Wait, please don't call me Emperor Zhaolie

Chapter 482: Ministers Pay Homage to the Emperor
A few days later, Lu Su, who was in charge of building sea ships in Donglai State, came to Pingyuan in a carriage to pay a visit to the emperor.

Also accompanying him were the uneasy King of Donglai Liu Xie and Queen Fu Shou.

Since Liu Xie returned from Jiuquan County, he met Liu Bei in Yunyang Palace and was enfeoffed in Donglai State, and he has been always in a state of panic.

He was afraid that it would be just as Guo Si said. Suddenly, an official brought him a pot of poisoned wine and asked him to drink it and set off like the deposed emperor.

He lived in this state of panic until Lu Zijing was appointed Prime Minister of Donglai and visited the king in the palace, where he had many heart-to-heart talks with him.

Liu Xie gradually came to believe that with the emperor's magnanimous character, great talent and strategy, as long as he did not take the initiative to do something to seek death and violate the Han laws.

Then you will have absolutely nothing to do and can spend your life at leisure.

Just like that, within two years, Liu Xie, Fu Shou and Dong each had two sons. Liu Xie had more free time and developed a hobby of studying medicine, and even invited a doctor to teach him medical skills.

After achieving some success, he changed his name to Liu An and provided free medical treatment to the common people in Huang County, Donglai.

As a result, when he suddenly heard that Liu Bei, the emperor of the Han Dynasty, had come to Qingzhou, he immediately became frightened.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. May your Majesty live forever and enjoy eternal happiness!"

Following the summons from the officials of the Secretariat, Liu Xie arranged the princes' attire, bowed and walked forward more than twenty steps, entered the palace, lowered his head and dared not look around, and immediately kowtowed and saluted.

According to the Han Dynasty etiquette system, the princes first met the emperor and then the prime minister, so Lu Su was still waiting outside.

"King Donglai, there is no need for so much formality. I have heard that you love medicine and often treat the people. When the Luoyang Imperial Physician's Office completes the compilation of the Medical Classics, I will have someone copy it and give it to you."

"The best doctors heal the country, the middle doctors heal the people, and the lower doctors heal the diseases. Now I have healed the whole world and won the hearts of the people. There are only many diseases and difficult diseases that cannot be cured by taking the pulse. Since King Donglai has the heart to heal diseases, I will treat them for Liu."

"Perhaps it can also prevent the Yellow Turban Rebellion from happening again."

Liu Bei raised his hand to let Liu Xie stand up, then smiled and said.

Cold sweat suddenly broke out on Liu Xie's forehead. Even when he stood up, his whole body felt shaky and he did not dare to look up into the emperor's eyes.

He had heard about it a long time ago, that during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the emperor had finally made great contributions and was appointed as the lieutenant of Anxi County, but he was suddenly hit with an imperial edict, demanding money from the Inspector for support, so the emperor had no choice but to whip the Inspector and let him resign.

As the ancients said: The son pays for the father's faults. Could the emperor be hinting at something at this moment?

Liu Xie subconsciously clutched his robe tightly. Being born in an imperial family, he had suffered a lot.

His elder brother was poisoned to death before he reached adulthood, and he almost died in wars many times. If he had a choice, he would only want to be the son of a wealthy family and not worry all the time.

"Your Majesty, the Han Dynasty has been declining. Fortunately, I have been entrusted with the mission of inheriting the throne. I dare not harbor any delusions. I just want to spend the rest of my life with my wife!"

Although Liu Xie was afraid, he still bowed and explained with trembling hands.

He really had no intention of taking back the throne. There were many Liu clan members living in Donglai Kingdom, but he never interacted with them. Even if there were Confucian scholars from the nearby Beihai County who wanted to visit him, he would refuse them all.

Even when he went out to practice medicine he did not dare to use the name Liu Xie, for he was afraid of accumulating fame, so he changed it to Liu An, which means to buy peace and tranquility.

"Don't panic, King Donglai. I don't intend to punish you without reason. As long as you have no wrongdoings and abide by the laws of Donglai, you will be fine."

"But the current title of king will be demoted to Marquis of Ting when it is passed to your descendants..." Liu Bei then said.

This is the Han Dynasty's consistent way of governing the princes, and it was not initiated by Liu Bei.

Liu Xie was naturally very clear about this, and immediately trembled with excitement and bowed his hands, thanking him and saying: "Thank you very much, Your Majesty, for your magnanimity. I will repay your grace by tying my head in death or by paying my respects to you."

This was the first time the emperor had made a clear promise. As long as he did not cross the two bottom lines, he would not have to worry about drinking poison and dying. "If King Donglai has nothing else to do, please leave. Since you have come to Pingyuan County, you should take a good look around before leaving."

Liu Bei said with a chuckle.

The princes were not allowed to leave their own states without permission. If Liu Xie had not agreed to the other party's request this time, he might not even be able to leave the village near Huang County.

It's a rare opportunity for him to come out, so let him walk outside.

After Liu Xie bowed and left, Lu Su was immediately ordered to come in.

"I kowtow to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live forever!"

As soon as Lu Su finished speaking, Liu Bei stood up with a smile, walked down to look at him carefully, and said with a smile: "Zi Jing, I haven't seen you for many years, and you are still as charming as ever."

"My hair and beard have become thicker and thicker. It seems that the soil and water in Qingzhou are more nourishing to human beings!"

As soon as these words came out, that familiar feeling instantly returned. Lu Su couldn't help but smile, bowed and sighed, "Your Majesty, I dare not hide the truth from you, building a sea-going ship to cross the sea is really difficult."

"In order to explore the changes in sea winds and various reefs, Su almost died in the sea. If I were not good at swimming, I am afraid that the position of Donglai Prime Minister would have changed several times."

"To lead the Han Dynasty's maritime affairs, Governor Zhou may be more suitable than Su."

Lu Su couldn't help but smile bitterly.

He led the Donglai navy and almost lost Liaodong and Lelang. He also fought with the soldiers under the traitor Gongsun Du, and even a naval battle broke out.

Now Gongsun Du built beacon towers every fifteen miles along the coast to prevent him from making a sudden attack on Liaodong.

"Zi Jing has worked so hard and devoted all his energy to the maritime affairs, and I have kept it in mind."

"But the voyage cannot be neglected. Now that the Wuhuan in the three counties have been defeated, the Han army can head straight to Liaodong. After annihilating Gongsun Du, we will sail north to foreign lands to look for edible plants. If we can return with something, we can be granted the title of marquis." Liu Bei smiled and comforted him.

"If Zijing wants an assistant, Yang Xiu from Hongnong County has some talent. I can transfer him to you."

Zhou Yu had his own things to take care of, so he naturally could not be transferred to Qingzhou. At this time, apart from Lu Su, there was no other capable and qualified minister in the court to take on this matter.

I have to trouble Lu Zijing temporarily.

If we wait a few more years, and after Yuanzhi, Kongming, Shiyuan, Cao Zixiu and others have gained experience, and with the addition of imperial examinations to select talents, the Han family will gradually have more virtuous people.

Liu Bei was thinking in his mind.

……

On October 22, the fifth year of Jianxing, after examining the administration of Qingzhou officials over the years, Liu Bei ordered officials from various counties to return to their local areas one after another. At the same time, he also bid farewell to his fellow villagers in Pingyuan.

Amid the loud drums and music and the farewell of the crowd, Liu Bei led the central army back to Luoyang along the north bank of the river.

During the process, he summoned the governors of all the counties in Yanzhou that had not yet measured the land and asked them to carry out the measurement next year.

Then he ordered the governors of Jing, You and Jiao provinces to measure the fields of each ethnic group and re-record taxes, no later than the end of the sixth year of Jianxing. Those who violated the order would be imprisoned.

Only after the land measurement is completed can we prevent the gentry and wealthy families from falsely reporting cultivated land when they migrate.

(End of this chapter)