Chapter 27: Take back the order? Absolutely impossible!
"The Queen Mother is here!"

At this time, a singing voice came from afar.

Liu Bian raised his eyebrows slightly, but then quickly stood up and walked out of Deyang Palace.

Cao Zhengchun followed closely behind, but he felt that the palace was indeed too short-handed. The Queen Mother came all the way from Yong'an Palace to Deyang Palace, but he didn't receive the news and report it to His Majesty in the first place? !
If the enemy army breaks into the palace, wouldn't the East Factory be blind?! How can they protect His Majesty's safety?!

Perhaps Your Majesty’s frown is due to his dissatisfaction with his own dereliction of duty!
Thinking of this, Cao Zhengchun felt that he had to fill the palace and the East Factory with manpower as soon as possible. Today, the abolition and enthronement controversy broke out and the East Factory suffered heavy casualties against the Western Liang Army, which made the situation even worse.

Of course, Liu Bian didn't know that Cao Zhengchun had so many inner thoughts in his mind. He frowned and wondered why Empress Dowager He came to Deyang Palace. He never thought that Cao Zhengchun was observing her words and expressions and thinking too deeply!
Filial piety is the most important virtue, and the Han Dynasty ruled the country with filial piety. Even if Liu Bian was the ruler of the Han Dynasty, he could not put on airs in front of his biological mother, Empress Dowager He. Moreover, the Han Dynasty had a two-palace system, and Empress Dowager He was still in power!
After Liu Bian came out of the hall, he saw Empress Dowager He's phoenix carriage. Behind Empress Dowager He was the chef from the imperial kitchen carrying pots of delicious dishes. There was also a burning stove being pushed behind the team, almost like moving the small kitchen over.

Liu Bian suddenly understood!

Not long ago, Empress Dowager He invited him to have dinner at Yong'an Palace. After he declined, he thought that Empress Dowager He came uninvited!

"Meet Your Majesty!!!"

When Empress Dowager He's carriage approached, the guards and palace maids immediately came to see her. After Liu Bian asked them to "skip the formalities and stand up", he stepped forward and personally helped Empress Dowager He down from the carriage.

Empress Dowager He's concerned voice also rang out:
"After today's dethronement incident, my mother realized that Bian'er has grown up and knows how to work hard and conscientiously for the country and the people. But Bian'er, you are the king of a country. You need to take care of your health even though you are busy with all kinds of affairs!"

Liu Bian was only 18 years old, and he had not yet received his courtesy name. Of course, even if he had been given a courtesy name, for Empress Dowager He, Liu Bian was still her "Bian'er". In the eyes of every mother, a child is always a child!
"Mother, I have already had dinner."

"You are my own flesh and blood, born after ten months of pregnancy. From your words, actions, and even the tone of your voice, I will know whether you are telling the truth or a lie. Don't try to deceive me!"

Empress Dowager He looked at Liu Bian lovingly. In fact, she had asked the imperial kitchen and found out that Liu Bian did not have dinner at all. He just drank a bowl of ginseng soup. This made her feel a little distressed:
"Today, the Xiliang villain acted recklessly and deposed the emperor. We were frightened the whole day. Fortunately, Bian'er turned the situation around, otherwise we mother and son would not know what would have happened.

"We have been nervous and frightened all day. Now that everything is calm for the time being, we should rest and recuperate. It just so happens that the Queen Mother hasn't had her meal yet, how about Bian'er accompany her to have her meal?"

Looking at Empress Dowager He's frightened face, Liu Bian sighed in his heart.

Today's Xiliang army's dethronement turmoil finally frightened Empress Dowager He. She was still worried about her diet, and her meticulous motherly love made Liu Bian unable to refuse, so he nodded and said:

"I'm hungry, so I'll have dinner with you."

Empress Dowager He smiled as beautifully as a flower and patted the back of Liu Bian's hand. When she observed closely, she found that Liu Bian was already taller than her.

The son has indeed grown up now.

The baby in swaddling clothes, the shy child, has become a pillar of support that can protect the country from wind and rain! Looking back at the changes today, he is even more like a king with the majesty of an emperor!
It was just a bit too hasty!
As Empress Dowager He sighed, Liu Bian helped her into the side hall.

After the two men sat down, the chefs from the imperial kitchen served the meals. Eunuchs such as Cao Zhengchun performed their duties faithfully and inspected them one by one to make sure there was no poison in them, just like testing guinea pigs first.

at last.

Drug testing completed.

Let’s eat!

Liu Bian knew from his memory that the delicious dishes on the table were all his favorites. Empress Dowager He had obviously put a lot of thought into it.

Liu Bian had been hungry all day, and when he picked up a piece of fish, Empress Dowager He said softly:

"Bian'er, do you know?
“When cooking fish, you need to pay attention to the heat and seasoning. It should not be too much or too little. If it is too much, it will be too salty, and if it is too little, it will be too bland. You should not stir it too much, as it will become mushy easily.

“It needs to be handled with great care and just the right amount before it can be served.”

...

“Cooking is also a science!”

Liu Bian spoke vaguely and was chewing slowly. He didn't think deeply about it for a moment.

But every time he picked up a piece of food, Empress Dowager He would explain something, which eventually made him come to his senses.

really!

Eating is just superficial, the truth is that one never goes to the temple for no reason!

...

Liu Bian ate with relish, eating two large bowls of corn rice.

In fact, these delicacies are made from precious ingredients and do not taste very good.

Liu Bian's taste for food had been spoiled by the delicious food and various seasonings of the future, but in fact, some of the food he ate tasted like chewing wax.

Moreover, there were no woks in the Han Dynasty, so many ingredients were steamed. After a long time of steaming, the dishes became as wilted as frost-bitten eggplants. As the Empress Dowager He said, too much is as bad as too little.

Many delicacies from land and sea have a residual fishy smell. Empress Dowager He also said that if there is not enough seasoning, it will be too light and difficult to remove the fishy smell. If there is too much seasoning, it will cover up the original taste and lose the value of the ingredients.

But because hunger is the most delicious food, Liu Bian ate with satisfaction, and also knew the deep meaning that Queen Mother He wanted to express -

Just right, too much is as bad as too little!
The meal is over.

Liu Bian felt that his energy had been restored. In today's turmoil of deposing and enthroning the emperor, he seemed to be able to make things happen with a wave of his hand. However, who could have known the swordplay and the treacherous situation involved? It kept him on edge and he never relaxed!
Liu Bian enjoyed the meal very much and his mood gradually relaxed!

"Mother, I have to deal with state affairs!"

Liu Bian did not speak directly, but decided to retreat and send the guests away. Empress Dowager He laughed in silence, so she finally stopped playing dumb and sent the servants away.

The eunuchs of Yong'an Palace left one after another, but Cao Zhengchun and other factory guards were still guarding the surroundings diligently. In their eyes, there was only the emperor!

"Go back."

"promise!!!"

Cao Zhengchun then happily retreated. Seeing the approval in Liu Bian's eyes and the surprise in Empress Dowager He's eyes, he felt that his performance must have added a lot of points in Liu Bian's heart.

One of the self-cultivation of a loyal dog is to find ways to show loyalty!

Empress Dowager He waited until there was no one in the palace before she explained her purpose: "I believe that Bian'er is smart and has already heard the hidden meaning of your mother. To be honest, Bian'er, you are here because of Yuan Wei's matter!"

"Mother, are you pleading for Yuan Wei?"

Liu Bian raised his eyebrows slightly and asked in confusion.

Empress Dowager He's expression gradually cooled down, and there was even some resentment in her eyes:

"Bian'er, your mother is not that ignorant! If you were abolished today, your mother would not be able to escape unscathed. The fate of both mother and son would be tragic.

Yuan Wei is the mastermind behind all this, the main culprit, my mother wishes she could chop him into pieces!"

...

"Why is that?!"

Liu Bian asked doubtfully. Empress Dowager He turned to Liu Bian, and her resentful expression gradually softened. She said:

"Bian'er, your mother is thinking about the Han Dynasty, the country, and your throne!"

Liu Bian remained silent and listened quietly. Empress Dowager He continued:
“The aristocratic families are powerful, and the Yuan family of Runan is one of the most prestigious families in the world. Their students and former officials, as well as the complicated relationships among the aristocratic families, have formed a very terrifying network of relationships that cannot be easily shaken or destroyed by the imperial power!
"Do you think your father doesn't have enough military power to suppress the noble families? He established the Xiyuan Army, controlled the military power of the capital, and named himself the "Supreme General." However, he still didn't dare to break off relations with the noble families and didn't dare to use force.

"Do you know why?"

Empress Dowager He did not keep the secret and said in a deep voice: "It is easy to conquer the world, but it is difficult to rule it!

"Your father holds a large army and can take revenge and kill all those who oppose him. But what will be the consequences? The whole world will condemn him, and the noble families will unite against him. The whole country will come to a standstill, and the world will be in chaos.

"In addition to the military, you also need to consider economic issues such as taxation, finance, food and supplies, livelihood issues such as the people, cultural and educational issues such as the cultivation of talents, and political issues such as national governance.

"This is where your father, the emperor, has so many troops under his command, but is still constrained. He is happy to kill those who oppose him. Who will govern the country, pass on imperial orders, and stabilize people's livelihood? These people cannot be killed, they can only be checked and balanced!"

...

Liu Bian frowned, expressing his deep confusion: "My mother thinks that Yuan Wei committed the crime of treason and even intended to overthrow the imperial power. Should I just brush it off?"

...

"It's not that I'm just brushing it off lightly, but you can't kill Yuan Wei, let alone order the execution of Yuan Wei's entire family.

"Even if you know that Yuan Wei has ulterior motives and no longer respects the imperial power, you can only dismiss him, let him beg for his bones, or put him under house arrest. You must know when to stop!

"Politics requires compromise! Especially when the Han Dynasty is in decline and the imperial power is waning, we should grasp a certain scale!
"You can use this as an excuse to weaken the power of the Yuan family and support a 'royalist party' to balance the power, but you shouldn't kill Yuan Kui! You shouldn't kill him completely!
"This will make people feel sad for their own kind. It will make them feel the same hatred for the enemy and make the contradictions more acute!
"After the Yellow Turban Rebellion, these noble families have gained military power. Last time, they were able to call in foreign troops for the eunuchs. Will they lead troops into the capital again for Yuan Wei this time?"

Empress Dowager He looked at Liu Bian helplessly and said with a sigh:
"The Yuan family is too large, with three officials in four generations, and students and former officials all over the world. The Yuan family's followers have woven a web around the Han Dynasty.

"You are so determined to kill them all, it will only drive them into rebellion. A cornered dog will jump over the wall! You should take your time, like cutting meat with a blunt knife. As the sage said, governing a big country is like cooking a small fish. Don't rush into anything!"

...

"Mother, you have been living in the palace for a long time and you are not aware of the situation in the world. The Han Dynasty has reached the brink of life and death! Take it slow? Like cooking a small fish? That is nothing but slow suicide!"

Liu Bian's face was serious and murderous. Empress Dowager He's earnest advice made Liu Bian understand that Empress Dowager He, the mother of the harem and the ruler of the country, actually had a high level of political awareness!
But! ! !

That requires adapting to the circumstances, not just following the script or sticking to the rules! Otherwise, it would appear that you are too soft-hearted and indecisive!
If a country is in a stable situation, or even thriving after "going from chaos to order", it needs to "govern a big country like cooking a small fish" to recuperate, just like the founding period of every dynasty.

However, now is the end of the dynasty!

The Eastern Han Dynasty was already on the edge of a cliff. At this time, saying things like "governing a large country is like cooking a small fish" and "not rushing into things" were nothing but self-consolation and waiting for death!
Now is the time to scrape the bone and cure the poison!

"Mother, what are the causes of the Han Dynasty's current problems?

"Because of the annexation of land by the aristocratic families and their plundering by trickery, the people became refugees, affecting public security, and the country's inability to collect taxes and its expenditures, the military and national strength became increasingly weak.

"The barbarians saw an opportunity and started border wars. The people were forced to endure heavy military service and forced labor, and were subjected to heavy taxes. They were destitute and had nowhere else to turn, so they rose up in rebellion. This intensified the blow to the country and made it even more unbearable.

"The aristocratic families took the opportunity to expand, and the local warlords divided the country. They recruited soldiers and horses to strengthen their power. The country became fragmented, and finally the heroes fought for hegemony and competed for the Central Plains. A new son of destiny was born!
"Mother, have you seen the essence of things? It's all because of the huge gap between the rich and the poor! Those aristocratic families are greedy and have been sucking blood from the Han people! They have sucked the people, the country, and enriched the aristocratic families!

"The Han Dynasty has reached a point of no return, and the only option is destruction and restart!

"From Emperor Gaozu beheading the white snake and starting an uprising to punish the unjust and tyrannical Qin, this is 'from chaos to order'; from the Former Han Dynasty to Emperors Ai and Ping, which lasted for 200 years, Wang Mang usurped the throne, this is 'from order to chaos';
"Guangwu revived the country, rebuilt the foundation, and returned to order from chaos. Two hundred years have passed since I came to this world, and it has returned to chaos again. Mother, do you feel it? It's been a cycle after cycle!
"If I were a refugee or a bandit leader, I would definitely recruit soldiers and plot a rebellion. This is because the world has entered a period of chaos.

"No way! I am the ruler of the Han Dynasty, the ruler of a country! I cannot destroy the Han Dynasty, the Liu family's kingdom, and my status as the legitimate and orthodox ruler.

"Now that the situation is so bad that it is difficult to reverse, I can only take action against the aristocratic families! Take action against those traitors who are plotting to usurp the throne!

"They have already shown their hand to the imperial power. Compromise will only make people think they are weak! It will only strengthen the ambitions of the powerful officials and allow them to depose and enthrone as they please!

"It's time to strike hard and end the war with war!

"We can see who is a loyal minister of the Han Dynasty and who is a traitor who helps the tyrant to commit atrocities! We must unite the loyal ministers of the Han Dynasty and eradicate the traitors! Only in this way can we find a way out for the Han Dynasty!"

In fact, what Liu Bian did was at most to support the new nobles to defeat the old nobles, and to ease the contradictions of the Han Dynasty by bleeding the old nobles. It can only ease, not resolve! He is just a paperhanger!

But the real contradictions of the Han Dynasty were the gap between the rich and the poor and the class stratification. Liu Bian wanted to resolve them through reform, but it would not be done overnight. If he really wanted to achieve success overnight, he would have done something like "spreading the tax on each acre" and "all under heaven would be united."

Even the loyal ministers of the Han Dynasty would betray and leave!
You have to eat one bite at a time and walk one step at a time. When you don't have absolute power, Liu Bian should judge the situation and take it step by step. First, he should bleed the old nobles to get a chance to breathe and develop.

This is the true meaning of “governing a big country like cooking a small fish”, and this is the true essence of “Emperor Gou”, instead of being a coward just because you think that the aristocratic families are too powerful!
This is not the Emperor of Cowardice, this is the Emperor of Cowardice!

...

After hearing this, Empress Dowager He was horrified. From these few words, she could sense that the Han Dynasty's problems had resurfaced and were difficult to reverse.

But she woke up immediately and said, "Bian'er, you have lived in the palace for a long time and don't know the situation in the world. How can you see the leopard through the tube?

"My mother knows that you have turned the tide in today's controversy, and have thwarted the Xiliang Army and Yuan Wei's conspiracy to depose and enthrone the emperor. You have won a political victory, and you are now somewhat confident.

“But you must never assume that you are in control of the situation.

"How many soldiers do you have? Although you won today, you also suffered heavy casualties. How are you going to replenish them? Where are you going to get food and fodder for your soldiers?

"Have you ever thought that among the five schools of the Northern Army, many of them were former subordinates of General He Jin, and they came to the King's rescue.

"Your father once controlled the military power of the capital, but he didn't dare to act rashly. Now you only have a few thousand soldiers. Let alone controlling the situation in the world, even the capital is now in a state of chaos and undercurrents!

"The Queen Mother will not harm you. How about listening to her advice?"

...

"My mother, are you asking me to release Yuan Wei? I issued an edict in front of all the officials in Chongde Hall to execute Yuan Wei and his entire family! Are you asking me to take back my order now?!"

Liu Bian's tone also became more serious, "Impossible! You are not kidding!!!"

...

"Bian'er, there's still time before the imperial edict spreads throughout the capital and reaches the local areas!"

Empress Dowager He advised:
"You don't have to take back your order, you just need to change 'behead him in three days' to 'behead him in the autumn'.

“No one can say anything, they can only say that Bian’er followed the Han Dynasty’s laws and regulations and was a benevolent ruler who readily accepted good advice.

"The Yuan family has enough time to tamper with the evidence. When the court judge interrogates them, the truth will be revealed, and the Yuan family will be vindicated. It will also demonstrate the fairness and strictness of the Han law!"

...

"This kind of compromise, the Queen Mother calls 'fair and strict'?"

Liu Bian was so angry that he started laughing:
"As the ruler of the Han Dynasty, holding the power of life and death over the world, when there is irrefutable evidence that Yuan Wei is guilty of treason, do I still need to find ways and means to revoke my order? What a joke! What a joke!
"Mother, I tell you--

"The emperor is guilty of the same crime as the common people, let alone Yuan Wei! You will be executed in three days. I am not kidding, and there will be no room for maneuver!"

...

"Bian'er, does your mother also have the right to rule the country?"

Empress Dowager He's expression gradually became serious: "I know you are angry. Think about it calmly. With your troops, can you really control the situation?"

...

"What? Does mother want to interfere in politics?!" Liu Bian's face turned cold.

...

"Bian'er, who are you as a mother? Fighting for power with your own son?
"My Queen Mother just doesn't want you to lead the Han Dynasty into the abyss of destruction! Even if the situation is irreversible, you should take it step by step. Using drastic measures will only lead to sudden death!"

Empress Dowager He felt a little aggrieved:
"My Queen Mother will clear all obstacles for you so that you can take the throne smoothly!
"You should retreat behind the scenes and let your mother, the in-law, fight against the noble families instead of getting involved in person and reaching a point where there is no room for maneuver!"

...

"No need, mother..." Liu Bian said in a deep voice, "You know nothing about my power!"

...

At this moment, Suzaku's voice suddenly came from outside the palace:
"Your Majesty, I have led the Jinyiwei to search Yuan Wei's mansion and take control of everyone in the mansion...

"Qin Qiong and Zhang Liao have already taken control of the five schools of the Northern Army and the second battalion of infantry. Together with Zhu Jun and Wu Fu, they will control the five schools of the Northern Army and will soon start a cleanup and inspection of the imperial city garrisons to protect the imperial power!
"Left General Huangfu Song sent a pigeon to express his gratitude and has led 30,000 elite troops to Tongguan. Minister of the Chancellery Lu Zhi paid homage to Your Majesty from afar in Hanoi and is about to leave to take up the post of Grand Tutor.

"The captured Li Jue and the remnants of his Feixiong Army have been returned to the Xiliang Army. Cao Cao and other loyal Han officials who killed Dong Zhuo have been exchanged back. They are bathing and changing their clothes, waiting to see the emperor."

...

"Did you hear that, mother?
"The five schools of the Northern Army are already under my control, with more than 30,000 soldiers guarding the Imperial City!

"The famous general Huangfu Song led 30,000 elite troops back to Tongguan, and the great scholar Lu Zhi is about to return to the capital to take up the position of Grand Tutor.

"Even Cao Cao, who assassinated Dong Zhuo, has been released. What can the Xiliang Army do? Doesn't this prove that I have control over the situation?!"

Liu Bian looked at the somewhat unbelievable Queen Mother He and said in a deep voice:
"Aristocratic families can indeed compete with the imperial power! But aristocratic families are not monolithic!
"Those families who are loyal to the emperor and love the country are the ones I can trust and win over! Those traitors and rebels are the enemies I must eliminate!

"As long as I lead them in the right direction and towards the right goal, and distinguish between loyal ministers and treacherous ones, victory will surely belong to us!
"Peace survives when it is sought through war, but it dies when it is sought through compromise! Mother, do you understand?"

Empress Dowager He did not answer, but just looked at Liu Bian in horror, as if she had not expected that he had already controlled the situation to such an extent in such a short time!
"Somebody come!"

"The slave is here!!!"

Cao Zhengchun went in immediately.

"Send mother back to the palace."

"promise!!!"

After Empress Dowager He left, Liu Bian gradually regained his composure. He looked at Zhuque and asked, "Is what you just said true?"

“It’s not going very well!”

Zhuque looked a little embarrassed:

"I saw Your Majesty arguing with the Empress Dowager, and I was afraid that it would hurt the relationship between Your Majesty and his son, so I resorted to this desperate measure. Please forgive me for deceiving the emperor!"

"..."

Liu Bian thought that pigeons were already so powerful in the Han Dynasty. How long had it been since he issued the order? Less than an hour had passed! Lu Zhi in Hanoi and Huangfu Song in Youfufeng responded to the order and paid their respects remotely?

Even if all his subordinates are capable and competent, it is impossible to make the army surrender with just a simple move!
Didn't Wu Kuang, Zang Min, and Ma Riti's former subordinates have any reaction at all? Among these three, there are people with ulterior motives!

Liu Bian sighed inwardly. He had already pretended to be so arrogant, so he couldn't take it back, could he? He could only make it up as soon as possible!

He pardoned Zhuque's crime of deceiving the emperor, and then asked:

"What happened?"

(End of this chapter)