Chapter 1047: Check and Balance the Gentry, Appoint Governors! [1]

After sending Yuan Kui away, Dong Zhuo returned to the main hall with Zhang Ji.

Looking at the two vermilion-lacquered food boxes left by Yuan Kui in the hall, Dong Zhuo was also filled with mixed feelings.

Yuan Kui would actually come to send him gifts one day.

"My lord, the humble general has some words, I don't know if I should say them or not."

Zhang Ji, who was following Dong Zhuo, suddenly spoke.

Ever since Dong Zhuo took over the position of Colonel of the Capital, Zhang Ji had rushed from Lintao, Longxi to Luoyang to assist Dong Zhuo.

Zhang Ji was originally Dong Zhuo's subordinate general, but now, although Zhang Ji is senior in the Liangzhou line, in terms of ability, he is already inferior to the young generals under Duan Yu.

Dong Zhuo straightened his back and placed the wooden box containing the pills on the low table in front of him, and looked back at Zhang Ji.

"Shidu and I are not shallow acquaintances, if you have something to say, naturally you should say it."

Dong Zhuo said while examining the pills in the jade box.

Zhang Ji nodded and then said: "My lord, the humble general always feels that this old fox Yuan Kui coming to the door on his own initiative is not a good thing."

"The humble general sees this old fox as harboring malice."

"Haha."

Dong Zhuo turned around, laughed loudly, and patted Zhang Ji on the shoulder.

"Shidu is right to say Yuan Kui is an old fox, but Shidu, don't forget what Ziyi's background is. Ziyi is also from a hunter's background, and he is specifically for dealing with these old foxes."

The smile on Dong Zhuo's face was mixed with pride.

"This old fox Yuan Kui is not showing favor to us, but to Ziyi."

"As long as Ziyi is in Liangzhou for one day, this old fox won't be able to stir up any waves."

"When Ziyi left Luoyang, he already said that we are in Luoyang, on one hand, to facilitate communication with the Emperor, and on the other hand, to deter these old foxes and old dogs in Luoyang."

"As long as Ziyi is still here, as long as the Emperor still needs to rely on Ziyi, no matter what thoughts they have, they must hide them in their hearts."

Zhang Ji also felt that there was some truth to this after hearing it, so he nodded.

"However, these pills look like they are quite good."

Dong Zhuo fiddled with the jade box in his hand.

The pills in the jade box gave off a faint fragrance, and after opening it, it entered the nasal cavity, instantly making the brain clear.

"This old fox has collected I don't know how many good things over the years, today we can be considered to have earned back a little."

"Shidu, go find another jade box for these jade pills and divide them in half."

"Although Ziyi has already given the Emperor a lot of congratulatory tributes, one thing is one thing, we also have to prepare a congratulatory tribute for the Emperor."

"We cannot rely on Ziyi to send them and then not send them ourselves; we cannot do such things that hold back."

"In addition, carefully select some of the gifts sent from Liangzhou."

"Ziyi sent the Emperor ten beauties from the Western Regions, and with these jade pills, if there is a dragon heir, the Emperor will surely be happy."

"And..."

Speaking of this, Dong Zhuo's eyes narrowed.

Previously, when Duan Yu encountered an ambush in Liangzhou and his fake death was exposed, He Jin immediately called him to the Grand General's mansion, coercing him to hand over the production formulas for snow salt and white paper.

This backstabbing by He Jin made Dong Zhuo very unhappy.

And among the two current imperial princes, it is known to the whole court that Liu Hong does not like his eldest son Liu Bian.

"Hmph... in this Luoyang City, there is no one who can be relied upon. Yuan Kui is like this, and He Jin is the same; they are all things that change with the wind," Dong Zhuo said with a gloomy face.

That night.

Jiade Hall of the Southern Palace.

Liu Hong, wearing a dragon robe, was sitting in the hall with his clothes open, enjoying singing and dancing.

The dozen or so dancing girls in the hall with cool clothing and enchanting dance moves were the Loulan beauties sent to Luoyang by Duan Yu from the Loulan Kingdom.

Black long hair, brown eyes, and that exotic clothing and dance moves attracted Liu Hong's gaze.

The fire basin lit in the hall and the hot movements made the temperature in the room full of the smell of hormones.

Liu Hong was drinking wine while enjoying the dance, in a great mood.

At the beginning of the year, in order to quell the Huang Jin Rebellion, he spent all the money, grain, and horses accumulated in the West Garden. Although he has not yet recovered to the previous amount of savings.

But Liu Hong is full of confidence now. In two or three years, as long as Duan Yu is still in Liangzhou, he will sooner or later be able to pile up gold and silver like a mountain.

"Zhang Rang, what do you think of Liu Yan's proposal to abolish the inspectorate and establish the governorship?"

Liu Hong suddenly asked Zhang Rang, who was standing not far away, while enjoying the singing and dancing.

Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong stood on the left and right of Liu Hong, just like two guardians.

Hearing Liu Hong's question, Zhang Rang immediately bowed and replied: "Your Majesty, the old slave feels that this proposal is very beneficial to Your Majesty and beneficial to the Great Han's country and society."

Zhang Rang did not praise Liu Yan, but spoke from the perspective of Liu Hong and the Great Han's country and society.

Liu Hong nodded with a satisfied smile upon hearing this.

Zhang Rang quietly looked at Liu Hong's expression and then continued: "Your Majesty, Liangzhou is bitter, cold, and desolate. Duan Yu has only been managing it for less than two years and has achieved such results. If there could be more such commanderies, it would surely be able to fill the national treasury."

"And it can also suppress the oppression of the people and corruption by commandery officials."

"If managed properly, it will surely be beneficial to the country and the people."

Zhao Zhong on the side also hurriedly echoed: "Yes, Your Majesty, if the annual tribute and tax revenue of Liangzhou Governor Duan Yu are accumulated, Your Majesty can rebuild a strong army. At that time, Your Majesty will control the army, and with abundant money and grain, those partisans would not dare to oppose Your Majesty again, would they?"

"Good!"

Liu Hong nodded with narrowed eyes. ===== CHAPTER 1049 =====