big song poppi

Chapter 587 0584 [Your Majesty, save me]

Han Zhen continued to review memorials with his red brush in his hand.

Zhang Jun was feeling uneasy and didn't dare to move. He just continued to lie on the ground, maintaining the posture of bowing his head.

After a moment, Han Zhen stopped writing with his red brush and said, "No need to be polite."

Only then did Zhang Jun get up from the ground.

Han Zhen slowly said, "Zhang Qing and I are old acquaintances. It has been three years since we parted in Shandong."

Zhang Jun said in a clear voice: "Your Majesty was so brave and heroic back then, and your heroic figure galloping on the battlefield made me yearn for it. I often think of you in my dreams over the years."

It's not shameful to flatter someone.

Especially when it comes to flattering the current official, many people want to do so but don’t have the chance.

"Initially, the generals in the military disagreed with your surrender, saying that you were domineering and did not discipline the army."

Han Zhen paused, then changed the subject: "Of course, I think you are quite strategic and brave in battle, and you are a fierce general, so I will go against all the opinions."

"Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for your kindness. I will repay you with my life!"

Zhang Jun knelt down and kowtowed again, looking moved.

Whether the official's words were true or false, they did help him. Otherwise, his fate would have been the same as Xin Xingzong and Liu Guangshi.

Now not only his life has been saved, but his official position has also been kept. It is no exaggeration to say that he has been blessed with a new life.

Han Zhen said in a deep voice: "You have been poisoned by the Bliss Pill, which is always a hidden danger. Not to mention that I have ordered the eradication of all poppies in Qi State, and there will be no more Bliss Pills in the future. Moreover, the Bliss Pill itself is a poison. You can't see any effects now, but in a few years, I'm afraid you won't even be able to lift a knife."

"Please save me, Your Majesty!"

Zhang Jun's expression changed and he pleaded.

Han Zhen raised two fingers and said, "I will give you two choices. One is to get rid of the poison of the Bliss Pill and continue to lead troops on the front line. The other is to retire in the military logistics department."

After the words fell, Zhang Jun did not hesitate at all and immediately said loudly: "I choose the first one!"

Han Zhen reminded him, "It's not something that can be done overnight to get rid of the Extreme Bliss Pill. I'm sure you know how difficult it is. It may even be life-threatening. Have you thought about it?"

"I have thought it through!"

Zhang Jun said in a firm tone.

Han Zhen waved his hand and said, "In that case, you will go to the Dali Temple later and find a cell to live in. You can come out when you are free from the poison of the Bliss Pill."

In this era, detoxification doesn’t require so many details, just one word: boil.

After two or three months of waiting for the body to repair itself and the withdrawal symptoms to disappear, the drug addiction will also be broken.

If you can't make it through, then you'll die.

You should know that in the eight prefectures of Fujian, there are more than 300 officials of all ranks who are controlled by Fang Qifo using the Bliss Pill.

However, only less than two hundred people were escorted to the capital alive, and the remaining one hundred or so died on the way.

Some officials died from complications of withdrawal reactions, but more could not bear the torture and suffered mental breakdowns, thus choosing to commit suicide.

The 200 officials who luckily survived, although not dead, were tortured beyond recognition by drug addiction. They were basically useless and had no use at all. If they were kept alive, who knows what kind of trouble they might cause, so it was better to just kill them all to save trouble.

"I accept your order!"

Zhang Jun responded loudly, then stood up and left, heading straight for the Dali Temple.

Watching Zhang Jun's departing back, Han Zhen smiled slightly.

If he can really overcome his drug addiction on his own without the help of drugs, he will be completely reborn.

It’s just as the saying goes, fortune and misfortune go hand in hand.

Liu Chang reminded, "Your Majesty, Yu Bozhuang wants to see you."

"Xuan."

Han Zhen was delighted and quickly gave orders.

Not long after, Yu Bozhuang hurried into the hall with a roll of drawings under his arm.

The kang really does not require much technical skills, at least for the craftsmen from the engineering college.

After leaving the palace yesterday, Yu Bozhuang returned to the Institute of Engineering and immediately recruited more than ten craftsmen to study and improve the project. A plan was finalized that night.

"I have met your Majesty."

Yu Bozhuang bowed and saluted.

Han Zhen asked, "But has the improvement of the kang been completed?"

"Your Majesty, that is indeed the case."

Yu Bozhuang stepped forward, unfolded the blueprint, and spread it on the imperial desk, explaining: "Your Majesty, please see that the improved kang has changed the original two straight flues into a winding one. In this way, the hot smoke will flow more slowly in the flue, thereby improving the warmth retention performance. In addition..."

After listening to Yu Bozhuang's explanation, Han Zhen smiled with satisfaction and said, "You did a good job on this matter. I'll give you credit for it."

Yu Bozhuang was overjoyed and said righteously, "It is my duty to share your majesty's worries. How dare I take credit for it?"

Looking at the blueprint, Han Zhen asked, "Four guan is still a bit high. Can't the cost be lower?"

Yu Bozhuang smiled bitterly and said, "Your Majesty, this humble minister really has no choice. The kang must use stones and blue bricks, otherwise it cannot guarantee safety."

"Four strings of cash is four strings of cash."

Han Zhen nodded and said, "Leave the drawings here and leave."

"Wei Chen retire."

Yu Bozhuang bowed and turned to leave.

……

Gao Xiruo was wearing a sky-blue skirt and a moon-white double-breasted long jacket draped over her shoulders, and she walked in the palace with an elegant posture.

A beautiful young woman followed behind him, looking around with curiosity.

"You are not allowed to look around in the Forbidden Palace!"

Just then, the eunuch leading the way noticed the young woman and scolded her.

Gao Xiruo also frowned: "Wanwan."

"Oh."

Wanwan responded and then looked away.

To be honest, the defense inside the palace was not as strict as she had imagined, with a guard post every three steps and a sentry every ten steps. Instead, it was very lax. She hardly even saw any patrolling imperial guards along the way.

But when she thought of the Black Armored Army stationed at Xuande Gate and the ten soldiers carrying imperial weapons, she felt relieved.

Before entering the imperial city, one would be strictly searched by the Black Armor Army. Not to mention weapons and armor, even an embroidery needle would be confiscated.

Even if you sneak into the imperial city, what difference is there between facing the imperial weapons with bare hands and seeking death?

"Your Majesty is discussing politics with the ministers. You two should wait outside."

The eunuch gave an instruction and was about to walk into the hall.

Upon hearing this, Wanwan couldn't help but look into the hall, but she heard a light cough in her ear and immediately stopped moving.

"Mr. Lin, you are here!"

Huang Men's flattering voice sounded.

Gao Xiruo and Wanwan turned around and saw a young man striding towards them.

Just by looking at his age and physique, the two women knew that the man was not very old, definitely no more than thirty years old. However, the official uniform he was wearing was embroidered with tiger patterns in gold thread.

Tiger pattern is a second-rank military officer.

Lin Cong glanced at Gao Xiruo and the other girl, then stopped paying attention and turned to ask, "Is your Majesty discussing politics?"

"Yes, he is discussing politics with Lord Chang and Lord Liu." The eunuch nodded and said earnestly, "Lord Lin wants to see you. I will go and inform him right away."

As a eunuch in the palace, knowing how to order dishes according to the menu is a basic skill.

There are three people with special identities in the court, namely Lin Cong, Yang Shu and Gu Song.

These three gentlemen have followed Your Majesty all the way from humble beginnings. They are also Your Majesty’s childhood playmates and are as close as brothers.

To put it bluntly, Your Majesty has no brothers or sisters, and Lin Cong and the other three are equivalent to royal family members.

In fact, this was exactly what Han Zhen planned.

You can get clues just from his arrangements for the three people.

The Secret Service, the House of Commerce, and the Bank.

These three institutions are independent of the imperial court, yet extremely important. They are not suitable for outsiders to be in charge, only members of the royal family are suitable.

Lin Cong waved his hand: "No need, I'll wait here."

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……

In the main hall, Han Zhen was discussing matters with Liu Mi and Chang Yukun.

Liu Mi smiled bitterly and said, "Your Majesty, although the national treasury is well-off, it cannot afford such a fuss. Nanjing Road, Xijing Road and Hebei Road have a total of more than 2.1 million households. Even if the price of a kang is low, it will cost three or five strings of cash, right? If we repair it for free, it will cost nearly ten million strings of cash."

As the Minister of Revenue, he holds a high position of power and is in charge of the national treasury. It seems to be a glorious job, but in fact it is very difficult.

The State of Qi had one province, four ministries, six academies, seven temples, and twenty-three routes, and each of them required money.

If you give it to this department but not to that institute, it will easily offend people.

Chang Yukun advised, "Your Majesty cares about the people, which is a blessing for all people. I admire you very much, but this move is really inappropriate. The sage said that it is not the lack of wealth that is worrying, but the inequality. Your Majesty built a kang for the people in the north for free. What would the people in the south think? What would the people in Shandong and Shu think?"

"If we compensate the southern regions, it will be a huge sum of money, and I am afraid that the national treasury cannot afford it. I beg Your Majesty to revoke the order."

Hearing this, Han Zhen said in a deep voice: "You two ministers have a point, but the people in the north have suffered from war and chaos, and they are hungry. Nearly 90% of the people don't have extra money to build a kang. Do you think I can watch the people in the north freeze to death?"

What Chang Yukun said made sense. What is worrying is not the lack of wealth but the inequality. The court built heated brick beds for the people in the north for free. The people in Shandong, Shuzhong and the south will certainly be dissatisfied. The south and Shuzhong had just been incorporated into the territory and are not very stable yet. If someone with ulterior motives incites them, the possibility of riots is very high.

Liu Mi suggested: "We can compromise by allocating funds from the court and lending them to the people at a low interest rate to build kangs, and then pay them back in three years."

No matter what, since it is being built for free to the people, this loophole must not be opened.

Otherwise, once the door is opened and the people all over the world start to riot, the national treasury will not be able to cope with it.

The national treasury has money, but you have to know that there are more than 130 million people in the world!

"inappropriate."

Han Zhen waved his hand and said in a deep voice: "This move has many disadvantages. If the local government forces the people to borrow money in order to complete their tasks, wouldn't it be the same as Wang Anshi's Qingmiao Law?"

In order to complete their tasks and achieve good political achievements, the officials below did not care about other things and would only force the people to borrow money to build kangs.

Some people are in debt even though they don't need to borrow money.

In addition, officials and clerks can also take advantage of the opportunity to manipulate the situation and make huge profits, and in the end the people are the ones who suffer.

Of course, the situation under Han Zhen's rule was different from that under the Zhao and Song dynasties. The lower-level clerks were much more honest, and there were inspection offices and secret service offices in various places to monitor officials and recruit new officials, so you could never be sure that someone would take risks.

Never overestimate human nature. As the saying goes, people die for money and birds die for food.

Corrupt officials can never be eradicated in any era.

This was the case with the Qingmiao Law promoted by Wang Anshi. The original intention was good, but when it was implemented at the local level, it became an evil policy that harmed the people.

"It's my fault that I didn't think carefully."

When it comes to the Qingmiao Law, Liu Mi immediately realized the shortcomings of his proposal and quickly admitted his mistake.

Han Zhen ordered: "This matter cannot be delayed. The weather in the north is getting colder day by day. The cabinet must come up with an effective plan as soon as possible."

"I accept your order."

Chang Yukun took the job reluctantly.

After taking their leave, the two turned and left the hall.

Seeing two beautiful women waiting outside the hall, Chang Yukun and Liu Mi just glanced at them and paid no more attention.

The emperor has always been very restrained when it comes to women.

Now, there are only ten concubines in the harem. Many officials have petitioned His Majesty to take in some imperial attendants to enrich the harem, but all have been rejected by the emperor.

Now even if I marry two women, it is not a big deal.

At this time, a voice came from the hall: "Xuan Lincong, Gao Xiruo."

Gao Xiruo's expression became stern. She walked into the hall gracefully and bowed: "I greet your majesty."

"I have met His Majesty."

Lin Cong also bowed.

"No gift."

Han Zhen raised his hand in vain.

Gao Xiruo tactfully took out two lists from his sleeve pocket and said in a soft voice, "Your Majesty, these two lists, one is a list of followers of Manichaeism, Nestorianism, Woism and other evil cults in various places in the south. The other is a list of the 921 households and their relatives of my Maitreya Sect."

Han Zhen winked at Lin Cong, and Lin Cong immediately took the two lists.

Han Zhen gave the order: "Tell the Southern Secret Service to arrest the Manichaeism and other cult members. In addition, print multiple copies of the list of Maitreya followers and distribute them to the Secret Service in various places to closely monitor the relatives of these people."

"I accept your order!"

Lin Cong responded loudly.

Han Zhen turned his gaze to Gao Xiruo again: "Gao Xiruo."

"The folk girl is here."

Gao Xiruo shuddered and felt uneasy. Although she had guessed it long ago, she still had no idea how the government would accommodate her.

Han Zhen said in a clear voice: "I appoint you as a captain of the Secret Service Department, responsible for monitoring and winning over the native tribes in Guangdong and Guangxi. You will be directly under the command of the Commander-in-Chief. From now on, Lin Cong will be your superior."

Because the native tribes of Guangdong and Guangxi were of great importance, not only involving the ownership of Lingnan, but also affecting the future strategy of conquering Jiaozhi, so even though she was only a captain, Han Zhen specially allowed her to not be under the jurisdiction of the commander-in-chief, the commander-in-chief and the pacification envoy, and to be directly under Lin Cong.

"I, your humble servant, thank you, Your Majesty!"

Gao Xiruo secretly breathed a sigh of relief and bowed.

Just as he expected, he was recruited.

"Is this woman your confidant?"

Han Zhen's eyes fell on Wanwan.

Gao Xiruo quickly replied: "Your Majesty, her name is Lin Wanwan, and she is my right-hand man in the sect."

Han Zhen smiled and said, "Since you are my confidant, I will reward you with a centurion."

Lin Wanwan was not intimidated at all and asked curiously, "Your Majesty, what rank is a centurion?"

Han Zhen replied: "Are you satisfied with the seventh rank?"

"I am satisfied."

Lin Wanwan imitated Lin Cong and bowed.

Han Zhen stopped smiling and said sternly, "Let me be frank. Being an official under my rule is not easy. I will only give you one year. If you don't see results by then, you two will be dismissed, and the rest of the Maitreya sect and their relatives will all be exiled to the north."

He does not keep idle people, so he recruited and accepted them, just because he felt that Maitreya Religion still had value.

But if you can't demonstrate your value, don't blame him for being ruthless.

(End of this chapter)