Zhu Yuanzhang pinched his brows. If someone else had brought it up, he would have scolded him. After all, no one can stop the emperor's willfulness. But now that his son brought it up, there was nothing he could do. Not only could he not scold him, but he had to Protect the prince's dignity in front of all the ministers.
He stared at Zhu Biao helplessly and said, "The prince is right. Liu Bowen is indeed a good candidate. What do you think?"
The rest of the people also breathed a sigh of relief. No matter how they looked at Liu Bowen, he was the most suitable candidate. However, no one dared to speak first due to the majesty of the Holy Emperor. Now that the prince endorsed it, they naturally gave strong support.
Now that the matter is settled, as soon as the final good news comes, manpower can be immediately arranged to go to Bashu to appease the people. The rest of the people have retired to select suitable officials, and they can only be transferred from those small departments first.
Zhu Biao went out to see them off for a while, and then came back to see that his father was still a little unhappy. He comforted him helplessly: "Liu Bowen is over sixty years old and has children and grandchildren. Even for the sake of future generations, he would not dare to do so." Whatever you do, why should my father do this?"
Zhu Yuanzhang naturally knew it, but he just couldn't deal with Liu Bowen. He always felt that this person was not loyal to him and not sincere to the court, so he was given the title of Count Sincerity in the first place.
Zhu Biao continued: "There is really no more suitable candidate in the imperial court. All the officials have their own duties. Even if you send some small officials, you will not be able to calm the people and resume farming as soon as possible. Liu Bowen..."
Zhu Yuanzhang got a headache after hearing half of it. He waved his hand and said irritably: "Okay, haven't we agreed? If you are still nagging, let Liu Bowen go. If you don't do it well, we will even take back his title. After so many years, That guy still has no sincerity at all!”
Zhu Biao bowed and smiled. Liu Bowen was not loyal. It was just that he was a traditional scholar-bureaucrat and quite aloof. Even a loyal emperor would maintain his own demeanor and disdain to take the initiative to grovel and be a flatterer.
Zhu Yuanzhang didn't bother to vent his anger with his son. He pointed to the letter sent by Mingsheng, the leader of Xia Kingdom, and said, "What do you want to do with this person?"
Zhu Biao thought for a while and said: "Mingsheng is young and his behavior is quite weak and there is nothing to worry about. So instead of killing him, it is better to go to the capital and make him a Guiyi Hou An Lebo or something like that as soon as possible." Appease the people and families of Bashu."
After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said: "In the second year of Hongwu, we sent someone to ask for wood from him. That guy was very generous. Not only did he send a hundred pieces of good wood, but he also presented other specialties from the Bashu land. I have this kind of affection." Now, it’s not easy to kill him, so let’s make him a Marquis of Guiyi.”
Zhu Biao nodded. There are many such figures in the capital, such as Chen Youliang's son Chen Li or Guidehou. However, this boy is not very honest, but what kind of drama can he make in the capital?
Just because he is dishonest, he still has no heir. I hope that Mingsheng can be smarter. It is not shameful to be happy and care about Shu. Living is the real thing.
After the discussion, Zhu Biao resigned and left the palace directly for the Liu Mansion. Liu Bowen probably had not received the news at this time. Zhu Biao planned to go and make a few remarks. After all, he was also someone who had gone to the Northern Expedition with him.
When the carriage arrived at the Liu Mansion, Liu Bowen, who received the news, led his eldest son Liu Lian to welcome him out and bowed down. Zhu Biao did not want to talk on the street anymore, so he waved them to get up and walked into the mansion.
The courtyard of the Liu Mansion is not big, and the layout can only be said to be quite elegant. After Zhu Biao entered the house and looked around for a few times, Liu Bowen smiled and said: "This humble house is simple and crude, and I feel wronged by Your Highness."
Zhu Biao didn't say anything. He entered the main hall and sat down. Liu Lian stood aside to serve him. Zhu Biao said directly: "I just received an emergency military report from the southwest. Ying Guogong has been devastated all the way. Now he has been encircling several states. Chengdu, my Ming Dynasty is unstoppable in regaining Bashu."
Liu Bowen stroked his beard and thought for a while and said: "The Duke of Ying is so powerful. According to this situation, even if the Xia Kingdom abandons Chengdu and flees to Sichuan, it will only linger for a while, and it will probably surrender directly."
Anyone with a discerning eye can see this, and Liu Bowen also knew that the prince would not come in person for this matter, so he continued: "After the victory, it will be a matter of peace and security for the people. If His Highness comes in person, it must be that the imperial court is preparing to send old ministers to Bashu, or maybe Recommended by His Highness."
Zhu Biao nodded and said, "No matter how you think about it, sincerity is the most appropriate time."
Liu Bowen smiled bitterly and said: "Old minister, I would like to thank His Highness for your trust, but I am already old and frail. I have been sent to the memorial service three times this year to beg for my bones. How can I still take on such a big responsibility?"
Liu Lian on the side immediately knelt down and said: "Your Highness, it is a long way to Bashu. My father is over sixty years old. How can I bear the pain of such bumpy and hard work? Please have mercy on me, Your Highness."
Zhu Biao also knew that Liu Bowen had given up hope on his official career for a long time, and only wanted to return to his hometown to take care of his old age. Zhu Biao personally picked up Liu Lian, then looked at Liu Bowen and promised: "I'll be here for two or three years, and I'll do it myself when I come back." Send your husband back to your hometown to be raised, and the descendants of the Liu family will enjoy wealth and honor in the future!"
Liu Bowen was also shocked when these words came out. To be honest, the prince had no need to make such a promise. After all, as a minister, it is his duty to obey the king. Liu Bowen had to go even if the court ordered it.
But it doesn’t matter whether you try your best when you get to the place. After all, local matters are as high as the sky and the emperor is far away. Generally speaking, it is enough to maintain it. However, Zhu Biao hopes that Bashu can regain its vitality as soon as possible. This requires Liu Bowen to devote all his talents. done.
What's more, Zhu Biao was somewhat grateful to Liu Bowen. Liu Bowen gave a lot of advice during the Northern Expedition. He remembered this fact and really planned to take more care of the Liu family in the future.
Liu Bowen didn't say much. He stood up and bowed solemnly. What he was most worried about was how his descendants would protect themselves after his death. The eldest son was only holding an official position of seventh rank, and Hu Weiyong and others had long been dissatisfied with him. , then I always thought of resigning and taking my eldest son back to his hometown to live in peace.
After the most important matter was resolved, Zhu Biao left the Liu Mansion and went straight to Zhongshu Province. He discussed with Wang Guangyang for a long time. Many officials heard it. This was what Zhu Biao wanted.
Everything is going according to plan. In the next few days, the court will be turbulent. First, there will be many vacancies after the recovery of Bashu. Naturally, there are many low-level officials who want to go to the land where the people are prosperous. Add some qualifications.
The second is the integration of the government offices in charge of Zhu Biao. A lot of news has come out. Some officials in the government offices are panicking. They have heard that the entire government office will be abolished, and they have begun to find ways to use connections to transfer to other departments. Went to the official office.
Zhu Biao was not in a hurry. Only when the water was shallow would those big bastards come out. Otherwise, they would hide behind each other, and Zhu Biao would not know who belonged to whom. It was a rare opportunity, so he naturally had to observe it carefully.
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