I, Liu Bian, Sanxing Han Dynasty

Chapter 469 Yuan Shao Presents a Memorial
"Gongtai's concern is very reasonable," Liu Bian said, "but we can't let the people's sincere hearts be chilled!"

When I bring up old issues, how will you respond?

Chen Gong was speechless when he thought about how the people's enthusiastic actions almost caused an accident here.

I can only bow and say: "I am ashamed!"

Liu Bian held Chen Gong's hand and said, "Gongtai should indeed reject the people's request. The renovation of the old house is irrelevant to the overall situation. But those people still need to be rewarded...Gongtai, do you know where these people's homes are?"

"I know the general idea."

"I cannot but respond to the people's wishes!"

The common people brought their own dry food to help Liu Bian build the palace. This is the mass base!
Liu Bian couldn't pretend he didn't know, he had to respond. Nothing was more practical than a reward.

When Liu Bian arrived at the old house, he found that he had forgiven Chen Gong too early. The people's words made sense, and this place really needed to be renovated.

Looking at the broken walls and ruins, Liu Bian couldn't help but ask, "Was this place attacked by rebels last year?"

Chen Gong replied somewhat awkwardly: "I have never heard of it..."

Liu Bian pointed to the outer houses that had lost their doors and windows and asked, "Why did this disaster happen?"

It’s only been a few years since the late emperor visited his old residence in Hejian. How come it has become so dilapidated?
Chen Gong bowed again and said, "I am ashamed!"

Liu Bian comforted him, "Gongtai only came here this year. Even if this place is dilapidated, it has nothing to do with Gongtai."

"I am ashamed."

Liu Bian looked at Chen Gong suspiciously. This statement of shame didn't seem right.

He asked, "Does Gongtai know the inside story?"

Chen Gong kept his hands clasped in a bow and replied, "Your Majesty, I have learned about this since I took office. When the previous emperor ordered people to rebuild the old house, they took a lot of wood from the forest. When the previous emperor returned from his tour, there was a lack of officials to look after this place. The population of Hejian is large, and the trees in the country have been used for many years. Many people came here... to collect firewood."

Collecting firewood?

As you were picking up the pieces, you ended up collapsing the wooden structure of the house, right?
Chen Gong finally told the truth. Most of the people who were willing to help repair the palace were from nearby areas.

Their original intention might just be to fear that Liu Bian would be angry with them after knowing the truth.

Liu Bian was speechless. He ate a circle of melons, and the last melon fell on him.

He looked at Chen Gong who told the truth, and knew that the other party must trust him to tell the truth.

Although it’s better not to tell the truth.

This kind of trust made it difficult for Liu Bian to vent his anger even if he was angry.

Chen Gong continued, "Your Majesty, nearly half of the people still volunteered to come and repair the temple, just because they were grateful for your kindness."

Thank you Gongtai, Liu Bian felt that he was really comforted!
"But don't worry, Your Majesty. The palace only looks dilapidated on the outside, but there is actually no damage inside. I started organizing officials to voluntarily clean it up a few months ago."

"If Your Majesty does not wish to live here, I have already cleaned up my government office!"

Liu Bian said: "Let's go in and take a look first!"

After passing a corridor, Liu Bian found that it was indeed different from the outside world. Although it looked a little shabby due to the wind and sun, it was very clean.

Chen Gong said, "In fact, when I was cleaning the palace with a group of officials, a hermit passed by and offered to help with the repairs, but I refused. The palace is where the emperor lives, how can I use my own money to repair it?"

After hearing the word "voluntary" so many times from Chen Gong, Liu Bian suddenly felt a headache.

But when he heard the hermit mentioned by Chen Gong, he suddenly thought of someone. As far as he knew, this person did come to Hejian State.

Considering that this person lost his official position in his early years, his purpose of coming here is obvious.

Liu Bian asked, "Could the hermit that Gongtai is talking about be the famous one?"

"Exactly!" "He was once an official in the former general's mansion? Later, he resigned and returned home?"

"Exactly!"

"Is he related to one of my close ministers?"

Chen Gong was shocked and said, "I originally wanted to recommend this person to Your Majesty, but I didn't expect Your Majesty to know him so well?"

After saying this, Chen Gong bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Guo Tu, a native of Yingchuan, is a man of talent. I have always made progress with him and personally think that he has the talent to be a minister."

When he heard Guo Tu's name, Liu Bian swallowed back the three words "Yuan Benchu" that were about to come out of his mouth.

But... Guo Tu... is he a talent of a noble?
Liu Bian felt that Chen Gong's judgment of people still had a lot of room for improvement.

However, people are put to good use. Guo Tu is an expert at infighting. As long as he is placed in the right position...

Therefore, on the surface, Liu Bian was still eager to seek talents: "Since he was recommended by Gongtai, he must be a talented person. I will meet him tomorrow."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Also, I heard that Yuan Benchu ​​also came to Hejian State?"

Chen Gong replied, "Your Majesty, Yuan Benchu ​​came here a month ago. After arriving, he lived in seclusion and did not interact with anyone."

"Even though some scholars invited him, Yuan Benchu ​​often declined. I have seen Yuan Benchu ​​before. He was accompanied by friends and was always in the company of others. He was a completely different person from the one I saw this time."

Liu Bian's tour moved people all over the world.

At the critical juncture of his tour in Hejian State, some scholars had already smelled the scent and arrived early.

Yuan Shao and Guo Tu were just two of them.

Liu Bian smiled. Among all the scholars who came to Hejian State, the one Liu Bian valued most was Yuan Shao.

I just don’t know what Yuan Shao’s purpose is in coming here. Is he just looking for another future?

Liu Bian felt that if Yuan Shao begged him sincerely, he could give Yuan Shao a chance to improve.

After all, the Yuan family of Runan now seemed to be divided into two, but Yuan Shu could not overcome the idea of ​​enjoying life, and was always controlled by Yuan Wei on financial issues.

If Yuan Shao came to power, the Yuan family would be divided into three parts.

……

Liu Bian finally did not choose to live in the old house. Although he wanted to keep everything simple, it was not this simple. It still had to be decent.

This is also what Chen Gong wanted - since we are striving to be frugal, then let’s carry it through to the end!
The next day, Liu Bian summoned Yuan Shao before Guo Tu.

Although Yuan Shao did not follow Chen Gong's path, he submitted a congratulatory message through his actual brother-in-law, Sikong Yang Biao, praising Liu Bian's civil and military achievements since he ascended the throne.

Liu Bian was very satisfied when he read the flattering words.

The sincerity is obvious.

Liu Bian swore that he would pay for the construction of the Hejian Palace within ten days without paying a penny as Yuan Shao promised.

Yuan Shao came prepared.

——"In recent years, I have devoted myself to studying classics and have some insights..."

"Although Zhou is an old country, its destiny is to reform. The Han Dynasty has ruled the world for 400 years, and the way of reform is indispensable!"

"Some say it is difficult to do, saying: If Emperor Gaozu listens to the garrison soldiers and does not miss his place, he will move the chariots without waiting for the end of the day..."

Liu Bian seemed to have a new understanding of Yuan Shao. After listening to Yuan Shao showing off his knowledge, he said, "I would like to appoint Benchu ​​as a counselor!"

(End of this chapter)