My older brother said I'm invincible.

Chapter 167: Memorial
Boling Prefecture, Tang County.

Inside the government office, dancers gracefully moved about, while servants passed by continuously. Yang Guang sat on the throne, with various gifts piled up on both sides, arriving in an endless stream.

Prefect Qiu He of Boling knelt before Yang Guang with utmost respect.

In his youth, Prefect Qiu was skilled in archery and horsemanship and had a large group of chivalrous and fierce men by his side. However, due to many things he experienced later, his personality became more and more introverted, and he appeared to be a kind and honest man.

He was born into a Xianbei military aristocracy. He had previously lost his county and was demoted to a commoner due to Yang Liang's rebellion. He then actively befriended Yuwen Shu and gained Yang Guang's trust by reporting his colleagues, eventually becoming a prefect.

When Yang Guang went on his last trip, Yang Guang appointed him as the governor of Boling because he was the best prepared.

This time, Qiu He was well-prepared and managed to make Yang Guang extremely happy.

Yang Guang had already decided to promote him again.

Although Qiu He was somewhat obsequious to the emperor and his personal character was not particularly good, he was at least quite capable of governing the region. He was lenient in his administration, rarely causing trouble for the local people, and would occasionally pardon some of the deceased, allowing them to return and settle down.

For ordinary people, being able to do this much is considered wise.

Yang Guang gestured for Qiu He to come closer to him.

"Of all the people I've seen on this tour, besides the Duke of Tang, you are the one who has pleased me the most. Tell me, what reward do you desire?"

Qiu He quickly looked up, "Your Majesty, I wish to go to Tianshui!"

Yang Guang was taken aback. Usually, when he asked others this question, they would only give empty words, and few people dared to actually ask. Qiu He was an exception. He couldn't help but laugh, "I have heard that it is a subject's duty to serve the monarch. Why are you asking for a reward?"

Qiu He solemnly replied, "Your Majesty, I have learned that Your Majesty is waging war in the west. I intend to go to Tianshui to take charge of the army's logistics, to relieve Your Majesty's worries and ensure that the army has no concerns. I have no selfish motives!"

Yang Guang was deeply moved upon hearing this.

Compared to Boling, Tianshui was hardly wealthy, so Yang Guang asked him to get up and sit beside him.

He exclaimed, “When I arrived in Loufan, Marquis Li Xuanba of Bocheng would rather not serve as a minister in the court than not want to stay by my side. Today, Minister Qiu would rather give up a wealthy land than not want to help me solve my problems. Loyal ministers, you are all loyal ministers.”

Qiu He's eyes flickered.

The sage made a roundabout way, sending people along the way to investigate the situation in Goryeo.

This is clearly a plan to attack Goryeo. If we take action against Goryeo, the entire Hebei region will suffer. As the Prefect of Boling, I will have to shoulder many important responsibilities. If we win, that will be fine, but if we lose, I will lose my life.
The war in the west may seem fierce, but it won't last long. If I can leave Hebei and go to Tianshui sooner, I can avoid the disaster. Why wouldn't I be happy?
However, that Marquis of Bocheng, Li Xuanba, is truly remarkable. He teaches such a young child the art of flattery. In comparison, his other children are rather unimpressive, with only Qiu Xinggong being somewhat passable.

Qiu He thought to himself, but said aloud, "The Sage is an enlightened ruler unlike any other in history. No one in the world is unwilling to die for His Majesty. Marquis of Bocheng is like that, and so am I!"

Yang Guang then ordered that Qiu He be given some rewards, and complained to him about the many things that happened on the road.

While Yang Guang was talking with Qiu He, Yu Shiji, who had come with Yang Guang, encountered a big problem.

A memorial from Loufan arrived in his hands.

As the sage's confidants, many memorials were read by them before being sent to the sage.

The memorial submitted by the Duke of Tang made Yu Shiji somewhat fearful.

The Duke of Tang ordered the emperor to thoroughly investigate the situation in Guanzhong.

But can this place withstand scrutiny?
If this is thoroughly investigated, how many people will be implicated?
His position is also very dangerous. One wrong move and he could get into big trouble. Just like now, if things were really critical and even threatened Yu Shiji himself, Yu Shiji would try to hide the memorial or even make a fake one for Yang Guang.

However, the Duke of Tang's memorial could not be stopped. No one could see through the Emperor's thoughts. If the Duke of Tang's memorial was hidden and the Emperor found out later, he would lose his head, and not only himself, but his whole family might also lose their heads.

Fortunately, the memorial did not pose a threat to Yu Shiji himself enough to warrant hiding, as he was a southerner and did not possess much property in the north.

However, it cannot be said that it is completely unrelated to him.

After all, this thorough investigation of Guanzhong will involve many people.

Several minor officials around him looked at him, their eyes filled with fear. These people were frequently rotated, as the emperor did not like them to stay by his side for long periods. Yu Shiji looked at them one by one and said, "You all know the rules."

"Anyone who dares to leak secrets will have their entire family executed." "I wouldn't dare!!"

Everyone saluted.

Yu Shiji said coldly, "I don't care who you are close to, or whose benefits you have received. In short, if this matter is leaked and the Sage finds out, not only will you not survive, but your clansmen may not survive either."

“Sages have always cared most about this.”

"You must remember this."

Yu Shiji said a few more words before taking the memorial and preparing to go to the Emperor to report. Such a memorial could not be delayed and had to be delivered to the Emperor as soon as possible.

As for whether or not to inform the people in Guanzhong, Yu Shiji hesitated. After thinking for a long time, Yu Shiji decided to keep his mouth shut and not get involved. If this matter were to be leaked, the nature of the matter would be too bad. Given the sage's character, the entire clan could not be saved.

It's better not to lose sight of the bigger picture for the sake of small gains.

Just as Yang Guang was enthusiastically discussing border affairs with Qiu He, Yu Shiji suddenly arrived and hurriedly presented the memorial to the emperor for review.

Qiu He was also sensible, keeping his head down and not daring to peek.

Yang Guang was initially very pleased and took the memorial. However, after only a few glances, his expression changed drastically, and he became furious, trembling all over.

"These treacherous villains, haven't I rewarded them enough?"

Yang Guang said something in a low voice and quickly put away the memorial.

He looked up at Yu Shiji beside him.

"Inform everyone to return to Luoyang immediately."

Yu Shiji hurriedly agreed. After Yu Shiji left, Yang Guang fell silent again. He knew that his ministers were not clean and had engaged in activities such as embezzling farmland and acquiring properties.

However, Li Yuan stated in his memorial that half of the land was no longer in the hands of the government and had been seized by those treacherous villains, which Yang Guang found somewhat unacceptable.

It's fine to let people take some benefits if they're willing to do things for you; Yang Guang can pretend he didn't know. But he can't go this far! The country needs money and supplies the most right now, and these scoundrels are doing something so outrageous?
Yang Guang was hesitant to believe what Li Yuan said, but upon closer reflection, he realized that Li Yuan would never lie to him about such an important matter.

Have I been too lenient and kind to these people, making them complacent and arrogant?

Yang Guang forcibly suppressed his anger.

He turned to look at Qiu He.

"I have heard that much of the allocated land in this area has been embezzled, which has led to poor tax collection. You have been in this area for a long time, are you aware of this matter?"

Qiu He was immediately terrified.

This is practically a death sentence. If I say I don't know, it would be considered poor governance. Having been in the local area for so long and still not knowing, would the emperor forgive me? But if I say I do know, would the emperor question me about why I didn't say so earlier?
Qiu He didn't dare hesitate and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I did encounter such a situation before, and I took action against those who occupied the farmland, returning the land to the local people. As for other places, I am not very aware of the situation."

Yang Guang was furious.

"Why didn't you tell me this before?"

"Could it be that you're afraid of offending those powerful clans, which is why you dare not report this to me?!"

"Your Majesty!! Minister"

"It seems that even among loyal ministers, there are those who are truly loyal and those who are not!"

Yang Guang stood up, surrounded by a crowd. He didn't even glance at Qiu He again, and strode away.

Qiu He knelt on the spot, his face full of confusion.

The matter in Tianshui is over. In fact, Boling might even be gone. All because of that memorial just now.

Who is this scoundrel?!
(End of this chapter)