39Chapter 39: Thoughts on Reducing the Power of the vassal states, Sitting Firmly on the Yutai
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The content of the urgent report was quite simple, merely detailing some of the Emperor's recent actions and issued decrees, all of which Chen Yun needed to know.
However, Chen Yun discerned the Emperor's intentions from these seemingly ordinary and simple administrative orders.
The Emperor… intends to reduce the power of the feudal lords.
Many of the decree's conditions concerned the various feudal lords; these conditions seemed to be for their benefit and did not deliberately target them, but upon closer inspection, they were all provisions that condoned the feudal lords' "mistakes."
Could the Emperor reduce the power of feudal lords without reason?
No, unless the Emperor was exceptionally powerful—like Emperor Wu of Han.
During Emperor Wu of Han's reign, his power was so immense that he held sway over the entire world. Even when years of continuous warfare had left the nation in disarray and on the brink of collapse, a single edict of self-reproach at Luntai was enough to pacify the realm once more, making everyone obedient.
He did not need an excuse to kill someone, nor did he need an excuse to reduce anyone's feudal power.
The incredibly powerful "Chancellors" of the early Han dynasty, who could even stand shoulder to shoulder with the Emperor, were like ants during Emperor Wu of Han's reign.
Chancellors during Emperor Wu of Han's reign were essentially used and then discarded—in the later period, no one even dared to be Chancellor, because the Emperor appointing you Chancellor meant he intended to make you a scapegoat and then kill you.
Among his successive Chancellors, those who could have a good ending were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns, extremely few.
If Chancellors were treated this way, what more could be said of his feudal lords?
Today, he was displeased with a gift from a feudal lord—he would reduce his fief by several thousand households; tomorrow, he was displeased with a congratulatory memorial from another feudal lord—he would reduce his fief by several thousand households.
The day after tomorrow, this feudal lord actually dared to speak ill of Us behind Our back!
Simply lawless! Kill him!
What? You ask how We knew? How We knew is none of your business!
Aside from Emperor Wu of Han, other Emperors had to be extremely cautious when attempting to reduce the power of feudal lords. In this regard, Emperor Jing and his father, Emperor Wen, were two completely opposite examples.
Emperor Jing's reduction of feudal power was overt and full of malice; the Emperor and his ministers practically had the words "I want to reduce your power, I want to kill you" plastered on their faces.
Emperor Wen, on the other hand, raised the banner of "I am doing this for your own good."
For example... this feudal lord rebelled, should he die? I've been so good to all of you, and he still acts like this!
The other feudal lords genuinely felt: He should die.
Anyway... better you die than I.
It was precisely such indulgence that cloaked Emperor Wen's reduction of feudal power in a gentle guise.
Now... Emperor Wen had already begun such actions.
Chen Yun sighed deeply, then slowly looked into the distance. It was normal for the Emperor to want to reduce the power of feudal lords; after all, it wouldn't affect their Chen clan.
They were not feudal lords, nor did they have fiefdoms—only stipends.
"Dong—dong—dong—"
A knocking sound echoed, and Chen Yun turned to see Chen Xi slowly walking in, a gentle smile on his face.
"Father, someone from the Palace has arrived."
"His Majesty requests your immediate presence in the Palace."
Enter the Palace?
Chen Yun did not hesitate. After his return from Guandu, the Emperor had not yet summoned him, which was inherently illogical. Now, a summons late at night, this was normal.
He immediately nodded slightly, and while tidying his belongings and walking out, he softly said, "You prepare yourself. His Majesty must already know that I brought you from Guandu to the capital."
Chen Yun adjusted his robes and chuckled softly, "Given His Majesty's suspicious nature, he will surely wonder, 'Why did I bring you to the capital? What talents do you possess?'"
"'What does the Chen clan intend to do?'"
"But given His Majesty's personality, he will certainly not inquire with such a questioning tone. Instead, he will adopt a stance of near-trust, saying he wants to heavily rely on you—but before relying on you, he will definitely want to meet you first."
Chen Yun's voice carried a faint smile.
"So, be prepared."
Chen Xi bowed slightly: "I understand."
The dim candlelight illuminated the figures of the two men. Chen Yun slowly left Guandu Marquis Residence and then headed to the Imperial Palace.
.... .....
In Weiyang Palace,
The main hall was brightly lit. After Liu Heng learned that Chen Yun had brought his eldest son, Chen Xi, to the capital, he became extremely vigilant.
What kind of person was Liu Heng?
He was someone who seemed honest, upright, kind, and gentle, but in reality, none of those four words applied to him in the slightest.
"Knock knock knock—"
His fingers lightly tapped the table before him, a myriad of thoughts swirling in his mind.
"Chen Yun... why did he bring his eldest son to the capital? Is it a test? Or something else?"
Liu Heng slowly closed his eyes.
Although Chen Yun currently held no position among the Three Excellencies, or even among the Nine Ministers, the influence and power brought by Guandu Marquis would not change due to his position.
Therefore, Liu Heng had always been cautiously wary of Chen Yun, or rather, of the Chen clan.
Now, at a time of "reducing feudal power," if the Chen clan and the meritorious official group had any other ideas, it would likely be another profound disaster for the world.
He sighed deeply, and the surrounding candlelight flickered gently.
"Your Majesty, Marquis Wen has arrived."
The expression on Liu Heng's face quickly changed, becoming gentle and somewhat deceptive: "Oh? Please, quickly invite him in—"
.... .....
Inside the Marquis of Jiang's Residence,
Zhou Bo's expression was gloomy. He looked at Chen Ping beside him and said, "What should we do now?"
"It seems... the Chen clan is determined to go all the way!"
Chen Ping chuckled softly: "Shouldn't you have expected that long ago?"
He placed the item in his hand on the table: "Two paths. First: you and I temporarily cease our actions, allowing the Emperor and the Chen clan to carve flesh from us. After all, you and I are founding meritorious officials. That old fellow Chen Xi must have instructed before his death not to utterly destroy us."
"Second..."
Chen Ping's eyes were gloomy: "Fight this Emperor!"
"Life and death are uncertain."
"After all, he certainly can't force us to die for no reason, but if we contend for power and profit, or even rebel... the Emperor wouldn't have to show mercy."
Zhou Bo sat there in silence, unsure of what choice to make.
But.....
He looked up towards Weiyang Palace: "Do you think the Emperor and that boy Chen Yun wouldn't know our reactions? Wouldn't they have a backup plan?"
Given the Emperor's cunningness...
Perhaps their current reactions were already within the Emperor's predictions, and it was even highly possible that the Emperor had pushed them step by step to this point!
.... ....
In Weiyang Palace,
As Chen Yun had predicted, Liu Heng smiled gently and said, "So that's how it is."
"Chen Xi is also considered my junior. Since he has come to the capital, how can he not have something to do?"
"How about... I, as his uncle, test him and see what kind of assignment I should give him?"