Chapter 902: Bestowing marriage and forming an alliance, deep schemes and far-reaching plans

Before long, Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong arrived at Jiade Hall.

Liu Hong, having lost his mood after learning that Duan Yu had killed Wei Ban, dismissed the two concubines and sat behind the dragon desk waiting for Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong.

"Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty!"

Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong, who had arrived at Jiade Hall, greeted Liu Hong one after another.

Jian Shuo, dressed in armor, stood opposite Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong, rolling his eyes at them incessantly.

Liu Hong looked at the two and asked with a frown: "Have you two heard about the matter of Duan Yu?"

Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong looked at each other, then nodded and said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, this old servant has heard a little, but..."

"But there was a cause for the matter; this old servant believes it cannot be blamed entirely on General Duan."

Hmm?

"What do you mean by that?" Liu Hong asked with a frown: "What cause? Why did Duan Yu kill Wei Ban?"

Jian Shuo, who was opposite Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong, also listened intently.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it is said that the Lieutenant of the Commandant, Wei Ban, secretly ordered people to torture Dong Zhuo when he was imprisoned."

"Later, after General Wei performed meritorious service in Jizhou and Your Majesty rewarded him, Your Majesty also pardoned Dong Zhuo. However, after Dong Zhuo returned to his residence, he was ordered by the Lieutenant of the Commandant, Wei Ban, to be confined in his residence, and thus had no food or water, nearly dying in the residence."

"After General Wei returned and discovered this, he went to his door."

"Wei Ban fled to the residence of the Commandant of the Capital, Fu Wan, to seek protection. General Wei pursued him to the Commandant's residence and killed Wei Ban."

"That is roughly how the matter transpired."

"This old servant believes that this matter cannot be blamed entirely on General Wei. General Wei is truly filial; his father-in-law was humiliated, and he killed Wei Ban regardless of the consequences. This is filial piety."

"The Great Han governs the world through filial piety; this is beyond reproach," Zhang Rang said.

"Hmph."

As soon as Zhang Rang's voice fell, a cold snort came from Jian Shuo opposite him: "It is true that the Great Han governs the world through filial piety."

"But if everyone were like this Duan Yu, killing court officials at will because of such matters, where would the laws of the Great Han be?"

"Where would the majesty of the Imperial Court be?"

"That Wei Ban was a Lieutenant of the Commandant in the court, in charge of the security of the capital, Luoyang. Although Dong Zhuo was pardoned by Your Majesty, he was still a man under indictment. Detaining him in his own residence was already an act of immense grace."

"Duan Yu is merely relying on his own merits and being arrogant. If he is left unchecked, won't such a person become even more lawless in the future?"

"Bullying the world?"

While Jian Shuo was speaking, Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong were observing Liu Hong's complexion.

Seeing that there was no overly angry expression on Liu Hong's face.

Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong were able to gauge Liu Hong's intentions.

At present, a million Yellow Turbans were still in Taiyuan Commandery.

Duan Yu held military power and was a general at the front lines.

At this time, as long as Duan Yu had no rebellious intentions, the Emperor would not do anything to him regardless.

It would be useless for Jian Shuo to kick him while he was down.

Of course, there was one exception.

That was if Duan Yu truly had rebellious intentions.

After all, the Emperor's summoning of Duan Yu this time was intended as a test.

The two had followed Liu Hong for so many years that they knew this well.

But upon learning that Duan Yu had come alone from Taiyuan Commandery and entered Luoyang, the Emperor's suspicions had already been dispelled by half.

Otherwise, he wouldn't be in such a good mood enjoying singing and dancing here.

Zhang Rang's eyes rolled, and a plan immediately came to mind.

"Your Majesty, this old servant believes that what Attendant Jian said is not without reason; Duan Yu was indeed reckless."

Zhang Rang bowed and said: "But it is precisely because of this that one can see Duan Yu's heart is open and honest."

Hmm?

Liu Hong looked up at Zhang Rang, his brows relaxing a bit.

Wei Ban.

Just a small pawn; whether he lived or died had nothing to do with the Great Han.

But the behavior of a general like Duan Yu now concerned the survival of the Great Han.

Liu Hong knew this clearly.

"Continue," Liu Hong said, relaxing his brows.

Seeing Liu Hong's expression, Zhang Rang, who was extremely good at observing his words and expressions, knew he had guessed correctly.

"Your Majesty, Duan Yu is not a person of deep schemes. Your Majesty summoned Duan Yu to Luoyang this time, and Duan Yu was able to return so quickly, which already shows his loyalty to Your Majesty and the Great Han is second to none."

"Not to mention Duan Yu, even if it were this old servant, having led troops in battle for months, if I learned that my father-in-law had been humiliated in Luoyang, my heart would certainly be filled with lingering anger."

"That Dong Zhuo is Duan Yu's father-in-law and has been kind to Duan Yu."

"If Duan Yu treats his father-in-law this way, how can it not show that his character is one that repays kindness?"

"Your Majesty promoted Duan Yu and gave him trust; Duan Yu will surely remember Your Majesty's kindness."

"A general who repays kindness and repays grievances is a man of true character and a good man."

"Only then will he be infinitely loyal to the Great Han and to Your Majesty."

"As for Wei Ban... he is nothing more than a villain who kicks people when they are down."

"Of course, this old servant is not saying this to absolve Duan Yu of his crimes; this old servant is considering it for Your Majesty."

"Oh?" Liu Hong arched his brows.

Zhang Rang knelt on the ground and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, Attendant Jian is right; Duan Yu's conduct this time naturally cannot go unpunished."

"Such things must not be allowed to encourage such behavior."

"But now the war at the front is tight, and we cannot do without Duan Yu."

"This time, we can just punish him and reward him, one balancing the other."

A thoughtful look appeared on Liu Hong's face.

It must be said, this method is good.

Duan Yu is already a General of the Guards, Marquis of Duxiang, and Governor of Liangzhou.

To go any further would make it difficult to find rewards.

Between a sovereign and his subjects, the fear is that there are no more rewards to give; one cannot simply carve up the land and make him a king.

As long as there is no problem with Duan Yu's loyalty, killing a Wei Ban is just a matter of punishment.

Demoting Duan Yu and then rewarding him is not a bad idea.

But Jian Shuo, standing opposite Zhang Rang, became anxious upon hearing this.

"Attendant Zhang, Duan Yu not only killed Wei Ban but also broke into the Marquis of Buqi's residence at night, frightening the Eldest Princess Yang'an. This matter concerns the majesty of the Imperial House; can it just be let go?" Jian Shuo said with a frown.

Then he turned to look at Liu Hong: "Your Majesty, the Eldest Princess Yang'an is the eldest daughter of the late Emperor, a member of the imperial family."

"Duan Yu is so bold; I fear that if he is not severely punished, won't he be even bolder in the future?"

"If he dares to break into the Eldest Princess Yang'an's residence today, I fear he will dare to break into the Imperial Palace tomorrow!"

"Attendant Jian, isn't that a bit too serious?" Zhang Rang looked up at Jian Shuo and said: "How does Attendant Jian know that Duan Yu knew it was the Eldest Princess Yang'an's residence?"

"Duan Yu has lived in the border regions for a long time; how could he know the affairs of the court so clearly?"

"What if Duan Yu didn't know?"

"Wouldn't such severe punishment chill the hearts of the generals at the border?"

Zhang Rang bowed to Liu Hong and said: "Your Majesty is wise and martial; how could you act without knowing the facts?"

"Attendant Jian's words... I fear they are a bit too eager for success," Zhang Rang said, narrowing his eyes at Jian Shuo.

"I... what success am I eager for? Zhang Rang, stop talking nonsense, I am just..."

"Heh."

Zhang Rang sneered and said: "Attendant Jian, don't you know yourself what success you are eager for?"

"Attendant Jian is targeting Duan Yu like this; don't you know why yourself?" ===== CHAPTER 904 =====