Tiger Guards

Chapter 731 So-called Loyal and Good People

The backyard, inside the main hall.

Zhao Yan sat on the heated couch, occasionally tapping his calf with his right fist.

It was late April, and the weather was pleasantly warm under normal sunny skies. However, Zhao Yan had entered officialdom at the age of thirty-five and had been working in various border counties since he was forty.

Some counties exist in name only. Even if there is a normal county government, it is generally dilapidated, and there are hardly any people or tax revenue to speak of.

In the summer it was alright, but in the winter, county magistrates like Zhao Yan had to find their own ways to store fuel for the winter.

When conditions are bad, people will visit the nearby strongholds in their fortified villages to help them get through the winter.

Lacking protection, Zhao Yan often walked on foot, which led to severe leg problems.

In front of him, Zhao Ji sat alone, patiently reviewing the rosters and inventory lists compiled by Zhao Yan.

These supplies were not recorded in the shogunate's warehouse department and were scattered and stockpiled in pastures and pastures in various places.

In the event of a civil war, this grain, known as horse feed, would become a life-saving ration for the army.

From the very beginning, Zhao Yan distrusted the officials in various counties, government offices, and granaries.

Although most mid- to low-ranking officials and soldiers might not dare to rebel or know how to rebel, when a civil war actually breaks out, there is no consensus, false information is flying everywhere, and no one knows which side to follow.

Once the dust settles and your hands are stained with blood, there's no turning back; you can only go down a dark path.

Especially in warehouse units, the officials guarding the warehouses knew Zhao Ji, but Zhao Ji couldn't just use his connections to get supplies.

When troops are dispatched with orders from the shogunate to collect food or weapons, the other side may refuse or transfer them to the enemy with forged orders.

This is a systemic problem. Once a large-scale rebellion breaks out, the initial stage is the best time to quell it, and at this time, allocating resources is also the most troublesome.

So Zhao Yan secretly hid this grain, which was taken from the mouths of cattle and horses.

The grain that should have been allocated to the herds for fattening and keeping warm was left uneaten in the granary instead of being eaten by the cattle and horses.

Starving the cattle and horses, and causing some to die, won't cause any major problems.

And once this grain is put to use, it will play a decisive role.

Zhao Jiji thought Zhao Yan had a firm grasp on the situation, but unexpectedly, he had made the worst-case scenario preparations: a civil war.

As for the roster, it was compiled by Zhao Yan after a unilateral investigation. It included suspected spies, remnants of Pei Mao's rebel party, and a blacklist that required serious vigilance.

Seeing Zhao Ji's calm expression, Zhao Yan took a sip of tea and asked, "What does Yuan Si think about the fact that the remnants of the Pei clan have not been completely exterminated?"

"These are withered leaves from the treetops. When the wind blows, the yellow leaves will fall."

Zhao Ji spoke in a normal tone, carefully looking through the blacklist, then at the suspected traitors, and couldn't help but sigh, saying with a smile, "Looking around, all I see are loyal and virtuous people of the Han Dynasty."

"Humph."

Sensing Zhao Ji's sarcasm, Zhao Yan said disdainfully, "When the emperor fell into prostitution, those people were not loyal or virtuous either. A bunch of wolves and dogs, they can still guard the gate, but in the end, they are a scourge."

Zhao Ji continued reading the booklet, his thoughts wandering. He said, “Grandfather, if we wait until they rebel and then kill and eliminate them, it will damage the national system and enhance their reputation. But if we eliminate them before they rebel, the world and future generations will not know the inside story and will say that my family is cruel and heartless, harming loyal and good people. Even if they know the truth, in their eyes, this is also killing without warning.”

Conviction must be based on actions and evidence, not on what people think.

Such chaotic times, shrouded in confusion and instability, churn everyone in a turbulent, corrupting each individual. Therefore, one cannot simply conclude that someone will inevitably cause trouble in the future based on their past experiences.

Targeting only a small group will trigger unease and fear in many more people.

This is also the difficulty of seizing power within the old system; those who gain the benefits of the Han dynasty's name must pay this kind of price.

Zhao Yan had no interest in arguing with Zhao Ji about these formalities or issues of understanding. He simply said, "Don't let them have any descendants to pass down. History is in our hands, so what is there to fear?"

The idea that killing all witnesses would make me innocent... is typical Han Chinese thinking.

Zhao Ji nodded, put the booklet into his sleeve, and took out a booklet and handed it to Zhao Yan: "Grandfather, this is the list of officials I have prepared."

Zhao Yan took a look and said after just one glance, "Yuan Si's capacity is still too narrow. I want to see if they dare to accept such empty titles. This was given by my family and also by the imperial court. Once they take it, who can say for sure who gave it to them?"

"Yes, grandson understands."

Zhao Ji got up to get a pen and handed it to Zhao Yan, asking the old man to make the revisions.

Zhao Yan picked up his pen and crossed out Han Rong's name in the Taichang column, since Taichang was the head of the Nine Ministers.

He believed that Zhao Ji lacked magnanimity because Zhao Ji only drafted the list of the Nine Ministers, not the list of the Three Dukes.

Zhao Yan then wrote 'Han Rong, Minister of Works' in the blank space on the form, followed by 'Yang Biao, Grand Commandant' and 'Zhao Wen, Minister of Education'.

Zhao Yan casually wrote down Kong Rong's name to fill the vacant position of Grand Master of Ceremonies left by Han Rong.

As for the chariots and cavalry, the generals of the four directions, Zhao Ji did not write them down, nor did Zhao Yan add any annotations.

Before the coup in Xudu, Lü Bu arranged for Wei Yue to serve as General of the Guards before leaving. Therefore, Wei Yue was the General of the Guards, but he did not come to protect the capital Jinyang. Instead, he remained in Luozhong to guard the capital.

Looking at the new list, Zhao Ji asked, "Is this meant to sow discord among them?"

"Among them, there are still those who are loyal to my family, and there are also those who despise the incompetent and immoral traitors."

Zhao Yan looked at the three newly appeared people and the list of the Three Dukes: "Han Rong has served me with great devotion for nearly two years, so he should not be let suffer. He is a true talent. With him around, those who crave the empty title of duke and minister but not power will naturally come to serve under my banner."

Zhao Yan further commented: "He understands everything. Appointing him as Minister of Works would save a lot of trouble. As for Yang Biao and Zhao Wen, they were only used to confuse the world and suppress dissenting opinions. As for Kong Rong, ever since Yuan Shao forced the rulers and ministers of Xuchang to clear Cao Cao's name, Kong Rong has lost his favor."

After a pause, Zhao Yan said, "Zhou Yu withdrew his troops from Yishui, and he and Sun Ce already intend to attack Zang Ba and Zhang Zhao. Although Zhang Zhao is strong-willed, he cares for the people. If the battle goes against us and our reinforcements are delayed, Zhang Zhao may lead his people to join Sun Ce."

Zhao Ji looked at Zhao Yan with concern: "What about Grandfather here?"

"No problem."

Zhao Yan said nonchalantly, "Langya has no fewer than 200,000 households; how can it fall into the hands of bandits?"

Seeing this, Zhao Ji said nothing more and nodded: "Grandson understands. As soon as there is some progress in the Liaodong war, I will go to the area between Qing and Xu. I want to see who dares to stop me."

"good."

Zhao Yan smiled and turned to look out the window. If those people from Langya and Qingxu who had traveled thousands of miles to relocate to Xizhou, then the Zhao family's power would truly be secure.

If anyone dares to launch a mutiny or civil war, these people from Qingxu and Langya will definitely fight to the end!
It's not that we lack the combat power of these people, but rather the deterrent force they bring.

With this deterrent force in place, it's not easy for a rebellion to break out.

(End of this chapter)