Chapter 29 Friends

In addition, Wang Mang forced his fourth son, Wang Lin, to death in a fit of rage. Thinking about it afterwards, he began to feel regret. The death of Wang Lin caused his third son, Wang An, to also die of fright. The country has no heirs.Wang Mang repented and hated, if Wang Lin just robbed him of a woman, he might still be able to spare Wang Lin's life, but Wang Lin wanted to kill his father with his son, this was absolutely intolerable to him.The reason why Wang Lin thought of killing his father was all because of Wang Lin's wife Liu Min. If Liu Min hadn't told Wang Lin that there would be a meeting in white clothes in the palace, how could Wang Lin have such courage?In the final analysis, Liu Min is the real culprit.

Wang Mang then came to the mansion of Liu Xin, the national teacher.Liu Xin was shocked when he heard the news, and rushed to welcome him in.Back then, Wang Mang had three hardcore confidants—Liu Xin, Zhen Feng, and Wang Shun.Wang Mang succeeded in usurping the throne, and the three of them contributed the most.Among the three heroes, Zhen Feng committed suicide, Wang Shun died of fear, and only Liu Xin survived.Liu Xin knew very well that Wang Mang was jealous of his ministers, so he kept a low profile. Even so, he was always frightened, fearing that it would happen. The monarch and his subjects sat down facing each other, and Liu Xin had mixed feelings.He and Wang Mang have known each other since childhood, and later served as Huang Menlang at the same time. They have a deep personal relationship and are a pair of old friends who talk about everything. He became more and more indifferent, counting with his fingers, the last time he saw Wang Mang was two years ago.The reunion of an old friend after a long absence, Liu Xin was emotional but not moved, because he knew in his heart that Wang Mang's visit this time was not because he missed the old man, but to reminisce about the past. Wang Mang came to settle accounts with him, to settle accounts with his daughter Liu Yin.

However, Wang Mang didn't seem to be in a hurry to get straight to the point, he just sat in silence, exerting invisible pressure on Liu Xin.Liu Xin had no choice but to find something to say, expressed condolences for the funeral at Wang Mang's family, and urged Wang Mang to mourn.Facing Liu Xin's consolation, Wang Mang still kept his mouth shut, using a strange logic, and argued: "I didn't feel sad when I didn't have a son before, but now that my son is dead, it means that I didn't have a son before, so why should I be sad?" !" Liu Xin knew that Wang Mang never admitted his mistakes.How could he be wrong when he was so wise?In his heart, all the sages in the world are not as good as himself.For example, Emperor Yang of the later Sui Dynasty was proud of his talents and learning, and every time he was proud of the people in the world, he once said to his courtiers: "If you make me and the scholar-bureaucrats to be elected, you should also be the emperor." Liu Xin was the patriarch of Confucianism at that time and the leader of learning, but Wang Mang was not convinced by him. He said that if he did not become emperor but studied learning, then Liu Xin would only have to fight for the second place.

Han Feizi said: "The inferior ruler should do his best, the middle ruler should do his best, and the superior should use his wisdom." Sincerely, it can be regarded as a guide for emperors through the ages.Wang Mang prided himself on his talents, took pleasure in doing what he could, and made things right when he planned them out. His ministers were not as good as him, and he was happy when he retired from the court.Yun: "Those who say that others have nothing to do with themselves will perish." Wang Mang's stubbornness and expansion doomed the new dynasty's Guozuo to be difficult to last.

Liu Xin was familiar with these principles, but he dared not speak out, let alone persuade Wang Mang.Once the persuasion comes, the friendship between him and Wang Mang is over.He cherishes his friendship with Wang Mang, and he has to cherish it, it is his only weapon to save his life. Seeing that Liu Xin was silent, Wang Mang thought it was his perfect logic just now that made Liu Xin shut up, so he leaned back contentedly, enjoying the pleasure of superior intelligence, and then got to the point , Said: "Do you know why I came today?" How could Liu Xin not know the purpose of Wang Mang's trip!However, since Wang Mang asked, he must not answer truthfully. Instead, he would act stupid in a daze, pretending that he couldn't guess Wang Mang's mind at all, so he replied: "Under the sky, is it the king's land? Your Majesty can come whenever he wants. No reason."

Wang Mang gave a rare smile, the reason why he didn't kill Liu Xin was because Liu Xin was soft-boned, knowledgeable about current affairs, and nice to speak.Wang Mang restrained his smile, and said in a deep voice: "The reason why Wang Lin dared to be rebellious is because his wife Liu Yin was bewitched by the astrology. Now Liu Yin is in the residence of the Master?" Liu Xin looked calm, and replied: "Liu Min is in the mansion, Your Majesty is sitting down, Rong Chen will take his leave for the time being." Liu Xin left and returned, and there was already crying behind her.Liu Xin calmly said to Wang Mang, "Liu Min has committed suicide, thanks to Your Majesty."

Wang Mang pretended to be startled and said, "Oh, why bother?" He got up and rushed to the inner room, Liu Xin hurriedly led the way.When they arrived in the inner room, the female relatives saw Wang Mang approaching, they couldn't care less about weeping, and quickly fell to their knees.Wang Mang walked to the couch and saw Liu Yin lying on his back quietly with a bright red strangle mark on his neck. Wang Mang raised his hand, tried Liu Yin's breath, nodded slightly, turned around to look at Liu Xin, and deliberately provocatively said: "Daughter died, the country Master is not sad?"

Liu Xin said with a flattering smile: "I have the guts to borrow your majesty's high opinion. I didn't have a daughter. Now that my daughter is dead, it means that I don't have a daughter. Why should I be sad?" Liu Xin knew his situation well, he was a lamb waiting to be slaughtered However, as long as Wang Mang is willing to hold on to his daughter's matter, it is enough to kill their whole family.He forced his beloved daughter to commit suicide and apologize, but he really had no choice but to give up the little one to protect the big one. Wang Mang was very satisfied when he saw Liu Xin quoting his own high-level theory to answer, so he didn't pursue and beat him hard, but said indifferently: "National teacher take care." After saying that, he drove back to the palace.

Liu Xin stood there dumbfounded, like the rest of his life after a catastrophe, with cold sweat on his back, but his old wife refused to let go, rushed over and bit him, crying and cursing: "Wang Mang has killed our two sons!" , and now you have forced our precious daughter to death, are you so insensitive and swallow your breath?" Liu Xin smiled wryly, letting his old wife beat him to vent, even though his two sons were killed by Wang Mang, and now Wang Mang forced another one to death. Daughter, but his Liu family still has sons to continue the incense after all, while Wang Mang's four sons are all dead. Compared with the two, what else can he complain about?