The revival of the Han Dynasty must start with Dong Zhuo

Chapter 272 Volume Can’t lift the knife anymore?
"I have seen your Majesty. May your Majesty be well and healthy."

Liu Xie didn't care about these empty formalities on weekdays. If someone saluted him, he would ask them to stand up immediately as a token of his appreciation.

But today, Liu Xie paused for a very long time, and his eyes kept examining these Jingzhou officials.

"I'm safe."

But after a while, Liu Xie exempted these people from these etiquettes.

Looking at Liu Biao, Liu Xie bowed slightly and said, "Thank you, Lord Zong."

In any case, Liu Biao ultimately defended Jingzhou for the imperial court when it was in the most dangerous time, preventing Jingzhou from being completely controlled by the aristocratic families like other places in Guandong.

Moreover, if Liu Biao had not previously engaged in trade with the imperial court and used the grain from Jingzhou to provide relief to Guanzhong, it would have been extremely difficult for Guanzhong to survive the natural disasters of the previous two years.

What's more, without the grain from Jingzhou, the imperial court would not have the spare energy to quell the Qiang rebellion and pacify Liangzhou.

If they fail to pacify Liangzhou, there is naturally no need to talk about Hanzhong and Shu.

It can be said that if Liu Biao had not been operating in Jingzhou, the court’s territory today would probably still be limited to Guanzhong. How could it have obtained Liangzhou and Yizhou?
Liu Xie will always remember this kindness in his heart.

When Liu Biao heard the emperor's words, he felt mixed emotions.

Perhaps only Liu Biao knew the bitterness of riding alone into Jingzhou.

But now that he saw the Han Dynasty rising from the ashes and the emperor growing stronger, he knew that his grievances were not in vain.

"Defending the country's territory is part of the emperor's duty. The emperor doesn't have to do this."

At this moment, Liu Biao was like an old man who had unloaded a heavy burden, and his words and expression were full of relief.

"When I return to Guanzhong, I will be able to discuss knowledge and study classics with famous scholars like Cai Yong and Kong Rong."

Liu Biao is still a Confucian scholar at heart.

Taking office and defending the country was just a last resort.

Studying ancient books by the green lamp and spending his whole life studying classics, perhaps this is what Liu Biao really wanted to do.

Liu Xie agreed to this matter.

"After I return, I will build a school for Zong Bo so that he can study hard."

As for property and official positions, Liu Xie did not mention these things.

Property... Jingzhou is much richer than Guanzhong, isn't it? I'm afraid there aren't many things in the emperor's treasury that Liu Biao would be interested in.

Official position...Liu Biao was originally a local lord, and could be called a "local emperor". If he really wanted power, why didn't he continue to control Jingzhou?

Therefore, Liu Xie did not mention the matter of money, but only promised that when Liu Biao returned to Guanzhong, he would build a academy for him for his cultivation.

Liu Biao did not reject the emperor's kindness. Instead, he felt that the reward was quite in line with his own wishes, so he gladly accepted it.

"Zhongda."

Liu Xie looked at Sima Yi again.

It has to be said that the first top scholar of the Han Dynasty really created too many surprises for Liu Xie.

If it weren't for Sima Yi, Jingzhou would have changed hands long ago.

Liu Xie was ashamed of himself for having achieved such great success as a mere envoy.

Sima Yi also knew that his contribution was too great. If the emperor rewarded him too much, he might be envied by ordinary people, so he quickly declined: "This achievement is all thanks to Liu Jingzhou, who has worked hard and devoted himself to me. I will not take credit for anything else. I swear to die for it! I dare not take away Liu Jingzhou's credit. I hope Your Majesty will understand and reward Liu Jingzhou generously!"

……

As soon as these words were spoken, even Liu Biao looked at Sima Yi with slight surprise.

The scholars in Jingzhou have all witnessed Sima Yi's talents and military strategies.

In terms of talent, intelligence and courage, he was as brave as Ban Chao and dared to sneak into Liu Biao's mansion to kill Xu You and force Jingzhou to surrender; in terms of military strategy and martial arts, he was able to resist the world-famous Cao Cao in Xiangfan. He was truly a genius!
It would be fine if he was just so talented, but he was also so experienced in dealing with people, pushing all the credit to Liu Biao to avoid being too prominent and attracting criticism...

Liu Biao couldn't help but speak up for Sima Yi: "Your Majesty, Zhongda..."

"Don't worry, Master Zong. I know what's going on."

Liu Xie knew that Sima Yi was simply used to being cautious.

"I know about Zhongda's achievements, and I will never treat him harshly. But the specific details have to wait for the Shangshutai to sort out the complete, and then I can reward him."

Only after Liu Biao heard the emperor's words did he finally feel relieved.

However, he continued to praise Sima Yi to Liu Xie: "Zhongda is definitely a leader of the younger generation. He is a talent who can ensure the prosperity of the Han Dynasty for another 20 years. I hope Your Majesty will take good care of Zhongda!"

Liu Biao met many young people in Jingzhou.

But none of these young people could compare with Sima Yi.

Therefore, Liu Biao thought that Sima Yi should be the undisputed leader among the younger generation of this era.

Liu Xie smiled and nodded in agreement.

However, Liu Xie still told the truth: "Although Zhongda is excellent, there are still many hidden dragons and crouching tigers in the world. Maybe there are crouching dragons and phoenixes lurking somewhere. Zong Bo doesn't need to praise Zhongda so much."

Liu Biao was just being polite to himself by acting like the emperor.

After all, Sima Yi alone is already amazing enough, how could there be another talent who surpasses Sima Yi?

Even if there really is such a person, Liu Biao estimated that he would never be able to meet him in his lifetime?
After greeting Liu Biao and Sima Yi again, Liu Xie finally looked at Qian Liang, Qian Yue, Cai Mao and others.

When the few people saw the emperor's gaze sweeping over them, they all felt a sense of oppression, lowered their heads and called out "Your Highness".

"I have also heard about your affairs."

Liu Xie did not say whether it was a good thing or a bad thing, which undoubtedly made several people a little nervous.

"I have decided to appoint Liu Xuande as the governor of Jingzhou and continue to guard Jingzhou to resist Cao Cao and Sun Ce... You are all prestigious scholars in Jingzhou, so please continue to assist my uncle and defend the country." There is no reward or punishment.

The meaning is very clear, that is, let bygones be bygones.

Just continue to defend Jingzhou, fulfill your obligations and responsibilities, and don't have any other unnecessary thoughts.

Liu Xie's behavior can actually be considered magnanimous.

but……

Kuai Liang hesitated for a while, but finally stepped out and asked the emperor some questions indirectly.

"Your Majesty, you don't know that there are many local bandits in Jingzhou, and the people do not support them... Although Liu Xuande is a hero for a while, I am afraid he is not as skilled in government affairs as Liu Jingzhou, and I am afraid he will not be able to do it."

Liu Xie frowned.

Such a familiar yet strange trick.

Ever since Dong Zhuo killed batch after batch of the noble families in Guanzhong, it has been a long time since anyone dared to beat around the bush in front of Liu Xie.

Even a prominent family like the Hongnong Yang family only dared to pretend to be dead in the court.

This was the first time that Liu Xie heard someone dare to talk so much in front of him.

"You can say whatever you want to say."

Liu Xie's words no longer had the gentleness they had just now, and became somewhat stiff.

"I don't like to waste time beating around the bush when I speak or do things. I'm not familiar with the affairs of Jingzhou, so I should listen to your opinions."

Kuai Liang could sense the emperor's distant intention, but the arrow had already been drawn to the bowstring and he had to shoot.

"I mean... the clan bandits in Jingzhou are rampant, and they often rely on forts to resist the government."

"Now Cao Cao and Sun Ce are eyeing us covetously from the north and south. Most of Jingzhou's troops are stationed on the border to guard against the enemy, and they are always neglecting internal affairs."

"So I wonder... can we keep the private soldiers of Jingzhou to help the court eliminate the clan thieves and prevent the army from being distracted by the affairs in the rear?"

……

Liu Xie asked Kuai Liang not to beat around the bush, but Kuai Liang still gave Liu Xie a big detour.

But fortunately, Liu Xie had understood what the other party said.

Keep private soldiers?

Simply put, do these noble families still want to retain their own strength? Do they not want to implement the same system and policies as Guanzhong, Liangzhou, Yizhou and other places?

After all, where did the private soldiers come from? They were nothing more than the tenants of these aristocratic families.

Where did the money and food for these private soldiers come from? It was nothing more than the land that these noble families occupied privately.

What Kuai Liang meant was that Jingzhou would be the front line of the battlefield in the future, and was a force that had voluntarily surrendered to the imperial court, so the emperor should always give these aristocratic families some benefits.

And continuing to allow these noble families to enjoy privileges is the benefit that the emperor should give!

Liu Xie scratched his head in distress.

What troubled him was not whether to agree to Kuai Liang.

But I am worried that these people still can't see the situation clearly?
Liu Xie and the court obviously wanted to create a new order and a new system.

Why do these Jingzhou families think they are qualified to shake the foundation of the imperial court and the emperor's determination?

……

"I understand."

Liu Xie suddenly realized something.

After all, Dong Zhuo was no longer around, which made people think that the court was no longer able to take action.

In this case, Liu Xie doesn't need to be too polite to them.

Liu Xie waved his hand and asked Yang Xiu to bring a set of paper and pen.

"Kuai Liang, you just said... the clan bandits in Jingzhou are rampant, so you need to keep your own soldiers?"

Putting the paper and pen in front of Kuai Liang, Liu Xie's eyes were full of amusement.

"In my great Han Dynasty, I will never allow any traitor to oppress the people."

"It just so happens that I came to Jingzhou this time with soldiers."

Liu Xie raised his chin slightly——

"Since the clan thieves are rampant, please write down all their names. I will lead the troops to find them one by one and wipe them out completely!"

"Think carefully and write slowly...don't miss any one!"

"I want to see what kind of clan thief is so daring to defy the imperial court and commit such crimes!"

Kuai Liang stood there in a daze.

He didn't expect that the emperor would actually play him a straight ball!
Isn’t it said that there are many thieves in the sect?
Good, write down the clan thieves! The emperor will personally lead the troops to destroy them!

After that, no matter what excuses Kuai Liang used, Emperor Liu Xie would "help him solve it."

If these problems did not exist, what reason would the Jingzhou families have to hold on to power?
If the emperor really "helped them solve the problem", then if the Jingzhou families still wanted to retain power, that would be a rebellion.

As for rebellion, even according to the lenient punishment of the "Jian'an Law", the result is still the extermination of nine generations of the clan!

Kuai Liang had not expected that the newly arrived emperor would be so tough. Looking at the blank paper in front of him, he was in a dilemma...

(End of this chapter)