The imperial cause at the end of the Han Dynasty was not one of partial peace.

Chapter 78 The Tumultuous Court Debate: Liu Bei, the Culprit of Chaos, the Savior of the World

The next day, before dawn, the high-ranking officials and nobles filed into the palace under the guidance of the imperial guards.

Last year, the imperial court collected all the weapons in the country and cast four bronze statues, which were placed outside the Azure Dragon and Black Tortoise gates. They also cast a celestial deity and a toad spouting water outside the Pingmen gate.

The palace was built in a magnificent and imposing manner, but it could not suppress the gossip and turmoil among the court officials.

Upon arriving at the Yuntai Hall, where the emperor resided, the Attendants, Ministers, Censors, the Nine Ministers, and Marquises, each according to their rank, dressed in crimson and black court robes and holding tablets, stood in order before the Yuntai Hall.

A moment later, the bell in front of the Yuntai Hall rang three times, the hall doors opened wide, the Chamberlain performed the ceremony, and the officials composed themselves and filed in.

The construction of Yuntai Palace adhered to the Han dynasty's consistent principle that "only magnificence can demonstrate authority," and it was built to be extremely magnificent and awe-inspiring.

The hall has a high dome, with twelve vermilion pillars on the left and right. The dragon patterns on the pillars are inlaid with real gold, and under the candlelight, the golden dragons look lifelike.

The assembled officials lined up in order below the red steps, holding their tablets, heads bowed and breathless.

The Commander of the Imperial Guards, along with several dozen Tiger Warriors, stood guard inside and outside the palace gates. All were clad in black armor and carried long halberds, their imposing presence commanding respect, and not a single alarm was heard.

The emperor's throne was set on the red steps, with a seven-foot-long red screen behind it, embroidered with patterns of the sun, moon, mountains, rivers, clouds, and thunder.

On the table were the Imperial Seal of the State and the Sword that Slayed the Serpent, both important artifacts of the Han Dynasty.

The incense smoke from the censer filled the hall, making the figure on the throne appear even more distant and unapproachable.

As soon as the officials entered the hall, they felt the overwhelming majesty of the emperor and dared not look up. Even those high-ranking officials who usually talked loudly in their mansions unconsciously held their breath at this moment.

At this moment, the emperor sat upright behind his desk and spoke with majesty: "You ministers must have heard more or less about Liu Bei's policies in Mount Tai."

The officials in the hall immediately looked at each other and saw the worry in each other's eyes.

The emperor has been discussing this matter with his ministers for the past few days, and they have already guessed that it will be discussed solemnly at today's court assembly.

Unexpectedly, the emperor was so impatient that he went straight to the point at the beginning of the court session and discussed the matter.

Liu Hong reached out and picked up the Taishan accounting book from the imperial desk, saying, "When I first read this book, I was also amazed. Taishan Prefecture suffered from the Yellow Turban Rebellion last year, resulting in a depleted population and barren fields. Yet, in just one year, it has grown to 56,000 registered households and 270,000 people."

"The county had 31,000 hectares of farmland, and the total tax revenue was nearly 60 million coins. Furthermore, the county's accounting officials were dispatched to present a surplus of 120 million coins, 200,000 bushels of grain, and 10,000 bolts of silk to supplement the national treasury. The annual revenue of this county was almost comparable to that of a large county; its annual governance was the best in the country."

Seeing that some officials were about to step forward to persuade him, he threw the plan back onto the table, raised his voice, and became even more authoritative.

"After careful observation, I found that his administration did not arbitrarily impose corvée labor to gain merit, nor did it impose heavy taxes to enrich itself. Instead, it pacified bandits and brought peace to the people, attracting refugees and causing thieves to come down from the mountains and displaced people to return to their hometowns."

"Investigate the hidden lands of powerful families and levy taxes based on the acreage, so that the rich can be self-sufficient without additional taxes, and the poor can be balanced without increased burdens. Furthermore, establish schools to support scholars and repair water conservancy projects to irrigate the fields."

"Do you gentlemen know how the people of Mount Tai describe their government?"

The Emperor slightly raised his hand, signaling the Attendant-in-Ordinary standing beside him to read aloud the Governor's memorial evaluating the region: "The people of Mount Tai praise: Governor Liu governs the prefecture like a spring breeze and gentle rain, nourishing all things silently. In the past, powerful and tyrannical people ran rampant, and the people dared not speak out; now, land is bounded by fixed boundaries, taxes are levied at fixed rates, officials dare not act selfishly, and powerful and tyrannical people dare not act arrogantly. The people of the entire prefecture now know that the court has laws and the Emperor has benevolence."

After the attendant finished reading, the entire hall fell silent.

Regardless of their stance, they all have to admit one thing: Liu Bei was a man of both literary and military talent, truly a wise minister of his time.

The emperor sighed as he stroked his desk, saying, "I have heard that in ancient times, virtuous officials brought prosperity to the people they governed and were missed when they left. Now, Liu Bei has governed Mount Tai for only a year, yet the government is efficient and the people are harmonious, the powerful and wealthy have given up their power, and the people praise him."

Seeing that none of the court officials voiced their opposition, the emperor revealed his true intentions: "Furthermore, if the annual tax revenue is 12 million coins, and all the prefects in the land were as virtuous as Liu Bei, why would I worry about the nation not being prosperous, about not being able to enrich the country and strengthen the army, or about not being able to sweep away the enemies and rebuild the palaces?"

"Therefore, I wish to appoint Liu Xuande as Grand Minister of Agriculture, overseeing all agricultural affairs, taxes, salt and iron matters throughout the empire. I also wish to promulgate his policies on Mount Tai, including land taxation, investigation of hidden land, recruitment of displaced people, and promotion of agriculture and sericulture, to all prefectures and kingdoms throughout the empire, so that all the people of the Han Dynasty may benefit from them."

What do you all think?

An uproar erupted inside the hall!

From the Ten Attendants and Eunuchs to the Grand General, the Three Dukes, and all the court officials, everyone was thrilled upon hearing this.

They had long anticipated that things would turn out this way.

Does the emperor value Liu Bei?

of course not!

Ultimately, what the emperor valued most was Liu Bei's methods of governance, which could generate substantial tax revenue.

In particular, the Taishan County paid 120 million coins in taxes to the Emperor this year, which greatly impressed the Emperor!

It is common knowledge that the emperor loves money.

Any method that can amass wealth will be favored by the emperor.

With Liu Bei achieving such remarkable results in just one year of governing the prefecture, how could the emperor not be particularly fond of him?

This perfectly suits the emperor's desire for quick success and instant benefits!

If Liu Bei could obtain so much money and grain by governing just one prefecture, wouldn't it have made the country rich and powerful and solved all problems by extending this policy to all thirteen prefectures of the Han Dynasty?

But all the officials in the court knew perfectly well that governing a prefecture was not the same as governing a country.

If Liu Bei were truly promoted to Grand Minister of Agriculture and his policies of "investigating and investigating the hidden land of powerful families and levying taxes based on acreage" were extended to the whole country, it would inevitably cause upheaval and widespread rebellions.

Therefore, Situ Cuilie stepped forward. Last March, due to the uprising of more than ten groups of Black Mountain bandits, whose number claimed to be one million, Hebei was shaken.

The court then dismissed Yuan Kui from his position as Minister of Works and appointed Cui Lie, the Minister of Justice, as Minister of Works. In principle, Cui Lie should remember Liu Bei's kindness.

But he remained resolute, holding his official tablet, and bluntly advised, "Your Majesty, this policy must not be implemented lightly!"

"Taishan County is just a small area. Liu Bei was young and impetuous, and he used harsh laws and severe punishments to govern it. Although he achieved temporary results, his laws actually violated the ancestral system."

"If this policy is forcibly implemented throughout the land, it may incite rebellion among powerful local warlords. The example of Emperor Guangwu's land survey, which was met with the chaos in Qing and Xu provinces, serves as a warning. We must be cautious."

"Besides, when Liu Bei governed Mount Tai, didn't he also incite resentment among the people, leading to widespread rebellions? The court's decision not to punish him is already magnanimous; how can they possibly bestow upon him an even greater reward?"

"If Your Majesty were to forcibly impose your policies upon the realm, it would likely incite widespread rebellion. In that case, the land would be in chaos, and the state might be in grave danger of collapse! Has Your Majesty made any preparations?"

Minister of Works Xu Xiang also stepped forward and said, "What Minister Xu says is absolutely right. Customs and traditions vary from place to place. How can we apply the laws of Mount Tai to all regions? Moreover, Liu Bei's policies rely on force to subdue people and on punishment to intimidate the masses. This is not benevolent governance. If we forcibly promote these policies, I fear the world will be in turmoil, which would not be a blessing for the country."

"If Your Majesty insists on pursuing this policy, have you prepared a force of 100,000 elite soldiers and fierce warriors to quell the rebellions in all directions?"

"The rebellion in Liangzhou is still raging, and in December the Xianbei invaded You and Bing provinces. The situation is already in dire straits. If Your Majesty continues to implement this policy throughout the land, I fear that all thirteen provinces of the Han Dynasty will fall into chaos, and the empire will be in danger of collapse!"

The emperor frowned slightly. Although he was eager for quick success and instant benefits, he had to admit that what the two men said made sense.

Given Liu Bei's martial prowess and his formidable reputation for intimidating bandits, implementing this policy in Mount Tai would inevitably lead to rebellion by powerful local figures, causing unrest and turmoil. Only after suppressing the rebellion could the entire prefecture of Tai'an be brought into order.

If he were to forcefully implement his policies, he would likely need to prepare an army of 100,000, as Sikong had suggested, to quell the rebellions in all directions.

He surveyed the assembled officials and sighed, "No wonder Emperor Gaozu, after pacifying the empire, returned to Peizhong and composed the Song of the Great Wind, which reads: 'The great wind rises, the clouds fly high; my might extends throughout the land, I return to my homeland; where can I find brave warriors to guard the four directions!'"

"Only today do I understand the heart of Emperor Gaozu! My power extends throughout the land, but where can I find valiant generals to guard the four corners of the country?"

"Is it possible that Emperor Guangwu could implement this method of taxation based on acreage, and Liu Bei, as a prefect, could implement it, but I alone cannot?!"

By the time he finished speaking, his face was contorted with rage, and he roared with authority.

The hall was deathly silent. How could the officials dare to answer? Could they possibly say that His Majesty was far inferior to Emperor Shizu?

Seeing that the officials were all silent, the emperor looked angrily at General He Jin.

Another purpose of his convening this court meeting today is to coerce He Jin.

The struggle between the emperor and the general is now extremely intense, and the imperial guards of the Han Dynasty and the various schools of the Northern Army are all under the control of the general He Jin.

Liu Hong was terrified and wanted to establish the Western Garden Imperial Guard within the palace to counter He Jin.

Externally, they appointed loyal members of the imperial clan as external support, thereby deterring He Jin from making any rash moves.

That's why the emperor was so pleased to see that Liu Bei's plan was flawed.

Liu Bei could enter the Western Garden as a colonel, or serve as a high-ranking official of the imperial clan, thus intimidating He Jin.

This is the true meaning behind the emperor's words, "Where can I find fierce generals to guard the four directions?"

Liu Hong then looked at He Jin and asked, "As the Grand General, you are in charge of the military affairs of the realm. You tell me, is it that only I cannot implement this policy of taxation based on land area?"

He Jin's face was gloomy, for he was well aware of the true direction of the emperor's military might.

As a general in charge of all the troops in the land, if he were to publicly admit his inability to quell the unrest in all directions, he would be diminishing his own power.

The emperor had previously appointed Zhao Zhong as General of Chariots and Cavalry, intending to counter him.

However, Zhao Zhong was an incompetent man and truly incapable of handling military affairs, so he was dismissed several months later. It was at this time that Zhao Zhong became furious, not only losing the position of General of Chariots and Cavalry that he had bought with a large sum of money, but also losing a large amount of money, which is why he sent his confidants to solicit bribes everywhere.

Therefore, He Jin could not possibly answer in this way at this moment.

However, if he agrees to this promise, and replies that he is skilled in military administration and can guarantee the smooth implementation of this policy, then if rebellions break out in the future and the court is unable to quell them, he will be the first to be held accountable.

Therefore, He Jin, holding his official tablet, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the words of the Minister of Works and the Minister of Agriculture are indeed wise and experienced opinions on governing the country."

"In times of peace, the population grows rapidly, and taxes are levied per capita, with the taxes coming from the people, and the world is at peace. In times of chaos, the population dwindles, and the fields lie fallow, so taxes are levied per acre, with the taxes coming from the land. This is the common practice throughout history, and it is not something Liu Bei created alone."

"When Emperor Guangwu surveyed the land, it was out of necessity because the empire had just been pacified and the population was less than one-tenth. Now, although the Yellow Turban Rebellion has been quelled, the empire is not yet fully settled. If we were to implement this policy hastily, it would be a declaration to the world that the Han Dynasty has entered a period of chaos!"

"Liu Bei governed Mount Tai for less than a year, yet the powerful and wealthy were ruined, the people were filled with resentment, and bandits rose up everywhere. If it weren't for the elite troops and fierce generals under his command, he would have been dead and the prefecture destroyed long ago. Although he had some minor achievements, his policies were actually a disaster. The first was to investigate hidden land, which alienated the powerful and wealthy, and the second was to collect taxes by the acreage, which made the common people suspicious and fearful. If all the prefectures and kingdoms in the country followed his methods, within three years, there would be unrest in all directions and bandits would rise up everywhere."

At this point, He Jin's expression turned solemn, his tone sharp, and he declared with conviction: "Therefore, I believe that Liu Bei's policies, though nominally enriching the country, are in reality a scourge. His laws, once implemented, will drive all the powerful and common people of the land into bandits! Therefore, I believe that Liu Bei will be the one to destroy the Han dynasty!"

Your Majesty, I implore you to execute Liu Bei to appease the people, and to punish him according to the law, setting an example for others.

The one who will destroy the Han Dynasty will surely be Liu Bei!

These words, like the resounding toll of a bell, shocked the entire court and left them speechless for a long time.

At this moment, Zhao Zhong, who was also standing nearby, bowed to the emperor and said in a shrill voice, "Your Majesty, what the General has said is exactly what I have been worrying about day and night! Liu Bei is not only a man who has methods to bring disaster to the country, but also a man with disloyal intentions!"

"Liu Bei appointed Cai Yong as his literary aide. Who is Cai Yong? He is a criminal minister who slanders court officials and harbors resentment towards the emperor! Liu Bei openly harbors such a person, not only without avoiding suspicion, but also making a big show of it by establishing an academy and gathering scholars. Isn't this an attempt to rival Luoyang?"

"Furthermore, he commands several thousand private soldiers, all clad in black armor and equipped with superior weaponry. He also has generals like Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, capable of taking on ten thousand men each, who train day and night, watching with predatory eyes. He's merely a prefect of a commandery; what is his purpose in maintaining so many elite troops and fierce generals?"

At this point, Zhao Zhong looked at He Jin and said in a sinister tone, "When Wang Mang first entered the court, he was humble and respectful to scholars, and loved learning. Who in the world did not praise him for his virtue? But once he seized power, he usurped the Han throne and nearly destroyed the Han dynasty."

"Liu Bei, with his military prowess, shook the Hebei region; with his civil administration, he pacified Mount Tai; with his integrity, he won the hearts of the people; and as a member of the imperial clan, he won the hearts of the people—this is exactly what Wang Mang did! Therefore, I beg Your Majesty to execute this traitor to deter those who disobey!"

Upon hearing this, He Jin was immediately enraged, knowing that Zhao Zhong was making a veiled attack and was also trying to make an example of someone.

In the past, if all the nobles and dignitaries in the court and the palace were to launch an attack and question one person at the same time, the emperor would have already ordered that person to be executed.

But at this moment, the emperor did not speak. Instead, he looked at the court officials with anger on his face.

After a long silence, he finally roared, "Good! Good! Good! You are all officials of the court, receiving the emperor's salary, and should be loyal to the emperor."

However, judging from today's discussion, none of you ministers can share the worries of the nation above, nor can you relieve the suffering of the common people below!

"The turmoil in Liangzhou has dragged on for years, ravaging several prefectures. Do you, my ministers, have any good solutions? In You and Bing prefectures, the Xianbei have repeatedly raided, causing unbearable suffering to the border people. Do you, my ministers, have any good solutions? Throughout the empire, taxes from prefectures and kingdoms are decreasing daily, and the treasury is empty. I wish to build palaces, but the people are boiling with resentment; I wish to replenish the national treasury, but powerful clans are obstructing me—do you, my ministers, have any good solutions?"

Finally, Liu Hong flew into a rage and roared, "I don't care what good ideas you come up with, just hand over the billions of dollars needed for my palace repairs, and I'll execute Liu Xuande!"

"If you ministers are all in your positions yet neglect your duties, a bunch of good-for-nothings, then you should abdicate and hand over the reins to more capable people! At least that Liu Bei, whom you all speak of as having rebellious intentions and signs of the downfall of the Han dynasty, can actually provide me with hundreds of millions of coins in taxes!"

Clearly, in the end, the emperor may not care about the state of the world or the devastation on the borders, but he cannot ignore the billions of dollars he spends on building his garden.

The saying, "Whoever makes me unhappy for a moment, I will make them unhappy for a lifetime," is a common portrayal of those in power.

At this moment, Lu Zhi stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, we are afraid that our discussion here will not yield any results. If Your Majesty has any doubts, why not summon Jian Yong, the clerk of the Imperial Accounting Office of Mount Tai, to the palace for a debate?"

The emperor nodded slightly and ordered the attendant to summon Jian Yong into the palace.

Jian Yong had been waiting outside the palace for a long time. After being summoned, he took his tablet and walked into the palace. He knelt down and kowtowed at the foot of the steps: "Jian Yong, the clerk of Taishan County, pays his respects to Your Majesty."

The Emperor did not allow him to rise, but instead directly questioned him: "Shangji Yuan, the high officials of the court all say that your lord is secretly amassing three thousand loyal soldiers and harbors rebellious intentions. He is collecting taxes by the land and cultivating influence in all directions, showing signs of the downfall of the Han dynasty. What is your response?"

Jian Yong was unrestrained and arrogant. Facing the overwhelming pressure from the court officials, he showed no fear. He stood tall, calmly cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, I dare not agree with your opinions. If you say that my father is secretly harboring assassins and has disloyal intentions, then I dare to request Your Majesty to first execute the Grand Master Zhu Jun."

These words immediately caused an uproar in the hall. Zhu Jun was an important minister of the court, a famous general who had quelled the Yellow Turban Rebellion with Huangfu Song last year. He was now the Grand Master of the Palace, one of the Nine Ministers of the Han Dynasty, with a salary of two thousand piculs of grain.

Jian Yong dared to call out names in court; he was simply audacious!

Before the officials could criticize him, Jian Yong immediately said, "When Zhu Gong was the governor of Jiaozhou, he quelled the rebellion of Liang Long in Jiaozhi."

The imperial court did not allocate a single soldier, so Zhu Gong recruited five thousand men from his own household troops. Within ten months, he quelled the rebellion and was ennobled for his merit. This matter is known throughout the land and recorded in history.

"If we accept the arguments of you officials today—that maintaining a personal army equates to disloyalty—then Zhu Gong's five thousand personal soldiers far surpass those of my lord. Even in a purge, the execution should begin with the largest number, followed by the smaller ones. Zhu Gong should be the first, followed by the court officials!"

"When it comes to supporting scholars, my lord is probably far from being among the best. Even if we slaughtered our way through the streets and trampled the bones of all the nobles, it still wouldn't be my lord's turn."

What a sight! The streets of the capital are littered with the bones of high-ranking officials. The faces of the officials are ashen, and no one dares to utter a word.

In terms of supporting scholars, maintaining family armies, and managing retainers, how clean could these nobles really be?

The emperor had not seen his court officials so humiliated in a long time, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly.

Jian Yong continued, "Why did the court appoint my father as the Prefect of Mount Tai? Wasn't it because they valued his military prowess and his formidable reputation? Mount Tai is located at the intersection of four provinces: Qing, Xu, Yan, and Yu. The remnants of the Yellow Turban Rebellion are scattered in the mountains and marshes, and could rise up at any time."

"If my lord were to go to his post alone, without a single soldier, how could he deter the million Yellow Turban rebels? How could he ensure the safety of the people of this prefecture?"

"Now that the Prefect has been governing the prefecture for a year, his political achievements are outstanding and the taxes are plentiful. Just as the court is about to reward him for his merits, the officials suddenly turn against him, saying that he is disloyal for raising an army."

"Then I advise Your Excellency to disband all your troops and soldiers, leaving not a single one behind! But if the million Yellow Turbans rise again in Qing and Xu, who will take responsibility? The entire court of officials?"

"From this point on, whenever the court orders a general to go on an expedition or to guard a prefecture, he will go to his post alone without conscripting a single soldier? If this is truly the case, I fear that within a year, all the prefectures and counties in the empire will be occupied by bandits!"

"Haha! Good! What a fine Jian Xianhe!" Liu Hong laughed loudly, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials below, and asked, "I think his words are quite reasonable. When you recommended Liu Xuande to take up his post at Mount Tai, you were telling me that his power shook the Hebei region and that he could prevent the rebels from rising again."

"Now Liu Bei can disband his troops and go to take up the post of Yilang alone, but if the Yellow Turbans rise again in Qing and Xu, who will take responsibility?"

""

Zhao Zhong immediately fell silent. The main reason he was in the wrong was that none of these prefects and officers had their own private armies.

However, he had no evidence to prove that Liu Bei had indeed secretly raised a large number of assassins and harbored rebellious intentions.

Therefore, I can only remain silent.

The emperor then looked at Jian Yong and asked, "The ministers all say that your lord shows signs of the downfall of the Han dynasty. What is your response?"

Jian Yong raised his head and replied, "Your Majesty, the officials say that my lord shows signs of the downfall of the Han Dynasty. I dare to ask you gentlemen—in the entire prefecture of Mount Tai, the government is efficient and the people are harmonious, and the people live in peace and prosperity. Is this a sign of the downfall of the Han Dynasty? The people of Mount Tai are grateful to my lord. Is this a sign of the downfall of the Han Dynasty?"

He turned to face the assembled court officials, his voice growing increasingly impassioned: "The Book of Documents says: 'The people are the foundation of the state; when the foundation is firm, the state is at peace.' Mencius also said: 'The people are the most important, the state comes next, and the ruler is the least important.'"

"Since ancient times, sages have always regarded the people's livelihood as the most important matter under heaven. Now, you gentlemen, sitting high in the imperial court, see neither the good governance of Mount Tai nor the praise of the people, but instead relentlessly attack capable ministers. I truly do not know whether your hearts are truly devoted to the country or to your own personal interests!"

He then recounted Liu Bei's achievements in governing Mount Tai, his voice resounding: "In the past, in Mount Tai, powerful and tyrannical families ran rampant, seizing farmland and oppressing the people. The rich owned vast tracts of land yet paid no taxes, while the poor had no land to stand on yet were subjected to double the corvée labor. After my lord arrived in the prefecture, he was not afraid of the powerful and tyrannical families. He investigated and investigated hidden land, ensuring that farmers had their land and taxpayers received fair treatment!"

"In the past, in Taishan County, bandits rose up everywhere, and remnants of the Yellow Turban Rebellion occupied Mengshan, plundering the people and committing all sorts of atrocities. After my lord arrived in the county, he pacified the bandits and brought peace to the people. Within a few months, he quelled dozens of bandit strongholds, making the entire county peaceful and ensuring that no one picked up lost items on the road!"

"In the past, in Taishan County, refugees were everywhere, nine out of ten houses were empty, fields were overgrown, and the roads were littered with the corpses of the starving. After my lord arrived in the county, he recruited refugees, settled surrendered bandits, and lent them grain, seeds, and farming tools, enabling the people to return to the fields. In less than a year, the population increased and the granaries were full!"

"In the past, in Taishan Prefecture, water conservancy was neglected, and droughts and floods were frequent, leaving the people to rely on the heavens for sustenance. After my lord arrived in the prefecture, he built dikes and canals, irrigating thousands of hectares of farmland, ensuring harvests regardless of drought or flood, and guaranteeing bountiful harvests year after year!"

His voice was booming, each word ringing out: "My lord has provided relief to over 1,300 households of orphans and widows, and cared for no fewer than 10,000 people over the age of sixty, ensuring that the elderly have a place to end their days, the young have a place to grow, and the widowed, lonely, disabled, and sick are all provided for!"

"These are all practical policies that benefit the people, tangible benefits that the common people have received! The officials say this is a sign of the impending downfall of the Han dynasty. May I ask you gentlemen:"

Throughout history, the actions of wise ministers have always been to curb land annexation, suppress powerful clans, benefit the common people, and ensure fairness within a prefecture.

"If such benevolent policies are harbingers of the Han dynasty's demise, then what is the so-called 'government policy for restoring the Han' in your hearts? Is it to allow powerful clans to prey on the people, to watch displaced people starve to death by the roadside, and to let bandits run rampant in the countryside? Is this what you gentlemen mean by 'restoring the Han'?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yu, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, stepped forward and said, "In my opinion, the words of the clerk are all pearls of wisdom and every sentence is reasonable."

Liu Bei governed Mount Tai for a year, implementing numerous benevolent policies, precisely the actions of virtuous officials of ancient times, and embodying the spirit of the *Zhou Li* (Rites of Zhou) which aimed to "protect and nurture the people." I dare ask you gentlemen—if such benevolent governance is a harbinger of the Han dynasty's demise, then who throughout history has truly been worthy of being called a ruler who brought about the Han dynasty's revival?

"I second that opinion," said Lu Zhi, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, stepping forward to reply, "The Book of Documents says: 'Treat us well and we will be our friends; mistreat us and we will be our enemies.' The people of Mount Tai are grateful for Liu Bei's kindness; this is the will of the people. Instead of emulating such loyal and virtuous officials, you gentlemen have risen up to attack us. I truly do not understand your hearts—are you truly devoted to the Han Dynasty, or to your own self-interest?"

Finally, Liu Yan, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, stepped forward with his tablet in hand and said, "A good doctor must first examine the source of the disease before treating it with medicine. How can one conceal the illness and avoid treatment, or sit idly by and watch the disease progress to its incurable stage? Today, powerful families are annexing land, taxes are unevenly distributed, refugees are everywhere, and bandits are rising up everywhere—this is the chronic disease of the world."

"Liu Bei's policies are precisely the right medicine for the problem. If you gentlemen abandon this good medicine out of fear of powerful figures, it is like hiding the fact that you have a boil in your stomach and refusing to talk about dissecting yourself—is that not foolish?"

"The General just said that if this policy were implemented, it would be tantamount to announcing to the world that the Han Dynasty has entered a period of chaos. This statement is utterly wrong! Whether the world has entered a period of chaos cannot be determined by a single decree."

"The Yellow Turban Rebellion, with its million-strong force and uprisings across eight provinces, is this not a sign of an era of chaos? The rebellion in Liangzhou, dragging on for years and devastating several provinces, is this not a sign of an era of chaos? The Xianbei repeatedly raid the two provinces of You and Bing, causing untold suffering to the border people, is this not a sign of an era of chaos? Chaos is already upon us, yet you gentlemen bury your heads in the sand, remaining silent and secretive, while regarding wise ministers who have implemented excellent policies for governing the country, bringing great order and harmony to the prefecture of Mount Tai, as a sign of an era of chaos?! What kind of logic is this!"

He then bowed deeply to the emperor and said, "In my opinion, no one but Liu Bei is capable of saving the nation from collapse and rescuing the people from dire straits in this chaotic world! His methods of governance are excellent strategies for governing the country and benefiting the people, and should be the model for the whole world."

"The court should select loyal ministers and valiant generals from the imperial clan to govern the four directions, allowing each to display their talents and implement this policy throughout the land. In this way, annexation can be suppressed, refugees can be pacified, taxes can be collected, and bandits can be quelled. Within ten years, the Han Dynasty will surely be restored from its slumber and its imperial lineage will be revived!"

He straightened up, his eyes blazing, and spoke each word with resounding force: "Therefore, I believe that the one who can continue the reign of the Han Dynasty must be Liu Bei!"

At this moment, Jian Yong also took a deep breath and said, "In the end, you gentlemen are only afraid that this policy will offend the powerful and wealthy, causing rebellions in all directions and plunging the world into chaos. But my lord has never claimed that he intends to implement this policy throughout the world. The Taishan policy is adapted to local conditions and the times, and is not intended to be imposed on all directions."

He turned and bowed solemnly to the Emperor, saying, "Your Majesty has lamented the lack of valiant warriors to guard the four corners of the land. Is not my lord precisely the valiant warrior Your Majesty seeks? In military campaigns, his might shakes the Hebei region; in governing a prefecture, his achievements are unparalleled throughout the land. Such a fine general, why does Your Majesty not appoint him to govern a large prefecture and implement this policy, observing its effectiveness? If implementing it in one prefecture brings prosperity, then Your Majesty can then decide whether to extend it further."

"If its policies prove ineffective, it will only affect one prefecture and will not harm the entire country; if its policies prove remarkably effective, then if implemented one by one in each of the thirteen prefectures of the Han Dynasty, great order can be achieved in no more than ten years!"

"Within about ten years, Your Majesty will be able to acquire the wealth of thirteen provinces and obtain billions in taxes. Rebuilding the palace will be a piece of cake."

""

These words finally moved the emperor!

Liu Hong wasn't going to collect billions of dollars in taxes all at once; building palaces would require investment year after year.

He would accept receiving hundreds of millions of dollars every year.

The emperor waved his hand, signaling Jian Yong to step down. He then looked around at the assembled officials and ministers, his tone resolute and leaving no room for doubt: "In my opinion, Liu Xuande has governed the prefecture for a year, during which the population has increased, fields have been reclaimed, taxes have been collected, powerful clans have been subdued, and the people have praised him—such an exemplary official should serve as a model for the entire nation."

"Therefore, this year, Liu Bei, the Prefect of Mount Tai, was evaluated for his merits and was deemed the best in the land. All prefects and chancellors were ordered to take Mount Tai as their model, observe his administration, and strive to emulate it."

"Furthermore, Jian Yong's words make sense. Where can we find brave warriors to guard the four directions? Now that we have obtained such a good general as Liu Bei, we should order him to govern the four directions and implement this policy throughout the land, and observe its effects."

"However, the court's desire to enrich the country and strengthen its military is not something that can be accomplished by one person or one prefecture. I hereby issue the imperial decree—ordering the court officials to recommend those they know who are skilled in battle and possess both literary and military talents, and to appoint them as prefects or prime ministers, so that the new policies can be implemented on a trial basis in several prefectures."

The policy was changed from being implemented throughout the entire country to being implemented in several prefectures. The court officials no longer dared to oppose it, otherwise they would be going against the emperor's wishes.

Seeing this, the Emperor was delighted and then asked, "Since Liu Bei's merits are the best in the land, he should be promoted to governor of a major prefecture. Taishan Prefecture has only twelve counties and a population of less than 300,000, which is insufficient to fully utilize his talents. What do you gentlemen think he should be promoted to governor of?"

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