OBS Chapter 221: Rewarding the Ministers and Winning Over the People's Hearts
Chapter 221: Rewarding the Ministers and Winning Over the People's Hearts
Yuan Shu's voice suddenly rang out in the court, filled with arrogance and unreasonableness, lacking any respect for the emperor. This arrogant and domineering speech drew the attention of all the civil and military officials, who were all shocked and angry.
However, at this moment, Gongsun Zan stepped forward. He considered himself the future father-in-law of the emperor and was determined to uphold his majesty. With his eyes wide open, he shouted at Yuan Shu, "Yuan Shu, you lunatic! How dare you be so disrespectful to the emperor in the court? How dare you!"
Gongsun Zan's voice was as loud as a bell, silencing the court for a moment.
Yuan Shu's anger burned even more fiercely after being scolded by Gongsun Zan. He turned and glared at Gongsun Zan, gritting his teeth and saying, "Gongsun Zan, stop putting on airs! Don't think that everyone knows what you're thinking."
For a moment, the two were on the verge of a fight in the court, and the atmosphere became extremely tense.
A flicker of anger flashed across the emperor's eyes, but that fleeting fury seemed to be blown away by an invisible wind, and he quickly regained his composure. He cleared his throat and spoke, "You two, my dear ministers, have both worked hard and made great contributions, and I am well aware of this. I know that in this campaign against Dong Zhuo, you have all given your all, and have devoted so much effort to the Han Dynasty. My dear Yuan, I will never forget your contributions, and you will wait patiently for your reward. My dear Gongsun, I also see your loyalty and protection of your master, and I am deeply grateful. Do not be anxious or angry at this moment. I will reward each meritorious official impartially, ensuring that every meritorious official receives the honor and grace they deserve. I hope that you will both value peace and work together for the prosperity of the Han Dynasty."
After the emperor appeased the two, the tense atmosphere in the court eased slightly. The emperor raised his sleeves slightly and said, "Continue to convey the decree."
The eunuch's shrill voice rang out again: "I am mindful of the merits of all of you in defeating Dong Zhuo. You are all loyal ministers and capable generals of the Han Dynasty. I will now bestow special rewards to honor your achievements. First, Yuan Shao, you are valiant and skilled in battle. I will grant you the title of Marquis of Ye, granting you a fief of 10,000 households and the appointment of Governor of Ji Province. I hope you will govern wisely and protect the people. Second, Cao Cao, you are resourceful and resourceful. I will grant you the title of Marquis of Wuping, promote you to the position of Minister of the Interior, and appoint you Governor of Yan Province. I hope you will offer good advice to the court. Third, Yuan Shu, you will be granted the title of Marquis of Runan and Governor of Yang Province. You should be diligent in government affairs and benefit the people. Fourth, Sun Jian, you will be granted the title of Marquis of Wucheng and Governor of Yu Province. I hope you will pacify the area and ensure the safety of the people. Fifth, Gongsun Zan, you will be granted the title of Marquis of Yi, commanding the military affairs of Youyan and protecting our borders. Sixth, Kong Rong, you will be granted the title of Marquis of Gaoyang and Governor of Qing Province..."
As the imperial edicts for rewards were announced one after another, the moods of the people in the court varied. Some were satisfied with their rewards, while others secretly wondered whether they met their expectations.
After conferring the rewards, the emperor glanced at his ministers and said slowly, "My dear ministers, I hope that you will each perform your duties in the future, be loyal to the country, and do not let me down."
All the ministers shouted in unison: "We will do our utmost to serve the court. Long live the emperor!"
At this point, this court meeting full of twists and turns came to a temporary end.
After the court session, with the harem gone, Emperor Liu Bian and Lu Zhi returned to the palace. As soon as they entered the palace, Liu Bian's handsome face twisted with rage. Unable to contain his raging fury, he shouted at Lu Zhi, "Yuan Shu is truly insolent and overbearing. He has absolutely no regard for me, his father and emperor. His actions are truly appalling and beyond the reach of justice!" Upon hearing this, Lu Zhi trembled with rage, his eyes wide open, his indignation evident.
Zhao Yun, who was following behind him, was furious when he saw this. With a clang, he drew his sword and shouted passionately: "The lord insults the minister, and the minister dies! Yuan Shu is so rebellious and offends the emperor's majesty. Even if I have to risk my life, Zhao Yun will seek justice for the emperor and make him pay a heavy price for his arrogance!" Seeing Zhao Yun so impulsive, Emperor Liu Bian reached out and held him tightly, and said in a calm but firm tone: "Zilong, don't be impulsive. The situation is complicated at the moment. We need to think carefully and don't act rashly." After some comforting, Zhao Yun's emotions gradually calmed down.
Liu Bian paused, quietly looking up to observe Lu Zhi's reaction. Then, quickly adopting an expression of grievance mixed with concern, he spoke slowly and affectionately, "Master Lu, you must not be angry with such a lunatic. You must take care of yourself and not let others' mistakes harm you." Lu Zhi's heart surged with emotion at these words, and he couldn't help but sigh inwardly: This emperor before me has a heart as broad as the vast ocean, accommodating all things; he is magnanimous, forbearing the mistakes of others; and in the face of adversity, he is not afraid, but instead is filled with the ambition and courage to forge ahead. Such an emperor is truly a blessing to the Han Dynasty! The Han Dynasty's revival is sure to come! He will devote himself to assisting the emperor in achieving this great cause. His conviction grew even more resolute.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei witnessed the emperor's calm composure and ease in such a difficult situation, displaying an extraordinary and otherworldly demeanor. They were deeply impressed and, clasping their fists, reverently declared, "Your Majesty's magnanimity and courage deeply impress us two brothers!" However, Liu Bei narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze deep and complex, as if trying to discern the deeper meaning behind the emperor's actions, as if meticulously planning the future. It was difficult for others to discern his true thoughts at this moment; he pursed his lips, his brows knitted, and those narrowed eyes seemed to conceal endless strategy and profound thought.
Liu Bian's skillful maneuvering not only successfully persuaded Lu Zhi to dedicate himself to his cause, even to his own death, but also, by demonstrating his magnanimity and courage, he impressed upon the likes of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun, earning their unwavering loyalty. After all, while he was the Son of Heaven, he lacked both troops and generals, while the various vassal states, armed with their own forces, showed little respect for him as the Emperor. While the once wicked Dong Zhuo had fallen, the sanctity and dignity of the Han Dynasty had also been wantonly trampled upon. Now, it wasn't just one Dong Zhuo who rose to power; dozens more, like Dong Zhuo, were popping up like mushrooms after rain. In these turbulent times, a firm grasp of territory, armed with sufficient forces and generals, was essential to confidently suppress those who rebelled, revive the Han Dynasty, and restore its former glory.
On the way back, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were still immersed in the aftertaste of the emperor's performance, and kept discussing the demeanor and style displayed by the emperor in his actions.
Guan Yu stroked his long beard, his eyes full of admiration, and said, "Brother, we have witnessed the emperor's actions today. His extraordinary demeanor and impressive demeanor are truly rare. We are deeply impressed." Zhang Fei also widened his eyes and echoed in a gruff voice, "Indeed, brother, the emperor's demeanor is truly impressive to me."
Liu Bei appeared absent-minded in response to their questions, his answers evasive and unclear. His gaze drifted, a silent alarm building within him: This emperor had unknowingly captivated his second and third brothers. He must be vigilant in the future and must not allow this to compromise his grand ambitions. I, Liu Bei, am not as skilled in martial arts as Guan Yu and Zhang Fei; taking the heads of enemy generals amidst a mighty host is beyond my ken. I am also not as strategic as Cao Cao; his cunning and deceitful tactics are beyond my reach. All I possess is a heartfelt ideal to revive the Han Dynasty, a spirit that unites the people. But the emperor is so exceptional now. If he were to recruit talented individuals and rebuild the government, what would become of my ambitions? Would all my years of hard work be in vain? Liu Bei's panic seized him, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He unconsciously clenched his fists, his brow furrowed, his expression growing more solemn, and he sank into a deep state of panic and worry.
The emperor immediately summoned Gongsun Zan and, in the magnificent yet somewhat deserted palace, discussed marrying Gongsun Zan's daughter. Upon hearing the news, Gongsun Zan's previously calm face lit up with surprise, as if overwhelmed with happiness. He joyfully dreamed of future promotions and a meteoric rise to prominence. He envisioned his family's glory at its peak, his own immense power at court.
Gongsun Zan surprisingly showed no concern for the Emperor's request that Zhao Yun lead a portion of his troops to defeat the remnants of Dong Zhuo. With a wave of his hand, he generously agreed to allocate half of his troops. In Gongsun Zan's mind, Zhao Yun was still just another of his White Horse Volunteers, and even if he was now employed by the Emperor, it was only a temporary secondment. He confidently believed that at his command, Zhao Yun would return to his service without hesitation. Little did he know that Zhao Yun, already captivated by the Emperor's vision and ambition, had sworn an unwavering loyalty to him. In Zhao Yun's heart, only the Emperor could save this troubled world and restore the Han Dynasty's glory. He was willing to risk his life for the Emperor's cause.