knife

Chapter 135 This time, the imperial court was very generous.

The generosity of the Chang'an court was somewhat unexpected for Xiao Changche, Li Dachui, and others.

They actually divided the area outside the pass in two, splitting the Beiting Protectorate, which originally governed the area, into the Andong Protectorate and the Anxi Protectorate.

Xiao Changche was promoted three ranks from a third-rank chariot and cavalry general to a second-rank general of the cavalry, establishing his own headquarters and serving as the protector of the Anxi Protectorate.

Li Dachui, a bandit, rose from a criminal, a commoner, and a layman to become a third-rank deputy protector. Along with the imperial edict came a thick stack of appointment and dismissal documents stamped with the official seal of the Ministry of Personnel.

The chief clerk, the deputy governor, the military commander, as well as the registrar and the military advisors of various departments were all included.

The appointment of all officials in the Anxi Protectorate was left to Xiao Changche and Li Dachui to decide for themselves.

Of course, in order to appease Linghu Ye, the most powerful general outside the Great Wall, the imperial court also spared no expense, directly bestowing upon him the titles of Grand Pillar of State and Duke of Zheng.

In the division of the jurisdiction between the two protectorates, Linghuye also had the upper hand. The area originally controlled by Linghuye remained almost unchanged, except for the loss of Baoping Prefecture and Yuan'an and Tai'an cities.

Xiao Changche, the Protector-General of Anxi, fared worse. The area he was granted control of was almost entirely the Black Domain. If he wanted to truly bring these areas under his rule, he would have to send troops to fight and sweep them away.

The key issue is that the income from these areas is less than the expenditure. Sending troops to fight them will result in losses, even if the victory is successful, and a complete loss if the defeat is also a huge financial blow.

“These details show that the court doesn’t really trust us. They’re just pretending to be generous so that we can keep Linghu Ye in check!” Mao Daxian said, tapping the table. “I’m afraid what they really want is for us to fight Linghu Ye.”

"Regardless of the court's intentions, we now have a reputation to rival Linghu Ye!" Li Dachui said happily. "This reputation is actually quite useful. At least we can use it to compete with Linghu Ye for the hearts and minds of the people outside the Great Wall. Can the court just decide which areas belong to Linghu Ye? It's up to the people outside the Great Wall to decide! If they insist on following us, what can we do? We can only reluctantly accept them!"

Mao Daxian laughed heartily: "Young master is right. There's no harm without comparison. Let the people from beyond the Great Wall speak for themselves. Anyway, everyone can see now that we're not afraid of Linghu Ye at all. As for the Black Domain, it is indeed a dragon's den and a tiger's lair for others, but for us, it's just some small streams and rivers. Young master, you haven't been a bandit for nothing all these years, have you? The picture library in Zhi Qiu Courtyard has everything, right?"

"Xiao Changche has become a hands-off manager. The entire task of establishing the Anxi Protectorate will now fall on your shoulders. You, the chief secretary, will begin your term today!" Li Dachui said to Mao Daxian with a smile, "Everything will start from scratch. You'll have to work hard! First, set up the framework, and then slowly fill in the details. But this is a piece of cake for you."

"Is the young master also planning to be a hands-off manager?" Mao Daxian asked with some dissatisfaction.

“I have to deal with Wei Yi and Ma Liang for a while!” Li Dachui shrugged. “These two are backed by two powerful forces. Next, when Valley Master Fu arrives, I’ll have to go to Yandu with him. Do you think I have time to worry about this damn Anxi Protectorate?”

"Young master, you've asked me to do too many things, you'll have to pay me more!" Mao Daxian shook his hand.

"Add more, add more!" Li Dachui laughed, "The entire Anxi Protectorate's money is in your hands. Take as much as you want!"

“We’re basically operating at a loss now!” Mao Daxian said with dissatisfaction. “Xiao Changche’s millions of debts have been wiped out, and he’s a spendthrift. Years of hard work have all gone to waste overnight. Luckily, the Yan family’s century-old savings helped to cover it up, otherwise we would have had a hard time getting through this spring.”

"Don't worry, things will get better day by day!" Li Dachui patted Mao Daxian on the shoulder.

In the inn, Zhang Ruo prepared wine to welcome the angel.

Zhang Ruoke was one of those who received commendation in this imperial edict.

He is no longer considered a criminal.

His new identity is that of a supervising censor stationed outside the Great Wall by the Imperial Censorate. Moreover, he is not a bald censor; he also holds the position of deputy chief censor of the Imperial Censorate.

In other words, if Zhang Ruo were to return to Chang'an now, he would immediately become the second-in-command of the Censorate.

This position is no less powerful than Zhang Ruo's previous position as Vice Minister of Revenue; in fact, it could be said that he wields even greater power.

Because the Censorate monitors the entire country and specializes in criticizing people.

When Zhang Ruo investigated the accounts outside the pass, the first person to criticize him was none other than the supervising censor of the Censorate.
As the Vice Censor-in-Chief, he was stationed outside the pass to oversee the two Protectorates of Andong and Anxi. This added another pair of wide-eyed observers to Linghu Ye and Xiao Changche's side.

Zhang Ruo is fearless, so the imperial court will naturally use him to the fullest extent of its power.

“Li Yue and Zhang Chao have been imprisoned!” Wei Yi smiled at Zhang Ruo: “The court investigated the two thoroughly and found that they had accepted a considerable amount of money and valuables from beyond the Great Wall over the years. So when Lord Zhang made trouble for Linghu Ye, they falsely accused Lord Zhang. In addition, the Dali Temple also investigated a group of people, and there is now an explanation for Brother Qingfeng’s wrongful death. At least a dozen people will have to pay for Brother Qingfeng’s death!” Zhang Ruo sighed, not knowing whether to feel gratified or heartbroken.

The eldest son had a bright future ahead of him, but he died young because of her.

What's the point of talking about holding people accountable now?

"Let's not talk about this anymore!" Zhang Ru raised his glass: "The past is the past. Since I dared to stand up back then, I have no regrets."

"No, no, no!" Wei Yi said, "Before I came, my father-in-law repeatedly told me to apologize to Lord Zhang. At that time, my father-in-law had no choice but to hold you accountable even though he knew that Lord Zhang was wronged. My father-in-law hopes that you can understand his predicament."

"At first I was resentful." Zhang Ruo downed the wine in his cup in one gulp, gave a bitter smile, and said, "But when I arrived at the border and saw the ferocity of the army there, I understood the Prime Minister's predicament. I was indeed reckless at the time, so I have no resentment towards the court for punishing me. Please rest assured, Prime Minister, that I will do my duty to the best of my ability and will not slack off in the slightest while I am at the border."

"Scholar Zhang's selfless dedication is truly admirable!" Wei Yi stood up and refilled Zhang Ru's wine cup. "Back when you were exiled beyond the Great Wall, my father asked someone to find Zhou Zhi, the lord of Tai'an, and asked him to spare your life. Fortunately, everything went smoothly! The current situation beyond the Great Wall is largely thanks to Scholar Zhang."

"Is it the Prime Minister?" Zhang Ruo was taken aback.

Wei Yi smiled and nodded: "Although I had to make a decision against my will due to the circumstances at the time, I still had to do something. However, my father-in-law never imagined that Tai'an City would be in such a state. Scholar, you have been here for quite some time now. Do you have any understanding of what kind of forces and people Tai'an City, Zhou Zhi, and Li Dachui are?"

"To be honest, I really don't know much about them. I can only share my most direct impressions!" Zhang Ruo pondered for a moment before speaking.

"Please, sir, explain it to this junior!"

“Whether it’s Xiao Changche or Li Dachui, I’m afraid they have no respect for the imperial court!” Zhang Ruo said bluntly.

"This was expected."

"Xiao Changche is a rather pure person with great military talent, but he is not good at governance, let alone political maneuvering. All he thinks about is destroying Beiyuan. Therefore, he is at odds with Linghu Ye. If one day Linghu Ye suddenly changes his mind and wants to fight Beiyuan, this person will definitely lend his full support."

Wei Yi laughed: "This idea is probably a pipe dream. Linghu Ye has no intention of fighting to the death with Bei Yuan right now. He's only thinking about entering the pass!"

“Li Dachui is far more complex than Xiao Changche. I can’t see through him, but his ambition to be inferior to others is obvious!” Zhang Ruo said, “Now I dare to assert that the future Anxi Protectorate will definitely be led by Li Dachui.”

"I understand what you mean, Scholar!" Wei Yi pondered. "Since Li Dachui is unwilling to be subordinate to anyone, then Linghu Ye will inevitably be the first opponent he wants to bring down. In that case, I feel at ease!"

“Linghu Ye wants to advance into the interior, but if Li Dachui were to overthrow Linghu Ye one day, I’m afraid he would also covet the interior!” Zhang Ruo said.

“We would be very afraid of one tiger, but if two tigers are in the same place, we will be safe!” Wei Yi said, “Does the scholar think they can decide a winner in a short time?”

"It's hard to say, because besides the competition for local strength, there's another factor that could determine the outcome: Bei Yuan!" Zhang Ruo sighed. "What I'm most worried about right now is that Linghu Ye will join forces with Bei Yuan!"

“That is indeed possible!” Wei Yi said. “But if that happens, Linghu Ye will likely lose the support of the people outside the pass. Unless absolutely necessary, he will not fight openly. If he resorts to underhanded tactics, the effect will be limited. We have many ways to stop him.”

"The key point is actually within the pass. If things are not chaotic within the pass, Linghu Ye should not act rashly!" Zhang Ru analyzed.

“The interior and exterior of the pass are intertwined!” Wei Yi said, “Now that the exterior is safe, the court will naturally have more freedom of action, and those who are jumping around too much can stop now!”

"Making an example of someone only serves to scare others; it's merely treating the symptoms, not the root cause!"

"Given the current situation, the court has already done everything it can to address the symptoms!" Wei Yi didn't hide anything from Zhang Ruo: "It would be difficult to bring the dead back to life. A brave man might cut off his own arm, but is it possible for him to tear out his heart and guts?"

Zhang Ru smiled wryly: "I can only do my best and live up to my expectations."

"I salute the scholar!" Wei Yi raised his cup and said, "If Great Qin had more scholars like the scholar, where would we be in our current predicament?"

Zhang Ru shook his head: "Only after arriving beyond the Great Wall did I realize that a scholar is utterly useless."

(End of this chapter)