Controlling mountains and rivers since the Warring States Period

Chapter 574 The Song Envoy Discusses the Han Dynasty
In the second year of Yanguang,

The State of Song successfully defeated Rome and recovered the Longxi region.

Although the plan to recapture Yu Bi City failed due to insufficient naval strength,
Overall, most of the fragments left after the bombing of Western Qin have been collected, with only a few historical issues remaining unresolved, such as the Beidi Commandery in Taixi Continent, the Lixuan Commandery in Rong Continent, and the Northern Qin across the Western Sea.

But it doesn't matter.

After all, these three territories were acquired only after the Western Qin had made great strides in expansion.

To discuss the orthodoxy of legal reasoning
That meant the revival of the Qin Dynasty, with Yongzhou, located in the corner of the Western Sea, and the Hejiang Plain, where the gentry of the Xia people had lived since ancient times, being the core of the vast empire of Western Qin.

"It's just a bit of a pity that it can't span multiple continents."

The Black Bird of Western Qin was pleased with this, but at the same time, it became greedy and felt a pang of heartache looking at the fertile land that the Nile River had carved out.

A white dove from the Mediterranean flew over and pecked at its feathers, angrily scolding:
"What a pity!"

"Rome was also part of the Qin Dynasty!"

"You've already occupied the entire Western Sea, aren't you satisfied?"

The black bird retaliated, shouting as it did so:
"'Qin' what 'Qin'? Gan Ying was drunk and spouted nonsense. It doesn't count!"

"Besides, you can never be satisfied with just a vast territory!"

Spanning many continents, it sounds incredibly impressive!
"Humph!"

"Anyway, Rome also has the blood of the Qin Dynasty, that's beyond doubt!"

The pigeon cooed twice, reminding the descendants of the Northern Qin prince that they were now also part of the Roman royal family.

This is why Gan Ying, after visiting Rome, praised this great Western power as worthy of being called "the Qin of our time"—

When this guy first arrived in Rome

Before Zhao Yu established the Song Dynasty, many places in the Western Sea region were in a state of collapse.

He could only travel by boat from Qi, through Egypt, to Ctesi.

On his second trip to Rome, Gan Ying received financial assistance from Zhao Yu and traversed the entire Western Sea, witnessing firsthand the devastation. Naturally, he greatly admired the prosperous and unified Rome.

When Gan Ying saw the Northern Qin prince who had involuntarily married into the family at the banquet, she couldn't help but say, emboldened by the alcohol:
"I have heard that there is a great power west of the Central Plains called 'Qin'."

"Now that the Qin dynasty of the Western Sea has ended, I suppose your country is the one that is now called 'Qin'?"

These words reached Augustus's ears, which brought a smile to his face.

Although his family had descendants of the Qin dynasty, and the Qin people had long considered him "similar to me," many of his nobles studied the culture of the Xia dynasty, and he was currently at war with the state established by Liu's son...

It can be said to have gathered all the elements that make it called "Qin".

But the Roman standard of the eagle has its own pride.
He still prefers to be called by his formal name.

but,

This did not stop the pigeons from flying up to the black bird and making provocative cooing sounds.

Meanwhile, as the Western duo of black and white clashes engaged in fierce aerial combat in the skies above the Roman province of Egypt, nearly obliterating the entire road,
The Nile crocodiles, who are truly in charge of managing this land, are nestled in the damp mud of the riverbank, basking in the warm sun and letting out a satisfied sigh.

……

"Ah!"

Luoyang

Gan Ying, who was entertaining the Song envoy, suddenly sneezed, feeling a sense of unease about being whispered about behind her back.

Seeing him looking around suspiciously, the Song envoy asked with concern:
Was the illness caused by the fatigue of the journey?

Gan Ying stroked his gray beard and shook his head, saying:
"I have traveled back and forth between East and West many times, and I am in very good health. My lifespan will surely be long, and I will not suddenly fall ill."

"Maybe someone is talking badly about me behind my back."

The Song envoy burst into laughter, but did not respond to Gan Ying's sarcastic remarks.

The two savored the fine wine.
Then Gan Ying asked the Song envoy, "How does our Great Han compare to the Song Kingdom?"

The Song envoy immediately replied, "It is so magnificent and dazzling!"

"You should be clear in your mind about the relative strength and status of the Han and Song dynasties, right?"

Upon hearing this, Gan Ying stroked his beard and burst into laughter.

Because of Zhao Yu's financial support, Gan Ying was still considered a distinguished guest in the Song Dynasty, even without his status as a Han envoy.

After defeating the Xiongnu who suddenly appeared from the north, Zhao Yu invited him to a banquet and asked him about the differences between the Han and Song dynasties.

When Gan Ying was sent as an envoy to the great Xia states, although he could not be as arrogant and wanton as his counterparts in the Western Regions, humiliating the rulers of those states with the narrow-mindedness of Yelang, he still possessed the pride of an angel.

He quoted Confucius from the Analects in his reply to the smug Zhao Yu:
"The emperor is like the North Star, which remains in its place while all the other stars revolve around it."

"Why would we need to distinguish their brightness levels?"

Isn't it obvious at a glance?

Zhao Yu wasn't angry; he simply smiled and replied:
"The sun and moon rise and set, and the stars also shift their direction."

"Over time, even oceans can turn into mulberry fields, let alone nations."

Gan Ying kept these words in mind and, knowing the purpose of the Song envoy's visit, hoped to witness firsthand and proclaim to other places that the Mandate of Heaven of the Great Han would never fall.

The Xinxia, ​​the earliest branch of the Zhuxia people, had already submitted.
The others also submitted to the authority of the Central Kingdom.
Why is the West Sea still so stubborn even after the dynasty changed?

as predicted,

The Song envoys continued the style of the Western Sea.

He shook his head and said, "Like cooking oil over a blazing fire, how can it last?"

Although the extravagant lifestyle of the Han Dynasty was somewhat curbed under the strong pressure of Empress Dowager Deng.

Overall, however, the nobles continued to sing and dance.

At most, it has changed from being open and aboveboard to being enjoyed behind closed doors by oneself.

After all, this is the "heart of ten thousand people," how can it be taken away by the will of Deng Sui alone?

In Luoyang, right under Empress Dowager Deng's nose, they kept a relatively good watchful eye.

But the farther away from Luoyang they were, the more unrestrained they became.

The long-term effects of extravagance are naturally extremely negative.

Before being suppressed by Deng Sui, the nobles of Luoyang had already shown a tendency to "compete in wealth".

For the powerful and wealthy, money is no longer a big deal; what they value most is their reputation!

But a family's wealth is ultimately limited.

Moreover, given the way nobles "use money like dirt," even if they had as much money as the East Sea, they would eventually run out of it.

Therefore,
Soliciting money and bribes from subordinates also became a common practice.

Wang Sheng's two daughters would often travel to various places in the emperor's name to show off their power.

Wherever they went, they were exploited and extorted. If they were dissatisfied, even high-ranking officials like prefects and governors would lose their positions.

They even spread rumors that officials in prefectures and counties could be measured by their wealth.

As long as the money is in place.
This high-ranking official position, which Emperor Xuan of the Former Han Dynasty once proclaimed to be "jointly governing the world," will fall into your lap!
When lower-ranking officials are extorted too much, they either angrily resign and leave this corrupt bureaucracy, or they smoothly accept these rules and will proactively seek more motivation for their own advancement.

Not to mention the various mosquitoes and flies that Zhang Heng encountered while overseeing water conservancy projects in different regions,
It is said that on his way from Guanzhong to Luoyang, Yang Zhen encountered several officials who offered him bribes under the guise of visiting him. Thus, this old scholar acquired the elegant title of "Master of Four Knowledges".

"But the fact that such a title could be passed down proves that bribery was rampant in the Han Dynasty at that time."

"Everyone knows Yang Zhen's 'Four Knowledges,' but besides praising his noble character, has anyone reflected on or corrected this?"

The Song envoy said in a deep voice, "Those above and below demand money for bribes, but where does that money ultimately come from?"

It simply comes from the farmland and from the loom!

Nobles would not touch such things; only common people need to be with them day and night.

"I wonder if the blood and tears shed by living beings can fill the insatiable desires of meat-eaters."

Upon hearing this, Gan Ying's smile gradually faded, and she lowered her head to drink her sorrows away.

Having spent years traveling abroad as an envoy, he was not very familiar with the customs and practices of the country.

When they were stationed in the Western Regions with their former superior, Ban Chao, the winds and sand there were bitter and harsh, leaving them with no means of luxury. They squeezed the small kingdoms of the Western Regions dry.

It can't compare to the prosperity of the Central Plains!

There, a population of ten thousand or so can occupy a city-state and establish a country!

therefore,

After concluding her final mission and returning to her home in Luoyang, Gan Ying became bewildered by many of the current trends in the Han Dynasty.

As a native of the Han Dynasty,

Aside from the problems pointed out by the Song envoy, he was even more aware of what would happen if this situation reached the lower levels:
Ordinary people would never be those who die peacefully of hunger.

Those who were more comfortable with their situation would, after struggling to breathe, choose to abandon their land and houses and move into the estates of local powerful families.

anyway,

The powerful families had lived and thrived in the area for generations, and they naturally had a deep affection for the land beneath their feet.

They naturally hoped that their own land could be peaceful, and by extension, they also wanted to give the people on the land, who were like ants, a chance to breathe and survive.

Those who are more violent will follow the path of Chen Sheng and Wu Guang.

How could Gan Ying not feel frustrated?
He spent a considerable amount of time in Xihai, and his relationship with Zhao Yu was something Gan Ying could boast about:
"The State of Song was established under my witness."

therefore,

Gan Ying was much more familiar with the situation in the State of Song at this time than with her hometown.

When the dynasty was first established,

With one heart and one mind,
Pure and simple...

It was truly vibrant with life, and everything was flourishing.

By comparison,

After Emperor Liu Hu fully seized power, the Han Dynasty, which had been suppressing its true nature for many years and indulged in all things, even allowing others to share in the imperial treasures, began to show signs of decline.

This monarch was often petty and calculating in his dealings with the country.

He was so generous to those he trusted that it outraged his subjects.

He even showed favor to the palace maids around him, allowing them to join forces with the eunuchs to control the power within the imperial city!

Now there's really no need to compare him to Emperor Cheng and Emperor Ai of the Former Han Dynasty anymore.

The latter did not indulge eunuchs and palace maids.

"I have also recently heard that the Emperor of the Han Dynasty, knowing that the national treasury was empty, ordered the construction of a new residence for his wet nurse."

The Song envoy's words pulled Gan Ying, who was trying to pretend to be dead, to her senses.

Gan Ying sighed and agreed, "Yes, that is true."

Compared to the years when Empress Dowager Deng was in power, natural disasters in the Han Dynasty were indeed much less frequent.

However, this does not mean that the world will be at peace and without worries.

What's meant to happen will happen.
It's just that it won't be as unruly and beyond the scope of ordinary human experience as before.

Therefore,
The imperial court has been consistently distributing disaster relief grain as required.

These were all things we were used to before. The treasury had both inflows and outflows, and considering the accumulation left by Empress Dowager Deng, there shouldn't have been any overdraft issues.

However, the emperor was dissatisfied with this balance of revenue and expenditure.

He stretched out his large hand and took out a large amount of money and grain, which he then distributed to his wet nurse, relatives, and confidants.

This amount is five times that of the previous emperors of the Han Dynasty!

Even if Deng Sui sold all her blood, the money she saved wouldn't be enough for the emperor to squander!
So it only took two or three years.

The once full treasury became empty, and this year's disaster was not dealt with in time, causing many people to lose their lives.

Ministers like Yang Zhen began writing memorials frantically, hoping to awaken the emperor's conscience and sense of responsibility.

But the emperor did not listen. Instead, he used the excuse that "Ye Wangjun has worked hard to raise the crown prince and should be moved to a new house as a reward" to build a new house for the wet nurse.

The cost was well over 100 million yuan.

Meanwhile, Fan Feng, Xie Yun, and others in charge of this matter, seeing that the emperor ignored all advice and was solely immersed in the pleasure of construction, also became unscrupulous.

They forged imperial edicts, diverted the money and grain from the Grand Minister of Agriculture and the timber from the master craftsmen to build their own houses, gardens, and pavilions, incurring countless labor costs.

Even after someone reported them, the emperor still wouldn't listen.

He couldn't hear the cries of the hungry people, nor the voices of his ministers offering advice; he was completely absorbed in his own world.

He also proudly told Empress Yan:
“Once the wet nurse’s new house is completed, I will depose Liu Bao, which will be a double celebration.”

Empress Yan was immediately delighted, but she did not forget to remind the emperor, "Then we must speed up the process of summoning eligible sons from the imperial clan."

Today,

The emperor still couldn't have a new child.

If it weren't for Liu Bao's existence, which proved his fertility, the whole world would probably be worried about the emperor's fertility.

But this still didn't stop the emperor from disliking his only son.

Because of his true love for Empress Yan, Liu Bao's deposition was inevitable.

As for the question of who should inherit the throne...
At Empress Yan's urging, the emperor considered selecting from eligible members of the imperial clan.

This approach
This truly broadened the horizons of the Song envoy.

While he was studying, he had heard that Emperor Cheng of the Former Han Dynasty had personally cut off his own lineage, and he had even doubted the truth of the matter.

After all, royal succession is of great significance.

Even the most foolish monarch wouldn't sterilize himself.

During the turmoil in the Western Sea,
Even the most mad warlords will show a sliver of humanity in front of their own offspring.

Unfortunately, the classic is being remade right before our eyes.

The Song envoy could only admit that he had been naive back then.

There are far too many demons and monsters in this world; he has indeed seen too little of them.

The Central Plains still have a lot of talented people!

Thinking of this,

The Song envoy raised his wine cup and finally couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Gan Ying was even more frustrated. Pretending to be unable to hold her liquor, she simply slumped onto the table and fell asleep.

In Wang Sheng's mansion,

Liu Bao huddled anxiously in the room, worried about Wang Nan and Bing Ji, who had been ordered to be taken away by Wang Sheng.

After confirming that the emperor truly cared nothing for his only son's life under his rule...

Wang Sheng became increasingly arrogant, often scolding Liu Bao and deliberately keeping him locked up at home, preventing him from going to the academy to study.

Wang Nan and his companions couldn't stand her rudeness and fought against her multiple times in order to protect Liu Bao.

But the results were mostly unsatisfactory.

The two of them would always be whipped by Wang Sheng in his rage.

right now,

Wang Sheng is about to own a new luxury mansion.

The sons of local feudal lords also arrived in Luoyang one after another.
She no longer needed to keep those two despicable people who kept offending her.

"Go after these two first, then go after that brat Liu Bao."

"All we need to do is curry favor with the crown prince His Majesty has chosen for him."

They watched helplessly as Wang and his companion were whipped to death.
Wang Sheng waved his sleeve, creating a wisp of rouge fragrance, and spoke to his two daughters.

(End of this chapter)