Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3881 Must the Name Be Rectified?

Although it was past dawn, the light was not very good because of the low-hanging winter clouds.

A eunuch from the Imperial Guard stood before the main tent of the General of the Cavalry, holding a yellow imperial edict.

Perhaps because of the cold weather, the eunuch's legs were trembling slightly...

After waiting for an unknown amount of time, the eunuch felt his body stiffen and was about to tremble uncontrollably when he finally heard a command coming from inside the tent, and the cavalry guards made way for him.

Inside the main tent of the General of the Cavalry, several tallow lamps, candles, and torches were lit. Even though there was no skylight in the tent and the natural light was dim, it was still brightly lit.

However, due to poor air circulation, the tent was filled with the smells of leather, rust, and faint traces of blood, which mixed with the smells of lamp oil and torches, creating a unique, iron-blooded atmosphere characteristic of the military.

This aura was as heavy as a mountain, causing the eunuch to immediately shrink in stature by three degrees...

Although a person's sense of smell is much worse than a dog's, it is still possible to detect some danger signals in the air.

When the eunuch arrived at the central command tent, he immediately felt the oppression, both physically and psychologically. His previously raised tail was now tightly tucked between his legs, and his face appeared noticeably ashen.

Especially after he finished reading the Emperor's edict, particularly the four words "retreat three she," he felt as if all his strength had been drained away. He lowered his head deeply, almost touching his chin to his chest, not daring to look up at the faces of anyone in the tent. He felt as if the air in the tent had suddenly become as heavy as iron, making it difficult for him to breathe.

"Understood..." Fei Qian waved his hand. "The angels can go and rest now!"

The eunuch breathed a sigh of relief and, disregarding all imperial etiquette and whether he had overstepped his bounds, hurriedly swayed his hips and left the tent, as if he were afraid that if he lingered even a moment longer, he would be devoured alive.

Fei Qian sat upright in the main seat, with a wide, backed stool covered with a complete tiger skin.

However, Fei Qian did not lean back in his chair, but sat upright with his back as straight as a pine tree. He wore a simple suit of armor over a dark blue casual robe, which accentuated his clear facial features and gave him a composed and dignified demeanor.

After hearing the eunuch's slightly trembling pronouncement, Fei Qian's face remained largely unchanged. He showed neither anger at being "ordered" by the emperor nor impatience at the unexpected complications that had threatened to disrupt his impending victory.

"Gentlemen, what are your thoughts on this imperial edict?"

Fei Qian's gaze swept over the civil and military officials inside the tent.

Huang Cheng rolled his eyes twice and saw that Huang Zhong was just stroking his beard without saying a word. So he lowered his buttocks, which he had been trying to lift up, and then started stroking his beard as if he were counting how many hairs he had.

Xu Chu remained standing beside Fei Qian, acting as his bodyguard general, in the form of Xue's Cat.

After all, there are strategists inside the tent...

As Fei Qian's gaze turned toward him, Sima Yi stepped forward from the crowd and bowed respectfully. His long, bright eyes flashed with a sharp light, clearly showing his extreme dislike and vigilance towards this sudden "imperial edict."

Sima Yi bluntly expressed his disagreement: "My lord, you are wise! Cao Cao's proposal is truly a desperate, last-ditch effort, a treacherous scheme to delay the enemy!"

Sima Yi spoke in a deep voice, getting straight to the point: "Duke Wen of Jin retreated three she (a unit of distance) at Chengpu to repay the kindness of the King of Chu in the past, and also to build up his army's morale and cultivate the enemy's arrogance, ultimately leading to a great victory. This was a necessity of military strategy, with specific reasons, and not solely due to the respect for the State of Chu. How can it be compared to the situation today? My cavalry, having successively captured Gongxian and swept away the remaining momentum of Shandong, is now at the foot of the fortified pass of Sishui. Victory is in our hands, our soldiers are fighting bravely, and our morale is high, like an arrow ready to be released! On the other hand, the Cao family has suffered successive defeats and lost territory, their defeat is evident, their army's morale is low, they are trapped in an isolated pass, with no supplies inside and no strong reinforcements to look forward to, and they can be defeated at any moment! What virtue or ability does that Cao traitor have? What kindness or favor has he shown to our army? How dare he talk about retreating and attempt to set rules?" That defeated general's life is in my hands; what right does he have to interfere with our army's advance or retreat?!

Sima Yi's words were sharp and his logic clear. He continued his analysis, "This move is nothing more than a pretense of using the Emperor's name to delay and prolong the war! Cao Cao is surely taking advantage of our retreat and reorganization to catch our breath, repair our defenses, secretly send envoys to make contacts in all directions, and seek external assistance! He may also be setting a trap to turn the tide! My lord, you are wise! We should seize this momentum, press on, advance swiftly, break through the passes, capture the enemy, pacify the world, and establish our dominance in the Central Plains! Not waste time with a dying man, engaging in empty formalities and discussing sincerity! I urge you, my lord, to see clearly and not be misled by such despicable tricks, falling into his delaying tactics!"

Sima Yi's words were direct and merciless...

They even went so far as to pin the blame on Cao Cao for retreating three times.

Fei Qian listened, his expression remaining calm and noncommittal. He then turned his gaze to the silent Du Ji, "Lord Marquis, what is your opinion?"

Upon hearing this, Du Ji quickly straightened his clothes, stepped forward steadily, and first bowed deeply to Fei Qian. Then, after a brief silence, seemingly carefully considering each word, he slowly spoke, his voice calm and steady, "What Military Advisor Sima just said pointed out the key military points frankly and to the point. I... believe it is not without merit... however..."

Du Ji then changed the subject, revealing a hint of caution and difficulty. "...This matter is, after all, a decree personally conveyed by His Majesty, involving the Emperor's face and concerning the great principles and legitimacy of the realm... If the name is not correct, the words will not be proper; if the words are not proper, things will be difficult to accomplish... I am of limited talent and learning, and of a dull and inflexible nature. In such a complex matter involving national strategy, the distinction between name and reality, I truly feel my wisdom and strength are insufficient to hastily judge right and wrong, or what to take and what to discard."

He raised his head, looking earnestly at Fei Qian, lowering his posture even further, "Everything... rests entirely with my lord's wise and discerning judgment. I, Ji, know only loyalty to my superior and will obey orders without question. If my lord decides to advance, I will do everything in my power to procure provisions and pacify the rear... If my lord has other plans, I will also be diligent and obedient, following orders without hesitation."

Fei Qian frowned slightly. "What if I wanted you to make a decision immediately, Marquis?"

Du Ji remained silent for a longer time, finally bowing and saying, "My lord... history is indeed awe-inspiring..."

Sima Yi sneered from the side, "Only the victors are etched in history!"

Fei Qian's gaze lingered on Sima Yi and Du Ji for a moment before he gestured for Du Ji to return to his seat. He then turned his gaze to Jia Qu, who had been stroking his beard in deep thought, and asked, "Liang Daoru, what are your thoughts?"

Jia Qu then released his hand from stroking his beard, calmly stepped forward, first bowing to Fei Qian, before speaking slowly and deliberately, each word carefully considered: "Zhongda's proposal for a swift and decisive attack is undoubtedly brilliant and perfectly suited to our army's current momentum..."

Then Jia Qu nodded in Du Ji's direction, saying, "The Marquis's words about the fear of being recorded in history are quite reasonable..."

Seeing Fei Qian frown, Jia Qu went straight to the point, "My lord, this imperial edict is not issued by the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers of the court... but by eunuchs and palace attendants... The implications of this are worth considering..."

Jia Qu paused, then continued his analysis, "If our army resolutely refuses, we can certainly claim we are not coerced. Whether Cao Cao is falsely conveying the emperor's will or there are other reasons... however, if this gets out, in the eyes of the people and scholars, and in the hearts of those who still support the Han dynasty, wouldn't it seem a little... too forceful? Wouldn't it confirm the accusation of coercing the emperor and showing disrespect for the court? Even if we are the ones to write history in the future... the hearts of the people still need to be carefully appeased; we cannot simply suppress them by force..."

"Cao Cao's strategy of retreating three she (a unit of distance) is naturally intended to buy us time or prepare a backup plan..." Jia Qu continued, "However, if our army retreats a hundred li (a unit of distance), what we will be demonstrating is not submission to Cao Cao, but respect and courtesy! This courtesy is not only towards the Emperor, but towards the entire world!"

Jia Qu looked up at Fei Qian and solemnly said, "Since Emperor Guangwu surrendered, the world only knows that Shandong is courteous, and speaks of Liang and Bing as martial prowess. Now we can take this opportunity to demonstrate that our army respects the imperial court and adheres to royal etiquette, as well as the etiquette of Guanzhong! We are not arrogant and disobedient forces relying on strength. In terms of winning over the hearts of the people of Shandong and the whole country, this may be more effective than a hundred thousand soldiers!"

After listening to the three people's words, Fei Qian lowered his eyelids slightly, concealing the deep thoughts in his eyes.

The tent fell into complete silence; you could hear a pin drop.

Only the occasional crackling of the tallow lamp wick and the faint sounds of the watchtower and wind, filtered through the heavy tent curtains, seemed to remind everyone of the passage of time.

Everyone in the tent, whether it was the radical Sima Yi, the cautious Du Ji, the scheming Jia Qu, or the other standing generals, held their breath and focused their attention on the silent figure in the main seat.

The air seemed to be drawn tight, and each breath felt heavy.

I don't know how much time passed; perhaps it was only a moment, but it felt incredibly long.

Fei Qian finally raised his head again. The unfathomable thoughts that had been in his eyes before had faded away, replaced by a clear and bright look, and a firm expression that showed he had made a decision.

He didn't directly comment on or refute anyone's opinion, but instead spoke slowly and firmly, as if expounding some philosophy that transcended the immediate outcome, or as if convincing himself to reaffirm his inner choice...

What is the name of the Han dynasty?

Some say that the Han River is the source of the Canglang River. But what exactly is the Canglang River?

Fei Qian said slowly.

"The world does not belong to one person, but to all people. While the state and its institutions may certainly be held by those of virtue and ability, their form, name, crown, and imperial decrees ultimately reflect the accumulated civilization of generations and are shared by all the people."

Fei Qian's gaze seemed to pierce through the tent ceiling, looking towards the distant void. "The Han Dynasty has stood for four hundred years. Though there were the incompetence of Emperor Huan and Emperor Ling, the turmoil of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the tyranny of Dong Zhuo, and even its current disintegration, the Han's commands, its laws, and its majesty have long been integrated into this vast world and the blood of its people..."

"When the primordial chaos was cleared, all living beings began to emerge. The River Chart revealed its images, and the Luo River Writing illuminated its path. In ancient times, ancient texts recorded the Way, and the Nine Tripods were cast to establish the realm of Yu; oracle bones and inscriptions were carved to record the ancestral principles of the Yin Dynasty. But who holds the reins of power in the changing of the state? Observe the changing of the sun and moon, and who are the pillars of support?"

"Suiren drilling wood enlightened all people; Shennong tasting herbs brought peace to all tribes. Houji sowing grain was not solely due to the wisdom of a sage; Leizu spinning silk was the result of the labor of countless women. The phoenix's cry at Qishan was the origin of the Zhou rites, rooted in the well-field system; the blazing fire at Lutai ultimately transformed the Shang tripods into the dust and clamor of Haojing. The weapons of Chu and Wu, their sharp edges soaked in the blood and tears of the common people; the Qin passes and Han moons, their bricks and stones piled high with the bones of the masses. In the past, when the grain at Juqiao ran out, the soldiers of Chaoge turned against their cause at Muye; the hardships of labor at Lishan led to the soldiers lighting beacon fires in the Great Marsh. This was not a matter of divine mandate, but rather the turning of the hearts and minds of the people, a great wave that capsized the boat."

Oh, the waters of Canglang…

Fei Qian, filled with emotion, looked around and said in a deep voice, "The edicts and decrees of the Imperial Secretariat are not merely abstract courtly pronouncements; the folk songs and proverbs of the state also contain the joys and sorrows of ordinary people. Confucius edited the Book of Poetry, collecting poems from fifteen states; Zuo Qiuming wrote the Biographies, incorporating the sayings of one hundred and twenty states. The lost classics of Lu were passed down orally by Fu Sheng to continue the tradition; the debates at Jixia Academy were expanded by Zou Yan's discussions on the heavens. The Zheng Guo Canal was opened, irrigating fertile fields; the Dujiangyan Irrigation System was built, bringing peace to the Min and Tuo rivers. Thus, although the bamboo slips inscribe the names of kings and princes, history truly records the deeds of ordinary people. In the end, we know that the head of the Sishui Pavilion did not gain the world by virtue of his three-foot sword; the Weiyang Palace truly relied on the efforts of the common people to support the North Star."

"How glorious is the Han Dynasty! Its history is not the private divination of tortoise shells and yarrow stalks, but the public inscription of the people. Generation after generation toiled to build this great edifice; year after year, millet and sorghum filled the fields. Gazing upon the stone tablet at Yanran, the inscriptions conceal the names of the common people; listening to the mournful song of the Yi River, its sound resonates in the hearts of woodcutters and hunters. Truly, the sun and moon traverse the sky, illuminating the grasses and marshes; history is recorded on the earth, its roots firmly planted in the weeds!"

"What I now follow is not merely official documents, but the cries of hunger and cold from countless people; what I personally practice is not just courtly rituals, but the pain of a land torn apart and scarred!"

Fei Qian stood up, his gaze sharp and intense, sweeping over each listener in the tent. His eyes held a heavy sense of responsibility, seemingly piercing through a thousand years. "Therefore, my mind is made up! Dismiss!"

Fei Qian paused for a moment, then said with unwavering resolve, "This is not about respecting the emperor, but about respecting the entire world!"

The decision had been made, the words resounding and leaving no room for doubt. The expressions of those in the tent varied.

A complex glint flashed in Sima Yi's eyes, a mixture of resentment at not being able to carry out his own plan and contemplation of Fei Qian's grand discourse. He quickly composed himself, bowed again, and said in a deep voice, "My lord's wisdom and foresight are beyond my reach. I, Yi, will obey your command."

Du Ji bowed in response, saying, "Your Majesty is wise."

Jia Qu and the others also bowed, saying, "Our lord is wise," and "We will obey your command."

……

……

Inside the Sishui Pass, in an old hall.

Liu Xie sat alone on an old bed, and even though he was wrapped in a thick brocade robe, he still felt the chill seeping in from all directions.

"This is..." Liu Xie asked.

The eunuch almost buried his head under his chest, 'This was… composed by the General of the Cavalry after learning of His Majesty's edict…'

"Is it a gift bestowed on the spot?" Liu Xie asked.

That should be the case...

Liu Xie frowned. "What is this?"

Liu Xie pointed to a broken wooden plaque about a foot long and half a foot wide and asked.

The dirty and dilapidated wooden plaque stood out incongruously and jarringly next to the exquisite and clean silk scroll inscribed with Fei Qian's poem.

The edges of the wooden plaque were clearly burned by a fierce fire, showing a charred, curled, jagged, and broken appearance. The surface was heavily marked with smoke and fire, and the original paint color had long since faded and peeled off, with only some dark red or indigo pigment remaining in certain dents.

In the center of the wooden sign, there are several carved characters, which were also damaged in the fire and are now blurred and difficult to discern. Only the characters "...Fangzhai" can be vaguely recognized. The first character is mostly missing, suggesting that it is a fragment of a shop sign.

The eunuch reported, "Your Majesty... this wooden sign... the General of the Cavalry said it originally belonged to a restaurant in Luoyang famous for its pastries... that restaurant... it is said to have been destroyed in the war when Dong Zhuo burned Luoyang and moved the capital to Chang'an. This sign must have been salvaged from the ruins later..."

"A restaurant sign?" Liu Xie's heart suddenly skipped a beat, and a complex emotion flashed across his eyes. After a moment of silence, he picked up the scroll.

Liu Xie read very slowly and carefully.

The dim light shone on the silk book, making each word seem to have weight, pressing heavily on his heart.

When he read the line "The hearts of the people turn against you, and the waves capsize the boat," his lips tightened slightly. When he read the line "The head of the Sishui Pavilion did not gain the world with his three-foot sword; the Weiyang Palace truly relied on the strength of the people to support the North Star," he couldn't help but want to throw the silk scroll on the ground...

But in the next moment, Liu Xie held back.

When Liu Xie finally saw the inscription "The sun and moon traverse the sky, illuminating the grass and marshes; history is recorded on the earth, its roots in the weeds," he seemed to freeze, his gaze fixed on that line of text for a long time.

The hall was eerily quiet, with only the occasional faint sound of the lamp flame crackling.

After a long while, Liu Xie slowly put down the silk scroll, his movements gentle as if the scroll weighed a ton. He raised his head, his gaze blankly fixed on the gray sky outside the door, his eyes lost and distant, as if he were reminiscing about past glories, gazing into the unknown future, or simply bewildered in boundless distress.

After a long while, Liu Xie seemed to snap out of his daze, his gaze falling on the charred and broken wooden plaque...

"Overflowing...Fragrance...Studio..."

Liu Xie remembered it and murmured the name repeatedly, the syllables sounding particularly clear in the empty hall.

Fragments of certain memories surged up from the depths of my mind.

That was a very famous old brand in Luoyang City back then, making exquisite and delicious pastries.

During festivals, the tributes sent from outside the palace sometimes included items made by this restaurant...

It was a distant and hazy memory, carrying the sweet aroma of pastries and the warmth of everyday life.

"General of the Cavalry...do you have anything else to say?"

Liu Xie shifted his gaze from the wooden plaque and looked at the eunuch again, asking the question.

The eunuch bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, the General of the Cavalry instructed me to inquire... uh, to inform the Prime Minister that, for the sake of the people, he has invited the Prime Minister to meet him three days from now at a place near Sishui Pass... I wonder if the Prime Minister has... has..."

The last few words were spoken in a soft, almost inaudible voice by the eunuch.

Liu Xie was stunned again.

meeting?

In an instant, the streets of Luoyang were filled with the sweet aroma of pastries, the peaceful lives of ordinary people, the glorious records of rise and fall in history, and the future fortunes and misfortunes of all living beings...

These seemingly distant and unrelated yet closely connected images, like a shattered kaleidoscope, churned, spun, collided, and intertwined in his mind...

Liu Xie lowered his head, looking at the silk scroll in his hand, then at the tattered wooden plaque, as if he had realized what these two things truly represented...

Just then, the oppressive silence outside the hall was broken by a series of hurried footsteps.

A soldier in armor was stopped by an attendant outside the palace gate.

After a few hushed words, a palace attendant rushed in, knelt, and reported: "Your Majesty! The Prime Minister has sent an urgent report! There's unusual activity at the General Cavalry's camp outside the pass! They...they've begun to break camp and retreat!"

The news struck Liu Xie's already troubled mind like a heavy hammer.

They really withdrew, and did so so decisively!

This broken signboard from the ruins of old Luoyang, along with this weighty ode pointing to the future annals of history, are placed before him, an emperor in name only. Does it foreshadow a complete end, or the beginning of some difficult rebirth?
"call……"

Liu Xie let out a long breath, carefully gathering the silk scroll in his hand, and said, "Send this scroll and this item...to the Prime Minister...and also inform him of the invitation extended by the General of the Cavalry..."

The eunuch naturally agreed and humbly withdrew.

As the eunuch took the silk scroll away, Liu Xie felt a chill run through his body, as if the scroll had just caused him to break out in a cold sweat...

It was like being roasted over a fire; only after the silk scroll was taken away did I feel the bone-chilling cold.

just now……

Now it was Cao Cao's turn to be roasted over the fire...

How would Cao Cao respond?
Will Cao Cao leave the pass to meet with General Gaotai?
do not know.

Liu Xie had absolutely no idea.

He only felt cold, as if he had been frozen at the bottom of the water by thick ice.

But deep within this vast, cold, and thick ice, there was a stirring within him that even Liu Xie himself couldn't quite define or explain.

It was as if some colossal creature in the abyss had merely moved, and the resulting bubbles had already filled him with fear and unease…

(End of this chapter)