Chapter 777 Fighting for favor
The mineral deposits in and around Hanzhong are actually very rich. Feng Yong studied topological mapping for a semester and used the Hanzhong map as his final homework map.
Feng Yong still clearly remembers the several large mines marked above.
Nanxiang has the largest gypsum mine in Asia, as well as large first-class lime reserves and rich pyrite ores.
So now Nanxiang is filled with thick smoke during the day and brightly lit at night.
The lead mine in Xiabian was actually the lead-zinc mining belt in Chengxian County in later generations, ranking second in the country.
Later, according to some unreliable news, deep underground, this mineral belt may extend all the way to Hanzhong, and has the potential to become the largest lead-zinc mine in the country.
I don’t know whether this statement is true or not, but even if it is the second largest mine, it is still big enough.
Now the copper mine in Nanzhong has begun to produce output, and the timely appearance of the big lead mine will surely make the Han Prime Minister very happy.
Ju County, located between Nanxiang and Xiabian, has the greatest potential because there are many gold mines around it, one of which is the third largest nickel gold mine in the country.
Although Feng Yong coveted the gold mines in Ju County, he never planned to mention it to others until the time was right.
Gold is one of the most important precious metals, and the gold mine in Juxian County must be a bargaining chip for the Dahan Reserve Bureau to stabilize the overall situation in the future.
At the same time, it is also the most important trump card left by Feng Yong.
According to the current abnormal development of capital in Dahan, the backlash will inevitably come one day.
No matter when it comes, in which way the counterattack comes, or which force takes the lead in counterattacking.
As long as you have enough gold reserves in your hand, if you are really pushed into a hurry, you may just overturn the table and reshuffle the cards.
Let those capital wolves know what the national team is.
Have the confidence to be so straightforward, unpretentious and willful!
But when it comes to willfulness, the most qualified person is Wei Emperor Cao Rui.
After two major defeats, only two years later, Wei was able to regain its composure.
Although in order to reduce the pressure on Bingzhou and Jizhou in Hebei, a gentle policy was adopted towards the Hu people such as Xianbei Wuhuan.
However, because of the remaining power of the Han Dynasty and the conquests made by Gongsun Zan, Cao Cao, Cao Zhang and others against the Hu people in the early years, the Hu people in Monan did not take the opportunity to cause trouble.
Let Cao Rui relax and focus on dealing with the west and south.
He even took the opportunity to bypass the important ministers in the court and issue military orders directly to the border guards, further tightening his power and at the same time testing the border generals' obedience to him.
After receiving the rewards from Chang'an Cao Zhen and Jingzhou Sima Yi, Cao Rui finally felt relieved and began to tighten the power in the DPRK.
In order to prevent the situation between North Korea and China from being turbulent due to unfavorable military conditions on the border like last time.
The flashy crony case was widely implicated, and many vacancies appeared in various provinces and departments, especially reserve officials, which were mostly filled by young talents in the past.
After the flashy crony case, at least half of the officials in various government offices in Luoyang were dismissed.
So Cao Rui took the opportunity to promote a group of new officials.
Lian Zhao, a man from Le'an, Yuyang County, Youzhou, was very talented. He stood out in this special period and was appointed as Shangshu Lang.
On this day, Shangshu Ling Chen Jiao had just finished handling government affairs and was about to leave the office when he saw Shangshu Lang Lianzhao coming in with another volume of documents.
“Chen Shangshu, there is an edict coming from the palace, I would like to trouble you to read this file.”
Lian Zhao has a handsome face, elegant conversation, and always has a smile on his face. People who don't know the details will easily fall in love with him when they see him.
It's just that Chen Jiao, as the chief official of Shangshutai, knew this person very well.
Even in his eyes, there was still a hint of disgust that he did not want the other party to notice.
Taking the file handed over by Lian Zhao, Chen Jiao's expression changed drastically after just a few glances.
“The crime of Cao Fan, the Incorruptible Minister, has already been judged by Dali Temple, so why should we pursue it again?”
Cao Fan was originally Zuocheng, the Shangshutai, and his duty was to assist the Shangshu Ling in handling various affairs of the Shangshutai.
However, a few days ago, he was found to be related to the Clique of the Flashy Party and was ordered to investigate.
The recent situation in the DPRK and China has been a bit unpredictable. What's more important is that he is Cao Fan's direct commander.
Although Chen Jiao thinks he has a clear conscience, he is always a little worried in his heart.
Fortunately, Tingwei Gaorou was a veteran of Emperor Wu's era. He knew the law well and enforced the law fairly, so he did not let anyone be implicated in this matter.
The matter had just passed, and Chen Jiao finally breathed a sigh of relief. Unexpectedly, Lian Zhao actually wanted to retry the case.
“Chen Shangshu, although Cao Fan has confessed, he has not yet revealed his accomplices. The emperor’s intention is to investigate this person in detail and find out the accomplices behind him.”
At Lian Zhao's words, Chen Jiao's heart skipped a beat, and then a burst of anger rushed straight to his forehead, making him almost unable to control his emotions.
Fellow party?
What comrades?
Does Your Majesty feel that the flashy case is not sufficiently involved?
He himself is the minister, and Cao Fan is the minister Zuocheng who assists the minister. Who is the crony?
Looking at the humble smile on Lian Zhao's face, Chen Jiao seemed to see the provocation and pride underneath the other person's smile.
Just thinking that Lian Zhao could freely enter and leave the palace and was trusted by His Majesty, Chen Jiao had to endure this tone.
In order to prevent the other party from seeing his trembling hands, Chen Jiao had to retract his hands into his sleeves.
"Lian Shangshulang, if you tell me about this matter, I'm afraid there's something wrong with it, right? If you really want to pursue it, I should avoid suspicion."
If facing His Majesty, Chen Jiao is not afraid to argue with reason, because he knows that although His Majesty is sometimes paranoid, he is ultimately sensible.
Even when faced with direct remonstrance, His Majesty would not listen at best, but would not blame him afterwards.
Lian Zhao is different.
Although this person is talented, he is a complete villain. He likes to please His Majesty and most likes to find faults in others in order to flatter His Majesty.
One of the crimes of a flashy party is to have servants pretend to be officials, go in and out of forbidden places, and use favors to gather information.
So after the Pompous Case, His Majesty first enacted strict prohibitions to prevent people from coming in and out at will. At the same time, he ordered the imperial army to guard the palace with heavy troops. Now he is increasingly using his close associates.
Now it is much more difficult for ministers from other dynasties to meet with His Majesty than before.
If I speak inappropriately today, I will definitely be put in front of His Majesty by this person.
But because he was separated from the heavily guarded palace, he had no way to defend himself in front of His Majesty.
Who knows whether His Majesty will be temporarily deceived by Lian Zhao under the circumstances of being close and distant?
“Shang Shuling’s words are wrong!”
Lian Zhao smiled slightly and said in a soft voice, "Your Majesty asked your subordinates to submit the case to Shangshu Ling because you believe in Shangshu Ling's character."
“After all, when Your Majesty went to the Chancellery that day, the Secretary stopped him on the spot and said that it was not His Majesty’s duty to read documents. For this, Your Majesty even praised the Secretary as a direct minister!”
When Chen Jiao heard this, he finally understood in his heart: Is this Lian Zhao just hearing about this and then making greedy remarks to His Majesty?
Before he could figure out how to deal with it, Lian Zhao cupped his hand again and said, "Actually, I admire Shangshu Ling very much for being able to remonstrate with His Majesty so bluntly."
Chen Jiao was startled and found that things seemed a little different from what he imagined.
“It’s just an act of direct ministers such as Shangshu Ling, but some people who were lucky enough to come forward made greedy remarks before His Majesty, saying that Shangshu Ling was an act of invitation and an act of exclusive power.”
Looking at Lian Zhao's sincere expression, Chen Jiao suddenly felt a sense of absurdity in his heart.
A good person says someone else is a good person?
More importantly, someone actually slandered himself in front of His Majesty.
“Don’t you want to know who gave your majesty the greedy words?”
Lian Zhao looked at Chen Jiao's uncertain face and asked in a low voice.
Chen Jiao is not a saint after all, he can ignore fear, life and death.
"who is it?"
Lian Zhao smiled with satisfaction, but he didn't show off any more: "Servant Liu Ye."
When Chen Jiao heard this, he finally couldn't help but stand up and said in a voiceless voice: "Is this true?"
Even if Lian Zhao wants to confess his fault in front of His Majesty, Chen Jiao will not turn pale even if he is worried.
Because he was a minister, Lian Zhao was just a minister.
Your Majesty is the Lord of Mingsheng. It is impossible for an important minister like yourself to be imprisoned just because of the words of a minister.
In addition, His Majesty attaches great importance to laws and regulations and often hears major cases in person, so he will always have the opportunity to prove his innocence.
But Liu Ye is different.
Liu Ye is known as a talented person who can help the world, and has always been highly valued by His Majesty.
After His Majesty ascended the throne, the first minister to receive him privately was Liu Ye.
If he goes forward and talks greedily before His Majesty, his own fortune will be in danger of collapse!
Looking at Chen Jiao's face looking a little pale, Lian Zhao looked satisfied.
"Although I don't know what grudge Shangshu Ling has against Liu Shizhong, I deeply despise the behavior of villains like Liu Ye. If I have the opportunity, I will definitely explain Shangshu Ling in front of His Majesty."
Lian Zhao came up and said with concern on his face.
Chen Jiao lived through the three dynasties of Cao and Wei, how could he fail to hear the hidden meaning of Lian Zhao's words?
He looked at Lian Zhao with a faint look, "What do you want to do? I think I have no kindness to you in daily life."
Lian Zhao raised his thumb and said, "It will save you worries to talk to Chen Shangshu."
He looked around, as if he was looking for something.
“Don’t worry, there is no one else here except you and me.”
Chen Jiao knew what Lian Zhao meant and said it.
Lian Zhao coughed after hearing this, "Recently, Sili Colonel Kong Xian wanted to recruit the younger brother of General Hussar (Sima Yi), but some people said that the younger brother of General Hussar was always wild and unreasonable."
Speaking of this, Lian Zhao showed an angry look on his face, "Shang Shu ordered you to tell me, isn't this intentional criticism to harm others? The family of General Hussar has always been a prominent family in Hanoi."
“When it comes to the generation of General Hussar, there are eight brothers. They are all talented and are known as Sima Bada. How can they behave so wildly and unreasonably? Lord Shuling, do you think this is true or not?”
Hearing this, Chen Jiao finally understood Lian Zhao's intention.
If ordinary people were to be conquered, there would naturally be no need to alarm the Chancellor.
But is Sima Yi an ordinary person?
Now his younger brother wants to become an official, but he is harmed by the reputation again.
As the most important official office of the imperial court, the government affairs of the whole country are concentrated here. If the Chancellor does not agree with this matter, then Sima Yi's brother's appointment as an official will probably come to nothing.
The Sima family just lost a Sima Shi in the officialdom, but they didn't expect that they could immediately introduce another one.
What is even more unexpected is that Lian Zhao actually has such a relationship with the Sima family.
The thoughts in Chen Jiao's mind were spinning like a wheel, rapidly weighing the pros and cons.
Looking at Chen Jiao's expression changing and not speaking for a long time, Lian Zhao became impatient.
“Chen Shangshu, I have also heard about something. In the past two years, because of the evil behavior of the Wu and Shu captives, your majesty is worried about the world. I have asked Chen Shangshu before.”
“You said that the General Hussar is a loyal and upright minister, and he can be entrusted to the State. But Chen Shangshu said that the General Hussar is the hope of the imperial court. He dare not say that he is a minister of the State. Is this possible?”
When Chen Jiao heard this, he suddenly broke into a cold sweat.
Your Majesty is so close to Lian Zhao?
How else did he know about this?
Lian Zhao continued to say, "Chen Shangshu first contradicted His Majesty, and then Liu Ye made slanderous remarks."
“If this matter is known to the general of the Hussars, and there are people who have grudges both inside and outside the imperial court, even if he doesn’t care about his own body, how can he not care about his wife and children as well?”
Chen Jiao could no longer maintain his apparent composure and sat back down.
Wei State has always had a tradition of sitting together, so he naturally knows it better than anyone else.
Chen Jiao's eldest son Chen Ben saw his elder returning to the house with an ugly face, and immediately asked with concern:
“What kind of trouble have you encountered, sir?”
Chen Jiao waved his hand and drove all the servants away, and then asked Chen Ben to call his second son Chen Qian, and then he told what Lian Zhao said.
At the end, he said with a worried look: "If what Lian Zhao said is true, then our Chen family is in danger. What do you think I should do?"
After hearing what his father said, the eldest son Chen Ben had a look of fear on his face. He was so confused for a moment. How could he think of a solution?
On the contrary, the second son Chen Qian has always been resourceful. After thinking for a while, he said with a smile: "My lord has said it himself. Your Majesty is the master of enlightenment. Now he is just temporarily deceived by villains."
“Even if you listen to what the villain says, your majesty will allow you to retreat peacefully, considering that you are a veteran and important minister of the three dynasties. The most you can do is not be a minister.”
“Our Chen family is considered a high-ranking family now. Even if we don’t serve as officials, we can still have enough food and clothing. What do you have to worry about, sir?”
Chen Jiao was still worried: "I only worry that Liu Pifu will try to trap me again in the future."
Chen Qian nodded, with a look of annoyance on his face: "Old man Liu is indeed hateful. If this man doesn't die, I'm afraid you will still be in danger."
“What can I do?”
Chen Qian had a gloomy look on his face:
"The saying is to strike first and strike later to control others. Now that old man Liu has struck first, you are already one step behind. Fortunately, the Holy One has not blamed you. Why don't you counterattack?"
“Oh, what’s the plan?”
Chen Jiao asked hurriedly.
"In my opinion, what Lian Zhao and your Excellency said at the Chancellor's Desk may not have been all instructed by the Hussar General."
Chen Qian's eyes flashed, "Liu Ye has always been deeply respected by Your Majesty, Lian Zhao only came in later, so Liu Ye naturally overpowers Lian Zhao in front of Your Majesty."
“The real purpose of Lian Zhao’s move is to suppress Liu Ye.”
When Chen Jiao heard his second son’s analysis, his heart suddenly became enlightened!
“That’s it!” He slapped his thigh and cheered, “I never thought of this!”
Chen Jiao looked at his son with admiration, "Lian Zhao used Sima Yi as a cover-up, but he didn't expect that his real purpose was this."
"As long as we know his true purpose, it will be much easier for us to deal with it. Since Old Man Liu is so hateful, why don't you use Lian Zhao's help to get rid of him?"
Chen Qian gritted his teeth and said.
Chen Jiao frowned: "Liu Ye is deeply respected by your majesty, but he is not as honest as a new minister. How can he accomplish such a great thing?"
Chen Qian smiled and said, "Sir, no matter Liu Ye or Lian Zhao, their power is only given by Your Majesty. As long as you start from Your Majesty, it will be much easier."
“It’s difficult!”
Chen Jiao sighed.
“The boy has a plan.”
(End of this chapter)