"This cousin of mine has really become a talent after working here for so many years. All these favors have been brought to the government. If it's not a new year or a holiday, what kind of gift can I give him? He even invites my uncle out. He wants to What's the purpose?" Liu Xu sighed and asked, "What did you give me? Isn't it something yellow or white?"
Hearing this, the steward hurriedly replied: "It's just some sea goods and local objects, nothing rare. I think it's just that the governor is thinking of His Highness and expresses his feelings. In addition, the uncle left a letter!"
Following the steward's gesture, Liu Xu took the letter from a pile of paperwork in the desk, checked it without leaving a trace, and did not open it. This is a letter from Geng Jixun. In addition to some greetings, it is to report to Liu Xu the political situation during his tenure in Mizhou, as well as some situations in Mizhou cooperating with the imperial court's new policies.
Of course, reading between the lines, Liu Xu was keenly aware of Geng Jixun's intention in writing this letter. He wanted to move his position, and it would be best to be transferred back to Beijing.
Speaking of which, when Geng Jixun was sent abroad, it was Liu Xu's instruction. Time flew by and nearly ten years had passed. Geng Jixun also started from a county magistrate to a prefecture governor.
In ten years, to have such a promotion experience, in the current officialdom of the Han Dynasty, not to mention standing out from the crowd, it can be regarded as a rapid promotion. Behind this, of course, Liu Xu's support is indispensable.
Liu Xu was not angry at Geng Jixun's letter. He felt that he was dissatisfied, but instead affected his thoughts. As the eldest son of the emperor, Liu Xu was the first to open a government and the first to participate in government affairs.
Over the years, thanks to his status and power, he has gained a lot of popularity, recruited some talents, and promoted some cronies inside and outside the court.
There may be no shortage of available people under Liu Xu, but there is still a shortage of people who are truly trustworthy and can show their sincerity.
And if he was asked to choose some people worthy of entrusting him with important tasks, his first reaction would be the Geng family and his son. The blood connection always makes them more worthy of getting close to. The wealth of the Geng family, father and son, and even the entire Geng family, was largely pinned on Liu Xu. In his early years, Liu benefited mostly from Concubine Geng Chen. However, Concubine Chen died early, and the shelf life of that favor could not last so long. In the past ten years or so, Emperor Liu's care for the Geng family was basically based on Liu Xu's face.
Liu Xu couldn't help but think seriously about whether to transfer Geng Jixun back to the capital. After a long time, he raised his eyes and told the steward: "Select some of the gifts given by the Tubo leader before and send them to the uncle's house, especially the herbs and medicinal wine, consider them as return gifts!"
"Yes!" The steward bowed and responded, hesitating slightly and said, "Your Highness and your uncle are blood relatives. So, are they separated?"
Hearing this, Liu Xu only raised his head and glanced. The steward was suddenly startled and said quickly: "You are too talkative!"
These sons of Emperor Liu were influenced by him. Although they each had their own personalities, there were more or less shadows of Emperor Liu in their behavior, words and deeds. Many of them were subconscious imitations and learnings, and Liu Xu was regarded as a brother. The most similar one.
"The date for the Enke exam has been set. In the next three or two months, students and officials will come to Beijing to prepare for the exam. Please pay attention to it. This move is a favor from His Majesty. The important events of the court are for Bian Biyuan. Or if you are a poor scholar, please help if you can!" Liu Xu ordered again.
"yes!"
His brows were furrowed, as if he was thinking about whether this move was appropriate. When he came to his senses, Liu Xu warned again: "Don't make a big show of it, just do it to relieve the imperial court's worries!"
"I understand!" After all, he is a servant of the palace. Even though he cannot fully understand some of Liu Xu's intentions, he still does things without any compromise.
"Your Highness, Madam has sent word that dinner is ready. Please come over!" The servant came to inform.
"Reply and wait a moment!" Liu Xu nodded.
He thought carefully and reviewed behind the desk again. After a long time, he put on his usual spring breeze smile and stood up to leave.
...
The blower and power supply under the night sky are like a dormant beast. It is not ferocious, but it is scary enough. In the palace, Emperor Liu lovingly coaxed the tired grandson Wenyuan to sleep. When he heard that Zhang Dejun came to pay an audience, it was not too late, as if he had something important to do.
Zhang Dejun has been visiting the palace more frequently recently, not to report many things to Emperor Liu, but just to make his presence felt in front of Emperor Liu. Li Chongju's resignation still had some warning significance for him.
Of course, Zhang Dejun's thinking was not about whether he should restrain himself and keep a low profile, so as not to arouse Emperor Liu's suspicion. Zhang Dejun still has a very clear understanding of himself. Unlike Li Chongju, the Imperial City Secretary is not a Wude Secretary. He is a minister, a eunuch, and the emperor's domestic slave. The only one who needs to please and be loyal is the emperor.
The lesson Zhang Dejun learned was that his relationship with Emperor Liu over the years was not as close as it used to be. The vague feeling of unfamiliarity made him a little scared.
Therefore, during this period, he went to the palace to greet Emperor Liu every day and became more active. Even if he received some small rebuke from Emperor Liu, he was as happy as eating honey. At least he felt that his relationship with Emperor Liu was gradually recovering. .
Of course, what Zhang Dejun came here to report was a major event, at least for him, it was a fatal event. Just like the report Liu Xu received in the palace, the emperor's eldest grandson was frightened.
Zhang Dejun's report was much more detailed than that in Duke Qin's palace. The details before and after, including the background details of the perpetrators and even the trajectory of his fortune, were clearly found out.
He was the youngest son of the Zhu family, a wealthy family in the south of the city. The head of the family was named Zhu Jun. He made his fortune in the past twenty years. He made a fortune by selling porcelain and was also engaged in restaurants, transportation, grain, cloth, and building materials. There are industries in the three major cities of Luoyang.
Of course, the most important thing is that the Zhu family has a strong background and is backed by the emperor's uncle and Duke of Luan, Murong Yanchao. This relationship is not difficult to check, and with the support of the nobles, the Zhu family's reputation is still resounding among the merchants in the capital.
As for Emperor Liu, he didn't care at all which big family he belonged to or what the relationship was behind it. What he cared about was the safety of his grandson: "How is Wenyuan?"
"It was reported from the Duke of Qin's palace that the emperor's eldest grandson was just a little surprised and nothing serious!" Zhang Dejun replied quickly.
"This Liu Xu, when something like this happened, he didn't even report it!" Emperor Liu scolded.
"Perhaps the Duke is afraid that His Majesty will be worried!" Zhang Dejun said.
Reluctantly nodding his head, he seemed to agree with this statement. Emperor Liu's eyes became a little gloomy: "Did you find anything fishy in it?"
After thinking about it for a moment, Emperor Liu's reaction was similar to that of Liu Xu, and he seemed murderous.
"Not yet. Everything shows that it was just an accident. I will step up the investigation!" Zhang Dejun said: "Right now, Luoyang Mansion has detained the Zhu family son who offended the emperor's grandson. Zhao Fuyin attaches great importance to this matter and will interrogate him personally!"
"Let Zhao Kuangyi check it out for the time being. The Imperial City Division doesn't need to make any announcements, just investigate in secret!" Emperor Liu said indifferently.
"yes!"
"Send someone and ask Liu Xu to bring Wenyuan into the palace tomorrow to stay for a few days!" Emperor Liu ordered Yantuo again.
"As you command!"
"Zhao Pu said it well. These wealthy businessmen are driven by profit and neglect their righteousness. They hardly know etiquette. They are taught like this and are so arrogant in the capital. You can imagine what the situation is like in the local area! The crime is not the evil dog, but the evil master! "Emperor Liu said coldly, in terms of revenge mentality, Liu Xu is far worse than his father.
"I understand, little one!" Hearing this, Zhang Dejun looked understanding.
"What do you understand?" Emperor Liu naturally didn't have to be polite to Zhang Dejun's words.
Zhang Dejun looked foolish and said with cupped hands: "Don't say that the collision offended the saint-grandson. Even if ordinary people are frightened by this, they should uphold justice. I will conduct an in-depth investigation of the Zhu family!"
Emperor Liu acquiesced to this.
Seeing this, Zhang Dejun asked for instructions again: "Your Majesty, would you like to say hello to Duke Luan?"
"Do you need to say hello?" Emperor Liu's eyes were sharp.
"Yes!" Zhang Dejun responded again. Obviously, Emperor Liu wanted to watch his actions again.
"Let's take a look at Luoyang Mansion's conclusion first!" Emperor Liu said again.
"yes!"
...
Zhao Kuangyi's work efficiency was fully reflected in this matter. Early in the morning of the next day, he went to the palace early to seek an audience and reported the investigation results of the matter.
An unexpected result, the penalty was also very clear. Zhu Jiazi was only imprisoned for three days for disturbing the public order, and was also sentenced to pay ten guan of money to the Duke of Qin.
Facing Emperor Liu's almost cold gaze, Zhao Kuangyi naturally felt great pressure, but he did not lower his head and just looked at him calmly. According to Zhao Kuangyi, the context of the incident is clear, and according to Han law, there is nothing wrong with handling it this way.
Emperor Liu, with a cold face, looked at Zhao Kuangyi for a long time, and then smiled silently: "No wonder Zhao Qing has already gained a reputation for being selfless and impartial within a few months of taking office. With you in charge of Luoyang, there is no need to worry about the failure of the capital and the people." disturbed!"
"Your Majesty is ridiculous! I am only doing things in accordance with the laws of the country and the system!" Even though his face was tight, Zhao Kuangyi couldn't help but secretly breathed a sigh of relief when Emperor Liu said this.
If it weren't for the imperial grandson of the Tian family, there would naturally be no problem for him to impose such a punishment. But, after all, he is the emperor's grandson, the grandson of Emperor Liu.
Of course, Zhao Kuangyi didn't understand the stakes involved, but he was gambling and showing his political style to everyone. Fortunately, Emperor Liu's silence once frightened him, but judging from the reaction, he finally won the bet.
"How can this Zhao Kuangyi do things like this? He frightened the emperor's grandson, but let him go so lightly. What's his intention?" After Zhao Kuangyi retreated, Yan Tuo, who was waiting beside him, couldn't help but said angrily.
"Then how do you think this case should be judged?" Emperor Liu glanced sideways at Yantuo.
Yantuo immediately replied: "Even if we are not beheaded, we must be severely punished. Otherwise, where is the majesty of the Tian family?"
Emperor Liu's tone became more relaxed, and he said: "They are well-founded and act in accordance with the law. What else can I say? The majesty of the Heavenly Family is not greater than the laws of the country!"
Yan Tuo was startled when he heard this, noticed Emperor Liu's calm face, and reacted. He thought about it secretly, and immediately said, "This is also official generosity!"
"However, Zhao Kuangyi's intentions are indeed profound!" Emperor Liu looked deeply and said leisurely: "If this matter comes out, who else in Luoyang would dare to fall into his hands. He will not only gain a name but also establish authority. This person's ability to see opportunities is extraordinary..."
