Chapter 6: The Emperor's Deal

  Leaving the post house, Liu Chong asked: "Liu Xin, why didn't you mention the family tree in the mansion just now?"

  Liu Xin replied: "My father has instructed me that our family tree should not be easily shown to others."

  Liu Chong said, "If what you say is true, then you are my nephew. You can bring your wife and move into the mansion to live, and also bring the family tree for me to take a look."

  Just now, the Hou Fu box cover almost got taken away, how could he agree to live in the Hou Fu, isn't that jumping into a trap? Although Liu Xin looked down on Liu Chong in his heart, he also understood that it was just a transaction, and Liu Chong wouldn't really pass on the Hou position to him. So, with a calm face, he said: "Thank you for your kindness, Hou Ye, I'd rather stay at the inn, if you want to see the family tree, you can follow me to the inn."

  Liu Chong saw that he was unmoved, and had to follow Liu Xin to the inn. Liu Xin called Ma Yun to bring out the genealogy book. Seeing the genealogy book, Liu Chong's face became serious, this genealogy book was exactly the same as the one in his own Hou Mansion, whether it was the yellow silk on which the genealogy book was written or the content of the genealogy book, there was not a single difference, only from Liu Kai did it start to change, this genealogy book was really certain and without doubt.

  Liu Chong returned the genealogy to Liu Xin, a smile on his face: "It seems that you are indeed my nephew. Tomorrow, take the genealogy to see Lord Zhang and there will be no problem."

  "Nephew Liu Xin pays his respects to Uncle." Liu Xin thought to himself, although you have ulterior motives, this fake show still has to be put on sincerely.

  "Good, good, good! We uncle and nephew are reunited, all thanks to the blessings of heaven, the protection of our ancestors, and the great fortune of His Majesty! However, we still need to add a name to the family tree." Liu Zhong helped Liu Xin up, and the fiefdom was finally preserved. His heart had also finally put down.

  "Add a name?" Ma Yun had no idea what deal the two of them had reached and listened in confusion.

  Liu Xin said to Ma Yun: "Yuner, listen to your uncle for now, I'll explain it to you later."

  Liu Chong said: "That's right, add a name. Just add Liu Xins' son Liu Bin at the back."

  "Alright, then please let Master Hou add it himself." Although Liu Xin had practiced calligraphy for a few years, he only knew how to write regular script characters and was unable to write cursive script or traditional Chinese characters.

  Add a good name to the family tree, Liu Chong invited them to move to Hou Fu again, but Liu Xin insisted on not doing so. Liu Chong had no choice but to bid farewell and leave. After Liu Chong left, Liu Xin told Ma Yun about what happened today.

  Ma Yun said with hatred: "This Liu Chong looks like he's not a good person either, for the sake of family property, he fabricated a son out of thin air, I don't know where he found him."

  "Don't get angry, women who get angry too much will age quickly. Never mind, I don't want to recognize this relationship anyway. Once we get the money, we'll go back to Uncle's house. With 10 million yuan, our lives should be good enough, right?" Liu Xin comforted Ma Yun in a soft voice, holding her in his arms.

  The next morning, Liu Chong arranged for a carriage to pick up Liu Xin. Liu Xin brought the genealogy and came to the post house again. The soldier guarding the door had obviously received instructions earlier, and seeing that it was the young man who had come yesterday, he took him in directly.

  When he arrived at the front hall, he saw Liu Zhong accompanying a white and chubby middle-aged man who was talking there. Listening to that person's sharp tone of voice, it must be a eunuch, probably Zhang Rang.

  "Nephew has seen uncle." Liu Xin stepped forward and gave a salute.

  Seeing Liu Xin come in, Liu Chong beckoned and said: "Quickly come and pay respects to Lord Zhang."

  "The humble commoner has seen Lord Zhang before." Liu Xin hastily made a big bow, and it was indeed the notorious "Ten Eunuchs" leader Zhang Rang!

  "Oh, you're Liu Xin! You look quite impressive. Did you bring the family tree?" Zhang Letian said coldly without even raising an eyebrow.

  "Master Hou, please take a look, this is the family tree passed down by my father." Liu Xin said as he handed over the family tree.

  "Not bad, this is indeed the royal family tree. It seems that you are really a member of the Han imperial clan. After returning, I will report to the emperor and add your name to the genealogy." Zhang Rang flipped through it casually and then returned the genealogy to Liu Xin.

  Liu Chong took over the conversation and said, "Lord Zhang, my nephew Liu Xin has already adopted his son Liu Bin to me, so now Liu Bin is my legitimate grandson. Please report this to the Emperor when you return. Also, I would like to abdicate the marquis title to Liu Xin, and have him establish Liu Bin as the heir apparent. Please also report this to the Emperor, and I will thank you again!"

  Zhang Rang was able to gain favor in front of Liu Hong and had become a clever person. After hearing Liu Chong's words, he naturally understood what he was getting at. He waved his hand and said: "Lord Hou is speaking nonsense. This small matter will be taken care of by me when the opportunity arises. However, this time I have come to Ju Chao in person, bringing with me a secret edict from His Majesty."

  Liu Xin heard that there was a secret edict from the Emperor and hastily said: "Let the commoner retire first."

  Zhang Ran stopped him and said, "Hey, you don't have to go out. This secret decree is for both of you uncle and nephew. The Emperor said that if another month passes and Liu Ke's descendant cannot be found, then there is no need to look anymore, just consider it as if Liu Ke had no descendants."

  Zhang Rang finished speaking and opened his eyes to look at Liu Zhong and Liu Xin, seeing that they both had a feeling of relief, he couldn't help but sneer and continue: "The Emperor also said that if the descendants of Liu Kai are found, Liu Zhong can still be the Marquis of Ju Nuo, as for the descendants of Liu Kai, let them buy an official position to take on, this official is too small and not interesting, so let him buy a Taishou to take on."

  Liu Chong was shocked to hear this. Liu Xin also knew about Liu Hong's sale of official positions, but he didn't know how much a governor would cost. He said in a low voice, "I don't know how much money is needed, if it's too expensive, the common people won't be able to afford it."

  "Even if you don't have the money, can Old Master Hou not afford it?" Zhang Rang snorted and said, "Hmph, the salary of a governor is 2,000 dan of grain, which is equivalent to 20 million coins according to regulations. Moreover, local officials need to pay double that amount, so it's 40 million coins. Won't Old Master Hou be able to take out this small amount of money? The Emperor also said that if you don't want to buy this governor position, then just return the fiefdom and that's fine."

  It's said that it would cost 400 million, Liu Xin almost fainted on the spot. My goodness, with such a large sum of money, even if I were to be sold, it wouldn't be enough. Who knows if this stingy ghost Liu Chong would be willing to pay or not.

  Liu Xin was worried, but then Liu Chong's trembling voice said: "Buy, we, we buy." Liu Xin put down his heart and turned to look at Liu Chong, only to see that his face had turned pale and he was sweating profusely.

  "That's good. Considering the relationship between the imperial family and the Han clan, the Emperor said that this time, it would be fine to just pay 30 million taels of silver instead of doubling the amount. However, this matter is only known to the two of you, and it must not be leaked out. After all, it involves the imperial family, and the Emperor also needs to consider the impact. If it leaks out, hum, you know the consequences."

  "Yes, yes, yes, please don't worry, Your Excellency." Liu Chong replied while wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, my 30 million yuan ah.

  Liu Xin secretly smiled to herself, this buying of official positions wasn't something to be proud of, would anyone still go around broadcasting it everywhere? It was just 30 million yuan, my goodness, fortunately I didn't have to pay.

  "You two go back and discuss it now, hand over the money early tomorrow morning. Our family is also in a hurry to return to Beijing for the festival. Take this treasure box back too." Zhang let down his teacup and gave an order to leave.

  Bidding farewell to Zhang Rang, Liu Chong returned to the Hou Mansion with a dark face and brought Liu Xin back. Three million taels of silver! Liu Chong's heart was about to break into pieces.

  "Good nephew, we need to discuss this matter again today. I didn't expect to have to pay so much money." Liu Zhong was not willing.

  "Uncle, I really don't have any money." Liu Xin also figured it out on the way, barefoot people are not afraid of those wearing shoes, no matter what you say, I only have two words - "poor and fierce"!

  "The money will definitely be paid. However, once this money is paid, the 10 million yuan I mentioned to you last time really can't be taken out." Liu Zhong thought of being dishonest.

  "This... Uncle, I, as a nephew, cannot go to be a poor governor without any money, can I? In that case, I'd rather stay here and be a marquis instead." Liu Xin put on an expression of "you don't give me money, I won't leave".

  "That uncle first gives you 20 million yuan, how about it?" Liu Zhong asked tentatively.

  "No way, at least 90 million." I'm going to lose 80% and still not let people live, Liu Xin scolded in her heart. This Liu Chong is really black-hearted. Since you're paying back the money, I'll just ask for a sky-high price.

  "Then it's three million."

  "Eight million!"

  "Forty million."

  "Seven million!"

  "Five million, no more."

  "Six million, minus one child, is still not enough."

  "Deal!"

  The uncle and nephew haggled back and forth, finally settling on a price of six million.

  "Good nephew, there's no outsider here. I'll tell you the truth, after tomorrow when the money is handed over, you'll be the new governor and you won't need to come back to this manor again. Liu Bin is actually my own grandson, but just tell outsiders that he's your son. After a few years, when my body isn't doing well, I'll directly pass on the title of marquis to him, do you have any objections?"

  "No objection. That treasure box, I'll take it with me, and keep a memento." Liu Xin would certainly not have any further objections, and even if he did, what could he do? Would anyone in the entire Hou Mansion listen to an outsider like him?

  Liu Chong took out 36 million yuan at once, and it was heart-wrenching, but being able to keep the title of the kingdom was also an acceptable outcome.

  Back at the inn, Liu Xin told Ma Yun about the situation. Ma Yun was actually very happy and said: "This is also good, the position of Taishou seems not to be low, if placed in modern times it would be equivalent to a prefecture-level city mayor. However, did Zhang Rang tell you where he wants you to go as Taishou?"

  "This he didn't say." Liu Xin thought for a moment and said, "Wife, you should have studied history, right? Now it's 182 AD, in two years the Yellow Turban Rebellion will happen, and after Emperor Ling dies, Dong Zhuo will enter the capital, and the world will be in chaos. The Three Kingdoms era is about to arrive. No matter where we are as a governor, there won't be any peaceful days. But during the Three Kingdoms period, Hebei is relatively more peaceful. Do you think we can propose to him to go to Hebei to be a governor?"

  Ma Yun naturally knew this history, and she had also read "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", but in the past, she really wasn't interested in these things. So she said indifferently: "Husband, do as you please, anyway I'll follow you wherever you go."

  Liu Xin and Ma Yun made their plan, and the next morning they rushed to the residence of Ju Chou Hou. When Liu Xin arrived at the west wing of the Hou's residence, he saw the wealth that Liu Zhong had prepared for him, and was immediately stunned.

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