When Zuo Li exited, Liu Bian looked at Huangfu Song and Xun You, smiled, and said, "I will consider the candidate to lead the army. Where do you think the money and food will come from?"
Now that Xiliang is stable for the time being, Dong Zhuo is in the capital, Liu Bian can mobilize a lot of troops, and the constraint becomes money and food.
When Xun You saw Liu Bian's question, he raised his hand and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, please collect a year's salt tax in advance, and you can get 50 million, which is enough to pay for the army."
Liu Bian frowned slightly. He had never discussed the salt tax with Xun You.
He picked up the tea cup calmly and said: "If you want to collect the salt tax in advance, you need the concerted efforts of the Chancellor."
Liu Bian's words were full of self-explanation.
To put it bluntly, whether it is Liu Bian's edict or the court's order, it will be greatly reduced after leaving Luoyang, and the local government will just do half-heartedly. If they take the opportunity to increase taxes on the people, less than 30% will come up, and it will take time. This year's task, It may not be completed within three to five years, so it would be better not to levy it.
Liu Bian's edicts and orders from the Chancellor were far less effective than the words of a prestigious family.
When Xun You heard this, his thoughts moved and he said directly: "Your Majesty, I would like to send Yuan Taifu as an envoy to come out of the capital and collect it from the seven northern states. I think Yuan Taifu and all the envoys will understand the difficulties faced by the court and your majesty and do their best to collect them."
The state pastors of the seven northern states were all recently appointed by Liu Bian. The Yuan family has deep roots in Jizhou and Yanzhou.
"No!"
Liu Bian categorically objected. At this time, he would not allow Yuan Kai to leave Beijing and escape his control.
Xun You was startled, a little confused.
Liu Bian quickly regained his expression and said with a smile: "As for the commander of the army, I will think about it again. Matters of money and food will be discussed by the Chancellor."
Xun You thought about something and changed the subject: "Your Majesty, if the government and the opposition impeach a defeated general, what should be done?"
Just as Liu Bian was about to speak, he heard footsteps outside. He looked over and saw Empress Dowager He leading a group of people in with a smile on her face.
Liu Bian stood up quickly and said casually: "There is no undefeated general in the world. Let's just go."
Xun You and Huangfu Song also saw Empress Dowager He, greeted her, and then said: "I will leave."
Empress Dowager He ignored Xun You and Huangfu Song, walked in with a flowery smile, pulled the woman aside, and argued with Liu: "Bian'er, look, do you still remember who this is?"
Liu Bian looked at the woman next to her. She was about seventeen or eighteen years old, tall, dignified and beautiful, with cloud-like hair and watery eyes. She had a classical fragrance.
The woman pursed her lips lightly and saluted in a gentle voice: "Tang Ji has met Your Majesty."
Liu Bian couldn't remember who this was. After looking at it for a while, he said out of nowhere: "My dear, can you study?"
The woman's name was Tang Ji. She lowered her head and said softly: "I have read some at home."
Liu Bian nodded. He had encountered a lot of uncommon words recently and it was hard to find Pan Yin to continue learning. This woman was just right.
"That's good, stay and study with me." Liu Ben said.
Seeing Liu Bian's serious look, Queen Mother He turned around with a smile and said, "Okay, let's talk. Mother will leave first."
Liu Bian knew what Empress Dowager He meant, and he was a little embarrassed, so he followed up and said: "I will send my mother to you."
When Empress Dowager He needed him to send her, she turned around with a meaningful smile and pushed Liu Bian back with her backhand.
Liu Bian touched his nose, turned to smile at Tang Ji, and said, "Come, study with me."
Tang Ji responded gently, her pretty face trying to remain calm, but her heart was tense.
Queen Mother He left Jingfu Palace with a relieved look on her face. As soon as she returned to Yongle Palace, there was a stooped chamberlain with a very haggard look waiting for her.
Queen Mother He's eyes suddenly turned cold, she waved away the servants and walked over slowly.
The chamberlain bowed in front of Empress Dowager He and whispered: "Mother, there is one missing. She is the general's favorite concubine during his lifetime."
Queen Mother He's face turned frosty and she said, "How much does she know?"
The chamberlain said: "You should know something, otherwise you wouldn't escape."
Queen Mother He's eyes were full of killing intent, and she said in a cold voice: "If we find her, and everyone she has come into contact with, no one will be allowed to live!"
The waiter remained motionless and said, "Yes."
Queen Mother He stared at him, her tone became calm, and said: "You know the importance of the matter yourself. If you do it well, I will protect the future of your whole family. If you don't do it well, the Yi tribe!"
The chamberlain bowed and said, "I understand, little man."
Queen Mother He waved her hand and watched him leave. She called a palace maid and said indifferently: "Send a letter to He Miao and ask him to take the people in person. Afterwards, all these people will be silenced and no one will be left! If you don't do it well, I will The palace took off his skin!"
"Yes." The palace maid trembled and even responded softly.
Queen Mother He watched the chamberlain leave the palace gate, then turned and left expressionlessly.
…
Outside the palace, the Taiwei Mansion.
"Old thief Yuan bullied me too much!"
Dong Zhuo took his sword and struck it on the small table in front of him, roaring loudly.
Li Su hurried in from outside and said urgently: "Mr. Dong, be careful what you say!"
Dong Zhuo was sweating profusely, his whole body was soaked, and his face was full of resentment. He pointed his sword directly at Li Su and shouted: "What did you tell me before entering the capital!? Now, they are entering again and again. The palace is discussing matters, but I, the Taiwei, can’t even leave the Taiwei’s mansion!”
Li Su saw Dong Zhuo's ferocious expression and knew that he was really angry. He felt a little scared, so he bit the bullet and said, "Dong Gong, please be patient for now. I'll wait for my subordinates to figure out the situation of the court. There will always be a chance!"
Dong Zhuo threw away the sword with a wave of his hand. From the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the pretty maid not far away. She suddenly strode over and said, "Wait for me!"
When the maid saw Dong Zhuo approaching with great force, her delicate body trembled with fear, but she had no idea of escaping.
Dong Zhuo picked up the maid and walked quickly inside.
Li Su looked awkward and constipated when he saw it. Especially the sound he heard next made him even more uncomfortable.
Less than half the time it took to burn the incense, Dong Zhuo came out with his trousers belt on. His face had calmed down a lot. He sat down directly, drank a big gulp of water, then stared at him and said, "What do you think?"
Li Su took a few steps closer and smelled the strange smell. He frowned and said with restraint, "Dong Gong, now is a troubled time. The Han Dynasty is in trouble. As a Taiwei, how can Mr. Dong be useless? If he is really like the Taiwei, Wei expected that if the Yuan family does not last long, there will be many vacant positions, and it is not known whether Duke Dong will be the prime minister!"
It was because of the word 'prime minister' that Dong Zhuo was persuaded to come to the capital by Yuan Kui. Hearing this, he became even more angry and said, "I have been in the capital for more than a month, but I can't even get into the chancery, so why are we talking about being a prime minister?!"
Li Su already knew that the Shangshutai convened a meeting, and Dong Zhuo was annoyed that he was not included in the meeting again and again.
Li Su whispered more and more: "Mr. Dong, I heard that the Yellow Turban bandits are resurrecting. Can Mr. Dong be missing from them?"
Dong Zhuo suddenly remembered that this was the time when the Yellow Turban Army became active. His eyes flashed and he said: "Okay, okay!"
He thought of something, looked excited, looked at Li Su and said: "What if I take this opportunity to leave Beijing and return to Bingzhou?"
Li Su was startled. The reason he came to the capital with Dong Zhuo was because he wanted to make a great career. Who would have thought that Dong Zhuo would actually back out!
In this chaotic place in Bingzhou, how could there be the prosperity and bright future from the Eastern Capital?
Immediately, he persuaded calmly: "Dong Gong, this is a God-given opportunity. If the military power is in hand, why can't I just advance to the chancellery?"
Dong Zhuo immediately moved, sat up straight and asked, "How to do it?"
Li Su glanced behind him and said in a low voice: "We might as well let Bingzhou be in chaos, why worry about losing military power?"
