51Chapter 51: Emperor Jing's rule, Chao Cuo's courage
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It was the twenty-sixth year of Emperor Wen, which was also the first year of Emperor Jing.
After the new Emperor ascended the throne, he did not overly interfere with state affairs, nor did he change the many policies left by Emperor Wen, so the world remained peaceful and prosperous.
However, after Emperor Jing ascended the throne, he announced the appointment of a new Scholar and Palace Grandee named Chao Cuo. This Chao Cuo had previously studied under Guandu Marquis Chen Lang and later studied Legalist thought, barely qualifying as a disciple of the Chen family.
This was also a way for the new Emperor to express a certain idea: that he, like his father, would heavily rely on the Chen family.
Besides the heavy reliance on Chao Cuo, the only other policy the new Emperor enacted was to crack down on many Confucian disciples.
For example, Jia Yi.
In the mid-to-late part of the first year of Emperor Jing, Jia Yi was punished because the King of Changsha rode his horse recklessly in the streets, injuring the Qian Shou.
Why?
Emperor Jing's reason was: "Jia Yi, as the Chancellor of the Kingdom of Changsha, was unable to teach the King of Changsha to love his people, and unable to restrain the King of Changsha's many misdeeds. Has such a Chancellor not committed an unforgivable crime?"
Chen Yun, who was then the Prime Minister, Chen Xi, who was then the Lang Zhong Ling, and Zhou Shengzhi, who was then the Grand Commandant, all expressed their agreement.
Consequently, Jia Yi was given death.
This great Confucian scholar had not expressed much of his thought, nor had he successfully performed on the stage of history as he had wished; he simply exited.
This is history; anyone in the vast ocean of history is merely like a speck of dust.
They can die at any time, and be sacrificed at any time.
.... .....
Winter of the first year of Emperor Jing.
Guandu Marquis Residence.
After Chen Lang's death, Chen Yun succeeded him as Guandu Marquis, and his title of Wen Marquis was naturally inherited by Chen Xi. At this time, the Chen family still had two marquises in one family, which was enviable.
Inside the residence, a flowing stream and a small bridge meandered, while the father and son played chess in a pavilion.
"Chen Xi, what do you think His Majesty will do next?"
Chen Xi answered without the slightest hesitation: "Naturally, it will be to reduce the power of the vassal states."
He twitched the corner of his mouth, a hint of helplessness on his face: "His Majesty's desire to reduce the power of the vassal states is simply too strong—this can be seen from his heavy reliance on Chao Cuo."
"Chao Cuo is too bold. He openly spoke of reducing the power of the vassal states in the imperial court. Does he not know that many people in the imperial court have ambiguous connections with the vassal kings in various regions?"
Chen Yun sneered: "Of course he knows, but isn't that his path to success?"
"To gain the Emperor's favor, one must implement one's ideas in line with the Emperor's thoughts. Chao Cuo displayed such thinking from the very beginning."
"Isn't that also one of the reasons Grandfather disliked Chao Cuo and expelled him from his tutelage?"
The world thought that the Emperor was relying on a disciple of the Chen family, but what they did not know was that because Chao Cuo's ambition was too strong, Chen Lang had long since expelled him from his tutelage.
However, there was still some teacher-student affection.
Therefore, when the Emperor and Chao Cuo wanted to use the banner of the "Chen family" to add some "luster" to Chao Cuo, the Chen family did not refuse, after all, this was the Emperor's will.
Moreover, Chao Cuo was indeed a disciple of the Chen family.
Chen Yun merely smiled faintly, an indifferent expression on his face: "But, reducing the power of the vassal states is not only what the Emperor wants, but also what the Chen family wants, isn't it?"
"The Late Emperor made some mistakes in the last few years of his illness—for example, he delegated something as important as the right to mint coins to the various kings, and even to an Inner Attendant named Deng Tong."
"Although the power granted to Deng Tong was stopped and recalled, the right to mint coins in the hands of the various kings could not be recalled."
Chen Yun scoffed: "This caused the currency of the empire to become chaotic."
"This is a bad thing."
He said in silence: "In ancient times, the First Emperor implemented great unification measures, standardizing writing and vehicle tracks. The foundation that was so hard to lay was thus lost."
"What is the difference between this and the Warring States period?"
Chen Yun sighed: "So His Majesty wants to reduce the power of the vassal states, and I am also quite in favor of it."
Chen Xi frowned slightly: "But it should not be such a reduction of power!"
He said in silence: "This level of reduction of power will give the kings an excuse! It will make all the kings rebel!"
Chen Yun raised an eyebrow: "Perhaps that is exactly what the Emperor wants, isn't it?"
He sighed softly: "The Late Emperor's achievements were truly too great. For His Majesty to surpass The Late Emperor, perhaps he can only accomplish the task of reducing the power of the vassal states. He is eager to prove himself, eager to gather power into his own hands."
"Therefore, His Majesty will not slow down his pace."
Chen Xi was silent for a moment, then sighed again: "Yes, His Majesty will not slow down his pace."
"Father, is the Chen family ready for war?"
Chen Yun nodded: "I have already sent word to my second uncle's child, telling him to immediately go to Chang'an. When a rebellion occurs, he, along with Zhou Yafu, the second son of the Marquis of Jiang, can jointly lead troops to suppress the rebellion."
"This way, His Majesty can also rest assured and not have to hand over military power to Zhou Yafu."
He rubbed his forehead: "But holding military power in the hands of the Chen family is not a good thing; it might become one of the excuses for the Emperor to be wary of the Chen family."
Chen Xi, however, did not care, merely saying: "It doesn't matter—just let Zezhi hand over the military power after suppressing the rebellion."
"The Chen family doesn't care about these things."
Chen Yun also nodded.
After they discussed some more political matters, Chen Yun smiled and asked: "Aren't you going to do something about the currency? This is a good opportunity."
"Chao Cuo will probably propose the policy of reducing the power of the vassal states in the next few days, and if you propose the policy of 'unifying the currency' at this time, not only will it not draw the attention of the kings, but it might even make them grateful to you."
This was true, after all, one was about reducing the power of the vassal states, while the other was just about recalling the "right to mint coins."
Compared to "losing all power and fiefdoms," they didn't care much about losing the "right to mint coins."
Perhaps this was the "broken window effect."
Chen Xi nodded slightly: "Wait for Chao Cuo to make his move. When Chao Cuo makes his move, that's when I'll make mine!"
"Clatter—"
A chess piece fell with a sound.
The vassal kings must be reduced sooner or later.
.... ....
Second year of Emperor Jing, third month of spring.
Grand Court Assembly.
Chen Xi sat in his place, a cautious expression on his face, while his father sat there with a composed, aged look, having reached an age where he could act on his seniority.
Chen Xi had already received news that Chao Cuo would present his "policy of reducing the power of the vassal states" today, and his words would be so fierce as to cause alarm.
And this was also his opportunity to propose the "unification of coinage rights."
As expected, as soon as the court assembly began, Chao Cuo stepped forward, his voice grand and solemn.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, I... have a memorial to present!"