Han Dynasty Achievements

Chapter 67: The Conquest and Appeasement Dispute

Early June.

The Guardian Hall.

Ding Gong, Liu Hong, Wang Yun, Yang Biao, and Xun You sat together. On the small table in front of them were many documents, dozens of thick volumes.

Liu Bian did the same. He picked up a book and read it carefully. After a moment, he said thoughtfully, "There are six ministers: Li Cao, Min Cao, and San Gong Cao. San Gong Cao is changed to Xing Cao, the Southern Master and Guest Cao is changed to Li Cao, and the Northern Master and Guest Cao is merged into Li Cao. The 2,000-stone Cao is renamed Gong Cao, responsible for the repair of palaces, official temples, court officials' residences, official roads, rivers, etc...."

Everyone listened without saying anything, all with thoughtful expressions on their faces.

After saying this, Liu Bian picked up another book and read it from beginning to end, saying: "The power and responsibility of the Li Cao should be expanded. The selection, transfer, assessment, and dismissal of officials should all be managed by the Li Cao..."

Ding Gong quickly replied, "Your Majesty, this is in conflict with the Censorate, the Supreme Court, etc...."

Liu Bian said without even looking up, "The Supreme Court is responsible for judging, the Imperial Censorate is responsible for supervision, and the Criminal Department is responsible for the prison. There is no conflict."

Ding Gong was stunned. This not only deprived the Nine Ministers of their power, but also the power of other temples and governments.

In their original plan, the power of the Secretariat was not so great, but according to Liu Bian, the power of the Nine Ministers, the Three Dukes, and the Censorate had been stripped too much, while the power of the Secretariat expanded too much, completely surpassing the Three Dukes, the Nine Ministers, etc.

Liu Bian raised his eyelids and glanced at him, saying: "The Civil Affairs Department is responsible for household registration, land, taxes, and population..."

Wang Yun glanced at Liu Bian secretly, then lowered his head to look at the same document on his desk, which did not contain so much power.

The power of the Minister of Agriculture was almost completely stripped away.

Liu Bian continued: "The Li Cao is responsible for etiquette, laws, sacrifices, ceremonies, and the interaction of guests..."

"This transfers all the power of the Grand Herald to the Shangshutai." Liu Hong was secretly shocked.

Such a major reform will inevitably cause a stir in the government and the public, and I don't know how many people will oppose it.

After Liu Bian finished speaking, he looked at the others carefully, then suddenly raised his head, looked at Yang Biao, and said with a smile: "Yang Qingjia, what do you think?"

Yang Biao, who had been sitting upright and listening, immediately turned to Liu Bian and said, "Your Majesty is wise. The current official system is complicated and the responsibilities are confused. It is a time of trouble. It is time to unify the system."

Liu Bian smiled, then looked at Xun You and asked, "Xun Qing's family?"

Xun You had been thinking about Liu Bian's words and the deep meaning behind them. Hearing this, he said, "Your Majesty, this reform is quite similar to the one during the reign of Emperor Wu. I think there is no problem. However, in this way, the Secretariat is in urgent need of manpower, and it is deep in the palace, so people cannot come and go, as it would cause trouble."

Liu Bian groaned, but Xun You's words woke him up and said, "Your Majesty is right. In this way, the various recorders will still be on duty at the Shangshutai, and the six ministers will be moved outside the palace. The specific location and the construction of the temple will be in charge of the Gongcao."

Ding Gong hesitated for a long time, and finally said: "Your Majesty, this reform is too big a change. I am worried that it will cause a stir in the court and the country."

Liu Bian put down the book, sat up straight, and said calmly, "I have made up my mind, and you gentlemen don't need to say more. This reform is indeed too big to be done all at once. I will make changes step by step first, and then announce it when the time is right."

Just as Ding Gong was about to speak, he saw Pan Yin hurried in from the side door, handed Liu Bian a letter, and whispered, "Your Majesty, it's a letter from Zhong Tingwei."

Liu Bian took it quickly, tore open the seal, and read it quickly.

Soon, he smiled and looked at Ding Gong and others with joy, saying, "Zhong Qing's family received a letter saying that Han Sui and Ma Teng are interested in joining us."

Ding Gong and the others were cheered up, and Liu Hong said with a smile: "Your Majesty, if the Qiang people are willing to submit, the court can rest assured."

The two biggest threats to the Han Dynasty at present are the Qiang people and the Yellow Turban Army.

Liu Bian looked thoughtful and said, "But they want the General of Zhenxi."

Everyone suddenly stopped talking, looked at each other, and hesitated.

The title of General Zhenxi is not important. The key point is that once the imperial court confers the title on him, it is tantamount to acknowledging the fact that they have split from Xiliang. A terrible consequence is that it will encourage some people to rebel!

Xun You raised his hand to Liu Bian and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, this group cannot be dismissed! Since they are willing to submit, it means that they have no intention of causing trouble again, at least not in the short term, so you don't need to pay attention to them!"

Liu Bian looked at him, analyzing Xun You's judgment in his mind. After a moment, he turned to Pan Yin and asked, "Master Yuan hasn't replied yet?"

Bingzhou is closer than Xiliang, and Zhong Yao has to travel to three places. Logically, Yuan Wei should have received the news long ago.

"Not yet." Pan Yin said, bowing.

Liu Bian narrowed his eyes slightly and asked, "Neither did Cao Cao?"

Pan Yin's expression became cautious, and he said, "Neither."

'That's interesting.'

Liu Bian looked out the door with a gloomy look. Yuan Wei didn't reply, nor did Cao Cao. Could it be that they were detained by Dong Zhuo?

Ding Gong, Liu Hong and others looked at each other and began to doubt.

Wang Yun suddenly raised his hand and said, "Your Majesty, if Dong Zhuo still refuses to obey the edict, what should we do?"

Liu Bian raised his eyebrows, looked at him, and glanced at the people present.

Ding Gong, Liu Hong, Wang Yun, Yang Biao and Xun You in the hall became nervous subconsciously and stared at Liu Bian.

Dong Zhuo had refused to obey the imperial edict several times since the time of the previous emperor. Now the new emperor has issued an edict, conferring him the title of Grand Marshal and sending Yuan Wei, the de facto prime minister, to persuade him in person. It can be said that the new emperor is extremely sincere.

If Dong Zhuo still does not obey the imperial edict, it would be a clear declaration to the court: he is rebelling!

What should the court do when a high-ranking official who commands a large army and is only a stone's throw away from Luoyang city plots treason?

The imperial court does not have enough troops to conquer Dong Zhuo now, and Dong Zhuo has the Three Qiangs behind him!

With everyone's attention focused on him, Liu Bian looked determined and fierce, and slowly said, "I will mobilize all my troops and fight with all my strength. I will not stop until Dong Zhuo is destroyed!"

Everyone was shocked when they heard this!

The imperial court had just repelled the Qiang people the year before last, and the Yellow Turban Rebellion has not yet been resolved. If they were to devote all their efforts to conquering the provincial governors, the consequences of a defeat would be disastrous. Even if they won, it would be a pyrrhic victory, and the loss would outweigh the gain!

"Your Majesty!"

Ding Gong raised his hand, a little anxiously, and said: "Your Majesty, Dong Zhuo's wolfish ambitions are well known to the court and the people. But now is not the time to attack him. I beg Your Majesty to calm down. Right now, the court has a lot of work to do. We must conserve our energy and accumulate strength, and we must not raise an army!"

Liu Hong followed up and said, "Your Majesty, I think we can temporarily appease Dong Zhuo and keep him in line, and then we can fight him when the time is right."

Liu Bian looked at them, then glanced at Wang Yun and Yang Biao's faces, and said lightly: "What do Wang Qing's family and Yang Qing's family think?"

Wang Yun paused and said, "I agree with what the Minister of Works and Minister of Civil Affairs said."

Yang Biao was thinking about the Yuan family in his heart. Beads of sweat appeared on his fat face. He didn't bother to wipe it off. He raised his hands and buried his head, saying: "Your Majesty, I think we should conquer them as soon as possible and not let the villains grow stronger."

Liu Bian was really unsure about this person, so he looked at Xun You calmly and asked, "Xun Qing's family?"

Xun You said solemnly, "Your Majesty, I agree with what Doctor Yang said! We must not allow these villains to grow stronger! At the beginning of the new dynasty, we must not adopt a policy of appeasement!"

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