Han family achievements

Chapter 520: Urgent Matters

The three ministers of the Secretariat agreed.

Tian Feng did not leave the city.

Tian Feng's request was to actually shift the responsibility of the three judicial departments to the Secretariat.

The three ministers of the Secretariat kept Tian Feng not only to allow the three judicial departments to handle all cases, but also to prevent Tian Feng from further expanding the "rectification of official administration."

No matter how chaotic Luoyang City is, as long as the Yulin Army and the Imperial Guards are there, no one can turn the tables.

But if Tian Feng left Luoyang and was hunted down locally, there might be a big chaos!

The two parties reached an agreement tacitly, each with their own plans and calculations.

The action of "rectifying the administration of officials" caused a huge wave in Luoyang City. Even with Liu Bian's order not to "retroactively investigate the past", thousands of people were still arrested, and the arrest operation was still ongoing, and the Tianlao was overcrowded.

The city of Luoyang was filled with complaints, with countless voices of opposition rising one after another, and the attacks on the Three Judicial Departments and the Secretariat were unprecedented.

But this time the imperial court was very quiet and nothing unusual happened. None of the chief officials of the Secretariat, the Six Ministries and the Nine Temples were involved in the case and they all remained silent.

Silence is support.

Despite the waves outside the palace, Xuan Tian remained "missing" inside the palace. Perhaps it was because time had passed for a long time and the court officials gradually adapted to the emperor's sudden change of personality.

Three days later, at the Grand Marshal's Mansion.

Liu Bian stood in the meeting room of the Grand Marshal's Mansion, looking at the huge sand table in front of him. This was only a part of it. The geography was the three southern states - Jing, Yang, and Jiaozhi.

There were many people standing beside him, including Cao Cao, Xun Yu, Zhong Yao, Dian Wei, Zhao Yun, as well as Jia Xu, Shen Pei, Sima Lang and so on.

Liu Bian looked at the sand table, pointed, and said, "Still stuck in Nanhai County?"

Cao Cao followed Liu Bian's finger and said, "Yes. However, from December last year to now, both sides have been at a truce, and there has been no large-scale fighting."

Liu Bian nodded thoughtfully and continued watching.

Zhong Yao waited for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, at present, Yuan Shao is still the most powerful. He has already taken three of the nine counties in Jiaozhi. Nanhai County is already an isolated city. I am worried that if Nanhai County cannot be conquered for a long time, Yuan Shao will directly send troops to Jiaozhi."

Liu Bian looked at Jiaozhi without changing his expression.

Jiaozhi is located in the southeast peninsula, and its prefect is Shi Xie. Once Jiaozhi is lost, it will collapse instantly and fall into the hands of Yuan Shao.

"What does the Grand Marshal think?" Liu Bian asked.

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao said, "Your Majesty, Yuan Shao cannot take Nanhai County. I think he dare not go deep into Jiaozhi. Jiaozhi is the foundation of the Shi family. It has a large number of troops, high walls and thick fortresses, and there is no shortage of food and grass. It is impossible to take it in a short time. Once it gets into a stalemate, Yuan Shao may be defeated in Jiaozhi."

Liu Bian thought for a moment, then turned to look at Zhong Yao and said, "Is Sun Ce still not making any move?"

Zhong Yao bowed and said, "Yes. Wujun replied that Sun Ce was ill. Regarding Wu Jing's arrest, Wujun's words were vague and they have not yet expressed their attitude."

Liu Bian didn't care about Wu Jun's attitude, but just wondered: "It's been so long, Sun Ce should know that Wu Jing was imprisoned, but Sun Ce still didn't take any action?"

Wu Jing was Sun Ce's uncle. It can be said that Wu Jing played a crucial role in Sun Ce's succession to his father Sun Jian, inherit the title, and establish himself in Wu County!

Now that Wu Jing has been captured, it is of great significance to Sun Ce.

Should Sun Ce endure this humiliation and continue to pretend to be loyal, or should he join forces with Yuan Shao and "work together for a great cause"?
In the silence, Zhong Yao raised his hand and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, there is bad news."

Liu Bian said with a smile, "What bad news?"

Zhong Yao became more serious and said, "My relatives and friends in Changsha wrote to me, saying that Liu Biao is wavering and may send troops to Jiaozhi to divide Jiaozhi with Yuan Shao."

After this sentence was spoken, everyone looked at each other with different expressions.

It was already very difficult for Shi Xie to resist Yuan Shao, which was half a "miracle", but if Liu Biao was added, there would most likely be only defeat.

Once Yuan Shao and Liu Biao divided Jiaozhi, the three southern states would belong to them.

Add to that Liu Zhang of Yizhou and the Three Qiang of Liangzhou, and the threat to the Han Dynasty would be unprecedentedly huge!
"Grand Marshal?" Liu Bian turned and looked at Cao Cao.

Cao Cao bowed slightly, pretending to think, and said, "Your Majesty, Liu Biao is arrogant at first and respectful later. He seems respectful, but he is actually disloyal. Although he respects the court and respects Your Majesty, he is like a separatist with evil intentions. Liu Biao has been in Jingzhou for several years, but he has made no achievements except for internal affairs. Even if he is given a million strong army, he may not dare to leave Jingzhou. He is bold and timid, not a capable person. I predict that he dare not send troops for three reasons: first, he is worried that the court will take the opportunity to send troops from Yuzhou. Second, he is a person who only cares about maintaining the status quo and has no ability to expand. Third, after Yuan Shao took Jiaozhi, Jingzhou will definitely be the next. Liu Biao will know this. Please understand, Your Majesty."

Liu Bian smiled brightly, looked at Xun Yu, Zhong Yao and others, and said, "What do you think?"

Xun Yu thought for a moment and said, "I think what the Grand Marshal said makes sense."

Zhong Yao disagreed and said, "Your Majesty, the Grand Marshal's words are all judgments. Even if they are 100% sure, the court cannot do nothing and should prevent any loopholes."

Liu Bian nodded in agreement and asked, "What does the Grand Marshal think?"

Cao Cao raised his hand and said, "Your Majesty, I agree with what Lord Zhong said. When I am involved in military affairs, I focus on the unexpected and must be prepared for any eventuality. Nothing can be missed. If there is even the slightest mistake, the army will be defeated."

Seeing how harmoniously the Yingchuan Party and Cao Cao were getting along, the people standing by looked at them with strange eyes.

Liu Bian hummed, then smiled and said, "Then how do we do it specifically?"

Zhong Yao said, "Your Majesty, whether Liu Biao really sends troops or not, it will be a great disadvantage for Shi Xie. I am worried that he will not be able to hold on. I suggest that Jiaozhi be renamed Jiaozhou and Shi Xie be appointed as the governor or governor of Jiaozhou."

Liu Bian heard this and said nothing.

Xun Yu looked at Liu Bian's profile, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Your Majesty, you can also put pressure on Liu Biao and force him to publicly promise that he will not send troops to Jiaozhi, so as to reduce the pressure on Shi Xie."

Liu Bian seemed not to hear it, his eyes looking at Nanhai County in the sand table, in the direction of Jiaozhi.

Seeing that Liu Bian didn't say anything, everyone looked at each other quietly and then turned their eyes to Cao Cao.

Cao Cao understood and said to Liu Bian: "Your Majesty, maybe you can do something in Xuzhou and Yuzhou to put some pressure on Yuan Shao and Sun Ce."

Liu Bian ignored him and said without even looking up: "Jia Xu, you go ahead."

Jia Xu, dressed in white, stood out in the crowd.

Because this person was too quiet, his hair was neatly combed, his body was as white as snow, and not stained with a trace of dust.

When Jia Xu heard Liu Bian's question, he felt the gazes of many people, but his expression remained calm and he said, "Your Majesty, I think Liu Biao should be allowed to send troops. Not only that, but he should be isolated." Liu Bian frowned and said, "Tell me the reason."

Jia Xu felt more gazes and bowed slightly unconsciously, saying, "Your Majesty, the more chaos in the south, the better for the court. The bigger the war, the better, and the longer it drags on, the better. Yuan Shao has only been in Yangzhou for two years. Although he has many soldiers and generals, his foundation is unstable and his prestige is insufficient. Jiaozhi has been peaceful for decades, the country is peaceful, and the people are united. His mind is hard to predict. Liu Biao has been in Jingzhou for several years, and he has sorted out the internal affairs. The nobles have submitted to him. We cannot allow him to continue to grow. The one who governs the three states is the three thieves. The court is happy to see the thieves fighting each other. Whether it is three thieves fighting each other or two thieves fighting each other, it is beneficial to the court, as long as there are only two thieves."

Liu Bian slowly raised his head and looked at Jia Xu with deep and quiet eyes.

Jia Xu used many words in his words, such as "the people are united", "the nobles have submitted", and "there are many soldiers and generals". These words seem to contain some deep meaning.

Liu Bian understood this profound meaning very well.

Liu Bian did not want these things to happen, and did not want the gentry to continue to grow in power. He not only wanted the three thieves to fight each other, but also wanted the process of the three thieves fighting to strike at and weaken the gentry, which would be beneficial to the future recovery and rule of the court, and even more beneficial to the implementation of Liu Bian's "New Deal"!
Xun Yu also understood this "deep meaning".

He looked at Jia Xu expressionlessly and glanced at Cao Cao out of the corner of his eye.

There was no expression on Cao Cao's bearded face. He looked like he was thinking and seemed to have heard nothing.

Zhong Yao frowned secretly. Jia Xu's words seemed to make sense, but he might have sinister intentions!

What if there really is a thief who unifies the South?
No one is stupid, will things really develop according to their ideas?

The Han Dynasty is now the strongest court. Do they really dare to continue their internal strife and let the court reap the benefits?
Once Shi Xie of Jiaozhi was defeated, would Yuan Shao and Liu Biao really fight each other instead of forming an alliance to fight against the imperial court?

The lobby was quiet.

Liu Bian was startled, stood up, looked around, and said with a smile: "What's wrong with you, my lords?"

Zhong Yao immediately said, "Your Majesty, this method is too risky. I think the key is to drag it out slowly and not give the rebels any chance."

Liu Bian put his hands behind his back, thought for a moment, and said, "My dear ministers, do you all disagree with Wen He's idea?"

Wenhe is the courtesy name of Jia Xu.

As soon as Liu Bian finished speaking, the hall became even quieter.

Seeing that no one was talking, Liu Bian couldn't help but smile and said, "Okay, let's leave this matter to the Grand Marshal's Mansion to deal with it according to the situation."

"I obey your command." Cao Cao raised his hand and said.

Xun Yu took a deep breath, looked at Zhong Yao, and remained silent.

The meaning of handing it over to the Grand Marshal's Mansion is very clear. It means that the Grand Marshal's Mansion should plan according to Jia Xu's suggestions.

Liu Bian waved his hand as if it was just a casual remark, continued to stare at the sand table, and said: "Don't worry too much about the south for now. The only things left are Liangzhou and Yizhou."

Zhong Yao heard this and said, "Your Majesty, over there in the Three Qiang, Han Sui and Ma Teng are gradually having conflicts, and it seems that they are arguing, but they haven't fought yet. That Song Jian is hiding in a place, not making any noise, as if he wants to be a king of a peaceful land."

"Oh,"

Liu Bian looked at the map of Liangzhou, pointed to the direction of the Western Regions, and said, "Such a precious land cannot be lost. Our ancestors fought for hundreds of years to conquer it."

Everyone nodded. Although the Western Regions was a remote place, it did have many benefits for the Han Dynasty and could not be abandoned.

After watching for a while, Liu Bian turned to Yizhou and said with a smile: "Liu Zhang was able to subdue the nobles in Yizhou and successfully inherit Liu Yan's legacy. He is quite capable."

Cao Cao sneered and said, "Your Majesty, Liu Zhang is even worse than Liu Biao. If Liu Yan had not made many arrangements during his lifetime, he would have been dead on the street long ago."

Liu Bian hummed in agreement and said, "There's no need to worry about Yizhou."

Liu Zhang really had no ability. He had been in Yizhou for many years. Even with the various arrangements made by his father Liu Yan, he still had to work very hard and only managed to rule Yizhou last year.

But this kind of rule was more like "Liu Zhang and the gentry shared Yizhou", and he did not have complete control.

There are two main reasons. One is that the imperial court never gave him the title of governor of Yizhou, which made it illegal for him to inherit Liu Yan's legacy and he encountered many obstacles.

The second reason is that the local gentry in Yizhou did not recognize Liu Zhang. Many of them still tended to support the imperial court, especially after the imperial court had put down a series of rebellions, their desire to submit to Liu Zhang grew stronger.

Liu Zhang used threats, inducements and all other means to barely get the verbal title of "Liu Shijun", but his actual official position was just a county magistrate.

When Xun Yu, Zhong Yao and others heard Liu Bian's words, they became thoughtful.

There is no need to worry about rebellions everywhere, so all energy can be used to implement the "New Deal".

Zhong Yao thought about it for a long time, but couldn't help but said: "Your Majesty, the actions of the Censorate are really a bit too big."

Tian Feng had been ready to make a move last year and had done a lot of things in secret for this purpose. Even after obtaining Liu Bian's order and the permission of the Secretariat, he still kept a low profile for more than a month and endured the temptation to act.

But once it broke out, it was as fast as thunder, and in just three days, the Heavenly Prison was filled up, and most of the six ministries and nine temples were short of staff.

This surprise tactic caught the Shangshu Tai off guard and put it under tremendous pressure.

Let alone the discussions in the government and the public, most of the six ministries and nine temples are vacant and government affairs are almost at a standstill. What should we do?

In the past few days, the Secretariat has had to deal with a flood of criticism while speeding up the filling of vacancies of officials at all levels.

There is a shortage of thousands of people in just a few days, and it is impossible to fill the vacancies in just a few days.

Under the current circumstances, the imperial court is unable to function, so how can it continue to implement the "New Deal"?
Liu Bian put his hands behind his back, his eyes still on the sand table, and asked, "What do you mean?"

Zhong Yao looked directly at Liu Bian's profile and hesitantly suggested, "Your Majesty, please hold back a bit and don't continue."

Liu Bian suddenly seemed to realize something. He turned to look at Zhong Yao and said with a strange look, "Recently, the impeachment memorials against Tian Qing's family have almost filled up my desk. There must be at least eighty of them. Does your family also want to put Tian Qing's family in jail and then release some people to calm this matter down?"

Zhong Yao's expression changed slightly, and he said quickly: "That's not what I meant. It is imperative to rectify the administration of officials, and I have no intention of backing down. However, I have observed that Tian Zhongcheng seems to be interested in further investigations, and it involves officials outside Luoyang... The Censorate has sent three groups of supervisory censors to Sili, Bingzhou, and Yanzhou."

Liu Bian hummed, turned his eyes to the others, and asked, "What do you think?"

Xun Yu did not give others a chance to speak, and said directly: "Your Majesty, I think that when things are urgent, we should slow down. Tian Feng is too impatient."

Liu Bian looked at Xun Yu and saw determination on his face. He knew that this was his attitude, or rather, the attitude of the Secretariat.

(End of this chapter)