Chương 494: The King of Bohai, the King of Chenliu, and the King of Donghai

Guo Jia silently calculated in his mind... Then he wanted to wave his feather fan, only to realize that he hadn't brought it with him today. He couldn't bring it into the palace, as it would be disrespectful for him to use it to fan himself.

He could only pat his forehead and continue listening.

...

Liu Ce sat back on the dragon throne and continued:

"There's another matter; let's explain the rules for bestowing titles thoroughly today."

He stood up again, slowly walked down the steps, and stood before the assembled officials.

His steps were slow, his boots making a thumping sound on the blue bricks, each step resonating in the hearts of everyone present.

He was only a few steps away from Guan Yu and Zhang Fei in the front row.

"First of all, you must distinguish between two terms: fiefdom and real fiefdom."

Liu Ce held up two fingers and said, slowly and deliberately, "These two words sound similar, but they are actually worlds apart."

"The fiefdoms I bestow upon you, namely 'fiefdoms of 10, 000 households,' 'fiefdoms of 5, 000 households,' and 'fiefdoms of 3, 000 households,' are merely honorary titles. The numbers are only used to distinguish the rank of nobility; they have no real power and no direct economic benefits whatsoever."

Seeing the look of surprise on someone's face, Liu Ce continued:

"That's right, it's just a nice-sounding title. You are a Duke, with a fief of ten thousand households. When you go out, you are more respectable than a county duke with a fief of eight thousand households, and more prestigious than a county duke with a fief of six thousand households. But these ten thousand households are not under your jurisdiction. You don't collect their taxes, you don't adjudicate their lawsuits, and you certainly don't command their troops."

He looked around at the crowd and raised his voice by half an octave: "They are the people of the Han Dynasty, subjects of the court. Those who govern them are the officials I have sent, officials of the court, not you. You have no right to interfere, nor is it your place to interfere."

Cheng Yaojin scratched his head, opened his mouth, but didn't dare to speak.

What he was thinking was: "So these 10, 000 households have nothing to do with me?" What a disappointment.

But then I thought, no, His Majesty must have more to say.

Sure enough, Liu Ce changed the subject:

"Then what is true grace? It is receiving a real fief." His tone softened, becoming more sincere and heartfelt.

"If I were to grant one of you a fief of 1, 300 households, the court would not take a single penny of the rent, labor service, taxes, or grain from these 1, 300 households."

The imperial court will centrally calculate and allocate the full amount to your household annually. You won't need to worry about collection or management; you can simply sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. This is true wealth and prosperity.

Liu Ce spread his hands: "Think about it, if you were to collect taxes yourself, you'd have to reduce the harvest if the farmers missed it, exempt them during famine years, arrest unruly people who resisted taxes, and fight against powerful families who evaded taxes. How tiring would that be? The imperial court collects it all for you, delivers it to your doorstep, and you just spend it. Isn't that much easier?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's previously somewhat disappointed expressions brightened up again.

A murmur of discussion immediately followed.

Some people are calculating how much they will be granted, some are figuring out how many wives and children this money could support, and others are thinking, this system sounds much more reliable than the previous dynasty.

Liu Ce turned around, walked back up the steps, and his voice suddenly rose a few decibels, carrying a weighty historical tone:

"Some say I am not as generous as Emperor Gaozu. Then I would like to ask you all, what became of those princes of different surnames who were Emperor Gaozu's consorts?"

The hall was completely silent.

"Han Xin was beheaded in the bell tower of Changle Palace, and his entire clan was exterminated. Peng Yue was chopped into mincemeat and distributed among the feudal lords. Ying Bu rebelled, was defeated, and died. Most of the kings of different surnames met tragic ends!"

Liu Ce slammed his hand heavily on the armrest of the dragon throne, the sound echoing in the empty hall, making everyone's eardrums buzz.

His tone turned somber, tinged with regret:

"Why? Because Emperor Gaozu gave them land, gave them an army, and gave them the power of life and death. Once power is in hand, who is willing to give it up easily? When the emperor and his ministers distrust each other, chaos is bound to break out. In the end, not only will the meritorious officials be disgraced, but the people of the world will also suffer the pain of war again."

He shook his head, his voice filled with emotion, and said, "I dare not forget these bloody lessons, and none of you should forget them either."

Liu Ce's tone softened as he looked at the crowd below, his gaze sweeping across each person's face as if he were speaking to them individually:

"I have shared your hardships, and naturally I wish to share your wealth and honor. I will give you the highest honors, generous salaries, and hereditary titles for your descendants, so that your descendants may enjoy peace and prosperity forever. But I cannot give you land, nor can I give you the power to govern, much less the power to command troops."

"This isn't suspicion, it's protection," he said, emphasizing each word.

"I do not want to see my brothers who fought alongside me on the battlefield end up losing their families and lives because they hold powerful armies. I also do not want to see the Han dynasty repeat the mistakes of the past and fall into endless internal strife."

Zhang Fei's eyes were a little red.

He recalled what his eldest brother had said when they swore brotherhood in Zhuoxian: "We will share the good times and the bad."

Now that his elder brother has become emperor, he hasn't forgotten them.

But we didn't indulge them.

"He will be granted a title in name only, but will receive a salary in reality. He will not be granted land, will not govern the people, and will not command troops." Liu Ce surveyed his ministers, his voice as firm as iron.

"This is the system of granting titles in the Han Dynasty. Today, I hereby declare it clearly, and future generations shall forever abide by this system. In this way, both the ruler and his subjects will benefit, and the people will live in peace. Only then can the Han Dynasty be passed down for ten thousand generations."

The hall was silent for a moment, and then all the civil and military officials knelt down and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

In that voice, there was relief, emotion, and even more so, anticipation for the future.

"Your Majesty is wise! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Cheng Yaojin knelt on the ground, kowtowing loudly.

A weight was lifted from his heart. It wasn't that His Majesty was petty; it was that His Majesty had a long-term vision.

Compared to His Majesty's grand vision, my own petty thoughts are nothing but children playing house.

...

Liu Ce returned to his throne and nodded slightly: "Let's begin."

"The ceremony for conferring titles upon the founding heroes of the nation begins!"

The music of "Happiness of Success" resounded, drums and gongs beat in unison, banners fluttered in the wind, and the entire Deyang Palace seemed to tremble in the stirring music.

One hundred and twenty musicians simultaneously played their instruments, including sheng, xiao, guan, dizi, jingu, and tongbo, weaving together a magnificent melody that burst out of Deyang Palace and soared into the sky, causing the crows outside the palace to take flight in a fluttering motion.

The deep resonance of the chime bells, the clear and melodious sound of the stone chimes, and the majestic power of the drums and horns intertwine to create a magnificent chapter in the founding of the nation.

"Please confer upon him the title of King!"

The attendant and his assistant held a jade tablet...

Imperial Edict: In the past, Dong Zhuo rebelled, corrupting the palace, deposing the legitimate heir and installing an illegitimate son, his poison spreading throughout the land. Therefore, Prince Bian of Hongnong, the eldest son of Emperor Xiaowei, was destined for the throne and to continue the legacy of his ancestors, but his reign was short-lived, and he was abruptly deposed...

Now, Grand Commandant Xu Da is dispatched with imperial credentials to formally establish Bian as the King of Bohai, with a fief of 20, 000 households and a real estate of 4, 000 households...

The announcement was made to the whole world so that everyone would know.

So be it.

Imperial Edict: Emperor Xiaowei's second son, Xie, was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, possessing virtuous and balanced character. The late emperor favored him and personally enfeoffed him as the Prince of Chenliu. Dong Zhuo usurped power and seized the throne, forcibly installing him as emperor to carry out his treacherous schemes...

Having quelled the rebellion, I have ascended to the throne... The title of Prince of Chenliu was personally bestowed by the late Emperor; it is the legitimate succession and cannot be changed...

Now, we dispatch Minister Fang Xuanling with imperial credentials to formally establish Xie as the King of Chenliu, granting him a fief of 18, 000 households and a real estate of 3, 500 households...

The announcement was made to the whole world so that everyone would know.

So be it.

Imperial Edict: Prince Gong of Donghai, Qiang, the eldest son of Emperor Guangwu, renounced the throne to uphold righteousness, his virtue surpassing all others throughout history. He served as a bulwark for the Han Dynasty for over a century. His fifth-generation descendant, Yu, was of loyal and pure character, and of noble conduct...

Now, we dispatch Minister of Works Xun Yu with imperial credentials to formally establish Yu as the King of Donghai, with a fief of 15, 000 households and a real estate of 3, 500 households...

The announcement was made to the whole world so that everyone would know.

So be it.

The three men received the document with both hands, their foreheads touching the ground...

"Please confer upon him the title of Duke!"

The attendant, holding a jade tablet, slowly descended the steps of the imperial palace.

His steps were steady and powerful, each step perfectly timed, as if measuring the course of history.

Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Dian Wei, Qin Qiong, and Cheng Yaojin entered in single file from the west steps, the hem of their black court robes brushing against the blue brick floor, making a soft rustling sound.

Beneath the black double-beamed official hats were six weathered faces, some resolute, some rugged, some calm, and some honest, but without exception, they all carried an undisguised excitement.

The six men walked to the area in the hall where they were to be conferred titles, lifted the hems of their court robes, knelt down, and kowtowed.

Touch your forehead to the ground, hold for three breaths, then straighten up, bow again, and kowtow again.