A son who doesn't resemble his father? Love you, old man, see you at Xuanwu Gate!

Chapter 283 Assassinating the Han
The bandits of Nanshan, who had plagued the area for years, were wiped out. Their hot blood melted the snow that had never melted on the mountain, and spring seemed to have arrived ahead of schedule.

But this was not the end, nor even the beginning of the end. The dens of notorious thieves, big and small, such as Yin Zhong and Du Shao in Chu, Xu Bo in Qi, and Jian Lu and Fan Sheng between Yan and Zhao, were successively found, and the local governments immediately organized troops to attack and sweep them away.

Inside and outside the pass, a murderous aura instantly filled the air.

Most of the notorious bandits and thieves of the Han Dynasty had connections with local powerful and cunning individuals. It was precisely because of the support of these powerful and cunning individuals that they were able to survive repeated crackdowns by the imperial court and local government.

The story involves a group of cunning and ruthless bandits who collude to steal things. The tyrants return all their money and grain, while the common people split their money and grain 30/70.

In other words, it's no exaggeration to say that bandits and thugs were not only cunning and ruthless henchmen but also their moneybags.

This time, the notorious bandits were betrayed by powerful and cunning officials, who openly attempted to assassinate them on the imperial street, crossing the bottom line of politics. The emperor and his ministers were united in their efforts to eliminate the bandits. Under the "edict to eliminate the bandits," the powerful and cunning officials dared not take any chances, and dared not let the notorious bandits fall into the hands of the court and government.

He proactively told the local government and garrison about the location of the bandit's lair, and even acted as a guide, pointing the way for the officers and soldiers.

Local government offices and garrison troops attributed the deaths of officials, wealthy merchants, and big spenders within their territory to the bandit. Whether the bandit admitted it or not didn't matter; they silenced him first, then slaughtered him.

The cunning and ruthless thief dared not let the great bandit speak, and cooperated with the soldiers to kill all the thieves who could speak.

For over eighty years since the founding of the Han Dynasty, the court and local authorities have achieved an unprecedented unity, eradicating all bandits in the country.

The air between heaven and earth became refreshing.

……

Yi River.

This is the river system in the western part of Yan.

Originating in Yi County, it is divided into three tributaries: south, central, and north.

A carriage arrived at the bank of the Yi River, where Yin Zhong, one of Dong Zhongshu's four disciples, offered sacrifices to the God of the Road.

Gazing at the river frozen by the winter frost, he wept bitterly.

He has successfully completed the task entrusted to him by his mentor, using the secret talisman to demonstrate to the world the merits of the restoration movement. Officials, powerful families, wealthy merchants, knights-errant, thieves... he has made an indispensable contribution.

Reading ten thousand books and traveling ten thousand miles, Yin Zhong studied the book "Tianxia" that his mentor had given him day and night, and also gained a deep understanding of the geography, wealth, laws, military system, administration, customs and national sentiments of the Han Dynasty.

He now knew the Yan region inside and out.

As a bulwark of the northeastern frontier of the Han Dynasty, it played a crucial role in the Han-Xiongnu relations and the governance of the northeastern frontier.

Bordering the Xiongnu to the north and the Bohai Sea to the east, Yan was an important frontline for defending against northern nomadic tribes. The stability of Yan directly affected the border security of the Han Dynasty.

In order to centralize power, His Majesty and the Crown Prince have greatly weakened the Yan region through measures such as the Edict of Grace and the withdrawal of the state to Han territory, which has completely transformed the Yan region's administrative system from a feudal system to a prefecture-county system.

Power was both centralized and fragmented. The power of the Han Dynasty was increasing, but the rule of the border regions without vassal kings was also declining.

Yin Zhong had witnessed all the changes in the Han Dynasty and did not believe that His Majesty could be restored to the throne or that his mentor could win. He believed that the future Han Dynasty would inevitably become a forbidden zone for Confucianism.

Therefore, Yin Zhong decided to heed his mentor's advice, leave the Han Dynasty, and live among a foreign tribe.

Between the Wuhuan and the Xianbei, he chose the Wuhuan and rebuilt Confucianism.

Just as my mentor said, the Han Dynasty could not remain prosperous forever; there would always come a day when it would decline. And that day would be his opportunity, as well as the opportunity for Confucianism.

After entering Wuhuan, Yin Zhong devised a plan to take advantage of the internal strife within the Han Dynasty and the weakness of the Xiongnu. He first led the Wuhuan to destroy the Xianbei, then occupied Liaodong, laying the foundation for his rule in the Northeast.

Next, the Wuhuan and Xiongnu were united through marriage, clan alliances, and military intimidation to form the "Wuhuan-Xiongnu Allied Forces," which would weaken the Han Dynasty and prepare for entering the Central Plains.

Having accomplished all of the above, all that was left was to wait. Yin Zhong was perfectly clear and certain that the internal strife and divisions within the Han dynasty would intensify as the Han became stronger. The corruption of the Han court, the frequent natural disasters, the discontented generals, and the people struggling to survive would all shake the Han dynasty's rule, or even cause it to disintegrate. At that time, the Wuhuan could simultaneously divide the Han army, accept the surrender of Han generals, and, under the guise of "avenging the Han," declare "punishing the bandits," while in reality reaping the benefits, taking the opportunity to enter the Central Plains, and even rule the Central Plains, promoting Confucianism and Taoism.

Yin Zhong knew that this was a long-term plan, fraught with countless difficulties, and might take his entire life or even several lifetimes to complete. But for the sake of Confucianism and his mentor, he was willing to give his all, no matter how arduous the road ahead.

Yin Zhong knew that allowing a foreign race to rule the Central Plains would forever brand him with shame in Chinese history, but he didn't care. Just as his mentor had said, a China without Confucianism was better off without.

We're about to hit the road.

Yin Zhong then sang the song that Prince Dan of Yan sang when he sent Jing Ke to assassinate the King of Qin, the song Jing Ke sang by the Yi River: "The wind howls, the Yi River is cold, the brave warrior departs, never to return, venturing into the tiger's den, entering the dragon's palace..."

Jing Ke attempted to assassinate the King of Qin, and Yin Zhong attempted to assassinate the King of Han.

This is truly a remarkable story.

Yin Zhong thought to himself as he boarded the carriage.

"Senior brother, please wait!"

Amidst the swirling mist, shouts could be heard from afar. Yin Zhong was startled and looked in the direction of the sound, only to see his junior brother, Ying Gong, approaching in his chariot.

How did my junior brother, who was tasked with demonstrating the wealth and power of the world through the blood pact, end up here?

Before the carriage had come to a complete stop, Duke Ying jumped out and approached him with a smile, saying, "Brother, you are on a long journey. Would you like me to accompany you?"

Yin Zhong looked at his master's most patient disciple, neither nodding nor shaking his head, "Junior brother, when will I return from this journey..."

I don't ask when I'll return.

Duke Ying interrupted Yin Zhong, "This place has become a den of wolves and tigers for us scholars. Are you going to just stand by and watch your junior brother perish in their jaws?"

"Of course not!"

“But the place I’m going to is a real land of tigers and wolves,” Yin Zhong said with a complicated expression.

"I am willing to go through fire and water with you."

Ying Gong solemnly said, "Although I am foolish and dull, I am far away and can still help you with some trivial matters. I humbly request that you take me with you."

Yin Zhong looked at him, hesitant. Along with the wave of restoration came the calamity of Confucianism. The Confucian scholars who had been implicated might not even be able to save their lives. It was no exaggeration to call it a land of tigers and wolves.

However, the Wuhuan and Xianbei, those "Northeast tigers," also ate people.

No one knew whether it was better to stay in Han territory or go to a foreign land.
However, my junior brother's last words were right. His presence is a great help. Moreover, my junior brother is the kind of person who is wise in a seemingly foolish way. He is a great help in promoting Confucianism and Taoism.

"it is good!"

“With you and my fellow disciples here, where can Confucianism and Taoism not flourish?” Yin Zhong nodded.

"North!"

"North!"

The loud laughter carried far, seemingly disturbing a mysterious entity within the mist. A voice echoed from the dispersing morning fog, "My two esteemed disciples have been waiting for a long time!"

Winter greetings!

(End of this chapter)