Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 32 Stay or Go
"Is there still law? Is there still justice?" Liu Zun jumped three feet high.

Liu Heipi and Liu Guangzhi's expressions changed, only Liu Zhong stared at Gao Xun thoughtfully.

"I'm new here, so I'd like to ask Sima Gao for some guidance." Liu Daogui was not easily frightened. He had seen life and death, and had human lives on his hands.

If it was really a situation where he was bound to die, Gao Xun wouldn't have bothered to make friends with me.

"During the autumn harvest this year, the grain collected by the military households didn't match the account books; a full three thousand dan were missing. Envoy Huan was furious and ordered an investigation. The investigation led them to the previous military officer, Sun Yizhi. After a beating, Sun hanged himself in the government office that night."

The old soldier who led the way said that he was beaten to death, while Gao Xun said that he committed suicide.

However, the old soldier was obviously a sly old scoundrel and his words were unreliable, and Gao Xun had no need to lie to him.

Liu Guangzhi said: "This is what happened to the previous one. It seems that it can't be blamed on my family's military officer, right?"

Liu Daogui said, "No, as long as the three thousand dan of grain is not found, I will be the next scapegoat!"

Three thousand shi, that's about thirty thousand dou, or about three hundred and sixty thousand jin...

The emperor and Sima Daozi were addicted to alcohol and feasted all night long. A large amount of grain was brewed into wine, and the people were starving. In addition, there was a small drought in Jiangzuo last year, and the price of grain continued to rise. A dou of grain could be sold for five hundred coins on the market.

Three thousand dan equals fifteen thousand coins, fifteen million coins...

In order to become this poor official, Liu Daogui racked his brains to get 40,000 coins.

"Could it be that Huan Hong embezzled the money? Is he crying thief?" Liu Zun's mind was full of ideas.

Gao Xun shook his head. "The grain collected by the military households must be sent to the Jiankang treasury. The Huan family has surrendered to Wang Gong and is at odds with Prince Xiang. Wang Guobao is holding on to this matter and has repeatedly pressured Huan Hong. He has given Sun Canjun ten days to hand over the grain..."

"Collecting land tax is the duty of the chief secretary. What does it have to do with the military officer?" Liu Zun widened his eyes.

Liu Daogui glanced at him, "You're talking nonsense! The Chief Secretary and the Sima are both Huan Hong's confidants, so of course they have to find someone else to scapegoat!"

"Yes, Wang Guobao wants to use this incident to suppress the Huan family. He will definitely not let it go easily. He keeps pressing us. Envoy Huan went out hunting to avoid this matter..."

Gao Xun did not say what he meant next.

But Liu Daogui knew very well that when the city gate was on fire, innocent people would be affected. The big guys would fight openly and secretly, and the unlucky ones would be the small fry.

The battle between Wang Gong, Yin Zhongkan, Sima Daozi and Wang Guobao was in full swing, which would inevitably involve countless people.

Huan Hong could at most resign from his post, return to Jingzhou and lie dormant for a few years, then emerge when he finds an opportunity. He could still be a third-rank official, enjoying a comfortable life. But if he gets involved, he's afraid not even a bone will be left...

"I wonder if Sima Gao has any good ideas?" Liu Daogui didn't expect that he would step into a big pit just after taking office.

"In my opinion, either you find those 3,000 shi of grain, or you use the excuse of not adapting to the climate and leave due to illness to avoid this storm." Gao Xun could say this because he really treated Liu Daogui as a fellow villager.

There seem to be only these two solutions at the moment.

Liu Daogui has just arrived and has not yet taken over military affairs. It is still not too late for him to leave now.

But if he returned in such a disgraceful state, he would inevitably be ridiculed by the elders of Jingkou.

Besides, the monk may escape, but the temple cannot. Liu Daogui's military service was already registered with the Ministry of War, a legitimate ninth-rank official. In Huan Hong's eyes, he was the perfect scapegoat...

There's no point in pretending to be sick.

"There is another way. We can collect another 3,000 shi from the military households to make up for the deficit." Liu Guangzhi was knowledgeable and came up with an idea.

Gao Xun said quietly, "The military households not only have to pay land taxes to the imperial court, but also support the General of the Conquering Enemy Army and the Qingzhou Governor's Office. Envoy Huan is extravagant and has already been exploited to the extreme. If we continue to collect grain from them, I'm afraid it will cause unrest..."

Military households were actually slaves, even worse off than slaves. They had to do all the dirty, hard, and tiring work, from fighting in battles, forced labor, and farming. They had no time to rest all day, and this continued for generations to come...

The military households under the General Zhenglu's office fled in large numbers, gathered in the mountains and swamps, and became bandits.

If he didn't have a family in Jingkou, Liu Daogui would also want to go up the mountain, put an end to it all, and live a carefree and happy life... "Three thousand dan of grain is not a small amount, how can it just disappear? There must be some clues!" Liu Zhong suddenly said at this time.

Liu Daogui and Gao Xun's eyes lit up at the same time.

I was so focused on the factional struggles in the court that I forgot the doubts about the matter itself.

Three thousand dan of grain, three hundred and sixty thousand jin, how could a soldier take it away?

From what we can see now, there should be a third force involved...

"Brother Gao also said that if we can find those 3,000 dan of grain, all problems will be solved. I'll give it a try."

For the common people, there are no shortcuts and no easy paths in this world.

There is no use in escaping, you can only face it head-on.

From the current perspective, the General Zhenglu's Mansion is not bad. Although it is rotten and full of loopholes, the more chaotic it is, the greater the opportunity. As long as you can gain a foothold, it is equivalent to taking the first step.

Although the Jingkou Beifu Army is good, it is also a one-size-fits-all situation. There are too many powerful people in it, each more shrewd than the other, and there is no chance for them to stand out.

Gao Xun's face was filled with admiration. "Liu Canjun is truly a hero. If you can help me, please let me know."

Since he said so, Liu Daogui was not polite. "I do have a favor to ask of you. I'm new here and I'm short of manpower. I hope you can send some people to help me."

"This is easy. I will mobilize two hundred capable soldiers and send them at your disposal." Gao Xun was a warrior by nature and very generous. He bowed and turned to leave.

With his help, Liu Daogui's confidence increased greatly.

Nothing is unachievable.

Guangling is big and small at the same time. It is impossible for something weighing more than 300,000 pounds to disappear silently.

"Or, let's just run away. It doesn't matter if we don't take this position. He's just a ninth-rank official." Liu Zun began to back down.

"If you're scared, just go back to Jingkou and pretend you've never been here."

He said it lightly. In fact, for most people from poor families, being a ninth-rank official was already the limit.

If this kind of thing hadn't happened and it hadn't become a hot potato, it might not have been my turn.

"If you don't leave, I won't leave either." Liu Zun sat down on the stone steps.

Liu Daogui looked at everyone and said, "Then let's stay together. What do you think?"

It is true that brothers and fathers and sons fight together in wars, but they must be willing to do so. A forced melon will not be sweet.

"If I go back, how can I face people?"

"My Pengcheng Liu clan is a clan of formidable warriors on the battlefield. How could we be so timid before the battle?"

Liu Heibi and Liu Guangzhi were both fearless old soldiers of the Northern Palace. They were strong-willed and had participated in many fierce battles.

"Since we are following you, brother, we will certainly not give up halfway. There is always a way out, just like the Chupu tree. As long as we keep moving forward, we will eventually be able to overcome each obstacle."

Liu Zhong's words made Liu Daogui look at him with admiration.

Liu Zhen was silent, but his expression was firm.

"That's right, there is no hurdle that cannot be overcome." Liu Daogui slapped his thigh.

Avoiding problems won't solve them; facing them head-on is what makes a man truly manly...

(End of this chapter)