Chapter 721: The collapse of the Ling Emperor (Part 2)
Chapter 721 The Collapse of the Ling Emperor (Part 2)
Chapter 719: Collapse of the Ling Emperor (Part 2)
In original history, the Shichangshi Group supported Liu Xie because Liu Bian's succession would make He Jin more powerful.
But things are different now. The Han Dynasty has been divided into pieces, and the imperial court only has one-third of the land in Guanzhong, and most of the military power is in the hands of He Jin.
The imperial power of the Han Dynasty has been weakened to the extreme, but there are still constant disputes within the court. Externally, Dong Zhuo, the governor of Liangzhou, is watching covetously.
Once Dong Zhuo comes to Beijing, the first thing he has to deal with is the Shi Chang Shi who made him successful, and He Jin, his former rival, has become Shi Chang Shi's only life-saving straw, so it is naturally impossible for Shi Chang Shi to object Liu Bian succeeded to the throne.
Zhang Rang turned his head and took a deep look at everyone. The meaning was self-evident, and everyone nodded after looking at each other. This edict must not be sent out.
It is not that there are no loyal ministers to Liu Hong among them, but whether it is for their own lives or for the stability of the Han Dynasty, revising the imperial edict is the best choice.
Liu Xie is still too young. Even with the support of Empress Dowager Dong, he has no foundation in the court, and it is impossible to ascend to the throne. Liu Bian is currently the best and only candidate.
Liu Hong did not notice the small actions of the Shi Changshi. If he knew that his most favored Shi Changshi was unwilling to obey his orders before his death, he would probably be angry to death on the spot.
Liu Hong knew that his time was running out, but looking back at his life again, he still didn't feel that he was wrong.
Liu Hong is the great-great-grandson of Han Zhang Emperor Liu Jin. He inherited the title of Jieduting Marquis in his early years. After the death of Han Emperor Huan Liu Zhi, he was selected as the successor to the throne by his relative Dou, and he succeeded to the throne and became the 11th emperor of the Eastern Han Dynasty.
Liu Hong did not receive an orthodox emperor's education, and his relatives' purpose of declaring him emperor was not pure, so he was just a puppet at the beginning.
Most of Liu Hong's reign was spent fighting for power with his relatives and aristocratic families. It was not until he appointed eunuchs to check and balance the court that he finally had a little power in his hands. However, by this time, the big man had already been dominated by a group of people. The moths have almost eaten away at it.
Liu Hong favored eunuchs, sold officials, banned the party, etc., which were all his natural methods to save the Han Dynasty. He made all the efforts he could, but the situation became worse and worse.
"How unlucky God is to me, Liu Hong." Liu Hong lamented, and two lines of tears fell from the corners of his eyes again.
Liu Hong thought of his heroic appearance when he was a young man and had just been enthroned as emperor.
At that time, he excitedly ran to tell the most respected Master Wang, swearing that he would definitely save the Han Dynasty and become a wise king.
Liu Hong will never forget what Master Wang said at that time.
Wang Xu looked at Liu Hong kindly and said softly: "Just try your best."
Liu Hong didn't understand at the time and thought Master Wang meant that as long as he tried his best, he would definitely become a wise king.
Now Liu Hong finally understands that his heart is as high as the sky and his life is as thin as paper. This is the best reflection of his life.
"Master Wang, you have already guessed that I will be here today, right?" Liu Hong said to himself with tears in his eyes, still feeling unwilling to do so.
He obviously wanted to be a good emperor, but the harder he tried, the worse the results became. In the end, he still became a notorious and foolish emperor.
The matter has come to this, no matter how unwilling Liu Hong is, he cannot change it. Now he can only explain the aftermath as clearly as possible while he is still conscious, so as to prevent the Han Dynasty from causing turmoil again after his death.
"You all go out and let the father stay. I have something to say to you."
)
After the other nine permanent servants withdrew, Liu Hong whispered in Zhang Rang's ear, "Father Rang, the only person I can still trust is you. I am about to die. There is something I want to leave to you." Go and do it.”
Zhang Rang was shocked, and quickly knelt down and cried out sadly: "I will not give up even if I die." "Rang father, I hid the jade seal of the country..."
This news made Zhang Rang stunned, while Liu Hong continued:
"Father, after my death, He Jin will definitely not follow the imperial edict and establish Xie'er as emperor. When the time comes, you can write for me and secretly issue an edict to Qin Wen, Huangfu Song and Ding Yuan, ordering them to go to Beijing to kill them. He Jin assisted Xie'er in ascending the throne."
Hearing this, Zhang Rang was not only horrified, but more importantly, he did not understand why Liu Hong was so insistent on Liu Xie's succession, so he said with some hesitation: "Your Majesty, there is something I don't know whether to say or not..."
“Rang’s father wants to say that if Bian’erjia is suitable to succeed to the throne, why not commit a crime that will not lead to death, right?”
“I don’t dare, old slave.” Zhang Rang knelt down.
A soft light flashed in Liu Hong's eyes, and he sighed: "I don't know that Bian'er is the best candidate. But now that the Han Dynasty is divided by princes outside, there is no way to gain power internally. Even if Bian'er sits on the throne, he will only be a puppet. .
On the other hand, Xie'er has been smart and drawn inferences since he was a child, and with the assistance of Qin Wen's loyal ministers, he will definitely be able to clear up the troubled times for our great Han Dynasty in the future. "
Zhang Rang couldn't help but be stunned when he heard this. He hadn't gone as far as Liu Hong thought so far, but who gave you the confidence to think that Liu Xie could bring peace to the troubled times?
“After my death, Dong Zhuo in Liangzhou will definitely cause chaos, and the entry of Qin Wen and three others into the court can also deter Dong Zhuo and make him dare not act rashly.”
Hearing this, Zhang Rang couldn't help but admire this foolish king. He really thought about the country of Han until his death. It's a pity that he was born in the wrong era.
If it goes as expected by Liu Hong and three loyal ministers of Qin and Wen come to Beijing to assist Liu Xie and fight against Dong Zhuo, it will indeed be possible for the Han Dynasty to finally eradicate its ills and end the troubled times.
But this is only possible. Qin Wen was not a loyal minister, and Zhang Rang would not do what Liu Hong said.
“The old slave obeys the order.”
Speaking, Zhang Rang placed his palm on Liu Hong's heart under Liu Hong's doubtful gaze. The next moment, Liu Hong's pupils couldn't help but shrink.
Just when Liu Hong's consciousness was about to fade away, he not only saw Zhang Rang's cold face, but also heard words he couldn't understand.
"Your Majesty, it's time to leave. I, the Qin family, have taken back the imperial seal." Zhang Rang sneered.
"you…"
Liu Hong, a foolish king who wanted to be a wise king, died in Zhang Rang's hands in such a confused manner. He really never looked at a person right until his death.
Looking at Liu Hong who was still staring at death, Zhang Rang wanted to touch his eyes, but he couldn't even close them several times, so he could only let him open his eyes.
Zhang Rang worked hard to build up a good mood, and then started his performance.
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty…”
The wails quickly alarmed everyone outside the palace. When they pushed the door open and entered, they saw Zhang Rang crying bitterly on the dragon bed. Then everyone started crying bitterly.
He Jin, who was rushing to the palace, heard a sharp wail as soon as he walked outside the gate of Weiyang Palace.
“Your Majesty passed away.”
(End of this chapter)