Super Cultivation System of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 824: Success in Hanzhong
"The Emperor, in compliance with the Will of Heaven, proclaims: Xu Huang, the governor of Yanmen, and Qian Zhao, the governor of Zhongshan, led the troops to the battle, were loyal and brave, suppressed the rebellion, recovered Youzhou, and made great contributions to the country and upheld justice throughout the world. Xu Huang is hereby promoted to General Pingbei, and is the governor of Shanyang County in Yanzhou. Qian Zhao is hereby promoted to General Pingdong, and is the governor of Jiyin County in Yanzhou. All the generals under his command, such as Hao Yi, Cheng Yang, Chang Sheng, Yi Luo, etc., are promoted one level each and given a reward of 100 yuan. This is decreed."

"Youzhou generals, you have abandoned the dark and joined the light, helped Xu Huang and Qian Zhao to eliminate the rebels, and persuaded Youzhou's troops to surrender. For your meritorious service, Tian Yu is appointed as the governor of Liaodong, and Tian Chou is appointed as the governor of Beiping..."

"Zhang Yong was promoted to General of the Left, Governor of Yuzhou, Marquis of Xunliu Township, and granted the title of Imperial Sword..."

"Gao Shun was promoted to the rank of Right General, Governor of Yanzhou, Marquis of Yingyang, and granted the title of Imperial Sword..."

"Appoint Zhao Yun as General of the Western Expedition..."

"Appoint Deng Yuan as General Fenwei..."

"Transfer Yunhai Governor Xun Chen to be Yuyang Governor, and concurrently Youzhou Governor..."

"Moved the Imperial Censor Xun You to be the governor of Yingchuan and conferred the title of Marquis of Yangshanting."

"Cui Jun, the lieutenant of the Imperial Guard, was transferred to be the governor of Wudu and the governor of Liangzhou. He was given the title of Marquis of Fengminting and granted temporary authority."

"Zhan Lian, the official in charge of agriculture, was transferred to be the Grand Minister of Agriculture."

"Moved Shuofang Governor Zhao Kui to be Yunhai Governor."

"Moved Zuo Fengyi Qian Li to be Sili Xiaowei, and Taiyuan Taishou Huo Qing took over the post of Zuo Fengyi."

"Zhang Long, the governor of Julu, was transferred to Youfufeng, and Su Mao, the governor of Changshan, was transferred to Henan Yin."

"Henan Yin Mengjian was transferred to Guanglu Xun, and Youfufeng Shi Tao was transferred to Dahonglu."

"The governor of Henei, Zhao Jin, was transferred to be the governor of Taishan County, Yanzhou."

"The Minister of the Court, Cai Yong, was promoted to the position of Jingzhao Yin, and the Deputy Governor of Bingzhou, Cui Yan, was promoted to the position of Taifu."

"Xun Yu, the Minister of the Chancellery, concurrently assumes the position of Shaofu, and is granted the title of Marquis of Longqianting."

"Minister Wang Yun is given the title of Grand Master."

"Sikong Cui Lie is given the title of Grand Tutor."

Within a few days, the imperial court issued a series of appointment and dismissal edicts.

In addition to these people, there were many other ministers who chose to support Liu He this time. Although they themselves did not receive promotions, many of their sons, nephews, and younger generations were able to serve as officials or be promoted to a higher level.

What Wang Chen testified in the hall that day about Feng Fang and others colluding to frame Da Meng for the life of his own grandson was not groundless. It was just that it was not discovered by him through investigation, but was obtained through secret investigation by Liu He who ordered the Flying Eagle Guard.

Liu He handed all the evidence to the Chief Justice Zhong Yao. With these evidences, and the fact that Zhong Yao had already defected to Liu He, the deliberation and conviction was naturally very fast. Within ten days, Feng Fang and others were convicted.

Among the ministers in the court, Feng Fang and Zhao Rong were beheaded, Cao Ling, Guo Fang and several others were beheaded, and dozens of other ministers were stripped of their official positions and titles, and their property was confiscated and their families were exterminated.

And all their official positions had been handed over by Liu He to others. Now the Sili region and important counties and towns in each state were almost all occupied by Liu He's own confidants. The court, which had just experienced a major change, stabilized again in a very short time.

In Xun You's mansion, a group of people were packing their bags.

Xun You was transferred to be the prefect of Yingchuan, so naturally he could not continue to stay in Luoyang, but had to rush to Yingchuan County to take up his post as soon as possible.

"You should clean up the house and don't make a mess. This will save your Majesty some trouble when he gives this house to others in the future."

His voice was extremely gentle, and although it was an order, it sounded like a spring breeze to the ears of many servants.

A woman dressed as a young woman next to her was packing her clothes with a resentful look on her face.

"Your Majesty is really... Your husband has clearly made contributions to the court this time, why does he still treat you like this?"

Xun You frowned, then smiled and said, "Madam, please don't talk nonsense. The Chief Censor is only 600 stones, while the prefect is 2,000 stones. Your Majesty has promoted me three levels in a row. Besides, Yingchuan is the base of my Xun family. I couldn't ask for such a good job."

His wife glanced at him and said, "What are you talking about? Although the position of Chief Censor is low, everyone in the court knows that it is a low position but powerful. Originally, the three of you, Xun Yu's cousin, Captain Cui Jun, and you, my husband, were almost in charge of the government. Now His Majesty has sent you and Captain Cui out of the court. This is clearly..."

Xun You interrupted her hastily: "Don't talk nonsense. Your Majesty is so wise that everyone in the court and the country admires you. How dare you, a woman, interfere in the affairs of state? Quickly pack your clothes, and we will set off as soon as possible." After saying that, he turned and went out, came to the courtyard, and looked at the rooftops and pointed corners of the palaces of the imperial palace not far away outside the courtyard wall, and a smile appeared on his face.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty... This action may seem like a promotion to me and Zhou Ping, but your Majesty's intentions are unknown to others. We have served the master for many years, so how could we not know? I, Xun You, am satisfied to have met such a wise master in my life..."

After many busy days, the court was finally completely stabilized. Many ministers took up their new posts and began to govern the country. On this day, the city of Luoyang finally welcomed its first snow.

After the morning court, Liu He took a break from his busy schedule and handed over government affairs to Xun Yu and Qian Li. The political attributes of these two people have now reached 96 points and 93 points respectively, and they can handle government affairs with ease.

Taking advantage of this free time, Liu He called Zhang Yu, Diao Chan, and several princes and princesses to the palace of Queen Mother Xu. The family was like ordinary people, eating snacks and fruits, chatting, playing with the children, and having a lot of fun. Queen Mother Xu was extremely happy, and she was so comforted that she couldn't close her mouth with joy.

Xu played with her granddaughter Liu Qian for a while, when Liu Qian suddenly started crying. Zhang Yu hurriedly asked the wet nurse to take her down and feed her milk. At this time, Diao Chan's eyes moved, and she came to Xu's side holding Liu Tai and Liu Shu.

Actually, although Xu was the empress dowager, she was only in her forties. Moreover, she had been in a good mood in recent years and had taken good care of herself. She looked like a woman in her thirties, and the wrinkles on her face were not noticeable.

But seeing that she had so many children and grandchildren, all of them were so lovable, Xu smiled so much that the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes became more obvious.

Xu and Liu He were having a great time with a group of children. Zhang Yu took Diao Chan and several palace maids to cook and prepare lunch.

Originally, there was no kitchen in the empress dowager's palace, and all food was supplied from the imperial kitchen. However, Xu had been a country woman for half her life, and she was not used to suddenly becoming the empress dowager. She mentioned it to Liu He many times, and Liu He had no choice but to order people to open a vegetable garden and set up a kitchen in the palace. Xu grew vegetables, cooked, weaved, and embroidered here every day, and her life became more and more comfortable.

The brocade she wove and the patterns embroidered on it were sorted out by Zhang Yu and then let people from Zhen's Silk Shop come to pick them up once a month, making a lot of profit. Liu He often joked that although he was the emperor, he still needed his mother and daughter-in-law to work to earn money to support him, which was considered a miracle in ancient and modern times.

Not long after, Zhang Yu came personally to call him and his mother to have dinner. Liu He then helped Xu back to the palace.

Just as he was about to start eating, Zhang Yu, with sharp eyes, winked at Liu He: "Your Majesty, Daozhun is here."

Liu He followed her gaze and looked outside the hall. Sure enough, Qian Li was standing respectfully outside the hall gate.

"Oh? Daozhun, you have a really good nose. Yu'er's craftsmanship is just finished. Come, let's eat together."

Xu also smiled and said, "Yes, Li'er is just like Yunchang and the others, they are all like my children, no need to be polite, come, come quickly. By the way, are your father and mother okay? This time He'er finally transferred you back to the capital, did you bring them with you? I haven't seen them for three years."

Qian Li did not obey the order and went into the hall. He just replied outside the hall: "Reporting to the Queen Mother, my father and mother are safe now. I have just arrived in Luoyang and have not settled down yet, so I have not brought them here yet. We agreed to bring them here during the New Year's Day to celebrate the New Year together. Then I will bring them to the palace to pay my respects to the Queen Mother."

"Okay, okay. Those old brothers and sisters from Langtiao County back then are becoming increasingly rare nowadays."

Seeing Qian Li's expression, Liu He was moved and said to Xu: "Daozhun is still so humble and polite. Mother, please go first. I will be back soon."

He stood up and walked out of the hall, taking Qian Li with him to a corner of the courtyard.

"But what's the urgent report?"

Qian Li said, "Your Majesty is wise. General Guan and his men were ordered to attack Yizhou from Wudu County. Their cavalry marched very fast. After the traitor Liu Yan got the news, he sent Zhang Ren to stop them. However, the roads in Shu were difficult to travel, and Zhang Ren hurried on his way. Before he could reach the front line, Generals Guan and Zhao had already captured Anyang and Mianyang, and were heading straight for Hanzhong."

"Well, my second brother and Zilong really lived up to my expectations." Liu He was greatly surprised.

"I guess the leader of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect in Hanzhong has already sent an urgent message to Chengdu for help?"

Qian Li nodded and said, "That's right. Zhang Lu originally had 20,000 soldiers in Hanzhong. Half a year ago, Liu Yan gave him another 20,000 soldiers to guard against the Liangzhou attack. Now Generals Guan and Zhao have brought 30,000 cavalry into Sichuan, followed by 70,000 infantry, and General Ye Xiang's 20,000 Shenji Battalion are rushing to support them. Zhang Lu is panicking and knows that he can't resist, so he naturally asks for help from Chengdu. According to General Guan's report, Liu Yan has sent an envoy to Nanyang to meet Cao Cao."

Liu He laughed happily, clapping his hands. "Excellent! This old villain Liu Yan is really obedient. He really follows our army's strategy step by step. Send an order to my second brother, ordering him, Yuan Qing, Zilong and others to step up the offensive. However, now that midwinter is approaching and the weather is getting colder, it will be difficult to capture Hanzhong by force. But we have to put on a good show. There is no need to do anything serious. Just scare that great leader Zhang."

"As you wish, I will go and draft the decree."

Qian Li was about to leave when Liu He suddenly stopped him and said, "Wait. In this great victory in Youzhou, we have captured more than 10,000 high-quality furs. Go and get 5,000 of them and send them to the front line with the imperial edict. Ask Yunchang and others to give them to the meritorious soldiers to keep warm."

"According to the order."

Qian Li bowed and left.

Liu He smiled slightly: "Cao Cao, Cao Cao, I want to see how you will deal with this plan. If you advance, you will die. If you retreat, you will die. I don't believe you can dodge this knife..."

(End of this chapter)