xymnovel Chapter 37 Don't come any closer!
Chapter 37 Don't come any closer!
The task of pacifying Shandong is definitely not something that can be easily resolved by simply offering words of comfort or claiming the achievements of the powerful families. Without providing tangible benefits and appropriate compensation, it's all just empty talk.
To put it simply, this story begins with the previous emperor, Emperor Yang of Sui, who also ascended the throne illegitimately.
The Sui Dynasty's core power base mainly consisted of the Guanzhong aristocracy, the Shandong aristocracy, and the Jiangnan aristocracy. During the Daye era, the powerful clans of Shandong were the strongest, followed by those of Guanzhong, and then those of Jiangnan.
However, Yang Guang had been stationed in Yangzhou for more than ten years and was quite close to the literati and gentry of Jiangnan.
After taking power, he naturally wanted to suppress the disobedient Shandong, while also taking a side mile to curb the Guanzhong region, and incidentally promote the Jiangnan gentry who obeyed him.
The original plan was to kill two birds with one stone: to conquer Goguryeo, enhance national prestige, and reduce the power of disobedient forces.
But he went too far!
One million laborers were conscripted from Shandong, and at the same time, laborers were also conscripted from Donglai to build warships. Five or six out of ten of the laborers died. The people of Shandong could not bear the burden and rose up in rebellion.
The song "Song of Dying in Liaodong" fully expresses the bitterness and tears of the people of Shandong.
Before Changbai Mountain, a young man, dressed in pure red silk brocade with his crotch facing outwards.
A long spear reaches halfway into the sky, and a wheel of blades gleams in the sunlight.
They go up the mountain to eat deer and roe deer, and down the mountain to eat cattle and sheep.
[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name: 10 ...
Suddenly hearing that government troops were arriving, he drew his sword and charged forward.
For example, if someone dies in Liaodong, what harm is there in beheading them!
Zhi Shilang Wang Bo led the uprising, which took place on the eve of the campaign against Goguryeo. Qin Qiong, Cheng Zhijie, Fang Xuanling, and Xu Maogong, who served under Li Er, were all heroes from Shandong.
Xu Yuanlang, Liu Heita, and others wreaked havoc across Shandong until the country was initially pacified.
There was originally a wise ruler named Dou Jiande, who was captured by Li Er and taken back to Chang'an, where he was executed by Li Yuan. Later, Li Jiancheng pacified Shandong and followed Dou Jiande's example in treating the people of Hebei well, but now he too has been executed...
Shen Ce frowned as he recalled this. The Tang Dynasty had entered Chang'an and taken over the treasury accumulated by the Sui Dynasty over many years. It was unreasonable for them not to deal with the debts left by the previous dynasty, as they had both inherited the previous dynasty's rule and its legacy.
Although the imperial decree stated that Shen Ce could decide on the accompanying officials himself, it would ultimately have to be reported to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. The meaning was clear: test your abilities first. If you are capable, you will be used. If not, believe it or not, Yuwen Shiji would immediately pull out a pre-prepared list from the shelf.
So after leaving Wei Zheng's place, Shen Ce turned around and went to the Imperial Inspector.
As a top-tier second-generation official, Wen Wuyin was well-informed. The moment he saw Shen Ce, he shook his head, let out a long sigh of relief, and shouted, "Don't come any closer!"
Shen Ce ignored his warning and walked forward step by step, saying gently, "Imperial Censor Wen, the team needs an Imperial Censor who is clean in character, has a good family background, and has received help from the garrison commander of Luoyang when he was in Luoyang."
"If you can find it today, I'll turn around and leave without delay."
Wen Wuyin rolled her eyes at him and said irritably, "Just give me my name."
"But what exactly does 'having a red and proper family background' mean?"
"You blurted it out," Shen Ce waved his hands repeatedly.
Then, his playful smile vanished, and he said in a deep voice, "Meet at Duting Post Station at dawn tomorrow. Anyone who misses the appointed time will be executed."
Even the top-tier sons of officials displayed the proper manners, offering no empty words but simply bowing and saying "yes."
"Not asking for any orders?"
Wen Wuyin raised his head and said, "I will not refuse your mission, sir."
For Wen Wuyin, the glory of his father's generation could not be erased from his life. As a nobleman, he could be greedy and lustful, but he had to have moral integrity.
Shen Ce, like the White Impermanence, went around searching for people with the imperial edict. Since the Crown Prince's edict also included a report on the people's livelihood along the way, Shen Ce went to the Crafts Bureau without thinking.
Just as he stepped into the government office, he happened to run into Liu Lushu, who had come to teach.
"Registrar Shen, why did you take so long? I couldn't take it anymore," Liu Lushu cried to Shen Ce, tears streaming down his face. This workshop was no place for humans; they were like hungry wolves, ravenous for knowledge.
Shen Ce could only offer quiet words of comfort; there was nothing he could do. Yan Lide's father and Yuwen Shiji were colleagues in the Sui Dynasty. Not to mention Liu Lushu, even if someone wanted him, Yuwen Shiji would agree...
After Shen Ce promised to pay Liu Lushu double his salary during his time at the Craftsman's Office, he indeed shut Liu Lushu up with his wailing.
Because Liu Lushu's wailing was so loud, Yan Lide had already come out of the official residence and was looking at Shen Ce with curiosity.
Upon seeing Yan Lide, Shen Ce quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying gently, "As an official outside the official ranks, I am unfamiliar with the rules. I apologize for making you laugh, Prefect Yan."
Yan Lide put down his abacus, didn't respond, and chuckled, "Is Registrar Shen here to see my second son?"
"Another well-informed person," Shen Ce nodded.
"The eldest brother is like a father. I have approved this matter on his behalf. The second son will definitely arrive the day after tomorrow, so there is no need for the registrar to worry about it."
After Shen Ce captured these two men, he no longer needed to personally select the others. Qin Chuan was the head of the guards, and the remaining cavalry, personal guards, medics, interpreters, and drivers were all left to him to choose from.
In this way, a top-notch team was formed.
Pacification Envoy: Wei Zheng, Senior Fifth Rank
Deputy Pacification Commissioner: Shen Ce, Rank 7 (Lower Grade)
Imperial Censor: Wen Wuyin, Rank 7 (Lower Grade)
Attendants of the Crown Prince: Yan Liben, Rank 9, Upper
Cheng Chumo, Wei Zheng's personal guard
After Shen Ce finalized his choice, he immediately reported it to Yuwen Zhanshi.
Upon seeing the list, Yuwen Shiji laughed three times and agreed. He then turned around and handed the list submitted by Shen Ce to Li Er.
The day after tomorrow, Shen Ce finished his tasks for the day and asked Su Fucheng for leave.
As soon as he entered the house, Shen Ce saw Shen Wang stroking the armored boy beside him, drooling.
Looking at the imposing young man in armor before him, Shen Ce asked in confusion, "You're setting off the day after tomorrow. Why aren't you at home with your parents today? What brings you to my house?"
Cheng Chumo looked helpless and spread his hands, saying, "My old man kicked me out of the mansion at noon, saying that I should come to the vice envoy to report for duty."
Shen Ce looked around and, seeing that he only held a horizontal sword and had nothing else in his hand, asked curiously, "You came empty-handed?"
"No," Cheng Chumo said, brandishing the weapon in his hand, puzzled. "When my father kicked me out the door, he didn't tell me to prepare a gift."
As if remembering something, he took a flatbread from Shen Wang's hand and handed it to Shen Ce: "Here, I bought it when I passed by the West Market. Here, have a piece with you."
Shen Ce was at his wit's end. Yesterday, he thought he was a talented young man with both wisdom and courage, but today he saw that he had only inherited his father's bravery, not his wisdom.
Without getting entangled with him, and since the West Market was already closed, he quickly sent a servant to bring out the winter clothes that had been prepared for Shen Wang a few days ago, and let Cheng Chumo try them on.
Cheng Chumo gave an "oh," seemingly understanding something, and stubbornly patted his chest, saying things like, "I have thick skin, I can withstand the cold," to make up for it.