I, Liu Bian, the hero

Chapter 67
At the beginning of May, Dong Fu, the servant, had an audience with Emperor Ling. He impeached the governor of Yizhou, but Jian spent a lot of money in his tenure, tyrannized and harmed the people, and angered people.

At this time, most of the court scholars surrounding the General's Mansion regarded this matter as a great opportunity to attack the eunuchs, and they all went to the palace for a while, or went directly to the palace to have an audience with Emperor Ling.

Shang Shu's regular attendant Qu Mu privately withheld several memorials that were unfavorable to them, and Zhang Rang also tried his best to prevent Emperor Ling from meeting those scholars. Otherwise it has no effect.

On the contrary, Dong Fu recommended Liu Yan to be the governor of Jizhou, but no one paid attention to it, except Liu Bian.

It is worth mentioning that when Dong Fu recommended Liu Yan to replace Que Jian, he did not know that Que Jian had been or was about to be killed by the rebels in Yizhou.

The leader of the rebel army who killed Quejian was named Ma Xiang. Although he called himself the Yellow Turban, Liu Bian did not think that he was a remnant of the Yellow Turban Party in the Jiazi Year.

Speaking of which, Que Jian also dug his own grave. He amassed wealth and tyrannized the people in Yizhou, so that when Ma Xiang rebelled, he gathered thousands of people in a short period of time, and then grew rapidly, even breaking Guanghan, Qianwei, Ba The three prefectures caused Yizhou to fall into war.

What's interesting is that the horse minister's courage is not inferior to Zhang Ju's. At that time, Zhang Ju was in the prefectures of Huoyou and Ji, and he called himself the emperor. This horse minister was even more courageous. After a while, it was defeated by Jia Long, who was engaged in Yizhou.

Counting the time, the current situation in Yizhou is at its most chaotic, and Liu Bian doesn't know whether he should intervene in Liu Yan's appointment as the governor of Yizhou.

Liu Bian was well aware of Liu Yan's ambitions, especially after Liu Bian prevented the abolition of history and establishment of animal husbandry this time, Liu Yan still hoped to go to Yizhou as the governor, which further confirmed Liu Bian's guess.

But it cannot be denied that Liu Yan is indeed very talented. Historically, it was he who cleaned up the mess left by Quejian and Ma et al., and finally left his son Liu Zhang—or simply, Liu Bei a wealthy, Stable Shu.

Considering that the current imperial court does not have the energy to take care of Yizhou's affairs, it seems a good idea to send Liu Yan to clean up the mess in Yizhou.

Anyway, Emperor Ling did not abolish history and establish animal husbandry this time. If Liu Yan really intervened in the political affairs of Yizhou counties as he did in history for his own ambition, his behavior would be strictly speaking beyond his authority. If Liu Bian needed him to stabilize Yizhou , then you can pretend not to see it, but one day if the court wants to pick peaches, then these will be evidence of Liu Yan's arrogance.

Thinking about it this way, Liu Bian agreed with Liu Yan to go to Yizhou instead.

Of course, for the sake of prudence, it is better for Liu Yan's sons, the eldest son Liu Fan, the second son Liu Dan, the third son Liu Mao, and the youngest son Liu Zhang, to stay in Luoyang.

When Liu Bian was secretly planning to use Liu Yan to rule Yizhou, Zhang Rang came to see Liu Bian in a hurry, cupped his hands and cried, "Scholars will never die, I beg Shi Hou to save us."

Liu Bian was stunned for a moment, then laughed dumbly and said: "Mr. Zhang, you are already old, and you have been appointed as a marquis again. What's the point of crying? Tell me, what's the matter?"

It has to be said that given that Zhang Rang was quite loyal to Liu Bian no matter whether he was active or passive after being cut off from other ideas by Liu Bian's design before, Liu Bian's perception of him is not bad.

Therefore, Zhang Rang told Liu Bian about Dong Fu's impeachment of Yizhou Governor Quejian, and said distressedly: "Your Highness does not know that Quejian was an official bought in Xiyuan, and now Dong Fu is impeaching him, but he is amassing money wantonly, tyrannizing and killing people during his tenure." The people, the court sergeants took the opportunity to attack the old officials and others, and the old officials were afraid that His Majesty would find out and tried to obstruct it, but it would be no problem to keep it hidden like this."

Seeing Zhang Rang's flustered appearance, Liu Bian was a little amused: "It's an official sold by the father, why is Mr. Zhang so panic?"

"Uh..." Zhang Rang showed a little embarrassment on his face, and said embarrassingly: "That being said, the old minister and others have also benefited in private..."

"How much did you get?" Liu Bian asked casually.

Zhang Rang gritted his teeth and whispered, "500 million."

"A lot." Zhang Rang raised his eyebrows, and asked again: "How much did Quejian, the governor of Yizhou, spend?"

"2000 million." Without waiting for Liu Bian to ask again, Zhang Rang roughly reported Quejian's expenses at that time: "Counting the bribes to veterans and others, it is estimated that Quejian spent 4000 to [-] million."

"Hmph." Liu Bian snorted softly, nodded slightly, and didn't blame Zhang Rang for anything.

After all, how many people can live without greed?Truly honest officials like Lu Zhi and Yang Xu are in the minority.

Especially eunuchs, what is so unexpected about eunuchs being greedy for money?
Eunuchs who are not greedy for money are scary!
After thinking for a while, Liu Bian instructed Zhang Rang: "Since the scholars regard Quejian as an opportunity to attack the regular attendants, the more Mr. Zhang obstructs them, the more excited they will be. Instead of this, I don't know how to frankly let the emperor know. The seller is the old lady of Yongle Palace, Zhang Gong and others have already donated their savings to the court, so why panic?"

After that, he sighed softly, and pointed it out deliberately in front of Zhang Rang: "My uncle, who wanted to be the leader of scholars, was taken advantage of again this time. Sigh! Fame is misleading."

Zhang Rang was taken aback, but also nodded with emotion, and said bitterly: "The general is bold and has no intentions, but there are many treacherous people around him to confuse and provoke."

Seeing that he had achieved his goal, Liu Bian smiled slightly and said, "Let's go, Mr. Zhang. If the emperor scolds me, I will intercede for Mr. Zhang."

"Thank you Shihou, thank you Shihou."

Zhang Rang thanked again and again, and achieved the purpose of coming this time.

Within a day, the general He Jin, together with Wang Yun, He Yong, the governor of the government, together with more than a dozen people including Sili Xiaowei Yuan Shao and servant Dong Fu, once again had an audience with Emperor Ling, impeached Zhang Rang and others, and asked for the eradication of the imperial court. Inner eunuch.

Because of the great momentum, Liu Bian also took Zhao Chun to join in the fun, but he didn't enter the main hall, but went in through the window of the side hall, stood in the side hall and peeped at the main hall, making Zhao Chun who accompanied him smile wryly.

Wang Yun, Master Wang?

When hearing the visitor's report, Liu Bian was surprised to hear this name.

Situ Wangyun, this is also a person who has left a strong mark in history. Although he has not yet worshiped Situ as an official, he seems to have just been conscripted by He Jin and worked in the General's Mansion.

Given that this person was one of the few courtiers who were extremely loyal to the Han Dynasty, Liu Bian had a good impression of Wang Yun. Unfortunately, although Wang Yun was talented, he lacked strategy and did not know how to adapt. , because they refused to forgive Dong Zhuo's remaining party, Li Jue and Guo Si led the army to attack Chang'an, and missed the last chance to set things right.

If Wang Yun knew how to divide and absorb Dong Zhuo's remnant party at that time, how could Emperor Xian be taken to Xuchang by Cao Cao in the end and become a puppet of "holding the emperor to order the princes"?
Thinking about it this way, although Wang Yunzhong is loyal, he is not a smart person. He is not enough to be the leader of the courtiers by being a Situ to educate the people.

Just as Liu Bian was thinking secretly, in the main hall, Emperor Ling was questioning Zhang Rang: "...Father really accepted the bribe from Quejian?"

Zhang Rang knelt down on the ground, and cried out the words Liu Bian taught him: "Your Majesty, that happened a few years ago... I was born poor and humble, and I was afraid of being poor when I was young, so I couldn't control my hands. However, I also know that these properties have not been obtained properly, so I dare not use them privately, so I can only count them when there is no one else, and chat with them to comfort myself."

Hearing this, Emperor Ling sighed, feeling a little empathetic, after all, their mother and son, why not?
Thinking that the savings of Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong and others have been donated for many years, the only resentment in Lingdi's heart disappeared. Yong, Wang Yun and others said: "You have also heard that although my father has given and accepted bribes, he has never dared to use them privately. Last year, he donated them for military expenses. I think there is no need to punish them."

"His Majesty……"

Yuan Shao originally wanted to say something, but he saw Emperor Ling suddenly lowered his face, and said in an inexplicable tone: "Or, Zhuqing is actually blaming me for not knowing people well?"

The faces of He Jin, Yuan Shao, Dong Fu and the others changed suddenly, and they didn't even dare to speak.

Emperor Ling glanced across everyone's faces expressionlessly, and said without refutation: "In short, this matter ends here, and I will choose another person to replace him."

He Jin and the others didn't even dare to speak.

After a while, looking at the backs of He Jin, Yuan Shao and the others unwilling to leave, Lingdi Jiujiu looked gloomy, which surprised Liu Bian who was peeping from the side.

At this time, a little eunuch who had seen Liu Bian coming out of the window in the side hall hurried to Emperor Ling and whispered, "Your Majesty, Marquis Shi is in the side hall."

"Well?"

Emperor Ling looked at the place where Liu Bian was hiding. Seeing this, Liu Bian came out honestly, and took the initiative to explain his purpose: "I heard that the general brought all the courtiers to the palace to meet the emperor. The momentum is not small. Curious in my heart, I came to join in the fun."

Emperor Ling asked curiously: "How did my son enter the palace?"

Liu Bian said truthfully, "My son came in through the window."

Lingdi was dumbfounded after hearing this, and Zhang Rang hurriedly made jokes to save him: "Why is Your Highness so disrespectful? What if I bump into it?"

"..."

Emperor Ling glanced at Zhang Rang, but said nothing.

In fact, he didn't mean to blame him, but anyone with a little insight would know that he is very satisfied with Liu Bian now.

He beckoned Liu Bian to him, and asked, "Did my son see and hear what happened just now?"

"Yes, Royal Father." Liu Bian cupped his hands.

Emperor Ling nodded, and asked again: "Then, how does my son view this matter?"

this matter?
what?
Does it mean that the governor of Yizhou was frugal and wantonly amassed wealth and harmed the people with tyranny, or did it mean that the general He Jin brought Yuan Shao, Dong Fu, Wang Yun and others into the palace to persuade him?
Even Liu Bian couldn't guess Lingdi's thoughts, so he replied cautiously: "My minister thinks that Zhang Changshi should not be blamed for the frugality and embezzlement of the governor of Yizhou."

Zhang Rang was elated, and he didn't speak out because he didn't dare to disturb him, but Emperor Ling seemed dissatisfied, and continued to ask, "Who do I think should be blamed? Zhen? Speaking of which, he saved the position of Yizhou Governor, I still bought it from me..."

"..." Liu Bian's heart trembled, he didn't know how to answer, he peeked at Lingdi, but happened to meet the latter's gaze.

From the side, Zhang Rang felt that the atmosphere was not right, and wanted to defend Liu, but he saw Emperor Ling raised his hand to stop him, and continued: "What do you think of me selling officials, let me tell you?"

"Why do you have to force me to tell the truth? 』

Liu Bian was somewhat skeptical about Lingdi's intention of asking him this question, did this foolish emperor still expect him to agree?
Gritting his teeth, he said in a low voice: "Father sells an official title, and my son thinks...it's not very good."

"Your Highness..." Zhang Rang's complexion changed slightly, and he was about to defend Liu, but Emperor Ling nodded and said with emotion: "My son is an upright person."

Liu Bian was also a little surprised that Emperor Ling didn't get angry, but instead said such a sentence in a complicated tone, and then said tentatively: "I don't know if the emperor's words are a compliment to my son, or..."

Emperor Ling smiled, and said somewhat inscrutablely: "It's a compliment, but it's not."

Even Liu Bian was confused by Lingdi's pretentious attitude.

He had a faint feeling that there might be something about this stupid gentleman.

(End of this chapter)