Three Kingdoms: Domination of the World

Mid-October, AD 182.

After several days of travel, Suo Chao and General Huangfu's report finally arrived in the imperial capital of Luoyang. At court, the three ministers reported the situation in the north to Emperor Ling of Han in detail.

On this day, Liu Hong did not want to go to court as usual, but something unexpected happened and he went to court anyway.

"General! What do you think about the situation in the north?" Liu Hong asked the ministers below while sitting on the dragon throne.

General Xu stood up and reported to Liu Hong:

"Your Majesty, I believe the Xianbei have been severely damaged and are no longer a threat!"

"However, Tuoba Tao of the Xianbei is indeed powerful. It would be better to send one or two brave generals to consolidate the northern defense line." General Xu continued.

Liu Hong listened and nodded, then glanced at the civil and military officials in the court and asked, "My dear ministers, who are your candidates?"

At 42, Lu Zhi had a resolute face and a stern expression. His high nose and tightly pursed lips betrayed his resolute and resolute character. Lu Zhi faced Emperor Ling of Han and stood up to respond.

"Your Majesty, I have a student named Gongsun Zan, currently studying at the Yang Clan Martial Arts Academy. He is a brave warrior and well-suited to this position. His abilities could assist Governor Guo Xun and Deputy Governor Liu Yu."

Sikong Zhang Ji, like a horse breeder selecting horses, recommended Dao to Emperor Ling of Han.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Martial Arts Academy has produced many talented individuals in recent years. One of them is Taishi Ci, who is exceptionally brave and skilled with the spear. He is well-equipped for great tasks."

"Well. That's it. Appoint Gongsun Zan as the Sima of the Separate Division and send him to Youzhou immediately. Appoint Taishi Ci as the Captain of the Cavalry to assist Ding Yuan, the Governor of Bingzhou."

Taiwei Xu Jian nodded slightly and then said to Emperor Ling of Han.

"Your Majesty, this arrangement is excellent. Bingzhou will be commanded by Generals Suo Chao, Huangfu Song, and Taishi Ci, while Youzhou will be commanded by Deputy General Liu Yu, Governor Guo Xun, and Gongsun Zan."

"Yes! The Xianbei have been very sensible recently and have given the Han a lot of money. If we can avoid fighting, we will do so. We, the Han, are a nation of etiquette."

"My Lords, is there anything else you need today?"

Situ Chendan stood up and bowed.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report!"

.....

The time goes back to the spring of this year, when Emperor Ling of Han issued a general amnesty.

"Why did Liu Hong often grant amnesty?"

"It's just that the ancients were superstitious. At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, floods, droughts, locust plagues, earthquakes, and epidemics were rampant. Liu Hong also felt that his inaction had offended the gods. So, he prayed for the country as per tradition!"

"The nationwide treasure hunt has alleviated the people's hunger a little, but it's far from enough. There are still many people who can't even get enough food and even eat their own children.

"Why are those powerful people eyeing ordinary treasure maps in the hands of ordinary people? In the past, they only targeted farmland and food, but now they just have an additional source of income."

In March of this year, Emperor Ling of Han issued an edict, ordering the officials to report on the situation based on rumors and gossip, and to expose those provincial governors and county magistrates who were harming the people.

"Is Emperor Ling of Han finally finding his conscience? Or is he finally ready to work hard and become stronger?"

"neither!"

"Emperor Ling of Han is still Emperor Ling of Han."

Emperor Ling of Han did this in order to quickly consolidate his power and sell it for a good price. In recent years, the power of eunuchs has become increasingly powerful, and many of their descendants have committed crimes.

As long as the price was right, the Three Dukes could buy and sell. A few years later, Cui Shi bought Cui Lie a position as a Minister of Justice. Cao Song, the father of Cao Boss, also spent money to buy a position as a Grand Marshal. Although it was embarrassing, this was the status quo at the time.

Being one of the Three Dukes was a thrill for everyone. The candidates for the Three Dukes were like leeks, one crop is cut and another is born. Liu Hong was very happy to see this happen.

.....

"What's the matter? Tell me quickly.

"Your Majesty, I report this. Grand Marshal Xu Jian and Minister of Works Zhang Ji have taken refuge with powerful eunuchs and accepted bribes."

"The Grand Marshal and the Minister of Works dared not intervene in the corruption and illegal activities of the sons of the powerful, but they reported 26 officials from a small, marginal county without any evidence."

"These officials are honest and have good political records. The impact is too bad."

"The people are filled with resentment. They have gathered in front of the Luoyang Imperial Palace to appeal for their grievances."

"Most of the nobles' reports this time were to protect their own factions. There is no justice at all."

"Your Majesty, I beg you to act for the people. Releasing the evil bird and imprisoning the phoenix is ​​truly chilling and absurd."

Emperor Ling of Han was displeased. If the Grand Marshal Sikong did this, his plan to make a little money would be ruined.

"Xu Jian, Zhang Ji, look at what you two have done!"

The Grand Marshal and the Minister of Works both knelt down and begged for mercy.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I didn't know either! It's all because of the corruption among the people below. We have all been deceived."

"Alright. Each of you will be fined one year's salary."

"These 26 honest officials who were slandered by the folk songs were all appointed as counselors."

"Mother Zhong, please take the trouble to give the order. It will be carried out immediately."

"promise!"

"Is there anything else?"

As the saying goes, when a wall falls, everyone pushes it. Taichang Yang Ci was originally the Sikong (Minister of Works), but was dismissed due to his own ineffective response to disasters that struck the Han Dynasty.

What goes around comes around! Whose turn is it today? Yes, it's Grand Commandant Xu Yu's turn today.

Yang Ci smiled slightly, like a light cloud emerging from a mountain, and he calmly reported to Emperor Ling of Han.

"Your Majesty, I have received a report that Grand Commandant Xu Yu has failed to effectively manage floods and droughts, resulting in the displacement of countless civilians."

"Countless people have died of starvation and disease. I hope Your Majesty will do something for these poor people."

Xu Heng's face turned pale with shock. This was bad. He never thought that Yang Taichang would use this matter to cause trouble.

"My future is over!"

Liu Hong's hair stood on end with rage. His eyes were as big as copper bells, and veins on his forehead bulged like earthworms. His breathing became rapid, and his chest rose and fell violently, making a whirring sound like a bellows.

"Xu Jian, do you admit your guilt? I will remove you from your position as Grand Marshal Xu Jian and replace you with Grand Minister of Rites Yang Ci."

"Your Majesty, spare my life!"

Taichang Yang Ci chuckled and returned to his post. "Thirty years in the east, thirty years in the west. These guys are not good people. They like to kick someone when he's down."

Zhang Ji shrank back, thankful he hadn't been involved in such a thankless task. Because of his close relationship with Emperor Ling of Han, he, as the imperial tutor, had been spared much accountability. In recent years, Liu Hong's expression of dismay had always vexed him at the mention of disasters, often taking his anger out on officials whose efforts to provide relief were ineffective. Revenge must be taken on the spot. How dare Chen Dan impeach me?

"Your Majesty, Minister of Works Chen Dan assisted the Grand Marshal in combating the drought, but his work was ineffective and he should also be punished."

Liu Hong narrowed his eyes. He was worried about everyone. But he didn't accept the money, and he hadn't done anything yet. Now that the position is vacant, God will help me.

"It's approved. Chen Dan is dismissed from his position as Sikong, and Yuan Wei is appointed as Sikong."

Monan County.

While Suo Chao was training his troops and diligently practicing martial arts, he also did not forget that he lacked a military advisor and a deputy general. Feng Xiao was only 12 years old and had not yet grown up.

"inappropriate!"

"Xun Yu and Xun You are good uncle and nephew, but they refuse to become scholars for the time being."

"Alas, the Shi family is not easy to fool! Working on the border is just hard work with no real pay."

As for the selection of deputy generals, Suo Chao had no idea. General Wang was named Wang Jie, and General Liu was Liu Dao. Their strength was around 65.

"Go and recruit Duke Darong? He's one of my father's most trusted men. Forget it!"

"If my adoptive father is still as careless as he was in history, without Da Rong, then we will be doomed."

Suo Chao will not be able to change the current situation of staff shortage in the short term.

"Go out more often in the future! Go pick up some people."

During this time, the Xianbei constantly provoked him. However, Suo Chao simply pulled his troops out for training, and neither side took any major action. Honestly, those people were incredibly powerful, and Suo Chao didn't want to invite any hardship.