Han family achievements

Chapter 429 House Arrest and Expulsion

And even the remaining 'one-third', 'half', and '30%' are decreasing at an alarming rate. In a few years, I don't know how much will be left.

"My will, indeed, cannot leave the palace..."

Liu Bian looked at the account book and couldn't help but sigh softly.

Since a few years ago, he has been trying to curb land annexation. He has used countless policies and methods, but now, the effect is minimal.

There are two reasons. One is that the court's control over local areas is extremely weak, and local officials are powerless even if they want to. Second, the local wealthy noble families have long had methods to systematically circumvent imperial policies, both overtly and covertly.

Under this superposition, Liu Bian's imperial edict could only be used in the palace and could not be implemented at all.

Liu Bian watched it slowly, trying to find some clues from these continuously decreasing numbers to find a countermeasure.

Before he knew it, it was noon. Liu Bian felt a little hungry, so he got up and went out.

Just as he was about to leave the door of the house, six soldiers suddenly poured out and surrounded the door.

Wang Cheng stood behind the six soldiers, looked at Liu Bian with a cold face, and said: "Mr. Liu, the Lord has ordered you to stay in the duty room for the time being. All your food, clothing, housing and transportation will be arranged by him."

Liu Bian raised his brows and asked with a curious smile: "I heard that you were angry in your tone? What happened that made you want to put me under house arrest?"

Seeing that he still had such an attitude that it had nothing to do with him, Wang Cheng couldn't hold back his anger and shouted: "Because of you, the Chen family refused to lend money. Now that Fujun has gone to the Chen family again, do you know how much Fujun will suffer?" Humiliation? Do you know how many people will starve to death in Pingyuan County if the government fails to borrow money? How many people will die if civil strife breaks out! ? "

Liu Bian looked up in the direction of the Chen family, nodded slightly, and said with a hint of satisfaction: "Although this Cui Jun is not very capable, he has the courage and mind to bend down for the people, which is very rare."

Seeing his appearance, Wang Cheng became furious and shouted: "Send Chief Liu back to me. No one is allowed to let him out without my permission!"

Liu Bian understood Wang Cheng's attitude very well and said with a smile: "You're not bad either."

"But I want to go out to eat. The drunken goose at that restaurant is particularly delicious."

Liu Bian said this again immediately, looked at the six approaching soldiers, and waved gently.

The two imperial guards behind him rushed out like fierce tigers and leopards. The six soldiers never thought that Liu Bian would resist, and prepared to politely ask Chief Liu to go back, pushing him twice at most. .

Therefore, under the unexpected attack, the six soldiers only had time to scream before falling to the ground.

Wang Cheng was stunned. He only thought those two people were 'Liu Bo's' servants. He never thought that these two servants were so fierce.

"Tell Mr. Fu not to be too impatient. He will definitely accomplish what I promised."

Liu Bian walked out, leaving a group of people behind him in shock and confusion.

After leaving the government office gate, Liu Bian went straight to the 'Tian Shang Residence'.

He went up to the second floor out of habit and came to the box. Before he could sit down, drunken goose and other delicacies were placed on the table.

Liu Bian rubbed his hands and talked to Huangfu Jian. Zhao Yun greeted him: "You all sit down, I can't finish it by myself, so come and have a taste."

Huangfu Jianchang and Zhao Yun had followed Liu Bian for many years and knew his temper. After thanking him, they sat down.

Liu Bian was the first to use his chopsticks and ate deliciously. Feeling the warmth and comfort in his mouth, he said with a smile: "I am used to being frugal in the palace, but suddenly I have a different taste. It is really a bit slanderous. Don't laugh at me. ”

Huangfu Jianchang quickly put down the chopsticks he had just picked up, and said: "Your Majesty, this meal is only a hundred cents, so it is far from being extravagant."

"Eat eat."

Liu Bian took his chopsticks and pointed at Huangfu Jianchang and Zhao Yun. He immediately saw Lu Yu coming in and said, "Zijia, come and eat together."

Lu Yu bowed slightly and said: "Your Majesty, I just received the memorial. There are people from the imperial court, as well as Yanzhou and Jizhou."

Liu Bian hummed, put down his chopsticks, and reached out to take them.

Lu Yu sat down, and like Huangfu Jianchang and Zhao Yun, he didn't move his chopsticks and looked at Liu Bian quietly.

Liu Bian opened the first page, which was a memorial written by Liu Dai, the shepherd of Yanzhou. There were some "criticisms" in his words. He said that people kept complaining to him, accusing Cao Cao of "acting domineeringly and oppressing the officials and people" in Yanzhou. At the same time, he repeatedly insisted Support the 'New Deal' and will cooperate with Cao Cao.

Liu Bian shook his head and put it aside.

This is a memorial written by Mu Yingshao of Jizhou. It mainly mentions that the Yellow Turban rebellion is showing signs of resurgence and banditry is increasing in various places. It requests the court to allocate money and food to deal with the banditry.

"Is this a preemptive attack on me?"

Liu Bian subconsciously touched his chin, glanced at Lu Yu, and said, "Zijia, is there anything happening in Jizhou recently?"

As the head of the palace, Lu Yu was the center of the court's document turnover. He thought about it carefully and said, "Your Majesty, I haven't heard of anything major. It's just that the output of the salt field has decreased."

"saltworks?"

Liu Bian narrowed his eyes slightly, nodded thoughtfully, and put down this sentence.

The last one was the "Top Secret Memorial" on Zuo Li. Liu Bian glanced at the seal and tore it open, revealing a letter.

Liu Bian watched, his eyebrows lowered involuntarily.

In the memorial, Zuo Li detailed the major and minor events that occurred in Luoyang after Liu Bian left the capital, focusing on the looming conflicts between Prime Minister Xun Yu, Zuo Pushe Zhong Yao and You Pushe Xun You, as well as the "Yingchuan Party" , in the Chancery, in just one and a half months, there were no less than ten quarrels.

In addition, Sima Jun, the Minister of punishment, seems to be dying and is on his deathbed.

He also mentioned at the end: "Servant Xu You is reliable in his work. He has investigated more than ten cases of corruption, and there are all witnesses and materials."

Liu Bian narrowed his eyes slightly and began to worry in his mind.

Is this Zuo Li secretly connected with Xu You?

"Lu Yu,"

Liu Bian picked up the chopsticks with his right hand, turned over the next memorial with his left hand, and said: "Send a message to the Chancellor. Xu You will take over as the Minister of Punishment. Chen Lin will take over as the Minister of Li. By the way, Cui Jun, what do you think?"

Lu Yugang agreed, paused after hearing the words, and said: "Your Majesty, the evaluation of the Yushitai is: honest and upright, honest and promising."

"Be loyal and honest, upright and promising?"

Liu Bian laughed and said, "It does have this advantage."

Although it is said to be an 'advantage', at this time, Liu Bian actually hopes that he is a person who is round on the outside and square on the inside. Even if he makes a mistake or breaks the rules, Liu Bian can forgive him as long as he can succeed.

Cui Jun is indeed upright and can get things done, but he is too upright and straight-forward, so he cannot get things done.

But in this time of chaos when etiquette has collapsed and corruption has become common, it is already very difficult to be "Fangzheng". Liu Bian is obviously a little harsh if he demands too much.

Liu Bian was eating and flipping through the memorial. He was just reading, not reviewing anything.

Huangfu Jianchang, Zhao Yun, and Lu Yu occasionally moved their chopsticks and acted as meal partners.

When he was almost done eating, Liu Bian wiped his mouth and was about to stand up when a plainclothes guard came in and raised his hand and said, "Your Majesty, Cui Jun came out of Chen's house and he looked very bad."

"I didn't borrow the money." Liu Bian smiled and said, "Let's go and comfort him." Huangfu Jianchang heard this and said quickly: "Your Majesty, Cui Jun actually dared to try to put your Majesty under house arrest. Do you want to do something? warn?"

Liu Bian waved his hand and said: "No need, I will handle it."

Huangfu Jianchang and Zhao Yun looked at each other with somewhat worried expressions.

When Liu Bian returned to the government office, Wang Cheng had been waiting for him. When he saw Liu Bian, his face was full of anger, and he gritted his teeth and said, "The master is waiting for you."

Liu Bian hummed, walked in, and said to Wang Cheng, "Relax a little, it's just a matter of money and food. In this world, money and food matters are the simplest."

Wang Cheng just snorted coldly and ignored him.

As long as Pingyuan County has money and food, how can it be controlled by the Chen family? If the imperial court had money and food, how could it allow the country to be broken into pieces like this?
"Money and food are not everything."

Liu Bian seemed to have read Wang Cheng's thoughts and said: "The problem in Pingyuan County is not about money and food."

Wang Cheng didn't want to pay attention to Liu Bian, quickened his pace, and went straight to Cui Jun to check in.

The officials along the way pointed at Liu Bian and whispered, seeming to be discussing something.

"Did anything else happen?" Liu Bian asked curiously.

Wang Cheng still said nothing and kept his head buried in walking.

He was completely disappointed with this noble young man from Luoyang, and he was so angry that he didn't want to say a word.

Liu Bian shook his head and came to Cui Jun's room unhurriedly.

Cui Jun was sitting there, his back straight, his expression as iron as steel, and his eyes cold, obviously thinking about something.

Liu Bian sat down opposite him and said with a smile: "Master Fu, you haven't borrowed the money again? Didn't I tell you? At most half a month, 50 million, every penny is a lot, I will definitely raise it for you ”

Cui Jun's face twitched repeatedly, his eyes were bloodshot, and he said in a very calm tone: "The Chen family agreed, but there is a condition."

"Are there any conditions again?"

Liu Bian was not surprised. He stretched out his hand to pick up the tea cup and said, "The reason why the Lord is so embarrassed doesn't have to do with me, right?"

Cui Jun's eyes widened a bit and he said, "They want me to hold you accountable, otherwise I won't borrow a cent."

Liu Bian said oh, and instantly became clear. He smiled and said: "No wonder the officials in the government office are pointing fingers at me. It turns out that the Chen family made this condition."

After taking a sip of tea, Liu Bian looked at Cui Jun and said, "What do you think, Mr. Fu? Did you agree?"

Cui Jun looked at Liu Bo's completely indifferent expression, struggling and hesitating in his heart, angry and angry.

"Who are you?" Cui Jun couldn't help but asked again.

He had long been suspicious of the identity of the 'Liu Bo' in front of him, and used many methods to investigate, but to no avail.

"Seven days,"

Liu Bian estimated the time in his mind and said: "No more than ten days at most, I guarantee that the Chen family will obediently give you 50 million yuan. Not only will you not have to pay it back, but all past debts will also be written off. As for their dirty deeds, you don't need to care. , just follow the rules. In addition, I will also provide you with the county lieutenant, and the royal bank will be opened again. Your place of use is about to come."

Cui Jun listened to Liu Bian still repeating big words, frowned, looked bored, and said: "I didn't promise him. However, I want you to leave Pingyuan County tomorrow!"

Liu Bian was a little helpless and said, "Why don't you believe me? Spring plowing is at least a month away. Can't you wait even ten days?"

Wang Cheng couldn't help it anymore, spitting at Liu Bian, and said angrily: "There is still a month, but we must be fully prepared in the early stage. Is it possible that we have to wait until spring plowing before starting?"

"It comes in time,"

Liu Bian smiled and appeased the two of them, and said, "Okay, let me tell you something. I have sent people to Luoyang to move reinforcements. They will come and go in about seven days, but no more than ten days at the latest."

"reinforcement?"

Cui Jun frowned and said with a hint of hope: "What kind of reinforcements? Can you get money from Luoyang?"

Liu Bian shook his head and said, "You can't do it, but those who come can."

Cui Jun didn't believe it at all. He was deeply disappointed with the talkative 'Liu Bo' and no longer held out any hope. He said: "The Prime Minister is here, and it is impossible for the Chen family to give you 50 million yuan in vain. I will send someone to escort you back to Luoyang tomorrow. , don’t play tricks, you may have some good guards, but this is Pingyuan County!”

"It's useless even if the Prime Minister comes?"

Liu Bian didn't take Cui Jun's threat to heart at all, and said, "By the way, how much tax does the Chen family owe?"

Cui Jun no longer had any intention of talking to Liu Bian, so he stood up and strode away.

Upon seeing this, Wang Cheng was about to leave, but suddenly turned around and warned: "I hope you won't cause trouble again."

Liu Bian grabbed him and said, "Tell me first, how much tax does the Chen family owe us?"

Wang Cheng couldn't walk away and said with a sneer: "Ow? How could they owe? The government owes them. After all, it's as much as 70 million, not counting interest!"

Liu Bian let go of his hand and looked up at the rafters.

He was a little embarrassed to have asked such a stupid question.

It's a bit ridiculous to say that the Chen family has shops everywhere and owns countless acres of land. They don't pay a penny in taxes, but the government owes them money!

As much as 70 million.

Not counting interest yet.

Wang Cheng snorted coldly and strode away.

Liu Bian took another sip of tea before getting up.

"I, as the head of the house, have neglected my duties."

After leaving Cui Jun's room, Liu Bian said with emotion.

Cui Jun, Wang Cheng kept almost everything secret from him. After coming here for so many days, he had almost no actual affairs other than looking at the account books, so he didn't know much about many things in Pingyuan County.

At this time, one of the two imperial guards responsible for protecting Liu Bian stepped forward and whispered: "Your Majesty, the Chengmen Colonel of Pingyuan County went to see General Zhao Zhonglang."

Liu Bian was startled and said, "What's going on?"

The guard glanced around and whispered more and more: "This man is from the Forbidden Army. He has met General Zhao Zhonglang and was bumped into by him accidentally. However, he probably doesn't know that His Majesty is also in Pingyuan County."

"Isn't this a coincidence?"

Liu Bian walked to the household and said with a smile, "Let him come to the government office. I want to talk with him about old times."

"Yes." The plainclothes guard responded, quietly retreated, and left silently.

(End of this chapter)