Han family achievements

Chapter 502: They are all thousand-year-old foxes
On the second day of the college entrance examination, Qingzhou Mu Cuijun arrived in Beijing.

Royal Palace, Honglin Garden.

Liu Bian sat on the recliner, avoiding the dazzling sunlight above his head, and looked at Cui Jun who was standing respectfully not far away with a smile.

"What's the matter, why are you so reserved when meeting old friends?" Liu Bian said with a smile.

Cui Jun's heart trembled, and he quickly raised his hand and said: "I don't dare. I am in Pingyuan County. I am ignorant..."

Liu Bian waved his hand and said: "Okay, you are quite good. What I have met, seen and heard are a hundred times, a thousand times worse than you. Sit down and drink." "Koucha, I have something to ask you."

"Yes." Cui Jun carefully knelt down beside Liu Bian, holding the tea cup, and was frightened.

In the first half of the year, Liu Bian went to Pingyuan County under the pseudonym Liu Bo and worked as a housekeeper, during which he had many interactions with Cui Jun.

From Cui Jun's perspective, he was like an incompetent person who bumped around, made rude remarks to Liu Bian, and maliciously suppressed him.

Cui Jun was both happy and worried when he was promoted from the governor of Pingyuan County to the pastor of Qingzhou.

Now when he arrived in front of Liu Bian, he became even more restless and frightened.

Liu Bian waited for him to take a sip of tea, and then said: "It has only been a few months since I took over Qingzhou. I don't ask you about the 'New Deal'. Tell me, what do you think of Sima Fang?"

When Cui Jun heard this, he immediately put down his tea cup, thought carefully for a while, and commented on his predecessor: "Be brave in taking action, be cautious and prudent, have remarkable political achievements, the gentry has joined, the people's hearts have stabilized, and all kinds of industries are waiting to be prospered."

Liu Bian was stroking the jade pendant with his right hand, thinking quietly about Cui Jun's words.

Liu Bian had always been wary of Sima Fang, or the Sima family, but Sima Fang gave Liu Bian a good impression.

After Cao Cao put down the Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou, the chaos in Qingzhou seemed to have calmed down, but in fact it was more dangerous. Like a tight string, it could break at any time, and the consequences would be more serious.

Zhu Jun was seriously ill and resigned. After Sima Fang took office, the court did not give him much food. He relied on his own ability to gradually stabilize Qingzhou. After a few years, Qingzhou no longer had chaos, but showed a rapid and stable trend.

Therefore, the government and the public had a very good opinion of Sima Fang. After Sima Jun passed away, they once hoped that Sima Fang would enter the government.

But Sima Fang suddenly protected Zuo Rong and even went so far as to confront Zhang Liao, which is worth pondering.

"Have you discovered anything else?" Liu argued.

Cui Jun glanced at Liu Bian with confusion on his face and said, "What is your Majesty referring to?"

Liu Bian paused and said, "An unusual place."

Cui Jun understood something, and seriously thought about everything in Qingzhou, and then said: "Your Majesty, I haven't found anything yet."

Liu Bian looked at him. After a long time, he nodded slightly and said: "Qingzhou is a very important place. The 'New Deal' is not a panacea. You need to make changes according to local conditions. You cannot just apply them mechanically. You must use them skillfully and be decisive when it's time." Can’t hesitate…”

Cui Jun's impression on Liu Bian was that he was someone who was loyal to his work and did not hesitate to save face, but his ability was obviously insufficient. He adhered to certain rules, lacked courage and courage, and lacked means and ability.

"I understand." Cui Jun responded with a solemn expression.

Liu Bian was thinking about the situation in Qingzhou. He wanted to talk to Cui Jun more, but he was worried that putting too much pressure on him would be counterproductive. He pondered for a moment and said: "Qingzhou is generally stable. For the aristocratic family, two-sided methods must be adopted. You need them, but you must also contain them. Peace of mind is the first priority, but peace of mind requires land. Do you understand what I mean?"

Cui Jun raised his hand respectfully and said, "I understand."

In the constant wars, some aristocratic families suffered huge impacts, including extermination, flight, and migration. However, a considerable number of them took advantage of this opportunity and tried every means to develop and grow, accumulating countless money and grain, and misappropriating almost all the fields. has grown unprecedentedly.

The current situation in Qingzhou can be said to be that the imperial court and aristocratic families rule the world together. In fact, except for the troops stationed by the imperial court, most matters are left to the big and small aristocratic families in various places to have the final say.

Just like what Liu Bian saw in Pingyuan County.

"Go see the Prime Minister,"

Liu Bian had no other requirements for Cui Jun. He just wanted to stabilize Qingzhou. He said casually: "Then go and see Liu Ba from the Royal Store. He will give you some help."

"I accept the order and retire." Cui Jun's eyes flashed with joy and he stood up quickly.

As a shepherd in Qingzhou, what he felt most was the lack of money and food. The richest thing in the Han Dynasty was not the imperial court, but the royal money shop.

Because almost everyone knows that royal money shops are spread all over the country, and many wealthy noble families store numerous treasures and money in royal money shops.

Liu Bian looked at his back, glanced at Pan Yin, and said, "Liu Yao, when will Liu Bei arrive?"

Pan Yin turned sideways and said: "Back to Your Majesty, they are accompanying King Chen Liu to inspect the last section of the river bed. After that, they should go to the capital with King Chen Liu."

Liu Bian was thoughtful, looking in the direction of Maoyuan, and said: "Then let's resolve this matter first."

Pan Yin looked over, his expression unmoving and his eyes dark.

This is the second day of the big exam. Everything is as usual, calm and without any disturbance.

But even this calmness makes it even more disturbing.

The officials and the Yushitai have all received the tip. Where is the Xing Cao and the Dali Temple?
Will the most powerful 'Yingchuan Party' be unaware of it?
However, what is the attitude of the Yingchuan Party towards this 'examination fraud' that has not yet occurred or is occurring secretly?

How involved were they? Or how to deal with it?

Will it be stopped quietly, or will it continue to advance?
Pan Yin had no way of judging and could only wait quietly.

Liu Bian was also waiting for an opportunity.

Maoyuan.

The scholars lined up and walked out of the gate one by one, still discussing the test questions along the way.

"It's all about the 'New Deal'. How did you answer it? I paid very little attention to it before."

"Yes, who came up with the test questions this time? Why are they all these?"

"It is said that the Prime Minister selected it. Does the Prime Minister want to personally select it?"

Before they finished their discussion, a crowd of people came to greet them at the door, asking questions one after another, and the noise suddenly became noisy.

'Kong Liang' looked thoughtful in the crowd, his eyebrows furrowed, as if he was caught in some kind of confusion and thinking.

"Sir, what's wrong?" The book boy came up to him, took his backpack, and asked curiously.

'Kong Liang' still frowned and said, "I seem to be failing."

The book boy was startled and said: "Young master, are you saying that you can't be admitted? This time, more than 300 people will be admitted, but you can't even pass the 300 entrance exam?"

The scholar didn't understand. He knew his young master. Although he was still young, his knowledge could even be argued by an ordinary scholar. How could he fail to pass the examination for three hundred people? ?
'Kong Liang' shook his head and seemed to want to say something, but stopped abruptly and said: "Let's take a look at tomorrow's test paper."

Just as the scholar was about to speak, he saw groups of soldiers from the Yushitai not far away coming to the door.

'Kong Liang' didn't look back, still thinking.

Obviously, today's test questions shocked him so much that he still can't get out of it even now. The soldiers from Yushitai entered Maoyuan, and together with the officials and soldiers from Taichang Temple, led by Kong Rong and Chen Lin, escorted them to Dongguan.

The book boy followed Kong Liang and saw that his young master was still frowning and thinking hard, but he was not worried and said: "Young Master, this year's exam seems to be much stricter than in previous years. I heard that His Majesty also personally Came for inspection.”

Only then did Kong Liang react. He looked back and said thoughtfully: "It's a little different. There may be new rules."

"New rules?" The book boy was startled and looked at his young master curiously.

'Kong Liang' said: "According to my observation, every time His Majesty personally appears, it is to pave the way for something, and this time should be no exception."

The book boy responded with a vague understanding and said, "Sir, are you really not going to pass the exam?"

'Kong Liang' seemed to come out of his sleepy thoughts, smiled softly, and said: "At my age, what if I am admitted?"

The book boy blinked and said, "Then, why do you want to take the exam?"

Kong Liang smiled and said, "It's fun."

The book boy looked confused and followed him, saying: "Master, but, then..."

'Kong Liang' was walking by himself, thinking about something, and his expression returned to its previous relaxed state.

All the other candidates have left Maoyuan and are gathering in various places, discussing today's test questions and worrying about tomorrow.

In the past few years, the major exams focused on scriptures, strategies, and current events, but this year's exam questions mostly focused on the 'New Deal'.

Most of the candidates cited classics and scriptures to explain the legitimacy and necessity of these 'exam questions', and many people commented on the pros and cons and talked eloquently.

But either way, they felt uneasy because they couldn't guess the real intention of the person who asked the question.

The key to this kind of 'big test' is the test questions, but it is not just the test questions. They need to infer the mind of the person who asked the questions and match the purpose of the person who asked the questions.

At this moment, the person who asked the question is also facing a problem.

At the Chancery's desk, the Prime Minister is on duty.

Zhong Yao had a solemn look on his face, holding a stack of papers, and said to Xun Yu: "From a few days before the big exam to today, there have been more and more letters of complaint, and they even named names directly."

Xun Yu looked as usual and did not answer the call. He said calmly: "I received it too."

Xun You looked confused and said, "What should we do now? We can't rush to Maoyuan to arrest people at this time, right?"

Zhong Yao glanced at him and said: "Recently, the Yushitai and Li Cao have been acting very strangely, and the Xing Cao has suddenly become silent, which is not right. We can receive the complaint letter, but there is no reason why they can't accept it. arrive."

Xun You understood Zhong Yao's hint and felt dissatisfied, saying, "I don't know."

Xun Yu was slightly startled and said, "Gongda, you don't know?"

From Xun Yu's understanding, Xun You said he 'didn't know', which meant that he was not involved in the matter.

Xun You looked majestic outside, showing no emotion or anger, but when facing the two of them, he showed no pretense at all. He snorted and said, "Do I need to do such a thing?"

Zhong Yao also came to his senses and said to himself: "If, sir...we are not involved in the fraud, then those aristocratic families? In recent years, the situation in the court has gradually stabilized. Cao Cao has repeatedly put down rebellions, and various aristocratic families have flocked to the court. It is understandable... …”

Xun Yu was still worried and asked again: "Gongda, where are the others?"

Xun You saw that the attitude of the two people had softened, and he was not that angry. He said calmly: "I asked, and there was indeed someone who wanted to corner people, but Zhicai stopped them."

Zhong Yao's serious face became slightly different. He looked at the two people and said softly: "In this case, it's interesting. Wang Jingxing and Yushitai are secretly investigating, and Xing Cao is silent, especially in the palace. It’s quiet. Who do you think will be in this net?”

Xun Yu suddenly woke up and asked, "Is Cai Gong involved in it?"

Zhong Yao sat up straight and said, "These denunciation letters do mention Mr. Cai, but there is no evidence."

Xun You also looked solemn and said, "I'll go see him. At this time, he can't be confused!"

If Cai Yong cheated in the college entrance examination at this time when he was about to be crowned queen and heir apparent, he would undoubtedly be doomed.

They don't care about Cai Yong's life or death, but they are worried about the impact on important matters such as the establishment of a queen and the throne!
But Zhong Yao immediately stopped him and said: "You can't go to see him at this time! Go to the palace to see Empress Cai."

Xun You regretted it and said, "Okay, I'll go later."

Xun Yu nodded, approving the two people's approach, and then said: "This must be done quickly, I'm worried."

Zhong Yao and Xun You both looked at Xun Yu with strange expressions.

Xun Yu was always calm and composed, but this time he actually said the word 'worry'.

Zhong Yao's heart moved slightly and he said, "You mean, His Majesty may be planning something?"

Xun Yu nodded slightly under the gaze of the two people and said: "The palace is unusually quiet. It's best not to have anything happen recently."

The palace often uses the faults of their outer court to force certain things that are often difficult for them to accept.

And in that situation, they had no way to object.

After so many years, it has almost become a fixed pattern for the inner and outer courts to get along.

Zhong Yao thought carefully for a while and said: "Right now, there seems to be nothing worth your majesty's troubles and plans."

Xun You shook his head and said, "I can't think of it either. Wuhuan has already established everything, so what else does your majesty plan?"

Xun Yu said: "Safety is the most important thing in everything."

Zhong Yao and Xun You nodded silently.

After so many years of hard work, the Han Dynasty is no longer as strong on the outside as it is today. It is empty on the inside. With the eight northern states in hand and hundreds of thousands of soldiers, no one can threaten Zuo of the Han Dynasty!
Except for the fact that they often feel uneasy in the palace, Shangshutai is calm and composed, without fear of wind and rain.

Not long after, Yongning Palace.

Xun You sat on the left side of the graceful, quiet and elegant Cai Wenji, with a respectful expression and straight to the point, telling Cai Wenji the matter.

Cai Wenji was stunned when she heard this. She looked at Xun You and said, "What Mr. Xun means is that his father may have taken bribes, deliberately cultivated private individuals, and secretly gained power?"

Xun You faced the soon-to-be empress and said solemnly: "Yes. I have already got some clues. After the empress is crowned, His Highness will be crown prince soon. I can understand what Cai Gong does. However, At times like this, we need to be more cautious and low-key. If we make any mistakes, all our previous efforts may be in vain.”

Cai Wenji panicked when she heard this, and her expression changed again and again.

She thought of the 'Wang Yun case' that seemed to have passed many years ago. Although the Cai family was barely saved,

　Sorry, sorry, the power was out for a day yesterday.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)