Apart from these, Pang De's identity has not been exposed. If he can return to Chang'an and act as Covert Support for them, it will be easier to defeat Ma Chao.
But the risk of doing so is very high.
After all, Chang'an is no better than Tong Pass. With Ma Chao personally in charge, it will be extremely difficult to repeat the same trick, and it may even put yourself in danger.
Pang De was stunned for a moment when he heard this, and felt a little hesitant in his heart.
Of course there is no problem in informing him about the deployment of troops, but when he goes back to do Covert Support, I have never told him about this before.
Sima Yi pondered for a moment, and then said, "There is indeed a lot of risk in doing this, but if it succeeds, it can greatly reduce the casualties of the Western Liang Army and Imperial Court troops."
"Of course it's up to the general to decide whether he wants to go or not, and we won't force anyone to do so."
Pang De has already made a great contribution by helping them capture Tong Pass. To be honest, it is a bit reluctant to let him return to Chang'an to work as Covert Support.
After hearing what Sima Yi said, Pang De thought about it again and again, and finally gritted his teeth and said, "As long as it can help Imperial Court fight against rebellion, there's nothing wrong with me taking the risk!"
"I am willing to return to Chang'an and do Covert Support!"
We have already reached this point, so why not give it another try? If we succeed, the credit we get will not be as simple as doubling.
It is not impossible to become a prince in one battle!
"Okay!"
Sima Yi was overjoyed, and then went to General's Residence with everyone to discuss the specific plan.
Before walking down City Wall, Chen Gong took out the Brocade Pouch and handed it to him and said, "Military Advisor, this thing is returned to you."
"Don't take such a strange risk next time."
This time Sima Yi entered the city with the determination to die and gambled with his own life. In the end, he got it right.
The rewards are great, but the risks are also great.
Sima Yi reached out and took Brocade Pouch into his arms, smiling confidently, "Don't worry, there's no time to use this Brocade Pouch again."
With this victory of Western Expedition, he has seen the light of day.
Ye City, Imperial Palace.
Liu Xie squinted at the memorial in his hand, while Jia Xu, Guo Jia, Zhuge Liang and others on the side lowered their heads deeply.
The whole Xuan Room is eerily quiet.
Just a few days ago, the news that Noble Lady Zhen was pregnant came back to Ye City. However, before Court Officials could celebrate the news that Son of Heaven had One Dragon, another piece of bad news came.
"Didn't I already ask Zhen Clan to prepare Disaster Relief Supplies? And Aiqing also told me before that all the supplies Money and Grain are ready."
"Why is there a sudden emergency now?"
Liu Xie put down the memorial and lowered his head to look at Zhen Rong who was kneeling in the Great Hall, "Ai Qing... are you trying to deceive the emperor?"
The tone was not serious, but it was like thunder falling to the ground.
Zhen Rong's eyes twitched, and he said with a grimace, "Thank you Your Majesty, I, Zhen Clan, previously spent a lot of Grain and Fodder needed to build Mo Dao Army Weapons and Equipment and recruit an army of Western Expedition, and the clan can no longer support it."
"But in order not to worry Your Majesty, I said that Disaster Relief Supplies was ready, but in fact... please Your Majesty convict!"
Liu Xie stared at him for a long time, and then said slowly, "Since Aiqing is in trouble, you should have told me earlier."
"Disaster Relief Supplies is related to the safety of many people. I don't know how many people will be affected by the shortage of this batch of supplies."
Zhen Rong blamed himself after hearing this. "This is my fault... But please rest assured Your Majesty, I have already begun to sell off the family's property. Even if it takes the entire Zhen Clan, I will definitely raise enough Disaster Relief Supplies!"
Zhen Rong's tone was firm and forceful, almost like swearing.
After hearing this, Liu Xie did not blame him, but sighed slightly, "Get ready as soon as possible. I will let Minister Zhuge help you. If you need anything, just ask."
"Everything puts the people and the disaster first."
Zhen Rong nodded repeatedly and said hurriedly, "I understand, I will speed up the collection of supplies after I return, and I will not delay the disaster relief!"
"Hmm."
Liu Xie nodded slightly and continued, "The weather is cold and the ground is cold. My dear, you'd better get up and talk."
"I wonder how Noble Lady Zhen is doing now?"
Zhen Rong thanked her, stood up and replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, Noble Lady is currently raising a baby at home, and I have ordered my clansmen to take good care of her."
"Noble Lady has been pregnant for two months. The doctor said that she should rest peacefully and not be shaken, otherwise she may be at risk of Miscarriage."
"I kindly ask that Noble Lady be allowed to raise her baby in Zhen Clan Grounds, and then return to Ye City after giving birth to Dragon Heir."
When he said this, Zhen Rong felt a little uneasy.
What should I do if Son of Heaven refuses?
But to his surprise, Son of Heaven didn't say much and agreed directly, "Noble Lady Zhen is pregnant, so naturally she has to take good care of herself."
"According to your words, wait until Noble Lady Zhen gives birth to Dragon Heir before returning to Ye City. I will dispatch the maids and Imperial Physician from the palace to take care of her so that she can raise her baby with peace of mind."
Zhen Rong was stunned, Son of Heaven agreed so easily, which made all the reasons and words he had prepared useless.
But the goal was finally achieved. Zhen Rong bowed respectfully and thanked her, and then left Xuan Room.
Watching Zhen Rong leave, Liu Xie glanced at Jia Xu and others, raised his eyebrows and asked, "Dear ladies, what do you want to say?"
Court Officials's eyes flickered, but everyone remained silent.
Only Zhuge Liang took a step forward and said sternly, "Your Majesty, as far as I know, Zhen Clan's industries are spread across every state and county in Great Han, and it is a giant in the north."
"I don't believe that Zhen Clan has such a huge wealth, that it can be emptied out by building Mo Dao Army and Western Expedition. Even Disaster Relief Supplies can't get it together."
"In addition, Zhen Clan was responsible for managing many of the trophies captured by Imperial Court during his expeditions. However, when I assisted Your Majesty in handling the memorial, I never saw the relevant accounts."
"I wonder if this State Treasury is the State Treasury of Imperial Court, or the private property of the Zhen Clan?"
Zhuge Liang was honest and said what he was thinking openly and openly, causing the expressions of other colleagues around him to change.
This is heart-wrenching words!
Zhen Clan was the first family to support Son of Heaven. At the same time, it also provided Money and Grain materials for the Son of Heaven army to fight in various places, and made great contributions.
It can be said that without the help of the Zhen Clan, there would not be the current situation of Imperial Court, nor would there be such a powerful army today.
This is also the reason why even though many people know that it is not a good thing for the Zhen Clan to master State Treasury, they have never complained.
Because it's really hard to say.
In addition, Zhen Clan has always responded to Imperial Court's requests, providing money, food, equipment, and equipment. There has never been a shortage, so everyone turned a blind eye to it.
But now Zhuge Liang has pointed out this matter so directly, piercing this layer of paper.
"Kongming Be careful!"
Jia Xu keeps winking at Zhuge Liang. He is really too young. How can he bring up such a thing?
Fazheng, Yang Xiu, and Lu Su all looked at Zhuge Liang with shock and admiration, and felt awe in their hearts.
This is what you call a critic!
But to everyone's surprise, Liu Xie was not angry after hearing this. Instead, he shook his head and said, "All of you are my most trusted and valued confidants, but only Kongming dared to tell such a truth. I am really disappointed."
"Could it be that you all think that I am a fool who doesn't know right from wrong?"
This is a bit serious.
Court Officials confessed their crimes one after another.
Jia Xu said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, it's not that I don't want to say it, it's just that Zhen Clan has always done things right, and I can't speak nonsense."
"And...Zhen Clan has made great contributions to Imperial Court after all."
This can be regarded as a reasonable reason, and it does not mention the relationship between Zhen Mi.
Liu Xie said calmly, "Gong is merit and fault is fault. The two cannot be confused. What I am asking is whether you think what Kongming said makes sense."
Court Officials looked at each other and finally nodded slowly.
Yang Xiu was the first to say, "What Minister Zhuge said is absolutely true. State Treasury is related to Altars of Soil and Grain's stability and people's livelihood. How can it be controlled by a noble family?"
"In the early years, Your Majesty was controlled by Yuan Shao and had no foundation at all. It was helpless to get help from the Zhen Clan; but now that Imperial Court is settled, State Treasury should be under the jurisdiction of Imperial Court."
"This time we encountered Snow Disaster, Zhen Clan managed State Treasury but were unable to provide supplies for disaster relief. If this continues, I am afraid that the people will not be able to survive, and the country will not be able to survive."
What Yang Xiu said was a bit cryptic. None of the people present were idiots. Everyone could see that Zhen Clan couldn't afford the supplies and was just crying out for poverty on purpose.
As for the reason... he didn't dare to think deeply about it.
Liu Xie was silent for a moment, and then told Fa Zheng: "Xiaozhi, tomorrow you go to Wuji County and urge them to raise Disaster Relief Supplies. By the way, check Zhen Clan's accounts to see where they spent their money."
"Remember to check carefully."
Liu Xie seemed to say it casually, but the ministers heard a different flavor from these words.
After checking Zhen Clan's account, we are planning to have surgery on the Zhen Clan!
"I accept the decree!"
Fa Zheng hesitated again and again, gritted his teeth and accepted the order.
This is both a good job and a bad job. If he does it well, Son of Heaven will look at him with admiration. If he doesn't do it well, he will not only be scolded by Son of Heaven, but also offend Zhen Clan and that Noble Lady Zhen.
Guo Jia thought for a long time, and finally said, "Your Majesty, Noble Lady Zhen is pregnant at the moment, is it not... appropriate to go to Audit the Accounts at this time?"
Zhen Mi is pregnant with Dragon Heir, but Son of Heaven plans to do something to the Zhen Clan at this time, which seems a bit heartless.
"When will it be called appropriate?"
Liu Xie looked at Guo Jia with sharp eyes, "Fengxiao means to wait until the people freeze to death and starve to death because they can't wait for Disaster Relief Supplies, then send people to investigate, and then symbolically punish and kill some of them. Is this appropriate?"
Guo Jia opened his mouth, speechless.
Son of Heaven Even he would feel strange when he was serious. That kind of absolute rationality and indifference made him fearful.
Liu Xie looked away and said a little tiredly, "I have given them many opportunities, and this is the last time."
"First, let's allocate supplies from unaffected areas for disaster relief. I'll leave this matter to you, Kongming. Thank you for your hard work."
Zhuge Liang had nothing to say and agreed immediately.
Then Court Officials resigned and left.
But not long after, Guo Jia and Jia Xu turned back again. They looked at Liu Xie who was holding his forehead and closing his eyes behind Table, and stood aside silently.