Chapter 37 Morning Assembly (Part 2) No Need to Endure Anymore

  Liu Bian understood that the content of today's court meeting was actually very simple: it was to confirm the leadership of the Yuan family, with Yuan Yi as the chief assistant and Yuan Shao as the great general. As for him, he would continue to be a puppet, muddle along until the day when Yuan Yi and Yuan Shao felt that it was enough, and then kick him off the throne.

  You can be the premier, no problem, you want to be a general, that's fine too, we can discuss it. Alright, I don't have the power of speech, so just go ahead and do it. Originally, I wasn't here to become an emperor either, once I find the dragon's secret, I'll return to my 21st century. But you guys are going too far, still treating me like that coward?

  Damn your dog eyes!

  Although Liu Bian was not a seasoned politician, he had read some historical stories and heard the Princess of Millennium analyze the current situation for him. Seeing this scene, he roughly understood the intentions of Yuan Wei and his party members.

  Boiling frogs on low heat.

  The Son of Heaven is indeed supreme, but the Son of Heaven cannot directly rule such a large country. He must rely on different interest groups. The Han Dynasty originally had three interest groups: the imperial relatives, eunuchs, and aristocratic families. These three groups fought each other, allowing the Son of Heaven to balance them out, preventing any one side from becoming too powerful, and maintaining stability until today. Now, the eunuchs have been eradicated by Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, the imperial relatives have also been killed off cleanly, leaving only the aristocratic families. The largest aristocratic family is the Yuan family, with four generations of high-ranking officials, unparalleled in history.

  In order to continue being the dominant power and not allow new external relatives to emerge, Yuan Wei did not recognize the Emperor's coming of age, even though the Emperor was already 17 years old. Without the capping ceremony, he would not be considered an adult. As a minor, he not only had no qualifications to govern but also had no qualifications to establish an heir. Unable to establish an heir, he could not form external relatives' power and compete with aristocratic families for power. If there must be external relatives, Yuan Shao can serve as the Grand General.

  In the imperial court, more than half of the people are already Yuan's party members. If Yuan Yi and Yuan Shao are allowed to be in power for several decades, will anyone still remember who the emperor is? By then, Yuan Shao would not be Huo Guang, but Wang Mang.

  Lu Zhi, Lu Zhi, can I endure this urgency with patience? If I continue to endure, I'll be cooked through.

  Liu Bian's smile had disappeared. He sat upright on the throne, his hands clasped together in his sleeves, gazing at Yuan Wei with a calm expression, his eyes gradually narrowing.

  Yuan Yi felt the change in Liu Bian's expression, furrowed his brow, and was somewhat displeased. In his view, Liu Bian was obviously overestimating himself. If a conflict were to arise, even without him saying a word, there would be people who could refute Liu Bian until he was speechless. Couldn't he see where the hearts of the court officials lay? Wasn't Dong Zhuo being driven out of the imperial court enough to illustrate the point?

  Although he had never taught Liu Bian to read, he was all too clear what kind of person Liu Bian was. At the age of seventeen, he hadn't even finished reading "The Analects" and "The Classic of Filial Piety", let alone major classics like "The Spring and Autumn Annals".

  It's also good for him to hit a wall and show his ugliness, so that the world can see the quality of this emperor as soon as possible, and make a choice as soon as possible.

  Yuan Wei remained silent.

  An unspeakable pressure, centered on Yuan Wei, spread out in all directions. The atmosphere in the imperial court slowly cooled down, and everyone closed their mouths, casting their eyes towards Yuan Wei, towards Liu Bian who was sitting alone on the throne.

  There seems to be invisible sparks flashing in the air.

  Lu Zhi was a Shangshu, qualified to attend the meeting, but could only stand in the back. He saw Liu Bian's face, but he could feel Liu Bian's anger. He was nervous and secretly prayed, while quickly organizing his words, preparing to speak, to mediate the situation.

  "Have all of you finished your memorials?" Liu Bian slowly opened his mouth: "Then I have a few questions, and I'd like to ask Taifu for guidance."

  Yuan Wei stepped forward and bowed. Liu Bian pointed the spearhead directly at him, he had no choice but to fight back. Of course, he didn't care about Liu Bian either.

  "Taifu, a few days ago in Luoyang, something happened. The Grand General and the Cavalry General were killed one after another. Who was the murderer? Has it been investigated clearly?"

  "Report to Your Majesty, the General was killed by Guo Mu and others who were in league with Zhang Rang. Now that Guo Mu has been executed, Zhang Rang and others have taken their own lives." Yuan Wei said slowly: "The death of the General of Chariots and Cavalry was due to discord between brothers. After the General's death, his troops transferred their anger to the General of Chariots and Cavalry, resulting in mutual attacks and the death of the General of Chariots and Cavalry. Some of the General's troops who participated in this matter have been captured, while others have fled in fear of punishment. The Three Dukes have deliberated and issued a warrant for their arrest."

  "Who is leading?"

  Wu Kuang.

  "Where is Wu Kuang?"

  "On the run."

  Liu Bian understood that everything was a lie. He couldn't personally go and capture Wu Kuang, whatever Yuan Wei said went. If he wanted to kill Wu Kuang, Yuan Wei would beg for mercy on behalf of Wu Kuang, then Wu Kuang and those who participated would be grateful to whom?

  "Since the Three Public Offices are wanted for Wu Kuang, let's not mention this matter for now." Liu Bian forced himself to calm down, his voice was trembling slightly, more nervous than when he spoke at the meeting in his previous life. So far, he hasn't said anything wrong, no stuttering, already beyond his expectations. "However, please inform the Three Public Offices that Wu Kuang should be captured alive and wait for a clear investigation before sentencing."

  Yuan Wei smiled silently and solemnly bowed his head: "Your Majesty's benevolence, we will carefully follow the holy order."

  "So, who was the one that burned down Zhuque Gate and Jiulong Gate? I suppose you've investigated it clearly, Taifu?" Liu Bian turned his gaze towards Yuan Shu, "Yuan Shu admitted in front of me that day that he was the one who burned down Zhuque Gate. Did he retract his confession later?"

  Yuan Shu's face suddenly turned bright red. He gritted his teeth and said loudly, "A real man dares to do it and take responsibility for it. I did set the fire, and I won't deny it."

  Yuan Yi turned his face, looked at Yuan Shu with a glance, and Yuan Shu immediately shut his mouth, hanging his head in shame and returning to the ranks. For this matter, he had already been ridiculed by Yuan Shao several times, both openly and secretly. In front of so many people, he was forced to reveal the truth by Liu Bian's single sentence, and he regretted it so much that his intestines turned green. It wasn't until later when Chen Gui analyzed it for him that he realized he had fallen into Liu Bian's trap.

  But it's absolutely impossible for him to take back what he has just said.

  "Your Majesty, the Tiger Guard's middle officer burned down the Zhuque Gate and the Jiulong Gate, which was indeed reckless. However, at that time, the eunuchs were slaughtering the great generals, holding Your Majesty hostage, with ulterior motives. The Tiger Guard's middle officer made a plan for Your Majesty's safety and the Han Dynasty's safety, taking a desperate measure in an emergency situation, also being loyal to the country and doing his duty.

  Yuan Wei bowed with his hands clasped together, his body bent forward, his two large sleeves shielding him like a shield, making him look extremely majestic. "Rewarding achievements and punishing mistakes is the foundation of governance. I request that Your Majesty punish the Tiger Guard's middle officer for his mistake and reward him for his achievement, to correct the views of the people."

  Liu Bian couldn't help but roll his eyes. Yuan Yi was indeed eloquent, and now it seemed that Yuan Shu's burning of the Zhuque Gate had become a greater merit than a fault? Compared to the safety of the Emperor and the Han dynasty, what were the Zhuque Gate and the Jiulong Gate worth? If Yuan Shu was not guilty, then there was no need to mention changing his testimony. Yuan Yi had unwittingly slapped Liu Bian in the face.

  Twice he was questioned, but Yuan Shu managed to dissolve the situation both times. Liu Bian did not become disheartened. He had long expected Yuan Shu's strength; otherwise, Lu Zhi would not have repeatedly advised him to be cautious and patient. When Dong Zhuo was driven out of the imperial court, it was not just a matter of crying to him and then enduring. Everyone was vying for power, hoping that one or two words could shut down Yuan Shu, which was rather too fanciful.

  If Yuan Wei is so unbearable, would the Yuan family still be the Yuan family, and would Yuan Wei still be a 60-year-old demon who cultivates his spirit?

  To deal with an old demon like Yuan Wei, Liu Bian must have prepared a more lethal killer move.