Yangzhou in the fourth year of Tianji was not stable.
First, officials crazily attacked the merchants in Yangzhou. Yangzhou developed very rapidly first because of the princes. Many big merchants appeared. The power of these so-called big merchants cannot be underestimated. They are the local
Officials must be courteous. Some of these big merchants own dozens of large merchant ships, and some have tens of thousands of farmhands to plant tea gardens for them.
Such a huge force was the first to suffer a thunderous blow from Yangzhou officials, and mourning was everywhere. However, fortunately, Cao Pi was not a mediocre person. What's more, the overseas government usually relied on the power of these merchants. Therefore, although people
Although he died, his property did not collapse. For example, the family owned many ships. Their ships were transferred to the name of the Overseas Government, and his hired sailors became sailors officially appointed by the government.
The tea garden also fell into the hands of the Yangzhou government. The arrest of these big merchants did not affect Yangzhou's production, but the blow suffered by the lower-level traders completely affected Yangzhou. Within a few days, Yangzhou
The market was somewhat bleak, as if it had returned to what it was like in the past. However, this situation only lasted for less than seven days. The officials who had previously dealt with the merchants were imprisoned, and even went to jail together with the merchants who had been arrested earlier.
Imprisoned.
The government quickly started to operate, and a reasonable explanation was given for the situation during this period. It turned out that the officials were acting recklessly, falsely preaching the imperial edict, oppressing merchants, and preying on the people. After the emperor learned of their actions,
They were severely punished, and at the same time, those innocent merchants were released, and the merchants were no longer allowed to be humiliated. When this announcement appeared, as expected, many of the arrested merchants were also released.
When they walked out of the prison, they seemed so excited that they were a little delirious. They even babbled that they had seen the emperor, and the emperor also greeted them. No matter what they said, the turbulent situation in Yangzhou was still over. It seemed,
It seemed that nothing had changed. The merchants quickly walked out of their homes and started their normal work. The officials soon changed a group, and the young people who had endured the time smiled and stepped into the coveted positions.
Yangzhou is still Yangzhou. Liu Qu walked on the streets, looked at the bustling roads, looked at the vendors selling goods, and looked around curiously, with a smile on his face. It seemed that there was no change, but there seemed to be changes. At least, in
When the guards patrolled the streets again, fear appeared on the faces of the merchants. At least, at the city gate, no soldiers dared to laugh and chat with the merchants. The same was true for the merchants, who lowered their heads in fear.
"The Emperor is benevolent and righteous... If it weren't for the Emperor, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to get out of the hands of those cruel officials alive..."
"Yes...has the emperor really come to Yangzhou?"
"That's natural. It is said that the officials knew that the Emperor was coming and were afraid that their collusion and corruption with some merchants would be exposed, so they hurriedly suppressed the merchants in Yangzhou because they didn't want the Emperor to see it. However, the Emperor was
Are you an ordinary person? He sat in the palace, looked around, and saw that there must be grievances in Yangzhou, and then he learned about our affairs. Those cruel officials and those profiteers were all arrested..."
Listening to the people's chatter, Liu Qu turned his head and looked at Zhou Yu who was standing aside.
On this trip, he did not take Jiang Wei with him. Instead, he took Cao Pi and Zhou Yu with him. Cao Pi has been getting worse and worse these days and has not thought about food and tea. Zhou Yu is better than him, but this time
The overseas government was also implicated to a certain extent, which made Zhou Yu feel a little distressed. Regardless of what the two people were thinking, Liu Qu walked on the street and said with a smile: "There are so many fun places in Yangzhou1"
"Yes...Jun."
"This time, although the officials in Yangzhou have disappointed me very much, you have done a good job. The place is still so prosperous, which is rare. It can be seen that you really want to maintain the prosperity of Yangzhou. Very
Well, if Yangzhou declines, I won’t be able to find any interesting places if I want to visit in the future, right?" Liu Qu asked with a smile. Cao Pi nodded hurriedly and said, "That's true."
"Hahaha, you are the second tiger among the five tigers, and I am also a tiger. We should be close to each other. We can't get so close to each other. Just do your job here and wait for a while. I'll see if I can
Let you come to my place and I will give you a better seat..." Liu Qu said, the three of them entered a restaurant and sat down. The food in Yangzhou is also very good. Liu Qu took a big bite
Eating with big mouthfuls.
"Duke Zhou, you should also eat some... By the way, your disciple, Yuan Yao, I have arranged for him to be a servant. At this time, he is probably already in the temple... I think, he
Together with Cao Chong, I can take over from a few old people in the temple..." Liu Qu said vaguely while eating delicious food, but his words made both Zhou Yu and Cao Pi particularly interested.
.
Taking over the old guy's place?
The old guy in the temple usually refers to someone else.
Most of the time, this old guy is worth three orders. Is it possible... The two looked at each other and saw a hint of surprise in each other's eyes. However, they still did not say it. Liu Qu talked to them again.
After chatting for a long time, I saw someone hurriedly walked in. It was Jiang Wei. Jiang Wei walked to the emperor's side, paid homage to the two two thousand stones in front of him, and then looked at the emperor.
He seemed to have something to say to the emperor, and just as he was about to whisper, Liu Qu said displeasedly: "If you have anything to say, just tell it, Duke Cao and Duke Zhou are not outsiders!" When Jiang Wei heard Liu Qu's words, Jiang Wei
Just then he said helplessly: "The temple sent a letter, asking your Majesty to return as soon as possible. Zhuge Linggong, Pang Linggong and others also sent letters, hoping that Your Majesty can return quickly."
"Oh? What happened?"
"Your Majesty, it is said that they are the messengers of embroidered clothes. They have accused the king of gossiping and leaking secrets. They have arrested several ministers and want to put them to death..."
"Ah? How dare Yuan Shang kill those ministers when I'm not here?" Liu Qu asked in surprise. Jiang Wei was stunned and shook his head, saying that he didn't know. Zhou Yu frowned and thought for a long time, wondering what he was thinking.
As for Cao Pi, he was particularly surprised. He seemed to be quite concerned about this matter. After all, he also had a younger brother who was also in the temple. Liu Qu pondered for a moment and then said: "That's it, I will write a letter."
, send him back to Luoxian County as soon as possible. Even if I leave now, I won’t be able to catch up, so I’d better send a letter!”
"Here you go!" Jiang Wei said and left in a hurry.
Cao Pi then asked anxiously: "Your Majesty, my brother, he is impatient, he can't be..."
"Hey, don't think too much about it. Zijian is a smart man, and he is busy with Zhuge Linggong. There is definitely nothing wrong with him." Liu Qu said. Cao Pi was just a little relieved. As for Zhou Yu, he was worried.
Still without words, the three of them wandered until evening. Cao Pi just said goodbye and left. Only Zhou Yu and Liu Qu were left walking together. Liu Qu admired the surrounding scenery and asked: "Mr. Zhou, I am going back too. Now
You have to take care of the Jiaozhou matter."
"I understand."
"I really want to take Duke Zhou back to Luoxian County. Today's Luoxian County really lacks a decisive person like Duke Zhou... But I am very worried. Does Duke Zhou know what I am worried about?"
Liu Qu asked. After hearing Liu Qu's inquiry, Zhou Yu replied without thinking: "Your Majesty is worried about the relationship between me and Pang Tong, Zhong Changtong and others."
Liu Qu was stunned for a moment, then laughed, "Duke Zhou is still an honest gentleman! You are right. I am indeed worried about this. I can rest assured and leave all the important affairs of the temple to the three princes. However, these three
Among the lords, I either don’t trust Pang Linggong, or I am worried that he will put too many of his own ideas on state affairs. In the palace, Pang Linggong’s supporters have begun to overwhelm Zhuge Linggong.
."
"I don't care who can suppress whom, but I don't want Pang Linggong's policy of supporting powerful people to be fully implemented in the Han Dynasty... This is the reason why I didn't take Duke Zhou back to the temple.
"
"Has your Majesty ever thought that maybe what Pang Linggong said can really make the big man richer and stronger?"
"Hahaha~~" Liu Qu laughed again and shook his head, "I don't have the talent of my father and ancestors, and I have never thought of doing something greater than theirs. As long as I can keep the inheritance of my ancestors,
Just don't let him be destroyed in my hands. As for this more prosperous thing, I'd better leave it to my descendants." Liu Qu said, and then asked: "Duke Zhou, will you leave it to my descendants?
Should you tell Duke Pang Ling these words?"
"I don't dare."
"Don't tell him, otherwise, when you return to the temple, I'm afraid he will tell me something about resigning and returning to his hometown. How can I be willing to let him leave with a talent like his?"
"Your Majesty, most of the ministers have underestimated you...so do you."
"Hey, how can I say that I'm underestimating it? I am indeed not a good emperor. As far as I am concerned, this state affairs is not fun on the battlefield. I just want to play in peace and contentment, but if anyone lets me
I can't play in peace and have to take care of the mess he left, so I will have a good time with him. Over the past few years, the Overseas Government has expanded a lot, but the taxes paid are still the same.
at every turn...."
"Duke Zhou, tell me, can I go and play in peace?" Liu Qu turned around with a smile on his face.
"Yes... yes." Zhou Yu nodded and took half a step back. Liu Qu nodded with satisfaction, "Of course, Duke Zhou, don't worry too much. I definitely don't doubt your thoughts. It's just,
If the Overseas Government is going to expand or something, you can tell me. I will definitely support it. Using the money that has to be handed over to the temple to build the Overseas Government is nothing in itself, but you still need to tell me. What does Duke Zhou think?