kvmb Chapter 176 Don’t Be a Thief
Chapter 176 Don’t Be a Thief
Chapter 176 Don’t Be a Thief
"What do you want me to agree to?"
Liu Bian walked straight into the teahouse without stopping.
Cao Cao and He Xian turned around and saw that it was Liu Bian. Their expressions changed and they all stood up and raised their hands, saying, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."
The shopkeeper and the clerk not far away were startled, and hurried out, kneeling on the ground and said, "I pay my respects to Your Majesty."
Liu Bian waved his hand, sat down at the table, and said, "Drinking in the teahouse, you two are in such a refined mood."
He Xian was so nervous that he was at a loss, sweat broke out on his head, and he was unable to speak.
Cao Cao was much calmer. He stood in front of Liu Bian and raised his hand and said, "Your Majesty, County Magistrate He wants to join the army."
Wang Yun stood beside Liu Bian and stared at Cao Cao with cold eyes.
At this moment, Pan Yin took the shopkeeper and the waiter to the back, leaving only Liu Bian, Cao Cao, He Xian and others.
Liu Bian glanced at He Xian's wife Yin, who was indeed a charming young woman. He turned his gaze to the uneasy He Xian and said calmly, "I heard from my mother that you just gave birth to a son and named him He Yan?"
He Xian was sweating profusely from nervousness, and said tremblingly, "Yes, yes, yes."
He couldn't help but be nervous. His father He Jin's 'entry into the palace', 'taking leave', 'retirement' and then 'death from illness' all happened too quickly and too secretly. It was only before the end of last year that the news of 'He Jin's death' was revealed. Before that, He Jin was a taboo that no one could and dared to mention!
Everyone knows how powerful his father was in the past. He did not take the emperor in front of him seriously at all and could teach him a lesson.
Now, the circumstances of his father's death were unclear. Even though he was a cousin of Liu Bian, He Xian was still worried all day, fearing that he would suddenly die of illness one day.
Seeing him like this, Liu Bian scolded him, "Why are you so flustered? Stand still. My mother likes children. Bring He Yan to the palace to accompany her. When my child is born, let He Yan come to the palace to accompany her."
He Xian was shocked and terrified, and didn't know what to do for a moment.
Liu Bian frowned, this cousin was not as good as his father.
He looked at Cao Cao and said calmly, "Why? Have you made some achievements? Can you help my cousin?"
Cao Cao's expression changed slightly, and he raised his hand and said, "I dare not."
Liu Bian snorted coldly and said, "You dare not? I heard that you were at the Shangshutai, confronting Wang Pushe, mocking him, and being very arrogant? Am I too indulgent to you? Do you look down on others because of your achievements?"
Cao Cao opened his narrow eyes, his gaze was tight, his face was straightened, and he knelt down and said, "I am confused, please punish me, Your Majesty!"
When Wang Yun saw Cao Cao lying on the ground, a cold light flashed in his eyes and he felt very happy.
Liu Bian looked at the back of Cao Cao's head and said in a bad tone, "Did you take Yuan Shao's concubine into your house?"
That concubine was the one Yuan Ji used to frame Cao Cao.
Cao Cao knocked his head to the ground, his face dark as iron, his eyes wide open, a cold color, and he said, "Yes."
Liu Bian snorted coldly and said, "You haven't made much contribution, but you have a lot of women. From now on, before you take a concubine, you must inform me first. If you dare to mess around again, you will go to Jiaozhi and never come back."
Cao Cao felt a chill in his heart and his eyes were filled with fear. He tried his best to keep his tone calm and said, "I obey your order."
In the past, no matter how serious the mistakes he made, His Majesty never reprimanded him, but instead comforted and reused him.
It was the first time that Cao Cao felt afraid in front of Liu Bian!
Wang Yun let out a sigh of relief and sneered secretly: Without the protection of His Majesty, you, Cao Cao, are nothing!
He Xian was standing aside, sweating profusely, his legs trembling, and he looked like he couldn't stand steadily.
Yin's rosy face gradually turned pale and she quietly hid behind He Xian.
In the small pub, it was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
Liu Bian looked at Cao Cao and thought to himself: This kind of beating should have some effect, right?
Liu Bian had great hopes for Cao Cao, hopes that exceeded those of Xun Yu and even of everyone else!
But Cao Cao is also an extremely uncontrollable factor. We must treat him with both kindness and severity, and not just show kindness blindly.
"His Majesty,"
Pan Yin stepped forward quietly and whispered, "Liu Zhang is here."
Liu Bian hummed, stood up, looked down at Cao Cao who was kneeling on the ground, and said: "After going to Qingzhou, act cautiously, respect Envoy Zhu, and do not act recklessly."
Cao Cao stared at the ground, breathing hard and short, and said calmly, "I obey your command."
Liu Bian glanced at He Xian again and said, "There are so many things going on in Luoyang County. You should do your job properly and stop thinking about trivial things all day long."
"Your Majesty, I obey your command." He Xian said in a trembling voice without even bothering to wipe the sweat off his face.
Liu Bian ignored them and turned to leave the tavern.
"Your Majesty, I am Liu Zhang, your servant. I am here to see you." As soon as he stepped out of the door, the plump and honest-looking Liu Zhang raised his hand with a reserved look on his face.
Liu Bian's indifferent expression suddenly became warm and gentle, and he said with a smile: "Mr. Liu, will you come with me for a walk?"
His main purpose for leaving the palace this time was Liu Zhang.
Liu Zhang quickly turned sideways and said, "Yes."
Wang Yun looked at Liu Zhang with an indifferent expression, thinking in his heart.
Liu Yan was appointed as the governor of Yizhou and monopolized military and political power. Not only did he ignore the imperial court, but he also constantly impeached him for usurping the emperor's power and having ulterior motives.
Liu Zhang was sent to Beijing as a "hostage".
Liu Bian paced back and forth, stroking the jade pendant on his waist with his right hand, and said slowly: "Mr. Liu, are you used to living in the capital?"
Liu Zhang smiled naively and said, "Your Majesty is here in the capital to take care of me. I eat and drink well and have gained a few pounds recently."
Liu Bian smiled and looked back, then nodded, "Yes, he has gained weight. Did Liu Qing's family write to Qing's family? What did they say?"
Liu Zhang followed Liu Bian, lowered his head, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, these are all family matters. He asked me to eat and dress on time. My father also said that he is old and always likes to nag."
"Didn't you mention Your Majesty?" Wang Yun suddenly interrupted.
Liu Zhang was startled, and quickly raised his hand to Liu Bian's back, saying, "Yes, yes, my father said in the letter that Your Majesty is wise and brave, and is an unparalleled wise ruler. He asked me to be loyal to Your Majesty and do my best. Also, I was asked to be cautious and not to cause trouble for Your Majesty. It is better to do less than to make mistakes and cause trouble for Your Majesty..."
Liu Bian looked at the Talent Recruitment Hall not far away, turned around and walked south, and said, "Oh, what does Liu Qing's family think of the court's new policy?"
The 'Liu Qing's family' here refers to Liu Yan.
Liu Zhang's face twitched, as if he was trying hard to recall. After a while, he said, "Your Majesty, perhaps I have forgotten. I will definitely read the letter again when I return home."
"What do you think of the salt policy?" Liu Bian asked.
Liu Zhang raised his head slightly, looked at the back of Liu Bian's head, held his breath secretly, and knew the purpose of Liu Bian summoning him today.
He said without hesitation: "This is a good policy that benefits the country and the people. I fully agree with it."
"I am going to send a salt official to Yizhou to take over the salt fields and manage the production, transportation and sales of salt. Will Liu Qing's family agree?" Liu Bian's tone came over lightly and calmly.
Wang Yun turned his head instantly and looked at Liu Zhang.
The smile on Liu Zhang's face seemed to have not diminished or increased, and he said respectfully: "All the lands belong to the king. When your majesty's edict arrives, everyone in Yizhou will obey it."
Liu Bian looked at the Cai Mansion not far away, nodded with satisfaction and said, "I feel relieved with your words. I will appoint you as the Imperial Censor of Salt Inspection and the Chief of Yizhou Salt Administration. It should be possible to collect 100 million a year. You should go to the Secretariat to see Minister He of the Household Department now. He will explain the detailed strategy to you."
Liu Zhang showed joy on his face, raised his hand and said loudly: "I accept your order and will take my leave."
Liu Bian raised his eyebrows and turned to look at Liu Zhang who was lowering his head and slowly retreating.
Liu Bian narrowed his eyes and thought to himself: Did he not understand, or did he already have a countermeasure?
When he walked away, Wang Yun snorted coldly and said, "Your Majesty, the Liu family father and son cannot be trusted!"
Liu Bian hummed and said, "I don't expect Liu Yan to surrender with just one imperial edict. For now, I just want him to stop causing trouble."
Wang Yun understood, thought for a while, and said, "Your Majesty, I am still worried about Jizhou."
The salt administration concerns two places, one is Yizhou and the other is Jizhou.
Jizhou was also a place with many disasters. First, the Yellow Turban Army plundered it, and then the Black Mountain Army invaded it, even forcing Jizhou to move its capital to Yecheng, which was close to Sili.
"Qingzhou is unstable, and Jizhou is difficult to stabilize."
Liu Bian looked towards the north and said, "I am sending Cao Cao to Qingzhou this time to pacify and eradicate this root cause!"
The Yellow Turban Army's sphere of influence now covers almost all of the seven northern states, with Qingzhou being the most prosperous, with the greatest influence and strength. From time to time, it overflows and wreaks havoc in the surrounding states and counties.
Wang Yun wanted to stop Cao Cao from going to Qingzhou, but he stopped pestering him and said, "Your Majesty, Envoy Zhu has been in Qingzhou for more than a year and is still having a hard time. Cao Cao is reckless and reckless. In addition, there is a shortage of money and food. I am not worried enough and should send another general."
Liu Bian was very satisfied with Wang Yun's transformation and said with a smile, "Don't worry for now, let's wait and see. The court's main target of suppression is still Yuan Shu in Yangzhou."
Speaking of Yuan Shu, Wang Yun subconsciously wanted to oppose the appointment of Yuan Shao as the commander-in-chief, but he swallowed the words back.
Liu Bian glanced at him and said, "It's getting late, you should go back home."
Wang Yun hesitated for a moment, raised his hand and said, "I'll take my leave."
He had mixed feelings today. He was worried because Liu Bian transferred Li Ru away, but he was happy because Liu Bian appointed his eldest son Wang Gai as the palace guard and scolded Cao Cao in front of him to build up his prestige.
After Wang Yun left, Liu Bian and Pan Yin said, "Keep an eye on Liu Zhang. If he loses even a little, I will chop off his head and send it to Liu Yan!"
Pan Yin bowed calmly and said, "Yes."
Liu Bian let out a light breath and walked towards Cai's mansion with a smile.
Both of his women were pregnant, so he couldn't favor one over the other.
At this moment, Cao Cao had returned to the mansion and sat opposite Guo Jia, telling him about what happened today, especially what had just happened in the tavern.
Cao Cao sat upright, his face as gloomy as water, anxiety surging in his narrow eyes.
Guo Jia had a blank expression on his face. He took a sip of wine and said, "I have been guessing who it was, but I didn't expect it to be Yuan Shao. Our Majesty's actions are indeed unexpected and hard to guess."
Cao Cao didn't care about Yuan Shao, and said in a deep voice: "Feng Xiao, Your Majesty, are you dissatisfied with me?"
Guo Jia looked at him, paused for a moment, and said: "It may not be dissatisfaction, perhaps..."
Seeing Guo Jia hesitate to speak, Cao Cao suddenly regained his composure and said in a simple and direct tone, "Feng Xiao, please speak frankly!"
The second update is here, please give me a monthly ticket~