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

Chapter 374 Cicada Song
"Didn't you escort your grandfather home? Why are you standing guard outside the palace again?"

Diao Chan's voice was also very soft.

"My ancestor was unable to enter the palace today, so he sent me back to wait and see if I could get an audience with His Majesty."

Cao Ang answered fairly readily: "Ying Zhongyuan, the former magistrate of Yingling, wants to ask my grandfather to help him get a promotion so that he can be reinstated."

Ying Zhongyuan was Ying Shao, who had already served as the magistrate of Yingling County in Beihai before Liu Bei entered Qingzhou.

After Liu Bei held a civil service examination in Qingzhou, Ying Shao strongly opposed it and even refuted it as a violation of social order.

Later, Ying Shao heard that Zheng Xuan had also returned to Beihai from Liu Bei because of his opposition to the imperial examination. So he went to Zheng Xuan and claimed that his family had been high-ranking officials for generations, hoping to become Zheng Xuan's disciple.

Zheng Xuan refused, saying that Confucius's disciples discussed the Four Subjects and Six Arts, and that renowned disciples like Yan Hui and Duanmu Ci never claimed official positions. He also stated that his opposition to the imperial examinations was based on the principle of governing by virtue, not on family background.

Ying Shao was caught off guard and resigned from his post to return to his hometown.

"Wasn't the brocade and silk presented as tribute by your grandfather, Grand Commandant Cao, intended to be used as a tribute for the selection of beautiful young women?"

Diao Chan asked casually, "You have a younger sister, right... Did your grandfather want to help Ying Shao get an official position, or did he want to send your sister into the palace?"

"The brocade crown sent by my ancestor was sent by Ying Zhongyuan... My ancestor and his father Ying Feng had a long-standing relationship, and the brocade crown was indeed made specifically for tribute, so my ancestor accepted it."

Cao Ang nodded, but then shook his head: "As for my younger sister, my grandfather had no intention of paying tribute. She has already been betrothed to Ding Zhengli... However, if Your Majesty is willing, my grandfather and father would naturally be happy to send her to Your Majesty's side."

Diao Chan glanced at Cao Ang: "Your grandfather knew that the Right General only selected those who passed the imperial examinations, so why did he still help Ying Shao seek an official position? If it was only for the sake of seeking an official position, why didn't he seek help from Xu Dongge and Minister Xun?"

"...It was because my ancestor knew about it...that he directly recommended it to His Majesty..."

Cao Ang stammered as he replied, "The Right General will not appoint Ying Zhongyuan to an official position, but if His Majesty were to select officials... the Right General would certainly not object..."

"Is Ying Shao currently in Linzi? Is he at Grand Commandant Cao's residence?"

Diao Chan asked again.

"Yes……"

Cao Ang hesitated for a moment, but still nodded honestly.

"That's enough... Until His Majesty recovers, he will not see any court officials or foreign guests."

Diao Chan looked at Cao Ang and shook her head: "Your grandfather is old and frail. You should stay home and take good care of him. You shouldn't let the old man run around and toil for others..."

“Chan Guan is right to teach me a lesson. I will go back to serve my grandfather now.”

Cao Ang nodded meekly in agreement.

"and many more……"

Diao Chan reached out to stop him: "Take me to the East Pavilion first."

Cao Ang paused, seemingly wanting to say something, but ultimately didn't. He then escorted Diao Chan and several maids along the outer corridor towards the East Pavilion.

The East Pavilion and the Imperial Palace are connected by a walkway, which is not open to the public and is a guard corridor for the Imperial Guards.

Diao Chan remained silent the entire way, and Cao Ang, preoccupied with his own thoughts, also kept quiet.

Upon reaching the East Pavilion gate, Diao Chan turned to Cao Ang and asked, "Young Master Cao, what did Yang Xiu say to you a few days ago?"

"N-nothing..."

Cao Ang stammered and shook his head: "He was just worried about His Majesty's injuries."

"...Then go and knock on the door to request an audience with the Right General."

Diao Chan sighed, lowered her head, and stopped looking at Cao Ang.

……

Liu Bei was playing with his children at home when he heard that Diao Chan was requesting an audience in a side hall, and he was taken aback.

Diao Chan never took the initiative to seek an audience with Liu Bei.

Even if she had any needs, Diao Chan would directly ask Zuo Yuan, Bian Ji, and Cai Yan to resolve them, so Liu Bei didn't need to worry about palace affairs at all.

"Go and fetch Zilong."

Liu Bei gave an order to his guards and went to the side hall. Seeing Diao Chan standing with her head down and noticing Cao Ang's evasive gaze, Liu Bei understood: "What does Lady Chan want with me?"

"Please send men to Grand Commandant Cao's residence to arrest Ying Shao of Runan."

Diao Chan bowed directly and said, "This person is trying to sow discord between His Majesty and the Right General... and is also trying to frame Grand Commandant Cao."

Cao Ang looked shocked.

Liu Bei wasn't surprised; he was prepared when he arrived: "How were you framed?"

"Someone forged an imperial edict... to deliberately create the impression that His Majesty is dissatisfied with the Right General."

Diao Chan took out the silk from her bosom and unfolded it.

The inscription reads: "The traitor Liu Bei of Han has seized power by forging an imperial edict. He is tyrannical and immoral, and has disrupted the imperial order. He is no different from Liang and Dou. I hereby summon righteous men from all over the country to jointly punish the traitor of Han and return to the old capital. This letter is hereby issued as an order."

The handwriting was brownish-red, and it looked like it was written in blood.

"...This doesn't look like something His Majesty wrote..."

Liu Bei shook his head and smiled wryly: "So many words, aren't you afraid His Majesty will lose too much blood..."

"This is a tribute sent to the palace by Grand Commandant Cao. It was not written by His Majesty, and His Majesty has not yet seen this item."

Diao Chan nodded and pointed at Cao Ang: "I asked Cao Ang and learned that the tribute from Grand Commandant Cao was sent by Ying Shao to ask His Majesty for an official position. Perhaps Ying Shao took advantage of Grand Commandant Cao."

"My lord, Yunlai awaits your command."

At this moment, Zhao Yun arrived at the side hall.

"Cao Ang, take Zilong to capture Ying Shao..."

Liu Bei directly instructed, "Invite your grandfather, Grand Commandant Cao, to be our guest. I will treat him to a banquet."

Cao Ang hurriedly agreed and rushed out with Zhao Yun.

"You've worked hard, Cicada Official. If you hadn't discovered it in time, this matter could have led to a great disaster..."

Liu Bei sincerely thanked Diao Chan, then changed the subject: "However, this matter cannot actually sow discord between Your Majesty and me... It seems more like it's aimed at the Cao family, to create discord between me and Cao Mengde."

"That's true... but if this happens too often, it's hard to guarantee that His Majesty and the Right General won't develop a rift."

Diao Chan nodded gently: "But Your Majesty can't just not accept tribute. I was able to discover it this time, but I can't guarantee I'll be able to every time. Besides, Your Majesty will have to meet many officials in the future, and Your Majesty is already of age to select concubines to enter the palace... Young people are easily swayed, and it's hard to guard against what they say."

Liu Bei sighed and nodded: "Yes, this is difficult to guard against..."

"Sooner or later someone will use this to stir up trouble, and I am truly at ease."

Diao Chan whispered, "Please, General, establish the various departments of the Imperial Household Department and the Yellow Gate Office..."

"I do not appoint eunuchs because I do not want His Majesty to be misled by wicked people before he comes of age. If an eunuch bureau were established, there would be even more of these kinds of treacherous rumors..."

Liu Bei didn't want to add any trouble by bringing in eunuchs: "Let's start by establishing the Shaofu (Minister of the Treasury), and you will be the Shaofu Supervisor. Tomorrow I will request an imperial edict to appoint you to the post."

"...General, His Majesty is getting older, and I am afraid that I am no longer suitable to serve as the Emperor's attendant."

Diao Chan gently shook her head.

Liu Bei frowned: "What? You want to leave the palace? Is this your own idea or His Majesty's?"

"General, I have served Your Majesty for ten years and we are like family. I only wish for Your Majesty's peace and happiness, and I ask for nothing more."

Diao Chan lowered her head: "But..."

Liu Bei already understood Diao Chan's meaning: "Jiang Li... what are you afraid of? You and I are close friends, there is nothing we cannot talk about."

Given that Diao Chan had impersonated the empress, Liu Bei did not kill her. He continued to have her take care of Liu Xie and even had her help take care of his own child. This truly shows their deep friendship.

This is also because Diao Chan proved herself reliable enough in both the imperial court and the prison, and Liu Bei truly trusted her.

"...I fear that His Majesty will become estranged from the Right General in the future."

Diao Chan raised her head and said very seriously, "I know that General Right has no such intention... Jiang Li has seen the predicament of the late emperor and knows why the general suppressed the powerful clans. But His Majesty has too little experience and may not understand the general's intention. He may listen to slander and compare himself to the late emperor's situation... or compare the general's policies to the partisan purge."

(End of this chapter)