Chapter 3: If you cannot defeat them, join them
That being said, when someone intervenes, the intensity of that anger diminishes significantly
What nonsense you speak, the combat effectiveness of the new army is indeed quite poor, and their win rate in foreign battles is pitifully low. Therefore, pursuing a military general's path at this time is also unwise, as one might inadvertently risk their life.
Indeed, his two sons and one grandson all perished in that great epidemic many years ago, leaving only the fifth descendant as the sole survivor. If something were to happen to him, it would only benefit those relatives and brothers whom he himself looks down upon. Moreover, the fifth lord has always doted on his grandson; even after giving him a beating that left him bruised and battered, he still felt heartbroken afterwards
The Fifth Tyrant still did not quite accept the alarmist remarks of the Fifth Lun, choosing not to mention that matter and instead inquired about the crux of the entire situation
Given the current situation, it is advisable to continue encouraging the family members to delve deeply into the Five Classics. This may be the only avenue for the fifth family to achieve transformation and rise anew.
He has only learned about these few incidents for the time being, but the turmoil concealed by the court is likely to be much greater. What appears to be mere sparks now, could it ignite a widespread conflagration in a few years?
Fortunately, there are many people in the kitchen, from the cooks to the servants, all of whom are related by blood or marriage and have come to intervene.
... ...
On the other side, in the county town, the county magistrate Xianyu Bao has already prepared a night banquet to host the two gentlemen Huan Tan and Liu Gong, who have come from the capital.
They are merely a few bandits and rogues, Lun'er, you truly have not seen much of the world; such petty thieves, which dynasty and which year have they not existed?
However, the Fifth Lun did not find it strange; he knew that the matter of his relinquishing the quota at the official academy had reached the Eighth Clan.
However, Fifth Lun is different; precisely because he is unaware of the historical details of this era, he is even more diligent in gathering intelligence. Recently, he has been frequently traveling to the county town, and has even dispatched people to the capital and Hedong to inquire, with the information he has gathered causing him great concern
The old man was taken aback, his eyes reflecting a complex array of emotions. He sighed, patted the edge of the well, beckoned Fifth Lun to come over and sit down, and said earnestly:
Fifth Lun appreciates the grandfather's approach of conforming to trends; had it been thirty years earlier, there would have been no issue, and had it been twenty years later, it would also be understandable
Lun'er, more than fifty years ago, at that time I was of the same age as you, and I also believed that studying was useless. I followed my companions and became a light-hearted rogue, mocking the common scholars and taking their tall hats to use as urinals
The Fifth Clan is concerned about this: "In recent years, the court's taxes and levies have increased significantly, and the corvée labor has already been allocated to various clans. Last year, three members of our Fifth Clan were sent, and this year, we are unexpectedly required to send six! Could it be that they intend to increase the military?"
These words must not be disclosed, following his grandfather to the south wall of the dock, standing by the vegetable garden, gazing at the evening sky, Fifth Lun expressed his judgment
In the view of the Fifth Hegemon, although the new army has repeatedly suffered defeats and brought shame upon itself in battles against the four borders and the barbarian tribes, those matters are too distant. The domestic situation remains relatively stable, and the time has not yet come when people are unable to sustain their lives to the extent of rising in rebellion.
The Fifth Overlord's eyes were filled with reminiscence of the glorious years: "Fighting alongside the valiant General Yi Cheng and Colonel Chen is truly exhilarating. We traversed snow-capped mountains and vast deserts, trampled the Kingdom of Kangju, slaughtered the Five重城, seized the flag of the Marquis of She, beheaded the leader of the Zhi, and hung our banners thousands of miles away! The cities of the Western Regions trembled in fear, and the Hu women lined up to spend the night with us, each receiving a considerable share of money, silk, and exotic treasures.
Because in recent days, Fifth Lun has shown great interest in military affairs, Fifth Ba mistakenly believed that he aspired to a military career. He lowered his voice and advised his grandson, "Just like I did back in the day when I joined the army to seek achievements, it is no longer feasible. Although the emperor is currently provoking conflicts everywhere, not only fighting against the Xiongnu, but also engaging with the Western Qiang, the Western Regions, the Southwestern Yi, and even Goguryeo..."
"The Kingdom of Goguryeo has been renamed," said Fifth Lun with a smile, "I have heard that the Emperor has already issued a decree regarding this matter."
The Fifth Tyrant did not take the uprising forces in the East seriously, which left the Fifth Lun at a loss for words. By the way, could Wang Mang and the power holders in the court also share this mindset
However, the Fifth Overlord said resentfully: "There is no welcoming by the masses, nor is there any conferring of titles or rewards. As soon as the army entered the Yumen Pass, the Inspector General issued a document stating that Colonel Chen had forged orders and should be arrested. Furthermore, he instructed the officials along the route to inspect all the goods we seized from the Xiongnu and Kangju, and to confiscate everything! It seems there are spies from the Xiongnu in the court, who want to investigate us for avenging the Chizhi Chanyu!"
His gaze dimmed: "But do you know what awaits us after returning to our homeland?"
In chaotic times, Di Wu Ba Yi trembled as he looked at Di Wu Lun and asked, "What do you want to say?"
In contrast to the Han dynasty, this new institution places greater emphasis on classical texts and scholarship, expanding the enrollment of students to ten thousand, and elevating the status of Confucian scholars to unprecedented heights—after all, the emperor Wang Mang himself was a scholar.
The term "Green Forest Heroes" was heard in the past before the Fifth Lun, and it is likely to become a significant force in the future
Lun'er, even if you do not wish to enter the academy, you can simply choose not to study. Why must you give your spot to the Eighth Clan? Would that not benefit their family?
After all, the reforms of the Xin dynasty are fraught with issues, and there is significant discontent among all social classes. Moreover, Wang Mang is waging wars on the borders. Even someone like Wu Lun, who lacks historical knowledge, can see that the Xin court is currently beset by internal and external troubles, precariously balanced like eggs on a ledge
This is another antonym, which is very Wang Mang
He hurriedly made a hasty escape, with the small stick following and the large stick departing.
If you cannot defeat them, then join them
Indeed. In the fifth Lun Dynasty, the fifth hegemon made a bow and said: "The grandson feels that reading the Five Classics is of no great use"
The Fifth Tyrant does not merely talk big; he immediately stood up, cursing loudly, and directly grabbed the nearby fire tongs to hit Fifth Lun
Fifth Lun nodded. The war that the old man participated in was indeed the last battle between the Western Han Dynasty and the Xiongnu. As a low-ranking soldier, Fifth Ba accompanied Chen Tang and Gan Yanshou on the expedition to Kangju, where he killed the Chizhi Chanyu and left behind the bold declaration: "Those who openly offend the strong Han, no matter how far away, must be punished"
In the view of the Fifth Hegemon, this is still a case of treachery within the court! There are anti-war civil officials and Confucian scholars who are obstructing matters, colluding with Prime Minister Kuang Heng and the eunuch Shi Xian to hinder the bestowal of rewards, and later even dismissed Chen Tang from his position. Although Colonel Chen is somewhat greedy and lecherous, his merits far outweigh his flaws, so why cling to minor faults
In fact, he has also audited classes at the county's primary and secondary schools, where those teachers merely repeat the same few phrases, without teaching any principles of governance. Yet, how is it that a military official like him, with no hope for a career, can only serve as a minor official throughout his life? Meanwhile, the Confucian scholars who have attended the Imperial Academy and passed the examination can directly become officials and ministers, attaining high positions equivalent to 2,000 stones. Even local magistrates no longer adjudicate cases according to laws and regulations, but instead must consult Confucian scholars, engaging in what is termed "Spring and Autumn Annals for Judging Cases". The Confucian scholars who have attended the Imperial Academy and passed the examination can directly become officials and ministers, attaining high positions equivalent to 2,000 stones. Even local magistrates no longer adjudicate cases according to laws and regulations, but instead must consult Confucian scholars, engaging in what is termed "Spring and Autumn Annals for Judging Cases"
With a thud, the fifth general threw the fire tongs directly into the well. He turned his face away, initially unwilling to speak to his grandson, but then he became angry again. He turned around and pointed at Fifth Lun, scolding, "No wonder you haven't even opened a book in the past half month. Every day, you cling to me to learn hand-to-hand combat techniques, or you go to the county town to associate with merchants from the Northeast and light-hearted heroes, neglecting your studies. It turns out your mind has long been off the classics."
In summary, the new dynasty was established for only a short ten years, yet it seemed to have gone mad, turning against all its vassal states and waging war on all fronts. Although there were frequent reports of victories on the front lines, those who returned from serving in the north against the Xiongnu and in the south against the Southwestern Yi, wounded and in despair, lamented that hundreds of thousands of troops were wasted at the borders, suffering heavy losses, and the war appeared to have fallen into a stalemate
Fifth Lun interrupted his grandfather: "Grandfather, the reason I am unwilling to enter the academy to study the Five Classics is that pursuing scholarly advancement through reading can only be possible in times of peace."
Last year, the Kanto region experienced erratic droughts and floods, and in Yangzhou in the southeast, there were incidents of theft in the melon fields, with rumors suggesting that half of Kuaiji Commandery was in chaos
Fifth Lun shook his head, and he did not know what happened next
After this, the Fifth Overlord never managed to make a name for himself. He served as a pavilion chief and a local patrol officer, solving numerous cases. However, no matter how well he performed, whenever it came time for his promotion, the county official would always ask him, "Are you proficient in the classics?"
One can come to terms with it, unless one knows, like him, that the new dynasty will swiftly collapse. Otherwise, it is difficult for an ordinary person to believe that this relatively peaceful world could suddenly fall apart in just a few years
Thus, his promotion came to nothing, and the fifth hegemony wasted his life, ultimately retiring from his position in the local government. In contrast, those colleagues whose abilities and qualifications were inferior to his, but who had studied Confucian classics and met the requirements from above, rose steadily in rank.
Junshan
Upon hearing this, the Fifth Overlord was greatly startled. Although he had seen the world during his youth in the Western Regions, he was essentially just a small landlord, with his perspective limited to Guanzhong and even to the minor position of a county magistrate in Lintong. He lacked sensitivity to the subtle changes in the external world.
Little did he expect that his grandson would be just as immature as he was back then, how could the Fifth Overlord not be angry
Do not strike the head of the family
The Fifth Hegemon certainly will not, let alone the Five Classics; he has not even studied the Book of Filial Piety or the Analects. In his youth, he was too busy engaging in bravado and fighting. Can he emulate the Chancellor Yu Dingguo from the previous dynasties of the Xuan and Yuan periods, who became self-taught halfway through his career? He lacks both the perseverance and the talent for that.
They certainly have to come
Thus, in order to prevent future generations from suffering as he did, Di Wu Ba devoted considerable effort to the education of his grandson. At the age of seven or eight, he sent Di Wu Lun to the county's "elementary school" and also hired Confucian scholars to provide private tutoring at home, ultimately cultivating a talented individual capable of passing the imperial examination.
I do not listen
However, if one encounters a chaotic era, those intricate classics may prove to be of no use when faced with sharp swords and blades
He presented the fire tongs with both hands: "Grandfather, please allow me to explain, and if you are still angry after hearing me out, you may strike me then."
The Fifth Overlord was truly furious, cursing: "How could I hand over the precious quota of the Imperial Academy that I painstakingly sought after to others? This vast family fortune, if it falls into his hands, will likely be squandered quickly. It would be better to put an end to it early; I have plenty of cousins! Am I still worried about not having anyone to bury me?"
Do you think that today, when the fifth Lun relinquished his quota at the academy to his cousin, it was a genuine act of humility and brotherly love? Or was it merely a ploy to seek fame and fortune?
Since there were no rewards, the soldiers who participated in that battle could only return home in disgrace, only to find that a certain young scholar whom they had once mocked in their hometown had already made a name for himself in the capital, exempt from corvée labor, with a bright future ahead. Meanwhile, they had risked their lives for the Han dynasty in a foreign land, suffering injuries and ailments, yet gained nothing in return
Fifth Ba was somewhat surprised: "Did not the Eighth Clan have a feud with my family? How is it that the old man has come to visit today?"
Colonel Chen submitted a petition to address the injustice, and it was only then that Emperor Yuan ordered the reception of the returning army. However, upon their return to Chang'an, the rewards were delayed for a long time. The titles of nobility for Colonels Gan and Chen were only granted years later, while we ordinary soldiers received almost nothing!
The troops that went to the Western Regions two years ago to quell the rebellion were said to have achieved a great victory, and the general leading them was granted a title and a son. However, the few from the Fifth Clan who were conscripted have never returned, perhaps they have already perished there. There are also rumors that the Protector of the Western Regions has been killed by the Hu people of the Western Regions, and the reinforcements have suffered a great defeat at the hands of the city and garrison coalition, with the remnants trapped in Kucha, severing contact with the court.
... ...
On what basis!
After all, having struggled in the Western Regions for several years, the Fifth Overlord still has his heart set on that place. He can only sigh and say: "The current emperor is a close friend of Colonel Chen Tang, and he is quite praised by Colonel Chen. His treatment of the Rong and Di barbarians is indeed as Colonel Chen described, that they must be punished no matter how far away they are. But how has the situation in battle come to this? It is completely unlike the grandeur we had back then in the Western Regions, where one Han could stand against five Hu..."
Fifth Lun cautiously circled back, as the old man had a violent temper; when he was enraged, nothing could be of any use, but once he calmed down, he was still able to engage in conversation
At this moment, Liu Gong recalled the events of the afternoon and turned to Huan Tan, who was casually picking at the fish bones.
In the eastern region, there is a place called Xuzhou, where a woman named Lü Mu gathered hundreds of impoverished youths to attack the county town after her son was wrongfully killed by the county magistrate. They killed the magistrate and have been active along the coast, reportedly amassing a crowd of over ten thousand people.
Indeed, this little rascal is deliberately trying to infuriate me, all to inherit the family fortune
You young rascal, what nonsense are you talking!
Later, I was captured by the Governor of Jingzhao and could only flee to the frontier to serve as a soldier, hoping to emulate Fu Jiezhi and Zheng Ji, to be granted a noble title through military merit and return home in glory. How delightful would that be
If the young master is harmed, who will inherit the ancestral hall of the Wu family
It has come even faster than I had anticipated, by a few moments!
In addition, during the summer and autumn of this year, Jingzhou experienced years of severe drought, leading to widespread poverty among the populace. Consequently, bandits gathered in the Green Forest Mountains, and their numbers continued to increase
However, encountering the short-lived Xin dynasty was indeed a misstep. Although I do not have a deep understanding of this historical period, it is clear that after the Xin dynasty came the Eastern Han, marking a change of dynasties. This must have led to great chaos across the nine provinces, with the people suffering greatly. It is unlikely that each transition would be as peaceful and smooth as Wang Mang's abdication.
On what basis!
Just as the fifth Lun was about to state his reasons, a commotion arose in the distance. The grandfather and grandson saw a group of people arriving along the main road from the west, reaching the southern gate of the courtyard. The gatekeeper also came to report: "Master, the head of the Eighth Clan and his son, Eighth Jiao, have come to visit"
Fifth Lun only ran a little slower, and his legs were hit by two fire tongs, which was incredibly painful
In the end, the Fifth Overlord did not utter harsh words such as "expel the Fifth Clan"; instead, he forcefully threw the iron clamp in the direction where Fifth Lun had slipped away, and then sat on the edge of the well, gasping for breath
Grandfather, I fear that this world is likely to descend into chaos
It is not a problem if one cannot comprehend, but the overarching trend of the Han dynasty selecting officials based on Confucian classics has finally been understood by the old gentleman. Regardless of whether one is civil or military, mastering a classical text is a prerequisite for attaining high office and accumulating great wealth