Almost from the beginning of Liu Wei's reform of the court official system, a rumor circulated in the capital Luoyang. Rumors say that Emperor Liu Hong of the Han Dynasty really passed on the throne to Liu Xie, the king of Chen Liu, and has made an edict to order Jian Shuo to assist Liu Xie to succeed to the throne. However, Jian Shuo's plot to get rid of He Jin failed, and he was defeated and died, He Jin tore up the edict of Emperor Ling, and ordered Liu Wei to ascend the throne as the emperor.

At first, the rumors only spread in a small area, and soon after that, they quickly expanded, and for a while, there was a lot of discussion in Luoyang City.

Liu Wei and Jia Xu are both masters of rumor-mongering, and they also have their own means of how to extinguish rumors. If Liu Wei was still a prince, when faced with rumors that were unfavorable to him, he would release a variety of unrealistic rumors at the same time to confuse the public. However, at this time, the angle of standing is different, and as the emperor, what he hopes for is naturally stability.

Naturally, you can't do anything that adds fuel to the fire. In addition, Liu Wei still has his own weakness about this rumor.

The rumor that Emperor Ling is located in Liu Xie is not completely groundless. Even if Liu Wei knew from the history before the crossing, Emperor Ling did have the meaning of passing on Liu Xie. In the contact after the crossing, Emperor Ling of Han also revealed his thoughts in this regard, but he did not make a clear statement because of the power of the scholars who supported Liu Wei, but Emperor Ling's idea of "not liking Shi Hou, and his heart belongs to Dong Hou" The ministers still understood, and the so-called Ling Emperor's edict would not be completely regarded as groundless nonsense for them.

However, the truth of the matter can no longer be investigated, and several protagonists in the rumors - Emperor Han Ling, Jian Shuo, and He Jin are all dead. At the time of the Jiade Hall incident, Yuan Shao led people to rush into the palace to kill the palace people and eunuchs, and most of the eunuchs around Emperor Ling have been killed, including the possible witnesses of Emperor Ling's edict. And even if there are really survivors left, in the current situation, they will not really stand up and say anything more about the inheritance to the throne.

Under the general trend, no one dares to wade into this pool of troubled waters.

In addition to ordering the Unified Investigation Agency to arrest the rumor-mongers, he also seized the position of public opinion through the Propaganda Bureau, not only published an article in the "Luoyang Times" to justify his name, but also published a copy of "The Mystery of the Great Righteous Jue" to prove the legitimacy of his throne.

Fortunately, the impact of the rumors was not very serious, and the real concern of ordinary people was not who became emperor, but who was alive and fed.

Liu Wei did quite well on this point.

After he succeeded to the throne, he resumed production through a series of policies such as Tuntian, although it did not make the living standards of the people in the Sili area reach a well-off level, but it changed the situation of displacement and starvation in the past, which made the common people who experienced frequent wars and natural disasters in the Huan Ling period feel satisfied. To say that because of this kind of rumor that has nothing to do with them, they should rise up and overthrow Liu Wei's rule is simply a fool's dream.

This kind of rumor can at most become the gossip of the people after dinner, and when Liu Wei really showed a stern attitude to arrest the rumor-mongers, most of these honest people still chose to silence.

The biggest influence of rumors is still the scholar class. Only these people really value the correctness of the so-called legal system, which is often required by the Confucian etiquette program in which they believe. It's just that as far as scholars are concerned, their attitude towards rumors is not completely tilted to the side of Liu Wei.

After Liu Wei succeeded to the throne, he did a lot of things that deviated from Confucianism, and these behaviors did cause many scholars to be dissatisfied in private, but they did not reach the level of unbearable and should be put on the table. Moreover, after Liu Wei lifted the "scourge of the party" and rehabilitated the scholars, he received a lot of points in the scholar class. The most important thing is that before Liu Wei succeeded to the throne, it was the eunuch group such as Shi Changshi, the sworn enemy of the scholars, who supported Liu Xie's succession to the throne, and in order to fight against the eunuchs, these scholars and doctors were more or less involved in supporting Liu Wei's succession. As a result, the scholars are now in an embarrassing situation in which their adherence to faith is contradictory to their practical interests. As a result, most people showed their silence.

As for the army that Liu Wei was most worried about, there was no situation where it was affected by rumors, and at this time, the mentors in the army played a very good role, and these mentors who were similar to the political commissars of later generations guided the direction of public opinion in the army at the beginning of the rumors, and in addition to the closed state in the barracks, the army's loyalty to Liu Wei did not weaken at all.

Still in control of the army made Liu Wei feel a lot more at ease, and this rumor was like a fly that kept buzzing in his ears but couldn't get rid of it. There is no direct harm, but it is enough to upset people.

What worries Liu Wei the most is Liu Xie's attitude towards rumors.

At this time, because Liu Xie was getting older, he had already moved out of the Beigong Gao'an Pavilion to live in his own house. A few days ago, I was engaged to marry the daughter of Fu Shou, who was "not the marquis".

Liu Wei still attaches great importance to the brotherhood with Liu Xie. Liu Xie moved out of the palace, and Liu Wei also built a Chenliu palace for him on the edge of the Haolong Garden for him to live in. For the sake of the stability of the throne, Lu Zhi, Xun Yu and others privately persuaded Liu Wei to issue an edict ordering Liu Xie to return to the fief to live, but Liu Wei refused quite stubbornly.

After the rumors appeared, Jia Xu asked Liu Wei whether he wanted to monitor the Chenliu Palace, but Liu Wei was hesitant. With this hesitation, I also felt that rumors had torn apart each other's intimacy. Liu Wei himself will be like this, and Liu Wei began to worry about Liu Xie's attitude towards rumors.

Thinking about the irritability in Maolongyuan, Liu Wei still felt that it would be better to meet and talk with Liu Xie. ordered the guards to prepare the chariot and went to the Chenliu Palace, with questions.

*************

Taifu Mansion.

The sun is setting, and the lights are on.

There are several carriages parked in front of the Taifu Mansion in Buguangli, compared with the busy traffic in the past, the guests come and go endlessly, and the few carriages in front of the gate at this time seem a little deserted. Even the doorkeeper was not as energetic as he had been, and became listless.

Wu Fu and the others had already waited in the lobby, and there were many members of the Yuan family, but the good and the bad were mixed, most of them were people who tended to be inflammatory, and after Liu Wei released the signal to attack the Yuan family, they all scattered.

At this time, what gathered in the hall is the real core of the Yuan Group. It's just that even these people have mediocre qualifications, and it can't be done in the snow, it can only be the icing on the cake. What's more, Yuan Kui just values their loyalty.

It is really said that the ability is extraordinary, and it is Wang Yun and Ma Riyan who can help Yuan Kui. It's just that Ma Riyan has long been strangers to himself, and Wang Yun has gradually become estranged from himself after becoming the governor of Bingzhou, and finally made himself unusable.

I didn't pay attention at first, but at this time, I suddenly found that the little emperor Liu Wei had been dissipating his strength little by little. Boiled frogs in warm water, he can be regarded as a sea of ups and downs for many years, but he still took it lightly.

Thinking of this, the muscles on Yuan Kui's face twitched hatefully.

Turning the screen from the back hall to the lobby in front, Yuan Ji, who had been waiting in the hall for a long time, saw Yuan Kui's inappropriate face, and stepped forward and asked with concern: "Uncle?" ”

Yuan Kui reacted from remorse at this time, nodded at Yuan Ji, and said in a low voice of appreciation: "You did a good job about the rumors, and now the momentum has been created, which is conducive to our trouble." ”

Compared with Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu of the same generation, Yuan Ji's ability is not outstanding, and he is not too valued by Yuan Kui, but at this time, there is no one around him, so he has to rely on them. At this time, Yuan Kui suddenly expressed his appreciation, and Yuan Ji couldn't help but look happy and said, "Thank you uncle for the compliment." ”

Yuan Kui patted him on the shoulder again to show encouragement, and then knelt down to the right seat in the hall, glanced at the people on the left and right, and said in a deep voice: "This time I got together with the princes, there is a big thing to talk about. You should have heard a rumor circulating in the capital recently, right? ”

**********

Just when Yuan Kui began to conspire with Wu Fu and the others, Liu Wei's carriage stopped in front of the gate of Chen Liu's palace.

The Son of Heaven traveled, and the momentum was naturally huge, even if Liu Wei's character was not extravagant, but the mighty soldiers and horses guarded all the way, and they had already alarmed everyone, including Liu Xie.

Liu Xie stood in front of the door early, and when he saw the chariot stopped, he bowed down and saluted: "Minister, Chen Liuwang Xie greets Your Majesty." ”

Liu Wei stayed on the chariot and hesitated. The eagerness to see Liu Xie when he came became apprehensive at this time.

In the end, Liu Wei still cleaned up his mood, first laughed loudly, and then walked out of the chariot and said, "Brother Xie's no need to be polite. ”

While speaking, Liu Wei jumped out of the car, stepped forward to support Liu Xie, took his arm and said with a smile: "Recently, I have been busy with government affairs, and I haven't seen my brother, so I have to come here today without prior notice, and I hope that Brother Xie's brother will not be bothered." ”

Liu Wei didn't know how much reluctance was shown in his smile, but Liu Xie's expression was as usual, and he said with a smile: "Brother Chen doesn't dare." ”

Liu Wei laughed, walked into the palace with Liu Xie's arm, and asked as he walked: "I haven't come to Brother Xie's place, I don't know if Brother Xie's residence is okay?" ”

"Everything is fine with my brother, and I am worried about Your Majesty." Liu Xie has always been very respectful to Liu Wei. He has a rigid personality and abides by etiquette, and there is nothing wrong with this attitude at this time.

The two walked into the hall and sat down, Liu Wei looked around, and remembered that after the palace was just completed, he gave Liu Xie a set of modern style tables and chairs, but he didn't see him put it out, and he was still kneeling at a table.

Liu Wei asked: "Why didn't I see the set of tables and chairs I gave to my brother last time?" ”

Liu Xie looked a little panicked, and hurriedly explained: "The younger brother is a little unaccustomed to using it, so he ordered someone to put it away." If Your Majesty wants to use it, the younger brother will send someone to take it out. ”

"Haha, the guest is as you please, and the assistant brother doesn't have to bother." Liu Wei smiled open-mindedly on the surface, but he was a little troubled in his heart.

Those new styles of furniture were not forcibly promoted by Liu Wei in an edict, but were used in Diaoyutai restaurants, typhoon shelter teahouses, or gifted to ministers to drive a change in social atmosphere.

However, not everyone is willing to accept the new way of life, and many still maintain the system of kneeling and sharing meals, and most of these people are old-fashioned and conservative figures like Yuan Kui and Yang Biao. Liu Xie also showed this habit, which faintly made Liu Wei a little worried, and Liu Xie would not become an obstacle to him in the future reform.

That was the last thing he wanted.

After Liu Wei finished laughing, he stopped talking, and the two of them knelt in the hall and looked a little dull. Liu Wei thought about things in a daze, and Liu Xie didn't know what to say, and the scene was quite embarrassing. It wasn't until Liu Wei realized that the atmosphere in the hall was a little solemn that he came back to his senses, but he just opened his mouth, but he was also cramped and unable to speak.

Liu Wei came over at this time, and Liu Xie also guessed his intentions. Although he has been staying in the mansion recently, there are rumors outside that are spreading, and it is impossible for him not to know about it. It's just that it's not easy to take the initiative to mention it at this time, and the two of them have been awkwardly silent.

After a long while, Liu Wei made up his mind to break the silence: "Has Brother Xie's heard some rumors outside recently?" ”

Liu Wei mentioned it straight to the point, and Liu Xie's originally nervous heart was even more pinched. After being stunned for a moment, he stood up and replied: "The minister has heard a little, but the rumors cannot be believed." ”

Liu Xie's answer was decent, and he couldn't see what he really thought.

Liu Wei was a little discouraged, and was silent for a while, before he said dryly: "There should be a villain making waves in this matter." ”

"The younger brother also feels the same way."

Liu Wei struggled to organize the language in his mind, but he didn't know how to open his heart.

"In fact, this world is not inherently exclusive to a certain person or a certain family. If I do well, the world is mine, and if I don't do well, the world is someone else's. ”

Liu Xie's words can also be understood, although the Han Dynasty has paid attention to the doctrine of the mandate of heaven, believing that the imperial power is granted by heaven, but at the same time, it also pays attention to the virtue of the emperor, if the emperor's virtue is not enough, the heavens will also sense and send disasters or change the mandate of heaven.

Seeing Liu Xie's nod in agreement, Liu Wei continued: "Since I succeeded to the throne, I have been conscientiously trying to be a good emperor, and I also have the ability to be a good emperor. The world is in turmoil, I want to calm the world and relieve the people of Li from hanging. The deep palace is cold and quiet, and I also want to be a brother and sister with my brother, and there is a brotherhood that has been passed down for centuries. It's just that...... Just ......"

Liu Wei was speechless when he said this, and Liu Xie seemed to be affected by Liu Wei's words, and clenched his fists excitedly.

After adjusting his emotions, Liu Biancai said again: "It's just that I also understand that some things are not diverted by personal hopes. Even the so-called true destiny cannot be changed. Most of the time, we are faced with a choice. But even if I really understood, I didn't want to choose. The world, brothers, I don't want to give up. ”

Liu Wei's words were full of affection, and Liu Xie stood on the spot for a while.

In fact, from the silence and embarrassment at the beginning after Liu Wei came in, Liu Xie could feel his embarrassment. In his impression, Liu Bian was decisive and resolute, when did he ever be so cramped? It can be seen that he really attaches importance to the brotherhood with himself, and the world and his brothers, after hearing that rumor, why didn't they fall into a dilemma?

Saying the feeling in his heart, Liu Wei seemed to have unloaded a burden, shook his head easily, looked at Liu Xie, who was still thinking with his head down, and knew that he should be left some time to think about it, so he walked in front of him and gently pressed Liu Xie's shoulder.

"I hope you can understand."

Liu Wei turned around and left, leaving Liu Xie alone in deep thought.

*********

Late at night, people are quiet.

Long after Liu Wei left, Liu Xie still knelt and frowned, thinking about it. It's just that there is an extra scribe in a gray shirt beside him.

"I just heard the conversation between His Highness and the Son of Heaven behind the screen." The scribe said lightly.

Liu Xie did not answer.

"I once said that Your Majesty will come to test Your Highness, and now that you have answered your guess, doesn't Your Highness still believe it?" The scribe continued.

Only then did Liu Xie react and glanced up at the scribe.

The scribe was a little anxious and said, "Your Highness is still hesitating?" It is important to know that the husband is not guilty, but he is guilty. The Son of Heaven has long been suspicious of His Highness in his heart, and his clever words are only His Highness's heart. If Your Highness does not take the opportunity to make a decision, I am afraid that he will be harmed. ”

"Has Your Highness forgotten how your mother died?" The scribe's last sentence was already in a sharp voice.

Liu Xie's body trembled suddenly, and the misery of his mother's death came to mind.

He raised his head and looked directly into the scribe's eyes, there was a maturity and city in his gaze that did not match his age, and the scribe's heart froze.

"According to what Mr. Xin said, is my father's edict true?"

(To be continued, please pay attention to the next chapter)