Han family achievements

Chapter 369 Everyone is prepared for a rainy day

It was not until evening that Xun Yu left the inner court and returned to the Shangshu Terrace.

Zhong Yao was already a little impatient in waiting. When he saw him coming back, he pulled him directly to the room on duty, closed the door, and whispered: "What did your Majesty say?"

Xun Yu's expression was calm. After sitting down, he recalled carefully for a while and then slowly said: "Your Majesty said that after the Yuan change, no big changes are allowed."

Zhong Yao sat opposite, chewing on these words, and said with a somewhat puzzled expression: "What does it mean not to make any big moves?"

Xun Yu looked at him and said: "The officials at Shangshutai and Liucao basically didn't move."

Zhong Yao was startled at first, then looked alert and said: "Your Majesty, didn't you want to personally select the Hu Cao and the Li Cao Shangshu? Sima Jun, the Xing Cao, was also in poor health. Didn't Kong Rong want to be promoted to the Li Cao Shangshu? Then Shouldn’t Wu Jing, the engineer, resign?”

Seeing him asking so many questions at once, Xun Yu knew that he was nervous and said, "Don't think too much. Your Majesty has already approved the households and acres. The goal is to divide the land and stabilize the people."

"That's the only way?" Zhong Yao asked suspiciously.

Xun Yu's head hurt a little and he said: "There are indeed other things, but they are many and complicated. It is difficult for me to explain them clearly to you for a while. It is not too serious."

Zhong Yao still felt uneasy and said, "Your Majesty, did you not force you to agree to something?"

His Majesty in the palace was very different from the late emperor. He would never give up until the goals he set were achieved. Zhong Yao did not believe that Liu Bian would give up midway.

"No."

Xun Yu took a sip of tea and said: "His Majesty's goal has not changed. Although he has made many demands, they are not as serious as we expected. His attitude is relatively relaxed and there is no coercion."

Zhong Yao felt relieved after hearing this. His usually serious face relaxed and he said, "That's good. If we do things more calmly, we may be able to avoid many disasters."

Xun Yu glanced at him, pondered for a moment, and said, "His Majesty also mentioned the issue of the 'Yingchuan Party'."

Zhong Yao's expression suddenly changed and he said, "What did your Majesty say?"

This was the first time the issue of the 'Yingchuan Party' was mentioned in the palace, and Zhong Yao could not ignore it.

The 'Yingchuan Party' has grown up to the point of dominating the court unknowingly. The palace has seen it but never said anything. Now that it is brought up, how can Zhong Yao not be worried?

Xun Yu's expression remained unchanged and he did not reveal any emotion. He said, "Your Majesty just said it casually, that's not enough."

Zhong Yao's face softened slightly and he stopped talking.

Xun You, Zhong Yao, and Xun Yu are the three leaders of the so-called "Yingchuan Party", and Xun You is obviously the leader of the three leaders. There are many officials from or related to Yingchuan, and more than 80% of them are recommended and arranged by Xun You.

Among the three of them, Zhong Yao is a silent and graceful person. Under a serious face, he is an eloquent mouth. Therefore, he has a wide network of contacts in the government and the public, and his official reputation is quite good.

But he is not a person who loves power and forms parties for personal gain.

However, Xun Yu was not good at sociability. As a prime minister, he did not cultivate his personal interests. He was more of a 'discussing matter'. He was a neutral and loyal person.

His involvement in the Yingchuan Party was a natural and unintentional move.

But Xun You is different.

Xun You came from the shogunate of General He Jin. Before Liu Bian succeeded to the throne, he was just a minister of Huangmen and a minor official running errands.

After Liu Bian succeeded to the throne, Xun You was discovered as emperor and courtier. After cleaning up the eunuchs, relatives and the Yuan family, Xun You rose step by step.

As the liquidation continued to deepen, most of the official positions in Luoyang City were vacant and needed to be filled. However, eunuchs, relatives, and the Yuan family occupied both inside and outside the Han court. Whether out of fear or resentment, the gentry began to boycott the court and refused to serve as officials.

During that period of extremely difficult time for the court, Xun You turned his head and asked for help everywhere. It could be said that he begged his grandfather and grandma. It took him two full years to fill the court.

Then, with Liu Bian's restructuring, the power shifted from the Nine Temples to the Six Cao. Xun You, as the official Cao Shangshu, whether intentionally or unintentionally, gave the "Yingchuan Party" objective conditions and opportunities to take shape and become powerful.

After the past few years, especially since last year, when Xun Yu became prime minister, Zhong Yao and Xun You served as his left and right servants, the 'Yingchuan Party' has actually taken control of the Shangshutai and the highest administrative body of the Han Dynasty. .

This will naturally promote the further expansion of the "Yingchuan Party". Not to mention all officials in the government and the public, they will look askance when they hear the word "Yingchuan". Even ordinary people are in awe of the people of Yingchuan.

Zhong Yao had been wary of this for a long time, and when he heard Liu Bian mention it again, he naturally became more uneasy and even frightened.

Since ancient times, those in power have been most afraid of cliques among their courtiers. Especially in times of trouble, emperors are most afraid!

Xun Yu could guess what Zhong Yao was thinking, but he didn't tell him. He said, "Gongda will arrive tomorrow. Go and greet him personally. Then he will go to visit Sima Jun, Wang Lang, Huangfu Jianshou and Kong Rong."

These people all hold important positions and act as an invisible check and balance for the "non-Yingchuan Party".

If Zhong Yao understood, he said, "Would you like to talk to Gongda?"

Among the three of them, only Xun You is keen on power and constantly consolidates and expands the sphere of influence of the "Yingchuan Party". He is the real leader of the "Yingchuan Party".

Xun Yu shook his head slightly and said, "I'm wondering whether to ask him to be a state pastor."

"No!"

Zhong Yao said with a solemn look on his face, "You can't have this idea, and you can't let Gongda know about it at all!"

A right servant being transferred to a state as a state pastor is undoubtedly a serious demotion. For Xun You, it is an unbearable burden and will lead to extremely serious consequences!

Xun Yu took another sip of tea and suddenly became alert. This was the habit of His Majesty in the palace. He slowly put it down and said, "I understand."

The 'Yingchuan Party' is already too big to lose, and even Xun Yu has no good way to deal with it.

But if the 'Yingchuan Party' is allowed to expand, sooner or later it will trigger the evil forces in the palace, and in turn draw the wrath of Thunder.

The mere ‘Yingchuan Party’ is nothing. Eunuch, He Jin, and the Yuan family are not a hundred times more powerful than the current ‘Yingchuan Party’, but they are not blown down by the wind, and their bodies and families are destroyed.

Xun Yu was calm, but Zhong Yao was not. He said, "I'll find a way. You must ignore this matter and pretend not to know."

If the uncle and nephew of the Xun family broke up, the court would instantly be divided and fall into internal strife.

Zhong Yao never wanted to see this kind of situation, and it was also something the palace didn't want to see.

If it really happens, it will be a disaster for the Yingchuan Party.

Xun Yu had already thought about it. He was silent for a while and said: "It's not that serious for the time being. Your Majesty has not removed Gongda's official Cao Shangshu, which means you still trust me. Concentrate on national affairs and make a summary before the end of the year. Next year’s plan will be finalized and submitted to His Majesty for his royal approval.”

Zhong Yao responded, but still said uneasily: "As for Gongda, you must never do anything to anger him again."

Xun You still had some knots with them, but because of the special relationship, they could not be broken. But the knot was still a knot, and it was not so easy to untie.

Xun Yu believed that Xun You was public-minded and did not pay too much attention to it. He said: "Transfer Yang Xiu, Chen Qun, Sima Yi, Cao Ang, etc. to the Shangshutai and serve as officials in the Shangshutai."

The so-called "engaged officials" are minor officials similar to those engaged in history.

But as a "minor official" of the prime minister, one cannot simply measure it by things.

And these children all have backgrounds that cannot be underestimated.

Zhong Yao understood what Xun Yu meant, and without waiting for him to speak, he said: "By the way, after the change of Yuan Dynasty next year, your Majesty intends to transfer Cao Cao back to Beijing, Xuzhou Mu Yingshao, Xuzhou General Zhang Liao. Liu Bei will be transferred to Yuzhou General." Zhong Yao then I don’t understand. It’s understandable that Cao Cao returned to Beijing. After all, the palace also had suspicions about him. Why did Liu Bei be appointed as the general of Yuzhou?

Xun Yu said: "Don't think too much. As for Sun Ce, it is as we discussed before. Doesn't Shi Xie want to send his son to Beijing? Give him permission. On Liu Zhang's side, you can send people to put pressure and pay taxes every year. He must pay in full, otherwise he will be dismissed from office!”

Although the Han Dynasty was in decline, without official official positions in the imperial court, it was impossible to convince the public, and the reputation was not justified. What's more, Liu Zhang was not a Yizhou shepherd, so it was very difficult to inherit Liu Yan's legacy.

At this time, if the court dismissed his official position, it would be a big trouble for him!

Zhong Yao responded and said, "Then, the Three Qiang in Liangzhou are also settled?"

Xun Yu nodded and said: "Your Majesty does not agree. It seems that your Majesty is still determined to conquer and completely pacify the Three Qiang without making any excuses."

Zhong Yao could understand, and after careful calculation, he said: "Wuhuan, Xianbei, I will go there personally next year. The imperial court has suppressed the rebels one after another, and the morale is strong. It has always been able to intimidate, and maybe we can win for three to five years."

"Three to five years..."

Xun Yu evaluated this time and said: "Three years should be the most difficult time. After five years, we will recover and be able to fight. It is best to do it in five years."

"God will do as he wishes," Zhong Yao said. The Han Dynasty was exhausted to the core, and wanting to rebel against Tiangang was not something that could be done simply by talking.

Xun Yu and Zhong Yao discussed in the duty room until late at night before leaving the palace and returning home.

"The righteous god soared into the sky, subduing demons and slaying demons!"

Zhong Yao was sitting in the carriage, taking a tired nap when he was suddenly awakened by a loud shout.

He opened the curtain and saw a group of people carrying lanterns and white sails in the dark, shouting and walking along the street, going back and forth, with only one sentence.

"Who are these people?" Zhong Yao asked with a frown after the group of people passed by.

The guard beside him approached and said, "Huipushe, they are the Five Pecks of Rice Sect, which is also the Celestial Master's Way. They have come to Luoyang to preach."

Zhong Yao's face suddenly turned bad, because the so-called 'Yellow Turban Uprising' came out under the guise of various 'religions', especially that horn, which made the Han Dynasty and the public hate it extremely.

"Who is taking the lead?" Zhong Yao asked.

The guard followed on horseback and said, "I think his name is Zhang Lu. He is a young man of fifteen or sixteen years old. He is the direct grandson of the Taoist Master of Heaven, and he is known as the God of Five Thunders."

Zhong Yao became even more unhappy and said: "Notify Luoyang Mansion to strictly prohibit preaching and drive out of Luoyang, and..."

"Pu She,"

Zhong Yao was interrupted before he could finish his words. With Zhong Yao's weird look on his face, the guard came closer and whispered: "Pu She, there are rumors that Zhang Lu's mother went to the palace not long ago to treat the Queen Mother. , the Queen Mother likes it very much, and now lives in the palace."

Zhong Yao was startled, he really didn't know this news.

He couldn't help but frown deeper. After thinking for a while, he said: "Let Luoyang Mansion restrain him."

Zhong Yao is very disgusted with these religions, especially the Five Dou Rice Sect. To join the religion, one must pay five Dou Rice. Isn’t it a naked fraud?

"Yes." The guard responded.

At this time, Da Sima Mansion.

Xu Rong was tired and rushed back from Xuzhou.

"The general will meet the Grand Sima at the end." Xu Rong was dressed in military armor, with majestic weapons and a silent and kind expression.

Compared to half a year ago, Liu Yu's face was thinner, his eyes were sunken, and his eyelids were so heavy that he couldn't lift them up.

He was wearing thick clothes, looking at Xu Rong with a cold expression, and said: "Did you find out what I asked you to investigate?"

Xu Rong was startled by Liu Yu's expression. This man looked as if he had crawled out of hell. He was cold and stern. His face was thin and sharp, and his eyes were like poisonous snakes, able to look directly into people's hearts.

Xu Rong quickly lowered his head and raised his hand and said: "Back to Da Sima, I have some clues. Liu Bei fought against Dong Zhuo in Xuzhou, but both were defeated, with no victory. He went to Runan, invited by Cao Cao, and there was no sign of forming a party. The coalition forces are Dong Zhuo's ambush was probably planned by Yuan Shao. Whether Cao Cao was involved is uncertain, but he did escape and was able to preserve his strength. The amount of food and fodder in his army is unknown, but it is at least twice as much as what was said to the outside world. It is unknown when Where to raise. Dong Zhuo withdrew his troops and pursued Dong Zhuo. Cao Cao deliberately delayed the process. After the city was broken, Cao Cao took over nearly 70% of Dong Zhuo's troops. Although many of them were dismissed, according to the investigation of the last general, in Qiao County and Pei County There may be more than 70,000 troops stationed..."

Liu Yu waited quietly for him to speak, snorted coldly and said, "Do you know how much food is needed for an army of 70,000 people? The imperial court is already stretched thin to support an army of 100,000 people. It has to borrow money from everywhere. Where did Cao Cao get so much money and food?"

"I don't know what will happen next!"

Xu Rong's face did not change and he said: "But what the general is investigating is not wrong, just more."

Liu Yu stared at him for a long time and said: "I also sent another group of people. If you deceive me, it will be a death penalty!"

Xu Rong still showed no signs of abnormality and said: "The final general will never lie."

Liu Yu thought over and over again and said: "You stay in Luoyang for the time being and live in Honglu Temple. You are not allowed to leave without my order."

Xu Rong was not afraid and said: "The last general will take the order."

Liu Yu waited for him to leave, looking down at the documents in front of him, his expression gloomy, and his heart filled with doubts.

Cao Cao has always raised the money and food for his troops by himself, no matter if it is 12,300 or 40,000, but now it has soared to 70,000, it is still easy to support!

Where did he get so much money and food? Did he really borrow it from a wealthy family?

"Da Sima."

In the silence, an old man who was nearly sixty years old walked in from the side door and bowed.

Liu Yu didn't even raise his head and said, "Did you hear everything?"

The old man bowed and said respectfully, "Yes. I don't quite believe it."

Liu Yu then raised his head and said, "I originally wanted you to be the General of Youzhou, but it seems I have to wait until next year."

Gongsun Du looked calm and said: "Da Sima, please take care of yourself."

Liu Yu was so ill that he seemed to be running out of oil and gas, but his thoughts were not as heavy as his.

Liu Yu still had many things to do and many worries. He wanted to eliminate potential thieves for the Han Dynasty before he died!

Liu Yu looked up at the dark outside and said calmly: "I'm going to die. At this time, I can't believe anyone. Cao Cao doesn't believe it. Xu Rong half-believes it. You, I only believe 60%. I went to Youzhou. Emperor Tiangao Yuan, I don’t know if you are the second Gongsun Zan, and I can’t see it.”

Gongsun Du made no move, lowered his eyes, and said: "Da Sima, I will be sixty years old next year."

In this day and age, sixty is considered a long life.

Liu Yu couldn't deny it and said, "Just wait for my order."

"Your Majesty, please retire." Gongsun Du raised his hand and slowly withdrew.

Liu Yu rolled his eyes and watched Gongsun Du walk into the night. After a long time, he snorted coldly and said, "If I hadn't been seriously ill, why would I need you?"

Xianbei, Wuhuan, Goguryeo, etc. are ready to move, and the border of Youzhou is restless. As the Grand Sima and the former Youzhou Shepherd, Liu Yu is taking precautions.

(End of this chapter)