Brother, stop curling up! You're curling up like the founder of the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 181 Liu Bei Subdues the Officials and is Promoted to Grand General (Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets)
Wu Kuang felt humiliated.

Wu Kuang did not deny the assessment that he was extremely greedy.

however.

Liu Bei's treatment: Wu Kuang was appointed as a captain in the Imperial Guard, a high-ranking official with generous salary; his son Wu Ban made meritorious contributions in the army and had a bright future.

Wang Yun's bribery: a certain amount of gold and silver.

This shows how much they look down on Wu Kuang!

After this experience, Wu Kuang realized that among all the officials, only his uncle Liu Bei truly respected him; people like Wang Yun were practically begging him to eat.

After being scorned by Wu Kuang, Wang Yun felt even more depressed. He turned his neck, closed his eyes, and pretended not to hear or see anything.

"Wang Taipu".

Liu Bei gestured for Wu Kuang to step back.

“According to the law, I should petition His Majesty to have your entire family executed; however, I value benevolence above all else and dislike causing unnecessary bloodshed. If Grand Master Wang is willing to do something for me, I can petition His Majesty to spare everyone’s lives.”

Wang Yun glanced at Liu Bei and sneered, "Does Imperial Uncle think I am a coward who fears death? If you want to kill me, then kill me. Why say so much? My entire Wang family is not afraid of death either."

"I greatly admire Wang Taipu's fortitude," Liu Bei said calmly. "It is a pity that the lives of those seventy-two officials and their relatives, tens of thousands of men and women, were lost because of Wang Taipu alone. The historians of this dynasty should also record my evaluation: Wang Yun, the Grand Master of the Palace, was greedy for power and sought empty fame. For his own selfish gain, he would not regret even if it meant the death of ten thousand people."

Wang Yun stared in astonishment, his eyes wide, and cried out in anguish, "Uncle, if you want to kill me, then kill me! Why humiliate me like this?"

I'd rather be a broken piece of jade than a whole piece of tile; all I seek is a good name after death.

However, Liu Bei insisted that the historians add their evaluations, which was an attempt to ruin Wang Yun's posthumous reputation, something Wang Yun found unbearable.

"Insult you?" Liu Bei couldn't help but sneer: "Wang Taipu has misunderstood. You are just someone in charge of carriages and horses and examiners; I, with 20,000 men, defeated hundreds of thousands of rebels. Yuan Yi and Tao Qian were captured alive by me, and Yuan Shu fled in panic."

"While you were instigating the rebellion, I spent a month traveling lightly through Langya to pay respects to my deceased friends, and then led their families on a scenic journey back. Do you have the right to be humiliated by me?"

Wang Yun's chest heaved, his frustration suffocating him, a thousand words failing him. In the end, he let out a cold snort and turned his head away in silence once more.

I can't argue with you, so I'll just stay silent, okay?

“Uncle, Wang Yun is too stubborn. There’s no point in saying more. Let’s have someone else interrogate him,” Wu Kuang suggested, suppressing the urge to beat Wang Yun.

“That makes sense.” Liu Bei said languidly, “Gag Wang Yun, tie him up, and put him in a bag. Then bring Yang Biao in for interrogation.”

Wang Yun was taken aback. He guessed Liu Bei's intention and was about to speak when Wu Kuang, quick-witted and agile, pulled out a burlap sack to seal his mouth, then tied him up with a rope, and finally put him in a burlap sack and pinned him against the wall.

Humiliated in this way, Wang Yun's hatred intensified.

After a while.

Yang Biao was taken away by the prison guards.

Seeing Yang Biao's dejected state, Liu Bei instantly became enthusiastic again, and bowed deeply to Yang Biao: "Grand Master of the Palace, it is all thanks to you that we were able to wipe out the rebels in one fell swoop. You have suffered a lot this past month."

Yang Biao was immediately stunned: "What do you mean by that, Imperial Uncle?"

"Hahaha—" Liu Bei laughed loudly: "Grand Master of the Palace, there are no outsiders here, so there's no need to pretend anymore. If you hadn't had Yang Xiu secretly inform Minister Jia, how could we have achieved such a great victory this time?"

"You refused to associate with the rebels and even sacrificed your own family for the greater good. Such a great achievement deserves a rich reward. Since Dong Zhuo resigned as Minister of Works, the position has remained vacant. I will petition Your Majesty to appoint the Grand Master of the Palace as Minister of Works to recognize his great merit."

Yang Biao's eyes widened.

Should I have my son Yang Xiu inform on me?

How come I didn't know about this?
If I were to become Minister of Works by stepping on Wang Yun and others, how would I ever establish myself again?

No sooner had Liu Bei finished speaking than another man took off his straw hat, bowed deeply to Yang Biao, and said, "Father, you have suffered this injustice!"

Yang Biao was even more horrified: "My son, what are you doing here?"

Yang Xiu smiled and said, "Father, as the Imperial Uncle just said, there are no outsiders here, so there's no need to pretend anymore. I'm here today to pick you up from prison. Congratulations on your promotion to Minister of Works."

Before Yang Biao could speak, Yang Xiu stepped forward to help him up, then turned to Liu Bei and bowed: "Uncle, my father and I will take our leave for now."

Liu Bei nodded, signaling Yang Xiu to lead Yang Biao away, and then had Wu Kuang bring Wang Yun closer.

Yang Biao's different treatment and the appearance of Yang Xiu completely shattered Wang Yun's psychological defenses.

As soon as the burlap sash was removed from his mouth, Wang Yun broke down in a tirade, yelling, "You old bastard Yang Biao, how dare you harm me?"

Wang Yun already suspected Yang Xiu of betraying him, and Yang Biao's words, "Guo Tu and Yuan Si have both gone to attack Hulao Pass, how can you suspect my son Yang Xiu? You can't suspect my son Yang Xiu just because we've all been arrested. Even if my son Yang Xiu leaked the secret, would Jia Xu have believed him without a doubt?" made him lose confidence.

Now that Yang Xiu has appeared, he not only admitted to informing on Wang Yun, but also said that Yang Biao was involved, which has intensified Wang Yun's hatred for Yang Biao to the extreme.

That damned woman!

They shared a cell with me for a month, but it turned out it was all an act!
What about the basic trust between people?

"Grand Master Wang, my conditions remain unchanged. As long as you are willing to do something for me, I can petition His Majesty to spare everyone from death." Liu Bei's smile remained unchanged.

Wang Yun was even more annoyed and said irritably, "Why doesn't the Imperial Uncle ask Yang Biao? He would definitely be happy to."

Liu Bei replied without hesitation: "Although what Wang Taipu said makes sense, this matter will damage my personal reputation and the prestige of my family. How can I let a meritorious official bear the stigma?"

Wang Yun was so angry that his body trembled.

If you don't want Yang Biao to bear the stigma, then you want me to bear the stigma?
Am I just asking for it?
"Moreover," Liu Bei changed the subject, "this is a great opportunity for Wang Taipu to show mercy to the seventy officials in prison. Although his personal reputation and family prestige have been damaged, Wang Taipu has saved these seventy people and given the tens of thousands of people implicated a chance to reform. This is a great act of kindness!"

Wang Yun trembled even more, forcibly suppressing his resentment, and said, "Please speak frankly, Imperial Uncle."

"Great!" Liu Bei laughed loudly. "Then please have Wang Taipu issue a document and make it public, claiming that the plot to rebel was actually to help me implement the three major laws, and that he deliberately put himself in the game."

"Although he had made contributions to the country and the state, Wang Taipu did not seek empty fame. Therefore, when discussing merits, he did not mention his own merits. He recommended Yang Biao, the Grand Master of the Palace, to be the Minister of Works. From then on, he was willing to work as a proofreader in the Eastern Pavilion."

“Since the establishment of the Dongguan, those who have produced outstanding works can have their portraits hung in the Dongguan for future generations to admire. If Wang Taipu has completed a book, his portrait can also be hung in the Dongguan.”

"If one cannot serve as an official and govern the country, one can still write books and teach. I wonder if Grand Master Wang is interested?" Wang Yun's expression froze, and he asked in astonishment, "Just these conditions?"

I thought Liu Bei would impose harsh conditions, but he only asked me to issue a document and publicly announce that the plot to rebel was to implement the three major laws, and also asked me to enter the Eastern Pavilion to proofread books.

This was something Wang Yun found hard to understand.

"Wang Taipu, you have misunderstood me." Liu Bei chuckled. "Now, all the powerful bandit leaders in Henan who dared to rebel have been executed. Their money, grain, land, and houses have all been confiscated, and the participants have been sent to the military farms for reform."

"In terms of both law and human sentiment, the court has done everything it can. All that's left are the officials imprisoned in this dungeon. Among these officials, some are gathered by Wang Taipu, some are former protégés and former subordinates of the Yuan family who have been instigated, and some are opportunists seeking wealth and power."

"If they are all willing to join Wang Taipu in issuing a document and publicly declaring that the plot to rebel was to implement the three major laws, they will not only not die, but will also be reinstated to their original positions."

Wang Yun suddenly realized, his voice trembling slightly: "Does the Imperial Uncle want us all to cut off our own escape route? In the future, in the eyes of the world, we will all be the Imperial Uncle's henchmen."

“The word ‘claws and teeth’ is too offensive,” Liu Bei corrected. “We are all working to restore the Han Dynasty; we are all loyal subjects of the Han! How can we be called claws and teeth?”

Seeing Wang Yun gradually fall silent, Liu Bei's tone softened slightly: "Grand Master Wang, you're old and can't see the bigger picture of the world anymore. Without me, who can subdue those who claim to be kings or emperors?"

“If you stand behind me, at least you can die peacefully and leave a good name in history; but if you stand opposite me, what awaits you is not only death and extermination of your clan, but also a stain on your reputation after death.”

"That's all I have to say. As for your decision, I'll give you three days. During these three days, you can freely enter and leave the prisons where the officials are held, except for the fact that you cannot leave this place."

Afterwards, Liu Bei got up and left, leaving Wang Yun still in a daze.

After leaving the dungeon, Wu Kuang finally couldn't suppress his doubts and asked, "Uncle, not only did you spare their lives, but you also allowed Wang Yun and the others to remain officials. Aren't you worried that they might cause trouble again in the future?"

"Killing won't solve anything," Liu Bei chuckled, looking at the stunned Wu Kuang, and asked again, "Wang Yun sent people to give you so much gold and silver, why didn't you help Wang Yun create chaos?"

Wu Kuang was startled and hurriedly said, "This humble general dares not."

"I wouldn't dare, that's right." Liu Bei's tone was slightly stern: "Qin Mu drank the horse stolen, the Chu guest reported the broken tassel, Qi Huan sought Guan Zhong, and Guangwu pointed to the Luo River."

"If killing could solve the problem, given our past grudges, I would have killed you long ago. Why would I have let you become a captain in the Imperial Guard? Why would I have let your son, Wu Ban, fight alongside me?"

“Those who are willing to listen to my reasoning will be given the future and wealth they desire; those who are unwilling to listen to my reasoning will be warned by the 108 heads of powerful bandits hanging in the gates of Luoyang.”

Wu Kuang felt even more awe: "I will always remember the teachings of my Imperial Uncle."

Three days later.

News came from the prison that Wang Yun had persuaded the seventy people still in the dungeon to jointly issue a document and publicly announce that their plot to rebel was to implement the three major laws.

During these three days, Yang Xiu also persuaded Yang Biao to take the lead in admitting that the rebellion was a scheme to lure out the powerful and unruly bandits who refused to submit to the governor of Henan and then annihilate them.

As soon as the news was announced, everyone inside and outside Luoyang was stunned.

The powerful clans who did not participate in the rebellion were even more terrified: they were all putting on an act to implement the three laws, why did it have to be like this!

a few days later.

Emperor Liu Xie discussed merits in the main hall.

First, Wang Yun's merits were discussed, and it was proposed to promote him to Minister of Works. However, because Wang Yun felt that he was too old to handle state affairs, he requested to enter the Eastern Pavilion to proofread books. Yang Biao was then appointed as Minister of Works instead.

Furthermore, based on the merits of Zhu Jun, the Prefect of Henan, he was promoted to Grand Master of the Palace.

The remaining participants were all reinstated to their original positions and, having accumulated merits, were promoted in the future.

Liu Bei then appointed Liu Xiang, the former governor of Jiangxia, as the governor of Henan, to continue implementing the laws and decrees of the imperial court.

Shangshu Puye Jia Xu was recommended for his merit in suppressing the rebellion and was eligible to be promoted to Grand General.

The Grand General was originally ranked below the Three Dukes, but after Dou Xian became the Grand General, the court adjusted his position to be above the Three Dukes because of his excessive power.

When Liu Bei first entered Luoyang, he was not immediately appointed as a general because his military achievements were insufficient.

Now, Liu Bei has defeated hundreds of thousands of rebel troops from three provinces with 20,000 soldiers, and captured Tao Qian and Yuan Yi. His achievements are outstanding, and it is time for him to be promoted.

After being beaten up, the court officials listened to Liu Bei's reasoning and were filled with both respect and fear for him. They dared not refute Jia Xu's recommendation of Liu Bei as Grand General.

Not only that, but they also chimed in with their own words, praising Liu Bei's achievements.

If you can't beat them in a fight, and you can't win an argument with them, joining is the best option.

Looking at Liu Bei, who had subdued the officials, Liu Xie felt a complex mix of emotions: he was secretly pleased that the officials were intimidated, but also felt a sense of desolation because he was not the one who had subdued them.

With a sigh, Liu Xie approved Liu Bei's promotion and appointment, saying, "Uncle, your victory in suppressing the rebellion has shaken the world. You should be promoted to Grand General. Your military achievements also warrant a marquisate. What do you gentlemen think is the best place for your uncle to be granted a fiefdom?"

The courtiers in the main hall whispered among themselves.

The selection of fiefdoms is also particular; both high and low fiefdoms must be considered, and previous fiefdoms must be reviewed to avoid duplication.

During the discussion, Minister Zhong Yao stepped forward and proposed: "Your Majesty, I believe that the system of granting fiefs and hereditary fiefs to those who are enfeoffed for military merit should no longer be adopted. In today's world, the rich own vast tracts of land, while the poor have no place to stand. This is closely related to the hereditary system of fiefs and hereditary fiefs."

"The more hereditary fiefs and estates a country has, the fewer households the court can collect taxes from. It can only keep increasing the amount of taxes. The people cannot bear the heavy burden of taxes, so they either evade taxes or hide in the fiefs of hereditary marquises. If this continues, the country will fall into a predicament where there are no taxes to collect."

"Therefore, I believe that we should establish the title of Marquis, with eighteen ranks, and the title of Marquis of Guanzhong, with seventeen ranks, all with gold seals and purple ribbons; and establish the title of Marquis of Guanneiwai, with sixteen ranks, with steel seals and rings, also with black ribbons, all of whom do not receive rent. These should be combined with the old Marquises, Marquises of Guanneiwai, and the Five Grand Masters to form six ranks of nobility."

"No title is granted with a fief or estate and is not hereditary; the holders can only receive a stipend and their status is indicated by an official seal."

The officials looked at Liu Bei in surprise.

Zhong Yao was a minister personally promoted by Liu Bei, so it was impossible for him to specifically criticize Liu Bei. His proposal to reform the nobility system must have been at Liu Bei's behest.

To actually reform the peerage system—Isn't that incredibly audacious of the Imperial Uncle?
Aren't you afraid that the reforms will cause dissatisfaction among the soldiers?

If the officials in the court descend into chaos, will the soldiers in the army also descend into chaos?
Liu Xie looked at Liu Bei with surprise, then turned to Zhong Yao and asked doubtfully, "If they are not granted fiefs and their property is not hereditary, how can they inspire their soldiers?"

Zhong Yao said solemnly, "It is precisely because even His Majesty thinks this way that we must change the outdated and outdated practice of hereditary fiefdoms. There are many ways to motivate soldiers; it does not necessarily have to be hereditary fiefdoms."

"Just like the Lingyan Army under the Imperial Uncle, no soldier would lose heart in battle because they would not receive the reward of a fief and hereditary fief after making meritorious contributions."

(End of this chapter)