novel-bin Chapter 272 Liu Yu Returns to Luoyang
Chapter 272 Liu Yu Returns to Luoyang
Chapter 272 Liu Yu Returns to Luoyang
The fifth year of Yonghan, early March.
Liu Yu arrived at Luoyang City exhausted, and his former subordinate Zhong Yao personally welcomed him into the city.
Liu Yu looked older than he had a few years ago, with a haggard face and tired eyes.
Inside the carriage, Zhong Yao looked at Liu Yu and said with a smile, "Since you are back in Beijing, you don't have to go to Youzhou anymore."
Liu Yu didn't know whether he was tired or for some other reason, he just nodded calmly and didn't say anything.
Although the imperial edict only summoned him to the capital, he knew in his heart that he would most likely be assigned to another position and would not return to Youzhou.
During his years in Youzhou, Liu Yu worked hard to quell various rebellions within Youzhou, and more importantly, to deal with the Wuhuan, Xianbei, Xiongnu and others, to appease them, resist them and ensure that the foreign ethnic groups did not cause major chaos and distract the court's attention.
The court and the public had a very good opinion of Liu Yu, especially for pacifying the Wuhuan and Xianbei. Although there were occasional small wars in recent years, the court basically did not have to worry about it, and the situation both inside and outside Youzhou was becoming peaceful.
Zhong Yao had a very good relationship with Liu Yu, so he was not reserved and said, "Mr. Liu, you must be careful with your words when you enter the palace later."
Liu Yu asked, "What do you mean?"
Zhong Yao hesitated for a moment and said, "Regarding the Wuhuan, Xianbei, Xiongnu, etc., Lord Liu should reassure His Majesty. Regarding the banditry in the country and the next governor of Youzhou, Lord Liu should also go along with His Majesty. As for the issue of the 'new policy', Lord Liu, please be cautious."
Liu Yu looked tired and said thoughtfully: "It seems that the political situation is more complicated than I expected."
Zhong Yao did not hide anything in front of Liu Yu. He nodded and said, "Mr. Liu knows your Majesty's temper. Now is not the time to conquer the frontier. Your Majesty has long been dissatisfied with the slow progress of the 'New Deal'. This change of prime minister is rooted in this."
Liu Yu understood and asked, "What do you want me to say?"
Zhong Yao listened to Liu Yu saying "you", his expression was serious and solemn, and he said: "Mr. Liu, there is no "Yingchuan Party" in the court. We have not formed a party. Please understand Mr. Liu."
Liu Yu stared at him for a while and said, "I hope what you said is true."
Zhong Yao's face was as firm as iron, and he said, "Every word I say is true!"
"What do you want me to say?" Liu Yu did not dwell on the matter of the 'Yingchuan Party' and asked again.
Looking at Liu Yu's expressionless face, Zhong Yao sighed in his heart, without further explanation, and said: "Mr. Liu, those foreign tribes are not a threat for the time being. The threat to the Han Dynasty is internal, not external. The court's 'New Deal' is the key to the revival of the Han Dynasty. Your Majesty is very dissatisfied with the slow progress of the 'New Deal' and has many doubts about the court officials. I ask Mr. Liu to strengthen your Majesty's confidence. Harmony between the monarch and his subjects is the top priority!"
Liu Yu thought for a long time, looked at Zhong Yao, and said, "You said, His Majesty is suspicious of you?"
Zhong Yao did not lie in front of Liu Yu and said directly: "Yes. Your Majesty has been secretly investigating the problems of the "New Deal" since last year, and has also planted people in our mansion to monitor our every move."
Liu Yu couldn't help but frown and said to himself, "Has it come to this?"
Zhong Yao's expression became more serious, and he said, "Mr. Liu, I guess that after the change of prime minister, His Majesty may go all out to promote the 'New Deal'. At that time, it will inevitably cause many problems. Mr. Liu will be needed to help in case the situation gets out of control."
Liu Yu got the hint of what was going on. He stared at Zhong Yao and asked, "Is it that your Majesty is being too absurd, or are you guys plotting something that's going to be exposed?"
Zhong Yao's face darkened slightly, and he said, "Mr. Liu, there really is no so-called 'Yingchuan Party'. The fundamental problem with the 'New Deal' so far is that the court's control over the local areas is too weak, and it will take time to rectify. Your Majesty is too impatient. I am worried that it will cause a local backlash and the Yellow Turban Rebellion will occur again. The consequences will be disastrous."
Liu Yu could not see anything on Zhong Yao's face. He moved his body tiredly and half-closed his eyes, as if he wanted to rest.
Zhong Yao knew that Liu Yu was suspicious of him, but he still said, "Mr. Liu, there are too many bad policies in the court. It is difficult to correct them. It takes time to rectify them. We cannot rush for quick success. Otherwise, it will backfire and the Han Dynasty will be in danger!"
Liu Yu seemed not to hear and continued to doze off in the swaying carriage.
Zhong Yao sighed inwardly and was about to continue speaking when the carriage suddenly stopped. The driver turned around and said, "Master, master, the prime minister is here."
Liu Yu opened his eyes suddenly, then straightened his clothes, stood up and got out of the carriage.
Standing on the carriage, Liu Yu saw Yang Biao, who was more than twice as fat as he was a few years ago, with a big belly and a smiling face.
He was alone, standing not far from the horse's head.
Liu Yu thought about it for a moment, then quickly got off the carriage and raised his hand, saying, "Your humble servant greets the Prime Minister."
Yang Biao glanced at Zhong Yao who came out later, stretched out his hand, pulled Liu Yu over, and whispered: "No need to be polite on the street. Bo'an, I have something to tell you."
Bo'an is Liu Yu's courtesy name.
Liu Yu agreed and followed Yang Biao to a teahouse not far away. Zhong Yao wanted to follow but was stopped by a servant.
Zhong Yao's eyes flashed with worry, and he couldn't guess what Yang Biao was going to say to Liu Yu.
Yang Biao brought Liu Yu into the teahouse, and after they sat down, he couldn't wait to ask, "Bo'an, what did Zhong Pushe say to you?"
Liu Yu looked at Yang Biao and said, "I am very curious about the political situation."
Yang Biao's fat face trembled when he heard this, and he said, "Forget it, I won't ask any more. I have three things to ask Bo'an for help."
Liu Yu and Yang Biao were not close friends, but Yang Biao came straight to the point by saying "help", which made him even more confused about the political situation.
"Please speak, Prime Minister." Liu Yu said without changing his expression.
"First things first,"
Yang Biao's fat face was dignified, and his tone was sincere. He said: "After entering the court, please treat your colleagues well and don't build a large prison."
Liu Yu was unaware of this. He had no political enemies. He was not like those people in the past who were engaged in factional struggles and always made everyone their enemy.
Seeing Liu Yu remained silent, Yang Biao said, "The second thing is, do not provoke His Majesty. The government of the country depends on His Majesty. His Majesty is still young and impulsive. Once he is provoked, no one knows what will happen."
Liu Yu was silent, just looking at Yang Biao. He watched Liu Bian succeed to the throne, and also watched how the eunuch party, He Jin and others died. Those bloody cases and the falling heads still frightened Liu Yu.
Yang Biao waited for a while, then pondered again, with hesitation written all over his face.
Liu Yu said nothing and waited quietly.
After a while, Yang Biao sighed and said, "The third thing is, after Bo'an enters the court, please don't bring up the past again."
Liu Yu's expression changed slightly, and he understood the "old things" in Yang Biao's words.
These "old things" include the many major events since Liu Bian ascended the throne, and can also be traced back to the factional struggles between the eunuch party and the relatives of the emperor during the reign of Emperor Ling. Once they are seriously investigated, it is unknown how big the turmoil will be, and the court will never have peace.
Yang Biao looked at Liu Yu's expression, took a deep breath, raised his hand, and said, "Please agree, Bo'an."
Liu Yu did not react to Yang Biao's gift, and said calmly: "Prime Minister, I cannot promise you anything."
Yang Biao was stunned for a moment, then he sighed and said with a wry smile: "It is I who have made things difficult for Bo An."