Ji Han Liu Zhang

Chapter 128 Chengdu’s Internal Troubles

The document sent by Pang Jing, the head of the mansion, mentioned the various behaviors of Liu Zhang's brother Liu Mao during this period - studying in the mansion, going out for hunting, and never handed over guests.

Yes, Liu Mao can go out and meet guests.

Because Liu Zhang could not keep Liu Mao under house arrest forever, which would be detrimental to his reputation, he could replace Liu Mao's attendants and send people to monitor Liu Mao's every move, but it would be like a long-term detention, confining Liu Hao. But something is wrong.

The Han Dynasty ruled the world with loyalty and filial piety, and detained his own brother, and he was the only remaining brother. When the news spread, the knowledgeable and discerning scholars would probably sarcastically say: "Brothers can't get along, but they can tolerate each other." Are there any nobles in the world? '

Secondly, Liu Mao has been pretending to be respectful and docile as a brother and brother recently, leaving Liu Zhang unable to criticize him.

Therefore, Liu Zhang lifted the ban on Liu Hao and treated Liu Hao generously, hoping to see what his brother would do.

Judging from Liu Hao's various behaviors during this period, Liu Hao seemed to have accepted his fate. He did not make any small moves or do anything out of the ordinary. He was peacefully acting as the noble son of the Prefectural Mufu and no longer treated him badly. What is the intention of Yizhou Mu's position?

"Humph." Liu Zhang snorted lightly, dismissing Liu Hao's indifferent performance at the moment.

Not long ago, he was worried that the position of Yizhou Shepherd had not fallen into his hands, so he became angry and changed his temperament. Shortly after Liu Yan's death, Liu Hao, who drank heavily during the mourning period and watched beauties singing and dancing, how could he suddenly become He became a hermit who did not covet power and position.

If Liu Hao makes some small moves and does some outrageous things, then Liu Zhang can feel relieved about Liu Hao.

But Liu Hao didn't do anything, and there was nothing to arouse suspicion, which made people suspicious.

It seems that his third brother, Liu Mao, is still unwilling and resentful. On the surface, he doesn't show any tricks, but he is probably planning something secretly.

Liu Zhang thought for a while and wrote a letter instructing Pang Jing. The document asked Pang Jing to pay attention during this period and keep an eye on Liu Hao's every move.

Liu Zhang's internal worries in Chengdu, if Liu Mao inside the government and Zhao Wei outside the government make any moves, the best time for them to take action is when Liu Zhang goes south to conquer the Soyi and is far away from Chengdu.

When this time passes, Liu Zhang pacifies Nanzhong and returns to Chengdu, with the power of victory, it will be difficult for Liu Hao and Zhao Wei to do anything again.

In fact, Liu Zhang wanted to let Liu Mao and Zhao Wei, the two internal troubles, jump out on his own, and then cut them off easily. If Liu Hao and Zhao Wei were left alive, they would be a disaster after all, a disaster that would break out at some point.

Although under Liu Zhang's continuous weakening, Liu Mao's buddies in the prefectural pastorate were purged. The civil and military officials in the prefectures and counties who were close to Liu Mao were either promoted and secretly demoted by Liu Zhang and took away their power, or Liu Zhang seized some leverage. Although he was reprimanded, it was difficult to save a few fish that slipped through the net, and they were still serving Liu Hao secretly.

You must know that most people in the Han Dynasty had a mentality, that is, 'a scholar will die for his confidant'. There are countless people who despise life and death but value promises. Even if Liu Mao is now lonely and loses power, some people will still secretly continue to be loyal to him. Liu Hao, as long as Liu Hao is alive, the hearts of this group of people will not change. If Liu Hao dies unexpectedly, these people will still think of ways to avenge Liu Hao.

As for Zhao Wei outside the government, Zhao Wei was born into the wealthy Anhan family in Ba County, and there was a natural force within his own family that supported him. In addition, Zhao Wei had been in a high position for a long time, and he had a considerable force in the state capital, like the former school Wei Pang Le and Li Yi were both Zhao Wei's confidants. They left Zhao Wei alone, but showed very little loyalty to the Prefectural Mufu.Although after Liu Zhang became the shepherd of Yizhou, he sent his captains Pang Le and Li Yi to Hanzhong to guard Zhang Lu through a borrowed knife strategy, prompting Zhang Lu to help him deal with Pang Le and Li Yi's clan tribes, weakening Zhao Wei's power. Liu Zhang placed Zhao Wei in a high position and treated him with dignity and grace, but Zhao Wei still had a considerable influence.

Although Liu Mao and Zhao Wei were weakened by Liu Zhang's constant blows and manipulations, and the harm they caused in the future may be less, as "Han Feizi·Yu Lao" said: "A thousand-foot embankment is like an ant's nest." Collapse.A room a hundred feet tall is burned with smoke from the cracks. '

No matter how small the harm is, it may cause great damage. Liu Zhang would never keep these disasters in his heart, but Liu Hao and Zhao Wei, one is his biological brother, and the other is his official friend. If a confidant directly attacks someone, it will give others leverage and cause great damage to his reputation.

So Liu Zhang had two ways to deal with it. One was to wait until Liu Hao and Zhao Wei did something rebellious and then kill themselves. This method had quick effect, no hidden dangers, and no one else could say anything. The other was to take care of the two of them slowly. It takes a little longer, and requires thousands of days of guarding against thieves and the sudden movements of Liu Hao and Zhao Wei.

Comparing the two measures, Liu Zhang naturally hoped that Liu Hao and Zhao Wei would do something rebellious and unethical, so that he could eliminate the two hidden dangers of Liu Hao and Zhao Wei without being criticized, and cut through the mess quickly and happily. Get rid of inner worries.

But Liu Zhang also knows that things may not develop as he wants. Things like the future are ever-changing. You may know some general trends, but only immortals know what will happen specifically, and Liu Zhang is just a mortal.

'Let's take another look. With an indifferent attitude, Liu Zhang planned to observe the actions of Liu Hao and Zhao Wei again. No matter how they acted, he would suppress them firmly.

After all, if he couldn't even control Liu Hao and Zhao Wei, two people who had lost power, why would he talk about fighting for hegemony and giving the world a peaceful and prosperous age?

After thinking about this, Liu Zhang handed the document to Pang Jing to Pang Que who came to Nanzhong to deliver the document. At the same time, he joked: "Ziman, why does your father let you run around as a messenger?"

Different from the previous messengers who delivered documents, the messenger who delivered documents this time was actually Pang Que, the son of Pang Jing, the director of the Prefectural Mufu Mansion. This surprised Liu Zhang. He deliberately did not bring Pang Que with him to serve in the expedition to Nanzhong. , After all, Nanzhong is not a good place. Pang Que is not old and is not as resistant as adults.

Pang Que's face was a little tangled. He remembered what his father had told him. After mustering up the courage, Pang Que walked up to Liu Zhang and said to Liu Zhang in a voice that only Liu Zhang could hear and the name he used to call Liu Zhang. Liu Zhang said: "Young Master, there have been some rumors in Chengdu recently, saying that the Young Master is suspected of 'stealing his wife'."

So Liu Zhang understood that it was not easy to write down such dirty things. No wonder Pang Jing sent Pang Que to convey the message.

Without waiting for Liu Zhang's response, Pang Que looked resolute and said firmly to Liu Zhang: "Young Master, I don't believe it at all. I know everything about the young master's character. He is definitely not the person who did such a thing. This is definitely Xiao Xiao's slander. Young Master’s words.”

"My father discussed with Dong He, the commander of Chengdu, that this kind of matter should not be investigated vigorously to find out the source of the rumor. He just sent some people to investigate secretly, but nothing has been found yet."

After saying that, he looked at Liu Zhang, and his expression was not what he expected. When he heard someone slandering his wife as a thief, Liu Zhang was unhappy and even angry. Instead, Liu Zhang's face was a little happy, with a hint of pleasure. in it.

"I understand." Liu Zhang replied to Pang Que in a nonchalant manner, and then sent Pang Que to rest early, otherwise he would not grow taller.

'It seems that someone can't sit still. After Pang Que left, Liu Zhang looked happy. After hearing the rumor about his stolen sister-in-law, he felt that he might have a chance to cut the knot quickly and solve his inner problems quickly.

(End of this chapter)