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

Chapter 333 Obstructing Filial Piety
The next day.

Dong Zhuo came to visit.

"Xuande summoned all officials to Linzi and used the regular taxes of Qing and Xu provinces as a basis for raising supplies... Is he planning to move the capital to Linzi?"

The two had previously been very considerate of each other and were currently on good terms, speaking frankly and directly when speaking to each other alone.

Dong Zhuo could understand why Liu Bei had taken Liu Xie away from Luoyang, but he would never allow Liu Bei to move the capital.

"No, quite the opposite. If the world is at peace and all officials respect Your Majesty, I would actually prefer Your Majesty to return to Luoyang."

Liu Bei shook his head: "Linzi is too far from Xizhou, and Qingzhou has no natural defenses. It is suitable as an economic hub, but not as the capital of the Han Dynasty."

This is the truth. Many people thought that Liu Bei intended to move the capital, but Liu Bei really had no such plan.

Luoyang remains the most suitable capital city at present, after all, its geographical location, defense facilities, palaces, government offices, and way of thinking are all readily available.

but……

Although Linzi is not suitable as a capital, it can serve as a secondary capital, or even a temporary capital or an outer capital... anything is fine.

“Xuande built a great city in Linzi. I observed that all industries in Linzi were prosperous and the flow of people was like a tapestry... I thought that Xuande intended to move the capital here.”

Dong Zhuo knew that Liu Bei usually wouldn't lie to someone's face, but he was still a little uneasy: "Is he really not planning to do that?"

"There is absolutely no intention to move the capital."

Liu Bei said very seriously.

"Then...when will His Majesty return to Luoyang? After his tour of Mount Tai, will he be able to return to the capital?"

Dong Zhuo pressed on with his questions.

His purpose in coming to Linzi was precisely this.

Liu Bei publicly stated that Liu Xie would go to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to Heaven and ancestors during the Winter Solstice. This matter must be completed by Liu Xie; no one can stop the emperor from fulfilling his filial duties.

But what happens after that?

"That depends on the situation in the world... If ten prefectures can pay their taxes according to the law, if most of the world is at peace, and if Luoyang is no longer in danger, then Your Majesty can return to the capital."

Liu Bei explained, “I brought His Majesty to Qingzhou precisely for His Majesty’s safety… Brother Dong knows how the late Emperor died and how Marquis Shi passed away… Luoyang is not a safe place.”

The fact that each state pays taxes normally is indeed a sign of stability in the land. Liu Bei did indeed intend for everyone to work together to maintain stability. For the sake of the profits from the national debt, everyone could at least try to reduce fighting among themselves.

Although Dong Zhuo understood, he was unwilling: "But Xuande can stay in Luoyang and serve as the Commandant of the Capital Region... If we work together, we can ensure His Majesty's safety."

"If His Majesty is in Luoyang, we will only be able to run around frantically... Brother Dong, since Emperor Guangwu, how long have the emperors of the Han dynasty lived in Luoyang?"

Liu Bei countered, "How many powerful families are there in Luoyang? How many noble and aristocratic households? Which one of them wouldn't want our lives? Throughout history, emperors have never been able to protect themselves. If Your Majesty were in Luoyang, could you and I truly survive?"

Dong Zhuo remained silent.

After a while, Dong Zhuo tentatively asked, "Why don't we return to the old capital?"

"Let's talk about it in the future... Right now, the area around Chang'an is full of fiefdoms of dukes and marquises. Do you think any place is safer than Luoyang?"

Liu Bei laughed: "Brother Dong, do you dare let Lady Bai live in Chang'an?"

Bai Xiaoniangzi refers to Dong Bai, who was Dong Zhuo's darling.

It was precisely because Liu Bei took the initiative to bestow the title of "Lord" upon Dong Bai that Dong Zhuo was so polite in coming to Linzi.

In fact, Dong Zhuo himself dared not live in Chang'an...

Although he petitioned to establish Yongzhou with Chang'an as its capital, his military headquarters were actually still in Mei County, and the Grand Minister's office remained in Luoyang.

"But if Your Majesty stays in Linzi for too long, it will not be peaceful... Now all the officials are colluding with each other, does Xuande not know this?"

Dong Zhuo still wanted Liu Bei to give in.

"If the world is at peace, all states pay taxes, and the people are content... then why should I serve His Majesty and incur hatred?"

Liu Bei said frankly, "I just don't want my junior brother, whom my master risked his life to protect, to be harmed by treacherous people... Brother Dong, you must have also been assassinated. You know who our enemies are... I have never done anything to harm you, Brother Dong."

Dong Zhuo was indeed frequently targeted for assassination, even more so than Liu Bei. His granddaughter, Dong Bai, also encountered several attacks last year, but fortunately, none of them succeeded.

Nowadays, Dong Zhuo travels with experts like Hua Xiong to protect him wherever he goes, and Lü Bu is also protecting Dong Bai in Mei County.

"That may be true, but Your Majesty must also be filial... Your Majesty's only close relative now is the Empress Dowager. If Your Majesty does not return to the capital for a long time, it is not the way of the Son of Heaven."

Dong Zhuo sighed: "Xuande, we are old acquaintances, there's no need for empty words and excuses. Since you don't want to move the capital, and His Majesty doesn't want to return to Luoyang, how can we both benefit?"

“Brother Dong, I already gave you the mutually beneficial plan yesterday. If the whole country pays taxes, the court will be well-off, and if the court is well-off, the country will be at peace.”

Liu Bei shook his head and said, "Once the ten provinces pay their taxes, I will definitely send His Majesty back to the capital. I mean what I say. If Brother Dong doesn't trust me, why don't you send someone to serve as His Majesty's close attendant?" "...It's not that I don't trust Xuande, it's just..."

Dong Zhuo stubbornly insisted, "It's just out of filial piety towards His Majesty..."

"Then... will Lord Bojie accompany Brother Dong to Linzi?"

Liu Bei spread his hands: "I am about to marry Zhao Ji, the daughter of Bo Jie Gong, but half a year has passed since the news was sent. I have only received a letter of approval from Bo Jie Gong, but I have not seen him in person... Brother Dong, do you know where Bo Jie Gong is? I wonder who is preventing me and Zhao Ji from fulfilling our filial duties?"

In fact, it wasn't just Zuo Yuan who sent the letter; Jian Yong also asked Emperor Xie to issue an imperial edict, transferring Cai Yong to Qingzhou to serve as the Grand Master of the Imperial Academy. This edict was issued in February, which was indeed half a year ago.

The imperial edict would reach Luoyang in no more than three months, and by the time it reached Dong Zhuo's army, it would be no more than the end of March. At that time, Dong Zhuo was stationed in Mei County, Youfufeng.

Cai Yong was the Minister of Works and should have come to Linzi with Dong Zhuo, but he has not shown up yet, and has not even gone to see Cai Yan.

Liu Bei knew that it was probably because Dong Zhuo wouldn't let Cai Yong leave.

This also hinders people from practicing filial piety.

"...Master Bojie presented ten thousand volumes of books as his dowry, and Xuande took poetry and literature as his concubine. This is a beautiful story indeed. So I found some wood for the zither as a gift... Cai Bojie is currently making a zither for Zhaoji and will come here tomorrow..."

Dong Zhuo was quite adept at finding excuses: "Xuande, you know my heart, and I don't want to say more. His Majesty is of marriageable age, and I wish to marry my granddaughter to His Majesty. Would Xuande be willing to make my granddaughter his empress?"

"This is great news! This matter should be handled immediately!"

Liu Bei was overjoyed: "Lady Bai is a perfect match for Your Majesty! How about we hold this grand ceremony next spring, when all things come to life? I will announce it to all the officials at the grand court assembly in a few days!"

Dong Bai is eleven years old this year, which is quite suitable, at least in terms of age...

Dong Zhuo was taken aback by Liu Bei's quick agreement and was stunned for a moment: "Really?"

"Of course! Brother Dong can also station his troops in Linzi to protect the young lady, so that no villains might cause trouble."

Liu Bei's expression seemed very sincere: "As long as the ten provinces pay taxes according to the law, and the world is at peace without war, I will ask Your Majesty to return Luoyang. This matter will also be announced to the world at the Grand Court Assembly... Brother Dong, can you rest assured?"

"I misunderstood Xuande... Xuande, please don't be offended. Zhuo is a rough man, and I won't feel at ease until I explain things clearly."

After nodding in acknowledgment, Dong Zhuo changed the subject: "I wonder how Xuande intends to collect the regular taxes from each state? Currently, many states and counties are in a state of separatism. Xuande is asking us to invest and contribute funds. Does this mean you want us to send troops to attack them? But if we all wage war, wouldn't the world be in chaos?"

It seems that Dong Zhuo carefully studied Liu Bei's intentions after returning, but he didn't understand them, so he simply came to ask him in person.

“Brother Dong, I am only raising funds for the imperial court. If you can invest in the imperial court, others can also invest in you... Brother Dong doesn’t even need to personally contribute funds to invest in the imperial court.”

Liu Bei smiled and said, "As for how to collect taxes... Brother Dong has a strong army and powerful horses. Whether you send troops, threaten him, or get various departments and counties to invest and share the tax revenue with him, it's none of my business..."

Dong Zhuo was taken aback, then suddenly realized: "That's right... If Xuande can do it, so can I..."

Yes, that's great to see it that way.

Liu Bei nodded and added fuel to the fire: "Brother Dong, now that you have taken control of Xizhou, if someone in Xizhou doesn't invest in you, then... is that person trustworthy?"

Dong Zhuo thought for a moment, then nodded and cupped his hands in greeting: "I understand what Xuande means."

Liu Bei smiled and then asked Dong Zhuo to select a plot of land for Dong Bai to build a house. The two parted on good terms.

……

The next day, Cai Yong appeared at the East Pavilion.

Dong Zhuo actually sent two guqin (a seven-stringed zither) as a congratulatory gift, but it's unclear where he obtained them in such a hurry.

Seeing that Zhao Ji was indeed working as a scribe and was also teaching several children, including Liu Xie, Cai Yong was relieved.

Zuo Yuan's letter to Cai Yong inquired about etiquette, which represented the welcoming attitude of Liu Bei's wife towards Cai Yan.

Zuo Yuan's initiative in arranging a concubine for Liu Bei would also be considered virtuous.

In particular, the fact that the Cai family had previously made a grand announcement that they would "take ten thousand volumes of books as dowry" and that Liu Bei "took books as concubines" because of Cai Yan's extensive knowledge had become a popular story, demonstrating respect for knowledge and learning.

Moreover, what Zuo Yuan sent to Cai Yan was a betrothal gift, not just a bride price. This was also a way of showing respect. Although she was still a concubine, no one treated Cai Yan as an ordinary concubine.

Given Liu Bei's current status, no one would be foolish enough to view this as a simple matter of taking a concubine.

Now that Cai Yan was able to serve as the emperor's tutor, and Cai Yong himself was to be appointed as the Imperial Academy Chancellor, a truly prestigious and respected official, the matter was left unresolved.

The date for Na Zhaoji to enter the family was set for October.

Moreover, barring any unforeseen circumstances, this timing would coincide with the period when Liu Bei distributed a large number of copies of "Agricultural Strategies".

Soon, a child will be born into the family—Bian Ji is indeed pregnant, currently more than six months along, with her due date in early November.

On the winter solstice, Liu Xie was to go to Mount Tai to pay homage to his ancestors. This was on the 28th day of the eleventh lunar month.

(End of this chapter)