Can I get to the other side?.

Chapter 277: Father and Son

After the monument was erected, the plaque was presented.

The top ten donors will have their names and surnames engraved on the monument, while the top five will receive a plaque personally written by the emperor.

With the joint witness of all the people.

Liu Xie distributed a plaque with the four big characters "A Family of Accumulated Good Deeds" to Fu Wan, Yang Biao, Cui Yan and Zhen Yi one by one, and encouraged them.

"A house that accumulates good deeds will always be happy."

"I will never forget your contributions, and neither will the people. You are all true loyal subjects of the Han Dynasty!"

"This plaque is my recognition of you!"

Liu Xie spoke confidently.

But after hearing these words, except Zhen Yi, the other three people who received the plaque felt very depressed.

They felt extremely heartbroken after donating tens of thousands of stones of grain and many other supplies, but in return they received only a tattered plaque and a few words of superficial praise.

Not only them, but Dong Zhong, Shen Rong and Ju Zong standing by were also equally upset, because the supplies they donated were only slightly less than Yang Biao and others, but in the end they didn't even get a plaque.

The two who profited the most were undoubtedly Sima Yi and Xun Yan.

The two families only spent about 10,000 shi of grain and fodder to have their names and surnames engraved on the monument of good deeds. This deal was simply a great bargain.

"It is our duty to share your Majesty's worries."

Yang Biao and others said respectfully that even if they were dissatisfied, things had come to this point and there was nothing they could do to change anything.

It can only be regarded as spending a lot of money to buy fame.

After awarding them the plaques, it was the turn of Yuan Xi, who ranked first on the donation list. However, his plaque did not read "A Family of Good Deeds" but "The Most Benevolent Person in the Han Dynasty"!
This is recognition from the emperor and the court!

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Yuan Xi looked excited and took the plaque with both hands.

In his eyes, this is not just a plaque, but the key to his Yuan family's reversal of reputation. It determines whether their Yuan family can get rid of the old bad reputation and be reborn!
But at this moment, he noticed that the Yulin Guard beside him was holding a plaque in his hand, and couldn't help asking: "Your Majesty, why is there an extra plaque?"

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at the Yulin Guard and found that there was still a plaque with the words "Family of Good Deeds" that had not been issued!
Liu Xie smiled faintly and said, "This plaque is not extra, but I specially prepared it for a special person."

All the ministers and even the common people looked at each other in bewilderment when they heard this.

Someone special?

Aren't only the top five people on the total donation list eligible to receive this plaque? Why can others get it?
Facing everyone's puzzled looks, Liu Xie said calmly: "There is such an old man. He has a little grandson and makes a living by forging iron."

"But even such an ordinary person, after learning that the imperial court needed money and food to settle the people, resolutely chose to sell all his few savings and property and donated them in exchange for food."

"This plaque is what I prepared for him."

As Liu Xie spoke, he looked at a person in the crowd and asked with a smile, "Aren't you going to come out and receive this plaque?"

Everyone followed his gaze.

The person Liu Xie was staring at was an old man who was dressed in shabby clothes, looked inconspicuous, and was holding a little child.

It’s Shi Delu!
Seeing the emperor and the people around him looking at him, Shi Delu looked very panicked, and quickly knelt down with his grandson and said:

"Your Majesty, my contribution is insignificant and cannot be compared with the contributions of the nobles on the monument. How can I receive such an honor..."

He just brought his little grandson here today to pay homage to the emperor, and he never expected that the emperor would actually prepare a plaque for him!

This is an honor that can only be obtained by the top five nobles on the monument who donated tens of thousands of stones of grain and fodder!

The food and supplies he donated were far less than what the first five people donated, and even compared to the last person, they were far less!

"Flat body."

Liu Xie did not care about the difference in status, nor did he mind Shi Delu's shabby clothes. He walked up to him, helped him up from the ground, and smiled gently.

“Donating one tael out of a fortune and donating all of the one tael are both charitable acts, but their meanings are completely different.”

"This plaque is worthy of you, old man."

As he spoke, Liu Xie took the plaque from the Yulin Guard next to him, and then handed it to Shi Delu personally.

The people around were extremely envious when they saw this, because this was a plaque bestowed by the emperor himself!
The nobles from aristocratic families had to donate tens of thousands of shi of grain to get it, but now the emperor gave it to an ordinary old blacksmith!
"Common people, common people..."

Shi Delu held the plaque in his hands, and was so excited that he was at a loss. Tears welled up in his cloudy old eyes. He knelt down to Liu Xie again and cried, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"

The little grandson next to him stared at the golden words on the plaque, swallowing his saliva and said, "Grandpa, is this gold? How much can it be sold for?"

Everyone around burst into laughter upon hearing this.

"What nonsense are you talking about, you little brat!"

Shi Delu was startled and quickly scolded: "This is a plaque bestowed by His Majesty. It is worth a ton of gold. It will be our family heirloom from now on!"

"Hurry up and confess your crime to His Majesty!"

The value of this plaque cannot be measured by money. It is a gift from the emperor and in his eyes it is a priceless treasure!
"It doesn't matter, children's words are not forbidden."

Liu Xie smiled, then reached out and touched the child's head, and asked, "Your name is Shi Bao, right?"

Since he is Shi Delu’s grandson.

That must be Shi Bao.

Although Liu Xie's smile was very warm, Shi Bao was still instinctively afraid of the power he had held in a high position for a long time. He did not dare to answer and could only nod timidly.

Liu Xie instructed: "Remember to ask your grandfather to send you to the palace in two years. I will allow you to join the Yulin Guard and serve in the palace."

"This is my reward to your grandfather."

These words shocked countless people around, and they all looked at Shi Delu and Shi Bao with envy and even jealousy!
"Oh my god, the Imperial Guards!"

"Damn it! Damn it! If I had known this would happen, I should have sold all my property and donated it all. Then this plaque would be mine!"

"Yulin Guard! Born as a Yulin official!"

"The Shi family is so lucky! They are going to be very successful!"

"I have to go and arrange an engagement with his family. My daughter is only ten years old!"

"Your Majesty is truly a wise and enlightened ruler!"

"He is so approachable and cares about the people. It is a blessing for us to have such a monarch in the Han Dynasty."

……

At this moment, countless common people and even wealthy businessmen were beating their chests and stamping their feet in regret, regretting why they did not donate all their property.

The emperor bestowed a plaque and allowed him to join the Yulin Guard!
The most important thing is that Jane is in the emperor’s heart!
For common people, the only way to change their class and rise up is through military merit. The Imperial Guard is the emperor's personal army, a place that many people dream of, and only the elite among the elite can enter.

But Shi Bao’s starting point was in Yulin Guard!
This means that the fate of the Shi family's descendants will be changed, and there is even hope that they will be able to rise to prominence and be highly valued by the emperor in the future!
"Thank you, Your Majesty!!"

Shi Delu kowtowed and expressed his gratitude.

Although he had received the promise a long time ago, he was still somewhat nervous and a little bit unconvinced; but now that the emperor had made a public statement, the matter must be a done deal!

Feeling the eager gazes coming from all directions, Shi Delu's face flushed greatly, and even his hunched old waist straightened up.

rear.

Guo Jia and Jia Xu looked at Liu Xie blending in with the people and couldn't help but look at each other. They saw the shock on each other's faces.

Today's monument erection should have been a time for the major families to show off and gain fame, but Liu Xie, with just a few words, a plaque and a position in the Yulin Guard, established the image of a wise, benevolent and approachable emperor in the hearts of the people and won their hearts.

This method is extremely brilliant!
"Your Majesty is truly amazing."

Guo Jia exclaimed in admiration from the bottom of his heart. He had to admire Liu Xie's brilliant tactics.

It is easy to say "easy to approach", but few people can really do it.

In the eyes of many people in high positions, the common people are like pigs and dogs, let alone the supreme emperor?
For them, it is unreasonable and impossible to lower themselves to chat and laugh with a group of peddlers and common people.

Because of the gap in status, they will have an inherent arrogance and will be incompatible with ordinary people.

But Liu Xie did not have this kind of arrogance at all. His approachability was very natural and not a deliberate disguise.

This can be seen from the reactions of the people present. Liu Xie has completely integrated into the group and is deeply loved and respected by the people.

With such a king, how could the people under his rule not serve him till death?

Jia Xu laughed softly and said, "Your Majesty's mind is so broad that I cannot understand it. The more I interact with Your Majesty, the more I feel that Your Majesty is like a human being."

"who?"

Guo Jia raised his eyebrows and asked curiously.

Jia Xu looked at Liu Xie's back, his eyes gleaming with brilliance, and said word by word: "Emperor Gaozu!"

"The Emperor Gaozu was the greatest ruler in ancient and modern times. He could discuss the art of war with Zhang Liang, and he could also argue with merchants over petty profits. He could do such rude things as using the urinal in a scholar's hat, and he could also command the army and fight for the Central Plains."

"The dragon can change into something big or small, it can rise or hide. Emperor Gaozu was a real dragon that could change into something unpredictable. How similar are your majesty to Emperor Gaozu?"

Guo Jia nodded and agreed with it.

Your Majesty is worthy of being the descendant of Emperor Gao, and is like an ancestor.

After engraving the stone and erecting the stele, Liu Xie did not return to the palace immediately. Instead, he led his ministers to inspect the refugees' residence, personally comforted the people, and distributed food and clothing to them.

Those refugees never thought that the emperor would bring officials to visit them, and they were all extremely moved.

The news spread by word of mouth, so much so that it became known to the people in just half a day, and Liu Xie's reputation and image among the people were raised to an unprecedented level.

The benefits of this are undoubtedly significant.

After this incident, the people developed great trust in the court and the emperor, and actively accepted the dispatch and arrangements of the army, and the chaos was greatly reduced.

……

Imperial Palace, Xuanshi.

The palace maid is massaging Liu Xie's legs.

Since he started pretending to be the emperor, Liu Xie either stayed in the deep palace or traveled in a dragon chariot or on horseback. He had never walked as much as he does today.

After patrolling the refugee camp for half a day, his legs were so sore that they felt like they were not his own.

"That's enough, leave now."

Liu Xie waved his hand, signaling the maid beside him to leave, then looked at Zhen Yi, the elder of the Zhen clan, and asked, "How long will it take to build the weaving workshop?"

Zhen Yi pondered for a moment and replied, "Your Majesty, the craftsmen in our clan are already working hard to make the Jian'an loom. In three days, the weaving workshop will be ready for use. We will recruit common people to work in the workshop and start mass production of fabrics."

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty. With so many people working in exchange for relief, we have enough manpower. We will be able to produce the sweaters needed by the army within a month. Your Majesty's plan will not be delayed."

Because of this matter, he was so busy that he didn't sleep well for several days and nights, and his mouth was full of anxiety, but even so he didn't dare to slack off.

Attacking Bingzhou is the top priority.

We can't delay it because of Zhen.

"Ah."

Liu Xie nodded and continued, "There is no need to use all the manpower to weave sweaters. Let the women and children take charge of weaving."

"The extra young and strong laborers are used to mine ore, forge iron, and manufacture weapons and equipment, but the output in this area is still too slow."

"The 30,000 Black Mountain troops also need equipment."

"I have issued an order that all the ore produced by the mines in Jizhou be supplied to the Zhen family free of charge. You can also use the materials raised from this fundraising."

Liu Xie would definitely not just leave the Black Mountain Army to Lu Bu and ignore them. He would definitely provide them with weapons and equipment.

The most expensive parts of making weapons and equipment are ore and manpower. Now that there are so many free laborers, and he has taken over the entire Jizhou, he can use all the major mineral veins at will, and it is no problem to fully supply the Zhen family.

As for supplies, to be honest, the money and supplies raised this time were much more than he had expected, and the Zhen family could use some of them.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhen Yi heaved a sigh of relief when he heard that.

After Zhen Yi left, Liu Xie rubbed his legs, stood up and walked to the door of the hall, looking at the heavy snow flying in the sky outside with a cold look in his eyes.

"Ma Chao, I hope you can behave like a human being."

……

Chang'an, Liangzhou military camp.

The blazing fire burning in the stove made the entire tent as warm as spring. Ma Chao paced back and forth in the tent, frowning in thought.

After a long time, he stopped and looked at Tian Feng who was standing in the tent. He asked in a deep voice, "Are you sure this plan can kill Han Sui?"

"Of course you can!"

Tian Feng nodded heavily and said firmly: "General, if you follow my advice and make Han Sui your foster father, he will certainly accept it with pleasure."

"After confirming the father-son relationship, the general hosted a banquet for Han Sui and his son."

"As soon as Han Sui and his son arrived, the general immediately ordered his swordsmen to kill them at the banquet and put the blame on the Xiongnu. In this way, he could legitimately take over all of Han Sui's troops and unify the Xiliang army!"

(End of this chapter)