Great Han Arrow God

Chapter 672 The General Trend (The Finale)

He was just angry and wanted to kill Liang Xiao and the others, but he forgot one thing: it was easy to kill the family members of Liang Xiao and the others, but it was difficult to kill them themselves.These people are all in the Western Regions and have no plan to return to Chang'an. How will he kill them?Killing their family members will only give them a reason to rebel, and they will not be rewarded for their meritorious deeds. Instead, they will be punished by the clan, and the people of the world will feel that they have been wronged and that they were forced to rebel by the court.

Isn't this knowing that Liang Xiao is going to rebel, but still helping him raise the flag to recruit people?No matter how the court explains it, others will not believe it, because they refuse to be officials, and you will kill their whole family. What kind of tyrant can do such a thing?

The more the emperor thought about it, the more terrifying he felt, and he couldn't help but look at the father Yan gratefully.If it wasn't for the father Yan's reminder, not to mention whether he could really kill Liang Xiao and Li Danghu's family members, as soon as this imperial decree comes out, his notoriety as a faint king will be confirmed.

This is not a resignation, this is simply a trap.

The emperor shuddered at the thought of Liang Xiao laughing at his stupidity while gathering troops to attack Hexi and Longyou.

-

Liu Ling led Liang Yu into the Jiaofang Hall, Empress Chen came out immediately, and the two Mrs. Chen followed closely. For a while, the hall was full of joyful voices and swallows.

Empress Chen held Liu Ling's arm, took their seats together, and whispered, "I heard that Champion Hou is not planning to come back?"

Liu Ling glanced at Empress Chen, and said with a soft smile, "Where did you hear the news?"

"I haven't listened to what my brothers said."

"What else did they say?"

Empress Chen was taken aback for a moment, feeling embarrassed.Liu Ling saw it, raised his eyebrows, looked around, and said with a smile: "Okay, where is the emperor, please come out, why hide it. The majestic emperor, do you still want to hide and seek?"

There was a sudden silence in the hall.After a while, footsteps sounded, and the Son of Heaven came out from behind the scenes, glared at Liu Ling, and said, "Is my sister too confident?"

Liu Ling acted as if nothing had happened. "No matter how obedient my husband and wife are now, in His Majesty's eyes, they still have nothing to fear."

The Son of Heaven was at a loss for words and didn't know how to answer Liu Ling.Liu Ling was already eloquent, but today he was even more eloquent and went straight to the point, leaving no room for the emperor to turn around, and cornered the emperor as soon as he opened his mouth.

A flash of anger flashed in the emperor's eyes, and his face darkened.Liu Ling narrowed his eyes and looked at the emperor with a half-smile. "Does Your Majesty feel offended and have murderous intentions?"

The emperor was silent for a moment, and forced a smile: "You and Liang Boming are indeed a natural couple. Liang Boming drew his sword in front of me to fight, although you didn't draw your sword, but these few words are also the theory of punishing one's heart. You said it so harshly. , I can't be angry yet, once I get angry, I have the intention to kill, am I so easy to kill?"

Liu Ling said indifferently: "People's hearts are separated by belly, who can guess correctly? I was spoiled by my father and king since I was a child, and I really refused to forgive others. My husband, let alone, came from a reckless family, and is a martial artist. There are so many twists and turns. If you can talk, you will feel your heart and soul. If you can’t talk, you will be like a stranger. Whoever scolds him, he will kick him. Whoever chops him, he will shoot an arrow. You know that he is the most What's a common saying?"

"What is it?"

"It's not too late for a gentleman to take revenge in ten years. For a villain, it's never too late to take revenge."

The emperor's heart tightened. "Then is he a gentleman or a villain?"

"He..." Liu Ling elongated his voice. "He would rather be a real villain than a hypocrite. His Majesty drove him to the Western Regions, which is regarded as a good person. A person like him is not suitable for the court. Sooner or later, he will cause trouble. It is better to go to war. "

The emperor was furious and walked away.He was really pissed off. Liu Ling didn't see any courtesy of a monarch and his ministers. She was clearly provoking on purpose, but he didn't dare to do anything to her.She was right, Liang Xiao was born in a rough place, he was not a gentleman.A gentleman can be bullied, but a villain can jump over a wall in a hurry.

The master father Yan followed behind without saying a word.He could hear the conversation between Liu Ling and the Son of Heaven clearly, without missing a single word.He also knew the emperor's mood at the moment, but he didn't say anything.

A good strategy is up for grabs, and until the emperor is cornered, his wisdom will not show its true value.

Empress Chen chased out of the palace and looked at the back of the emperor, regretting too much.She originally wanted to be a peacemaker and take this opportunity to show her worth, but she never thought that Liu Ling would be so presumptuous, offending the emperor and causing her great trouble.

When she returned to the hall, she met Liu Ling coming out of the hall. "My lord, you..."

"Are you scared?" Liu Ling covered his mouth and smiled and said, "I'm barefoot and not afraid of wearing shoes. If the empress wants to live a peaceful life, it's better to stay away from me in the future."

"Look at you, what crazy things are you talking about."

"This is not crazy talk, but the truth." Liu Ling raised his eyebrows lightly. "The Son of Heaven has always been used to running rampant. My husband and I have set up such a big game, and finally got him in. I'm not happy at this time. When will I be proud?"

"You... layout?"

"That's right, this is a game. Not only the emperor is in the game, but your Chen family is also in the game. Queen, if you want peace, you have to rely on yourself, and you can't rely on others."

Empress Chen's face was pale, she held Liu Ling's hand and refused to let go. "My Lord, what are you talking about? Why is my Chen family also involved in the game? What is going on?"

"Queen, do you know why my husband can conquer the Western Regions with four hundred cavalry?"

"Then...then of course the champion Hou uses soldiers like a god, invincible."

"It is a fact that my husband is good at using soldiers, but without your Chen family's iron smelting skills, without the armor and swords provided by your Chen family, would they have such combat power?"

Empress Chen's eyes were straightened, and she was sweating coldly.Rather than saying that the iron smelting technique belongs to the Chen family, it is better to say that it was given by Liang Xiao. At that time, he thought Liang Xiao was generous, but now it seems that this is a trap at all.

"Queen, you don't have to worry." Liu Ling comforted: "Now your Chen family is an indispensable support for the emperor. If the emperor wants to conquer the world, can he leave your Chen family? Even if he doesn't need it, my husband Why not use it in the Western Regions? There is no future for development in Dahan, so you can still go to the Western Regions, my husband will definitely welcome it."

Empress Chen thought for a moment, then breathed a sigh of relief, her legs softened, and she almost sat on the ground.She took two steps back and leaned against the pillar, trying to laugh, but couldn't.

"In addition to iron smelting, the travels of the scholars of Chen Dou's family were also initiated by my husband. Now these people have become the eyes and ears of the emperor. Every article they publish is broadening the horizon of the emperor and me. vision. Can the Son of Heaven leave them?"

Empress Chen blinked her eyes, shook her head, feeling much more relaxed.She knows the emperor's temper well, no matter how much resentment he has, he will not mess himself up.It's just that the longer he endures, the more ruthless his future revenge will be.

Perhaps, some people should be arranged to go to the Western Regions to seek refuge with Liang Xiao, so as to leave a way out for the Chen family.

Liu Ling saw through Empress Chen's worry at a glance. "These are all good strategies that my husband submitted to the emperor, but the emperor refused to implement them out of his own considerations. Now that my husband is far away in the Western Regions, the sky is high and the birds are flying. Can he not implement these policies to benefit the country and the people? Is it a good strategy? If the emperor wants not to fall behind, besides relying more heavily on Chen Dou, he can also bind himself? Hehe, if this is the case, I am afraid that more people would rather go west than return to Chang'an."

After Liu Ling finished speaking, he squeezed Empress Chen's hand and showed a sly smile.Empress Chen had an idea, and finally understood what Liu Ling meant, and couldn't help laughing out of relief.

-

The emperor sat in front of the imperial case, looking at the newspaper in front of him, with a sad face.

Although he deliberately did not publicize it, the news of the great victory in the Western Regions quickly became the hottest topic in the streets and alleys. Liang Xiao's legendary deeds of conquering the Western Regions with four hundred riders in two years became the most talked about by traffickers and pawns. The story, and how to reward these heroes has also become the focus of people's attention.

Unworldly achievements deserve unworldly rewards.These ordinary people don't understand the principle of high meritorious deeds, and they don't like it. They eagerly hope that Liang Xiao will create another miracle, especially the families of the rangers who accompanied Liang Xiao to the expedition. Hope, waiting for news of the court's reward.

It can't be delayed any longer, people will have more suspicion, and Cao Shi and others' preparations for conquering the grassland will be seriously affected.

However, the emperor has not yet found a suitable solution.How to reward Liang Xiao has become his biggest headache recently.Rewarding, hits Liang Xiao's arms; not rewarding, also hits Liang Xiao's arms.

At this time, Dou Ying asked to see him.

The emperor hesitated for a while.Since the last time Dou Ying said that he was going to travel in the Western Regions, the emperor had not seen him, and Dou Ying had not come to ask to see him.But after careful consideration, the emperor still sent Dou Ying into the palace.

Dou Ying came in a hurry, holding a volume of silk books.When the emperor saw it, his heart skipped a beat.Since Huainan new paper was introduced to Chang'an, paper has replaced expensive silk scripts, and those who still use silk to write must not be the ones who often write articles in newspapers recently.

Sure enough, Dou Ying said as soon as she opened her mouth: "Your Majesty, Dongfang Shuo sent someone to send an article."

The emperor's heart tightened. "What article?"

"The article is very long, but in the final analysis there are only a few sentences: one is that a sage governs according to the times, and should not remain unchanged from the past; , the real focus is on the last sentence: relocation of vassals."

"Relocation?" The emperor quickly took the silk book, and while quickly browsing, he said, "Isn't this the strategy Liang Xiao mentioned before?"

"That's right, Dongfang Shuo's suggestion can be said to be the refinement of Liang Xiao's strategy of relocating vassals. He said that Zhou ruled the world, five hundred Li Dian served, five hundred Li Hou served, five hundred Li Sui served, and five hundred Li had to serve." , [-] Li Huangfu, a total of [-] Li. Now the Dahan has [-] Li from east to west, so naturally there is no need to follow the weekly system, and it needs to be corrected."

"How to correct it?"

"You can't be a prince for thousands of miles, and you can't be a king for thousands of miles."

The Son of Heaven was stunned for a moment, then raised his head suddenly, and sneered: "No Marquis for thousands of miles, no king for thousands of miles? Is he asking the court to make Liang Xiao king?"

Dou Ying calmly shook her head. "Your Majesty, the word Liang Xiao was not mentioned in Dongfang Shuo's article. However, in the west of Congling Ridge, there are no fewer than dozens of kings. It is normal for one more king and one less king. Even if the court wants to control it, I am afraid It's beyond the reach of the whip. However, if we can implement this rule and move the kings in the Han Dynasty thousands of miles away, it will be a good thing for the country and the people. Your Majesty, what do you think?"

The emperor stared at Dou Ying, but Dou Ying was extremely calm, as if talking about a trivial matter.

The emperor did not speak for a long time.He was moved by Dou Ying's words.If this strategy is implemented, all the kings will be moved thousands of miles away, and the princes will also be moved thousands of miles away, which will indeed do more good than harm to the court.Thousands of miles away is a barren land. The big man doesn't know how many kings there are, and he doesn't have the energy to manage it. It's better to let the descendants of Liu surname to expand the territory than to kill each other.

There is a precedent for a king with a different surname, Liang Xiao. If the kings with the same surname still do not move abroad, then the court cannot be blamed for not being sympathetic.

As for Liang Xiao, this is probably his condition. After he is crowned king, he will not be able to enter the east of Congling Ridge, otherwise he will break his oath.In this way, Liang Xiao's threat to the big man was minimized, and the imperial court could have an explanation to the people of the world.You see, I have already named him king, can I still be sorry for his military exploits?If there are still people who say that the imperial court treats meritorious officials lightly, then it cannot be justified.

If this is Liang Xiao's decision, it at least shows that although Liang Xiao is arrogant, he has no intention of becoming an enemy of the imperial court.What the imperial court should worry about is not Liang Xiao, but those kings surnamed Liu.Would they be willing to leave their fief and migrate to a wild land thousands of miles away?

The emperor breathed a sigh of relief.

"Dou Gong, do you think this plan is feasible? Will the kings agree?"

"I'm afraid many people will not agree, but the imperial court can divide them. Those who are willing to move to the vassal state will be favored by the imperial court, and will send generals to help them expand their territories and drive out the barbarians. Or Tweet, in short, to make him uncomfortable, within ten years, there will be few kings within ten thousand li."

"Then...what about Liang Xiao? Wang with a different surname violates Emperor Gao's White Horse Agreement."

Dou Ying laughed. "Your Majesty, with Liang Xiao's ability, he can be called king whether or not His Majesty makes him king. The only difference is that if His Majesty makes him king, then he is a vassal of the big man, and he cannot be an enemy of the big man morally. No matter how majestic he is in the Western Regions, he is still a minister before His Majesty. If he proclaims himself king, then..."

Dou Ying didn't say any more, but the emperor already understood.Liang Xiao was in the west of Congling Ridge. He wanted to become king, but the court couldn't stop him.Instead of letting him stand against the imperial court, it is better for the imperial court to make him king and determine the title of monarch and minister.In this way, Liang Xiao can also be used as an example to plug the mouths of the kings.

"Can the other ministers agree?"

"I don't know, but I think we can at least discuss it first to see who agrees and who disagrees."

The brows of the emperor gradually raised, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.No need to discuss, he already knows who will support it and who will firmly oppose it.

"Okay, let's discuss it first."

-

As soon as Dongfang Shuo's article was published, Chang'an City exploded.

Dongfang Shuo's article is of course good. It is natural to draw the final conclusion by citing the past and discussing the present.But what really moves people's hearts is not the theory, but the unfinished meaning behind the court's permission to publish this article.

The imperial court intends to confer kings with different surnames.As long as the military exploits are sufficient, people with different surnames can also become kings.

Of course, this kind of military exploits cannot be obtained easily, and not everyone is willing to go thousands of miles away, but there are quite a few people who want to go.Especially those children of heroes who have been walking on eggshells.Over the past few decades, they have long lost the prestige of their ancestors, leaving only wealth and honor. Now they have the opportunity to escape from the control of the imperial court and create a world for themselves. Although the risks are great, the rewards are not small.

If they succeed, not only will they no longer have to worry about the threat of the imperial court, but they will also be able to push forward their ancestors' career one step further and become the king who dominates one side. Wouldn't it be better than being a prudent and nominal prince in Chang'an?

Although there are not many such people, there are definitely, and Pingyang Marquis Cao Shi is one of them.It's just that he is a prudent person, and he will not reveal his intentions before the emperor issued a clear edict.But after hearing the news, he finally entered the palace again to report to the emperor on the preparations for the Northern Expedition, and he was more attentive than before.

After another two-hour report by Cao Shi, the Son of Heaven stood in the corridor outside the hall, watched Cao Shi's excited footsteps, and sighed.

"An article by Dongfang Shuo has aroused the ambitions of countless people, but I don't know whether it is a blessing or a curse."

The master's father smiled and said: "Your Majesty has too many things recently, not enough energy, and mental strength is a little weak."

The emperor was slightly startled, and turned his head. "Why do you say that?"

"Your Majesty, if you look at the whole world, including Rome, which is thousands of miles away, is there any country whose territory and household registration can be compared with my man?"

The emperor was silent, but his expression was obviously relaxed a little.

"In terms of talents, which country can have more men than me? In terms of ability to govern the country, who can compete with Your Majesty?" The father Yan asked several questions in succession. "The national strength is not as strong as the big man, the talents are not as large as the big man, and the ability is not as good as your majesty's fur. Why should they threaten me? Thousands of miles away, even the most mobile cavalry, I'm afraid they can only look at Chang'an."

The emperor nodded slightly. "That's right, I am indeed a little worried. Anyone who travels thousands of miles must think twice, otherwise it will be in vain."

"Your Majesty is holy." The master father bowed and said: "Those who are brave and ruthless can fight and make meritorious service, and open up territories for the great man. Those who are simple and kind can be at ease in their careers, and the folk customs must be simple. In less than ten years, peace can be achieved. River Hai Keqing, His Majesty's accomplishments have surpassed that of Emperor Gao, and he has become a generation of sages. It is a blessing for ministers to follow a sage like Your Majesty. It is a blessing for all the people in the world to be born in such a prosperous age."

After the emperor heard this, the haze in his heart finally dissipated a little.He pondered for a long time, and then sighed softly: "I only saw the stream in the mountain, which is so clear and graceful. Who would have expected that it would become a beast of a flood and spread out for thousands of miles. The situation has come to this point, so we can only make the best use of the situation. To control the water, it is better to dredge it than to block it." , the same is true for governing the country.”

-

Liu Ling sat in the hall until the emperor and the empress entered the middle gate, she stood up unhurriedly, showing a somewhat smug smile, and did not forget to throw the emperor a smug look.

The emperor smiled bitterly, and pointed at Liu Ling. "You, don't be too complacent."

Liu Ling said with a smile: "If you are happy in life, you must be happy to the fullest. Don't let the golden cup be empty to the moon. When the flowers are ready to be broken, they must be broken. Don't wait for the flowers to be empty and break the branches."

The emperor blinked, clapped his hands and sighed. "Good sentence, is this your new poem?"

"No, it's my husband's babbling in his sleep. However, now that he's idle and wild, I'm afraid he won't just talk about it in his dreams."

The emperor crooked his mouth. "That's true, with Luo Xuli and Mosuyeye at his side, he can speak freely without any scruples."

Liu Ling raised his eyebrows slightly, pretending to be angry and said: "Your Majesty, are you deliberately trying to provoke me?"

"No, I'm just telling the truth." The Son of Heaven laughed loudly and went to the hall, without Liu Ling's invitation, and took his seat by himself.Liang's family used new-style high tables and chairs, and he was not used to sitting on them, stroking the shiny table with both hands. "Sister, do you want to go to the Western Regions to see that evildoer?"

Liu Ling glanced at the emperor, curled his lips, with a look of disdain.

"He doesn't plan to come back. Do you really plan to die alone in Chang'an, but you see him hugging left and right, drunk and dreaming in the gentle countryside? Oh, by the way, Dawan not only has princesses and good horses, but also drinks that can't be finished." the fine wine."

Liu Ling took his seat, tapped his fingers on the table, and said slowly: "Your Majesty, no matter how many princesses and fine wines Dawan has, I am still his wife. Who is my husband, I still don't know? He is not A person who likes the new and hates the old. You must know how much he has put in to marry me. No matter how beautiful Princess Dawan is, she is nothing more than a concubine."

"That's true, you are just like a divine master, and no one can shake your position." The emperor purposely looked Liu Ling up and down, and said with a narrow smile, "Sure enough, you are a good divine master."

Liu Ling was at a loss for words, and turned to look at Empress Chen who was smiling sweetly. "Aren't your husband and wife so busy today that you came here to provoke me on purpose? If you talk like that again, I'll let the dog go."

Empress Chen got up and walked behind Liu Ling, pressing Liu Ling's shoulder. "Okay, Lord Weng, His Majesty was just joking with you. You don't know him yet? Although you are not brothers and sisters, he has always regarded you as his sister. Even Princess Yang Xinchang and the others are jealous. "

"Then I didn't see him make me the princess either."

"Originally, I wanted to wait for Liang Junhou to come back to give you an additional title. Now that Liang Junhou is not coming back, I can only give up. However, His Majesty has prepared another title for you, and you must like it."

"Title?" Liu Ling smiled. "tell me the story."

"Queen of the Western Regions."

Liu Ling was stunned, looked at Empress Chen, and then at the Son of Heaven.The queen is smiling, and the emperor is also smiling, and the smile is very sincere.

"This joke is not funny at all, Wang with a different surname..." Liu Ling shook his head and said with a wry smile, "Your Majesty, are you going to put my husband on fire?"

"Of course not." Tian Zixu clenched his fists, covered his mouth, and coughed. "For thousands of miles in the Western Regions, it takes several months for news to go back and forth. The imperial court cannot directly govern it, and can only be regarded as a vassal state. Bo Ming is already a prince of ten thousand households, and adding food is not enough to show his achievements. It is better to confer him a prince and let him It is a vassal state of the Han Dynasty."

"Is that appropriate?"

"There is nothing inappropriate or inappropriate. The imperial court and vassals are meant to guard the borders of the country, not to support a group of rich and idle people. Uncle Wang also asked to move the vassals back then. If all the kings with the same surname can move to the vassal towns like him and Liang Boming, that would be the same. The court's blessing."

The emperor paused, then smiled again: "Furthermore, although he has the ability to manage politics, he has too little study, so it is better to use soldiers to give full play to his advantages. It is better to let him open the frontiers than to let him return to the court. Tuotu."

Liu Ling was stunned for a moment, then suddenly twisted his mouth, and snorted: "You really know each other, you can be regarded as a model. He came all the way from Jiangdu to Chang'an, and you sent him all the way to the Western Regions." Go, are you not afraid that he will get carried away?"

"So I hope you can go to the Western Regions and help me remind him from time to time not to lose his sense of proportion."

"I'm going to the Western Regions?"

"Yes, you are the queen, how can you stay in Chang'an for a long time, and let those barbarian women only spoil the harem. Besides, I can rest assured that you, the clan, remind him constantly. If you want, the imperial court will issue an edict tomorrow, Make Liang Boming the King of the Western Regions, and you as Princess Shenyuan, and set off today to convey the message to the Western Regions."

"Departure today?" Liu Ling rolled his eyes and said with a charming smile, "Why do I hear that you can't wait to drive me away?"

The emperor stroked his forehead with his hand to show that he was speechless.Empress Chen smiled, put her arms around Liu Ling's shoulders and shook her. "You, you really don't know good people. Your Majesty misses you alone, so I asked you to meet the King of the Western Regions earlier. You are being hypocritical. Otherwise, let the moon go to the Western Regions first, and you stay in Chang'an for a while, how about that?" ?”

Liu Ling giggled, his eyes were sly. "Forget it, I'd better leave quickly, lest someone has a headache."

-

In the summer of the second year of Yuanshuo, Liu Ling and his party went out of Yumen and arrived at Yangguan after a four-month trek.

Dongfang Shuo, Xu Le, Li Danghu and others came to greet him after hearing the news, but Dongfang Shuo arched his hands from a distance and said with a smile, "Welcome to the Queen."

Liu Ling got out of the carriage and looked around. "Prime Minister of the East, where's the king?"

"Your Majesty traveled westward a year ago. I received news a few days ago. According to the itinerary, I should have arrived in Rome by now."

"What was he doing in Rome?"

"I heard that there is a man named Tiberius in Rome who is reforming government affairs. Your Majesty is worried that Rome will become stronger after the reform and threaten the safety of our country in the Western Regions, so he went to see for himself."

"Your majesty, you've started a fine work." Liu Ling muttered, "Who's in charge now?"

"Now I am in charge. The queen is here. The internal affairs belong to the queen, and the external affairs belong to me. The military affairs belong to Li Danghu and others. Queen, the most urgent thing is to announce the reward first. Look at them, they are all waiting impatiently. grab it."

Liu Ling glanced at Li Danghu and the others with piercing eyes, and smiled too.She walked up to the front, greeted Li Danghu and others, and finally said: "Masters, you should first settle military affairs with the generals sent by the imperial court, settle the affairs of the imperial court, and then discuss the affairs of our Western Regions. Western Regions At the beginning of the founding of the country, everything was created in the first place, and the rewards must not be as generous as the imperial court, please forgive me, don't be confused by temporary gains and losses."

Li Danghu and others handed over, impassioned. "I would like to follow the king and queen to overcome obstacles and open up territories."

-

On the bank of the Tiber River, Liang Xiao stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the surging river, thinking silently.

Six years ago, the Roman reformer Tiberius Gracchus and his followers were beaten to death by the nobles of the Senate, and the bodies were thrown into the river here, but Tiberius' reforms did not stop because of this, Rome's pace towards the empire Slow but unstoppable.It won't be long before a more drastic reform will be launched, pushing Rome to its peak step by step, and the famous Caesar will soon be on the stage of history, ushering in a glorious era belonging to the Roman Empire.

However, a butterfly from 2000 years later has vibrated its wings, and the ripples are about to spread to Rome. Whether Rome has a chance to achieve glory is unknown.

Liang Xiao looked at the city of Rome in the distance, smiled, and whispered Caesar's deafening and domineering famous words.

"I come, I see, I conquer!"

(End of the book)
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(End of this chapter)