Chapter 2

The ancient city of Chang'an was not the capital of the early Western Han Dynasty. After Liu Bang, the emperor of the Han Dynasty, killed Xiang Yu, the overlord of Chu, he built Luoyang as his capital. Lou Jing, a member of the Qi Dynasty, wrote a letter to suggest Liu Bang move his capital to Chang'an. He said that Chang'an was established in the early Han Dynasty, with a hundred wastes waiting for prosperity. Chang'an belonged to the land of the three Qin Dynasty. The fortress was strong and the land was fertile, so it was called Tianfu. Waiting for Zhang Liang is the same as Lou Jing. So Liu Bang took Chang'an as his capital.

After nearly 200 years of renovation, Chang'an has become a big city with high walls, vertical and horizontal streets, numerous people and prosperous businesses.

And the Forbidden City of the imperial palace is tall and lofty, solemn and sacred. From afar, you can see green walls, yellow tiles, green willows and red flowers. In the Han Dynasty, the earth was virtuous, while in the Qin Dynasty, the water was black. Therefore, the palace of the Han Dynasty took the yellow tile as its top, meaning that the earth was used instead of the water.

At this time, in the Imperial Palace, on the Dragon chair in the middle of the golden hall, sat a teenager, wearing a five clawed Dragon Robe and a flat crown. He was thin and pale. This is Liu Yan, the emperor of the Han Dynasty.

On both sides of the Dragon steps, a cauldron was placed. The cauldron was filled with smoke, and the fragrance was light and solemn.

Civil and military officials stood on both sides, with their heads down. On the left is a big chair. There is a man sitting on the chair. I saw that life had a face like crown jade, a black beard like lacquer, a cold star shining in his eyes, and a majestic appearance. Sitting on the chair, he is even and graceful. This man is now under one person, over ten thousand people, powerful, self styled Duke of Zhou, Duke of an Han, Lord Zaiheng, Wang Mang.

There was a chair in front of the emperor and above the court hall, but none of the civil and military officials had such an honor. Liu Yan, the emperor of Han Dynasty, hated her but did not dare to express her dissatisfaction. Instead, he listened attentively to Wang Mang's talk.

Wang Mang said: "Sima Dongxian is the highest ranking official in the imperial court, but he doesn't want to serve the court and be loyal and patriotic. Instead, he relies on the honor of his country's relatives to be arrogant and domineering, dictatorial, cruel and good, and bring disaster to the country and the people. The crimes committed are too numerous to record. Today, all the officials admonished him, imploring the emperor to cut him down, and make the government clear and the country stable! "

Emperor Ping nodded and said, "what Lord Zaiheng said is very true. If we don't get rid of this thief, the country will be in a state of uncertainty. But how did the two imperial concubines, Hou Gong Ding and Fu, explain to each other? Moreover, this thief has been in court for many years and has many followers. Among them, he is deeply rooted and wrongly connected. It is inevitable that there are some people with heavy arms among his friends. If he has a strong will, he will cause great disaster. Who dares to take the responsibility then? "

Wang Mang laughed and said, "there's no need to explain. I'll take the responsibility! " Then he stood up, turned his face and said in a deep voice, "where is the captain Ting? Take Dong Xian down, push out the court hall, chop, raise your head to see! "

Before the words came to an end, I saw that two swordsmen had already come out of the corner of the hall. They picked out one of the officials on the left, lifted off the crown of E, pulled off the court clothes, and dragged them out of the hall with one on the left and one on the right.

I saw the man cry out: "Your Majesty, forgive me, I know the crime!" Wang Mang waved his hand and said, "if I knew today, why did I have to do it at the beginning?"

There was only a scream, and in a short time, the two noblemen presented a bloody head on a wooden plate. The man's eyes were wide open and his face was shocked. It was Dong Xian. Wang Mang waved his hand and sighed, "go down." He also said: "the purpose of Zhongshu order: Sima Dongxian, indulge and tyrannical, harm the people. Now I have taken the punishment. All the properties of the family came from the three ethnic groups. In addition, the two imperial concubines, Ding and Fu, acted recklessly in government affairs, disobeyed the instructions of their ancestors, colluded with courtiers, and poisoned the harem. Today, we are deprived of the title and granted white silk. Thank you very much

After Liu Bang's death in the early Han Dynasty, empress Lu was in power, which led to the death of the royal family.

Zhou Bo, the empress dowager, and Chen Ping, the situ, brought order out of chaos, killed zhulv, and welcomed Wang Qi to the throne. Emperor Wen's edict, in view of the chaos of empress Lu, the imperial palace can not interfere in politics, and those who violate it will not be pardoned! At this time, there is nothing wrong with the accusation of Ding and Fu.

At this time, the decree had been drawn up. Wang Mang took it, looked at it and said, "please use the imperial seal." Without waiting for an answer from emperor Ping, he strode up the stairs and picked up the jade seal on the Dragon case, hoping to seal it on the yellow silk with black characters.

His highness, all the officials fell on their knees and cried out in unison: "emperor Shengming. Lord Zaiheng is wise Seeing this, Wang Mang turned to Emperor Ping and said, "emperor, retreat!" Emperor Ping waved his long sleeves and said, "retreat!"

It was the next day that the people in Chang'an heard that Dong Xian had killed his family and the imperial concubine had committed suicide. I saw every household, decorated with lanterns, gongs and drums, as if it were a festival. It is said that the emperor is wise, and Dong Xian deserves to die.

When Dong Xian was in the dynasty, his nephew and his servants roamed Chang'an city. They saw beautiful women, married or not, and robbed them to enjoy themselves. As a result, they buy and sell by force, extort and extort frequently, and even kill and set fire to, occupy and rob. The people in the city suffered a lot, and there was no way to sue them. Hearing the news, they all said that God has eyes.

Han Cheng is in a restaurant on South Street. Business is very good today. It turned out that he was just a butcher, selling meat for a living. After his and his wife's painstaking efforts, they simply set up a restaurant. Now he is the boss of Han Da, a little famous in Chang'an city.

His wife, Xiaocui, cooks in person, and Han Cheng is the big shopkeeper. In addition, he invites several people to run around. Han Xiaohu doesn't know where to go.

Xiaocui used to be a maid in Wang Cang's family. Later, Wang Cang ruled her out and promised her to Han Cheng. Xiaocui has been a good cook since she was a child. The restaurant business is booming, and Xiaocui is the most successful. Sometimes the husband and wife talk in the room at night. They say that brother Wang Cang is very kind. Without brother Wang Cang, there would be no happiness for them today.

At this time, Han Xiaohu was practicing boxing in a forest outside the city. There was a man beside him, watching Han Xiaohu's walking and punching like the wind. The man was dressed in a grey shirt, tall and thin, with long eyebrows and fine eyes. He had a leopard's head and a tiger's neck. His eyes flashed between opening and closing.

At this time, I was leaning on a crooked tree, with a calm look. Han Xiaohu is sweating heavily, and his body is foggy. His steps are like swimming dragon, and his fists are hard and soft. He seems to be slow and fast, and has the style of a famous master.

Just listen to him a big drink, fist power disease spit, a bowl big tree has been broken, "boom" fell to the ground, dust. Han Xiaohu straight waist, gas back to Dantian. He said, "master, do you think I've finished my boxing?"

Grey shirt: "training? easier said than done! The thirty-six hand Tiangang boxing is powerful, broad and profound. It took me 15 years to master it. You haven't practiced it for less than 10 years. It's as good as fur and ears! "

Han Xiaohu can not help but bow his head, some discouraged. "But with what you've achieved, it's not too bad. You can practice the method of Disha axe once more. "

Han Xiaohu answered, turned and went to the next tree, picked up a pair of axes, saluted the man in grey shirt, and then went to an open place in the forest.

He pointed to the sky with one axe and to the ground with the other. His air was as cool as a mountain, and still as a mountain. At this time, Lin had a stroke, and the plants were sad. Suddenly, he gave a big drink, and his body moved rapidly, and his two axes left his hands. Han Xiaohu's ten fingers are empty, his wrists are shaking lightly, and his two axes are spinning at high speed around him. He is just using Qi to resist the axe.

Then he roared: "broken!" The two cold lights are like a thunderbolt outside the sky, quick as lightning, and fast like meteors. At the flash of cold light, more than ten trees "click" and break together. Then the two axes circled and flew back to their hands.

Han Xiaohu's face was as bloody as blood, sweating as blood, gasping for breath, and looking very tired. The grey shirt man's eyes were full of praise and his face was full of smile. He said, "yes, you've got the seventy-two ways of killing. We need to practice hard in the future. If the internal strength is not enough, it should not be forced, otherwise it will damage the body. Well, it's late. It's time for you to go back. Come back at this time tomorrow! "

Han Xiaohu bowed and said, "yes, master." Looking up, the man in grey has disappeared. Han Xiaohu shook his head helplessly and turned to leave.

Anhan mansion is on the West Street of the city, only a few hundred steps away from the imperial palace.

The mansion is magnificent. Red walls and green tiles, green steps and Zhumen make it more luxurious. The back of the gate faces south, and there is a stone lion on each side. It is nearly ten feet high, with its teeth and claws open, and its momentum is extraordinary.

At the door, there were several sedans, several horses, and a few young men looking after them. As soon as you enter the gate and walk for more than ten steps, there is a marble screen wall. On it, you can see a picture of the Duke of Zhou in oil color. On both sides of the wall, there are four big words: "Duke of Zhou's spit and feed, return to the world.".

It is said that it was written by Emperor AI of Han Dynasty and given to Wang Mang. Around the screen wall is the lobby. The hall is very big, even compared with the imperial palace of Weiyang, it is not inferior.

At this time, there was a man sitting at the top of the hall. It was Wang Mang. The ten or so people sitting on both sides of the hall were the famous three princes and nine ministers of the dynasty. In addition to Dong Xianzu Zhu, Sima's position is vacant, the other ten or so people have arrived. Looking at this lineup, it seems like another small court.

Only listen to Si Nong Kong Guang say: "Lord Zaiheng, now Dong Xian takes the punishment, the palace is calm, and the people all over the world applaud. They all call an Han Gong Yi Yin and Zhou Gong again. Now that you are weak and the people's livelihood is declining, I dare ask Lord Zaiheng if he has a good plan to save the people and help the generals of the Great Han

Wang Mang said with a smile: "Yiyin and Duke Zhou are great sages of the past. How dare they be? However, today's politics are hard to return, the literati have no desire to govern the country, the military generals are afraid of death, the Treasury has no money and food for a year, and the Xiongnu are eyeing outside Xinjiang. It can be said that there are internal and external troubles and dangers everywhere! " After a pause, he said: "the only way to overcome this difficulty is to recruit more talents and implement the new policy. At that time, I hope you will spare no effort to work together. "

All of them bowed themselves together and said, "don't you dare to die!"

Situ Ma Gong said: "yesterday, on the golden hall, Lord Zaiheng acted with great vigour, cutting off the traitors. He was civil and military in the whole dynasty, and all of them respected and praised him. But the emperor's face is not happy. It seems that he is dissatisfied with the adults. Now it's urgent to implement the new system, and it's not my great man's blessing to be suspected by the Lord at this time! "

At this time, Sikong Zhenfeng said with a smile: "I have an expedient plan to protect you temporarily. It's just that Lord Zaiheng has to agree. " Wang Mang said, "what's your plan, let's hear it."

Zhen Feng said: "today, the emperor is not married. I heard that an Han's public daughter is beautiful and wise. She can enter the palace of empress in charge, and her mother is in the world. As long as Lord Zaiheng agrees to report to the empress dowager, the matter will be settled. This can also comfort the emperor's heart and block the mouth of scholars in the world. Wait until the time is right. At that time, I can't help the emperor. "

They were shocked and even said they had a good plan. Wang Mang also nodded. At that moment, he stood up and said, "come on, let's drive Changxin palace! I want to meet the Empress Dowager. "

The Empress Dowager is the mother of emperor AI after emperor yuan. He was also Wang Mang's aunt and lived in Changxin palace. Wang Mang met with the Empress Dowager and had a discussion. The Empress Dowager would not refuse.

On the next day, the ministers of culture and military played one after another, saying that the daughter of an Han Gong, de Cai Shuangmao, could be the queen. The son of heaven, Liu Yan, was also very satisfied to see Wang Mang's daughter. So the imperial edict was issued to Taibu to choose a good day and hold a big wedding.

In the spring and February of the fifth year of the Yuan Dynasty, a hundred officials of the Imperial Court went to Anhan mansion to welcome the queen. For a while, the city of Chang'an was full of people.

Ordinary people can't see such a scene, only feel dazzled and prosperous.

Han Cheng's family also crowded in the crowd and looked up, tut tut sighed. Since then, Wang Mang has been respected as the abbot of the state, and even more, he called the wind and the rain, covering the sky with only his hand. The Han Dynasty is under his control. Wang Mang drew people's hearts together and extended his kindness; I am attentive to the emperor and Empress Dowager. Even the Empress Dowager sighed: "although Wang Mang is a nephew, he is respectful and filial. He is his own son, and that's all." He is more obedient and loving.

A few months later, Emperor Ping was 15 years old and his knowledge was gradually developing.

Looking back on what Wang Mang did a few years ago, he was resentful of the fact that he pushed forward the new deal, which caused the resentment of heaven and people, and the turmoil in all directions; However, the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty and the Han Dynasty only played with Wang Mang when they were in trouble, which made the emperor feel more ambitious. So when I saw Wang Mang several times, I couldn't help but look angry and say something; Behind the mouth also complain, scold the queen. I didn't expect that most of the eunuchs and servants in the palace were Wang Mang's ears and eyes. Of course, someone told me. It's only because Liu Yan was so young that he didn't know how to hide. He made Wang Mang want to kill him. He already had the idea of abolishing it.

Until December, the new year will come, and the royal family will feast the officials as usual.

Wang Mang secretly discussed with his confidants in advance. He secretly put poison in the palace and marked it. Over the banquet, the cups and drinks were interlaced, and the laughter was constant. The monarch and his officials were in harmony, and there was a peaceful atmosphere.

As soon as Wang Mang winked, a eunuch came forward and reported, "the father-in-law of the state, the Duke of Han, the Lord Zaiheng, led all the officials to offer pepper wine, and wish the emperor long live and the great man forever!" Then he presented a glass of wine on the tray.

Liu Yan did not doubt him. He picked up his glass and drank it. Seeing this, the officials left the table and knelt down. Long live the mountain.

After the banquet, Liu Yan went back to the palace. In the evening, he suddenly felt that his abdomen was like a knife, cold sweat.

When the queen saw this, she called for the imperial doctor. For a moment, there was chaos in the palace.

The next day, when Wang Mang and several ministers got the letter, they went to the palace to see Liu Yan. Looking at Liu Yan's scorched face and angry, they sighed. So after a few days, the news came from the palace, the emperor died.

The Empress Dowager issued an imperial edict to take back the jade seal and announce it to the world. For a moment, the government and the public were boiling and the whole country was shocked. Liu Yan, the Pingdi emperor, had no son. Wang Mang made the decision. He made Liu Ying, a two-year-old child of Xuandi as the emperor. He was known as "ruziying" in history.

Wang Mang, with the support of his aunt, Empress Dowager and daughter, and the recommendation of a hundred officials, was called "false emperor" and acted as emperor. In fact, Wang Mang is the same as the real emperor.

In the past, when Emperor Ping was in power, there were still some restrictions on the implementation of the new deal. Now, the time is ripe. Under the order of Wang Mang, the whole country is busy.

At this time, the northern Huns were ready to move; The barbarians in the northeast and southwest also frequently plundered, killed and set fire on the border; In Haiqu County, Langya County of the Han Dynasty, there were thousands of anti thieves who called themselves lvmu, killed officials and captured the city, and opened warehouses to help the people. All over the country flew to Chang'an in a hurry. For a moment, people were in a panic.

Wang Mang was also very busy. He dispatched troops everywhere to quell the rebellion. Seeing that the world will be in chaos, the flames of war will rise everywhere. Under the new deal, the people are in dire straits. The reason is not that the new deal is not good, but that the corruption of officials and improper employment of personnel lead to more corruption of the court. The Great Han Dynasty is already in a precarious state.