Ji Han Da Sima

Chapter 725: Mr. Huo is in need of someone to take care of him
Huo Jun enfeoffed the soldiers who surrendered in Luoyang according to their official ranks.

Man Chong was made the Imperial Censor, and was granted the title of Marquis of Changyi County, which was inherited by his descendants; Xiahou Mi was made Marquis of Duting, Jiang Chong was made Marquis of Guannei, and the rest were given their own titles and rewards. If any of the surrendered soldiers wanted to return to their hometowns, the Han army would give them all the money and food and allow them to return to their hometowns to farm.

Farmers and scholars living in the vicinity of the capital were all changed to civilians, and were given land according to Han laws and taxed according to the Southern Han. If the land was severely affected by war or drought, it could be exempted from taxes for two years.

If a new woman wishes to return to her hometown, she should report to the county government and obtain permission from her ex-husband. She can then return to her ex-husband's home, and her new husband may not stop her.

When the above-mentioned good policies were promulgated, the households and scholars in Yingchuan, Chenliu, Henan, Jingzhao and other counties all rushed to tell each other. The people in Henan counties cried with joy and cheered for the good policies promulgated by the Han Dynasty.

After implementing the good governance, Huo Jun fulfilled his promise and took the money from the treasury in Luoyang City and shared it with the soldiers in the Northern Expedition.

However, due to Cao Pi's relocation of the capital, all the money in Luoyang was moved away, and there was not much money left in the treasury, so it was difficult to fulfill his promise.

Huo Jun adopted Jiang Ji's suggestion and started from the wealthy families in Luoyang City. He borrowed money from them in the name of Dahan, using IOUs as proof and agreeing to repay them in the future.

Zhuge Liang did not agree with Jiang Ji's suggestion at first, but when he saw that his soldiers were complaining a little, Zhuge Liang realized that they had been fighting for almost two years, and the old capitals of Chang'an and Luoyang had been recovered, and the soldiers were eager to receive rewards.

For the subsequent Northern Expedition, Zhuge Liang acquiesced to Jiang Ji's suggestion.

As for how to borrow from the rich, naturally they would bring their troops to their homes, knock on their doors one by one, and use a semi-coercive situation to force those nobles and powerful people to pay.

Worried that the warriors were not good at verbal communication, Jiang Ji, as the person in charge, personally led people to supervise to prevent looting and rioting.

In Xiahou Shang's mansion, the courtyard was arranged in an orderly manner, with all kinds of luxurious items such as fine porcelain, silk curtains, jade ornaments, etc.

Jiang Ji had a kind face and was dressed in Confucian clothes. If it weren't for the dozens of armored soldiers standing behind him with spears, most people would have thought that Jiang Ji was here to visit.

Xiahou Ru, Xiahou Shang's younger brother, coughed a few times and said, "Taichu, the Han Dynasty wants to reward soldiers, but the Luoyang treasury is short of money, so we want to borrow money from the tribes. I have an IOU as proof, and I will return it in the future. I wonder how much Taichu can lend?"

Although Xiahou Xuan was only about 20 years old, he was handsome and well behaved. According to Xiahou Xuan's status, he could follow Cao Rui to Yecheng in the north. However, Xiahou Xuan could not bear to abandon his home, and since his uncle Xiahou Ru surrendered to the Han Dynasty, he was not worried about danger, so he stayed in Luoyang.

After a brief thought, in order to show his cooperative attitude, Xiahou Xuan stood up and said, "The money in the mansion can be taken by Jiang Changshi. As for the amount of money, it depends on Jiang Changshi's opinion."

Jiang Ji stroked his beard and smiled, saying: "A gentleman loves money, but he gets it in a proper way. Now I have taken money from Taichu Mansion, and I must keep a record of it truthfully. I will return it with Sichuan brocade, sugar, horses, salt, grain, etc. in the future."

Cao Wei's economy had collapsed long ago, and it did not use Wuzhu coins as currency, but used barter. Now the Han Dynasty does not use Wuzhu coins as debts, but instead uses items as debts, which shows that the Han Dynasty really wants to repay the money, but it is borrowing in name only, but robbing in reality.

"Thank you, Mr. Jiang!" Xiahou Xuan bowed.

Jiang Ji looked at Xiahou Xuan and said to Xiahou Ru beside him, "Taichu has an extraordinary appearance and knows how to act and retreat. He will become a great man in the future."

Although Xiahou Ru was one of the Nine Ministers, with a high position and important status, he was very respectful to Jiang Ji and said with a smile: "Taichu is young and has not experienced current affairs. I will trouble you to teach me in the future."

"Easy to say!"

During the conversation, figures started moving behind the screen. Due to their large movements, they bumped into the base of the screen, causing it to shake.

The soldiers didn't know what was going on and were worried that someone was trying to kill Jiang Ji, so they stepped forward quickly, knocked down the firearms with their spears, and shouted, "Who is sneaking around?"

"boom!"

The sound of Fu Wei falling to the ground and the shouting of the armored soldiers frightened the man into panic.

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw that the person was actually a woman. Although her face was full of panic, her beauty, which was so stunning that it could topple a country, made her look quite charming.

Xiahou Xuan stood up and said, "Master Jiang, Sister Xuan has no ill intentions. I hope Master Jiang will forgive me."

Because Xiahou Hui was so beautiful, Jiang Ji couldn't help but take a few more glances at her, and said with a smile: "It's okay, just some misunderstandings!"

"Don't back down yet!"

In order to protect his sister, Xiahou Xuan scolded.

Knowing that she should not be here, Xiahou Hui walked quickly and her graceful figure disappeared into the side hall.

After Xiahou Hui left, Xiahou Ru frowned and asked, "Has Hui'er not crossed the river yet?"

Xiahou Xuan coughed and said, "Hui'er and Sima Shi were engaged, but it was delayed because of the war. Xuan was afraid that Hui'er would cross the river to Ye and marry Sima Shi. Now that Wei is declining, Xuan has to think about Hui'er's future."

Now, anyone with a discerning eye can see that the old ship of Cao Wei is about to sink. Sima Shi, as the son of Sima Yi, a general of Wei, has an unknown future. Therefore, for the sake of his sister, Xiahou Xuan had no choice but to deceive his mother and let his sister stay in the mansion secretly.

"Taichu has considered everything carefully. Sima Shi is not a good man!" Xiahou Ru said.

Listening to the two people's idle chat, Jiang Ji stroked his beard and said nothing, as if he was thinking about something.

With Xiahou Xuan's active cooperation, Jiang Ji successfully borrowed a large amount of money and food from Xiahou Shang's mansion.

After leaving the house, Jiang Ji took the initiative to talk to Xiahou Ru, and deliberately said: "The Grand Marshal has been on a long expedition for many years, and now he needs someone to take care of him." Xiahou Ru didn't react, and followed up with the words: "Ru is not thoughtful, I will go to the palace to find a few maids today."

Jiang Ji raised his eyebrows and said with a smile: "Most of the most beautiful women in the palace were brought to Yecheng by Cao Rui. I'm afraid that the maids in the palace today will not be pleasing to Lord Huo."

Hearing this, Xiahou Ru finally reacted and said cautiously: "Mr. Jiang, my niece has no experience in serving, so I am afraid it will be difficult to please Mr. Huo. How about ~"

Jiang Ji stroked his beard and smiled faintly, saying meaningfully: "In terms of the world's hope, who can compare to Mr. Huo?"

Without waiting for Xiahou Ru to react, Jiang Ji got into the car and left.

Xiahou Ru could hear Jiang Ji's threatening words and sighed helplessly.

Jiang Ji was the chief secretary of Huo Jun, just like a secretary in later generations. Although the position of chief secretary was low, Huo Jun was behind him. Even if Huo Jun was very capable, the source of his information was mostly conveyed by Jiang Ji.

Sometimes Jiang Ji could change Huo Jun's attitude with just one word, so in the eyes of everyone, the Chief Secretary Jiang Ji was his deputy, and no one dared to disrespect him.

After some hesitation, Xiahou Ru went to find Xiahou Xuan and Xiahou Hui.

At this time, Jiang Ji had told Huo Jun what he had done, and Huo Jun was slightly dissatisfied with his unauthorized decision.

Huo Jun's face darkened slightly, and he said, "How can Zi Tong betray me? If Xiahou Shi doesn't want to, and I force her to be my concubine, wouldn't that damage my reputation?"

Jiang Ji was neither anxious nor impatient, and smiled and said: "The governor led the army to the north to restore the Han Dynasty. Now his name is known throughout China. He is called an assistant, but in fact he is a pioneer. Therefore, the governor may want to resign, but I am afraid that Your Majesty will feel like a thorn in the back. Therefore, the governor should reduce his reputation to let Your Majesty and the ministers feel at ease."

The phrase "like thorns in the back" comes from the relationship between Emperor Xuan of Han and Huo Guang. Because Huo Guang was tall and powerful, Emperor Xuan of Han was extremely wary of him.

Now Huo Jun is higher than Huo Guang in both reputation and power, so Liu Chan cannot help but worry. If Liu Chan is really not afraid of Huo Jun, he should turn a blind eye to the rumors instead of doing the opposite and sending people to confer the title of King of Qi on Huo Jun.

In essence, Liu Chan was afraid and worried about Huo Jun, so he used political means to show that he had no suspicion and to help Huo Jun solve the rumor problem.

Jiang Ji added: "In the past, Xiao He feared the extermination of his clan, so he accepted the words of his retainers and tarnished his reputation, which made Emperor Gaozu not suspicious. Huo Guang did not know that prosperity will eventually decline, so he formed many factions and did not manage the family tradition, so his clan was wiped out after his death."

"The governor's reputation is far greater than Xiao He's, and his power is greater than Huo Guang's, so he is often worried. Now that he has gone to Luoyang and recovered the old capital, he has won the hearts of the army and the people. Everyone is afraid of the governor. In order to avoid slander, the governor should lower his reputation to reassure Your Majesty and the ministers."

Listening to Jiang Ji's words of concern for him, Huo Jun's displeasure disappeared and he asked, "What do you want to do, Zi Tong?"

"It's easy!"

Jiang Ji smiled and said, "Have someone inform Prime Minister Ge and then report it to your majesty. Given Prime Minister Ge's character, he will turn a blind eye and write a letter to advise the governor. Your majesty will be relieved and ignore the person who came, or verbally warn the governor."

Zhuge Liang's political style is mainly based on compromise and moderation. When Fa Zheng avenged his enemies, Zhuge Liang compromised because of his merits. Later, when he and Huo Jun were in power together, Zhuge Liang often did not point out problems in person, because the two had a good relationship and often communicated with Huo Jun privately.

"good!"

Having decided to adopt Jiang Ji's opinion, Huo Jun did not hesitate too much, but asked with concern: "What does this girl look like?"

"Captain, please rest assured!"

Jiang Ji smiled, cupped his hands and said, "This girl is Xiahou Xuan's sister. She is engaged to Sima Yi's son Sima Shi, but due to frequent wars, the two never got married. She has a beautiful face and a dignified figure, and she is so beautiful that she can overwhelm a country."

"Xiahou Xuan's sister?"

Hearing this, Huo Jun became very interested. He had already thought that this woman must be Xiahou Hui.

After pacing for a while, Huo Jun hesitated and said, "What do you think, Madam?"

Jiang Ji assured Huo Jun, and said with a smile: "Madam is magnanimous and generous, how could she blame the governor. Moreover, the governor wrote a letter detailing what happened. Madam can understand the overall situation, so she will not blame the governor."

"Ok!"

Huo Jun didn't think about it any more, and changed the subject, asking, "Where has your Majesty's carriage arrived?"

"Report to the Governor!"

Jiang Ji hesitated for a moment and replied, "According to the letter, your majesty has already arrived in Dangyang by boat, and will arrive in Xiangyang soon, and may reach Luoyang next month."

Jiang Ji continued, "I have ordered people to repair the temples of the Han Dynasty. Your Majesty will be able to worship the emperors of the Han Dynasty when you come to Beijing. As for the rewards for the soldiers, I have borrowed money from various families."

"it is good!"

Huo Jun recalled one thing and said, "Now that Luoyang has been restored, the city should no longer be called Luoyang, but should be renamed Luoyang."

"promise!"

ps: I owed one update before and one update yesterday, a total of two updates. I will slowly pay it back in the next few days!
(End of this chapter)