The Later Three Kingdoms: Slaying Deng Ai, and Reviving the Han Dynasty

Chapter 152 Swift and Decisive Action (Part 1)

In what direction should we proceed? What should we do? Who should we appoint? Who should we dismiss? Who should we kill? Liu Chen's blade was extremely fast.

Clearly, Liu Chen had been considering this for a long time.

They might have even been pondering this for years. Many among the courtiers recalled something: Liu Chen's fall from his horse and subsequent drastic personality change. Could it be?!

Liu Chen is extremely shrewd and adept at concealing his true intentions and tarnishing his reputation, yet he can now act decisively and swiftly.

It's a good thing.

The old emperor was slow to react and made a mess of many things.

The dismissed Imperial Censor Jiang Yu and Imperial Censor Liu Yang were both pale-faced and even trembling. They looked at Liu Chen with pleading expressions, but they dared not hesitate. They immediately got up and left the hall, handing their seals to the gatekeeper at the door.

The two looked at each other, their pale lips tightly pressed together, and both saw fear and worry in each other's eyes.

Two important ministers were dismissed just like that. Qiao Zhou's faction and Huang Hao's faction in the main hall understood their feelings very well.

Being dismissed from office is nothing to be astonished as this. What's truly terrifying is Liu Chen's swift and decisive action after the dismissal.

To date, Liu Chen has not announced any action against Qiao Zhou and Huang Hao's cronies.

Kill? Slice and shred? Or what?! Dismemberment by chariot?

Liu Chen was like a sharp sword hanging over the heads of Qiao Zhou and Huang Hao's cronies, making them uneasy.

Zhuge Zhan's face paled, he opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing. He certainly understood that he would be nothing more than a wooden or clay sculpture from now on.

He could rise to a very high official position, but he couldn't possibly touch any real power. He spent his whole life striving for success, because the name Zhuge was too heavy a burden.

He didn't want to tarnish his father's reputation or bring shame to his family. He wanted to do a good job, but he didn't do it well.

When he was prime minister, Huang Hao seized power and failed to even properly manage the grain and weapons in Chengdu. If it weren't for Liu Chen, the country might have perished.

He's completely out of the game now.

Deep down, he breathed a sigh of relief. This responsibility was simply too heavy... Perhaps it was a good thing to be relieved of this burden.

Huang Chong stepped forward without hesitation to accept the order.

Fan Jian and Dong Jue looked overjoyed, as if they had become a few years younger, and came up together to express their gratitude.

The ten white-haired guests were already excited, and since publicity was something they were good at, they all stepped forward to take on the task.

Yang Yong hesitated for a moment before standing up, walking to the center, and bowing to Liu Chen, saying, "Your Highness, this old minister was originally a minor official in the Prime Minister's office and has never shouldered such an important responsibility. I am afraid I am not up to the task."

Liu Chen glanced at him and said, "The Grand Censor only needs to be upright. With an upright Grand Censor in charge of the court, any treacherous officials will not dare to show themselves. As for others, if they knew they were to be appointed Grand Censor, they would probably be overjoyed. You have already surpassed them by saying that you are 'unfit for such a great responsibility.' Do not feel burdened; just take office. If you do not perform well, I will dismiss you."

Liu Chen had made the decisions on other matters first. However, the appointment of Yang Yong as Imperial Censor was a last-minute decision.

Yang Yong was originally intended to be a propaganda minister.

This old man has an upright and righteous look. With someone like him in the court, the wicked will feel afraid.

The old man was also very good at talking about the great achievements of Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang.

Asking an old man for advice or to do administrative work is not advisable; it will mostly lead to bad results.

But Liu Chen noticed it just now. He really wanted to use severe punishment to revitalize the court.

Because of his power, no one in the court dared to stand up and offer advice. Yang Yong bravely stepped forward.

There's a saying that goes, "Too rigid, and you'll break." The same applies to emperors; refusing to listen to others' opinions can also lead to disaster.

The emperor's power was immense, and he was decisive; whatever he thought of, he could pursue relentlessly until the very end.

What if he's wrong?

In the crucial moment, someone had to pull him back.

Liu Chen saw this quality in Yang Yong.

It just so happens that the Imperial Censor Jiang Yu, the Vice Imperial Censor Liu Yang, and the entire Imperial Censorate are full of Qiao Zhou's cronies.

Let Yang Yong keep in office for now, using his uprightness to suppress the wicked. If he doesn't do a good job, we can change his position. In any case, we must keep Yang Yong in the court and give him a high-ranking official position.

Yang Yong still didn't want to accept the position of Imperial Censor. He had only ever served as a minor official, and he felt uneasy even being appointed as a prefect in a remote area, let alone the position of Imperial Censor. But Liu Chen's words relieved him of some of the burden.

"I'll do it for now. If I don't do it well, I won't need the Crown Prince to dismiss me; I'll resign myself." With this thought in mind, Yang Yong made up his mind and stepped forward to accept the official position.

Liu Chen nodded. The general direction and the major official positions were settled for now. As for the other minor official positions...

Then we can resolve this in a small meeting.

That concludes the morning assembly.

Liu Chen stood up and said, "Chief Clerk of the Chancellor, General of the Cavalry, Grand Censor, Colonel of the Infantry Xi Qing, and Gentleman of the Palace Han Qing,..."

The Imperial Guards kept Li Qing and others behind.

After announcing a series of names, Liu Chen got up and, surrounded by doctors and eunuchs, left through a side door.

The minister whose name was called quickly left the hall.

The ministers whose names were not called paused for a moment, their reactions a beat slow.

Liu Zan was one of those who were left behind.

He was not surprised. Although the brothers had a good relationship, he, as a feudal lord, was indeed unable to participate in court affairs.

But one thing surprised him.

"Qiao Zhou and Huang Hao's faction. Only the ringleader was killed and two ministers were dismissed. The rest are left unpunished? Or will we settle accounts later?" Liu Zan reached out and pinched his chin. He had thought Liu Chen would go on a killing spree.

"Forget it, this is none of my business. Fifth Brother did a good job; this series of decrees is like a shot in the arm. The prestige of the Han dynasty will surely be greatly enhanced." Liu Zan's face showed a genuine smile, feeling an unprecedented sense of relief, and he stood up and walked away unsteadily.

The country was saved.

His life was saved.

The throne was also preserved.

They also preserved their wealth and status.

You can continue listening to music and indulging in sensory pleasures.

Liu Zan, feeling quite pleased with himself, suddenly heard a call. "Prince Xinping, the Empress requests your presence." A eunuch, who had been anxiously waiting outside the hall, saw Liu Zan and his eyes lit up as he stepped forward to speak.

Liu Zan was immediately troubled. The state affairs were temporarily sorted out, but family ethics were not yet.

Emperor, Empress, Crown Prince, and brothers.

Liu Zan composed himself and said, "Since the Empress Dowager has summoned me, I dare not refuse. Please do not use the word 'please'."

After saying this, Liu Zan followed the eunuch to deal with family ethics issues.

Inside the main hall.

Zong Yu took a deep breath, stood up, and walked unsteadily. Although he was not very stable, he seemed to be carrying the wind and was much faster than usual.

The remaining loyal and virtuous officials, who had no psychological burden, also left feeling completely at ease.

Huang Hao, Qiao Zhou, and their accomplices were unsure whether Liu Chen intended to kill them or dismiss them from their posts. Filled with fear and unease, their faces grim, they exchanged glances before finally managing to stand up shakily and leave.

Liu Chen first went to the side room, then sat down in a side hall, drank some water, and ate some pastries.

The eunuch then reported that Consort Li had sent someone to invite him, but he still hadn't gone.

The important matters are not yet finished.

Soon after, the person whose name Liu Chen called arrived.

The following individuals were included: Zhuge Zhan, Huang Chong, Fan Jian, Dong Jue, Li Qiu, Mi Zhao, Zhang Sheng, Chang Heng, Yang Yong, Han Tai, Xi Long, and Zhang Zun.

After everyone arrived, Liu Chen said to them, "Since everyone is here, please sit down and wait. If you are thirsty, hungry, or need to use the restroom, just say so."

There were no seats for officials here originally; the eunuchs had just arranged thirty seats.

"Yes." The officials bowed in response and sat down according to their official rank.

Not long after, Li Qiu's cousin Li Yi, his nephew Li E, and his eldest son Li Ding were born.

Chen Yong and his son Chen Xi.

Xiang Chong, former chief clerk of the General.

Li Tai's younger brother, Li Li.

Some were shattered, some remained calm, and some were sleepwalking.

Liu Chen disregarded their feelings and told them to sit down. Once everyone was present, Liu Chen asked Dong Jue, "Minister Dong, I heard that the Emperor not only dispatched Huo Yi and Yan Yu with troops to Chengdu, but also sent envoys to Eastern Wu for aid?"

"Yes," Dong Jue replied readily.

"After the meeting, select a suitable person to be sent as an envoy to Eastern Wu." Liu Chen paused, then sneered, "I cannot afford to lose face like that. I am also afraid that once the people from Eastern Wu come in, they might take the opportunity to do something. It's only been a few years since Lü Meng assassinated Guan Yu. Once a thief, always a thief. Eastern Wu cannot be trusted."