The prayer is written below: "Our Father in heaven, give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, the glory, all is yours forever." In October of the first year of Gengshi in the Han Dynasty (AD 23), Luoyang.Liu Xiu's situation is quite dire, his debts cannot be forgiven, and the temptations he encounters are everywhere, but who can save him from the evil? All Liu Xiu could do seemed to be to pray. In Luoyang City, blood is brewing, and Zhu Yu and others have laid down their swords and guns for him.This is not only his premonition, but also Liu Ci's reminder as proof.If he just wanted to save his life, the matter would be simple. At worst, he would change his name, go to exile, and hide himself among thousands of people. From then on, there would be a desolate hermit in the mountains, or a humble farmer in the village. Then there is Liu Xiu and Uncle Liu Wen.However, if he hides like this, although he can survive, it is tantamount to being dead. His hatred, ambition, including his marriage with Yin Lihua, with this hiding, will be silently hated and turned into no one cares. The trails are full of weeds, and it is a pity that they are still alive.

Therefore, he not only wants to live, but to live to the maximum.He did want to stay away from Luoyang and escape from the clutches of Zhu Tuan and others, but he must not flee, but must leave in a dignified manner as an official of the Han Dynasty, and put him in a place where the sky is high and the emperor is far away, where he can accumulate strength. As far as the reformed government of the Han Dynasty is concerned, although Wang Mang’s new dynasty has fallen, the world is not peaceful. Nearly two-thirds of the states and counties in the country have not been formally included in the empire’s territory, so a large number of external officials are needed. , Go to these states and counties to appease and surrender.

The factions in power in the Gengshi government—the senior generals from the Green Forest Army and Nanyang heroes, none of them are willing to let go. They understand that they will soon reward the heroes and divide up the fruits of victory. At this critical moment, they are all vying for help. You must stay with Emperor Liu Xuan and keep an eye on the reward you deserve.Therefore, the task of appeasing the prefectures and counties naturally fell on a group of low-level officials. Among the many states and counties that have not yet surrendered to the imperial court, the Hebei region is an exception.The so-called Hebei, at that time generally referred to the north of the Yellow River, covering today's Henan, Hebei, Shanxi and other places.For the rest of the states and counties, even if an incompetent low-level official is sent, it can be decided by publicity.However, in Hebei, the situation is far from easy.

Hebei is the hometown of Yanzhao in the Warring States Period. Since ancient times, there have been many generous and tragic people, the folk customs are strong, and there are many ambitious people. At this time, Hebei is full of refugees and armed forces.There are more than 100,000 people in Chengtouzilu and Diaozi, fleeing between the Yellow River and Jishui; hundreds of thousands of bronze horses, fleeing in Qingyang; The semi-separatist armed forces of county and county heroes can imagine the difficulty of completely stabilizing Hebei.And this also determines that the candidates sent by the imperial court to Hebei must not only be of high rank, but also have extraordinary talents.

Among the Green Forest Army and the heroes of Nanyang, no one is willing to take over the hot potato in Hebei.Emperor Liu Xuan also wanted to take the opportunity to cultivate his own power, and planned to send a disciple of the Liu family to ask Da Situ Liu Ci for advice.Liu Ci wanted to make Liu Xiu perfect, so he replied: "Liu Xiu is the only child of the Liu family." Liu Xuan asked Grand Sima Zhu Tuan again: "I want to send Liu Xiu to Hebei, what do you think Grand Sima wants?" Don't mention this again. At the beginning, Liu Xiu heard that Liu Xuan intended to send him to Hebei, and he was secretly overjoyed. Hebei was the most ideal place in his mind to be released, with a vast territory and a large population.However, the appointment of the imperial court has not been released for a long time, so Liu Xiu can't help but feel uneasy. When she inquired about Liu Ci, she knew that Zhu Yu was obstructing him, and she hated him greatly.Liu Ci comforted Liu Xiu and said, "For the current plan, you should ask Cao Jing, Prime Minister Zuo."

Cao Jing, a native of Shanyang, Hebei Province, was born as a Confucian scholar. He was an old official in the Han Dynasty. After Wang Mang usurped the Han Dynasty, Cao Jing resigned from office and returned to his hometown.After Liu Xuan established Luoyang as his capital, he conscripted Cao Jing into the imperial court and worshiped him as Prime Minister Zuo, in order to persuade him to be loyal and good, and to appeal to the world.Compared with Liu Ci, Cao Jing not only has deeper qualifications and higher prestige, but also has no factional color. It is indeed perfect for him to come forward as a lobbyist for Liu Xiu.

Liu Xiuguan lived in the Sili school lieutenant, and also had the authority of the head of the Luoyang Housing Management Bureau. He immediately issued a note to bribe Cao Jing's mansion.Cao Jing was furious, and reprimanded Liu Xiu: "You have nothing to do with it! You practice this bad habit in the officialdom! If there is something to say, the old man can do it. If the old man can't do it, he will bribe me with ten thousand gold, and he will never do it." Liu Xiu was ashamed, Immediately, I wish to pacify Hebei.Only then did Cao Jing turn his anger into joy, looked at Liu Xiu, and said: "Uncle Wen's battle in Kunyang is a miracle in the world. If you look at the whole court, who can calm Hebei, who can give up the king! Now you take the initiative to invite Ying, It is really a blessing for the country, and this old man should recommend it to the king."

When Cao Jing saw Liu Xuan, he said, "Your Majesty, do you know where your surname comes from?" Liu Xuan shook his head and said, "I don't know." Later generations took Cao as their surname, and the surname Cao came from then on.” Although Liu Xuanshu didn't read much, he also saw that Cao Jing definitely didn't come here just to give him a history lesson, so he said: "The old prime minister has something to say directly, there is no need to go around the corner." Cao Jingdao: "In the opinion of the veteran, the Zhou Dynasty was able to survive for 800 years, all thanks to the feudal brothers with the same surname. The Han Dynasty has been passed down to the present, although Wang Mang usurped the throne in the middle, it can still be revived in the end, and it is also because of the Liu family. The death of the second generation is due to Qin Shihuang's establishment of prefectures and counties, and the children of the Ying family have no seals. Now that your majesty has not been on the throne for a long time, you should follow the example of King Wu, Gao Zu, and brothers of the same clan of Guangshu. , guarding the Han Dynasty together. Hebei is an important place in the world, and it should be guarded by the children of the Liu family, and people with different surnames should not live there. Among the children of the Liu family, only Liu Xiu can be assigned to Hebei, and may your majesty send him."

After Liu Xuan listened, he pondered for a moment.Cao actually knew that Liu Xuan was not at ease with Liu Xiu, so he persuaded him: "The Green Forest Army and Nanyang Heroes killed Liu Xiu's elder brother Liu Yan together. Liu Xiu's survival until now is all thanks to His Majesty's protection. Now the Green Forest Army and Nanyang Heroes control the government. There is a trend that cannot be lost. Your Majesty sent Liu Xiu to stabilize Hebei to build a strong support for your majesty. In case there is a change in the government in the future, Liu Xiu loves your majesty and hates the Green Forest Army and Nanyang heroes. All you need is an imperial edict, and Liu Xiu will lead Hebei's elite soldiers , to fight for His Majesty."

What Cao Jing said was scratching Liu Xuan's itch.Liu Xuan is called the emperor, but he is constrained by the Green Forest Army and Nanyang heroes, and his will is not free, and his power is like a puppet.Why didn't Liu Xuan want to have a showdown with the Green Forest Army and Nanyang Heroes, but because he didn't have his own direct lineage, he could only bear it and dared not do anything.Liu Xiu is his brother of the same clan, and has a deep hatred with the Green Forest Army and Nanyang heroes, so it is worth cultivating to become a direct descendant, so as to prepare for the future showdown.

Liu Xuan made up his mind, and sighed to Cao Jing: "Although I want to send Uncle Wen, Da Sima doesn't agree, what can I do?" Cao Jing replied: "Since your majesty has made a decision, there are veterans on the side of Da Sima." When Cao saw Grand Sima Zhu Tuan, he immediately asked, "Does Grand Sima want to dethrone the emperor?" Zhu Tuan was shocked, and hurriedly argued: "I am a Han minister, how dare I have the heart of disobedience." Cao Jing asked again: "So, the world is still Liu's world?" Zhu Tuan had no choice but to answer: "Gaozu, the world should belong to the Liu family." Cao Jing became more imposing, and asked again: "From the three generations up to Gaozu, all of them have the same surname in feudalism. It is not easy for thousands of years. Now the emperor wants to send Liu Xiu to Hebei. This is Liu's family business. Why did Da Sima repeatedly stop him because of his estrangement?" Zhu Yu said anxiously: "Liu Xiu has different ambitions, and he is afraid that he will rebel as soon as he arrives in Hebei." Cao Jing said angrily: "Although a sage dare not make judgments about what will happen in the future. Da Sima said that Liu Xiu will rebel, Liu Xiu can't justify it. Some people say that Da Sima will rebel, can Da Sima justify it?" Zhu tuna was aggrieved and could not answer. Cao Jing seemed to teach a child a lesson, and continued to question Zhu Tuan, "Dai Sima's contribution to founding the country is no less than that of his ancestors, Zhang Liang and Han Xin. Da Sima should also ask himself, do you want to be Zhang Liang or Han Xin?" Zhu Tuan was shocked when he heard this.After Liu Bang conquered the world, Zhang Liang quit and died well, while Han Xin stayed in love and was eventually killed.Zhu Yu thought about it for a long time, lost his mind, knelt down and thanked Cao Jing, and said, "Boy, please be taught! Liu Xiu's matter should be decided by the emperor." Now that Zhu Yu had nodded, Liu Xuan issued an imperial edict, ordering Liu Xiu to carry out the affairs of the chief minister, to cross the Yellow River north with festivals, and to comfort the Hebei prefectures.At this point, Liu Xiu was finally able to get rid of the danger of his life and leave Luoyang as he wished.At this point, Liu Xiu can finally say to herself viciously in her heart: "Those who fail to kill me will make me stronger."