Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3777 Though the whip is long, it cannot reach the horse's belly.

In the Prime Minister's residence in the northern part of Ye City, compared to the hustle and bustle of the outside world, this place has a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.

Chen Qun sat alone in the hall of the official residence.

The carved beams and painted rafters, high and low, isolated most of the fighting and shouts coming from outside the city.

Only the occasional, exceptionally loud impact, or a sudden, piercing scream, could penetrate the thick barrier and leave a dull echo in his ears.

Confucius said, "A gentleman is neither worried nor afraid."

Chen Qun boasted that he had done a good job in this regard.

The cavalry's attacks are currently probing and are unlikely to cause any immediate damage to Ye City. The current commotion is merely a bluff by the cavalry.

The cavalry also needed to set up camp, allow their warhorses to rest and be fed, and also needed to build some siege equipment...

Thinking of siege equipment, Chen Qun couldn't help but recall the previous reports about Tongguan and some subsequent battle reports.

Gunpowder, cannons!
The power of thunder!

Fortunately, Chen Qun did not see these things among the Northern Cavalry that came this time...

This is one of the reasons why Chen Qun can now sit comfortably in the Prime Minister's official residence.

On the table in front of him lay the "Edict for the Defense of Ye City," a document on which he and Cao Pi had placed high hopes.

The bamboo slips are exquisite, the handwriting is neat and orderly, and the analysis is meticulous, making them a model of city defense strategy.

However, when Chen Qun's gaze fell upon this heavy book, a helpless, bitter smile appeared on his face.

The chaos outside, the malfunction of the arsenal, the disunity of the people...

All of this was not unexpected.

Or rather, all of this was within the countless possibilities he had deduced.

Chen Qun slowly closed his eyes and sighed.

In my mind, the sound of reciting the Analects as a child seems to transcend time and space, echoing softly in my ears: "The Master said: A gentleman is not a vessel."

At that time, my mentor, whose hair and beard were both white, earnestly instructed me: "A gentleman should be like a precious vessel, noble in the ancestral temple, incomparable to ordinary dishes. His ambition should be in righteousness, adaptable and flexible, not bound by trivial matters, nor constrained by a single skill or ability."

At that time, he nodded blankly, feeling that the four words "a gentleman is not a vessel" were grand and inspiring.

He even wrote these four characters in front of his bed as a warning.

From a young age, he aspired to be a "gentleman" who could oversee the big picture and uphold the great principles, rather than a "petty person" who buried himself in specific tasks...

A gentleman is not a vessel!
He wants to be a generalist.

He did indeed achieve that.

He was learned and knowledgeable, with a comprehensive understanding. He grasped the "Tao" of all things in the world, rather than merely mastering specific "techniques".

He was also an excellent politician, not only knowledgeable in politics, but also in economics, culture, and history. He was also a scholar, with a broad understanding of humanities and geography.

But...

But now...

Chen Qun couldn't help but sigh softly.

The sound was faint and was quickly drowned out by the noise outside.

"Not getting bogged down in trivial matters"?
Therefore, he could ignore the shifty look and deliberately emphasized tone in the eyes of Li Ben, the armory officer, when he inspected the crossbows.
Is it permissible for the granary clerks to submit seemingly detailed but actually evasive accounts when reporting on grain reserves?
Is it acceptable to allow those conscripted artisans to perform superficial "repairs" under the whip?
Because Chen Qun is a "gentleman" and a strategist, his vision should be focused on the overall situation of the world and the defense of Ye City. How could he be preoccupied with trivial matters such as a bow, a bushel of grain, or a well all day long?
Wouldn't that be lowering oneself to the level of a mere "tool" that one despises?
This seems to be correct, but something is wrong.

Another faint, muffled thud came from the north, accompanied by subtle tremors from collapsing bricks and stones.

Chen Qun opened his eyes and his gaze fell on a pot of orchids placed in the corner of the study.

That was his favorite agrimony, with its fragrant flowers and leaves.

This is something he used to allude to his own "refined" nature.

At this moment, due to the heavy affairs inside and outside the city, servants rarely had easy access to the hall, resulting in the edges of the leaves becoming somewhat dry and yellow.

Perhaps it's because autumn and winter are approaching?

Chen Qun picked up the water from the side and poured a little water over the plants.

He suddenly remembered another saying: "Confucius said: 'The superior man is inclusive but not partisan; the inferior man is partisan but not inclusive.'"

What a brilliant argument!

Chen Qun thought he was capable of "Zhou".

However, the reality is that Chen Qun wanted to "Zhou" and unite all forces in Yecheng, but he found it extremely difficult to move forward.

The city was rife with various powerful factions: the Cao and Xiahou families formed their own lineages, while others included fellow townsmen from Yingchuan, natives of Jizhou, and former subordinates from Yan and Yu provinces…

The phenomenon of comparison is ubiquitous among them. If he were to forcibly rectify and thoroughly investigate the various malpractices in the armory, granary, and public works, he would inevitably touch upon these networks of interests that have already been "compared" together.

At that time, Ye City will probably fall apart on its own before the arrival of the cavalry.

Therefore, he could only compromise by using the name of "Zhou".

He tacitly accepted the existence of this "comparison," and to a certain extent, he even had to utilize it.

Let those greedy captains and clerks manage the armory and granaries, because they are more closely aligned with the authorities and can more effectively drive their subordinates, even if this effectiveness comes at the cost of quality and long-term benefits.

Let those corrupt officials maintain order in the markets and conscript laborers, because they are better able to "understand" the emperor's intentions and more "decisive" in carrying out harsh orders such as scorched earth and sealing off the market gates.

As for how the people at the grassroots level will feel and how they will cope with these orders being implemented?

Chen Qun actually knew...

But he can pretend he doesn't know.

In Chen Qun's mind, the sentence he had read in his youth echoed once more: "Confucius said: 'The people may be made to follow a path, but they may not be made to understand it.'"

Yes, that's the reason.

He often said, "Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures."

When you talk about it too much, any time becomes an "extraordinary period," and "extraordinary measures" become common practice.

such as……

Another example……

Doesn't Chen Qun know that all those "extraordinary laws" that are promulgated, amended, provisional, or temporary every year and month actually have problems?
But he could only repeatedly convince himself that the ordinary people were short-sighted, unable to understand the profound strategic significance of defending Ye City, and unable to grasp the deep meaning of making "necessary sacrifices" for the "greater good." Therefore, there was no need to make them "know"; he only needed to use force and order to "make them follow."

Closing the gates, isolating the north and south, and imposing strict controls were all for the purpose of "protecting" them and "stabilizing the overall situation."

As for the resentment that arose during this process?

Chen Qun also found a reason: it was nothing more than the petty-mindedness of a "small man" who "compares without considering the bigger picture," an unavoidable growing pain.

Let the "petty person" suffer a little longer; just bear with it.

Chen Qun got up and slowly walked to the window.

The noise seemed to be right next to my ears.

Vague.

He could hear clearly from the city wall, but he was now in the government office.

He could imagine the scene on the north city wall where those "newly repaired" crossbows became a joke in actual combat; he could also imagine the despair that gradually grew among the people in the south city who were locked behind their doors, amidst hunger and fear.

He knew all of this.

But there was nothing he could do.

Or rather, the way he chose to do it was to maintain this superficial "week," this fragile balance built on the sand.

He still has to use, and can only use, these bureaucratic systems he knows are problematic, to suppress potentially bigger problems...

The problem he was unwilling to acknowledge.

As long as you don't face it or acknowledge it, you can treat it as a problem that doesn't exist.

A virtuous person is dignified but not contentious, sociable but not partisan.

Chen Qun groaned softly, as if trying to find support for himself.

He asked himself, since he had never formed any factions and everything he did was for the sake of the Cao family's state and the safety of Ye City, could this be considered "respectful but not contentious"?
As for the corruption and deception of those bureaucrats, that is the behavior of "petty people".

By refraining from doing it, he can demonstrate his "nobility," which seems quite satisfactory...

Just like the Perilla he kept in the hall.

However, deep inside, another voice faintly refuted it.

Is this really "not competing"?

Or is it because they dare not "compete"?
Because if we start to "fight," investigate thoroughly, and rectify, we might expose the festering sores of the old bureaucratic system, revealing its incurable corruption and thus shaking the foundation of the regime. Chen Qun, and the class he represents, are themselves part of this system, so how could they possibly castrate themselves?

What's even more terrifying is that even if he castrated himself, he might not succeed? He thought of his father, Chen Ji.

My father was a renowned scholar known for his virtue.

My father often said, "Governing with virtue is like the North Star, which remains in its place while all the other stars revolve around it."

But where is the virtue in Ye City today?
Was it through the "Guardian Order" with its strict laws and severe punishments?
Or is it still relying on those officials who are outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant and habitually corrupt?

What the stars share is probably not the virtue of the North Star, but rather a fear of power and survival.

He knows everything.

"If you govern the people by laws and regulate them by punishments, they will avoid punishment but have no sense of shame; if you govern them by virtue and regulate them by rites, they will have a sense of shame and moreover become good."

Confucius's teachings still resonate in our ears, yet they seem so pale and powerless at this moment.

In Ye City, amidst the current crisis, "guiding with virtue" seems like a distant and unattainable dream.

Time doesn't allow it, and reality doesn't allow it either.

He could only choose to "govern with laws and regulate with punishments," even knowing that this would make the people "shameless." But he felt that survival and defense of the city were paramount before he could talk about the future or about governance by virtue.

Is it like this?
Chen Qun subconsciously overlooked what he was doing before the crisis, and what those gentlemen were doing...

At that time, there was still time, and we always felt that we could make ends meet, and even if things didn't work out, we could still look forward to the wisdom of future generations.

"A wise man understands righteousness; a petty man understands profit."

No, no, Chen Qun denied the sarcastic remarks in his mind and found a new reason for himself.

He was a gentleman, and his thoughts and considerations were for the greater good of the nation and the Cao family's empire.

As for ordinary people at the bottom of society, all they see is their own "interest"!
To motivate them with righteousness is as difficult as ascending to heaven.

Therefore, he could only exploit their pursuit of "profit," using official positions and rewards to motivate officials, using the hope of survival to appease soldiers, and using harsh laws and severe punishments to intimidate the people.

Although doing so goes against the "way of the gentleman" he has been taught since childhood!
He knew that the people of the southern city were starving and that they were full of complaints.

But he dared not relax his control.

Because he cannot trust them.

In his education and preconceived notions, the masses were blind, easily instigated, and considered "only women and petty men are difficult to deal with; if you get close to them, they become disrespectful, and if you keep them at a distance, they resent you." Once control was loosened, who could guarantee that the starving masses wouldn't turn into a mob? Wouldn't they storm the northern city? Wouldn't they undermine Ye City's defenses from within? The Flying Cavalry was right outside the city; he dared not take the risk of an attack from within and without.

Therefore, he had no choice but to sacrifice the South City and the interests of those "petty people" in order to preserve the North City and the order and righteousness represented by the "gentlemen".

Although this "righteous cause" now appears to be riddled with holes.

In fact, Chen Qun knew that the reason why he couldn't use "righteousness" to motivate the people wasn't because of the people themselves, but because "righteousness" was no longer "appropriate"...

However, changing the concept of "righteousness" is too difficult and painful, making it unbearable for a "gentleman".

This also includes Chen Qun himself.

If only he weren't the governor of Ye City now...

After all, "If you're not in a position, you shouldn't meddle in its affairs."

But when he was not in a position, he longed for it!
They are never plotting for "politics," but for "position"!
"Hehe..." Chen Qun chuckled twice, as if laughing at himself, or perhaps at someone else.

Now that he is in power, he wants to govern, but finds that he can do so little.

His "politics" was like constantly patching up leaks on an old ship destined to sink, robbing Peter to pay Paul. He knew some planks were already rotten beyond repair, but dared not replace them, because if he did, the whole ship might fall apart instantly. He could only watch helplessly as seawater seeped in from all sides, using all his wisdom to only delay the arrival of the final moment.

He had previously mocked and ridiculed Xun Yu, boasting that his talent and wisdom surpassed Xun Yu's, only that Xun Yu had gotten there first; otherwise, the position of Minister of the Imperial Secretariat should have been his...

But now, Chen Qun has discovered that what he is doing is not much different from what Xun Yu is doing, and he may not even be doing it better than Xun Yu.

Rapid footsteps echoed through the corridor, followed by the panicked voice of a subordinate official: "My lord!! The north gate…the north gate's arrow tower has been hit by a stone projectile from the cavalry, and a corner has collapsed! Commandant Li…Commander Li requests that more laborers be sent to repair it!"

Chen Qun took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the chaotic thoughts in his mind, a mixture of self-justification and self-reproach.

He turned his head, regaining his usual calm and composed demeanor.

"Understood." Chen Qun said to the clerk, "Pass down the order to proceed according to Article 7 of Chapter 3 of the 'Defense Order.' Conscript laborers from the three wards of the southern city, under the personal supervision of the clerk of the Ministry of Works, to repair the damage within three hours. Any delay will be punished according to military law."

"But...My lord, the laborers in the southern city were just conscripted the day before yesterday to repair the barbican, and I'm afraid they might complain..."

Chen Qun's gaze swept over the subordinate, who immediately fell silent.

"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures," Chen Qun said calmly. "Tell them this is necessary for defending the city, concerning the survival of Ye City, and their own lives. Anyone who dares to disobey..."

He paused, not continuing, but the chilling tone was enough.

The subordinate official bowed and withdrew.

Chen Qun sat back down at his desk, his fingers brushing over the bamboo slips of the "Yecheng Defense Order," feeling their coolness.

He knew that issuing this order would only result in another round of skimming and perfunctory work. The officials in charge of public works would profit from it, the conscripted laborers would complain bitterly, and the quality of the repairs would likely be far from satisfactory.

But what else can he do?
Are you suggesting that the crown prince should lead the way in carrying bricks?

Or perhaps it was this gentleman who went to carry the logs?
Do we still need the long robes and gowns?
He could advise others not to be reluctant to take off their long robes, but when it came to the possibility that he himself might have to take them off...

Damn it, anyone who dares to take off my robe, I'll kill them!

At least, Chen Qun felt that he deserved this long gown...

Chen Qun seemed to hear again the voice of his youth reciting aloud: "Zengzi said: I examine myself thrice daily—have I been disloyal in serving others? Have I been untrustworthy in dealing with friends? Have I neglected to practice what I have been taught?"

When planning for others, are you completely loyal?
Chen Qun silently asked himself this question.

What he was planning was Cao Pi, the Cao family regime, and this crumbling old order.

He asked himself if he had done everything in his power and exhausted all his energy.

As for the "object" he was planning for, and the entire system that maintained it, it was fundamentally incompatible with the sage's teachings he had learned, and with the last vestige of idealism that might still remain deep within his heart, so he concealed it.

Don't tell the whole truth, but don't tell any lies at all.

His "loyalty" was to the crumbling dynasty and its beneficiaries, not to the broader "people"!
This is something Chen Qun naturally couldn't elaborate on.

When making friends, do you keep your promises?
His "friends" were the bureaucrats who served in the same court and his aristocratic peers. He maintained a facade of "trust" with them, yet he was well aware of the underlying hypocrisy and scheming. For the sake of the "greater good," he had to turn a blind eye to many things—was that trust?
Have you reviewed and put into practice the knowledge imparted by your teacher?

He reviewed it, even memorizing it perfectly. But putting it into practice…

However, he has strayed further and further from his original aspirations in this quagmire of reality.

He was a clear-headed strategist who saw through all the flaws.

He was a helpless bureaucrat, unable to cure his deep-seated problems.

He was a defender of the old order, doing what he knew was impossible.

He is a……

A tormented gentleman, bound by the limitations of his own class and era.

He even loathed himself, yet he was forced to go further and further down the path of self-loathing, sinking deeper and deeper into it.

Chen Qun slowly picked up his pen, unrolled a new bamboo scroll, and began to write.

It was neither a memorial nor an order, but rather a jumble of words, as if trying to sort out his chaotic thoughts or find a final explanation for himself.

The pen fell, but the text remained unwritten for a long time.

In the end, he only wrote one sentence...

To do something knowing it is impossible.

This is a quote from the Analects describing Confucius when facing a predicament.

At this moment, however, it became the most accurate portrayal of Chen Qun and the entire old Han Dynasty bureaucratic system. They all knew where the problem lay, they all knew the road ahead was difficult, but they could not break free. They could only struggle to walk on this path destined for failure until the final collapse came.

Inside the study, the withered yellow of the orchids seemed to have spread even further.

The scent, which was originally like lavender, now has a faint, rotten odor...

"My lord!" A trusted aide in the corridor knelt on the ground. "The Crown Prince requests your presence!"

"Do you know what it is?" Chen Qun asked as he stood up and straightened his clothes.

The confidant lowered his head and said, "This lowly one dares not speak presumptuously."

"Speak." Chen Qun glanced at him disdainfully.

The confidant lowered his head even further, saying, "I suspect... there are many messengers from the General of the Cavalry, and the young master may... be planning a popular uprising..."

"A popular uprising?" Chen Qun chuckled.

The confidant couldn't help but look up at Chen Qun.

Chen Qun didn't explain and walked straight ahead.

Chen Qun admits that he can't control the cavalry outside, but surely he can control the cattle, sheep, pigs and dogs in Ye City?