Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 458 Suicide
After missing out on the post of supervising the construction of the Grand Canal, Xu You felt depressed for several days, as if he had suffered two hidden losses. Therefore, he kept a gloomy face in the Privy Council, and strangers dared not approach him.

"Chief Secretary Xu, the Privy Councilor inquired about the time taken for the Baigou canal transport and how many official boats were in the Baigou!"

Inside the hall, the clerk Wen Wen first announced his arrival before entering and speaking.

Xu You rolled his eyes and said impatiently, "How would I know about the canals? Have the Privy Councilor write to Dong Zhao to ask."

Wen Wen noticed Xu You's displeasure, frowned slightly, and said, "You dredged the Baigou Canal, how could you not know the time it takes for the canal to transport grain? This concerns national affairs, I hope you will prioritize the greater good."

Xu You glanced at Wen Wen and sneered, "Without me, Your Highness would not be able to go to Jizhou, let alone dredge the Baigou Canal. You should send the Privy Councilor in person, and I will discuss the Baigou Canal transport matter with him."

Because of Xu You's status, Wen Wen suppressed her anger and retreated.

A short while later, Jia Xu arrived at the entrance of the hall to pay his respects to Xu You.

Jia Xu smiled and said, "Now that we are planning the southern campaign against Yuan Shu, I need to know about the Baigou canal transport. I'm afraid I'll have to trouble Chief Clerk Xu!"

Upon seeing that it was Jia Xu who had arrived, Xu You slowly asked, "Where is the Privy Councilor?"

"The Privy Councilor is discussing matters with His Highness in the palace. For now, I will temporarily manage the affairs of the Privy Council," Jia Xu said.

Seeing that Zhang Yu did not summon him for a meeting, Xu You became increasingly dissatisfied. He glanced at Jia Xu and said indifferently, "Military matters are of great importance and should not be discussed lightly."

"The delay in military operations is truly your fault!" Jia Xu said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "I hope you will prioritize the greater good!"

Xu You's expression turned slightly serious as he said, "If the Tang Kingdom were without me, how could you possibly discuss the merits and demerits of Ji Province? How dare you say that I am unaware of the gravity of this matter?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Xu stared blankly at Xu You, muttering to himself that he could understand it, but now he really didn't understand why Xu You was shouting about the merits of Ji Province in front of everyone. Could it be that he didn't understand the meaning of being arrogant about one's achievements?
Seeing that Xu You was courting death, Jia Xu had no intention of saying anything more, but instead turned and left, sending someone to inform Xun You of the matter.

At this moment, Zhang Yu, Zhong Yao, Xun You, and others estimated the amount of military provisions, and the attendants quickly reported this matter.

"Your Highness, the Privy Council has something to report!" Zhang Hang said.

"What's the matter?"

The attendant tiptoed into the hall and said, "Your Highness, the Privy Councilor just sent someone to inquire about the Baigou canal transport, but Xu You refused to answer, saying that if there was no other reason, Your Highness would not be able to go to Hebei. Envoy Jia visited Xu You, but Xu You said that the matter was confidential and could not be discussed without the Privy Councilor's personal presence."

Zhang Yu's expression darkened slightly as he asked, "What is Xu You's attitude?"

“They are extremely arrogant, thinking that without them there would be no Ji Province, let alone the Baigou canal transport,” the attendant said.

Xun You's face turned ashen. Since Xu You was admitted to the hospital, he had been worried about conflict with Tian Feng, so he transferred Tian Feng to another place. Now, Xu You was showing him no respect at all.

“Your Highness, you need to return to your residence to handle this matter!” Xun You said.

Zhang Yu was silent for a moment, then said, "Send Jia Wenhe here to see if Xu You is indeed arrogant and bullies his colleagues!"

"promise!"

Faced with this sudden event, Zhang Yu lost the will to discuss it and waved away those who were not involved.

He had assumed Xu You would behave himself under his rule, but he overestimated Xu You's character. After all, there's a saying: "It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change a person's nature."

After a while, Jia Xu waited outside the door. Greeted by Zhang Hang, he went inside to pay his respects to Zhang Yu. "Wenhe, how is Xu You? Has he bullied or abused his power?" Zhang Yu asked.

Jia Xu hesitated for a moment, then said, "Xu You is indeed relying on his merits, but he has also bullied others. He often tells those around him that His Highness's reward is too meager and not enough to fully acknowledge his achievements."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yu rubbed his temples. He had previously intended to use Xu You as a front man, waiting for Xu You to incur people's resentment before killing him. However, Xu You had only been in the court for a few days and had already aroused the hatred of everyone, which was beyond his expectations.

Although Zhang Yu intended to kill Xu You, in order to maintain his public image, he deliberately asked the crowd, "What are your thoughts on Xu Ziyuan's arrogant and domineering behavior, which relies on his merits?"

“Your Highness, Xu You is well-versed in the customs and conditions of the Central Plains and is quite capable. Perhaps we should keep him here for the time being,” Xun You said.

"Yes!"

Zhong Yao nodded and replied, "Your Highness has made great contributions in pacifying Hebei. Xu You's minor transgression today can be punished lightly."

Zhang Yu glanced at everyone and, seeing Jia Xu looking hesitant, asked, "Do you have a different opinion?"

Jia Xu feigned a moment of contemplation and said, "I am thinking about Yuan Shao's matter!"

"The matter of Yuan Shao?"

Zhang Yu raised an eyebrow and said, "Do you think Xu You intends to rebel?"

Jia Xu cupped his hands and said, "I had no such intention. It is only because Xu You is fickle and often plots against the emperor that I have to think things through!"

The others tolerated Xu You's rudeness out of consideration for his achievements. Jia Xu, however, was unwilling to tolerate it. In his view, Xu You was ignorant of the proper order and would rebel or cause trouble sooner or later.

Of course, the more important reason is that he saw that Zhang Yu intended to kill Xu You, and now he was willing to comply with Zhang Yu's wishes.

Zhang Yu sighed and said, "Although Xu You has been fickle, he has rendered me great service. If I kill him easily, wouldn't that be suspected of plotting against a meritorious official?"

Previously, Zhang Yu had a 50% chance of wanting to kill Xu You, but now, after being persuaded by Jia Xu, he is determined to kill Xu You.

Looking at Xu You's actions, first he plotted to assassinate Emperor Ling of Han, then he betrayed Yuan Shao. Therefore, Zhang Yu could not guarantee that Xu You would not rebel against him. If Xu You defected to Cao Cao during the southern campaign and leaked military intelligence, wouldn't Zhang Yu be defeated? Therefore, killing Xu You was the only way to avoid future troubles.

Du Ji recalled his conversation with Zhang Yu and then spoke up to impeach him, saying, "Your Highness, Xu You used the pretext of repairing the river channel to enrich himself. He annexed fertile land along the river, embezzled and accepted bribes, abused his power to repair houses, and recruited many refugees as his retainers. Even if Xu You has made some contributions, he cannot escape death because of this."

Zhang Yu flew into a rage, slammed his hand on the table, and said, "When Xu You surrendered, I said that his past crimes would not be considered, but he was not allowed to break the law again. I could tolerate his actions of relying on his merits, but how could I tolerate his breaking the law and harming the people!"

As he spoke, Zhang Yu looked at Yu Yi and said, "Shao Ran, as the Commissioner of Accounting, you have the authority to question officials about accepting bribes. Xu You is repairing the Baigou Canal, and now a high-ranking official has impeached him. I trouble you to order someone to investigate. If there is any evidence of wrongdoing, you will not be let off lightly and will be dealt with according to the law."

"Yes, sir!" Yu Yi replied.

Seeing this, Guo Tu dared not utter a sound, keeping his eyes down and his mind at ease. He knew he had previously engaged in embezzlement and bribery, and only after Zhang Yu's admonition did he become much more restrained. If Zhang Yu had punished him severely in the past, he himself would likely have had to confess and submit to the law.

Zhang Yu investigated Xu You for official misconduct, not only to punish Xu You but also to use Xu You's head to intimidate the civil and military officials of the state. Currently, due to his urgent need for military campaigns, Zhang Yu is not cracking down on corruption. However, Zhang Yu is certain that some civil and military officials under his jurisdiction are corrupt, and now he can conveniently use Xu You's head as a pretext.

“Your Highness, Xu Youruo has been punished, and I fear the Yuan family’s surrendered men will be terrified.” Zhong Yao pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, “Your Highness must appease them properly, such as having Tian Feng persuade them.”

"As the Prime Minister wishes!" Zhang Yu said.

(End of this chapter)