I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 78 How can the gap be so huge?

Li Yan has indeed become arrogant lately.

Before his death, Liu Bei appointed him as a regent and Central Protector, clearly intending to use him to counterbalance Zhuge Liang.

However, appointing him as military governor of Yong'an also clearly implies a transfer to a remote area.

However, after Liu Shan succeeded to the throne, he not only did not let Li Yan leave Chengdu, the political center, but also entrusted him with important responsibilities, letting him supervise Yong'an and Jiangzhou, completely handing over the eastern gateway of Yizhou to him, making his strength rival that of Prime Minister Zhuge Liang.

Now, Li Yan wants to be on equal footing with Zhuge Liang; all he needs is to establish his own government and govern.

Initially, Li Yan frequently petitioned the court, wanting to establish his own government, but Liu Shan rejected all his petitions.

However, after the imperial court implemented "performance evaluation", Li Yan saw hope.

As long as one performs well and achieves outstanding political results in the next two or three years, one can establish one's own government and govern according to the new promotion system.

Therefore, Li Yan not only diligently handled government affairs at the Ministry of Personnel, but also actively cultivated land and raised troops in Yong'an and Jiangzhou, which were under his jurisdiction, and built defensive fortifications.

It can be said that Li Yan's "struggle for power and profit" was almost entirely open, and he relied on solid political achievements to climb the ranks.

Just as his political achievement project was about to succeed, an unexpected incident occurred.

Li Yan's impatient and opportunistic methods caused his soldiers to complain endlessly.

The military farms and fortifications were labor-intensive, but food supplies were extremely scarce. Soldiers in Yong'an and Jiangzhou could barely get enough to eat without the court increasing military spending.

Although his soldiers repeatedly complained about the shortage of food and supplies, Li Yan simply told them to overcome it on their own.

Over time, the soldiers would inevitably develop greed and reach for the grain allocated by the court, secretly pocketing a small amount each time they were transported.

They originally thought that withholding a small amount of military rations would go unnoticed.

But human nature is greedy, and once you succeed, you will do it countless times, and the amount of money deducted will increase.

Embezzling military funds was listed as one of the nine major evils of the army by Zhuge Liang after he became prime minister, and he was severely punished.

When Li Yan learned of this, he was furious and wished he could kill the person on the spot, but he was also extremely conflicted.

If the truth is reported, the severity of the offense may affect one's performance record and make it difficult to get promoted.

If they are not punished according to the law, it will only encourage their subordinates to continue to embezzle, making it difficult to gain public support.

After weighing the options, Li Yan decided to turn a blind eye.

On the surface, they pretended to be unaware, but secretly warned the corrupt generals that if they committed the offense again, they would be subject to military law.

He thought he could get away with it, but the appearance of one person disrupted his plans.

After graduating from the military academy, Zhuge Qiao was transferred from his position as a waterworks official to the rear, where he was responsible for the transport of military supplies.

With his meticulous nature, he quickly discovered that there was a problem with the grain supplies being transported to the eastern front.

He didn't make a fuss, but instead followed the clues, collected data, and then handed it all over to Liu Shan.

"Your Majesty, I truly know nothing about this matter," Li Yan insisted. "As the military and political commander of Yong'an and Jiangzhou, if there are indeed corrupt officials in the army, they will naturally be implicated. I beg Your Majesty to allow me to thoroughly investigate this matter and give the court an explanation."

Liu Shan did not know whether Li Yan had been involved in embezzling military rations, but at this moment his goal was not to punish him severely, but to suppress him.

"I have always known that Protector-General Li is strict in disciplining his troops. Yong'an and Jiangzhou are far to the east, and he is in the central government, so it is inevitable that he will be somewhat negligent."

Although Liu Shan's tone was calm, Li Yan's heart was pounding.

If Liu Shan were to use this incident as an opportunity to send himself to Yong'an or Jiangzhou to oversee the army, away from the court, then he would truly have little chance of climbing the ranks.

Qiao Zhou looked smug.

He had just been stabbed in the back by Li Yan, but he didn't expect the opportunity for revenge to come so soon.

"Your Majesty, embezzling the treasury is a serious crime. Even if Protector Li was occasionally negligent, if he is not severely punished, military discipline will be difficult to enforce."

Li Yan glared angrily, wishing he could tear Qiao Zhou's heart and bones out of him for kicking someone when they were down.

"Your Majesty, this matter has not yet been investigated. If it is true, I am willing to accept punishment."

Li Yan knew that as long as he insisted he didn't know, even if the truth came out, he would at most be charged with negligence.

"I must investigate this matter thoroughly and give the entire army an explanation. But I need not trouble Protector Li with the investigation."

"After all, we need to avoid suspicion!"

Now, Li Yan was completely panicked.

If he were to investigate this matter himself, he could minimize the damage and reduce the overall loss as much as possible.

If it were someone else, especially someone from Qiao Zhou or Zhuge Liang's faction, investigating, the scope of the investigation would be as broad as possible.

It may even involve some "gray areas".

Therefore, he had to argue his case based on reason.

But Liu Shan's words, "To avoid suspicion," directly blocked his escape route.

Qiao Zhou saw his chance and was about to recommend officials to investigate corruption, but he was too late.

"By imperial decree, Yang Hong, the Prefect of Shu Commandery, is hereby promoted to General of Loyalty and Integrity and sent to Yong'an and Jiangzhou to investigate official corruption. Wherever he goes, he shall act as if I were personally in charge."

Li Yan was shocked to hear this.

If court officials want to investigate corruption in the military, they will find it extremely difficult to do so without real power.

Yang Hong was the governor of Shu Commandery, a high-ranking official, but he could not mobilize local troops.

The phrase "as if I were personally in charge" signifies that he was granted the power to "act as if I were the emperor."

In addition to military life and death power, they could also execute officials below the rank of prefect and had the right to execute first and report later.

Qiao Zhou was overjoyed.

Yang Hong was from Yizhou and had deep ties with the local gentry. He would make Li Yan suffer greatly.

Li Yan was filled with regret at this moment.

If it is reported and dealt with in a timely manner, even if it affects one's political achievements, it will at most be a crime of negligence. As long as one admits the mistake and is proactive, it is not a big deal.

But now that the imperial court has sent people to investigate, the matter has become serious. Regardless of the outcome, there is no hope of promotion for the next two years.

After dealing with the two men, Liu Shan looked at Zhuge Liang.

"Father..."

Today, when they met with the Emperor, Qiao Zhou and Li Yan, both of whom had been suppressed by Liu Shan, hoped that Liu Shan would give Zhuge Liang a warning.

"Your subject is here," Zhuge Liang calmly replied with a cupped hand.

"During my absence from Chengdu, I have troubled you, Grand Chancellor, to oversee state affairs. Please accept my bow."

Liu Shan quickly stood up and respectfully bowed to Zhuge Liang.

"To serve the country and be loyal to Your Majesty is my duty, and I dare not accept such a great gift from Your Majesty," Zhuge Liang said in awe.

"Someone, bring it up here."

At Liu Shan's command, Wang Gui brought over a round plate with a pottery jar on it.

"During my inspection of the fields this time, I took soil from each place, put it in a jar, and then sprinkled the seeds of the five grains of Yizhou on it."

"This jar contains the foundation of the entire Yizhou."

"I present this item to the Prime Minister as if he were the foundation of our great Han Dynasty."

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Liang burst into tears and respectfully accepted the gift with both hands.

Qiao Zhou and Li Yan, who were standing nearby, were furious.

No.

They suppressed and hindered us in every way, so why did their attitude change completely when it came to Zhuge Liang?

Aren't we your subjects?

Why is there such a big difference?