Controlling mountains and rivers since the Warring States Period

Chapter 482 Kong Guang
While the Qin state in the Western Sea was still barely clinging to life...

As the newly established Sui Dynasty gradually ushered in its golden age, following the steps taken by its predecessors...

As the gods from the East gradually spread their fame to the West, becoming known and accepted by those outside the civilized world,
Several dead men were secretly squatting in the Han Dynasty court, reading the fortunes of Emperor Liu Xin.

"His health is very weak; he probably won't live much longer."

Yi Zhong, one of the patriarchs of traditional Chinese medicine, said this.

Ying Pijiang, the founding emperor of the Western Qin dynasty, who had shifted his focus from export to domestic sales, let out a sinister sneer:
"I always thought that cases like Liu Xin's only happened to Romans."

"Fortunately, my offspring do not have this problem!"

"Sigh, who can guarantee anything about matters of the heart?" Yi Zhong sighed.

Ying Pijiang immediately glared at him, then changed the subject.

"The Han court has become increasingly absurd in recent years."

"The disaster in the east has not yet been alleviated, but Chang'an in the west is still indulging in extravagant spending to please the emperor."

"This is even more outrageous than my Xuan Emperor and the Zhao family's Xuanzong."

After the suspicious, cruel, and ungrateful emperor of Western Qin died suddenly in the northern capital Epang, his successor followed the example of his neighbor and gave his father the posthumous title "Xuan".

The phrase "the front is bright, the back is dark" is called "mysterious".
Profound and unfathomable is called "mystery".
all in all,
The people of Qin had complex feelings toward this emperor who reigned for a long time, inherited the legacy of his predecessor in his youth, and further developed and expanded Qin, but in his middle age, he failed to suppress his restless desires, became obsessed with manipulating power, and his temperament became increasingly "tyrannical".

But was his affection for his son, who had instigated the rebellion and had no trace of the characteristics of the Chinese people, genuine or feigned?

Aside from the dead ghosts of the underworld,
No living person knows this now.

But from a certain perspective,

Despite their various remarkable actions, Emperor Xuan of Qin and Emperor Xuanzong of Xia ultimately considered the well-being of the ancestral temples and the state.

Where is it like the Han court?
Why would someone do all sorts of bizarre things to satisfy their inner infatuation?

This spring,
Empress Dowager Fu, who truly treated the emperor like an infant, never even lowering the curtain, and who liked to directly interfere in court affairs, finally died.

Before dying,

She forced the emperor to swear an oath:
"You must cherish the sons of the Fu family, have children with the Empress, and then let them inherit the throne!"

"You must treat me with the rites due to an empress dowager and place me in Emperor Yuan's mausoleum, posthumously honoring me as his empress!"

The emperor nodded in agreement, and after her death, despite the Empress Dowager's angry gaze, he fulfilled his grandmother's second request.

As for the first one?
The emperor could only express his sincere apologies.

Although he did not actually inherit Emperor Cheng's bloodline, he did share a "father-son" relationship with Emperor Cheng in terms of personal feelings.

True love is more important than offspring!
then,

With the death of Empress Dowager Fu, who had suppressed him, the emperor's favor towards Dong Xiande grew stronger day by day.

In just a few months,

The rise of the Dong family was even more prosperous and extraordinary than that of the real maternal relatives, the Wang, Fu, and Ding families.

While disregarding social norms for true love
After the long period of suppression suddenly dissipated, the emperor also faced some backlash and rebellion.

He recalled virtuous men like Kong Guang, appointed him as prime minister, and tasked him and other ministers who were still willing to speak up for the people with formulating policies to limit land ownership and slavery.

unfortunately,

The policy had just been proposed and had not yet been implemented when it encountered serious obstacles.

The elderly Kong Guang was so angry that he raised his beard, hung the prime minister's seal around his neck, and went to the residences of some powerful people to question them about why they were unwilling to implement the court's decrees.

The latter simply told him, "I didn't do it before because I wasn't familiar with this law."

"Now that I understand your and His Majesty's determination and will, I will certainly not hesitate any longer!"

Kong Guang then left satisfied.

The powerful and influential people who turned around also fulfilled their promise to the old man.

"Are you really going to return the land we've occupied to the imperial court?"

His children said to their father with great reluctance.

"Bullshit!"

The powerful and wealthy man glared at him, then waved his sleeve and said, "How could we have encroached on the imperial court's land?"

"It was clearly those ignorant common people who violated the laws of the court and privately cultivated the mountains, rivers, lakes, and marshes that belonged to the country!"

"go with!"

"Enforce the land restriction order thoroughly, double the enforcement!"

"As your father, I will be a loyal minister to the court!"

The offspring understood the meaning behind his words and happily went to do what he was supposed to do.

quickly,

Dust of the times
The growing pains of innovation
Inevitable twists and turns
This overwhelmed many people who could not afford the taxes and were unwilling to become slaves in the estates of the powerful and wealthy, so they fled to the mountains and fields to cultivate their own land.

Even retreating to the mountains and fields couldn't escape the court's turmoil, which finally enraged them.

Some heroes who had gathered in the mountains and forests raised their arms and shouted, and a new peasant uprising broke out.

Upon hearing this news, Kong Guang was overwhelmed and fainted on the spot.

When I woke up,
The energy and spirit he had when he formulated the land restriction order for the emperor had completely dissipated, leaving only a withered and weak old man.

The emperor, who was already weak-willed, realized that he was destined to be an incapable monarch who could control the overall situation and revitalize imperial power.

He quickly gave up and abandoned his ambitions, extinguishing the flames that had burned within him for so long, and only thought about spending the happy times he would spend with his true love.

"The dynasty will not last long."

"But I still hope to spend more time with you."

The emperor said this to his beloved.

Subsequently,

Not long after the emperor issued the land restriction order and suppressed the Fu family, the emperor's maternal relatives, he ordered that Dong Xian be granted large tracts of land, that a huge mansion be built for him like an imperial palace be constructed for him, and that a place be prepared for him in his own mausoleum.

"Anyway, if we don't give you this land, someone else will take it."

"It would be better for you and me to enjoy this kind of wealth!"

Then,
At another banquet, the emperor brought up the matter of "abdication," expressing his desire to pass the throne to Dong Xian.

It's almost over!

"I tore off the emperor's robe for you back then, so why can't I let you wear the emperor's crown and experience that kind of joy?"

The drunken emperor muttered to himself, clutching Dong Xian's sleeve tightly.

Because of this,
The dead ghosts of the underworld then peeked out to witness this miraculous scene.

of course,

King Kuai of Yan, who had previously engaged in similar behavior, dared not utter a word.

He was also the only one among the many dead who prayed that Liu Xin could live a longer life.

After all, if this person dies,
He's sure to have his past grievances dug up, and then be beaten and cursed by his ancestors and descendants.

……

"Alas, even the emperor is like this!"

"It certainly won't last long!"

The dead men couldn't help but sigh as they watched the emperor bestow a great deal of wealth upon Dong Xian in front of his court officials.

Although rise and fall are predetermined,

But the Han Dynasty was, after all, the first dynasty to maintain a long-lasting unified rule.
Its rule did indeed create unprecedented glory for the Chinese people.

In the past two hundred years,
The territory has expanded.

The nation's prestige was spread.

Civilization was spread.

And now,
The vibrant colors are about to fade.

"Let's head to the plateau and drink with the spirits and ghosts!"

The dead, feeling a pang of sorrow for the future of the Han Dynasty, waved goodbye and left the Chang'an court, heading to places untouched by mortals.

The emperor, seated high on his throne, seemed to sense something and looked around, tilting his head back and forth.

But he saw nothing.

In the spacious hall, only his ministers, holding their scepters, awaited his reply.

"Well!"

The emperor withdrew his gaze, no longer pondering the stirrings in his heart, and simply said, "As you request, dismiss Kong Guang from his post!"

that's it,
Kong Guang, who had only recently been reinstated,
They packed their bags once again.

As he looked back at Chang'an in the setting sun, he felt that the dazzling sunlight of his youth had taken on a dim, yellowish hue. The autumn leaves had turned withered and yellow.
Just like his aging body.

“But I still don’t understand.”

Why has the Han Dynasty become like this?

He gripped the handlebars of the bicycle frame, muttering to himself as the bike bounced along.

No one could answer him.

As the sun sets,

The carriages and horses gradually moved away, heading towards the east where the sun was rising.

When passing through Xindu
Wang Mang came to see Kong Guang.

This student, whom Kong Guang had watched grow up and taught, and who was now getting old, still had that humble and gentle demeanor.

He greeted Kong Guang according to etiquette, showing concern for the elder's health after the long journey.

Kong Guang sighed and said, "My health is not very good."

"The Han Dynasty's rule wasn't very good either."

"Lord Giant, do you know why this is?"

Wang Mang thought for a moment, then lowered his eyes and said, "Perhaps the ruler is not good enough."

"During the reign of Emperor Cheng, he neglected state affairs, which led to natural disasters, increased the pressure on the court, and created more problems."

"The current emperor also lacks a firm will and is unable to appoint a wise man like you, teacher, to implement policies that are beneficial to the country."

"If, during the reign of Emperor Yuancheng, the monarch could strictly restrain himself, act in accordance with the law, and not act arbitrarily because of his own likes and dislikes... then many problems could be suppressed and prevented from sprouting and growing."

"Is that right?"

After hearing this, Kong Guang pondered deeply.

He reflected on his life—

In his youth, he lived under the rule of Emperor Xuan.

In his prime, he lived under the rule of Emperor Yuan;
In his old age, he lived under the rule of Emperor Cheng and the current emperor.

He witnessed the glory and decline of the Han Dynasty, and how it was aging along with the nation, heading towards a decaying and dark underground.

"If we could have a wise and virtuous ruler like Emperor Xuan, what's wrong with my family losing the court's favor?"

Kong Guang had heard that Emperor Xuan had once reprimanded Emperor Yuan for his fondness for Confucianism.

"The Han dynasty had its own system, which was originally a mixture of benevolent and hegemonic ways. Why did it rely solely on moral teachings and adopt the Zhou dynasty's policies?"

"Moreover, vulgar scholars are out of touch with the times, preferring to praise the past and criticize the present, confusing people with fame and reality, leaving them unsure of what to uphold, and thus unworthy of being entrusted with any responsibility!"

Initially,

Kong Guang was still somewhat indignant upon learning of this passage, feeling that Emperor Xuan's understanding of Confucianism was slightly biased.

"How could the teachings of sages and saints be problematic?"

"Isn't it only right to value morality and promote education?"

The young Kong Guang said this.

But after he experienced and witnessed many things...
This descendant of Confucius gradually realized that "pure Confucianism" was indeed not suitable for governing the country.

Because facts have already proven that...
The visible decline of the Han Dynasty began during the reign of Emperor Yuan.

Kong Guang later smiled wryly at this.

He said to himself:
"Knowing full well that Emperor Xuan was a wise and benevolent ruler, why do we not agree with what he said as a monarch?"

"Does he think he's better at governing the country and handling affairs than Emperor Xuan?"

Most people have a tendency to be blindly arrogant.
Just like some parents who know their child is a genius, but when their precocious and intelligent child makes certain requests or expectations, they like to refuse them with "adult experience" or "what can a little kid like you know?" They completely forget the praise they gave their child in front of others, saying "a dragon among men, a talent of heaven and earth".

Therefore,
The belatedly enlightened Kong Guang would rather have another monarch who combined "the ways of the king and the way of the tyrant" than one who "exclusively honored Confucianism" in order to improve the world and alleviate the suffering of the people.

"But can the Han dynasty hold out until then?"

Emperor Yuan had few children.

Both Emperor Cheng and the current emperor have cut off their own escape routes.

With even the crown prince being chosen from among the imperial clan and feudal lords, how far could the Han Dynasty possibly go?

Kong Guang began to weep sadly, and even the disciples' attempts to comfort him could not stop him.

Only after he had cried himself to exhaustion and regained some of his senses did he wipe away his tears and begin talking to Wang Mang about other things.

"I'm leaving soon."

"Do not blame your wife; husband and wife should respect and love each other."

The reason I say this is because

This is because when Kong Guang arrived, Wang did not come forward to meet him.

Wang Mang was furious and threatened to punish the woman who had been disrespectful to her elders.

But Kong Guang knew the reason in his heart—

One year ago,

Wang Mang's second son, Wang Huo, was whipped to death by Wang Mang himself for killing a servant.

"A servant's life matters too!"

"I will not show favoritism to those who make mistakes because of this!"

This earned him further praise, with others believing that Wang Mang's virtue had transcended the mundane.

As a result, Wang cried day and night, eventually blinding herself and ruining her health.

The Wang family today,
Apart from her eldest son, Wang Yu, she refused to see anyone else and instead followed her mother-in-law's example, focusing all her attention on chanting sutras and praying to the clay Buddha statue.

Kong Guang didn't think so.
I am so special that I can rekindle the passion for life in this mother who witnessed her husband harming her child, and elicit a warm and welcoming response from her.

“Since the teacher says so, I will certainly obey,” Wang Mang replied respectfully.

Not long after,

Kong Guang set off again.

Wang Mang also came to see him off.

His eldest son, Wang Yu, followed his father meekly, seemingly wanting to say something to Kong Guang.

But he held back.

He waited to return home with his father, then secretly slipped out and rode a fast horse to catch up with Kong Guang's group.

He knelt before Kong Guang and cried out, "My father is not a good man."

“He had no affection for us brothers or my mother.”

"I beg you to intervene and help my parents get a divorce!"

"Otherwise, I don't know what my mother would have become!"

Kong Guang was shocked by his words, wondering why Wang Mang, whom everyone praised, would be criticized in this way by his son.

“I am unaware of what is happening in my disciple’s private quarters.”

Could you explain this to me?

Unfortunately, Wang Yu was not a very intelligent person.

He was nothing like his father; even his pursuit of Kong Guang this time required great courage.

Now, when I meet people and say a few words, my courage is gone, and I stumble and stammer, not knowing how to express the bitterness in my heart.

At last,
He simply bowed his head and kowtowed to Kong Guang, begging him to save his mother.

Before the stunned Kong Guang could respond,

Wang Yu sullenly climbed back onto his horse and returned home.

Kong Guang watched him leave and remained silent for a while.

"Should we return to Xindu?"

His old servant asked him, "The other person seems quite earnest."

Unfortunately, Kong Guang said, "A gentleman does not criticize other people's family affairs."

"Besides, I only listened to him and didn't know much about the Wang family's situation, so how could I do it directly?"

Since he has already been dismissed from office,
There is ample time to communicate with the disciples and understand the inside story.

Don't rush this moment.

"Let's go back to our hometown first and then talk about it."

Kong Guang turned around and climbed onto the carriage, putting aside his doubts about Wang Mang and continuing to worry about the affairs of the country.

(End of this chapter)