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

The news of Duan Yu's death had already made Liu Hong uneasy.

With the Three Dukes and many other officials requesting an audience, Liu Hong could no longer stay in the West Garden. So, accompanied by Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, and others, he quickly packed up and returned to the Jiade Hall of the Southern Palace.

Outside the Jiade Hall of the Southern Palace.

Sikong Zhang Wen, Situ Cui Lie, and dozens of other court officials stood together.

Yang Ci and his son Yang Biao walked very slowly, lagging behind the other officials.

When Cui Lie and his entourage arrived outside Jiade Hall and stopped at the foot of the steps of the hall to wait for Liu Hong to return to the palace.

Cui Lie glanced back at Yang Ci, who was walking behind the assembled officials, and then remarked casually, "Alas... the Grand Commandant is getting old. Even his movements are becoming increasingly difficult. It seems he will soon be retiring to his hometown."

Upon hearing Cui Lie's words, the expressions on the faces of those around him became thoughtful.

This clearly implies that the Yang family is declining and Yang Ci is nearing his end.

Some cunning individuals had already begun whispering compliments to Cui Lie.

The Minister of Works, who served as a councilor to the officials of the prefectures and counties, held the power to promote and recommend these officials.

The Yuan family's prosperity was partly due to their long-standing control of the power of the Minister of Works.

Officials who wanted to be appointed or promoted could not get past Yuan Wei.

Before Yuan Kui, Yuan Pang and Yuan Tang of the Yuan clan had all sat in this position.

Although the Cui family of Boling was a first-class clan in Jizhou, it was far inferior to the Yuan family.

Although the Yang family of Hongnong also had four generations of high-ranking officials, apart from Yang Ci, none of them had served as Minister of Works.

Furthermore, the Yang family of Hongnong has always been a pure and upright lineage in scholarship, but its political influence is far less than that of the Yuan family.

In addition, the geographical location of Hongnong prevented the Yang family from being like the Yuan family.

"In the future, we will need Lord Cui to speak up for justice in court."

"Yes, with Lord Yuan gone, only Lord Cui will be able to turn the tide in the court in the future."

"If Lord Cui decides to demolish any property, we will certainly follow."

Flattering voices rang out continuously around Cui Lie.

Hearing the compliments, Cui Lie gradually revealed an enjoyable smile on his face.

The imperial court is never short of opportunists who waver with the wind.

If the Yuan family is in power today, then we should attach ourselves to the Yuan family; if the Cui family is in power tomorrow, then we should attach ourselves to the Cui family.

Even emperors are rotated, let alone the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers.

Without a keen political sense, he would have been kicked out of Luoyang and exiled long ago.

"Your Majesty has an order."

"The officials entered the palace."

Zuo Feng, a eunuch who came out of the Jiade Hall, summoned the officials below the hall.

The officials tidied their appearance, then held their official tablets in both hands and ascended the steps toward the Jiade Hall.

............

Inside the Jiade Hall, Liu Hong sat upright on a folding chair behind the dragon desk.

Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong stood at the bottom of the steps, watching Cui Lie, Yang Ci, Zhang Wen, and others enter the main hall one after another.

At this moment, Liu Hong, who was in a very depressed mood, glanced at Cui Lie and the others and frowned impatiently, saying, "What is it, my dear ministers?"

Cui Lie stepped forward, holding the tablet in both hands, then bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."

"I received a memorial today from the prefectures and counties of Liangzhou."

Upon hearing the name Liangzhou, Liu Hong instinctively thought of Duan Yu.

"Your Majesty, Duan Wei, the Prefect of Beidi Commandery, Huang Jun, the Prefect of Wuwei Commandery, He Luan, the Prefect of Zhangye Commandery, Huang Yan, the Prefect of Jiuquan Commandery, Cao Kuan, the Prefect of Dunhuang Commandery, and many county magistrates, chief clerks, and ministers have impeached Duan Yu, the Governor of Liangzhou, for arbitrarily altering imperial decrees. This has led to widespread resentment among the residents of Liangzhou, resulting in uprisings in Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiuquan, Beidi Commandery, and Anding."

What?

Liu Hong's eyebrows furrowed as he listened to Cui Lie's words.

Did Duan Yu arbitrarily alter imperial decrees?

Residents of Liangzhou are full of complaints?

What is Cui Lie saying?

"Cui Lie, do you know what you're saying?" Liu Hong frowned as he looked at Cui Lie.

Cui Lie nodded to Liu Hong without changing his expression or skipping a beat: "Your Majesty, I know, and everything I said is true. I have brought with me the documents from officials of all ranks in various counties and prefectures impeaching and submitting memorials against Duan Yu."

“It is written clearly, stroke by stroke, how Duan Yu oppressed the people, forced them to rebel, and forced many tribes of the Western Qiang and many other Hu people to rebel together.”

Zhang Rang, who was standing at the bottom of the steps, looked up at Cui Lie.

Cui Lie really dares to speak his mind.

Did Duan Yu force the people to rebel?

How could Cui Lie dare to say such a thing?

If Cui Lie hadn't learned of Duan Yu's death in Liangzhou, he wouldn't have dared to say such a thing, even if he had a hundred lives.

In addition, there were the prefects of several counties in Liangzhou, besides Hanyang, Jincheng, and Longxi, as well as the local gentry.

Every single one of the families Cui Lie mentioned belonged to a prominent local clan.

Why did these people dare to submit a memorial impeaching Duan Yu so quickly?

It was all because they learned of Duan Yu's death in battle.

Duan Wei, the prefect of Beidi Commandery, was a cousin of Duan Jiong, the marquis of Xinfeng County.

The Cao family of Dunhuang, specifically the Cao Kuan branch, has lived in Dunhuang for generations. They are a branch of the Cao family that was demoted to Dunhuang by Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, during the early Han Dynasty.

During the reign of Emperor An, the Cao family of Dunhuang was revived, and Cao Zong began to serve as the governor of Dunhuang. He led troops to attack various kingdoms in the Western Regions and made great contributions in conquering these kingdoms.

This branch of the Cao family then settled in Dunhuang.

Later, Cao Gao, a member of the clan, was recommended as a filial and incorruptible official and was transferred to be the magistrate of Xingyang. Cao Min was also recommended as a filial and incorruptible official and was appointed as the chief clerk of Wuwei, the magistrate of Quren in Ba Commandery, and the commandant of Juyan in Zhangye.

Cao Shu was recommended as a filial and incorruptible official, served as a court attendant, chief clerk of Jincheng, magistrate of Xiayang, and commandant of the western part of Shu Commandery.

The family has continued to this day, with Cao Kuan, the Prefect of Dunhuang County, holding a family salary of two thousand shi (a unit of grain).

There's also the Huang family of Jiuquan that Cui Lie mentioned.

The Huang clan of Jiuquan was a powerful family that held the positions of prime minister and chancellor during the early Han Dynasty.

Before Wang Mang's Xin Dynasty, because the capital was in Chang'an, which was closer to Liangzhou, the gentry in Liangzhou at that time were like those in Yingchuan today.

Not only did it produce many aristocratic families, but most of its elite soldiers and generals also came from Liangzhou.

It wasn't until after the Xin Dynasty and the Han Dynasty moved its capital to Luoyang that Liangzhou, far from the capital, gradually drifted away from the political center.

Huang Ba, the ancestor of the Huang family, served under three emperors: Wu, Zhao, and Xuan. In the third year of the Wufeng era, he replaced Bing Ji as prime minister, was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Jiancheng, and took control of the court.

Huang Shang, son of Huang Ba, once served as the Commandant of the Pass, inherited the title, and was posthumously honored as Marquis Si.

Huang Fu was the grandson of Huang Ba. He rose to the rank of Commandant of the Guards, inherited the title, and was posthumously honored as Marquis Zhong.

The Huang clan members mentioned by Cui Lie, namely Huang Jun, the prefect of Wuwei, and Huang Yan, the prefect of Jiuquan, were both members of the Huang clan.

If Cui Lie said that Duan Yu was acting domineeringly in Liangzhou and had infringed upon the interests of these local powerful clans, then Zhang Rang would believe him.

However, it is said that Duan Yu oppressed the people, and it was the local powerful clans of Liangzhou who spoke out for the people.

Even if you beat Zhang Rang to death, he wouldn't believe it.

"Your Majesty, everything I said is true."

Cui Lieyi said righteously, "Gentlemen of the prefectures and county magistrates have stated in their memorials that..."

"It is said that Duan Yu promoted a production team model in Hanyang, Jincheng and Longxi, oppressing the people to farm and then demanding that all the profits be handed over to the government."

"The common people toil in the fields, but can only reap a partial harvest."

“Since the time of Emperor Gaozu, has there ever been such an absurd thing in the world!”

Cui Lie retorted while frowning: "Furthermore, many of the Western Qiang tribes rely on fishing and hunting for survival, yet Duan Yu is making them plant mulberry trees and raise silkworms. Isn't that absurd?"

"How could the common people and the many tribes of the Western Qiang not resist?"

"Your Majesty, Duan Yu is only implementing this policy in three prefectures. If the entire Liangzhou were to implement his so-called new policies, wouldn't all the prefectures in Liangzhou rebel?"

"Now that the world has just been pacified, what should the court do if Liangzhou were to rise up in rebellion again?"

"In order to quell the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the Three Auxiliary Regions and Luoyang are currently lacking troops. If Liangzhou rebels, where will the court find the troops to suppress the rebels?"

"Your Majesty, I am devoted to the country and to Your Majesty. I humbly request Your Majesty to abolish the new policies established by Duan Yu."

As Cui Lie spoke, he knelt down.

Behind Cui Lie, many court officials also knelt in the hall to plead for his life.

The muscles in Liu Hong's face were twitching.

Threat.

This is clearly a blatant threat.

What Liangzhou rebellion?

People in various places are filled with anxiety.

It was merely the local gentry of Liangzhou using this method to exert pressure on the imperial court.

Liu Hong gritted his teeth, one hand gripping the armrest of the folding chair tightly, and looked at Cui Lie, saying, "Hasn't Minister Cui received news that Marquis Ji may have been killed in battle?"