Three Kingdoms: Plundering Entries, From Merchants to Emperors

Several people came to the inner hall. Han Xuan sat facing south, while Pan Feng, Zhang Chen, Ju Su and Gao Shun stood at the bottom of the steps.

Zhang Chen ordered people to serve fragrant tea.

After drinking, Han Xuan raised his eyes slightly, looked at Zhang Chen, and said: "Are you the county magistrate of this county? What is your name and origin? Tell me one by one."

Zhang Chen said: "My name is Zhang Chen, and my courtesy name is Zifan. I am from Guangping. My ancestors have been engaged in business for generations."

"Humph, the descendants of merchants..." Han Xuan's eyes suddenly showed a hint of disdain when he heard it.

Among the four classes of scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans, merchants are ranked last. In this era of emphasizing agriculture and suppressing commerce, they are the most despised.

"My humble origins make you laugh."

After Zhang Chen said this, he bowed slightly and saluted.

This behavior was so polite and generous that Pan Feng, who was standing by, could not help but feel a little respect for him.

But when he thought of Huang's accusation last night that he had taken people's lives and robbed other people's property, Pan Feng could not help but show a trace of anger.

Han Xuan asked again: "Do you have the honor of being a filial and honest official or a talented person?"

Zhang Chen said: "Please forgive me, my lord, I was not selected to serve as an official."

Han Xuan was secretly happy after hearing this.

Born in a humble family and not selected to serve as an official, what else could this official position be if not bought?

Pan Feng, who was standing by, frowned when he heard this, and looked at Zhang Chen with a little more contempt in his eyes.

Since the first year of Guanghe (178 AD), Emperor Ling openly sold official positions, from county lieutenants and county magistrates to county governors and governors, and even the three dukes and nine ministers were clearly marked with prices. All the money earned from selling official positions was stored in Xiyuan, which was called "Xiyuan Selling Official Positions" in history.

The practice of selling official positions and titles is certainly unacceptable, but it was set up by the emperor himself, so how could others dare to say anything?

But since the official position was bought with money, the person who bought the official position must find ways to earn back the money.

How to earn it? Of course, it is to exploit the people and squeeze the people's fat and blood!

Therefore, once the practice of selling official positions and titles prevailed, the government became corrupt, and corrupt officials emerged one after another.

Based on this, it is more credible that Zhang Chen abused his power, killed people, and confiscated the Huang family's property!

At that moment, Pan Feng snorted coldly, glared at him, and his hand was already on the hilt of the sword.

Han Xuan glanced at him and said to Zhang Chen, "Sir, you have no family background and no achievements, but you have taken this position. You must be a smart person, right? I believe you understand some rules."

Zhang Chen laughed in his heart when he heard this. This guy really couldn't hold back and started to ask for bribes.

So, Zhang Chen decided to use courtesy before force, and immediately said with a smile, "Sir, my county is poor and I don't have any extra money to pay tribute. But since you are here, how dare I neglect you? I hope you will accept this little gift."

As Zhang Chen said this, he walked closer, took out a few ingots of gold from his sleeve, and stuffed them into Han Xuan's hands.

Pooh! Dog official!

Pan Feng cursed in his heart.

Han Xuan looked at the gold handed over by Zhang Chen, but a trace of contempt flashed in his eyes.

He took the gold, weighed it in his hand for a few times, his face darkened, and he sneered: "It seems that Lord Zhang is not smart enough."

Damn it! He is indeed a greedy person!

Zhang Chen cursed inwardly.

Seeing that Zhang Chen was not very sensible, Han Xuan had to say again: "Lord Zhang, if you want to be an official who has been bought for a long time, you still need someone to cover you up. You should take care of the things that should be taken care of, and you must not be stingy with money, don't you think?"

Zhang Chen was slightly stunned after hearing this.

It turns out that this guy thinks that my official position is bought!

Zhang Chen immediately restrained his smile and said calmly: "Lord, you are right, you should take care of the things that should be taken care of."

"Well, that's right."

After hearing this, Han Xuan smiled slightly, thinking that Zhang Chen finally understood, but unexpectedly Zhang Chen continued to say

"It's a pity that I am in this remote county, with no connections and no knowledge of those big shots. If I could get the favor of General He or Yuan Situ, I would serve them wholeheartedly even if I had to go bankrupt."

"You!" Han Xuan's face turned red and white, and he was speechless.

Zhang Chen's words were very clear. It's not that he doesn't have money, but you are not qualified!

Han Xuan was choked by Zhang Chen, and his face suddenly darkened and said: "Humph! A small county magistrate also wants to cling to the powerful. Since you don't know how to raise a high position, I will let you know what it means to be a county magistrate. "

After Han Xuan said this, he took out the petition from his arms and threw it over: "Take a good look at it yourself!"

Zhang Chen picked it up and saw that it was the false accusation of Huang Wenyi's wife against him.

"Huang sued you for abusing your power for personal gain, taking lives and seizing other people's property. Now the facts are in, and you still don't plead guilty!"

After reading it, Zhang Chen smiled calmly and said, "Sir,, how can such nonsense be believed? "

Han Xuan was furious and immediately slammed the table: "Humph! Bold Zhang Chen, you abused your power, took human life lightly, and committed such a serious crime. Now the evidence is conclusive, do you still want to quibble! "

"Evidence? Where is the evidence?" Zhang Chen laughed, "Are you going to convict the official based on this complaint alone?"

"You!"

Han Xuan was speechless for a moment, as if he really had no evidence except this complaint.

However, if I want to deal with you, do I need evidence?

Han Xuan immediately shouted: "Don't you think of denying it, Huang is now in the inn, I will immediately order someone to call him and confront you in court!"

"That's great, please go ahead. "Zhang Chen smiled slightly, looking confident.

So, Han Xuan immediately sent someone to the inn to bring Huang.

Unexpectedly, after a while, the follower reported that Huang was missing.

How could she be missing? Yesterday, he asked someone to take good care of her.

"What! Missing, didn't I ask you to take good care of her? How could she be missing!"

"Sir... this... I don't know!"

"Waste!"

Zhang Chen smiled slightly and said, "Sir, I think Huang felt guilty for framing me, so she left in shame."

"Nonsense! I have already ordered people to keep a close watch on her. How could she leave..." Han Xuan shouted angrily, "Humph! Zhang Chen, it must be you who secretly used tricks to kidnap Huang!"

"Sir, you are joking. I have been here all the time. How could I have used tricks to kidnap Huang? "Zhang Chen said with a smile, "Besides, how could I know that Huang went to the adults to sue me?"

When Zhang Chen said this, Gao Shun and Ju Shou beside him tried to hold back their laughter.

As expected of the lord, he could lie without changing his expression.

That Huang was naturally locked up in the county jail at this time.

Yesterday, Zhang Chen knew about it as soon as she stepped into the back door of the inn.

And Han Xuan sent people to ask Zhang Chen if he had done anything illegal on the street, which also spread to Zhang Chen's ears early.

Combining these two things, no matter how dumb Zhang Chen was, it was not difficult to guess Huang's purpose.