It wasn't until daybreak that Zuo Li dared to come out from behind the statue.
His legs had long been numb. He was holding on to the table, sitting on the ground, and rubbing his legs sullenly.
The four imperial guards were better and pulled out the struggling Dong Zhuo.
The guard explained as he untied it: "Forgive me, Taiwei, but someone wanted to kill Taiwei last night, and you had no choice but to do so."
Dong Zhuo's face was full of resentment, and he didn't even hide his murderous intent as he glared at Zuo Li.
Zuo Li snorted coldly, looked outside, and saw that the rain was not that heavy, and said: "There are still a few horses behind, find them, take the path, and return to Beijing as soon as possible."
Dong Zhuo didn't speak. He didn't know what happened last night, but in his heart, Zuo Li was already a dead man!
Just as the two guards were about to go out, they suddenly stopped and looked alert, holding sabers in their hands.
I saw a man in his early thirties coming in holding an umbrella.
When he saw the situation of several people, he said calmly: "I'm just passing by." After saying that, he was about to retreat.
Zuo Li's eyes turned cold and he said, "Catch him back!"
The two guards immediately pounced on him.
The man threw away his umbrella and ran away without looking back, but was caught shortly after.
The man was tied up, but he was not frightened and did not speak.
Zuo Li looked at him with a resolute face, calm eyes, dressed as a scholar, and said directly: "Kill."
The two guards did not hesitate and drew their swords to chop.
"Wait a minute,"
The man was calm and said: "You are about to travel far away and cannot waste time. Killing me and burying me will definitely take a long time. Isn't it best to tie me up and gag me?"
Zuo Lixuebai's face was filled with coldness. He stood up with some difficulty and said, "How do you know we can't waste time?"
The man said: "There are blood stains everywhere outside. You should be hiding. You must be worried that the thieves will come back, so you don't want to stay any longer."
Zuo Li took a few steps and said, "Killing you won't be a waste of effort."
The man was still calm, shook his head and said: "A noble man comes from the Forbidden Palace, so he must have a big responsibility. How can he easily kill a useless person? There is a small road behind the temple, which can be detoured to Yanling, but you need to cross a river. If it rains heavily, you will be killed. If it is submerged and cannot be reached at night, there will be no way to reach the village or shop, and it is easy to get lost.”
Dong Zhuo looked at this man with an expression that seemed to be moving, his eyes flashing slightly.
Something strange appeared on Zuo Li's face and he said, "How do you know I come from the Forbidden Palace?"
The man said: "Isn't it obvious enough for your nobles and the Forbidden Army? If we delay, the small bridge will be flooded at any time."
Zuo Li looked at this person carefully and suddenly said: "Take him with you!"
The man's expression changed and he said, "I'm just passing by and have nothing to do with your business. Why should you drag me along with you?"
Seeing that he was panicking, Zuo Li smiled and said, "Give you a future!"
The man wanted to say something more, but the guard directly picked him up and walked out.
Soon, the horses that Zuo Li had hidden in advance were pulled out. Six people and four horses walked and ate while being careful and vigilant.
Dong Zhuo was surrounded by guards in front of him and behind him, expressionless, looking at Zuo Li in the front with cold eyes. From time to time he glanced at the man who was tied up and silent, still thinking about a way to escape.
This Zuo Li is too insidious and should not be regarded as a lieutenant at all. His methods are very despicable. If he takes risks, he will probably die!
"Your name is Miyagi?" Zuo Li talked to the man and said, "What's the name?"
The man said: "Zhuang Hou."
At the same time, Luoyang, the Imperial City, and Yongle Palace.
Queen Mother He and Tang Ji didn't know what they were talking about, and they laughed happily.
Queen Mother He laughed for a while and whispered: "Don't look at how serious he is now. He doesn't talk about anything except government affairs. In the past, he did a lot of ridiculous things secretly. Tell me about your boudoir talk..."
When Tang Ji heard this, she didn't know what she thought of, and she immediately blushed.
Seeing this, Empress Dowager He became more and more interested. She came closer and said, "What are you afraid of if you talk to your mother?"
Tang Ji's pretty face turned red, her lips moved, and she couldn't make a sound.
Queen Mother He was extremely happy. Just as she was about to ask further questions, the maid at the door came in and quietly made a gesture.
Queen Mother He then said: "I'll talk to my mother later."
With that said, she stood up, turned her back to Tang Ji, and her smile disappeared immediately.
The palace maid lowered her head and followed her to the door. After walking a long way and seeing no one around, she whispered: "My dear, the General of Chariots and Cavalry has sent a letter saying that he has not been found."
Queen Mother He's face turned as cold as ice, she pinched her handkerchief tightly and cursed: "Useless thing!"
The palace maid did not dare to raise her head and said: "Mother, the General Chariot and Cavalry has sent word that there are not many manpower."
Empress Dowager He sneered and said: "He doesn't have much manpower? He wants to ask me for money again. Isn't the amount I gave him too little? Tell him that if it is done, I will let him dominate the countryside and do whatever he wants. No, I will take everything from him!"
"Yes." The palace maid did not dare to say anything.
…
Jingfu Hall.
Wang Yun sat opposite Liu Bian, frowning. On the small table in front of him were two lists of appointments for officials from various counties and counties.
The two lists are very different. There are more than 200 people, but the overlap is less than 20 people.
Liu Bian also had a copy in front of him. After reading it carefully, he raised his eyelids and looked at Wang Yun and said, "Wang Qing's family seems to be very disgusted with the list of officials?"
Wang Yun relaxed his brows, looked as usual, bowed, and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, please speak frankly. This list of officials, no matter how big or small, either comes from Yingchuan, or is Yingchuan's relatives, friends, teachers and friends. This Sili has turned into Yingchuan, and I am deeply worried!"
Liu Bian raised his eyebrows. He had not realized this problem before, but he understood it soon.
Xun You and Zhong Yao both came from Yingchuan, and the people they recommended were nothing more than relatives, friends, teachers and friends, because the circle itself was not large, and the level of trust was even smaller.
Liu Bian looked at Wang Yun's side again, pondered again and again, and said: "Qing family, my recruiting office has been open for two months, and we have recruited less than twenty people."
Those who are willing to come to Luoyang City now are either truly loyal to the emperor and the country, or they are speculators. There are many people coming to the Talent Recruitment Hall, but very few pass the assessment.
Just when Wang Yunchang was about to speak, Liu Bian said casually: "Almost all of the twenty people I ordered to recruit were rejected for various reasons, and even no one could be found at all. Everyone in the court is in danger, and people are constantly resigning. Officer, choose wisely to protect yourself..."
Wang Yun's expression paused, and he bowed more and more, saying: "Your Majesty, I believe that things should not be done too hastily. Being hasty will lead to the opposite, so you need to be patient."
Liu Bian looked at Wang Yun, feeling restless in his heart. Be angry. What he said makes sense. Don't be angry. He keeps giving you troubles.
After thinking quietly for a while, Liu Bian said: "Qing family, your position as an official is complicated and the character is unpredictable. Many of them have never served in official positions. If they are put into high positions rashly, they may not be able to do their best."
Wang Yun quickly said: "Your Majesty, I think the officials are too harsh, and we have obvious differences. There are six officials in the county and county, and only six hundred dan, and everything they do is trivial. How can you ask for too much? I object to the officials and officials appointed by the officials. , many colleagues also think so.”
Liu Bian looked thoughtful and suddenly said: "The Yang Qing family is still asking for leave?"
Wang Yun is now the only one at the Chancellery, and his words represent the views of the courtiers, except for Xun You, Zhong Yao and others.
"Yes." Wang Yundao said.
'Still taking leave. '
Liu Bian narrowed his eyes slightly and glanced at Wang Yun again. He couldn't tell that Wang Yun was carefully cultivating his private life. His heart was spinning, and then he sat up straighter and said, "Let's do this. These are Let the commander-in-chief of Sili decide on the appointment of officials."
The Sili captain was Tang Mao, Liu Bian's cheap father-in-law.
Wang Yun naturally refused to agree. He raised his head to speak, but was blocked by Liu Bian. "Qing family, how is the matter of raising money?"
Wang Yun's brows moved, and he bowed and said, "I'm still thinking of a way."
Liu Bian's eyes were slightly cold.
Wang Yun seemed to feel it and said: "Your Majesty, I believe that raising money and food must be done in a safe manner. We cannot rely on court regulations as Xun Shangshu said."
Liu Bian's anger welled up in his heart. He looked at him and said calmly: "Wang Qing's family believes that as long as they follow the regulations, they can solve the problem of money and food? Solve the bad government of the court? Solve the dilemma faced by my great man?"
Wang Yun didn't move at all and said: "If the court does not regard regulations as the main point, how can the courtiers and all the people abide by them? In everything in the world, the court should set an example, be strict in self-discipline, and do not exceed the rules."
Liu Bian's expression was not good, and he felt uncomfortable because he was not famous and had nowhere to express himself.
dong dong dong
Suddenly there were footsteps outside the door, and Pan Yin appeared at the door, looking at Liu Bian and nodding heavily.
Liu Bian stood up fiercely, ignoring Wang Yun, and rushed out with large strides.
Pan Yin followed Liu Bian closely, looked back behind him, and whispered: "Your Majesty, Huangfu Jianzhang sent a letter. He has gained a lot. He previously sent 50 million yuan and 80,000 shi of grain. The rest are still being counted. .”
Liu Bian walked out of the backyard and into the front yard, where he saw at least hundreds of large boxes piled neatly.
Pan Yin said: "Your Majesty, the food is still outside the palace."
"His Majesty Shi Ajie!" As soon as Liu Bian came closer, a man with droopy eyebrows knelt down on one knee and said.
"No gift." Liu Bian glanced at him, looked at these big boxes excitedly, stretched out his hand to touch, and said loudly, "Pan Yin, hereby send the decree to transport all 80,000 shi of grain to Yanzhou, and 5,000 shi of grain will be transported to Yanzhou." Send me ten thousand dollars!"
"Yes." Pan Yin responded and hurried to the chancellery.
Liu Bian walked around these big boxes, and when he came out he saw Wang Yun was there, and said with a smile: "Wang Qing's family has money and food!"
Wang Yun looked puzzled and said, "Your Majesty, what are these?"
Liu Bian's smile faded a little, and he touched the big box next to him and said: "At the beginning, Yuan Shu killed the eunuchs and confiscated too many families. Afterwards, all the money and food were gone. Not long ago, someone reported it, saying that it was hidden by the Yuan family. In Guandu, this was just seized."
Wang Yunruo looked at these big boxes knowingly.
Immediately, Liu Bian turned to him and said, "Is Xing Cao responsible for the searches of Wang Qing's family, Yuan family, etc.?"
Xingcao Shangshu was Li Ru, who had just taken office.
Wang Yundao: "Yes. I have briefly asked Li Shangshu and said that he has sent people to various places to check. There are not many checks in Beijing. The money is only 30 million and the land is only 800 hectares."
Liu Bian nodded. Most of the Yuan family's property was not in Luoyang and said, "Search it as soon as possible."
Before the summer taxes came up, Liu Bian was counting on these to fill the hole.
Shi A wanted to speak several times, but seeing Wang Yun beside him, he finally did not say anything and stood silently aside.
(End of chapter)
