Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 36 Same clan
Just when Liu Daogui thought he could get away with it, the musicians and dancers in the hall retreated.

One man stood up and clapped his hands twice.

All the noise vanished.

Liu Daogui looked at the man. He wore a gold-studded gauze-covered pheasant crown, his white fox fur coat unbuttoned. He was tall and slender, his eyes sharp, but his pale face had a blush. It was already winter, yet he was wearing clogs and fanning himself with a feather fan...

It's a bit out of place, but maybe this is what is called "celebrity style"...

Without asking, one can tell from his appearance that he is General Zhenglu and Governor of Qingzhou, Huan Hong.

"Everyone, today His Majesty has issued an imperial decree regarding the loss of grain."

The hall immediately fell silent.

No wonder he rushed back in such a hurry, it turned out that the emperor's edict had arrived.

If it was just Sima Daozi's paperwork, the General's Office could have dealt with it perfunctorily, but the emperor's edict was extraordinary, and Huan Hong dared not disobey.

Wang Gong, Yin Zhongkan, Wang Xun and others were supported by the emperor to suppress Sima Daozi's faction.

Even the emperor issued an edict, which shows that the internal struggle between the two factions in the court is becoming more and more intense.

The upright officials and scholars sitting at the top either drank by themselves or looked at the corrupt officials below with gloating eyes.

Many of them looked down at Liu Daogui, with a natural sense of superiority.

A man stood up, his clothes loose and his sleeves wide. Like Huan Hong, his face was flushed with a sickly color. "Reporting to the envoy, the supply of food, fodder, and weapons has always been the responsibility of the military officer. Now that Sun Yizhi is dead, the new military officer should take charge of this matter."

After just a few words, he pushed the blame onto Liu Daogui. It seemed that they had a tacit understanding.

Gao Xun beside him whispered, "Chief Secretary Xun Xinzhi."

"Where is the military officer?" Huan Hong asked in a low voice.

What is coming will never come, and you can’t avoid it.

"I'm here." Liu Daogui stood up, walked into the hall and bowed.

"You have been in the military headquarters for many days, so you must have heard about it. How about giving you ten days to investigate the case?" Huan Hong narrowed his eyes and looked him up and down.

Ten days was more than enough time. Liu Daogui had already prepared himself mentally. In the words of his brother Liu Yu, since the matter had been decided, he would accept the outcome. "Within ten days, I will investigate the entire matter!"

There was a sudden buzz of discussion in the hall.

The food had been missing for two months and there was still no sign of its return. Liu Daogui had just arrived and he spoke wildly, which naturally caused dissatisfaction in some people, who immediately started to mock him in low voices.

This was the character of the Jin Dynasty from top to bottom. There were many people who failed to get things done and were dragging their feet.

First there was Zu Ti's Northern Expedition, and later there was Xie Xuan, both of whom died of anger in this way.

"That's great! If you can resolve this matter, I will submit a petition to the court to request that you be appointed as the prefect of Chengyang." Huan Hong raised his hand and gave him a big pancake.

The fifth-rank official of Chengyang, if Liu Daogui could take on this position, the Liu family would immediately rise from a humble background to become a small aristocratic family.

The temptation is huge.

However, Chengyang County is now in the hands of Yan State and belongs to Qingzhou. Huan Hong only needs to submit a petition to the court to establish Chengyang County as a foreign resident in the capacity of Qingzhou Governor.

Anyway, Guangling is now under the pressure of four overseas states, so one more overseas county is no big deal.

Although it has no real land and no real power, and cannot compare with the real counties in the south of the Yangtze River, its category is there, and it has great potential in the future.

Everyone around was envious and jealous.

But Liu Daogui felt a little surprised. He had just arrived, so why did Huan Hong treat him so highly?
Is it to win over the Pengcheng Liu family? Then it would be more practical to go to Liu Laozhi or Liu Jingxuan.

Or is it for Wang Mi's sake?

Wang Mi's words were equivalent to the "Yuedan Ping" of the Wei Dynasty, and he directly judged Liu Yu and Liu Daogui.

The Wei and Jin dynasties have always had a tradition of evaluating people.

When Emperor Wu of Wei was in a low position, he first asked Qiao Xuan for his opinion, and he got a sentence: The world is in chaos, and it can only be saved by a man of extraordinary talent. Is it you who can bring peace to the country?

He repeatedly sought the "Monthly Review" from the renowned scholar Xu Shao, and was praised as "a capable minister in a peaceful era, a treacherous hero in a chaotic era," gaining considerable fame.

Liu Yu and Liu Daogui were praised by Wang Mi, who was from the Wang family of Langya, and their status also rose accordingly. Of course, others did not really value Liu Yu and Liu Daogui brothers.

But the fancy sedan chair was carried by people, and they valued the Langya Wang family behind Wang Mi...

"Thank you, sir. I will be happy to serve you..."

Before Liu Daogui could finish his words, someone on the spot shouted, "Your Excellency, I will be able to find out the whereabouts of those 3,000 dan of grain in just five days!"

A man came out with his hands clasped in a bow. Like Liu Daogui, he was wearing a plain blue hakama and had an elegant appearance.

"Is what Liu Ziyi said serious?" Huan Hong's attention was immediately drawn to it.

Liu Daogui looked around. The Liu family of Pengcheng would worship their ancestors every year on the Shangsi Festival, and the adults in the family had met each other more or less.

But this Liu Ziyi has never been seen before, so I think he should be from the other two branches of the Liu family.

The position of Advisory Military Officer was established in both the Dukedoms of the Two Jin Dynasties. The officer was in charge of providing consultation and military advice. His status was higher than that of the other military officers, and he was someone who could speak to Huan Hong.

"I have just discovered that this matter is related to the Tianshi Dao. The former military officer, Sun Yizhi, is a member of the Tianshi Dao! In five days, the truth will be revealed!"

This Liu Ziyi became more and more excited as he spoke.

Liu Daogui was shocked. He had just found out about Sun Yizhi, and he had also found out about him. What a coincidence.

He didn't come out earlier or later. Huan Hong threw out a "Chengyang prefect" and he jumped out. It was obvious that he came to steal the credit...

Looking at Gao Xun, he also looked confused and surprised.

"What do you think, General Liu?" Huan Hong looked at Liu Daogui.

"I'm new here and not familiar with military affairs. I'm afraid I might delay your important mission. Liu Ziyi is both wise and brave, and he will surely be able to find out the whereabouts of the grain as scheduled." Liu Daogui was eager for someone to take over.

This matter involves the Tianshi Dao. Although it was traced back to Sun Yizhi, things are not that simple.

Sun Yizhi was a member of the Tianshi Dao. If something happened, he could have escaped. Why did he commit suicide?
This matter itself is full of doubts.

Besides, Liu Daogui had searched Guangling from top to bottom but still couldn't find where the food and grass were hidden. Could Liu Ziyi find it?

"In that case, let's leave it to Liu Ziyi. Come, give us some wine!" Huan Hong's eyes flashed, and an unfathomable smile hung on his face.

"I obey your command!" Liu Ziyi knelt solemnly, took the wine bottle, drank it all, and even exposed the bottom of the quilt for everyone to see.

It immediately drew a wave of compliments.

Liu Daogui quietly returned to his seat, feeling relieved.

Although it was a pity to be the prefect of Chengyang, the risk was also great. Besides, he had just arrived and his foundation was not stable, and he did not know how deep the waters in the General Zhenglu's Mansion were.

The wood is beautiful in the forest, and the wind will destroy it.

If others want to go, let them go.

Before coming here, my uncle Xiao Yuanzhi had warned me not to get too close to the Huan family. The internal strife between the two factions in the court was uncertain as to who would win and who would lose...

Liu Daogui's original intention was to stay here peacefully for a few years, not seeking to achieve anything but to avoid making any mistakes, and then wait for the Tianshi Dao to rise up in rebellion, win military merit on the battlefield with real swords and spears, and then cultivate his own troops and expand his influence in the Northern Palace Army.

The Liu family of Pengcheng followed the path of military merit, taking one step at a time.

And no one can tell what Huan Hongan is thinking.

"This man, Liu Yi, also known by his courtesy name Xile and nickname Panlong, is from the Liu family of Pei County. His father is Liu Zhen, the Left Guanglu Doctor." Gao Xun immediately dug out the details of this Liu Ziyi.

They both have the surname Liu and the same ancestor, but they have long become strangers.

They are not even from the same clan, they can only be considered to have the same surname.

Under the temptation of interests, even brothers would draw their swords against each other, let alone people with the same surname who have been separated by four or five hundred years.

"Panlong? It seems that he has quite a lot on his mind." Liu Daogui raised the wine jar and clinked it with Gao Xun. He had heard of his name before. The Liu family of Pengcheng was established through military power, while the Liu family of Pei County followed the path of the gentry.

Gao Xun said regretfully, "The Chengyang governor..."

(End of this chapter)