Chapter 1289 Admonishment (2)
The fifth year of Yanxi in the Han Dynasty was the fifth year of Chiwu in the state of Wu.
At that time, Gu Yong, the prime minister of the state of Wu, was old and sick and could not govern for a long time.
General Lu Xun is temporarily in charge of the affairs of the prime minister.
In July, Emperor Sun Quan of the State of Wu once again deliberately sent General Nie You and Lieutenant Lu Kai to lead 30,000 troops to attack Dan'er (today's western Hainan) and Zhuya (today's eastern Hainan) on the pretext of plundering the population.
At the court, I was admonished by the ministers headed by the above-mentioned general Lu Xun:
"Traveling far away is barren, attacking people thousands of miles away, and the storms are unpredictable. Moreover, it is a foreign land, isolated from the sea, and the water, soil and air are poisonous. This has existed since ancient times. When soldiers enter and leave the people, they are bound to get sick and become polluted. Those who go there are afraid and cannot fight back, so How can we gain so much?”
“Moreover, when people change water and soil, diseases will inevitably occur. If you want to gain, you will suffer more, and if you want to gain, you will do harm. The soldiers on the river bank are in vain, hoping to gain something, and the foolish officials are still uneasy..."
Sun Quan, who was sitting on top, looked at the crowd of ministers standing up below, all of whom were opposed to his decision. He couldn't help but feel a sense of irritation and anger in his heart.
When his eyes fell on Lu Xun in the front, he felt even more secretly hateful.
Seeing him slam the table, he yelled:
“You keep saying that this is a plan for the country and Wu, good!”
“Of all your families and tribes, which tribe does not have clan soldiers? Which person does not have tribes in the army?”
“If this is not the case, you will hand over all your respective clan armies. I will not send these 30,000 men to the sea, but will send them all to attack Hefei. Are you willing?”
Sun Quan’s words immediately shocked everyone.
Especially the representatives of the major families in Jiangdong looked horrified.
The song in the middle of the army is inherited by the son after the death of the father, which is a tradition in Wu Dynasty.
Allowing each major family to retain a certain amount of private clan soldiers was a compromise that King Huan had reached with each major family since he took control of Jiangdong.
Ahem, Your Majesty, you must still remember that you, the Sun family, have a criminal record, right?
To put it bluntly, if the major families did not have these private soldiers, they would feel insecure!
Unless your majesty is crazy, why would you want to destroy the foundation of Wu?
Just as Sun Quan, deep down in his heart, did not want to believe in the Jiangdong family.
How could the Jiangdong family forget that the Sun family brutally massacred Jiangdong, causing the major families to shed blood?
Of course, there are simply not many benefits to legally owning a private tribe and family clan soldiers.
To put it bluntly, this has almost become the foundation for the Jiangdong family and even the Huaisi Group to control the military power of Wu State.
On this point, the two major political groups in Wu State are in rare agreement.
Zhou Gongjin died young, and his eldest son Zhou Xun also died young. His second son Zhou Yin was supposed to be the heir, but he didn't expect that he would be removed from official position and serve the people because of his crime.
Later, Zhuge Jin, Bu Zhi, Zhu Ran, Quan Cong and other important officials wrote letters again and again, asking for pardon for their crimes, and at the same time, the Zhou family's troops and horses were returned and their titles were restored.
Sun Quan delayed again and again, and finally he could no longer delay, so he pretended to issue an edict for permission.
Even before the edict was issued, Zhou Yin couldn't bear it and died first.
Thirty years after Zhou Yu's death, when his eldest son died early and his second son was removed from office and became a citizen, it became even more difficult for Sun Quan, as the emperor, to deprive the Zhou family of their tribes.
Had it not been a coincidence that the second son died in a hurry, Sun Quan would have had to return his tribe in the end.
It is conceivable that even if you are the emperor, you can’t move the troops of the Wu State as you please.
Not to mention that asking them to hand over their tribes and clan soldiers now is simply irritating their roots!
Sun Quan looked at the shocked ministers below and sneered:
“What? You don’t even want to?”
He was so angry that he stood up and slapped the table. He pointed his parallel fingers at the ministers and scolded:
“Of course I know that you are not willing! One or two of you keep saying that it is for the sake of the country and for me.”
“Have I ever lost one person in my army over the years? Have I ever reduced the number of clan soldiers? No, not at all. Instead, you secretly add men and women every year, and I have never said a word!”
“It’s not you who are thinking about me, it’s me who is thinking about you! And what about you, what do you want to do now?”
“I didn’t move your troops, but you turned the other way and wanted to tell me how to mobilize the central army, right?!”
In fact, over the years, Sun Quan personally led troops northward many times, fully aware of the dangers of private tribes among generals.
Even in his opinion, these military generals who were too selfish and did not want to attack the city, but only wanted to plunder the people as their tribes, should bear a large part of the responsibility for the failure of the northward march.
So he had long wanted to gather military power in the central government and strengthen centralization.
However, the hereditary military leadership system is an important military pillar of the Wu State. Once this is disturbed, the entire Wu Kingdom will be shaken.
So he could only endure it, and then think of ways to gradually get rid of it.
This time's rage was not entirely an act of pretense on his part.
It was the actions of Lu Xun, Quancong and others that unintentionally touched Emperor Sun's heart at this sensitive moment.
I was not allowed to seek immortality and live a long life, and I was not allowed to withdraw military power. The successor I had painstakingly cultivated was gone, and the current prince was young and ignorant.
What do you want to do now?
Are you just thinking of letting me die early so that you can control the future Emperor Wu?
Of course, there may be another reason why Emperor Sun was so angry that even Emperor Sun himself was not aware of.
That is because these days, he seems to be increasingly unable to control his temper.
It was simply unimaginable before to say these words openly in the court like now.
Lu Xun, Quan Cong and others naturally did not expect His Majesty to say these words. They were so excited on the spot that they kowtowed in fright:
“I don’t dare!”
“I will die!”
Looking at a large area of darkness lying below, Sun Quan snorted angrily, threw up his sleeves and left.
The meeting ended hastily.
Quan Cong never expected that he would put aside his grudges and cooperate with Lu Boyan, but he would get such a result.
Stepping out of the Dragon Palace, he couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
It seems that this time, there is no way to dissuade His Majesty.
“Great Governor!”
While I was worried, I suddenly heard someone calling me not far ahead.
Xun Sheng looked up and saw General Shang, who had come out earlier than him, standing not far ahead.
Beside the general, there were also several ministers of the court and central government.
Quan Cong would naturally not quarrel with Lu Xun in public.
What’s more, the two of them had just collaborated.
He took two quick steps, stepped forward and said:
“Come up, General, what’s the matter with calling Cong?”
Lu Xun had a worried look on his face:
“Your Majesty retired from the imperial court midway, can the Governor just let it go?”
Quan Cong sighed:
“Your Majesty is unwilling to listen to advice, what should I do?”
Lu Xun stared at Quan Cong and said slowly:
"I heard that the Governor went to Xuanwu Gate to knock on the door two days ago, but was not received by His Majesty?"
Quan Cong frowned:
“What does the general mean by this?”
Lu Xun looked past Quan Cong to the Divine Dragon Palace behind him, as if he wanted to see through the Divine Dragon Palace and see clearly the palace and the harem.
Then he said in a low voice:
“Your Majesty sent a large number of troops out to sea for no reason, and what he said in court today made me very uneasy. Therefore, I also want to follow the example of the Grand Governor and want to see your Majesty.”
His eyes turned to Quan Cong again:
“I wonder if the Governor is free enough to accompany Xun on this trip?”
叩que?
Quan Cong was stunned.
When he saw Lu Xun's eager eyes, he couldn't help but hesitate for a moment and was about to nod.
“General and Governor, in my humble opinion, your Majesty’s recent actions are very different from those in the past. I’m afraid there is a reason for this.”
Hearing this, Quan Cong looked at the speaker and immediately showed disgust.
Because the speaker was none other than Gu Tan and Gu Zimo.
In the case of Shouchun's military exploits, it was Gu Cheng, Zhang Xiu and others who took away all the military exploits.
Who is Gu Cheng?
It is Gu Tan’s younger brother.
If Quan Cong was just at odds with Lu Xun, then he was harboring a grudge against the Gu family.
It's just that in this situation, it's obviously not easy to have an attack.
Quan Cong could only snort and look away from Gu Tan.
Lu Xun and Quan Cong's movements were opposite. He turned to look at Gu Tan with interest:
“What is Zimo’s wise opinion?”
Gu Tan quickly said humbly:
"I don't dare. I'll ask the general, but Tan is just giving me my humble opinion."
“But it doesn’t hurt to say it.”
“Since your Majesty ascended to the throne, you have never had a harem master, and your concubines have not had a female monarch, so it is inevitable that there will be some omissions in the harem.”
After Gu Tan said this, Quan Cong's brows couldn't help but jump!
Do you dare to criticize the harem ban?
Quan Cong looked at Lu Xun subconsciously.
Lu Xun had no intention of stopping him. Feeling Quan Cong's eyes looking over, he just hesitated for a moment and then said:
"Easy to say: There is a couple and then a father and son. This is the beginning of a woman's relationship and the prosperity of her family. There is an emperor but no queen, and the yin and yang are out of balance. Therefore, the discussion of establishing a queen is not only for your Majesty's family and country, but also a major event for the country."
This sentence left Quan Cong unable to refute.
After Lu Xun said this, he looked at Gu Tan again:
"It's just the master of the harem, how can it be related to this matter?"
Gu Tan did not answer immediately. He looked around first.
Fortunately, when people passing by saw the general discussing matters with the governor, they would wisely stay away.
"Tan Zeng heard that in the harem, His Majesty called his beloved concubine his immortal companion without calling her by name. He also used the method of cultivating Taoism to cultivate immortality with his beloved concubine."
"It can be said that the harem has no owner, so it is forbidden to cause chaos? I should advise your majesty to appoint a queen early and clear the harem so that those with ulterior motives cannot mislead your majesty."
"Outside, we will do our best to serve as loyal ministers and give more advice, so that we can put an end to His Majesty's actions of following Emperor Qin and Emperor Wu of Han in his later years."
Although Gu Tan did not mention a word about sending troops overseas to foreign lands, the "actions of Emperor Qin and Han Wu in his later years" are enough to explain the problem.
As soon as Gu Tan said these words, everyone around Lu Xun changed their expressions.
His Majesty likes to talk about gods. This is no secret.
Yu Zhongxiang (also known as Yu Fan), a famous scholar from Jiangdong, once refuted His Majesty's views on immortals and was exiled to Jiaozhou. He was not even pardoned before his death.
It is precisely because of what happened to Yu Zhongxiang that everyone tacitly agreed not to mention it, or rather they did not dare to mention the topic of His Majesty's quest for immortality.
I didn’t expect that Gu Zimo would dare to say it in public today.
Is he really not afraid of becoming the second Yu Zhongxiang?
Lu Xun took a deep look at Gu Tan, then turned to Quan Cong:
“What does the Governor think?”
At this time, Quan Cong already felt a little regretful.
I thought it was bullshit!
Even the princess did not dare to mention this topic in the palace, but you, Gu Zimo, are really not afraid of death!
Quan Cong finally looked at Gu Tan:
"Then Gu Shangshu thinks, among the ladies in the harem, who can be the queen?"
“I am the crown prince’s mother, Mrs. Wang.” Gu Tan said without hesitation, “Apart from Mrs. Wang, is there anyone with more status than her?”
Quan Cong stopped talking.
Of course he could guess who Gu Tan wanted to talk about.
He just asked casually, but in fact he was already thinking about how to retreat.
Quan Cong admitted that if Da Wu wanted to canonize the queen now, Mrs. Wang was indeed the most suitable candidate.
And it can only be the wife of the king.
Otherwise, what will the prince do?
Mrs. Wang is not one of those concubines who have no status. Unlike the biological mother of the former prince, she can be deprived of her status at will.
But don’t forget, there is also a princess in the house.
This princess has always been at odds with Mrs. Wang.
If Quan Cong really wants to support Mrs. Wang in taking the throne, wouldn't that be digging his own grave?
"The matter of establishing a queen is related to the foundation of the country and must be considered in the long term. How can it be discussed openly in public? It is so inappropriate!"
Then he raised his hands and saluted Lu Xun:
“Let Cong leave first.”
After saying this, he left regardless of Lu Xun's attempts to stay.
Looking at Quan Cong's back, Gu Tan was a little worried about his face. He snorted and looked unhappy.
Lu Xun sighed:
“I originally thought that the Governor was alone and was a selfless person, but I didn’t expect..."
He believed that he had no selfish motives in regard to Shouchun's military exploits.
So he used himself to save others, thinking that Quan Cong could put aside his past grudges and work together to contribute to the country.
Unexpectedly, Quan Cong was not even willing to give him this face.
“General, what should we do?”
Lu Xun looked at the Dragon Palace again, his eyes becoming firm:
“Quan Zihuang (Quan Cong) still dares to knock on the door alone. How can we, among many others, be no better than him?”
As he spoke, he looked at the people around him:
“You guys, do you dare to go with me?”
“I would like to accompany you, the general!”
—
Quan Cong naturally didn't know what Lu Xun and others decided after he left.
After he returned to his house, he went straight to Princess Quan and told the story exactly.
When Princess Quan heard this, her expression suddenly changed. She gritted her teeth and stamped her feet:
"Gu Zimo! You dare to stir up trouble like this just because your great father is the prime minister! I really don't dare to kill you!"
She has been at odds with Mrs. Wang for a long time.
If one's own mother (i.e. Mrs. Bu) failed to become the queen during her lifetime, and her rival could eventually become the mother of a country, that would not only be an insult to her.
It will become a lingering shame and overwhelming hatred that cannot be eliminated in the whole princess's life.
Seeing this, Quan Cong quickly comforted him:
"Princess, don't be anxious. I think your Majesty is very determined in sending people to sea this time. The matter of establishing a queen is even more important to the country."
“Even if Lu Boyan wants to persuade His Majesty on these two matters, I’m afraid it will not be easy.”
"Having said that, Lu Boyan has a very high reputation in the government and the public." Princess Quan's eyes flashed with a gloomy light, "I heard that he was the one who persuaded your Majesty to make Sun He the crown prince."
“Who knows whether he will persuade His Majesty again this time?”
It is about a good spirit that does not work but a bad spirit.
While Quan Cong and his wife were still discussing the matter, news like a bolt from the blue was sent to the house:
Your Majesty agreed to summon the general!
What made Princess Quan even more anxious was that someone in the palace took the risk to send her a message, saying that Your Majesty seemed to have decided on the matter of establishing a queen.
(End of this chapter)