I, Liu Bian, the hero

Chapter 31 Raising Military Expenditures
On that day, Da Si Nong Cao Song was called into the palace by Emperor Ling.

After confirming that Cao Song was indeed willing to donate [-] million yuan, Emperor Ling was overjoyed, praised Cao Song severely, and appointed Cao Song as Taiwei.

From the side, Zhang Rang also accepted Cao Song's bribe, and suggested to Emperor Ling: "Cao Jugao is such a loyal minister, why don't your majesty bestow calligraphy?"

"good!"

In his joy, Emperor Ling wrote a picture with his own hand, and wrote it to the loyal officials of the Han Dynasty, asking Cao Song to take it back as a family heirloom.

Cao Song left happily and promised to transport [-] million yuan to Luoyang within one month.

After this appointment was passed on to the court, the ministers in the court were astonished, and some even laughed at Cao Song that he was stupid because of how much money he had.

You must know that although the Sangongs of the Eastern Han Dynasty were dignified, they were in nameless positions, and they were even blamed: if there was a rebellion in the world, the Taiwei would be dismissed;

It’s just such a false job. Cui Lie entrusted Mrs. Cheng, Fu’s mother who was related to Lingdi, to buy the post of Situ with only 500 million yuan. You Cao Song actually spent a lot of money to buy a Taiwei who is also a three-father. [-] million?If this is not rich and stupid, what is it?
But Cao Song was very proud, and privately said to his servant: "I spent [-] yuan to get the position of the three princes. That's called buying an official. Now I spend [-] million. This is called subsidizing the court and sharing the worries of your majesty. Who would say that I bought an official?" ?...Although I spent [-] million, I was praised by His Majesty. Why did Lu Zigan get the post of Minister, even Zhang Changshi couldn't do anything to him? It's nothing more than Jane's heart. If you have bought a loyal evaluation, His Majesty will think about what happened today when he thinks about me in the future, and he will definitely treat my son Mengde kindly in the future."

It has to be said that Cao Song is indeed a shrewd person who knows how to make big bets at the right time. No wonder he was able to collect hundreds of millions of family wealth in just a few years.

Not to mention, unlike Cui Lie who spent 500 million to buy the position of Situ, no one in the court really talked about Cao Song buying an official.

As Cao Song said, buying an official?Then you also pay [-] million to buy an official!
What's more, Zhu Jun, Huangfusong, and Zhang Wen, who thought they would be sent to conquer the rebels in Liangzhou with a high probability, were also very happy to learn about this, and they deliberately narrowed their relationship with Cao Song.

It is worth mentioning that afterwards, Cao Song wrote a letter to Cao Cao, his son who is currently serving as the prefect of Dongjun County. Speaking of this matter, he wrote a sentence very proudly: I have four families and three males in the Cao family, and I am my father. Shiya!

It can be seen that Cao Song is very envious of the Yuan family who is of four families and three men, and very much hopes that his Cao family can reach the height of Yuan's four families and three men in the future.

I just don't know how Cao Cao will feel when he knows that his father spent [-] million to buy a false job as a Sangong.

But having said that, even with Cao Song's [-] million yuan as military expenses, the expenses for the expedition are still not plentiful, and there is even a big gap.

Emperor Ling thought about it and thought of Yuan Shi.

He said to Zhang Rang: "In the past, Cao Teng, the general servant of the Central Committee, was honest and upright. His adopted son Cao Jugao could earn hundreds of millions in 20 years. The Yuan family should be not bad, right?"

Zhang Rangwei wondered: "But Yuan Ciyang (Yuan Kai) is already Sikong."

Emperor Ling thought for a while and said, "Send someone to ask if other members of the Yuan family want to buy an official."

Zhang Rang sent his confidants to see Sikong and Yuan Kai according to his words.

Not to mention, Yuan Wei really wanted to buy an official position. He said to the people sent by Zhang Rang: "If Zhang Gong can manage to make me a prince and grand teacher, I am willing to donate [-] million!"

Zhang Rang's confidants went back and told Zhang Rang, and Zhang Rang was immediately dumbfounded.

In his eyes, the young master Liu Bian is not easy to fool, if he makes a claim to tell Emperor Ling, let alone whether Emperor Ling will agree, Liu Bian will never let him go.

Therefore, when Emperor Ling was resting in the back hall of the Chongde Palace that day, Zhang Rang first reported the matter to Liu Bian: "Your Majesty ordered the old minister to send someone to contact the Yuan family to see if anyone in the Yuan family wanted to buy an official. Unexpectedly, Yuan Wei said yes." Spend [-] million to buy the position of prince and grand teacher."

Lu Zhi was also there at the time, he was startled when he heard the words, and then laughed and said: "Yuan Ciyang, you are a cunning person!"

As he spoke, he cupped his hands and said to Liu Bian, "If that's the case, I'm willing to abdicate."

"Master Lu, why is this necessary?"

Liu Bian raised his hand to interrupt Lu Zhi's words, and said solemnly: "What I admire is Master Lu's character, not the mere hundreds of thousands of money in Master Lu's house. Among the ministers in the court, I only recognize Master Lu and the Doctor Shi as my teacher."

Lu Zhi was very moved when he heard this, but he felt that it was a pity to give up this matter, but it was hard to speak up. After all, selling an official title is something that needs to be resisted, not to mention that Yuan Wei is still eyeing the position of the prince and grand teacher this time.

Liu Bian also noticed the look of regret on Lu Zhi's face, but he didn't say much. After all, the Yuan family was the main target he wanted to attack in the future. How could he let Yuan Wei be his teacher?

Let alone [-] million, a billion will not work!
Thinking of this, he sternly said to Zhang Rang: "Zhang Changshi, I don't want this matter to reach the ears of my father. All the officials in the court, I only recognize Master Lu!"

Zhang Rang's heart shuddered, and he quickly made a promise.

He immediately sent his confidants to reply to Yuan Kai, rejecting the matter.

Yuan Kui was very surprised, and asked, "Did His Majesty refuse, or did Lu Zhi dissuade the matter?"

Zhang Rang's confidant refused to answer at first, and wanted to leave, so Yuan Kai held him back and stuffed a lot of bribes, and the latter reluctantly revealed in a low voice: "Neither of them, it is Zhang Changshi who Shihou refused, Your Majesty." I don't know about it...Sikong must not spread the word, otherwise the villain may lose his life."

Yuan Kui was taken aback for a moment, then surprised.

After Zhang Rang's confidant left in a hurry, he let out a long sigh and said disconsolately, "Lu Ziqian is really lucky."

In view of Zhang Rang's confidants' repeated warnings, Yuan Wei did not dare to tell outsiders about this matter, but he still did not give up in his heart, after all, he had keenly captured some strange news in the palace.

For example, even Zhang Rang, the former head of the ten permanent attendants, did not dare to disobey the will of that Marquis Shi, what this means is self-evident.

In the evening, Liu Bian returned to Jiafang Hall, and talked to Cai Yan about what happened in the court these days, such as the court lacking military funds to go to the rebels in Liangzhou, and Cao Song donating [-] million to get the Taiwei post.

Cai Yan does not have a billionaire father like Cao Cao, even if he wants to help the court, he has more than enough energy.

She thought for a while and suggested, "How about a donation from the initiative officer?"

Liu Bian sneered when he heard this.

This sneer made Cai Yan feel insulted, and puffed his face and said angrily: "What's wrong with my suggestion? Most of the people in the court are upright people, and they must be willing to contribute to the country."

Liu Bian stretched out his hands to pinch her gradually fleshy little face, and said with a smile: "The upright people in the court, like Lu Shi and Huangfu Yizhen, mostly don't have much savings, and their families only have hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars at most. , do you have the nerve to ask them to donate? If he is truly rich, would he dare to report it? Aren’t you afraid of being questioned by your father?”

Zhao Chun from the side took the opportunity to echo and said: "Your Highness is right. Cai Ji doesn't know that those rich scholars in the court will only try their best to hide their wealth, and they absolutely dare not let His Majesty know, otherwise how can they call themselves What about incorruptibility? For example, Zheng Tai, the censor, said that in the past, Wang Fu, the censor, invaded the local people and did all kinds of evil. But in the end, Wang Fu only occupied 180 million hectares of land, while Zheng Tai, the censor, had 400 million hectares of fertile land. Not enough for its diners to eat."

Cai Yan was shocked when he heard it, and his three views were refreshed again.

After all, these are things that she was out of touch with in the past. Before that, she thought that those famous scholars in the court were willing to live in poverty like her father Cai Yong.

After a long time, Cai Yan said distressedly: "Then how to raise military expenses?"

"I have an idea."

Liu Bian smiled, and said to Zhao Chun: "In my name, invite Zhang Changshi, Guo Changshi, and your brother Zhao Changshi to come to my room for a drink."

Zhao Chun was taken aback for a moment, then bowed and left.

He first sent someone to notify Zhang Rang, and then went to Changqiu Palace in person to meet Guo Sheng and his elder brother Zhao Zhong.

After seeing his elder brother, he explained his purpose, Zhao Zhong asked suspiciously, "Why did Shi Hou call me to have a small gathering?"

Zhao Chun revealed: "It should be to raise military expenses for the imperial court."

"This is troublesome." Zhao Zhong frowned upon hearing this.

After sunset, Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, and Guo Sheng came to Jiafang Hall together. At this time, Liu Bian also ordered Zhao Chun to prepare some dishes in the hall.

After the three arrived, Liu Bian enthusiastically invited them to the table, and immediately said to the three: "The court is suffering from lack of money to conquer Liangzhou. I want to help, but I have no power. Set an example for the middle officials in the palace, donate generously, and subsidize the imperial court?"

Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, and Guo Sheng looked at each other, which was not surprising, after all, Zhao Chun had disclosed it to Zhao Zhong, and Zhao Zhong had discussed it with the other two in private, and they all knew that this time they would inevitably lose their money.

But it's not a big problem, it's worth spending a small amount of money to please Shihou.

Ever since, Guo Sheng spoke first, with seven points of distress and three points of generosity: "Since it is Shi Hou who speaks, how can the three of us refuse? I would like to donate 200 million yuan!"

Following him, Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong also pretended to be generous: "I would like to donate 300 million!"

Hearing this, Liu Bian sneered, and the three of them felt a little guilty.

After all, this Marquis Shi in front of me was raised by the people before. God knows how much money the three of them have.

"Shihou, there are really no more officials..." Guo Sheng groaned with a guilty conscience.

"I believe it." Liu Bian nodded with a smile, and praised: "The three are worthy of my loyal ministers of the Han Dynasty. Don't worry, the three. In fact, I invite the three to come here today. It's not for nothing. For the sake of being loyal to the Han Dynasty in the past, I remind the three of you one thing in advance..."

When Zhang Rang and the others looked at each other, not knowing Liu Bian's intentions, Liu Bian said sternly: "I have also heard about the matter of the father selling officials and nobles in the West Garden. In my opinion, it is very wrong to corrupt the court. Alright, so I decided to put an end to this matter after I inherit the great position. In other words, if someone wants to be knighted and buy a Marquis, maybe this is the last chance..."

"!!"

Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, and Guo Sheng were shocked when they heard the words, and looked at Liu Bian excitedly and in disbelief.

After a long time, Guo Sheng said cautiously: "Shihou, if the courtiers object..."

Liu Bian said with a smile: "Like Cao Jugao, use huge donations to silence them! Otherwise, let them raise their own military expenses!"

The three of them were overjoyed immediately, they had no intention of staying with Liu Bian, and went back to count their belongings.

The next day, Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, and Guo Sheng begged to see Emperor Ling. The first two donated 8000 million yuan each, and Guo Sheng donated [-] million yuan in order to become a marquis.

Emperor Ling was very happy and angry, and the scholars in the court were very frightened and angry.

(End of this chapter)