6. Temple Worship

My lips moved, and I was torn between speaking and remaining silent. After scrutinizing his highly lethal smile for a long time, I finally surrendered in resignation once again.

Luoyang, as the capital of the Jianwu regime, is also a contested area. If one aims to remain undefeated and protect the capital, it is essential to transform the military front into a strategic rear. Given the current situation, engaging in combat with several major military forces occupying the eastern regions is inevitable.

At present, it is still only at the beginning of the founding of the nation, and he only controls Hebei, Hanoi, Hedong, and Henan. The chaos on the western front is characterized by its long-term and complex nature, making it impossible to recover in the short term. Therefore, the current focus can only be placed on the Guandong region. Initially, Emperor Gengshi insisted on moving the capital to Chang'an, which ultimately resulted in the abandonment of advantageous defensive terrain.

Such a relaxed and natural tone made me almost forget the barrier that existed between us, to forget the lost years we once had, to forget his other woman. Time seemed to return to two years ago, on a certain afternoon after our wedding, when the warm sunlight shone upon me, and his hand gently caressed my cheek just like this, giving me detailed reminders before leaving, constantly advising me on how to pass the tedious day, patiently waiting for his return. Time seemed to return to two years ago, on a certain afternoon after our wedding, when the warm sunlight shone upon me, and his hand gently caressed my cheek just like this, giving me detailed reminders before leaving, constantly advising me on how to pass the tedious day, patiently waiting for his return

It is undeniable that at this moment, Liu Xiu already possesses sufficient means and determination to firmly hold a person's life within his grasp. The death of Liu Yang has also led to the decline of the power of the Zhen Ding Wang. After ascending to the throne, Liu dared not rely on the title of a maternal relative to act recklessly; he obeyed Liu Xiu, the Emperor Jianwu, without daring to harbor even the slightest thought of defiance.

Perhaps Liu Yang indeed does not regard Liu Xiu highly, after all, during his precarious moments when his position was uncertain, he relied entirely on Liu Yang's support of one hundred thousand troops to reach this point. Liu Yang sees Liu Xiu as a young and inexperienced junior, full of self-importance due to his contributions. These behaviors and attitudes are understandable, but to conclude that he would dare to rebel at this critical juncture seems rather far-fetched

Is there anything else? He raised his sword-like eyebrows, his fingers smoothing my hair, gently caressing my slightly cold cheek. "Boji has started a family and needs to take care of her husband and children, so she cannot come. If you are afraid of being lonely, when I am not by your side, you can ask your elder sister to keep you company."

He smiled, and faint lines of laughter appeared at the corners of his eyes, stirring something within me, suddenly making me feel so intensely that, it turns out... The vicissitudes of time have begun to gradually creep onto that originally youthful and elegant smile.

He took my hand, lowered his head, and tenderly pressed a kiss on the back of my hand, his hoarse voice filled with seduction: "Lihua, you must be a good mother." I trembled suddenly, my first reaction was to pull my hand back, but he held it tightly without letting go. "Do you like children?" A smile blossomed on his face like a flower, pure as a child, as if my silence gave him the greatest encouragement and satisfaction. "You will be the best mother in the world, wise, kind, compassionate, a model of motherhood—across the world." But he held my hand tightly without letting go, "Do you like children?" A smile blossomed on his face like a flower, pure as a child, as if my silence gave him the greatest encouragement and satisfaction. "You will be the best mother in the world, wise, kind, compassionate, a model of motherhood—across the world."

Li Hua

What was his original intention in marrying his niece and forming an alliance with Liu Xiu? Was it merely to plot a rebellion today? If we consider his position, rather than rebelling now, he could have eliminated Liu Xiu from the start. Since he chose to form an alliance with Liu Xiu, it is evident that he recognized Liu Xiu as a high-performing stock and intended to make a risk investment to reap the benefits of the alliance. Now that this high-performing stock has finally turned from loss to profit and is just beginning to show signs of dividends, he suddenly wants to abandon his investment shares and plot a rebellion. Such an unreasonable rationale is simply incomprehensible.

Although ... . ... whether it is Emperor Jianwu or Liu Wenshu, they are indeed the same person

Politics is something that is simple yet not simple, complex yet... In fact, once you see through it, it is nothing more than that

The deceased Liu Yang was charged with the crime of "falsely claiming to be ill with a goiter, intending to deceive the public, and colluding with the rebels of Mianman County," alleging that he forged a prophecy stating, "After Chi Jiu, Yang will be the master." This suggested an intention to rebel and replace Emperor Jianwu. However, since there was only a conspiracy without any actual calamity, Emperor Jianwu, considering that the main conspirators Liu Yang and his brother Liu Rang had already been executed, decided not to pursue the charges against their relatives and reinstated Liu Yang's son, Liu De, as the King of Zhen Ding.

Liu Xiu, while paying homage at the Temple of All Gods, displayed a focused demeanor, with a heavy and righteous expression between his brows, exhibiting an extraordinary piety that made it difficult to associate him with the decisive and vigorous Emperor Jianwu

The art of the emperor's heart... The ruler's heart is difficult to fathom

Liu Zhang and Liu Xing! The soft and pure land in my heart was suddenly touched, and I couldn't help but yearn leisurely. The feelings of depression in my heart also dissipated considerably, and my tone became light: "It has been a few years since we last met; they must have grown up by now, right? Hmm, they must have definitely grown taller. If they practice martial arts, their muscles will also become very strong, turning them into real men..."

Far away in Chang'an, Deng Yu visited the temple of Emperor Gao, Liu Bang, and subsequently collected the spirit tablets of the eleven emperors of the Western Han Dynasty, sending them to Luoyang. Liu Xiu specifically chose the southern outskirts of Luoyang to rebuild the temple of Emperor Gao, restoring the spirit tablets to their rightful places and conducting a joint sacrifice. Additionally, to the west of the temple, he constructed an altar for the worship of the earth god and the agricultural god, and built a temple for all gods, where a total of one thousand five hundred and fourteen deities were honored in sacrifice

I see that you are quite bored in the palace, how about... bringing Zhang Er, Xing Er, and the others to live together next month

At that time, I was reveling in all the tenderness he bestowed upon me, believing as his wife that his indulgence and care for me were as instinctive, habitual, and natural as the affection my elder brother had for me

Liu Yang, having received the imperial edict, did not comply and refused Chen Fu and Deng Long outside the city. Liu Xiu then appointed General Geng Chun to carry the edict northward, heading to Youzhou and Jizhou under the pretense of visiting the lords, while secretly executing the imperial order against Liu Yang. Upon arriving in Zhen Ding, Geng Chun took residence in an inn and invited Liu Yang for a meeting. His mother was a daughter of the Liu clan of Zhen Ding, making Liu Yang a distant relative. Inviting him in the name of family and friends, Liu Yang harbored no suspicions. Relying on his strong military power, he underestimated Geng Chun, who had fewer troops, and with a seemingly calm demeanor, he saw nothing amiss. Thus, he went to pay a visit accompanied by his younger brother, Liu Rang, the Marquis of Lin Yi, and several officials.

Princess Huyang

Liu Yang was indeed a cautious individual. When he went to meet Geng Chun, he left several of his brothers outside to guard the entrance, believing that this would ensure absolute safety. However, Geng Chun employed a strategy of both courtesy and aggression, welcoming Liu Yang's brothers into the inn and executing a trap that led to the immediate slaughter of Liu Yang and his companions. Subsequently, Geng Chun gathered his troops and led them out of the inn, causing panic and fear in Zhen Ding City, where not a single person had the time to react or mount any resistance, allowing Geng Chun and his men to escape unimpeded.

Hmm? After a moment of distraction, I suddenly realized that I had unconsciously thought of so many things that I should not have thought about

What else is there

I thought about it; I neither agreed nor refused, but simply responded coldly with a question: "Who else is going?"

The elder sister is also going

As an emperor, Liu Xiu manipulated these political maneuvers without any principled wrongdoing. However, if my actions were to lead him to ruthlessly strike against the Guo clan and desperately suppress their arrogance, it would be enough to cause me great distress.

Well

Since he deliberately ignores someone in front of me, why should I pretend to be oblivious and constantly remind him to pay attention to the existence of another woman

In a few days, I will leave Beijing to visit Xiuwu City. I did not respond, but simply looked at him quietly. He reached out and took my hand, saying, "Come with me..."

At the time when Liu Xiu was in a state of decline, he was forcibly married to his niece through the means of marriage ties, compelling Liu Xiu to become the younger generation's King of Zhen Ding, Liu Yang. Just like that, in the blink of an eye of Emperor Jianwu, it was reduced to ashes.

The diligent farmer, skilled in trade, and valuing loyalty and righteousness, Liu Wenshu, is the man I know well. However, the current figure, the Emperor Jianwu, who wears a crown and rules the world, how he will exercise his imperial strategies to pacify chaos, govern the state, establish the nation, and bring peace to the world is something I cannot grasp at all

The predictions of Yin Shi were indeed accurate; King Liu Yang of Zhen Ding was truly executed

If one day the hidden shadow forces of the Yin family are exposed, what will Liu Xiu do?

In November of last year, Liu Yong proclaimed himself the Son of Heaven. The territories he occupied were mainly in the regions of Yuzhou and Genzhou, which are in close proximity to Luoyang, posing a significant threat to Liu Xiu's regime. Furthermore, Liu Yong actively reached out to Dong Xian, who occupied the East Sea, and Zhang Bu, who held the territory of Qi, appointing them as the Grand General of Yi Han and the Grand General of Fu Han, respectively, in an attempt to forge alliances with these local warlords and strengthen their ties. Additionally, Liu Yong continued to engage with Dong Xian and Zhang Bu, further solidifying relationships with these regional powers.

To secure Luoyang, the first step is to designate Liu Yong as the primary military target. Based on the intelligence provided by Yin Shi and an analysis of the situation across the realm, Liu Xiu's decision is quite correct. Not long ago, he ordered Wu Han to lead General Wang Liang and eight other generals to jointly attack the peasant army in the Tanxiang region of Weijun and Qinghe. The two armies clashed on the banks of the Zhang River in the eastern suburbs of Ye City, resulting in a significant defeat for the Tanxiang army, with over one hundred thousand troops surrendering. Subsequently, Liu Xiu commanded Wang Liang and General Du Mao to lead the army to sweep through the camps and fortifications of the rebel forces in Weijun, Qinghe, and Dongjun. The two armies clashed on the banks of the Zhang River in the eastern suburbs of Ye City, resulting in a significant defeat for the Tanxiang army, with over one hundred thousand troops surrendering. Subsequently, Liu Xiu commanded Wang Liang and General Du Mao to lead the army to sweep through the camps and fortifications of the rebel forces in Weijun, Qinghe, and Dongjun.

Among the local powers, Liu Yong, who occupied the Liang territory, was the foremost. Liu Yong was a native of Juyang in Liang County and a descendant of the eighth generation of King Xiao of Liang from the Western Han Dynasty. His father, Liu Li, was killed by Wang Mang during the reign of Emperor Ping of Han due to his connections with the powerful Wei family. After the establishment of the Gengshi regime, Liu Yong allied himself with Liu Xuan, who appointed him as the King of Liang, establishing his capital in Juyang. During the internal turmoil and mutual slaughter of the Gengshi regime in Chang'an, Liu Yong seized the opportunity to raise an army within his fief, quickly recruiting local gentry and leading his troops to conquer Jiyin, Shanyang, Pei County, Chu County, Huaiyang, and Runan, occupying twenty-eight cities, thus becoming the most powerful armed force in the eastern region.