NFBE Chapter 154 Unexpected Incident, Luoyang in Danger
Chapter 154 Unexpected Incident, Luoyang in Danger
Chapter 154 Unexpected Incident, Luoyang in Danger
A few days later, Luoyang City, the Imperial Palace, and the Censorate.
Chief Censor Liu Biao has felt tremendous pressure recently, not only from the changes, but also from the various open and covert struggles within the court and the country.
Hundreds of impeachment memorials were received every day, from the imperial court as well as local governors, provincial governors, prefects, and generals at all levels.
The most common messages he received in recent days were about impeaching Dong Zhuo, accusing him of holding his troops at bay and watching Yuan Shu's rebellion, and he should be executed.
He looked at these impeachment memorials and had a headache, not knowing what to do with them.
Firstly, the power of the Censorate covers the entire country, and the power that can be actually implemented is limited to the Sili. The Sili officials, both big and small, have a complex network of relationships that he cannot easily touch.
Secondly, he didn't know what to do. Just like Dong Zhuo and Cao Cao, they also had Prime Minister Yang Biao and Assistant Prime Minister Wang Yun. What could he do? He simply pushed the blame to his superiors, and if something went wrong later, he would still be held responsible.
Thirdly, Liu Biao also cared about his reputation and offended everyone in the court and the country. How could he continue to be an official?
"Zhongcheng!"
A clerk came in hurriedly, handed over an official document, and said, "From Chenliu County."
Liu Biao took it calmly, and after just a glance, his expression suddenly changed. He said, "Were more than ten people including Supervisory Censor Jiang Sheng killed by bandits?"
Then, he looked serious and stared at the document, his eyes constantly changing.
This official document was written by a surviving historian, but the content was vague, vaguely pointing to the fact that someone in Chenliu County had silenced someone!
Liu Biao had a strong sense of uneasiness in his heart. Chen Liu was on the border of Sili and openly killed an official appointed by the imperial court, which meant that Jiang Sheng and others must have found out something, which led to their death!
Liu Biao thought about it and still felt that something was wrong, so he stood up and left the Censorate and went straight to the Secretariat.
After entering the Shangshutai, he saw a bustling crowd inside. When he arrived at the door of Prime Minister Yang Biao's duty room, a clerk hurried forward and said, "Liu Zhongcheng, the Prime Minister has left the capital to inspect the three prefectures."
Liu Biao said "oh" and suddenly realized what was happening. He remembered that Wang Yun had gone to Bingzhou and asked, "Who else is in the Shangshutai?"
"Minister Xun is here." said the clerk.
also.
Liu Biao nodded and turned straight to the Licao.
Xun You has a special status in the Shangshu Tai. He represents the palace and no one can underestimate him.
Liu Biao arrived at the door of Xun You's duty room and saw him concentrating on writing, waiting quietly.
Soon, Xun You's clerk came in from outside, and when he saw Liu Biao, he raised his hand and said, "Greetings, Liu Zhongcheng."
Xun You inside heard the voice and looked up. Seeing that it was Liu Biao, he put down his pen, came out and asked, "Who is Liu Zhongcheng?"
Liu Biao smiled slightly and said, "There are some things that need to be discussed with Minister Xun."
"Please in, Zhongcheng." Xun You stepped aside, a hint of doubt in his eyes.
Liu Biao was the Chief Censor and was in charge of the Censorate, which held a special status. However, he was a low-key person and never participated in the affairs of the court. He seemed to be focused on the Censorate and was rarely seen.
Liu Biao walked into the room with a smile and sat down with Xun You as host and guest.
After the clerk served the tea and left, Liu Biao took a sip of the tea and asked with a smile, "Minister Xun, is this tea from Yingchuan?"
Xun You didn't know the purpose of Liu Biao's visit, so he put down his teacup and said, "I don't know how to drink tea, I'm sorry to make you laugh."
Liu Biao and Xun You were not really familiar with each other, and seeing that the greetings could not continue, he took out the official document, handed it to Xun You, and said, "Minister Xun, take a look at this first."
Xun You was prepared. He took it, opened it, and read it carefully. He was puzzled and asked, "What does Liu Zhongcheng mean?"
Liu Biao hesitated for a while and said, "Minister Xun, I suspect something happened in Chenliu."
Xun You's heart skipped a beat, thinking about Chen Liu's location, and asked, "What exactly happened?"
Liu Biao said, "I don't know yet. However, I sent the Censor there because someone impeached Zhang Miao for being involved with Qiao Mao. So I sent people to Chenliu in the name of 'investigating corruption'. Not many people know about it."
Xun You understood what he meant and asked, "Zhongcheng means that Zhang Miao killed people to silence them?"
Liu Biao nodded solemnly and said, "I suspect Jiang Sheng has found out something. Chenliu may be in for a big change!"
Xun You thought about Chenliu, then the neighboring Chen State and Dong Zhuo. His expression became serious, and he suddenly asked outside the door: "Is His Majesty in the palace?"
The clerk pushed the door open and said, "Shangshu, His Majesty is not in the palace."
Xun You frowned and said to himself, "Your Majesty has been out of the palace quite often recently. Is there something wrong?"
The clerk listened and said, "I heard that your majesty has recently been to the Imperial Army Camp, the Taicang, the Armory, the Bank... and he also wanted to go to Huanyuan Pass, but was persuaded by the Grand Marshal to stop."
Xun You was startled, then looked at Liu Biao and said, "Zhongcheng, how about we go see the Grand Marshal together?"
Liu Biao thought about it and said, "Okay."
The two men stood up and walked around the Jiade Hall and came to the Grand Marshal's Mansion.
Huangfu Song was equally busy and exhausted. The entire Han Dynasty seemed to be in the midst of war. He had to deal with the strategies and tactics, success and failure of various wars, as well as the subsequent conscription, resettlement, money, food, pensions, etc. Huangfu Song wished there were seventy-two hours in a day.
The three of them sat down, and Xun You said directly: "Grand Marshal, there may be unusual movements in Zhang Miao of Chenliu."
Huangfu Song had a blank expression on his face and a cold demeanor, and at first glance he looked like someone who was difficult to get along with.
He looked at Xun You, then glanced at Liu Biao and said, "Zhang Miao has rebelled."
"what!"
Xun You and Liu Biao were both shocked and couldn't believe it.
It was just an investigation into corruption, how did it become the point of rebellion?
Xun You suddenly calmed down, frowned, and thought: "It is probably related to the eunuch party or the Yuan family."
If we seriously investigate the series of bad things that have happened recently, they can be traced back to the eunuch party, He Jin, and the Yuan family to a certain extent.
Liu Biao glanced at him and shook his head secretly.
If the imperial court had acted decisively and wiped out all the eunuchs and Yuan family members, what would have happened today?
From Yuan Yi to Qiao Mao, Yanzhou fell again and again, and then to the Black Mountain Army's capture of Jizhou. The court's weakness was exposed time and time again as they came and went freely. How could such ambitious people still sit still?
Liu Biao felt that the imperial court was too weak. If he were to govern a place, even if the place did not rebel, he would probably establish his own empire.
"Zhang Miao is leading an army of 10,000 and is heading towards Luoyang." Huangfu Song said lightly.
Xun You and Liu Biao were horrified and opened their mouths, unable to utter a word.
They could guess that if Zhang Miao rebelled, it would definitely be in collusion with Yuan Shu, but they never imagined that Zhang Miao would actually send troops to Luoyang!
"Then, what response does the Grand Marshal have?" Liu Biao felt his mouth dry and his heart was in a panic.
The area between Luoyang and Chenliu is almost undefended. If a large army really comes, they can march straight into Luoyang and attack the city!
Xun You saw Huangfu Song's calm expression and asked, "Has the Grand Marshal already come up with a response?"
Huangfu Song said, "Zhao Yun, the General of the Imperial Guard, has led 10,000 soldiers and has already left the capital."
Xun You looked at Huangfu Song, and a strange look flashed across his eyes.
Wasn’t the reaction of the Grand Marshal’s Mansion a little too quick?
"Zhao Yun?"
Liu Biao was a little skeptical and asked, "He is a rookie, can he win?"
Huangfu Song said nothing, his expression was cold, as if he was keeping people at a distance.
Liu Biao twitched the corner of his mouth and turned to Xun You.
Xun You calculated silently and said, "Grand Marshal, has the order been given to Cao Cao?"
Huangfu Song said: "Cao Cao should set off now."
Xun You felt relieved and said, "That's good."
"Does Your Majesty know this?" Liu Biao suddenly asked.
Xun You also looked at Huangfu Song. Liu Bian had been going out of the palace frequently recently, and the frequency was somewhat unusual.
"Empress Xu has gone." Huangfu Song said.
Xun You seemed to be thinking about something, and raised his hand and said, "Regarding Yuzhou, may I ask if the Grand Marshal has any new countermeasures?"
Huangfu Song had a blank expression on his face. He pondered for a while and said, "This, Minister Xun needs to ask His Majesty."
Xun You frowned and looked at Huangfu Song with a slightly moving gaze. He had many questions about Yuan Shu's rebellion and the court's response, as if there was a kind of - connivance.
Xun You said nothing more and left with Liu Biao.
Not far from the Grand Marshal's Mansion, Xun You suddenly whispered, "Liu Zhongcheng, is it your idea to investigate Zhang Miao?"
Liu Biao was stunned for a moment and said, "Someone reported it, so I sent people to investigate secretly."
Xun You became more and more confused, so he nodded and said nothing more.
Puguang Temple, backyard wing.
Liu Bian got out of bed wearing only a single layer of clothes, sat in front of the charcoal stove, and took a pile of memorials and official documents from Xu Yan.
Xu Yan glanced behind the curtain quietly and saw a beautiful figure swaying vaguely. He lowered his head silently and did not dare to look any further.
The first memorial was from Ding Yuan, the governor of Yanzhou. Its words were full of impeachment of Cao Cao for killing innocent people indiscriminately, cultivating personal connections, and maintaining his own military power.
The second one was a memorial from Tao Qian, the governor of Xuzhou, requesting the court to send troops for support.
The third one came from a memorial from Zhu Jun, the governor of Qingzhou, stating that the Yellow Turban Army was resurgent and requesting the court to increase the number of troops and provide money, food and military pay.
The fourth one was the memorial from Liu Yu, the governor of Youzhou. It contained good news: the Wuhuan, Xianbei and others withdrew their troops, confessed their crimes, promised not to invade the border again, and would send troops to help the Han Dynasty quell the rebellion.
Liu Bian looked thoughtful, and after a moment, he picked up the document again.
These official documents came from various departments of the imperial court and local officials. They were different from formal memorials and described matters in more detail and complexity.
Liu Bian read through the papers one by one, picked up his pen, and made a few comments from time to time.
"Ok?"
Suddenly, Liu Bian saw a letter from Lu Zhi, the governor of Bingzhou. After elaborating on the reform of Bingzhou, he recommended Liu Bei, the former governor of Gaotang, as the prime minister of Pengcheng.
Attached at the end is Liu Bei's detailed resume, especially his military achievements, which are densely packed and take up more than ten lines.
Liu Bian narrowed his eyes slightly and leaned back.
Cai Wenji dressed and came out, sitting next to Liu Bian. Seeing his happy face, she poured tea and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, what is there to be happy about?"
Liu Bian took the teacup and said, "Well, Chenliu Governor Zhang Miao has rebelled and is sending troops to Luoyang."
Cai Wenji's pretty face froze. What was this happy news? Seeing Liu Bian's teasing look, she rolled her eyes angrily.
Liu Bian smiled as he sorted out the memorials and official documents, handed them to Xu Yan, and said, "Tell the Grand Marshal to follow the established strategy. Zhang Liao is about to leave Youzhou, send a message to the Grand Marshal to order Zhang Liao to garrison Jizhou and obey the orders of Xun Yu, the commander of the grain department. Inform the officials that I have approved Liu Bei's appointment."
"Yes." Xu Yan took the memorial and said with his head down. He never dared to see Cai Wenji from beginning to end. If the emperor went out of the palace to meet the widow, it would cause big trouble if it was spread to the palace!