"Your Majesty, this gift is too heavy, and I dare not accept it."
"Sikong!" Liu Xie pretended to be serious and stared at Cao Cao for a few times. "I sincerely want to rely on Sikong. These gifts are just for other officials to see."
Nowadays, to stabilize the court, we still need to rely on Cao Qing, how can we not pay attention to it.
Returning power at this moment is equivalent to throwing away the stalls, and secretly we don’t know how many things will go wrong.
Liu Xie knew very well how much trouble Cao Cao's resignation would cause, but he also knew that Cao Cao's resignation was not a threat.
Instead, he was ambushed and assassinated in front of his home despite his great achievements, which made his heart feel chilly.
well.
From this point of view, Cao Aiqing actually still has kindness in his heart. If it were any other prince, he would have been so angry that he would have bloodbathed Xudu and would have arrested the assassin and those who followed him.
"Just do it like this," Liu Xie said firmly, his words were loud and clear, "If my stance is firm, those people will secretly dare not take action against Aiqing again."
"It just so happened that the Taiwei once told me that he was tired and wanted to have a job at home so that I could have peace and quiet for a year."
"I order Aiqing to discuss with the Taiwei, Taifu, Zongzheng, and Shangshutai, and appoint Aiqing to take over the position of prime minister. He will take charge of the important military and political affairs of the Han Dynasty and write an edict to inform the world."
"Also, does Cao Qing have anyone else who wants to show his merit?"
Having decided, Liu Xie stopped worrying about this matter and asked about others.
However, when I asked, I actually had someone in mind that I wanted to know.
That young minister was not in Dali Temple this year, but went to lead troops to the front line for conquest, but he did not know what his achievements were.
At this moment, Liu Xie still remembered Zhang Han's extraordinary heroic appearance when he jumped on his horse to rescue him and defeated the cavalry of King Youxian of the Southern Huns.
Cao Cao smiled and said: "Young man, there is indeed one person who has made extraordinary achievements. He is the son of Taiwei Yang Biao, Yang Xiu and Yang Dezu. He followed the army to conquer Shouchun. Along the way, he was diligent, self-denial and hands-on. He also helped Qingtinghou Zhang Han to win the war. Shucheng and Wancheng were designated as Lujiang County, and the governance was based on it. It received the support of local scholars and gentry, and a large amount of money and food was used to support the refugees in Shouchun."
"Shuchun refugees?" Liu Xie was curious about this statement. Although he knew that in war-torn areas, the people suffered the same fate.
But Cao Cao's tone was obviously strange, maybe he meant something.
Cao Cao told Yuan Shu everything about how he treated the people of Shouchun, adding a little bit of his own understanding.
Liu Xie was greatly shocked.
With his eyes trembling, he couldn't speak for a long time, and finally said in a trembling voice: "How can he say that Emperor Zhong is the emperor of the Zhong family when he acts like this..."
"I cannot accept such a treasonous traitor. Fortunately, my love for you is decisive and the army is dedicated, so the people of the Han Dynasty will not fall into the hands of this thief."
"The Yuan family's reputation has been ruined for hundreds of years by this person."
"Yuan Gongdao was rich and favored by Han, but he never thought that when our Han Dynasty fell apart, it was his Yuan family who stood up to separate my territory."
Liu Xie sighed and shook his head. He had truly felt what despair was.
If we say that Yuan Shao did not come to greet the emperor and Yuan Shu secretly obstructed Cao Qing, it only gave a glimpse of the ambition of the two brothers.
Now, the atrocities committed in Yuan Shu City using the people as a shield and disregarding human lives truly prove that they never take other people's lives seriously.
How could he have the desire to save the Han Dynasty and help the world's righteousness?
If the true loyal minister is judged by his deeds, isn't Cao Qing the only one?
He even praised Yang Xiu, not Zhang Han, just now.
Wasn't it his son Cao Ang and his son-in-law Zhang Han who took down Shucheng and Wancheng, and then governed Lujiang and collected 100,000 people?
But in his mouth, it seemed that it was all Yang Dezu's fault.
Liu Xie breathed a sigh of relief and felt much better in his heart. He smiled at Cao Cao and said, "My dear, please tell me about the war ahead. I won't see other Qing's family today. I just want to hear how Yangzhou and Huainan won step by step."
"Okay, Your Majesty is willing to listen, and I am willing to mention it. The heroes of this battle are countless, just like the waves of the Yangtze River."
…
During the Shouchun War, Cao Cao told Liu Xie for more than an hour.
Since it is inconvenient to travel in the palace, Cao Cao and others can become Liu Xie's eyes and ears. When he grows up, he may be able to return some power.
After chatting until noon, Liu Xie was a little hungry and asked Cao Cao to have a meal in the palace with him. Cao Cao refused to go back. At the same time, the edict was also drafted and sent out first.
At the palace meeting in the afternoon, Liu Xie asked his servant Zhao Wen to read out the edict, deposing the three princes and worshiping Cao Cao as prime minister.
Many officials' expressions changed somewhat when they saw that Cao Cao had appeared in the main hall and had gained such power.
At the same time, Yang Biao also heard that Cao Cao had returned to Changle Palace and immediately asked for credit for his son Yang Xiu. So he was greatly relieved and resigned An Ran.
For a time, the government and the public were shocked, and speculations continued, but in the end, the power fell with the fall of Shouchun, the false emperor was executed, and all fell into the hands of Cao Cao.
Today, Xudu has become more prosperous and peaceful, with a population of over 100,000. There is an endless stream of people from all walks of life, and many shops have been opened on the four main streets.
Zhang Han was in the mansion. After returning home early, he stayed in the backyard for several hours before coming out at night. He was full of vigor and energy.
At the moment, I am having a drink with Dian Wei, Gao Shun and Jia Xu in the main hall.
Zhang Han said it was called post-event drinking, but the others didn't know what he meant.
When several people talked about their achievements, most of them lacked interest.
"What's there to look forward to? Isn't that what you've been waiting for? It's either money or a knighthood. Within a few miles of us, I should be able to be knighted."
Dian Wei knew his position very well. His achievements this time were not small, but they were all for killing, and they could not be regarded as stealing the limelight.
With the merits accumulated in the past, and deducting the bad deeds caused by leaving the post without authorization, it is almost enough to be awarded a marquis, and it is probably also a pavilion.
So he felt that there was nothing to look forward to, and it was not yet time to share the credit.
"Not bad," Zhang Han took a sip and mocked: "Who asked you to sell the whole mansion when the land and house prices in Xudu just started to rise? Now some of the guards under you are richer than you. .”
"You are still planning to let Ji Boxiao and the others sell it together. Please be kind to Boxiao in the future."
"Eh..." Dian Wei lowered his head. He owed something to others. At that time, it was only twice the price. If he wanted to buy it after selling it, he would have to pay at least twenty times the price.
"Eh?" Zhang Han suddenly put down the small special wine glass and patted his thigh as if he remembered something, "Mr. Wenhe, do you know how much my real estate is in Xudu?"
Jia Xu thought seriously for a moment and said: "There is a manor on the hill to the south, and a villa on the east mountain. In Xu Dunei's words, it is South Zhuque Street, and some of the mansions on East and West Streets."
"There are many villages nearby. Most of the newly built villages are the private property of you and General Zilian, but few people know about it."
"The mansions close to the streets in Xudu have also changed their identities several times. You are not afraid of being reported again. Don't worry."
"There are still some that ended up in the name of the eldest lady, which is safer."
Jia Xu glanced at Zhang Han, wondering what he wanted to do when he suddenly asked about this matter.
This family fortune would actually be nothing in other counties, but this was completely different in Xudu.
There are too many dignitaries, and many famous families and celebrities gather here. If they know that they linger here every day and gather for drinking and entertainment, they are almost always under the surveillance of Zhang Han.
In the end, most of this information will flow into Zhang Han's hands, including some extremely private matters. However, the gathering place is all in the house, so it is not that simple to pry.
"Have you ever sold a mansion to someone else as a private workshop?" Zhang Han asked with a suspicious smile.
"This, this is not easy to check," Jia Xu leaned back slightly and looked at Zhang Han helplessly and disgustedly.
This is simply too difficult. After I sell my mansion, why do I have to keep an eye on the buyer every day to buy a house?
This kind of thing is like finding a needle in a haystack. No matter how free I am, I would never do such a stupid thing.
"Check it out. Especially in the mountains and wild areas, it might be another great achievement," Zhang Han said with a mysterious smile.
Jia Xu nodded immediately and said, "Okay."
He has always believed in Zhang Han's judgment. Apart from his judgment, he also believed in his luck.
Zhang Han is very lucky.
…
Within three days, Jia Xu found some clues from a buyer.
There was once a man from Hongnong who bought a remote manor in Nanlin Village at the foot of Nanlin Mountain, spending 4,200 kilograms of gold.
This place is close to mountains and rivers and is close to two streams. If something happens, you can escape into the mountains and hide at any time.
It was inconspicuous when it was first sold, so Zhang Han naturally didn't care. Jia Xu would occasionally help him with it and manage it secretly.
After all, they are not supporting the Han Dynasty in a high-spirited manner every day of the year.
Occasionally there will be small groups of their own.
"This person should be the owner of the private workshop that Junhou said. The arrows and swords used in the second ambush may have come from this person."
When Jia Xu sent the news to Zhang Han, he had already made a conclusion in his mind. As for how to verify it, he could report it to the school and investigate secretly.
"Report to the school affairs office?" Jia Xu asked tentatively.
"It's so troublesome," Zhang Han grinned. He was sitting with one leg bent at the knee and the other bent upward, resting his left hand on it.
He looked like a young knight-errant, and said with a cheerful smile: "Lead people directly into the mansion, arrest them all, confiscate the craftsmen's tools, and confiscate the house."
"Find the person behind this."
Jia Xu froze on the spot and didn't know how to describe it for a moment. This man looked cheerful and kind, but that was not necessarily the case in his heart.
After a while, he suddenly came to his senses and prepared to walk out. At the same time, he said: "I understand, just ask Dian Wei for this kind of thing."
…
At the manor outside the mountain in the south, the black-robed armored cavalry came to the door in person, broke open the gate of the mansion and immediately started looting. After a whole day, including the people captured on the nearby mountain road, there were a total of 304 craftsmen.
Most are apprentices.
Some are already experienced practitioners. Although these apprentices are all new to the profession, they have strong backs and many calluses on their hands. They look like they are in the army at first glance.
After Zhang Han heard about it, he and Jia Xu figured it out.
After Dong Cheng was demoted and relegated, a large number of people had no way to relocate. After they were taken back to the countryside, they were allowed to find a living near Xudu and stay.
So he recruited craftsmen, opened private workshops to make weapons and blades, and at the same time let these idle people become apprentices.
Be ready to cause trouble at any time.
It just so happened that there were many remote places in Nanlin Mountain with few people. Xu Du's civil engineering officials did not have the idea of building residential buildings here, so they bought manor houses and secretly gathered here.
Coincidentally, this place originally belonged to Zhang Han, so he could easily find out the information.
"That makes sense," Zhang Han raised his lips, immediately put on his official uniform and went back to Dali Temple to see Zhong Yao.
After some reasoning, Zhong Yao's expression remained very calm. He looked up at Zhang Han and said, "Where is the evidence?"
Zhang Han held his head high, sneered, and said, "No."
"Then what are you talking about? Just sit down and practice your calligraphy. As for private shops, the Taiping Dao and Yellow Turban thieves were in trouble at that time. Soldiers were recruited from various places to suppress them. There were also private armed forces to protect themselves. This is not surprising."
Zhong Yao glanced at him, then smiled secretly, and then changed his tone and said: "However, after Xu Du welcomed His Majesty, he should have put an end to this matter, and now that he has the ability to pacify the Shouchun rebels, he can just use it. In this way, knocking on the mountain and shaking the tiger can be said to be another achievement for the king."
"Well..." Zhang Han thought for a moment and nodded, reluctantly accepting Zhong Yao's statement.
Now is really the time to win prestige and political achievements, no matter how great the achievements are, you can get them in any way.
His connections and abilities back then have snowballed until now, and he is so terrifying. If Zhang Han was still just a small school in the first battalion, would it be possible for him to be so favored by the Minister of Dali Temple?
He boasted in a different way, wishing he could chew up the credit and stuff it into his mouth.
"Okay, I won't practice calligraphy anymore. I've been busy with this case recently and haven't been able to rest. Now that I have a conclusion, I'll leave it to the temple minister. I'll go home and rest for three days, and then I'll do my best!"
Zhang Han's face was full of blood, he held the gift, turned around and left under Zhong Yao's helpless gaze.
Not long after, he arrived at Zhuque Street. Streets in different places are different. Zhuque Street extended southward, ten miles away from the inner city to the outer city, and there were countless vendors.
The inner city is lined with numerous residences, all of which are occupied by officials in the court or relatives of high-ranking officials.
Zhang Han's car had just reached the middle of the road when he met Xiao Tao blocking his way on the road.
"Your Majesty, your Majesty, my wife would like to ask, are you free today?"
"Yes." Zhang Han opened the carriage curtain and stuck his head out, staring at the fat little maid, and said, "You read it wrong!"
"What?"
"It's only right to pause slightly after the word 'today' before asking if you are free!"
"Oh..." Xiaotao read it silently a few times to herself, feeling strange.
Are you free today?
Why is it read in such fragmented sentences?
Forget it, just let the prince say whatever he says. Madam has already said that the prince is a rare wise man in the world.
"What do you want from me, auntie? Do you have new reading knowledge that you want to teach me recently?"
"No, no," Xiao Tao shook his head like a rattle and said crisply: "Madam said that the monarch's knowledge has grown rapidly, and he is no longer inferior to ordinary bachelors."
"So, don't push too hard, why not practice calligraphy? Madam has something to discuss..."
"I can't practice at all." Zhang Han waved his hand and said to Dian Wei: "Then go to my kind aunt's house."
"drive."
Dian Wei drove a carriage with two tall horses at a brisk pace to the residence of Cai's female doctor.
Greeted by Xiaotao, the servants and nurses saluted one after another and took Zhang Han to the main hall. Not long after, they saw Cai Yan coming from the inner courtyard.
"Your Majesty is here," Cai Yan said with a smile. She wore light makeup but looked very smart. Her hair was tied up on her head and she wore a wide-sleeved skirt. "I, I have something to ask your Majesty."
(End of chapter)
