Qiang Qu didn't know what medicine was being sold in Liu Xiu's gourd, and since Liu Xiu was so sure, he had no choice but to do it.

The next day, Qiangqu said Liu Xiu's request, the ten horns were silent, first there was an embarrassing silence, followed by moderate or fierce opposition, if according to Qiangqu said, the Huns will no longer be a nation of reading power, they will be reduced to a vassal state of the Han Dynasty, and they will listen to the Han people in the future, pay taxes to the Han people, accept the conscription of the Han people, and the annual reward is estimated to be gone - 200 million a year, which is a lot of wealth, and their tribal leaders, Shan Yu's descendants will only have an empty name, There is no real power anymore.

If it weren't for the deterrent effect of the Divine Punishment incident a few days ago, the anti-Han stalwarts would have either died or would not be far from death, I am afraid that someone would jump up on the spot and accuse Qiang Qu of being a traitor and betraying all the interests of the Huns to the Han people.

Despite this, the atmosphere has become a little tense, these people have always thought that they are the pride of the sky, superior to the ordinary Huns, although psychologically they are in awe of the Han people, but they are only in awe, they do not think that they are slaves of the Han people, and it is difficult for them to accept that they are suddenly completely surrendered to the Han people.

Qiangqu's strength is insufficient, and he can't suppress these families, so he has to hope for Liu Xiu's help.

Liu Biao wore a spring shirt and swayed into the tent where they were deliberating. His figure is half a head taller than the average Huns, and he has good facial features, dignified appearance, with a colorful silk robe on his body, the whole person is like a jade that is polished, and the Huns wearing leather jackets are half a cut shorter than him, and they look very cold.

Liu Biao looked around, there was no sound in the big tent, and the Huns, who were originally arguing about the case, felt the invisible pressure, and no one spoke. Qiang Qu hurriedly left his seat, got up and arched his hand: "Lord Liu, welcome to come." ”

The corners of Liu Biao's mouth were raised, revealing a somewhat reserved smile, he enjoyed the current effect very much, a scholar scared these fierce and savage Huns so much that they couldn't speak, this feeling was too cool.

"It's nothing, I'm just here to inform you of one thing, so as not to cause misunderstanding." Liu Biao waved his hand and said to the Huns very kindly: "I'm not here to interfere with your meeting, our adults have said that this is an internal matter of your Huns, and we will not interfere." ”

Those Huns breathed a sigh of relief, they all thought that Liu Biao was here to convey Liu Xiu's support for Qiangqu. But then again, even if this matter was an idea that Qiang Qu came up with in order to curry favor with Liu Xiu, Liu Xiu knew a little bit about it.

"This ...... My family was in charge of the military in northern Xinjiang for the first time, and in order to accurately grasp the strength and personnel of the counties, a military exercise was held. The goal of this exercise is to merge states ......" Liu Biao casually drew a circle, and finally pointed to his feet: "If there is an unexpected situation, it is hypothetical, and the troops of the counties will work together, quickly assemble, coordinate operations, and aim to resolve disputes as quickly as possible." ”

Qiang Qu didn't understand for a while: "My lord, are you saying that the adult is transferring troops?" ”

"Drills, drills, it's almost like you Huns hunting." Liu Biao explained: "So if you receive news that there are large armies in the surrounding counties concentrating here, don't be nervous, this is not aimed at you Huns." ”

Liu Biao politely gave a salute, turned around and left, took two steps, turned his head again, and said with a smile: "I have good news for you." My family is going to set up a school in Jinyang, and the main professors are Mr. Cai Yong, the most learned scholar of our Han Kingdom, and Mr. Duan Cheng Duan Jiming, a famous general of our Han Dynasty. All counties and counties in the state will select outstanding young people to study, and now in order to compete for a place, the gift-givers are about to fight. My lord respects you leaders very much, and I will give each of you a place, so you should quickly choose a smart child and prepare to send him to the academy to study. I think you all know what the future holds for these people. Don't waste such a great opportunity. ”

After Liu Biao finished speaking, he walked away, leaving down the Huns with a shocked face.

The Huns were silent for a moment, and then suddenly jumped up, and each sent scouts to inquire in all directions, only Qiang Qu'an sat steadily, and he had already understood Liu Xiu's arrangement. Anyway, he is now tied to Liu Xiu, and before he does anything against Liu Xiu, he believes that even if Liu Xiu wants to kill someone, he will not be able to kill him.

The news soon came back, and the Han troops of Yunzhong, Wuyuan, Dingxiang, Yanmen, Xihe, and Shuofang counties had rushed to the vicinity of Meiji, with a total strength of about 30,000 people. The Huns were shocked, the total strength of the Huns in Meiji was less than 40,000, Hu Zheng and others fell, and the strength went to one-third, plus the king of Zuogu Li and others were punished by God, and their troops were also divided, half of which fell into Liu Xiu's pocket, and they really only had 20,000 people in their hands, and they also had their own thoughts, how could they face the attack of the Han people?

Yes, Liu Biao said, this is a military exercise, not against the Huns, but who dares to believe that his words are true at this time, what if they are aimed at the Huns? It doesn't take much to kill these leaders, and the Huns will be completely finished.

The Huns smelled the smell of blood, felt the naked power, did not dare to hesitate any longer, passed the proposal of Qiangqu one by one, and honestly sent the children named students and hostages to Jinyang to study.

At this point, Liu Xiu's predetermined plan was basically successfully realized, and the Huns were brought into the hands of the Han Dynasty.

At the end of May, Liu Xiu wrote to the Son of Heaven to set up pastoral gardens in Xihe and Yanmen, and recruited people who were good at herding among the Han and Hungarian people, and raised 10,000 war horses each. Adjust the policy towards the Huns and manage them according to the laws of the vassal countries, but for the time being, there will be no subordinate governors, and Shan Yu will still be supported, but the number of soldiers under the Anji Peng history will be increased to 200, so as to strengthen the control of the Xiongnu Shan Yuting. The leaders of the Xiongnu tribes must send their children to Jinyang to enroll in school in order to strengthen the bondage.

…… Luoyang, Yongle Palace, the Son of Heaven accompanied the Empress Dowager Dong to gossip, but he was obviously a little absent-minded, he didn't answer what the Empress Dowager said several times, stood up from time to time and turned around a few times, his eyes couldn't stop looking out. Empress Dowager Dong saw it in her eyes, angry and funny.

"Your Majesty, you are the king of a country, and it is not the first time you have a son, can you be more steady?"

The Son of Heaven smiled embarrassedly: "Queen Mother, this time is different, this time the queen gave birth to a son, if she can give birth to a son for me, it will be my son-in-law, and I will be my prince in the future." In addition, the queen gave birth to a child, which is also a great joy, and the bad luck in the palace in the past few months can also be cleared up and add some joy. ”

Empress Dowager Dong nodded, very much in agreement with the words of the Son of Heaven. She was very dissatisfied with He Guiren and did not want He Guiren's son to inherit the throne in the future. If Empress Song can give birth to a son, then there is no hope for He Guiren. The question is, can Empress Song have a son? But there are many rumors that after reading it, several scholars said that Queen Song was pregnant with a daughter. Having a daughter is useless.

The Son of Heaven has been very unhappy in the past few months, and at the beginning of the year, Liu Xiu sent a good news from Northern Xinjiang, but the various controversies that followed drowned out this bit of joy. The suburbs of the Son of Heaven had just returned from the southern suburbs and had a meal, and Situ Yang Ci was blamed for abdicating. The aftermath of this incident has not ended, Luoyang earthquake again, making people panic, the most depressing thing is that the first earthquake has not stopped, followed by another earthquake in April. What's even stranger is still to come, a hen in Shizhong Temple suddenly turned into a rooster, stopped laying eggs, and crowed instead.

Just entered May, there was another strange thing in the palace, Zhongchang waiter Huan Xian met a strange-looking man in white in Deyang Palace, asked him who he was, and he said that Liang Boxia asked him to come. Huan Xian didn't react for a while, saying that there was no Liang Boxia in our palace, and that person suddenly disappeared, and then Huan Xian reacted, Liang Boxia was the father of Emperor Shun Emperor Liang, the general Liang Shang. This is a ghost encountered in broad daylight, Huan Xian hurriedly asked people to look everywhere, but after searching all over the palace and outside the palace, he couldn't find the man in white.

A series of disasters made the Son of Heaven anxious, and the people of Luoyang City were panicked, and rumors spread everywhere. At this moment, the Son of Heaven urgently needs some good news to calm the nerves that are about to collapse.

"Even so, it's useless for you to be anxious, not to mention that I don't know if it's a prince yet, even if it's a prince, you can't be crowned a prince until you grow up, and now you can't be in a hurry."

The Son of Heaven answered, but he was obviously a little out of shape. He didn't know what was in his mind, and a smile suddenly appeared in the corner of his eye. Empress Dowager Dong looked strange, and was about to ask, when suddenly there was a sound of hurried footsteps outside the hall. The Son of Heaven and the Empress Dowager Dong looked at the palace gate together, only to see a small yellow door coming over with a happy face, and the Son of Heaven hurriedly greeted him, and asked impatiently: "The queen is born?" Is it male or female? ”

The little yellow door was stunned: "Your Majesty, minister...... Not from the Queen's Palace. ”

The Son of Heaven suddenly sank his face, and scolded a little anxiously: "Then what are you doing here?" ”

Xiao Huangmen was startled, and hurriedly said, "My lord, the Taiwei Mansion has received the latest battle report, and there is another good news from the state." ”

"And the state? Good news? The Son of Heaven raised his eyebrows and turned his anger into joy.

"Yes, Taiwei Zhang Chengcheng was waiting for His Majesty's summons outside the palace, and the minister went to Deyang Hall first, but he didn't see His Majesty, and then he heard that His Majesty was here, so he hurried to report the news."

Before Xiao Huangmen finished speaking, the Son of Heaven waved his sleeves and said loudly: "Xuan Zhanghuan is here." ”

"Yui." The little yellow door made a sound and walked out quickly. After a short time, Zhang Huan walked in striding in with the good news he had just received in one hand and the hem of his clothes in the other. His steps were very big, and Xiao Huangmen chased after him all the way, but he still fell behind him a lot. The Son of Heaven saw it and couldn't help laughing, although Zhang Huan was a martial artist, he wanted to become a Confucian scholar, and he usually paid special attention to his words and deeds, and wanted to be like a saint and not overstep, but it was the first time to walk like today.

It seems to be a good news.

After Zhang Huan finished saluting, the first sentence was: "Congratulations to Your Majesty, Beizhonglang will subdue the Huns." ”

The Son of Heaven's eyes flashed, snatched the good news from Zhang Huan's hand, quickly unfolded it and glanced at it, a smile bloomed in the corner of his eye, slowly rippling on his pale face, and gradually turned into a burst of laughter. He shook the paper in his hand and said to Zhang Huan proudly: "Zhang Gong, how is this person I like?" Kind of a ghostly idea, right? ”

Zhang Huan wiped the sweat from his forehead and nodded again and again. He is also in his seventies, and although his health is not bad, it still makes him feel very difficult to run all the way from the Taiwei Mansion here.

"Your Majesty, after subduing the Huns, the main energy of the state can be put on dealing with the Xianbei people in the future, and the annual reward alone is 200 million, which is indeed a good thing for the Han Dynasty. It's just that the Huns are not at ease, and if they can't handle it properly, I'm afraid that there will be another incident. Your Majesty, Bei Zhonglang will be alert, but after all, he is young, and it is inevitable that he will be aggressive, please give His Majesty more admonitions, start and finish well, and be the best. ”

The Son of Heaven glanced at Zhang Huan and understood what he meant by coming in a hurry, the good news was still second, but the main thing was to remind him not to be too happy. This may seem like a good thing, but if it's not handled properly, it can turn into a catastrophe. If you don't notice this and reward Liu Xiu in a big way, if something happens in the future, it will be a big joke, not only Liu Xiu can't get out, but the Son of Heaven can't get over it. reminding Liu Xiu is fake, reminding him that this son of heaven should be low-key and leave some way back for himself is true.

The Son of Heaven was very satisfied with Zhang Huan's approach, and there were not many ministers in the court who could take care of him so much.

The Son of Heaven left Zhang Huan to sit for a while and discussed how to deal with the next merger of states. Zhang Huanjiu was in the frontier and knew everything about the frontier, and he pointed out the possible problems to the Son of Heaven one by one, especially to the Son of Heaven, Liu Xiu subdued the Huns with deception, and then he needed to soften his grace, so in the short term, not only could not reduce the rewards for the Huns, but on the contrary, he had to add some as appropriate, so that the Huns could feel the benefits of submission and would not change. Of course, in the past, the money was directly given to the Huns, but now the money should be handed over to Liu Xiu, who he controls who has more and who has less, and further controls the Huns.

At the mention of money, the Son of Heaven's brows furrowed again, he just didn't have money. Yang Ci is loyal and commendable, but the fact of making money is average, Situ, who has been doing his job for more than half a year, although he is loyal, he has not been able to make him more money, otherwise he would not have taken the opportunity of this meal to remove him from the position of Situ. Now that Situ's position is still vacant, he has searched all over the court, but he can't seem to find a suitable person to be Situ.

In front of Zhang Huan, the Son of Heaven was embarrassed to say these words, anyway, Zhang Huan himself knew it, he just listened quietly, thinking about where he could squeeze out the money to send it to Liu Xiu to solve his urgent needs.

"Your Majesty, the Empress has been born." Jian Shuo ran over panting, stood still in front of the Son of Heaven, and said with a smile while gasping for breath.

The Son of Heaven was stunned for a moment, and his voice trembled a little: "Male or female? ”

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, you are a prince." Jian Shuo was a little overjoyed: "Your Majesty, it's fifteen pounds, it's a very strong prince, but the queen is tired." (Note: one Han Jin is 250 grams) The Son of Heaven stared at the round eyes: "Really? ”

"Yes, yes." Jian Shuo saw the Son of Heaven like this, and hurriedly supported him, the Son of Heaven has been a little weak recently, don't faint with excitement, that is, happy and sad. He hurriedly helped the Son of Heaven to the seat, and explained: "The imperial doctor said that although the queen is tired, she is in good health, the mother and son are safe, and it is good luck." ”

"Hahaha......" The Son of Heaven couldn't help laughing, turned to the Empress Dowager Dong and said, "Queen Mother, I have another prince, a fifteen-pound prince." Without waiting for Empress Dowager Dong to answer, he turned to Zhang Huan again: "Zhang Gong, have you heard, a fifteen-pound child, have you ever heard of such a heavy child?" ”

Zhang Huan was also very happy, and shook his head again and again: "The minister has never heard of it, none of the minister's children and grandchildren are more than twelve catties." ”

"You haven't heard of it, and I haven't heard of it." The Son of Heaven patted Zhang Huan's shoulder a little frivolously: "I was born less than eight pounds, and the queen mother was worried that I would not be able to support me. Queen Mother, isn't she? ”

Empress Dowager Dong glared at him with disgust, and said in her heart that such words should also be said to your courtiers as a son of heaven?

The Son of Heaven was excited, he didn't notice the Empress Dowager Dong's eyes at all, he turned around twice, remembered Wang Chu who was waiting to give birth with the queen, and hurriedly asked: "Did the Wang family give birth, is it a man or a woman?" ”

"It's born, it's a girl." Jian Shuo said.

"Alas, alas." The Son of Heaven clapped his hands and said with some regret, but then he became happy again, and raised his eyebrows: "That's okay, this child will be raised with my emperor in the future, they have no guesses, childhood sweethearts, although they can't be like me and Liu Xiu, they can also achieve a good marriage." The more he thought about it, the happier he became, and he couldn't help laughing, clapping his hands and saying, "Funny, really funny." ”

He laughed for a while, then frowned again, "I'm going to give them a good name." ”

Empress Dowager Dong couldn't help it: "Your Majesty, the child has just been born, so it's too early to choose a name, right?" Choosing a name too early is not good for children. ”

The Son of Heaven scratched his head, laughed twice, didn't be quiet for a moment, thought of something again, waved his arm, and said loudly: "Gong Zhang, two happy events in a row today are a good sign, I want to change the yuan, yes, change the yuan." ”

Zhang Huan was dumbfounded, such a big thing as changing his heart, how did you decide.

The Son of Heaven didn't care what he thought, he turned back and forth with his hands behind his back, muttering non-stop in his mouth, and finally stopped in front of Zhang Huan, and said with a blazing eye: "Guanghe, just change Yuan Guanghe, how about it?" ”

Zhang Huan was speechless, and subconsciously shrugged his shoulders, there is no need to be serious with you about this kind of thing, you say light and harmony.

…… Wang Chu lay on the bed tiredly, looking at the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, both satisfied and a little lost. She always wanted to give birth to a son and add a queen to Liu Xiu, but she didn't expect to give birth to a daughter, although this daughter is also quite beautiful, but she is not a son after all. Liu Xiu is an only son, his family has disappeared again, and now he has made a meritorious deed, and he urgently needs an heir, although she has no ambition to compete with the eldest princess for the main room, but before there is no concubine, it is also a thing that can make people feel at ease.

"Don't overthink it." The eldest princess walked in like a gust of wind, and when she saw Wang Chu's face, she knew what she was thinking, and said angrily: "You are still young, Deran is also young, what does it matter if the first child is a daughter?" Take good care of your body, and when Deran returns to the dynasty victoriously, you can work harder and regenerate a few more of them. ”

Wang Chu smiled embarrassedly, struggling to sit up, the eldest princess gently pressed her: "Okay, okay, although we say that there is a difference between respect and inferiority, but we are like sisters, you are a mother now, don't worry so much." I asked someone to boil you some chicken soup, you drink it quickly, milk this little girl to be white and fat, and when Deran comes back, he will be so happy. ”

"A girl, what's there to be happy about." Wang Chu refused, drank two mouthfuls of soup in the hands of the eldest princess, and said ashamedly. Tang Yingzi looked at the door, and just heard Wang Chu's words, and jumped out suddenly: "Who said that?" The eldest brother likes his daughter the most. ”

The eldest princess and Wang Chu looked at each other and couldn't help laughing: "How do you know?" ”

"I heard it from my big brother himself." Tang Yingzi crossed her waist, walked to the cradle, reached out and pinched the child's little face, and said in an old-fashioned manner: "Well, although this baby is not as cute as me, it is not bad, the big brother must like it." ”

"Flutter!" The eldest princess laughed out loud and pulled Tang Yingzi aside: "You don't want to be careless, I don't know how serious it is, if I pinch her, I can't spare you." Tell me about it, when did your big brother say he liked his daughter? ”

"When I used to sleep with him in my arms, he said I was like his daughter." Tang Yingzi said confidently, she sniffled and looked at the chicken soup that Wang Chu was drinking greedily: "Eldest princess, is there anything else?" It's so fragrant, I want to drink it too. ”

"If you want to drink, go to the kitchen and let Mrs. Luo get it for you." The eldest princess brushed aside her paws that reached out to the little baby again, "When did you lose your food?" You don't pay attention to it, and you see that you are all fat piglets. ”

Tang Yingzi turned around and walked out, shouting as he walked: "If I lose weight, my eldest brother will be distressed when he comes back." ”

"This girl really doesn't think of herself as an outsider." The eldest princess shook her head funny, glanced at the child who was yawning in her swaddling clothes, reached out and touched her face gently, felt the silky lubrication, and said enviously: "Achu, this child's skin is really like you, it feels so comfortable to touch." Alas, I said Ah Chu, your skin is so good, is it some kind of room technique, I think that Mrs. Lu is also like this. ”

"The eldest princess's skin is not bad." Wang Chu smiled embarrassedly: "It's useless to learn the art in my room, my husband said that it was a lie, and he never came according to the rules, every time he ...... It's ...... every time," she blushed and squeaked and couldn't go on. The eldest princess looked at her narrowly and urged, "Then tell me, how is he?" ”

"When the eldest princess becomes a relative to him, she will know everything." Wang Chu pulled the quilt over his face, hid in the quilt and said.

"Marriage?" The eldest princess held her cheek with one hand, a little distracted: "He's busy in Bingzhou now, I'm afraid he won't be able to think of me." ”

Wang Chu showed his eyes from the quilt, "How could it be, my husband works so hard, doesn't he just want to be a general as soon as possible, so that he can marry the eldest princess and enter the door." ”

"General? Hehe, you don't know, he became a general in Beizhonglang, and some people have already said that the Son of Heaven is nepotistic and has been promoted by leapfrogging. When he becomes a general, I'm afraid I won't be able to have children. ”

"Who speaks so unconscionably, and the husband has made such a great contribution, what's wrong with being a Beizhong Lang?" Wang Chu said unconvinced. She also heard a lot of rumors in the palace, but in front of the queen, those words were not so ugly.

"Haven't you heard?" The eldest princess hesitated for a moment, and sighed softly: "Some people say that Deran's trouble is far greater than his meritorious service, the Son of Heaven does not understand the military, he only knows how to trust him, and if there is a big mess in the future, I am afraid it will not be able to be cleaned up." Besides, the war is about money, originally he only had 5,000 people under his command, we cobbled it together, and we could afford it, but now he has to provide tens of thousands of people, hundreds of thousands of people, where do we get so much money? If you don't have money, what kind of war will you fight, what kind of merit will you make? ”

Wang Chu was silent. That's the most critical question.

(To be continued)