The thousand-year-old family began with King Wu's conquest of King Zhou.

Chapter 68 All Old Friends Gone

In the summer of the tenth year of Emperor Wen's reign (173 BC).

In the height of summer in Chang'an, cicadas chirped incessantly, and the palaces of Weiyang Palace gleamed blindingly white under the scorching sun.

Three years is enough time for the dust to settle and for new waves to brew.

The wounds of the Rebellion of the Seven States are gradually healing.

The southeastern prefectures slowly recovered under the new policies. Although there were occasional frictions between Chao Cuo's strict laws and the appeasement policies that Zhou Yafu, Zhang Keran and others tried to inject, the general framework had been stabilized.

The power of the feudal lords was substantially weakened, and the authority of the imperial court was at its zenith. King Zhang Wuji of Liang worked diligently in the southwest, cooperating with the new policies, ensuring peace in the Liang kingdom and smooth grain transport routes through Sichuan and Chongqing, earning him the high praise of Emperor Wen.

However, the undercurrents within the imperial court never ceased.

With Emperor Wen's unwavering support, Chao Cuo became increasingly ambitious and charismatic. His reforms were remarkably effective in cracking down on powerful clans, rectifying official corruption, and strengthening central authority, but the cruelty and wide-ranging impact of his methods also made him countless enemies.

Zhou Yafu became increasingly silent. As Grand Commandant, he focused on the defense of the northern frontier, and painstakingly implemented Chao Cuo's new policies to reorganize and assimilate the border prefectures. He achieved remarkable results, and the border was temporarily at peace.

However, his fundamental ideological differences with Chao Cuo, as well as the attacks from Chao Cuo's forces against him for his excessive control of the military, gradually isolated him.

Crown Prince Liu Qi matured rapidly during these three years.

He balanced his father's will, Chao Cuo's radicalism, Zhou Yafu's prudence, and the resentment in the court and among the people, and his imperial strategies became increasingly sophisticated.

He had unwavering faith in Chao Cuo's talent for governing the country, but gradually grew worried about his ruthless methods. He relied heavily on Zhou Yafu's loyalty and ability, but also began to be wary of his prestige in the army.

As his trusted advisor, Zhang Keran often mediated between the two sides, making him feel even more like he was walking on thin ice.

On this day, Zhang Keran left the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace, his mind heavy with worries.

The Crown Prince had just spoken with him in private, revealing that Emperor Wen's cough had recently worsened and he was in poor spirits. He had repeatedly expressed his eagerness to completely eliminate the threat posed by the feudal lords and pave the way for future generations.

Chao Cuo seemed to have a premonition, and recently he has been submitting secret memorials one after another. The contents of these memorials are unknown, but the Crown Prince's expression is quite solemn.

Upon returning to the mansion, he found an unexpected guest already waiting for him—the old steward of Zhou Yafu's household, his face filled with sorrow.

"Your Highness, my master... requests that Your Highness come to the manor. He has important matters to entrust to you." The old steward's voice was hoarse, and his eyes were red.

Zhang Keran's heart sank. Without asking any more questions, he immediately followed him to the Marquis of Tiao's residence.

The study of the Marquis of Tiao's residence.

The study was filled with the smell of medicine.

Zhou Yafu leaned against the couch, his face sallow and his appearance withered, a far cry from the Grand Commandant who had dominated the battlefield of Wanqi three years ago.

Upon seeing Zhang Keran, he struggled to sit up, and Zhang Keran quickly stepped forward to support him.

"Grand Commandant, what's wrong...?"

"My old injuries have flared up again, and... I'm just too depressed to keep going." Zhou Yafu smiled bitterly, gestured for the old butler to leave, and held Zhang Keran's hand tightly. "Yuncheng, I don't have much time left. There are some things I can only say to you."

"Grand Commandant, please don't say that! I'll go fetch the imperial physician immediately..."

"It's no use." Zhou Yafu shook his head, his gaze as sharp as ever. "My illness is beyond the reach of medicine. Your Majesty... Your Majesty is now only seeking quick results, wanting to use Chao Cuo to achieve your goal in one fell swoop. Chao Cuo has already submitted a secret memorial, stating that any princes or meritorious officials with suspicious conduct, popular resentment, or financial resources can be framed, stripped of their titles and lands, and even... imprisoned and sentenced to death. I'm afraid the list includes... more than just princes."

Zhang Keran felt a chill run down his spine. Chao Cuo was about to expand the policy of reducing the power of the princes into a full-scale purge!

"I have repeatedly advised His Majesty, but he will not listen. Instead, he suspects me of holding military power and protecting the old nobles."

A look of sorrow flashed in Zhou Yafu's eyes. "Yuncheng, in my life, I, Zhou Yafu, have asked myself honestly, and I have no regrets towards Heaven and Earth, His Majesty, or the Han Dynasty! However, in the arena of power, to have merit that overshadows the ruler is the original sin. My death is not a pity, but there are two things that I cannot let go of."

"Please speak, Grand Commandant. I will do my utmost, even at the cost of my life!"

"The Northern Frontier." Zhou Yafu's eyes gleamed. "Although the Xiongnu Chanyu Laoshang is dead, his son Junchen has newly ascended the throne, and he is full of ambition. The Northern Frontier defenses, after three years of reorganization by me, have shown some improvement, but their foundation is not yet solid. Under no circumstances should we, due to internal factional strife at court, again withdraw troops, dismiss generals, or cut back on rations! Otherwise, a great disaster will surely occur within three to five years! This is the culmination of my life's work, and it is also the lifeline of the nation. You must... find a way to make His Highness the Crown Prince understand!"

Zhang Keran nodded emphatically: "Grand Commandant, rest assured, Keran will keep this in mind and will do his utmost to safeguard the stability of the northern border."

Zhou Yafu said, "Chao Cuo... his talent is usable, but his heart is too hasty, and his methods are almost demonic. If this continues, it will surely cause great changes, which may not be a blessing for the country. However, His Majesty trusts him deeply, and no one can touch him. Only the Crown Prince... the Crown Prince is benevolent, but sometimes he relies too much on his abilities. You must... find an opportunity to let the Crown Prince see that beyond his methods, there is also the need for benevolent governance, balance, and room for maneuver. You must also be wary of... someone using Chao Cuo to eliminate dissidents and disrupt the court. You are the heir apparent of the Prince of Liang and a trusted minister of the Crown Prince, your situation is delicate, so you must... be careful and cautious to protect yourself and wait for the future."

This is a dying wish, every word written in blood and tears.

With tears welling in his eyes, Zhang Keran knelt before the bed: "I will never forget the Grand Commandant's teachings! I will certainly not fail in my duty!"

Zhou Yafu closed his eyes wearily and waved his hand: "Go... let me have some peace and quiet, let me have some peace and quiet..."

Several days later, the news of the death of Marquis Zhou Yafu shocked the court and the public.

It was said that his old wounds had recurred and he died from the illness. Emperor Wen suspended court for three days, posthumously granted him a grand funeral, and bestowed upon him the highest honors.

At Zhou Yafu's funeral, Zhang Keran saw Crown Prince Liu Qi standing before the coffin for a long time with a complex expression.

Chao Cuo also arrived, expressionless and impeccably courteous.

In the twelfth year of Emperor Wen's reign (171 BC), in autumn.

After Zhou Yafu's death, Chao Cuo's power grew even stronger, and he almost monopolized the government.

His new policies became increasingly harsh, and he accelerated the pace of fabricating charges to attack political enemies and powerful figures, creating an atmosphere of fear and unease throughout the court and the country.

Crown Prince Liu Qi repeatedly advised Emperor Wen to be more lenient and patient. Although Emperor Wen did not explicitly rebuke him, his attitude clearly leaned towards Chao Cuo.

Zhang Keran kept Zhou Yafu's last words in mind and argued his case on maintaining the defense of the northern border. At the same time, he tried his best to explain the advantages and disadvantages of the policy in a more moderate way in the Eastern Palace.

However, an unexpected storm still struck.

The trigger for the incident was the civil unrest in several counties in Guandong caused by Chao Cuo's strongly advocated "reporting wealth" and "calculating wealth." Although the unrest was quickly suppressed, its impact was severe.

Even more fatally, Chao Cuo's political enemies seized the opportunity to launch an attack. They joined forces with several members of the imperial family and marquises who had been suppressed by him, as well as ministers in the court who were dissatisfied with his cruelty, to collect evidence of Chao Cuo's "abuse of power, arbitrary killings, fabrication of charges, sowing discord among the imperial family, and corruption of the law." During a court meeting when Emperor Wen was seriously ill, they launched a fierce impeachment.

Among those impeaching him were even several who had been Chao Cuo's allies.

The wall fell and everyone pushed.

On his sickbed, Emperor Wen, faced with a mountain of impeachment memorials and weeping relatives, began to waver in his opinion of Chao Cuo for the first time.

He may have finally realized that the knife was too sharp, had damaged the foundation of the nation, and was beyond his control.

"Your Majesty! Chao Cuo's laws, though ostensibly for strengthening the nation, are in reality for bringing chaos! His heart is wicked, he abuses his power and manipulates the law, and the people have suffered for too long! We beseech Your Majesty to uphold justice and bring peace to the land!"

The old minister's tearful accusations echoed in the sickroom.

Chao Cuo knelt at the foot of the steps, his face pale, but his back remained straight. He spoke in a hoarse voice, "Your Majesty! Everything I have done is for the country, for Your Majesty! In chaotic times, harsh measures are necessary; for a serious illness, drastic medicine is needed! If it weren't for my swift and decisive actions, would the feudal lords have submitted? Would the powerful have been subdued? Would the national treasury have been replenished? Today's slander is a frame-up by petty villains. Your Majesty, please see the truth!"

But his explanations seemed so pale and powerless in the face of the overwhelming public opinion and the wailing of his relatives.

More importantly, Emperor Wen, who had always supported him, revealed a weary look in his eyes amidst violent coughing and heavy breathing.

Crown Prince Liu Qi stood by his side, watching the scene with his hands clenched tightly in his sleeves.

He knew that Chao Cuo had to fall.

It wasn't because of whether all the charges were true, but because the court needed to quell public anger and appease the imperial family. Chao Cuo had become a festering wound that the empire had to cut away.

"Father," Liu Qi finally spoke, his voice steady and clear, "Minister Chao vigorously implemented the new policies with the public good in mind, but his methods were too extreme and his actions were biased, causing unrest in the court and among the people, and resentment among the imperial clan, which is indeed a fact. Continuing to serve in the central government would probably not be beneficial to the country. However, he has indeed made contributions to the country, and it is not appropriate to punish him severely. Your son believes that he should be dismissed from his position as Grand Secretary and sent out to serve as... Chancellor of the King of Jiaoxi."

Jiaoxi was a remote and small kingdom. Its king, Liu Ang, was executed for treason during the Rebellion of the Seven States. The kingdom was abolished and became a prefecture. Later, his son was reinstated. The land was small and the people were poor.

This was tantamount to banishing Chao Cuo and exiling him, far from the center of power.

Emperor Wen looked at his son, then at Chao Cuo, who was kneeling on the ground, and a complex and unfathomable emotion flashed in his eyes.

Was it disappointment? Was it relief? Or was it a cruel mockery of time? In the end, he nodded with difficulty and waved his hand, as if he had used up his last bit of strength.

"As the Crown Prince has requested, Chao Cuo shall immediately assume his post and shall not return to the capital without an imperial edict."

Chao Cuo was startled and suddenly looked up at Emperor Wen on the imperial bed, then at the calm-looking Crown Prince, and finally, his gaze swept over Zhang Keran, who was bowing his head and remaining silent.

There was shock, confusion, and anger in that gaze, which ultimately turned into a deathly despair and self-mockery.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end he didn't utter a single word. Instead, he heavily and slowly touched the ground with his head.

"Your subject... Chao Cuo... receives the decree. I thank Your Majesty... for sparing my life."

He stood up, staggered slightly, then steadied himself, straightened his back, and stepped out of the hall.

The setting sun cast his lonely shadow long, very long, until it finally disappeared into the deep shadows of the Weiyang Palace corridors. An era, with his departure, officially came to an end.

Several months later, news came from Jiaoxi Kingdom: former Imperial Censor Chao Cuo had fallen ill and died in office due to illness caused by the change in climate and climate.

The imperial court provided symbolic compensation but did not award any further honors.

A leading figure of Legalism and a powerful minister who stirred up tremendous upheavals disappeared silently on the outskirts of the empire.

When the news reached Chang'an, Zhang Keran was taking a walk with Crown Prince Liu Qi.

Autumn leaves fall, the water remains calm.

"Master Chao... has finally passed away." Liu Qi looked at the withered lotus leaves, his tone revealing little joy or sorrow.

"Dr. Chao sought benevolence and attained it throughout his life," Zhang Keran said softly. "His laws were severe, but his heart was with the country. His merits and demerits will be judged by posterity."

Liu Qi remained silent for a long time, then sighed, "Ya Fu is gone, and Chao Shi is gone too. The old ministers of an era are gradually passing away. Ke Ran, from now on, it will be your generation that assists me."

Zhang Keran bowed and said, "Your Majesty, we are of limited talent and learning, and we will do our best to repay Your Highness's kindness in recognizing our talent."