Three Kingdoms: Ten Times Speed, Diao Chan Says I'm Too Fast

Inside the Jiade Hall, Liu Hong sat on the dragon throne atop the high steps.

The dragon robe he was wearing seemed to have become even too big, which made Liu Hong's sickly pale face even more prominent.

Inside the magnificent hall, more than twenty officials entered and knelt on both sides of the hall.

Today's assembly is not a traditional grand court assembly.

However, because of Duan Yu's meritorious service and the ennoblement he received, many different opinions arose in the court.

There were also more than a dozen memorials impeaching Duan Yu.

If it were someone else, Liu Hong would basically ignore it.

Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, and others would naturally handle this matter.

But the matter involves Duan Yu.

Liu Hong had a very good impression of Duan Yu.

Because of Duan Yu's two meritorious deeds, he obtained a considerable number of cattle, sheep and horses.

Furthermore, Liu Hong was very satisfied with Duan Yu's performance when he entered the palace last time.

In addition, Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong received good words from Duan Yu.

That's why Liu Hong personally stepped in to handle this matter.

Because it was only a small court assembly, there were no civil or military officials present.

Today, only the Three Dukes, the court officials who impeached Duan Yu, and Yuan Shao, who is about to be enfeoffed, are present.

The eunuch Zuo Feng stood at the entrance of the main hall, his ear almost perked up, listening to the sounds inside.

The two eunuchs, Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong, stood on the steps to the left and right of Liu Hong.

Situ Yuan Wei, Sikong Zhang Wen, and Taiwei Yang Ci stood before a large group of officials.

Liu Hong leaned back lazily in his chair, wrapped his dragon robe tighter around himself, glanced at the crowd below, and waved his hand, saying, "Tell me, what are your thoughts on Duan Yu's reward?"

Yang Ci, Zhang Wen, and Yuan Wei knelt below the throne, their eyes, noses, mouths, and minds all focused on their own thoughts, appearing completely at ease.

Kneeling in the last row, Yuan Shao's gaze fell on the backs of the crowd.

Under Yuan Shao's watchful gaze, the first person to stand up was none other than Cui Lie.

After Cui Lie, holding the imperial tablet, stood up, he first bowed to Liu Hong and then said, "Your Majesty, Duan Yu, the Prefect of Hanyang Commandery, has made outstanding contributions in this battle and should be rewarded."

"But the situation in Liangzhou has never been resolved overnight."

"Although Duan Yu won this battle and enhanced our national prestige, I fear it will incite a large-scale rebellion among the Qiang people."

"If Liangzhou is dragged into this quagmire, it will be an irreparable disaster for the imperial court."

"Back then, from the second year of Yanxi to the second year of Jianning, the Marquis of Xinfeng County alone spent a total of 4.4 billion on military expenses."

"Although we have won a long-term victory, we have also exhausted the annual tribute of the imperial court."

"Therefore, I believe that it is good that Duan Yu has made meritorious contributions, but he is too eager. However, merits should be rewarded. I suggest that Duan Yu be summoned to Luoyang and given an official promotion there."

After speaking, Cui Lie bowed again.

As soon as Cui Lie said this, even Yuan Shao, who was kneeling at the very back, understood the meaning behind it.

They transferred Duan Yu from Liangzhou back to Luoyang, and then gave him a seemingly promoted position, but one with no real power, leaving him hanging in the air.

Isn't this just the simplest example of a promotion in name only?

That Cui Lie!

Yuan Shao frowned.

It's obvious that Cui Lie has never even met Duan Yu before.

But he wanted to use this insidious method to summon Duan Yu back to Luoyang.

If Duan Yu returns from Liangzhou, what will happen to his troops and soldiers?

Then wouldn't the battle in Liangzhou have been fought for nothing?

Yuan Shao wanted to speak, but he knew in his heart that this was not the time for him to speak.

Liu Hong stroked his beard with one hand, glanced at Cui Lie, and then his gaze fell on Zhang Rang not far away.

"Father, what do you think of Minister Cui's suggestion?" Liu Hong asked.

Standing to Liu Hong's lower left, Zhang Rang glared at Cui Lie with his eyes wide open.

Then he turned to Liu Hong, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, this old servant believes that this matter is inappropriate."

"Oh?"

Liu Hong raised an eyebrow and asked, "What's wrong with it?"

Zhang Rang turned around and glanced at Cui Lie standing below the palace.

That's definitely not a good idea.

If Duan Yu is really transferred back from Liangzhou, who will send him gifts in the future?

Along with the memorial requesting credit sent to Luoyang after the Battle of Liangzhou, ten million coins were also sent to Zhang Rang's residence.

Zhang Rang was very pleased with Duan Yu's sensible nature.

He hadn't neglected to show proper etiquette during his previous visit to Luoyang, and later, when he was sent as an envoy to the Xiongnu, he presented him with many fine horses.

This battle against the Qiang also brought in another ten million coins.

He accepted each and every one of them.

Duan Yu is sensible.

Having received the money, he naturally had to help Duan Yu with his affairs.

“Your Majesty, the appointment of officials is a major matter,” Zhang Rang said after glaring at Cui Lie. “General Duan has only been in Liangzhou for less than a year. How can you change your orders so frequently?”

"This old servant has heard that officials who fail in their duties should be punished and reassigned. How can someone who has rendered meritorious service be removed from their post?"

"This old servant is of shallow learning and cannot compare with you gentlemen, but I can still distinguish this principle."

"And another thing," Zhang Rang said, looking at Cui Lie again, "Lord Cui said he's worried about a rebellion by the Qiang people in Liangzhou."

"That's even stranger."

"These Qiang people have been in Liangzhou for hundreds of years. When have they ever not rebelled?"

"General Duan is a tiger general of the world, as His Majesty has said."

"If we let General Duan leave Liangzhou and replace him with someone like Liang Hu, wouldn't that be even worse?"

"Your Majesty, this old servant believes that it is better to remain still than to take action. After this battle, General Duan's reputation will spread far and wide, which will surely deter the Western Qiang from making any moves," Zhang Rang concluded.

"Mmm-hmm." Liu Hong nodded: "Not bad, not bad, Father is right."

Zhang Rang's words and Liu Hong's statement eased Yuan Shao's worries somewhat.

Cui Lie and Zhang Rang each stood on one side, so they were now evenly matched.

However, the emperor's attitude clearly leaned more towards Duan Yu.

This is also obvious.

Yuan Shao's gaze fell on the back of his uncle, Yuan Kui.

Yesterday at his uncle's residence, his uncle had not yet indicated whether he would help Duan Yu or not.

He only said one sentence that the other person didn't fully understand.

It is better to benefit from something first than to benefit from something later.

He said this to Xu You last night.

To paraphrase Xu You, his uncle probably hoped that Duan Yu could be used by the Yuan family.

But since Duan Yu has no intention of surrendering voluntarily, we need to push him to surrender.

As for how to do it, Xu You said he couldn't guess at the moment.

Yang Ci, Yuan Wei, and Zhang Wen, who were kneeling in a row, all seemed to be asleep.

It was as if the debate in the imperial court had nothing to do with them at that moment.

"Grand Commandant Yang, Minister Yuan, what do you think?" Liu Hong asked casually, looking at Yang Ci and Yuan Wei.

"what?"

Yang Ci seemed to snap out of his daze and slowly stood up, holding his scepter.

"Your Majesty, this old minister... this old minister's health has been deteriorating recently, and I have been quite impolite. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me." Yang Ci apologized and said, "This matter... this matter, this old minister, this old minister believes that what Minister Cui and Attendant Zhang said makes sense."

"I wonder what Minister Yuan thinks?"

Yang Ci turned his gaze to Yuan Wei beside him.

In an instant, everyone's eyes, including Liu Hong's, turned to Yuan Wei.

Yuan Wei slowly rose, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, this old minister believes that when it is difficult to choose between the two, we should choose the middle ground."

"Since Minister Cui and others are worried that Duan Yu is young and might act recklessly, while Attendant Zhang is afraid that if Duan Yu is lost, there will be no one to keep the Western Qiang in check, then let's think of a compromise."

"We can appoint an experienced and prudent person to succeed Liang Hu as the governor of Liangzhou. This will not only fill the vacancy of the governorship of Liangzhou, but also help fill the gap left by Duan Yu."

"This method is a compromise."

"In this way, His Majesty can reward Duan Yu, demonstrating His Majesty's boundless grace, and can also feel at ease letting Duan Yu guard the border."

"In my opinion, this is a win-win solution," Yuan Wei said, bowing.

"good!"

As soon as Yuan Wei finished speaking, Liu Hong, who was sitting on a folding chair, praised loudly: "Minister Yuan is indeed a truly capable minister. I believe this method is feasible."

"Does Minister Yuan have anyone he can recommend?" Liu Hong asked.

In an instant, just as Liu Hong finished speaking, Yang Ci's cloudy old eyes gleamed as he looked at Yuan Wei.

Even Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong, who were standing to the left and right of Liu Hong, looked at Yuan Wei with astonishment.

Yuan Shao, who was kneeling in the last row, finally understood the meaning of what Xu You had said the night before.

The Qingliu faction, led by Yang Ci, wanted to cause Duan Yu to lose power and return to Luoyang.

Zhang Rang, on the other hand, wanted to keep Duan Yu in Liangzhou.

But his uncle did not take sides.

They recommended one person to be the governor of Liangzhou.

Yuan Shao knew without even thinking who the person recommended was; it must be a protégé or former official of the Yuan family.

Once this person arrives in Liangzhou, he can serve to restrain Duan Yu.

If this is the case, then if Duan Yu does not want to be hindered, he will have to befriend the Yuan family, or even join the Yuan family.

It is better to benefit from something first than to benefit from something later.

At this point, Yuan Shao finally understood the meaning of those words.

The reason for not directly helping Duan Yu is that it would not benefit the Yuan family in any way.

Allowing Duan Yu to benefit was to extract greater and more valuable benefits from him for the Yuan family.

Qingliu wants to cure Duan Yu.

The eunuch wanted to protect Duan Yu.

At this point, no matter which side the Yuan family stands on, it will not bring them any benefit.

But with this compromise, Yuan effectively put a lock on Duan Yu.

Moreover, Duan Yu should thank the Yuan family.

Yuan Shao took a deep breath.

A chill ran through me from the depths of my soul.