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

Chapter 96 Liu Bei flips the table, I say so, that's it (Seeking first subscriptions and monthly votes)

Zhang Wen could no longer sit still. He stood up and shouted, "Liu Yongzhou, what do you mean by this? I am the Commandant of the Capital Region, how dare you ask me to take my day?"

"Zhang Sili, please calm down." Liu Bei chuckled, his tone as gentle as ever: "As I just said, a new official must accomplish a few important tasks to establish his authority. As a senior official, Zhang Sili should cooperate with my work. Once the rule of roll call is established in ten days, Zhang Sili will no longer need to roll call."

"Of course, if Zhang Sili is unwilling to cooperate, I will not force him. After all, I cannot have the soldiers rushing Zhang Sili to roll call with their swords and spears. I have always been fair, and I will not force anyone present, including Zhang Sili."

He claimed he wouldn't force her, but every word he uttered carried a threatening undertone.

The subtext is: I've already said I'm here to establish my authority, so if everyone cooperates, this matter will be over. If you won't listen to my reasoning, then I'll have to resort to unreasonable methods.

Zhang Wen glanced at the attendees and found that, including Cai You and Huang Guang, not a single person stepped forward to refute him. In fact, they all lowered their heads and dared not look Liu Bei in the eye.

"Hmph!" Zhang Wen snorted as he sat down, cursing the others for their cowardice.

In fact, if someone else had been appointed as the governor of Yongzhou, none of the people present would have been so timid.

Liu Bei's past behavior was too aggressive, and today he even deliberately used Zhang Wen to establish his authority. With such a style of behavior, who would dare to step forward?

Zhang Wen was the Commandant of the Capital Region, so Liu Bei would still give him some face. But they were all officials from Yongzhou, and Liu Bei was hoping someone would step forward on their own.

To make an example of someone, you first need to have a chicken.

Seeing that no one stepped forward, Liu Bei announced the second major event: "Although the Liangzhou rebels have left, their leader has not been eliminated and will surely return. In order to improve the state's ability to respond to emergencies, in addition to everyone present needing to report for duty every day, starting tomorrow, all officials and soldiers in Chang'an City must participate in a ten-day military training."

"Rise at dawn, eat and study at midday, practice riding and archery at mid-morning, eat and study at mid-afternoon, practice swordsmanship and spear fighting at mid-afternoon, eat and study at mid-afternoon, practice endurance training at mid-afternoon, and go to sleep to recharge at mid-afternoon. I will appoint elite soldiers as instructors to supervise military training. You will lead by example and there must be no mistakes."

If the first major event was more focused on Zhang Wen, then the second major event was aimed at everyone present.

We are all officials of Yongzhou, yet we still have to participate in military training and be supervised by common soldiers.

What do they take us for?

No sooner had Liu Bei finished speaking than Yang Kuo, the clerk, stood up and retorted: "Lord Liu, I believe that ten days of military training is highly inappropriate. We officials are busy with our affairs; how can we have time for military training? If everyone participates in military training, who will be responsible for daily operations? Putting aside other important matters, military training still requires meals, right? If even those in charge of food are participating in military training, who will be responsible for distributing the rations? There are also lawsuits in the city; if even those in charge of lawsuits are participating in military training, who will uphold justice for the people?"

Yang Kuo spoke with conviction, every sentence hitting the nail on the head, and he even found a good reason for himself: It's not that I don't want to participate, it's just that I'm too busy with other things and can't get away!

Zhang Wen stared coldly at Liu Bei, inwardly sneering: "Liu Bei, you scoundrel! You really think the officials of Yongzhou are your soldiers? You want all the officers and soldiers in Chang'an to participate in ten days of military training? How laughable!"

Cai You, Huang Guang, Shi Sunrui, and others also looked up at Liu Bei.

Even if a new official wants to establish his authority, having all the officials and soldiers in Chang'an participate in ten days of military training is simply wishful thinking.

“Yang is right. It was indeed my oversight.” To everyone’s surprise, Liu Bei not only did not reprimand Yang Kuo, but also cupped his hands and asked for advice: “I wonder if Yang has any good ideas to teach me? Something that can improve the state’s ability to respond to emergencies without affecting the state’s daily operations.”

Yang Kuo was stunned.

I just think that your policies are not practical and you haven't thought of any good solutions, Lord Liu.

A chill ran through Yang Kuo's feet.

If he were to directly say that there was no good solution, then his previous assertion that the ten-day military training was inappropriate would be nothing more than grandstanding, and he would surely be reprimanded by Liu Bei.

The atmosphere at the banquet suddenly became quiet. The silent pressure made Yang Kuo tremble, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.

Liu Bei didn't urge him, but quietly played with the wine cup, his intention was very clear: I allow you to raise questions, but at the same time you must come up with a better solution. If you can't, then you have to obediently accept the punishment.

Zhang Wen also realized something was wrong. Liu Bei's focus was not on the ten-day military training at all, but on getting those who opposed the government to step forward and take the initiative to be the chickens to scare the monkeys.

Liu Bei is such a treacherous fellow!
Zhang Wen's face grew increasingly gloomy. His intuition told him that if Liu Bei continued to play this game, who among the officials and soldiers in Chang'an would dare to disobey Liu Bei's orders in the future?

If all the officials and soldiers in Chang'an obeyed Liu Bei's orders, would he, as the Commandant of the Capital Region, still have any say in Chang'an?
Just as Zhang Wen was about to get up, an unquestionable voice rang out behind him: "Commander of the Capital Region, please be careful with your words."

The speaker was Xu You, who had somehow appeared behind Zhang Wen. Seeing Zhang Wen turn around in surprise, Xu You gently reminded him, "If Gai Xun can be transferred back to Luoyang as a Consultant, how do you know that the Commandant of the Capital Region won't be transferred back to Luoyang as a Consultant? Let me remind the Commandant of the Capital Region that Governor Liu of Yongzhou was recommended by the General."

Zhang Wen's astonishment instantly turned into fear.

No matter how much prestige Zhang Wen had in the past, he was still just a subject. With just one order from Luoyang, Zhang Wen would have to obediently return to Luoyang.

In Luoyang today, He Jin is second only to the emperor, and can appoint whomever he wants.

Although there were some who disobeyed orders, for example, after Liu Yan, the governor of Yizhou, entered Yizhou, he first ordered Zhang Lu to kill Zhang Xiu of the Five Pecks of Rice sect, and then submitted a memorial claiming that the rice bandits had cut off the plank roads, seized control of Yizhou, and obeyed orders but not proclamations.

But it's clear that Zhang Wen can't do it!

Without Zhang Wen's support, Yang Kuo, the clerk, could no longer withstand the pressure and could only bite the bullet and say, "I think we can extend the military training period to thirty days, and then divide the officials and soldiers of various departments in Chang'an into three groups to take turns participating in the military training. In this way, we can improve the responsiveness of the prefecture and not affect the daily operation of the prefecture."

Upon hearing this, Cai You and the other officials present all looked at Yang Kuo in astonishment.

Don't offer suggestions if you don't have good ideas. Originally, there was only a ten-day military training, but you directly proposed a thirty-day military training.
Which side are you on?

"Excellent!" Liu Bei clapped his hands and laughed: "Yang is indeed a great talent. The matter of rotation and scheduling will be entrusted to Yang. I have always been fair in rewarding and punishing, and if you can accomplish this task, I will reward you handsomely."

Yang Kuo thanked them, then lowered his head and sat down, avoiding eye contact with the sharp gazes of the crowd.

"This third important matter, which is also the last important matter," Liu Bei chuckled, glancing at the anxious crowd, and said, "Issue an order to all counties: within one month, if the county magistrates, county heads, and other county officials can truthfully hand over the embezzled funds, I will let bygones be bygones; if they conceal the truth or refuse to hand over the funds, then I will have no choice but to send troops to arrest them. I am a very reasonable person, and I hope that all county officials can also be reasonable."

"As for those of you here today, I will not pursue your past actions; but if you commit the same offense again, do not blame me for being ruthless. Now, you may all go back. I will give you time and opportunity to discuss this privately."

"I hope you will all be on time tomorrow."

Seeing that Liu Bei was no longer willing to keep him, Zhang Wen could no longer sit still and got up to leave.

Cai You and Huang Guang also hurriedly left their seats to follow suit, and the other officials looked around and left one after another.

In the end, only Yang Kuo, the clerk, remained.

"Why aren't you leaving? Do you have something important to report?" Liu Bei glanced at Yang Kuo, a smile playing on his lips.

Yang Kuo gritted his teeth, stepped forward, and bowed: "Your Excellency, although I am a clerk, I do not have the authority to command the officers and soldiers of various departments on a rotating basis. I implore Your Excellency to appoint someone more capable." "Oh?" Liu Bei narrowed his eyes slightly: "Is it a lack of authority, or an unwillingness?"

Yang Kuo was startled and hurriedly said, "Your Excellency has given the order, and I am willing to do my utmost. I truly have no prestige to command the officials and soldiers of all departments."

"Since you are willing to fight to the death, then it is a small matter." Liu Bei beckoned Zhang Fei closer and said, "Third brother, you will lead three hundred soldiers to assist Yang in directing the officers and soldiers of various units. Anyone who disobeys will be dealt with according to the law. Remember, you must persuade people with reason!"

Zhang Fei bowed and replied, "Brother, don't worry, I'm very reasonable."

Yang Kuo glanced at Zhang Fei, who was as fierce as a bear and tiger, and when he heard Liu Bei directly dispatch three hundred soldiers to assist him, he felt even more awe.

On the other side, most of the officials who had just left the banquet gathered at the Sili Commandant's office. The people, who had been holding back their resentment, began to express their dissatisfaction with Liu Bei.

"Liu Bei is too tyrannical. It is a disgrace for us to have a military man in power. If Lord Gai were still alive, would we have suffered this calamity today?"

"The Western Garden Army was originally the emperor's personal guard, and the late emperor always favored Prince Xie. I never imagined that Liu Bei would side with Prince Bian for wealth and power. I am deeply ashamed of such an opportunist!"

"The Three Auxiliary Regions originally belonged to Zhang Gong, but now they have been seized by treacherous officials. We are not satisfied with this. If Liu Bei continues to control Yongzhou, how will we face each other in the future?"

"I earnestly request that Lord Zhang submit a memorial to the Emperor, condemning Liu Bei's crimes and appointing a more capable person to serve as the Governor of Yongzhou."

"."

The crowd was in high spirits, as if they wanted to vent all the negative emotions they had suppressed at the banquet.

Looking at the boisterous crowd, Zhang Wen's face was extremely gloomy, and he was quite displeased: When I was criticizing Liu Bei just now, you all pretended to be deaf and dumb, but now that you've come to my residence, you're all starting to shout again.

Want a face?

“Lord Zhang, if it’s just roll call and military training, I can barely accept it. But if we make the officials of all the counties truthfully hand over the embezzled funds, wouldn’t that be digging up our roots?” Cai You said in a low voice while observing Zhang Wen’s expression.

Of all those present, who hadn't accepted bribes from officials in various counties?
The reason why officials in various counties could embezzle and accept bribes was not only because they had close cooperation with local powerful bandits, but also because they were willing to pay tribute to the officials in Chang'an.

Since Zhang Wen, there has never been one who was not corrupt and accepted bribes.

The most serious incident occurred when Zhang Wen was attacking Bian Zhang. He conscripted three thousand Wuhuan cavalry from Youzhou, but due to the withholding of military rations and the delay in paying military wages, all three thousand Wuhuan cavalrymen defected and returned to their homeland.

The fact that the Liangzhou rebellion could be quelled for so many years was largely due to the corruption of officials in the Three Auxiliary Regions.

Liu Hong used the money he obtained from selling official positions to supplement military funds, resulting in corruption of these funds from top to bottom.

For ordinary soldiers, without military rations and pay, why would they be willing to go to the battlefield to fight?

If Liu Bei wanted to pacify Yong and Liang, solving the problem of corruption in Yongzhou was of paramount importance.

If this problem cannot be solved, the officials and soldiers will not support Liu Bei, the powerful bandits will not support Liu Bei, and the common people who have been bullied by the officials, soldiers, powerful bandits and the common people will certainly not support Liu Bei.

Although reforming the bureaucracy would offend Liu Bei, he never intended to rely entirely on officials and their staff when he chose Yongzhou as the base for his career.

What is the largest group in Yongzhou?
They were commoners, refugees, servants and retainers of officials, soldiers, bandits, and rebels who had taken up residence west of Chencang.

Therefore, Liu Bei's three fires were aimed at burning away the parasites that were sucking the blood of the people of Yongzhou.

Liu Bei wasn't worried that after burning down these parasites, no one would govern Yongzhou.

Not to mention that not all the officials and soldiers in Yongzhou are corrupt, accepting bribes and colluding with powerful bandits, even if they were all like that, Liu Bei wouldn't be worried.

The nationwide campaign to teach reading and literacy, which began last year, is essentially about breaking the monopoly of knowledge held by scholars.

The selection of two thousand men from the Xiyuan Army who were willing to endure hardship in Yongzhou was also a way to cultivate an army with faith.

In a peaceful era, no matter how much Liu Bei tried to influence the situation, he wouldn't achieve anything significant. But in this chaotic world, Liu Bei can use both reason and force. If he can influence the situation enough, he can create a new world.

In chaotic times, one must always rely on a strong army, which is the fundamental reason why Liu Bei dared to be powerful in Yongzhou.

Today's banquet also made Zhang Wen understand this principle.

Therefore, no matter how indignant everyone was, Zhang Wen had no intention of getting involved.

If he remains on good terms with Liu Bei, Zhang Wen will still be the Commandant of the Capital Region; if he opposes Liu Bei, he might be tortured to death in the streets.

If I can't afford to offend this old man, can't I at least avoid him?
“Starting tomorrow, I will be heading to Hongnong. As the Commandant of the Capital Region, it is not appropriate for me to stay in Chang'an all the time.” Zhang Wen’s calm words shocked everyone present.

If Zhang Wenruo leaves, how will they live their lives from now on?

"Zhang Gong, think carefully!"

"Master Zhang, you mustn't! If you leave, what will we do?"

"Zhang Gong's reputation is unparalleled, why should he fear a mere warrior?"

“Master Zhang, Liu Bei has offended Zhang Rang, He Jin and others. Perhaps we can use them to get rid of him.”

"."

Hearing the nonsense spouted by the crowd, Zhang Wen grew impatient and rebuked them, "If Gai Xun can be transferred back to Luoyang as an advisor, how do you know I won't be transferred back to Luoyang as an advisor? I must remind you all, Liu Bei was recommended by the Grand General to be the Governor of Yongzhou! You all should think carefully!"

"I am not an unfeeling person. If anyone does not wish to stay in Chang'an, they may come with me to Hongnong. I am still the Commandant of the Capital Region and am also lacking worthy men to serve me."

After dispersing the crowd, Zhang Wen kept Cai You and Huang Guang behind and instructed them: "You two should also pack your things and come with me to Hongnong. Liu Bei is determined to reform the administration of Yongzhou this time. If you two linger in Youfufeng and Zuofengyi, you will surely be eliminated by Liu Bei."

"I miscalculated before. The Western Garden Army was originally the emperor's personal guard, yet Liu Bei was able to bring two thousand of them to Yongzhou, which shows his ability. Such a warrior acts unpredictably, and we should not confront him head-on."

As he spoke, Zhang Wen's eyes flashed with a cold light: "If Liu Bei wants to make an enemy of all the officials, soldiers, and bandits in Yongzhou, he will surely suffer a backlash. At that time, the whole of Yongzhou will rebel! When Liu Bei loses control of the situation, I will submit a memorial to the court to request the administration of Yongzhou. The more arrogant Liu Bei is today, the more terrified he will be tomorrow."

(End of this chapter)