I, Liu Bian, Sanxing Han Dynasty

Chapter 433 Eunuch, Start

Thinking of this, Liu Bian suddenly understood why kings of all dynasties were so fond of favoring treacherous ministers.

Are Zhao Zhong and Zhang Rang good people?
What we are saying is that asking this question is an insult to the word "good person".

They are certainly not good people, but they are the easiest and most worry-free help for Liu Bian to maintain the stability of the court.

Usefulness is the reason.

Therefore, Liu Bian went to visit the sick Zhao Zhong again, to show his attitude towards the rebellion in Jizhou, and to comfort Zhang Rang, an old minister.

Now, Zhao Zhong has returned to his private residence to recuperate.

This was the first time Liu Bian came to Zhao Zhong's home.

What comes into view is the grand gate of the mansion, and the houses and courtyards inside are also tall. Although Zhao Zhong is already a marquis, it is incredible that he was able to build such a mansion in Luoyang, where every inch of land is valuable. Liu Bian felt that the rumor circulating among the people that Zhao Zhong and Zhang Rang stole wood to build their own private residence when they were building the palace for the previous emperor might be true.

When Liu Bian was led into the backyard and saw the rockery, strange rocks, and terraces in the yard, he felt that the possibility was even greater.

However, Zhao Zhong had already donated his family property. Regardless of whether these past events were true or false, Liu Bian was willing to choose to forgive him.

After all, Zhao Zhong was seriously ill and dying.

When Liu Bian met Zhao Zhong again, Zhao Zhong was still very excited.

He struggled to stand up and express his gratitude just like last time, but was again held down by Liu Bian.

Liu Bian's visit was not in vain. He said to Zhao Zhong: "Lord Zhao, you must take good care of your health. The governor of Jizhou has already avenged most of your brother's murder."

Zhao Zhong, lying on the sickbed, was very excited.

Liu Bian added: "The Empress Dowager and the Queen Mother are both concerned about you, so they asked me to come and ask you if there is anything you need."

Zhao Zhong replied in a low, hoarse voice: "I am already satisfied that the criminals have surrendered. It is worth dying now for Your Majesty to come and visit me in person!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bian comforted Zhao Zhong and said, "Please don't have such thoughts. I still hope to get your help again!"

Then, Liu Bian told Zhao Zhong more details about Zhao Yan's death that he had learned.

"The rebellion in Jizhou this time involved a wide range of people, and there were many ambitious people lurking behind it, and they had colluded with the Black Mountain bandit leader Bai Rao. During the conspiracy between the two sides, Zhao Yan happened to be walking through the city with a lot of money, and that's when they targeted him."

"Zhao Yan took away too much wealth this time. You may not know that in addition to the money you gave him, he also sold all his fields, manors, and houses in Luoyang before leaving..."

"All those who stepped forward this time were caught by the Jizhou governor and others, but there are still some lurking ones who have not been fully identified yet."

After hearing this, Zhao Zhong felt regretful and hated himself for not being able to control Zhao Yan's greed.

If Zhao Yan hadn't brought so much money, he might not have died.

After feeling sad and blaming himself, Zhao Zhong became angry again.

He said to Liu Bian: "If I were not ill, I would really like to go to Jizhou and give these villains a good beating for your majesty!"

"Indeed, we must not let these thieves go!" Liu Bian agreed, and added - "It's a pity that you are ill, but it doesn't matter, let Zhang Gong replace Zhao Gong to Jizhou to investigate these traitors!"

Eunuch, start!
The rebellion in Jizhou was not like that in Shu County. Although the latter affected many places, it was only caused by one county. In Jizhou, it was a coalition of powerful people from four counties and kingdoms, and they were also involved with the Black Mountain Bandits. Liu Bian felt that sending envoys alone was not enough to show his anger. He needed to use the eunuchs to strike hard!
After several years, some people may even have forgotten the value of eunuchs.

The eunuchs would not care too much about the students and old friends of the scholars. To them, apart from power and money, everything else is empty. Zhao Zhong became excited again after hearing this.

Could it be that years of preparation have finally come to fruition at this moment?

Can he finally take action against those hypocritical scholars?
But... Zhao Zhong immediately realized his physical condition and just sighed in frustration.

Liu Bian naturally saw what Zhao Zhong was thinking. He gently patted Zhao Zhong's hand, which was placed outside, and said, "Gong An should focus on recuperating and wait for the good news!"

A few days after this meeting, Liu Bian suddenly received news that Zhao Zhong was able to eat normally.

Could it be because of what I said that day? Liu Bian was a little confused. It turned out that the great doctor of the Han Dynasty was actually me?
The words are divided into two parts.

What Liu Bian and Zhao Zhong said about sending eunuchs to Jizhou was not groundless, but preparations had already been made.

As soon as the news of the rebellion in Jizhou reached the Secretariat, Lu Zhi found Liu Bian and expressed his concerns - "Although only the four counties in Jizhou have united to cause rebellion, this is just the beginning. Fortunately, Your Majesty sent Sun Ce and others to help in advance. This move can be called a stroke of genius! The wealthy and powerful families in various counties and states have all suffered from the new tax system. They are openly and secretly dissatisfied. Putting down the rebellion as quickly as possible can greatly deter their ambitions!"

Then, Lu Zhi cited the example of the rebellion caused by the re-measurement of land during the reign of Emperor Guangwu.

Strictly speaking, the rebellions in various places at that time did not occur at the same time, but were first rebellious and then gradually spread. The big families in various counties and the military commanders who still existed at that time rebelled in a tacit agreement. When the government troops did not arrive, they were rebels, and when the government troops arrived, they turned into good citizens.

At that time, the four states of Qing, Xu, You and Ji were the most chaotic, with Jizhou being the most prominent among them.

Even Lu Zhi, whose political philosophy tended towards leniency, put forward the idea that correction must be done through excessive measures.

There are no veterans with combat experience in the local areas now like during the time of Emperor Guangwu, but the current court and army are also not as good as those during the time of Emperor Guangwu.

Lu Zhi, who had always been committed to opposing eunuchs' interference in politics, actually acquiesced to the eunuchs' dispatch.

This also shows Lu Zhi's concerns about the future.

It was with this judgment in mind that Liu Bian used the ultimate weapon that he had never actually used before.

During the rebellion in Jizhou, in the four counties and kingdoms, although Sun Ce suppressed the rebellion quickly enough, many people still suffered unexpected disasters.

Liu Bian will definitely make sure those who dare to stand out and cause chaos get the punishment they deserve!

In August of the fifth year of Guangxi,

General Dong Chong was ordered to go to Jizhou to pacify the local area.

The entourage included Zhang Rang, the eunuch who also served as the military supervisor, and Man Chong, the military commander of the emperor's newly appointed General of Cavalry.

Outside Luoyang City, Liu Bian was seeing people off.

Liu Bian reluctantly held Dong Zhong's hand and asked, "What do you plan to do after you arrive in Jizhou?"

Dong Zhong smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I am originally from Hejian. I have been away from my hometown for many years and have long missed the delicacies of my hometown... The local customs of my hometown can also help me sleep. I also want to return to my old place and revisit it."

Eat, sleep, play.

Liu Bian was very satisfied with Dong Zhong's answer.

(End of this chapter)