sovbooks Chapter 1488 The Crown Prince's Expedition
Chapter 1488 The Crown Prince's Expedition
Chapter 1488 The Crown Prince's Expedition
In the middle of June of the sixteenth year of Yanxi.
Five strong horses from Hexi were panting heavily, their nostrils spewing out white foam, raising clouds of dust on the official road in the height of summer.
The lead knight had three red feathers stuck in his back.
"Make way! Urgent dispatch!"
The roar broke through the passes along the way, and the guards hurriedly removed the barricades.
The journey from Pengcheng to Chang'an was 1,100 li, requiring seventeen horse changes, with people resting but messages never ceasing.
On the seventh day, the Weiyang Palace in Chang'an finally came into view.
Not long after the knights entered Chang'an, the Right Lady rushed to see Grand Marshal Feng with a secret report:
"Pang Hong's secret report has arrived."
As he handed the silk scroll to Grand Marshal Feng, he quickly recited its main contents:
"Sima Zhao did not easily give up Qing and Xu, and demanded another three months' extension. Now he is seizing the time to burn land and grain, and forcibly relocate large clans."
Grand Marshal Feng unfolded the silk scroll, read it, then placed it back on the table and chuckled softly.
"Just as I expected."
Those guys in the General Staff finally did something.
Among the possible approaches Sima Zhao took, implementing a scorched-earth policy was one of the most likely.
The Right Lady's gaze fell upon the silk scroll, her expression unsure whether to laugh or cry:
"Sima Zhao made the worst move. He looked like he was burning the grain of our Han Dynasty, but in reality, he was burning away the last bit of public support for Wei in Qing and Xu."
Grand Marshal Feng scoffed:
"What does the people's hearts in Wei have to do with the Sima family? After the Qiao County coup, it was only a matter of time before the Sima family followed Cao Pi's example and usurped the Han throne."
“However,” Grand Marshal Feng tapped the silk scroll lightly with his finger, “Sima Zhao, being of mediocre talent, might not have been able to come up with this treacherous plan.”
"Even if he could think of it, he might not dare to do it. Who is advising him behind the scenes? Investigate."
The right lady nodded in agreement, and then asked:
"How should Ah Lang deal with this? He can't just accept a completely empty field, can he?"
Grand Marshal Feng gave the Right Lady a meaningful look:
"What's wrong with blank areas? Blank areas can be redrawn."
The Right Lady was somewhat reluctant: "What about the grain and the people..."
"If he wants grain, then give it to him. Don't let the grain ruin his important plan to relocate his large clan to Liaodong."
Food is important, but for the Han Dynasty, it is not so important.
The people are far more important than food.
Even purging powerful clans is more important than food.
Is there a better way to settle and consolidate border areas than relocating the prominent families of Qing and Xu to Liaodong?
If it were me, considering the reputation of the Han Dynasty's benevolence and righteousness, I might not have acted as decisively as Sima Zhao.
When Feng Da Sima thought of this, he almost burst out laughing.
"As for the common people," Grand Marshal Feng pondered for a moment, "my lady, write me a letter."
In whose name?
"Feng Yong, Grand Marshal and Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat of the Great Han Dynasty," he said slowly.
"This is written to Sun Jun, the Prime Minister, General, and Minister of the Imperial Secretariat of Wu, and is to be forwarded to Princess Quan."
The Right Lady sat down, picked up her pen, and looked at Grand Marshal Feng.
Grand Marshal Feng paced back and forth as he dictated:
-
Grand Marshal Feng Yong of Han Dynasty wrote to Chancellor Sun Gongtai of Wu:
I recently heard that Sima Zhao is following in the footsteps of Dong Zhuo, burning the grain stores in Qing and Xu provinces and forcing the people to migrate eastward. Some of the disorganized soldiers and defeated troops have fled south to the Huai and Si rivers.
Our Emperor of Han, being benevolent and virtuous, was moved by the news and has decided to send a high-ranking official to the northern border to receive refugees and bring peace to the region.
However, I fear that the defeated soldiers may cause trouble and invade your territory.
General, please strictly instruct the Huai River defense forces to guard the borders and prevent even a single soldier or horseman from crossing the border and causing trouble.
I also disciplined my troops to prevent the northern people from migrating south.
The old friendship between our two countries should be upheld together.
If any unscrupulous individuals take advantage of the chaos to cause trouble, it will not be a blessing for either Han or Wu. I hope the general will consider this carefully.
-
The Right Lady's pen flew across the paper. As she wrote the last sentence, her brush paused slightly, and she looked up with a smile:
"Your ostensible request to Wu to guard the borders and protect the people is actually a warning to the people of Wu not to go north and seize land and people."
"Otherwise, they would be 'unruly scoundrels' and 'not a blessing for Han and Wu'."
"But once this letter reaches Jianye, won't you gain even more of a reputation for arrogance and domineering? Are you going to bear this infamy yourself?"
Grand Marshal Feng stopped, glanced at the still-wet ink on the letter, and smiled calmly:
"Your Majesty is benevolent and should not bear such a bad reputation. As the Grand Marshal, I should naturally defend you against such slander."
All I want is the land and people of Qingxu; the rest is none of my business!
Anyway, one more bad reputation won't make a difference, and one less won't either, so it doesn't matter.
The right lady blew on the ink to dry it and asked, "Shall I have my elder sister make a new copy of this letter?"
Grand Marshal Feng nodded and gave a thumbs up: "Fourth Sister understands me."
Looking up at the sky, he said to the Right Lady, "Fourth Lady, take this letter to Third Lady. I need to go to the palace."
-
At this moment, Fatty Liu was wearing a black brocade robe embroidered with gold kui patterns, staring blankly at a game of chess.
The country is prosperous and the people are at peace; the weather is favorable and the harvests are plentiful; and virtuous ministers are as plentiful as rain...
The army has the Grand Marshal's Office, and the government has the Secretariat.
Every day when I wake up, I either eat or play.
Or they would listen to their ministers in the court praising their own wisdom and martial prowess, claiming they could continue the legacy of the previous emperor and surely restore the Han dynasty three times, surpassing even Emperor Guangwu…
Days pass by like this every day, and I always feel a bit empty.
Upon hearing that the Grand Marshal was requesting an audience, he snapped out of his daze and quickly stood up: "Please come in, please come in! Never mind, I'll go myself..."
The eunuch dared not let His Majesty personally greet him, so he hurriedly ran to invite the Grand Marshal in.
As Grand Marshal Feng entered the hall, before he could even bow, A Dou had already taken his hand and made him sit opposite him.
"Mingwen, it's been a long time since you've been to the palace! Come, let's play a game of chess first."
Grand Marshal Feng glanced at the chessboard and smiled, "Your Majesty has a refined taste."
A Dou waved his hand and said, "What refined interest? It's just boring."
Grand Marshal Feng toyed with the ivory chopsticks in his hand: "Has His Majesty grown tired of all the toys and games in the palace?"
A Dou sighed, "No, it's too hot. I'm too lazy to move. If I move, I'll be covered in sweat, so I can only sit here."
Grand Marshal Feng glanced at him.
You're so fat, who else would get hot if not you?
"Your Majesty, is there something on your mind?"
"Hmm, hmm?" A Dou looked at Feng Da Sima and finally smiled. "You really understand me, Mingwen."
"Your Majesty, perhaps I can share your burdens?"
"My mind is in complete turmoil," Liu Shan said, shoving the chessboard aside and lowering his voice.
"A secret report from Pengcheng says that Sima Zhao is setting fires and relocating people in Qing and Xu provinces. What... what should we do? Should we really attack?"
According to his brother-in-law, the best time for the Han Dynasty to launch a military campaign is after the autumn harvest is stored away this year.
Sima Zhao's actions were forcing the Han Dynasty to send troops ahead of schedule.
"Your Majesty, please do not worry." Grand Marshal Feng gently placed the chopsticks and chess pieces back onto the chessboard.
"Sima Zhao's actions, though seemingly ruthless, are in fact an act of self-destruction. I have a plan to counter this, and I have come to request your approval."
Upon hearing this, A Dou was overjoyed: "I knew Mingwen had the best solution! Tell me quickly!"
Grand Marshal Feng leaned forward: "Your Majesty, please grant permission to appoint His Highness the Crown Prince as the 'Ambassador for Pacification of Qing and Xu' and to lead the expedition."
"What?!" Liu Shan exclaimed in surprise. "Chen'er? He... he has never experienced battle before. Qing and Xu are in chaos right now, this is no child's play!"
"Your Majesty, please do not be hasty, and let me finish speaking."
Grand Marshal Feng bent down and picked up the chopsticks one by one. "The Crown Prince's trip is not for war, but for comforting the people."
"I have made all the arrangements: Zhang Yi will lead the elite troops of the Wuwei and Huben armies to escort them, ensuring their safety without any mishaps."
"Assisted by capable officials such as Jiang Bin, son of Jiang Gong, and Li Yi, son of Li Gong, they were accompanied by thousands of medical officers and craftsmen."
A Dou pondered.
Grand Marshal Feng placed all the chess pieces back on the chessboard and continued:
"In my opinion, the Crown Prince's personal visit has three benefits. First, it demonstrates the Han Dynasty's respect for its homeland and its people, and the hearts of the people will surely turn to him."
"Secondly, the Crown Prince has personally experienced the people's suffering and knows the hardships of farming, which is more valuable than reading books for ten years; thirdly..."
Grand Marshal Feng paused for a moment, then slowly said:
"Your Majesty, not to mention the late Emperor, even Your Majesty was born in a chaotic era and almost perished in the chaos of war when you were an infant."
“The Crown Prince is intelligent. He studied under me and later entered the Royal Academy. He is certainly not an ignorant person who was born in the deep palace and raised by women.”
"But as the saying goes, reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. What the Crown Prince lacks now is precisely experience."
"The people of Qingxu are currently suffering a calamity. If the Crown Prince can personally hold the porridge ladle and comfort the refugees, this prestige is something that no teacher can teach."
Liu Shan listened intently, then slowly sat back down on the couch.
Seeing this, Grand Marshal Feng continued to persuade him:
"Your Majesty, Sima Zhao turned Qing and Xu provinces into wasteland with just a fire and a knife."
"I sent the Crown Prince there so that the people of the world could see how the Han Dynasty could rebuild its benevolent rule from the ruins."
"Therefore, the protagonist of this play must be the Crown Prince."
"I want the people of Qing and Xu to remember that when they were in their most desperate time, it was the Crown Prince of the Han Dynasty who came with food, medicine and hope."
"Only in this way will the people truly understand what it means to have the Han Dynasty revived three times."
Ok?
The Three Restorations of the Han Dynasty?
A Dou's eyes twitched, and he let out a long breath:
"Is Mingwen... truly foolproof?"
"I guarantee it with my life."
"Fine, fine... How could I not believe you? But... you need to give Chen'er a proper explanation."
"Your Majesty, rest assured," Grand Marshal Feng smiled. "His Highness the Crown Prince is more sensible than you imagine."
The emperor and his minister remained silent for a long time.
Finally, it was A Dou who broke the silence: "As for the Empress, Mingwen, you too..."
Grand Marshal Feng said quietly, "Your Majesty, that is the Empress, the mistress of Your Majesty's harem. My principal wife is in the Grand Marshal's residence, serving as his secondary consort..."
-
The next day, at the third quarter of the hour of Yin (3:45 AM), while Chang'an was still shrouded in morning mist, the carriages of high-ranking officials and ministers flowed like a river towards Weiyang Palace.
Outside the Vermilion Bird Gate, armored soldiers holding halberds stood, their armor gleaming coldly.
Inside the front hall, high-ranking officials such as the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers were seated on tables on both sides below the imperial steps, while the remaining officials stood behind them in order of rank.
Many people looked at the figure at the very front.
The urgent report from Qingzhou and Xuzhou had already spread throughout the government last night, and everyone knew that the topic of today's court meeting would most likely be about Qingzhou and Xuzhou.
It remains to be seen what countermeasures the shrewd and far-sighted Mr. Feng will devise this time.
At the exact hour of Mao (5-7 AM), bells and chimes resounded in unison.
Liu Shan, dressed in black robes and crimson skirts, and wearing a twelve-tasseled flat crown, ascended the throne.
After he sat down, as was customary, the first person he looked at was his brother-in-law who was sitting closest to him.
Grand Marshal Feng sat in the head seat, dressed in a crimson court robe, with a gold seal and purple ribbon at his waist, his expression calm.
"All of you, rise." Liu Shan didn't waste any time and went straight to the matters to be discussed in today's court:
"The matter of Qing and Xu has already been planned. Today, during the court discussion, all of you may present your opinions."
For some reason, the Han emperor's voice seemed to carry a hint of weariness.
Grand Marshal Feng stepped forward, holding an ivory tablet, and explained in detail the strategy of "the Crown Prince taking command to appease the people" that had been agreed upon the previous day.
From Sima Zhao's atrocities of burning grain and relocating people, to the Han Dynasty's righteousness in comforting refugees, and then to the profound meaning of the Crown Prince's personal visit...
Many people nodded in agreement upon hearing this.
Grand Marshal... awesome!
It's truly remarkable that he could come up with these countermeasures in just one night.
Thinking this, he suddenly saw a person slowly step out of the civil official's line.
It was Qiao Zhou, the Grand Master of Ceremonies and Attendant Gentleman of the Palace.
"This old and foolish minister dares to offer his humble opinion."
Qiao Zhou first bowed to the emperor, then bowed to Grand Marshal Feng:
"His Highness the Crown Prince is the foundation of the nation, and the safety of the country rests on his shoulders. The Book of Rites says: The eldest son guards the ancestral temple, and the second son guards the ancestral temple."
"Your Highness, the foundation of the nation and the pillar of the state, how can you lightly venture into places of war and danger?"
"During the reign of Emperor Jing of the past, King Xiao of Liang was arrogant and indulgent, which eventually led to the Rebellion of the Seven States."
“Sima Zhao is now following the example of Dong Zhuo. His power is like that of a mad dog. The Qing and Xu regions are in chaos, with defeated soldiers like locusts and refugees appearing and disappearing unpredictably.”
"It is not that I doubt the Crown Prince's virtue, but I am truly afraid that if the Crown Prince were to venture into dangerous territory, the very foundation of the nation would be shaken if he were to make a mistake."
He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over Grand Marshal Feng before turning to the throne:
"The Grand Marshal's strategy is known to be benevolent. However, the Zuo Zhuan says: 'If a ruler begins with this, he will surely end with this.'"
"The safety of the crown prince is a matter of national destiny; how can it be treated lightly with the words 'experience'?"
"It would be better to send a respected and virtuous senior official, which would both bring peace to the people and avoid any risks."
A slight commotion arose in the hall.
Someone else nodded slightly, clearly agreeing with Qiao Zhou's suggestion.
Before Grand Marshal Feng could respond, a man suddenly declared loudly, "I cannot agree with what Lord Qiao has said!"
The officials turned their heads and saw that Crown Prince Liu Chen had stepped forward and was standing there.
He was not wearing the crown prince's robes today, but only a dark robe with black trim, standing tall and straight below the steps.
"Lord Qiao loved me dearly, and I will always remember that."
Liu Chen bowed to Qiao Zhou with the respect due to a disciple, then turned to face the throne and the officials, and said in a resounding voice:
"However, you only quoted the Book of Rites, but we know that the Book of Documents says: 'The people are the foundation of the state; when the foundation is firm, the state is at peace.'"
"Today, a million lives have been lost in Qingzhou and Xuzhou. Their granaries have been burned, their houses reduced to ruins, and the old and weak are left to rot in ditches. This is not a dangerous place, but a place where our Han people are hanging upside down, awaiting salvation!"
He stepped forward and said with a sigh:
“I once read the ‘Dongguan Hanji’ and saw that when Emperor Shizu was young, he said, ‘If I were to become an official, I would be the Commander of the Imperial Guards; if I were to marry, I would marry Yin Lihua.’”
"At that time, Emperor Shizu was still a commoner, yet he already had the ambition to save the world. Later, in the Battle of Kunyang, he personally braved arrows and stones, defeating the strong with the weak. Did he not know the danger?"
"The late emperor spent half his life wandering, fighting across the north and south, and repeatedly falling into dangerous places before he laid the foundation for the founding of the country."
"Even His Majesty nearly perished in the chaos of war as an infant. How could he not know the danger?"
The hall was silent.
Only Liu Chen's voice grew increasingly impassioned:
"As the deputy governor, I have enjoyed a life of luxury for over twenty years and have never known what famine is."
"Now I hear that among the people of Qing and Xu, the elders are abandoned on the roadside, and infants cry in the wilderness, while the orphan lives peacefully in the Eastern Palace, reciting the Book of Poetry and studying the Book of Rites."
"Is this something a ruler's son should do? Is this something the crown prince should avoid?"
Having said this, he suddenly lifted his robes, knelt down, and bowed to the throne:
"Father! Your son requests to go, not to show off his bravery, but to make amends for the more than twenty years he has lived in seclusion in the palace, unaware of the suffering of the common people!"
"General Zhang Yi is a veteran of the battlefield, and the Martial Guards and Tiger Warriors are all elite soldiers who have fought countless battles. In addition, there is the Grand Marshal who plans and strategizes. What danger could there be?"
"If I were to cower and remain silent out of fear of 'what if something were to happen,' how would I be any different from the wooden tablet in the temple? How would I be able to inherit the ancestral temple and govern the world in the future?"
His words moved all the military officers in the hall, and the civil officials also nodded in agreement.
Qiao Zhou stood there, stunned.
Upon hearing this, A Dou's eyes widened, and then he turned his gaze to his brother-in-law.
Yesterday... is this how you gave your explanation?
But Feng Da Sima's eyes were slightly lowered, seemingly oblivious to what was happening around him.
The court remained silent for a long while before Liu Shan (A Dou) finally spoke up:
"Ming... cough, Grand Marshal, what do you think?"
Grand Marshal Feng suddenly snapped out of his daze, hurriedly stepped forward, bowed to A Dou, and then bowed deeply to Liu Chen:
"Your Highness the Crown Prince is both benevolent and courageous; how could we, your subjects, not be willing to die for you?"
He then turned around, holding his tablet, and said, "I request that Your Highness the Crown Prince be appointed as the 'Ambassador for Pacification of Qing and Xu,' with the authority to act on behalf of the emperor and oversee all pacification affairs."
"Four deputy envoys will be appointed under him/her."
"Li Yi, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, is in charge of documents, laws and regulations, and verification of land and houses."
"Jiang Bin, the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, was in charge of the selection of officials and the pacification of the people."
"Li Qiu, a guest official of the Ministry of Personnel, was in charge of foreign liaison and coordinating border affairs."
"Huang Chong, the Minister of Revenue, was in charge of the allocation of funds and grain, and the promotion of public works and relief projects."
When one person is called, the person called must step out of their class and stand at attention.
All four were in their prime, possessing a composed and dignified demeanor.
"Furthermore," Grand Marshal Feng continued, "Feng Ling, a Gentleman of the Palace, is hereby promoted to Military Advisor of the Pacification Commission, and will lead a hundred students from the Royal Academy to accompany him on his training."
“The General of Andong, Zhang Yi, was dispatched to lead 10,000 Wuwei Army soldiers and 3,000 Huben Army soldiers to escort them along the way and deter any rebellious forces.”
Zhang Yi stepped forward from the ranks of soldiers: "Your subject obeys! I will ensure the Crown Prince's absolute safety!"
Grand Marshal Feng bowed deeply to the throne at the end:
"Your Majesty, this arrangement combines civil and military measures, employing both firmness and leniency. His Highness the Crown Prince, holding the reins of power, can win the hearts of the people; with each minister fulfilling their duties, we can ensure peace and security."
"When the people of Qing and Xu see the Crown Prince arrive in person, they will surely feel grateful for the benevolence of the Han Dynasty and welcome the royal army with food and drink."
Liu Shan sat on his throne, looking down at his son kneeling before him and his ministers standing upright.
Even though I had read the script beforehand, I still felt deeply moved at that moment.
He took a deep breath: "Granted! Prepare immediately, and three days later, the Crown Prince will tour Qing and Xu on my behalf!"
"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"
The officials shouted in unison, their voices shaking the dust from the beams.
After the court assembly ended, Liu Chen walked at the front, his head held high.
Grand Marshal Feng looked at his son-in-law with a look of satisfaction in his eyes.
She was thinking about whether she should find an opportunity to visit her daughter at the Crown Prince's residence.
He advised the Crown Princess not to take advantage of the Crown Prince's absence on a military campaign to shove the Crown Prince's concubines and children into a well.
Qiao Zhou suddenly stepped forward from behind and sighed softly beside Grand Marshal Feng: "Grand Marshal... I am ashamed of what the Crown Prince said about 'wooden tablets in temples'."
Grand Marshal Feng turned around and smiled: "It is Qiao Gong's duty to speak frankly and offer advice, and the Crown Prince's ability to refute it in an orderly manner is a blessing to the country."
Outside the palace, the bustling streets of Chang'an were already gradually becoming noisy.
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in Qingxu, a grand event concerning the hearts and minds of the people and the transformation of the country is slowly unfolding.