The Three Kingdoms: I asked you to save Guan Yu, not to destroy Sun Quan.

Chapter 602 Compensation for the Liu Family of Haihun

Upon hearing that Liu Shan had reburied the money in the tomb, Liu Bei couldn't hold back any longer. "Are you out of your mind, kid?"

Seeing Liu Bei's reaction, Liu Shan instantly understood his father's thoughts and grinned, "Father, look at you, it was just a joke, why are you getting so worked up?"

"I told you not to joke around!" Liu Bei angrily grabbed a pen holder and threw it at Liu Chan. Seeing Liu Chan dodge it, he became even angrier. He immediately stood up, stepped on the table, and jumped over it, ready to punch and kick Liu Chan. Liu Chan decisively held up a piece of paper and said, "Father, the list of items from the Marquis of Haihun's tomb?"

Liu Bei's hand, which was swinging towards Liu Shan, suddenly stopped. After a moment's hesitation, he released his fist, took the list, and after only one glance, he broke down and exclaimed, "What? 120,000 strings of copper coins?"

Upon seeing the amount of gold and silver, Liu Bei exclaimed in astonishment, "My goodness! The Marquis of Haihun is indeed richer than a country! We're saved now!"

The biggest problem facing Dahan right now is not a lack of money, but a broken capital chain and a period of transition.

For example, if you have assets worth tens of billions, but due to poor management or a sudden change, you have a funding gap of one million, one million is just a drop in the ocean compared to assets worth tens of billions. However, only by filling the gap of one million can the huge machine of assets worth tens of billions continue to operate. If it cannot be filled, it will collapse due to the break in the capital chain.

Although a million dollars is not a lot of money, when you urgently need it but can't come up with it, there's nothing anyone can do.

Liu Bei is in this situation now. He has billions in assets but is trapped by a cash shortage of millions, which has affected all his work.

But now things are different. With the windfall from the Haihunhou Tomb, this gap can be quickly plugged, allowing the state machinery to operate at high speed and produce more weapons and supplies for him without stopping.

Thinking of this, Liu Bei asked, "How do you plan to divide this money?"

Liu Shan said, "Originally, I offered Zhang Sheng Daoist 15%, but he thought it was too hot to handle and didn't dare to take it. He only took half a percent, and we haven't decided on the remaining 95% yet."

Liu Bei said, "If you haven't thought of a solution, I will. Zhang Sheng's share of the gold and silver must be paid in full. We can't break our promises. All the gold and silver are mine. I will take 60% of the 120,000 strings of copper coins, you will take 50%, Anguo will take 10%, and the remaining 20% ​​will be used to subsidize Zhang Sheng's losses in gold and silver. The rest can be divided among Xingguo Boyue and the accompanying soldiers. You decide how to divide it."

The most important ability of a leader is to distribute benefits. If benefits are distributed appropriately, subordinates will wholeheartedly support the leader. If benefits are not distributed equitably, subordinates may rebel.

Liu Bei was quite professional when it came to distributing the spoils.

Liu Shan, however, said with dissatisfaction, "If it's not that Anguo has a 10% share, why do I only have a half-share? Shouldn't our shares be reversed?"

Liu Bei sneered, "Did Anguo take the blame for you for nothing? Besides, Anguo is taking the money to do something worthwhile. What use is the money to you?"

Liu Shan reluctantly nodded in agreement, but Liu Bei changed the subject and said, "Now that the spoils have been divided, it's time to clean up the mess. What is the punishment for you few who illegally robbed the imperial tombs?"

Liu Shan: "..."

Guan Xing: "..."

Zhang Bao: "..."

What? You've already taken the money and you still want to be punished?

Also, when did the tomb of the Marquis of Haihun become an imperial mausoleum?

The three wanted to explain, but wisely chose to swallow their words.

The three men, all experienced in getting beaten up, understood the principle that "those who can swim will drown, and those who argue will be beaten to death." They knew that if they obediently accepted the situation, Liu Bei might just go through the motions, but if they argued back, they might really suffer a beating.

So the three of them lowered their heads in tacit agreement. Liu Bei then tore up the list in his hand, crumpled it into a ball, and stuffed it into Liu Chan's mouth before saying, "Third brother, beat the Dengwen Drum to summon all the officials to court. I want to personally investigate the theft of the Haihunhou Tomb."

The Dengwen Drum was used to summon all officials. No matter what officials in the city were doing, even if they were asleep in the middle of the night, they had to rush to court upon hearing the drum.

The Dengwen Drum and the Mingyuan Drum are actually the same drum, just played differently. The Dengwen Drum has a special rhythm, unlike the Mingyuan Drum which is played randomly, so there is no need to worry about getting them mixed up.

The drums soon sounded, and officials arrived one after another. Upon entering the tent, they found Liu Bei sitting high on the dragon throne, Liu Chan standing behind Liu Bei with a droopy expression, and Guan Xing and Zhang Bao standing pitifully in the center of the tent, looking down at their toes, looking as pathetic as could be.

The officials couldn't help but laugh at the mistress's foolish and embarrassed appearance. "Even you three have your moments of weakness," they thought. "Truly, karma is a bitch."

The royal family is the focus of the entire world, and any matter they do can become public knowledge in an instant, let alone a major event like the robbing of the tomb of the Marquis of Haihun.

These officials, who were more cunning than monkeys, immediately connected the robbery of the Haihunhou Tomb with the departure of Liu Shan and Guan Xing from Jiangling. They knew who the mastermind behind the tomb robbery was, but wisely chose to play dumb, bowing and waiting for Liu Zhao to arrive and confront Guan Xing.

Liu Zhao was invited to the court assembly as a victim, but he was the last to enter. As soon as he entered the tent, he rushed towards Guan Xing, wailing as he rushed: "Guan Xing, what grudge do I have against you? You dare to dig up my ancestral graves! I'll fight you to the death!"

With so many men in his camp, he wasn't afraid of Guan Xing beating him up, so he charged forward with exceptional ferocity, moving as fast as a vanguard.

Before he could reach Guan Xing, Xie Chong and Cheng Li, two of Guan Xing's former subordinates, rushed out and grabbed him from both sides, pulling him back while advising, "Master Liu, calm down. This is a court assembly; you can't act recklessly."

The two men, one serving as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and the other as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, are both important officials who can attend court assemblies. Naturally, it's impossible for them to actually beat up their mentor.

After struggling for a long time to no avail, Liu Zhao could only wail and cry out, "Your Majesty, you must do justice for me! I beg Your Majesty to do justice for me! The Marquis of Haihun is Emperor Wu's own grandson!"

Liu Bei then spoke up, saying, "I already know about this matter. You should stop arguing and step aside."

Liu Zhao obediently stepped back, and Liu Bei continued, "I already know about the theft of the tomb of the Marquis of Haihun, and the masterminds Guan Xing and Zhang Bao have already confessed. Men, take these two scoundrels away and give them each twenty strokes of the military rod."

Chen Dao led his men in and ruthlessly dragged Guan Xing and Zhang Bao away. Only then did Liu Bei look at Liu Zhao and say, "Minister Liu, Marquis Shence's act of robbing the tomb of Marquis Haihun is indeed a capital offense, but this kid did act with some restraint. He only took money and did not damage the main tomb coffin or disturb the peaceful rest of Marquis Haihun and his wife, so his crime does not warrant death."

"However, the fact that the tomb has been robbed is already established. Even if we kill those two bastards, it won't change anything. Therefore, I think the most important thing we should do right now is to clean up the mess. What do you think, Minister Liu?"

Liu Zhao bowed and said, "This humble subject will obey Your Majesty's orders."

Liu Bei nodded and said, "Then I will make the decision. Zhuge Jin, your Ministry of Works should immediately gather people to go to Haihun to repair the tomb. You must restore it to its original state. Also, please ask Daoist Ge Xuan to go to Haihun to perform a water and land ritual for the Marquis of Haihun. All expenses will be borne by the Marquis of Shence."

Minister of Works Zhuge Jin stepped forward to receive the order.

Liu Bei continued, "Furthermore, the Liu family of Haihun has been diligent and law-abiding in recent years, and has treated others with kindness. Their titles should be restored and inherited by the current head of the family, Liu Zhao. What do you think, my dear Liu?"

Restoring the tomb was an explanation to Liu He, the Marquis of Haihun, and restoring the title of Marquis of Haihun was an explanation to the Liu family of Haihun.

Liu Zhao had come to seek personal gain, and upon hearing this, he immediately seized the opportunity, bowing and saying, "Your subject is willing to accept, and thanks Your Majesty for your great favor."

Liu Bei continued, "Marquis of Haihun, the Ministry of Works is still short of a Vice Minister, so you can take on the role concurrently."

Restoring the title of Marquis of Haihun was a form of compensation to the Liu family of Haihun, while transferring Liu Zhao to the capital to serve as a vice minister had another deeper meaning: to take this opportunity to strengthen the power of the imperial clan.

The imperial clan was also an important part of the power structure, serving as a crucial ally for the royal family to suppress the gentry. However, Liu Bei had fought his way up alone, leaving the power of the imperial clan in the court almost zero. Naturally, he would try to increase their influence whenever he had the opportunity.

Liu Zhao was overjoyed upon hearing this and bowed again, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."