Controlling mountains and rivers since the Warring States Period

Chapter 547 Murong Division

"So there is still hope, isn't there?"

"Yes."

"But that won't apply to the Yan state, will it?"

"Yes."

When that dialogue, which touched upon both the boundless greed and the innocent beauty of humanity, reached its end...
Sun En laughed heartily and easily when facing the younger generation.

He said:
"Of all things in the world, the beginning is always the hardest."

"And things that have never happened before are more difficult for people to accept."

"But the seed has already appeared, and even if there is no soil for it to grow in this world, there will be in the future."

Does the younger generation want to say anything more?
For example, his skepticism about human nature.
For example, his concern about the moral integrity of meat-eaters.

For example, centuries later, will the swords in the hands of the powerful become even sharper, making it difficult for ordinary people to resist, even if they sacrifice themselves and fight to the death...

But in the end,
He simply nodded at Sun En.

Even if hope is fleeting,
But what makes humans different from beasts, and what makes them worthy of God's favor, is precisely their innocent yet stubborn nature.

As long as people don't give up on themselves

Heaven and earth will not abandon these lovely yet hateful creatures that live in their embrace.

"You don't need to go back to Yan."

"Since you're happy and content here, you can live here too."

Finally,

Sun En said this to the young man.

From the Yan state to the Xianbei, the mountains were too high to cross, so they had to take a detour.

This makes it much more difficult.

Besides, even Duke Sun En of Yan couldn't bear to watch many things happen in the Yan state anymore, so why drag others into suffering?

The seeds have been sown.

The wind and snow weighed down the fragile seedlings.
We don't have the power to change the world, nor is the time to do so, and there's no need to fight tooth and nail there.

To survive in weakness, and to avoid being subservient to the strong, one naturally needs to be agile, moving around and seizing opportunities to strike.

"The Xianbei were descendants of the Donghu, who had been neighbors with the Xia people for a thousand years and had considerable entanglements with them."

“If you are willing to do something for the Chinese, you should continue to teach them here, so as to avoid future disputes.”

The Xia kingdom in the west could even absorb the mixed-race, mixed-race people like the Germans and Celts into its subjects. Now, the ruler of the Liu family's Chu kingdom has a face with blue eyes and a purple beard.

There's no reason why the people of the Central Plains can't integrate the barbarians, who also have black hair and black eyes, into their own ranks.

Of course,
Given the discerning nature of gentlemen, it seems only those who are obedient and sensible can obtain such an opportunity.

"The Xianbei were separated from the Wuhuan and Xiongnu, and were far from the Central Plains. Their customs and barbarian traits had not disappeared, and they still had the custom of wearing their hair loose and their robes fastened on the left."

"However, after the Northern Xiongnu went far away, the Xianbei divided up a lot of grasslands and people, and their power had already flourished."

"If left to develop unchecked, it is unlikely to end well."

Upon hearing the ancestor's instructions, the other party immediately nodded in agreement.

"I know what to do!"

then,

The next day, as dawn broke, the healer emerged from the tent the herders had specially set up for him and approached the tribal chief, saying:
"Give me your sister in marriage, and I'll stay here from now on."

"what?"

Upon hearing this, the other party was taken aback at first, then became delighted.

He didn't ponder why the "miracle doctor" had suddenly said that; he only felt that it was something they had discussed yesterday, which some clever person had privately told the other party.

"Okay, okay, I'll call my sister over right away!"

The burly man immediately got up and ran out with his short, cheerful legs.

Shortly after,
A more robust woman followed him in. Her face was not beautiful and bore the marks of time, but it was clear that she had done some grooming.

This made her look better compared to her fellow grassland creatures.

But the doctor's expression couldn't help but turn serious the moment he saw her.

The leader continued enthusiastically, "My sister is healthy and capable; she's raised all the children she gave birth to!"

"If you ever have to manage cattle and horses and can't control these plague-ridden animals, my sister can help you!"

The doctor couldn't help but touch his own arm, then looked at the exaggerated pectoral muscles of the person opposite him, and felt a little hesitant and regretful.

But thinking of what happened yesterday and his unfinished business, he did not refuse.

quickly,

A small family was formed on the fertile grasslands at the eastern foot of the Great Xianbei Mountains.

The woman brought her youngest child with her, while the two older children inherited their biological father's pastures and flocks and remained in their original tribe.

...I don't know how my brother-in-law negotiated with my former brother-in-law's relatives and persuaded them to release a strong, capable woman who could give birth and fight.

The doctor sighed inwardly as he watched the woman catching a mischievous lamb that had run out of the pen with one hand, and the doctor trying to force-feed a sick ram medicine while holding it between his legs.

Once everything is settled,
He went back to the tent with the woman.

The child who was brought in was already asleep.

The couple quietly moved to the other side, sat on the soft and warm fur, took off their clothes and slippers, and wiped their bodies with a damp cloth.

Although the location near the Great Xianbei Mountain allowed this tribe to obtain a relatively large amount of water on a daily basis.

However, given the climate of the grasslands, wasting water resources is still not allowed.

Even though the legendary doctor had long ago told those around him that proper cleaning was beneficial in preventing illness, the herders would rather give their cattle and horses a bath than clean themselves.

Only those with a high status as doctors had the privilege of washing their face and feet inside tents.

"...This is a congratulatory gift from my friend, please wear it!"

As the woman crawled into bed, intending to embrace the doctor, he promptly interrupted her and took out a simple yet beautiful hairpin from his bosom.

This was a wedding gift that He Bo gave to the doctor after he heard that the doctor planned to get involved. He came down from the Xianbei Mountains.

"Don't act like we, the gentlemen of the Central Plains, can't afford to give betrothal gifts when we get married!"

"Take it back and make your wife happy!"

The doctor then accepted it.

Hairpins could be used to help women tie up their hair so that their vision wouldn't be obstructed when riding horses, herding livestock, or chasing cattle and sheep.

At the end of the hairpin hangs a small tassel.

After the woman put it on, the little gadget would sway and sway with her steps, exuding a unique grace.

This beauty is different from that of the grasslands, so captivating that one's gaze lingers and is reluctant to leave.

The woman never imagined that this treasure, which could be exchanged for many cattle and horses on the grasslands and win the favor of the chieftain, would be given to her so easily.

She was so moved that she couldn't speak, and just looked at her husband, tears welling up in her eyes.

The doctor felt a little intimidated by her gaze and couldn't help but shift his body slightly.

Until a pair of large hands reached out to him,

This middle-aged blended family was finally able to have more in-depth communication.

The spirits of Liaodong grumbled behind him, and casually prepared a few local specialties as nourishing and rejuvenating elixirs, intending to give them as gifts for the next time.

……

"Will the Yan Kingdom meet its end under the current emperor?"

Underworld

While verbally comforting the younger generation with "be strong and have hope," Sun En, who was actually feeling regretful and lost, found God fishing by the Luo River. Looking in the direction of Luoyang, he asked God a question.

The emperor inherited the rule of his father and grandfather, the national treasury was full and the population was growing, and the country was at its strongest.

And now,
Ban Chao had already brought order to the Western Regions, and the rulers of all the states crawled on their knees to the Protectorate of the Western Regions to show their submission to the emperor.

The Jiaonan State, established by the Qin State during the Warring States period, has also perished due to its "disloyalty," leaving behind only a city called Jiaonan, as well as many new forces formed by the bloodlines of the various Xia states.

Yellow sand rolls,

Many shadows of the past have been buried.

However, the number of people of Chinese descent from the Central Plains increased in the Western Regions over time.

This would naturally make the emperor and his officials in Luoyang feel happy and proud.

then,

They would naturally "go further" and launch new actions against the Yan state located in the northeast.

Let the Yan Kingdom and the Jiaonan Kingdom perish together, becoming the building blocks of the glorious Han Dynasty!
Sun En couldn't help but think:
I fear the Yan Kingdom's demise is imminent, within these next few years.

"No, no!" God, who had sacrificed the chance of a broken rod, waved his hand at him as he retracted his fishing rod to clear his head.

"Don't worry, Liu Da will die even before the State of Yan!"

"It can still live for many more years!"

Sun En was even more puzzled. "What do you mean by that?"

He Bo didn't reply, but instead took out a green-dyed hat from his pocket and handed it to Sun En.

Sun En still didn't understand.

So He Bo could only sigh and pat his knee, “Entangled, love-hate relationships always attract attention.”

"When you have time, remember to relax and enjoy some melon to soothe your mind and body."

In the third year of Yuanhe,

It was also in the winter of the first year of the Zhanghe era, when the emperor suddenly changed the name again.

The emperor, who doted on Consort Dou, unfortunately experienced her innate power of love—

Living deep in the palace for a long time,

She also heard from her mother about the doctor's words on "inbreeding" and believed that the emperor was the reason why Dou could not have her own children. She then fell in love with Guo Ju, a court attendant who accompanied the emperor and was allowed to enter and leave the palace.

How exactly did they get together?

Even a bystander would find it difficult to explain.

After all, no matter how bored they were, they wouldn't be constantly monitoring the people in the Luoyang Imperial Palace.

The world is so big,
There are so many fun things to do.
Those bastards wouldn't give up the whole forest for one big tree!
So when the dead discovered this clandestine relationship between the two, they were all very surprised.

Consort Liang and Consort Song, who formed the new era's Women's Revenge Alliance, also showed relieved smiles in the underworld.

Only the emperor remained in the dark, believing that his court and harem were in perfect peace.

but no matter,
Once something happens, it will eventually come to light.

During the harsh winter,

The emperor suddenly missed his empress, so he rode in his carriage to where Lady Dou was and gave instructions to the palace servants:
"No need to inform the Empress, just go directly there!"

then,

Guo Ju, who was gazing tenderly at the Empress in the palace, became somewhat anxious.

He became nervous when he heard Dou's men report that "the emperor is about to arrive."

I'm afraid I'm going to die!

Dou comforted him, saying, "What are you afraid of!"

"The emperor doesn't really care much for the harem!"

Compared to Emperor Guangwu, who occasionally measured the water level of his harem,
Emperor Ming, who frequently measured the water levels in the imperial harem,

The current emperor has been far too lax in managing the harem.

As long as Empress Dou doesn't cross the line of "murdering the imperial heir," he basically won't focus his energy on the harem.

otherwise,

How did Dou end up in this state?
"Just say that you're going to the palace to deliver gifts to me, as my mother wishes!"

Princess Biyang was very kind to her daughter and often sent her gifts.

Although Guo Ju was the emperor's attendant...
However, because of Guo's bloodline and that Guo was also her cousin, Dou often addressed him as "elder brother".

Moreover, given the prevailing social customs of the time, it is perfectly reasonable for the Empress to summon foreign officials.

The Qin and Han dynasties were open-minded, yet still retained the simplicity and naturalness of the Three Dynasties.

The empress system established on this basis was not like that of later generations, where she could only remain in the palace as the most dazzling signboard in the world. Instead, she truly shared power with the emperor and had the ability to govern the country.

otherwise,

Even Empress Wei Zifu, Emperor Wu's wife, lacked the confidence to conspire with her son to "strike first if things cannot succeed."

Seeing her calm and composed, Guo Ju also became more composed.

However, having designs on the emperor's harem was, after all, a sin.

The emperors of the present Han dynasty were not as uninhibited as those of the former Han dynasty in their playful interactions with others.

During the Former Han Dynasty, there were even instances of emperors throwing parties with their ministers!
I don't know if it's because the founding emperors of the two Han dynasties were different, and the latter had studied at the Imperial Academy.

then,

Upon catching sight of the emperor, even with Dou's reassurance, Guo Ju couldn't help but lose his composure and hastily drew his sword, startling the unprepared emperor.

It's freezing cold.

The emperor fell ill as a result, and Guo Ju was stripped of his official post and sent home to reflect on his actions.

after that,

The illness lingered, and the emperor's health fluctuated.

A minister advised:
"You can preside over the court assembly after the root cause of the illness is cured."

"If there are important national affairs, you may summon your close ministers to the palace for discussion."

However, the emperor felt that he had not yet reached the point of not attending court.

He said:
"Although the emperors of the Former Han Dynasty did not live long, most of them lived past the age of forty."

"The Emperor is long-lived, the Emperor is dignified, and I still have many years to live!"

that's it,
Even though he occasionally felt a burning sensation in his ears, the emperor continued to review memorials and handle state affairs.

As for the harem?

His energy is only fit for the nation.

As long as the Empress Dowager Dou is there to suppress all misfortune in the harem, everything will be fine.

Therefore,

In the third month of the second year of Zhanghe,

The emperor was greatly displeased.

After being given several doses of medicine, the emperor was unable to rise again and could only prepare for his death.

He first instructed his ministers, "Follow the example of the late emperor and give me a simple burial, without causing hardship to the people and wasting resources."

Then he said to Crown Prince Liu Zhao, "Inherit the ancestral state, continue the Liu family's ancestral temple, be filial to your mother, and be friendly to your brothers!"

Finally, he said to Empress Dou, "You must be prudent in assisting the government. Don't bring the temper you had in the inner palace to the court!"

Everyone readily agreed.

So the emperor closed his eyes with a slight sense of relief and regret.

He had expected to see his father and grandfather greet him with smiles, but instead he only saw two unhappy faces.

Liu Zhuang, the father, still wore the same solemn and dignified expression he had when he was alive. He stared at Liu Da for a while, then turned his head to look into the distance.

With a kind and gentle demeanor befitting his later years, his grandfather Liu Xiu patted his shoulder with a look that seemed both sorrowful and resentful.

Liu Da became terrified as a result.

“Ghosts and spirits are spiritual beings and can know things that many people cannot.”

"Have I made any mistakes in my governance that I haven't noticed?"

“There is nothing wrong with your governance,” Liu Zhuang said.

"But the imperial court and the harem are essentially one entity; how can there be double standards?"

Liu Da didn't quite understand what his father meant.

He wanted to argue that his energy was limited and that he wasn't like him, with a strong desire to control many things.

in this way,

Is it a reasonable plan to focus more on the affairs of the court and relax more on the harem?
Liu Xiu didn't say anything to him, but simply patted his grandson's shoulder, looked at his face—a face that, though in his early thirties, still retained a youthful appearance—and said:
"The biggest problem is simply that your health isn't good enough!"

To conquer the world and govern the world.

You need to be in good health to support yourself.

In politics, sometimes living a long life is more useful than being cheerful.

If Liu Da lived a long life
If they had outlived Empress Dowager Dou, even if they were unhappy with the young man's lax attitude towards the inner palace, they wouldn't be so worried about Empress Dowager Dou's future as empress dowager ruling the country.

"Let's go first!"

"Don't let certain guys see this and make us a laughing stock!"

After learning that his love-hate entanglement with the Guo and Yin families had already been the subject of several elaborate dramas orchestrated by the dead in the underworld, he...
Liu Xiu then became extremely wary of the onlookers.

He grabbed his son with one hand and led his grandson with the other, and quickly headed to Fengdu to go through the formalities.

(End of this chapter)