Father Han Gaozu

Chapter 698 Who Can Follow?

Chao Cuo has never been so carefree as today.

The dream of a lifetime is finally fulfilled at this moment.

The great cause of cutting down the vassals finally ushered in a huge breakthrough. The most important powers of the princes and kings were taken away, just like the county guards, and the official system changed greatly. Prime Minister, the Guowei came to divide his political and military power, and then took away the guard army with Lang Zhongling, while the finance was intervened by officials appointed by the Temple Shaofu. Control, and the county guard and the state minister became equals, the national lieutenant and the county lieutenant became equals, and the Guoshao Fucheng and the county prime minister became equals.

The princes and kings can only become their kings in name, but they can no longer act recklessly. All the officials do not need to unite to check and balance the princes and kings.

In the past two generations, the princes and kings were completely controlled by the officials, and they became the decorations of the temples, and the prefectures and states could be completed smoothly.

After the emperor summoned the kings, held a meeting, and discussed the matter, the matter passed smoothly and was handed over to the officials for implementation.

At this point, the two major divisions of power for the local government officially began, and Chao Cuo, as the leader, naturally gained a huge reputation.

At least, the voices in the temple that were dissatisfied with him were much weaker.

The Sangong, who had been cast aside before, gradually established his prestige as a Sangong.

During the court meeting, Chao Cuo sat proudly on the top seat and looked down, but no one dared to look at him. The officials had a lot of ideas about local official positions. After Chao Cuo promoted this matter, they also No longer being restrained, they put forward their own ideas one after another. The sheriff and the kings no longer objected. This matter was far smoother than expected, but there were still several problems. The first was the arrangement of the past officials.

The number of officials in the vassal states is about to shrink, so what about those who were originally officials in the vassal states?

The power of officials in counties and counties has been redistributed. Will the personnel be reassigned?
Of course, the most important thing is the governor system, how to determine the candidates for the governor?

These three things actually fell on Zhang Cang in the end.

Chao Cuo is good at drawing up big plans, but when it comes to this specific matter, his ability is far inferior to that of Zhang Cang. Zhang Cang beats him in all aspects. Chao Cuo can draw up a century-old national policy for a big man, but he can't arrange for several counties. The advantages and disadvantages of appointment and removal of officials are equally prominent.

In fact, Zhang Cang complained a little. At his own age, this Chao Cuo has brought up so many things for him. If you want to do it, then you can do it yourself. After you bring it up, throw it to yourself and torture yourself. This old man, half buried in the ground, is not a son of man!
"Mr. Zhang, these changes have involved thousands of officials. Among them, there are a dozen or so for two thousand stones, and hundreds for thousands of stones. The specific transfer, appointment and removal must follow the new mutual avoidance law issued by the prince. It's just too big."

Chao Cuo sat in the prime minister's mansion respectfully. Among the three princes, only Zhang Cang and Han Xin dared not provoke Chao Cuo.

The reason why I dare not mess with Han Xin is because Han Xin can kill him at any time, making him completely dead.

And he didn't dare to provoke Lao Zhang because he was too proficient in government affairs. If he offended him, Zhang Cang would make him unable to do anything at any time, and he would not find any reason.

Zhang Cang's complexion was not very good at the moment, he frowned, and snorted coldly, "You know it's extremely difficult?"

"Then why don't you do it yourself?"

"Even if it is handed over to the ministers to discuss? Do you have to write a letter to His Majesty and leave it to me to complete??"

Chao Cuo is no longer the tough-headed Chao Cuo. He has been in the temple for so long, and he has learned how to get along with these people. No one else can do it to your level!"

"I'm not Your Majesty, your words are useless to me."

Chao Cuo hesitated for a moment before he said: "Mr. Zhang, I am not out of selfishness, but for the sake of the great Han world. Your Xingnong also needs qualified county officials to complete it."

Zhang Cang was even more displeased, "Okay, stop talking nonsense, I know how to deal with it, why did you come to me?"

"Zhang Xiang, the sooner this matter can be completed, the better. I beg Zhang Xiang to use a little bit of care. The sooner it is completed, the greater the effect it can play. Delay is not good. I really want to"

Chao Cuo seemed really anxious. After all, he knew too well the character of the Prime Minister. He didn't like to do things. No matter what, he would always drag it to the end. His Majesty couldn't wait. , give a deadline, and he will start to make arrangements when the deadline is due. But this time the matter really can't be delayed, obviously the ability to handle things is so strong, why do you have to be so lazy?Looking at Zhang Cang's behavior, Chao Cuo felt inexplicably sad and indignant sometimes. The behavior styles of these two were completely opposite. From Chao Cuo's point of view, Zhang Cang's behavior was to occupy the largest latrine and sleep.

Can't you do something? ?

Zhang Cang sighed, "I know what you're thinking. It's not that the old man doesn't want to help you. It's just that there are too many things and it's extremely difficult. No matter how fast the old man is, he can't finish it in a short period of time. Thousands of dollars The appointment of officials, this is not about planting vegetables, digging a hole and burying it must be seriously considered.”

"Can you give me a specific time limit for that photo?"

"Six months."

Chao Cuo's face darkened, it was still a bit too long.

"Couldn't it be faster?"

"That's thousands of people, isn't that fast enough?! Are you trying to kill me, an old man?!"

Zhang Cang reprimanded angrily, and Chao Cuo was speechless immediately.

"Ten days~~~"

Suddenly there was a loud voice from the outside, Chao Cuo was startled, turned his head, Liu Chang swaggered into the mansion, the servants of the Zhang mansion followed behind him in some embarrassment. Opportunity to sue
Zhang Cang asked: "Ten months? That's fine."

"I meant ten days, not ten months."

Liu Dalai sat beside Zhang Cang, Chao Cuo rushed to see him, Liu Chang waved his hand and asked Chao Cuo to sit down.

Zhang Cang's face darkened, "What do you mean? Ten days?? Thousands of officials? Even Prime Minister Xiao may not be able to do it if he crawls out. Do you want to change officials or the Prime Minister?!"

Even Chao Cuo couldn't stand it anymore, and reminded: "Your Majesty, there are many officials involved, and it is true that it cannot be done in a short period of time. To adjust them to various places, it will take at least a month just for the governor's arrangement." Bar."

Liu Chang remained unmoved, "Ten days."

Zhang Cang was furious, "I can't do it! If so, I will write a letter to resign!"

Liu Chang said with a smile: "Master, you can hide it from others, but you can't hide it from me. In these years, you have never come to work for more than half an hour a day, and sometimes you simply don't come for a few days. But That's it, nothing was delayed, I know your strength, and, think about it for yourself, if you need six months to handle this matter, then I will definitely send someone to urge you, maybe every day Look at your progress. In this way, the time you can really rest is estimated to be less than two months. Why don't you use ten days to complete this matter, and I will give you two months of leave. Your old man is at home at ease, how is it?"

Zhang Cang was taken aback, "Ten days is still a bit too short, maybe a month."

Chao Cuo was about to explain to Zhang Cang, when he heard his words, a daze flashed in his eyes, didn't he just promise to say six months? ?
Liu Chang shook his head, glanced at Chao Cuo, and secretly whispered something in Zhang Cang's ear.

Zhang Cang was overjoyed, "Really?? He really wants it. Will the ministers agree?"

"Whether they agree or not, anyway, you can relax after that, how?"

Zhang Cang laughed, "Since you have said so, I will give up my old bones for the sake of the great man. How about it, you give me seven days, and then give me three months of vacation!"

"A word is settled!"

The two immediately completed the agreement, but Chao Cuo was dumbfounded. Six months turned into seven days? ?Is it a little too serious for you to paddle on weekdays? ? ?
Also, what did His Majesty just say? ?

But both Zhang Cang and Liu Chang were unwilling to talk about it. Zhang Cang even asked someone to help him into the study, took out a pen and paper, and started writing.

Liu Chang patted Chao Cuo on the shoulder, "You are still young, if I hadn't come today, your matter would have been delayed for six months."

"Your Majesty, Zhang...this is too much"

Chao Cuo's expression became inexplicably sad and angry.

If he hadn't been concerned about the master-student relationship between His Majesty and Zhang Cang, he would really have scolded him.

Liu Chang shook his head, "Don't blame the teacher."

"My master is old, very old. No matter how healthy he is now, it is inappropriate to leave so many things to an old man. In fact, I also want him to do less and be healthy. Yes, spend your old age happily. However, in the whole temple, there is no more suitable candidate than him. After Xiao Xiang, there is Cao Xiang, after Cao Xiang, there are Wang Xiang, Chen Xiang and Zhou Xiang, but now I don't know who else can take his place after Zhang Xiang. In the past few decades, talents have emerged in large numbers, and heroes are everywhere. It's a pity that it is difficult to have a successor who can inherit Zhang Xiang's mantle Where are the people on my side?"

Hearing Liu Chang's emotion, Chao Cuo subconsciously wanted to answer, here!

But thinking of what Zhang Cang said just now, he held back. If he came to handle this matter, it might not be completed in seven months, let alone seven days. He was responsible for the officials who were appointed and dismissed. When Zhao Yu committed a crime, Chao Cuo was also deprived of Shiyi, and the governor of Jiyin committed a crime. Zhang Buyi, who appointed him, was in Xia Guo, and was also deprived of Shiyi. Appointing so many people at once, if there are a few traitors among them, the title will basically be lost.

It's okay to lose the title, the main reason is that I'm afraid that the employment will be unfavorable, which will lead to chaos in government affairs and affect major events, and that is the most terrible thing.

Anyway, he couldn't reach Zhang Cang's level, not even half of it.

Seeing Chao Cuo whose face changed greatly, Liu Chang smiled, and patted him on the shoulder again, "I didn't say it to you, it's just a feeling."

Liu Chang left Xiang's mansion, and Chao Cuo also returned to his mansion.

Chao Cuo looked a little bored, completely different from the complacency when he left the mansion.

Zhang Tang sat aside, looking at his teacher suspiciously, "Master, what happened? Didn't Prime Minister Zhang promise you?"

"accepted"

Chao Cuo said, and suddenly asked: "Tang, what do you think of me?"

"Ah, the teacher is superior in strategy, dedicated to the country, upright and upright"

"Then how do you think I compare with Zhang?"

Zhang Tang was silent for a moment, before he replied: "It's not as good as it is."

Chao Cuo was not angry, "You're honest. It's not that I'm not as smart as him, but I'm far inferior to him in terms of qualifications. He has experienced too many things. He has been honed at the bottom for many years. He has been an official since he was in Qin. Naturally, I am not as good as him." His, Tang, originally I promised the King of Wu that I would resign after the matter is completed, it was just a stopgap measure. But now it seems that I still have to write a letter to resign, I want to go to a place to serve as a county guard."

Zhang Tang was taken aback, "Teacher is going to be a county guard somewhere?? Why?"

"I have been in the temple all these years. When I went to South Vietnam, I also stayed at home. I have never really governed one side alone. Therefore, handling affairs is my weakest point. I am still young and I can learn. You are lucky to be able to accumulate experience, because I already know how to teach a qualified minister. Starting tomorrow, you will be an official in the village. Don't use my name, don't use your father I will continue to teach you more knowledge when you become a county magistrate on your own."

Zhang Tang was a little confused about the situation, but out of his trust in the teacher, he still nodded in agreement, and then asked: "Teacher, can I be an official at my age?"

"Heh, when you first came to follow me, you were already able to easily sort out documents for your father. Why can't you be a small official at your age?"

"Do it with peace of mind!"

"only."

Zhang Tang, who didn't know that he would take a new path, saluted Chao Cuo at this moment and accepted the teacher's arrangement.

"Since the matter is successful, all the kings should retire. I would like to stay here, but, things are busy in Nanyue Kingdom, and I am getting old, so I really don't want to die elsewhere, even though Nanyue is not my hometown. , but I have lived in South Vietnam for half my life, and I want to die there too."

Zhao Tuo spoke weakly, but Liu Chang couldn't help but snort coldly.

You old man, that's what you told me 20 years ago!

Now that I have grown a few gray hairs, you are still the same, you haven't changed at all, can I still believe your words? ?
"Okay, since the King of Nanyue wants to leave, I can't stop him, but the matter of the gold mine will still be there after I go back."

Just as the two were plotting in Houde Hall, a small figure suddenly broke in.

"Father!!!"

The little princess ran in quickly and threw herself into Liu Chang's arms. The light smile on Zhao Tuo's face froze at that moment. froze.

"Hehe??"

Zhao Tuo muttered, and before he knew it, two tears appeared on his face.

The petite figure in front of him overlapped with the figure in his memory in an instant, appearance, voice, everything was quickly overlapping, it was this face, it was this voice, Zhao Tuo just stared at that figure blankly at the moment, he It seemed that he wanted to say something, but his whole body couldn't help but tremble slightly, and he couldn't say a word in a daze.

Liu Chang naturally noticed Zhao Tuo's abnormality, and he said, "This is my daughter, not your daughter."

Liu Jie raised his head and looked curiously at the old man in front of him.

Suddenly, she got out of Liu Chang's arms, walked up to the old man, gently wiped away his tears, and asked in a low voice, "Have you been beaten by your mother too?"

Zhao Tuo suddenly laughed. He grinned, but tears kept streaming down his face.

"Yes. Are you often beaten by your mother?"

"That's right, my father is very good to me. It's my mother who always wants to beat me up, but I dare not go to her. My father has not allowed me to come here these days, and let me stay at Father Goat's place." By the way, Father Goat is also a little busy, so he asked me to go to Brother's side again. Sigh, I don't know what these adults are up to, but don't cry even if they don't let me come to the palace. If your mother beats you in the future, you You can also run to find your father!"

"Uh-huh."

Zhao Tuo nodded, groping for his sleeves, trying to get something delicious, but he couldn't find it.

He raised his head and looked at Liu Chang, "Your Majesty, my legs and feet are inconvenient, and it's extremely difficult to go back and forth. I think it's better to stay in Chang'an for a longer time."

"Heh, isn't the king of Nanyue busy? How can he stay in Chang'an?"

"Now that the power has been divided, it doesn't matter whether the princes and kings are there. Moreover, I am old, and I am not in charge of state affairs. I should stay."

Liu Chang pouted, but didn't say much.

Zhao Tuo happily looked at Xiao Liu in front of him, and asked about her hobbies and games she liked in detail. Zhao Tuo was still a little dissatisfied with the father of the goat that he talked about. Who is this, who dares to let his princess call him the father?This is not taking himself seriously at all, and he will definitely run into him someday! !

The princes and kings began to leave in batches, and the king of Hexi was the first to leave.

Because Hexi was fighting against the Outer Qiang at the moment, as a king, he couldn't leave for too long during the war, so he had to go back quickly to take care of the overall situation.

The rest of the kings were also making preparations, thinking of returning to their respective territories, many of them were extremely reluctant to part with Liu Chang, and met several times in private.

King Yan and King Qi also left Chang'an.

When King Zhao was about to get up, the group finally arrived at the boundary of Chang'an.

The soldiers saw two five-horse chariots from a distance, and they hurriedly reported that Lu Chan was the first to get the news, and hurriedly led his people there.

This group of people, no, it's two groups of people, they are advancing side by side at the moment, the two groups of people look at each other with some unfriendly eyes, it seems that they are starting to compete in speed, and they are unwilling to fall behind each other.

And Lu Chan recognized their identities at a glance.

Liu Ang, king of Beiting, and Liu Qi, king of Xiting.

(End of this chapter)