books44 Chapter 166 A Heartfelt Confession
Chapter 166 A Heartfelt Confession
Liu Zhao was very satisfied and now moved on to the next step.
"Master He, the Grand Protector, please read the manifesto against the rebels."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
He Zhi held the manifesto to punish the rebels in both hands, walked up three steps, and turned to face the ministers.
"I have heard that wise rulers plan for dangers to prevent change, while loyal ministers worry about the difficulty of establishing power. Therefore, only with extraordinary people can extraordinary things happen; only with extraordinary things can extraordinary achievements be achieved."
He read it for about ten minutes.
Liu Zhao himself didn't quite understand.
"Song Xian, copy this manifesto to all prefectures and counties, demanding they make every effort to cooperate with the court to quell the rebellion. Anyone who disobeys the court's orders and attempts to collude with the traitors will be punished according to the law!
That’s about it!
The specific matters still need to be arranged.
Glanced at Prince Anping.
Prince Anping nodded.
"I have something important to attend to! All the ministers please withdraw first!"
This is a convention. It is impossible for the emperor to discuss important matters in the hall on his first day at work.
What’s more, he is the prince.
Liu Zhao knew better than anyone that hundreds of ministers in the court could only discuss trivial matters.
All important matters must be discussed by several people.
The ministers understood the situation well, so they kowtowed and left one after another.
"Zhang Hong, help Prince Anping to the Xuande Hall!"
After all, Liu Yan was still alive, so it was impossible for Liu Zhao to go directly to Hanzhang Palace, which Liu Yan liked, to work.
Fortunately, there are many palaces, and it is more convenient to go to Xuande Hall, which is closer to the East Palace.
As Liu Zhao spoke, he came to the side of Prince Anping.
"Grandson, is the jade pendant I gave you still there?"
Prince Anping looked up at Liu Zhao.
Liu Zhao squatted down.
"Grandfather, I will always wear it on you!"
This is true, the jade is really comfortable to wear.
"That's good! Please sit down and let me talk to you. I won't go to Xuande Hall!"
Liu Fu nodded.
"Yes, ancestor!"
Liu Zhao showed respect from the bottom of his heart.
"All of you go to Xuande Hall and wait for the Crown Prince. I have something to say to him!"
Prince Anping then spoke to others.
"Yes!"
Others knew that Prince Anping wanted others to leave and talk, so it must be top secret.
Liu Zhao felt a little nervous. Was Prince Anping going to tell him something secret?
"In my life, I was playful when I was young, and Mr. Yan often scolded me. Fortunately, I had my brother to protect me. Later, I entered the officialdom and was taken care of by my brother. I was promoted to the position of the Former Emperor's Palace Eunuch!"
"Emperor Wei Han of Zhou was a man of great talent and strategy, and he revived the Zhou dynasty for a time. However, he died young, and Zihao succeeded him. He heavily favored eunuchs, leading to chaos in government and the people's misery!"
"At that time, I was already over 40, so I resigned from my official position and returned to my hometown, where I got married and had children!"
He got married and had children at the age of forty, no wonder King Anshun and his family looked so young!
Liu Zhao listened silently, but didn't say anything!
"In the tenth year of the Kaihua era of the previous Zhou Dynasty, Shan'an was born. He was a naughty child, so I handed him over to me for discipline. I also asked He Zhi to assist me, and his stubborn temper was finally corrected!"
"In the 25th year of Kaihua, the world was in chaos, with rebellions rising up everywhere. Shan'an followed Liu Xuan into the army to suppress the rebellion. Although he was only 15 years old, his civil and military strategies were unmatched!"
"At the age of eighteen, he led his army into Qiyang and appointed himself the governor of Qiyang! Within three years, Qiyang was flourishing, the people were living in peace, and Shan'an had the potential to become an emperor!"
"In the 30th year of the Kaihua era, Shan'an was framed and imprisoned by treacherous officials. That was the year you were born!"
"Your mother, Liu Xing, traveled extensively to entrust you to me. Although I am old, I am delighted to see that you are clever and intelligent!"
"Unfortunately, you caught a cold, had a persistent high fever, and ultimately became mentally retarded. I've always felt guilty towards Shan'an!"
So that’s it!
When Liu Yan talked to me before, he didn't mention at all that Prince Anping was taking care of me!
Maybe he was worried that he would hold a grudge against Prince Anping!
From Prince Anping's words, we can also hear that the reason why Liu Yan trusted Prince Anping, He Zhi and Liu Xuan was because of the relationship they had cultivated since childhood!
"Everything is determined by heaven, not by man! I didn't believe it before, but now I do!"
Liu Fu let out a long sigh.
"Yes, ancestor!"
Liu Zhao continued listening.
"I never understood why Shan'an had no other children after he was released from prison. It turns out it was all destined!"
In fact, Liu Zhao was really curious. Logically speaking, Liu Yan was only in his twenties at that time, so he shouldn't have lost his fertility!
After becoming emperor, there are still so many concubines in the palace, how can none of them be accepted?
Liu Fu might not know either, and even if he did, he wouldn't tell me!
Besides, there is no need for me to know the current situation!
"Now that the Buddha has possessed you, your wisdom has been restored. Today, when I saw you speak, although you were a bit reckless, you also had courage! I am very pleased."
This is a pretty good evaluation!
Liu Zhao swore secretly in his heart.
"If Shan'an could speak, I wouldn't have to explain all this! Who knew he also had a stroke? You're young and may not know the consequences of a stroke, but I do!"
Liu Fu sighed.
"Shan'an won't get better. I'm going to tell you on his behalf. Listen carefully!"
"Yes, ancestor!"
Liu Zhao immediately sat up straight.
"The decline of the Former Zhou Dynasty was due to Wei Hao's debauchery and abuse of eunuchs! Therefore, Shan'an has established a rule since the beginning of his reign: the harem and eunuchs are not allowed to interfere in government affairs. You must remember this!"
"Yes, ancestor!"
"Secondly, women are harmful to your health. You must exercise self-control. The imperial relatives are in power because the emperor is young. Do you understand? This is the second point!"
"Yes, ancestor!"
Liu Zhao nodded, he understood this principle.
"Third, listening to both sides leads to enlightenment, while heeding only one side leads to blindness. Only by listening to advice can the country be governed well! Remember not to act arbitrarily!"
"Fourth, firmly grasp military power and don't let it fall into the hands of others!"
"Yes, ancestor!"
Liu Zhao agreed, but he was really unsure.
Not to mention in this era, even in the future, it is a difficult problem to firmly grasp military power.
If military officers have too much power, they will undermine the emperor, leading to the separatist rule of the feudal lords, which will become difficult to control.
King Zhenbei is obviously like this!
However, replacing generals at any time and lowering the status of military officers like the Song Dynasty did would lead to poor combat effectiveness.
We can only think of a solution slowly!
"Fifth, after the war subsides, we must reduce taxes and give the people a rest. This way, farmers will have time to work, and the country will become prosperous!"
"Finally, people change, so no matter who it is, you must be cautious. Even if it's the King of Jingnan, I can't guarantee his loyalty, let alone other outsiders!"
"You have to learn how to select and employ people, whether they are ministers in the court or local officials. You have to make sure they check and balance each other, so they don't become monolithic! Only then can you control the overall situation!"
"Yes, Grandpa, your grandson will remember this!"
Liu Zhao understood this principle and was prepared for it.
What Liu Fu said came from the bottom of his heart.
"That's all I can think of!" Liu Fu wiped his saliva.
"If the Buddha comes to possess me again one day, please ask him when I will go to the West!" Liu Fu seemed to be expectant when he said this.
"Grandfather, no, you will definitely live to be 120 years old!"
For a man in his nineties, talking about living to be a hundred years old is meaningless!
"Then I don't want to think about it anymore. I just want to see you put down the rebellion, and then I can die in peace!"
Liu Fu certainly understood that at his age, his life could end at any time.
Liu Zhao felt really sad!
I wish he could live a few more years!