The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 536 Sword
"Do you want that sword back?!"

"Why don't you come back!"

"I broke that precious sword!"

"I and more than 2,000 people held the pass to the death, while the Cao Wei army attacked fiercely for three months!!"

"I lived on the city wall for three months! I killed so many enemies I cut them down that my sword broke. Of the more than 2,000 people I had, only 300 survived!"

Liu Yin's face was filled with anger.

"But what? The last imperial edict fell into my hands, and the emperor surrendered!"

"Did all my men die in vain?"

Liu Yin took a deep breath, "I know Pu Gong has a relationship with the general, but don't I have one?!"

"What kind of life have the people of Shu been living these past few years?! You're from Shu too, have you ever seen how the people of other places live?! Years of taxation, constant rebellions by the barbarians, all the able-bodied men on the front lines, the land abandoned, nine out of ten houses empty!"

"But what about the Lord of Shu?!"

"He trusted eunuchs and allowed them to appoint his own henchmen and suppress dissidents!"

"How many times have I achieved great merit? I was always at the vanguard of every battle, and I won countless victories. But has he ever summoned me for promotion? Every one he promoted was a villain who flattered and bribed Huang Hao!"

"As for Yan Yu, how can he compare with me in terms of military achievements? Why don't I get the rewards I deserve?"

"You have skills, which are recognized by the Prime Minister and the General, but what about him? Has he ever given you any reward?"

"I haven't received the rewards I deserve, and neither have my subordinates. He's been enjoying himself all day, and he's been dismissive of us. My good friend wrote a letter accusing Huang Hao of political chaos, and he's being exiled and persecuted!"

"The first time I was promoted was after I surrendered."

As Liu Yin spoke, he laughed miserably.

"Am I a coward? Sitting in a fortified city, with reinforcements outside, yet leading civil and military officials to surrender is not considered a coward. But I, who can't see any reinforcements, has no food inside, and has to kill horses to fill my stomach, am a coward for facing hundreds of thousands of people alone."

"What's the point of this?"

Pu Yuan looked at Liu Yin in front of him, stunned.

He wanted to say something in rebuttal, but he found that he was powerless to fight back.

Liu Yin was the last person to surrender outside Jiange, and also the one who resisted the longest outside the pass.

It really doesn't make sense to say he's spineless.

Pu Yuan just murmured: "After all, we have received the emperor's grace."

"I don't know what kind of imperial favor you have received. Anyway, I have received favors from the Prime Minister and the General, not Liu Chan. I have already repaid the Prime Minister and the General for their kindness."

"The sage said: If the ruler treats his subjects like dirt, then the subjects will treat the ruler like an enemy!"

"Now the Lord of Wei has pardoned my impertinent crimes and has appointed a surrendered minister like me as the governor of Hanzhong. I accept his kindness and will be his subject from now on!"

Liu Yin looked at the craftsman in front of him.

"The reason I want to bring you out is not only because I know you, but also because of your abilities."

"The people of Shu have suffered for a long time. Now that the war is over, there is a sage ruler who wants to rule the world. This is the one a gentleman should serve. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to help such a ruler to pacify the people and to display one's talents?"

Hearing his question, Pu Yuan was silent for a long time.

He also took a glass of wine and drank it all in one gulp.

"General, I understand what you said. Please forgive my previous rude behavior."

"However, I don't have the talent of a general. I'm afraid that the Emperor of Cao Wei might not even look upon an old man like me."

"General, you are strong and healthy, and you are in your prime. Now is a good time to serve your wise master. I will not disturb you any longer. I will finish this drink with you and then return to where I should go."

At this moment, some soldiers suddenly rushed in.

"Grandmaster! Here is His Majesty's decree!!"

Liu Yin looked at him in astonishment and quickly stood up. The soldier respectfully handed the imperial edict to Liu Yin.

Liu Yin looked at it for a few seconds, stunned, and then he looked at Pu Yuan.

Pu Yuan was puzzled. "The emperor has issued an edict, what do you think I am doing?"

"Your Majesty has issued an edict stating that he has heard of a man in Shu named Pu Yuan. He is ordering a search to be conducted throughout the country and brought to Luoyang. Disrespect is prohibited."

Liu Yin said in a low voice.

Pu Yuan didn't believe it, "I know the general wants to use my idea, but you can't fabricate an imperial edict for this purpose. This is a serious crime."

Liu Yin handed him the imperial edict.

Pu Yuan looked down for a long time and was completely stunned.

"How did Lord Wei know about this old man?"

Liu Yin smiled and said, "This is why I am willing to submit to Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty is different from Liu Chan. Veteran generals like Zong Yu and Liao Hua wanted to stay in Shu and were unwilling to go to Luoyang. Your Majesty ordered them to stay and did not send anyone to monitor them, allowing them to regain their freedom."

"Your Majesty did not care about the many ministers who surrendered, and arranged them to serve as officials in various places."

"Those young men in Shu who had no place to pursue their ambitions were given exams, and those who passed were appointed officials."

"If His Majesty heard of your name, he would certainly issue an imperial decree to search for you and then make you a prominent figure."

"Pu Gong, how do you feel now?"

Pu Yuan's hands began to tremble.

"This this."

Seeing that he didn't refuse, Liu Yin knew what he was thinking. He smiled and looked outside the door, "Someone, prepare the carriage!"

In the Taiji Hall, Cao Mao looked at the newly appointed Palace Attendant, Yang Zong. He immediately noticed the wine jug on Yang Zong's waist.

Yang Zong did not hide it. Cao Mao sniffed it and asked, "Have you had any wine?"

"The guards at the palace gate insisted that I taste it, otherwise I would not be allowed to take it in."

"It seems that Lord Yang wants both the fine wine and the official title?"

Yang Zong said very firmly: "Your Majesty forbids officials to disperse, but he did not order that drinking be prohibited."

Cao Mao nodded, "That makes some sense."

"However, you should drink less in the future and not delay your work."

"only!!"

Yang Zong saluted.

Before Cao Mao could speak, Yang Zong spoke up, "Your Majesty, Shu has just been pacified, and the great families across the Central Plains are thinking of sending their sons to serve as officials there."

“Their idea is actually very simple.”

"First of all, it's about merit. Shu is in ruins, and His Majesty will certainly pay more attention to Shu in the future, reduce taxes, and vigorously develop it. They can get credit for it."

"Actually, this isn't a bad thing. If you can really make some achievements, you can gain merit."

"But there is another point, which is the issue of land."

"Now, Wei, in its triumphant posture, looks down upon the people of Shu, believing that the officials of the defeated state are inferior to itself."

"Shu had just experienced war, and there were many unowned lands. Moreover, even if there were lands with owners, how to determine them was in the hands of these new officials. When they arrived in Shu, the first thing they did was to count the local lands, then establish themselves in Shu and begin to divide up the local interests."

Cao Mao signaled Zhang Hua to get some tea, and he listened carefully to Yang Zong's analysis.

Yang Zong spoke quickly. "Your Majesty is anxious to redistribute farmland in Shu and restore production. But if these people get involved, I'm afraid a good thing will turn into a bad one, and even cause more unrest."

After hearing what Yang Zong said, Cao Mao hesitated and stroked his chin.

"But if we don't do this, there will be a large number of refugees and even greater unrest."

"Your Majesty's mind should not be on Shu, but on Dongwu."

"Many policies can only be implemented after great unification."

"A trusted confidant should be sent to oversee the affairs of Shu, primarily the division of land."

Cao Mao asked, "Does Yang Gong want to go there himself?"

"I am so old that I am afraid I will die of illness before I even reach Shu."

Yang Zong pointed at Zhang Hua who was not far away and said, "This man can be of great use."

Cao Mao hurriedly shook his head and said, "Mao Xian cannot go. I cannot be without this person by my side."

Yang Zong frowned and said seriously, "Your Majesty! Why don't you put the whole world first?"

"Zhang Hua is extremely talented. If he hadn't gone to the local areas to work and had stayed by Your Majesty's side the entire time, wouldn't that be a loss of a talented person who could assist the king?"

"In present-day Bashu, there is much to be done and many things are complicated. Only extraordinary talents can oversee it."

"Zhang Hua is young yet mature, possessing extraordinary abilities. Furthermore, he is a favored minister by His Majesty's side. No one would dare to look down on him if he were to go to Shu. Isn't he the most suitable talent to go to Shu?"

"Besides, if Your Majesty lacks someone to offer advice, wouldn't this old minister be better than him?"

Cao Mao looked at him and then at Zhang Hua.

It seems that you really can't compare to it.

Zhang Hua is so useful. As soon as I opened my mouth, he got things done within a few hours.

If such a person leaves, what should I do?
But if you think along the lines of Yang Zong's thought, it actually makes sense.

Zhang Hua also had to accumulate a lot of experience. He had accumulated a lot by following him, but the local areas were completely different from the palace. Only by traveling around could he realize his potential to the fullest.

This talented person who can assist the king is the guarantee for the future.

It's the kind that might even be passed down through the family. Zhang Hua is younger than Zhong Hui, has a long shelf life, and is a good person.

Cao Mao sighed deeply.

"Mao-sen ah"

Zhang Hua stood in front of Cao Mao and bowed.

Cao Mao was reluctant to look at him and hesitated for a moment, "I still have to let you go to Shu. Yang Gong is right. Everything over there needs a person who I trust and is talented to oversee it. Otherwise, once the Grand Marshal leaves, everything will be in chaos."

"Go ahead."

"I have appointed you as the Commander-in-Chief of the Military and Political Affairs of Bashu, holding the imperial seal and supervising all affairs in Shu. You do not need to submit a report or inquiry first when encountering any problems; you can handle them yourself."

Zhang Hua's eyes widened. "Your Majesty, I will."

"Okay, stop talking. If you say a few more words, I won't be able to bear to let you go. Maoxian, take care of yourself and don't get tired. If you encounter any problems, don't go alone. Don't take risks at any time. You are my assistant and will be the Minister of the Chancellery in the future. You should take this opportunity to learn more about the local situation."

“If you encounter something you don’t understand, you can ask more questions and learn more.”

Cao Mao gave instructions for a long time.

Zhang Hua's eyes turned red as he bowed and accepted it.

"We will strive to restore local production as quickly as possible. I still cannot do without you."

"only!!"

"Your Majesty, please take care of yourself too!"

Looking at the two people who were reluctant to leave, Yang Zong pursed his lips and secretly took another sip.

(End of this chapter)