Three Kingdoms: Liu Bei seeks the master and seeks to conquer the world

Chapter 144 Sharing Suffering with the People, Qingzhou Shepherd Liu Xuande

Liu Ai frowned and looked at Zheng Ping, subconsciously thinking that Qingzhou Biejia in front of him was deliberately shirking.

"Could it be that Governor Liu doesn't want to recognize the edict from Chang'an?" Liu Ai's tone was a little unhappy.

After traveling all the way to Qingzhou, Liu Bei deliberately evaded seeing him?
Liu Ai's impression of Liu Bei was not very friendly when he neglected the envoy of the Son of Heaven so much.

Zheng Ping, as always, was unrestrained and comfortable, gently shaking his feather fan to calm Liu Ai's emotions: "Liu Changshi, you have misunderstood Shijun Liu. Qingzhou is dying, and Shijun Liu is worried about hundreds of thousands of hungry people and has to organize villagers to garrison the fields."

"But farming is very harsh and cruel to the villagers, and a little carelessness will breed resentment among the villagers."

"Therefore, in order to let the villagers in the farmland witness their determination, Liu Shijun brought the personal guards to open up wasteland with the villagers every day."

Liu Ai still frowned, apparently not believing Zheng Pinger's words: "According to Biejia, how long will I have to wait here?"

"It's not certain." Zheng Ping's eyes were sly: "Maybe three days, maybe half a month, I can't say for sure."

Liu Ai was stunned: "Three days? Half a month? Doesn't Mr. Liu need to deal with Qingzhou government affairs?"

Zheng Ping laughed and said, "Liu Changshi misunderstood. It's not that the envoy doesn't handle the government affairs of Qingzhou, but that the Qingzhou government affairs envoy has already been properly deployed, and all levels and ministries perform their duties. Even if the envoy is absent for a month, it will not affect Qingzhou. The normal functioning of government affairs."

Liu Ai was even more astonished: "Isn't Liu Shijun acting like this?"

Although Liu Ai didn't finish speaking, Zheng Ping also understood Liu Ai's meaning.

"Is Liu Changshi trying to say that Shijun is just a puppet governor in Qingzhou?" Zheng Ping said with a smile, "I understand Liu Changshi's worry. After all, if Liu Shijun is a puppet in Qingzhou, then the emperor's expectations will be in vain. gone."

Liu Ai's pupils shrank slightly, and she concealed: "Zheng Biejia, what are you talking about, why can't I understand? I am Xiangguo Changshi!"

Zheng Ping smiled but did not answer.

At this moment, a pawn came back and approached Zheng Ping and whispered: "Don't drive, Shijun is having dinner with the villagers in the village, so he won't be back for a while."

Liu Ai's ears were sharp, and he was even more surprised when he heard the whispers of the pawns: "Is Liu Shijun really going to open up wasteland?"

"Liu Changshi, how can I lie to you?" Zheng Ping invited: "Hearing is believing, seeing is believing. Would Liu Changshi be willing to come with me to meet Liu Shijun who ate and sat with the villagers? ?”

Liu Ai calmed down slightly: "I have been an official for many years, and I have never seen a governor who would open up wasteland in person and sit and eat with the villagers. Since Zheng Biejia invited, let's go together!"

Seeing that Liu Ai agreed, Zheng Ping prepared two fast horses, and rode with Liu Ai to the place where Liu Bei led the people to open up wasteland.

Qingzhou has a lot of wasteland.

But land reclamation is not an easy task, and the required manpower and material resources cannot be afforded by a single family.

Especially in Qingzhou now, if you want to open up wasteland on a large scale in a short period of time, you can only concentrate manpower and material resources.

"Liu Changshi, in front is Liu Shijun's wasteland today." On the slope, Zheng Ping pointed to the half-reclaimed wasteland down the slope.

Liu Ai looked at the crowd, but couldn't find Liu Bei's figure, and asked doubtfully, "Is Mr. Liu here?"

Zheng Ping laughed loudly: "Liu Changshi, do you think that Liu Shijun still needs to wear official clothes or brocade clothes when opening up wasteland? Look to the left, the one in commoner clothes and grass shoes, holding a porcelain bowl, talking to the villagers while eating that is."

Liu Ai's pupils tightened again: "Is that Liu Shijun?"

If it weren't for Zheng Ping, Liu Ai would never have imagined that the strong man in the crowd, who was no different from ordinary villagers, would be Liu Bei, the governor of Qingzhou!
In Liu Ai's perception, even if Liu Bei would go to open up wasteland, he would basically be patrolling in official uniform, occasionally going down to the ground to wave a hoe, and then find someone to promote a certain governor to open up wasteland with the villagers.

If you can do this, you can be called sympathetic to the people.

But what Liu Ai sees now is Liu Bei who is dressed like the villagers, not afraid of getting dirty or tired, and eating the same food as the villagers!

Liu Ai, who was in a complicated mood, was about to ride his horse to look for Liu Bei, but was stopped by Zheng Ping: "Liu Changshi, if you want to see the envoy, you have to change your clothes."

Liu Ai saw Zheng Ping skillfully take out the cloth clothes and grass shoes from the bag on the horse's back, and said in astonishment, "You want me to wear this?"

Zheng Ping chuckled: "You are the envoy of the emperor, isn't the emperor willing to share the suffering with the people?"

Liu Ai looked at the patched civilian clothes and the rough straw shoes, gritted his teeth, and put on the civilian clothes and straw shoes.

"This prime minister, Liu Ai, is really unusual. No wonder he was promoted to Zongzheng after Dong Zhuo's death." Zheng Ping smiled and looked at Liu Ai, who had put on civilian clothes and grass shoes.

Seeing that Liu Bei actually didn't need to change into civilian clothes and straw shoes, but Zheng Ping wanted to test the strength of the angel from Chang'an, so he deliberately gave Liu Ai a choice.

"Liu Changshi's eyebrows are kind, but he doesn't look like a treacherous person." Zheng Ping praised.

Liu Ai looked at Zheng Ping, who had also changed into civilian clothes and grass shoes, with complicated emotions in his heart.

Liu Bei saw Zheng Ping coming from a distance, and greeted him: "Xianmou, you came too late, there is only half a coarse grain cake left."

Under Liu Ai's astonished gaze, Zheng Ping took the coarse grain cake, then split it in half and gave half to Liu Ai: "Master, this is the envoy of the Son of Heaven from Chang'an, Prime Minister Liu Ai."

Liu Bei laughed, took Liu Ai's arm and came to the field, shouting to the villagers: "Folks, this is the envoy appointed by the Emperor of Chang'an! As I said earlier, the emperor will not forget the villagers."

"In this world, only treacherous ministers rebel against the party and deceive the saints, so that the villagers suffer."

"We must believe that the world is just and righteous, and temporary difficulties and sufferings will not crush our fighting spirit. As long as we still have the fighting spirit, we will be able to eat and wear warm clothes!"

Liu Ai was a little dazed when he was swam with his arms.

But the next moment, Zheng Ping had already crushed the coarse grain cake in his hand, chewed and swallowed, and shouted: "Folks, there is an envoy Liu who is willing to eat and sit with you, and there is an envoy from the Son of Heaven who is willing to wear the same clothes as you." , the same straw sandals, and the same coarse-grain cakes.”

"Because we all believe that the difficult days will pass, and this autumn will definitely have a bumper harvest!"

"Liu Changshi, you are here on behalf of the emperor, you must give hope to the folks!"

Liu Ai finally understood what Liu Bei and Zheng Ping wanted to do.

Hardened, Liu Ai crushed the coarse grain cake.

Although Dong Zhuo was authoritarian and chaotic, he was not harsh on the diet of the ministers and officials.

Liu Ai has never eaten such coarse grain cakes!
I just feel that it is not only dry and tasteless in the mouth, but also extremely difficult to swallow.

"Master Chang Shi, you will choke if you eat like this, come and drink some water!" A villager brought a bowl of water to Liu Ai: "This is white water that has been boiled and cooled. It is not easy to get sick after drinking."

The bowl is clean and the water is clear.

Zheng Ping has always attached great importance to sanitary conditions.

Coarse grain cakes are hard to swallow because there is not enough food, so some usable grass leaves and tree roots are mixed.

But this does not mean that what the villagers eat and drink is dirty!

Liu Ai was taken aback for a moment, but still took the porcelain bowl from the villager, mixed it with white water and swallowed a small half of the coarse grain cake.

In all fairness, Liu Ai has never eaten such a rough grain cake in his life!
"Folks, the emperor really cares about you."

"It's just that the emperor is far away in Chang'an, so it's hard for him to open up wasteland with you like Liu Shijun."

"That's why the emperor sent me to Qingzhou, named Liu Shijun as the shepherd of Qingzhou, and asked Zong Zhengqing to determine the family genealogy. Liu Shijun will be the minister of the clan from now on."

Both Liu Bei and Zheng Ping exaggerated the atmosphere to this extent, and Liu Ai did not forget to establish a good image for Liu Xie.

The villagers immediately talked about it.

"Is there any difference between Qingzhou Mu and Qingzhou Governor?"

"There must be, Qingzhou Mu must be older than the Qingzhou Governor, otherwise the emperor would not send someone in person."

"Liu Shijun will be a minister of the imperial clan in the future, so does he represent the emperor?"

"The emissary of the Son of Heaven also wears the same clothes as us, and eats coarse grain cakes and cold water. It seems that the Son of Heaven is a wise king."

"With a good official like Liu Shijun and a sage king like the Son of Heaven, our hard times won't be too long."

"Qingzhou is very miserable now, but it is much better than being displaced. Our homeland will be restored soon."

"Long live the Son of Heaven! Long live!"

"."

The enthusiasm of the villagers gradually increased.

Liu Ai looked at the enthusiastic villagers in astonishment, and was greatly shocked.

After half an hour.

Liu Ai followed Liu Bei and Zheng Ping back to Linzi City. Liu Bei handed Liu Ai a small porcelain bottle with a magnetic voice: "Liu Changshi, apply the plaster on the palm to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis."

"Actually, you didn't need to hoe and open up wasteland with us just now."

Liu Ai was shocked just now, and offered to open up wasteland with the villagers, his palms were red and swollen.

Seeing that Liu Ai's hands were trembling, Liu Bei directly applied the plaster on Liu Ai's palm.

"Liu Shijun, thank you very much." Liu Ai rubbed his palms to let the plaster spread evenly, and then sighed: "Liu Shijun is here in Qingzhou, it is the blessing of all people in Qingzhou."

seeing is believing!
When he saw Liu Bei who was a real man for the people, Liu Ai felt a lot of emotion in his heart.

In particular, Liu Bei did not forget to make the emperor famous!

Report to the country and go down to An Lishu.

Liu Bei has perfectly displayed these eight characters in front of Liu Ai!
"I also admire Liu Changshi. You are the first envoy I have ever seen who dares to wear common clothes and straw shoes, eat coarse grain cakes, and open up wasteland with the villagers." Liu Bei's words were full of admiration.

Back in Linzi City, Liu Ai read the imperial decree in front of the civil and military officials in Linzi City, and handed over Qingzhou Mu's seal and ribbon to Liu Bei.

This means that Liu Bei officially has the power to appoint and dismiss the counties and states of Qingzhou.

From now on, it is no longer a fake job, but the emperor's decree, the imperial charter, and the Qingzhou pastor who guards Qingzhou!
"Liu Shijun, I have a saying, I don't know if I should say it or not." After all the officials retreated, Liu Ai hesitated whether to tell Liu Bei that Lu Zhi blamed Guan Yu.

Liu Bei smiled and said, "Liu Changshi, there are no outsiders here, so it's okay for you to say so."

Liu Ai gritted his teeth, and told Liu Bei that Lu Zhi blamed Guan Yu.

Liu Bei subconsciously looked at Zheng Ping.

But seeing Zheng Ping rise up against the case, he said angrily: "How can Lu Shangshu treat Yun Chang like this? Wouldn't it be possible for a hundred army sticks to fall to the ground in three months? Shijun immediately sent someone to call Yun Chang back, and I will go to Qiao County to ask Doctor Hua!"

Liu Bei's eyes also instantly became painful, and he clenched his fists tightly: "How can Master Lu do this? Has he forgotten how important Qingzhou Mu is to me?"

"Without this appointment, I would have been a pseudonym all along, and I am not qualified to really command the counties and states of Qingzhou."

"The 50 starving people in Qingzhou belong to me. It is a big deal for King Qin to ask Dong Dong, but the food and clothing of the people in Qingzhou is also a big deal!"

"I promised Tao Shijun and Han Shijun many benefits before I borrowed soldiers, horses, food and grass for Master Lu. How could Master Lu be like this! How could it be like this!"

Liu Bei and Zheng Ping have a tacit understanding.

As soon as Zheng Ping yelled angrily, Liu Bei had already understood the gist. Even Liu Ai couldn't help being moved by this painful and tangled words.

a long time.

Liu Bei bowed his hands to thank Liu Ai: "If it wasn't for Liu Changshi's rescue, I'm afraid I would never see Yun Chang again. In the future, Liu Changshi has a mission, and Qingzhou will definitely go all out!"

Liu Ai quickly helped Liu Bei up and said: "Mr. Liu, don't do this. Now that the Han Dynasty is on the verge of danger, we need more clan ministers like Mr. Liu to turn the tide and restore the glory of our Han Dynasty."

Liu Bei's tone was a bit more surprised: "Liu Changshi, are you with Grand Master Dong?"

Liu Ai did not answer directly: "Liu Shijun, I can only tell you that I am the Prime Minister appointed by the emperor!"

Such an answer was enough for Liu Bei and Zheng Ping to understand Liu Ai's position.

Liu Ai did not stay in Linzi City, and after chatting with Liu Bei about the Luoyang war, he was ready to return to Chang'an.

If he stayed in Linzi City for too long, Liu Ai worried that Dong Zhuo would become suspicious.

city ​​gate.

Liu Bei and Zheng Pingli sent Liu Ai away.

Looking in the direction of Chang'an, Liu Bei's eyes became a bit more worried: "I didn't expect Huangfusong to help Dong Zhuo. If Dong Zhuo hadn't withdrawn Huangfusong's military power because of his fear of Huangfusong, Master Lu might have lost the battle and returned."

Huangfusong, Zhu Jun and Lu Zhi were all three great generals in the period of Emperor Ling, but now they met each other, which made Liu Bei sigh.

Zheng Ping's eyes shivered slightly: "Huangfusong is only loyal to the emperor, so it's not surprising that he is loyal to his uncle, so you don't have to feel sorry for him."

"Now that Dong Zhuo is sitting in Luoyang himself, with the current strength of my uncle and Sun Jian, it is almost impossible to defeat Dong Zhuo."

Liu Bei restrained his voice: "That is to say, did the alliance fail again in its bid for Dong?"

Zheng Ping shook his head: "Failure is not guaranteed! Liu Ai is Dong Zhuo's long history, but he is loyal to the emperor of Chang'an. The emperor is smart, and he will not let Dong Zhuo monopolize his power."

"Nowadays, even Dong Zhuo's Chang Shi belongs to the emperor. There must be more loyal ministers and righteous men in Chang'an City plotting against Dong."

"Now that Dong Zhuo has left Chang'an, the ministers in Chang'an who are loyal to the emperor will definitely take action."

"If my predictions are correct, the imperial decree to Youzhou should have come out of Chang'an."

Liu Bei was slightly surprised: "The imperial decree to go to Youzhou? Could it be that the emperor wants to summon King Sima Qin?"

Zheng Ping nodded: "Grand Sima is burdened by his status. If there is no imperial edict, he will never send troops to attack Dong Zhuo!"

(End of this chapter)