Three Kingdoms: I am not Liu Bian

Chapter 359 Gao Wang: Doesn't this make the country seem exceptionally brave and powerful?

The fifth day of the ninth month in the second year of the Han Dynasty.

Liu Bian, dressed in ordinary clothes, stood with his hands behind his back in front of the Chen King's Palace.

Although the Chen Palace was not as grand and magnificent as the North and South Palaces of Luoyang and Chang'an, everything used was built in accordance with the regulations for the emperor.

With a base of bluestone and pillars painted red, the main hall faced the palace, where bronze camels and golden horses lined the roadside.

According to regulations, feudal lords were only allowed to display stone beasts.

Upon entering the hall, one's gaze is met with an even greater sense of order and grandeur.

The beams and pillars were all adorned with gilded five-clawed dragons, and the caisson ceiling was painted with sun, moon, and star patterns. Liu Chong even set up a nine-tiered white jade staircase in front of him, and the tables and desks were all decorated with inlaid gold dragon heads. He even had twelve jade-hilted swords displayed in the rear hall of the palace, all in accordance with the emperor's regulations.

"This rebellious favor is quite interesting. He says he'll use the money to strengthen the army." Liu Bian slowly paced around, his gaze sweeping over the extravagant decorations. Suddenly, he stopped, pointed to the decorations in the hall, and a cryptic smile appeared on his lips. He teased Gao Wang, who was following closely beside him, and said, "This palace is even more magnificent and splendid than my Yuntai Pavilion."

Gao Wang, who was standing to the side, immediately stepped forward, his narrow eyes narrowed into slits as he smiled and echoed, "How can that traitorous emperor be compared to the nation? He's nothing but a monkey in a crown, a clown jumping around."

Liu Bian glanced at him sideways, then turned his head and pointed at Gao Wang, tapping him from a distance. His tone was somewhat affectionate as he shook his head and laughed, "Ah Wang, all you know is how to flatter me. Since I was a child, I have never heard a single word of loyal advice from you."

If an ordinary minister heard the emperor speak like this, he would have already prostrated himself and begged for forgiveness. But Gao Wang was not flustered. He simply bowed slightly, his expression unchanged, and even said nonchalantly, "They are ministers of the country and well-read scholars. Naturally, they should advise the country and offer their advice."

“But I am a servant of the state, incapable of distinguishing right from wrong, only knowing to be loyal to the state, to think what the state thinks, and to do what the state wants to do.” Gao Wang paused, his fawning expression slightly fading, and his tone took on a rare solemnity. He bowed and said, “If one day the state has to rely on a lowly eunuch like me to point out its mistakes, then all the civil and military officials in the court… should be dragged out and beheaded.”

“If everyone could fulfill their responsibilities like A-Wang, how could the world not be at peace?” Liu Bian’s smile deepened after hearing this. He reached out and patted Gao Wang’s shoulder, and sighed, “Later, I will go and fetch a jade-hilted sword from the rear hall to reward you for your hard work accompanying the army.”

"The country has flattered me again!" Gao Wang quickly waved his hand, his face showing a flattered expression. "To be able to serve the country is the greatest blessing for me... Oh dear!"

Before he could finish speaking, Gao Wang felt a light kick on his thigh, and with a cry of "Ouch!" he rolled to the ground in a rather exaggerated manner.

Liu Bian glared at him angrily and scolded, "Are you lying on the ground pretending to be dead? I didn't even lift a finger, why are you doing this?"

Gao Wang scrambled to his feet, dusted off his robes, and chuckled sheepishly, "Doesn't this make our country look exceptionally brave and powerful?"

The eunuchs in the hall watched the way the emperor and Gao Wang interacted, their eyes filled with undisguised envy. They only regretted that they weren't the ones joking around with the emperor like this.

"You smooth talker!" Liu Bian pretended to kick him again, and Gao Wang retreated repeatedly.

Seeing Gao Wang's slick appearance, Liu Bian could only shake his head helplessly, smile indifferently, and order, "Stop talking nonsense, go and summon Prince Zishi, the governor of Yuzhou."

Gao Wang naturally understood when it was okay to play around and when it wasn't, so he immediately went out to inform them.

"Yes, sir." Gao Wang suppressed his smile and bowed to accept the order.

However, the moment he turned around, his gaze turned icy cold, and his sinister eyes quickly fell on several eunuchs, giving them a light but not harsh glare.

Unbeknownst to many, he has become an ancestor in the eyes of many, even though he is only in his early thirties.

Palace eunuchs were not ranked based on seniority or age.

Even people like Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, and Guo Sheng now treat him as an equal.

However, since he is the ancestor in the eyes of countless people in this palace, then it is time to let some of the restless little guys understand why he can become their ancestor.

I wonder what the difference is between the well in the Chenwang Palace and the well in the Luoyang Nan Palace.

It's time for someone to go down and test the waters for him.

Before long, Wang Yun, guided by the smiling Gao Wang, entered the hall. After bowing and paying his respects, he received a signal from the emperor and took his seat in the seat to the emperor's right.

Liu Bian waved his hand, dismissing all the idlers around him, leaving only Gao Wang and Dian Wei, who stood beside Liu Bian with his hand on his sword, inside the hall.

The hall fell silent instantly, with only the rising smoke of incense filling the air.

Liu Bian laid a blank sheet of paper on the table, picked up a brush and wrote the four characters "Prefect of Yuzhou", then put down the brush and did not continue.

Liu Bian raised his head and looked calmly at Wang Yun, who was carefully sipping a cup of tea. He went straight to the point and said, "Zishi, we are not strangers as ruler and subject, so I will be frank with you."

Liu Bian continued, "I have witnessed Zishi's achievements over the past few years. Although he occasionally disagrees with Yuanhao, Gongyu, and Gongtai on policy, I do not think it is a big problem. Therefore, it is time to move your position as Governor of Yuzhou."

"The Nine Ministers, the Secretariat, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and the Three Offices," Liu Bian counted on his fingers, tapping his finger lightly on the table with each place he mentioned. "These are the only four places I have right now that can accommodate someone of your talent. Do you have a preferred place?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Yun, who was sitting upright, trembled slightly in the hand holding the teacup. The tea rippled in the cup, just like his heart at that moment, which was suddenly at a loss. Wang Yun's Adam's apple bobbed, and he placed the teacup on the table with a crisp clinking sound. He quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty is terrified and dares not make a decision on your own."

Has anyone ever seen an emperor who allowed his subjects to decide their own promotion path?

But Wang Yun did see it for himself, and the emperor also affirmed his achievements and abilities. Even though he knew that he was not on good terms with the emperor's former officials from his time as a prince, he did not show any favoritism because of it.

"What are you afraid of? Your promotion is well-deserved, a reward from me for your years of dedicated service." Liu Bian's tone was gentle yet carried an undeniable air as he calmly said, "If you have any intentions, Zishi, please speak freely. Perhaps you are unwilling to be promoted?"

Wang Yun's eyes were slightly moist, even though what the emperor said seemed to be the most obvious truth.

Merits will be rewarded!

These four words are easier said than done. Throughout history, how many monarchs have truly put this principle into practice?

"Your Majesty..." Wang Yun took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "Your Majesty is willing to share the burdens of the country."

"Excellent!" Liu Bian clapped his hands and laughed, saying, "Courageous in taking on responsibilities! This is the Prince Teacher I know!"

A smile involuntarily appeared on Wang Yun's face as he recalled the scene before the Yellow Turban Rebellion when the emperor appointed him as the governor of Yuzhou.

His ambition to climb higher was ignited in his heart, but he dared not show it on his face. He simply lowered his head slightly, pondered for a moment, and then cautiously asked, "Your subject is foolish and does not know what position I would choose if I were to become one of the Nine Ministers?"

Liu Bian nodded slightly, as if he had expected him to ask this question, and said bluntly, "I will not beat around the bush with you. Guanglu Xun Deng Boneng (Deng Sheng) has asked me to retire three times. I just approved his retirement memorial yesterday. If you want to be one of the Nine Ministers, then take over the Guanglu Xun position that Deng Boneng has vacated."

Liu Bian paused for a moment, then continued listing the remaining options, saying, "If you wish to go to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, I will grant you the position of Imperial Sacrifices. As for the Secretariat and the Three Offices, I have not yet figured out how to properly arrange your and the other ministers' positions."

To be fair, although Liu Bian disliked some of Wang Yun's methods in dealing with lawless powerful families, Wang Yun's abilities were still worthy of recognition. As for the Three Departments, he had not fully considered the transfer matters.

The General of the Five Offices was Fu Wan, the father of Fu Shou; the General of the Left Office was He Kui; and the General of the Right Office was Ding Gong, the father-in-law of Cao Cao.

Given Ding Gong's position and experience, the only possible posting he could receive was as the governor of a province. However, given that Cao Song was the Grand Minister of Agriculture and Cao Cao held military and political power in Youzhou, Ding Gong was absolutely not allowed to be sent out.

Liu Bian intended to send Fu Wan and He Kui to other posts. If Fu Wan were sent to another post, he would become the governor of a prefecture. He Kui's resume was not as extensive, so assigning him the position of prefect of Shangjun would not be a disgrace to him.

After hearing this, Wang Yun fell silent, his brows furrowing slightly, clearly deep in thought.

If it were last year, upon hearing that the position of one of the Nine Ministers was vacant, even a moment's hesitation would have been disrespectful to that position.

Since the emperor stopped dismissing the Three Dukes based on natural disasters, the mobility of officials in the top positions of the court has decreased. It is difficult to become one of the Three Dukes or Nine Ministers. The glorious resumes of being appointed as one of the Three Dukes or Nine Ministers three times or serving as one of the Nine Ministers seven times will no longer appear on any minister.

However, once someone becomes one of the Nine Ministers, they will generally remain in that position for a long time, and unless they commit a serious mistake, they will not be easily dismissed.

However, Wang Yun had a strong political sense, and he keenly perceived that the emperor was gradually weakening the real power of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers.

Although the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers are still highly respected, many of their functions overlap with those of the Secretariat. Now, their independent duties have encroached on some of the Nine Ministers' power.

For example, the Maritime Trade Office, which was independent of the Nine Ministers, seized the two major powers of price stabilization and grain transport from the Grand Minister of Agriculture, and also controlled the maritime and land trade of the Han Dynasty. This made the Grand Minister of Agriculture, as its name suggests, completely tied to agriculture, except that he still controlled the inflow and outflow of the national treasury.

The Guanglu Xun was no longer the same as before. The Yulin Army and the Huben Imperial Guard were disbanded and reorganized into the Zhongjun Army, which was not under the Guanglu Xun's control. The Zhongjun Army also took over the guard duties.

The imperial examinations were taken over by the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Although the Grand Master of Ceremonies nominally commanded the three offices, they were actually directly responsible to the emperor.

The current Guanglu Xun is merely the official in charge of the emperor's travels and carriages, and serves as the direct superior of all other honorary positions such as Daifu and Yilang.

Therefore, the option of the Nine Ministers, especially the Grand Master of Ceremonies whose power has been greatly diminished... Wang Yun unconsciously rubbed the hem of his clothes with his fingertips, his heart torn between two conflicting emotions.

The title of Nine Ministers ultimately reflects the illustrious heritage of a family, even if it is merely a nominal position.

Wang Yun was torn between following the old precedent and striving for a position among the Nine Ministers to enrich his resume, or adapting to the times and turning to the power centers of the Secretariat and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

Liu Bian did not urge him, allowing Wang Yun to weigh the options.

His gaze fell on the paper on the table again, he dipped his fingertips in ink, and began to think about the transfer of other people.

As he mentally listed the names of the six ministers, his pen paused on the name "Huang Wan, Minister of the Three Dukes".

With a hint of coldness appearing at the corner of his mouth, Liu Bian did not hesitate to draw a clear cross with a black pen.

(3250 words)
(End of this chapter)