As early as last year, after Li Li was ordered to establish the intelligence bureau in Yangzhou, a steady stream of intelligence began to flow in.
Therefore, Liu Hong was fully aware of the actions of the scholars and powerful figures in Jiangnan and had long wanted to eliminate them, but he had not been able to do so.
Now that the northern border and the states north of the Yangtze River have become relatively stable, it's time to teach those local bullies who don't know what's good for them a lesson.
Then Liu Hong looked at the officials and asked in a deep voice, "What do you all think should be done about the road construction in Jiangnan?"
Li Ying stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, the road must be built. If it remains unbuilt, Jiangnan will never be at peace. Whether the people like it or not, this road must be built.”
Your Majesty, I believe that since the local people are not cooperating, the imperial court should send troops there, and anyone who dares to cause trouble should be thoroughly investigated and punished.”
Liu Hong looked at the officials and asked, "What do you all think?"
After a long silence, Yang Qiu, his face filled with murderous intent, was the first to step forward and proclaimed loudly:
"The Grand Commandant is absolutely right. Those local bullies won't stay quiet until they've shed some blood. I beg Your Majesty to issue an edict ordering me to go to Yangzhou to investigate!"
In the past two years, the officials in the court have been too busy to engage in corruption and bribery. Yang Qiu and his eunuchs have been idle all day long, and they even want to meddle in trivial matters like street quarrels.
The once-powerful Sili Xiaowei, who was in charge of supervising all officials, has almost become a sinecure.
Therefore, upon hearing that something had happened in Yangzhou, Yang Qiu naturally felt obligated to go there and let people rediscover the terrifying nature of the Sili government.
Xun Shuang also stepped forward: "Your Majesty, what the Commandant of the Capital Region said is very true. The misdeeds of the powerful families in Jiangnan are even worse than those of the powerful families in Liaoxi back then. It is not enough to appease public anger if they are not eliminated."
Your Majesty, I request that Your Majesty issue an edict appointing the Commandant of the Capital Region as the Inspector General of Jiangnan, to inspect Jing, Yang, and Jiao provinces.
"We second that proposal!"
The officials also chimed in with their own opinions.
At this moment, the officials' gazes toward Yang Qiu shifted from fear and hatred to admiration.
This was the first time they had ever discovered that Yang Qiu, this ruthless and heartless guy, actually had such an adorable side.
"Since it is the request of you gentlemen, I shall accept it."
Then Liu Hong looked at Yang Qiu and said in a deep voice, "Minister Yang, I hereby appoint you as the Inspector General of the Three Prefectures, and lead the officials of the Sili Commandery, the Court of Justice, the Commandant, the Censorate, and the four ministries of the Imperial Censorate, including the eunuchs, guards, imperial guards, and censors, to Yangzhou for inspection."
At the same time, I grant you the authority to make decisions on an ad hoc basis.
A hint of excitement appeared on Yang Qiu's dark face: "Your subject will obey Your Majesty's command!"
Then, Liu Hong looked at the officials and said in a deep voice, "The Yangzhou government has failed in its duties this time, entirely due to insufficient supervision. I wonder who you all think is suitable for the position of Governor of Yangzhou?"
Chen Fan stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I recommend Zhang Jian, the governor of Xuzhou."
Upon hearing this, the officials were taken aback for a moment, then quickly chimed in, "We second that proposal!"
The officials still vividly remember the massacre that Yang Qiu and Zhang Jian committed in Xuzhou.
Now that these two ruthless killers have been sent to Yangzhou, it's not hard to imagine the despair that group of scholars and powerful figures will feel.
Liu Hong immediately agreed to the officials' proposal.
To ensure the smooth progress of Yang Qiu and Zhang Jian's inspection, a show of force is essential.
Therefore, the officials discussed the matter of stationing troops proposed by Li Ying.
Soon, the officials decided to select 5,000 Imperial Guards, appointing Huang Zhong as the commander-in-chief, Li Jue, Guo Si, Fan Chou, and Gao Shun as deputy commanders, and Jian Shuo as the supervisor, to go to Yangzhou.
At the same time, 20,000 troops from Pei Commandery, Guangling Commandery, Nanyang Commandery, and Runan Commandery were conscripted to garrison Jiujiang Commandery, Danyang Commandery, Wu Commandery, and other places, together with 10,000 troops from the three commanderies.
As the saying goes, "an army marches on its own feet." The current imperial court can easily mobilize troops, but the subsequent supply is a major problem.
Now, relying solely on local officials is certainly not enough to ensure the supply of five thousand Imperial Guards and thirty thousand troops from various prefectures and kingdoms. In order to deal with losses and ensure timely supply, transportation has become an unavoidable issue.
To ensure the supply of the garrison, the only way is to build a road from Luoyang to Wu County as soon as possible.
After careful calculation, Cao Song said with a solemn expression, "Your Majesty, the recruitment of laborers in the northern states has reached its limit for the canal excavation between Chang'an and Luoyang. Even the slaves on the border have been mobilized."
People from Ji, Yan, and Qing prefectures are currently busy migrating to Liaozhou, while people from Sanfu, Bingzhou, Hanzhong, and other places are migrating to the Hexi Corridor, Juyan, and the Western Regions.
In addition, newly opened factories and workshops in the north have employed a large number of people, and infrastructure projects are still ongoing in various places.
The number of laborers currently available for recruitment by the imperial court is insufficient to support road construction in Yuzhou and Xuzhou, making it difficult to complete the roads as soon as possible.
Upon hearing this, the officials' expressions darkened. No one had expected that, unknowingly, the entire Han Dynasty was simultaneously carrying out so many things.
While being busy is a good thing, as it demonstrates the officials' ability and execution, a shortage of manpower is a major problem.
Suddenly, the group, who had been enthusiastic and ready to develop Jiangnan, became serious again.
Just then, Li Ying stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I received an official document yesterday from General Zhang Huan, the Protector of the Xiongnu. The document says that the north is cold this year and there is a high possibility of a major disaster on the grasslands."
Therefore, General Zhang Huan believed that next spring, the Xianbei and the Xiongnu Left Wise King's tribes would definitely launch an attack on the border.
Your Majesty, I believe it would be better to reinstate the slave purchase edict, allowing the Xiongnu and Xianbei tribes to capture slaves from each other and sell them to the Han Dynasty in exchange for grain.
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