Chapter 142 Consequences of the Turning Poin (1/2)

Chapter 142 – Consequences of the Turning Point

”Report to Your Majesty” Dong Zhuo stepped forward this time.

He started reading the biography of Zhang Jiao. In the report, Zhang Jiao's deeds as a local physician, his relatives, and all the rumors around him were recorded. Dong Zhuo listed his actions started from his Taoist Sect duties to the recent deeds as the governor of Julu Commandery.

The battle of Anping, the ransom incident with the Yuan Clan, and the contribution to the Han Court were also listed in the reports, which caused the officials to listen to the stories with awe and admiration as if they were listening to a drama story in a play.

Then, it came to the parts where everyone swallowed their saliva.

Zhang Jiao and Zhang Tong reformed new laws and slaughtered half of the nobles the first few days after they had been reinstated into the position. They killed the riot merchants the next days and removed all private troops from the local nobles and merchants.

This move slapped the traditional nobles on the face. Fifty officials of the thousand officials in the throne room had a sign of anger of their face, but they did not say anything to interrupt the report yet.

The reports continued.

There were news about the unusual employments, auctions, provision control policies. A few moves of Julu made the ministers of the internal affair blushed in shame as their ideas were superior to them.

Because of Zhang Jiao's hardworking nature, the citizens of Julu praised him for being a competent governor, which made the fifty angry officials clicked their tongue in irritation.

Liu Ping cringed as he listened to the story.

'The leader of the Yellow Turban was this capable? Or is it because of Tong?'

'It's probably Tong's interference, or he wouldn't have become this smart.'

Dong Zhuo continued.

”This is the report of Zhang Jiao's military status. He made a unique army unit called 'Police' in the city. Their number is 10,000 men which we believe that they are the new unit of the local garrison guards.”

Liu Ping bit his lower lips as he could guess from all the reports now about what Tong was trying to do.

'He was stabilizing his domestic affairs! While I was fighting for the throne, he had already solidified his foothold!'

Lu Zhi, who was listening to the side, closed his eyes and sighed. He had experienced all of these first handed. They were no need to listen to the details, but he had to as there might be a false report or an exaggeration in the reports.

”Aside from the local garrison guards, aka ”Police”, we also found out that there are more than 50,000 soldiers which belong to the Zhang Clan garrisoning outside the city!”

Lu Zhi squeezed his eyes tight. He prayed that this report would not get too much backlash from the crowd as Tong had too many troops for a local governor lord.

As Lu Zhi expected, half of the thousand officials opened their eyes wide in shock. An ordinary noble family usually had about 2,000 to 3,000 private troops. A few wealthy nobles might have up to 10,000 soldiers, while the deep-rooted aristocrat families, such as Yuan Shao or Liu Clan, or a viceroy of a province, such as Han Fu or Tao Qian, could have over 30,000 soldiers. The exception belonged to the nobles who was responsible for border cities, such as Ma Teng, Dong Zhou, Gongsun Zan, and Ding Yuan, who could have 50,000 to 100,000 soldiers as they were financial-supported by the Han Court.

Possessing over 50,000 soldiers was abnormal no matter how they saw it.

”Is Zhang Jiao stupid?”

”Can his finance support it?”

”But he held that auction. He has millions of gold!”

”I think he's a fraud.”

”He's just spending money to show off his wealth and power.”

”Zhang Jiao doesn't know how to manage troops.”

”Yes, he is stupid.”

The officials on the back rows started gossiping and the murmur sounds could be heard. It was getting louder every second.

Liu Ping clapped, and the noise stopped.

”Continue.” Liu Ping spoked.

”Yes, Your Majesty. Aside from the domestic affair, there was an interesting incident in Jinyang a few months ago.”

”Jinyang? Isn't that Ding Yuan's border city? What happened?”

”Reporting to Your Majesty, in June, Zhang Tong visited Ding Yuan with his troops. But for some reason, I received a report that Ding Yuan's son, Lu Bu, had fought with Zhang Tong twice, and Zhang Tong retreated from Jin Yang on the same day he fought Lu Bu the second time. We don't have the exact intel as Jinyang City hasn't reported anything to use.”

Dong Zhuo withheld the information about Zhang Ji, Zhang Xiu, and the hidden alliance proposal that he sent to Julu. The alliance confirmation notice by Tong was already in the hands of Dong Zhuo. Although he failed to recruit Lu Bu, having Zhang Tong as his distance ally in secret was worth the effort.