In just half an hour, they arrived at Ji City. After entering the city, Liu Yuan sat on Big Yellow's back and observed the people's living conditions. Seeing that Ji City was bustling and bustling with few beggars and refugees, he smiled and said to Tian Kai,""Ji City is so prosperous. Not to mention Youzhou, there are few cities in Jizhou that can compare to it.”
"Lord Marquis is wise." "Ever since the Provincial Governor took office, he has devoted himself to the people's livelihood, causing Ji City to become many times more prosperous than before!" Tian Kai said respectfully. This time, the Marquis has come to stay for a few days. Tian Kai is willing to be the tour guide to show the Marquis the scenery of Ji City.”
Soon, they arrived at the grand Youzhou Provincial Governor's Office.
After getting off the cow's back, he looked up and saw a kind-looking old man on the steps in front of the manor. He was smiling at Liu Yuan and his group.
When Liu Yuan saw this person, he quickly took a few steps forward and bowed."Nephew Liu Yuan greets uncle!"
Liu Ji gently helped Liu Yuan up, sized him up, and praised with a smile,"Good, good, good! As expected of a young and promising member of the imperial clan, my heart is very comforted, my heart is very comforted!”With that, he pulled Liu Yuan into the manor, instructing Gongsun Zan and the others to attend Liu Yuan's welcoming banquet at night, while also instructing them to make proper arrangements for Liu Yuan's subordinates.
When Gongsun Zan returned home, he was not very happy and worried. He felt that he had offended Liu Yuan. If Liu Yuan spoke ill of Gongsun Zan in front of the provincial governor, what should he do? After thinking about it, Gongsun Zan felt that it was better to find someone to help him. His mind turned and he thought of Tian Kai.
Tian Kai and he had known each other for many years and were very close. Most importantly, Tian Kai was quick-witted and good at making decisions. Thus, he immediately sent a servant with his name card to invite Tian Kai.
When Tian Kai arrived at Gongsun Zan's residence and learned about the situation, he retreated and said to Gongsun Zan,""The provincial governor is very close to the Marquis of Yuyang. If you offend the Marquis of Yuyang, I'm afraid that in the future..." With that, Tian Kai left.
No wonder Tian Kai was like this. Tian Kai was a timid and greedy person, and now he had not acknowledged Gongsun Zan as his lord, so it was reasonable not to plan for him. Gongsun Zan angrily scolded Tian Kai, but after his anger subsided, he could only be dejected.
At the Provincial Governor's Office.
Liu Yuan was led into the side hall by Liu Ji and sat down. Liu Ji then said,"A few days ago, I received news of my nephew from Liu Yan's brother. I thought that my nephew should arrive at Ji City today and was about to send someone to welcome him. Unexpectedly, Gongsun Zan led his troops out of the city.”
Liu Yuan shook his head and said," Although that Commandant Gongsun Zan is arrogant and rude, he did not neglect me after knowing my identity. Uncle, you don't have to worry about it."”At this point, Liu Yuan changed his tone and said to Liu Ji,""Although Gongsun Zan is talented, he is narrow-minded. He even used the excuse of a mob to attack the people I took in. This is not caring for the people. Why does uncle still want to give him the important task of leading the cavalry?”
Liu Ji heard this and slammed the table angrily.”
After receiving Liu Yuan's affirmative answer, Liu Ji couldn't help but sigh and say,""I once heard from my subordinate that Gongsun Zan usually rode his horse through the streets and disturbed the people, but he did not cause any harm to lives, so I did not take it seriously. Moreover, he was brave and resolute, and was good at leading troops. He had made a great contribution to the peace of Ji County and the absence of foreign tribes, which was why he was allowed to lead the cavalry. A few days ago, I even had the thought of betrothing my daughter to him. Now it seems that she's not a good match!”
"Uncle's daughter is of noble status," Liu Yuan said with a smile."It's indeed a grievance to marry Gongsun Zan.”
At this point, Liu Yuan changed the topic and no longer mentioned this matter. He talked about what he had seen and heard along the way up north.
Liu Yuan was quite eloquent now. Coupled with the fact that he had lived two lives, he was also able to make witty remarks when chatting.
Liu Ji listened quietly at the side. When he heard that the people were in dire straits, he shook his head and sighed. When he heard that the Mountain Bandits had harmed people, he was furious. When he heard about the Wuhuan ambush, he was worried. When he heard that the people were loyal to him, he was sincerely happy for Liu Yuan.
"Nephew has taken in many refugees along the way.”
Liu Yuan shook his head." I'm just a prefect without a family. Although I have some arrangements for the 50,000 people, I can't come up with a good solution."”"I have something important to ask of you, Uncle. I hope you can help me."”
"Tell me."
"I only returned to the imperial clan two months ago. Now, I'm all alone and have no foundation. The grain consumption of these 50,000 people along the way is only safe because of the donations of righteous men and subordinates. At this point, the rations were already insufficient, only enough for three days. Therefore, I want to borrow 150,000 stones of grain from my uncle so that the people can survive until next year's harvest.”It was Liu Yuan who had raised the number Qiushou had proposed by half.
"Yes…" Liu Ji stroked his short beard and thought for a moment."I am aware of your difficulties, but the treasury only has 200,000 dan of grain. We must keep at least 80,000 dan of grain, so we can only support 120,000 dan at most.”
Liu Yuan was overjoyed when he heard this and quickly thanked him profusely.
Liu Ji only said,"Nephew, you are planning a way out for the people. As an uncle, how can I not support you?"”
With the matter of the rations settled, Liu Yuan felt a huge weight lifted off his heart and relaxed a lot. He then started chatting with Liu Ji about poetry and songs.
When it was about 10 o'clock in the evening, a servant came to tell them that the banquet was ready. The two of them ended their discussion and looked at the living room.
At this banquet, Liu Yuan recognized Zou Dan and Shan Jing. At the end of the banquet, Gongsun Zan wanted to invite Liu Yuan to a banquet, but he was rejected. He only said that he was busy with miscellaneous matters and had to go to Yuyang the next day, so he could not attend the banquet. Gongsun Zan had no choice but to give up.
The next day, Liu Ji sent 2,000 infantry and 5,000 civilian workers with weapons and armor to escort grain and fodder to Yuyang with Liu Yuan. Before leaving, Liu Ji told Liu Yuan that these 5,000 civilians and 2,000 infantry would be handed over to Liu Yuan. Liu Yuan was very grateful and could not express it in words.
After Guangyang was Yuyang.
Liu Yuan and his group had been walking and stopping for a few days, training the new infantry while planning for the future.
Guo Jia had already made up his mind these days and said to Liu Yuan,""My lord, you must be furious when you enter Yuyang this time. Then who should be the first to attack? Zhang Clan!"
"Why do you want to target the Zhang family?" "The Zhang Clan controls almost the entire Yuyang City. It's not easy to remove them!" Liu Yuan said.”
"My lord, do you know that if we don't eradicate the Zhang family, how can we control Yuyang?”Guo Jia asked.
Liu Yuan pondered for a moment, and his expression hardened."What plan do you have?"
Guo Jia said confidently," I'll only entertain two generals with a team of soldiers each. They'll be one step ahead of us. Before the Zhang family is ready to confront you, they'll quickly go to Yuyang City and the Zhang family's ancestral residence. They'll take down all the important figures with lightning speed. Then, they'll submit a letter to the court, saying that the Zhang family joined forces with the Wuhuan to rebel and was eliminated by you."”
Liu Yuan's eyes lit up when he heard that. Then, he said worriedly,"Even though the Zhang Clan has been eradicated, Yuyang will be paralyzed. What should we do?”
"My lord, you've misunderstood." "My plan is not to kill all the main members of the Zhang family, but to capture and imprison them!" Guo Jia laughed leisurely.”
"At that time, my lord will announce that the Zhang family has taken the initiative to join my lord. He also threatened the main figures of the Zhang family with his life, making them write letters to the middle and low-level officials under the Zhang family, making these officials believe that the Zhang family was sincerely seeking refuge, so that Yuyang would not be in chaos. When the time came, he would use the people who were loyal to the lord and replace them one by one. Then, he would be able to control Yuyang without bloodshed.”
"Good!" Liu Yuan clapped his hands and said,"Let's do as Feng Xiao says." Men, please invite the two generals, Gongyi and Gongming, to come and discuss the matter.”
Not long after, Huang Chang and Xu Huang arrived at the tent. After receiving Liu Yuan's orders and Guo Jia's instructions, they immediately led a thousand infantry each. After eating their fill, they waited for the sky to turn dark before setting off.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]