Shuhan

The news that Huang Hao was beheaded in Dongshi spread quickly through every corner of Wude like a cold wind.

The East Market that day was crowded with people, but silent. The only sound was the moment the executioner swung the sharp blade, and the air seemed to shake.

Huang Hao's once invincible head rolled into the dust, ending his life of tyranny.

Not long after, Zhuge Liang, wearing a plain robe and light shoes, stepped into the gate of the palace again.

His steps were steady and heavy, and each step seemed to carry a heavy burden.

In the side hall of the temporary palace, the flickering candlelight illuminated the mottled murals on the wall, making it look particularly eerie.

Outside the palace, the cold wind was blowing, causing the palace door to creak, as if telling of the unpredictable changes in the palace.

Liu Chan sat on the dragon throne with a gloomy face and a hint of subtle complex emotions in his eyes.

He was wearing a dragon robe, a golden crown and a jade belt, but he looked a little haggard.

As soon as Zhuge Liang stepped into the palace, he felt a depressing atmosphere, but he still maintained his usual calm and composure.

"Your Majesty, I am Zhuge Liang, your servant. I pay my respects to you." Zhuge Liang bowed, his voice steady and powerful.

He raised his head and met Liu Chan's eyes, trying to read something from the other's eyes.

However, Liu Chan's eyes were like a bottomless lake, difficult to understand.

"Prime Minister, please stand up." Liu Chan said calmly, without any emotion in his voice.

He waved his hand, signaling Zhuge Liang to stand up.

Zhuge Liang stood up, straightened his back, and then slowly said: "Your Majesty, since the bandit leader Huang Hao has been eliminated, then shouldn't the others be released? If they are kept in prison, I'm afraid the impact will be huge."

When Liu Chan heard this, his expression remained unchanged. He glanced at Zhuge Liang coldly, but was secretly calculating in his heart.

Among those who bought official positions, there were many wealthy and powerful people, and some were even children of officials. They had money and power, so naturally they had influence.

The reason why they dare to buy and sell official positions so unscrupulously is that they have various backers and forces behind them, right?

"Huang Hao is guilty. I will behead him in the East Market. This is the crime of selling an official position." Liu Chan's voice suddenly became cold. He stared at Zhuge Liang as if he wanted to see through him.

"Then those who bought the positions, are they not guilty?"

Zhuge Liang's heart trembled. He knew that Liu Chan was making a fuss about this matter, trying to direct the blame towards those who bought official positions.

He took a deep breath and responded calmly, "Your Majesty is right. Those who bought the positions are indeed guilty. However, now is the critical moment to destroy Wei, and everything must serve the destruction of Wei. Although these people have made mistakes, if they are punished at this time, it may cause unnecessary unrest. Once the unrest starts, the military will be unstable and the people will be in turmoil, which will undoubtedly make things worse for our Shu Kingdom. Therefore, I think it is better to deal with these people later, otherwise once there is unrest, it may not be good."

Zhuge Liang said this, looking firmly at Liu Chan, trying to impress him with his sincerity and determination.
However, Liu Chan just sneered, and that laugh was full of ridicule and dissatisfaction.

"The army is short of food, this is an indisputable fact." Liu Chan said coldly: "If those people can solve the problem of food and grass in the army, I may let them go. Otherwise, humph, they can't get away easily!"

As Liu Chan spoke, he slammed the armrest of the dragon throne, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.

He knew that his decision might cause dissatisfaction among some people, but he could no longer care about that at the moment.

Those people should know who owns this world.

Besides
The army is running out of food and fodder, which is his biggest headache at the moment.

If we could take this opportunity to make those who bought the official positions pay a little and solve the urgent needs of the army, it would not be a bad thing.

Zhuge Liang felt a sinking feeling in his heart when he heard this.

He knew that Liu Chan's decision would undoubtedly make things difficult for those who bought official positions, as well as for him.

However, he knew better that Liu Chan had made up his mind at this moment and no matter how he tried to persuade him, it would be of no avail.

Zhuge Liang took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down.

He looked at Liu Chan and said slowly, "Your Majesty is right. The lack of food in the army is indeed a big problem. However, although those who bought the official positions are rich and powerful, they may not be willing to easily give money and food to support the army. I think this matter needs to be considered in the long run and should not be rushed."

Upon hearing this, Liu Chan sneered even more.

"Take a long-term view? Humph, the army can't wait for food and grass! I give you three days to discuss with those who bought the positions and see if they are willing to contribute to the army. If they are willing, then I will forgive them; if they are not willing... Humph, then don't blame me for being cruel!"

As Liu Chan said this, he suddenly stood up, turned around and left.

Zhuge Liang looked at Liu Chan's departing back with mixed feelings.

Walking out of the side hall, Zhuge Liang took a deep breath of the cold air.

He looked at the bright moon in the night sky to make his thoughts clearer.

In the next three days, Zhuge Liang ran around and negotiated with those who wanted to buy official positions one by one.

He explained the pros and cons to them and appealed to their emotions, trying to persuade them to contribute to the army.

However, those people had their own ulterior motives. Some made excuses, while others simply refused to meet.

Three days passed in a flash.

In these short three days, Zhuge Liang put in a lot of effort and talked a lot to persuade those who bought official positions to hand over food and fodder.

However, the progress was not as he wished. Those who bought official positions were either taking chances or had many concerns, and not many of them were willing to hand over food and grass.

On this day, Liu Chan sat in the imperial study, his face as gloomy as water, and his eyes revealed a hint of determination.

He was playing with a jade pendant in his hand, but seemed absent-minded.

After a moment, he slammed the table, stood up, and ordered loudly: "Pass on my order. For those who paid part of the grain to buy the official positions, I will not punish them for the time being, but the grain must be paid as soon as possible; for those who paid the required grain, I will release them directly and will not pursue them; and for those who did not pay any grain, humph, I will directly drag them to the East Market and behead them for the crime of selling official positions and titles!"

When the decree was passed down, there was an uproar in the palace.

Those who wanted to buy official positions were even more panicked and began to ask about their own situations.

Some people heaved a sigh of relief and secretly rejoiced when they learned that they were temporarily safe; some people felt mixed emotions when they learned that they would be released, feeling both relieved and disappointed; and those who had not handed in any food and grass were struck by lightning and their faces turned pale.

The East Market was crowded with people and the atmosphere was extremely tense.

In the center of the execution ground, the executioner stood expressionless, holding a sharp blade, like a cold statue.

Soldiers holding spears surrounded the execution ground tightly to prevent anyone from robbing it.

Those who were about to be beheaded for buying official positions were escorted to the execution ground by soldiers.

Among them, some were ragged and unkempt, obviously having experienced a lot of hardships; some were dressed gorgeously, but at this moment their faces were pale, and their eyes were full of fear and despair.

Among them, there was a man who bought an official position. His name was Li Gui. He was originally a wealthy businessman. In order to obtain an official position, he spent a huge amount of money to bribe Huang Hao.

However, now that Huang Hao is dead, he is also implicated.

At this moment, he stood on the execution ground, trembling all over, muttering to himself: "How could I be so foolish? For the sake of an official position, I ended up like this..." Another person who bought an official position was named Zhang Biao. He had a stubborn character and would rather die than hand over food and grass.

At this moment, he was being escorted by the soldiers, cursing non-stop: "Liu Chan, you are greedy. Even if I die, I, Zhang Biao, will not hand over a grain of food!"

Upon hearing this, the executioner frowned and glanced at Zhang Biao coldly, muttering to himself: "This man is indeed tough, but what's the use of being tough? He still can't escape death."

At this time, Liu Chan's decree came again: "For those who are willing to pay for the official positions at this time, I can show mercy, but the food and grain to be forgiven are three times what they paid three days ago."

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar on the execution ground.

A glimmer of hope flashed in the eyes of those who had originally despaired of buying official positions.

They all turned their heads and looked at the eunuch who delivered the decree, their eyes full of expectation and pleading.

Li Gui was moved when he heard this. He immediately knelt on the ground and shouted, "Your Majesty is wise. I am willing to hand over three times the amount of food and fodder. Please spare my life!"

Seeing this, Zhang Biao snorted disdainfully: "Li Gui, you are a coward. Even if I die, I will never bow to Liu Chan!"

As he said this, he straightened his back and shouted loudly: "Liu Chan, if you want to kill me, then kill me. If I, Zhang Biao, frown, I am not a hero!"

When the executioner heard this, a cold light flashed in his eyes.

He waved his hand, signaling the soldiers to take Zhang Biao to the execution platform.

Zhang Biao was taken to the execution platform, but he remained calm and his eyes were full of determination and resoluteness.

At this moment, a man who wanted to buy an official position suddenly rushed out. His name was Wang Qiang and he was originally a wealthy businessman.

He looked at Zhang Biao, with a hint of hesitation and struggle in his eyes. After a moment, he gritted his teeth and shouted loudly: "Brother Zhang Biao, I, Wang Qiang, will die with you! I would rather die than bow to Liu Chan!"

As he spoke, he straightened his back and stood beside Zhang Biao.

The two smiled at each other, their eyes filled with determination and resoluteness.

The executioner frowned upon seeing this and muttered to himself, "These two are tough, but what's the point of being tough? They still can't escape death."

However, at this moment, those who had not yet paid all the money and taxes to buy official positions were all moved by the scene before them.

They looked at Zhang Biao and Wang Qiang, and couldn't help but feel admiration in their hearts.

At the same time, they also realized that if they did not pay the taxes and levies now, they would probably be doomed to die.

Then, people shouted out: "I am willing to pay taxes and levies! I am willing to pay taxes and levies!"

For a moment, the execution ground was in chaos.

Among them, some were truly willing to pay money and food to save their lives; others were forced to hand over their property unwillingly.

However, no matter what their reasons were for paying money and grain, they all had only one common goal at this moment - that was to save their own lives.

not far away.

Temporary palace.

Liu Chan sat on the dragon throne. The flickering candlelight in the magnificent palace illuminated his face, which looked calm yet majestic.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, listening to Fei Yi's report, a trace of thought flashing across his expression.

Fei Yi stood in front of the palace with his body bowed, his voice steady and powerful: "Your Majesty, through Huang Hao's selling of official positions and titles, we have raised 100,000 dan of grain and fodder. Although the number is not much, it is not a small amount either, at least enough for the army to eat for a while."

Liu Chan nodded slightly and tapped his fingers lightly on the armrests of the dragon throne, making a crisp sound.

His gaze was so deep that it seemed as if he could penetrate the heavy palace walls outside the palace and see the battlefield where flames of war were raging.

One hundred thousand shi of grain and fodder are undoubtedly a timely help in the current situation.

Since the conquest of Youzhou and Jizhou last year, wars have been frequent and the consumption of food and fodder has been huge. These 100,000 shi of food and fodder are undoubtedly a timely relief.

However, a trace of worry appeared on Fei Yi's face.

He raised his head slightly, glanced at Liu Chan, then quickly lowered his head, with some hesitation in his voice: "Your Majesty, I am worried that such a cruel measure may cause trouble. After all, these people who bought the positions paid so much money and food, I am afraid that they have no money and food left at home."

When Liu Chan heard this, his brows frowned slightly, then relaxed again.

He was well aware of Fei Yi's concerns, but the current situation did not allow him to be merciful.

He shook his head, his voice firm and powerful: "Fei Qing, you worry too much. Since we took over Youzhou and Jizhou last year, some powerful people have taken the opportunity to hoard food and people and make a fortune from the war. Almost all of those who can come to buy official positions are like this. They are like leeks, they will grow again after being cut. If they dare to cause trouble, their property will be confiscated and they will be done with."

When Fei Yi heard this, he couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart.

He looked up at the Emperor of Han, and saw an unquestionable determination in Liu Chan's eyes.

He knew that His Majesty had made up his mind and would not show mercy to these powerful people.

The palace was silent, with only the breathing of Liu Chan and Fei Yi echoing.

The flickering candlelight illuminated the solemn expressions of the two men.

Fei Yi thought to himself that although His Majesty's approach could temporarily solve the food and grass shortage, it would probably provoke a backlash from these powerful people.

However, he knew the emperor's temper very well, and once a decision was made, it would be difficult to change it.

When Liu Chan saw that Fei Yi remained silent, he knew that he still had concerns in his heart.

He sighed softly, and his voice became softer: "Wenwei, I know your concerns. But the current situation does not allow us to be soft-hearted. These tyrants usually oppress the people and hoard goods, which has long caused public resentment. Now, they are taking the opportunity to make money from the war. If we don't punish them, how can we appease the public anger? How can we keep the world at peace?"

When Fei Yi heard this, he suddenly felt enlightened.

He knew Liu Chan's mind and ambition very well, and understood why he was so determined.

He bowed and said with a hint of admiration in his voice: "Your Majesty is wise, but I am stupid and cannot understand your Majesty's deep meaning."

Liu Chan looked at Fei Yi, with a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

Fei Yi was a loyal and capable minister.

His eyes were deep as he said, "This world belongs to the Liu family and the people, but it is definitely not the world of the powerful. Only by following the trend can you become rich. If you go against the trend, you will die and your clan will be destroyed. There is no other way!"

The emperor is tyrannical, nothing more than this.

As for the evaluation of outsiders.

A wise king or a foolish king.

Future generations will judge. (End of this chapter)