Chapter 143

Very quickly, three days passed in the blink of an eye, and today was the day of the Grand Court Assembly.

Early in the morning, quite a few civil and military officials had already gathered outside the court hall.

Among them were Zhang Liao and Xi Zhicai, who had rushed back from Chang'an.

Since receiving the news from the Dark Guards, the two had ridden fast horses all the way to Luoyang; fortunately, they did not miss the time for the Grand Court Assembly.

The crowd did not wait long before Eunuch Chief Steward Li Liangcheng walked out from the court hall, took a look at the officials, and shouted loudly:

"His Majesty has a decree, officials enter the court!"

After speaking, he turned around and returned to the hall.

After hearing this, the officials also stepped into the court hall one after another.

After everyone stood in their respective positions, Liu Bian was seen wearing a purple-gold dragon robe and an imperial crown, striding from behind the hall to the dragon throne on the high platform.

He scanned the ministers with majesty and sat on the dragon throne.

"We pay respects to Your Majesty! May Your Majesty live ten thousand years!"

"All subjects, rise!"

Liu Bian extended his hands toward the ministers, lifting them slightly upward, and said majestically.

"We thank Your Majesty!"

After the ministers rose and stood still, Eunuch Chief Steward Li Liangcheng came to the front of the high platform, and his sharp voice rang in the ears of the ministers.

"Submit memorials if you have any, retire from court if you do not!"

Following the invariable routine, it was announced that the first Grand Court Assembly after Liu Bian's triumphant return had officially begun.

"Your Majesty, this subject has a memorial to submit!"

At this time, Xun Yu, as the Secretariat Director, stood out to report.

Originally, the position of Secretariat Director was held by a eunuch; ever since Liu Bian took power, he had abolished this authority.

Now, the highest position for a eunuch was Li Liangcheng's position as Eunuch Chief Steward.

"Proceed!"

"In reply to Your Majesty, three days ago, Your Majesty ordered me and Lord Jia Xu to be responsible for the matter of the Luoyang City aristocratic families handing over land; now, the major clans in the city have already handed over their excess land."

Upon hearing this, Liu Bian was also overjoyed and said loudly to Xun Yu:

"This is excellent; I feel deeply gratified!"

"Your Majesty, this subject also has a memorial to submit!"

Just after Xun Yu finished his memorial, Jia Xu, who was behind him, also stood out and said respectfully to Liu Bian.

"Proceed!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Xu tidied his official robes before saying to Liu Bian with a solemn expression:

"Your Majesty, according to the intelligence sent back by the Dark Guards over these three days, most of the aristocratic families in the world today, apart from the various lords in the court who did not participate, are colluding with local warlords."

"Among them, the four major families of Wu Commandery in Yangzhou are the worst, and the Qinghe Cui clan, the Hedong Wei clan, and others have all participated in it."

After hearing Jia Xu's words, the entire court hall instantly became quiet.

The ministers also did not expect that these famous aristocratic families of the world would also participate in this.

With these great aristocratic families taking the lead, one could imagine how many smaller clans would have participated in it.

Presumably, at this time, more than seventy or eighty percent of the clans in the world had participated.

If it were someone else, they might really have no way to deal with them, but what they did not know was how powerful the Liu Bian they were facing was.

Even if all the aristocratic families of the Great Han united, Liu Bian would not be afraid.

"Hmph!"

"These aristocratic families truly have not given up their treacherous hearts, thinking that they can manipulate Me this way; they have underestimated Me too much!"

"Do they think that a group of rabble gathered together can shake My Great Han?"

After hearing this, Liu Bian also snorted coldly and said with disdain.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

After the ministers heard Liu Bian's words, they also echoed in unison.

"Your Majesty..."

"There is one more thing, but this humble subject does not know how to tell Your Majesty."

At this time, Jia Xu said to Liu Bian with a troubled expression.

Seeing this, Liu Bian and the ministers all revealed curious expressions.

"Wenhe, just speak freely."

Seeing this, Jia Xu had no choice but to bite the bullet and speak.

"Your Majesty, according to the news sent back by the Dark Guards, Inspector of Jingzhou Liu Biao may have rebellious intentions."

"He is currently in extensive contact with the Jingzhou aristocratic clans, and during this period, Liu Biao and Nanyang Prefect Yuan Shu have been getting quite close."

After hearing Jia Xu's words, Grand Tutor Yuan Kui and Yulin Army Commander Yuan Shao were suddenly frightened pale.

And Yuan Kui felt as if the sky were about to collapse.

He felt the world spinning; fortunately, he was supported by Wang Yun at his side, or he would have fallen to the ground.

After Yuan Kui pushed away Wang Yun's hand, he immediately knelt on the ground before Liu Bian and said in fear:

"Your Majesty, this old minister is wronged! This old minister is loyal to Your Majesty and has absolutely no second heart!"

To tell the truth, Yuan Kui and Yuan Shao were thoroughly screwed over by Yuan Shu this time.

The uncle and nephew already hated Yuan Shu to death in their hearts.

Now it all depended on Liu Bian's attitude; if this went poorly, it would be a crime punishable by the execution of one's entire clan!

At this time, the ministers looked at the faces of Yuan Kui and his nephew, also full of complexity.

As for these two, they knew that they would absolutely not have second thoughts toward Liu Bian; after all, having seen Liu Bian's power, no one would be stupid enough to harbor thoughts of rebellion.

This was absolutely the idea of that idiot Yuan Shu, but unfortunately, the entire Yuan family would have to pay a heavy price for his actions.

Upon hearing this, Liu Bian was also furious and asked Jia Xu angrily:

"Wenhe, did anyone else from the Yuan family participate in this act of Yuan Shu's!"

"In reply to Your Majesty, that has not been discovered, because the Dark Guards have not discovered it for long, and other members of the Yuan family are still under the surveillance of the Dark Guards."

Jia Xu said respectfully to Liu Bian regarding the intelligence collected by the Dark Guards.

Seeing this, Liu Bian nodded slightly; moreover, he did not quite believe that Yuan Kui and Yuan Shao would dare to betray him.

After all, Yuan Shao had cultivated martial arts techniques; if he dared to betray him, the consequences would be very serious.

As for Yuan Kui, he clearly knew the strength of Liu Bian and the imperial court; with his wisdom, he would not do such a suicidal thing.

However, Liu Bian still said solemnly to Yuan Kui and Yuan Shao, who were kneeling on the ground:

"Although I believe that you would absolutely not be the same as Yuan Shu, before the Dark Guards thoroughly investigate this matter, you should wait at home!"

"After the Dark Guards have thoroughly investigated, I will naturally clear your names."

Seeing this, Yuan Kui and Yuan Shao had no objections and immediately said to Liu Bian with gratitude:

"This subject thanks Your Majesty!"

Regarding this, the two of them naturally dared not have any objections; this was all due to Liu Bian's vast imperial grace; otherwise, rebellion was a grave crime punishable by the execution of nine generations.

After Yuan Kui and his nephew left, Liu Bian said sternly to the ministers below:

"Everyone, I hope that after you return, you will all properly restrain your clansmen."

"I do not want to see any of you implicated by your own clansmen; otherwise, even I will be unable to protect you!"

To tell the truth, this backstabbing by Yuan Shu was something Liu Bian had not expected.

Although in the original history, Yuan Shu eventually declared himself emperor, that was only after he obtained the Imperial Jade Seal.

Now it seems that Yuan Shu originally had rebellious intentions.