Taiheiki

Chapter 320 Taisheng

"Then let the Imperial Secretariat issue an edict appointing Zhang Huan as Left General, overseeing all military affairs in You and Bing provinces, and dispatching five detachments of troops from the Three Rivers region to cross the river and establish a garrison at Lishi (present-day Lüliang, Shanxi)!" Wei Cong said in a deep voice, "This matter concerning the Southern Xiongnu must be handled with utmost care. The country is in turmoil, and the people are impoverished. In matters of war, we must proceed with extreme caution!"

“I understand!” Zhang Huan nodded. “Your Majesty, General, please rest assured, I will not fight recklessly!”

After the matter was discussed, Wei Cong and Zhang Huan were about to take their leave of Dou Miao when they heard Dou Miao say, "General, please wait a moment, I have something to ask you!"

"Then this old minister will take his leave!" Zhang Huan glanced at Wei Cong, then stood up and took his leave.

Wei Cong carefully looked around to make sure there were no armed personnel lying in ambush behind the curtain. Dou Miao snorted coldly: "If the General is worried, then from now on, do not enter the palace. If you have anything to report, just have the eunuchs relay it!"

"Your Majesty, you flatter me!" Wei Cong said with a somewhat embarrassed smile, "I didn't mean that!"

"You know whether it's true or not!" Dou Miao sneered. "You're always so suspicious. Do you think I'm such an ungrateful person? Last time, I only said a few harsh words because I was thinking about the murder of my brothers in the clan. You've taken it to heart. How petty!"

"Your Majesty's words are too much for me to bear!" Wei Cong lowered his head. "However, this position of Grand General was originally decided upon by your father and you. If you wish to take it back someday, that is not impossible, as long as I am allowed to return to Jiaozhou safely!"

"Go back to Jiaozhou? What about A-Yun? Will she go with you to that wild and desolate place?"

“If she wants to go, she can; if she doesn’t want to stay in Luoyang, that’s fine too!” Wei Cong said coldly. “Besides, Jiaozhou isn’t some barbaric wasteland!”

“You men are truly heartless. No matter what, A-Yun is still your wife. How can you do this?” Dou Miao sighed. “I have also heard about what happened on the street today. What do you think of that prophecy?”

"Are you referring to 'the one who will replace the Han is Tu Gao'?" Wei Cong smiled. "It's been almost four hundred years since Emperor Gaozu established the Han dynasty, hasn't it? There must have been at least seventy or eighty people who thought they were 'Tu Gao,' right? In the end, the Han dynasty is doing well, but all these people have been exterminated. What do you think I should think? Besides, you are now the Empress Dowager of the Han dynasty. A hundred years from now, you will be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and sacrifices will continue. Even if the Dou family really succeeds in replacing Liu, your status in the new dynasty will not be as high as it is now. What's the point of all this?"

Dou Miao was taken aback by his words, then laughed: "That's true. I am a woman, and no matter what, I am still a daughter-in-law of the Liu family. It's okay for me to take care of my own family, but in the end, I am still a member of the Liu family! Those imperial students are really despicable and should be dealt with severely!"

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager!" Wei Cong said in a deep voice, "In my opinion, the one who is truly despicable is the person behind it all. After all, the saying 'The one who will replace the Han dynasty is Gao of Dangtu' has been circulating for at least several hundred years, hasn't it? How can we punish them all? I have already ordered these three students to be sent back, their actions reported to their teachers so they can be properly disciplined, and I have also sent people to secretly monitor them!"

"Very well! Let's do as the General wishes!" Dou Miao was unusually understanding tonight. She even had a palace maid bring palace items and medicines to reward Wei Cong: "The General is a pillar of the country. Please take good care of your health and don't overwork yourself!"

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"Why has this woman suddenly changed her personality and become so agreeable?" On the carriage ride back, Wei Cong pondered to himself, "Could it be because of the Southern Xiongnu incident? She feels she can't do without me for the time being, so she's deliberately trying to please me? Isn't that a bit too pragmatic? But maybe not. Perhaps that's just how she is, using people only when she needs them!"

Wei Cong returned to his residence with a heavy heart. He had just finished dealing with some official business when Huang Ping brought him some startling news.

"General, we've found the mastermind behind those three imperial students!"

"Who is it?" Wei Cong asked.

"It's Liu Yan, the governor of Ji Province!" Huang Ping said in a deep voice. "This man is a descendant of the former Han Dynasty's King Gong of Lu, a member of the imperial family! Those three students from the Imperial Academy were very close to Liu Yan's eldest son, Liu Fan, and it was Liu Fan who orchestrated this!"

"Liu Yan?" Wei Cong found the name familiar and racked his brains for a long time before finally remembering—wasn't this Liu Yan Liu Zhang's biological father? It was this guy who initially suggested establishing governorships in each province, even volunteering for the position of governor of Jiaozhou to avoid trouble. Later, hearing that Yizhou possessed the aura of an emperor, he changed his mind and sought the position of governor of Yizhou. It seems he was quite a visionary, shrewd, and ambitious fellow. But wasn't his son named Liu Zhang? How did it become Liu Fan? Hmm! He must have more than one son. Liu Zhang should have just been born recently, so Liu Fan must be Liu Yan's eldest son.

"General, should we arrest Liu Fan and interrogate him first?" Huang Ping asked.

"Let's not rush things. After all, he's a member of the imperial family, and the implications are too great. Without solid evidence, it's best not to take any action!" Wei Cong thought for a moment and then said, "How about this, let's summon Liu Yan to the capital to serve as an official. The governor's salary is 600 shi, hmm! Let's make him the Vice Minister of Agriculture! That's more than 1,000 shi, so it's a promotion, isn't it?"

"Understood!" Huang Ping showed excitement. It was clear that although Wei Cong had verbally refused to take immediate action, he had immediately transferred Liu Yan back to Luoyang, obviously intending to wipe out the father and son in one fell swoop.

"I'll continue to entrust this matter to you. Keep things out in the open but keep a close watch on things. Don't let Liu Fan notice anything! Understand?"

"My subordinate understands!"

Huang Ping left in a hurry, and Wei Cong turned his attention back to the documents on his desk. He had initially granted Feng Kun, Zhang Huan, and Duan Jiong high-ranking positions and generous salaries, ultimately to have them lead troops in campaigns in his stead, allowing him to focus his energy on the central government. Currently, Duan Jiong was still in Jiaozhou with no news, while Zhang Huan had gone to Bingzhou. The Southern Xiongnu during the Han Dynasty primarily grazed in the Hetao region south of the Yin Mountains and near the Great Wall, encompassing a vast area encompassing present-day Shanxi, Hebei, northern Shaanxi, and southern Inner Mongolia. However, as the Xianbei people grew stronger, especially after Tan Shihuai incorporated various tribes of the Mongolian Plateau into his fold, the Southern Xiongnu's grazing areas were effectively compressed to the south.

Xiutuge's northward escape exacerbated the situation. Ultimately, the Eastern Han regime's control over the Southern Xiongnu consisted of only two methods: rewards and garrisoning troops. However, rewards were only available to the upper echelons of the Southern Xiongnu, while the lower classes received nothing. The garrison was limited to a single battalion of soldiers, roughly a thousand men. Therefore, from the mid-Eastern Han period onward, Southern Xiongnu rebellions increasingly became bottom-up. After encountering various disasters, the middle and lower classes would coerce the Chanyu (ruler) or kill the current Chanyu, install other high-ranking nobles as Chanyu, launch rebellions, and conquer prefectures and counties. Xiutuge's northward escape would become a fuse, igniting the Southern Xiongnu, a crucial northern barrier for the Eastern Han Empire, with unimaginable consequences. Could Zhang Huan get Xiutuge back from Tanshihuai? Wei Cong was not optimistic. Tanshihuai, having risen from an orphan to his current position, must possess both wisdom and courage; such a person could not possibly fail to recognize Xiutuge's value. To get the person back from him, there are only two options: coercion and bribery. Given the current strength of the Eastern Han Dynasty, coercion is definitely impossible, so bribery is the only option. It's just unknown how much Tan Shihuai can afford.

Thinking of this, Wei Cong suddenly sighed. He wondered when he would be able to get rid of Tan Shihuai. He was really too annoying.

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Pingyang Lane, south of Luoyang City.

Fan Yang carefully took off his outer garment and placed it aside. Then he took a large bowl from the windowsill, used chopsticks to make a cross in the completely solidified porridge inside, dividing the porridge into four pieces. He then took out one piece and ate it while pulling out a bamboo scroll to copy it.

A series of hurried footsteps came from outside. A young scholar of similar age to Fan Yang pushed open the door and said to Fan Yang with a smile, "Brother Fan, are you having to eat thin porridge again today? That won't do. Come on, let's go out and have a good meal together, and treat ourselves!"

"It's you, Wang Kuang!" Fan Yang frowned and said to his roommate, "No, no! I borrowed this Baihu Tong with great difficulty, and I have to return it the day after tomorrow. This month's rent depends on this copy!"

"Oh dear, you're so stubborn. How much money can you make copying books for others?" Wang Kuang laughed and patted the money pouch at his waist, making the sound of copper coins clinking. "Look, I've got enough for this month's rent, and even next month's rent. Come on, let's go get something good to eat!"

“Copying books isn’t just about money; it also allows you to quietly advance your studies!” Fan Yang shook his head. “The month is almost over, so be careful. The Imperial Academy’s Chancellor will be holding a quiz (drawing lots to ask questions). What will you do if you’re chosen?”

"Brother Fan, what can I say to you!" Wang Kuang laughed. "What era are we living in? You still expect to be appointed to an official position based on your talent and learning? What's the situation these days? Haven't you heard the children's rhyme in Luoyang? 'Those recommended as scholars don't know how to read. Those recommended as filial and incorruptible have fathers who live separately. The poor and honest are as muddy as dirt, while the high-ranking generals are as timid as chickens.' Without reputation and the recommendation of high-ranking officials, even if Zeng Xi or Zigong were reincarnated, they couldn't get an official position. Instead of wasting your time copying books here, why don't you come with me to get to know more people? I won't hide it from you, a very important person is coming tonight. His father is Liu Yan, the governor of Ji Province. Don't regret it if you don't go!"

Fan Yang thought about it again and realized his roommate was right. He sighed, put down his brush, and said, "Alright, I'll go with you tonight, but you'll have to wait for me to get dressed!"

"Alright, I know you only wear the same clothes you go out in! You usually take very good care of them!" Wang Kuang laughed. "Don't worry, although the son of Governor Liu is a member of the imperial family, he is always humble and unassuming. With your talent, he will definitely become friends with you after he finds out, and he might even recommend you to his father in the future!"

"It's not that simple!" Fan Yang finished the porridge in a few bites, wiped his hands clean, put away the pen, ink, and silk, and said with a wry smile as he dressed, "We've never met before, why would someone do such a big favor for me? As for talent, Luoyang has 30,000 students in the Imperial Academy, there are plenty of talented people there!"

"Brother Fan, you're being modest!" Wang Kuang laughed. "Others may not know, but I do! You're not only smart, but you also have an incredible work ethic; few can match you! It's just that you have the wrong surname. If you weren't Fan, but Liu, Dou, or Wei, you would have been successful long ago!"

"Shut up!" Fan Yang shouted sternly. He walked to the window, peeked out to make sure no one was in the room, and then lowered his voice to say, "How dare you say such things? Brother Wang, this is Luoyang. If you are not careful with your words, you will not only harm yourself, but also implicate your family. That would be something you will regret!"

"Alright, alright, I'll remember that!" Wang Kuang laughed. "With your cautious and prudent nature, you should be sent to the Ministry of Personnel!"

After getting ready, the two went out together and headed west, passing through two streets until they arrived at a lane near the Imperial Academy. Although a large number of dormitories (240 rooms, 1850 chambers) were built for the students of the Imperial Academy during the Eastern Han Dynasty, it was still far from enough to accommodate the number of students coming to Luoyang to study. Therefore, there were many shops and taverns around the Imperial Academy to provide accommodation and services for the students. These shops and taverns became places for these young scholars from all directions to discuss figures and current affairs. Wang Kuang was clearly a lively person; as he walked along, people frequently stood up to greet him, and Wang Kuang responded with a smug smile.

Upon seeing this, Fan Yang couldn't help but ask, "Wang Kuang, are all these people your friends?"

"How could that be?" Wang Kuang laughed. "Many people are just acquaintances, having only met once, drinking and chatting together, so they're just familiar with each other!"

"How did they know your name?" Fan Yang asked anxiously. "This may not be a good thing. You don't know any of these people. How can you tell if they are good or bad? If they get into trouble and reveal your name, wouldn't that cause a huge disaster?"

"Why all the talk of trouble!" Wang Kuang laughed dismissively. "You're just too cautious. You're afraid a leaf might fall on your head when you go out. If you're so careful, why come to Luoyang? Wouldn't it be better to stay at home your whole life?"

"I came to Luoyang to study and improve myself, to seek an opportunity to serve the emperor, not to bring trouble to my family!" Fan Yang retorted defiantly.

Wang Kuang shook his head helplessly, and was about to say something when someone from the tavern on the right shouted loudly, "Brother Wang, this way, this way, we've been waiting for you, come in quickly!"

"Brother Xiao!" Wang Kuang quickly returned the greeting with a cupped hand, and introduced, "This is Brother Fan from Zhuojun, Youzhou. He is exceptionally talented and extremely hardworking, far surpassing me. Brother Fan, this is Brother Xiao, from Lanling!"

Fan Yang quickly bowed and greeted the man, but the man surnamed Xiao waved his hand and said, "Go in quickly, I'll go ahead and see if there are any other people." With that, he walked forward.

Wang Kuang responded, and Fan Yang glanced at the back of the man surnamed Xiao and asked, "Brother Wang, are you acquainted with this young master Xiao?"

(End of this chapter)