The news of Yang Qiu and Zhang Jian's massacre in Xuzhou spread far and wide in just a few days, causing the powerful families and noble clans in various prefectures and counties to live in fear. Many scholars were also very dissatisfied with the two men's wanton killings, and for a time everyone joined together to submit a joint petition. Even many court officials impeached the two men.

In the Deyang Palace, Liu Hong looked at the stacks of impeachment memorials on the table and felt a headache coming on. Even he hadn't expected that Yang Qiu and Zhang Jian would be so bold and daring, killing off more than half of the powerful families in Xuzhou.

"Sigh... this Yangqiu is really giving me a hard time!"

Liu Hong rubbed his forehead and sighed softly.

"Your Majesty, I believe that Commandant Yang's actions have had a certain deterrent effect!"

Zhong Yao, who was standing to the side, took out the tax ledgers of Xuzhou that Yang Qiu and Zhang Jian had sent and said, "Your Majesty, look, this year, after deducting the proceeds from their confiscation of property, the amount of grain that has entered the official granaries in Xuzhou is nearly three times that of previous years. This shows how serious the tax evasion by these people has become!"

“Yuan Chang is right. The actions of these people have shaken the foundation of the Han Dynasty. If we don’t teach them a lesson in blood, they will become even more reckless!” Sima Fang also spoke up for Yang Qiu.

"It's all true, but once this precedent is set, I'm afraid the powerful clans and families in various prefectures and counties will become disloyal to the imperial court."

Liu Hong smiled and gave Zhong Yao and Sima Fang a deep look.

Sima Fang lowered his head and said in a deep voice, "What use are those who do not think about sharing the burdens of the country and only care about their own interests?"

“Your Majesty, I believe that Duke Jian’s words are reasonable!” Zhong Yao echoed.

Looking at the two of them, Liu Hong smiled and said, "You two are right! Alright, go and get back to work!"

"promise!"

Afterwards, Zhong Yao and Sima Fang bowed and withdrew, leaving only Liu Hong, Xi Zhicai, and Zhang Rang, who was attending them, in the hall.

"An edict is issued to the Grand Tutor, the Minister of Works, and the Grand Commandant, ordering them to present their reports within the palace!"

"promise!"

Zhang Rang responded and jogged away from Deyang Palace, running to the government office where he found the three people working.

Soon, Chen Fan, Hu Guang, and Li Ying arrived at Deyang Palace.

In the past two days, many people have visited Chen Fan and Hu Guang, explaining to them how Yang Qiu had cruelly persecuted those aristocratic families in Xuzhou, attempting to get Chen Fan and Hu Guang to step forward and condemn Yang Qiu and Zhang Jian, these two butchers.

As for Li Ying, Yang Qiu and Zhang Jian were both recommended by him, so they could be considered members of the same faction. Naturally, no one would be so tactless as to be oblivious to the situation.

The emperor's summons at this time was probably due to this matter!

Upon entering the hall, they saw Liu Hong waiting for them, and the three of them bowed in unison.

"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, pay our respects!"

"Please, gentlemen, no need for formalities, have a seat!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After the emperor and his ministers were seated, Liu Hong looked at Chen Fan and Hu Guang and said with a smile, "These past two days, there must have been quite a few people visiting you two because of the Xuzhou incident, right?"

"good!"

"What do you two think should be done?"

Chen Fan and Hu Guang exchanged a glance. Hu Guang stood up and said, "Although Yang Qiu is ruthless, he is not a reckless person. He must have obtained evidence of the illegal activities of those powerful families in Xuzhou."

Chen Fan nodded, "I think the Minister of Works is right. As the saying goes, a gentleman loves money, but he acquires it in a proper way. If those people's money and grain came from legitimate sources, no one can touch them, so what are they afraid of?"

Liu Hong was relieved to see Chen Fan and Hu Guang's attitude; the elders were reasonable people who did not show favoritism or bias.

Liu Hong then handed over the account books reported by Yang Qiu and Zhang Jian, along with evidence of tax evasion by the powerful families of Xuzhou, to Chen Fan and the other two.

"Hmph~ Well done!"

After reading it, Li Ying couldn't help but snort angrily, and Chen Fan and Hu Guang's faces were also very ugly.

It was common for powerful families to evade taxes in the Han Dynasty, and the officials had known this for many years. They just hadn't expected that these powerful families in Xuzhou would be so audacious.

This was the first tax collection since the emperor ascended the throne, and the entire court and the public attached great importance to it. Even those who tried to evade taxes dared not go too far.

These powerful families in Xuzhou have actually hidden so many people. This is clearly disrespectful to the emperor and to them as well. They are defying the law. If we don't kill them, who will we kill?

Li Ying stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the crimes of these powerful families in Xuzhou should be made public so that those with ill intentions can also see them, lest they complain when they are arrested in the future!"

"I believe the Grand Commandant's words are reasonable!"

Chen Fan and Hu Guang echoed this sentiment, saying that those who are out of touch with reality and don't know what's good for them do need to be warned.

The three reached a consensus, and Liu Hong also agreed, so they began to discuss the follow-up matters.

Hu Guang stood up and said, "Your Majesty, the officials in Xuzhou have been almost entirely wiped out by Yang Qiu and Zhang Jian. I urge Your Majesty to determine replacements as soon as possible in order to maintain stability in Xuzhou!"

Liu Hong nodded. "Yes, local officials are related to the people's livelihood and need to be replaced as soon as possible. This matter will be handled by Situ. Select some students from the Imperial Academy to be assigned to Xuzhou."

"Furthermore, although Yang Qiu and Zhang Jian acted in accordance with the law, it was indeed inappropriate to handle so many lives privately without consulting the imperial court!"

After Liu Hong finished speaking, he looked at Zhang Rang and said, "I hereby order the Ministry of Personnel to draft an edict reprimanding Yang Qiu and Zhang Jian, temporarily dismissing them from their posts but retaining them in their positions, to observe their future conduct!"

As Chen Fan and his two companions took their leave, several imperial edicts issued by the Ministry of Personnel attracted everyone's attention.

After the evidence of tax evasion by the powerful families of Xuzhou was revealed, those who had been colluding with each other all fell silent. They thought they had been greedy enough, but they never expected that those people would be even more greedy. No wonder Yang Qiu and Zhang Jian went on a killing spree.

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