In the third year of Emperor Jing, before Chao Cuo's ass was hot in the position of the imperial doctor, he officially presented Liu Qi with a chapter of cutting the domain.

Regarding the cutting of the domain, Chao Cuo is not a pat on the head for granted. As early as his youth, he was inspired by Jia Yi's remarks, thus forming a clear understanding of the vassal king.

Therefore, in the era of Emperor Wen, he once wrote to remind Liu Heng to pay close attention to Wu and weaken Wu's advice, but Emperor Wen did not adopt it.

Liu Heng knew very well the problem of the vassal king, and he insisted on dragging it out and not solving it, not because he didn't want to solve it, but because he didn't have the strength to solve it. He believed that in a critical era of great development, if he was hastily interrupted because of the issue of the vassal king, then he would become a sinner for the ages.

Of course, Liu Heng also realized that the issue of the vassal king could not be delayed for a long time, so in his last days, he painstakingly searched for the general of Zhenguo for his son Liu Qi.

Liu Qi, who has been on the throne for three years, does not seem to have tasted the sweetness of power.

Therefore, when he received the wrong letter of cutting the feudal domain, he was stunned for a while, and his heart suddenly felt a little stunned.

Cutting the feudal domain is naturally a good thing for the benefit of the country and the people for thousands of generations, but cutting the feudal domain is a matter of vital interests, you cut the land of those vassal kings, cut their wealth, cut them to gain power, can they be honest and obedient? Can you lead the neck to slaughter? If there is a mistake, it will inevitably cause a great upheaval in the world, and when the time comes, wars will break out everywhere, and the beacon smoke will be everywhere, who can guarantee that the court will win and the vassal king will fail? Who can guarantee that the imperial court will be able to control the situation?

However, if you don't cut it, how should you deal with it, and let the princes and kings sit big? Do you want to let them fight against the imperial court? No, no way!

In this matter, what Liu Qi hopes most is to be able to slow down a little longer, wait a little longer, and wait until the throne is more stable before solving the problem.

Liu Qi summoned Chao to make a mistake and told him what he thought.

Chao Cuo shook his head firmly, and his answer was very crisp.

"Whether the vassal kings are against or not depends on whether the court cuts the feudal clan or not, but on their strength, in other words, whether the court cuts it or not, they will have to rebel sooner or later, cut it early, and reverse it early, and the disaster will be small; If you cut it late, you will be late, and it will be a big disaster! ”

Chao Cuo paused, seeing Liu Qi's brows furrowed, Chao Cuo knew that Liu Qi was still hesitant.

So, Chao Cuo continued to analyze: "After Emperor Gao swept away the princes and queens with different surnames, he sealed the same surname, seventy cities in Qi State, forty cities in Chu State, and fifty cities in Wu State, which already accounted for half of the land in the world. Especially King Wu, he has always been angry about His Majesty's accidental killing of Prince Wu, and for this reason, he has been ill for more than 20 years, is he really sick? Can you be sick for twenty years? The minister heard that in recent years, King Wu minted copper coins to pass, boiled seawater to make salt, and attracted outlaws, in order to rebel against the court. If Your Majesty continues to indulge, I am afraid that it will be more difficult to solve it in the future! ”

After Liu Qi heard this, he struck a few cases with a "snap", and scolded: "King Wu, this old immortal, has treated him benevolently and righteously for twenty years in vain, but he is so plotting against him!" ”

Chao Cuo saw that Liu Qi began to be impatient again, he frowned, remembering that at the beginning of the year, Liu Qi had invited his younger brother Liu Wu, King of Liang, at a family banquet, in order to make the Queen Mother happy, he actually promised to pass on to King Liang after a thousand autumns. Fortunately, Zhan Shi Dou Ying stood up and pointed out Liu Qi's drunken gaffe, which made Liu Qi realize the seriousness of the problem.

Seeing Liu Qi's impatient demeanor, Chao Cuo felt the great responsibility of being the emperor's master, so he said: "Your Majesty, as a monarch, you should be happy and angry!" ”

Liu Qi naturally understood Chao Cuo's good intentions, and said with a wry smile: "Teacher, the matter of cutting the feudal domain is very important, I need time to think carefully and deliberate, and I can discuss it again in the future!" ”

Liu Qi fell into a painful choice for the first time, he was crowned the crown prince at the age of seven, and ascended the throne at the age of thirty. He doesn't even have to make any decisions. Because in front of him, there is also his father's majestic figure to shelter him from the wind and rain, putting aside the pursuit of power, Liu Qi's first thirty years were spent in happiness and plainness. But now that everything is in the past, he took over the scepter left by his father and was crowned the Ninety-Five Supreme, but he faced more pain and challenges.

For several days, Liu Qidu's tea and rice were not fragrant for the matter of cutting the domain, and the court discussion also stopped.

Liu Qi wants to discuss this issue directly at the next court meeting, and he must make his own choice before that.

Liu Qi once again fell asleep on his back in the Shiqu Pavilion.

The cool breeze of spring hit, Liu Qi felt a chill, he subconsciously reached out to grab the blanket covering his body, he didn't want to, but he felt someone gently cover him.

Liu Qi opened his tired eyes slightly, but it was the queen mother, looking at him lovingly.

Liu Qi immediately propped himself up, ready to salute his mother.

Empress Dowager Dou gently pressed him and said, "Qi'er, lie down, lie down, the queen mother is very worried when she sees that you have been spending the night in Shiqu Pavilion for two days in a row!" Come, this is the ginseng soup that the queen mother stewed for you, quick, drink it while it's hot! ”

Liu Qi sat up, thinking that he was hungry, picked up the ginseng soup, and drank it all over the place after a while. After drinking, I suddenly felt refreshed, and hurriedly praised "It's delicious, it's delicious!" ”

"You stupid boy, you really haven't changed at all from when you were a child, you are in a hurry to do anything! You can't even taste the taste when you drink it like this! There were some complaints in the words of Empress Dowager Dou's care, but when she saw that her son drank it in one go, she was also very happy in her heart.

"Queen Mother, you haven't rested so late? It's the child who worries the queen mother! ”

"Qi'er, why don't you go back to the palace for days, is there anything difficult to solve, or is it a mess with the queen?"

Liu Qi's Empress Bo was personally appointed by his grandmother, the Empress Dowager Bo, when she was alive, but Liu Qi didn't like his queen very much, so he didn't want to step into the queen's bedroom when he had troubles.

Liu Qi stood up and bowed to the Empress Dowager Dou and said, "Queen Mother Mingjian, the sons and daughters are really difficult and can't choose!" ”

"Let's let the mourners hear it!"

Liu Qi explained in detail the matter of Chao Wrong Playing and asking for the cutting of the domain.

Empress Dowager Dou listened carefully and asked, "Qi'er, what do you think?" ”

"Erchen, there is no conclusive conclusion, but Erchen understands that it is imperative to cut the domain, not today, but in the future, just worried, worried that the rash reduction of the domain will cause the resistance of the vassal kings, and the son's son has not been on the throne for a long time, his position is unstable, whether he can succeed in cutting the domain, there is really no chance of winning in his heart!"

Empress Dowager Dou nodded and said thoughtfully: "This matter is very important, and it should be decided at the court meeting!" ”

"This is exactly what Erchen thinks, Erchen must think things clearly before the court!"

"Qi'er, I remember that your father was also anxious about this matter!"

"Father has also considered it?" Liu Qi asked in surprise.

Empress Dowager Dou bowed slightly, "It is also your father's wish to cut the domain, but at that time, the strength of the Hou State was too weak, the people were poor, and your father could only recuperate." The mourning family thought that if God gave your father more time, he would definitely solve this problem himself! ”

As she spoke, Empress Dowager Dou's eyes didn't feel filled with tears.

"It turns out that this is also my father's wish, and it is even more incumbent on me." Liu Qi secretly swore in his heart.

"Qi'er, whenever your father has a difficult matter, he must go out of the palace and go deep into the people, and often have some gains. He has said more than once that the soul of the temple is in the people and not in the court. If you can remember it in your heart, you will be invincible. ”

"The soul of the temple is in the people and not in the court?" Liu Qi muttered.

Although Empress Dowager Dou didn't know if her suggestions could really help Liu Qi, she understood that she had to let him think and experience for himself, and no matter what he decided, as a mother, she would stand behind him without hesitation and be her son's strongest backing.

"The queen mother has returned to the palace first, the emperor, pay attention to your body, don't be too tired!"

Liu Qi helped his mother up and helped her out of the gate of Weiyang Palace before turning back to the dormitory.

Under the advice of his mother, Liu Qi had a good idea.

The next day, as soon as Dongfang showed the white belly of the fish, Liu Qi changed into civilian clothes and took a few guards out of the palace.

It's March, and the spring breeze blows along the banks of the Weishui River, accompanied by the scent of earth and grass.

Last night, the mother's fierce words were still in my ears, and Liu Qi came out of the palace to find the soul of this temple. He knew very well that once the feudal domain was cut and the princes and kings were provoked, it was not only money and food, but also the people's support.

Coming out of the north gate of the Yang Palace, and then going out of the palace area through the straight city gate of the outer wall, and going up to the north extension street, you can reach the east market and the west market.

The East Market and the West Market are in the northwest corner of Chang'an City, and it is also the most prosperous street market in Chang'an, where there are many shops and wine shops, and there are many peddlers and pawns. If you want a private visit, this is the best place.

Although it was still early, the merchants opened their shops early, wiped down the utensils on the doors, and waited for the first customers to arrive. The stall owners in the morning market are even more busy shouting, constantly attracting the attention of customers. In particular, the steaming breakfast stalls were crowded with people who had come to buy breakfast.

Liu Qi found a company that sold beef and mutton steamed buns and sat down, asked for a few bowls, and ate them. Unexpectedly, as soon as he entered, Liu Qi praised him.

Steamed bun is an ancient court etiquette, first seen in the Western Zhou Dynasty, after the pre-Qin period, introduced to the people, and became a common food among the people, and Liu Qi enjoyed it in the palace, but it was very different from the taste here.

"Shopkeeper, your mutton steamed buns taste so good, what's the secret recipe?"

"This official must not be a businessman, and the secret of the merchant must not be passed on, otherwise, the old man and I will do this business!" The old man smiled heartily as he spoke.

"Oh, I was presumptuous!" Liu Qi said embarrassedly.

"Don't worry, don't worry, as long as the official thinks it's delicious, it's the biggest face for me Wang Laohan, presumably the official is eating it for the first time, come, send you a night, eat well, come next time."

Wang Laohan really served Liu Qi and others another bowl, Liu Qi was infected by the old man's enthusiasm and boldness, so he finished eating it in one go, and praised it while eating, which made Wang Laohan happy.

"Shopkeeper, has business been good all these years?"

"Okay, good, old man, I have been running this stall for 20 years, the business is getting better and better year by year, and the life of the common people is getting more and more prosperous, you don't know yet, the new emperor has lowered our business taxes again, can life be bad?"

"What do you think of the New Deal? How is the new emperor? Liu Qi couldn't wait to get the answer to his question.

"Hehe, the official family must have read too many books, we little people don't know what the new and old policies are, as long as it can make life better, it is good government! Hey, the rest of the old men don't know! ”

Liu Qi knew that it was useless to ask more, so he asked his entourage to pay, thanked him, and left.

Liu Qi wandered around the streets, wandering from the East Market to the West Market, speaking of which, he hadn't been to the market here for several years, but he didn't expect that there would be more shops here, and the market would be much more relaxed.

Liu Qi entered the inn tavern and found a corner to sit down, this wine shop is mostly a guest house for business travelers from all over the world, although it is morning, but it is also overcrowded.

The tavern was full of people, and the business travelers were well-informed people, and they were all talking loudly. Liu Qixuan listened with interest. Suddenly, he listened to someone talking about the affairs of Wu Guo, and his ears suddenly pricked up.

"Hey, fellow businessmen, the salt market of Wu has a big profit!"

"Oh, brother, come on, what's the benefit?"

"Since the new emperor ascended the throne, the old king of Wu has opened the salt market to attract business travelers! Not only that, doing business in Wu State, the government only needs to do it once! Today's East Vietnam, Suzhou and Hangzhou can be said to be a paradise for business travelers. ”

"Then Brother Tai leads the way, how about we go there to do business together?"

"However, I heard that the old King Wu has misdeeds, he not only gathers business travelers, but also gathers some lawbreakers, if the court finds out, maybe there will be a war disaster in the Wu Kingdom!" One of them lowered his voice.

"Is it difficult for the old King Wu to avenge the murder of his son, it is difficult, now the world is peaceful, when today Zi Rensheng is not inferior to Emperor Taizong, it can be said that the world is in the heart, how easy it is for the old Wu King to avenge the murder of the son, in my opinion, this war can't get up, even if it starts, the court can't lose. This business should be done boldly, the opportunity must not be lost, and the loss will not come again! ”

"Good, good, good, good!"

Liu Qi was in a good mood when he heard this, as the market business traveler said, he could at least be sure that as long as the imperial court could still unite the people's hearts, the princes and kings would not be able to set off the storm, and even if there was a real war, his treasury was now very full, and it would not be difficult to support it for a period of time.

Liu Qi wandered around Chang'an Street Market for a long afternoon, and then went to the farmland outside Chang'an City, and after a day of private visits to Weifu, although it was not 100% guaranteed victory, Liu Qi's confidence in cutting the feudal domain soared.

He did not rest, and as soon as he returned to Weiyang Palace, he summoned Chao Cuo and asked him to prepare for all the matters of the cutting of the feudal domain tomorrow.

Chao Cuo was surprised by Liu Qi's change of attitude, but no matter what, Chao Cuo finally waited for the opportunity to make a contribution.

Chao Cuo is not a militant, let alone a war maniac, what he wants to do is what all outstanding politicians want to do, twenty years ago, he was the same as Jia Yi, with the dream of serving the country, and stepped into the official career, but he is different from Jia Yi, he will not be cynical, his ideas and suggestions are very practical, he is not right about things, he is frank about military affairs, heavy agriculture and precious millet, recruiting people to migrate to the border, and the policy of cutting feudal domains is about to begin, he must be personally involved in all affairs, and he has achieved remarkable results.

The current mistake is not the mistake of the past, he is ranked as the third duke, holding heavy power, he could have been honest as Shen Tujia, no one can offend, and he will stay in peace after serving as the imperial doctor, and then be promoted to prime minister, and then retire.

However, Chao Cuo can't tolerate this, in his opinion, as an official, you have to share worries for the country, if you blindly avoid things, what is the use of being an official? People like Shen Tujia and Tao Qing are something he looks down on.

Chao Cuo knows that the road ahead is boundless, but in any case, this matter for thousands of generations must be completed in his own hands, and now that the emperor has passed, tomorrow's court decision is almost just a formality.