Chang'an in July was like a huge steamer.
The residents didn't want to go out in broad daylight.
But at this time, another carriage came to the door of Sikong Mansion, and the ministers got off the carriage one by one and approached the Sikong Mansion. .
Although they did not receive specific information in advance, the ministers from the DPRK and China who came here could roughly understand what was going to be discussed at the Sikong Mansion meeting.
The ministers who came were almost all Liu Cheng's confidants.
Although these people's official positions were not high enough and their seniority was not long enough, they controlled some relevant powers of the imperial court.
"You said what happened to General Zhu's death?
You said he died suddenly, but who would believe it?"
"Who says it's not?
According to me, it must have been done by Cao Mengde.
This kid has been sinister and vicious since he was a child.
If he sent someone to do this, I wouldn't be surprised at all."
"Maybe, Zhang Miao has always wanted to expand his power before.
After General Zhu took office as the governor of Yanzhou, he obviously suppressed him a lot.
There is no guarantee that Zhang Miao didn't secretly send someone to do it."
"According to what you said, I think it is possible that Yuan Shao secretly sent someone to do this to put the blame on Cao Cao and make Cao Mengde bear the infamy.
Although Yuan Shao and Cao Mengde are now inseparable, who knows the relationship between them?
What's sordid behind the scenes?"
"No way.
If Cao Cao didn't do it, then why did he annex Zhu Jun's 20,000 troops?
Isn't this the act of a fool?"
"I said, why are you so stupid?
No matter whether it was done by Cao Cao or not, everyone in the world will think that it was done by Cao Cao.
In that case, why didn't Cao Cao seize those 20,000 soldiers and horses?
His reputation has been ruined anyway, so he simply took those two Tens of thousands of soldiers and horses are still able to be achieved."
"What you said seems to make some sense."
In the government hall of Sikong Mansion, the court ministers were still discussing the news about Zhu Jun's death and Cao Cao's capture of Zhu Jun's 20,000 troops and horses that they had received a few days ago.
At this time, a high-pitched voice came out: "Master Sikong has arrived."
The courtiers and officials walked from both sides to stand in the middle and bowed to Liu Cheng who was walking in: "Meet Sikong."
"Everyone is free of charge," Liu Cheng walked behind the desk and said, raising his hand.
"Xie Sikong" the courtiers and officials returned to the two sides and stood facing each other.
Liu Cheng knelt down on the right side of the desk.
He looked at the court officials and asked: "Everyone, it has been a few days since the news of the death of General Zhu Jun reached Chang'an.
How do you think this matter should be handled?"
Liu Cheng's confidants looked at each other.
Zhong Yao and Xun Yu discussed in a low voice, then stood up and said to Liu Cheng: "My lord, although Zhu Gongwei raised troops to attack the imperial army a few years ago, he The main opposition was Dong Zhuo, who was against the emperor His Majesty the Emperor is not disrespectful at all.
After Dong Zhuo's death, whenever the emperor issued an edict, he would obey it.
Moreover, Zhu Jun made great contributions in pacifying the Jiaozhou Rebellion, the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and the Black Mountain Army Zhang Yan's Rebellion.
His subordinates thought that he should be responsible for it.
Old General Zhu Jun is pursuing a posthumous title."
"Second" "Second" Liu Cheng nodded and said: "Yes, Old General Zhu Jun still has merit.
Let's do it this way.
I will propose to the emperor some day to posthumously title Old General Zhu Jun Taiwei and Qiantang Marquis.
I don't know what you think."
All the courtiers and officials said one after another: "Master Sikong is wise."
Free novels bring you joy and joy ---> storyskyline.net
Liu Cheng added: "Many people suspect that the sudden death of General Zhu Jun was caused by Cao Cao secretly sending people, but there is no proof.
Moreover, a few days ago, Cao Cao sent people to send taxes to the court and also to the emperor.
Tribute, to show the court that he still respects the court and the emperor.
It is difficult for the court to take action against him for a while.
I don’t know how you think you should deal with this matter."
Chen Ji stood up and cupped his hands and said: "My lord, Cao Cao is the strongest in Yanzhou now.
In the first half of last year, he was nothing.
He had no official or position.
He only had thousands of strong men recruited by relying on the financial resources of the Cao family.
In a few months, he gained a population of one million Yellow Turbans in Mount Tai.
He selected tens of thousands of elite soldiers from them and occupied Dongjun.
This time he devoured Zhu Jun's 20,000 soldiers and horses.
He now has at least 60,000 or 70,000 soldiers and horses in his hands, which is not much worse than Yuan Shao of Hebei.
People have to be on guard.
I'm afraid that brothers Zhang Miao and Zhang Chao are no match for him at all."
Liu Cheng thought for a while and asked: "Who is the governor of Taishan County?"
"Back to Master Sikong, the current Taishan Governor is named Yingxun, whose courtesy name is Zhongyuan.
He is from Nanton County in Runan and has a close relationship with the Yuan family."
Liu Chengdao: "Oh, the relationship with the Yuan family is very close.
It seems that Cao Mengde can't suppress him."
Xun Yu stood up and cupped his hands and said: "My lord, I feel that the imperial court does not need to suppress Cao Cao, and it is beyond its reach to Yanzhou.
No matter how capable Cao Cao is, he still needs to get rid of Zhang Miao, Zhang Chao brothers, Liu Bei, Ying Xun and others.
Time, my subordinates suggest that we wait and see how the situation in Yanzhou changes.
The most urgent task is to resolve the issues in Yizhou and Qingzhou first."
Liu Cheng raised his hand and said: "I have plans for Yizhou.
Regarding Qingzhou, Wen Ruo, you can tell me."
"Nuo" Xun Yu agreed and said: "Chen Gong and Xu Rong have been to Qingzhou for a year, and some situations have been opened up.
However, externally, Yuan Shao keeps sending troops to harass the border, and internally, Beihai Kong Rong is causing trouble for him.
His subordinates suggested to the court.
First, help Chen Gong and Xu Rong resolve the constraints of Kong Rong, so that they can concentrate on running Qingzhou and dealing with Yuan Shao."
Liu Cheng thought for a moment and immediately made a decision: "I issue an edict in the name of the emperor to move Kong Rong to the Shaofu, and order him to go to the capital immediately to perform his duties.
I will see if he comes or not.
If he doesn't come, his entire life as a saint of Kong will be Are future generations loyal or treacherous?"
Xun Yu cupped his hands and said loudly: "My lord is wise."
Liu Cheng added: "Let's talk about the government affairs under the imperial court.
What are the decrees promulgated by the imperial court, how are they implemented by various counties and counties, how are the scientific examinations held in February, and how many students have been awarded gold medals?"
The officials at Shangshutai stood up one by one to report on their responsible parts.
Liu Cheng listened calmly and made comments one by one.
What makes Liu Cheng feel strange is that Guo Jia, Mi Heng, Bing Yuan, Sima Lang and others also participated in the scientific examination.
You must know that they are people who have been explicitly appointed by Liu Cheng.
What is even more surprising is that these people are not among the top in the scientific examination results, which is very interesting.
After listening to the reports from relevant officials, Liu Cheng laughed and said: "I think they don't want people to think that they got their official positions by relying on others' recommendations.
They want to rely on their true abilities to get good grades and prove to the world that they are real."
They are so talented, but I didn’t expect that they all failed the exam.
Hahaha, I’m afraid they all want to stuff their heads into their crotches now.”
Free novels bring you joy and joy ---> storyskyline.net
The courtiers and officials also laughed, and Xun Yu laughed and said: "Yes, Guo Fengxiao was recommended by his subordinates.
His subordinates know him best.
When he studies, he usually reads carefully the books he thinks are useful and those he thinks are insignificant.
The book just glanced at it and said he didn't.
Is he talented?
No, there are few people in the world who can compare with his intelligence.
This time he thought he could come out on top in the scientific examination, but he didn’t even make it into the top three.
It was such a shame.
Lock yourself up in your house and don’t go out, lest you be laughed at.”
"Bing Yuan, Mi Heng, Sima Lang and others all wear bamboo hats when going out.
For fear of being recognized, they rarely even have drinks with friends on weekdays."
"Hahaha" Liu Cheng laughed for a while, and then said: "This also shows that we still have omissions and deficiencies in the scientific examination.
I believe that each subject examination question should be as pragmatic as possible and not make some empty-headed questions. , that way you can only get some nerds who only know how to take scientific examinations instead of talents.
That’s it for today.
When everyone goes back, implement all the things decided today.
After a while, I will check the implementation one by one."
"The subordinates will resign."
The next day, Liu Cheng sent someone to call Liu Yan's three sons, Liu Fan, Liu Dan, and Liu Zhang, who had stayed in Chang'an, to Sikong Mansion for questioning.
In the past few years, the three brothers first lived in Luoyang and then moved their capital to Chang'an.
They also came to Chang'an with the imperial officials.
They have been walking on thin ice in the past few years.
Although they are not very clear about what their father Liu Yan did in Yizhou, they I also know a little bit, and I also understand that the court is very suspicious of Liu Yan, so he lives in fear every day.
When the three brothers heard that Liu Cheng sent someone to invite them to Sikong Mansion, they were frightened for a moment, fearing that Liu Cheng would accuse them.
After being invited, they walked into the lobby of Sikong Mansion and saluted Liu Cheng: "Greetings to Lord Sikong." " Liu Cheng pointed to the mat next to him and said: "No need to be polite, just sit down."
"Thank you, sir."
The three brothers saluted again and then knelt down on the mat next to them.
Liu Cheng asked: "According to the clan relationship, I and you can be considered brothers of the same generation.
They have been used to living in the capital in the past few years."
"My lord, our brothers are all fine," replied the eldest brother Liu Fan.
He also had an official position, serving as a nominal Zuo Zhonglang general.
The second brother Liu Dan was appointed as the censor, and only the youngest Liu Zhang Not yet out of office.
Liu Cheng asked: "Many ministers in the court have impeached your father Liu Yan for his disobedient behavior in Yizhou and his often arrogant behavior.
The court sent envoys to him many times to declare decrees, but they never returned.
Do you have any opinions on this?"
Is there anything you want to say?”
Liu Fan immediately defended his couple: "Master Sikong, this is all someone deliberately framed my father.
My father is a clan member of the Han Dynasty and is loyal to the court and the emperor.
How could he do anything arrogant or disobedient?"
Lord Sikong, please take a closer look."
Liu Cheng looked at Liu Fan and said, "But the imperial court once sent spies to Yizhou to investigate.
Liu Yan was indeed suspected of trespassing.
Moreover, Zhang Lu and Zhang Xiu led their troops to attack Hanzhong and killed Su Gu, the former prefect of Hanzhong.
Your father Liu Yan instigated it.
Zhang Lu confessed it himself after he was captured.
He also confessed that it was Liu Yan who instigated him to intercept the imperial envoys and prevent the imperial edicts from being delivered to Yizhou.
Free novels bring you joy and joy ---> storyskyline.net
Do you know what the crime is?"
When the three brothers Liu Fan, Liu Dan, and Liu Zhang heard Liu Cheng's words, their faces turned pale with fright.
They all stood up and bowed down in the middle of the hall, saying, "Sir Sikong clearly knows that the court cannot convict my father based on Zhang Lu's words alone.
Zhang Lu is just a pretender.
In order to survive, he deliberately put the blame on my father."
Liu Chengdao: "What you said makes sense, but Zhao Wei, the former commander of Taicang, went to Yizhou with your father.
He also wrote to the court that Liu Yan had disobedient intentions in Yizhou precisely because he discovered Because of your father's evil deeds, your father sent people to hunt him down everywhere.
He was forced to mobilize troops and horses to confront your father.
If Zhang Lu was the only one to testify against Liu Yan, I would never believe it, but Zhao Wei is the closest person to Liu Yan, and even he said Liu Yan If you are disloyal, how can you let the court and the emperor trust Liu Yan?"
Liu Fan kowtowed repeatedly and said: "Sir Sikong, please forgive me.
I must have misunderstood this matter.
My father will definitely not do such a thing."
Liu Cheng sighed: "Actually, I don't believe it either, but His Majesty the Emperor and other ministers and officials of the imperial court don't think so right.
The third child of your family is following Liu Yan, right?"
Liu Fan replied: "Back to Lord Sikong, the third son Liu Mao died of illness the second year after he went to Yizhou with his father.
Now his father is alone in Yizhou."
Liu Cheng shook his head and said: "Hey, I don't understand this.
Liu Yan doesn't even have a son with him.
If he has a disobedient heart and secretly plans a rebellion, what is his intention?
Even if he rebels, the court will If all three of you brothers are put to death, even if Liu Yan conquers the country, who will he pass it on to?
He has no son to be his heir.
What's the use of rebelling?"
Liu Fan hurriedly said: "It's absolutely true.
What Lord Sikong said is absolutely true.
This just shows that Zhang Lu and Zhao Wei's accusations against my father are all false accusations.
Yes, they are false accusations."
Liu Cheng said with a cold face: "We can't make a conclusion whether it is a frame-up or not.
Your Majesty told me about this matter yesterday.
I suggested to your Majesty that you give Liu Yan another chance and let him return to Beijing to report on his work to prove his innocence.
If he Not coming , it shows that he is indeed disobedient, and the court will never tolerate it, and must send troops to attack him; if he comes, it will prove that those people's accusations against him are all false accusations.
Your Majesty agreed after listening to my suggestion. today I have brought you three brothers here because I want you to write a letter to Liu Yan, asking him to understand the situation and go to Beijing to report to the emperor as soon as possible.
Don't be fooled by the fact that His Majesty the Emperor will also issue an edict to temporarily put aside his official duties and come to Beijing to meet the emperor. , if he doesn’t come within two months, that will prove his accusation of disloyalty.
You three brothers must understand that once Liu Yan doesn’t come, the emperor will definitely be furious and turn his wrath on you.
Then your fate will be You can guess it” The three brothers were covered in cold sweat, "Yes, yes, my three brothers immediately wrote to my father after returning home, urging him to come to Beijing as soon as possible to report on his work."
Liu Cheng waved his hand: "Go ahead."
"I'm waiting to resign."
The three brothers got into the carriage after coming out of Sikong Mansion, and the carriage headed home.
On the carriage, Liu Zhang said to his two brothers: "Eldest brother, second brother, what should we do?
If we really need to write a letter to my father to persuade him to come to Beijing to report on his work, wouldn't our whole family be trapped in the capital?"
Liu Dan sighed: "Fourth brother, do you think that even if my father doesn't come, the imperial court can't do anything to him?
Yizhou only has one state, and my father still has many constraints in Yizhou, so he will not be an opponent of the imperial court at all.
Once the court really takes action, our three brothers will be the first to be beheaded by the court as a sacrifice to the flag."
"The second brother is right.
If father doesn't come to Beijing, our family will be destroyed sooner or later.
If father comes to Beijing, we will only lose power, but we won't lose our heads.
Free novels bring you joy and joy ---> storyskyline.net
It's better to live than to lose our heads."
Liu Zhang nodded and said: "What the two brothers said is true.
Then go back and write to your father and advise him to come to Beijing as soon as possible."