xymnovel Chapter 10, Dan Jing, expressed great shock.
Chapter 10, Dan Jing, expressed great shock.
"The losses over the years are heartbreaking!"
Yang Kui's expression froze slightly, his fingertips paused lightly on the table, but he didn't reply, only saying indifferently.
"It's not unusual for remote border fortresses to be frequently harassed by bandits."
Upon hearing this, Liu Bei sighed deeply again, a hint of shame creeping into his expression. He bowed slightly and spoke earnestly.
"The chieftain is absolutely right!"
"However, once this matter is brought to light, it is ultimately due to the inadequate defense and ineffective defense of our prefecture, which has harmed the good people within our territory and also affected the peaceful life of aristocratic families like our clan chief."
"As a military clerk in charge of border defense affairs, I feel truly ashamed."
Upon hearing this, Yang Kui was taken aback.
In the past, when officials came to our door, they would either force us or beg us; they never took the blame upon themselves first.
Seeing that he looked relaxed, Liu Bei did not press his advantage. Instead, he lowered his eyes, lowered his voice, and poured out his grievances.
"To be honest with the clan chief, I dare not hide the current state of the prefecture."
"The military pay has been in arrears for three months, the grain reserves are empty, the weapons are rotten, and we can't even muster a few proper patrol scouts."
"There are countless cases like Xipingbao. It's not that we don't want to manage it, but we simply lack the money, food, and soldiers to manage it!"
Liu Bei slightly raised his eyes, his tone tinged with helplessness: "Lord Hou has also been troubled and unable to sleep lately, often fearing that the court will abandon the counties east of Yanshan."
"I came here today not with any extravagant hopes, but simply to tell the clan chief the truth so that he can take precautions in advance, lest we be caught off guard and be harassed by the barbarian cavalry again."
Yang Kui was greatly alarmed and said, "How could this be? Liaoxi has been a prefecture for hundreds of years, and has always been part of our Han territory! How can we abandon it!"
Liu Bei sighed, "Alas, the situation is dire. The Qiang rebellion in Xiliang continues unabated, and Henan is suffering from a severe drought. Meanwhile, the counties east of Yanshan have no productive output and have been in arrears with taxes for many years, wasting money and grain!"
"Gentlemen of the court...gentlemen..."
"Ugh!"
Even though Yang Kui was incredibly shrewd, he was still momentarily flustered when he realized that Liu Bei was bluffing him.
In these kinds of things, you can't be too afraid of the unexpected happening!
Yang Kui's expression shifted rapidly. After a long while, he finally calmed himself down and pretended to be poor.
"I appreciate Liu Bingcao's sincerity."
"But as you also know, in recent years, the Hu cavalry have frequently harassed our Yang family estate and merchant caravans, causing considerable losses. The estate's expenses and the clansmen's needs have long been stretched thin."
"Let alone helping the prefecture, even protecting ourselves is already extremely difficult."
He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and added, "I really am willing but unable to."
Standard polite refusals from wealthy families.
This is exactly what Liu Bei was waiting for.
His face showed no surprise, only a helpless sigh. After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke, his voice almost a whisper: "How could I not know the clan leader's difficulties?"
"It's just a pity considering the journey so far."
"What's a pity?" Yang Kui asked instinctively.
Liu Bei raised his eyes, his gaze calm, but his tone suddenly became steady: "It's a pity that the clan leader, with such a family background and such a vast foundation, lacks a layer of official recognition from the imperial court."
"If one merely lives off one's wealth, one is merely a rich family, not a noble one."
Yang Kui raised an eyebrow: "What Liu Bingcao said is quite interesting."
Liu Bei leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice, yet each word was clear: "Clan leader, do you know that since Emperor Huan of the Han Dynasty, any large clan that has donated to aid the border or provide disaster relief has been generously rewarded by the court?"
"There are the Geng family of Fufeng in the distant past, and the Yang family of Hongnong in recent times. Both of them received commendation from the imperial court for donating millions, and their sons rose to high positions."
"In recent years, powerful families in Jizhou have been able to become court physicians by donating ten million coins; and hold a position in a prefecture or county by donating five million coins—these are all precedents and not mere fabrications."
He paused briefly, his gaze intense, and uttered the most compelling statement: "And in my entire Liaoxi prefecture, there are no more than one or two candidates recommended for the civil service examination each year."
"If the clan chief is willing to share the burden of the court and help the prefecture secure the borders and keep the people at ease, I dare to stand up for him before the Prefect and fight for a place for the Yang clan to be recommended for the civil service examination."
"The clan leader is immensely wealthy, but can social standing be bought with money?"
Yang Kui's breathing quickened, and his eyes brightened slightly.
What the Yang family lacks most is precisely a legitimate path to officialdom!
Seeing this, Liu Bei raised his voice even higher: "If the clan chief were more magnanimous and willing to contribute ten million coins to aid the country, I could also use my connections to get the message to the emperor."
"Now that the emperor is eager to govern well, anyone who can provide substantial assistance to the country can be appointed to an official position according to their abilities, whether as a high-ranking official or a prefectural governor."
"One million can get you a minor official position, ten million can get you a prefectural or county magistrate position, or even a position equivalent to a two-thousand-stone official."
He deliberately exaggerated the number, then smiled faintly and softened his tone: "As you know, tens of millions is no small number. Even if the clan leader is ambitious, he may not be able to produce it in a short time."
"But Bei dared not conceal the truth and told the clan chief about this great gate."
"Although I am of humble status, I have a close confidant in Prefect Hou and am also on good terms with Lord Lu. Others would not be able to reach me even if they wanted to."
Yang Kui was greatly shocked upon hearing this, and when he looked at Liu Bei again, his eyes were completely different.
This young man before me, how could he be just a lowly soldier? Could he be a scion of a noble family?
"Judging from his accent, isn't Liu Bingcao from western Liaoning?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Bei feigned arrogance and bowed to the west, saying, "I am but a humble man, residing in Zhuojun, a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan, and a great-great-grandson of Emperor Jing of Han!"
Yang Kui's spirits lifted, and he immediately abandoned his aristocratic airs, his tone becoming much warmer: "I never imagined that Brother Xuande was actually a member of the Han imperial family!"
"No wonder he has such knowledge and connections at such a young age. I admire him greatly!"
"It's only a number in the tens of millions, which is indeed difficult for this old man to raise in a short time. If you would like to help the border according to your ability, could Xuande perhaps make some further plans for me?"
Seeing that the time was right, Liu Bei slowly revealed his true conditions, speaking in a calm tone: "We hit it off immediately, and I do not expect the clan leader to give away all his wealth in one day."
Liu Bei pondered for a moment and said, "The clan chief only needs to provide 100,000 shi of grain and 1 million coins to repair the beacon towers of Xiping Fort, provide relief to the fort's inhabitants, and train local militia."
"The clan leader must understand that this money is not donated to the prefectural government, but spent on the screen in front of the Yang family's own gate."
"The prefectural government, through official documents, granted Xu Yang's monopoly on the salt and iron profits of Xiping and the surrounding eight forts, and did not levy commercial taxes for ten years."
"From now on, the Yang family's past clandestine operations can be conducted legitimately, with the government's protection. The profits gained in a year will far exceed what is produced today."
"More importantly, Bei must ask Prefect Hou to submit a memorial to the court, pleading for the Yang clan's merit in assisting the border and pacifying the people, and recommending the clan leader's son as a filial and incorruptible official."
"The clan chief spends a small amount of money to exchange for legitimate benefits, the prestige of the clan, and the security of the family. The clan chief is well aware of this calculation."
After saying this, Yang Kui pondered for a moment, without the slightest hesitation.
He immediately stood up, walked to Liu Bei, took his hand, and spoke in a warm and friendly tone, without the slightest trace of the aloofness typical of noble families: "Xuande is truly a noble person of my Yang clan!"
"Only today do I truly understand what it means to have a single word that determines everything!"
"I will accept all your conditions!"
"Ten thousand shi of grain and one million coins shall be delivered to the prefectural government first thing tomorrow morning."
"Furthermore, the Yang family will fully undertake the task of providing the craftsmen and materials needed to repair the beacon towers in Yangle County!"
Oh no, I ordered too little!
Liu Bei's heart skipped a beat, and he wanted to slap himself, cursing himself for being too lenient. He had thought Yang Kui would bargain, and his bottom line was to cut the price in half.
I never imagined these rich bastards were so wealthy!
Failed!
Liu Bei rose to his feet, grasped Yang Kui's hands, and said in a friendly tone, "Clan Chief, you're truly generous!"
"Today, you and I are not officials or clansmen, but rather we share resources and support each other."
"If Yang Le is secure, then the Yang clan will be safe; if the Yang clan is safe, then Liaoxi will be secure."
"With our hearts united, what great things cannot be accomplished!"
Yang Kui laughed heartily and immediately ordered a banquet to be prepared: "Xuande, please stay at my residence today. I will prepare some simple wine, and we can talk all night long!"
"As for matters in Liaoxi from now on, I will leave them to your command, Xuande!"
Yang Kui went from being indifferent and perfunctory to being moved, and then to warmly holding hands and calling each other brothers, completely under Liu Bei's control.
Dan Jing was deeply shocked!