Three Kingdoms: I am not Liu Bian

Chapter 254 You've utterly disgraced your Tian family ancestors for eighteen generations! (Bonus chapter! Requesting monthly votes!)
Having finalized the government monopoly on salt and iron and the establishment of commandery commandants in each prefecture, Liu Bian had no other policies to implement for the time being.

In other words, these two decrees are paving the way for future decrees.

The prefects, having lost the exorbitant profits from salt and iron and their military power, became fish on his chopping block.

Despite the imperial power of Emperor Guangwu, who was almost the founding emperor of the dynasty, more than ten prefectures still openly defied the imperial decrees. Among them were many fellow villagers and old friends, and some even raised troops to rebel.

Although the other prefects did not rebel, most of them were outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant. Local powerful families, known as "big clan leaders," deceived the people into believing that the court would issue harsh policies, and coerced the uninformed people into rebelling together.

Today, the power of powerful families and prefects in various regions is no less than that of Emperor Guangwu. Are we going to repeat the same mistakes made by our predecessors?
Of course, rebellion was inevitable, so Liu Bian first stripped Liu of his power and then reclaimed the land, which would at least minimize the scale and damage of the rebellion.

You have to eat one bite at a time.

Zhang Zhao, the Imperial Censor, knew in advance about the Emperor's grand court assembly arrangements for the day. Seeing that no one submitted a memorial and having received a signal from the Emperor, he, as the official in charge of maintaining order in the court, stepped forward and announced the adjournment of the court.

However, after the court session ended, Tian Fen, the Minister of the Imperial Household Department, deliberately lagged behind.

Once most of the crowd had dispersed, they returned, indicating that they had something to report to the emperor.

Liu Bian, who had just sat in the Jingen carriage, was slightly taken aback when he heard the report from Liu Hong, the Fengche Duwei who was in charge of driving for him that day. However, he still asked Liu Hong to stop the Jingen carriage and waited for Tian Fen to come running over in a hurry before letting Tian Fen get into the carriage to report.

It wasn't that he was particularly close to Tian Fen, but rather that Tian Fen, as the Minister of the Imperial Household who served the royal family, didn't report matters during the grand court assembly, so it was clear that such matters were not convenient for outsiders to know.

Inside Jin Gen's carriage were Liu Bian, Gao Wang, and Dian Wei, while Liu Hong was driving and should not have been able to hear anything.

Surrounding them was Fu De, the Left Guard Battalion Commandant of the Crossbowmen, who was also Fu Shou's elder brother. He led twenty men from the Crossbowmen's unit to guard the golden carriage. It was unlikely that they could hear through the heavy carriage.

Tian Fen, still holding his ivory tablet, knelt and bowed to Liu Bian, saying, "I have an important matter to ask the state today."

Liu Bian frowned slightly, feeling that Tian Fen gave off a strange feeling today, as if she was hiding something bad and wanted to confess it. He took the tea that Gao Wang handed him, took a sip and said, "Minister of the Imperial Household, this is not a grand court assembly. Relax and just speak your mind if you have something to report."

Tian Fen slightly raised her head to steal a glance at the Emperor's expression. After all, the Emperor had just dismissed a powerful minister and stripped him of his title. The imperial majesty displayed by the young Emperor still instilled some trepidation. Therefore, she did not take Liu Bian's words to relax seriously, but slowly said, "Reporting to the State, according to the system, 'the year after the Emperor ascends the throne, the Grand Craftsman will be in charge of constructing the mausoleum.' This mausoleum..."

During the Han Dynasty, emperors typically began constructing their mausoleums in the second year of their reign. However, in the first year, the Imperial Household Department would send people to find auspicious burial sites, and the Chief Craftsman would be responsible for designing the construction plans for the mausoleums within that first year.

The system in the Later Han Dynasty differed slightly from that in the Former Han Dynasty. During the emperor's lifetime, his mausoleum was not allowed to be named, otherwise it would be considered a curse to the emperor's early death.

Therefore, it is called "Shouling", which means that the emperor will live a long and prosperous life.

Only after the emperor's death would the court officials name his mausoleum according to the meaning of the posthumous title and the emperor's governing style throughout his life.

For example, the mausoleum of Emperor Xiaoming is named "Xianjie Mausoleum," reflecting his political style of "clear-sightedness and adherence to integrity"; the mausoleum of Emperor Xiaohe is named "Shenling Mausoleum," reflecting his political style of "gentleness and prudence."

Of course, there are also those who don't follow the rules.

For example, a certain incompetent emperor was posthumously honored as "Xiaoling," but for some reason his mausoleum was named "Wenling."

But it was rather unlucky for Tian Fen to bring up the matter of building a mausoleum during the Lunar New Year.

"Minister of the Imperial Household, were you drunk last night and got the date wrong? Why do you have to say such unlucky things on such an auspicious day?"

Liu Bian glanced at Tian Fen with narrowed eyes and said in a somewhat unfriendly tone, "I have learned about the process. Your office of the Minister of the Imperial Household Department should have people knowledgeable in feng shui who can search for auspicious sites in Henan Province. Then, the chief craftsman will design a draft for the construction of the mausoleum. Why are you so eager to ask me about the construction of the mausoleum today? Do you think I am not fortunate enough to have it?"

Tian Fen knelt on the ground in fear and begged for forgiveness, stating that she had absolutely no such intention.

Liu Bian's words were rather harsh, almost as if he were saying, "You're already hoping for my death the very second day I've been on the throne, aren't you?"

Tian Fen inwardly groaned and quickly explained, "Your Majesty, it was my mistake in wording. I was asking whether, after the New Year festival, the Emperor Emeritus's mausoleum should continue to be built slowly with the current manpower, or should construction be halted?"

The construction of imperial mausoleums was not a short-term matter, and the length of construction time was not related to the magnificence of the mausoleums. However, if the emperor lived a long life, the number of laborers and craftsmen conscripted would not be too large, and the construction could be carried out slowly. Therefore, many mausoleums in the Former Han Dynasty took several decades to complete.

When the emperor died, the Imperial Household Department would temporarily conscript a large number of laborers and craftsmen to work overtime for a month to finish the project, and finally bury the emperor in accordance with the rites.

However, strictly speaking, the Han Dynasty now has two suns in the sky, which is extremely rare in the Han Dynasty. The last example is the father and son, Taigong and Emperor Gaozu.

However, the two situations are quite different. Taigong never became emperor, so construction had to begin at the same time as the mausoleum of Emperor Taizu Gao. But the current Emperor Taishang, who reigned for nineteen years, had his mausoleum built for eighteen years.

After the emperor ascended the throne, he seemed to have forgotten about this matter, so Tian Fen had no choice but to take advantage of the New Year holiday when work was suspended to ask for the emperor's opinion.

Otherwise, once the New Year festival is over, construction will have to continue. If this offends the emperor and results in punishment, it would be a truly undeserved disaster.

On the other hand, if the emperor did not object to this matter, and they rushed to complete the work immediately, it would be suspected of cursing the retired emperor to die young, which would be a serious crime of disrespect. Tian Fen would not fare well either, at the very least, his entire family would be executed.

Tian Fen originally wanted Cai Yong to ask, since Cai Yong, as the Grand Master of Works, was the official in charge of building the mausoleum and was also a relative of the emperor, but Cai Yong said that he was even less allowed to ask.

The emperor was preparing to formally bring his daughter Cai Yan into the harem and bestow upon her the title of Jieyu. For him, as the father-in-law, to ask the emperor about such an inauspicious topic was extremely unlucky.

Although the Imperial Workshop was under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Household Department, and Cai Yong was considered Tian Fen's subordinate, given Cai Yong's status among scholars and his relationship with the emperor, it was not advisable to press him too hard. Instead, they could only inquire with the emperor personally.

Liu Bian did not hesitate on this matter and instructed Tian Fen to continue constructing Liu Hong's mausoleum according to the previous procedures.

Whether out of consideration for the people's well-being or to avoid being accused by those with ulterior motives of being an unfilial son who cursed his father to a short life, Liu Bian would allow the construction of Liu Hong's mausoleum to continue until the day he passed away.

Liu Bian suddenly grabbed Tian Fen's hand and said, "However, since the Minister of the Imperial Household has mentioned the matter of the Imperial Mausoleum, I have a favor to ask of you."

This solemn request made Tian Fen tremble, and she immediately prostrated herself on the ground, indicating that she would do her best to fulfill the emperor's instructions, even if it meant risking her life.

Liu Bian was very satisfied with Tian Fen's attitude.

Although the Minister of the Imperial Household was listed among the Nine Ministers, his position was only eighth. This was because, although he was nominally one of the Nine Ministers, he was actually the Emperor's Chief Steward, or the Emperor's chief steward.

Only those who are sufficiently loyal to the emperor can hold the position of Minister of the Imperial Household. As a person of the retired emperor Liu Hong, Tian Fen was naturally worried about being replaced by the new emperor, so he adopted an exceptionally humble attitude in front of the emperor.

Liu Bian helped Tian Fen up and said with a smile, "Don't be like that, it's nothing serious."

Dian Wei covered his ears, pretending not to hear even though he could, while Gao Wang didn't care at all what secrets he might overhear.

"Upon my ascension to the throne, I do not wish to grant a general amnesty to release lawbreakers, nor do I wish to grant fictitious titles to all people. Spending lavishly on grain and money would empty the national treasury. Therefore, I wish to seek the well-being of the people in another way."

"I wish to follow the example of Emperor Taizong Xiaowen and change the Han Dynasty's custom of lavish funerals." Liu Bian put away his smile and said in a deep voice, "I want to practice simple funerals with the Emperor Emeritus to set an example for the people! However, it is necessary for the Minister of the Imperial Household Department to be the first to propose it, and I will be the one to accept the advice."

At the beginning of the Han Dynasty, the country was poor, but Confucianism advocated that lavish funerals were a sign of filial piety towards parents and elders. As a result, countless people were forced by public opinion to spend their entire fortunes to build tombs for their parents and elders and to provide expensive burial goods.

Even though Emperor Taizu Gaozu personally practiced simple burial, it was not until the reign of Emperor Taizong Xiaowen that Huang-Lao thought completely overshadowed Confucianism in funeral practices, and a policy of simple burial was implemented.

Then there was another extravagant third-generation rich kid who, living off the wealth left by the previous two generations, revived the practice of elaborate burials. The gold, silver, and jade stones filled into the tomb were piled up like mountains, to the point that Maoling was "no longer able to hold anything."

The practice of elaborate funerals among the people has become increasingly prevalent, to the point that elaborate funerals are considered virtuous, while simple funerals are seen as contemptible.

In order to be recommended for the title of "filial and incorruptible official," these officials frantically added burial goods to their parents' graves in exchange for a reputation for filial piety.

The result was that the Red Eyebrows army happily took over all the burial goods and used them as military funds. However, the Later Han court did not learn its lesson, and the practice of lavish burials reached its peak.

Liu Bian wanted to change this system; otherwise, just the fact that Empress Dowager Dong had to leave would have cost him hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars from his private treasury, not to mention the losses suffered by Liu Hong and Empress Dowager He.

Of course, He agreed with the idea of ​​a simple burial, but Liu Hong's opinion was not important.

The Emperor Emeritus should be of one mind with me and my son!

The reason why Tian Fen was needed as the initiator was similar to how a legal entity would bear the risk of failure.

The emperor cannot make mistakes; only his subjects can err.

Although Liu Bian did not believe he would fail, he still needed to take precautions.

Moreover, in some matters, the effect of implementation is better when initiated by a subject than when initiated by the monarch.

When the emperor advocated for simple burials, some might think he was just trying to save money. However, when his subjects encouraged him to accept this, it could be interpreted as the emperor valuing frugality and advocating for simple burials.

"The state should be cautious."

Tian Fen frowned as he looked at the emperor. He could understand the emperor's thoughts, but this move would likely draw criticism and condemnation from countless Confucian scholars and intellectuals.

Even among the ancient literary school, which has always sided with the emperor, countless people would oppose the practice of simple burials.

Liu Bian, however, did not care. This matter was supported by Lu Zhi, Xun Shuang, Cai Yong, and Zheng Xuan. As long as these four people stood firmly on his side, Liu Bian had no worries about the debate.

I am magnanimous and will only send one of the Divine Spirits, Zheng Xuan. All of you will come at me together!

As long as it's not a strategy of exhausting the old man, I have nothing to fear!

"However, this matter may cause you to be criticized, and you, Minister of the Imperial Household, need to withstand the pressure." Liu Bian stroked the few whiskers that had grown on his lower lip, pondered for a moment, and said, "I remember that you, Minister of the Imperial Household, are from Qi. Qi has a place called Jili Pavilion. I will enfeoff you as the Marquis of Jili Pavilion, with a fief of five hundred households. Are you willing?"

Liu Bian remembered the hometowns of all the high-ranking officials, ministers, and officials of similar rank in the capital, including the famous villages and towns in their hometowns, and was always ready to reward them with the title of marquis.

Liu Bian was also a monarch who liked to make grand promises, but unlike others, the promises he made were actually being baked in an oven. Once the matter was accomplished, the fragrant promises would appear on the tables of the meritorious officials.

As Liu Bian expected, Tian Fen suddenly froze.

Ironically, he, the Minister of the Imperial Household, one of the Nine Ministers of the court, is now only a first-class duke. This was only obtained when Liu Hong bestowed the first-class title upon all people in the world at the beginning of his reign. Therefore, the title of Marquis of Jili Pavilion in his hometown of Qi is a great blessing to him.

Despite being tempted, Tian Fen frankly said, "The country commands, and I will serve. However, this reward is too generous, and some people will criticize the country!"

Liu Bian patted Tian Fen on the shoulder affectionately. Whether Tian Fen was genuinely declining or not, he had indeed considered the negative impact that granting him a marquisate would have on the emperor.

"It's alright. The criticism I've endured is nothing compared to the criticism the Minister of the Imperial Household will have to bear." Liu Bian held Tian Fen's hand intimately and patted it heavily to show his concern. "Whether the matter succeeds or not, I will grant you this title of Marquis of Jili, as a reward for your years of diligence and loyalty."

"Even without any reward, for these words alone, how could I not be willing to die for my country!"

Tian Fen prostrated herself on the ground again, declaring that she was willing to risk her old face and life for the emperor!

The following day, while the officials were enjoying the New Year's Day holiday, the official gazette, now renamed "Da Han Di Bao," published a message that the emperor, on the advice of Tian Fen, the Minister of the Imperial Household Department, had decided to change the prevailing practice of lavish funerals and promote simple burials, making it an immutable national law.

The Great Han Imperial Gazette also included an edict personally written by the emperor.

The decree stated:
I, in my youth and inexperience, inherited the throne from the late Emperor and uphold the weighty responsibility of the ancestral temple. On the third day of my reign, I trembled with fear and trepidation, lest I be unable to succeed.

All things under heaven, from their very inception, must eventually die. Death is the natural order of things, a principle of the universe; why should we grieve so deeply?

In this world, everyone cherishes life and fears death. Extravagant funerals ruin one's livelihood, and excessive mourning harms one's life. I strongly disapprove of this.

I have been entrusted with the protection of the ancestral temple and the well-being of the people. Though my virtue is meager, my position is supreme, and I am always afraid of making mistakes. Therefore, I hereby issue an edict to the relevant officials: My mausoleum must be built with frugality.

The first saying is: Mountains and rivers should remain as they are, without alteration, without mounds of earth, and without planting grass or trees.

Secondly, the coffin should be dressed in ordinary clothes, without gold, jade, pearls, or precious stones as decorations. All utensils should be made of earthenware or tiles, and gold, silver, copper, or tin should not be used to decorate the coffin. The number of carriages, horses, figurines, and people should be limited and not excessive.

Thirdly, it is said that only a few households should be stationed to guard the mausoleum, and no shrines or spirit paths should be built.

The nation's finances should be used to fill granaries, benefit widows and orphans, support soldiers, establish schools, and promote agriculture and sericulture! Why waste them on the dead?
Filial piety lies in continuing the will of the people and bringing peace to the nation, not in using gold and jade to build mounds

The Emperor Emeritus is benevolent and frugal, which will surely please me.

I now demonstrate frugality to the world, hoping that the court and the people will follow the same trend, eliminating the evils of extravagance and returning to the essence of simplicity and honesty. May future generations know where my will lies and let it serve as a model for posterity.

From myself down to the princes, marquises, officials and commoners, the funeral rites shall be simple and frugal, without following the vulgar and extravagant customs, and shall not exceed the prescribed limits.

Anyone who dares to disobey the imperial edict and hold an extravagant funeral, wasting resources and disturbing the people, shall be severely punished by the relevant authorities for disobeying the imperial edict and showing disrespect!

Announce it to the world, and the envoys will hear about it.

The 387th year of the Han Dynasty, the first year of the Han Dynasty's rise, the third day of the first month.

This diplomatic approach, employing a strategy of "courtesy before force," clearly demonstrates to everyone that it was not written by someone like Chen Lin, Zhang Zhao, Lu Cui, or Ruan Yu.

First came Xiaowen's "humility," then Xiaowu's "assertiveness"—it was definitely the tone of that emperor who "shared the same views as Xiaowen and acted like Emperor Shizong!"
The pressure Tian Fen was under exceeded both Liu Bian's and Tian Fen's own expectations.

Even though there were many insightful people and a large number of commoners who supported the emperor's edict and believed that the emperor was a sage ruler who practiced benevolence, righteousness and frugality, comparable to Emperor Xiaowen, the common people were very grateful for the emperor's kindness.

However, the opinions of common people were ultimately difficult to spread, and instead, countless Confucian scholars began to fiercely oppose the emperor's new policy.

The pressure Tian Fen faced was far greater than that of a minor figure. As the first advocate, the news that the emperor was forcibly promoting simple burials and abolishing extravagant burials spread wider and wider with the "Great Han Gazette". Countless Confucian scholars and literati across the country condemned him with words and writings, and he was labeled as a treacherous minister, a sycophant, and a great unfilial son.

Even Lu Zhi, the Grand Tutor, Liu Yan, the Minister of Works, and Zheng Xuan, the newly appointed Minister of Ceremonies, were all thoroughly criticized, as if they were all mediocre officials who had failed to properly teach the emperor etiquette, leading to the emperor being misled by treacherous and sycophantic officials like Tian Fen.

A scholar stood in front of Tian Fen and roared, "You have disgraced your Tian family ancestors for eighteen generations!"

Even after being arrested by the Court of Justice for the crime of offending superiors with inferior status, he continued to curse and swear.

Even Liu Wan, the chancellor of Qi, submitted a memorial stating that someone had secretly dug up Tian Fen's ancestral graves at night, but was caught by the county and state soldiers who were prepared in advance.

The arrested Confucian scholar said that he just wanted to see how many burial objects were in Tian Fen's ancestral grave, and whether Tian Fen was a treacherous villain who advocated simple burials but gave lavish funerals to his own parents.

(5012 words)
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P.S.: Gugu, I spent a lot of money on a new phone today, and it hurts to see my balance reduced by almost five figures, so I'm only adding 1,000 words.

Hey dear readers, please vote with your monthly tickets!
(End of this chapter)