In the evening, the Prime Minister's Mansion.
Wang Lang became an official in the Luoyang Order and was so busy that he rarely had time to sit across from Yang Biao.
Yang Biao took off his thick cotton-padded clothes and lit a charcoal fire. He frowned and said with a suspicious look on his face, "What do you mean, official?"
Wang Lang looked much more tired than before, and he lost the leisurely mood of writing a book. He said: "Xun Shangshu means that Yanzhou collapsed, the recommendation of various states and counties was too slow, or there were many rebellious officials, so all of them were transferred from the imperial court?"
Yang Biao nodded, looked at Wang Lang and said, "I always feel that something is wrong, can you see anything?"
Wang Lang hesitated and said: "This reason is quite sufficient..."
Yang Biao became more serious and said, "You don't know His Majesty very well. He never goes to war over a superficial matter. He must have a deeper purpose."
Wang Lang was moved when he heard this and said: "The imperial court has not yet decided who to send to support Jizhou?"
Yang Biao was startled, blinked, and said, "If you don't tell me, I almost forgot about it."
Wang Lang stared at him with strange eyes and said, "You almost missed it? No one mentioned it at the Chancellor's desk?"
Yang Biao was stared at by him, his expression was very unnatural, and he said: "Perhaps, Your Majesty is preparing to wait for Cao Cao to go north."
"Not really,"
Wang Lang shook his head and said: "Cao Cao still has to quell the banditry in Yanzhou. It will take at least half a year."
Yang Biao looked confused and said to himself: "It's strange. I can understand that Wang Yun didn't mention it. Xun You, Zhong Yao and others also pretended not to know. What are they planning to do? There are still 60,000 soldiers and horses in the Forbidden Army camp. Even if Without money and food, we wouldn’t be able to stand still like this..."
At this moment, Yang Biao had many confusions about government affairs.
Wang Lang thought for a while and said: "I heard that Bingzhou will conduct a census of landowners and households after spring."
Yang Biao knew this very well, and he approved it. He said: "After His Majesty's last personal expedition, the banditry was slightly reduced, and Bingzhou has a large area and sparse population. The imperial court decided to resettle the victims of Sanfu and other places in Bingzhou."
Wang Lang looked at him and said, "Do you think the imperial court will treat Yanzhou as the second state to be merged?"
Yang Biao blinked, and then his eyes widened with shock on his face.
Wang Lang realized what he was doing and couldn't help but shake his head.
It took Yang Biao a while to regain his expression and murmured to himself: "If this happens, Yanzhou will be in big trouble..."
Wang Lang nodded. Yanzhou is not Bingzhou. How can we agree to a census of land and household census in Yanzhou, a big family in Yanzhou?
You know, in Yanzhou, most of the land has been turned into manor by aristocratic families, and most of the people are servants or tenants of aristocratic families!
The imperial court wants to clear the land and conduct a population census, so it would be strange if there is no big trouble!
Yang Biao looked at Wang Lang, rubbed his face unconsciously, and said: "As the prime minister, I should let you sit here."
Wang Lang picked up the tea cup and remained silent.
He regretted entering the court.
What the court is doing now is completely different from what he thought.
It has no intention of revitalizing, but only adds to the chaos!
What's the point of leaving such a court?
Royal Palace, Jingfu Palace, Study Room.
Liu Bian, Xun You and Zhong Yao sat across from each other, playing chess and talking about things.
Xun You has long known about Liu Bian's chess prowess. Although he occasionally has good skills, overall, he is still in the toddler stage.
He gave in without missing a beat and said: "Your Majesty, the edict on tax reduction has been drafted at the Chancellor's desk and will be presented tomorrow. Your Majesty is invited to read it."
Liu Bian stared at the chessboard, thinking hard, and said casually: "Well, let's play chess."
Xun You glanced at it, settled down, and then said: "Your Majesty, Ambassador Liu of Youzhou is still at war with Xianbei, Wuhuan, etc., and is temporarily unable to support Jizhou. I have received a letter from Ambassador Lu of Bingzhou, do you want to send troops to support?"
Liu Bian was focused on the chess game and said without thinking: "Instruct him to do well in Bingzhou and don't worry about the rest."
Xun You pretended to be thoughtful and said, "Your Majesty, the Shangshutai basically agrees with the restructuring of the Yushitai. However, it is still controversial to send the Thirteenth Route to monitor the Yushitai leaving the capital."
"Well, let's not move to the north for the time being. The five states of Jiao, Yi, Yang, Xu, and Jing will be sent first." Liu argued.
Xun You responded, then raised his head slightly, looked at Liu Bian's expression, and said hesitantly: "Your Majesty, the government and the public are very dissatisfied with Yanzhou Ding Shijun. There are increasing calls for impeachment. Should he be transferred back to Beijing?"
Liu Bian thought about the chess game and hesitated for a long time before saying, "After Ding Yuan is dealt with, Cao Cao will follow. What are you going to do in Yanzhou?"
Zhong Yao on the side looked solemn and bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty, Cao Cao... he has gone too far this time. I know that your Majesty is trustworthy, but I am worried that... Cao Cao is so arrogant that he will cause even greater trouble. Misfortunes will damage your holy face."
Liu Bian hummed and was about to speak when Zuo Li hurried in, bowed and handed Liu Bian two notes.
Liu Bian glanced at him and opened it. He frowned at the first time, and then frowned deeper at the second time.
Immediately, he raised his head, smiled, and said: "So, I didn't mention his merits. If I find an opportunity, I will reprimand him again and order him to be cautious in his words and deeds, and to be loyal in his actions."
Xun You saw Liu Bian letting him off so lightly. He hesitated for a while and wanted to remonstrate again. Liu Bian suddenly raised his head and looked at him and said, "Where is Xun Wenruo?"
Xun You hurriedly bowed and said, "I've asked around, but there's no news yet. Maybe he's still in Yecheng."
Liu Bian's expression remained unchanged, and he thought to himself: Don't let anything happen to Xun Yu.
Zhong Yao looked at Liu Bian and said, "Your Majesty, the matter in Jizhou..."
He threw away the chess piece in his hand and said with a smile: "I lost, I can't play anymore."
Zhong Yao and Xun You looked at each other and stopped talking.
Regarding the Jizhou matter, they always felt that something was not quite right with His Majesty's handling. The Montenegrin Army had already captured Yecheng, but the imperial court had made no move.
Even if there is no money or food, it would be better to order Cao Cao to go north to support or send troops from Qingzhou.
Liu Bian took the tea cup handed by Pan Yin, took a sip, and said with a smile: "I received the news that the Montenegrin Army retreated."
Xun You suddenly understood and said: "Your Majesty is wise."
Liu Bian was startled and said, "How do you say that?"
Xun You was startled, paused, and said: "Qiao Mao was defeated, so the Black Mountain Army did not dare to wait any longer and immediately withdrew. This is what His Majesty expected, and I was unable to do so."
Liu Bian was holding the tea cup, laughing a little in his heart. He had never thought about it like this.
He hoped that the Black Mountain Army could stay a little longer and beat Jizhou to pieces.
Putting down his tea cup, Liu Bian looked at the two men and said: "The salt policy cannot be delayed and must be pushed forward immediately. Hu Cao will lead the salt policy, and seventeen salt officials will be re-established to take charge of salt production, transportation and sales. Local governments are not allowed to interfere. The income will be merged into Taicang."
"I will receive the order." Xun You and Zhong Yao raised their hands.
Liu Bian narrowed his eyes slightly and said: "All the prefects and county magistrates in the eight counties of Yanzhou have been replaced. The governor of grain management, the transport envoy, and the six officials must be in place as soon as possible. I have issued an order to Cao Cao, ordering him to replace them within half a year. Eliminate all banditry and give all Yanzhou taxes to him."
Zhong Yao's expression changed slightly. Before he could speak, Liu Bian raised his hand to stop him and said, "Have you all talked to Cai Yong?"
Xun You was also uneasy about giving Cao Cao such great power. He pondered for a while and then said: "I have talked with you and I have no objections. It's just that the price of the paper is a bit too high. There are some voices in the government and the public that think this is because of too much money-making or because of Competing for profits between the court and the people is not benevolent government."
Liu Bian snorted coldly and said: "No matter how expensive paper is, can it be more expensive than silk? Are they so afraid that the court will have money? Less than one silk a year is not enough for them to eat. The Chancellery must give a clear order. , All official documents and memorials must be sent on Shihou paper! Also, recently some courtiers are disheveled and dressed in strange clothes. The court must set up a clothes supervisor to unify official uniforms and accessories, and no private use is allowed!"
"I will receive the order." Xun You and Zhong Yao heard Liu Bian's unkind tone and dared not say anything more.
Liu Bian stood up and said calmly: "That's it for today. There are many complicated things, and your family has worked hard."
Xun You and Zhong Yao both looked at the two notes in Liu Bian's hand and said calmly: "I'll leave."
Liu Bian didn't wait for them to go out, sat back on the chair at his desk, put the two notes on the table, and looked at them quietly.
The first step is to Ying Shao conquer Yecheng and the Black Mountain Army retreats.
In the second step, Cao Cao killed the Taishan prefect and killed more than 30 officials, big and small, in Taishan County.
"Why do you all like to kill?"
Liu Bian said to himself with a headache.
Not only Cao Cao, but also Gongsun Zan, Sun Jian, etc., as long as they seized the opportunity, the county magistrates and prefects would kill at will without any intention of asking for orders.
It is conceivable that when the news reaches Luoyang, the memorial to impeach Cao Cao will inevitably float into the Chancellor's desk like snowflakes, and it will not be as easy to prevaricate as it is now.
"Prime Minister, Prime Minister, why don't you understand me..." Liu Bian couldn't help but sigh. He knew that there must be enough reasons for Cao Cao to dare to do this, but it was he, the emperor, who was in trouble.
Zuo Li knew it. Seeing Liu Bian's sighing expression, he bowed and said with a reserved expression: "Your Majesty, I think it's better to let General Cao find a reason to shirk it, so as to avoid embarrassment to Your Majesty."
Liu Bian glanced at him and said, "How can I shirk it?"
Zuo Li became more and more cautious and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, it can be said that he was killed by bandits. General Cao has wiped out the bandits."
Liu Bian raised his eyebrows, looked at Zuo Li, and said with a smile: "The palace of yours is actually called Chen Palace. It has some abilities. Let him prepare to be appointed as the Luoyang Order. Wang Lang, I will transfer him to be the Shanyang Prefect."
Zuo Li didn't panic at all, but said with a happy face: "Thank you, Your Majesty, little man."
Liu Bian narrowed his eyes slightly, stared at Zuo Li for a moment, then waved his hand and said: "Go, you have to keep a close eye on the Yanzhou side. On the Jizhou side, you continue to strengthen the manpower."
"The villain accepts the order." Zuo Li walked out of the study with a happy face.
The front foot was still smiling cautiously, but when he turned around, his snow-white face was full of gloom.
'Chen Gong? Zuo Li's eyes twitched with cold light.
Zuo Li didn't deliberately conceal Chen Gong's matter, and he couldn't hide his feelings, but he didn't expect that after so long, Chen Gong still hadn't told him the truth!
Not long after Zuo Li walked out, Pan Yin came in from outside, bowed and said: "Your Majesty, there is a letter from Chief Huangfu Jian, saying that the situation in Yuzhou is complicated, and he also saw the general Chariot and Cavalry."
Liu Bian's expression moved slightly and he said, "He Miao?"
Pan Yin said: "Yes."
Liu Bian touched his chin and said, "What is he doing in Yuzhou? I ordered Huangfu Jian to watch carefully."
Pan Yin responded, standing there with a hesitant look on his face.
Liu Bian had already opened the memorial and saw that he was not leaving, so he asked, "Is there anything else?"
Pan Yin bowed with a serious look on his face, lowered his head and said: "Your Majesty, there are rumors in the public that Taiwei Dong is rebellious and colluded with Qiao Mao and others."
"Dong Zhuo?"
Liu Bian slowly leaned back on the chair, a strange look flashed in his eyes, and said to himself: "It's time to make a move. He will be sent to the palace tomorrow."
Asking for a monthly ticket~
(End of chapter)
