Jinting Han people

Liu Xian did not believe in fate, for the reason he told Yang Xianrong: a person's life is too fragile and insignificant, and one must live each moment of life with a cautious attitude in order not to waste time and squander one's years.

Undeniably, in this cruel world, most people have no choice. No matter what they do, a rainstorm, a drought, a flock of sparrows, or a disease can be enough to completely destroy their lives. Therefore, they have no choice but to entrust their fate to fate and beg for a sliver of mercy from heaven.

But fate is so unfathomable that no matter how wise or cautious a person is, the future cannot be predicted. Even if one prepares for the worst, unexpected things always happen.

Just as the King of Changsha and the King of Hejian were preparing for war, news that surprised everyone in the world and shocked the entire nation suddenly came from Jingzhou: the Han Dynasty had been restored!

The whole thing started with the "Renwu Edict" issued in March.

Since the edict to reorganize the Southern Expeditionary Army reached Xiangyang, Sima Xin, the Prince of Xinye, was unwilling to go. After all, who would want to go to the fertile land of Jianghan, which had been in chaos for three years and was already devastated? Therefore, he adopted a two-pronged strategy to resist the "Renwu Edict".

The first strategy is to nurture enemies to enhance one's own prestige.

Jingzhou was inhabited by many nomadic tribes. Apart from the fertile Nanyang Basin and Jianghan Plain, the area was mostly mountainous and hilly. To the northeast were the Tongbai and Dabie Mountains, to the southeast the Mubu and Luoxiao Mountains, to the southwest the Xuefeng and Wuling Mountains, and to the northwest the Wushan and Daba Mountains. Large numbers of nomadic peoples lived in these mountainous and hilly areas. Due to the dense thickets, impassable roads, and abundance of snakes, insects, and miasma, the imperial court could not directly govern them and was forced to adopt a system of indirect rule.

This resulted in these mountain tribes being unruly and prone to conflict with the imperial court.

Sima Xin's first strategy in order to resist the "Renwu Edict" was to incite these barbarians to cause trouble. If chaos broke out in Jingzhou, he would have a reason not to change his mind and continue to stay in Jingzhou to quell the rebellion.

Without delay, he immediately supported a barbarian named Zhang Chang from Yiyang.

Although Zhang Chang was of barbarian origin, he had served as a county official in Pingshi County, Yiyang, and possessed some knowledge of military strategy and culture. After the Luoyang coup last year, Zhang Chang sensed that the world was in chaos, so he resigned his post and returned to his hometown, becoming a bandit in the mountains. Before Sima Xin found him, he had already gathered a crowd of over a thousand people at Shiyan Mountain in Jiangxia County for half a year.

Sima Xin secretly sent people to support him, bestowing upon Zhang Chang the banners and canopies of the Southern Expeditionary Army, while publicly claiming that the banners and canopies had been stolen. Zhang Chang, under the banner of the Southern Expeditionary Army, then recruited soldiers extensively in Jiangxia, and in less than a month, his forces had swelled to over six thousand men.

At this point, Sima Xin formally submitted a memorial to the court, claiming that barbarian bandits were causing trouble in Jiangxia and disturbing the local people. For the sake of the people of Jingzhou, he requested that the rebellion be quelled first before leading his troops westward. At the same time, he stated that although he would not enter Shu for the time being, he would still obey the court's orders and send troops to Shu to quell the rebellion.

This was his second strategy: to turn the tables and take control.

Sima Ying's strategy was to "replace the old with the new," first transferring Sima Xin to Yizhou, and then taking control of Jingzhou himself. However, Sima Xin planned to turn the tables, sending troops into Shu to quell a rebellion while he himself remained in Xiangyang under the pretext of suppressing bandits. In this way, Sima Xin could continue to control the Jianghan region and, using the imperial edict, legitimately expand his influence into Bashu.

If successful, Sima Xin's power would surpass Sima Ying's, making him the most powerful among the princes. At that point, whether he would still want to enter Shu and change his allegiance would be out of Sima Ying's hands.

It must be said that this was indeed a good plan, but the problem was that Sima Xin acted too hastily.

To demonstrate his unwavering loyalty, the Prince of Xinye launched a massive conscription campaign, simultaneously pressuring local officials to immediately set off after recruiting soldiers, without any delays along the way. Any disobedience would result in the dismissal of the local prefect and magistrate. Under such coercion, officials, eager to protect their positions, ruthlessly exploited the local population, expelling villagers from their jurisdictions. This resulted in a landscape across the Jianghan Plain, with homeless able-bodied men of humble origins lining the roads.

Under these circumstances, Sima Xin dispatched Gong Qin, the governor of Jiangxia, to feign battle with Zhang Chang, and then feigned defeats several times. This immediately caused disloyalty to grow among the people of Jiangxia. Many people went to join Zhang Chang, causing his army to expand further to nearly ten thousand men.

At this point, Zhang Chang realized that the people's hearts were at stake, and he also had a premonition that he had come to a crucial crossroads. Success would make him a powerful figure throughout the land, while failure would mean oblivion. After pondering for two days and nights in a cave in Shiyan Mountain, he suddenly summoned his subordinates and said mysteriously, "Gentlemen, I have a secret that I have kept hidden for many years, and now I will tell you all."

Seeing the crowd's confusion, Zhang Chang became even more smug. He took off his robe, revealing the Taoist robe underneath, then pinched a talisman, held a staff, and said to the crowd, "I am Li Chen, the Left Inspector of the Celestial Masters Sect in Jiangxia, and a descendant of Laozi. When I came of age, the Central Yellow Emperor bestowed upon me an important mission in a dream, informing me that the Jiazi Calamity was approaching and that a sage was needed to save the people. Therefore, I was instructed to hide my identity and search for the sage among the people."

These words caused an uproar among the crowd. Under Zhang Chang's guidance, it was only with great difficulty that the crowd quieted down. Then someone stepped forward and asked, "The sage you spoke of, could it be referring to the True Lord of Great Peace?"

“That’s right, it is indeed the True Lord of Peace!” Zhang Chang said decisively, which caused another uproar among the crowd.

The theory of the Jiazi Catastrophe has been circulating for over a century since the end of the Han Dynasty. Since the execution of Sun Xiu, the matter has become even more widely known. In ordinary times, everyone discusses it, imagining what the apocalypse would be like, and debating who the Taiping Zhenjun (True Lord of Great Peace) really is. Unexpectedly, the leader before them is actually the Grand Master of the Celestial Masters sect, sent on a pilgrimage to find a sage.

Someone else asked, "Didn't Sun Xiu say that the True Lord of Peace is the heir of the Duke of Anle?"

Zhang Chang waved his hand slightly and laughed, "You only know one side of the story. The heir of the Duke of Anle in Luoyang is a fake! The crown prince of the Later Lord is the real heir of the Duke of Anle. The court says he is dead and his body has not been found, but in reality, he is wandering outside, hiding his identity, and no one can find him."

“Last night, the True Lord Taiyi appeared to me in a dream, telling me that a sage has emerged in Anlu, and instructing us to support him as the ruler! This is to tell me that the true True Lord of Peace has already appeared in Anlu! As a member of the Li family, I have the heavy responsibility of restoring the Han Dynasty. Are you all willing to join me?” Since Wang Mang usurped the Han throne, there has been a prophecy in Nanyang that “the Liu family will rise, and the Li family will assist them.” Later, when the brothers Liu Yan and Liu Xiu raised an army, their fellow villager Li Tong provided strong support, which led to the “Restoration of the Han Dynasty by Emperor Guangwu.” For hundreds of years afterward, the Way of Peace and the Way of the Celestial Masters also took advantage of this, claiming that the Liu family, descended from the Red Emperor, was the imperial family, and the Li family, descended from Laozi, was the prime ministerial family. Only when the two families were united could the world be at peace.

Now, Zhang Chang, using this deeply ingrained folk legend, changed his name to Li Chen and rallied his subordinates to support the Han Dynasty and search for a sage. These subordinates were deeply moved. Although they were in Jingzhou, which had been out of Han rule for nearly eighty years, they had been exposed to the tales of benevolence and righteousness of Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, and others. Compared to the tyranny of Xinyewang today, they longed for the era when there were wise rulers and virtuous ministers, and Jingzhou was the focus of the world's attention.

Faced with Zhang Chang's—no, Li Chen's—question, they first looked at each other in bewilderment, then one of them murmured, "Restore the Han Dynasty." Then, as if by magic, many others echoed, "Restore the Han Dynasty!" Immediately afterward, everyone rejoiced, linking hands and excitedly shouting to the heavens, "Support the Han Dynasty! Restore peace to us!"

Without delay, the group immediately sprang into action. They made their own crimson hats and turbans, wearing them on their heads to show their devotion to the Han dynasty; they also cut off horsehair to make beards, styling them to resemble the image of Guan Yu, praying for his protection. Finally, the group swore a blood oath, raising the banner of restoring the Han dynasty, calling themselves the Restoration Army or the Crimson-Tassel Army, and marched in great fanfare towards Anlu.

When Gong Qin, the prefect of Jiangxia, learned of this news, he laughed at Li Chen for overestimating his abilities. After all, he had previously campaigned against Shiyan Mountain and knew that these so-called Crimson Tassel Army numbered only a few thousand, with little armor, supplies, or discipline; calling them a rabble was an overstatement. How could such a group possibly contend with the government army? Gong Qin had previously failed to achieve any success simply because he had received orders from the Prince of Xinye to show mercy. Since the enemy was courting death this time, he might as well seize the credit and then seek out other bandits.

Thinking this, Gong Qin selected eight thousand county soldiers and led them to meet the enemy ten miles outside the city.

But Gong Qin never expected that when he saw the Restoration Army again, what he saw was such a scene: east of the Yun River, there were heads everywhere wearing red hats and red turbans. When they stood together, they were like a huge red wave, like an autumn flood that submerged the mountains and fields. They were as numerous as ants, and there was no end in sight.

These were all local militia members who came to join Li Chen after hearing the news of his restoration of Han.

Seeing this scene, Gong Qin felt dizzy and almost fell off his horse. This was hardly a few thousand people; even if the number were ten times that, it wouldn't be surprising.

Seeing the enemy troops leave the city, the Restoration Army, without knowing who first shouted, all joined in, yelling towards the sky, releasing their pent-up anger. Their shouts rose and fell, shaking the heavens and the earth. Just then, the weather turned cloudy and rainy, with lightning flashing through the dark clouds. Amidst the shouts of the crowd, a thunderclap resounded through the mountains and fields, lasting for a long time.

It was at this moment that Li Chen gave the order, and the 30,000-strong army that had gathered along the way erupted like a torrent, rushing forward. The Jiangxia County soldiers were terrified; they dared not confront them. Like fallen leaves swept away by a flood, they collapsed without even making a ripple.

Gong Qin was in a panic and hurriedly returned to Anlu City. Although there were still 5,000 garrison troops in the city, he was too lazy to deploy any more defenses. He took his family and fled south to Miankou, leaving the huge city of Anlu to Li Chen.

It should be noted that Jiangxia had enjoyed three consecutive years of bumper harvests. After Li Chen led the Restoration Army into Anlu City, they obtained 100,000 bushels of rice, 6,000 sets of armor, and 3,000 powerful bows—a truly bountiful harvest. However, remembering his promise to the troops, he did not celebrate excessively. Instead, upon entering Anlu, he immediately sent people everywhere to search for the Sage. Three days later, he encountered a man in the army. This man was over sixty years old, with hands reaching past his knees, a short beard, and large ears, resembling the legendary Liu Bei. He immediately exclaimed with delight, "This is the True Lord of Peace I have been searching for!"

This man, named Qiu Shen, was an official of Shandu County. He was on a mission to escort local militia from Shandu to Sichuan on orders from the Southern Expeditionary Army. However, halfway there, the militia learned of Li Chen's uprising and rebelled, taking Qiu Shen with them as they headed east to join Li Chen's Restoration Army.

Upon meeting Qiu Shen, Li Chen immediately ordered him to change his name, claiming he was Liu Ni, the son of Liu Xuan, the former crown prince of Shu Han. He then built a palace deep in the mountains, scattering minced meat throughout the palace to attract countless birds. Li Chen, carrying Liu Ni, arrived before the palace, summoned his subordinates again, pointed to the birds above the palace, and declared, "A divine phoenix has descended! The Han dynasty is restored! The sage unites the people!"

Amidst cheers, Li Chen honored Liu Ni as Emperor, re-establishing the Han Empire with the reign title Shenfeng. He appointed himself Chancellor, appointed civil and military officials, and then led the emperor and his officials to fight against Jin Man, the cavalry commander of Xinye, who had come to attack. The two armies clashed in the western suburbs of Sui County in Yiyang Commandery. The Han army's morale soared, and they decisively defeated the Jin army, once again forcing the enemy general to flee in disarray.

From then on, the Restoration Army became unstoppable. They first occupied the entire Jiangxia Commandery, and then stirred up rumors, claiming that the government army would execute all the rebel forces south of the Huai River. As a result, within a month, the Jianghan Plain was engulfed in smoke and fire. The Restoration Army also continued to expand, from 30,000 troops before declaring itself emperor to nearly 100,000.

Thus, Li Chen divided his forces into four groups, embarking on his momentous undertaking to restore the Han dynasty:

One force, led by Grand Commander Huang Lin, consisted of 20,000 troops and marched eastward from Yiyang, heading straight for Xuchang in Yuzhou.

One force, led by General Ma Wu, numbering 20,000, marched south to attack Wuchang.

One route was led by General Shi Bing, with 10,000 troops. They bypassed Wuchang, traveled by boat along the Xiang River to the south, and ravaged the counties in southern Hunan.

The last route was personally commanded by him, with 50,000 troops marching north to Nanyang, their advance aimed directly at Wancheng.

Li Chen's strategy was extremely bold; who could have imagined it? Not long after he raised his army, he focused his offensive on key military strongholds such as Xiangyang, Wancheng, and Xuchang, rather than the more vulnerable areas like Jingnan and Yangzhou. He seemed determined to destroy the enemy's leadership and challenge all the heroes of the world.

Faced with Li Chen's fierce attack, Sima Xin, the Prince of Xinye, was helpless. He had originally dreamed of raising a bandit to maintain his power and controlling two provinces, but unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, he had raised a monster that wanted to devour people.

He had no choice but to repeatedly submit memorials to the court, stating that "the rebels number in the tens of thousands, with crimson heads and hairy faces, wielding knives and halberds, their strength is unstoppable." Therefore, he requested the court to send three armies to rescue Jingzhou, and at the same time ordered Zong Dai and other naval forces who had entered Shu to abandon Yizhou and return to rescue it.

This happened in May of the second year of the Tai'an era. In just two months, the situation in Jingzhou had deteriorated to an unbelievable degree. (End of Chapter)