It was Cai Yong who broke the silence first and said: "My lord's words made me feel deeply ashamed. After reading books for so many years, I thought I was full of knowledge. Looking back now, I really haven't done much for the world or the great man."
thing."
Kuai Liang and others also said together: "My lord's words are thought-provoking. We should try our best in everything from now on."
Liu Xin couldn't help but sigh in her heart. After coming to this world for more than two years, she actually didn't do anything. Most of the things were done by these people in front of her. She couldn't help but said: "You are serious, you are doing it for the sake of Jingzhou."
The people are working hard day and night, and I am the one who really needs to reflect."
Seeing that the atmosphere at the scene was a bit solemn, Jushou looked at the sky and said to Liu Xin: "My lord, the rain won't stop for a while, why don't we all take this opportunity to visit the academy?"
Liu Xin immediately understood and said with a smile: "Okay, how about asking Mr. Bozhe to be a guide?"
Cai Yong also came to his senses and said happily: "This guide is my job. Please come with me."
The entire academy occupies a large area and is divided into two major areas: teaching area and living area.
The academy implements fully closed teaching, and all students live on campus. The living area includes faculty dormitories and student dormitories. Liu Xin attaches great importance to the recruitment of new students. The children of Ju Shou, Tian Feng, Kuai Liang, and Cai Mao can naturally enroll directly.
Yes, there are also some qualified children of noble families who can also enroll. In addition, Liu Xin has also specially arranged some places to recruit children with better qualifications but who cannot afford to study because of poor families. Students are recruited every year
The number of students is tentatively set at 90. Tuition is free and all food and clothing are paid for by the state government.
The teaching area includes three parts: classrooms, libraries, and martial arts arenas. Liu Xin's ideal academy is not like Yingchuan Academy, which specializes in cultivating counselors. He hopes that Xiangyang Academy will cultivate talents in three aspects, both scribes and generals.
, and future scientists!
After visiting the entire academy, the rain outside gradually stopped, the dark clouds dispersed, the sun showed its smiling face, and a rainbow hung in the sky.
Liu Xin pointed to the gorgeous colorful overpass and said meaningfully: "Look, the dark clouds can't cover the sun."
Jushou also said with a serious face: "Everything is under the control of the Lord!"
However, is everything really under Liu Xin's control? It's obviously impossible.
With the destruction of the Yellow Turbans in Yingchuan, the road from Jingzhou to the capital was opened. Jushou could not wait to send people to Luoyang to choose a suitable location to open a Moxiangzhai branch. After all, Luoyang is the center of the world, where humanities and news gather.
The source is the widest and fastest, so it is imperative to open a Moxiangzhai branch there.
Before the Luoyang branch of Moxiangzhai was opened, Liu Xin also arranged an important thing for Jushou, which was to pay Jingzhou's taxes this year to the court. Of course, Liu Xin was not stupid enough to bear the entire Jingzhou's taxes.
Jushou prepared about 430 million in taxes from the five counties of Jingxiang and Xiangzhou, and was escorted by Zhao Yun and Wenpin to Luoyang.
Then, Liu Xin sent another official document to the four counties of Jiangxia, Wuling, Lingling, and Guiyang, informing them to pay their taxes to the court. Liu Xin had his own little abacus, and what he was best at was taking advantage of others. Nanyang
The Yellow Turbans rebelled, Liu Xin successfully regained Wancheng, Beiyu, and Su Dai rebelled, and he took the opportunity to capture Nanjun. If there was any trouble in these four counties, Liu Xin's opportunity would come again. But he understood better that all this
They are all inseparable from the support of the court, and Liu Hong must be on his side. Liu Hong is the most greedy for money, so paying taxes in a timely manner is a must.
After all, Jushou was in charge of finance. After handing over so much money at once, he was a little reluctant. He hesitated and said to Liu Xin: "My lord, Jingzhou has also suffered from the Yellow Turbans this year. The summer grain harvest in Nanyang and Nanxiang has almost stopped. Reconstruction
Wancheng and Zhangling have spent a lot of money, so why not write to the court and ask for some tax relief?"
Liu Xin laughed and said: "My lord, you only know one but not the other. Think about it, this Yellow Turban Rebellion lasted for more than half a year. The imperial court sent troops to conquer many times, and the consumption of food and salary must be huge. If it were like this in previous years
Doing it is just the icing on the cake, but what I’m doing now is a great thing that provides help in times of need.”
Just as Liu Xin expected, Liu Hong has been troubled recently.
There was a severe drought in the north last year, and various places used this excuse to request tax exemptions. In the Han Dynasty, the population in the north was much larger than that in the south, and the tax revenue mainly came from the north. As a result, life this year will not be easy.
To make matters worse, the Yellow Turbans have been causing trouble for more than half a year this year. The imperial court has sent troops to clear it up again and again, and the national treasury is almost exhausted. However, this year’s tax revenue has not been confiscated even a penny. I don’t know how many places will have to be paid by then.
Because of the Yellow Turbans, we are unable to pay taxes.
The Yellow Turban Rebellion has subsided, and the pensions for the fallen soldiers and the rewards for the meritorious ministers have not yet been received. Memorials from the ministers and officials requesting the implementation of these two things have been issued one after another, including many requests for Liu Hong to follow
The funds were allocated from the inner treasury. Now there is only some savings in the inner treasury. The imperial court has long been out of money. But asking Liu Hong to withdraw money from the inner treasury would be more uncomfortable than killing him.
At this moment, Zhang Rang ran in furiously, kowtowed to Liu Hong on the ground, and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I am so happy! Liu Xin, the pastor of Jingzhou, sent people to pay taxes for the whole year, totaling 430 million yuan. Now
Has been escorted to Beijing."
It turned out that Liu Xin ordered Zhao Yun and Wenpin to escort the taxes to Beijing and asked them to meet Zhang Rang first, because Liu Xin knew that as long as Liu Hong lived for a day, he could not offend Zhang Rang, so it was inevitable to give him some gold, silver and jewelry.
But the benefits will definitely be greater.
After hearing this, Liu Hong swept away his worries and suddenly smiled and said: "Okay, it is indeed a great joy. Liu Xin is good, it has solved my urgent need!"
Zhao Zhong, who was standing by, suddenly said: "Your Majesty, not long after Liu Xin took office as Jingzhou Shepherd, he dared to embezzle taxes. His crime is unforgivable. I hope Your Majesty will see clearly!"
Zhao Zhong is also one of Liu Hong's most favored eunuchs, alongside Zhang Rang. In the past few years, Zhang Rang has received many generous gifts from Liu Xin, but Zhao Zhong has not received a single penny and is very jealous. When Ma Yuanyi was captured,
, Zhang Rang has made great contributions. When Liu Hong was troubled several times, it was Zhang Rang who brought the good news. Gradually, Zhang Rang's status became higher than that of Zhao Zhong, and all of this was related to Liu Xin.
Regarding this, Zhao Zhong regarded Liu Xin as a thorn in his side and wanted to get rid of her quickly.
When Liu Hong heard that Liu Xin had withheld taxes, his expression changed and he said, "There's something wrong! Mom, please tell the truth."
Zhao Zhong cleared his throat and said: "Back to the emperor, Jingzhou paid about 600 million yuan in taxes to the court in previous years. This year, Liu Xin only paid 430 million yuan, which was at least 170 million yuan short of him."
Money, this money must have been enriched by him, please ask the emperor to issue an order to hold him accountable!"
Zhang Rang was still so nervous at first. He didn't know what leverage Zhao Zhong had about Liu Xin. After hearing what he said, he felt relieved because Wenpin had already told him the details, so he said calmly: "Go back to the emperor.
If this is said, Liu Xin is not only innocent, but also meritorious. Jingzhou used to be divided into seven counties. After Liu Xin wiped out the Nanyang Yellow Turbans, he once requested an order to divide Jingzhou into nine counties. This time Liu Xin surrendered five of the counties.
The other four prefects still refuse to listen to Liu Xin's orders and are doing their own thing. Liu Xin is unable to pay their taxes, so please ask the emperor to take a closer look."
Liu Hong didn't know the details of Jingzhou. He just made a simple calculation and found that Liu Xin had indeed paid more taxes this year. He was immediately delighted and said: "My father is right. Liu Xin did have merit and demerit. Look,
, what reward should be given to him?”
When Zhang Rang heard this, he got what he wanted and said: "Your Majesty, Liu Xin is loyal to the emperor and loves the people, so he was granted the title of Marquis of Xiangyang at the beginning of the year. Liu Xin said that he does not ask for rewards, but only hopes that the emperor can give him a house in Luoyang City.
In five or six years, when his term as pastor in Jingzhou is over, he will come to Luoyang to enjoy the peace and happiness, and just be a idle marquis."
In fact, this is a strategy that Ma Yun came up with. Liu Xin's recent actions have been a bit big, and he also wants to take over the other four counties, which inevitably makes people suspicious. As the saying goes, great achievements will overwhelm the master, just in case Liu Hong's suspicion is aroused.
It would be troublesome if he came. These words showed that Liu Xin had no intention of staying in Jingzhou for a long time. He only wanted to retire early and go home to take care of himself. Liu Hong would naturally not be suspicious. But Liu Hong didn't know that Liu Xin, Ma
Yun had already predicted that he only had more than four years left to live. Once he died, not to mention Jingzhou, even Luoyang and Liu Xin would have to make plans.
Liu Hong was indeed relieved, but after all he was petty. After thinking about it, he said: "Father, tell Liu Xin that he can govern Jingzhou for me with peace of mind. I will never treat him badly. When he returns to Luoyang, Sangong
The position is indispensable. As for the house he wants, I can give him a piece of land in Luoyang City and let him build it himself. This way, it can be built to suit his own wishes."
Liu Hong seemed to be thinking about Liu Xin, but in fact it was not all about saving some money.
The taxes from Jingzhou were successfully paid to the imperial court, which shows that the road from Luoyang to Xiangyang is basically smooth. Although this does not mean that the road is necessarily safe. There are still some Yellow Turban remnants and bandits, but large groups of people cannot pass through.
What's the big problem?
At the same time, news of the massive expansion of Xiangyang City also reached the capital. There are many large merchants in Luoyang, and these shrewd merchants are keenly aware of the business opportunities. Many large noble families in the north also run shops, so naturally they will not let this opportunity go.
Seeing this great opportunity to make money, many people were dispatched to Xiangyang to explore the opportunities.
After the expansion of Xiangyang City, the roads in the city have been renovated. There are six broad and straight avenues, two horizontal and three vertical. Many tree pits have been dug on both sides of the road. By the beginning of next spring, many street trees will be transplanted.
There are busy construction sites on both sides of the avenue. Close to the street are shops under unified planning and construction. Behind the shops is the land that can be used to build residences, which will not be publicly auctioned until after the Spring Festival.
With the completion of research institutes, medical schools, and academies, a number of official residences were also built one after another. Officials such as Tian Feng, Ju Shou, the Kuai brothers, and Cai Mao, who had children studying in academies, have moved into their new residences. And Liu Xin's prefecture
The Mufu, as well as the mansions of Cai Yong, Xu Huang, Dian Wei, and Zhao Yun are still under construction, striving to be completed in the twelfth lunar month, so they are still crowded in the original Prefecture Mufu.
On this day, what Liu Xin did not expect was that two uninvited guests came outside the door of the Zhou Mufu.