I, Liu Bian, Sanxing Han Dynasty
Chapter 399 On Sikong and Jia Xu's words
Chapter 399 On Sikong and Jia Xu's words (the leave request is invalid)
At the Praetorian Guards' Office, Zhong Fu was reporting the progress to Xu Qiu: "After Wen Yi submitted his visiting card, he was not summoned by Yang Gong, the Minister of Imperial Guards. After that, he never submitted a visiting card again."
"After that, he walked around Luoyang, sightseeing and didn't meet anyone."
It must be said that being born into a famous family does have many advantages. Since Zhong Shao took office as the Chief of the Imperial Guards, his superiors have always treated him very well.
"The imperial guards did not hide their identities, so of course he dared not act rashly. He was just sightseeing? That's a bit too much." Xu Qi looked at the document in front of him while speaking, and after a while he continued, "It will be enough to leave two people to watch him in the future, and the other imperial guards must pay attention to the city. Nowadays, Luoyang City is full of good and bad people, so we can't be careless. Especially now that the weather is dry, the armory and other places must be strictly prevented from fire."
Zhong Shao said: "After all, the city's public security is still the responsibility of the Luoyang magistrate. I have instructed the imperial guards to do more monitoring to prevent any problems from happening."
"Yeah." Xu Qiu was very satisfied with Zhong Shao's handling of the matter. After all, the imperial guards under the command of the Praetorian Guards had only two hundred men and could not snatch the jobs of the Luoyang Ling and the four captains of Luoyang.
Zhong Shao received the order and was about to say goodbye and leave when he suddenly heard Xu Qiu ask, "After Fan Deyun resigned, His Majesty has not announced a new candidate for the position of Sikong... In your opinion, who has a better chance?"
"This..." Zhong Shao was stunned. Although he had been Xu Qin's subordinate for almost a year, had their relationship reached the point where they could discuss such a profound issue?
"This matter involves national affairs, and I dare not speak rashly."
Xu Qiu said, "I have nothing else to do right now, so I might as well just say it. No one else will hear it."
Zhong Shao immediately thought of the current prime minister Cui Lie, who was appointed as one of the Three Dukes from his post as the Prefect of the Imperial Guards. Could it be that Xu Qiao had the same idea?
But Xu Yu seemed to see through his thoughts, waved his hand and said: "I heard that since your majesty first got involved in government affairs, the national treasury has been in deficit for many years, so your majesty attaches great importance to the national treasury money and grain. The Sikong is responsible for coordinating the money and grain, and in your majesty's mind, its importance may not be less than that of the Taiwei and Situ."
"I have written to the emperor many times recently, offending him several times... Someone like me is definitely not a suitable candidate for Sikong."
Zhong Shao understood what Xu Qiao meant. The Sikong the emperor needed was the next Fan Ling, and someone like Xu Qiao who liked to give advice and remonstrances was certainly not suitable.
Xu Qiao started the conversation, and Zhong Shao could no longer play dumb. He followed Xu Qiao's train of thought and thought carefully - first of all, the attendants Ma Ritian and Yang Xu, who had recovered from their illnesses, could be excluded as they could not be Fan Ling. By analogy, Cai Yong, Wang Qian, Huang Wan and others who were qualified to be Sikong in his mind were also excluded one after another.
Zhong Shao asked, "How is Minister Cao?"
The first person he thought of was Cao Song. After all, Cao Song had once been Sikong and had connections with eunuchs. Moreover, various things in the past proved that Cao Song and Fan Ling were of the same type of people.
In recent years, Cao Song's presence in the court has been very strong. Not to mention the equal distribution system, the mobilization of materials during disaster relief alone made Cao Song a household name.
After hearing this, Xu Qiu shook his head and said: "Cao Song's ability to implement the equalization system is acceptable, but he is still a little bit short of being the Minister of Works."
Zhong Shao asked again: "How about the Minister of Agriculture? He has been in office for many years, working hard and never complaining. He is qualified to be the Minister of Works."
Xu Qiu still shook his head: "If it were two years ago, Yuan Pang might have been the Minister of Works, but now it seems that although he is not involved in party affairs, he is still a bit stubborn in his actions."
Zhong Shao asked again: "How about the Minister of the Imperial Household? Forgive me for being frank, although Lord Yin has done things that are righteous and stand up for justice, looking back at his past, he does not seem to be a strong person."
"The Minister of the Imperial Household is able to know how to use people, but he may not be liked by the emperor." Xu Qiu still shook his head.
Zhong Shao was at a loss for words and could only say, "I really can't think of anyone else who is suitable for the position of Nine Ministers or those who are equal to Nine Ministers..."
"Don't worry, think about it again..."
……
In Yuntai Hall, Liu Bian was also thinking carefully.
When it comes to the matter of re-surveying the land, the Sikong, who is in charge of the Grand Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of the Imperial Household and is in charge of the financial power, must find someone who is capable enough and of the same mind as him.
At the very least, we have to choose someone like Cui Lie who is capable of getting things done and is willing to be flexible and follow the emperor's will.
This requirement directly eliminated the clean stream that Liu Bian liked to use the most.
As Sikong was the highest position in the Han Dynasty, none of the people Liu Bian brought with him were qualified.
He could only settle for the next best thing.
Yang Biao...Fu Xie...
These are the two more suitable candidates in Liu Bian’s mind at the moment.
Although Yang Biao had a good reputation, Liu Bian was well aware of his inner weakness. Yang Biao's good reputation was more due to the reputation of his father and ancestors, and he would compromise.
In this respect, Yang Biao is better than Ma Riti.
Historically, Ma Riti died of anger after Yuan Shu took away his seals and imperial seals, but Yang Biao served as a minister of Cao Pi in the last few years of his life.
As a native of Liangzhou, Fu Xie, who presided over the military farming in Liangzhou, was theoretically not suitable to be the long-term ruler of Liangzhou.
However, considering that Fu Xie's hometown, Beidi County, once had all its registered population relocated to Zuofengyi due to the invasion of the Hu people, mainly the Xianbei, even though some of them have returned now, the risk of the Beidi Fu family expanding its business is not high.
Although Fu Xie himself could be considered a member of the upright class, he should have been able to reach an agreement with Liu Bian on the issue of land.
The only thing Liu Bian was worried about was that Liang Province had only been pacified not long ago, and many Qiang people were willing to submit peacefully because of the reputation Fu Xie had accumulated in Liang Province. If Fu Xie was rashly transferred to Luoyang, his successor might not be able to control the situation.
Therefore, Liu Bian finally chose Yang Biao's name.
……
The Praetorian Guard Office.
When Zhong Shao heard the name Yang Biao, he asked in confusion, "Doesn't that mean there are two people from Guanxi among the three officials?"
"Why not?" Xu Qiu, a native of Guangling County in Xuzhou, asked back.
Seeing that Zhong Shao could not answer, Xu Qiu said meaningfully: "Now, Guanxi is more stable than Guandong!"
Zhong Shao still couldn't understand Xu Qiu's sigh.
Only at the last moment, he could not help but ask: "Why are you suddenly talking to me about this?"
"I heard that you are very close to Li Ru, the governor of the treasury."
Zhong Shao was stunned. Although Li Ru was a doctor of the Imperial College, he did not have a good reputation at the moment. Because of his ruthless actions against merchants, the scholars behind the merchants generally regarded him as a vicious dog who had abandoned the principles of a gentleman.
The emperor's lackeys have always been unpopular.
Although Zhong Shao did not think that Li Ru was a vicious dog, he also felt Li Ru's utilitarianism during their interactions for the sake of his family business.
He wanted to explain something, but stopped himself.
"Shen Fu, I have seen your character over the past year, and I know you don't want to live a life of mediocrity. When you reach my age, you will understand that a little wealth is just a waste of time, and a stable family is enough. Only by showing what you have learned in your heart can you be happy!"
Zhong Shao paused for a moment, then bowed solemnly to Xu Qiu.
Xu Qiong reminded him again: "Do you know why I asked you to send someone to keep an eye on Yingchuan Wen Yi?"
Zhong Shao had already inquired about it, and replied: "Is it because of the natural disaster?"
Xu Qiu nodded and asked, "Then do you know that Wen Yi is not the only one who has come to Luoyang after hearing the news? He is just one of them."
"Go do it!"
Zhong Shao was about to say something else, but after hearing this, he said goodbye and left.
Xu Qiu watched Zhong Shao leave and thought to himself, "My advice can only go so far."
After Zhong Shao left, the more he thought about it, the more he felt that Xu Qiu's words had a deeper meaning.
Thinking of what Xu Qiu said about the stability of the family, Zhong Shao immediately thought of his impulsive cousin Zhong Ji.
As the Sima of the Northern Army, if he is instigated to say something he shouldn't say, it will be a disaster!
Thinking of this, Zhong Shao broke out in a cold sweat in the middle of winter. Regardless of being on duty, he immediately sent a servant to invite Zhong Ji to come out of the camp to meet him.
Unlike the Xiyuan Army, which was located outside Luoyang City, the Northern Army was located between the North and South Palaces. It was precisely because of its special location that the Northern Army often showed up during palace coups.
Now this location is also very convenient for Zhong Shao.
"Brother, what do you want to talk to me about?" Zhong Ji couldn't help complaining as soon as he saw Zhong Shao. "The Northern Army is currently expanding, and many people in the army are eyeing the positions of the three lieutenants. At this critical time, brother, please don't cause trouble for me."
Causing more trouble? Zhong Shao sensed something unusual in this word.
In the past, although Zhong Ji had a bad temper, he would never speak to him in this manner.
Although he had something on his mind, Zhong Shao didn't bother to think too much about it. He got straight to the point and asked, "Brother, let me ask you, has anyone visited you recently regarding this year's natural disaster?"
"Yes!" Zhong Ji said without hesitation.
"Then have you promised anything?" Zhong Shao asked hurriedly.
"Natural disasters are no small matter, so we have to advance and retreat together." Zhong Ji said as if it was a matter of course.
Now, Zhong Shao finally understood what Xu Qin was reminding him.
"Do you know that Sikong Fan has already resigned? What else do you want to do?"
"Don't worry about this, brother." Zhong Ji said with a frown.
It was as if Zhong Shao was meeting his cousin for the first time. He asked, "Do you know how much trouble this will bring to the clan?"
Zhong Ji asked back: "Whether there will be disasters is still unknown, but do you know how much criticism you have brought to the clan?"
"Like that Li Ru, a notorious person, who doesn't know that he accepted the eunuch's son as his disciple when he was a doctor of the Imperial College in order to curry favor with the eunuch? Others avoid him, but only my brother is willing to make friends with him."
"Brother doesn't care about what others say, but I do!"
"If I don't do something righteous, the reputation left by our ancestors will be ruined by my brother!"
Zhong Shao was furious when he saw this. He said angrily: "Who am I befriending Li Ru for? It's for the family property!"
Having said this, Zhong Shao suddenly remembered Xu Qiu's previous warning, and his anger subsided for a moment.
His relationship with Li Ru was not a so-called gentlemanly friendship at all, and profit was the main concern.
In addition to the money earned from cooperating with Li Ru, there was also benefit because Li Ru was valued by the emperor.
Seeing that Zhong Shao was at a loss for words, Zhong Ji emphasized, "Which is more important, property or reputation?"
"These are two different things!" Zhong Shao came to his senses and retorted, "Of course I did something wrong and shouldn't have been too involved with Li Ru, but you also shouldn't have gotten involved in discussions about natural disasters."
"The military is special, how can there be any disobedience?"
Seeing that Zhong Shao bowed his head to admit his mistake, which was rare, Zhong Ji was very pleased and said complacently, "Don't worry, brother. I know that the tallest tree in the forest will be destroyed by the wind. I will never be the first to stand out."
“Only when someone leads the way can we follow the trend.”
Zhong Shao complained in his heart, "It would be strange if you were not stupid. Do you think everyone in the world is a fool?"
"Let me ask you, who are the people you are in contact with?"
Zhong Ji kept silent.
……
At the same time, inside the Yuntai Palace.
Liu Bian is summoning Jia Xu.
He looked at the series of lists submitted by Jia Xu.
The name of any important official did not appear above.
Liu Bian was quite satisfied with this result, as long as it was true.
Liu Bian always felt that the consequences of the two earthquakes in Jingzhao should not be so much ado about nothing.
But that seems to be the case.
He asked: "Did anyone deliberately collude this time?"
Jia Xu pleaded guilty and said, "I am incompetent and have never found anything."
Upon hearing this, Liu Bian immediately felt that this was normal. The ministers did not use the natural disaster to criticize the government. There must be someone who was unwilling to miss this good opportunity.
Liu Bian leaned forward slightly: "Please tell me in detail."
"At first, some instigative words spread throughout the Imperial College. By the time the School Affairs Department went to investigate, the instigator had disappeared without a trace."
"Because there are so many students in the Imperial College now, and the Grand Master of Rites does not want the students to be punished for their words, these inciting remarks spread outside the Imperial College."
Jia Xu stopped talking here.
"Then what?" Liu Bian asked.
"Then there was nothing." Jia Xu said innocently, "Your Majesty, except for those students in the Imperial College who are ignorant of the world, everyone who has worked in government knows that the current situation is hard-won. How many people will believe those remarks that can only incite the students in the Imperial College?"
Liu Bian couldn't help but want to hold his forehead.
He never expected that there would come a day when Jia Xu would advise him.
And Jia Xu would actually give advice.
Liu Bian understood what Jia Xu meant, that he was too suspicious.
He knew that because of his suspicion, the school affairs department had mobilized a lot of manpower and resources.
Liu Bian pointed to the list submitted by Jia Xu and asked, "What about these people?"
"From my opinion, the officials on the list are more interested in using this to gain fame than anything else."
"I already know what Wenhe said." Liu Bian nodded.
Then he sighed and said, "I think about it carefully. Since I first met Wenhe in the East Palace, this is the first time that Wenhe has spoken out to give advice, right?"
Jia Xu mustered up great courage to give the advice, and when preparing to give the advice, he had considered Liu Bian's various reactions and thought about how to respond.
But at the moment... the emperor really couldn't handle this unique angle.
Jia Xu opened his mouth and uttered only three words: "I am ashamed!"
"Why should I be ashamed of this? I know that Wenhe has the talent to be a good peacemaker, and I am willing to listen to Wenhe's advice."
Jia Xu said again: "I am ashamed."
"Wenhe, you don't have to do this... I just want to say that you will not let me down, and I will not let you down. You and I are one as king and subject, and together we can build a peaceful and prosperous world. Isn't that beautiful!"
(End of this chapter)
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