Han Dynasty Achievements

Chapter 55 Internal Affairs and External Military Affairs

Xun You looked at Liu Bian and was shocked.

He just said "unified government policies", so how did it end up abolishing the Three Dukes' Offices?

What he meant by 'unified government policies' was that the 'outer court', composed of palace officials, controlled the palace and confronted the Secretariat and the Censorate, causing strife in the court and leading to chaos and stagnation in government affairs.

Who said to abolish the Three Dukes' Office?

Although the Three Dukes' Mansion had long been in name only due to the development of the Shangshu Tai, it was still the Three Dukes' Mansion. How could it be abolished just like that?

Pan Yin didn't feel much when he heard it, but suddenly he became alert and glanced at Liu Bian secretly.

After Dong Zhuo entered the capital, he abolished the Three Dukes' Office, and Dong Zhuo's position as Grand Marshal was gone!

Liu Bian looked at Xun You's shocked expression, smiled and stood up, saying, "Qing Jia, come here, let's talk in detail."

Xun You quickly came to his senses and thought carefully about Liu Bian's words.

Liu Bian brought Xun You to a tea table not far away, knelt down beside it, and seeing Xun You didn't move, he said, "Don't be so reserved. I have many questions I want to ask you."

Xun You saw that Liu Bian was not lying, so he held his breath and raised his hand and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

He stepped forward, knelt down below Liu Bian, and bowed slightly.

Liu Bian poured tea and organized his words in his mind, saying: "I have been watching the national politics during the reign of Emperor Wu. Based on the current situation, I think that the Three Dukes' Office has become a mere formality, and the powers and responsibilities of the Nine Ministers have been usurped by the Shangshutai, which is gradually declining. What's more, the powers and responsibilities are unclear and the functions are mixed, which is not conducive to national politics. So, the powers and responsibilities of the Three Dukes' Office and the Nine Ministers should be redistributed, and those who should be retained should be retained, those who should be merged should be merged, and those who should be dismissed should be dismissed, and the order of the court should be reorganized..."

Xun You never expected that Liu Bian had thought of so much. He was surprised and couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

The Three Dukes' Mansion developed from the Prime Minister's Mansion with the aim of dispersing the prime minister's power.

Later, the Shangshu Tai rose to power and usurped the power of the Three Dukes' Office. As the Shangshu Tai continued to grow, even the power of the Nine Ministers was restricted. It can be said that now the Shangshu Tai is the Prime Minister's Office of the Han Dynasty, and the Recorder of the Shangshu is equivalent to the Prime Minister, the only difference is the number of people.

The Secretariat had a Shangshu Ling, and then six Shangshu, who were divided into six departments, and thirty-six Shilang. It basically covered all the functions of the Three Dukes and the Nine Ministers. All political affairs of the Three Dukes and the Nine Ministers were also decided by the Secretariat.

The Secretariat has become the central institution of the Han Dynasty!

However, the development of the Secretariat was a kind of "tacit consent" and illegal, so it had many conflicts with the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers over power and duties. Coupled with factional struggles and the infighting of powerful officials, the court became more chaotic, government affairs were delayed, and efficiency was low.

Xun You thought about it again and again, and said cautiously: "Your Majesty, I think it is feasible, but it still needs long-term planning and careful planning, and it cannot be done overnight."

Although the Secretariat was already the de facto center, every move involved the power of court officials and was bound to be subject to many constraints. If anything went wrong, it would fail in the womb.

Liu Bian nodded, picked up the teacup, and said, "Have some tea, my dear."

Xun You quickly picked up the teacup. After hearing Liu Bian's questions, he began to rethink his speech.

Xun You took a sip, put it down quickly, and said, "Your Majesty, the most urgent task is to eliminate bad policies and establish your authority. If your authority is established, everything will be easy."

Liu Bian listened and said, "How do you establish your authority? Please tell me in detail."

Xun You stood up, his expression solemn, and said: "Your Majesty, since Emperor Huan, the eunuch party has been rampant, flattering the emperor and causing endless bad policies. Take Xiyuan for example. All court officials have to go to Xiyuan to pay huge gifts. The court officials are poor, so appointments are difficult, and virtuous people are blocked, and corrupt officials emerge in large numbers. Xiyuan is like this, and the court and local governments are even worse. They sell official positions and titles, with clear prices. The three dukes can be bought, and the marquis is like the price of vegetables. How can the virtuous and honest people deal with it?"

Liu Bian was greatly shocked and looked solemn.

He knew something about these situations, but from Xun You's words, he realized the seriousness of the problem.

The emperor is so blatant and open about his greed for money. How rotten could the officials of the Han Dynasty be?

Most importantly, the rich and powerful people nowadays are all the famous families and local tyrants. Doesn't that mean that the official positions of the Han Dynasty have been easily monopolized by them? !

Considering the local 'de facto princes', with the court being weak, the Han Dynasty in history would not have lasted long even without Dong Zhuo!

Liu Bian took a deep breath, looked at Xun You with a sullen expression and said, "Your words make sense, go on."

Xun You observed Liu Bian's expression, worried that what he said would make Liu Bian hesitate, so he pondered and said, "Your Majesty, this is one thing. Second, the court must strengthen itself. There are barbarians outside and the Yellow Turbans inside. The national treasury is in trouble and the royal army is weak. We must increase revenue and reduce expenditure, replenish the national treasury, recruit young and strong people, and train strong soldiers. Only in this way can we strengthen the country and protect the people and revive our Han Dynasty!"

'Internal affairs and foreign troops?'

Liu Bian had already understood Xun You's meaning, which coincided with his own.

The current situation of the Han Dynasty is that the government is corrupt and extremely weak, while powerful people are rising up outside the capital and separatist forces are beginning to emerge. The internal and external troubles have reached a very dangerous point.

"How to increase revenue and reduce expenditure?" Liu Bian asked.

This is the issue that concerns him most right now. Although the confiscation of the eunuch party's property and the "savings" in the palace can provide short-term support, this is unsustainable. The Han treasury needs a stable source of funds.

Xun You said without hesitation: "Your Majesty, in my opinion, first, regulate the farmland and appease the refugees. Second, abolish excessive taxes and set reasonable taxes. Third, curb corruption and stabilize the people. Fourth, reclaim wasteland and use soldiers to farm."

Liu Bian's eyes flickered slightly, and he suddenly stretched out his hand, beckoned Pan Yin over, and said, "Bring me paper and pen."

Xun You saw Liu Bian's excitement and said quickly, "After I return, I will write a detailed report to Your Majesty."

Liu Bian couldn't wait any longer. The problem of the Han Dynasty was not a problem of money and food, but the problem of the Han Dynasty needed to be solved with money and food!

Taxation is the most important aspect!

Pan Yin put the paper and pen on the table. Liu Bian took it and started writing. He said casually, "Regulating the farmland and pacifying the refugees is not easy. We need to take our time. Second, abolish the excessive taxes, right? Well, we can start right away. Third, crack down on corruption. I want the Yushitai to discuss this carefully. Fourth, reclaim wasteland and use soldiers to farm the land. Yes, that's it. Please tell me in detail."

Liu Bian finished writing hurriedly, put down his pen, looked at Xun You and said.

Xun You saw Liu Bian's seriousness and was excited. His face became more serious and he said, "Yes. Your Majesty, the biggest problem for our royal army to go to war is food and grass. The national treasury is empty and we have to draw from various places. It takes a long time and it is uncertain whether we can raise the money. Therefore, if we station troops in a certain place and use them to reclaim wasteland, it will not only solve the problem of money and food, but also save a lot for the court. In the future, it will be transferred and handed over to the people, which is also a good policy..."

Get it in one fell swoop!

Liu Bian narrowed his eyes slightly, he remembered that this is what Cao Cao did in history!

And Xun You is Cao Cao's strategist!

'Great talent!'

Liu Bian was secretly delighted and could not help but said, "Great! My Lord, write down all your thoughts on state affairs, not just yours, but also the pros and cons of state affairs from the court and the public. I want to see it. In addition, Pan Yin, are there any vacancies in the Shangshutai?"

Pan Yin was stunned. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Liu Bian had already stood up.