The first year of the rise of the Han Dynasty (AD 240), June 18th.
Chang'an, Weiyang Palace.
"Start your Majesty!"
In the morning, Xu Shu, the imperial censor, came out and said: "After investigation by Wei Chen, there are 963 households in the Qiao family in Yizhou, with a population of 2,395 people."
Xu Shu just finished speaking,
The whole hall suddenly became silent.
It lasted nearly a month.
Candidate Zeng Shu reported with his real name that Shangshu Lang Qiaozhou concealed the number of households. The final result was finally obtained today. After an investigation by the Yushi Doctor’s Office, Zeng Shu’s report was finally confirmed to be true.
Moreover, the number of households concealed by Qiao Zhou was slightly larger than the data reported by Zeng Shu.
This——
Many people in the main hall are worried at the moment, with chills running down their spines.
"Pass!" Liu Chan said in a deep voice: "Pass it to Zhou, Zeng Shu!"
Liu Chan was not interested in observing the reactions of the ministers.
Now he wants to see how Qiao Zhou will defend himself today.
After a while, the first person to enter the hall was candidate Zeng Shu.
Because Zeng Shu’s report was true, his crime of slander was naturally not established. At this time, he was calm and calm.
"Students pay homage to Your Majesty, long live my emperor, long live, long live."
Before Liu Chan signaled to stand up, he heard a commotion outside the hall.
"Your Majesty, I am guilty!"
"Your Majesty, I am guilty!"
Everyone immediately heard the sound and looked outside the hall, only to see Shang Shulang Qiao Zhou, shirtless and carrying a thorn stick on his back, walking towards the main hall.
While shouting that he is guilty.
Looking at his appearance, Liu Chan almost couldn't help but laugh.
So that’s what it’s like to bear a thorn and plead guilty?
However,
The civil and military ministers in the main hall were even more nervous at this moment.
Zeng Shu reported that the Qiao family in Yizhou had concealed the number of households. After investigation by Xu Shu, the imperial censor, it has now been confirmed. Now Qiao Zhou directly pleads guilty.
It’s over——
"Your Majesty, I am guilty!"
"Your Majesty, I am guilty!"
As soon as he entered the main hall, Qiao Zhou crawled up to him, then knelt on the ground, kowtowing to Liu Chan and confessing his guilt.
This is a great scholar in Shu.
However, Liu Chan glanced at him and said angrily: "Tell me, what crime have you committed?"
You know what you are asking, but you still have to do your best.
As soon as Liu Chan finished speaking, the hall was so quiet that you could hear the sound.
"Your Majesty!"
"My lord, it's a capital crime!"
"I'll be punished by death!"
Qiao Zhou said with a tearful tone: "The Qiao family in Yizhou has betrayed the emperor's favor and concealed the number of registered residents.
This is the crime of deceiving the emperor,
The guilty minister asks your Majesty to punish him."
Haha——
Liu Chan was still in some trouble,
Xu Shu found out that Qiao Zhou concealed the number of households. According to the law, this was the crime of deceiving the emperor, and he should be punished for his crime.
But, does Liu Chan really dare to kill Qiao Zhoumanmen?
No, he doesn't dare.
After Xu Shu's report was over, Liu Chan was thinking about how to deal with this matter, which could not only sound a warning to the clans, but also not cause too much shock.
I had thought that before he could ask Qiao Zhou for punishment, he took the initiative to ask for punishment.
Take the initiative to plead guilty——
How to deal with it?
Do you follow the law?
Qiao Zhou kept kowtowing to plead guilty, which made Prime Minister Zhuge Liang and imperial censor Xu Shu suddenly panic. They wanted Qiao Zhou to go to the palace to quibble.
In fact, a few days ago, Xu Shu and Zhuge Liang discussed with Liu Chan that when the case was concluded, they would allow Qiao Zhou to defend himself, and then they would lend a few words of help. Finally, Liu Chan punished Qiao Zhou lightly due to their pleading.
But now——
I don’t intend to defend myself at all. I tell you directly that I am guilty. I have committed the crime of deceiving the emperor. Please punish me according to the law. I have no regrets.
Zhuge Liang had a trace of cold sweat oozing out from his forehead.
Xu Shu also frowned.
As for the other ministers, except Zeng Shu, none of them were in a happy mood at this time.
Cough cough cough——
Liu Chan coughed twice, then looked at Qiao Zhou coldly, and said angrily: "Qiao Zhou, you are an official of the imperial court, but you know how to break the law. Could it be that I and the late emperor did not treat you well?"
"Your Majesty, I am guilty!"
"Your Majesty, I am guilty!"
Liu Chan was really speechless. At this time, he wanted to hear Qiao Zhou say something nice, such as asking for help.
However, they didn’t ask for mercy at all.
It seems that I came today with the determination to die.
"Hmph! Know your guilt!" Liu Chan said loudly: "Is it too late to know your guilt now?"
"Where are the warriors in front of the palace?" Liu Chan suddenly shouted loudly.
In an instant, four imperial guards entered the hall and responded in unison: "Here!"
"Push it out - chop!"
As soon as Liu Chan said these words, he waved his hands fiercely.
No one expected that the emperor would be so decisive and directly order Qiao Zhou to be killed on the spot. Naturally, Qiao Zhou also did not expect it.
He knew that Xu Shu would definitely be able to find out the number of households Qiao had concealed.
But he also knows that in the Han Dynasty, the Qiao family is not the only clan that conceals the number of households. As long as it is a clan, which family does not conceal the number of households?
I thought that although the emperor wanted to deal with the clan, he would never kill the Qiao family to offend the public at this time.
However, the emperor was very decisive.
"Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty!"
Just when the warriors came forward and were about to escort Qiao Zhou, Xu Shu, the imperial censor, Zhuge Liang, the prime minister, Dong Yun, the imperial censor, Fei Yi, and others all came out to pay homage:
"Your Majesty, save someone under the sword."
Prime Minister Zhuge Liang said: "Your Majesty, the Three Kingdoms are in turmoil, and there are many aristocratic families who conceal the number of households. Since Shangshu Qiao has admitted his crime, I hope that your Majesty will treat him leniently and give him a chance to reform."
"Huh!" Liu Chan snorted when he heard this.
"Your Majesty!" Xu Shu also said: "What the Prime Minister said is absolutely true. Moreover, Minister Qiao has made many contributions to the court in recent years. I hope your Majesty will be given a lighter sentence."
"Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty!"
As everyone begged for mercy, Liu Chan breathed a sigh of relief. Originally, he had no intention of killing Qiao Zhou. Although this man was a bit pedantic and stubborn, he was also a Confucian scholar after all.
"Your Majesty, I am guilty!"
"Your Majesty, I am guilty!"
At this time, Qiao Zhou was also very smart. He was no longer as smart as before. After all, the emperor had given an order to kill him.
At this time, if you don’t show weakness.
When Bao Buqi got angry, the emperor might really kill him and show him to the monkeys.
"Your Majesty!" Today, the most relaxed person in the hall, the candidate Zeng Shu, also bowed and said: "Your Majesty, there are many clans in the world that conceal the number of households, and Shangshu Qiao is not the only one. I hope that your Majesty will be dealt with lightly."
Haha——
Smart.
Liu Chan glanced at him, expressing his satisfaction, then glared at Qiao Zhou fiercely, and said coldly: "As a court official and a Confucian scholar, you do this kind of deceiving the emperor without thinking about serving the country.
.." After saying that, he paused, looked at the civil and military talents in the main hall and said: "I think you have made some contributions to the great man over the years, so I will spare your life."
"But... the death penalty can be avoided, but the living crime cannot be forgiven."
"Come here!" Liu Chan immediately shouted: "Qiao Zhou deceived the king and ignored him. He received a fifty-year imperial staff and was punished for three years to see the effect."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for not killing me!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Looking at Qiao Zhou begging for mercy, Liu Chan felt very comfortable. He had already made a decision on Qiao Zhou's punishment.
Tingzhang, it just depends on whether the emperor wants your life or not.
If I don’t want your life, let alone fifty imperial staffs, even a hundred staffs will only hurt you a little bit, but not even your muscles and bones will hurt you.
Of course, if I want your life, I don’t need a hundred sticks, just ten sticks can send you to the King of Hell.
Before going to court, Liu Chan had already made an explanation.
Just think what you mean.
Therefore, in a short time, the fifty imperial staffs were completed, and Qiao Zhou returned to the main hall with the support of two imperial guards.
Liu Chan glanced at him, then looked at everyone and asked: "My dear friends, are you still willing to be loyal to the Han Dynasty?"
"Your Majesty!" Everyone was shocked.
Liu Chan ignored them and continued: "My lords, do you still recognize me as the emperor?"
"Your Majesty!"
"I swear allegiance to the Han Dynasty to the death."
The ministers said in unison, on this occasion, who dares to say that he is unwilling to be loyal to the Han Dynasty? Who dares to say that he is unwilling to recognize him as the emperor?
"If you don't recognize me as the emperor, or think that I am unqualified as the emperor," Liu Chan said coldly, "you can choose someone you recognize to be the emperor."
"I will abdicate immediately to serve the people!"
Hiss——
These words were a bit fierce, completely beyond the expectations of the Minister of Civil and Military Affairs.
As for the current Han Dynasty, who dares to say that he does not recognize Liu Chan as emperor, and who dares to say that Liu Chan is unqualified as emperor?
"Your Majesty!"
Nearly a hundred civil and military officials knelt neatly in the main hall for the first time when going to court.
"I swear to be loyal to the Han Dynasty and to be loyal to Your Majesty to the death!"
The ministers said in unison.
"Haha——" Liu Chan snorted coldly: "Are you really swearing to be loyal to the great man and to me to the death?"
"Please don't be deceived, gentlemen."
"Qiaozhou concealed the number of households?" Liu Chan suddenly said coldly: "Qiaozhou is the Qiao clan of Yizhou, aren't you the clan of a certain county in a certain state?"
"Is the only clan that conceals the number of households is the Yizhou Qiao clan?"
All the civil and military ministers were stunned at this moment. They naturally knew what the emperor meant by these words.
"I know my guilt!"
"I know my guilt!"
I don’t know who started it. He was the first to shout acknowledgment of guilt, and then the ministers in the main hall waited for the acknowledgment of guilt, which resounded throughout Weiyang Palace.
Looking at this scene, Liu Chan didn't feel any joy, but felt a little disappointed.
Because in the past, it was only historical data or some comments from later generations that said that the clans in the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties were so powerful that they eventually affected the imperial power.
Now, when these people collectively plead guilty.
This completely confirms the historical data and the views of later generations.
Although I am the emperor, it is really not easy to be the emperor.
After being stunned for a long time, Liu Chan sighed, then looked at Zeng Shu and said: "What you said is true, the big man is really in danger."
"Student knows his crime!" Zeng Shu responded quickly.
"What are you guilty of?" Liu Chan said: "I really envy you. Although I am the emperor, but in the face of such a big empire...sigh..." He sighed and said: "Except.
There are powerful enemies looking around, and there are..." At this point, he paused, and then deliberately looked at the ministers in the hall and asked: "Do you think it is easy to be the emperor?"
Liu Chan spoke from his heart.
In my previous life, I often heard people say that being an emperor in ancient times was the most dangerous profession.
Now that he has really come to ancient times and become the emperor of a dynasty, he has a deep understanding of this.
Today's Han Dynasty is only because the court has two great sages, Xu Shu and Zhuge Liang, and has not encountered any courtiers who want to usurp the throne.
However, in the face of such a large empire, all kinds of things happen one after another.
Let’s just say for now.
The three kingdoms are standing in opposition to each other, and they are always watching each other. As long as you take a nap, the other side will eat you alive. Every step you take is like walking on thin ice.
This is nothing. Even if you work hard, you can't avoid the people under your command who will use various means to make you move forward with difficulty.
"Everyone who loves you, please live your life!" Liu Chan raised his hand slightly and said slowly: "I know that you are all loyal and good people, but I live in troubled times and do good things as usual. I can't blame you for this."
As he said that, he glanced at Qiao Zhou who had been beaten fifty times and said: "In the Han, Wei and Wu kingdoms, all the families concealed their household numbers, and you are just following the crowd. It's no wonder you are the only one to blame. It's only our fault that we were born wrong."
Times."
"Your Majesty!"
Perhaps influenced by Liu Chan's words, Fei Yi, the imperial censor, suddenly came out and said: "I am frightened and feel very ashamed after hearing your majesty's words." After that, he glanced at the other ministers and then said: "Wei Chen's family also falsely reported the number of households.
."
Fei Yi's words did not surprise Liu Chan. Instead, he thought he was very smart.
"Weichen immediately re-counted the number of household registrations and re-registered with the court."
Fei Yi spoke first, setting an example for other ministers, but no other ministers agreed. Although they all knew that if they confessed now, the emperor would definitely not kill them. Just like the minister ordered Qiao Zhou, the most he could do was to give him a beating with a stick.
, and then be fined several years of salary.
However, it is best not to show off at this time.
As the saying goes, the first bird is shot.
Liu Chan also saw it, but with Fei Yi taking the lead, his goal had actually been achieved. He didn't need everyone to be like Fei Yi.
"Okay!" Liu Chan glanced at Fei Yi with satisfaction and said, "I don't think Fei Qing could have such knowledge." After saying that, he paused, looked at the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty, and then said loudly: "Household registration The common people are the lifeblood of the imperial court."
"Since you still recognize me as the emperor and the Han Dynasty, you must stick to your duties." After saying that, Liu Chan looked at Xu Shu, the imperial censor, and said, "Xu Aiqing!"
"Wei Chen is here!" Xu Shu responded and came out.
"I will give you half a year -" Liu Chan said loudly: "Within half a year, I will re-calculate the number of households in the world. Regardless of whether they are relatives of the emperor or relatives, high-ranking officials and dignitaries, they must be strictly investigated. The extra number of households will be counted according to the law. Distribute fields."
After saying this, Liu Chan looked at the civil and military ministers in the main hall and said seriously: "I can let go of the concealment of the number of households in the past, but from now on, whoever dares to conceal the number of households again, enriches himself, commits corruption and perverts the law ...Hmph..."
"Kill...without...amnesty!"
Liu Chan's tone was sonorous and forceful. The ministers who had been a little worried before breathed a sigh of relief, although they could no longer hide the number of households.
However, this level has finally passed.
Xu Shu naturally agreed to the order happily: "I obey the order!"
The chaos in the Three Kingdoms resulted in a significant decrease in population, but the world was not yet unified. If the Han Dynasty wanted to remain invincible, it was imperative to increase the population.
Liu Chan believed that after this reorganization, the Han Dynasty would have at least twice as many people. Based on the current registered population, it would be able to recruit 300,000 troops. If these hidden populations were re-registered, the Han Dynasty could at least increase the number of people. Two hundred thousand soldiers and horses.
Wei Wu?
Haha——
After solving the matter of concealing household registration, the stone hanging in Liu Chan's heart finally fell to the ground. Although he had already had a premonition that although this matter was difficult, the military and political power of the Han Dynasty was not completely in the hands of the clan. .
The Han Dynasty had Zhuge Liang, Xu Shu, and an army of 300,000 men at hand. They just asked these clans to spit out the people they had concealed, and they did not dare to risk the world's disapproval and become Liu Chan's enemy.
But before actually dealing with it, he was still a little worried.
After all, this can be regarded as affecting the interests of the clans.
But there is no way. The imperial power and these clans are natural enemies. If we don't deal with them now, when they become more powerful, it will be difficult for the imperial power to check and balance them.
For example, the two Jin Dynasties——
If it weren't for the powerful clans and the royal family, the Jin Dynasty would not have become a short-lived dynasty.
Liu Chan knew that the Han Dynasty would inevitably unify the world in the future, so this matter had to be carried out in advance.
As the saying goes, cut the mess with a sharp knife.
"Zeng Shu!" After settling the household registration matter, Liu Chan looked at Zeng Shu: "Your advice has been meritorious. I will grant you the title of No. 1 Scholar in the Jin Dynasty and the Imperial Censor of the Jin Dynasty."
The imperial examination a month ago was put on hold because of Zeng Shu’s real-name report. Now that he is able to deal with the household registration matter, Zeng Shu naturally has merit.
Of course, there are also some remarks Zeng Shu once made to Liu Chan in prison.
This person has great talent.
"I would like to thank Your Majesty for your kindness!"
"Long live my emperor, long live, long live."
Liu Chan glanced at him and said calmly: "I love you without any courtesy. I hope you will think more about serving the country in the future and make contributions to the revitalization of the Han Dynasty."
Zeng Shu stood up and bowed: "I obey the order!"
"Jiang Xian, Wang Yan——" Liu Chan looked at the two of them again and said: "Jiang Xian is the second best in the Jinke family, Wang Yan is the most popular in the Jinke family, and they are both in charge of writing and censorship in the Jin Dynasty."
Before the two of them could express their gratitude, Liu Chan said to the remaining seventeen people who had participated in the palace examination: "The rest of them will be assigned official positions according to their ability after entering the Yushitai for internship!"
"Long live my emperor, long live, long live."
The twenty candidates who took the palace examination thanked each other in unison.
To hold scientific examinations, they need to be given official duties. Otherwise, who of the future students will be willing to study hard and then take part in the imperial examinations?
However, asking these people who have passed the scientific examination to take up their posts immediately is still a bit of a rush.
Liu Chan relied on the memory of his previous life. For example, when students in the Tang and Song Dynasties won the first prize in the examination, they would not be immediately given official positions with real power. In the beginning, even the first prize was at most an editor of the Hanlin Academy, which was an idle official position.
If you want to be a high official, you have to keep working hard.
Nowadays, there is no Hanlin Academy in Han Dynasty, but there is a similar position - managing books and serving as censor.
The official who governs books and serves the censor is affiliated to the Censor's Office. He is an official of the sixth rank. He is mainly responsible for the compilation of some books, historical records, etc.
According to Liu Chan's wishes, in the future, the top three scientific experts in the Han Dynasty will first serve as censors. However, Zeng Shu is an exception, and he was granted the title of Censor Lang by Liu Chan.
According to the current system of the Han Dynasty, Censor Lang is the deputy of Censor Zhongcheng, with a rank of fifth rank.
Zeng Shu had made great achievements this time, so Liu Chan promoted him in an unusual way. However, he was new to officialdom, so he was asked to train with Fei Yi first.
After the candidates thanked them, Liu Chan looked at Zeng Shu again: "Zeng Aiqing!"
Zeng Shu came out of the queue and responded: "We are here!"
Liu Chan said calmly: "In five days, I will go to Luoyang as an envoy."
"I obey the order!" Zeng Shu happily agreed.
However, all the civil and military officials present were stunned.
What do you mean, Your Majesty?
Why were the envoys sent to Luoyang at this time?
Moreover, he is still a young man who has just passed the scientific examination and entered the officialdom.
This——
......
......
This chapter has been completed!