Second-hand time travel: Liu Bei, the big-eared bandit

Chapter 199 Coercion
Luoyang, Xiyuan.

"When I was offering sacrifices at Beiman, I saw tens of thousands of birds on the mausoleum of Emperor Chong, gathered together, crying mournfully, pecking and fighting each other, leaving bird corpses everywhere and bloody feathers filling the sky..."

The Imperial Clan Secretary Liu Yan was recounting to the Emperor the scene he witnessed during the ancestral worship ceremony.

"How could this be so..."

Liu Hong murmured to himself.

His condition had not improved; the blisters on his lips had spread to his face, his complexion was sallow, and he was somewhat listless.

"Your Majesty, the world is in turmoil, and people are fighting amongst themselves. This ominous sign has also appeared... I fear the world will be difficult to stabilize."

Liu Yan continued, "Nowadays, the prefects of each prefecture all take office through bribery and exploitation, causing widespread resentment among the people. Powerful local magnates, under the pretext of suppressing rebellions, amass military power and become difficult to control. Meanwhile, the governors have little power and are unable to regulate their regions..."

"...Do you have a strategy?"

Liu Hong closed his eyes briefly, his voice weary.

The emperor had heard similar words countless times, and Liu Yan was not the only minister who had offered advice and petitions.

Liu Hong knew that the world was in chaos and that the current situation was clear, but most of the ministers who offered advice could only describe the status quo and had no solutions for governing it.

What's the use of just talking about problems if you can't come up with an implementation plan?

"Your Majesty, all the provinces are in chaos, and the roads are blocked, making it difficult for the court to implement its policies. The only solution now is to select upright and honest officials to serve as governors, guarding the four borders and pacifying the land."

Liu Yan did indeed have a strategy: "First, we must rectify the various prefectures so that the court can issue orders to the whole country, so as to prevent the whole country from collapsing. Once the prefectures are well governed, the people are pacified, and the powerful clans are suppressed, the court can collect enough taxes and grain... Otherwise, it will be like minting new coins. Even if the court implements benevolent policies, it will only lead to more local evils."

"...Let me think about it..."

Liu Hong frowned, closed his eyes, and waved his hand: "Let me think about it..."

Liu Yan was about to say something more when a palace eunuch announced from outside the hall: "The Imperial Physician Zhang Feng requests an audience; Your Majesty should take your medicine."

Liu Yan glanced at the weary emperor, bowed respectfully, and withdrew from the hall.

Outside the hall, Zhang Rang and his son Zhang Feng hurriedly ran into the main hall.

Liu Yan watched Zhang Rang and his son's retreating figures, then pulled open the small eunuch door outside, handing them a gold ingot wrapped in his palm: "What's the matter that you're in such a hurry?"

The young eunuch, Zhang Rang's follower, pinched the gold ingot in his hand, silently tucked it into his robes, and whispered to Liu Yan, "Cavalry Commandant Liu Bei sent someone, saying..."

Liu Yan was shocked upon hearing this. He turned and glanced at the main hall again before hurriedly leaving the West Garden.

……

"Liu Gen?! This man is actually using my name... This is treason! Where is he? Capture him at once!"

Inside the hall, after hearing Zhang Feng's message, Liu Hong's expression darkened further: "Whose man is this Liu Gen?"

"...They are from Changqiu Palace, disciples of Shi Daoren...and also retainers of the Great General."

Zhang Rang's expression was also grim: "Your Majesty, after I learned of the news, I sent men to arrest Liu Gen, but he did not return to Luoyang. I have already dispatched elite cavalry to Yingchuan to track down his family, but... I'm afraid we may not be able to catch them."

"It seems that Liu Bei's children have indeed been captured by this traitor... If Liu Bei were to rebel because of this..."

Liu Hong gritted his teeth and turned to Zhang Rang: "Since we can't find Liu Gen... is there a way to quickly kill Liu Bei?"

"Your Majesty... Liu Bei has a long-standing friendship with Zhang Yan of the Black Mountain, and he is currently negotiating peace with the White Wave Yellow Turbans. If something were to happen to him now..."

Zhang Rang hurriedly shook his head: "Besides, Liu Bei has already sent people to control Mengjin Ferry, cutting off all communication. No one can cross the river, so how can we kill them?"

"Yesterday, a subordinate official of Liu Bei requested an audience... was it also because of this matter?"

Liu Hong probably remembered that he hadn't seen Jian Yong.

“Indeed… Your Majesty did not see Jian Yong yesterday, so Jian Yong assumed that Your Majesty must have instructed Liu Gen… I tried my best to persuade him, but Jian Yong said that whether it was the Empress, Marquis Shi, or the Grand General, they were all Your Majesty’s close relatives. No matter who did this, it was Your Majesty’s doing…”

Zhang Feng also bowed and said.

“…closest relatives…hmph! Closest relatives!”

Liu Hong was furious. He overturned everything on the table and threw it to the ground, then leaned on the table and gasped for breath.

"Your Majesty, this matter..."

Zhang Rang asked softly.

"...Drafting an imperial edict..."

Liu Hong leaned on the table, head bowed, his voice coming from his back teeth: "Appoint Liu Bei as Left General of the Household, ordering him to quickly quell the White Wave and Yellow Turban Rebellions; whether to surrender or attack is up to him to decide... This edict should be delivered by Lu Zhi..."

"Summon He Jin to see me!"

……

……

Hanoi.

Lu Zhi, carrying the imperial edict, accompanied Jian Yong to Huai County.

Zhu Jun also traveled with them.

Zhu Jun had arrived in Luoyang in early August, but it was only at this time that he had the opportunity to cross the river.

However, the current governor of Hanoi County is no longer in control of Zhu Jun.

In the prefect's office, he could only sit at the lower end of the table...

Liu Bei's position as Left General of the Household was similar in authority to Lu Zhi's when he quelled the Yellow Turban Rebellion. The fact that Lu Zhi was specifically sent to deliver the imperial edict was also to appease Liu Bei's emotions, since Lu Zhi had once been Liu Bei's teacher.

However, the emperor was somewhat confused—Liu Bei and Lu Zhi had differing ideologies…

Moreover, Liu Bei cannot be appeased with empty official positions.

"What? The imperial court is committing unjust acts, forcibly abducting hostages to coerce me into suppressing the rebellion? Is that what you mean?"

Liu Bei refused the imperial edict and instead asked Lu Zhi, "Minister Lu, when the court appointed you as a general, was it also by threatening you with your son?"

Lu Zhi remained silent.

Even Zhu Jun felt that this was indeed unfair and shook his head slightly.

"They ordered me to leave Youzhou to reinforce the war in Liangzhou, and while I was away, they tricked me into giving away my newborn children... Now, they've added the responsibility of quelling the rebels to my list, but instead of giving me troops, money, and supplies, they haven't given me any authority to command them. They just want me to 'quickly quell the White Wave Army'... Ha!"

Liu Bei shook his head and sighed, "I really want to know, if I really quelled the White Waves and Yellow Turbans quickly, what will happen to me? Will I continue to pacify Liangzhou, Qingzhou and Xuzhou, and die on the battlefield? Or will I enter the court and become a noble official like Minister Lu?"

“Xuande, this was not the Emperor’s intention, and a subject should not harbor resentment…”

Lu Zhi didn't know what to say, so he could only offer kind words of advice.

"Shouldn't a subject harbor resentment? But how does a ruler view his subjects? If a ruler doesn't protect his subjects' families, why should a subject protect his ruler? Why is the whole world in rebellion?!"

Liu Bei turned around and angrily said, "If it were you, Minister Lu or Lord Zhu, and your families were forcibly taken away... what would you two do?!"

Why did Zhao Ci of Jiangxia rebel?

Why did Bian Zhang and Han Sui of Liangzhou rebel?

"If I, Liu Bei, am even slightly disloyal, if I, Liu Bei, am without loyalty, if I, Liu Bei, were not of the Liu family, then I should raise the banner of 'purging the court of corrupt officials' right now! I, Liu Bei, will not be coerced! I will only perish together with you!!"

Lu Zhi sighed, "This is certainly not something the Emperor would do, Xuande, please calm down..."

Zhu Jun also shook his head and sighed.

Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and others stood behind Liu Bei, their faces also showing anger—they knew that Liu Bei's child was safe, but it was a fact that someone wanted to kidnap Liu Bei's child, and the matter itself was very bad.

If Liu Bei had left Youzhou with his troops just a few months after receiving the transfer order, something bad would most likely have happened.

"I have no intention of quelling the rebellion, nor can I. The court has not given me a single soldier, nor any funds or provisions. How can I possibly intimidate the White Wave Army?" Liu Bei turned to Lu Zhi: "If you want to use me... Hmph! Whoever ordered the abduction of my children, let the court take their head to quell this rebellion! Otherwise..."

"Xuande!"

Lu Zhi spoke up, stopping Liu Bei from continuing.

"Didn't Minister Lu say that this matter had nothing to do with His Majesty? What? You're not sure?"

Liu Bei snorted coldly: "I've made myself very clear. Either we die together, or you hand over the person... whoever that person is! Xianhe, see the guests out!"

……

"Elder brother, such coercion of the emperor may have consequences."

That evening, Jian Yong whispered to Liu Bei in the guesthouse.

"I must let the whole world know that I am not coerced and will only perish with anyone! Otherwise, what Liu Gen did will happen many times over... Do you really think the Emperor doesn't want to abduct my family?"

Liu Bei explained, "One can be a thief for a thousand days, but one cannot guard against thieves for a thousand days... Zhang Sheng's wife and children are still in Huaili, and I don't want to become the second Zhang Sheng!"

Zhao Yun, who was standing behind him, asked, "Who is Zhang Sheng?"

Zhang Fei pulled Zhao Yun aside and sat down with Guan Yu, beginning to recount Zhang Sheng's past.

After listening, Zhao Yun gritted his teeth and sighed: "From top to bottom, they are all extremely wicked... How can someone without a benevolent heart be worthy of being called a ruler! But I fear that my lord will be attacked, for there are many in the world who take things out of context and distort right and wrong..."

"If I were to swallow this like a coward, what would those who take things out of context think of me? And what would a man of courage like Zilong think of me?"

Liu Bei turned his head and said solemnly, “I have coerced the court, which is indeed immoral and treacherous. I am willing to bear the infamy to avoid future troubles for my family… But please, gentlemen, do not follow my example. If you suffer such troubles in the future, I will risk my life to avenge your families!”

……

On the other hand, Liu Hong was truly anxious upon learning that Liu Bei refused to obey the imperial edict.

He berated He Jin and ordered him to find the real culprit and resolve the matter within half a month.

Actually, it wasn't He Jin who sent Liu Gen to kidnap Liu Bei's family.

But the responsibility does lie with He Jin, since Shi Zimiao and Liu Gen were both his retainers.

But now it's very difficult to solve the problem—Liu Gen has indeed disappeared, and no one can find him anywhere; his family members have also all disappeared.

He Jin was scolded and completely confused, so he went to the palace to ask Empress He.

But Empress He didn't understand either—she didn't know Liu Bei at all, so of course she wouldn't send anyone to do this.

Shi Zimiao was unaware of this matter.

He Jin had too many retainers, and in order to curry favor with the gentry, he recruited many people, including Yuan Shao, to serve as officials in the General's Office. Liu Gen was skilled in magic and often associated with many princes, ministers, and scholars.

Finding out who instructed Liu Gen is going to be extremely difficult.

"Why is the General so worried? All difficulties can turn out to be good things... The Emperor simply wants the real culprit. Just hand him over, and that will be enough."

Yuan Shao gave He Jin, who was in a great hurry, a suggestion.

"The real culprit? What the Emperor wants are Liu Bei's children! If it were just a matter of handing someone over, I would have done it long ago!"

He Jin said irritably.

"Just say that Liu Bei's children are all missing... They were kidnapped shortly after birth, and Liu Gen has already disappeared, so naturally they can't be found."

Yuan Shao said in a low voice, "However, General Dong is at odds with the Grand General, and Empress Dowager Dong often vies for power with Empress He... It would be better to pin this matter on General Dong. He has done this kind of thing before, using people's families as hostages, and the Emperor will surely believe it without a doubt..."

He Jin's eyes lit up: "That's right! This difficult situation is actually a good thing..."

A few days later, He entered the palace and claimed that the matter had been investigated and that it was General Dong Zhong who had ordered Liu Gen to kidnap Liu Bei's children.

At the same time, He Jin also found letters between Liu Gen and Dong Zhong as evidence.

One of the letters reads, “To resolve calamities and attain immortality, one must harmonize Yin and Yang, bathe in the blazing heat of the nine Yangs by day, and seduce the maidens of the nine Yins by night… Also, take the blood of twin dragons and phoenixes born during the Mid-Autumn Festival as a guide, refine it with the blazing Yang for ninety-nine days, and then refine it with the blazing Yin for ninety-nine days, only then can the elixir be formed, which is called the Yin-Yang Elixir.”

This letter is indeed genuine...

Dong Zhong was a superstitious man who often associated with alchemists such as Shi Zimiao and Liu Gen, mainly to exchange methods of longevity and... treatment of hidden ailments.

Most alchemists like to practice longevity techniques and sexual arts, since these two things are the most attractive.

The so-called Yin-Yang Pill is actually Viagra.

Liu Hong also frequently consumed the elixirs refined by Shi Zimiao...

It did have some effect, but because the elixir contained a lot of cinnabar and mercury, it not only inevitably caused internal heat but also made one prone to poisoning—Liu Hong's illness was caused by this stuff...

To be honest, many alchemists have written such letters to nobles, just to exaggerate the mystique of elixirs and collect more money.

The problem is that Liu Bei's children were indeed twins, a boy and a girl, born on the Mid-Autumn Festival...

This thing definitely matches up.

And it was so accurate that Liu Hong had no choice but to believe it.

Thus, the mastermind became General Dong Zhong.

Dong Zhong was naturally dissatisfied and almost staged a mutiny, but ultimately it was too late.

Following Yuan Shao's advice, He Jin led his troops to besiege the General of Chariots and Cavalry's residence, and arrested Dong Zhong, throwing him into Luoyang Prison.

When Empress Dowager Dong learned of this, she was furious and asked Liu Hong, "The General of Chariots and Cavalry is Your Majesty's cousin, blood is thicker than water... How can you harm your own family for the sake of outsiders?"

Liu Hong showed the letter to Empress Dowager Dong, his eyes even filled with tears: "Dong Zhong has always been involved in kidnapping people's relatives. Now, in his pursuit of immortality, he is taking the children of officials to refine elixirs. If we do not kill him, what hope is there for our Great Han?"

Faced with irrefutable evidence, Empress Dowager Dong was truly at a loss.

Soon after, Dong Zhong committed suicide in prison. Dong Cheng, the Attendant-in-Ordinary, concurrently took over the Tiger Guard, but the military power of the Tiger Guard was still handed over to He Jin.

The emperor sent another imperial edict to Liu Bei.

This time, Liu Hong not only gave Liu Bei an explanation, but also granted Liu Bei the power to supervise the army with imperial insignia. However, this did not mean that Liu Bei was in charge of Hebei or Youji, but rather that he was in charge of the Three Auxiliary Regions (Jingzhao, Zuo Fengyi, and You Fufeng).

This was essentially equivalent to supervising the troops in the Liangzhou war zone. Zhang Wen and Dong Zhuo's troops were stationed in Huaili and Meiyang in Fufeng, respectively.

This supervisory power was actually used by Liu Bei to vent his anger.

Dong Zhong was once enfeoffed as the Marquis of Chiyang. Chiyang was located in the northwest of Chang'an, belonging to Jingzhao Commandery, and was very close to Xiling.

Liu Hong knew that the soldiers and their families that Dong Zhong had previously captured were all near Xiling, such as Zhang Sheng's wife and children.

Dong Zhong did not settle those people in Chiyang, but instead settled them all in Huaili.

Since the fate of Liu Bei's children was unknown, Liu Hong was essentially asking Liu Bei to go and find his children himself.

But if they wanted to find their children quickly, they should deal with Bai Bojun as soon as possible—Liu Hong's thinking was quite clear.

Liu Bei readily accepted the agreement and immediately reached a ceasefire agreement with the White Wave Army on behalf of the imperial court.

A few days later, the imperial court offered terms for the Baibo Army to be granted amnesty.

Guo Daxian was given the name Guo Tai and appointed as the Commandant of Fenshui, responsible for governing Baibo Valley in Hedong, which was also a combination of military and political affairs.

This is actually similar to Zhang Yan's situation, only the scope of management is relatively smaller.

At least he had real power, and Guo Tai didn't care whether he was a captain or a lieutenant general, as long as he could preach openly and honestly.

Originally, this was a happy occasion for everyone. However, before Guo Tai withdrew his troops and returned to Hedong, he suddenly launched an attack on Huai County.

To be precise, it was the remnants of the Yellow Turban forces under Guo Tai who clashed with Zhu Jun.

(End of this chapter)