"Brother Wenhe, I never imagined that someone as seemingly weak as you could single-handedly kill a Qiang person! You are truly amazing!"

Ma Teng, who was about the same age as Jia Xu in the group, admired Jia Xu's courage after hearing about his experience.

"Brother Shoucheng, you flatter me. It was just a fluke."

Jia Xu was very polite to the young man who had been recruited by the emperor to serve as a member of the Imperial Guard.

It turned out that the Han army that Jia Xu had encountered earlier was the Imperial Guard cavalry that had come to recruit Ma Teng on Liu Hong's orders.

After confirming Jia Xu's identity, the Imperial Guards learned that he was a student preparing to go to Luoyang for the examination. After learning about his experiences, the leader of the Imperial Guards also admired Jia Xu and arranged for him to join the team on their journey to Luoyang.

As March arrives, the chill begins to fade and all things begin to revive.

At the Ministry of Personnel, Liu Hong was sitting upright at his desk, reviewing the grain storage situation in official granaries across various regions.

Spring has arrived, and spring plowing is about to begin. The most important thing right now is to reassure the people and help them resume farming. Grain reserves have become the top priority. In addition, there is unrest in the Western Qiang region at this time, so Liu Hong must be well aware of the situation.

But by the end, Liu Hong was also very troubled. He had not expected that the Han Dynasty had deteriorated to this extent. Most of the official granaries were less than 30% full, and many other places had been empty for many years.

You must understand that the grain stored in the official granaries is a strategic reserve. If something happens and the official granaries run out of grain, the country will instantly fall into turmoil.

Subsequently, Liu Hong issued an urgent edict, ordering officials in various regions to promptly encourage and urge the people to resume farming and production, and for governments at all levels to provide oxen and seeds for plowing.

"An imperial edict was issued to Grand Tutor Chen Fan, General Dou Wu, Grand Commandant Li Ying, and Commandant of the Capital Region Yang Qiu to present their memorials in the palace."

"promise."

Soon, Chen Fan and his entourage arrived at Deyang Palace.

"Your Majesty, we pay our respects."

No need for formalities.

After the emperor and his ministers exchanged greetings and took their seats, Liu Hong first looked at Chen Fan and said, "Grand Tutor, it is currently the spring planting season, and I have issued an edict requiring officials in various regions to expedite the resumption of production. I wonder if the Grand Tutor has any further comments?"

"Your Majesty's emphasis on agriculture is a blessing for the people and a boon for the Han Dynasty. I believe that Your Majesty should follow the example of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing and lead all officials to the fields in person to show your importance."

At the same time, palace expenses were cut, excess palace maids and servants were released, and frugality was encouraged.

Liu Hong nodded. "Grand Tutor's words are wise and experienced; I will certainly take them into consideration!"

"Your Majesty is wise."

Chen Fan was greatly pleased. He knew that although Chen Fan's suggestion seemed simple, very few emperors throughout history had been able to implement the above points. The fact that Liu Hong had adopted his advice showed that the emperor was a rare wise ruler in history, and it was not impossible for him to surpass Emperors Wen and Jing in the future.

Yang Qiu, standing to the side, also looked at Liu Hong with a respectful expression.

Although Yang Qiu was a cruel official who always looked up to Han Feizi and Chen Tang, he might have been able to foresee his own fate. However, at this moment, he looked at the emperor with great respect because he felt that the emperor was not the kind of cold-hearted person. The emperor had the people of the world in his heart and, like him, could not tolerate those corrupt officials. Such an emperor was worth Yang Qiu's life for.

"Grand Tutor, you flatter me. However, what worries me most right now is the northwest. I wonder if Duan Jiong can end the rebellion of the Western Qiang as soon as possible!"

Liu Hong sighed softly, his gaze also turning to the northwest.

Li Ying, who was standing to the side, said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I have already allocated grain and fodder a month ago as Your Majesty instructed. I believe it will be delivered to Pengyang in a few days to relieve Duan Jiming's crisis."

"That's good!"

Liu Hong nodded, then looked at Dou Wu with a serious expression.

"Recently, there seem to be signs of instability in the Youbing region. I wonder if the General has anyone to send to these two places to oversee them?"

“Zhang Huan has a long-standing reputation and can be appointed as the Protector of the Xiongnu and stationed in Bingzhou. As for Youzhou, I believe that Lu Zhi of Zhuojun can be appointed as the Protector of the Wuhuan.”

Dou Wu thought for a moment, then recommended Zhang Huan and Lu Zhi to Liu Hong. One was a veteran general in the army, and the other was a great scholar of Confucianism. Both were people Dou Wu wanted to win over.

Liu Hong nodded: "The person recommended by the General is indeed a talent for the country. Then we shall follow the General's words."

Both Zhang Huan and Lu Zhi were rare talents in the Han Dynasty, capable of guarding a region. Moreover, both were upright and loyal to the Han Dynasty, so it would not be easy for Dou Wu to win them over. Therefore, Liu Hong adopted Dou Wu's suggestion.

Finally, Liu Hong looked at Yang Qiu: "Yang Qing, with spring plowing just around the corner, in order to ensure that the people can produce in peace, in addition to Luoyang, people should also be sent to other places to patrol and supervise, in order to prevent anyone from taking the opportunity to cause trouble."

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will immediately dispatch more personnel to inspect various regions upon my return. If any lawbreakers are found, I will certainly investigate and punish them according to the law."

Yang Qiu responded loudly, his cold face and slightly murderous words causing Zhang Rang, who was standing next to him, to tremble involuntarily.

This also made Zhang Rang wary, and he secretly decided to notify his family as soon as possible to prevent them from causing trouble and implicating him.

Then Yang Qiu looked at Liu Hong with some hesitation, "I have another matter to ask Your Majesty for permission."

"What is it?"

Liu Hong was somewhat surprised, wondering what could possibly make Yang Qiu hesitate.

“Those local tyrants have always been lawless, so some of them are bound to resort to desperate measures. I request Your Majesty to temporarily transfer the Tiger Guard and the Imperial Guards under my command to assist me in inspecting various places.”

"Yang Qiu, how dare you..."

Before Liu Hong could reply, Chen Fan immediately stood up and angrily rebuked Yang Qiu, and even Li Ying and Dou Wu frowned.

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