Han family achievements

Chapter 506 Murderous Intention

Three days later, at noon, in the Shangshutai, the Prime Minister was on duty.

The three people from the Shangshutai had been busy for half a day, and only got together during the lunch break to have a relatively relaxed chat.

Zhong Yao held the teacup, his face no longer serious, and smiled and said: "The governors and generals of various states are arriving in Beijing one after another. Yuan Shao, Liu Biao, Shi Xie, Liu Zhang, the Three Qiang, and the Xianbei have all sent people. I think we will really be able to have peace for a while."

Cao Cao defeated the Wuhuan and recovered Youzhou, which shocked the world unprecedentedly.

Some people may still have illusions about suppressing Dong Zhuo, but the fact that the imperial court has suppressed another major calamity truly demonstrates its strength!
Who dares to act rashly?

Xun You also nodded and smiled, saying, "I heard that Yuan Shao is eyeing Jiaozhi. He has been doing dirty things recently and has accused the Shi family of 'colluding with barbarians and plotting against the government'. It seems that he is testing the court's reaction. If the court ignores him, he will probably use military force against Jiaozhi."

Zhong Yao thought for a moment and said coldly: "The Shi family and Yuan Shao are birds of a feather. Let them do whatever they want."

"should,"

Xun You thought the same, and said, "Liu Zhang is not having a good time in Yizhou. Liu Yan died suddenly, and there were no adequate arrangements. In addition, the court did not give Liu Zhang the official position of governor of Yizhou. Liu Zhang is not legitimate, and he lacks the ability to control Yizhou. The southern barbarians invade from time to time, and Liu Zhang's life is not easy either."

Zhong Yao knew about Liu Zhang, so he shook his head and said, "Let him toss around for now. The only ones left are the Three Qiang from Liang Province."

When the 'Three Qiang' were mentioned, the two looked at each other and turned to Xun Yu at the same time.

Xun Yu was flipping through an official document when he felt the gaze and said, "Your Majesty has made it clear that he will not send troops to Liang Province for the time being. We have to delay it for a while."

Xun You knew this, but he was relieved for no reason when he heard it. He said, "It's necessary to delay, but some things still need to be done. The Three Qiang, especially Ma Teng and Han Sui, have been increasingly eager to return home in recent years, especially after the fall of Dong Zhuo and Wuhuan. Ma Teng has written a letter requesting to come to the capital to see the emperor. This is the fourth time in three months."

Xun Yu looked up at him and asked, "What do you mean?"

Xun You said: "Give him a general and order him to conquer the rebellious people in Liang Province."

Zhong Yao understood immediately and asked, "Do you want to cause the three Qiang to fight among themselves?"

Xun You said: "Not bad."

Xun Yu, Zhong Yao, and Xun You looked at each other, and then fell into deep thought.

The so-called "Three Qiang" were the result of the split after the failed Qiang rebellion. The Qiang were defeated and the Qiang power in Liangzhou declined, forming the Three Qiang ruled by the Han people - Ma Teng, Han Sui and Song Jian.

The three men fought openly and secretly, and the situation was complicated by the mixed residence of Qiang, Hu and Han people and the interweaving of various tribes. No one could truly unify Liangzhou, and this situation had lasted for nearly ten years.

Compared with the severe damage to the vitality of the Qiang people, the imperial court has been recovering continuously in recent years and has repeatedly suppressed rebellions, which made the Three Qiang people very worried. They feared that the heavenly army would suddenly descend and conquer them.

Han Sui and Ma Teng have always been eager to return home and want to submit to the imperial court. Since Liu Bian ascended the throne, they have been requesting to "submit".

This so-called "submission" was mostly asking for an official position from the imperial court in order to gain legitimate control of the territory.

Liu Bian rejected this request without hesitation and allowed the Three Qiang to call on him for many years but never gained any benefit.

"What are you going to do?" After a long time, Zhong Yao looked at Xun You and said.

Xun You was confident and calm, but his eyes were sharp. He said calmly, "It's simple. Give them what they want, but only to one person."

Zhong Yao understood instantly, and said, "Then give it to Ma Teng. Among the three Qiang, Ma Teng's power is stronger than Song Jian, but weaker than Han Sui. If we give it to him and stir up trouble, Liangzhou will never have peace!"

Xun You looked at him and said, "Make sure they don't unite."

Zhong Yao was an old hand at lobbying, so he said directly: "I will go to Sanqiang again."

Xun Yu said: "If necessary, we can ask Xiahou Dun from Hanzhong to accompany us with his troops."

Zhong Yao said in a serious tone, "No need. If they really want to do something to me, the imperial court will have enough reasons to take the opportunity to destroy them!"

Xun Yu shook his head, picked up the document in front of him, handed it to Zhong Yao and said, "Okay, we will discuss this matter in detail after the ceremony. Now, let's talk about this admission list."

Zhong Yao was a little curious and asked, "Is there still a problem?"

As he said this, he flipped through the pages carefully, looking at the familiar and unfamiliar names one by one, and said to himself: "Wang, Zhen, Jia, Liu, Wang, these young people are all talented and famous... Any questions?"

Xun You took it, read it carefully, and asked in the same puzzled manner: "Did someone do something? Are they trying to save their lives?"

The court's secret investigation into "exam cheating" is no longer a secret among the high-level officials, or in the officialdom, and those powerful families cannot be unaware of it.

Under such circumstances, are there still people who don't know how to stop?

Xun Yu shook his head and said, "Look carefully, from 250 onwards."

The list was still in Xun You's hand. He glanced at it and subconsciously read out the names: "Xun Wang, Cao Li, Dong Yao, Zhen Chen, Jia Hui..."

After reading a dozen names, Xun You raised his head in confusion and said, "These names are not well-known. I have never heard of them. They must be the sons of concubines or illegitimate sons of various families. They are ranked more than 250 and are almost at the bottom of the list. What's the problem?"

Zhong Yao didn't know these people either, but the surnames sounded familiar. He asked, "Are they related to the Xunjia, Cao family, or Dong family?"

Xun, Cao, Dong, Zhen and others were all well-known and prominent aristocratic families of the time, especially Xun, who was known as the best in the world.

The reputation of the 'Eight Dragons of the Xun Family' was known throughout the world, and their disciples served as officials everywhere. In addition, the uncle and nephew Xun You and Xun Yu were both in the Secretariat, and the 'Yingchuan Party' was the number one 'clique' in the world!
The eunuchs and relatives of the emperor in the past were inferior to him.

Xun You heard this, thought about it carefully, shook his head and said: "I don't know these people, I don't know if they are from the clan."

The Xun family is too large. Not to mention the younger generations, even the same generation, unless they are extremely talented, Xun You cannot recognize them all.

Xun Yu said, "He is of the same generation as Gongda and is from the same clan as us."

Xun You's face suddenly changed. He looked at the list carefully again and said, "Is it the Xun family? Why didn't the clan inform me when they applied for the exam? And the others are also children of various noble families? Don't these people have real talents and knowledge?"

Zhong Yao also reacted and asked solemnly, "Who did this?"

Xun Yu said: "I want to ask you something else."

Zhong Yao and Xun You looked at each other and fell into deep thought.

Because the 'fraud' was exposed and the court began to investigate, they had issued warnings in advance and none of their people were involved.

However, Xun and other children of aristocratic families were still included in the admission list, which was very strange.

"Prime Minister,"

At this moment, there was a knock on the door from outside, and then he said, "Prince Chenliu has returned to the capital."

Xun Yu raised his head suddenly, as if he had grasped something in his mind, but he couldn't figure it out for a moment. He looked at the closed door and asked, "Have you entered the palace?"

"Yes." said the clerk outside the door.

Xun Yu hummed, and waited until the clerk left before he said to Zhong Yao and Xun You, "It's almost time, let's go into the palace too."

Zhong Yao and Xun You nodded silently, their expressions as hard as steel.

The group of "bandits" who wanted to kidnap Liu Xie shouted "Your Highness" before they died. These two words made them feel like a thorn in their throats.

They could also imagine that the emperor in the palace was probably even more uncomfortable, and didn't know how to deal with Liu Xie. It didn't matter whether Liu Xie had that intention or not, or whether other people had that intention or not. The key was the "struggle for the throne" that occurred at the beginning of the current succession!
The three of them walked out of the duty room in silence, walked out of the Shangshu Terrace, turned the corner, and walked towards the Chongde Hall.

As luck would have it, Liu Xie's back suddenly came into view not far away.

Xun Yu, Zhong Yao, and Xun You couldn't help but stop and look at each other, but no one spoke.

After all, Liu Xie is the son of the previous emperor and the younger brother of the current emperor. His life or death is not an easy matter for the court and the palace. If one is not careful, his benevolence will be lost and he will be cursed for all eternity.

"Prime Minister,"

Xun Yu's clerk on duty caught up and whispered, "The Minister of Justice, the Chief Censor, and the Chief Justice have also entered the Suzaku Gate."

"What are they here for?" Xun You asked in surprise.

These three people are the chief officers of the three judicial departments. Unless there is a major case, these three people should not enter the palace at the same time.

Liu Xie's affairs were a private matter of the royal family, and it was not the turn of the three judicial officials to intervene.

The clerk said, "I don't know."

"You'll know once you go in." Xun Yu looked calm and walked forward.

No matter whether it was Liu Xie's matter or what the Three Law Courts were going to do, they had to face it.

Zhong Yao and Xun You followed silently. For some reason, they had a premonition that today's events would not be so easily resolved.

When the three giants of the Secretariat entered the Chongde Hall, they saw Liu Xie kneeling on the ground and looking as if he was asking for forgiveness.

His Majesty the Emperor, sitting on the chair, had an indifferent expression and stared at Liu Xie quietly with his eyes.

When the three saw this scene, they seemed to feel a silent, vague murderous intent.

Xun Yu, Zhong Yao, and Xun You couldn't help but hold their breath, stepped forward and saluted, saying, "Your Majesty, we pay our respects to you."

Liu Bian seemed not to hear it and just stared at Liu Xie.

The three of them waited for a while, slowly withdrew their hands, and quietly stood aside.

The small back hall was filled with a silent, biting chill.

Liu Xie knocked his head to the ground, his body couldn't help but tremble, and waves of fear surged from the bottom of his heart.

He could explain the word "Your Highness" and it made sense.

But this matter cannot be solved by explanation. It has nothing to do with existence or non-existence, belief or non-belief. The most terrifying thing is - the human heart.

The struggle for the throne in the past was a thorn in his and Liu Bian's hearts that could not be pulled out or removed. If they didn't move, both of them would feel pain.

The difference is that Liu Bian was successful and Liu Xie was a failure. Successful people have the power of life and death, while the unsuccessful people are like fish on the chopping board, at the mercy of others.

In a cold atmosphere, the chief officers of the three judicial departments also arrived.

Tian Feng, Xi Zhicai, Xu You.

When they saw this scene, like the three leaders of the Shangshutai, they held their breath and stepped forward to salute and said, "Your Majesty, we are here to see you."

Liu Bian then slowly raised his eyelids, glanced at the six people present, and reached out to pick up the teacup.

The chief officers of the three judicial departments withdrew their hands and quietly stood on the other side, facing the three people from the Secretariat. A little in the front and middle was the kneeling Liu Xie.

"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager has arrived." At this time, Pan Yin came in from outside and said extremely respectfully.

Liu Bian's expression remained unchanged. He put down his teacup and said, "Please sit down."

"Yes." Pan Yin responded, personally taking two cushions and placing them in position.

Liu Bian glanced at Liu Xie again, stood up and walked to the door.

Empress Dowager Dong, dressed in plain clothes, leaning on a crutch and with gray hair, came quickly to the door accompanied by Fu Shou.

Following her came the Empress Dowager He, who was dressed in gorgeous clothes and looked elegant and graceful, surrounded by a dozen eunuchs and palace maids.

"Greetings, grandmother and mother." Liu Bian went out and bowed.

Empress Dowager Dong stared at Liu Bian with her eyes like swords, and said directly, "It has been many years since the incident. You are going to appoint a crown prince, so why do you want to kill him? He is the son of the previous emperor just like you. Do you want to kill your brother? Aren't you afraid that the situation will be as strong as iron? I will write that you killed your brothers and sisters, and you are cold-blooded and ruthless, and a cruel emperor!"

Without waiting for Liu Bian to speak, Empress Dowager He sneered and said, "What do you mean by fratricide? When did the emperor want to kill Liu Xie? What Liu Xie did, the officials of the court will make the judgment! Mother, you and I are women, we cannot interfere in politics!"

"presumptuous!"

Empress Dowager Dong was furious. She banged her cane hard and said angrily, "Don't think I don't know. It was you who set up..."

"Cough cough,"

Liu Bian interrupted her and said with a smile: "Grandmother, the chiefs of the Shangshutai and Sanfasi are all here, please stop arguing."

When the chief officials of the Secretariat and the Three Judicial Departments heard what Liu Bian said, they quietly came over and stood behind him.

Queen Mother Dong was filled with anger. Seeing these people, she could only hold back her anger. However, she couldn't help but said, "Tell me honestly, what do you want to do to him?"

Liu Bian said calmly, "Grandma, let's do it one by one. You are here today to be a witness."

Empress Dowager Dong looked at Liu Bian's smile and had a bad feeling. She wanted to threaten him, but was afraid of backfiring, so she hit him hard with her cane and walked straight into the back hall.

Seeing Liu Xie kneeling on the ground, he hurried forward, helped him up, and said, "Grandmother is here, don't be afraid, no one dares to kill you."

Liu Xie was already numb from kneeling, and was pulled by Empress Dowager Dong to slowly stand up. However, his legs were still trembling and he could not stand steadily.

Fu Shou wanted to cry when she saw this. Her eyes were red and locked in her sockets.

Empress Dowager He came in with great momentum, sneered at Empress Dowager Dong and Liu Xie, and sat down leisurely.

After they were seated, Liu Bian hesitated for a moment, sat on the chair, looked at the officials of the Shangshutai and the Sanfasi, and said with a smile: "Okay, let's talk about business."

Xu You immediately raised his hand, holding up a memorial, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I impeach Prime Minister Xun Yu, the left and right servants Zhong Yao and Xu You, the Minister of Personnel Wang Lang, the Minister of Rites Chen Lin, the Minister of Rites Kong Rong and others for manipulating the examination and cheating for personal gain. Please understand your majesty!"

As soon as these words came out, Xun Yu, Zhong Yao, and Xun You looked slightly surprised.

They just recently realized there was something wrong with the admission list, and now Xu You is impeaching them?

Judging from their expressions, the chief officers of the three judicial departments all seemed to know what had been discovered.

Pan Yin took his impeachment memorial and turned to hand it to Liu Bian.

Liu Bian spread it out on the table, looking at the detailed description of each name in the memorial. He frowned and said calmly, "Is it just hearsay or is there solid evidence? It involves the prime minister and the senior officials of the court. The three judicial officials must be cautious in what they say and do."

(End of this chapter)