Chapter 158: The Money-Strapped Cai Yong

At this time, after Liu Bian heard Tai'a's report, he also nodded slightly.

This result was not beyond his expectations.

"Since it has been investigated clearly, this matter was Yuan Shu's personal act and has nothing to do with the others of the Yuan family, so exempt Yuan Wei and Yuan Shao, uncle and nephew, from punishment."

"However, Yuan Shu's actions are tantamount to rebellion, and the Yuan family cannot shirk the responsibility for this."

Liu Bian said solemnly, scanned the crowd with majesty, and said to Xun Yu:

"Wenruo, issue my decree: Yuan Shu has rebelled; Yuan Wei and others of the Yuan family failed to teach him strictly, but considering they were unaware, and the Yuan family has made great contributions to our Great Han Empire, I specially exempt the Yuan family from joint punishment."

"Yuan Wei is demoted to Vice Minister of Works, Fourth Rank, and fined one year's salary as a warning to others!"

"Yuan Shao is demoted to Assistant General of the Yulin Army, Fifth Rank, responsible for guarding the gates of Luoyang City, and fined one year's salary as a warning to others!"

Upon hearing this, Xun Yu immediately responded with a solemn expression:

"I obey the decree!"

Immediately, Liu Bian wrote the imperial decree in front of everyone, and after stamping it with the Imperial Jade Seal, handed it to Xun Yu.

Regarding this, the crowd did not feel anything inappropriate, and even felt that Liu Bian's punishment was too light.

One must know that what Yuan Shu committed was the crime of rebellion, which was punishable by the extermination of nine clans.

Liu Bian only punished Yuan Wei and Yuan Shao with demotion and salary fines; for the entire Yuan family, this was truly imperial grace.

"There is one more thing: the cultivation method you cultivate can be passed on to your family, but remember, it can only be spread within your own family for now."

"I intend to spread it to the people after the world is unified; you must make this clear to your clansmen."

At this time, Liu Bian suddenly said to the crowd with a solemn expression.

Upon hearing this, the crowd was first overjoyed, and then said solemnly to Liu Bian:

"Thank Your Majesty! We will certainly make it clear to our clansmen!"

Seeing this, Liu Bian nodded with satisfaction.

After resolving the Yuan family's matter, the crowd chatted in Liu Bian's Imperial Study for a while before getting up and leaving.

After the crowd left Liu Bian's Imperial Study, on the way out of the palace, Cai Yong was surrounded by the crowd.

Seeing this, Yang Biao said to him with envy:

"Minister Cai has truly given birth to a good daughter! It's a pity that there is no suitable woman in my family, otherwise, this good thing would not have fallen to you, Old Cai!"

After Yang Biao finished speaking, he looked with a hint of envy at Cai Yong, whose beard was twitching before him.

"That's right, among us, only the four of us are older, but it's a pity! There are no talented and beautiful women in our clans, otherwise, this good thing would not have been obtained by you, Old Cai!"

At this time, Wang Yun on the side also said sourly to Cai Yong.

"What the two ministers said is very true. Minister Cai, you must treat us today!"

At this time, Lu Zhi, who was watching with a smile on the side, also joined in and said to Cai Yong with a smile.

"Hahaha, you are too kind, ministers; isn't this all because His Majesty took a fancy to my daughter!"

"Tonight, I will be the host and invite all the ministers to my mansion; let's not return until we are drunk!"

After hearing the sour tone of the four people's envy, Cai Yong also invited them with a big laugh.

"Hahaha, since Minister Cai has kindly invited us, then I must attend!"

At this time, Guo Jia, who was watching with a smile on the side, said happily after hearing that there was wine to drink.

"Hahaha, if Grand Strategist Guo can grace my humble abode, I will certainly treat you with hospitality!"

Seeing this, Cai Yong also laughed heartily.

"Since that is the case, then we will shamelessly bother you tonight!"

At this time, everyone looked at Cai Yong and said with a smile.

"That's the best; ministers, I will go one step ahead and return to the mansion to prepare, and I hope you ministers will definitely come tonight!"

At this time, Cai Yong said loudly to the crowd with a happy face.

"Minister Cai, rest assured, we will definitely attend on time!"

Seeing this, the crowd also responded with a smile.

"Ministers, goodbye!"

After saying goodbye to the crowd, Cai Yong walked quickly toward the place arranged by the Ministry of Rites in Luoyang City; he had to arrange the things Liu Bian had arranged before returning to the mansion to prepare for tonight's banquet.

"Hahaha, look at how proud Old Cai is; I really envy him for having such a good daughter!"

Looking at Cai Yong's departing back, Yang Biao said with envy.

"Alright, Minister Yang, this is not something you can envy; Old Cai's daughter is a famous talented woman, and her appearance is even more outstanding, so stop envying there!"

"Let's hurry up and arrange for people to issue these identity jade tokens,"

Seeing Yang Biao still envying there, Wang Yun said with a smile.

"That's right,

Upon hearing this, Yang Biao's expression also shifted, and he spoke to the crowd.

Following the departure of the crowd, the newly formed Six Ministries of the Han Empire began to operate rapidly.

In no time at all, the identity jade tokens had spread throughout Luoyang City.

Countless commoners came out onto the streets, discussing the functions of the jade tokens with one another.

This was their first time encountering such a mysterious object, and for a time, they were all captivated by the powerful functions of the identity jade tokens.

Many shouted things like "divine object," and some of the elderly even believed it to be an immortal artifact used by gods.

However, after skillfully using the functions of the identity jade token, they all knelt on the ground facing the direction of the Imperial Palace and thanked Liu Bian loudly:

"This commoner thanks Your Majesty!"

For a time, the entire Luoyang City was as lively as if it were the New Year.

As for Cai Yong, after giving instructions to his subordinates, he hurried back to his residence.

"Hahahaha, Steward, tell everyone in the residence that tonight I am hosting a banquet for the various lords of the court; tell them to prepare everything properly!"

Upon returning to his residence, Cai Yong spoke loudly to the steward who came to greet him as soon as he entered the courtyard.

"Master, are you inviting all the high-ranking officials of the court?"

After hearing Cai Yong's words, the steward asked with some confusion.

He needed to know how many people Cai Yong intended to host so he could make preparations.

"Prepare for a dozen or so people. Tonight, the Cabinet Ministers and the Ministers of the Six Ministries will be coming; tell them to serve with care."

"Furthermore, handle it with the highest standards, and by the way, bring out the fine wine I have treasured."

At this moment, the usually frugal Cai Yong was rarely indulging in luxury, speaking heroically to the steward.

Upon hearing this, the steward's face turned somewhat bitter, and he said to Cai Yong with a troubled expression:

"Master, we don't have much money left in the residence. If we host it like this, we won't have enough for future expenses!"

"That doesn't matter, just go ahead and arrange it. If the money isn't enough, I will find a way when the time comes!"

After hearing the steward's words, Cai Yong's expression froze, but he then gritted his teeth and said.

Today, no matter what, he had to prepare something sumptuous; otherwise, he would lose too much face in front of these high-ranking court officials.