Chapter 778 Competing for Favor

  Mine deposits in and around Hanzhong are actually very rich. Feng Yong studied topological cartography for a semester, and used the map of Hanzhong as the final homework map.

  Feng Yong still remembers the big mines marked above very clearly.

  Nanxiang has the largest gypsum mine in Asia, as well as first-class large lime reserves and rich pyrite.

  So now Nanxiang is full of smoke during the day and brightly lit at night.

  The lead mine in Xiabian is actually the lead-zinc mine belt in Chengxian County, the second lead mine belt in the country.

  Later, according to some unreliable sources, deep underground, this mine belt may extend all the way to Hanzhong, and has the potential to become the largest lead-zinc mine in the country.

   This statement is true or false, but even if it is the second largest mine, it is big enough.

   Now the copper mine in Nanzhong has begun to produce output, and the timely appearance of the large lead mine will surely make the prime minister of Han Dynasty ecstatic.

  Ju County, located between Nanxiang and Xiabian, has the greatest potential, because there are many gold mines around it, and one of them is the third-ranked nickel-gold mine in the country.

  Although he coveted the gold mine in Ju County, Feng Yong never planned to mention it to others before the time was right.

  Gold is one of the most important precious metals, and the gold mine in Ju County must be the bargaining chip for the Dahan Reserve Bureau to stabilize the overall situation in the future.

   It is also Feng Yong's most important hole card.

  According to the abnormal development of Dahan's current capital, backlash will inevitably come one day.

   No matter when it comes, in what way it will be counterattacked, and no matter which force is the first to counterattack.

  As long as you have enough gold reserves in your hands, if you are really in a hurry, you can just flip the table and reshuffle the cards.

  Let those wolves of capital know what a national team is.

   Having confidence means being so straightforward, not hypocritical, and self-willed!

   But when it comes to willfulness, the most qualified one is Wei Emperor Cao Rui.

  After two big defeats, Wei Guo was able to regain his breath after only two years.

  Although in order to reduce the pressure on Bingzhou and Jizhou in Hebei, they adopted a soft policy towards Hu people such as Xianbei Wuhuan.

  But because of the remaining prestige of the great Han, and Gongsun Zan, Cao Cao, Cao Zhang and others' conquest of the Hu people in the early years, the Hu people in Monan did not take the opportunity to make trouble.

  Cao Rui can relax and focus on dealing with the west and south.

   He even took the opportunity to bypass the important ministers in the court and directly issued military orders to the frontier guards, further tightening the power, and at the same time testing the obedience of the frontier generals to him.

  After receiving the rewards from Cao Zhen in Chang'an and Sima Yi in Jingzhou, Cao Rui finally felt relieved and began to step up efforts to gather power in the DPRK and China.

   Just in case, like last time, the unfavorable military situation on the border caused turmoil between North Korea and China.

  The case of flashy cronies has been widely implicated, and there have been many vacancies in various departments of the provinces, especially the reserve officials, who used to be filled by young talents.

  After the flashy cronies 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 native of Le'an in Yuyang County, Youzhou, is quite talented. He stood out in this special period and was appointed Shang Shulang.

  On this day, Shang Shu Ling Chen Jiao had just finished handling government affairs and was about to go on duty when Shang Shu Lang Lianzhao came in with another volume of documents.

   "Chen Shangshu, an imperial edict has been issued from the palace, and I need to trouble you to take a look at this file."

  Lian Zhao has a handsome face, elegant conversation, and always has a smile on his face. When people who don't know the details see him, they can easily develop a good impression of him.

   It's just that Chen Jiao, as the chief official of Shangshutai, knows this person very well.

  Even under his eyes, there was a trace of disgust hidden from the other party.

   After taking the file that Lian Zhao handed over, Chen Jiao's face changed drastically after just a few glances.

   "Lian Shangshulang, Cao Fan's crime has already been sentenced by Dali Temple, why should we pursue it again?"

  Cao Fan was originally Shangshu Zuo Cheng of Shangshutai, and his duty was to assist Shangshuling in handling various affairs of Shangshutai.

  However, a few days ago, he was found to be related to the vanity party cronies, and was ordered to question him.

  The recent situation in the DPRK is somewhat unpredictable, and more importantly, I am Cao Fan's immediate chief officer.

   Although Chen Jiao thought he had a clear conscience, he was always worried.

  Fortunately, Ting Wei Gao Rou was a veteran of Emperor Wu's era. He was well versed in legal principles and enforced the law fairly, so he didn't implicate anyone in this matter.

  The incident had just passed, and Chen Jiao finally breathed a sigh of relief. Unexpectedly, Lian Zhao actually wanted to re-trial.

   "Chen Shangshu, although Cao Fan has pleaded guilty, he has not confessed to his cronies. What the emperor means is that this person should be investigated in detail to find out the accomplices behind it."

  As soon as Lian Zhao said this, Chen Jiao's heart skipped a beat, and then a burst of anger rushed straight to his forehead, which made him almost unable to control his emotions.

  Party?

  What party?

   Could it be that His Majesty thinks that the vanity case is not implicated widely enough?

  I am Shangshuling, and Cao Fan is Shangshu Zuocheng who assists Shangshuling. Who is the cronies?

  Looking at the modest smile on Lian Zhao's face, Chen Jiao seemed to see the provocation and complacency beneath the other's smile.

   Just thought that Lian Zhao could enter and leave the palace freely, won the trust of His Majesty, Chen Jiao had to forcibly endure this tone.

  In order not to let the other party see his trembling hands, Chen Jiao had to retract his hands into his sleeve robe.

   "Lian Shang Shulang, tell me about this matter, I'm afraid there is something wrong? If you really want to investigate 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 always sensible.

  Even if he faced the remonstrance directly, His Majesty would at most refuse to listen, but he would not blame him afterwards.

  Lian Zhao is different.

  Although this person is talented, he is a very small person. He welcomes what His Majesty likes, and most likes to judge other people's small faults in order to flatter His Majesty.

  One of the crimes of flamboyance and cronies is to let servants pretend to be officials, go in and out of forbidden places, and use favors to inquire about news.

  So after the vanity case, His Majesty first established a strict ban to prevent people from entering and leaving at will. At the same time, he ordered the imperial army to guard the palace with heavy troops.

   Now it is much more difficult for the ministers of the outer court to meet His Majesty in ordinary times than before.

  If I speak inappropriately today, I will definitely be arranged by this person in front of Your Majesty.

   And because I was separated from the heavily guarded palace, I had no way to defend myself in front of His Majesty.

  Under one relative and one alienation, who knows if His Majesty will be deceived by Lian Zhao for a while?

   "Shang Shu Ling's words are wrong!"

  Lian Zhao smiled slightly, and said in a soft voice, "Your Majesty asked the officials to submit this case to Shang Shuling, which is to believe in Shang Shuling."

   "After all, when His Majesty came to Shangshutai that day, Shang Shuling stopped His Majesty on the spot, saying that it is not His Majesty's job to read documents. For this reason, Your Majesty praised Shang Shuling as a direct minister!"

  When Chen Jiao heard this, he finally understood in his heart: Is this Lian Zhao who heard about this and then advanced to speak before His Majesty?

  Before he could figure out how to deal with it, Lian Zhao cupped his hands again, "Actually, I also admire Shang Shu Ling very much, for being able to speak out so bluntly to His Majesty."

  Chen Jiao was taken aback, and found that things seemed a little different from what he had imagined.

   "It's just the actions of ministers like Shang Shuling, but some lucky villains advanced greedy words under His Majesty, saying that Shang Shuling acted by inviting fame and exercising exclusive power."

  Seeing Lian Zhao's sincere expression, Chen Jiao suddenly felt absurd.

  A lucky villain says others are lucky villains?

   More importantly, someone actually slandered himself in front of His Majesty.

  How many lucky villains are there in this court?

   "Shang Shuling doesn't want to know who gave His Majesty the gossip?"

  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 and life and death.

"who is it?"

  Lian Zhao smiled in satisfaction, but he didn't try to hold back: "Servant Liu Ye."

  When Chen Jiao heard it, he finally couldn't help standing up, and said in a broken voice, "Is this true?"

  Even if Lian Zhao wanted to confess his faults to His Majesty, even if Chen Jiao was worried, he would not be shocked.

  Because he is Shangshuling, Lian Zhao is just a Shangshulang.

  Your Majesty is the Lord of the Holy Spirit, and it is impossible for an important official like himself to be imprisoned for no reason because of a Shang Shulang's words.

   In addition, His Majesty attaches great importance to laws and regulations, and often hears important 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, and has always been highly valued by His Majesty.

  After His Majesty ascended the throne, the first minister to meet privately was Liu Ye.

  If he goes forward and talks badly before His Majesty, then his own wealth is in danger of being overthrown!

  Seeing Chen Jiao's pale face, Lian Zhao showed satisfaction.

   "Although I don't know the enmity between Shang Shuling and Liu Shizhong, I also deeply disdain the behavior of a villain like Liu Ye. If there is a chance, I will explain something to Shang Shuling in front of Your Majesty."

   Lian Zhao leaned over and said with concern.

  Chen Jiao lived through the three dynasties of Cao and Wei, how could he fail to understand what Lian Zhao said?

  He looked at Lian Zhao faintly, "What do you want to do? I think that I don't show you any kindness in ordinary times."

   Lian Zhao raised his thumb, "Talking with Chen Shangshu is a peace of mind."

  He looked around and seemed to be 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 heard this, and then coughed, "Recently, Sili Captain Kong Xian wanted to recruit the younger brother of the General Hussar (Sima Yi), but some people said that the brother of the Great General Hussars has always been rebellious and unreasonable."

  Speaking of this, Lian Zhao showed an angry look on his face, "Shang Shu ordered you to say, isn't this intentional criticism to hurt people? The family of the Hushi General has always been a prominent family in Hanoi."

   "When it comes to the generation of Hushi General, there are eight brothers, everyone is talented, known as Sima Bada, why would there be crazy and unreasonable actions? Shang Shuling, don't you think so?"

  Hearing this, Chen Jiao finally understood Lian Zhao's reason for coming.

   It's an ordinary person who has been requisitioned, so naturally there is no need to alarm the Shangshutai.

   But Sima Yi is an ordinary person?

  Now his younger brother wants to become an official, but he is victimized by wind criticism.

  Shangshutai is the most important official office of the imperial court, and the government affairs of the whole country are concentrated here. If Shangshutai does not agree with this matter, then the appointment of Sima Yi's younger brother as an official may be in vain.

  The Sima family just lost a Sima division in the officialdom, but they didn't expect to be able to push out another one immediately.

   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 kept turning like a wheel, weighing the pros and cons in a hurry.

   Seeing Chen Jiao's complexion fluctuate and he hasn't spoken for a long time, Lian Zhao is a little impatient.

   "Chen Shangshu, I have heard about it. In the past two years, because the two captives of Wu and Shu fought fiercely, His Majesty was worried about the world. I asked Chen Shangshu before."

   "It is said that the general of the hussars is a loyal and upright minister, can you entrust the country? Chen Shangshu said that the general of the hussars is the hope of the court, and he dare not lightly say that he is a minister of the country. Is there such a thing?"

  When Chen Jiao heard this, he broke out in a cold sweat.

  Your Majesty is so close to Lian Zhao?

   How else would he know about it?

   Lian Zhao continued to say, "Chen Shangshu first contradicted His Majesty, and then Liu Ye slandered him."

   "If this matter is known by the Hushi General, there are people who have grudges both inside and outside the fashion book, even if they don't care about themselves, don't they even care about their own wife and children?"

  Chen Jiao could no longer maintain his superficial composure, and sat back heavily on his seat.

   Wei Guo 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 lord returning to the house with an ugly face, so he immediately asked with concern:

   "My lord, what difficulties have you encountered?"

  Chen Jiao waved his hand and drove away all the servants, and then asked Chen Ben to call his second son Chen Qian, and then he said what Lian Zhao said.

   At the end, he said worriedly: "If what Lian Zhao said is true, our Chen family will be in danger. What do you think of me?"

  After hearing what his father said, the eldest son, Chen Ben, had a frightened look on his face, and was suddenly confused. How could he think of a solution?

  The second son, Chen Qian, has always been resourceful. After thinking for a while, he said with a smile: "Your Majesty has said it himself. Your Majesty is the Lord of the Holy Spirit. Now he is just being deceived by the villain."

   "Even if you listen to what the villain said, if you think about it, your Majesty will let you retire safely because you are a veteran and important minister of the three dynasties. At most, you will not be a minister."

   "Our Chen family can be regarded as a noble family nowadays. Even if we don't serve as officials, we can live comfortably. What worries do you have?"

  Chen Jiao is still worried: "I only worry that Liu Pif will frame my ears again in the future."

  Chen Qian nodded, with a look of resentment on his face: "Old man Liu is indeed hateful. If this person is not dead, I'm afraid the adults are still in danger."

   "So what?"

  Chen Qian showed a gloomy expression:

   "The so-called preemptive strikes, and later strikes others. Now that Mr. Liu is the first to preempt others, my lord is already one step behind. Fortunately, the Holy Majesty never blamed him, why don't my lord counter it?"

   "Oh, plan will come out?"

  Chen Jiao asked hastily.

   "From my point of view, what Lian Zhao and his lord said at the Shangshutai may not all be ordered by the great general of the hussars."

  Chen Qian's eyes flickered, "Liu Ye has always been loved by His Majesty, Lian Zhao was only lucky enough to advance, so Liu Ye naturally has to dominate Lian Zhao in front of His Majesty."

   "The real purpose of Lian Zhao's move is probably to suppress Liu Ye."

  When Chen Jiao heard the second son's analysis, his heart suddenly became brighter!

   "So it is!" He slapped his thigh and cheered, "I never thought of this!"

  Chen Jiao looked at his son in admiration, "That Lian Zhao used Sima Yi as a cover, but he didn't expect his real purpose to be this."

   "As long as we know his real purpose, it will be much easier for us to deal with it. Since Mrs. Liu is so hateful, why don't my lord use Lian Zhao's hand to get rid of this person?"

  Chen Qian gritted his teeth and said.

  Chen Jiao frowned: "Liu Ye is deeply loved by His Majesty, Lian Zhao is only a new minister, how can he accomplish such a great thing?"

  Chen Qian smiled: "My lord, no matter whether it is Liu Ye or Lian Zhao, their power and power are all given by His Majesty. As long as you start with His Majesty, it will be much easier."

   "It's hard!"

  Chen Jiao sighed.

   "The boy has a plan."

  (end of this chapter)