0p0 Chapter 173 Wang Mang's Usurpation of the Han Dynasty
Chapter 173 Wang Mang's Usurpation of the Han Dynasty
People from all over time shook their heads upon hearing this, realizing that the Western Han Dynasty had reached its end and there was no way to reverse it.
The reign of Emperor Xuan of Han was like a brief resurgence of glory, lasting only a little over a decade.
……
Lin Ke sighed silently, which shows how important it is to have an heir.
"At this critical juncture, it's hard to say whether Wang Mang was acting or genuinely expressing his feelings. In any case, his actions were incredibly skillful. For example, one day he sent Emperor Ping of Han a white pheasant, which was definitely an auspicious omen in ancient times, so the court officials were in an uproar!"
"The appearance of the white rooster symbolizes the arrival of auspicious omens. The ministers then recalled that during the reign of King Cheng of Zhou, Ji Dan also had a white rooster appear. Doesn't this mean that Wang Mang, like the great sage Ji Dan, was a good minister?"
"So this group of people submitted memorials requesting that Wang Mang be rewarded. Emperor Ping of Han then conferred upon Wang Mang the title of Duke of Anhan and issued a bonus. At this point, Wang Mang refused the bonus, but the ministers disagreed and said that it must be given!"
"After several rounds of back and forth, Wang Mang suggested that the bonuses should be distributed only after all the people in the country had enough to eat, and that the bonuses should be given to the imperial family and relatives. Only then did those ministers reluctantly agree!"
A scion of a prominent family in the Song Dynasty: I'm so angry I could laugh! What kind of time is this?! What's with all this talk of auspicious omens?!
A farming expert in the Ming Dynasty: But at this time, Wang Mang was still pretending well, and the people's hearts were with him!
A spoiled second-generation rich kid from the Sui Dynasty: Isn't there a saying that not fighting is the real fighting?
……
"When it comes to winning people's hearts, Wang Mang is second to none. Once, a minister named Chen Chong submitted a memorial praising Wang Mang. The entire memorial lauded Wang Mang and used several 'negative examples': Wang Mang eliminated the treacherous Dong Xian, and even Guiguzi dared not act rashly. And what about Wei Qing? He won a few battles! Huo Guang was a little luckier. How can these people compare to the Duke of Anhan?!"
Huo Guang of the Han Dynasty: ? ? ?
Empress Qing, Empress Wei of the Great Han Dynasty: ……..
Big Han Liu Zhuzhu: You...?!...You thief of Han! (Utterly vulgar)
"Finally, let me add that the only person comparable to Anhan Gong is Yu the Great, who tamed the floods. It's not that I don't want you to praise Wang Mang, but it's a bit much to belittle so many others while praising just one!"
"However, this was not the only memorial that publicly praised Wang Mang. In that year alone, 487,572 such memorials were received from all over the country. Whether it is true or not, there are only so many people in the whole country, and they also need to be able to write. It is indeed not easy to find someone who can write them!"
A Song Dynasty official asked: "Is mentioning Yu the Great at this time an indication of an intention to abdicate?"
A scion of a prominent family in the Ming Dynasty: Wow! Wang Mang is quite something! He never skimps on a single penny.
……
"Wang Mang was the voice of the people, and he had power in his hands. His ambitions were also revealed to the public, and his first task was to eliminate dissidents."
"First, he forced his aunt, Wang Zhengjun, to drive away his uncle, Wang Li, promote those who submitted to him, and kill those who did not submit to him."
"Afterwards, he went to curry favor with Kong Guang, a famous Confucian scholar and Grand Minister of Works at the time. Kong Guang had served three emperors and had a very high reputation in the court and among the people, as well as with Empress Wang Zhengjun. However, he was a cautious and timid person, so Wang Mang did not simply win him over."
"On the one hand, he recommended Kong Guang's son-in-law Zhen Han to serve as Attendant-in-Ordinary and Commander of the Imperial Carriage, and on the other hand, he used Wang Zhengjun as a tool to force Kong Guang to promote him, and used Kong Guang as a tool to eliminate his opponents."
"As a result, many officials in the court were dismissed and punished by him, and he gradually built up his own power base, arranging positions for his confidants."
An official from the Ming Dynasty: His ambition has been exposed, so this kind of operation is normal!
A young man from a prominent family in the Song Dynasty: The young emperor is in danger!
A spoiled brat from the Tang Dynasty: He was such a good nephew to his uncles just a moment ago, and now he's kicking his uncle out of office! So unfilial!
……
"At the same time, the young Emperor Ping of Han was in great danger, and subsequent events proved this point. The young emperor soon died prematurely, and Wang Mang no longer wanted to choose an emperor. If the Liu family could be emperor, why couldn't the Wang family be one?!"
"It's worth noting here that during the Qin and Han dynasties, it was said that the whiter the auspicious omen, the better. So, this man-made auspicious omen appeared again. Not long after, someone dug up a white stone from a well in a small county town. There were words on it: 'Announcing that Wang Mang, the Duke of Anhan, is to be emperor.' Goodness, it's so straightforward, not hiding anything at all!"
"This move is really treating others like fools. Wang Zhengjun was the first to object! But the people around her advised her: They already hold great power, what do they need your consent for! Why don't you just give in first!"