Three Kingdoms: I am not Liu Bian

Chapter 321 A Heart-to-Heart Talk Between Ruler and Minister, Deep Hatred for Aristocratic Famili

The cell was deathly silent, save for the crackling of the burning torches and the suppressed breathing of the few people echoing in the cramped space.

Zhu Jun lay almost flat on the cold ground, his body trembling slightly, his voice filled with rapid breathing, saying, "Absolutely not! This sinful subject has reflected on his actions day and night and knows the grave mistakes he has made! I should not have associated with powerful families, formed marriage alliances with wealthy clans, taken on many disciples, and kept tenant farmers. I have truly failed to live up to Your Majesty's grace! I implore the state to grant me a chance to atone for my sins through meritorious service. From this day forward, I will sever all ties with them, concentrate on military affairs, and dare not do anything more..."

Zhu Jun eagerly raised his head, his cloudy eyes filled with pleading, his words brimming with a strong will to survive, like a drowning person desperately grasping at the last straw.

However, Liu Bian looked down at Zhu Jun, who was prostrate on the ground, his gaze unwavering, but instead becoming even colder. He slowly shook his head, let out a heavy sigh, and said, "Gongwei, you still don't know your mistakes. What you're saying now is nothing more than trying to escape punishment and save your life."

Zhu Jun's face drained of color, his eyes filled with confusion and panic. His lips trembled, and he could barely utter a complete sentence, his voice trembling as he said, "The nation..."

Liu Bian slowly raised his hand, a simple gesture forcefully cutting off Zhu Jun's explanation. He took a deep breath, suppressed his surging emotions, and slowly said, "Zhu Gongwei, in fact, from the first time we met, I have deeply hated you."

These words struck Zhu Jun like a thunderbolt, his eyes instantly filled with unbelievable fear, and his hands, which were pressed against the ground, unconsciously gripped the cracks in the floor tiles.

Liu Bian ignored the shock Zhu Jun felt at those words, and paid no attention to Zhu Jun's trembling. He simply stated the facts in an almost cold and calm tone, saying, "Do you still remember your friend Zhou Gui from the same county when you were young?"

Zhu Jun nodded blankly, his Adam's apple bobbing as he didn't quite understand why the emperor was bringing up this old story that he was so proud of.

He naturally remembered this friend. Although Zhou Gui had died young from an unexpected illness, Zhu Jun's initial reputation came from this person.

At that time, his fellow townsman Zhou Gui was summoned by the Three Dukes' Office, but because his family was poor and could not afford the high coming-of-age ceremony fee, he borrowed one million coins from the Kuaiji County government.

The crown and headgear fee was established by Emperor Xiaohuan. In order to make up for the deficit in the national treasury, the court tried every means to increase revenue, so it levied a crown and headgear fee on officials in office. In name, it was to make officials pay for or maintain the crown and headgear that symbolized their status in their official robes.

Officials who had already taken up their posts paid a lower maintenance fee, which was the new crown cap issued by the imperial court to serving officials every year. However, officials who were about to take up their posts had to pay a high crown cap fee as the purchase price of the new crown cap.

However, due to financial problems, the county government urged Zhou Gui to repay the loan ahead of schedule. Zhou Gui's family was poor and he was unable to raise the money in time.

Just when Zhou Gui was at his wit's end, Zhu Jun secretly stole the silk woven by his mother and sold it, raising money to relieve Zhou Gui's urgent need. However, his mother lost the means to support the family and was furious.

Faced with his mother's reproach, Zhu Jun instead argued that "small losses lead to great gains, and poverty at first leads to wealth; this is a natural principle."

Fortunately, this investment paid off. The county magistrate of his hometown, Shangyu County, was impressed by Zhu Jun and recommended him to Wei Yi, the governor of Kuaiji Prefecture. As a result, Zhu Jun was able to serve as a county official in the prefecture and was later appointed as the chief clerk by the next governor of Kuaiji Prefecture, Yin Duan.

"What a brilliant example of 'small loss for great gain'!"

“Stealing the silk that your elderly mother relies on to support the family, is this what you call filial piety?” Liu Bian’s voice suddenly turned cold, low but containing a hint of anger, and said, “That is your birth mother, the one who gave you life and raised you! In order to fulfill your so-called ‘righteous act’ and to gain fame, you dare to steal the very thing she depends on for survival!”

"If you fail to gain recognition, your mother will starve to death. What will you do then? Isn't that the greatest act of filial impiety? This is why I disliked you from the very beginning! To disregard your own family for the sake of empty fame, your heart is despicable!"

These words struck Zhu Jun's heart like a heavy hammer.

The emperor's words shattered his self-righteous "righteous act" aura, leaving only naked selfishness and filial impiety.

How utterly unfilial!

If these words were spoken outside, given the current emperor's influence, they would be enough to ruin Zhu Jun... no, to ruin the entire Zhu clan of Kuaiji, making them utterly despised and a pariah!

The Han Dynasty takes filial piety as its foundation. Although the current emperor cannot set an example by himself... cough, if anyone is tainted by even the slightest rumor of being unfilial, it could have a devastating impact on his career.

Zhu Jun trembled violently, his lips quivering, his face ashen, yet he couldn't utter a single word. Cold sweat had soaked through his prison uniform without him even realizing it.

"But I still appointed you."

Seeing Zhu Jun's distraught appearance, Liu Bian's anger subsided slightly.

"I am the emperor, the Son of Heaven, and the master of the country! I may have likes and dislikes, but I cannot make decisions about state affairs, including the selection of talented people, based solely on my personal likes and dislikes."

"Those of noble character and noble birth may not necessarily have the talent to save the world; and those who are talented and accomplished may not necessarily be of flawless character or from prominent families."

"Qu Ni Xianhou (Chen Ping) came from a humble background and had the infamy of 'stealing his sister-in-law and accepting gold.' However, Emperor Gaozu did not regard him as despicable and entrusted him with important responsibilities. In the end, he was able to instigate Fan Zeng and protect the foundation of the Han Dynasty."

"If a scholar has shortcomings, can he be dismissed?"

"If we discard someone simply because of flaws in their character, how could the Han Dynasty have built such a glorious foundation for four hundred years?"

"I am not afraid of being laughed at by you, Zhu Gongwei. I dare not say these words to others in public, otherwise I would be overwhelmed by the memorials of advice. But these are my true thoughts. Otherwise, how could the court have so many talented people today?"

Zhu Jun pursed his lips and remained silent. The emperor's unconventional remarks deeply shocked his worldview. However, to someone of Zhu Jun's humble origins, the emperor did not see this as a rebellious act. Instead, he felt a sense of admirable magnanimity and composure emanating from the emperor.

Moreover, although he is dull-witted, he is not utterly stupid. The Emperor has spoken much today, and his words are insightful. If he truly wanted to punish him, why waste his breath?

If it wasn't to let him die knowing why before he was executed, then it was to have a heart-to-heart talk with him.

"I do not object to generals seeking personal gain for their families. If they had no such selfish motives, why would I reward soldiers so handsomely after every battle?"

However, everything should be done in moderation.

"Gongwei has fought on the battlefield, so he must have been well-versed in military books and studied the battle examples of his predecessors. He should know that the outcome of the battle depends not only on the abilities of the generals of the two armies, but also on the politics behind it, which can often affect the course of the battle."

“Famous generals of the past, such as Bai Qi and Li Mu, had unparalleled achievements and few rivals in their time, yet they ultimately died in court infighting, not defeated by their enemies, but by the suspicion of the emperor and the jealousy of their colleagues!”

Ignoring the filth on the floor outside the cell, Liu Bian lifted the hem of his robe and sat down on the ground, saying in a deep voice, "But is all this the king's fault?"

"Kings are also human, and cannot know what their generals and ministers are thinking. They must judge whether a general or minister is trustworthy by observing his or her actions."

"Trust is mutual! I am willing to trust the loyalty of the generals I have selected, but shouldn't you generals prove your loyalty through your actions so that I, the Son of Heaven, can further trust you?" Liu Bian stared at Zhu Jun, noticing the thoughtful look on Zhu Jun's face, and continued, "But what about you? You use your military positions to curry favor. What kind of people have you placed there? They are ignorant of military affairs, only good at scheming and parasites! Aren't you destroying my trust in you and cutting yourself off from me?"

"Take Huangfu Yizhen for example. He rarely participates in court discussions, keeps to himself and refuses visitors, and spends his days at home enjoying his grandchildren. Occasionally, he invites some officers and soldiers out of the city for hunting trips. What is the purpose of this? It is only to reassure me that he has no intention of forming cliques or engaging in private activities!"

"Take Dong Zhongying for example," Liu Bian paused slightly, as if considering his words, and said, "He also liked to associate with famous scholars, but who did he associate with? It was a true scholar like Cai Bojie, who was of noble character and extremely learned! And he only had this one person, and they eventually became close friends!"

"Dong Zhongying may be fond of bestowing favors on the army, but every time he does it, he uses his own money while doing so in my name."

"Lu Zigan (Lu Zhi), Zheng Kangcheng (Zheng Xuan), Fu Zishen (Fu Qian), Ma Wengshu (Ma Ridi)... These people are all true scholars with both talent and virtue. Instead of getting close to these real pillars of society, you, Zhu Gongwei, insist on flattering those empty-talking purists and those self-serving aristocratic families?"

Zhu Jun was speechless, his gaze involuntarily drifting to the empty shelf in the corner of the cell, a hint of indescribable bitterness in his eyes.

The Tingwei Prison differed from the Luoyang Prison and the Sili Xiaowei Prison in that it imprisoned convicted officials. Although there was no explicit legal provision prohibiting family visits, due to political sensitivity, in order to ensure the safety of the interrogation and to prevent collusion and the transmission of information, any prison visits were effectively prohibited.

Normally, even if they could not meet or visit each other, relatives and friends would try to send clothes, bedding, books and documents through prison officials.

But apart from the items sent by his eldest son Zhu Hao, no one else had ever brought him anything to his shelf.

This neglect was like a silent whip, lashing at his last remaining self-esteem.

The once powerful and influential families who had shared drinks and swore brotherhood with him, and the noble families who had once offered him their full support and assistance, all disappeared without a trace when he was imprisoned after his misfortune.

There wasn't a single word of concern or greeting, not a single piece of warm winter clothing, and no one wrote a letter of defense on his behalf.

This prolonged silence, like a cold tide, gradually seeped into his feverish heart in the dimly lit cell, and a bitter sense of regret quietly rose in his mind, making his throat tighten.

Maybe... I really was wrong?
Zhu Jun stared blankly at the rough, cold stone wall, the light in his eyes dimming further.

Seeing that Zhu Jun seemed to have realized something, Liu Bian's voice suddenly rose, filled with anger and rebuke, and he said sternly: "You are the General of Anxi with a rank of two thousand shi and a fief of seven hundred households, personally appointed by me! Your status and position are the honor I have given you! They should be the ones flattering you and trying to please you! Why do you belittle yourself and fawn over them?"

Zhu Jun pouted and murmured softly, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty fears that wealth and honor are not long-lasting, so you wish for your descendants to inherit the classics, so that in the future... so that the family may pass on its knowledge of the classics and ensure its long-term prosperity..."

"A family tradition of classical studies?" Upon hearing this, Liu Bian was first taken aback, then an overwhelming sense of absurdity welled up in his heart, and he almost laughed out of anger at Zhu Jun. Pointing at Zhu Jun, he rebuked, "If they can help you, can't I, the Son of Heaven, help you? I also hold the inheritance of both ancient and modern Chinese texts! If you are worried about the authentic inheritance, I can have Grand Tutor Lu and Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices Kang Cheng preside over the ceremony for you, and announce to the world that the orthodox classics of the Zhu family of Kuaiji have been passed down. Why do you need to wag your tail and beg for their help?"

Zhu Jun stared blankly at the emperor, he really hadn't expected that the transmission of classical studies could be done this way.
If he had known this would happen, why would he have bothered to curry favor with those insects? He should have just buried himself in battle, made meritorious contributions, and earned wealth and status!

He's been fooled by those damned aristocratic families!

Grand Tutor Lu Zhi and Grand Master of Ceremonies Zheng Xuan were leading figures in the ancient literature school, and their reputation and status far surpassed those of Lai Min, Sima Fang, and others.

If we follow the emperor's words, looking back at his past understanding and reflecting on all that he had done in the past, with his eagerness and servility, it was simply utterly foolish and short-sighted!
The emperor is young and wise, and the time for him and his ministers to stay together is long.

The wealth and status of the Zhu family of Kuaiji were always based on the emperor's trust.

They abandoned their roots to pursue acceptance by powerful and wealthy families, forgetting their own responsibilities, and thus became tools of these families.

Overwhelmed by belated regret, Zhu Jun was filled with shame. He slammed his forehead heavily against the cold stone ground, letting out a painful growl filled with unprecedented remorse.

When he raised his head again, Zhu Jun's forehead was covered in bruises, mixed with dust and blood. His voice was hoarse and trembling as he said, "My country, I was foolish! I was terribly wrong, I deserve to die!"

This time, Zhu Jun's eyes held no trace of wishful thinking or excuses, only the heart-wrenching regret that came with seeing the truth.

(4003 words)
(End of this chapter)