Han family achievements

Chapter 515 Edge
The fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the second year of Jian’an.

The last day of the morning rest.

"The weather is a bit weird this year. It hasn't snowed yet?" In Fanglin Garden, Liu Bian raised his head, looked at the gloomy sky, and said puzzledly.

Tian Feng was standing behind him and looked up.

Almost everyone in the Han Dynasty knew that the current emperor loved snow and enjoyed walking in the snow.

Liu Bian turned to look at Pan Yin and asked, "What's the weather like in the south now?"

Pan Yin was startled and said quickly, "After all, it is the coldest time of the year. I don't think the situation in the south is much better."

Liu Bian hummed and said, "Yuan Shao is still in a stalemate in Nanhai County, Liu Biao is talking big but not delivering, and he is also complaining about Shi Xie's strength. In this battle, Yuan Shao is in a difficult situation."

Tian Feng wanted to speak several times but didn't say it. Now he continued, "Your Majesty is right. Yuan Shao has withdrawn his troops, and his prestige has been greatly lost. People's hearts are easily dispersed. He does not have enough strength to quickly defeat Shi Xie and take Jiaozhi. Now Liu Biao's importance has been highlighted. I just don't know what price Yuan Shao will offer, or what Liu Biao wants."

Liu Bian smiled, looked to the south, and said, "Liu Biao is no longer important. There is news that Sun Ce may already be in Yuan Shao's army."

Tian Feng's face suddenly changed, he raised his hand fiercely, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I request to send troops to Yangzhou to wipe out Sun Ce, Yuan Shao and other rebels in one fell swoop!"

Tian Feng's face changed in shock and he was terrified.

He didn't expect that Sun Ce, who hoped to delay Yuan Shao, actually colluded with Yuan Shao!

Sun Ce showed great bravery in the battle to eliminate Dong Zhuo. If these two men had joined forces and were allowed to swallow Jiaozhi, they would have been the court's greatest enemy, far more powerful than Dong Zhuo!
Liu Bian put his hands behind his back, shook his head and said, "Your family is also aware of the situation in the court. Now all the money and grain are being used to settle the people. All states are working hard to reclaim wasteland and settle the common people. If the money and grain are withdrawn at this time, the 'New Deal' will be forcibly curbed..."

"But Your Majesty, you must not allow Yuan Shao, Sun Ce and other rebels to become powerful, otherwise there will be endless troubles!" Tian Feng interrupted Liu Bian without any hesitation.

Liu Bian raised his eyebrows. It had been many years, but this was the first time someone interrupted him.

He turned around, looked at Tian Feng, smiled, and said, "The Grand Marshal's Mansion has already made a response, so your family doesn't need to worry too much."

Seeing Liu Bian's expression, Tian Feng immediately realized that he had lost his composure, and quickly said: "I am confused. For such a big event, there must be a response."

Liu Bian looked at Tian Feng with an unchanged smile, and said with interest: "Since last year, your family has repeatedly requested to leave the capital for investigation, and I agreed a few years ago. Your family has been in and out of Luoyang City many times, but there has been no movement. The court and the public are quite worried..."

Feeling the profound meaning of Liu Bian's words, Tian Feng took out a memorial from his arms, raised it with both hands respectfully, and said: "Your Majesty, I request your permission to conduct a thorough investigation of the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Transportation."

"Is this evidence found?"

Liu Bian took it and opened it. The first part was very simple, it was about the corruption involving the river. Then the names of the people involved were listed. Liu Bian just made a rough estimate and said in surprise: "More than seventy people? Gongcao, Hucao, Yushitai, Licao, Shangshutai, Dasimafu... My lord, are you going to catch all the officials of our Han Dynasty in one fell swoop..."

Tian Feng's face was as hard as steel. He raised his hand and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, throughout the dynasties, corruption has been the number one cause of national disasters and must not be tolerated. Let alone other things, just talking about the river, if Your Majesty had not made every effort to protect the river, I don't know how many states and counties would have been flooded last year, and how much the court would have had to pay. It's not that I am exaggerating, but tolerating corruption is like the destruction of a country. It's up to the country and our ancestors!"

Liu Bian's smile slowly disappeared, and he looked at Tian Feng quietly.

Tian Feng's eyes were blazing and indestructible, without a single sign of retreat.

Liu Bian took a deep breath and said loudly: "Bring me paper and pen."

Pan Yin immediately took the plate and came to Liu Bian.

Liu Bian looked at Tian Feng again, picked up the pen, and wrote the four words "Xun You" and "Wu Jing" on Tian Feng's memorial.

Tian Feng watched from the side, his expression unchanged, but he said cautiously: "Your Majesty, Wu Jing is still easy to talk to, but Xun Pushe..."

Liu Bian closed the memorial and handed it to him, saying, "Wu Jing, I have given you an order to arrest him and bring him back to the capital. As for Xun You, you can investigate secretly. If you have evidence, report it to me or the Prime Minister, and we can also investigate!"

Tian Feng looked at Liu Bian's expression and saw some similar emotions on his face. He took the memorial and said in a deep voice, "I accept your order!"

Liu Bian paused, rethinking the situation in his mind, and said, "Go see the Prime Minister."

Tian Feng held the memorial solemnly and said, "I will take my leave."

Liu Bian watched him leave, his eyes narrowed, and he said to himself: "It's about time."

It's time for a deeper cleanup.

"His Majesty."

At this time, Xu Yan quietly walked to Liu Bian's ear and whispered a few words.

Liu Bian said with a smile, somewhat surprised, "That's a good trick."

Xu Yan stepped back calmly and left quietly.

At this time, the debate in the Shangshutai was becoming increasingly fierce.

After arguing for an unknown amount of time, Wang Lang's face turned red, his eyes wide open, and he spit out saliva, saying, "What's the problem with the officials' admission and transfer proposed by the Ministry of Personnel? Why did you reject so many of them? I didn't refuse anything that the Shangshutai gave to the Ministry of Personnel!"

Kong Rong followed up and said, "Students from both academies have all been through a rigorous assessment. Please give us an explanation from the Shangshutai."

Chen Gong, who was usually quiet, said calmly, "Please consider the transfer of a series of officials in the Engineering Department. I know that the Shangshutai or Yushitai have relevant plans, but I am the Shangshu of the Engineering Department, so please let me know in advance."

Huangfu Jianshou followed up and said, "Regarding the budget for the military department, I still have different ideas. The soldiers' salaries are too much in arrears. The court is rich, so we should at least appease them."

"I also have different opinions on the Criminal Law Department's rules."

Xu You raised his voice, full of dissatisfaction, and said: "I have no objection to setting rules for the Criminal Department, but at least it cannot undermine the dignity of the Criminal Department and destroy the effectiveness of the Criminal Department's work."

Since many plans were drawn up by the Secretariat, even after repeated communication with officials from the Six Ministries and Nine Temples, it was still difficult to reach a consensus. Now, the chief officials of the Six Ministries and Nine Temples were basically yelling at the three people from the Secretariat.

Zhong Yao and Xun You looked at each other, their expressions unchanged but the concentration in their eyes was clearly visible.

In this kind of situation where it seems that each party has their own reasons, there must be someone with sufficient authority to stand up and make a forced decision.

But now that the palace is not there to make the final decision, we have to rely on the Shangshutai itself.

After Zhong Yao and Xun You looked at each other, he glanced at Xun Yu.

They clearly remembered that Xun Yu told them frankly that he had a way.

Xun Yu sat still, allowing his colleagues to express their demands as if venting their emotions.

These demands seem reasonable, but in fact they are a resistance to the Shangshu Tai's further reform and improvement of the system. In essence, they are a resistance to the Shangshu Tai's continuous centralization of power.

Selfishness and public-spiritedness, loyalty and treachery, at this moment, no one can distinguish clearly.

Luoyang Prefecture Governor Zhou Yi also spoke up at this time. Amid the chaos, he said loudly, "Prime Minister, can we discuss the merger of counties and prefectures in Luoyang Prefecture and the resettlement and pensions of officials?"

"No."

Xun Yu's calm voice sounded softly.

But it was like a thunderclap, and the entire conference room suddenly became quiet.

Because this was the first time Xun Yu spoke.

In an instant, everyone held their breath and looked at Xun Yu who was at the front. Not only Wang Lang, Xu You, Chen Gong and others, but even the Yingchuan Party members, Chen Lin, Xi Zhicai, Xun You and others, also stared at Xun Yu, waiting for his words.

After all, Xun Yu is the prime minister. If he uses his official position to make a decision by force, they cannot resist.

However, that would arouse conflicts between the Secretariat and the Six Ministries and Nine Temples, which would be detrimental to the series of policy plans that have been passed.

In silence, everyone waited for Xun Yu to speak.

If Xun Yu still cannot come up with a satisfactory explanation or force a decision today, then the argument will have to continue.

At this moment, there were soft footsteps coming from the side door.

Almost everyone subconsciously turned their heads to look at the side door.

Many people were secretly shocked. According to their experience, at such a delicate moment, the palace would most likely come out to mediate and put an end to the farce.

Zhong Yao was facing the side door. He clearly saw a small foot, and then a chubby figure came into view.

Zhong Yao's expression remained unchanged, and the corners of his face, which had been tense, gradually relaxed visibly.

Amidst everyone's anxiety, the newcomer walked in through the side door and caught everyone's sight.

She was wearing a cotton coat that looked ordinary but was actually expensive, had a round little face, and a dazed look. She came to Xun Yu with confusion and curiosity.

——His Royal Highness the current Crown Prince, Liu Shao.

The courtiers in the hall looked strange, then frowned secretly, and their eyes became hesitant.

"Hello, teacher." Liu Shao raised his hand respectfully and saluted Xun Yu.

Xun Yu bowed in return and said, "Your Highness, please take a seat. We are going to discuss something today. Please come and listen."

Liu Shao said "oh" as if he had realized something, then sat down next to Xun Yu and looked directly at the court officials.

The court officials watched Liu Shao take his seat and met his gaze, still feeling confused and puzzled, but they subconsciously lowered their heads.

No matter how "stupid" this Crown Prince is, he is still the Crown Prince. The word "Prince" makes a world of difference!
"Minister Wang,"

Xun Yu looked at Wang Lang and asked calmly, "Do you oppose the policy formulated by the Shangshutai?"

Following Xun Yu's words, Liu Shao also looked at Wang Lang with a probing look in his eyes.

Wang Lang was about to open his mouth, but he lacked the energy. He looked at Xun Yu, then turned to Liu Shao, seeming to want to say something but stopped.

He didn't know whether Liu Shao's appearance was invited by Xun Yu or by the palace's intention.

Does the palace's tacit agreement that Liu Shao was coming here at this time mean that it is dissatisfied with their objections?

"Minister Wang." Xun Yu said again.

Wang Lang was undecided. Finally, under the gaze of all his colleagues, he raised his hand and said, "Your humble servant... has no objection."

Xun Yu nodded as if satisfied, his eyes fell on Kong Rong, and he said, "Minister of Rites."

Kong Rong's fat face trembled a few times, and he looked ahead and around. He did not have the courage to object, so he said, "I have no objection."

Xun Yu suppressed the two troublemakers and said expressionlessly, "Does anyone else have any objections?"

The advantage of the Yingchuan Party was apparent at this point, and they all raised their hands and said, "We have no objection."

It seemed like a scene that everyone agreed with.

Chen Gong, Huangfu Jianshou and the others looked at each other, sighed in their hearts, and could only say: "Your subordinates have no objection."

Xun Yu glanced around and said calmly, "Then it is settled. All ministries and courts must act according to the plan and not delay any further. The Censorate will send officials to supervise. If anyone pretends to obey but actually disobeys, I will not show any mercy to them."

At this point, what else could the court officials in the hall say but to agree.

Xun Yu gave a few more instructions, then stood up and left with Liu Shao.

Zhong Yao and Xun You did not expect Xun Yu to do this. Seeing that he had subdued the court officials, they felt relieved and left.

As soon as he left, the conference room seemed to explode, with all kinds of discussions rising one after another, and even quarrels, blaming and shifting the blame.

Xun Yu returned to the duty room, holding a memorial and explaining it to Liu Shao as if nothing had happened.

Liu Shao still had a stupid look on his face, he looked dazed, as if he was listening to something incomprehensible.

But he did not ask, even when Xun Yu asked: "Does Your Highness understand?"

Liu Shao just nodded blankly without saying anything.

Xun Yu showed no impatience and continued to explain earnestly, over and over again, fearing that Liu Shao would not understand anything.

After an unknown amount of time, the clerk on duty came over and said, "Prime Minister, the Chief Censor Tian Feng wants to see you."

Xun Yu was holding a pen and teaching Liu Shao how to write. He said without even looking up, "Didn't I tell you that I won't see anyone?"

The clerk bowed and said, "He, he brought the imperial edict."

Xun Yu paused, then raised his head, pondered for a moment, and said, "Let him in."

The clerk responded and stepped back.

Xun Yu lifted Liu Shao from his arms and placed him beside him, saying, "Your Highness, practicing calligraphy can calm your mind, enlighten your mind, and help you understand the essence of things. From now on, I will arrange for Your Highness to practice calligraphy for an hour every day."

Liu Shao raised his hand respectfully and said, "Respect the teacher's teachings."

Xun Yu nodded and watched Liu Shao leave with a smile.

In his opinion, the Crown Prince was a little stupid, but not as 'idiotic' as rumored outside. He just learned a little slowly.

There are people like this everywhere in the world. Once they get some enlightenment, they can become knowledgeable about everything and rise to the top.

Not long after, Tian Feng came in. After greeting, he sat next to Xun Yu, handed over the memorial with Liu Bian's title "Two Names", and recounted in detail his conversation with Liu Bian.

Xun Yu quietly looked at the familiar handwriting of "Xun You, Wu Jing", and was silent for a long time, and said: "Wu Jing is the governor of Bingzhou after all. If I want to detain him and bring him back to the capital, it may be troublesome. Do you need me to inform the Grand Marshal's Mansion?"

Tian Feng remained calm and said, "Don't worry, Prime Minister. I have a safe way."

Xun Yu glanced at him and said, "You know, if we capture Wu Jing, we might force Sun Ce to actually rebel."

Tian Feng sneered and said, "The Sun family has been blessed by the emperor for generations. If Sun Ce plots treason, the whole world will punish him!"

(End of this chapter)