Han family achievements
Chapter 553: Rest and Cultivation
Chapter 553: Rest and Cultivation
While Lu Yu was "chatting" with Chen Qun and Yang Xiu, Liu Bian had already returned to the back hall, holding a "secret letter" in his hand with a playful look on his face.
This was a joint secret letter from the Yizhou gentry and some officials, and the recipient was Zhong Yao.
The emotion of this letter can be expressed in four words: Can’t wait to go home!
These people were dissatisfied with Liu Zhang's rule and hoped to submit to the imperial court.
"Zhongda, what do you think?" Liu Bian looked at the letter and said casually.
Sima Yi, the palace commander, stood not far in front of Liu Bian, bowed his head, and said in a respectful manner as he had done for ten years, "Your Majesty, I think that since Liu Yan's death, Yizhou has been divided into three factions. The first is Liu Yan's former subordinates, the second is the local nobles, and the third is loyal to the court. After Liu Yan's death, the three parties fought each other for a long time. Although Liu Zhang used military force to suppress and control it, as the court became stronger, especially after the recovery of Jingzhou, the three factions in Yizhou gradually split, and some of them were loyal to the court. In addition, Liu Zhang was incompetent and allowed the treacherous and corrupt to levy heavy taxes. The people's expectation for the return of the king's army was unprecedentedly strong..."
Liu Bian nodded slightly and said, "Zhongda's analysis makes a lot of sense."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Sima Yi stood there, his tone without any emotion, only respect.
Pan Yin and Xu Yan, who were not far away, secretly shook their heads. Sima Yi had been with His Majesty for too short a time and did not understand the 'seriousness' of His Majesty's approval at all.
Liu Bian put down the memorial, picked up the teacup, and said with a smile: "Then do you think that now is a good opportunity for the court to take back Yizhou?"
Sima Yi said without even looking up, "Your Majesty, I think it is inappropriate. First, the court has not yet decided whether to quell the rebellion. Second, although Yizhou is in chaos, it is stable. In addition, Yizhou has a dangerous terrain. Once we send troops to conquer it, it will inevitably take a long time. For the court at the moment, it is really not a good opportunity."
Liu Bian took a sip of tea and said without comment: "Then what do you think is the best strategy now?"
Sima Yi thought seriously for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, I think we should continue to divide the three factions in Yizhou to make the internal fighting continue. At the same time, we should exert external force to force Liu Zhang to reserve a large army and waste money and food. When the time is right, the court will be able to win the battle and recapture Yizhou!"
Liu Bian put down his teacup and was silent for a while. Suddenly he raised his head, looked at him, and said, "Xun Pushe suggested to me that I send a capable minister to Yizhou to gather the three factions of people loyal to the court. When the royal army arrives, we can attack them from both inside and outside, which will achieve twice the result with half the effort. What do you think?"
Sima Yi's expression remained unchanged, but his heart was shaking.
Having said that, Sima Yi clearly understood that the so-called "capable minister" was him!
What is Yizhou? It is Liu Zhang's territory. If Sima Yi goes there, everyone knows what he is going there for. Can he still get the royal army?
The royal army is still gathering, and he is afraid that Liu Zhang will take his head!
"I beg your pardon!"
In just a moment, Sima Yi raised his hand and said in a deep voice: "I am willing to go to Yizhou and prepare for the court and Your Majesty to recover Yizhou!"
Liu Bian smiled and said, "Your family is sincere and sincere, which comforts me. How about this? I will appoint you as the governor of Chengdu and the salt inspector. In three days, you will be escorted by the imperial guards to leave."
Governor of Chengdu, Salt Inspector!
Both of these official positions are fatal!
Liu Zhang was currently the governor of Mianzhu, and secretly took on the position of "supervisor of Yizhou's military affairs."
If Sima Yi really took these two official positions, his status would actually be higher than Liu Zhang's!
Isn't this forcing Liu Zhang to kill?
"Your Majesty, I accept your command and thank you!" Sima Yi bowed without hesitation.
He looked calm and composed, but he was anxious at heart.
Once he goes there, Liu Zhang will definitely not kill him immediately, but what about in the future?
Liu Bian did not immediately "excuse himself" but instead looked at Sima Yi's back in a daze.
At the end of the dynasty, there were countless loyal and brave people, and even more treacherous and evil people. Who could tell the loyal from the treacherous until the very end?
The situation is different from history, but Liu Bian still can't tell the difference between Cao Cao's loyalty and treachery.
Cao Cao was already in his forties, had experienced many ups and downs in his official career, and was extremely cunning.
Sima Yi was a rookie and very immature - Liu Bian still couldn't see clearly!
Sima Yi knocked his head on the ground and was about to stand up, but he didn't hear the word "no thanks" for a long time. He could only maintain the posture, wondering in his mind.
Pan Yin, who was not far away, saw this and quietly stepped forward and whispered, "Your Majesty."
Liu Bian raised his eyelids and instantly came to his senses. He said, "No need to be polite. Xu Yan, take him to see Zuo Li."
"Yes." Xu Yan responded.
Sima Yi excused himself and left with great respect.
Liu Bian stretched himself lazily, chuckled and said, "It's almost done now."
Sima Yi left the Chongde Hall with his expression still respectful. Under the guidance of Xu Yan, he first went to the Huangmen Beisi Prison, then turned to the Shangshu Tai, and finally went to the Licao.
But before Sima Yi arrived, Wang Lang received another message.
"You mean, Lu Yu is the prefect of Yingchuan, and Chen Qun and Yang Xiu assist him?" Wang Lang looked at the Yuanwailang who came to report the news, and said with surprise.
"Yes." Yuanwailang's expression became tense, and he seemed to be hesitant to speak.
He didn't need to speak, Wang Lang already understood what was going on, and said with a melancholy look, "Your Majesty, this is a warning to us..."
Yuanwailang nodded silently and didn't dare to say anything else.
Both the 'Yingchuan Party' and the 'Yang Party' want the position of 'Yingchuan Prefect', after all, it is the base camp of the 'Yingchuan Party'.
But the palace suddenly appointed Lu Yu, who had nothing to do with either party, or was a member of the palace, as the prefect of Yingchuan, and also appointed Chen Qun and Yang Xiu as his assistants. The intention was self-evident.
"Let them all stop." Wang Lang thought it through, then stood up, supporting himself on the table.
The palace’s attitude is very clear. If you continue to fight, you must be prepared to bear the palace’s anger.
There are so many "corpses" in the prison, not a single one of them is short of the surname Wang.
The official whispered, "Shangshu, if we stop, what if the Yingchuan Party takes advantage of the situation and does something ruthless?"
The 'Yingchuan Party' is too powerful and controls almost all power. Once the 'Yingchuan Party' finds an opportunity, they may send the 'Yang Party' to prison in one fell swoop!
Who in the court dares to say the word "clean", and who doesn't have a handle that could lead to their death! ?
Wang Lang smiled coldly upon hearing this and said, "Your Majesty has been tolerant enough now that things have come to this point. If there are still people who refuse to stop, then they are violating the dragon's reverse scale. Anyone who touches the dragon's reverse scale will die!"
Yuanwailang understood instantly and said, "I will pass on the message right away. There is one more thing. The court needs many officials, and there are many people delivering letters and messages... Shangshu, do you want to respond?"
Wang Lang couldn't help but frown, feeling a severe headache.
He was the Minister of Personnel and held the power of officials, but there were too many people making requests, which was a hassle, especially since some of those making requests were people he wanted to win over and could not afford to offend.
"Wait a little longer." Wang Lang's brows relaxed and he said, "When Liu Biao arrives in Beijing, please notify me as soon as possible. I want to be the first to see him."
The official was startled and asked, "Shangshu, this is a sensitive and taboo person, why do you want to see him?" Wang Lang looked out the door with confidence and said, "Liu Biao is a member of the royal family and has a high reputation. With your majesty's character, I am sure that your majesty will not kill Liu Biao, and may even use him!"
Yuanwailang hesitated in his heart, but said, "Yes, I will arrange it right away."
Wang Lang stood still, looking out the door, a smug look flashing in his eyes, and he said to himself: "You guys continue to form cliques and expand your power. The bigger the better. I wonder how long His Majesty can tolerate you!"
……
The turmoil in Luoyang City gradually calmed down, the order of the court was returning, and the local bandit suppression also became more steady and effective. As rebellions were suppressed one after another, various settlements followed.
Confiscating property and exterminating families was a common occurrence, and the gold, silver, jewelry, money, grain, etc. obtained were continuously transported to the capital.
The Taicang warehouse was no longer able to hold the goods, so several large warehouses were built outside the city. At the same time, officials such as the Hucao were constantly counting and moving the goods.
The imperial guards delivered them here, and the officials from the Ministry of Revenue counted them bit by bit and transported them away there.
When the rebellion was suppressed in various states, the governors of various states and important county magistrates received orders from the Secretariat and set off for Luoyang together.
There is no doubt that this time, things will be very different for them. Not only will they get mandatory orders, but they will also get the money and food that they have longed for and urgently need due to the drought!
As the saying goes, great order will come after great chaos. Under a series of careful planning by the Shangshu Tai, the imperial guards, city defense soldiers and young and strong men recruited from various states all plunged into the vigorous tide of reclaiming wasteland in the autumn!
Now, the imperial court has no shortage of land.
"Your Majesty, the number of households in Qingzhou has decreased by 50% compared to the Zhongping period."
Cui Jun, the governor of Qingzhou, followed behind Liu Bian and spoke carefully with a serious expression.
The sharp decline in population naturally resulted in a large amount of wasteland.
Liu Bian walked in Maoyuan, looking at the examinees on both sides who were answering questions seriously, and said: "This year's examinees have dropped by half compared to last year, only more than 2,000 people."
Cui Jun lowered his head and dared not breathe.
A few years ago, the imperial examinations involved tens of thousands of candidates. Even further back, the number of students taking the imperial examinations alone could reach tens of thousands!
War is an extremely terrible thing, especially a long and prolonged war, the degree of horror is simply unimaginable.
One state, millions of people, reduced by half!
During the reign of Emperor Cheng of the Han Dynasty, the number of households reached nearly 20 million. But now, even if it has not been carefully calculated, there may be only four or five million households!
In other words, tens of millions of Han people 'disappeared'!
Cui Jun followed closely, and feeling the atmosphere was somewhat quiet, he said quickly: "Your Majesty, I have always deeply agreed with your Majesty's national policy of self-cultivation."
Cui Jun was already the governor of Qingzhou and had a deeper understanding of state affairs, especially since his Majesty ascended the throne, he had been striving for "stability" and would not use military force unless it was absolutely necessary.
Although wars have hardly stopped in recent years, compared with the previous dynasty, it was a great restraint.
If we really pursue militarism, these four to five million households may be reduced by half!
Liu Bian passed by an examination room and saw a familiar figure. He was a little surprised. He called over Chen Lin who was not far away and whispered, "I remember that Jia Kui passed the exam last year, didn't he?"
Chen Lin glanced at him and said, "He was involved in a corruption case and was expelled from the Ministry of Personnel. Later, he was proven innocent and was given another chance."
Liu Bian narrowed his eyes, shook his head, and continued walking forward, saying: "These aristocratic families..."
Chen Lin and Cui Jun didn't dare to speak and followed Liu Bian.
There are many things that everyone knows.
Is Jia Kui really innocent? Even if he is, is the Jia family behind him innocent?
No one can tell.
"His Majesty!"
Before Liu Bian had taken a few steps, Pan Yin came hurriedly, handed him a secret letter, and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Imperial City Government came from Jiaozhi."
Liu Bian raised his eyebrows and quickly tore it open to read. After just a glance, he was slightly surprised and said to himself, "Is this Shi Xie, the Shi family, so tenacious?"
Cui Jun, Chen Lin and others lowered their heads and avoided it deliberately.
Liu Bian did not avoid them, but handed the letter to Chen Lin and asked, "What do you think?"
Chen Lin took the letter and read it carefully. He said thoughtfully, "Your Majesty, the Shi family has been operating in Jiaozhi for many years and has close relations with the barbarians. I am not surprised that they were able to counterattack Jiaozhi County. However, Yuan Shao does not seem to be as strong as imagined."
As he said this, he handed the letter to Cui Jun.
Cui Jun became more cautious. After reading every word, he hesitated and said, "Your Majesty, the Shi family may appear to be loyal, but in fact they have hidden ambitions. They are all tigers and wolves. We must be on guard."
Liu Bian stood where he was, turned his head and looked towards the south, stroking the jade pendant in his hand, thinking quietly.
The content of this letter was that Shi Xie led his troops to capture Jiaozhi County, and Zhang He took the initiative to withdraw his troops and retreated to Nanhai County.
Kuaiji is very far away from Nanhai County. In addition to logistical supplies, if Yuan Shao wants to reinforce Nanhai County, he must raise food and grass again and send them over thousands of miles.
Even if the Shi family continued to advance and attempted to "recapture" the Nanhai County, Yuan Shao would have to mobilize his entire army and fight the Shi family again.
Yuan Shao has been fighting wars non-stop in the past few years, spending countless amounts of money and food. In addition, Yangzhou is vast and sparsely populated. Shi Xie's counterattack is a huge test for Yuan Shao's soldiers!
Especially when the situation changed drastically - Jingzhou has fallen into the hands of the imperial court!
From Wujun, Yuzhou, and Jingzhou, the imperial court had multiple directions and springboards to attack Yangzhou.
Yuan Shao wanted to send troops to Jiaozhi for a decisive battle with Shi Xie, but he had to leave enough troops to guard against a surprise attack from the imperial court!
What would Yuan Shao do?
"What do you think Yuan Shao will do?" Liu Bian said casually while he was deep in thought.
Cui Jun did not speak in a hurry, but glanced at Chen Lin quietly.
Chen Lin raised his hand and said, "Your Majesty, I think Yuan Shao might abandon Jiaozhi County, or even Nanhai County, and retreat to Yangzhou to protect himself."
Cui Jun immediately raised his hand and said in a resounding voice: "Your Majesty, I think this is a good opportunity to attack Yuan Shao and eliminate the rebellion!"
Chen Lin shook his head and said, "Whether it is Zhang Liao in Xuzhou or Liu Bei in Yuzhou, they have just experienced a great war and still need to reorganize Xuzhou and Jingzhou. They are simply unable to raise a large army again. In the short term, the court cannot use troops against Yuan Shao."
Chen Lin’s meaning was very simple. If one wanted to mobilize a large army to fight, the first step was to gather food and grass, and then to mobilize troops, and then to set out. This process would take at least one or two months, and at most more than half a year!
The chaos in Jingzhou and Xuzhou has not yet been completely settled, and the court needs more time to digest and control it.
In such a long period of time, it has already entered winter.
(End of this chapter)
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