Great Han Empire

Chapter 330 The rain is coming
When Cao Song rushed to Shangshutai in a hurry, he heard the voice of the elder Zhao Zhong from a distance.

Zhao Zhong had already got the news from Hedong first, and he was yelling at Zhenbei General Li Hong for his lawlessness and misbehavior, and asked His Majesty to order Li Hong to be arrested immediately.

The emperor looked at the excited Zhao Zhong with a smile on his face, pointed to Cao Song who was standing beside him panting and asked, "Which one is heavier, the two lovers?"

Zhao Zhong bared his lips angrily, and replied angrily: "Your Majesty, the old minister is more important."

"Oh?" The Son of Heaven reached out to touch their protruding bellies, made gestures, and said with a smile, "I think Cao Aiqing is a bit heavier. Although Aiqing's belly is big, it doesn't necessarily have weight."

Zhao Zhong's face turned red immediately, the fat on his face shook violently twice, his eyes became more angry, and he didn't say a word for a long time.

"Aiqing should go to Changle Palace. The Empress Dowager is very busy and needs manpower." The emperor said, "I will handle this matter."

Without saying a word, Zhao Zhong bowed angrily and left.

"Master Taiwei, tell me, what is going on here?"

Cao Song wiped the sweat from his forehead and opened the document in his hand.

===

Winter is about to enter, and under Li Hong's repeated urging, all matters related to farming in Bingzhou are progressing faster and faster. Toil day and night.Pingnan Zhonglang general Zhang Yan and the county government of Taiyuan Shangdang counties also put all their strength into helping the two governments to start farming smoothly.The former disciples who followed Zhao Qi to Bingzhou and the bureaucrats such as Tang Fang from the governor's office of Bingzhou spread all over the two counties.

In order to see food in May next year and alleviate the food crisis in Bingzhou, Li Hong invested almost all his money and supplies in the military camp.At the end of September and the beginning of October, the land surveying work in the military settlements was completed, and the 15 field soldiers who stayed in Taiyuan and Shangdang quickly entered their respective field areas and began to rush to plant winter wheat.At the same time, the governments of the two counties also successfully organized and urged farmers in the original two counties to plant winter wheat.

At the end of October, the work of measuring the land in Mintun was basically completed. Under the arrangement of the local government office and the governor of Tuntian, the refugees who were scattered all over the country rushed to Mintun District one after another to rent and plant the land allocated to them by the Hutian Xiaowei Mansion.After the refugees settled in Mintun District, they had already missed the planting period, and they had to wait until spring to plant. At this time, what they needed most were food, thatched huts, tents and winter clothes.The food and farm materials needed by Bingzhou suddenly became tense.

At the beginning of November, Li Hong decisively ordered Yang Feng, who had already led 20 field soldiers to Hedong, not to accept food and field supplies for the time being, but to transfer all the supplies to Taiyuan and Shangdang in advance to supply the refugees in the field.

But at this time, Li Hong received the news that the supply of grain and field materials was suddenly interrupted.Li Hongda was taken aback, and immediately called Xie Ming, who was in charge of Bingzhou Salt and Iron Management.

"Lianzhi, haven't the salt and iron been sent to Guanzhong? Qu Zhong and Xu Ling don't want to live anymore?"

"My lord, this is not the fault of Qu Zhong and Xu Ling. The materials they bought from various places are still being delivered." Xie Ming said angrily, "But all the materials are stranded on the south bank of the Yellow River."

"why?"

"Hedong County suddenly set up thirteen checkpoints on land and water, and collected transportation taxes on vehicles and ships passing by." Xie Ming said, "If a truckload of materials is transported from Guanzhong and Guandong to Bingzhou, the materials on the truck will be handed over immediately. The taxes are not enough. Merchants everywhere have no choice but to suspend operations.”

Li Hong stood up abruptly, and asked angrily, "Thirteen checkpoints? Isn't there only three checkpoints? How did it rise so much in a blink of an eye? Is this a private order from the Hedong county government or the imperial court's order?"

"I heard that it was the imperial court's will." Xie Ming said, "Master Qu sent a letter saying that the person in charge of collecting the transportation tax in Hedong is Xia Yun, the Minister of the Central Committee. Mr. Qu has already negotiated with Han Ying, the prefect of Hedong County, but there was no result. And the Zhongchang servant Xia Yun didn't even see Mr. Qu at all."

"Why didn't you tell me this until now?" Li Hong asked dissatisfied.

"Your Excellency has been patrolling back and forth between Taiyuan and Shangdang. Your whereabouts are uncertain. It is difficult for us to find you. In addition, the situation in the past two days was not so serious. The supplies are still arriving one after another, and it was not stopped until today." Xie Ming He timidly glanced at the angry Li Hong, and said cautiously, "Since Zhongyuan arrived in Luoyang, he has not received the imperial decree to reopen the salt and iron. I am careful..."

Of course Li Hong knew what Xie Ming was worried about.Xie Ming beware that in a fit of anger, he would kill and make things out of control.Compared with the reopening of salt and iron, the supplies temporarily suspended for a period of time are really insignificant.The key to the success of farming is not these materials, but the reopening of salt and iron.Only by reopening the salt and iron can we exchange for the huge amount of money needed to farm the fields.

Li Hong held back his anger and forced himself to calm down gradually.He patted Xie Ming on the shoulder to express his thanks.

"How much food and grass is there in the camp?"

"There is not much food and grass, but there are still a lot of livestock." Xie Ming saw that Li Hong had calmed down instead of being furious. The county government office transported a lot, but now there are still 10,000+ heads in the camp, which are just in use and more than enough for emergencies.”

Li Hong nodded, and ordered Xie Ming to immediately inform Hutian Xiaowei's Mansion about this matter, and let them come to the camp to collect livestock to relieve the food-deficient refugees in Mintun District. Xiaowei Mansion emergency.

Now, Zhao Yun's Changshui Camp is in Handan. After Yan Rou drove away the Baibo Yellow Turban Army in Xihe County, he has already led the Yueqi Camp north to support Xianyufu. The 20 infantry army led by Yushi is going to guard Jinyang. Only three thousand black panther justices can be called.Li Hong immediately ordered Yan Liang to temporarily lead the Black Panther Yi Cong, ready to go south to Hedong at any time.Yang Feng was ordered to lead [-] troops to garrison along the lower reaches of the Fenhe River to ensure that the northeastern part of the Fenhe River and the east of the river were unimpeded.Qu Yi was ordered to garrison south along the East Chi Road.

===

A few days later, Li Hong received a secret letter, which revealed that the governor of Hedong, Han Ying, secretly colluded with merchants, resold salt and iron, and made huge profits from it.

Li Hong immediately summoned Yushi, Xie Ming and Xiao Lan to discuss the matter.At present, Shi Zuoyan, chief of Zhenbei General's Mansion, is inspecting Diannong Duwei's Mansion, Sima Li Wei is in Luoyang, and Zhonglang Tang Yun is in charge of Hutian Xiaowei's Mansion. Bingzhou Yantie, Sima Song Wen of the Cavalry Army went north to Yanmen Pass with Xu Rong, Sima Yupeng of the Infantry Army went north with Xian Yufu to the outside of the Great Wall, and Sima Yin Si of the Chariot Battalion stayed in the Chariot Battalion all day to tinker with his chariot. Bo Xiaolan is the only one in charge.Xiao Lan is extremely talented, meticulous in thinking, resolute in her actions, and resolute in her actions. No matter how difficult things are in her hands, she can solve them immediately.The bureaucrats of various prefectures in Bingzhou were full of praise for this young and handsome master Bo of Zhenbei General's Mansion. Even Zhao Qi asked Li Hong, who is this master Zhu's disciple, why is he so talented, can he lend it to me? use?Li Hong smiled without answering, resolutely refusing.

"This secret letter was sent by the clan of the Wei family in Hedong." Xiao Lan handed the silk to Yushi and Xie Ming, and smiled at Li Hong, "My lord probably doesn't know that the Wei family is the number one clan in Hedong, right?" ?”

Li Hong shook his head.

"The Wei family is famous all over the world for their proficiency in history. Three of their ancestors have served as Jiuqing, and more than a dozen have served as court officials with two thousand stones. He refused to be an official several times, and concentrated on opening a school in Hedong, which has a very high reputation." Xiao Lan smiled lightly and said, "But when Xu Ling came last time, I heard from him that the Wei family is the richest man in Hedong, and the family has a lot of wealth. With billions of dollars and tens of thousands of hectares of land, the wealth can rival a country.”

"Does your lord know where their family's money comes from?"

Li Hong didn't even think about it, and said casually, "Are you selling salt and iron privately?"

"My lord's right." Xiao Lan said, "Hedong is divided into north and south with the Fen River as the boundary. The north of the Fen River is infested by barbarians, sparsely populated, and the fields are barren, while the south of the Fen River is because of the Fen River. The protection of this natural barrier is extremely rich. There are not only Yanchi iron mines, but also large tracts of fertile land. Because of this, the rich and powerful in Beijing often buy land here, which is called arable land and farming. The bureaucrats and the rich colluded with each other, worked hand in hand, and smuggled all the money of the Han Kingdom back to their private treasury."

"At this time, the Wei family has reported that the governor of Hedong, Han Ying, is corrupt and perverting the law. It must be related to the fact that Xia Yun, the permanent servant of the Central Committee, went to Hedong to collect transportation taxes." Xiao Lan explained, "Every time these middle officials go to a place, they will wantonly exploit it. The rich people in Hedong must not be able to bear it, so they have no choice but to inform the Zhenbei General's Mansion, and their purpose is nothing more than to drive Xia Yun away with the help of adults."

Yushi sneered and said: "There is no good thing. They reported Han Ying, so they are not afraid of implicating themselves? Hmph, throwing a stone at their own feet. In my opinion, it is better to take this opportunity to wipe out the corrupt officials in Hedong. "

"Master Yu really underestimated these aristocratic families." Xie Ming sighed, and put down the secret letter in his hand, "If your lord wants to take this opportunity to eliminate corruption in Hedong, you must consider the consequences of eliminating corruption."

"It's not like when my lord was in Xiliang at this time. When my lord was in Xiliang to suppress corruption, he was just a general in charge of the army, and there were Taiwei Zhang Wenwen and the Taiwei's mansion to support him. The ones involved at most are only tens of thousands of your subordinates, but what about now? Your Excellency is an important general, supervising the military affairs of three prefectures and two counties, and responsible for garrisoning the state. If he fails, not only his subordinates and millions of refugees will be implicated, There is also the safety and security of the great Han country."

"Hedong guards dared to send someone to send this secret letter, and they must have discussed carefully with the wealthy people in Hedong. They must be fully sure that your lord will not dare to use thunder to sweep Hedong." Xie Ming said, "My lord is now The key point is that there is no money to garrison the fields. Once the garrison fails, it can be imagined that the blow to the Han Kingdom will be severe, but the only way to succeed in garrisoning the fields is to reopen Bingzhou Salt and Iron, and if the court agrees to our proposal on salt and iron , Your Excellency cannot offend the dignitaries in Beijing. Behind these rich and powerful families in Hedong are the dignitaries in Beijing. If your Excellency moves them, the consequences..."

"Lianzhi, we have already offended all the dignitaries in the court." Yushi said, "What's more, we captured Han Ying, the governor of Hedong, and drove Xia Yun away. Once offended, we can take the opportunity to threaten the dignitaries in Beijing with their lives and property, and perhaps help Zhong Yuan in Luoyang."

"Master Yu is wrong." Xiao Lan smiled, "Master Yu has not seen clearly the real purpose of the Hedong Wei Clan writing this secret letter."

"What else is there for?" Yushi said impatiently, "Don't they still want to give us money?"

"Yes, Lord Yu is right this time." Xiao Lan patted her tender little hands and said with a delicate smile, "The purpose of the wealthy people in Hedong is to give us money."

Li Hong already understood, he stretched out his hand and patted Yushi on the back, and said with a smile, "We have been fighting for a long time, and our brains are no longer clear."

Xiao Lan said with a smile: "If we want to succeed in farming, we must first reopen the salt and iron industry, and then develop commerce and trade, both of which require a large number of merchants. We are currently purchasing food and supplies through Qu Zhong and Xu Ling, but we are helpless." It is an expedient measure. It is a huge threat to us to have two merchants operate alone and merge the state goods. Just look at the crisis caused by the sudden interruption of the supplies in the fields.”

"The tycoons and tycoons in Hedong obviously saw the business opportunities in Bingzhou. They are close to Bingzhou, the transportation is convenient, and they have a lot of money in their hands. Of course, they want to take advantage of the golden opportunity of Bingzhou to make a fortune. trust and acceptance, so this throwing stones and asking for directions was made.”

Xiao Lan looked at Yushi and asked with a smile: "Master Yu, have you ever thought about it? If your lord fights corruption bloodily in Hedong, although you can gain people's hearts and money, you will also lose the trust of merchants from all over the world. It may be a disaster. Comparing the two, should we accept rich people from Hedong to join the farm in Bingzhou? Rich people in Hedong are profitable, and the rich and powerful in Beijing can also benefit from it. Isn't this more helpful to Zhongyuan in Luoyang?"

Yushi was speechless, cupped his hands in admiration and said, "Master Bo is a genius, admire, admire."

Xie Ming also stared at Xiao Lan in surprise, secretly surprised.For a little girl to have such talents, and to see such profound things, I am really ashamed of myself.

"Xiao Lan, how should we make a plan?" Li Hong asked.

"My lord, although Zhongyuan added a five-year agreement to the salt and iron strategy re-drafted in Luoyang, he also added the Hedong salt and iron to the re-opening site. In order to maximize the benefits of the east salt and iron, It is best for us to control the Hedong County Mansion, or replace the whole of the Hedong County Mansion with upright and enlightened people, so that the officials in Hedong will be clean and clean, and ensure that Hedong will become a solid guarantee for Bingzhou's farming. As long as there is no problem in Hedong, even if Bingzhou's farming occurs Repeatedly, we are not afraid. At that time, we needed money and money, food and food, so what were we worried about?"

"Thus, my lord can take advantage of this opportunity to purge the officials in Hedong and kill corrupt officials in Hedong, but we must control the corruption in Hedong within a limited range. Take the opportunity to replace the officials of Hedong County, and kill two birds with one stone." Xiao Lan said calmly, "What do you think, my lord?"

"A tiger father has no dog daughter, it's a good plan."

Li Hong was overjoyed, and immediately sent Kuaiqi to inform Qu Yi, and secretly contacted the guards to obtain more evidence of the corruption and perversion of the Hedong bureaucrats.At the same time, he was ordered to deploy some iron cavalry to station at Pubanjin, Fenglingdu and other ferry crossings, preparing to block all passages in and out of Hedong.

At this time, the imperial decree was sent to Bingzhou, agreeing to Li Hongzhi's proposal to reopen Bingzhou and Hedong Yantie.The general's mansion in Zhenbei was boiling.

Li Hong immediately ordered Xiao Lan to sit in the North General's Mansion, and flew to Hedong with Xie Ming and Heibao Yicong.Along the way, as long as they encountered checkpoints, they were all dismantled, and all the officials and county soldiers guarding the checkpoints were arrested.

After receiving Li Hong's order, Qu Yi stormed into Anyi City, the governor of Hedong County, and detained Xia Yun, the regular servant of the Central Committee, and Han Ying, the prefect of Hedong County, and all the bureaucrats in Hedong Prefecture were arrested At the same time, all the ferries entering and leaving Hedong County were blocked.

The merchants and peasants who were stranded on the south bank of the Yellow River cheered thunderously, and the horse-drawn carts and ships carried all kinds of supplies and quickly went northward along the unimpeded Chidao and the Fen River.

The jealous Qu Yi swung the butcher's knife again, facing the tight-lipped and refusing to confess, he tortured and served 11 people in a row.Looking at the bloody corpses in the lobby, the corrupt officials were terrified, their livers and gallbladders were torn, and they scrambled to confess.By the time Li Hong arrived in Anyi City, the evidence that Qu Yi had obtained had already piled up like a mountain.

Li Hong's face was as cold as frost, and he glanced at the confessions of the corrupt officials, and asked, "Have the county officials and Yantie officials been arrested?"

"Huzi and Xiaolan have already taken people to various places, and they can be arrested in a few days." Qu Yi said bitterly, "The corruption of the Hedong Mansion is unbelievable. To the point of pointing, His Majesty let these people govern the states and counties, and it is really unreasonable for the Han Kingdom to survive."

He then listed all the dignitaries in central Beijing and rich men in Hedong involved in the corruption in Hedong, and handed over a list.Li Hong didn't even look at it, and handed it to Xie Ming, "Burn it."

"My lord, why is this?" Qu Yi raised his brows and asked angrily, "What did your lord say when he was in Xiliang? Now that you have become a big official, don't you have a conscience?"

Li Hong stared blankly at Qu Yi, who was about to tear apart, feeling extremely painful in his heart.It turns out that it is so difficult for a person to have a conscience.

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(End of this chapter)