Han family achievements

Chapter 446 Under the Heavy Rain
Huangfu Jianchang looked solemn and said: "Wei Chen is still investigating."

Liu Bian thought carefully for a while and said, "I remember that Gongsun Du, the prefect of Liaodong, seemed to be recommended by Liu Gong?"

"Yes." Lu Yu said.

Before Lu Zhi died, he vigorously supported Cao Cao; before Liu Yu died, he had no inheritance. He only recommended Gongsun Du as the governor of Liaodong, and once mentioned to Liu Bian that he hoped Gongsun Du would take over as the pastor of Youzhou.

Liu Bian pondered and said, "Okay, let them do it."

The net has already begun to be woven. As for how many fish he will catch, Liu Bian doesn't think about it now. If he thinks too much, he will lose the surprise.

Huangfu Jianzhang responded and quietly retreated.

The rain outside was getting heavier, and apart from the crackling sound, there was no sound at all. The sewage flowed on the ground, as if it was about to become a river.

Zhao Yun stood behind a big tree on a high ground, observing his surroundings vigilantly.

The person who was following him was very smart and did not get close. He followed him from a distance with unknown purpose.

But it was clear enough from their cautious actions - someone recognized Liu Bian and had evil intentions!
The heavy rain was still falling, but the 'enemy' never made any movement.

Dian Wei, Zhao Yun, Huangfu Jianchang, Sun Ce and others did not dare to be careless. They patrolled back and forth and used methods to test. As a result, those people were smarter than monkeys and never wanted to take risks. They often retreated and disappeared in the heavy rain.

Early the next morning, Liu Bian packed up the memorials around him, stood up, and moved his stiff body. Feeling his eyes sore, he came to the door and rubbed his face hard with the rain.

Lu Yu squinted for a while, and now he was a little more energetic, and said: "Your Majesty, the minister has been cooked..."

Liu Bian took a long breath, looked at the endless heavy rain, and said: "I won't eat anymore, let the soldiers eat, and we will continue to set off in half an hour."

Lu Yu thought there were still many snacks and said, "Yes."

Dian Wei came in from the outside, shook the water on his head, and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, the carriage can't go, there is water everywhere."

Liu Bian stood at the door, hands behind his back, looking at the heavy rain, and said: "That won't work, we can't waste time here."

Dian Wei looked back and said, "Your Majesty, it's not easy to walk on foot."

Liu Bian waved his hand and said, "No matter how difficult it is, we have to leave."

Seeing Liu Bian's persistence, everyone stopped trying to persuade him.

However, even Lu Yu and Dian Wei thought that Liu Bian would not persist for too long. In their view, Liu Bian was spoiled and had been living in the palace. He had no experience at all in the hardships of the real muddy road among the people.

Not long after, Huangfu Jianchang rushed over and said: "Your Majesty, do you want to lure the enemy deep and annihilate them in one fell swoop?"

Liu Bian was startled for a moment, then shook his head and said: "This is Pengcheng Kingdom. If you want to completely kill me, you have to use city defense troops. At least two to three thousand people can ensure that everything is safe. This is equivalent to Pengcheng Kingdom coming out in full force. Zuo Rong is not that bold." son."

Huangfu Jianchang heard this, hesitated for a moment, and said: "Your Majesty, it's better to be careful." Liu Bian didn't care much about the so-called 'followers'. Looking at the heavy rain outside, he suddenly said: "In recent years, With severe droughts and floods, people’s lives will be difficult, right?”

Huangfu Jianchang looked back and had no choice but to change the subject and said: "Yes. Qing, Henan, Xu, Yan, and Hebei suffered from severe drought last year, and many places had no harvest. Your Majesty was kind and pardoned the money and grain taxes in many places. The people are extremely grateful and praise His Majesty’s generosity.”

Liu Bian narrowed his eyes slightly, turned to Huangfu Jianchang, and said with a strange smile: "The second young master's flattery, the shooting was a bit sudden."

When Huangfu Jianchang met Liu Bian, he was almost beaten to death by Liu Bian. From then on, when in front of Liu Bian, no matter how calm he pretended to be, his heart was always tight and he rarely flattered him.

Huangfu Jianchang said hurriedly: "I don't dare."

Liu Bian's eyes lingered on his face, his heart moved slightly, and he turned to Lu Yu.

Lu Yu lowered his head calmly, not daring to look at Liu Bian.

Liu Bian couldn't help but laugh, put his hands behind his back, looked up at the pouring rain, and said, "Let me analyze it. Your second son has always been frivolous and undisciplined. The Huangfu family has two princes. After the Huangfuqing family passed away, you brothers are all my close ministers." , glory and power, there are only a handful of nobles in this world who can allow your second son to take risks and flatter me in front of me. After thinking about it, I think it’s only your brother, and your brother is not keen on power. Outside of party strife, he is also not someone who asks for help easily, especially you, the only biological brother. Most of the things that can get your brother to talk are state affairs, and if he is embarrassed, he has to use your mouth. The only one who came to me was the Chancellor..."

Huangfu Jianchang's face tightened, he knelt down with a thud and said: "I, I, I am guilty!"

Liu Bian disagreed, glanced at Lu Yu from the corner of his eye, and said, "Even you are keeping silent. Think this is a big deal?"

Lu Yu did not kneel down, but bowed, feeling panicked and said: "Wei Chen, Wei Chen has received several letters from the palace, saying that the minister's desk is planning to increase the tax, but it is only under discussion and has not been finalized. , so Wei Chen didn’t report it.”

Liu Bian raised his eyebrows. He really didn't know about this matter, but if Huangfu Jianshou couldn't wait to write to Huangfu Jianshou and bring the matter to him, it was probably because it had been discussed in private, or in other words, it was settled. Most people agree that Huangfu Jianshou had no choice but to make this move.

Liu Bian clasped his hands behind his back, looking slowly thinking.

Since he succeeded to the throne, the Han Dynasty was facing the desperate situation of falling apart. Therefore, he was striving for stability internally and externally, buying time for himself and extending the life of the Han Dynasty.

To achieve this goal, he reduced and exempted local taxes again and again.

After so many years, the six northern states of the Han Dynasty have recovered their vitality, and there is indeed a basis for restoring some taxes.

But 'tax increase' has always been a double-edged sword, especially in troubled times, it is simply a reminder.

Xun Yu, Zhong Yao, Xun You and others did not know that although they were facing a situation where the national treasury was in embarrassment, over the years, Liu Bian repeatedly rejected the court's proposal to increase taxes. Now Xun Yu and others have raised taxes again, which shows that the treasury is really Seriously short of money, I had to do it.

Liu Bian thought for a long time, glanced at Huangfu Jianshou on the ground, and said calmly: "What is Huangfu Jianshou's intention for doing this?"

Chang Huangfu Jian knelt his head on the ground, his back feeling cold, and said: "Reply to Your Majesty, my brother's letter said that it is best to advise Your Majesty to stop the Chancellor's desk and not let them complete the case, otherwise even if His Majesty vetoes it later, the local government will take the opportunity to collect it. It’s the people who are suffering.”

Liu Bian nodded slightly and said, "Get up."

Huangfu Jian stood up, his expression still tense and uneasy.

(End of this chapter)