For the old Liu family, fratricide did not seem to be a strange thing. Liu Tan was just surprised that Liu Zhen was so impatient.
However, for Liu Zhen, he had been waiting for this opportunity for too long. Liu Qumao had instigated the loss of his title due to the bribery of the emperor. Liu Zhen's hatred for Liu Qumao was truly irreconcilable.
After Liu Tan's surprise subsided, he asked, "Liu Qumao...why does he want to have contact with Yanqi?"
Liu Zhen said, "I don't know, but based on my understanding of him, it might just be because this is the safest way."
Liu Tan repeated: "Safe?"
Liu Zhen nodded and said, "That's right. Yanqi is a die-hard supporter of the Xiongnu. Liu Qumao may have only communicated with the Xiongnu through Yanqi. This way, even if he is caught, it will only be his dealings with Yanqi, which is not a serious crime."
The relationship between the Han Dynasty and Yanqi was relatively ordinary. Yanqi was close to the Xiongnu, but no matter how close they were, they would not have the leisure to provoke the Han Dynasty. Therefore, as long as there was no conflict, Yanqi and the Han Dynasty were still very friendly.
Liu Tan was a little surprised: "Why would he want to interact with the Xiongnu? What is there in the Xiongnu that he values so much?"
Liu Zhen said, "Your Highness should know how he rose from a commoner in the royal family to become the governor of Zhuo County, right?"
Royal commoner... This name is quite interesting. Perhaps it is because people with royal blood have become commoners but are unwilling to accept it, so they gave themselves such a special name.
But this title seems to have no other use except to indicate that these people have royal blood.
Liu Tan turned his attention back to the main business and asked, "Yes, he didn't seem to have held any official position before this. It's a bit strange that he directly became the governor of Zhuo County."
Liu Tan originally just thought that Liu Che wanted to promote his own family members, so he didn't pay much attention to this matter before. Now when he suddenly heard Liu Zhen mention this matter, he couldn't help but feel a little strange.
Liu Zhen's eyes darkened as he spoke, "Liu Qumao traveled extensively back then. When he arrived in Zhuo County, he met the Xiongnu. He stayed there for several years. Then the Xiongnu came south to plunder and destroyed Shanggu County. When they arrived in Zhuo County, it was he who turned the tide and defended Zhuo County. After the Xiongnu retreated, he restored order to the area."
Liu Tan's heart skipped a beat when he heard this: "You mean... he colluded with the Xiongnu?"
Liu Zhen did not answer but asked, "When I arrived, I learned that Shanggu County had just been plundered, and the Xiongnu were very fast. Your Highness, how could they be so fast?"
Liu Tan frowned. "You mean because the Xiongnu are already familiar with Shanggu County?"
Liu Zhen nodded and said, "That should be the case. After that, Liu Qumao replaced the governor of Zhuo County who died defending the city and became the new governor. He then rose through the ranks and became the current prime minister."
Liu Tan's hands rested on the desk and he said slowly, "Are these just your guesses, or do you have any evidence?"
Although Liu Tan and Liu Qumao did not get along, that disagreement was due to interests. Liu Qumao's desire to make King Changyi the crown prince had actually infringed on the interests of most people, and it was not just a grudge against him.
The charge of colluding with the Huns was too serious. If there was no solid evidence, Liu Tan would not have wanted to suspect Liu Qumao.
He also wanted to get rid of Liu Qumao as soon as possible and prevent him from causing trouble, but this did not mean that he would use any means without any bottom line.
Once people realize that they can achieve their goal by simply accusing their political enemies of collaborating with foreign enemies, I am afraid that many people will slander them out of thin air, just like when cruel officials were rampant and court officials attacked and slandered each other. This precedent must not be set.
At least it can't be taken from Liu Tan's hands.
Liu Zhen suddenly stood up, saluted Liu Tan, and said, "I am guilty. I have selfish motives. Even if Your Highness disagreed with my going to Yiwulu County, I would have fought for it. I came here to find evidence that Liu Qumao was colluding with the Xiongnu!"
Liu Tan looked up at him and asked, "Searching or creating?"
Liu Zhen was startled. Meeting Liu Tan's calm gaze, he remained silent for a long moment before saying, "It's all at your command, Your Highness."
Liu Tan sighed slightly and said, "I understand what you mean, but I still want to remind you. You've finally got this opportunity. Revenge is indeed important, but don't lose sight of the bigger picture. Liu Qumao... has done many evil things. If he really did something like this, I won't have to take action, but I will definitely not let him off."
Liu Tan vaguely understood the reason why Liu Che asked Liu Zhen to come over. He thought it was to let him find something to hold against Liu Qumao. No one else would be as serious and motivated as Liu Zhen.
However, what did Liu Qumao do to make Liu Che so annoyed with him?
Although Liu Che's prime minister was indeed a consumable, he was not meant to be consumed in this way. In the past, at most he would die, but now his entire family is being killed.
It is really fortunate that Liu Qumao is a member of the royal family. Even if he is accused of treason, he will not be executed along with his entire clan. No wonder Liu Zhen is so motivated.
Liu Zhen was slightly stunned after hearing Liu Tan's advice. He took a deep breath and said, "I understand. Your Highness, please rest assured."
Liu Tan pressed his hand and said, "Come, sit down. This is not the most important thing."
Liu Zhen was stunned for a moment and looked at Liu Tan with some confusion.
Liu Tan glanced at him and said, "I worked so hard and sacrificed so many soldiers to conquer Yiwulu County, not to use it to deal with Liu Quma. I want to turn it into the Han Dynasty's gateway to the outside world and the most prosperous pearl in the Western Regions. Do you understand?"
Liu Qumao seemed a little dazed. When Liu Tan saw his expression, he knew that although the other party had heard what he had just said, he didn't really take it to heart.
Liu Tan had no choice but to say, "A good man should always achieve something. You only think about revenge. What happens after that? If I were you, I would target Liu Qumao. If he can become prime minister, why can't you? If one day you succeed him, wouldn't it be more satisfying for you two to swap positions?"
Liu Zhen stared at Liu Tan with wide eyes. Liu Tan smiled and said, "If you want to be the prime minister, start with this prefecture. Right now, Yiwulu County hasn't been built yet, and the blueprints are still being designed. You don't need to go there for now. I guess you have to wait until after the Chinese New Year. I've already arranged a place for you to live, and you can bring your family over if you like."
Liu Zhen immediately expressed his gratitude and said, "Your Highness's words are like enlightenment. I will remember them!"
That was about all the talk, so Liu Tan added, "Although the Protectorate and the Colonel's Office are not under your jurisdiction, you can take this opportunity to learn about the surrounding situation. If those countries are truly dishonest, you don't have to swallow your anger. To be honest with you, I never suffer any loss."
When Liu Zhen heard this, he felt a little funny and thought that he was indeed a child, taking pleasure in revenge.
But at the same time, he was a little envious of Liu Tan. When people talked about revenge, they thought that it was the innocence of children, and adults always had to be more tactful.
But in fact, being tactful is just to make oneself less vulnerable to attack. To put it bluntly, one does not have the ability.
However, the King of the North does have that strength, who wouldn't envy him?
The conversation basically ended here, and Liu Tan asked someone to take Liu Zhen to see his new house.
The young eunuch who led Liu Zhen was also very respectful to him. Liu Zhen had been a commoner for many years and had seen the ups and downs of life. After he lost his title, many people who had greeted him with smiles before seemed to have become a different person. After arriving in the Northern Border Kingdom, he felt as if he had returned to the past, but he was very clear that he did not have such a status and was very flattered.
The young eunuch introduced him, "Your house is right next to the Buzhengfang. The Banzhengfang next to it is the residence of the Prime Minister and several other important officials. Inside the Buzhengfang is the residence of Wei Deng, the Marquis of Wei Wu, and Li Ling, the Lieutenant."
When Liu Zhen came here, he had some understanding of the situation in Shuofang City. He knew that these two neighborhoods were places specially reserved by the King of the Northern Territory to grant residences to his valued ministers.
He asked casually, "Where does the new Magistrate Zhang live?"
The young eunuch laughed and said, "Well... ordinary county magistrates who want to have a residence in the capital should buy it themselves. After all, they don't stay in the capital for long, so it would be a waste to leave the house idle."
As soon as Liu Zhen heard this, he understood that he was being treated preferentially, and it was probably Liu Tan's special order.
Only after experiencing the ups and downs of human nature will you be more grateful to those who are good to you.
After Liu Zhen returned, he thought about it for half the night and felt that the King of the Northern Territory was right. He had indeed misunderstood the essence of the matter. He should have come here to establish his achievements first and then think about revenge.
At the same time, I couldn't help feeling a little ashamed. I had lived so many years in vain, but in the end, I couldn't see things as clearly as a young man under 20 years old.
Thinking of Liu Tan's calmness and momentum when he spoke to him, which was not in line with his age, Liu Zhen couldn't help but feel that career was probably a man's greatest confidence.
However, the King of the Northern Territory, whom he believed to be calm and steady, was now slamming his head on the table and shouting, "Call Gongshu Yi here! What's the point of drawing the blueprint like this?"
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