Controlling mountains and rivers since the Warring States Period

Chapter 575 Who died surrounded by abalone?

In the winter of the second year of Yanguang,
The renovation was completed after spending countless manpower and resources and seizing the magnificent buildings of small residential houses in several streets and alleys of Luoyang.

Amidst the sounds of firecrackers celebrating the Lunar New Year,

The cries of the helpless people, mingled with the blizzard in the north, were filled with the wails of those who could not receive aid.

There were also the sobs of people whose homes were forcibly demolished and who were driven out of the city.

King Shengxi of Yewang moved to his new residence.

Before that,
Having broken Liu Bao's support, Wang Sheng has already reported the Crown Prince's "disloyal intentions" to the emperor.

Just like when they framed Deng Zhi and others,
A so-called servant's denunciation,

Upon closer examination, the charges against him are laughable.

This enraged the emperor, who deposed the crown prince, renamed him the Prince of Jiyin, and moved the young Liu Bao to a remote and impoverished hut under the West Bell in a corner of the palace.

Yang Zhen and other officials defended Liu Bao, arguing that it was impossible for Wang Sheng to say that "the ten-year-old crown prince and his close attendants plotted to kill the emperor."

Between the government and the public,

Who doesn't know that although Liu Bao was an only son, he was not favored by the emperor and was moved out of the palace at a young age to suffer torment from Wang Sheng?

Who doesn't know that after Empress Dowager Deng left, the emperor quickly purged the people she left behind to protect her grandson? Now, her wet nurse and the food supervisor have both been humiliated and killed by Wang Sheng.

Everyone knows that Liu Baolian was severely rejected when he approached the palace gate to see his father, and was ordered by Empress Yan to "stay away so as not to offend my eyes".
Such is Liu Bao,
How could he possibly conspire with someone to murder the emperor?

How could such a plan possibly be implemented?
Unfortunately, the emperor only ever listened to what he wanted to hear.

He refused to allow Yang Zhen and others to point out any suspicious points and instead had them arrested and imprisoned.

Upon hearing this, the Song envoy, who had not yet left Luoyang, couldn't help but laugh sarcastically:
"Can such a person be the emperor of the Chinese nation?"

He doesn't even care about his only child.
They don't even care about ministers who offer honest advice.
Can we still pray that he cares about the millions of people of China?

"It seems that after three hundred years, the Mandate of Heaven will fall to the Western Sea."

Ying Qin's long-cherished wish
This will finally be realized during the Song Dynasty.

Gan Ying remained silent on this matter.

Shortly thereafter,

The Song envoy was also arrested and imprisoned.

It wasn't Gan Ying who reported it!
However, due to the special status of the Song envoy, many people paid close attention to his words and actions.

And the pursuits of the people of the Western Sea...

In truth, the great man understood this in his heart.

Therefore,
When rumors of his "disrespect for the central state" spread, the Grand Commandant of the Han Dynasty came directly to his door, took the Song envoy away, and imprisoned him.

Gan Ying tried to stop this thing that was detrimental to the friendship between the two countries, but she was also arrested and imprisoned in the same cell, so that they could hold hands and look at each other with tears in their eyes.

Some officials who were on good terms with Gan Ying and had served under Ban Chao in the past wanted to plead for her.
But the emperor still didn't believe it.

He wouldn't even listen to his own son's explanation, so how could he possibly meet with the ministers?

He's busy preparing for the New Year!

But perhaps it was fate deliberately choosing the end of the year to make things difficult for the emperor.

At this time when we should be chatting and laughing, expressing our wishes for the coming year,
A commoner from Hejian County has once again displeased the emperor.

Zhao Teng,

He was a scholar from Hejian County of the Han Dynasty.

Although she had no chance of being recommended as a candidate for the civil service examination because of her humble background, she still had a heart that cared about national affairs.

He often sought information from messengers who came from and were going to unknown places, and who knew about the situation in many places.

Whenever I hear of a disaster in a certain place, I sigh deeply and worry about the people there.

Fortunately, the imperial court would eventually issue decrees to open granaries and provide relief, alleviating the disaster and bringing comfort to Zhao Teng.

But in the past three or four years,

Disasters still occur, but the frequency of relief efforts has decreased, and the measures are not as thorough as before. Instead, efforts are being made to relocate people to the more fertile Jiangnan region to seek a better life.

Other than that,

Zhao Teng also heard about the various chaotic things that happened after the emperor seized power:
For example, eunuchs and palace maids shared the emperor's power and influence.

For example, three families related to the empress divide up power in the imperial court.

For example, the emperor deposed Empress Dowager Deng and "imprisoned the second generation," issuing an order that prohibited the sons of corrupt officials from entering or leaving the court.

For example, the virtuous Deng was wrongfully executed...

all in all,
All of these events gave Zhao Teng, who was concerned about national affairs, a bad feeling.

then,

He packed his things, bid farewell to his wife and parents, and set off for Luoyang to report the chaos in the land to the emperor and to correct the monarch's mistakes.

Some people tried to dissuade him, saying, "National affairs are for important people in the imperial court to discuss. You are not even a minor official in the county. How can you make arbitrary criticisms?"

Zhao Teng said angrily, "In the Former Han Dynasty, the emperor could summon the people to discuss matters. Why can't the Han Dynasty do that now?"

"Moreover, the emperor is the sovereign and father of all people. If we do not convey our feelings to His Majesty, who is far away in Luoyang, how can we help our sovereign and father govern the country well?"

Having said that,

He set off in an oxcart.

Upon arriving in Luoyang, Zhao Teng wrote down everything he had seen and heard along the way and submitted it to the officials he could contact, earnestly expressing his hopes to the emperor in the document:
Correcting previous mistakes,
Create a better future.

then,

The enraged emperor then imprisoned Zhao Teng on the grounds that he "questioned the emperor's wisdom."

During the Chinese New Year,

Instead of staying home and peacefully celebrating the Lunar New Year,
He ran away from Hejian County to Luoyang, only to cause himself more trouble.
This person is absolutely despicable!
Zhao Teng was imprisoned in the cell next to Yang Zhen's.

Yang Zhen, upon learning of the former's story, expressed strong admiration for it.

Despite being far removed from official life, he still cared deeply about national affairs and dared to express his opinions to the monarch.

This is a legacy of the ancients from the Spring and Autumn Period!

This kind of people,

This is extremely rare in an era where imperial power is growing stronger!

Yang Zhen then submitted a memorial from prison, hoping to plead for Zhao Teng's life.

He attempted to use his reputation to protect Zhao Teng, a commoner from humble origins.

But the emperor didn't even look at him and directly ordered Zhao Teng to be executed in the spring.

Yang Zhen watched as this younger generation, who seemed a bit foolish to people today but could be called a gentleman of ancient times, was dragged out and never returned. He then fell ill with worry in prison.

In the third month of the third year of Yanguang,

The emperor, who had deposed the crown prince, favored the wet nurse, and punished the court officials, was full of pride and believed that no one in the world could restrain him anymore.

So he issued the order to go on an inspection tour, planning to travel eastward and perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai along the way.

Before getting on the frame,

When the emperor heard about Yang Zhen's illness, he felt that letting this renowned Confucian scholar die in prison would only bring too much annoying buzzing to his ears.

Therefore, he showed leniency and allowed Yang Zhen's family to carry the old man out of the prison.

The moment Yang Zhen saw the light of day, tears streamed down his face, wetting his grandson's back.

When we got home,
He refused the doctor's treatment and only said to his descendants:
"I have studied the classics all my life. After being recommended by Deng Xiaoping, I entered the court as an official, hoping to assist the monarch and restore the prosperity and stability of the Mingzhang and Yongyuan eras."

"Unfortunately, all of you in the court over the years have failed to protect the loyal and virtuous, nor have you been able to advise the emperor."

"This led to the murder of Lady Deng, the death of a virtuous and noble man, and the dethronement of the crown prince, who was then made the Prince of Jiyin!"

"me!"

He spoke so passionately that he lost his breath and fainted.

After his descendants finally managed to wake the old man, Yang Zhen refused to eat or drink and wept as he gazed in the direction of the palace.

that night,

He then committed suicide by poisoning himself, leaving behind a letter in which he said:
“Death is inevitable for everyone. I have been granted the throne by the Emperor’s grace, yet I hate the cunning and treacherous officials but cannot execute them, and I despise the wicked concubines but cannot stop them from causing chaos. What face do I have to face the people of the world? After my death, I will only use miscellaneous wood for my coffin, and a cloth sheet to cover my body. I will not be buried in a proper place, and no shrines will be set up for me.”

His descendants wept bitterly and then wanted to send the coffin back to his hometown in Shaanxi.

Fan Feng, who harbored deep resentment because Yang Zhen had accused him of forging an imperial edict, heard about this and sent a message to the local officials, ordering them to stop Yang Zhen's funeral procession.

After a series of maneuvers, Yang Zhen's coffin was placed by the roadside to be exposed to the wind and sun, while his descendants were detained by officials and forced to serve as postmen and be driven around.

When Kong Guang in the underworld heard about this, he too was moved to tears.

He greatly admired Yang Zhen, a younger generation, and thought that he was very similar to himself back then.

However, compared to the damage to his reputation caused by his disciple Wang Mang,

Yang Zhen's experience was more direct and even more heartbreaking.

The emperors of the two Han dynasties also felt extremely ashamed.

After all, no matter how much the older generation tormented their subjects and killed their entire families, they wouldn't go so far as to continue targeting them after their deaths.

What grudge do you have?
Why bother the family who are dead and rotting and stinking in their coffins like this?

Fan Feng and Yang Zhen are not in the same situation as Wu Zixu!
"It's over, it's really over!"

"How could the Han Dynasty have become like this in just a few years!"

The late emperors joined in the lamentation, and Yang Zhen, who was beside them grieving for the fate of his descendants, felt somewhat embarrassed and said something.

Tacitus solemnly pointed out that only by coming from the West to study the laws of the underworld and learn advanced experiences could one better build the Mediterranean underworld:
"This is why I have always opposed monarchical autocracy!"

"It is extremely difficult to govern a country well."

"Therefore, a wise ruler may not necessarily create a good era, but a foolish ruler can certainly ruin the achievements of his predecessors!"

Destruction is much easier than management!
"Don't say that to us."

Still grieving over his unworthy descendants, Emperor Guangwu waved his hand and told Tashituo Sun En the address of this Duke of Yan.

"Why don't you go and debate with the people of Yan about whether shared governance or solitary governance is better?"

"I'm going to focus my energy on cursing my descendants now!"

Tacitus then turned and left.

Xiuer continued to huddle together with her children and grandchildren, uttering words filled with resentment:
"Even if it shortens my remaining lifespan, I must not let that foolish descendant Liu Hu continue to ruin the world!"

He was in power for only four years.

This has created such a vibrant scene.
The Qin Dynasty, which lasted only two generations, failed to achieve this.

Because the Qin Dynasty was sitting on a volcano from the very beginning, the second emperor, Fusu, faced too many legacy problems.

Even Wang Mang, who died in his first generation, failed to achieve this.

Because Wang Mang inherited the legacy of several generations of contradictions accumulated during the Former Han Dynasty, and then reigned as emperor for more than ten years.

Emperor Guangwu couldn't imagine what kind of terrible things Liu Hu would do if he lived a few more years!
……

at the same time,

The emperor who had completed the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai was unaware of the fervor his ancestors had shown him.

He also reminisced about the beautiful moment when he embraced his true love, Empress Yan, atop Mount Tai, and the exhilarating feeling of "viewing all the mountains as small."

of course,

Empress Yan's words, urging him to choose a crown prince from the imperial family members who had gathered in Luoyang from all over the country, kept echoing in the emperor's ears.

"Good good!"

"When we get back to Luoyang, I will definitely choose an obedient and filial child for us!"

On the return journey, he held Empress Yan's hand and spoke gently.

When passing through Wancheng
The emperor, who had originally intended to tour the east, recalled that Emperor Guangwu had once gathered people here to raise the banner of rebellion against Wang Mang. So he ordered the carriages to stop and began to admire the traces left by his ancestors in Wancheng.

“Walking here, I always feel like I’m walking alongside the founding emperor.”

They drove away the people.
As the emperor and Empress Yan enjoyed the quiet streets, the emperor suddenly remarked with emotion:
"I have a feeling that the spirits of my ancestors are calling me from heaven."

Empress Yan said with a smile, "This must be because His Majesty's great achievements have earned the recognition of our ancestors!"

The emperor nodded, agreeing with her point.

The two walked slowly in the breeze of the setting sun.

If we ignore the residents of Wancheng who were driven away,

Ignoring the laborers who were busy traveling because of the emperor's eastern tour,

Ignore those disaster victims who were blocked from coming to the emperor to tell their stories of suffering.

At this moment, this couple walking hand in hand truly embodies the beauty of peaceful times and deep affection.

unfortunately,

Perhaps it was because of the wind that blew in during the night,
Perhaps it was the call of the ancestors that worked.
Late at night, the emperor suddenly felt unwell.

He developed a high fever, and the accompanying doctors could not bring the heat down no matter what they tried.

Empress Yan sat beside the emperor, weeping. Her tears ached both the emperor's body and his heart.

But the high fever left him unable to speak or have the strength, and the emperor was unable to hug Yan Shi to comfort her.

Fortunately, Yan was only worried about her future wealth and status, not the emperor's safety, and did not need his comfort.

The vehicle reached Ye County,

The emperor, suffering from a persistent high fever, died.

After he had exhausted the accumulation of several generations,
After he had tormented the country's loyal ministers and good sons,
After he ruined the glory that belonged to the modern Han dynasty,
He left very decisively and cleanly.

However, he did not designate a successor before his death.

Those members of the imperial family who had been summoned to Luoyang to participate in the "crown prince selection" stared at each other, hoping that he would return from the east and make a choice.

His only child huddled beneath the palace of West Bell, lamenting the loss of his loved one.

As for Empress Yan...

After a moment of panic, he and the eunuch Fan Feng made a decision that went against the wishes of their ancestors—

The death must be kept secret!

Let's pretend the emperor is still ill!

Let the vehicle continue its journey towards Luoyang!

After all, the group of sycophants surrounding the emperor had conspired and concluded that if the emperor's death were announced now, the officials left behind in Luoyang would likely immediately enthrone Liu Bao.

Because he was the emperor's only son.

If he doesn't become the next emperor, who will?
Unlike Liu Sheng, the Prince of Pingyuan, Liu Hu was not weak and sickly from childhood, and was also disqualified from succession by Empress Dowager Deng, who was in charge of state affairs.

in this way,

This is not in the interest of Empress Yan and others.

Everyone knows,

Liu Bao and they are already mortal enemies.

then,

In order to disguise himself and successfully return to Luoyang, enter the palace, and seize power...
Empress Yan, the emperor's true love, ordered countless abalone and preserved foods to be found in the surrounding area and piled around the emperor's carriage to cover up the smell emanating from the emperor's corpse.

It was the height of summer.
The emperor is rotting faster than he has been in power; there's no other way but to stop him.

Turning a fake into a real one

Empress Yan and the others had to suppress their nausea and continue to "take care" of the emperor as usual.

Until they get what they want.

……

"It's so salty!"

"It's almost been marinated to perfection, isn't it?"

The winds from the East China Sea blew up to the Central Plains again, but this time they did not cause much damage to the coastal people.

Only the First Emperor noticed something was amiss.

Why are you staring at me?

"Am I the one lying in the car frame, surrounded by pickled abalone?"

"The only one who can compare with Liu Hu in terms of who has more charm is yourself!"

The more He Bo looked at him, the more agitated the First Emperor became. In the end, he chose to abandon the "greetings of a long-awaited reunion" and instead breathed directly at God.

(End of this chapter)