flstandardbreds Chapter 175: Cao the Thief is Not Dead
Chapter 175: Cao the Thief is Not Dead
Chapter 175: Cao the Thief is Not Dead
Although Yang Biao is almost a mascot in the Shangshutai, hiding from everything and refusing to take any action unless forced into a corner, the prestige of his family is unmatched today.
It is not impossible for Liu Bian to forcibly replace Yang Biao and let Xun You, Zhong Yao, or even Xun Yu take over, but the cost of governance would be incalculable.
Simply put, official documents signed by Yang Biao are not comparable to those signed by Xun You, Zhong Yao and others. There will be a huge difference in recognition and efficiency among institutions at all levels and local governors and county heads.
"It's not the early or middle stage after all."
Liu Bian thought to himself. If it was a relatively peaceful time, it would be fine to change it. In the last years of a dynasty, the cohesion of the court is crucial!
If we follow the example of Chongzhen, who changed more than fifty prime ministers in 17 years, an average of three a year and one month every four months, the Han court's already limited prestige would probably be completely destroyed.
Liu Bian looked towards the Shangshutai and said, "I will have a good chat with Wang Yun later."
Huangfu Song understood, and someone had already gone to the Six Ministries to handle the "pardon" and "appointment" matters for Yuan Shao. Now the Secretariat almost knew that the person leading the troops was Yuan Shao.
Wang Yun will definitely not agree!
"Your Majesty, I suggest that you send Cao Cao to Qingzhou to assist Envoy Zhu in quelling the rebellion." Huangfu Song ignored the court debate and argued with Liu again.
Liu Bian thought about it and said, "That's right!"
Zhu Jun struggled in Qingzhou for more than a year. The imperial court did not give him a penny or a single soldier. Qingzhou was also where the Yellow Turban Army was most active. It can be said that Zhu Jun's life was extremely difficult and not easy at all.
"Well, Zhu Qing's family has worked hard. Give him another 100,000 shi of grain and 100 million coins." Liu Bian crossed his legs and said with a smile.
Huangfu Song remained calm and said, "Your Majesty, isn't that too much? The Shangshutai may not agree."
One hundred thousand dan of grain and ten million coins would probably account for nearly one-third of the summer tax. Qingzhou alone would have to pay one-third. Not to mention the Secretariat, other states would also be in an uproar.
Liu Bian glanced at him, and with a strange smile, he took out Huangfu Jianchang's memorial from his arms, handed it to Huangfu Song, and said, "It's not Xia Shui, it's the Second Young Master."
Second son?
A hint of doubt flashed across Huangfu Song's eyes. He took the memorial, opened it and looked at it. He had always been very good at cultivating his energy, but his expression gradually became strange.
After reading it, he didn't know what to say for a moment.
His second son, who had always been a bastard and went against him in everything, did such a big thing without making a sound!
Not only did he shuttle between Dong and Yuan, manipulate the war situation, but in the end he also successfully robbed Dong Zhuo of the money and food he had worked so hard to accumulate! ?
Huangfu Song hadn't seen Huangfu Jian for a while, and he couldn't believe that his bastard son could accomplish such a thing.
Huangfu Song was excited that this bastard had finally grown up, but also worried that it was that bastard who had taken credit for something. He hesitated and raised his hand to Liu Bian and said, "It's your majesty..."
"I sent him."
Liu Bian still enjoyed Huangfu Song's surprised expression and said with a smile: "I didn't ask him to do so much. The second son of the Qing family is more capable than I expected. He is worthy of being a disciple of Huangfu."
Huangfu Song wanted to ask: Was it arranged by His Majesty, and that bastard was just a figurehead?
But after listening to what Liu Bian said, he probably believed in his heart that his bastard son had finally become decent.
For a moment, the old father felt mixed emotions.
Soon, Huangfu Song forced himself to control his emotions, took a deep breath, and said to Liu Bian: "Your Majesty, if Huangfu Jianchang really brings back so much money and food, you can distribute it to Qingzhou."
Liu Bian hummed and said, "Cao Cao... the Grand Marshal's Mansion needs to keep a close eye on him and not let him go."
Liu Bian was deeply influenced by history and could never trust Cao Cao without reservation.
"I understand." Huangfu Song said.
The most important purpose of separating "military and politics" is to prevent local officials from becoming too powerful. The words "checks and balances" are clearly written in the reform documents.
Pan Yin came over from not far away and saw Liu Bian and Huangfu Song sitting on the ground. He was used to the casualness of his master. After Liu Bian nodded, he hurried over and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother, Madam Tang is here."
Liu Bian raised his eyebrows, almost forgetting about this, and smiled with Huangfu Song: "Tang Ji is pregnant."
Huangfu Song paused, then raised his hand and said, "I congratulate Your Majesty."
Liu Bian stood up, patted his butt, and said with a smile: "That's all for today. Please take care of the conquest of Yangzhou and Yuan Shao. As for Cao Cao, go and talk to him and tell him to go all out."
Huangfu Song stood up and said, "I accept your order and will take my leave."
Liu Bian nodded, and then he saw Empress Dowager He and Tang Ji walking towards him arm in arm, talking and laughing, very intimately.
Liu Bian shook his head secretly. His mother and Tang Ji were estranged before, but now they are as close as mother and daughter.
Huangfu Song greeted the two of them and they left one after another.
Queen Mother He came over, smiling, and said to Liu Bian, "Bian'er, it's good now. Tang Ji is pregnant too. Don't run out of the palace all the time. Take good care of Tang Ji. When she gives birth to a son, you can make her the queen and she will manage the harem for you, so that your mother won't have to worry about you every day..."
Liu Bian responded with a smile on his face, but he was secretly complaining that this old lady changed her expression as quickly as turning the pages of a book.
Tang Ji stood aside, her eyes full of smiles, shy and timid.
Liu Bian looked at Tang Ji and was moved. He asked, "Is your father still in Kuaiji?"
Kuaiji County belongs to Yangzhou.
Tang Ji nodded gently and said, "Yes, I haven't received a letter from my father for a long time."
Liu Bian seemed to be thinking about something.
Tang Mao was originally the governor of Kuaiji, and later sent a woman into the palace. Liu Bian hoped that this cheap father-in-law could be of some help, so he appointed him as the Inspector of the Imperial Guards. However, this man was good at pretending to be cultured but had no ability to do things. Instead, he became an obstacle to Liu Bian's "New Deal", so he was sent away by Liu Bian.
'Kuaiji...'
Liu Bian thought about this position with a sharp look in his eyes.
Kuaiji probably covers parts of later Shanghai, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, etc. At present, it is a sparsely populated place that has not yet been fully developed.
Once developed, it will be a treasure land!
Seeing that Liu Bian was silent, Tang Ji hesitated again and again and did not dare to speak.
Empress Dowager He didn't care and said, "Bian'er, in a few days, you should bring Cai Yan into the palace. There are concubines who don't enter the palace. Don't be too doting on her."
Liu Bian's thoughts were interrupted. He came to his senses and smiled casually at Empress Dowager He. In fact, he didn't hear what Empress Dowager He said at all.
"Your Majesty, the prince requests to see you." Pan Yin walked over quietly and said in a low voice.
Liu Bian was just worrying about how to get out of this situation. Hearing this, he said, "Mother, I can only feel at ease if I leave the harem to you. I have something else to do. I will have dinner with you tonight."
Empress Dowager He was satisfied with Liu Bian's words. At least he did not forget his mother after getting married.
Liu Bian hurried out of Jingfu Hall and looked up to see Wang Yun.
Wang Yun's face was gloomy, and he raised his hand hastily and said, "Your Majesty, Yuan Shao..."
Liu Bian waved his hand and said, "Please change into some casual clothes and accompany me out of the palace for a walk."
Wang Yun was startled, hesitated, and replied, "Yes."
Not long after, Wang Yun, dressed in ordinary clothes, followed Liu Bian out of the Suzaku Gate and headed towards the east of the city.
Wang Yun tried to hold back, but he couldn't help it any longer. He said solemnly, "Your Majesty, the Yuan family is full of ambitions and are all jackals. Yuan Shao led his troops into the Forbidden Palace without permission and slaughtered thousands of people. It is clear that he has no regard for Your Majesty in his heart, and he doesn't know what reverence is! With this man leading the troops, I predict that he will rebel!"
Liu Bian glanced back and thought to himself: Didn't you support Yuan Shao and others when they broke into the palace?
He walked leisurely and said calmly, "I heard that your family has been collecting evidence of the Prime Minister's crimes recently?"
Wang Yun's eyes changed slightly, and he immediately raised his hand and said, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid you have misunderstood. Although the Prime Minister and I have different political views, we have not been hostile to each other."
Wang Yun knew very well that Liu Bian had repeatedly called for unity in the court. If he conceded at this time, he would be dismissed from office at best, or even imprisoned at worst!
Liu Bian did not comment, and said: "Then Li Ru should be transferred to Runan County as the governor."
Wang Yun was terrified. He looked at Liu Bian's back, his face unconsciously hardened like a piece of iron. He raised his hand stiffly and said, "I obey your order."
Everyone knows that Li Ru is Wang Yun's man.
Being transferred from the Minister of Punishments to the Governor of a county was a heavy reminder of his demotion.
Your Majesty is hitting me!
Wang Yun was filled with fear, his face was tense, and his legs felt as heavy as if they were filled with lead.
Liu Bian suddenly turned around, looked at Wang Yun and said, "I know that your family is dedicated to the public and has made great contributions. I am very pleased. Your eldest son Wang Gai is very talented, but your family is avoiding him from serving as an official. I think it is unnecessary. I appoint him as the guard of the palace."
The Palace Guardian was in charge of documents for the emperor and was a close minister.
Xun Yu once held this official position.
Wang Yun was surprised at first, then delighted. He opened his eyes wide and raised his hand, saying, "I thank Your Majesty on behalf of my son!"
Liu Bian narrowed his eyes, a smile flashed across his face, he waved his hand, turned around, and said: "Regarding the matter of Yuan Shao, the Grand Marshal's Mansion will make careful arrangements, your family does not need to worry, the most important thing is to promote the new policy, the Prime Minister is inactive, your family needs to worry more."
Wang Yun was even more excited after hearing this. His usually indifferent face was now solemn. He said, "I obey your order!"
Liu Bian smiled, walked a few steps, and suddenly stopped. He turned around and saw three people sitting in a teahouse not far away.
Cao Cao, He Xian and a graceful, charming and enchanting woman.
He Xian seemed to have something to ask of Cao Cao. He bent over and said something to Cao Cao hurriedly.
Cao Cao sat still, only looking at Liu Bian's point of view, his eyes kept moving on the woman from time to time, and when he picked up the wine glass to drink, his eyes became more obvious!
Liu Bian frowned, his eyes turned slightly cold, and he thought to himself: Cao Cao's lustful problem needs to be cured, otherwise something bad will happen sooner or later!
He clearly remembered that in history, Cao Cao slandered Zou's body, which led to a great defeat and Dian Wei's death.
After thinking about it, Liu Bian walked over.
"Meng De, I really don't want to be the Prime Minister of Luoyang. You must take me with you when you go to the battlefield this time..." He Xian's anxious voice clearly reached Liu Bian's ears.
Liu Bian was startled when he heard this: "It's only been a short time, and He Xian has already received the news?"
Cao Cao took a sip of wine, sat upright and said seriously: "It's not that I'm shirking my responsibility. Your status is noble. If something goes wrong, I won't be able to explain to His Majesty or the Queen Mother."
Cao Cao was a frequent visitor to General He Jin's mansion, so he was naturally familiar with He Xian.
He Xian was anxious, and immediately said: "I will tell my aunt, as long as you agree, Meng De, to let me make some meritorious deeds, you can tell me what the conditions are."
Cao Cao glanced at He Xian's wife Yin and said calmly, "Your Majesty must approve it."
Just as Liu Bian was about to go in, Pan Yin suddenly stepped forward and whispered, "Your Majesty, Liu Zhang is here."
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