I rode and slashed unparalleled in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 909: Recognizing Heroes with a Wise Eye

Pingzhang means to distinguish and make it clear, as recorded in the Book of Documents Yaodian: "He can show his outstanding virtue and be close to the nine clans. When the nine clans are harmonious, he can make the people fair and clear. When the people are clear and bright, he can be in harmony with all nations."

"Pingzhang Zhengshi" means discussing state affairs. As an official title, it originated in the Zhenguan period of the Tang Dynasty. Its prototype was the Lu Shangshu Shi of the Han Dynasty.

The Tang Dynasty implemented the system of multiple prime ministers, with the heads of three provinces serving as prime ministers. Later, by appointing additional officials to be in charge of state affairs, it prevented one person or a group from gaining too much power and threatening the imperial power.

At the same time, due to the flexibility of its "additional title", this position can also dynamically balance interest groups, reward meritorious officials by increasing or decreasing the number of prime ministers, and complete the distribution of power.

For example, except for the six prime ministers during the reign of Emperor Ai, there were usually more than ten prime ministers in the Tang Dynasty who jointly managed state affairs. The number of prime ministers even reached a peak of 6 during the reign of Emperor Wu Zetian.

Although Yuan Shao did not hold an office in the court, he was paying close attention to Su Yao's new policies. He knew that Su Yao had been promoting the separation of military and politics in the local areas. Even the powerful generals relied on the appointment of Pingzhang Zhengshi to assist in state affairs. Now that he was going to appoint himself to the position, his intention of "respecting" him was naturally self-evident.

However, accepting this appointment would mean that he would be completely incorporated into Su Yao's power system and lose his foothold. Once Su Yao turned against him, that cruel official would kill his entire family.

But does he have the confidence to refuse?

Now that Su Yao asked him this at the banquet, wasn't this also a test for him?

If I refuse, will there be immediate retaliation?
This great general has always been moody, unruly and unpredictable. Who can guarantee that he will not take his own head at this banquet?
For a moment, Yuan Shao was torn between his conscience and his desires. He knelt on the ground for a long time and did not dare to utter a word.

Su Yao stepped forward to support him: "Mr. Yuan is a high-ranking official and an elder, why do you kneel for so long without getting up? It's really embarrassing."

As the saying goes, one cannot see the true appearance of Mount Lu because one is already in it.

Su Yao, who had quickly pushed his way to the top, obviously did not have a deep understanding of his current power. When he saw Yuan Shao acting like this, he just found it a little funny. He even said that the matter was not urgent and asked him to stay in Shouchun and give him an answer before August 15th.

Yuan Shao acted as if he had been pardoned. He wiped his forehead twice and stood up. He never dared to say a word again during the meal.

Just as he was thinking about how to deal with it, he quickly found Feng Ji and the others, when suddenly a soldier rushed in and whispered to Su Yao: "General, the fish has been hooked."

Su Yao laughed and said to Yuan Shao: "Mr. Yuan, tell me why there are always people seeking their own death in this world? I have given them a chance. As long as they cooperate honestly, they just need to hand over some occupied resources and dismiss some private soldiers. As long as they abide by the law in the future, they can enjoy wealth and prosperity."

"But there are always people who are greedy and try to stop a chariot with a mantis arm. They think that their little tricks and small means can deceive the world and resist the power of heaven. Are the heads of the nine clans welded with steel? Do they think that I can't cut them down?"

Yuan Shao's heart skipped a beat, but he forced a smile on his face and asked tentatively, "What do you mean, General? Is there some villain causing trouble in Huainan?"

Su Yao sneered, raised his hand and signaled his personal guard to present a secret letter and threw it in front of Yuan Shao: "Mr. Yuan, please take a look. This is ironclad evidence that Chen Hong, the head of the powerful Chen family in Huainan, colluded with Yuan Shu's former subordinates to rebel."

Yuan Shao picked up the letter and scanned the densely written words, which recorded in detail the correspondence between Chen Hong and Yuan Shu's former subordinates.

Although the Chen family did not dare to rebel in Huainan due to the threat from Su Yao's army, it was stated in the report that the Chen family would spend all their family wealth to support a young man named Sun Ce to go to Jiangdong to conspire against Su Daye, and now they have found many sponsors.

They dispersed and set sail from Ruxukou. Now a lot of weapons, equipment and manpower have been on the way.

This report clearly marked the departure date, assembly point and pick-up route in detail. It was obvious that there was a traitor within the Chen family, and his status was not low.

Seeing this scene, Yuan Shao broke out in a cold sweat. He was deeply terrified of Su Yao's intelligence methods and did not dare to think about whether he would end up like this if he rebelled.

"How is the general going to deal with this? Is there anything I need your cooperation with?" "That's not necessary, Yuan Gong, just follow me and watch the show."

After saying that, Su Yao stood up and ordered Dian Wei to attack:
"General Dian, lead two thousand elite soldiers to immediately surround the residence of the Chen family and others. Don't let any of them go. We must capture them all, especially the mastermind Chen Hong. Try to capture him alive."

Dian Wei clasped his fists and said, "I obey your orders!"

To the west of Shouchun City, the Chen family mansion was brightly lit in the night.

In the small building, the head of the family, Chen Hongzheng, earnestly exhorted his daughter to be mentally prepared to marry:

"Like father, like son. Although Sun Bofu is young, he is the son of Sun Wentai, the fierce tiger of Jiangdong. Not only is he skilled in martial arts, he is also quite handsome. You are about the same age as him, and you are a match made in heaven."

Chen Hong stroked his daughter's hair, his eyes gleaming with ambition:
"Once he has established a firm foothold in Jiangdong, my Chen family will have a way out, and we will move our entire clan there."

Chen Hong chattered on and on about his arrangements, obviously having great hopes for the future.

This is true. Sun Ce was influenced by his father since he was young and showed extraordinary talent at a young age. If given time, he would indeed be able to achieve great things.

But obviously, after killing Sun Jian, Su Yao knew that there was a blood feud between the two of them, so he would naturally not easily give him the opportunity to develop.

Although the Chen family had a keen eye and discovered Sun Ce in advance, they also brought themselves a huge disaster.

Before Chen Hong finished his words, there was a sudden sound of hurried horse hooves and shouts of soldiers outside the house.

Chen Hong's face suddenly changed, and he suddenly opened the window——

In the night, countless torches surrounded his house like stars.

The sounds of armor colliding, bowstrings being tightened, and the dense footsteps of soldiers came one after another.

"It's bad, Master!" A servant stumbled up the stairs, "The soldiers said that our family was plotting treason, and they want you to come downstairs immediately to stand trial!"

Chen Hong's face turned pale instantly. He grabbed his daughter's wrist and said in a trembling voice, "Quick! Escape from the secret passage! Go to Jiangdong to find Sun Bofu..."

Before he finished speaking, the officers and soldiers had lost their patience, or were not prepared to wait for his reply at all.

With a loud "bang", the door of the mansion was broken. Dian Wei, who was as strong as an iron tower, holding double halberds, came like the wind and scattered his servants.

"Stop, stop!"

"Misunderstanding, it's all misunderstanding, Lord Jun!"

"My Chen family has been loyal for generations. You can't do this to me!"

On the small building, holding the railing, Chen Hong screamed heartbreakingly.

(End of this chapter)