the excuse that the gold tributes from his meritorious officials were not of sufficient quality to strip 106 nobles of their titles, meaning that after this, most of the high-ranking nobles became commoners.

The intensity and determination of the attitude are truly astonishing.

Jinghou Mansion.

Xu Gong's face was filled with wrinkles as big as chasms. He was holding the teacup tremblingly, his face was very pale, and it seemed that he was in his twilight years.

The fact that his children ran away from home was actually a big blow to him, although he had expected it.

"Uncle, this is His Majesty's plan to conquer South Vietnam. Please take a look."

Xu Zhou, who was also very old, walked in, holding a bamboo slip in his hand.

Although Xu Gong is older in generation, he is younger than Xu Zhou, the son of his elder brother, so Xu Zhou is actually old as well.

"Ah."

Xu Gong took the bamboo slips calmly. He knew that he could not do anything at his age. His Majesty would certainly give him face, but only as long as he was alive.

Without anyone to dissuade him, Liu Che's warlike character would be exposed.

As he watched, he frowned, but soon relaxed.

"How much money is left in the treasury to support an army of 300,000?"

Xu Zhou thought for a moment and said, "I can't afford it."

"His Majesty has thought of a new way to make money. He said before that there can be enough military expenses without increasing taxes on the people." Xu Gong rarely smiled. He knew how sinister this Majesty, whom he had seen grow up, was.

Regardless of whether they were common people, powerful people, or meritorious officials and scholars, he treated them all equally and could be called an "expert" in making money.

Xu Zhou also gloated: "Of course we can take money from whoever has money. The common people are all hooligans, where do they get the money from?"

People who have no house or land are called gangsters.

"Your Majesty is worthy of being the descendant of Emperor Xiaowen and Emperor Xiaojing. Your temperament is exactly the same." Xu Gong put down the bamboo slips and fell into reminiscence.

Emperor Xiaowen was not the benevolent and weak monarch as recorded in history books. He was indeed benevolent but not weak at all. I remember my father said that.

Kindness was not a hindrance to Emperor Xiaowen, but the best tool that enabled him to do many things openly. He was a man who had mastered the art of power to the extreme.

Xu Zhou also laughed a few times. The court has been getting more and more interesting recently. Without his uncle's suppression, all the evildoers jumped out and started fighting for power. His Majesty is really troubled.

It looks like he's going to have to resort to knife surgery soon. "Oh right." Xu Gong suddenly thought of something, and there was something strange on his old face, "Your Majesty means that Nan'er will be the commander-in-chief of this expedition."

Xu Zhou also stopped smiling and said cautiously, "Yes, uncle. His Majesty personally appointed Nan'er to lead the battle, and did not even mention the general or the general of cavalry."

The most popular generals now are definitely the two generals who are relatives of the emperor. Not only are they high-ranking officials, but they are also deeply favored by the empress. Liu Ju's position as crown prince is as stable as Mount Tai.

No matter how you look at it, it won't be Xu Nan's turn to get this job of gaining military merit.

Unless there is a deeper meaning in your majesty's order.

"It seems that His Majesty is very happy to see our Xu family killing each other. It is understandable that His Majesty is very wary of you." Xu Gong took a sip of tea.

If the Xu family, this behemoth, is really as stable as a rock, the emperor will definitely not be able to sleep well. This split is good for the family.

At least it makes His Majesty think that the Xu family is easier to control. His deliberate support for Xu Nan also has this intention.

Xu Zhou: "Uncle, what should we do then? Just watch?"

"What else can I do? Can you still do something to your nephew? I know Nan'er's character very well. He is actually more soft-hearted than anyone else and cares more about family affection."

Xu Zhou was silent.

With the help of his nephew, Xu Gong stood up and walked out to the yard.

Looking at the grass and trees and smelling the pleasant scent of the flowers, he felt deeply moved. He never expected that the coward who dared not touch blood in the past would now become the prime minister who had been regent of the Han Dynasty for twenty years, the god of war in the eyes of the soldiers, and the most unreliable person, but now became the most reliable person.

Good luck.

Xu Zhou himself didn't know when he started to rely on his uncle who had always been self-righteous. Perhaps Xu Zhao didn't think of this when he entrusted everything to him.

Xu Gong picked up a petal, sniffed it, and said sadly: "My uncle will go to the peach forest to accompany my father and brother soon. Do you think they will blame me? After all, I didn't do it well."

Xu Zhou, who was already old, was just a child at this moment, with tears in his eyes: "No, uncle did a great job. Without you, how could the Xu family be where we are today?"

"But I...ah."

Xu Gong still thought that he was not as good as his brother, but he couldn't say it out loud. Just as people had thought before, he was a stubborn and self-righteous person. He was very proud and didn't want to admit that he was inferior to others.

"Uncle, if you have doubts, why don't you go and ask in person?" Xu Zhou didn't know how to comfort his uncle, so he could only try to make his death less painful.

"Yes, you are right, I should not be afraid of death. As my father taught me, destruction means rebirth." Xu Gong was helped into the pavilion, closed his eyes, sat quietly, and felt the beautiful scenery.

Xu Zhou stood aside, not daring to disturb him.

"I'm unwilling... Never mind, I'll just leave it to fate. What can I do if I'm unwilling? I'll just do my best."

"I'm sorry, brother. I really... tried my best."

As Xu Gong thought so, his last obsession also disappeared along with his soul.

He closed his eyes tightly, and his hands fell down weakly. This farewell was forever, and the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty would never wake up again.

After a long time, Xu Zhou sniffed his breath in fear, and finally shouted in a helpless voice: "The Patriarch... The Patriarch has passed away!!"

"The old prime minister has passed away!"

"The old prime minister has passed away!"

The servant's voice echoed throughout the Jinghou Mansion, and everyone learned the sad news.

(End of this chapter)