I, Liu Bian, Sanxing Han Dynasty

Chapter 395: Blessings are coming
On this side, Cao Hong persuaded the hesitant villagers, while on the other side, Liu Bian had already seen the joint memorial from Du Kai, the lieutenant general of the Northern Army, and three captains of the Northern Army.

Although the above only said that it was the opinion of the four people who wrote the letter, Liu Bian had to consider whether the "public opinion" of the five battalions of soldiers of the Northern Army was hidden behind it.

After all, Liu Bian was facing the Northern Army and the Xiyuan Army. Although he tried to treat them equally in everything, there was a difference in the source of their money and food. Since its establishment, the Xiyuan Army had been using the money from the Xiyuan Wanjin Hall, which was the emperor's private money.

And there is no doubt that many things can only be carried out in the Xiyuan Army, which is a virgin land, without causing controversy.

Thinking of this, Liu Bian immediately ordered someone to summon Lu Zhi and Huangfu Song to see him.

We have to ask their opinions on this matter.

While waiting, Liu Bian thought about it, and just as he was about to order someone to summon the general and the general of cavalry who had jurisdiction over the five battalions of the Northern Army, he shut his mouth again.

It's no use calling him.

……

"I personally think that Your Majesty is worrying too much." Huangfu Song had just taken a group of Northern Army soldiers to Yanzhou last year and he knew the Northern Army quite well.

After hearing this, Liu Bian felt relieved.

Huangfu Song explained: "Since your majesty came to power, you have strictly investigated the administration of officials, and the soldiers of the Northern Army have also benefited from this, with sufficient money and food. In addition, the Northern Army has won many battles before, and your majesty has been generous in rewards. The soldiers of the Northern Army have served in the army for generations, so they will only be grateful, and there is no way they will be dissatisfied."

Liu Bian nodded and said, "I am not afraid of competition between the Northern Army and the Western Garden Army. As long as they compare combat power, military achievements and other fair and aboveboard competitions, it is fine. In my opinion, this can actually boost the morale of the army. As long as there is no hidden dissatisfaction, it's fine."

"So, what do you think of the Northern Army's request to expand its military?"

Huangfu Song first glanced at Lu Zhi, and seeing that he had no intention of speaking, he continued to answer: "Whether to expand the army or not, I think it is up to Your Majesty to decide. However, if you want to expand the army, you should have two concerns - one is money and food. Although the national treasury has a slight surplus due to the good weather and good harvests in the past two years, it is far from sufficient. Now that the Xiyuan Army is restoring the old system, the Northern Army must be cautious in expanding the army, otherwise it may be suspected of excessive military spending."

"Secondly, the system of the Northern Army has been in place for a long time, and I think it cannot be changed rashly. Even if the army is expanded, it cannot recruit warriors from all over the world like Xiyuan did. It still needs to focus on the sons of old soldiers in the army and the sons of good families in Mikawa."

Liu Bian nodded again and said, "What you said is the advice of a mature and experienced man for the country!" After praising, Liu Bian looked at Lu Zhi again.

Lu Zhi did not answer directly, but said: "In the past, during the reign of Emperor Xiaowu, the Northern Army was changed to eight colonels. Now if we add three colonels - may I ask Your Majesty, can Xiyuan Wanjin Hall provide extra money and food for these three thousand people for five years?"

Liu Bian made a rough estimate in his mind.

For professional soldiers like the Northern Army and the Xiyuan Army, their needs to support their families must be taken into consideration, and the money and food spent on them each year is much more than that of temporary recruits.

When Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun led 40,000 troops to Guanzhong to deal with the Liangzhou rebels, it cost about 8,000 coins to recruit a soldier a year. Although the price of grain has dropped a lot now, the total cost of miscellaneous items is at least 14,000 to 15,000 coins, and that's not counting the loss of weapons such as swords, guns, bows and arrows.

"More than 200 million!" Liu Bian gritted his teeth and said, "Wanjintang can afford it!"

Liu Bian had the confidence to say this thanks to the property sent by the criminal officials last year.

He knew that Lu Zhi's speech agreed to expand the army.

Liu Bian also knew that after his serious illness last year, Lu Zhi hoped to help him solve the Han family's biggest trouble during his lifetime.

At this time, it might not be a bad idea to take advantage of the situation and expand the army with reasonable reasons.

And the five years mentioned by Lu Zhi probably also included the money and food used for fighting.

Liu Bian thought that even if something unexpected happened, he could personally thank the criminals for the property they had sent him.

...Chang'an.

Zhang Wen finally arrived here.

In the past, it was here that Zhang Wen was appointed as the Grand Marshal by an envoy sent by the previous emperor, thus reaching the peak of his life.

Now, after seven or eight years, Zhang Wen couldn't help but feel emotional when he revisited the place and found that things and people have changed.

In the Jingzhao Yin Mansion, Tao Qian saw Zhang Wen. Although he was surprised, he was as unhappy as ever and did not treat Zhang Wen well as usual.

And Zhang Wen also understood Tao Qian very well - of course he chose to forgive him!

Zhang Wen chose to forgive Tao Qian when he was provoked in person. Naturally, he would not be angry about Tao Qian's attitude now. Otherwise, how could he show his magnanimity?

However, he still couldn't help but sarcastically said, "It's been a long time since we last met. I wonder if Gong Zu's madness has healed now?"

Tao Qian could not help wanting to walk away, but just as Zhang Wen was the Grand Marshal whose power was difficult for him to disobey, now Zhang Wen was the Inspector of the Capital who was specifically responsible for supervising him.

But Tao Qian is no longer the Tao Gongzu who had no power to resist.

"Si Li Xiao Wei is here to investigate in detail. There is nothing in Jing Zhao Yin Fu that Si Li Xiao Wei cannot investigate. If there are people who violate the law, Si Li Xiao Wei can deal with them according to the law. I will never say a word!"

Although Tao Qian spoke with confidence, he felt guilty. Although he thought that what Cao Hong and others did was harmless, Zhang Wen... What if Zhang Wen took the opportunity to suppress him...

But Tao Qian changed his mind - Jingzhao Yinfu was his territory, and he had been following Huangfu Song as the captain of the military farm since the beginning of the military farm. Zhang Wen had just arrived, so what could he find out?
But Du Ji... he should have some integrity and not tell Zhang Wen.

Thinking of this, Tao Qian felt relieved.

Of course...

"Don't panic, Emperor Gongzu. I had already sent people to investigate everything that needed to be investigated when I arrived here. As for why I came here today, it was only because I followed the order of Your Majesty to try the case and convict the criminal." Zhang Wen said calmly.

Tao Qian had a bad feeling in his heart. He frowned and asked, "Words are not enough. Do you have an imperial edict?"

"Your Majesty's order was spoken orally, not written. If Gongzu suspects that I forged the imperial edict, you may write a letter to verify it. I will not stop you."

Tao Qian also knew that Zhang Wen already had the power to supervise the Sili, so there was no need for him to forge an imperial edict. He asked again, "Who do you want to convict?"

"Don't worry, Gong Zu. I'm not going to convict you! Why don't you wait for a while? Gong Zu will know."

As he was speaking, a county official suddenly asked to see him.

The Luoyang officials who came with Zhang Wen saw that although this man was dressed as a Han Chinese, he had some of the characteristics of a Qiang person. Many of them were amazed as they saw this scene for the first time.

The man who came was Bu Mi, a Qiang. He approached Tao Qian and whispered, "My Lord, it's bad. Cao Zhubu was captured by a clerk who claimed to be from the Sili Xiaowei. He is coming this way now!"

After hearing this, Tao Qian felt a tingling sensation on his scalp.

There was only one thought in his mind - if Zhang Wen caught me, it would be over, everything would be over.

Seeing this, Zhang Wen said again: "Don't panic, Gong Zu. It's just a trial. Gong Zu will join me? This is also what your majesty wants."

(End of this chapter)