A few days after Hua Tuo left, a team of knights with the edict came to Dingzhou City. The leader was a man with a slightly vicious face.

After seeing Liu Chang, the leader saluted Liu Chang first and then said, "General Liu and Zhang Changshi are acquaintances. Before coming, Zuohuangmen also told us that General Liu was his own. Since that's the case, I won't go around the corner. The Nangong of Luoyang was burned down by the fire. I came here to inform the county magistrate of the emperor that I would need to collect another year of tax this year. I hope the general can send this tax to Luoyang in time."

After hearing this, Liu Chang deliberately pretended to be confused and said, "Isn't it because of the Yellow Turban bandits that the emperor exempted Jizhou from taxes this year? Do we also need to pay this tax this time?"

The knight said to Liu Chang: "We all act according to the will of the Emperor, and I hope the general can understand our suffering."

Liu Chang nodded and said helplessly: "I know you are also on orders. Alas, we are really unable to bear such a burden after a long war."

Seeing Liu Chang so discociously, the Knight's tone became a little cold and said, "I understand the general's concerns, but when I came, Shi Chang said that rebuilding Nangong is a big deal. If someone does not cooperate, his position may have to be changed. I think someone can pay this amount of money. I think His Majesty doesn't mind who is sitting in these positions."

Liu Chang showed a melancholy expression on his face, then sighed and said, "Since this is what Mr. Zhang asked, I have to try my best to pay the taxes to His Majesty. Of course, there will be no less for Zhang Changshi."

The knight nodded with satisfaction, and then taught Liu Chang the truth: "General Liu is good at everything, but he is too soft-hearted. It is enough to confiscate this money. I saw it on the way here. Liu Junjun Magistrate is well managed here. I think those farmers should still have some money, so the local rich households will definitely be richer. Don't worry, get money from them. As long as there is no big mess, some small troubles can be solved for you."

Liu Chang thought to himself, he could solve it for me, but wouldn’t it be his hands? I worked hard for a long time to work for him. So he explained to the Knight: "I heard that most of the local big families have a close relationship with the Yuan family, and it is not good to offend them too much. If I cause trouble for Zhang Changshi, wouldn’t it be a crime? Our subordinates should consider more of the superiors. I can’t bother Zhang Changshi in everything."

The knight said in a tone of point, "Hey, you treat yourself as an outsider too much. How much trouble do you have to trouble us, otherwise you will treat yourself as an outsider in your heart, how should we regard you as our own person? Since we think about our approach, don't be afraid of offending others. Otherwise, we are also afraid that you will go to another place. If you have to think about your identity as a thief, no matter what you do, those gentry will not treat you as your own person. Think about it.

As the chief of a county, no gentry married you. Not to mention the noble daughter of a legitimate birth, no one even a concubine daughter is willing to marry you. Have you ever thought about why? So it is just for us to follow Zhang Changshi and Zhao Changshi to leave. Do you know why I have to say so much to you? It is all Zhang Changshi and his talent who want to support you and make a special trip to let us come to Zhongshan. Otherwise, how could I come here in a small place in Zhongshan?"

When Liu Chang heard what he said, he felt that this person had a great background, so he asked quickly: "Dare you ask the general's name? I am so negligent and I hope the general will forgive me."

The knight said in a usual tone: "I am Zhao Yan, and Zhao Changshi is my brother. My brother specially sent me to broadcast you on demand. You should work hard here. If you have the chance, the big guys above will think of you. You are much younger and think about the future. If there is no one in the court, how can you go to the center? You have been staying in these small places but you have no chance to make a comeback."

Liu Chang quickly put on a flattering look and said, "What General Zhao said is really reasonable. I will definitely do a good job for Zhao Changshi."

Zhao Yan was very satisfied when he saw Liu Chang say this: "Just understand, we will depend on your performance from now on."

After all the knights were arranged to stay, Liu Chang sat alone in his bedroom and thought about his own way. "I still can't get too close to the eunuchs, otherwise when they are liquidated one by one in a few years, my destiny will be difficult to protect. Just give them money, and I can't force them to stick to their forces. I have to stay in the prefectures and counties to keep the troops in my hands. The water in the center is too muddy. I have to be a knife in the past, so I have been staying here and never going anywhere."

Liu Chang had a bumper harvest of crops last year, and Huangfu Song asked Jizhou for one year's tax exemption. In addition, he had saved a lot of money in business with Guo Dian before. He was able to pay the protection fee this time to others. Liu Chang sighed, and then whispered to himself: "Liu Hong will die if he endures for another four years. When the world is in chaos, it will be my chance."

Afterwards, Liu Chang called Zhao Xin to his bedroom. Then Liu Chang carefully took out a box, then carefully opened it, and filled it with a shiny gem. It was a large piece of cubic zirconia. Liu Chang spent a total of less than 100 yuan to buy a lot, but Liu Chang was worried that too many of these things would be worthless, so he decided to slowly release these artificial gems one by one to achieve his own interests. So he chose a piece that looked good, and spent dozens of yuan to buy a gorgeous box to put it in. The box was really expensive than things.

After Liu Chang took it out, he said to Zhao Xin: "You bring this thing and the tax you should pay to Luoyang and give it to Zhang Changshi." Liu Chang thought for a while that since Zhao Changshi sent his younger brother over, he had to give Zhao Changshi some things, but the value of giving the same thing to both of them was reduced. So he had to take out a few exquisite handicrafts for Zhao Xin to bring them to Zhao Changshi. Liu Chang told Zhao Xin: "After you send all these things to those eunuchs, come back directly. My goal is to stay here until the opportunity comes. Don't get too close to them. Well, you can visit Lu Zhi and Liu Bei in Luoyang for me."
Chapter completed!