Han family achievements

Chapter 544 Life and Death

When Liu Bian returned to Luoyang, he was summoned by Prime Minister Xun Yu and Grand Marshal Cao Cao. Almost all the chief officials of the six ministries and nine temples in the capital sat down in an orderly manner with serious expressions, as if waiting for instructions.

The reason why it was "almost" was that the Minister of Personnel, Wang Lang, was still on an inspection tour and had not returned yet, and there was another person in the position - Cai Yong.

Although their expressions seemed serious, there was still a hint of uneasiness in their hearts.

Although they all knew that the Emperor was assassinated and did not die on the spot as rumored, but was still alive, up to now, only Xun Yu was sure of it, and no one else had seen the Emperor alive.

Including Cao Cao.

But Cao Cao believed it without a doubt, and said cautiously: "Xun Gong, my opinion is that the eight passes of the capital must be retained, and the number of soldiers must be appropriately increased, at least 5,000 people, equipped with certain firearms. At the same time, the Imperial Army Camp is too far away from Luoyang to protect the capital. I suggest that the Imperial Army Camp be divided into three and stationed in the east, west and south of Luoyang. There are eight passes outside, three camps in the middle, Yulin Army inside, and Imperial Army in the palace. It is not a good idea."

Xun Yu nodded and said, "Mr. Cao has considered it carefully. I also think so. This matter alone has exposed the shortcomings of the local government. My opinion is that the governors of each state should be abolished and the imperial court should appoint governors for a term of four years, which can be renewed for one term at most. A governor's office should be set up, with left and right chancellors as subordinates, and six councilors in charge of various miscellaneous affairs. These nine officials will lead the political affairs of a state. The counties and prefectures should follow this example and can consider it according to different situations. The city defense soldiers should be under the command of the military officers of the states, prefectures and counties, and should be jointly managed by the military officers of the imperial court and the chief officials of the states, prefectures and counties..."

Cao Cao thought for a moment after hearing this and said, "Your Excellency, your consideration is very correct. I agree with you. Regarding the imperial guards stationed in each state, I am considering setting up one Lieutenant Colonel and three Colonels, each with 5,000 men, for a total of 15,000 men. The number can be increased or decreased according to the situation. A Lieutenant Colonel will serve for three years, and can be renewed for one term at most. The Colonels will also be rotated and cannot stay in one place for a long time."

Xun Yu looked thoughtful and said, "It's easy to deal with the prefectures and counties, but there are too many counties. We need to further consolidate our forces, increase the number of villages, relocate and concentrate the population, strengthen the census of households, and quickly promote the reclamation and distribution of land. Stabilizing people's livelihood is the top priority of this dynasty."

……

Xun Yu and Cao Cao talked to each other, expressing their views on the government.

The two men looked calm and spoke in gentle tones. There was no quarrel or argument. Everything was smooth and orderly, as if they were exchanging opinions.

This scene left many people stunned and very surprised.

Xun Yu and Cao Cao did treat each other with respect in the past, but their secret struggle was also under everyone's eyes.

The Secretariat had always intended to restrict Cao Cao, and adopted extremely strict review procedures for the policies of the Grand Marshal's Office. Even if there were no problems, they would often delay the review for ten days or half a month.

Looking at the serious and orderly conversation between Xun Yu and Cao Cao now, everyone had only one thought in their mind: this was not an exchange of opinions, but informing the other party.

What they said were all about the future policies of the country. They were speaking to each other and to everyone present!
Xun You analyzed Cao Cao's words inside and out, frowning from time to time.

What Cao Cao said seemed reasonable, but if Cao Cao was allowed to do these things, it would be equivalent to handing all the Han troops into his hands!

Never agree to that!
However, Xun You was very calm and did not lose his temper. Instead, he was considering specific countermeasures.

The other court officials had their own thoughts, but they only listened half way to the words of the two important figures, the Prime Minister and the Grand Marshal. As long as there was no big problem, they would not speak out.

What they were most concerned about was Liu Bian.

From time to time, his eyes drifted towards the side door, and he pricked up his ears, trying to hear the familiar footsteps.

The most important person in the Han Dynasty is His Majesty.

What happened not long ago has fully demonstrated the importance of that majesty. If that majesty had really been assassinated, the Han Dynasty would have been falling apart and the world would be in chaos.

Perhaps sensing their thoughts, a burst of dense footsteps suddenly sounded outside the side door. The familiar Grand Chamberlain Pan Yin walked in first, followed by Dian Wei.

Everyone's heart sank and they subconsciously looked up towards the side door.

He was dressed in casual clothes, with a jade pendant on his waist, holding a folding fan and with a warm smile on his face - the person who couldn't be more familiar had finally appeared.

The only difference was that there was a layer of gauze wrapped around his neck, which must have been caused by an injury before.

"I will see you, Your Majesty!"

In surprise and joy, all the court officials bowed.

After Liu Bian sat down, he waved his hand and said, "No need to be polite, everyone."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Hearing the all-too-familiar voice, the court officials felt relieved and their voices became louder.

After Liu Bian sat down, he looked around at everyone present and said with a smile: "I got the news of the rebellion of the Yulin Army in advance, so I took some precautions. With the blessing of our ancestors, we finally got through it safely. Are you all scared?"

The court officials felt relieved, but they also had many complicated thoughts in their minds.

More than scared, how many people can sleep during this period? Liu Bian saw their expressions clearly, and he knew what they were thinking. He smiled and said, "Although I was injured, I am not idle all the time. In Liangzhou, Zhong Qing's family has persuaded Han Sui and Ma Teng to retreat. Xiongnu Chanyu Yufuluo forced Xianbei to retreat. Xuzhou Zhonglangjiang Zhang Liao gave me a military order, and I will definitely wipe out Zuo Rong and recover Xuzhou in a month at most. Yuan Shao has been fighting for years, and he is short of money and food. He cannot capture Jiujiang and will withdraw his troops soon. As for Yizhou, you don't have to worry, I have already issued an order to reprimand him."

Xun Yu and Cao Cao were not surprised by any of this and pretended to be thoughtful without saying anything.

Let alone a mere Zuo Rong, what can a million-strong Yellow Turban Army and the mighty Dong Zhuo do? !
As for other Spark Rebellions, they took them completely for granted.

The court officials looked at each other and nodded in unison.

Since His Majesty is fine, the so-called rebellion is nothing to be afraid of.

Seeing that they did not react too violently, Liu Bian smiled more sincerely and said, "As for other matters, the Grand Marshal's Office and the Shangshutai will discuss them together. If the six ministries and nine temples have any objections, then we will hold a court meeting to discuss and decide. In short, the major policies and strategies are ahead, and we will just follow the procedures. My injury is not a problem, but I still need to rest for a while. You, the ministers, will have to work harder."

"We obey your command." All the court officials bowed and responded loudly.

Even though I was so scared this morning, in the end nothing changed.

Seeing this, Liu Bian stood up and said, "You all should go back and rest early. I will give you a day off. The Prime Minister and the Grand Marshal will come with me."

"Farewell, Your Majesty!" The court officials saluted again and bid farewell to Liu Bian.

They actually had a lot to say, countless questions, and too many things they wanted to discuss, but it was obviously not appropriate at the moment.

Among those present, only two or three were relatively calm. The others were all in shock, with their imaginations running wild, and it was difficult for them to remain calm.

After leaving the Jiade Hall, Xun Yu and Cao Cao followed Liu Bian on the left and right, walking towards the Chongde Hall step by step.

Xun Yu was fine, as he had discussed many things with Liu Bian beforehand. Cao Cao, on the other hand, looked calm and respectful as before, and it was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

But there are some things that everyone knows clearly, but cannot or has not pointed out, and there will be some grudges in each other's hearts.

As an emperor, Liu Bian had a bigger knot in his heart, but as an emperor, he was also more open-minded. As for Cao Cao, he still hoped to "hold him for the long term."

Killing Cao Cao would be harmful rather than beneficial, at least in the foreseeable future.

"The Cao family is very righteous and loyal, which comforts me greatly."

On the steps leading to the gate of Chongde Hall, Liu Bian, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly stopped, turned around, looked down at Cao Cao, and said, "This shows that I was not wrong about you. Those people in the court who are calling for the killing of your family are the ones who are confused."

"I feel ashamed of my Majesty,"

Cao Cao bowed his head and said in an extremely humble tone, "I failed to detect the rebellious plot of Zhang Yang and others in advance, which put Your Majesty in danger. I am guilty and unforgivable. Please punish me, Your Majesty!"

Having said that, Cao Cao knelt down on the steps, with his head resting on the jade, looking as if he would accept being beaten and killed without any regrets.

Xun Yu remained expressionless, but glanced at Liu Bian out of the corner of his eye.

Cao Cao's apology was naturally not because of the rebellion of the Yulin Army, but more because he had led his troops to the city of Luoyang before and almost launched an attack!

This is a serious crime of treason and is unforgivable!

Even though Cao Cao pulled back at the last minute, his previous series of actions and thoughts were all seen by outsiders.

Liu Bian did not say anything, but slowly sat down on the third step in front of Cao Cao, quietly looking down at Cao Cao's back.

Liu Bian felt somewhat familiar with this kind of scene. After thinking about it, he realized that Cao Cao seemed to have apologized in this way several times before.

The difference is that in the past, Cao Cao was guilty of poor performance and took the initiative to apologize in order to reduce his guilt or even to exempt himself from it.

This time, although Cao Cao seemed not to mention a word about the 50,000 troops, every word he said was still about those 50,000 troops.

This is a true apology!
It could also be a test.

Cao Cao pushed the initiative to Liu Bian, knocking his head on the jade, his face corners as hard as iron, his eyes wide open, and his fists clenched tightly in his sleeves.

Life and death, just a few breaths away!
(End of this chapter)