Outside the city of Tokyo, it has become a huge construction site. Kaifeng city expanded and was built from the east city. Kaifeng Prefecture recruited tens of thousands of civilians at once, and hundreds of craftsmen in and around Tokyo. Stone, bricks, and wood from all over the country were transported to Tokyo ship by ship.
As far as Liu Chengyou knew, more than ten new brick kilns were built in the suburbs of Tokyo to use clay to bake green bricks, specializing in Tokyo's major projects. Businessmen are chasing profits and many see opportunities. Several businessmen with profound backgrounds inside and outside Kaifeng have begun to get involved in the "building materials" business.
What Liu Chengyou himself didn't realize was that the urban construction project had spurred a wave of business prosperity. Due to the loose policies of the imperial court, the business atmosphere in Tokyo has become stronger and stronger. Businessmen from all over the world have gathered here, and wealth has gradually accumulated here. It just waits when the policies will be tightened and a wave of harvest will be harvested...
When the emperor returned to the palace, Liu Chengyou went to Ciming Hall first as usual, but the Queen Mother An wanted to see his eldest son. Liu Xu is over four years old. He is small but docile and cute. Under the guidance of his grandmother, he has already begun to read.
Although raised across generations, the lack of maternal love is an indisputable fact. Liu Xu appears to be very quiet and not as lively and childish as the other brothers. He looks at Liu Chengyou with a somewhat unfamiliar look. Seeing Liu Chengyou, I couldn't help but feel sympathy and compassion.
Occasionally, Liu Chengyou would give birth to the idea of finding a mother for Liu Xu. However, the Queen Mother has personally raised her for these years, and I am afraid that it will be difficult for Li to let her go.
"Your Majesty, a secret report from Xiangzhou!" Returning to Chongzheng Hall with a little displeasure, Zhang Dejun came to report and handed over a secret report.
After opening the seal and taking a page, he shook it slightly and unfolded it. Liu Chengyou's brows suddenly wrinkled unconsciously and he secretly wrote:
Zhang Zhi, the relative officer of Xiangzhou in the Department of Military Affairs, reported to Your Majesty that Wang Jingchong, the envoy of Military Affairs, was in Anyang, detaining Jiedu Liu Zhu, collecting evidence of Liu Zhu's crimes and disorderly government, arresting Liu Zhu's associates, suppressing information, coercing military and political officials, and indiscriminately inflicting torture. , his methods were ruthless, and he extorted hundreds of thousands of money and silk. Most of the wealth Liu Biao collected fell into his hands. Liu Zhu couldn't bear the humiliation and committed suicide on the night of September 7th. Liu's wife hanged herself.
Slowly put away the letter paper, slowly folded it, put it back into the envelope, and then asked Zhang Dejun to bring the palace candle and burn it directly.
The orange-red flames gradually swallowed up the secret report, emitting a slightly unpleasant smell. The firelight swayed and shone on Liu Chengyou's face, which was already extremely calm.
Later, Liu Chengyou received Wang Jingchong's report on the Liu Baht case. Some things could be sealed, but the principal culprit Liu Baht was dead, and such things could not be concealed.
Of course, Wang Jingchong had another argument. The evidence of Liu Zhu's harsh government and law-breaking, and the accumulation of crimes that harmed the people are quite complete, and they are indeed true. Regarding Liu Zhu's death, Wang Jingchong downplayed it, saying that his guard was negligent and committed suicide out of fear of crime, and asked Liu Chengyou to punish him. It is obvious that Wang Jingchong wanted to inflict minor sins on himself and avoid major mistakes.
"It is ordered to Wang Jingchong that all officials and people in Xiangzhou are innocent and must not be implicated in disturbing the people. The wealth collected by Liu Biao will be registered in a register and sent to Tokyo to build the city!" Liu Chengyou ordered: "Tell Wang Jingchong that he has been ordered to do so. The inspection represents the court, which should be benevolent and forgiving, be prudent when dealing with problems, pay attention to the means, and do not be too cautious, so as not to make a big mistake!"
"In addition, it is reported that Liu Zhuo committed a serious crime and committed suicide because of fear of the law. But after all, he is a veteran of the Han Dynasty. Although I hate him for violating the law and harming the people, I can't help but feel pity for him. I ordered the bodies of Liu Zhuo and his wife to be collected and buried. Return him to his original place for burial! When his son's filial piety period has passed, he will be given an official position according to his talents according to the circumstances!"
"As for Xiangzhou, it was changed to Zhangde Prefecture, and the Ministry of Officials sent people to take office to manage its affairs!"
Liu Baht's case ended in such a hasty manner, and it was clear that the crime was serious, but after Wang Jingchong's interference, the ending was inevitably sad, maybe it was the one who died first.
Regarding Wang Jingchong's matter, Liu Chengyou treated it lightly. Moreover, I have to admit in my heart that Wang Jingchong is really not a good person. Liu Biao was originally a ruthless character, with a vicious mind and ruthless hands, and he killed people like crazy. However, he fell into the hands of Wang Jingchong, but he also ended up committing suicide...
Liu Chengyou held a tolerant and ambiguous attitude toward Liu Zhuan and Wang Jingchong. However, the news from the north stirred up trouble in the court again. The imperial censors and officials rushed to the court, saying that Wang Jingchong had acted arbitrarily and forced the Jiedu official to death, and asked Liu Chengyou to recall Wang Jingchong to punish him.
The courtiers seemed to have forgotten that not long ago, they were angry and criticized Liu Zhu for causing chaos in the place. Regarding the turmoil in the court, Liu Chengyou still issued an edict to calm down the situation. It seemed that Liu Baht was not enough, and he also wanted to use Wang Jingchong.
...
It was night, and the guards opened the way. Two lanterns with the word "Guo" written on them were in front of them, illuminating the street. The car drove slowly and stopped in front of the Guo Mansion.
After opening the curtain and stepping out of the car, the late autumn night wind blew by, so cool that Guo Rong couldn't help but shiver. I looked at the night sky. There was no moonlight and few stars. Under the night, there seemed to be clouds everywhere. It was not a good weather.
After getting out of the car, Guo Rong coughed a few times. The servant quickly took a robe and put it on him. In the palace, his wife was there, the food was ready on the dining table, and his two sons were drowsy, obviously waiting for a long time.
When they saw Guo Rong, they all became energetic. Guo's wife Liu greeted him, helped Guo Rong take off his robe and put it away. At the same time, he ordered the servants: "Take the food and heat it up, and prepare hot water for washing!"
Mrs. Liu is Guo Rong's wife, she is virtuous and chaste, and they have a very good relationship. Looking at the servants taking the food to heat it, and then looking at the two hungry sons, even the salute seemed particularly weak.
Guo Rong couldn't help but sigh to Mrs. Liu: "I told you, if I come back late, you don't have to wait long, just go ahead and eat!"
Mrs. Liu put away her robe, personally served a cup of tea, and smiled tenderly at Guo Rong: "My husband is the head of the family. He is busy with state affairs and waiting for his return. This is what a wife should do!"
While talking, the servant brought the hot water. Liu took the towel herself, soaked it, wrung it out, and handed it to Guo Rong.
"It's my fault too. I forgot the time when I was busy and didn't have time to notify others." Guo Rong's usually serious expression showed a touch of emotion.
Tonight, Guo Rong worked overtime again, handling a batch of military affairs for the Hebei garrison, and came back late. In the past few months, the local armies in various prefectures in the Han Dynasty have been adjusted frequently, resulting in a large number of military affairs. Zhe Cong Ruan is old and energetic, and the burden on Guo Rong's shoulders has naturally become much heavier.
I washed my face, sat down, and considered the studies of my two sons. It wasn't until there was a growl in my stomach that the food was heated and served again.
Guo Rong now has four sons, two younger ones who have not yet been weaned. A family of four, in the dining room, a servant came to report that there was a visitor. A visitor who surprised Guo Rong was Chang Si, the military commander of the Zhaoyi Army in Luzhou.
In the study, everyone sat down. Guo Rong looked at Chang Si with doubts in his eyes: "Why is Mr. Chang in Beijing visiting all night?"
"To be honest, Guo Lang, I will arrive in Tokyo this afternoon and stay in the city. I will let people keep an eye on the situation in the Guo Mansion. I will report as soon as you return home!" Chang Si spoke a little anxiously.
Hearing what he said, Guo Rong frowned more tightly and said in a louder voice: "Why did the Duke return to the capital privately without being summoned by the imperial court? Once he arrived, he did not enter the palace to meet the saint, so why did he hide in the mansion to wait for me?"
Chang Si's face showed a bit of unhappiness, and he cupped his hands towards Guo Rong and said, "Guo Lang, you have to save me!"
"What happened?" Seeing his performance, Guo Rong became even more confused.
Chang Si quickly solved his confusion and said: "It's not the evil wolf of Wude Secretary Wang Jingchong. After Xiangzhou passed, he also captured Cizhou Wang Jihong. Now he is crossing the border under the banner of the emperor's mission and the imperial court, hoping to investigate and correct lawlessness."
I know that he is here for me. I think that Liu Zhu, a dignified and powerful person in Jiedu, was forced to death by this man. I am old and frail, and I cannot withstand his interrogation. If I fall into his hands, I will suffer harm. Therefore, I have no choice but to leave Luzhou temporarily and come to Beijing to seek help! "
Hearing what Chang Si said, Guo Rong frowned deeply and his expression became a little serious. Of course, he quickly figured out the joint. The crux of the matter is still the "Liu Zhu case". The emperor sent Wang Jingchong to investigate local lawlessness. After the incident, Xiangzhou still refused to give up. Liu Zhu's fate was ahead. How could the remaining Jiedushi not be surprised, worried, or afraid. Chang Si, who was Wang Jingchong's next target, was even more frightened.
Regarding this matter, Guo Rong was in the middle of the court and didn't know about it. However, he really had no intention of intervening in this matter and was inconvenient to participate, let alone make any remarks.
Now, Chang Si actually begged him, but for Guo Rong, it was more trouble...
After pondering for a while, Guo Rongke said: "What does Mr. Chang want me to do?"
