dtnovels Chapter 180 Generous loot
Chapter 180 Generous loot
Chapter 180 Generous loot
Liu Bian had a stool brought in and sat in the warehouse, watching hundreds of people counting the "trophies" brought by Huangfu Jianchang.
Behind him stood a large group of people including Pan Yin, Dian Wei, Zhao Yun, Huangfu Jianchang, Huang Zhong, Zhang Xiu, etc.
"Tell me something that's not in your report."
Liu Bian held the teacup, looked at the copper coins one by one, and listened to the jingling sounds, which was like heavenly music. He looked intoxicated and spoke with his eyes half-closed.
Huangfu Jianchang's expression brightened, and he bowed and said, "Your Majesty, after my investigation, I found that the discord between Pengcheng Xiang Liu Bei and Pinglu Xiaowei Lu Bu was due to the competition for the rebels' food and grass. Pengcheng Xiang had a sworn brother, who seemed to be the third brother, who had a very bad temper. He fought with Lu Bu for hundreds of rounds, and the two sides were evenly matched. In the end, the money and food were taken by Liu Bei. Lu Bu then led his troops to plunder, and Liu Bei impeached him to Xuzhou Mu. Lu Bu was the adopted son of Yanzhou Mu, so Envoy Tao was in a dilemma and reported the matter to the court."
"Zhang Fei?"
Liu Bian nodded slightly and said, "Go on."
Huangfu Jian thought for a while, took a half step forward, and whispered: "Your Majesty, I have buried many people in the rebellious Yuan Shu's army, and found that Yuan Shu is simply a fool, hesitant and timid. But he is cruel and vindictive. I heard that he kidnapped a man named Tian Feng. This man is upright and refused to obey orders, so Yuan Shu threatened him with his family, and later sent Tian Feng to die in Dong Zhuo's army. Before he could get any news about Tian Feng, he killed more than 60 members of Tian Feng's clan."
Liu Bian gently turned the teacup and said, "The biggest shortcoming of the Yuan brothers is that they have great ambitions but little ability. They are of noble birth but narrow-minded, and are not capable of accomplishing great things."
Dian Wei, Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, Zhang Xiu and others listened silently without interrupting.
Huangfu Jian waited for a while, then said solemnly, "Your Majesty, compared to Yuan Shu's incompetence, I think Dong Zhuo is extraordinary. Even though he was at a disadvantage, he was calm and composed in the battle with Yuan Shu, and he had a clear plan for his advances and retreats. He took the initiative in the process of conquering Yuan Shu. If Dong Zhuo had not been selfish, in my opinion, he would have been able to destroy Yuan Shu in three months at most."
Liu Bian laughed and said, "You are right. Yuan Shu's rebellion was too hasty, and his eyes were set on Yuzhou. He had no long-term plan, no strategy or tactics. He wanted one thing today and another thing tomorrow. It would be strange if he could accomplish anything."
Huangfu Jian nodded in agreement and said, "Your Majesty is wise. In addition, I have discovered that Dong Zhuo has a very accurate grasp of Yuan Shu's movements. Either there are very wise people in his army, or he has also planted people in Yuan Shu's army."
"You underestimated Dong Zhuo."
Liu Bian raised his eyebrows, took a sip of tea, and said, "It should be both. By the way, Pan Yin, notify the Grand Marshal's Mansion and send a letter to Dong Zhuo to hand over Tian Feng to Yuan Shao."
"Yes." Pan Yin responded.
Huangfu Jian glanced at the officials who were counting the money not far away, and then said to Liu Bian: "Your Majesty, I have also investigated Gongsun Zan's side. This White Horse General... is not worthy of his reputation."
Liu Bian glanced back and said, "You underestimated him. He underestimated the enemy. The inland plains are different from the frontier, and his tactics have not changed yet. Give him some time. Even ten Yuan Shus combined may not be his match."
Huangfu Jian had always been unimpressed by Gongsun Zan, so he did not dare to refute Liu Bian's words. Suddenly, he noticed Zhang Xiu and said quickly, "Your Majesty, I have brought back Zhang Xiu, the nephew of Zhang Ji. He fought with the rebel general Zhang He for hundreds of rounds, but there was no clear winner."
"Oh?"
Liu Bian was a little surprised. He turned around and saw a young man in his early twenties with clear features and thick brows. He was a little taller than Zhao Yun, but his expression was a little silent.
"Your Majesty, I, Zhang Xiu, pay my respects to you." Facing Liu Bian's gaze, Zhang Xiu's eyes became panic-stricken and he quickly knelt on one knee.
Dong Zhuo was a ruthless person, and everyone in the world knew that he was a ruthless person. As Zhang Ji's nephew, Zhang Xiu was naturally Dong Zhuo's "party member".
Liu Bian took a look at him and said with a smile: "He is indeed a brave man. Stay in the Imperial Guards camp. It is not impossible for him to achieve great achievements in the future and be awarded a title of nobility."
Zhang Xiu was shocked and could not tell whether Liu Bian's words were true or false. He said in a deep voice, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"His Majesty,"
A Zhonghuangmen came running over and said, "Your Majesty, the grain outside has been weighed, and the total is 480,000 dan."
Liu Bian nodded and said to the officials who were still counting the money, "Wait a little longer, and move in after they have counted everything."
"Yes." Zhonghuangmen responded, turned around and went out again.
Liu Bian glanced at Huangfu Jianchang again. The gift this guy gave him was indeed a bit big. He hesitated for a moment and said, "After returning to Beijing, I will give you half a month's leave, and then go to Jizhou to check the situation of the salt field."
Huangfu Jianchang immediately understood and raised his hand and said, "I accept your order."
Liu Bian picked up the teacup and took a sip, then asked, "Have you ever met Tao Qian?"
Huangfu Jianchang shook his head and said, "I was in a hurry and didn't have time to meet him. I heard that Envoy Tao is a kind and gentle elder who is quite kind to the people."
Liu Bian frowned slightly. What is the use of benevolence in troubled times?
"Who should I use?"
Liu Bian changed his mind and thought that Xuzhou had been a battleground for military strategists since ancient times. In addition, it was a plain with fertile land, so it needed to be well managed.
He needed someone powerful enough to guard and manage Xuzhou, but after much thought, he could not find a suitable candidate.
Pan Yin stepped forward quietly and whispered, "Your Majesty, this is the memorial sent from the capital."
Liu Bian put down the teacup, reached out to take it, and when he saw that it was Xun Yu's memorial, his expression became more serious.
After taking a look, I couldn't help but sit up straight.
Xun Yu's memorial proposed a policy of "equal taxation", which was roughly based on the total number of acres of farmland in each state, and the total amount was collected according to the principle of one in twenty. The total amount would be collected by each county and directly handed over to the grain commander to be escorted to the court.
"Equal distribution of land tax?"
Liu Bian seemed to be thinking about something, pondering the memorial carefully.
Before Liu Bian could figure it out, Pan Yin whispered again, "Your Majesty, the messenger Zhong Huangmen said that a copper mine was discovered in Hedong County, which has never been mined."
Liu Bian looked at him fiercely and asked, "How much can be mined? Why didn't Xun Yu mention it in his memorial?"
Pan Yin glanced at the others and whispered even more: "It's not clear yet, so it's just verbal."
Liu Bian understood, his eyes shining. Although it was only verbal, given Xun Yu's cautious character, the fact that he was able to pass on the message clearly meant that it was basically confirmed.
His mind raced, and he immediately said calmly, "Huang Zhong, lead 10,000 imperial guards to Bingzhou. Give Xu Rong another 10,000. Give Zhang Liao of Jizhou another 10,000. Zhao Yun, take 10,000 to Youzhou to assist Liu Yu."
Without waiting for Huang Zhong, Zhao Yun and the others to respond, Liu Bian continued, "Send a message to the Secretariat to transfer He Yong, the Minister of Revenue, to Bingzhou Governor, and Xun Yu to concurrently serve as the Minister of Revenue. Also, Bingzhou Governor Lu Zhi will be promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry, and will be in charge of the Imperial Guards Camp and the Grand Marshal's Office."
Then, Liu Bian said, "Send another order to the Grand Marshal's Office to coordinate the governors of the three states of Sili, Bingzhou, and Yanzhou, and coordinate the garrisons to completely eliminate the bandits. Before the end of the year, the banditry in the three states must be completely eliminated and people's livelihood must be stabilized. Those who are lazy and incompetent will be punished by military law and will not be pardoned!"
Pan Yin wrote it down hastily and replied, "Yes."
"I obey your command!" Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun knelt on one knee and said.
Liu Bian waved his hand, still changing his mind.
Now that the problem of money and food has been greatly alleviated, we can start to do something.
These are not enough!
'Zhao Yun is in Youzhou, Huang Zhong is in Bingzhou, Xu Rong is in Yanzhou, Zhang Liao is in Jizhou, Cao Cao is in Qingzhou, Liu Bei is in Xuzhou... The Grand Marshal's Mansion has Huangfu Song and Lu Zhi, shouldn't Zhu Jun be transferred back to the capital? Ding Yuan should also be replaced, as well as Tao Qian...'
Liu Bian thought about it and realized that the workload was quite large.
"Your Majesty, I have taken stock."
While Liu Bian was thinking about it, a eunuch came over holding a thick account book.
Liu Bian took the account book and opened it.
The cash amounted to 2.8 billion, and other valuables amounted to nearly 200 billion!
Liu Bian read it carefully, closed it suddenly, stood up and said with a smile: "Okay! Dian Wei, are you hungry? I will drink with you today!"
Dian Wei's honest expression changed, and then he said, "Your Majesty, I also want to lead the troops to war."
Liu Bian ignored him and said, "I'm hungry, eat."
Dian Wei was a little unwilling, so he caught up with him and said, "Your Majesty, I also want to be promoted like Zilong."
Liu Bian said: "I never know when I will have to lead the army in person again. I will give you a chance then."
"Okay." Dian Wei said in a deep voice, his face beaming with joy.
The next day at noon, outside the Shangshu Terrace.
Xun You, Xun Yu, and He Yong walked side by side, chatting.
They had already received Liu Bian's order. Compared with Li Ru's transfer to the position of governor of Runan and He Yong's transfer to the position of governor of Bingzhou, it could be said that they were promoted.
He Yong was very happy. Although the rank of the Minister of Revenue was promoted, he was still "humble" in the eyes of the court and the public. The governor of a province was different. He was a real frontier official!
Xun You smiled and said to Xun Yu: "Uncle, His Majesty's decree seems to reveal happiness."
Xun Yu remained calm and said, "My memorial was not enough to make Your Majesty make so many decisions all of a sudden. There must be other things going on."
He Yong replied, "Let's make preparations early. First, recruit all the officials in Bingzhou. I will also take some of the money and grain with me."
Xun You glanced at him and snorted, "You haven't even taken office yet, and yet you want to subsidize Bingzhou?"
He Yong knew he was joking and said with a smile: "From now on, the Hucao will be handed over to Wen Ruo. You two Xuns must withstand the pressure."
"What pressure?" Suddenly, a voice came from not far from the three of them.
The three of them turned around and saw Wang Yun, who always had an indifferent expression and was intimidating without even getting angry, walking towards them with a smile on his face.
The three of them quickly raised their hands to greet him, saying, "My Lord."
Wang Yun came closer, folded his hands in front of him, looked at He Yong and said, "I would also like to congratulate Minister He."
He Yong restrained his smile, bowed and said, "It's all because of your Majesty's trust."
Wang Yun looked at him, as if he had something to say but hesitated.
He Yong suddenly understood and said, "My Lord, I will need help from all the counties when I go to Bingzhou. I wonder if there are any wise men in Taiyuan who can help me avoid being blinded."
Wang Yun smiled even more and said, "I'll write a list for you later. If you can use it, use it. If not, forget it."
Er Xun did not speak. Wang Yun was born in the Wang family of Taiyuan.
He Yong naturally agreed. When he went to Bingzhou, he needed the support of local gentry for many things.
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