Chapter 8

The Western Han was established by Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang, with its capital in Chang'an; the Eastern Han was established by Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu, with its capital in Luoyang. In between, there was a brief Xin Dynasty (8 AD - 23 AD) established by Wang Mang, who usurped the Han throne.

Liu Bang, although he came from a lowly background, indeed founded a great dynasty.

Unlike the brief unification of the Qin Dynasty, the Han Dynasty truly achieved a period of rest and recuperation. The Huang-Lao philosophy promoted during the Western Han and the Confucian culture of the Eastern Han both placed great emphasis on the well-being of the people. The population of the Qin Dynasty is estimated to have been around 20 million or 30 million, but by the Han Dynasty, it had grown to 60 million.

The Han Dynasty was a great empire in the world during the two Han periods. From the reign of Emperor Gaozu to the Wenjing era, the economic power of the Han Dynasty rapidly increased, making it the first empire in the East, rivaling the Western Roman Empire. The great powers in Central Asia and the Western Regions all feared it. By the time of Emperor Wu, the Han Empire had become the most powerful empire in the world, and the Xiongnu Empire was defeated and fled northward in disgrace. Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions first opened the famous "Silk Road," establishing a trade route between the East and the West, making China the center of the world trade system until the Mongol rebellion more than a thousand years later. Because of the Han Dynasty's far-reaching influence, other ethnic groups began to call the Chinese people "Han people," and the Han people were also happy to call themselves by this name. "Han" thus became the eternal name of the great Chinese Huaxia nation.

"Those who offend the mighty Han will be punished, no matter how far they flee!" This was not just a slogan; it raised the spirit of an entire nation. The Han Dynasty was the first to take the initiative to drive away the Xiongnu, who had been raiding the borders, treating them like stray dogs. The campaign to seal the Wolf Dwellings was a monumental achievement of the Han Dynasty.

The Han Dynasty at its peak was a truly well-organized dynasty, with clear divisions between military and civil officials. Military officers were responsible for defending the country and repelling foreign enemies, while civil officials handled political affairs and improved the lives of the people. Unlike later dynasties where military officers were considered inferior to civil officials, in the Han Dynasty, there was no such discrimination. The entire Han Dynasty, from the aristocracy to the common people, was full of spirit, and the invaders must die!

Even at the end of the Eastern Han, there were many border guards who, upon encountering the Hu people, would not only cut off their hands but also their heads. For example, if Gongsun Zan, who guarded the borders in Youzhou, had not been killed by Yuan Shao, he might have become the next Wei Qing.

The common people had become accustomed to the rule of the Han emperors of the Liu family over the four hundred years of the Han Dynasty. Even if they suffered, most people believed that the emperor was good, but was being misled by his officials. They believed that as long as the emperor realized the truth, everything would be fine.

Unfortunately, the emperors at the end of the Eastern Han were one worse than the other, far inferior to Liu Xiu and Liu Che. No matter how great the family's legacy, it could not withstand the repeated mismanagement of these incompetent rulers!

It can be said that after four hundred years of rule, the Han emperors had become a god-like figure. The legitimate rule of the Han royal family was not truly challenged until the end of the Three Kingdoms period. Cao Pi's farce of abdication was in 220 or 221 AD, and it is now 189 AD. It would take another thirty years of war before the Han Dynasty's divine image would collapse. The Yellow Turban Rebellion is just a new crack in this image.

Liu Bian is quite pitiful; he had only been emperor for a short time and was about to be poisoned. As for Liu Xie, it is said that he was quite good. If the situation had not been so dire, he might have been a revival emperor.

Fei Qian, sitting in a ox cart on his way to Beimang Mountain's Cui Family Village, was lost in irresponsible thoughts.

Speaking of which, how old are Liu Bian and Liu Xie this year? Liu Bian is a bit older, being the eldest son, around fifteen or sixteen years old, right? Liu Xie is much younger, seven or eight years old?

In modern times, one would be in middle school and the other in elementary school, both still young boys.

******

While Fei Qian was carefree outside the city, General He Jin was on the verge of a headache.

How could something that seemed so simple to him turn into such a complicated matter for his subordinates? The key issue is that they all have some valid points, making it difficult to decide.

A eunuch had just delivered a decree, inviting General He Jin to the palace for a discussion with Empress He.

Although He Jin was a butcher by trade, he was now a high-ranking general with a team of subordinates, including his chief clerk, Chen Lin, his general, Wu Kuang, and the famous Three Warlords, Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, and Cao Cao.

Despite his high position, He Jin's humble origins made him very conflicted when dealing with the aristocracy. He was both arrogant and deeply insecure, and he desperately wanted the recognition of the aristocratic families, believing that he would eventually become one of them.

Therefore, when super-aristocrats like Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu came to serve under him, He Jin drank all night, elated. A former butcher now had the elite of the aristocracy bowing to his commands. How could he not be happy and excited?

However, his lack of education and poor self-discipline meant that despite his efforts to learn, he remained only superficially knowledgeable. He knew nothing about governance, strategy, or planning.

He did not understand his political opponents, lacked a firm hand, and was easily swayed, which was the root cause of his indecision in dealing with the eunuchs, ultimately leading to his tragic end.

Now, He Jin was unsure of what to do. He gathered his subordinates for a discussion, but it only made his headache worse.

The most troublesome was his chief clerk, Chen Lin, also known as Chen Kongzhang.

Chen Lin, one of the "Seven Scholars of Jian'an," was a literary genius, especially skilled in poetry and prose. Emperor Ling had appointed Chen Lin to the general's office to help the uneducated He Jin improve his cultural knowledge. However, Chen Lin and He Jin were like oil and water. One was a man of letters, the other a man of action. One loved poetry and literature, the other wine and women. They had no common ground. Initially, He Jin tried to learn, but he found it too difficult and eventually gave up.

Chen Lin had tried to encourage He Jin but gave up when it became clear that it was futile. He no longer had any hope for He Jin and simply did his job, answering questions when asked but not caring whether He Jin listened or acted on his advice. He became a wooden statue, responding only when asked and otherwise minding his own business.

When He Jin asked Chen Lin about the Empress's decree, Chen Lin replied with a hint of contempt, "This decree from the Empress must be a plot by the Ten Attendants. You must not go; if you do, there will be trouble." He did not explain further, thinking that if He Jin could not see the danger, his head must be filled with wine and women.

He Jin was frustrated. He was a simple man, and every conversation with Chen Lin was a struggle. How could the Empress's decree be related to the Ten Attendants? Why didn't Chen Lin explain? What kind of danger was he talking about, and how serious was it? He Jin thought that if it weren't for Chen Lin's reputation, he would have had him whipped long ago.

He Jin, still unsure, asked, "What trouble could come from the Empress's decree?" He knew that refusing the decree would be considered treason, especially with so many critics watching. If he refused, he would be criticized and attacked.

Unfortunately, He Jin's question was not directed at Chen Lin, so Chen Lin pretended not to hear, acting as if a simpleton like He Jin should not ask such simple questions and should just follow orders without explanation.

The hall fell silent.

What kind of question was the General asking?

Chen Lin's silence left the others hesitant to respond.

Finally, Yuan Shao broke the silence, "Now that our plans have been exposed, do you still want to enter the palace?" He Jin, you should know the danger, but we are not the eunuchs, so how can we know what they will do to you?

Moreover, why didn't you act earlier? We warned you about Dou Wu, but you hesitated. Now the eunuchs know you are against them, and our plans are exposed. Why go to the palace to be ambushed? There is danger, but we don't know how serious it is.

Cao Cao chimed in, "First, summon the Ten Attendants out, then you can enter." Cao Cao suggested a practical solution: if the Ten Attendants are the problem, get them out of the palace first. Then, even if there is danger inside, it will be ineffective without their leadership.

It was a good idea, but not very practical.

Cao Cao, who had ties to the eunuchs, did not believe He Jin could resolve the conflict with the eunuchs. The struggle between the imperial relatives and the eunuchs was a Han tradition. How could a former butcher like He Jin eliminate the eunuchs? Cao Cao's suggestion was a theoretical solution, but its feasibility was questionable.

He Jin was angry. Last time, Cao Cao suggested using a prison official to deal with the eunuchs, and he believed it, but Yuan Shao explained that it was impractical. Now, Cao Cao was suggesting another impractical idea.

If he could command the Ten Attendants, he wouldn't need to deal with them at all. They were the problem because they did not obey his orders. How could he summon them?

He Jin laughed, "That is a child's idea. I hold the power of the state; what can the Ten Attendants do to me?" He was warning Cao Cao not to underestimate him.

Yuan Shao bowed, "If you must go, we will lead the soldiers to protect you." If you insist on going, we will do our best to ensure your safety.

He Jin nodded, considering this a reasonable suggestion, and gave the tiger talisman to Yuan Shao and Cao Cao to each lead five hundred soldiers as guards. He wanted a grand entrance to show his power.

Unexpectedly, Yuan Shu stepped forward, volunteering, "Yuan Shao and Cao Cao have official duties and may be inconvenient. I will lead the troops to ensure your safety." Yuan Shao and Cao Cao were part of the Western Garden Eight Commanders. They could lead troops with the tiger talisman, but without the emperor's order, it could be problematic. Yuan Shu, with no official position, would avoid such issues.

This made sense, but why was Yuan Shu, who usually did little, so proactive? Yuan Shao looked at Cao Cao, and they both realized something was amiss.