Three Kingdoms: I am not Liu Bian

Chapter 266 It is all the Emperor's grace, he is just using me to bestow this favor!

With the issuance of several imperial edicts and the detailed reports in the "Great Han Gazette" on the war in Ji Province and the court's handling of the situation, a wave of condemnation against Zhang Yan, the former governor of Ji Province, swept across the court and the public.

Although Jizhou was not strictly speaking part of the Central Plains, the number of court officials from Jizhou was quite considerable.

This was also due to the fact that Emperor Guangwu of the Later Han Dynasty fought in Hebei, so the scholars of Jizhou were always a significant political force in the court.

Zhang Yan's folly led to the plundering of many families of officials from Jizhou, or the loss of their sons and brothers. This painful experience was enough to enrage the officials from Jizhou.

This wave of condemnation quickly spread to the Imperial Academy. The young students, who had not yet been corrupted by officialdom and were full of enthusiasm, dreaming of assisting the emperor in restoring the Han Dynasty, were so enraged that they directly besieged Zhang Yan's residence in Luoyang!

Zhang Yan's three sons, Zhang Fan, Zhang Cheng, and Zhang Zhao, were all stunned (Note 1). The three brothers were studying the classics in the school at the time and never expected that their father would make such a big mistake, let alone that the court would deal with it so swiftly and severely.

He was brought to Luoyang in a cage and executed in the autumn!
Zhang Zhao, the youngest son who was only fourteen years old and had just entered the Imperial Academy, burst into tears and choked out, "Elder brother, second brother, what... what should we do?"

The second son, Zhang Cheng, also looked at his elder brother, Zhang Fan, with a sense of panic and helplessness. Although he did not speak, he hoped to get an answer from Zhang Fan.

The three Zhang brothers were renowned at the Imperial Academy, excelling in their studies and being humble in their dealings with others.

Zhang Fan, who is exactly twenty years old this year, is of a calm and peaceful nature. He is happy to uphold the right path and does not covet fame or fortune. He has twice declined the appointment and recommendation of Liu Yao, the governor of Henan, as a candidate for the civil service examination.

With his exceptional knowledge, humble and gentle nature, and impeccable manners, Zhang Fan naturally had no shortage of friends at the Imperial Academy. Everyone considered it an honor to befriend him, and even the professors who taught Confucian classics at the academy admired him.

Zhang Fan looked around. The school was almost empty. His classmates were either in the streets denouncing and insulting Zhang Yan, or had joined the siege of Zhang's residence. Those classmates who were once close to him and were now keeping their distance were truly upright gentlemen.

A trace of sorrow flashed across Zhang Fan's face. He sighed deeply and said, "Alas... my father has lost the army and disgraced the country. If what the official gazette says is true, then the court's punishment is indeed in accordance with the law. What can I do?"

Having talent doesn't mean Zhang Fan has a way to solve the current predicament. Faced with the siege of their mansion, the three brothers can only sit helplessly in the school, feeling trapped and distressed.

Zhang Fan looked around. He was erudite, humble, and courteous, and was extremely popular at the Imperial Academy, where the scholars also admired him. However, his talent and popularity could not resolve his current predicament.

Of course, not everyone avoided the three brothers like the plague. Zhao Yan, Sun Qian, Xin Pi, Mi Zhu, and others who remained at the school gathered around the Zhang brothers, offering quiet words of comfort and racking their brains for a solution.

Xin Pi hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth, a resolute glint in his eyes, and said, "My second brother, Xin Zhongzhi (Xin Ping), was recommended as a filial and incorrupt official at the beginning of the year and gained the emperor's favor, entering the Imperial Secretariat as a scribe. Perhaps... I should go and ask my second brother..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a slightly lazy but stern rebuke.

"Xin Zuozhi, it's your business if you want to die, don't drag Zhongzhi down with you!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Guo Jia reclining casually on a bamboo mat covered with a soft cushion, one hand supporting his head and the other hand casually holding a copy of "The Art of War of Qi Sun Tzu," his expression nonchalant and unrestrained.

The military strategies of Sun Tzu and Sun Bin were respectively called "Wu Sun Tzu" and "Qi Sun Tzu" during the Later Han Dynasty.

However, only in Ban Gu's "Book of Han: Treatise on Literature" are complete chapters recorded, including "Wu Sunzi" with 82 chapters and 9 volumes of illustrations, and "Qi Sunzi" with 89 chapters and 4 volumes of illustrations.

The versions circulating among the people may have been abridged or lost. Perhaps a very small number of aristocratic families in the Wu and Qi regions possessed complete versions, but nominally only the Dongguan Pavilion in the imperial palace held a complete copy.

Guo Jia was deeply favored by the emperor, and he was not only allowed free access to the Eastern Pavilion, but also able to borrow books from it.

However, compared to "The Art of War of Wu," which incorporates elements of the four military strategies, he prefers "The Art of War of Qi," which focuses on military strategy. He has read the former thoroughly, but he prefers the latter.

Guo Jia originally did not want to get involved in this matter, but seeing that Xin Pi was going to drag Xin Ping into it, he had no choice but to speak up and stop him.

The Xin clan of Yingchuan originated from Longxi County in Liangzhou. During the Jianwu era of Emperor Guangwu, they migrated eastward from Longxi to Yangdi County in Yingchuan County, becoming one of the gentry clans of Yingchuan.

Guo Jia was orphaned at a young age, but he had a very close relationship with the Xin brothers, so he naturally couldn't stand by and watch Xin Pi make a foolish mistake.

"What makes you say such a thing, Fengxiao?" Xin Pi was taken aback by Guo Jia's words, but he remembered that his elder brother Xin Ping had once said that Guo Jia was exceptionally intelligent and that he could consult him on any matter. Therefore, he took his childhood friend's words very seriously.

Seeing that Xin Pi was not going his own way, Guo Jia secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He put down the book in his hand, stretched, and slowly asked, "Tell me, who ordered the arrest of Zhang Jizhou, his imprisonment in a cage in Luoyang, and his execution in the autumn?"

“Of course it is…” Xin Pi stopped abruptly as he was about to speak. Was it the Emperor’s personal decision, or the decision of the Ministry of Personnel, or perhaps one of the Three Dukes?
"Look, they haven't even figured out who wants to punish Zhang Jizhou, yet they dare to rashly send Brother Zhongzhi to plead with the state?" Guo Jia shook his head, sat up straighter, and said with a serious look in his eyes, "To tell you the truth, this matter was personally decided by the Emperor, reviewed by Minister Cui according to the law, and it was clearly ordered that he be executed in the autumn. The fact that he was brought to Luoyang in a prison cart was a special act by the state, intended to warn all officials and serve as a warning to others!"

Guo Jia glanced at Xin Pi, who still looked bewildered, and continued, "If you go to find Brother Zhongzhi, regardless of whether he will pay attention or not, even if he risks going to plead with the Emperor, it will not only be in vain, but will also ruin his own career!"

Upon hearing this, Xinpi broke out in a cold sweat and was immediately filled with lingering fear.

Everyone knew that Guo Jia was favored by the emperor, and Xin Pi believed his words without a doubt.

Zhao Yan, who was standing to the side, also nodded in agreement as a scholar from the same place, Yingchuan Yangdi.

Xinpi's move was indeed too naive.

The emperor may appreciate Xin Ping's talent, but he would never change his decision regarding Zhang Yan because of it.

"There is probably little room for maneuver in the matter of Zhang Jizhou." Zhao Yan looked at Zhang Fan. He had a good relationship with Zhang Fan, but this was not a matter he could get involved in. Rather than being misunderstood by Zhang Fan as a heartless and ungrateful person who kept his distance from the Zhang family of Hanoi after their decline, it was better to point out the pros and cons directly. He said, "Whether it is the country's anger over this matter or the desire to quell the resentment of the officials from Jizhou, it is impossible to let Zhang Jizhou off lightly."

Zhao Yan paused, then emphasized, "Moreover, the city has fallen today, and the people of Jizhou have suffered terribly. If Zhang Jizhou is treated leniently, others will surely follow suit and neglect their duties! Especially Bing and Youzhou, which are crucial points for the future northern expedition against the Xianbei. Who will still be willing to work hard then?"

Guo Jia glanced at Zhao Yan with a hint of surprise. This fellow townsman usually kept a low profile, yet his insights were so profound, and every word he uttered hit the nail on the head.

Although Zhang Yan's crime was serious, according to the old rules, it was not necessarily a capital offense. If the previous procedure had been followed, he would have been dismissed from his post and reinstated after a few years.

But the key point is that he shouldn't have made such a big mistake at a time when the court was recuperating and building up its strength for the Northern Expedition!

You, the governor of Ji Province, located in the heart of a peaceful region, allowed the Black Mountain bandits to grow into a major threat, resulting in this great calamity and heavy casualties among the troops of the prefectures and kingdoms.

How could the officials of Bing and You prefectures, who were facing the threat of the Xianbei, possibly conduct themselves?

Oh, so at most you'll lose your position for a few years and then be reinstated? What's there to be afraid of then!
The current rise of the Xianbei is a consequence of the misfortunes caused by Zang Min and others during the reign of the retired emperor when the northern expedition failed.

The pretext of the Xianbei threat is a hundred times more convincing than Zhang Yan's!
“Then… what about the ‘Eight Deliberations’?” Mi Zhu, who was standing to the side, suddenly remembered the “Eight Deliberations” he had read about in a book a few days ago. He vaguely remembered that the “Eight Deliberations” could reduce or exempt someone from the death penalty.

However, before Mi Zhu could finish speaking, Zhang Zhao, anxious to save his father, glared at him angrily and shouted, "How dare you, you scoundrel, insult my father!"

Mi Zhu was at a loss. Although he was older than these students from aristocratic families, he came from a merchant family and was far inferior in knowledge and experience. He was in a difficult situation.

Seeing this, Zhang Fan immediately pressed down on Zhang Zhao's shoulder and said gently, "Zizhong did not mean that, please do not blame him." Xin Pi also saw that Mi Zhu only knew the appearance of the "Eight Deliberations" and did not know its inner meaning, and did not intend to insult him, so he quickly explained, "The Eight Deliberations can only reduce the punishment according to the circumstances, and may not necessarily save one from death. Moreover, relying on the 'Eight Deliberations' to be exempted from punishment is a great humiliation for us scholars."

However, according to the unwritten "Eight Deliberations," Zhang Yan could actually save his life.

The eight categories of discussion are: discussing relatives, discussing old friends, discussing the virtuous, discussing the capable, discussing the merits, discussing the noble, discussing the diligent, and discussing the guests.

Those eligible to be included in the Eight Deliberations are the imperial relatives, former officials, virtuous ministers, capable officials, meritorious officials (including their descendants), powerful nobles (the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers), diligent officials, and descendants of the previous dynasty.

The Eight Deliberations did not mean exemption from punishment, but rather a lighter sentence. However, if the crime was too serious, death was still inevitable. Sometimes, instead of a reduction in punishment, a dignified punishment was given, as the saying goes, "the law does not apply to high-ranking officials."

The principle of "no punishment for high-ranking officials" does not mean that officials should not be punished, but rather that they should be spared from being punished in public, thus giving them dignity.

For example, if a scholar-official sentenced to beheading meets the criteria of the Eight Deliberations, the emperor might allow him to take poison or commit suicide in lieu of legal punishment.

The other forms of corporal punishment were not publicly displayed, and officials and prison guards were dismissed, leaving only the person carrying out the punishment.

Logically speaking, given Zhang Yan's status, he should indeed fall within the scope of the Eight Deliberations and could be given a lighter sentence with reduced punishment.

Zhang Yan was a descendant of Zhang Liang, the Marquis of Liu, and was a "descendant of meritorious officials," thus qualifying for the assessment of merit.

In the past, Emperor Guangwu of the Ming Dynasty pardoned Deng Yu, a nephew who was convicted of corruption, by saying that "as a descendant of a meritorious official, the punishment should be reduced by one degree."

If Zhang Yan's crime is reduced by one degree, he can at least avoid death.

However, the biggest problem with the Eight Deliberations was that they were never formally incorporated into the judicial system during the Later Han Dynasty; they remained merely unwritten customary law.

Ultimately, the "Eight Deliberations" were originally just a means for the Zhou emperor to bestow favors upon his subjects and a way for the monarch to win people's hearts. The right to use and interpret them ultimately remained in the hands of the Zhou emperor, but later the scholars took advantage of the loopholes.

However, such loopholes were not easy to exploit in the Qin and Han dynasties. Qin law did not give you this face. Scholars in the two Han dynasties preferred to bring out the new customary law system of "Spring and Autumn Annals Adjudication" rather than choose "Eight Deliberations" because "Eight Deliberations" was simply not legitimate.

At least the "Spring and Autumn Annals Judgment" could rely on the two modern text classics, "Gongyang Spring and Autumn Annals" and "Guliang Spring and Autumn Annals," to pardon the crimes of scholars based on different arguments such as "one's original intention is good and therefore one should not be punished."

It wasn't until Emperor Cao Rui of Wei, in an effort to win over the hearts of scholars, that he ordered Chen Qun, Minister of Works, Liu Shao, Attendant Gentleman of the Palace, Han Xun, Gentleman of the Palace, Yu Yi, Gentleman of the Palace, Huang Xiu, Xun Shen, and others to compile the "New Laws" in eighteen chapters, formally incorporating the "Eight Deliberations" into the law, thus officially making it a convenient way for scholars to avoid punishment.

However, even the "Spring and Autumn Annals of Judgment" is now strictly prohibited by the emperor, let alone the "Eight Deliberations" which are neither written down nor supported by any classic text.
Even if they were spared death through the "Eight Deliberations," the Zhang family of Hanoi would likely be forever branded with shame by the literati.

Ultimately, Zhang Yan's situation was somewhat due to bad luck; he happened to run into the emperor's blade and became a typical example of the emperor's decision to make an example of him and intimidate his ministers.

His fate was sealed.

Having come to this realization, the usually calm Zhang Fan could no longer hide his grief, and tears silently streamed down his face.

Seeing the three brothers embrace and weep, Zhao Yan and the others also showed sorrow.

Guo Jia silently looked away, recalling the scene when he first met Zhang Fan.

It was certainly a good thing that Guo Jia was favored by the emperor, but he was not immune to jealousy. In addition, Guo Jia disliked etiquette and law, so many people ostracized him, slandered him, and even said that Guo Jia was a sycophant who flattered the emperor and was no different from Han Yan and Li Yannian of Emperor Xiaowu.

Of course, while some people ostracize others, others fawn over them, trying to gain the emperor's favor by getting close to Guo Jia.

At that time, Zhang Fan stood up for him when he was being attacked, spoke out for justice, and refuted those who slandered him.

Guo Jia could distinguish between those who flattered him and those who genuinely spoke out for justice, and therefore he always remembered this kindness.

After a long silence, Guo Jia sighed softly, looked at Zhang Fan, and said, "Gongyi, come with me to the headquarters of the Imperial Guard and the headquarters of the Magistrate of Luoyang."

"Fengxiao?" Zhang Fan wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes and looked at Guo Jia in surprise.

"I am powerless to help your father, and I agree with the state's decision. But those students and scholars who besieged Zhang Jizhou's residence and caused trouble..." Guo Jia stood up, smoothed the wrinkles on his robe, and said, "I can still use this calling card bestowed by the state to ask the Commander of the Imperial Guard and the Magistrate of Luoyang to step in and resolve the situation."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fan bowed to Guo Jia, his voice choked with emotion: "I will never forget Fengxiao's kindness today!"

Everyone knows that Guo Jia has a name card bestowed by the emperor. Although it has no real power, people will give Guo Jia face wherever he goes.

Given Zhang Fan's current status as the son of a disgraced official, it's clear he can't see Xun Shuang, the Commander of the Imperial Guards. He might not even be able to see Hua Xin, the Magistrate of Luoyang. But with Guo Jia's help, these people would be willing to lend a hand.

"No!"

Guo Jia, who had already reached the school gate, suddenly stopped in his tracks upon hearing this. He abruptly turned around, looked up at Zhang Fan, and his once captivating eyes, which had charmed countless young women in Luoyang, now held no trace of frivolity, only unprecedented solemnity and seriousness. His sharp gaze fixed on Zhang Fan, and he said in a deep voice, word by word, "What you must remember is not my kindness! Zhang Gongyi, and your two younger brothers, you must remember this well!"

Guo Jia emphasized firmly, "It is all the Emperor's grace, he is merely using me to bestow this favor. We must not put the cart before the horse!"

Zhang Fan stared blankly at Guo Jia, never having seen his cynical friend so serious and composed.

At that moment, he seemed to understand why the emperor valued Guo Jia so much.

Zhang Fan took a deep breath and solemnly replied, "Fan, I've got it."

Immediately, he pulled Zhang Cheng and Zhang Zhao over, forcibly pressed down his two younger brothers who were still sobbing, and the three of them knelt down together before the emperor's name card in Guo Jia's hand, kowtowing heavily and performing the three kneelings and nine kowtows ceremony.

"Zhang Fan, a student of the Imperial Academy, and his younger brother kowtow to express their gratitude for the Emperor's holy grace!"

Guo Jia turned sideways to avoid the three brothers' formalities, but steadily held up the name card, letting it represent the emperor in the palace to receive the three brothers' kowtow.

(4806 words)
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P.S.: Hey, it's Saturday today! I'm still hoarding drafts to prepare for a big update on the 24th when it gets recommended!
So today I'll just add a short update of 800 words!

Sigh, 800 words is 800 words, 800 words is still an extra chapter!
I'm begging you readers to give me more monthly tickets!
Note 1: Zhang Yan's three sons seem to be... inherently incompatible with Eastern Wu.

Zhang Fan participated in military decision-making as the Military Advisor to the Chancellor, while Zhang Cheng served as the Military Advisor to the Chancellor and concurrently as the Prefect of Zhao Commandery at the beginning of the Wei Kingdom. Both were known for their integrity and resourcefulness, so Zhang Fan and Zhang Cheng were called the "Two Zhangs" (Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong of Eastern Wu were also called the "Two Zhangs" in Xuzhou). Then their third brother was named Zhang Zhao, which was not the same person as Zhang Zhao of Eastern Wu. And then Zhang Zhao's eldest son in Eastern Wu was named Zhang Cheng... It's amazing.

(End of this chapter)