A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

Wei Ping, relying on his age, got excited while talking, and when he got excited, he would lie down because he couldn't breathe.

The half-foot that Emperor Wen of Han, Liu Heng, had taken to the underworld was pulled back.

Wei Ping was a veteran official who served three dynasties and was also the creator of improved varieties. Over the years, the Wei family had continuously optimized the varieties, which increased the yield by another shi (a unit of dry measure).

In other words, he still had some skills, and his reputation among the people was comparable to Wei Ping's.

Otherwise, the Liu family's status would be completely overshadowed by Wei Ping.

If word gets out that Wei Ping was terrified to death by his probing, he will be unable to clear his name, and the image he has painstakingly maintained all his life will be erased overnight, leaving him with the image of a tyrannical ruler who harmed loyal officials in the history books.

Moreover, Wei Ping is almost seventy years old; it wouldn't be surprising if he suddenly kicked the bucket one day.

"Then we shall bestow upon Wei Yu, the second son of the Marquis of Yan, the title of Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness, in recognition of the Marquis of Yan's merits."

"Your subject accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude."

The title "Loyal and Righteous Marquis" is a reminder to the Wei family to be loyal and righteous.

"I have lived a frugal life, and I don't want to be a burden on the people after I die. I hope that no gold or silver jewelry will be placed in my grave; just some ordinary earthenware pots and jars will suffice. Also, please don't build a mound of earth around my grave!"

"Father, you mustn't!"

"You are the Emperor of the Han Dynasty, how can you be buried so simply!"

"His Highness the Crown Prince is right. His Majesty should have a grand funeral; otherwise, it would be a disgrace to the nation!"

"Your Majesty, please rescind your order!"

This statement shocked everyone except Wei Ping.

Ancient people were superstitious and believed that there was a spirit world after death, and that people would live in that world after they died. Therefore, they wanted to build their mausoleums to be luxurious.

Moreover, the ancients valued feng shui, and the construction of mausoleums was related to the fortune of the country and the well-being of future generations.

All the princes and nobles were vying to build their mausoleums to be extremely luxurious, hoping to retain their power and influence even after death.

The emperors of the Han Dynasty used one-third of the country's revenue to build imperial mausoleums. Emperor Wu of Han reigned for 54 years, and the construction of his mausoleum alone took 53 years.

This was also true of most subsequent dynasties.

In such an era, for Emperor Wen of Han to request a simple burial was simply insane.

"Precisely because I am the emperor, I should set an example for the people. During my lifetime, I wore patched dragon robes to reduce expenses and set an example for the world. After my death, how can I squander resources and burden the people?"

Emperor Wen of Han said softly.

A hint of respect flashed in Wei Ping's eyes. No matter what, no matter what Emperor Wen of Han's intentions were, he had made tremendous contributions to the people of the world throughout his life.

Even on his deathbed, he was unwilling to trouble the people.

Throughout the Han Dynasty, only during the reign of Emperor Wen of Han was the people of the land most peaceful and stable, achieving the goal of every household having surplus grain.

Historical records state: "The money in the capital was so abundant that the strings holding the coins together rotted and could not be counted; the grain in the imperial granary was piled up in layers, overflowing and exposed to the elements, until it rotted and became inedible."

In the end, they could not persuade Emperor Wen of Han otherwise. Emperor Wen's mausoleum was located on Bailu Plain, with the mountain itself serving as the mausoleum, and was almost completely unchanged.

The tomb contained only ordinary pottery jars and utensils, similar to those of ordinary people, and even less valuable than some ordinary wealthy households.

After Emperor Wen of Han died, almost every household in Chang'an hung white silk ribbons, and almost everyone was saddened by the passing of this benevolent emperor.

Records of the Grand Historian: Annals of Emperor Wen

In the first year of Emperor Wen of Han's reign, Emperor Wen, at the tender age of twenty, declined the throne three times before finally ascending to the throne.

He ruled as regent for thirty-three years, practicing frugality and benevolence, governing by non-interference, reducing taxes and levies, simplifying laws and prohibitions, and allowing the people to rest and recuperate. He was known throughout the world for his "virtue, wisdom, benevolence, and filial piety."

Before he ascended the throne, the people were impoverished. Even with the superior seeds of Yanhou Shennong, there were still families starving to death. The national treasury was empty, resources were scarce, houses were on the verge of collapse, and the national treasury was in dire straits.

.

After his death, the people were prosperous, with surplus grain in every household, chickens and dogs well-fed, and many books in every family, with virtuous descendants; the money in the capital was so vast that the strings holding the coins together rotted and could not be counted; the grain in the imperial granary was piled up in layers, overflowing and exposed to the elements, until it rotted and became inedible.

Could this be accomplished by anyone other than a sage king?

Later generations praised him, saying: "His virtue was supreme!"

......

In the same year, Emperor Jing of Han ascended the throne and honored his grandmother, Empress Dowager Bo Ji, as Grand Empress Dowager, and his mother, Empress Dou, as Empress Dowager.

Chao Cuo was promoted to Inner Clerk, Wei Qing to Grand Minister of Agriculture, Tao Qing to Grand Censor, and Zhou Yafu to Grand Commandant.

The Marquis of Yan's second son, Wei Yu, was granted the title of Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness, making three marquises from one family, which shocked the world!

In the second year of Emperor Jing of Han's reign, Marquis Wei Ping of Yan fell ill and never recovered.

The Marquis of Yan's residence.

Emperor Jing of Han, Liu Qi, hurriedly rode up, followed by his trusted confidant, Chao Cuo.

Although Wei Ping held the position of prime minister for a long time and wielded immense power, even the emperor had to avoid his sharp edge.

However, Emperor Jing of Han, Liu Qi, did not want Wei Ping to die now, no matter what.

He and his father, Emperor Wen of Han, had analyzed that once Emperor Jing of Han ascended the throne, many vassal kings, led by the King of Wu, would inevitably rebel.

This happened right after Wei Ping died.

As long as Wei Ping lives, even if he grows old and frail, no one in the world will dare to rebel!

This is the deterrent power of "Ping Zhi's bravery is unparalleled throughout the ages".

Once Wei Ping dies, all the debuffs—military morale turmoil, the ascension of a new emperor, instability in the court, the hatred for the murder of his son, and the desire to weaken the power of the vassal states—will combine to create a war that will sweep across the entire Han Dynasty.

Emperor Jing of Han, Liu Qi, wished that Wei Ping could wait a little longer before dying, so that he could at least completely control the court.

Wei Ping's control over the court was too great. Even with his best efforts, the court still couldn't be brought under control in less than two years.

Once Wei Ping dies, it will take a great deal of his energy just to keep the court from becoming too chaotic. If war breaks out, the country may really be in danger of being destroyed.

What? You mean they all have the surname Liu?

fart!

Not to mention that King Liu Bi of Wu was not of the bloodline of Emperor Gaozu, as long as the emperor was not of his lineage, it would mean the fall of the country for him!

"Grand Tutor, Grand Tutor!"

Emperor Jing of Han rushed to Wei Ping's bedside, held Wei Ping's hand tightly, his eyes red, and was about to cry.

"Your Majesty, please don't cry."

Wei Ping's rough, old hands stroked Liu Qi's head. He wasn't afraid of death because he couldn't die.

Instead, he faked his death to escape and fully develop his little world.

"Your Majesty, listen carefully."

"After my death, the King of Wu will surely rebel."

"Over the years, he has connected all the feudal lords in the south, and even some feudal lords in the north have been persuaded by him."

"But there are certainly some feudal lords who want to reap the benefits, but these people are not worth worrying about."

"Your Majesty should be wary of the Prince of Liang."

"The fiefdom of the King of Liang is too close to the capital, serving as a gateway between the central government and the southern vassal kings."

"If the King of Liang sides with the King of Wu, we will suffer great losses."

"Your Majesty may inform the Empress Dowager after you are drunk that Your Majesty may follow Emperor Hui's idea of ​​succession by brother and brother and win over the Prince of Liang to resist the other princes."

"It can also wear down the power of the kings."

"Cough cough."

"Grand Tutor, I understand."

"If war breaks out, who can be appointed general?"

Liu Qi asked, "This is of utmost importance."

"Zhou Yafu, a descendant of Marquis Jiang, has inherited his father's talent and, as Grand Commandant, is capable of leading troops into battle."

"My second son, Wei Yu, is not good at studying, but he has inherited much of my brute strength and can serve as my deputy general."

"At that time, we can take advantage of our great victory to reclaim the power of the various vassal kingdoms from the central government and abolish their administrative and judicial privileges."

"Then issue the Edict of Grace, which can completely solve the problem of the feudal lords."

Liu Qi remained silent for a moment. Wei Ping was a general on horseback and a prime minister on foot, excelling in both roles to the extreme.

Not to mention him, even his virtuous and powerful father, the emperor, felt a lot of pressure.

Wei Ping is finally about to die of old age, and in order to stabilize the court, Wei Qing must be appointed as prime minister and Wei Yu as general to quickly stabilize the central government. This shows the power of the Wei family...

Could it be that Wei Ping intends to continue to usurp my power?!