Three Kingdoms

In Chang'an City, inside Changle Palace, there is a palace that is not very inconspicuous. This palace is called Daxia Palace. Although the name is simple and unpretentious, this palace has an extraordinary history.

During the pre-Qin period, during the battle for Guanzhong, Xiang Yu burned Xianyang in a fire for three months without knowing for what purpose...

A few years later, the country changed hands, and Old Liu Tou rebuilt and expanded the Xingle Palace of the Qin Dynasty, which was still relatively intact, and turned it into the Chang'an Palace and Weiyang Palace of the Han Dynasty. Weiyang Palace was newly built in the Han Dynasty, so it is larger, more magnificent and beautiful than Chang'an Palace, which was renovated in the Qin Dynasty's Xingle Palace.

Therefore, most of the time, the emperors of the Han Dynasty usually handled political affairs in Weiyang Palace. In addition, Changle Palace became the palace of the Queen Mother in the early Han Dynasty. Many famous queen mothers came here to add color to the politics of the Han Dynasty, so When Changle Palace is mentioned, Changxin Palace must be mentioned, but Daxia Palace has been ignored.

In fact, Daxia Palace is also an important palace in Changle Palace and one of the main places for political activities in Changle Palace. In the early Han Dynasty, Liu Bang moved the twelve bronze figures in front of Qin's palace to the front of the Daxia Palace. The bell room in the Daxia Palace was the so-called "Room of the Hanging Bell". According to legend, Han Xin was killed here by Empress Lu.

However, at this moment, the original bronze figure in front of the Great Xia Palace was gone. It had long been pulled out by Dong Zhuo and smelted into bad money, leaving only the empty marks where the bronze figure originally stood...

Liu Xie, just like these bronze figures, seems to be a thing with a weak sense of existence. What people know is that there is a Bronze Man here in Daxia Palace, but when there is no trace of the Bronze Man, they can still continue to live as if nothing happened.

There seems to be some improvement recently, but only a little. Because the partisanship between Zhong Shao and Yang Biao in the imperial court became more and more intense, they increasingly looked to the imperial power as the final arbiter. Under such a strange combination of circumstances, Liu Xie felt a little bit taken seriously, but Liu Xie knew that this was only temporary. Maybe the two sides would decide the outcome that day, and then he would be like this Bronze men generally either remain silent or disappear.

Feeling that the jade seal in his hand became more and more important, Liu Xie felt more and more that the taste of power was indeed quite sweet, so sweet that Liu Xie became obsessed with it. The emperor is the son of heaven, and it is only natural that he governs the people of the world. However, since Emperor Heng, it seems that in addition to being respected in name, the emperor of the Han family rarely engages in practical affairs, and his status has been declining...

At first, when Dong Zhuo was in charge of the dynasty, one of Liu Xie was young and the other had not been exposed to these things. Naturally, he behaved modestly and did not show much publicity. But when there is something going on in the court, it's just Wei Wei. Everything is handled according to Dong Zhuo's wishes, and now, it seems that it is still handled according to the wishes of others.

When can...

well.

During the four or five years of his reign, there were only a handful of happy times. In addition, during this period in Chang'an, life became increasingly difficult, and even food was in short supply from time to time. Except for the heavy crown on his head, his hands were softly empty. .

Even the attendants and maids around him are in hardship.

Some time ago, when Xiliang soldiers rebelled against Chang'an, Liu Xie couldn't bear the suffering of the people in the palace, so he ordered many of them to be dismissed. Those who are still in the palace today are nothing more than some old and homeless people. , just like Liu Xie, they just live next to each other.

The only person following Liu Xie now is the noble Fu Shou.

Fu Shou was a native of Xuzhou and the eighth grandson of Fu Zhan, the Great Situ of the Western Han Dynasty. His father, Naifu Wan, was a well-educated scholar. He married Princess Liu Hua of Yang'an, the daughter of Emperor Huan of the Han Dynasty, and became a minister.

In fact, the key to choosing Fu Shou is that his father's official position is neither high nor low, just right, he is a well-educated man, and his surname is not an outstanding one. Even if he becomes a relative of the royal family, it will not become a big deal. .

Just as Li Ru arranged before, after Fu Shou followed the emperor, his family did not improve much and was still an ordinary official family.

"Madam," Liu Xie raised his head and looked at the corners of the Daxia Palace. Those places that were originally exquisitely carved and decorated with gold and silver are now mostly peeling off and withered, "...you and I have been together for more than four years, right?"

In fact, the emperors and empresses of the Han Dynasty did not have as many rules for each other as in later generations. They still addressed each other as you, me and me. They did not open their mouths and serve their concubines but kept their mouths shut. They kowtowed and knelt down at every turn.

Fu Shou is one year older than Liu Xie. Even so, after all, Liu Xie was younger at that time. He was only eight or nine years old at that time. Even now, he has grown a little bit longer, but he still looks like he was twelve or thirteen years old. In later generations, Most likely he is still a middle school boy.

Fushou didn't talk much on weekdays, but he looked like a lady. After hearing Liu Xie's words, he didn't correct the so-called four years and a few months, but just replied: "Yes... …”

Liu Xie still raised his head, and then said: "...This was originally the place where I lived as the Queen Mother, but now...come, you come with me..."

After Liu Xie finished speaking, he withdrew his gaze, but still did not look at Fu Shou, but walked straight to the door of Daxia Palace.

The door of Daxia Hall is closed, and there are some weeds and moss on the steps. Because there is a shortage of manpower in the palace, cleaning and cleaning are somewhat difficult to take care of.

An attendant followed Liu Xie and asked softly: "Your Majesty, do you want to open the palace door?"

"..." Liu Xie was silent for a moment, shook his head and said, "No need, just leave it like this..."

Before arriving at the main hall, Liu Xie waved to Fu Shou, then bowed in front of the Daxia Palace and said: "... Your Majesty is the Queen Mother. Now that Fu is a virtuous, virtuous, intelligent, respectful and intelligent person, she can be made the Queen... I am here to report to the Queen Mother. …”

Fu Shou quickly prostrated himself behind Liu Xie and knelt on the ground with his head.

A few attendants behind him also knelt down and worshiped on the ground.

Daxia Hall was quiet.

Two half-year-old children, one boy and one girl, one on the left and one on the right, were kneeling in front of the palace door.

A breeze blew through the hall, and the soft sound it made was like a mother whispering instructions in her ears before going to bed...

…………………………

"Brother, you are in good spirits..." Liu Dan saw Liu Fan leisurely watching the singing and dancing girl's performance in the backyard hall, and suddenly became a little angry.

Liu Fan smiled, waved his hand to stop the singing and dancing, and then asked the attendant to bring some tea, water and dried fruits, and then said: "What's wrong? What is it that makes my second brother so anxious and angry?"

Liu Dan picked up the tea bowl, but did not drink it. He sighed, put the tea bowl down again, and said, "It's a mess outside, brother, how can you sit still? Mr. Yang asked for food and grass to be transferred from outside. There are already different opinions on this matter. It’s almost like a fight!”

Liu Fan laughed and said: "Haha, Mr. Yang is the same. If he had always swallowed his anger and allowed others to manipulate him, he wouldn't have the reputation of being the best clan in the world..."

After hearing this, Liu Dan hesitated, and then said, "Brother, did you already know this?"

"How could you not know about such a big thing?" Liu Fan said lightly.

"Then brother, you..." Liu Dan couldn't help but couldn't understand.

Liu Fan looked at Liu Dan and said: "...what else should we do? Although the stud is now in control of Chao Gang, this situation will happen sooner or later! This is also a threshold that the stud must go through, even without Yang Gong. There are other people coming out. If they can pass, they can cover the sky with one hand without any problem. If they can’t pass this pass...hehe..."

"But, this..." Liu Dan frowned and said, "...after all, we and the stud...if this...is a huge change between the government and the public, what good can we do?"

"That's a good question, second brother..." Liu Fan said softly, "...but if nothing changes, what good can we gain?"

"..." Liu Dan suddenly opened his eyes wide.

In the final analysis, politics is actually a process in which respective groups fight and compromise with each other and exchange interests. Now the traitor is naturally a vested interest, and Mr. Yang is the new challenger. However, any opposition party, before formally taking office, will always promise various benefits, indicating what they will do if they can ascend to the court in the future. how.

Yang Biao is naturally no exception.

Following the cultivation of Shao, the official seal in this hand will come to an end. It’s not that I don’t want to give, but there are always people of this kind who need to balance each other. These positions are also limited. If you give one, you will not be able to give that.

But Yang Biao was different. He had nothing in his hand, so naturally he could write a blank check as big as he could.

Liu Dan said with some worry: "...But it's unlikely that Mr. Yang will be in power..."

Liu Fan smiled and said: "Young Master, Mr. Yang, although this fight is fierce, it still has nothing to do with us! Forget it, since the second brother mentioned this matter..."

Liu Fan waved his hand and asked the attendants to retreat, and then continued: "... We can no longer stay in Guanzhong for a long time!"

In the current political situation, it goes without saying that Zhong Shao and Yang Biao are at odds with each other, and everyone else in the court below, including Liu Fan and others, must make a choice, either/or.

"...Brother's intention is..." Liu Dan was a little confused.

"Brother Yang, Mr. Yang, the constant party fighting is really boring..." Liu Fan said quietly, "...these people are all focusing on the small space above the court... but they don't know how big the world is..."

Liu Fan was actually anxious, but he couldn't express this urgent matter even in front of Liu Dan.

Some time ago, I received news from Shu that my father Liu Yan seemed to be in poor health...

As you age, your body naturally declines. This is a law of nature, and no one can change it with human power. But the problem is that Liu Yanyuan is far away in Shu, but Liu Fan, the eldest son, is in Guanzhong, separated by thousands of mountains and rivers.

In fact, besides this, there is another reason.

Some time ago, perhaps in order to strengthen the relationship with Liu Yan, or perhaps for some other reason, Zhong Shao recruited Liu Yan into the imperial court to serve as the third prince without any discussion with Liu Fan.

According to common sense, this is not a bad thing.

The local governor Zhou Mu, after serving for a period of time, was transferred to the central government to serve as the three ministers and nine ministers, which was the practice of the imperial court. However, at this juncture, the position of the three ministers was not so easy to fill.

What's more, Liu Fan naturally guessed at least a little bit of what Liu Yan was thinking about as the son knows his father better than his son.

Then the Hanzhong Five Pecks of Rice Rebellion broke out...

I heard that Zhang Lu had a young mother who actually lived in Liu Yan's house at this time.

What exactly happened is probably just to cover up the outsiders' eyes and ears.

As Liu Fan's best choice, naturally he would go to Shu and become the prince of a country within a country, and then wait for the day when his father Liu Yan died, and then become the lord of Shu.

But this idea is beautiful, but in reality it is very difficult.

No matter how old and fatuous Zhong Shao was, he would not make the decision to let Liu Fan leave Chang'an and send him to Shu. What's more, he had already beaten a dog with meat buns once, so there would be no chance of a second one.

Liu Fan's fourth brother, Liu Zhang, was also in Chang'an. He went to visit Liu Yan on the order of the imperial court, but he never came back. He gave Liu Yan some messy excuse to stay because he couldn't bear to separate his flesh and blood.

Liu Fan was also anxious. If his father Liu Yan was in good health and persisted for a longer time, then he could slowly seek opportunities. But now it is said that he is not as good as before. If there is any problem with this, wouldn't it be cheap? …

Although the younger brother is naturally a blood relative, but...

hehe.

"...The world is like this, second brother, look at the generals of chariots and cavalry, the generals in the rear, and then look at the generals who conquer the west..." Liu Fan said slowly, "...what's the point of staying in Guanzhong? It's better to do it as soon as possible. Find a way out!"

Speaking of these people, Liu Fan couldn't help but have a hint of sourness in his voice. Just the two brothers Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu. This general who conquers the west is still younger than himself, and he is already a prince. I heard that Pingyang City in the north is also very prosperous, and it will not be as good as the original Guanzhong or Henan Yin. How bad is this for a big county town?

And although he is in charge of the city gate of Chang'an City and has great power in his hands, he is not as free and at ease as he is outside the gate.

Liu Dan said: "...then brother, where are you looking for?"

"...Jiaozhou, second brother, what do you think?" Liu Fan stroked his beard and said.

"...Jiaozhou..." Liu Dan lowered his head, thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "...brother's choice is naturally the best one..."

Of course Jiaozhou is not a particularly good place, but one advantage of Jiaozhou is that it borders Yizhou. So whether you look at it now or in the future, it is a very good place.

More importantly, choosing Jiaozhou is less likely to attract the attention of others. It is a borderland anyway, just like when Fei Qian and Fei Ziyuan chose Jiaozhou. Who could have known that such a bitter and cold land was actually in Fei Qian? Have you revitalized your hands?

Could it be that my talent is worse than that of Fei Qian and Fei Ziyuan?

Of course Liu Fan doesn't think so.

Liu Fan narrowed his eyes slightly and said: "... In this battle in Guanzhong, no matter whether it is the breeding male or the Yang Gong in the end... I just want to pay the state!"