Start Being a Vassal King Today - Chapter 480

[Chapter 480 Fragile Balance]

Jinling, Imperial Palace.

When Zhao Xu got Dong An’s letter, Zhao Heng was discussing something with Mi Yan in the study.

At this moment, he no longer had the ease and calmness after the peace negotiation, but a sad expression on his face.

A few days ago, when Liang Cheng was walking in the mansion, a short arrow suddenly fell at his feet.

After checking the note on the short arrow, he immediately entered the palace.

“If taxes are not levied, the treasury will be unsustainable. If taxes are levied, the powerful clans will not let this matter end safely. Mi Aiqing, this… What should we do now?” Zhao Heng turned back and forth anxiously.

It wasn’t until now that he realized that his thoughts were too wishful thinking.

He deliberately praised Gao Yanwang, intending to let the powerful clan concentrate on dealing with Yan Wang, and benefit in the middle.

But while he was scheming against the powerful clan and King Yan, Dou Wei and other powerful clans were obviously also plotting against him.

Mi Yan sighed, “Instigating civil unrest is just a way for the powerful clan to force the emperor to grant them military and political power. Its fundamental purpose is a legitimate separatist regime. I think that if this is the case, the emperor might as well give them the military and political power.”

Zhao Heng nodded.

In fact, in recent years, the imperial court has long lost control of the powerful states and counties.

Whether military and political power is given or not, there is actually not much difference.

It’s just a secret separatist regime, and a legitimate separatist regime.

Mi Yan continued: “So, since they want a title, just give it to them, but before you give it, you have to make a deal with them so that they don’t take the opportunity to stir up civil unrest, otherwise they will never give it to you.” Their status.”

“It’s just that I say so, will they listen? After all, they want to separate themselves, so how can they obey my words?” Zhao Heng picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip.

His mouth is parched now from worry.

The current situation in Dasong seems to be similar to that of the last dynasty, the end of the Liang Dynasty.

At that time, the Daliang court also lost control of the region.

The powerful clans ruled the prefectures and counties, and the local rich clans were ready to move.

At that time, the local officials in the Liang Dynasty were named Jiedushi. After the establishment of Dasong, they were changed to state pastors.

Before the chaos of the Liang Dynasty, Jiedushi also held the military and political power of a state.

Now, Da Song and Liang Chao are in the same situation.

“Your Majesty, the conflict between the royal family and the powerful clan is no longer irreconcilable. Do you still have illusions about them? When the time comes, you will naturally have to speak harshly to force them to accept it.” Mi Yan said.

He knew that Da Song was sliding into the abyss, and the only thing he could do was to slow down the slide a little.

If the powerful clan doesn’t take the opportunity to disrupt the states and counties controlled by the royal family, just give them this title.

At least the power of the royal family will not decline too quickly.

“Hey, this is the only way now.” Zhao Heng sat down dejectedly.

“Also, let me bluntly say that the emperor must trust the King of Yan. The powerful clan will continue to accumulate strength in the future. If the capital is in chaos one day, the emperor will at least have a place to go.” When Mi Yan said this, he emphasized his tone. .

A layer of cold sweat suddenly broke out on Zhao Heng’s body.

Mi Yan reminded him that the entire Ningzhou, where Jinling is located, is surrounded by states controlled by powerful clans.

If one day the powerful clan really committed a rebellion, he might be hard-pressed to resist it only with the imperial guards of the capital.

And once defeated, will Dou Wei and his ilk let him go?

At that time, for him, the only safe place is Yanzhou controlled by King Yan.

“Mi Aiqing’s words awakened the dreamer, I have been really confused these days.” Zhao Heng wiped the sweat from his forehead.

However, the situation has deteriorated to such an extent that there is very little he can offer King Yan.

It’s not that he doesn’t want to give, but that he can’t give anything.

Thinking of this, he regretted it even more.

Originally, he thought that Dasong Jiangshan was under his control.

So whether it is the family or King Yan, he doesn’t want them to be a threat to him.

So he adopted a balanced strategy, making them hinder each other and profiting for himself.

But he is too wishful thinking, the premise of his own profit is that he has absolute power to control the two.

But he is like a dying old man, waving a whip to drive away tigers and wolves.

Once the tigers and wolves turned around, he was just meat in their mouths.

“It’s not too late for the emperor to wake up in time. If you continue to have ambiguities with the powerful clan and suppress King Yan, I’m afraid King Yan’s heart will really turn cold.” Mi Yan said with a bow.

Zhao Heng nodded again and again, “The King of Yan once asked me for a hundred thousand shipbuilders, and I handed over this matter to you to supervise, which can be regarded as my compensation to him.”

“The King of Yan will definitely miss the emperor.” Mi Yan smiled, ” Only if the Emperor and His Highness can work together with His Royal Highness King Yan, the powerful clans will be cautious.”

“I hope so.” Zhao Heng seemed to have aged ten years in an instant.

When he came to the throne, Dasong had already looked like the sun was setting on the western mountains.

Now, it is finally hard to stop the sinking trend.

As Mi Yan said, he hoped that his choice this time would not be wrong again.

After ordering Mi Yan to go back, he immediately summoned Dou Wei.

Not long after, Dou Wei arrived at the study.

Looking at the head of the Dou family who once supported himself on the throne, and now united with other powerful clans to separate the area, and praised the prime minister, he felt various feelings in his heart.

“I heard that the prime minister is in the villa outside Jinling City, and he visited many distinguished guests a few days ago.” Zhao Heng asked seemingly unintentionally.

Dou Wei was slightly startled when he heard the words, but he pretended not to know, “I don’t understand what the emperor is talking about?”

Zhao Heng smiled softly, “Dou Wei, you and I have known each other since we were young, why bother to pretend to be confused in front of me now, I can give you the military and political power of the state, but you have to wait until the tax collection is over, otherwise you can never think about it.” Let me issue an imperial edict.”

Dou Wei’s expression changed several times.

Originally, he only wanted to do this matter secretly, and he didn’t want to tear himself apart with Zhao Heng yet.

But since Zhao Heng knew, there was no need to hide it anymore.

Not to mention that Wuguan is in the hands of his Dou family, this matter was also decided by the seven families.

How can Zhao Heng help them? So he said: “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness.”

Originally, he wanted to take over the military and political power of this state, and weaken the states and counties controlled by the royal family by the way.

But Zhao Heng’s attitude was so tough, he could only take a step back.

Choose a more important military and political power.

“Well, you go back.” Zhao Heng waved his hand.

He didn’t want to say anything more, and it was enough for each other to tacitly understand each other.

There is no point in arguing with Dou Wei.

The conflict between the powerful family and the royal family could not be reconciled.

Dou Wei didn’t say anything, and left with a bow.

Outside the hall, Dou Wei’s eyes suddenly darkened.

“Who on earth leaked this matter? It seems that there are people who are afraid of chaos in the world and want to kill the powerful clan and the royal family and make blood flow into rivers, so as to profit from it.” Dou Wei’s eyes narrowed.

He believes that other powerful clans will not reveal the words of the banquet.

The powerful clans are now on the same boat, even if the Xie family has some extremes, they will never disclose this matter.

After all, the Xie family will also benefit from this matter.

If it’s not a powerful person, who is spying on them secretly?

Zhao Heng didn’t have this ability, and the Imperial City Secretary had already been infiltrated into a sieve by them.

If there is any trouble, they can know it in advance.

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help frowning. It seemed that he wanted to interrogate the servants of the villa.

Then, he looked back at the Imperial Study Room.

Zhao Heng and he still didn’t completely tear each other apart this time, they just clicked to the end.

For the time being, he still wanted to maintain Da Song’s fragile balance, and he believed that Zhao Heng would do the same.

However, his purpose is to profit from it, and Zhao Heng still wants to continue to be his emperor in peace.

But between their monarchs and ministers, they can never go back to the past.

Once the time is right and the fragile relationship collapses, Dasong will be everywhere.

While Zhao Heng and Dou Wei were fighting, Mi Yan returned to the mansion.

At this time, his father, Mi Zhuang, was holding the scroll in his hand, as if he was thinking about something.

Anxious about Da Song’s current situation, he sighed slightly, stepped forward, and told him the news he got from Zhao Heng.

(end of this chapter)