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

After seeing Yuan Wei off, Dong Zhuo returned to the main hall with Zhang Ji.

Looking at the two vermilion food boxes left by Yuan Wei in the hall, Dong Zhuo was filled with mixed emotions.

One day, Yuan Wei actually came to give him a gift.

"My lord, I have some things to say, but I don't know if I should say them."

Zhang Ji, who was following behind Dong Zhuo, suddenly spoke up.

After Dong Zhuo took over the position of Commandant of the Capital Region, Zhang Ji came from Lintao in Longxi to Luoyang to assist Dong Zhuo.

Zhang Ji was originally a general under Dong Zhuo, but now, although Zhang Ji is senior in Liangzhou, his abilities are no longer as good as those of the younger generals under Duan Yu.

Dong Zhuo straightened up and placed the wooden box containing the pill on the table in front of him, then glanced back at Zhang Ji.

"Shi Du has been my friend for a long time, so I will naturally speak my mind."

Dong Zhuo said this while examining the pills in the jade box.

Zhang Ji nodded and said, "My lord, I have a feeling that it's not a good thing that the old fox Yuan Wei took the initiative to come to our door."

"This old fox of a subordinate general seems to be up to no good."

"Haha."

Dong Zhuo turned around, laughed heartily, and patted Zhang Ji on the shoulder.

"Shidu is right to say that Yuan Kui is an old fox, but Shidu should not forget what kind of background Ziyi has. Ziyi is also a hunter, and he specializes in dealing with these old foxes."

Dong Zhuo's smile was tinged with pride.

“That old fox Yuan Wei isn’t trying to curry favor with us, but rather with Ziyi.”

"As long as Ziyi is in Liangzhou, that old fox won't be able to stir up any trouble."

"When Ziyi left Luoyang, he already said that our presence in Luoyang served two purposes: to facilitate communication with His Majesty and to deter those old foxes and dogs in Luoyang."

"As long as Ziyi is still alive, and as long as His Majesty still needs to rely on Ziyi, whatever they think, they must keep it to themselves."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ji felt there was some truth to it, so he nodded.

"However, this pill looks quite good."

Dong Zhuo fiddled with the jade box in his hand.

The pill inside the jade box emitted a delicate fragrance, which entered the nasal cavity upon opening, instantly clearing the mind.

"That old fox has collected countless treasures over the years; today we've finally recouped some of our losses."

"Shidu, go find another jade box for this jade pill and divide it in half."

"Although Ziyi has already given His Majesty a lot of congratulatory gifts, we should also prepare a congratulatory gift for His Majesty."

“We can’t just stop sending things because Ziyi sent them; we can’t do things that hold us back.”

"In addition, we should carefully select some of the gifts that will be sent from Liangzhou."

"Ziyi sent ten beauties from the Western Regions to assist His Majesty. If there is another imperial heir, His Majesty will surely be overjoyed."

"besides......"

At this point, Dong Zhuo's eyes narrowed.

Previously, when Duan Yu was ambushed in Liangzhou and his faked death was exposed, He Jin immediately summoned him to the General's Mansion and coerced him into handing over the recipes for making snow salt and white paper.

He Jin's backstabbing made Dong Zhuo very unhappy.

Of the two princes currently in power, it is common knowledge throughout the court that Liu Hong dislikes his eldest son, Liu Bian.

"Hmph... There's no one in Luoyang who can be trusted. Yuan Wei is one, and so is He Jin. They're all opportunists," Dong Zhuo said with a gloomy face.

...........

That night.

Nangong Jiade Hall.

Liu Hong, dressed in a dragon robe, sat inside the hall with his robe open, enjoying the song and dance performance.

His Highness was dressed in revealing clothing, and the dozen or so dancers with their enchanting dance moves were the Loulan beauties that Duan Yu had sent from Loulan to Luoyang.

Her long black hair, brown eyes, exotic clothing, and dance moves attracted Liu Hong's attention.

The burning brazier inside the hall, along with the passionate movements, filled the room with an atmosphere brimming with hormones.

Liu Hong was in a great mood as he drank wine and watched the dance.

At the beginning of the year, in order to quell the Yellow Turban Rebellion, all the money, grain, and horses accumulated in the West Garden were spent, and although it has not yet recovered to the amount of savings it had before.

But Liu Hong was full of confidence at this time. He believed that as long as Duan Yu was still in Liangzhou, he would eventually be able to amass a mountain of gold and silver within two or three years.

"Zhang Rang, what do you think of Liu Yan's proposal to abolish the official position and establish a new one?"

While enjoying the song and dance performance, Liu Hong suddenly asked Zhang Rang, who was standing not far away.

Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong stood on either side of Liu Hong, like two great protectors.

Upon hearing Liu Hong's question, Zhang Rang immediately bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, this old servant believes that this proposal is very beneficial to Your Majesty and to the stability of the Han Dynasty."

Zhang Rang did not praise Liu Yan, but instead spoke of Liu Hong and the state of the Han Dynasty.

Upon hearing this, Liu Hong smiled and nodded in satisfaction.

Zhang Rang glanced at Liu Hong's expression discreetly, then continued, "Your Majesty, Liangzhou is bitterly cold and desolate. Duan Yu has only managed to manage it for less than two years, yet he has already achieved such results. If there were more prefectures like this, it would surely enrich the national treasury."

"It can also curb the oppression and corruption of the people by state and county officials."

"If governed properly, it will surely benefit the country and its people."

Zhao Zhong, standing nearby, quickly chimed in, "Indeed, Your Majesty. If the annual tribute and taxes collected by Governor Duan Yu of Liangzhou are accumulated, Your Majesty can rebuild a strong army. At that time, with Your Majesty in control of the army and abundant resources, how would those partisans dare to oppose Your Majesty?"

"good!"

Liu Hong squinted and nodded.

Powerful clans had long been a persistent and intractable problem for the Han Dynasty.

The aristocratic families held official positions, formed cliques for personal gain, concealed people, and embezzled taxes.

The Han Dynasty had a vast territory, but the emperor was so poor that he could only sell official positions and titles.

Liu Hong held the wine glass in one hand and gently swirled the scarlet liquid inside.

A hand gently tapped the armrest of the dragon throne.

The governor was appointed to suppress powerful clans in various regions, punish corrupt officials, thoroughly investigate land and hidden populations, and then collect taxes.

If this policy is implemented for three to five years, it will surely strengthen the imperial power in his hands.

The possibility of abolishing Shi and establishing Mu is that one side can achieve stability.

Liu Yan's words kept echoing in Liu Hong's mind.

"Who do you think is most suitable to serve as governor?" Liu Hong asked Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong.

Since the goal is to stabilize the region.

Since the goal is to check and balance the powerful clans.

Therefore, the candidate for governor must not be from a prominent family.

Duan Yu was not from a prominent family.

This is the premise.

Zhang Rang's eyes darted around, then he bowed and said, "Your Majesty, this old servant believes that only those who are loyal to Your Majesty and to the Han Dynasty are the right candidates."

"For example... members of the royal family?"

Sitting on the dragon throne, Liu Hong pondered for a moment, then nodded.

imperial clan.

That's right, it seems that only members of the royal family are most suitable for this position.

Regardless of the circumstances, the imperial family members were all members of the Han dynasty.

However, there weren't many capable people among the Han dynasty's imperial family.

After thinking for a while, Liu Hong could only think of a few names.

"Zhang Rang, draft an imperial edict," Liu Hong said to Zhang Rang after pondering for a while.

Zhang Rang immediately ordered preparations to be made.

They then waited to be recorded.

"The imperial edict is to appoint Liu Yan, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, as Governor of Yizhou; Liu Biao, the Commander of the Northern Army, as Governor of Jingzhou; Liu Yu, the Minister of the Imperial Clan, as Governor of Youzhou; Liu Yao as Governor of Yangzhou; and Liu Dai as Governor of Qingzhou."

Liu Hong appointed governors of two prefectures and governors of three prefectures in one go.

Both Yizhou and Youzhou are border regions, and although their situation is somewhat better than that of Liangzhou, it is still limited.

The situations in Jingzhou, Yangzhou, and Qingzhou were complicated, so Liu Hong only appointed them as governors, not prefects.

After Zhang Rang finished taking notes, he immediately exclaimed that His Majesty was wise.

Having resolved a major concern, Liu Hong's expression immediately relaxed, and he downed the grape wine he had brought as tribute from the Western Regions in one gulp.

"Zhao Zhong, didn't Dong Zhuo present me with a box of jade pills? Go and fetch them, find people to test them on, and send all those Western Region beauties that Minister Duan presented to the palace. Today, I'm going to have a good time!"