Han family achievements

Chapter 516 The light of the sword and the shadow of the sword

Tian Feng left, carrying with him the court's resolute will to rectify the administration of officials, and went to Bingzhou to arrest Wu Jing, the governor of Bingzhou.

This was the first time since Liu Bian ascended the throne that the imperial court had investigated and prosecuted a provincial governor through formal judicial procedures.

Before Tian Feng left the palace, the news had already spread quietly among the high-level officials.

Da Sima Mansion.

Xun You and Cao Cao sat opposite each other.

The "hostile" relationship between Xun You and Cao Cao was known to everyone in the government and the public, but at the court level, no one broke up with each other and they would still smile and greet each other when they met.

The two drank tea and exchanged simple courtesies before Xun You got straight to the point, saying, "Sun Ce is in Yuan Shao's army, assisting Yuan Shao in attacking Nanhai County. Grand Marshal, how long do you think Shi Xie can hold out?"

Cao Cao was also direct, saying, "Mr. Xun, the nobles have lived in southern Xinjiang for more than five generations, and their prestige is great. Many people have come to follow them. There has been no war for more than 20 years, and the country is peaceful and harmonious. In addition, the Shi Xie brothers command four counties and occupy the southern Xinjiang area. Yuan Shao has used 100,000 troops to attack for half a year but has not been able to defeat them. Even with Sun Ce's help, Yuan Shao will not be able to win in a short time."

Xun You looked at Cao Cao and asked, "Does the Grand Marshal have such confidence in Shi Xie?"

Cao Cao didn't care whether Xun You's words contained any traps. He said, "Jiaozhi is vast and sparsely populated, with scattered cities. Even if Yuan Shao defeats Shi Xie's main force, he still needs to divide his troops to fight. Yuan Shao's expedition this time is unjust and despised by the world. Jiaozhi's nobles have received favors from Shi Xie and will not easily succumb to Yuan Shao. In addition, it is winter and Yuan Shao is short of food and grass. I estimate that Yuan Shao will have to withdraw his troops in a month at most!"

Xun You thought for a moment and said, "Yuan Shao has spent a huge amount of money this time. If he returns without success, his reputation will plummet and he will never be able to make a comeback. Yuan Shao will know this simple truth. I predict that he will not withdraw his troops until Jiaozhi is defeated!"

Cao Cao listened without changing his expression, but did not continue speaking.

A silent confrontation quietly spread in the small main hall.

Not far away, Jia Xu, Sima Lang, Shen Pei and others were concentrating on doing their work and there was no sound at all.

"Mr. Xun...what you said makes sense."

After a short while, Cao Cao smiled and said, "We must continue this battle."

Xun You's eyes were calm, and he showed no emotion because of Cao Cao's concession. He said calmly: "We must continue the fight! I believe that the Grand Marshal has a way to make him continue the fight."

Cao Cao narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "Xun Gong is right."

Not far away, Jia Xu was quietly writing documents.

Shen Pei turned a deaf ear and was deep in thought over an official document.

Sima Lang, on the other hand, stopped and listened with his ears perked up.

Cao Cao had a full beard on his face, and the only exposed eyes showed a look of sudden realization. He said, "So this is what Lord Xun meant. Meng De understands. Indeed, they must continue the fight."

Xun You stared at Cao Cao's face, not missing a single detail.

But Cao Cao never showed any emotion, and there was no smile, which made him feel like he was basking in the spring breeze.

Xun You became more and more alert.

His behavior was like a superior forcing a subordinate, but Cao Cao, as the Grand Marshal, was not angry at all and agreed to everything.

Not everyone has this kind of shrewdness!

Xun You took a deep breath and said calmly, "Tian Feng has gone to Bingzhou. Does the Grand Marshal think this is a good time?"

Cao Cao remained calm and said without hesitation: "It's just Sun Ce. Lord Xun has nothing to worry about. Liu Xuande has already returned to Yuzhou."

Xun You was slightly surprised. He didn't know the news yet. He asked, "Are there any other arrangements?"

Cao Cao smiled and said, "Mr. Xun, according to the rules, I can't say any more."

The Secretariat and the Grand Marshal's Office were independent of each other. The Grand Marshal did not interfere in government affairs, and the Secretariat could not intervene in military affairs.

Xun You understood and stood up and said, "Thank you, Grand Marshal."

Cao Cao quickly stood up, returned the greeting, and then watched Xun You leave.

Cao Cao waited for Xun You to walk out the door, glanced at the others, and turned into the duty room.

Jia Xu, Sima Lang, and Shen Pei remained motionless, as if they had heard nothing, and were concentrating on their own work.

When Xun You returned to the Secretariat, Xun Yu and Zhong Yao were already waiting for him.

Xun You sat down expressionlessly and said in a cold voice: "I have said it long ago, this Cao Cao must not be left alive! Now that he is too powerful to be eliminated, something bad will happen sooner or later!"

Zhong Yao and Xun Yu were not surprised and waited for him to vent his anger.

After Xun You said this, his composure also recovered, and he said thoughtfully: "Cao Cao's words are very tight, even if he reveals his face, it must be able to be leaked. In my judgment, Your Majesty really has no intention of sending troops to the south, most of which is out of consideration for the administration of officials."

Xun Yu and Zhong Yao looked at each other, with a look of relaxation in their eyes.

Zhong Yao analyzed, "Sun Ce participated in Yuan Shao's war against Jiaozhi, probably because Yuan Shao promised him some benefits. Both of them are like tigers and wolves, and they cannot coexist. No matter whether they can defeat Shi Xie, it is only a matter of time before they turn against each other."

Xun Yu asked, "Did the Grand Marshal agree to let them continue fighting?"

Xun You nodded and said, "I agreed. Although I don't know what he will do, he agreed very casually, as if he had planned it in advance."

Zhong Yao nodded without surprise and said, "Cao Cao is not a mediocre person, so it's not surprising that he can think of this. We don't need to care what he does. As long as the south does not cause trouble, we will focus on the 'New Deal' and restore people's livelihood, which is the most important thing."

To restore people's livelihood is to restore national strength. As long as there are three to five years, the court will be able to get through the most difficult stage and have a certain amount of spare capacity to deal with the rebellions on all sides. It will not be as stretched and caught in a dilemma as it is now.

Xun You disagreed and said, "I am still worried. The seven northern states seem to be gradually stabilizing, but in fact, all the problems are suppressed. Once the court loses control, disasters will suddenly arise, and wolves will rush in. The consequences will be disastrous."

Zhong Yao said: "Gongda, you worry too much. As long as we move forward steadily, no one can shake the Han Dynasty!"

Xun You frowned slightly and did not argue with Zhong Yao.

In his opinion, the Han Dynasty today is still facing many crises, internal and external troubles. If he is not careful, it may be more dangerous than the time of the previous emperor!

At this time, Xun Yu's duty clerk came in quietly and whispered a few words in Xun Yu's ear.

Xun Yu waved his hand and said to Zhong Yao and Xun You: "Tian Feng is taking Sun Quan away."

Sun Quan, Sun Ce's younger brother and Wu Jing's nephew.

"He is quite smart," Xun You said. With Sun Quan in his hands, even if Wu Jing wanted to resist, he would have to think twice.

Zhong Yao took a sip of tea and said, "Do you think Tian Feng can capture Wu Jing and bring him back to the capital without any accidents? He has deployed many people in Luoyang City and cultivated slaves outside the city. He has hundreds or even thousands of death warriors in Bingzhou. I am not surprised at all."

Xun Yu suddenly remembered something and looked at Xun You and asked, "Didn't Cao Cao say anything?"

Last year, Cao Cao also implemented the "separation of military and politics" in Bingzhou. More than half of the troops stationed in various counties of Bingzhou, especially those under the jurisdiction of Bingcao, were appointed by Cao Cao.

Xun You shook his head and said, "I didn't say anything."

Zhong Yao then reacted with a strange look on his face, saying, "It's a bit strange. Tian Feng brought people from the Censorate to arrest Wu Jing alone?"

The three people in the Shangshutai looked at each other, feeling that something was wrong.

There were many things going on in the court, but it did not hinder the advancement of the court's "New Deal". As time went on, money and grain were continuously allocated, and the military farming, reclamation, and people's livelihood in Yanzhou, Jizhou, and Qingzhou were constantly advancing.

The 'separation of military and politics' led by the Grand Marshal's Office was also implemented with unprecedented force. In Jizhou, the most difficult province, the Grand Marshal's Office and the Bingcao mobilized 30,000 imperial troops to carry out 'suppression of bandits' in Jizhou.

Policy plans in all aspects are developing in full swing.

A month later, Tian Feng brought Wu Jing back to Luoyang.

At the same time, the Junior Censor of the Censorate brought dozens of people into the Criminal Department and arrested ten people that day.

At the same time, the Criminal Department arrested three people from the Household Department and issued arrest warrants to pursue seven people.

The entire Luoyang city was alarmed, and soldiers from the Three Judicial Departments were everywhere, as if they were arresting people in every corner of the city.

It was not until this time that those who were still hoping for the best became aware that the court's repeated admonition to "rectify the administration of officials" was not just lip service, but had already begun in full swing!

Cai Mansion.

Cai Yong, who was playing with his newborn daughter in the mansion, was surrounded by a dozen people who rushed in and started shouting without saying a word.

"Mr. Cai, please save us."

"Mr. Cai, we are innocent. We have not committed any corruption. Please speak for us."

"Lord Cai, those things have nothing to do with us. They are all things of the past. It is really wrong for the court to mobilize such a large force..."

"Wow……"

The little daughter in Cai Yong's arms was so frightened that she burst into tears and waved her hands continuously.

Cai Yong recognized these people. Some of them were his students and former officials, and some were his clansmen and relatives. He quickly handed his little daughter to the maid and took her away, saying, "Stop for a moment and tell me what's going on."

Everyone looked at each other. One of them, who was obviously the leader, raised his hands and cried, "Mr. Cai, I have been working in the Censorate for nearly ten years. I inspected the river last year and found no corruption. Yuzhou found out about it later, but I was not involved and did not find anything. It's true that those river officials were too abominable and teamed up to deceive me. It's not that I'm incompetent..."

Cai Yong, who was full of white hair and in high spirits, understood what was said. He looked around and said, "Are you all involved in the corruption of river officials? The Censorate and the Ministry of Justice want to arrest you?"

"Mr. Cai, we have nothing to do with you. I am just a small clerk in the Ministry of Revenue, and I am only responsible for the delivery and safekeeping of documents."

"Mr. Cai, I am in the Engineering Department, and Ke Ke is in charge of building materials. I have always been very careful and prudent, and I have never made any mistakes, nor have I embezzled a penny."

"OK OK,"

Cai Yong understood what was going on, so he stopped them and said thoughtfully, "Let me ask you, have the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate questioned you?"

"Yes, I didn't say anything."

"From the look on the face of the Criminal Department, it seems that he has no evidence and is just trying to trick us!"

"Lord Cai, if the court continues like this, all officials will be uneasy, the government and the people will be in turmoil, and it will be detrimental to the government..."

Cai Yong looked at the people in front of him and thought silently in his heart.

Over the years, he has lived in fear, fearing that he would die one day.

It was not until his daughter became the queen and his grandson the crown prince that he gradually felt relieved and confirmed that there was no strong murderous intention towards him in the palace.

After confirmation, his mind became active again.

His daughter and grandson had no one to rely on in the palace, and they had no power outside the palace.

After the last case of Wang Yun, Cai suffered a heavy blow and was never the same again. Even though his daughter became the empress and his grandson became the crown prince, Cai Yong never recruited disciples or colluded with court officials again.

"You guys go back first." Cai Yong said indifferently to the group of people.

Even if he had some ideas, Cai Yong would not recruit these people, let alone do these things openly.

He needs to take a long-term view and think things through thoroughly.

These people were unwilling to leave, and they immediately started making a fuss and surrounded Cai Yong, hoping that Cai Yong would protect them.

In their opinion, this person's identity is unique in the current Han Dynasty. If he is willing to protect it, there will be no problem at all.

Cai Yong became impatient with the noise and tried to drive them away in vague terms, but no one listened. In the end, he had no choice but to leave by force and let his servants block them.

Before these people left, another wave arrived.

Cai Yong was so annoyed that he could only hide away.

Cai Yong's mansion was overcrowded, and the mansions of other court officials were also full of people. People were coming and going, carrying important gifts, and the place was very crowded.

Chongde Hall and the rear hall.

Xun Yu sat opposite Liu Bian, and after presenting the memorial, he briefly recounted what had happened recently.

Liu Bian threw it aside without even looking at it, and said with a smile: "The Shangshutai has reason to not care about the affairs of the three judicial departments, so let them make trouble. In addition to Wu Jing, are there any other high-ranking officials involved?"

Xun Yu lowered his head, as if he heard what Liu Bian meant, and said, "Your Majesty, the three judicial officials have not found anything yet."

Liu Bian hummed, and said with a relieved smile: "That's good. If any other high-ranking officials get involved, I will have no face left."

Xun Yu listened quietly, analyzing Liu Bian's words in his mind.

Is this to protect some people, or to conduct a thorough investigation?

Wu Jing was the former Minister of Works. It is obviously impossible that only Wu Jing was involved in such a serious case of corruption among river officials.

Xun Yu could not guess the intention behind Liu Bian's words. After waiting for a while, he did not hear Liu Bian's voice, so he said, "Your Majesty, there is one more thing. Tian Zhongcheng arrived in Taiyuan County and easily arrested Wu Jing. There are many things that are unclear."

Liu Bian leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowed, his smile unchanged, and said, "Even if you didn't tell me, I'm still curious. I know that Wu Jing kept slaves and secretly trained assassins in Taiyuan County. But these slaves and assassins seem to have disappeared."

Xun Yu looked up at Liu Bian and said, "Your Majesty, should we summon Tian Zhongcheng to ask him about this?"

Liu Bian shook his head slightly and said, "I won't ask, and your family shouldn't ask either. Wu Jing, I want him to die clearly, and I want all the officials to see it clearly!"

The target of this "rectification of official administration" is the middle and lower levels, but one of the top levels must take the lead.

Xun Yu raised his hand and said, "I understand."

Liu Bian hummed and said, "How do you think about the selection of Bingzhou governor?"

Xun Yu said: "The Shangshutai's intention is to transfer Ying Shao, the governor of Jizhou."

Liu Bian's heart moved, and he understood instantly that this was a plan to lure the tiger away from the mountain.

After a pause, Liu Bian stood up and said, "Alright. The salt administration in Jizhou has been delayed for two years. This time, we need to thoroughly rectify it. Some people should be killed if they deserve it. It's not easy for you to do it, so I'll let the Imperial City Government do it."

(End of this chapter)