Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Shu, Loyal Officials of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 263 Heading north to cross the Han River, serving the king and purging the emperor!
Today, those who can stand in this grand hall and enjoy honor and wealth are either famous figures of the time or learned scholars from prominent families.

With their perspective, how could they not see that this seemingly small piece of thin paper was the inevitable trend to replace bamboo slips?

Imagine a time when Luoyang was still transporting bamboo slips, weighing hundreds or even thousands of kilograms, from its various counties to transmit information about local population, government affairs, and people's livelihoods.

South of the great river, people in various places only write on paper, and when traveling, they simply carry a book box on their backs.

Not to mention the books collected by various aristocratic families, which are often piled up like mountains of bamboo slips, making it extremely inconvenient to browse, search, copy, or move them. How convenient it would be if they could be carried on paper.
Even the official duties of the Secretariat involved sending hundreds or thousands of pounds of bamboo slips every day. Processing and reviewing them was not only a mental task, but also a physical one.

Most importantly, if it were like before, when everyone used bamboo slips instead of paper, that would be fine. The worst thing is that Huainan has paper, but Luoyang doesn't!
It's obvious that if this continues, the world's culture will inevitably center around Huainan, and scholars from prominent families will all flock to Huainan to seek paper.

If this is the case, how can the hearts of the people be with the Han? The change of the imperial regalia is irreversible!

Its financial resources are not as abundant as those of Huainan, its military strength has suffered repeated defeats, and even its literary style and Confucian scholars are far inferior to those of Huainan.

With the economy, military, and culture all centered around Huainan, is Luoyang still Luoyang? Where is the capital region, and where is the national capital?
"Your Majesty! This paper is a national treasure and cannot be lost!"

"For now, I am fortunate to have stolen the paper and returned to Luoyang. In the future, I will still need to rely on the Marquis of Duting."

"May I ask, Lord Duting, is your paper purchasing channel reliable? And what is the price per pound?"

"catty?"

Upon hearing this, Cao Anmin raised an eyebrow. He was on a mission to deliver goods, hoping to complete the task for Lord Yuan and receive a great reward upon his return.

Right now, he can sell goods and make a living from it. There are no life-or-death crises, and these people all need his help. With Cao Anmin's personality, how could he not succeed?

If he didn't exploit these incredibly wealthy and powerful families to the bone, where would his enormous achievements come from?

He immediately looked troubled, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

"Gentlemen, you know this."

Although I feigned surrender to Yuan, I am still a surrendered official, living under someone else's roof and often suffering disdain.

This time, in order to support the nation and revive the Han dynasty, and to open up trade routes for smuggled imperial goods, considerable effort was made to bribe officials at all levels.

He set the example, and the people from the surrounding aristocratic families, all seasoned veterans, naturally understood his meaning.

Such a channel for smuggling national treasures could not have been accomplished by Cao Anmin, a mere surrendered official, alone. He must have had an entire faction within Yuan Shikai's camp behind him, and he had to feed everyone in between.

Everyone agreed that he should just speak up, as they knew what was important.

Cao Anmin then picked up a piece of paper, indicating that this thing was not sold by weight, but by the piece, and then he and the others began to bargain.

The emperor, Cao Cao, and others frowned as they watched this scene.

Although smuggling back large quantities of new paper was for the imperial court's procurement, it was still inappropriate for these powerful ministers to directly discuss business with Cao Anmin.

Liu Xie immediately cleared his throat and said, "What kind of decorum is this, discussing buying and selling in the imperial court!"
Xun Qing, after the court session, you should send someone to negotiate the procurement with the Marquis of Duting. If he dares to raise the price on the spot, it will be considered that he is seeking profit in Yuan's camp, and he will be punished by Yuan.

"I don't believe that he's the only one in the entire Yuan camp who buys paper."

Xun Yu accepted the decree, and all the officials praised it, daring not to say another word.

Although Cao Anmin knelt down properly along with the other officials, he was actually unconcerned about the emperor's attempt to pressure him into lowering the price by threatening to collude with Yuan Shikai.

Is the vast Yuanying area not necessarily just a route to buy paper from merchants?
Excuse me, but I am here on the orders of the King of Han to transport goods.

I'm actually helping the King of Han raise the price. The King of Han won't undermine me. If you miss this price, who in the vast Yuan camp would dare to sell to you?
Even if someone is truly greedy for small gains and engages in smuggling with you, who in the world doesn't know that Huainan is the most notorious place for the Yellow Turban Rebellion?

When the Yellow Turban rebels rob us, you'll see why my place is so valuable.

Cao Anmin felt reassured, holding onto the pretext of being ordered to transport goods, he connected the two parties and mediated trade.

Whether the major families in the Central Plains wanted to buy paper or engage in trade, they couldn't avoid their own interests and had to protect themselves.

At this moment, even Cao Anmin couldn't help but marvel at the Han King Yuan Gong, whom he had only met once amidst the swirling smoke and clouds.

He wondered why the King of Han had given him such a dangerous mission to die. It turned out that the King had earnestly instructed him to hand over the pardon before his departure.

Just then, he saw the emperor raise his eyes and look at him with a kind smile.

"Lord Duting, you went there to feign surrender, so I suppose you stole more than just this one item. Do you also have any secrets from Yuan's camp to present to me to demonstrate your merit?"

The Emperor's Smile was so welcoming, yet it sent a chill down Cao Anmin's spine, who had just been at ease.

not enough.

His so-called feigned surrender and smuggling claims could make the powerful ministers overlook his suspicious points for the sake of their own interests.

His identity also forced Cao Cao to reluctantly accept that he was feigning surrender, due to the prohibition against "exterminating nine generations of one's family."

But to think that such a small amount of stuff could get him through is not enough for the emperor, who hasn't received much benefit.

Cao Anmin panicked and racked his brains trying to figure out what secrets he could offer to reassure the emperor.

But during his time in Yuan's camp, he only knelt outside the main hall begging to see Yuan Shu. Apart from meeting Yuan Shu once, he didn't exchange a single word with anyone else. What kind of intelligence or secrets could he possibly have?
Suddenly, in desperation, Cao Anmin had no choice but to take out the last thing he had on him.

Before his departure, Yuan Gong gave him three items, entrusting him with important matters.

The first is: "Memorial to the King of Han".

Secondly, paper is expensive in Huainan.

Thirdly: The Book of Merits!
"Your Majesty is a man of brilliant strategy. Your humble servant does indeed have another confidential matter to offer!"

Although Cao Anmin was flustered, he remained calm on the surface, smiled and nodded to the emperor, and immediately showed the Han court the "Book of Merits" bestowed by Yuan Shu, and began to explain it in detail.

"This is the official selection system of Yuan's camp that I stole!"
The copy I have in my hand is the "Chancellor's Merit Register" personally bestowed by Yuan Shikai. There are also other registers in Yuan's camp, such as the "Nine Ministers' Merit Register" and the "Three Dukes' Merit Register".

As you can see, it is written in black and white on white paper, with Yuan Gong's seal. As long as you accumulate enough merits, big and small, you can directly exchange them for the corresponding official position.

This is why Yuan's camp was united as one, and thus invincible in every battle.

When Cao Anmin took out this item, the high-ranking officials in the court didn't take it seriously, but the eyes of the ministers who wanted to advance in their careers lit up!

Prime Minister? Three Dukes? Nine Ministers?

If you accumulate enough merits, big or small, you can be promoted directly to an official position?
They had only seen such an enlightened system of promotion during the reign of the previous emperor.

However, back then, what was accumulated was not merit, but gold and silver. As long as enough money was saved for the late emperor, one could be promoted to any official position in the court, whether it was prefect, one of the Three Dukes, or any other official post!
They're all too familiar with this tactic.

Unfortunately, since the late emperor passed away, such good days have never returned.

In the imperial court, positions are divided into those held by the Emperor's faction and those held by Cao Cao's faction. Each position is filled by a specific person, and if those at the top don't leave, how can those below advance?

Amidst the differing thoughts of the ministers, Cao Anmin offered his advice and suggestions.

"His Majesty!
"We could follow Yuan's strategy, putting everything in black and white, and rewarding merit with official positions. Then, who in the court wouldn't be willing to devote themselves wholeheartedly to serving him to the death?" However, Liu Xie's face turned ugly at Cao Anmin's words. "You want Yuan's camp secrets? Why did you ask for something dirty?"

Do you really think he's like that guy in Huainan, wielding absolute power, controlling everything, and obeying every imperial edict?
Of the major issues discussed today, which one didn't involve the Emperor's faction, Cao's faction, and even the Emperor himself pulling back and forth before finally reaching a compromise?
White paper with black ink, accumulating merit to gain official position?
Does Liu Xie's written agreement acknowledge the support of Cao Cao's faction? Does Cao Cao's written agreement acknowledge the support of the emperor's faction?
Moreover, Huainan has only just assumed the throne of the King of Han, leaving the positions of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers vacant, while Luoyang is already filled with court officials.

If this policy is implemented, what will the senior officials and veteran ministers who are already in high positions think?
If this is the case, the officialdom in Luoyang will inevitably descend into chaos and disorder.

Upon realizing this, Liu Xie immediately denounced it as a wicked policy in Huainan, the root of political chaos, something a holy emperor would never do.

However, as Cao Anmin sheepishly put away the Prime Minister's merit book, there were many ambitious officials present, their eyes burning with anticipation.

If even someone like Cao Anmin could obtain a Prime Minister's Merit Register in Huainan, then I might as well take the position myself.

As for accumulating merit? One wonders, if the Emperor of Luoyang were presented to him, how much merit would Yuan Gong gain?

Although a record of achievements presented by Cao Anmin could not truly motivate everyone to take action, it planted a seed of desire for advancement in the hearts of some.

If the time is right and they have no choice but to take this step, they believe that this may be another way out.

Seeing that Cao Anmin seemed completely drained, the emperor did not press him further, lest he unleash some more filthy things that would sow discord among people's hearts.

Seeing that no one was targeting him anymore, Cao Anmin bowed to the emperor again and cautiously asked him.

"Your Majesty, although my surrender was a pretense to deliver intelligence, I still have to give an account of my mission."

Little did they know that His Majesty's reply to that memorial was...

Liu Xie's face darkened. How dare you ask about this?

"Yuan Shikai is arrogant and tyrannical, asking to be named King of Han, disregarding the White Horse Alliance of Emperor Taizu Gaozu!"

Go back and tell that traitor Yuan that I will soon assemble a large army to attack him, and that I will convene an alliance of all the lords of the realm to jointly strike him; his death is imminent.

However, to Liu Xie's surprise, Cao Anmin seemed to have anticipated this, and submitted another memorial, which read:

[Shu knew that His Majesty was imprisoned, held hostage, and unable to speak freely, and that imperial edicts did not reflect his own will.]

This is my fault!
Your Majesty, rest assured, once I become the King of Han, I will soon lead a million troops north to cross the Han River, serving the King and purging the emperor!

Liu Xie: "???"

Cao Anmin smiled and explained to him, "The Prince of Han is adept at anticipating events and has prepared extra supplies, which allowed His Majesty to decline three times."

Three times he declined and three times he refused?

Liu Xie: "!!!"

You call this "three refusals and three concessions"?
Normally, shouldn't it be that I should be the one to bestow upon you the title of King of Han, and you should decline it three times to show that you have declined it three times?

Damn it, you're trying to force me to have the Prince of Han, and I won't allow it. You've gone back and forth three times, asking me to decline three times?

"Traitor! Mad thief!"
How could I possibly accept such humiliation!

However, before he could finish speaking, Cao Anmin handed over another memorial.

Your Majesty, I am aware.

You were controlled; none of this was your intention.

But rest assured, the execution of the traitor Cao will take place today, Your Majesty!

If that traitor Cao dares to murder the emperor, I will surely kill that scoundrel to avenge you.

Your Majesty, please wait in Luoyang for a while. With me, the King of Han, as your patron, the restoration of the Han Dynasty is just around the corner.

Liu Xie: "."

He murdered the emperor, what good is it for you to avenge me?
Moreover, you are already the King of Han. When the Han Dynasty is restored, will it be my Han Dynasty or your Han Dynasty?
Silence seemed to be a form of excuse. In order to complete the monumental task as soon as possible, Cao Anmin had already submitted the last memorial, or rather, this was no longer a memorial, but the "Edict of the King of Han" bearing the Imperial Seal of the State!

Cao Anmin gave everyone a wry smile, indicating in advance that he was merely an envoy delivering an imperial edict, and any arrogant words or actions on it were the work of the traitor Yuan, and had nothing to do with him, Cao Anmin.

But what was written on it was:
The Emperor's Edict to the World to Restore the Han Dynasty

The Han dynasty is now in ruins, and chaos has reached its extreme!
Since Dong Zhuo's usurpation of power, the fate of the nation has been precarious, and now the traitor Cao Cao has seized the throne.

He held His Majesty hostage, imprisoned him deep within the palace, and his decrees never left the palace grounds; his words and actions were not his true intentions.

The entire court was filled with Cao Cao's henchmen, and all the imperial edicts issued were forged and chaotic.

Today, the Emperor intends to appoint Shu as the King of Han, to save the common people from suffering, and to restore the Han dynasty, but unexpectedly, he suffers calamity at the hands of the traitor Cao.

To speak one's mind without speaking one's own thoughts, and to act without expressing one's own will—this is intolerable according to the laws of Heaven, and deserves to be condemned by both Heaven and man!

Cao Cao's ambition to become emperor has long been obvious, and his usurpation is common knowledge.

They slaughtered loyal and virtuous officials, treated members of the imperial family like dirt, threatened the emperor, and regarded the common people as worthless.

He was called the Chancellor of Han, but in reality a traitor to Han!
Who among the scholars of the world would not be enraged upon hearing this? Who among the people of the four seas would not shed tears upon seeing this?
I, a man of four generations of high-ranking officials and a loyal subject of the Han Dynasty, how can I bear to see the foundation laid by Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Guangwu destroyed by treacherous officials?

Fortunately, the Prince of Lu, the Prince of Chen, the Prince of Liang, the Prince of Pei, and other members of the royal family have joined together to make this a great undertaking, and have established a council of princes.

They cherished the ambition to restore order and support the nation, and held the thought of reviving the Han dynasty.

To reopen the state, to revive the faint light of the Han dynasty, to establish the capital in Shouchun, and to uphold the imperial edict of the Yellow Heaven.

From then on, the Han Dynasty governed the nine provinces with a parliament that served as the overseer of all affairs for the kings of the four seas and eight directions.

Acting on behalf of Heaven to ensure the stability of the nation.

By order of the council, I, Shu, will lead the King of Han, raise righteous troops, punish the traitors, prepare for war, and rescue Your Majesty.

All subjects of my Great Han Dynasty, including the officials of the court, governors of various prefectures, and county magistrates.

When you can distinguish between true and false edicts, and recognize them as forged, do not be misled!
It should be understood that the orders issued by the imperial court in Luoyang were all coerced by the traitor Cao, and did not come from the emperor's own heart.

Only the decrees of the Council of Kings are in accordance with the will of Heaven and the hearts of the people!
I hereby issue this imperial edict: all prefectures and counties under heaven shall rise up in response to rescue Your Majesty and jointly punish the traitor Cao. All the lords under heaven shall join forces to attack him.

Those who do not comply will be considered traitors. When the Han army arrives tomorrow, do not say you were not warned!

Anyone who can behead Cao Cao and save the Emperor will receive nine extraordinary merits, and will be rewarded with official positions and titles according to their merits. This is all in black and white, and is a golden promise!

The people live on, and the Han dynasty has not yet ended.

I, along with all the princes, have sworn a blood oath to eliminate the treacherous and restore the Han dynasty!

(End of this chapter)