"This cousin of mine has really become a talent after working here for so many years. All these favors have been brought to the government. If it's not a new year or a festival, what kind of gift can I give him? He even invites my uncle out. He wants to
What's the picture?" Liu Xu sighed and asked, "What did you give me? It's not just yellow and white things, is it?"
Hearing this, the steward hurriedly replied: "It's just some sea goods and local objects, nothing rare. I think it's just that the magistrate is thinking of His Highness and expresses his feelings. In addition, the uncle left a letter!"
Following the steward's gesture, Liu Xu took the letter from a pile of documents in the desk, checked it without leaving any trace, and did not open it. This was a letter from Geng Jixun. In addition to some greetings, it was
Report to Liu Xu the political situation during his tenure in Mizhou, as well as some situations in Mizhou cooperating with the imperial court's new policies.
Of course, reading between the lines, Liu Xu was keenly aware of Geng Jixun's intention in writing this letter. He wanted to move his position, and it would be best to be transferred back to Beijing.
Speaking of which, when Geng Jixun was sent abroad, it was Liu Xu's instruction. Time flew by and nearly ten years had passed. Geng Jixun had also started from a county magistrate to a prefecture magistrate.
To have such a promotion experience in ten years, in the current officialdom of the Han Dynasty, not to mention standing out from the crowd, it can be regarded as a rapid promotion. Behind this, of course, Liu Xu's support is indispensable.
Liu Xu was not angry at Geng Jixun's letter. He felt that he was not satisfied. Instead, it affected his thoughts. As the eldest son of the emperor, Liu Xu was the first to open the government and the first to participate in the government.
Over the years, thanks to his status and power, he has accumulated a lot of popularity, recruited some talents, and promoted some cronies inside and outside the court.
There may be no shortage of available people under Liu Xu, but there is still a shortage of people who are truly trustworthy and can show their sincerity.
And if he were asked to choose some people worthy of entrusting him with important tasks, his first reaction would be the Geng family and his son. The blood connection always makes them more worthy of getting close to. And the wealth of the Geng family, his father and his son, and even the Geng family, is mostly pinned on Liu Xu.
In his early years, Emperor Liu benefited mostly from Concubine Geng Chen, but Concubine Chen passed away early, and the shelf life of that favor could not last so long. In the past ten years or so, Emperor Liu's care for the Geng family has basically been based on
For Liu Xu’s sake.
Liu Xu couldn't help but think carefully about whether he should transfer Geng Jixun back to the capital. After a long time, he raised his eyes and told the steward: "Select some of the gifts given by the Tibetan leaders before and send them to the uncle's house, especially those medicinal herbs."
, Medicinal wine, consider it a return gift!"
"Yes!" The steward bowed and responded, hesitating slightly and said, "Your Highness and your uncle are blood relatives. So, are they related?"
Hearing this, Liu Xu only raised his head and glanced at it. The steward was suddenly startled and said quickly: "You are too talkative!"
These sons of Emperor Liu were influenced by him. Although they each had their own personalities, there were more or less shadows of Emperor Liu in how they behaved and spoke and behaved. Many of them were imitated and learned subconsciously, and Liu Xu was considered a brother.
The most similar one.
"The date for the Enke exam has been set. In the next three or two months, students and officials will come to Beijing to prepare for the exam. Please pay attention to it. This move is a favor from His Majesty. The important events of the court are for Bian Biyuan.
Or if you are a poor scholar, please help if you can!" Liu Xu ordered again.
"yes!"
His brows were furrowed, as if he was thinking about whether this move was appropriate. When he came to his senses, Liu Xu warned again: "Don't make a big show of it, just do it to relieve the imperial court's worries!"
"I understand!" After all, he is a servant of the palace. Even though he cannot fully understand some of Liu Xu's intentions, he still does things without any compromise.
"Your Highness, Madam has sent word that dinner is ready. Please come over!" The servant came to inform.
"Reply and wait a moment!" Liu Xu nodded.
He pondered and reviewed carefully behind the desk again. After a long time, he finally got up and left with his usual spring breeze-like smile on his lips.
...
The blower and power supply under the night sky were like a dormant beast, not ferocious, but scary enough. In the palace, Emperor Liu lovingly coaxed the tired emperor Wenyuan to sleep, and happened to hear that Zhang Dejun came to pay an audience.
It's not too late, he looks like he has something important to do.
Zhang Dejun has been visiting the palace more frequently recently, not to report many things to Emperor Liu, but just to have a sense of presence in front of Emperor Liu. Li Chongke's resignation is still a warning to him.
Of course, Zhang Dejun's thinking is not about whether he should restrain himself and keep a low profile, so as not to arouse Emperor Liu's suspicion. Zhang Dejun still has a very clear understanding of himself. Unlike Li Chongju, the Imperial City Secretary is not a Wude Secretary.
They are ministers, eunuchs, and servants of the emperor. It is only the emperor who needs to please and be loyal.
The lesson Zhang Dejun learned was that his relationship with Emperor Liu over the years was not as close as it used to be, and that vague sense of unfamiliarity made him a little scared.
Therefore, during this period, he went to the palace to greet Emperor Liu every day and became more active. Even if he received some small rebuke from Emperor Liu, he was as happy as eating honey. At least he felt that his relationship with Emperor Liu was gradually recovering.
.
Of course, what Zhang Dejun came here to report was a major event, at least for him, it was a fatal event. Just like the report Liu Xu received in the palace, the emperor's eldest grandson was frightened.
Zhang Dejun's report was much more detailed than that reported in Duke Qin's palace. The details of the incident, including the perpetrator's background and even the path to his fortune, were all clearly revealed.
He was the youngest son of the Zhu family, a wealthy family in the south of the city. The head of the family was named Zhu Jun. He made his fortune in the past twenty years. He made a fortune by selling porcelain and was also engaged in restaurants, transportation, grain, cloth, and building materials.
There are industries in the three major cities of Luoyang.
Of course, the most important thing is that the Zhu family has a deep background and is backed by the emperor's uncle, Murong Yanchao, Duke of Luan. This relationship is not difficult to check, and with the support of nobles, the Zhu family ranks among the merchants in the capital.
The reputation is still strong.
As for Emperor Liu, he didn't care at all which big family he belonged to or what was the relationship behind it. What he cared about was the safety of his grandson: "How is Wenyuan?"
"It was reported from the Duke of Qin's palace that the emperor's eldest grandson was just a little surprised and nothing serious!" Zhang Dejun hurriedly replied.
"This Liu Xu, when something like this happened, he didn't even report it!" Emperor Liu scolded.
"Perhaps the Duke is afraid that His Majesty will be worried!" Zhang Dejun said.
Reluctantly nodding his head, he accepted this statement. Emperor Liu's eyes became a little gloomy: "Did you find anything fishy in it?"
After thinking about it for a moment, Emperor Liu's reaction was similar to that of Liu Xu, and he seemed murderous.
"Not yet. Everything shows that it was just an accident. I will step up the investigation!" Zhang Dejun said: "Right now, Luoyang Mansion has detained the Zhu family son who offended the emperor's grandson. Zhao Fuyin attaches great importance to this matter and will interrogate him personally!"
"Let Zhao Kuangyi investigate for the time being. The Imperial City Division does not need to make any announcements, just conduct a secret investigation!" Emperor Liu said indifferently.
"yes!"
"Send someone and ask Liu Xu to bring Wenyuan into the palace tomorrow to stay for a few days!" Emperor Liu ordered Yantuo again.
"As you command!"
"Zhao Pu said it well. These wealthy businessmen are so greedy for profit that they hardly know etiquette. They have such good family education and are so arrogant in Beijing. You can imagine what the situation is like in the local area! The crime is not the evil dog, but the evil master! "Emperor Liu said coldly, in terms of revenge mentality, Liu Xu is far worse than his father.
"I understand, little one!" Hearing this, Zhang Dejun looked understanding.
"What do you understand?" Emperor Liu naturally didn't have to be polite at all to Zhang Dejun's words.
Zhang Dejun looked foolish and said with cupped hands: "Don't say that the collision offended the saint-grandson. Even if ordinary people are frightened by this, they should uphold justice. I will conduct an in-depth investigation of the Zhu family!"
Emperor Liu acquiesced to this.
Seeing this, Zhang Dejun asked for instructions again: "Your Majesty, would you like to say hello to Duke Luan?"
"Do you need to say hello?" Emperor Liu's eyes were sharp.
"Yes!" Zhang Dejun responded again. Obviously, Emperor Liu wanted to watch his actions again.
"Let's take a look at Luoyang Mansion's conclusion first!" Emperor Liu said again.
"yes!"
...
Zhao Kuangyi's work efficiency was clearly reflected in this matter. Early in the morning of the next day, he went to the palace early to seek an audience and reported the investigation results of the matter.
An unexpected result, the penalty was also very clear. Zhu Jiazi was only imprisoned for three days for disturbing the public order, and was also sentenced to pay ten guan of money to the Duke of Qin.
Facing Emperor Liu's almost cold gaze, Zhao Kuangyi naturally felt great pressure, but he did not lower his head, but just looked at it calmly. According to Zhao Kuangyi, the context of the incident was clear, and according to Han law, there was nothing wrong with handling it this way.
Emperor Liu, with a cold face, looked at Zhao Kuangyi for a long time, and then smiled silently: "No wonder Zhao Qing has already gained a reputation for being selfless and impartial within a few months of taking office. With you in charge of Luoyang, there is no need to worry about the failure of the capital and the people." disturbed!"
"Your Majesty is ridiculous! I am only doing things in accordance with the laws of the country and the system!" Even though his face was tense, Zhao Kuangyi couldn't help but secretly breathed a sigh of relief when Emperor Liu said this.
If the imperial grandson of the Tian family was not involved, there would naturally be no problem with his punishment. However, he was the imperial grandson after all, the grandson of Emperor Liu.
Of course, Zhao Kuangyi didn't understand the stakes involved, but he was gambling and showing his political style to everyone. Fortunately, Emperor Liu's silence frightened him for a time, but judging from the reaction, he was The bet was won.
"How could this Zhao Kuangyi do things like this? He frightened the emperor's grandson and let him go so lightly. What's his intention?" After Zhao Kuangyi retreated, Yan Tuo, who was waiting beside him, couldn't help but said angrily.
"Then how do you think this case should be judged?" Emperor Liu glanced sideways at Yantuo.
Yantuo immediately replied: "Even if we don't execute people and behead them, they must be severely punished. Otherwise, where is the majesty of the Heavenly Family?"
Emperor Liu's tone became more relaxed, and he said: "They are well-founded and act in accordance with the law. What else can I say? The majesty of the Heavenly Family is not greater than the laws of the country!"
Yan Tuo was startled when he heard this, noticed Emperor Liu's calm face, and reacted. He thought about it secretly, and immediately said, "This is also official generosity!"
"However, Zhao Kuangyi's intentions are indeed profound!" Emperor Liu looked deeply and said leisurely: "If this matter comes out, who else in Luoyang will dare to fall into his hands. He will not only gain a direct name but also establish authority. This person's ability to see opportunities is extraordinary..."