Three Kingdoms: I am not Liu Bian

Chapter 313 The well-being of all people is an auspicious sign!
"Do any of you gentlemen have anything else to report?"

Liu Bian leaned forward slightly, suppressing the emptiness in his stomach, and quickly scanned the court officials in their seats. He waited for no one to speak within ten breaths before ordering the court to adjourn.

Important matters are discussed in small meetings, while minor matters are discussed in large meetings, but nowadays Liu Bian is increasingly reluctant to attend court meetings.

It's not that I'm trying to emulate that lame emperor who didn't attend court for 28 years; it's just that the current grand court assembly has almost no substantive content and has become a mere formality for promulgating new policies.

In the past, during the grand court assembly, the censors of the Censorate would submit memorials to impeach certain corrupt officials or powerful figures. Many urgent matters that needed to be dealt with would also be brought up again during the grand court assembly in order to attract the attention of the emperor and the court.

However, the officialdom of the Han Dynasty has been completely transformed, ushering in a top-down baptism of involution, which has led to a sudden and significant increase in administrative efficiency. From Emperor Liu Bian down, no one dares to delay the handling of administrative affairs that can be done on the same day until the next day.

If an imperial censor wants to impeach corrupt officials or powerful figures, it's better to go directly to Guo Tu, the Chief Justice of the Court of Justice, or Guo Hong, the Commandant of the Capital Region, rather than wasting time arguing in court.
The reputations of the "Mad Dog" and "Crouching Tiger" in the capital were by no means undeserved.

Even so, this grand court assembly was no longer a mere formality, and no matter how much Liu Bian disliked it, it was still a fixed monthly event.

The emperor resided deep within the palace, and most officials might never have the chance to meet him in their entire lives. Ordinary people, on the other hand, had no hope of ever having the opportunity to see the emperor. The two were separated by an insurmountable chasm.

If Liu Bian were to remain out of sight for an extended period, countless rumors and gossip would inevitably circulate throughout the court and among the people.

The last time he caught a cold and missed a few days of court, rumors about his "death" or even Liu Hong regaining power and executing him were already rampant.

If Liu Bian had truly cancelled the court assemblies, countless conspiracy theories and rumors, even more absurd and bizarre than those in unofficial histories, would have emerged in the future.

Of course, there was another more direct reason why Liu Bian was in a hurry to end the court session: he hadn't eaten enough for breakfast.

Perhaps it was the last wave of growth during puberty; only two months into the new year, he had grown nearly an inch taller, and his appetite had also increased considerably.

Last night, he worked hard in Cai Yan's palace and slept soundly. Cai Yan always liked to cook some snacks for Liu Bian by herself, and Liu Bian especially liked the cabbage and minced meat porridge cooked by Cai Yan. Therefore, even though they had been intimate for a long time last night, Cai Yan still got up early to cook a bowl of cabbage and minced meat porridge for him.

However, they had been entangled for too long last night, which delayed their rest. As a result, Liu Bian lingered in bed for a while longer, ate a few bites, and then hurriedly went to Jiade Palace.

This amount of food is usually enough to last until now, but today my stomach is rumbling and hunger is creeping in.

However, Liu Bian was destined to be disappointed.

Contrary to expectations, Huang Wan, the Minister of the Three Dukes, had another memorial to submit. He rose from his seat and said, "Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present."

Liu Bian glanced sideways at Huang Wan, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.

Huang Wan has been quite restless lately, frequently holding banquets with his former party members.

The crimes of the partisans have long been forgiven, so there is nothing wrong with such interactions. Even important officials like Lu Zhi and Zheng Xuan had many former friends who were also partisans. It was common for them to compose poems and write essays during their time off, and it was not surprising at all.

The problem was that Huang Wan remained fixated on exonerating Chen Fan and Dou Wu.

What displeased Liu Bian even more was that Huang Wan, of all people, insisted on dragging many members and branches of the Jiangxia Huang clan into the mess.

For example, Huang Gai, the military commander of the cavalry, was born in Lingling County, but his father, Huang An, was the eldest son of Huang Zan, the fifth son of Huang Xiang of the Jiangxia Huang clan, who was known for "fanning the pillow and warming the quilt".

Huang Zan's branch migrated to Lingling County, so Huang Gai's place of origin also changed to Lingling County.

If it were only Huang Gai, that would be one thing, but Huang Wan also sought out Cai Yuan's brother-in-law, Huang Chengyan of the Huang family of Xiangyang.

In other words, Huang Chengyan was so engrossed in classical studies that he was unwilling to get involved in the court or politics; otherwise, Liu Bian would have been in a difficult position.

After being rejected by Huang Chengyan, Huang Wan wrote to Huang Zu, the Right Sima of the General of the West's Office, who was also from the Jiangxia Huang clan, but has not yet received a reply.

What Liu Bian found most disgusting was that this fellow had actually approached Huang Zhong.

Although Huang Zhong was poor, struggling to even afford his son's medical expenses, he belonged to a branch of the Jiangxia Huang clan.

When his ancestors separated from the Jiangxia Huang clan to form the Nanyang Huang clan, Huang Xiang, who was known as "unparalleled in the world," had not yet been born.

Huang Wan used the promise of helping Huang Zhong "recognize his ancestors" and providing Huang Xu with better educational resources as bait, hoping that Huang Zhong would support him in exonerating Chen Fan and Dou Wu.

Huang Zhong's reaction was swift and decisive, disregarding all decorum and etiquette. He hurled Huang Wan away with a stick and declared that he would never forgive Huang Wan again.

Liu Bian sometimes genuinely hesitated about whether to deal with Huang Wan, who truly embodied the saying "a scholar's rebellion will not succeed in three years."

It's not like their lives are in danger. Why be so direct and get straight to the point when trying to win people over?

There was absolutely no strategy involved!

Even when recruiting warriors during the Spring and Autumn Period, one must first show favor and establish trust. Only then, in addition to passion and loyalty, can one bind the other party with affection and morality, and make them feel trapped and unable to back down, so that they will be willing to serve wholeheartedly and die for one another.

Huang Wan, as the Minister of the Three Dukes, did not have the ability to fulfill his political promises. The price he offered could not only be given by the emperor, but could also be doubled or even tenfold.

Huang Gai, Huang Chengyan, Huang Zhong, and others were either relatives of the emperor or former officials from the prince's residence. What reason did they have to risk a bad reputation to change their allegiance?
Therefore, Huang Gai, Huang Chengyan, and Huang Zhong almost immediately exposed Huang Wan's conspiracy to Liu Bian. If Liu Bian had not been mindful of the rules when the court was stable, the Huang clan of Jiangxia would have been wiped out long ago.

"Quick play."

Liu Bian naturally didn't treat this clueless fellow well, who had indirectly caused him to go hungry. Ironically, Huang Wan was somewhat puzzled by the emperor's impatient attitude.

It's like the whole school knows you're a hopeless simp who has a crush on a certain girl, and that girl knows it all too well, but she's just playing you. Yet you always believe it's a secret hidden deep in your heart, unknown to anyone else.

Huang Wan may have thought that even if a deal falls through, goodwill should remain.

According to the usual practice of scholars, Huang Gai, Huang Chengyan and Huang Zhong, as respectable people, should have kept his secret even if they could not form a united front, especially since they were all from the same Jiangxia Huang clan.
Little did they know that he had already been reported. The most furious Huang Zhong and the most radical Huang Gai even expressed their willingness to bear the disgrace for the emperor and lead troops to physically exterminate Huang Wan's entire family!
Huang Wan frowned slightly and took out a memorial from his sleeve. This memorial had just arrived at the Imperial Secretariat that morning and had not yet been presented to the Emperor. As Gao Wang presented the memorial to Liu Bian on Huang Wan's behalf, Liu Bian unfolded the memorial, and a strange expression immediately appeared on his face.

"The Prefect of Nanyang, Chu Gong, submitted a memorial stating that nine golden fungus stalks grew on the city wall of Fancheng, calling it an auspicious omen of the Holy Emperor's presence!" Huang Wan, oblivious to the Emperor's unusual expression, turned to the assembled officials and proclaimed loudly, "Congratulations to the nation! Congratulations to the Great Han!"

Upon hearing this, all the officials rose from their seats and went to the center of the hall, bowed to the emperor, and congratulated him in unison, saying, "We congratulate the nation and the Han Dynasty!"

However, instead of showing any joy, Liu Bian's face grew even colder.

He felt no joy at this so-called auspicious omen; at most, he felt no disgust.

"Ah!"

Liu Bian sneered. Among the court officials who congratulated him were his teacher Lu Zhi, as well as Jia Xu, Dong Zhao and others who knew his thoughts.

It's one thing for the emperor to dislike auspicious omens, but it's quite another for his subjects not to celebrate them!

Compared to the vague and ethereal auspicious omens such as the Yellow Dragon, Qilin, and Phoenix, the golden Ganoderma lucidum with nine stems and leaves growing in the cracks of the city wall is a real and traceable auspicious omen.

Lingzhi held a transcendent status in the Han Dynasty, initially being known as a "miracle drug" and "immortal herb." Following the discovery of nine-stemmed lingzhi mushrooms with connected leaves in the palaces of Chang'an during the reigns of Emperor Wu and Emperor Xuan, lingzhi was thus thoroughly revered as an auspicious omen. (Note 1)

The Former Han Dynasty claimed to be of the Earth element, and Ganoderma lucidum (reishi mushroom) belongs to the Earth element, which is called "the essence of Earth." Therefore, Ganoderma lucidum and even Heaven itself are the most sincere recognition of the Han Dynasty.

The Later Han dynasty claimed to be of the Fire element, but the Later Han dynasty emphasized the theory of the Five Elements and their mutual generation, with Fire generating Earth. Therefore, the Ganoderma lucidum, as the "essence of Earth," was also Heaven's most sincere recognition of the Han dynasty.

As long as the emperors needed it, even if it involved conflicting elements of the Five Elements, scholars could find a way to rationally and logically call it "auspicious omen" through debate.

However, even a "lucky omen" like Ganoderma lucidum, which has a traceable origin, was considered an illusion by Liu Bian.

"Heaven and earth are unkind and regard all things as stupid dogs!"

"When I discussed the reign title with the senior officials before I ascended the throne, I said that from now on, the Han Dynasty would not receive any auspicious omens!" Liu Bian looked at Huang Wan with a sinister gaze, stood up and walked down the imperial steps, and sneered, "If Heaven truly has the virtue of cherishing life, then it should grant our Han Dynasty abundant harvests every year, and our hardworking people free from disasters and diseases. Why are disasters so frequent?"

"Have I erred?"

"What fault have the people committed?"

Liu Bian's words were very impolite, and no one dared to respond to his two rhetorical questions.

The emperor is certainly right, but what about the common people?
What have the common people done wrong? They only want to survive, not to become rich and powerful. Why should they suffer from these natural disasters?

"I will tell you what true auspicious omens are!"

"From the first day of the first month of the second year of Hanxing to now, two months have passed, but no disasters have occurred in any region. This is an auspicious omen!"

"Cold where it should be cold, warm where it should be warm."

"General Jia Cong, who was in charge of the campaign against the four southern prefectures, submitted a memorial stating that the temperature in the four southern prefectures this year was colder than in previous years, making the soldiers less susceptible to illness. Therefore, the four southern prefectures could be pacified before the hot summer season, without having to wage another campaign and waste the money and grain that the people had to pay to the national treasury!"

When sending messages from the south, the messenger could reach Luoyang in eighteen days by alternating between land and water transport, changing horses but not riders.

Eighteen days prior, Jia Cong submitted another report, explaining the temperature in the four southern prefectures this year, essentially stating his intention to extend the originally planned combat period.

The temperature in the four counties of southern and central Taiwan this spring is much lower than in previous years, and it does not seem like a cold snap. It is expected that the cold weather will continue even after summer begins.

Jia Cong was not a man who loved grand achievements. General Zhao Wen, who was in charge of pacifying Shu, Governor Zhao Ang of Yizhou, and General Yan Yan, who was in charge of suppressing bandits, all jointly submitted a memorial to support the plan. Therefore, Liu Bian would not rigidly insist on sticking to the original plan, but would instead hand over the decision-making power to the generals at the front.

In his memorial, Jia Cong also proposed new ideas regarding the drinking water problem.

The Nanzhong barbarians often used the skulls of wild animals as markers, piercing them with wooden spears and placing them on the ground to mark the place where the tribe drew water, in order to prevent any tribesman from unintentionally polluting the drinkable water source.

With this marker, even rival tribes would not pollute this water source.

Jia Cong adopted the practices of the southern barbarians and established a "water sign" system, marking water collection points with signs to strictly prohibit soldiers from polluting them. With the addition of simple water filtration and distillation tools, the number of soldiers who fell ill in the army was extremely small.

Jia Cong believed that this "water sign" system was worth promoting in all armies of the Han Dynasty, and Liu Bian had already arranged for Grand Commandant Yuan Pang and General Huangfu Song to take the lead in this matter.

According to the deductions and analyses of Huangfu Song, Lu Zhi, Yuan Pang, and others, Jia Cong did indeed have the opportunity to pacify the four prefectures of Nanzhong before the hot summer season began.

"The Bohai Sea near Liaodong thawed twenty days earlier than usual, which is also an auspicious sign!"

Hearing the emperor say that such a common occurrence as the thawing of the Bohai Sea could be considered an auspicious omen, Huang Wan was somewhat unconvinced. However, the emperor said sternly, "Twenty days is enough time for the Maritime Trade Office's fleet of ships to set sail from Hejian State in Jizhou to Liaodong Commandery and make a round trip."

"And the grain, cloth and other supplies transported by this fleet of ships will save countless people in Liaodong who are suffering through the harsh winter and are about to freeze and starve to death!"

Liu Bian's gaze swept over the court officials who bowed and congratulated him on the matter of the Ganoderma lucidum. His majestic phoenix eyes gleamed with a sharp light, and he exuded an imposing aura. He said, "Is this not an auspicious omen?"

Everything goes smoothly, and there are no disasters or misfortunes. In these difficult times of the Little Ice Age, this is truly an auspicious omen that is hard to come by!
Liu Bian's gaze finally swept over the memorial submitted by the Prefect of Nanyang on the desk, a hint of barely perceptible contempt in his eyes.

In comparison, what is that mere Ganoderma lucidum growing on the city wall?
The well-being of all people is an auspicious sign!
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Note 1: From the *Book of Han*, Volume 6, *Annals of Emperor Wu*, in June of the second year of the Yuanfeng era, an imperial edict stated: "A mushroom, with nine stems and leaves, grows within the Ganquan Palace. The Supreme God has graced it with His presence, treating it no differently than a humble dwelling, and bestowed upon me great favor. Therefore, a general amnesty is hereby granted, and the hundred households of Yunyang are bestowed with cattle and wine." The "Song of the Mushroom Chamber" was composed.

In the first month of spring in the first year of the Shenjue era (1094), Emperor Xuan of Han traveled to Ganquan and offered sacrifices at the Tai Altar. In the third month, he traveled to Hedong and offered sacrifices to Houtu. The imperial edict stated: “I, who have inherited the ancestral temple, am filled with trepidation. I have not yet fully grasped the principles of governing all things. In the fourth year of the Yuankang era (1094), auspicious grains and black millet descended upon the commanderies and kingdoms. The gods gathered again, and nine golden fungus stalks appeared in the bronze pool of the Hande Hall. The Nine Immortals presented strange beasts, and the Southern Commandery obtained a white tiger and a majestic phoenix as treasures.”

(End of this chapter)