A son who doesn't resemble his father? Love you, old man, see you at Xuanwu Gate!

Chapter 112 Poisoner
The vigilance of the Liu family monarchs.

Gongsun Hong was always full of praise for it.

Most of their actions are driven by political considerations.

A ruler like the Emperor, who considers all aspects of politics, from the perspective of the court to the common people, is even more rare.

Born in the seventh year of Emperor Gaozu's reign, Gongsun Hong could be said to have lived through all periods of the Han Dynasty. He grew up under the rule of Emperor Gaozu, Emperor Hui, and Empress Lü, and served three emperors: Emperor Wen, Emperor Jing, and Your Majesty. It must be said that having a great ruler is a blessing for the world.

If I had to point out any shortcomings, it would be that I am still young and need to make some adjustments to the imperial system and the order of things.

“Your Majesty, according to regulations, when the Han Dynasty wages wars in the south and north, all the prefectures, counties, and vassal kingdoms must also send troops, even to the utmost,” Gongsun Hongshu said.

The founding system of the Han Dynasty had many drawbacks, which were detrimental to the emperor and the court, but also to the feudal lords.

Until his death, Emperor Gaozu did one thing: centralize power and left behind "three essentials".

First, we must be wary of the feudal lords; second, we must be wary of the local powerful clans; and third, we must be wary of them uniting together.

Naturally, they also anticipated and prepared for the possibility of the imperial court sending troops, leaving the central government vulnerable.

The method was simple: send troops together.

When the imperial court dispatched troops, the prefectures, counties, and kingdoms were required to send troops to respond to the imperial edict and join the southern and northern armies in their campaigns.

The reason why our dynasty has fewer troops is that the armies of the vassal kings and their kingdoms have been severely reduced, and Your Majesty looks down on the meager resources of the vassal kingdoms.

However, the military service system was never abolished.

The spring campaign only used elite cavalry, so there was little need for soldiers. However, when marching south to force the internal vassals of Nanyue, soldiers became useful. Even if it only made them appear more numerous and powerful, it could terrify the southern barbarians.

Furthermore, during the founding wars of the Han Dynasty, the power of the imperial clan was relatively small. In order to win over the people and boost morale, the vassal kings also had to participate in military campaigns.

This system was rarely used in later periods to prevent feudal lords from recruiting generals; however, the system of kings accompanying their armies was never abolished.

Since we are worried that the vassal kings might play dirty tricks in their own vassal states, we might as well get everyone involved.

"Does the Prime Minister mean that all the vassal kings and their royal troops should follow the Crossbowman Lu Bode south?" Liu Ju's eyes lit up.

Those who died in battle were more honored in history than those who were debauched, lawless, or punished to death.

If the princes were to die on the battlefield, it would greatly restore and enhance the reputation of the Liu clan.

Gongsun Hong instantly guessed the lord's thoughts, his heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, we cannot let the princes go south. If the princes accompany the army, they may hinder the strong crossbow captain."

It wasn't that they were afraid the princes would contact their generals, but rather that the princes were quick to act when things were going well and quick to retreat when things were going to get dangerous. If they were to join the army and lose to the army of the King of Nanyue, the Han Dynasty would lose all face.

"In my opinion, the crown princes of the vassal kings should accompany the army and be incorporated into the command of the crossbowmen under the same command as the vassal kings' armies. His Majesty should grant Lu Bode the authority to execute first and report later. In this way, the great cause can be accomplished," Gongsun Hong said again.

As a feudal lord, once on the battlefield, he would lead his troops alone, potentially vying for command with the main general and thus influencing the course of the war.

However, princes of feudal lords did not have this qualification. When a prince joined the army, he was directly incorporated into the main army. He was not even as good as a captain. If a prince dared to disobey military orders or desert in the face of battle, Lu Bode, who had the power to execute first and report later, would let the princes taste the taste of military law.

"Will the princes agree to let the crown prince join the army?" "If they don't agree, then let the princes go themselves!"

Gongsun Hong said in a slightly cold tone, "Whether you go to the battlefield yourself or send your son to the battlefield, the princes will figure it out."

Although the possibility of a major war breaking out in the Southern Plan is not high, it does not mean there is no danger. You must know that the Southern Vietnam is a damp and malaria-ridden land, which is not a good place. Sometimes, people can just walk there and never see the light of day.

The kings would not risk their lives, after all, they had more than one son, the crown prince; if he died, they could simply replace him. If they died, they would leave this world forever.

"Once the Crown Prince and the princes of the various prefectures join the army and march south to Lu Bode's army, and the Emperor summons all the princes to the capital, everything will go smoothly," Gongsun Hong said slowly.

Without the government's troops, and with the crown prince still in the hands of others, the feudal lords were like fish on a chopping board, at the mercy of their ruler.

At that time, even if the Emperor intends to reduce the power of the vassal states, he can try it once or twice. However, he must be careful that the incident at the execution ground on the Wei River is not repeated. He must not let the blood of his relatives stain the imperial court. His Majesty's lesson is still fresh in his mind.

Meticulous and flawless.

Gongsun Hong displayed the formidable scheming ability of the Han Dynasty's prime minister, seemingly making the vassal kings choose step by step. However, from beginning to end, the kings had no choice at all and walked into the pre-set trap.

"I admire the wisdom of the Prime Minister."

Liu Ju praised, "Then let's follow the Prime Minister's plan. The edict will be drafted and sent to the Prime Minister's office immediately, and the Prime Minister can issue it on time."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Gongsun Hong was escorted out of the palace with courtesy.

Zhu Maichen, the chief clerk of the prime minister, and Wang Chao, the chief secretary of the prime minister, received the old prime minister and helped him back to his residence, one on each side.

In the study, Zhu Maichen served strong tea. "Prime Minister, His Majesty has sent many gifts. Shall we proceed in the Xuan Room?"

The emperor was a benevolent ruler who often rewarded his subjects, especially the prime minister's mansion, which received small rewards almost every three days and large rewards every five days, covering everything from clothing and food to housing and transportation, as well as money and treasures.

But today's reward is unprecedented, its abundance is astonishing. There are thousands of gold coins alone, and fifty bolts of brocade costing 100,000 coins each. There are also ancient books and manuscripts from the late sages. This makes one wonder what happened in the Xuan Room that made the Emperor so delighted.

The spring sunshine outside the study was so bright. Gongsun Hong thought of Sima Tan, the Grand Historian who was always writing diligently beside the Xuan Room Hall, recording the details of the emperor's and his ministers' dialogues, and sighed softly.

What exactly happened before?
Did the Emperor truly not know the proper order of mobilizing the troops of the princes and summoning them to the capital to resolve the problem, or was he also part of the Emperor's scheme?
It is easy for the princes to enter the capital, but it will be difficult for them to leave. If things go wrong and the situation escalates to the point of weakening the power of the princes, the princes will either be killed or imprisoned.

Given the current balance of power between the imperial court and the vassal kingdoms, they can quickly quell all the unrest and withdraw their kingdoms to join the Han dynasty.

In order to reduce the power of the princes, Emperor Xiaowen had Jia Yi, Emperor Xiaojing had Chao Cuo, and Your Majesty the present has Zhu Fu Yan. Did the three emperors not have their own methods?

However, she simply didn't want to be branded as harsh and ungrateful to the imperial family.

So, who was the person who led the emperor to reduce the power of the vassal states?
Gongsun Hong had already closed his eyes.

His posthumous reputation was already unpleasant, and now he will be labeled as a "poisonous strategist who sowed discord among the imperial family."

In a daze, Gongsun Hong recalled the time he spent herding pigs at sea...

(End of this chapter)