In the sixth year of Zhongping, in the middle of September.
Liu Bian returned to Beijing quietly, but he did not enter the palace. Instead, he dressed in ordinary clothes and came to the recruitment hall like an ordinary scholar.
The recruitment hall was decorated simply and brightly, and the hall was full of people, sitting in small groups around the table and talking loudly.
Liu Bian remained calm and quietly came to a remote corner to sit down and observe these people.
On a small table not far in front of him, there were five or six people sitting around, ranging from teenagers to fifty or sixty. They seemed to be arguing about something, with red faces and extremely loud voices.
"Today's urgent task is to change the customs and change the customs so that the world can return to the Tao!"
"No! The saint wants his fish scales and phoenix wings to be mixed and jagged, and never end in the world. Isn't it not grand? People from all over the world admire him. Is it because of his love that he has a good ear?"
"I believe that when we are out of danger, we should use hidden meanings to stir up popular customs, use hormones to shame authority, and establish integrity to uplift nobles and tenacious people, so that people in the world will be moved and moved to follow!"
"Stop talking nonsense, have a neat style, and hold yourself to high standards. I want to teach the world what is right and wrong as my own responsibility!"
"As a scholar, you must behave according to the standards of the world. When you board a chariot and take the bridle, you must have the ambition to clarify the world!"
"No matter what, integrity is wasted, evil is in vain..."
Although Liu Bian didn't listen from the beginning, these few words left him confused.
What does this mean?
'Is this the lofty talk of Confucian scholars, empty boasting and impetuousness? '
Liu Bian felt greatly disappointed and couldn't help but shook his head.
Pan Yin bowed and whispered in Liu Bian's ear: "Your Majesty, King Bohai has arrived."
Liu Bian immediately turned his head and saw an eight or nine-year-old, rather immature, young man in regular clothes looking around at the door.
After a pause, Liu Bian raised his hand with a smile and waved to him.
When Liu Xie saw Liu Bian, he walked in calmly, came closer and raised his hand and said, "I... have met my brother."
Liu Bian looked him over and said, "Sit down."
Liu Xie responded as usual, but felt uneasy in his heart, and knelt down opposite Liu Bian.
Liu Bian looked at this younger brother. In history, this man was also a miserable man and was the de facto king of the Han Dynasty.
To a certain extent, Liu Bian also took the blame.
Regarding Liu Xie's entry, the recruitment office had almost no reaction and continued to talk about it.
Liu Bian actually had no ill feelings towards Liu Xie and had never had any murderous intention. He reached out and poured him a cup of tea and said, "Today we are just talking about brothers, nothing else. Tell me, how do you feel at the Chancellery these days?" ?”
Liu Xie was panic-stricken. He bowed slightly and said, "Return...brother. All the princes in Shangshutai are virtuous, upright, and capable people. Brother, I have gained a lot."
Liu Bian held the teacup to his lips, looked at him and said, "What do you think? About government affairs."
Liu Xie's heart became even more tense, and he quietly grasped the hands that were sitting down and said: "I think that the country's situation is becoming increasingly difficult and everything is decadent, and it is necessary for your Majesty to turn the tide and rectify the country."
A fair answer.
Liu Bian took a sip of tea and said, "What do you think of the court officials impeaching Lu Zhi, Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao and others?"
Now in the court, in addition to praising Liu Bian, there is also an undercurrent of impeachment against Lu Zhi and others.
Liu Xiedao: "My brother, please listen to my brother's decision."
Seeing that he was nervous, Liu Bian put down his tea cup and said straight to the point: "What do you think about my grandmother's entry into Beijing?"
Liu Xie's whole body tensed up instantly, and his breathing seemed to have stopped.
The manuscript he had already written was no longer needed at this time. He suppressed the chill in his scalp and said, "Grandma, she, my brother, has already sent a letter to appease grandma's feelings of missing her grandson."
Liu Bian looked at him and said, "Has anyone said anything to you?"
Liu Xie's expression suddenly changed, and he fell to the ground and said: "My brother has always been in the forbidden palace and has never been in contact with foreign ministers. Please give me a clear warning!"
His movement was so big that the recruiting hall fell into silence, and everyone looked over.
But no one seemed to have heard what Liu Xie just said, and they just looked at the brothers Liu Bian and Liu Xie with suspicious faces.
In the silence, Li Ruzheng came out of the side door in confusion. He followed his gaze and saw Liu Bian. His expression changed slightly and he shrank back sharply.
He leaned against the wall, his eyes full of surprise.
'Didn't His Majesty say he would arrive in Beijing in three days? Why did you arrive today? Li Ru's eyes flickered for a while, and he glanced quietly again. After confirming that it was Liu Bian, he turned around and slipped away silently.
Although the people in the recruiting hall were confused, they didn't pay much attention and turned around to continue chatting.
Liu Xie lay on the ground, his body shaking uncontrollably.
In his heart, he was actually prepared to die. He had this awareness from the moment the royal brother ascended the throne! But when things came to pass, I was still deeply afraid.
Liu Bian did not expect that Liu Association would be so afraid. He changed his mind and changed his strategy. He reached out to pull him and said with a smile: "Grandma's feeling of missing her grandson is also human. I can understand it. Well... I Bring grandma to Luoyang, and if she can't get used to living in the palace, live outside the city. In this way, we can see grandma at any time."
When Liu Xie heard Liu Bian's words, his heart became cold.
What is the feeling of missing one's grandson? Any action taken by a superior person will not be just for the superficial purpose. The same is true for Empress Dowager Dong's 'feeling of missing one's grandson'.
And Liu Bian took Empress Dowager Dong to Luoyang and placed her outside the city in order to 'monitor' her nearby!
'Brother, you are still suspicious of me. '
Liu Xie's face turned pale, he fell on the ground and said, "Thank you, my dear brother."
Liu Bian stretched out his hand to pull him up and said, "Don't think so much. You should remember what I said."
Liu Xie stood up tremblingly, his mind completely occupied by fear, and he could no longer remember what Liu Bian had said to him.
Liu Bian looked at him and was about to speak when the recruitment hall suddenly became quiet again.
Liu Bian turned around and saw that everyone was watching a woman walking in covered with a white gauze.
"Cai Wenji?" Liu Bian recognized her at a glance, mainly because she was wearing mourning clothes and was very conspicuous.
I saw that Cai Wenji brought a lot of books and walked to the front desk, looking like she was here to return the books.
Suddenly many people came forward and raised their hands and said, "Xiaosheng has met Miss Cai. I wonder if Mr. Taichang can come with us?"
Cai Wenji turned sideways and saluted, and whispered softly: "My father is in the future."
"Xiao Sheng wants to visit Taichang. Can you recommend me?" someone else said quickly.
Cai Wenji returned the book without answering this sentence and turned to leave.
A crowd of people were chattering behind Cai Wenji, all talking about Cai Yong.
"Miss Cai, are you getting married?"
A very loud sound suddenly sounded, causing the recruitment hall to fall into silence.
Cai Wenji frowned, looking unhappy, and walked faster.
This sentence immediately aroused public outrage, and someone scolded: "Miss Cai has just become a widow, what do you mean?"
"Me, I, I have admired Miss Cai for a long time and want to get married to her. How about it?"
"Bah! You don't fall in love with Cai Xiaoniang, you fall in love with Cai Taichang, right!?"
"Nonsense, let me ask you, don't you have any bad thoughts about Cai Xiaoniang?"
A group of people suddenly started to fight, and the recruitment hall seemed to be about to turn from talking to fighting.
Some people even chased Cai Wenji and continued to pester her after leaving the recruitment hall.
Liu Bian was very disappointed with these people. He shook his head, stood up and said, "Come with me for a walk."
Liu Xie was so frightened that he dared not say a word and followed Liu Bian carefully step by step.
Liu Bian left the recruitment hall and went to Hongdu School.
On the way, I chatted with Liu Xie from time to time. Liu Xie lost his usual "precocious wisdom" and gave very reserved answers with no new ideas.
When we arrived at Hongdu Gate, we saw a newly renovated courtyard wall, and the doors and plaques had obviously been replaced not long ago.
Liu Bian looked at it for a while and then walked in.
Just like that, he went in unimpeded and unobstructed.
Liu Bian was stunned for a moment, not used to it.
After he walked in, he found that the Hongdu School was being built everywhere, and the work was not small. Almost all the houses were being demolished and rebuilt.
"Are you going to do something big?"
Liu Bian was a little stunned, and then he saw four or five young people coming towards him in groups, shouting.
They passed in front of Liu Bian and others, and the strong smell of alcohol almost made Liu Bian faint.
"I'm telling you, everyone in Qingcuilou is extremely talented. In bed, it's like being in ecstasy..."
"How much does it cost..."
"Hahaha! You don't care how much money he has, our Hongdu sect disciples are here, how dare they collect money?"
"That's right, that's right. Let me tell you, in our Hongdu sect, Taichang personally serves as the wine sacrificer. He is half an emperor's disciple! In the future, he will be at least a county magistrate when he is sent abroad!"
"What does the county magistrate mean? We will definitely be granted the title of marquis and prime minister in the future. How can we go to a brothel and rush to fawn over us? Let me tell you, yesterday, both of us were famous people. We usually asked for less than a thousand, but yesterday , I just paid for the tea, hehe..."
Liu Bian was stunned and watched them pass by. Anger welled up in his chest and he was so angry that he couldn't say a word!
Is this the Hongdu School that he has high hopes for? Drinking together during the day and visiting brothels at night?
Pan shrank his head, not daring to breathe.
Liu Xie frowned and watched these people go out.
After a long while, Liu Bian took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and said in a deep voice: "What is Cai Yong doing?"
Pan Yin lowered his head and said, "It seems that he is busy building a school in Taiyuan."
Liu Bian snorted coldly and said, "Why is he going to cause chaos? Does he think Taiyuan is not chaotic enough?"
How could Pan Yin dare to speak? Liu Bian had high hopes for the Hongdu School, but this scene was actually seen by Liu Bian with his own eyes!
Liu Bian thought to himself that he had to give Cai Yong a good lesson.
As soon as she turned around, she saw Cai Wenji carrying a small basket and entering the gate of Hongdu School.
Liu Bian knew that Cai Wenji knew him, so he didn't want to exchange greetings. He looked around, pointed to the path not far away and said, "Does this lead to the back door?"
Before Pan Yin could answer, Liu Bian had already walked away.
Cai Wenji looked at Liu Bian's back and saw a trace of doubt flashing in her eyes when she saw him leaving in a hurry.
At this moment, Cai Mansion.
Cai Yong had just come back from outside, and then a concierge came after him and said: "Master, the former Luoyang order Zhou Yi wants to see you."
Cai Yong was startled, then suddenly remembered something, and said repeatedly: "See you, see you."
The concierge was stunned for a moment, then stepped forward and whispered: "Master, there are two Li and San Gong in the Zhou family."
Zhou Yi's father, Zhou Jing, and his elder brother, Zhou Zhong, were both ranked among the three princes.
Cai Yong kept walking, as if he was avoiding the god of plague, and said: "That Zhou Yi is Yuan An's disciple! From now on, all disciples and former officials of the Yuan family are not allowed to enter my mansion."
The concierge suddenly woke up and said immediately: "Yes, I will go and send them away now."
Cai Yong paused, turned around, and said, "Them? Who else?"
The concierge who turned around turned back and said, "There is also his son Zhou Yu."
Cai Yong waved his hand. He didn't want to get involved with anything related to the Yuan family.
…
Liu Bian walked along the path and walked into the interior of Hongdu Sect School. Only then did he realize that Hongdu Sect School was really being demolished and rebuilt. There were craftsmen everywhere. Although many of them were not formed, it could be judged that it was absolutely gorgeous. It's grand and can be called luxurious.
"I'm so used to extravagance..."
Liu Bian sighed. Cai Yong had obviously misunderstood what he meant.
Liu Xie said nothing, but was curious as to why Liu Bian brought him here.
After a roundabout way out of Hongdu School, Liu Bian appeared at the back door of Yang Mansion after turning a corner.
Liu Xie looked at the inconspicuous little door, then looked at Liu Bian, quietly without making a sound.
Yang Biao appeared limping and saluted with difficulty: "I see your Majesty."
Liu Bian glanced at his crutch and said with a smile: "Yang Qing's family, how many months has your leg been injured?"
Yang Biao was fatter than before, with a big belly, and said with a smile: "Chen, Chen..."
Liu Bian waved his hand and walked straight in without bothering to talk nonsense with him.
Only then did Yang Biao notice Liu Xie, blinked in confusion, and quickly followed Liu Bian.
Everyone arrived at the main hall. Before tea was served, Yang Biao raised his hand and said in a deep voice: "I congratulate your majesty on your return with a great victory. Your majesty is so powerful that he pursues Emperor Wu! On behalf of all the officials of the court, I would like to ask your majesty to grant you a Zen title!"
Liu Bian raised his eyebrows and looked at Yang Biao, but his heart moved.
Feng Chan? It's not impossible, as long as the haze over Luoyang City can be cleared away.
However, just after the victory over the Huns, the situation was at its peak. At this time, Feng Chan was just the icing on the cake, and he had to find another opportunity.
"Get up."
Liu Bian picked up the tea cup and took a sip of tea.
Yang Biao sat up and bowed, his fat face calm.
At this time, in the backyard, Wang Lang stood under the eaves, looking at the main hall with a solemn expression, with all kinds of thoughts in his heart.
Liu Bian took the three memorials from Pan Yin, pushed them to Yang Biao, and said, "Prime Minister, take a look at these three memorials."
When Yang Biao heard the word 'Prime Minister', his heart suddenly suddenly jumped, and he stretched out his hand to take the three memorials.
The first time he opened it, his hands shook. He looked up at Liu Bian in surprise and said, "Your Majesty, is this?"
"Let's talk after reading it," Liu argued.
Yang Biao suppressed his uneasiness and continued to read.
The main content of the first course is to reduce the number of officials, the main content of the second course is to expand the imperial army and the Yulin Army, and the third course is to talk about the local state pastors, governors, prefects, aristocratic families, etc. to support their own troops and control the local area. Respect the imperial court, obey and disobey the imperial government's orders, and act recklessly.
What made Yang Biao frightened was that the author of these three memorials was Yuan Wei!
The Yuan family is a thorn in Yang Biao's heart!
Yang Biao gathered the memorial together and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, I believe that Yuan Wei has ulterior motives, and the memorial must contain evil intentions. Please ignore it!"
Liu Bian smiled and said: "I think there is some merit in it."
These three memorials were written by Yuan Wei in accordance with Liu Bian's request on the night when Liu Bian was dealing with He Jin.
Yang Biao blinked, seemed a little dazed, and then said: "Your Majesty is wise."
Liu Bian smiled on his face and sneered in his heart, saying, "Qing family, what did you see from this?"
Yang Biao's fat face tightened, pretending to be thoughtful.
Who dares to take the risk of reducing the number of officials? Not allowed to be scolded to death by the world’s scholars?
The expansion of the Forbidden Army and the Yulin Army is also subject to discussion. The original Eighth School Lieutenant of Xiyuan was the foundation for the formation of cliques and chaos in government by the twelve permanent servants.
As for the local powerful and self-respecting troops, who dares to say more? This is asking for trouble!
Liu Bian's smile faded and he said, "As the prime minister, what do the Qing family have in mind?"
As soon as the word 'Prime Minister' came out, Yang Biao's heart twitched unconsciously, his little eyes kept blinking, and he said quickly: "I, I think that there are indeed some mediocre officials who should be eliminated. I think that the Forbidden Army and the Yulin Army should be expanded. Yes, but it must be prudent. After all, the imperial treasury is empty. Place, place, I am here to ask for the Holy Judgment!"
Liu Bian knew Yang Biao's habits very well and was not angry at all. He said: "As the prime minister, the Qing family should come up with a set of regulations for governing politics. Please refer to these three memorials carefully. In a few days, the Qing family will , I have to read the Qing family’s charter.”
Yang Biao's fat face trembled, his mouth was dry, and he said: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I am not qualified to take on such a big responsibility..."
Liu Bian stood up directly, interrupted him, and said as he walked: "Recently, there has been a wave of impeachment in the imperial court of Lu Zhi, Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao and others. Come and suppress them. If there are those who are stubborn, you can do it as the prime minister. them."
In times of peace and prosperity, officials are needed to control powerful ministers. In times like these, officials are not only bad things, but also bad things.
When Yang Biao saw Liu Bian leaving like this, he quickly turned around and said to Liu Bian: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I..."
Liu Bian walked straight out of the living room and strode out.
"There's someone else I need to meet."
After leaving Yang's Mansion, Liu Bian stood on the street, looked around, pointed to the restaurant not far away, and said: "Just in time, I'm hungry too, please come here and have a meal with me."
"Yes." Pan Yin responded.
As soon as Liu Bian left Yang's house, Yang Biao rolled towards the backyard and found Wang Lang.
The two sat down, Wang Lang looked at the three memorials, nodded with a somewhat enlightened expression, and said: "His Majesty has indeed had ideas about government affairs for a long time. This move has taken so long, so patient..."
Yang Biao wiped the cold sweat from his head and said, "Stop talking about this now, tell me, what should I do?"
Wang Lang put down Yuan Wei's three memorials and said: "Submit a letter, and then the minister's desk will discuss it."
Yang Biao's expression suddenly changed, his eyes widened, and he said, "Do you really want me to submit a letter? Do you know how many people you will offend? If one of these people comes to power in the future, they will definitely eat me alive!"
Wang Lang was calm as usual and said: "If you don't submit a letter, your Yang family will be the next Yuan family. Furthermore, what do you think can be discussed at the Shangshu table? If you don't dare to do it, others will dare to do it?"
Yang Biao was surprised and happy. He quickly poured tea for Wang Lang and said, "Mr. Wang is still smarter! Well, come to the chancery and help me?"
Wang Lang did have some thoughts at first, but he became more and more hesitant about this. He pondered for a moment and said, "I still need to study."
Yang Biao did not make things difficult for him, as long as Wang Lang was still in his house, he turned to him and said, "Some people have written to me and want to join the court. What do you think?"
Wang Lang's face changed, his eyes were slightly cold, and he said: "Are you planning to follow in the footsteps of the Yuan family? You must tell everyone, especially His Majesty, that you have no power and no ambition!"
Yang Biao nodded heavily and said, "I listen to you!"
Seeing that he agreed, Wang Lang looked at the three memorials on the table.
He had a clear premonition that after this personal expedition, the predicament faced by His Majesty would be greatly improved. Instead of being stable, the court would become more turbulent.
…
Li Ru searched for Wang Yun for a long time, and finally found Wang Yun who was checking accounts in Dasinong Mansion.
He waited for a while and saw that Wang Yun was too serious about his account and had no intention of talking to him. He couldn't wait any longer and stepped forward to pull Wang Yun aside and whispered: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty has arrived in Beijing."
Wang Yun, who was originally prepared to take advantage of Xun You and others, was stunned and said: "Isn't there still a few days left? Are you sure?"
Li Ru nodded solemnly and said: "Xiaguan saw it with his own eyes at the Talent Recruitment Hall, and King Bohai was also there, so he can't be wrong."
Wang Yun's face was sullen, and his heart was spinning rapidly.
His Majesty's return to Beijing early must be to do things in secret, and meeting King Bohai must be related to Empress Dowager Dong's desire to return to Beijing.
When Li Ru saw Wang Yun lowering his head and thinking, and seeing no one around, he lowered his voice and said, "Your Majesty, no one else knows that His Majesty has returned to Beijing yet."
Wang Yun looked at him fiercely and said, "You mean..."
A ruthless look appeared on Li Ruruya's face, and she said: "Your Majesty, Dong Zhuo is already angry with both people and gods. The reason why he can still enter the court and rank among the three princes is simply because of his military power in Bingzhou. Now, his military power has been completely eliminated..."
Wang Yun was naturally dissatisfied with Dong Zhuo. How could such a person be worthy of being in the court alongside him?
But if you want to attack Dong Zhuo, you need to think carefully and not be reckless. After all, Dong Zhuo is also a Taiwei.
Seeing Wang Yun's move, Li Ru's eyes brightened and said: "My lord, Dong Zhuo is killing people like crazy in Bingzhou. Heaven is angry and people are resenting it. As long as you push a little harder, defeat is right in front of you!"
Now that Dong Zhuo is defeated, can Yang Biao be far behind?
Once Yang Biao leaves, Wang Yun will be the prime minister!
He, Li Ru, will naturally follow the rising tide, and he can take the position of the Three Lords!
Hearing Li Ru mention 'Bingzhou', Wang Yun's expression flashed with murderous intent and said: "What are you going to do?"
Li Ru looked back, leaned closer, and whispered in Wang Yun's ear.
After Wang Yun heard this, he said: "Okay, let's do it! You go find someone, and I'll test the attitude of Xun You and others."
It was said that he was testing Xun You and others, but in reality he was still His Majesty in the palace.
Li Ru knew it well and said, "What about Lu Zhi and Cao Cao?"
Wang Yun looked a little colder and said: "Together."
In Wang Yun's view, it was a grave sin for Lu Zhi to sit back and watch Liu Bian being besieged by the Shangdang Party. And Cao Cao is the direct culprit, and his crime is unpardonable!
Li Ru raised his hand and said, "I understand!"
After saying this, Li Ru's eyes became dim and his tone became a little erratic, saying: "Your Majesty, the King of Bohai..."
Wang Yun suddenly fell silent.
Liu Xie's existence was already very sensitive, and the sudden appearance of Empress Dowager Dong aroused the sensitive nerves of the ruling and opposition parties at all times.
Li Ru looked at Wang Yun's expression and felt anxious in his heart. He wanted to say: Should he make up a reasonable excuse for His Majesty?
But he and Wang Yun were not in the same party. What he said was: "Your Majesty, at least the King of Bohai should not continue to stay at the Chancellery. Your Majesty probably thinks so too."
Wang Yun thought silently for a while and said: "I will find an opportunity to talk to Your Majesty. If you go to collect evidence of the crimes of Lu Zhi, Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao and others, you must beat them to death with a stick and never give them a chance to stand up!"
Nowadays, the battles in the imperial court focus on four words: kill them all and kill them all.
Leave no trace of future trouble!
Please give me a monthly pass. Please give me a monthly pass~~
(End of chapter)
