Han Dynasty Achievements

Chapter 66 New and Old Stories

Yang Biao left the Yulin Army camp, got on the carriage with his hands and feet, and said urgently: "Hurry, hurry, hurry back."

Yang Biao did not bother to wipe the sweat off his head. Instead, his whole body was cold, his eyes were wide open, and he felt very anxious.

Soon he returned to the mansion, got off the carriage, and headed straight for the West Garden. As soon as he entered the door, he shouted, "Jingxing, Jingxing..."

At this time, a middle-aged man with a broad face and long beard, who was about the same age as Yang Biao, came out and said with a smile: "It's still early, do you want to drink?"

Yang Biao came over with a big belly, took his hand and walked inside, and said anxiously: "Mr. Wang, what time is it, what kind of wine do you want to drink..."

Mr. Wang, whose real name was Wang Lang and whose pen name was Jingxing, was a student of Yang Ci, the father of Yang Biao.

Wang Lang was pulled by him and asked in confusion: "Didn't you go to see His Majesty? What's the matter that makes you so panicked?"

Yang Biao looked back, pulled him in, and quickly closed the door. Then he sat down with him and spoke incoherently, repeating Huangfu Song's words just now.

Wang Lang was so shocked that he couldn't speak. After a long while, he looked at Yang Biao and said, "Mr. Wen, are you saying that the palace coup, the massacre that night, Dong Zhuo's deployment of troops to Hedong... these were done by the Yuan family?"

Yang Biao gulped down a big mouthful of water, his expression still difficult to calm down, and said: "Besides the Yuan family, which other family can have such ability?"

Wang Lang was stunned. He never expected that the Yuan family, the most prestigious family in the world, could do such a thing!

Seeing him in a trance, Yang Biao couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Jing Xing, can you say something?"

Wang Lang straightened his face and said seriously, "The Yuan family may not have the intention to usurp the throne, but they are committing a heinous act! Your Majesty must have some ulterior motive for not speaking out. Now the key question is why Your Majesty told you this."

Yang Biao was still thirsty, but he held it back. Just as he was about to speak, he glanced outside the door, leaned over and whispered, "That's what I'm worried about. I'm also Yuan Wei's brother-in-law. Will His Majesty suspect that our two families are in collusion? Then, will he... exterminate my Yang family?"

If the emperor knew everything about what the Yuan family did and told him openly, it means that the emperor had already made some arrangements for the Yuan family. Is the Yang family included in this "arrangement"?

When he thought of this, Yang Biao felt a chill in his heart.

Wang Lang pondered for a while, and said to himself: "The current political situation is unclear. We need someone to stabilize the political situation and stabilize the hearts of the government and scholars. If this period of time passes..."

Yang Biao was anxious and said, "Just tell me, what should I do to protect my Yang family?!"

After Wang Lang resigned from his official position, he devoted himself to studying. If Yang Biao had not written to him, he would not have come to the capital. He was also confused about the situation in the court.

He couldn't figure it out, so he could only say, "Don't panic yet. Since His Majesty has asked you to take charge of the Shangshu affairs, it means that he still trusts you. Just focus on your work and stay away from the Yuan family."

Although Yang Biao knew that Wang Lang's words had many problems, he was still relieved and said, "We do need to cut ties with the Yuan family. I will write a memorial to support your majesty's new system. Jingxing, are you interested in serving as an official?"

Wang Lang immediately shook his head and said, "I haven't finished writing my book yet."

He originally wanted to be an official, otherwise he would not have come to Luoyang. When the new emperor ascended the throne, there would definitely be many opportunities to replace the old officials with new ones, but after listening to Yang Biao's words, he immediately gave up the idea and wanted to go back and wait and see for a while.

"Alright."

Yang Biao sighed and said, "It is indeed impossible to enter the court in the current situation. Then, can you help me polish this memorial?"

Wang Lang smiled and said, "It's not difficult. You tell me and I'll write."

Yang Biao stood up and fetched the writing brush himself. After sitting down, he wiped the sweat off his face and said, "Go back tomorrow and take my son with you."

Wang Lang looked at Yang Biao deeply, not being deceived by his timid appearance. He picked up the pen and said, "Okay."

Yang Biao calmed himself down and began to speak.

The two of them talked and wrote together, describing the court's malpractices, and soon a memorial seeking reform was produced.

……

At this time, Liu Bian and Huangfu Song left the Yulin Army’s base and strolled towards the imperial palace.

Liu Bian said: "In addition to the three noble families of Liu, Zhu, and Lu, leaving aside the three auxiliary areas, I hope that your family will recruit at least another 100,000 soldiers and horses, affiliated with the court, stationed in the capital, and can be deployed at any time."

Huangfu Song followed behind Liu Bian and said thoughtfully: "Your Majesty, recruiting young and strong people is not difficult. The key lies in money and food."

The Han Dynasty had no shortage of young and strong men, nor of generals who could lead troops. What constrained it was that the treasury was empty and could not afford to support an additional 100,000 soldiers.

Liu Bian estimated the money in the inner treasury and felt a lot of pressure. He said, "I will take care of this matter. You don't have to worry about it. Just recruit and train them."

Huangfu Song's expression became solemn, and he bowed and said, "I accept your order."

Liu Bian nodded and thought about how to raise money.

The Han Dynasty was now plagued by natural and man-made disasters. The local areas were basically controlled by aristocratic families and powerful people. The only people who could collect taxes were the poor people.

Huangfu Song saw that Liu Bian was silent, so he asked, "Your Majesty, do you need me to respond to the Dong Zhuo incident?"

Liu Bian shook his head and said, "I will take care of this matter myself. By the way, the Taiwei Mansion is vacant, I will appoint you as the Grand Marshal and take charge of military affairs."

Huangfu Song looked calm and raised his hand, saying, "I accept your order."

Just as Liu Bian was about to speak, Pan Yin came up from behind and whispered in his ear, "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother invites you to have lunch together."

Liu Bian paused and said that ever since the quarrel between Empress Dowager He and He Jin that day, they rarely saw each other, let alone had meals together.

He thought about it and said to himself: Well, He Jin, it’s time to come to an end.

Liu Bian turned to Huangfu Song and said, "Qing Jia, we will stop here today. I will go back to the palace to deal with some things first."

Huangfu Song bowed and said, "I respectfully send you off, Your Majesty!"

Liu Bian nodded, got on the carriage and went straight back to the palace.

After returning to the palace, Liu Bian went straight to Changle Palace.

Empress Dowager He was busy at the small table. When she saw Liu Bian, she said, "Bian'er, come quickly. These are your favorite foods."

Liu Bian walked in with a smile, sat down, looked at the table full of dishes, picked up his chopsticks and took a few bites.

After Empress Dowager He sat down, she kept looking at Liu Bian and said with a smile: "I heard that you haven't slept much these days. Eat well and go back to sleep. Don't work so hard. If there is anything, just let the outsiders do it. There is no need to stay up so late. You are the emperor..."

"What the Queen Mother said is,"

Liu Bian smiled, then looked at Empress Dowager He and said, "Mother, uncle..."

Before he finished speaking, Empress Dowager He picked up some food for him and said, "Don't mention him, just eat."

Liu Bian was startled, observing the Queen Mother He's expression, and said thoughtfully: "Mother, are you..."

"Eat quickly and don't talk while eating." Empress Dowager He picked up some more food for him, with a hint of annoyance on her expression.

'She knows.'

Liu Bian understood. After all these days, Empress Dowager He must have noticed something.

However, Liu Bian still didn't know what Empress Dowager He and He Jin had argued about that day, which led to He Jin committing suicide without leaving any last words.

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