I did it all for the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 172 Honey Water
"Great filial piety has been fulfilled; virtuous conduct is evident."

"Gaozhang Four Counties ~ Lechong Palace ~"

"Fragrant trees and feathered forests ~ Clouds and misty landscapes ~"

"Jin Zhixiuhua~Shumao Cuijing~"

Inside the Shouchun Palace, musicians played the chime bells, drums, panpipes, harps, and pipa. The reed pipes and horns, the sheng and yu, the qin and se were all combined to form a musical piece, playing this Yuefu poem composed by Lady Tangshan, the wife of Emperor Gaozu of Han.

"The king and nobles uphold virtue, their neighbors are respectful, and their example is clearly manifest."

"The Qingming Festival is here! The Emperor's filial piety and virtue have brought about a great achievement, pacifying the four corners of the world!"

"An Shi's Bedchamber Song"

It was a set of ritual music that praised the emperor's merits.

In this piece of music, the emperor is so wise and the world is so peaceful!

Even if treacherous officials occasionally cause trouble, they can be quickly quelled, allowing the people to continue to sing praises of the emperor's benevolence.

Yuan Shu was very fond of this Yuefu poem.

Because he always thought that the poem was about himself!
The vast ocean flows to where all waters belong, and the wise and virtuous are cherished by the people.

The mountains are majestic, and a hundred flowers bloom. What is most precious about the people? It is virtue.

Peace and tranquility prevail, and joy and happiness continue in the family line.

In autumn, the dragon soars to the heavens. The wise and virtuous rejoice, bringing happiness to the people!

Shouldn't the common people, just as the poem says, surround the virtuous emperor and welcome a peaceful era together?
Yuan Shu tapped his fingers to the beat as the poem gradually came to an end.

"The principle of a beautiful appearance is to receive the blessings of Heaven. The happiness of the people can ensure the eternal glory of one's descendants. Respect and kindness can earn the favor of Heaven. Fragrant and delicious offerings can prolong the lives of all beings."

“Bearing the perfect virtue of Heaven, like a mountain that neither diminishes nor collapses. Giving fairly, with blessings like clouds, the people will enjoy happiness forever. With the standard of dignified conduct, with the wisdom of Heaven, the people on earth will be at peace and enjoy happiness forever.”

As the last note faded, Yuan Shu slowly opened his eyes.

“Classic Music”.

A musician was summoned and came before Yuan Shu.

"Dian Le, do you think I am wise?"

"Your Majesty is wise."

"Dian Le, do you think I am kind?"

"Your Majesty is kind."

"Dian Le, do you think I'm being fair?"

"Your Majesty is fair."

Yuan Shu looked at Dian Le sadly: "Then why am I about to die?"

"His Majesty is a ruler, he will not die."

"Liu Miao and Cao Cao's armies are right outside the city. How can you say I won't die?"

Dian Le was immediately covered in sweat and collapsed to the ground, not knowing what to do.

Yuan Shu then asked, "How many things have I bestowed upon you in total?"

"Return to Your Majesty..."

Dian Le was somewhat bewildered: "I can't remember clearly, but on several major occasions, Your Majesty bestowed upon me mansions, beautiful women, gold, jewels, and silk, which can be described as a great favor."

Yuan Shu was even more sorrowful: "You, a mere musician in charge of playing music, have been rewarded with so much by me. Others have received even more favors, so why don't they come to serve me?"

Large beads of sweat dripped from Dian Le's forehead to the ground, as if he still had to fulfill his duty and play music for Yuan Shu until this moment.

"Forget it, why should I make things difficult for you?"

Yuan Shu waved his hand listlessly, signaling the musicians to stop and continue playing.

But just as the other person placed their hand on the strings, a deafening roar rang out from outside the city!

Then came the second! And the third!

A moment later, soldiers rushed in from outside, their faces disheveled.

"Your Majesty! Liu Miao's army has breached the city walls with a powerful catapult and has now entered the city! General Ji Ling is currently engaged in fierce fighting with Liu Miao's army in the palace!"

Several more soldiers then entered to report the battle situation to Yuan Shu.

However, the soldiers entered more and more frequently, like a noisy, fragmented piece of music.

Until finally the palace gates were blasted open, the four strings sounded like brocade being torn apart, and then fell into complete silence.

Dian Le glanced at the palace and seemed to see countless soldiers in iron armor, their blood surging into the room, which frightened him so much that he immediately closed his eyes.

Fortunately, his skill was so superb that even with his eyes closed, his fingers could still play continuously, producing beautiful music.

Liu Miao entered the palace and walked all the way to the emperor's jade steps before sitting down on the ground with a thud: "What is this being played?"

"Haven't you heard of 'The Song of Meeting', Zhongshan?"

"No, what were you talking about?"

Yuan Shu pondered for a moment, then recited this poem—

"We met on a narrow road, where the path was too narrow for a carriage. I wonder what year it is? I ask about your home..."

Two roads meet in the middle of a narrow road, making it difficult for vehicles to pass.

A boy from who-knows-who-is was approached by someone on the train to inquire about him.

That family is the easiest to know, and the easier it is to know, the more unforgettable it becomes.

His house has a gate inlaid with gold, and a grand hall built of white jade.

A banquet was held in the courtyard, with female musicians from Handan and Guozhou entertaining the guests.

The osmanthus trees in the courtyard exude fragrance, and the lanterns in the garden are dazzling.

This family had two or three brothers, and the second son held the official position of Vice Minister.

He returns home every five days, and even on the way, he exudes a sense of glory.

A golden silk rope adorns the horse's head, and crowds line the roadside to admire the national treasure.

Upon entering the gate and looking around, one sees mandarin ducks in pairs.

There are seventy-two mandarin ducks, arranged neatly in rows.

I heard birds chirping, the sound coming from the east and west wings.

The eldest daughter-in-law was skilled at weaving silk and satin, while the second daughter-in-law was skilled at weaving brocade.

The third daughter-in-law, leisurely and carefree, strolled slowly up to the main hall, carrying her zither.

Please sit still, father-in-law and mother-in-law, the song will continue to be sung before it is finished.

Yuan Shu sang the elegant Luoyang dialect and finished singing the entire song "Xiang Feng Xing".

After listening attentively, Liu Miao immediately nodded: "The young family in this poem sounds just like the family of the General Hou."

Yuan Shu lowered his eyelids, seemingly extremely disdainful of Liu Miao's words: "Just an ordinary family, how can they compare to my Yuan family of Runan, which has held high office for four generations?"

"That's true. Looking at history, the wealth and power of the Yuan family of Runan is probably unprecedented and will likely never be surpassed."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shu smiled smugly, clearly pleased with himself.

After stepping down from the emperor's throne, Yuan Shu, carrying his imperial robes, sat down next to Liu Miao.

"Zhongshan also likes music?"

"do not like."

Confucius said: "One is inspired by poetry, established by rites, and perfected by music. How can one get by if one doesn't even like music?"

Liu Miao glanced at Yuan Shu strangely, but said nothing. Instead, he took out a pottery jar from his pocket and gave it to him.

"what?"

"Honey water."

A look of nostalgia appeared in Yuan Shu's eyes.

"How did Zhongshan know I wanted this?"

"Since I arrived in Huainan, I have become increasingly thin, and the physicians have forbidden me from eating anything sweet. But the more I drink other things, the thirstier I become; only this honey water can quench my thirst!"

Yuan Shu opened the lid of the earthenware jar, and a sweet aroma immediately wafted out.

But Yuan Shu frowned and said, "It's not made with honey?"

"Where am I supposed to find you honey? Just sugarcane juice, a couple of sips will do!" Yuan Shu gave Liu Miao a resentful look, but still held the pottery jar to his chest, his Adam's apple bobbing as he poured the whole jar of honey water into his stomach.

"Hiccup~~~"

Yuan Shu drank like a glutton! He actually gulped down the entire jar of honey water in one go!
"How delightful!"

After Yuan Shu finished drinking, he smashed the earthenware jar on the ground, shattering it into pieces!

“Zhongshan, do you know that when I was young, I actually admired chivalrous knights-errant very much! Back then, I often ate meat and drank wine with my friends, and traveled around with my sword!”

Liu Miao asked curiously, "Then why did you stop? Isn't the profession of a wandering knight quite promising?"

"Ah."

Yuan Shu's face flushed, and he wiped the honeyed liquid from the corner of his mouth: "Short-sighted!"

"How many people can a wandering knight save?"

"A true man should stand in the imperial court! Commanding with authority and giving orders to the world!"

Yuan Shu truly missed those days; as he spoke, a glint of light appeared in his eyes.

“Zhongshan, you are too young to understand how things were in the court back then.”

"He Jin and his eunuch faction only know how to fight for power and profit all day long, and Emperor Xiaoling is even more rampant in selling official positions and titles. When have they ever actually done anything worthwhile?"

"At that time, all the affairs of the court were handled by us. The vast central government of the Han Dynasty was utterly useless! That's when I realized that the so-called emperor and the so-called court were nothing but a bunch of charlatans!"

"If the Liu family can sit on the throne, why can't my Yuan family?"

Liu Miao became even more curious: "Were all the government affairs at that time handled by scions of powerful families like yourselves?"

"Exactly."

"And then you caused the Yellow Turban Rebellion?"

"..."

Yuan Shu's eye twitched: "That's because Liu Hong lacks moral character! What does that have to do with us?"

"..."

The two remained silent, clearly unsure how to continue the conversation.

"Zhongshan, I have a question for you."

"General, please speak."

"Call me Your Majesty!"

"Yes, General Hou, go ahead and say it."

Yuan Shu questioned Liu Miao: "In your heart, is the Han Dynasty really that important?"

"I have never had any selfish motives towards you! Do you know that?"

Liu Miao asked in confusion, "What about Liu Xun? And what about Yuan Huan, who was sent later?"

"It's just a normal way of managing subordinates."

"Oh."

Seeing that Liu Miao still seemed completely unconcerned, Yuan Shu was somewhat embarrassed and annoyed: "Zhongshan has not yet answered me!"

"Is the Han Dynasty really that important to you?"

"Do you know that the upper echelons of the Han Dynasty are not even half as dedicated as I am? Do you know that?"

Seeing that Yuan Shu was about to become hysterical, Liu Miao quickly reached out to stop him.

"General Hou, guess who is more important to me, you or the Han Dynasty?"

"The Han Dynasty?"

Liu Miao shook his head.

Yuan Shu was somewhat surprised: "It can't be me, can it?"

Liu Miao continued to shake his head.

Yuan Shu was now puzzled: "Then who is more important?"

"It's important to me without you."

Liu Miao got up and dismissed the court musicians before returning to Yuan Shu's side.

"I believe the General who said that the Han court was corrupt."

"The General said that he had done more and put in more effort than those high-ranking officials of the Han Dynasty, and I believe him."

Yuan Shu asked in confusion, "Then why..."

"But General Hou shouldn't just be looking at those people in the clouds."

Liu Miao shook his head: "People like me, like others, cherish the Han Dynasty, not because they miss the emperors of the Han Dynasty or the powerful ministers who are remembered in history."

"What everyone longs for is the great Han Dynasty, which is made up of countless minor officials, countless soldiers, and countless common people, and where the world is at peace."

"But General Hou was born in the clouds and couldn't see them at all. That's why I said that if General Hou had really spent a few years as a wandering knight and seen what the people of the Han Dynasty were really like, the outcome might not have been like this."

Liu Miao happened to see a silk ribbon on the table and immediately picked it up with satisfaction.

"General Hou is indeed very generous. On my way here, I saw many officials and palace servants trying to escape with cartloads of valuables. Of course, there are also many soldiers who, out of gratitude for General Hou's kindness, chose to fight me to the death."

"Ji Ling, a general under the General of the Rear, was hit by several arrows. I asked him to surrender, but he thought he should be loyal to the General of the Rear and chose to die on the battlefield."

"And Zhang Xun and Qiao Rui, they also died in battle. They did not surrender to me or beg for mercy. The General treated them very well."

Yuan Shu stared at Liu Miao: "I treat you the same way!"

Liu Miao remained noncommittal.

"It's a pity that General Hou hasn't considered where the wealth you bestow upon others comes from?"

"You never farm or produce anything, and neither do the people around you. Why are you so generous, giving away your wealth so easily?"

"The source of these riches has never been you, nor the people around you. It's like using other people's money to achieve your own goals. General, do you really think this is right?"

Liu Miao placed the silk ribbon in Yuan Shu's hand.

"So General Hou should understand now that I am here on their behalf."

"Since General Hou insists on calling himself the Son of Heaven, then let's show it to the world."

"The emperor should have a proper way of dying. What does the General think?"

Yuan Shu took the silk ribbon, his face showing some disdain: "Zhongshan, Zhongshan, I didn't expect you to be just like those hypocritical scoundrels, always bringing up the common people."

"Do you think I'd believe what you're saying? And the people... Ha!"

Yuan Shu didn't believe that a warlord like Liu Miao would truly act out of concern for the people.

The so-called "benevolent people love the people" is nothing more than something written in books to deceive ordinary people. It is really laughable that Liu Miao still uses such words to deceive himself even now!

Upon seeing Yuan Shu's expression, Liu Miao immediately laughed and said, "It seems I didn't fool the General!"

"To tell you the truth! I actually want to follow in your footsteps and become the emperor in the future! When I die, your niece's child will be the new emperor of the Han Dynasty. At that time, half of the emperor's bloodline will be from the Yuan family of Runan. Would that make you feel more at ease?"

Yuan Shu looked at Liu Miao with a complicated expression: "From what you've said..."

"You believe that?"

"I don't believe it at all. Instead, I believe what you just said about it being for the sake of the people."

Yuan Shu held the silk ribbon and tried it on his neck: "This color is not good, it does not suit me."

"It's alright, I'll find an artist to paint this scene. I'll have the artist change it to whatever color the General prefers!"

Yuan Shu finally said helplessly, "Zhongshan, don't you ever feel guilty?"

“Occasionally, but when I think that in the future the people of the Han Dynasty will not have to bear hundreds of years of war, will not be massacred by the barbarians, will not have to flee south in their finery and be bullied, my heart gradually finds peace.”

"What nonsense are you talking about? Barbarians? Do you think barbarians can invade Huainan?"

Yuan Shu tied a silk ribbon to the roof beam: "Even at this point, you still don't have a single truth to tell me?"

"Everything I said to General Hou today is the truth!"

"Forget it, it's up to you."

"..."

A moment later, Liu Miao emerged from the palace carrying a pure white jade seal, four inches in diameter, with five dragons intertwined on its knob.

"Today, Huainan will be completely pacified!"

(End of this chapter)