Song Hong

I am also a woman, and in the face of such a situation, although she is my rival, it is impossible for me to be completely heartless. There were even a few occasions when I suggested to Liu Xiu that he visit her palace, not merely to speak insincerely or to provoke him, but because I genuinely felt some compassion for the plight of that mother and child

Liu Huang Nan Yan smiled and said, "What people do I have..." After a pause, his tone shifted as he leaned closer to me and asked softly, "What do you think of Song Hong?"

When the two of them jointly led the troops to campaign against the rebels in Tanxiang, Liu Xiu once ordered that all commands in the army be subject to Wu Han's decisions. However, Wang Liang, without Wu Han's consent, privately mobilized the troops from Yewang. Upon learning this, Liu Xiu angrily reprimanded Wang Liang for his unauthorized actions and ordered him to halt and not advance any further. As a result, Wang Liang ignored the order and continued to lead his troops into battle, ultimately provoking Liu Xiu, who had a good temper, to become furious. Liu Xiu then dispatched the Minister of War, Zong Guang, with a decree to the army to execute Wang Liang.

For some reason, whenever the topic of executing Wang Liang arises, I feel an ominous and unsettling sensation tugging at my heart. The day Zong Guang left was precisely when we were preparing to depart the palace and exit the city. Taking advantage of the commotion at the palace gate, I seized the opportunity to squeeze in front of Zong Guang and gave him a detailed admonition. Although Zong Guang was surprised by my counsel, he still promised to comply and departed.

However, this matter was ultimately discovered by Song Hong. Song Hong believed that the reason he recommended Huan Tan to enter the palace as an official was due to his administrative abilities, rather than for the purpose of seducing the ruler with frivolous music. Consequently, he reprimanded Huan Tan severely, causing Huan Tan to be as frightened of him as a mouse is of a cat. Moreover, this individual even dared to openly criticize Liu Xiu for being content with the pleasures of the harem, spending his days immersed in the melodies of Zheng.

However, given the current delicate and ambiguous relationship between Liu Xiu and me, the more I actively persuade him to visit Guo Guiren, the more hesitant he becomes. This subtle emotion is known only to the two of us; to outsiders, any whispers or rumors that reach their ears gradually spread from the palace, transforming into praises such as the West Palace's Yin Guiren being virtuous and benevolent, worthy of being a model of maternal virtue.

With Wang Liang convicted, his position as Grand Minister of Works became vacant, and determining who would succeed him became an urgent matter to address. The emperor was not in the capital, and all important affairs in the capital, as well as internal state matters, relied solely on Grand Minister of Education Fu Zhan to preside over them. At this time, it was absolutely essential that the Grand Minister of Works, who possessed the ability to oversee, should not be lacking.

On the sixteenth day of the second month in the second year of the Jianwu era, Emperor Jianwu Liu Xiu's carriage moved to Xiuwu. Officially, it was for public duties, but I understand that he had more reasons to avoid certain matters. It is said that since the death of Liu Yang, Consort Guo has been hiding in the palace, grieving daily and weeping nightly. The Crown Prince Liu Qiang, due to his mother's abnormal behavior, has been unable to receive proper and adequate care, leading to frequent minor ailments. Although imperial physicians have been dispatched for treatment, Consort Guo privately continues to send people to plead with Liu Xiu to visit.

Although the people have fled to Xiuwu, the routine government affairs cannot be neglected at all. At the beginning of the establishment of the nation, during the Jianwu regime, the highest officials under the emperor, the heads of the hundred officials, and the candidates for the three highest positions in the country were respectively General Wu Han, Minister of Works Deng Yu, and Minister of Agriculture Wang Liang

"Indeed." I lowered my eyelids, feeling a sense of melancholy in my heart, "This level of discretion is still understood by the shadowy mistress."

"Why should the princess mock the shadowy concubine?" I pressed my lips together and chuckled lightly, "Your Majesty is kind-hearted; the current order to execute Wang Liang is merely a momentary outburst. If you truly execute a loyal minister, it would likely provoke discontent among certain officials in the court. At that time, Your Majesty would surely regret it."

However, for some unknown reason, Liu Xiu seemed to harbor a certain prejudice against Peng Chong. Peng Chong's subordinates, Wu Han and Wang Liang, ranked among the Three Dukes, and his former military officer, Gai Yan, was also given significant responsibilities. Liu Xiu rewarded a large number of meritorious officials, yet for Peng Chong, he merely conferred a noble title and granted him the title of Grand General.

"What did you just discuss with the Minister?" Liu Huang, who was in the same carriage as me, asked leisurely, his seemingly indifferent expression concealing a hint of amusement.

At the time of the establishment of the Three Dukes, due to Deng Yu's prolonged military campaigns outside, he was unable to attend to domestic affairs, and thus the position of Grand Minister was continuously held by Fu Zhan, who presided over state affairs

The title of Grand Marshal evolved from the positions of Grand Commandant and General during the Western Han Dynasty. It was conferred with a golden seal and purple ribbon, overseeing military affairs and representing the highest rank among military officials. The title of Grand Minister evolved from the positions of Chancellor and Prime Minister during the Western Han Dynasty, also bearing a golden seal and purple ribbon, and presiding over the major affairs of the state. The title of Grand Controller evolved from the positions of Deputy Chancellor and Grand Inspector during the Western Han Dynasty, responsible for the management of water and land construction, while also holding supervisory duties, with a salary equivalent to that of the Grand Marshal and Grand Minister. During the Western Han Dynasty, the Grand Inspector originally held a silver seal and blue ribbon, but the current Grand Controller has been elevated to a golden seal and purple ribbon, indicating a significant increase in status compared to the Western Han Dynasty.

In a single evening, one must confront the brutal reality that her husband has killed her own kin. Putting oneself in another's shoes, if it were me, I would not say that I would fight to the death with Liu Xiu, but I would certainly be left severely wounded, and then, disheartened, I would completely sever ties with him

Recently, Song Hong recommended a man named Huan Tan from Pei State to enter the palace as a councilor, concurrently holding an official position in the Ministry of Rites. This was not a significant matter, yet I have a profound impression of Huan Tan, as he is witty, knowledgeable, and proficient in music, playing the qin exceptionally well; even Feng Yi has expressed admiration for his musical skills.

It remains uncertain what response Peng Chong will ultimately provide; however, two of his former prominent ministers, Wang Liang and Wu Han, have engaged in a dispute during the campaign against the rebels in Tanxiang.

I remained alert and composed, responding without revealing my emotions: "Your Majesty never brings up such matters with the consort. If the princess has a suitable candidate, she might as well recommend them to Your Majesty herself"

What do you think of him

Wang Liang and Wu Han were originally subordinates of Peng Chong, the governor of Yuyang. When Liu Xiu was in distress while heading north, he was fortunate to receive the support of Peng Chong and Geng Kuang, the governor of Shanggu, who united their forces to protect him. The assistance provided by these two governors in a critical moment was more deserving of gratitude than that of Liu Yang, who offered additional conditions.

It is evident that Song Hong possesses a steadfast character and is courageous in offering direct counsel. If he were to be recommended for the position of Grand Minister of Works and as an inspector of officials, it would indeed be highly appropriate. However, what astonishes me is not the issue of recommending candidates, but rather Liu Huang's ambiguous attitude.

It is good that you understand. The car fell into silence as we each pondered our thoughts. After a long while, she suddenly sighed, "Who do you think His Majesty will appoint to replace Wang Liang in the position of Grand Minister of Works?"

These three individuals hold equal power in the court, their functions do not interfere with one another, yet they also constrain each other

I am completely ignorant of music theory. In my childhood, I was forced to practice the piano, but I never managed to learn anything substantial or play a decent piece. However, Guo Shengtong is quite the expert; she has a passion for music and often invites Huan Tan to perform in the palace, with enchanting melodies echoing throughout the inner court. To me, this is not necessarily a bad thing. When she is feeling down, it is not a bad idea to distract herself with something she enjoys, and engaging in prenatal education during her pregnancy is also quite reasonable.

"You know him very well," she said, patting the back of my hand, both comforted and with hidden concerns. "But he is not the same as before; he is now the ruler of the world. If you continue to act on your own accord like this, I fear..."

Song Hong? I only felt that the name sounded familiar, and for a moment I couldn't react, but I was astonished to discover that Liu Huang's cheeks were flushed and her eyes sparkled. My heart suddenly jolted, "Song Hong— the Grand Master Song Hong of Jingzhao?"

I was taken aback. Since Liu Huang was conferred the title of Princess of Huyang, although there have been occasional rumors suggesting that she has become arrogant due to her favored status, and her temperament has shown a tendency to rise with the tide, I have never heard of her intervening in state affairs. Is it not rather strange for a princess who has never concerned herself with political matters to suddenly take an interest in the appointments of the three dukes?

Yin Shi had previously reminded me to pay more attention to Peng Chong's emotions, stating that Peng Chong might harbor discontent towards Liu Xiu as a result. After being alerted by Yin Shi, I indeed noticed that Zhu Fu, the governor of Youzhou, who has always been at odds with Peng Chong, frequently reported to Liu Xiu, secretly informing him of Peng Chong gathering troops with the intention of rebellion. These reports were well-founded and credible, making them hard to dismiss. Liu Xiu, being somewhat skeptical, deliberately leaked Zhu Fu's secret reports to Peng Chong in order to test Peng Chong's intentions.

The Liu Huang before me, on the verge of speaking yet hesitating, clearly embodies the shy demeanor of a young woman whose love is difficult to express.

The alarm in my heart nearly reached a breaking point, and Liu Huang's current expression appears strange and suspicious. Although I have never met this Song Hong, I have long heard of his great name.

These absurd praises, which are both laughable and ridiculous, ultimately made even the instigator, whose thick skin rivals that of a city wall, unable to accept them any longer. In this situation, Liu Xiu once again proposed that we go to Xiuwu together, and without a second thought, I grabbed him and ran off.