Four, wind and clouds
It is... your analysis and understanding of the current situation where the world is in turmoil and various heroes are rising! How do you view the future situation and its developments?
A thought crossed my mind as I propped my chin on one hand and, with a half-smile, winked at him with the other hand: "Come on, be honest. How much do you really know? Besides this manifesto, what else are you aware of?"
"You should address me as 'Husband'"
I couldn't help but reach out to pinch his face. He leaned back slightly, clearly able to dodge it, yet in the end, I still managed to pinch him squarely. I squinted my eyes, as if asking him, and also as if asking myself: "Liu Xiu, what kind of person are you? What kind of person have I married?"
Really
Will she be happy in the future
In the first year of Han's restoration, on the day of Jiyou in July. On the day of Jisi, General-in-Chief Wei Xiao, General of the White Tiger Wei Cui, Left General Wei Yi, Right General Yang Guang, General of Bright Might Wang Zun, and General of Cloud Banner Zhou Zong, among others, reported to the provincial governors, department supervisors, county officials, military leaders, great officials, and subordinate officials: Former Marquis of Xindu Wang Mang has shown contempt for heaven and earth, defying the principles of righteousness. He poisoned Emperor Xiaoping and usurped the throne. He falsely claimed a mandate from heaven, forged talismans, deceived and misled the common people, inciting the wrath of the Supreme Deity. He fabricated false documents to present as auspicious omens. He mocked the deities and glorified calamity. The bamboo of Chu and Yue is insufficient to record his evils. The world is clearly aware and has witnessed it together. Now, I briefly outline the major points to enlighten the people.
Within the city of Chang'an, due to the shocking proclamation made by Cai Shaogong years ago, stating, "Liu Xiu should be the emperor!", the former national master Liu Xin, who had changed his name to Liu Xiu, was incited by the Taoist Ximen Junhui to conspire with General Wei Wang She, Grand Marshal Dong Zhong, and the Chief of the Treasury Sun Ji to assassinate Wang Mang and restore the Liu family to power. However, unexpectedly, Sun Ji turned against them and reported the plot to Wang Mang. Once the conspiracy was exposed, Wang Mang subjected Dong Zhong to the punishment of being cut into pieces, and implicated his entire clan, leaving no one unscathed, whether by vinegar, poison, sharp blades, or thorns.
Liu Xiu lightly tapped his fingers on the wooden tablet and chuckled, "The momentum of this manifesto by Wei Xiao is truly impressive; the level of verbal condemnation and written criticism is indeed eye-opening."
I smiled as I looked up, Liu Xiu's skin glowed with a translucent sheen under the reflection of the evening glow, resembling lacquerware that had been coated with varnish, which was truly stunning
"Then let's take a break quickly." After a pause, he looked at me with a deep smile, "I will go prepare some water for you to soak your feet."
I raised my eyebrows in surprise and delight. Goodness! I truly underestimated him after all
"I don't believe you." I exhaled softly and said half-truthfully, "You are a great liar, the kind that deceives without any regard for life. To believe you would be foolish."
I closed my eyes, unable to bear the sight of his pained expression, so I deliberately feigned a look of drowsiness and mumbled, "Xiu'er, I am tired; let us continue our conversation tomorrow."
Therefore, God, in His compassion, has imposed punishment upon the reckless, leading to the downfall of wives and children, and even self-inflicted harm. The ministers have conspired, and the loss of form has already occurred. The Grand Marshal Dong Zhong, the National Master Liu Xin, and the General Wang She have all conspired to undermine from within, while the Commander Kong Ren, the Advisor Yan You, and the Minister Chen Mao have rallied the masses to surrender from without. Now, the troops in Shandong, numbering over 2 million, have already subdued Qi and Chu, descended upon Shu and Han, secured Wan and Luo, occupied Ao Cang, guarded Han Gu, and spread their authority far and wide, proclaiming their influence throughout the Central Mountains. The rise and fall of dynasties, the sealing of the myriad nations, all follow the old regulations of Emperor Gaozu and restore the virtues left by Emperor Xiaowen. Those who do not comply will be subdued by military force. Orders will be dispatched to the four barbarian tribes to restore their titles and ranks. Only then will the army return, regroup, and prepare their bows and drums. The people will be instructed to settle in their places, so as not to fail in their responsibilities to their children
Liu Xiu looked at me for a while and finally smiled helplessly, saying, "It's up to you."
I let out a low protest. The corners of his eyes and brows were tinged with a hint of a smile; I knew very well that he was not angry. At this moment, no matter what I called him, he would accept it. So, with a quick glance, I leaned closer and whispered softly, "Xiuer..."
"Just like Liu Xuan." I spoke candidly, "Only those who can laugh last are the true winners"
She is a woman of high aspirations, having remained unmarried for so many years. I understand her thoughts; it is a vow that she will not marry anyone who is not her true love. I still remember her once expressing: "If in this life I can find someone who understands me, knows me, and cherishes me, then I shall have no regrets whatsoever"
He has started to meddle again! After getting married, I realized that although Liu Xiu has a mild temperament, he is quite talkative. Usually, there are few opportunities to get in touch with his private life, but once I did, I found out that his silence is merely a facade; in private, he is very talkative, eloquent, and particularly... meddlesome
Fortunately, Yin Shi is aware of my difficulty with seal script, so the information conveyed is all written in clerical script. However, even so, sitting at the desk for eight hours staring at these texts and piecing them together through guesswork is still no easy task. Especially those official announcements and proclamations, where every word is carefully chosen and filled with profound classical Chinese expressions, it is quite taxing for me, a prospective graduate student with a background in the sciences, regardless of how high my IQ may be.
Heaven is the father, and the earth is the mother; the responses of calamity and fortune are determined by events. Wang Mang was aware of this, yet in his ignorance, he recklessly violated great taboos, distorted celestial principles, and invoked historical precedents. In the past, Emperor Qin Shi Huang destroyed the laws of posthumous titles, desiring to extend his legacy for ten thousand generations, while Wang Mang imposed a calendar of thirty-six thousand years, claiming that his life would end within this measure. He followed the path of the fallen Qin, pushing towards infinite numbers. This is a great sin against Heaven. He divided the states and territories, severing the connections of the land. The fields became royal fields, and buying and selling were prohibited. He restricted mountains and marshes, depriving the people of their livelihoods. He constructed nine temples, exhausting the resources of the land. He excavated graves in the east of the Yellow River, plundering the hills and mounds. This is a great sin against the earth. He honored and entrusted treacherous bandits, relied on deceitful flatterers, executed the loyal and righteous, reinstated oral traditions, and imposed harsh laws day and night. Innocent people were wrongfully accused, and the common folk were unjustly persecuted. He inflicted the punishment of boiling and burning, abolished the laws of the time, forced people to drink strong vinegar, and attacked them with five poisons. The policies changed daily, official titles were altered monthly, currency was revised yearly, and officials and citizens were in chaos, not knowing where to turn. Merchants and travelers were impoverished, crying out in the marketplaces. He established six departments, increased taxes and levies, extorted the common people, and enriched himself. Corruption flourished, with wealth entering public coffers, and both high and low officials engaged in bribery without scrutiny. The people were burdened with copper and charcoal, confiscated by the authorities, and tens of thousands of laborers starved to death in Chang'an, which became foul. Having disrupted the various regions, his madness grew more extreme, attacking the strong Hu in the north, disturbing the fierce Yue in the south, invading the Qiang and Rong in the west, and seizing the Mohe in the east. Thus, the territories beyond the borders became a source of harm, and the border counties, along the rivers and seas, were cleansed of all distinctions. Therefore, the places of battle suffered defeat, the harsh laws ensnared the people, famine caused death, and epidemics spread, counting in the tens of thousands. The dead lay exposed without burial, while the living fled and scattered, with orphans and women displaced and captured. This is a great sin against humanity.
I hurriedly grabbed him: "Don't..."
Perhaps I am indeed overthinking things; if I were to simplify everything, I would be very happy
On the day of her wedding, Liu Boji held my hand, filled with reluctance and a face full of worry, saying, "Third sister-in-law, Third brother has had a hard life; from now on, I can only entrust him to you."
I nodded and watched the carriage depart amidst the sound of drums and music
"Why?" I blurted out. Only after the words left my mouth did I suddenly freeze, carefully savoring the meaning behind his words, and I found myself lost in thought.
Or... has history already changed, diverging from the fated conclusion that I once knew
"That is in front of others!" I hum. My husband, such a flowery term of respect is only suitable for official occasions
"Then you should also call me by my courtesy name—Wenshu."
Liu Xiu was granted the title of Marquis of Wuxin, and in no time, officials and colleagues came to congratulate him in an endless stream, creating a trend that seemed likely to break the threshold of the Wuxin Marquisate. Liu Xiu remained silent about the achievements at Kunyang, and when someone mentioned the incident of Liu Yan's death, he merely smiled and skillfully changed the subject.
Wei Xiao led this group to capture Pingxiang, killing Wang Mang's General of the Towning Troops, Li Yu. He then sent envoys to invite Fang Wang from Pingling to be his military advisor. Fang Wang suggested that he should "act in accordance with heaven and follow the will of the people, supporting the Han to rise again." Wei Xiao heeded his advice, established a temple east of the city, and conducted sacrifices to the Han Gaozu, Taizong, and Shizong, leading horses and wielding swords, cutting up livestock to form an alliance. The terms of the alliance stated: "All thirty-one generals of our alliance, of sixteen surnames, shall uphold the way of heaven, support the Liu clan, and if anyone harbors treacherous intentions, may the divine punish them. Gaozu, Wen Huang, and Wu Huang, may they fall from their command, and their clan be annihilated."
I am still unable to rid myself of this pain, let alone Liu Xiu
I nodded slightly, silently watching him leave, feeling a pang of pain in my heart
He... is unwilling to obtain this intelligence through me. Does this mean he does not want to take advantage of Yin's family? I blinked, feeling a tinge of bitterness, yet also a hint of surprise and sweetness in my heart
The world is in chaos
Indeed, Liu Xiu is a rare gentle person! Being with him day and night is not as repulsive as I initially imagined ancient men to be
"No." He sighed softly, "I have no need to pretend in front of you"
He gazed at me intently, his face feigning anger, yet the tenderness that shone through his eyes was exceptionally gentle
A gentle kiss was softly imprinted on my lips, and the light touch made my soul tremble, nearly causing me to collapse to the ground. The lingering and entwined kisses gradually deepened as he reached out to embrace my waist, his tongue prying open my lips and teeth, skillfully sliding into my mouth. My head buzzed, my heartbeat quickened, and my breathing became erratic
Do you think I am like those people outside, wanting to test the authenticity of your character as well
This nickname, I have heard Fan Xian and Liang Shenshi call it before, and I deduce that it must be his childhood name. In fact, after a man reaches adulthood and takes a courtesy name, both elders and peers will refer to him by his "zi" to show respect for the fact that he has become an adult. ... Perhaps ... after he became an adult, only his mother and his foster mother-like Liang Shenshi would still be unable to help but treat him as a child, often calling him by his childhood name.
In the fourth year of the Xin Dynasty's Dihuang era, and the first year of the Gengshi era of the Han Dynasty, in late July, as the Xin Mang regime was engaged in mutual slaughter in Chang'an, people from Chengji in Tianshui, Wei Cui and Wei Yi, along with Yang Guang from Shanggui and Zhou Zong from Ji, rose in arms to support the Han. This group initially consisted of only a few thousand people, and they elected Wei Xiao, the nephew of Wei Cui, as the Generalissimo. Wei Xiao had originally been appreciated by Liu Xin and was recognized as a national hero, but after Liu Xin's death, he returned to his hometown.
That kind of excruciating pain accompanies him night after night; perhaps this is the most vulnerable and helpless moment in his twenty-eight years of life. Fortunately, he is able to trust me in this way, laying bare this weakness before me without any reservations.
In the half month since our marriage, we have appeared affectionate in front of others. He even does not shy away from having my friends and family help me with my hair and makeup. That kind of intimate demeanor not only convinces those around us, but even I often find myself in a daze, caught between reality and illusion. However, when night falls and it is time to sleep, I take the bed while he sleeps on the mat, each of us undisturbed. This was indeed my suggestion, yet he... surprisingly shows no sign of opposition at all, truly having slept on the floor for half a month without a single complaint.
Li Hua ... ... His pupils seemed to be shrouded in a thin mist, and his voice carried a slight tremor
I am somewhat confused; since when has Liu Boji also learned to speak with hidden meanings? That straightforward and candid girl, who is about to become a bride, now embarks on the bridal sedan with a heart that is constantly on guard.
"Alright," his voice returned to a gentle tone, understanding and considerate, "you may loosen your clothes, I will go fetch water for you."
I got up from my seat with a smile, feeling sore all over after sitting for an entire day. I stretched and moved my stiff limbs. There was still a pile of materials on the desk that I hadn't had time to finish reading. Liu Xiu carefully rolled up the disordered scrolls for me, stacking them neatly one by one
Gently placing my hand into his large hand, we held each other tightly under the sleeves, our fingers intertwined. He leaned down, and we exchanged a smile at each other.
In the same month, Gongsun Shu, who was appointed as the governor of Shujun in the new dynasty, raised an army in Chengdu. The land of Shu is fertile, and its military strength is formidable. When the Han army rose in Nanyang, two individuals from Nanyang, Zong Cheng and the merchant Wang Cen, also took up arms in response to the Han army in Hanzhong, gathering tens of thousands of people. Initially, Gongsun Shu sent envoys to welcome Zong Cheng and others into Shu, but later he claimed: "The world suffers under the new regime, and we have longed for the Liu family. Therefore, upon hearing that the Han general has arrived, we hastened to welcome him on the road. Now, the common people are innocent, yet their wives and children are captured. These are bandits, not righteous soldiers." He ultimately accused Zong Cheng and others of being false Han troops, and while killing them, he also seized their tens of thousands of soldiers.
The corners of his mouth curled into an attractive arc, and his index finger bent as it gently brushed against my nose
I whispered softly: "Xiu'er"
"Really..." He pressed the back of my head, pushing it into his embrace. His breath was somewhat hurried, leaving me both startled and embarrassed. "But I am nine years older than you."
Indeed
What kind of person is difficult to choose, and why was it specifically Li Tong, the cousin of Li Yi, who was selected?
Liu Xiu had changed into a silk and hemp garment, holding a candlestick in one hand. Just by looking at his attire, I knew there were no outsiders in the room, so I stretched lazily and yawned, saying: "After watching all day, my head feels a bit dizzy"
I chuckled softly and, in a coquettish tone, said: "Everyone calls you Uncle Wen, so what makes me different from others? I am your wife... naturally, I should stand out a bit more.
Liu Xiu violated the mourning period by marrying, and not only that, he quickly betrothed Liu Boji to Li Tong. Shortly after the two families made the engagement, they chose a date for the wedding.
Liu Xiu's forehead pressed against mine, the tips of our noses touching, the subtle sound of breathing ambiguously circling between us
Previously, although there were many peasant rebel armies, only a few, such as the Red Eyebrows, Green Forest, and Copper Horse, were able to gain significant momentum. However, after the Battle of Kunyang, the Xin Dynasty's military strength was depleted, and its power greatly diminished. Liu Xin and others seized the opportunity, intending to rebel. Although their rebellion ultimately failed, it became a catalyst that further disrupted a world already in disarray.
He sighed deeply, looking up at the sky, lost in silence
I secretly pouted, nine years old? That is my physical age; in terms of psychological age, I am no different from him. Thus, I mischievously called out: "Xiu'er! Xiu'er... this name sounds lovely, I will call you that when no one is around!" I struggled out of his embrace, my eyes sparkling, playfully and cheekily saying, "If you oppose it, then I will just call you by your name from now on!"
He leaned forward, slowly approaching me. My heart raced faster, his face coming closer and closer, the warm breath brushing against my face. I felt a slight flush on my cheeks, and I involuntarily closed my eyelids.
Liu Xin and Wang She committed suicide to express their apologies upon hearing the news, yet their families and relatives still could not escape the death penalty
Then it is still in front of others
Just as Liu Xiu and I were newly married, Liu Xiu intended to avoid political affairs and cultivate his abilities in obscurity, yet the situation in the world underwent earth-shattering changes.
He sits upright, while I stretch my legs straight out in front of me, leaning my back against the rammed earth wall to take a break and alleviate the pressure on my lower back and muscles.
Liu Xiu remained silent.
Have you read this manifesto
Indeed, even as a temporary measure, Liu Xiu would not treat his sister's happiness as a trivial matter. Li Tong is an outstanding choice in terms of family background, talent, and appearance.
He smiled faintly, and a hint of approval flickered in his gaze. He gestured towards the wooden tablets and bamboo slips piled on the desk, saying: "Almost... what you understand, I know a bit about; what you do not understand... I also know a bit about."
Immediately thereafter, Wei Xiao ordered someone to write a proclamation to the various provinces, exposing Wang Mang's slow contempt for heaven and earth, his violation of moral principles, and even his heinous crime of poisoning Emperor Xiaoping and usurping his position, with the proclamation being widely disseminated throughout the realm
That is it. Given the current chaotic situation, if you do not care about politics, it is one thing to put on a show in front of others, but do you really intend to ignore everything completely?" I pushed the wooden tablet in front of him, "I am showing it to you, so just look at it.
The edict has long been disseminated throughout the world, and no matter how confused I may be, I must still attend court daily to listen to the instructions
He gently patted the back of my hand, swaying as he said: "Alright... I said... um, stop shaking me... I'm feeling dizzy"
Current Affairs
He let out a deep sigh, took my hand, pulled me closer, and gestured for me to sit down: "Whether it is Wei Xiao or Gongsun Shu, these individuals are merely trying to seize the world under the banner of the Han dynasty, whether openly or covertly. Even if they cannot take this land, obtaining a share of the spoils would still be good... As for Liu Wang, haha, I can only say that merely claiming the title of 'honored one' does not necessarily mean one can truly hold the foundations of the state..."
He ignored my indecorous sitting posture and simply looked at me with a smile, asking: "What is it?"
He finally smiled, and the sound of his laughter was melodious and pleasant. I could feel the vibration of his Adam's apple, and a wave of confusion washed over me, as if I had been enchanted and my soul had been drawn away by this alluring laughter
Silence. I stopped swaying, quietly lying on his back, resting my chin on the top of his head
I shivered and shook my head, trying to dispel all the ominous thoughts that flashed through my mind. I sighed and lost myself in thought, to the extent that I was unaware when Liu Xiu entered the dormitory and stood in front of me. It wasn't until a finger poked my forehead, lifting my face, that I realized: "Why are you shaking your head all the time?"
I let out a deep sigh, my forehead resting on the desk piled high with wooden tablets and bamboo slips, a sense of confusion intertwined with hesitation. When will the era of Guangwu be revived? How far is this known conclusion from me?
"Only when you are dizzy will it be good." I blurted out without thinking, "Only when you are dizzy will you speak the truth."
Subsequently, Gongsun Shu declared himself the King of Shu
Liu Xiu
A scar, even when healed, remains a scar; even if it is completely invisible on the surface, only the individual knows whether it still hurts or not
He reached out and held my hand, gently caressing it, his voice becoming increasingly tender and emotional: "He is someone who will marry you and treat you well for a lifetime"
I relentlessly increased the intensity, shaking him vigorously: "Don't play dumb with me, I know you are not foolish! Do not use the same tactics you employ with outsiders to brush me off."
Liu Xiu—he is, at his core, a very strong-willed man! Although he always wears a smile and appears carefree, I have a clearer understanding of his hidden vulnerabilities.
There is indeed nothing wrong with Boji marrying him
His shoulder suddenly trembled
However, Your Majesty only instructed me to refine the ceremonial system, and regarding other matters... I was not asked to inquire about anything else. Liu Xiu seemed to sense what I was thinking and casually voiced the answer.
Looking at those overflowing bamboo slips, I couldn't help but feel a wave of discouragement. I lowered my head and saw him intently tidying up the desk. Suddenly, a thought struck me. I jumped behind him, leaned my body against his back, wrapped my arms around his neck from behind, and gently swayed: "Xiuer, tell me about current affairs!"
Ambitious warlords are seizing the opportunity to rise, and the rebel forces operating under the banner of the Liu family of the Han dynasty are no longer limited to just the Gengshi Han army. You claim to be the legitimate Han army, others also claim to be the legitimate Han army, but in the end, there can only be one true son of destiny from the Liu family who can reside in the Weiyang Palace of Chang'an
That is indeed the case. Although he tries hard to appear harmless and unassuming, I do not believe that Liu Xuan would have no suspicions at all, completely treating him as someone who poses no threat. In fact, Liu Xuan not only does not ignore him, but has also kept Liu Xiu closely by his side for a long time, sometimes not allowing him to return home for several days in a row. This makes me constantly anxious, fearing that he might meet with misfortune just like Liu Yan.
He smiled and waved away the wooden tablet: "That's not what I meant... I just don't want to know these things through you"
"Don't go." I said, my face flushed, holding onto his sleeve tightly, "Come here and sit down, I have something very important to tell you."
Liu Xiu is a person of extremely gentle disposition. Usually, if I make requests to him using such soft and gentle words, he would not refuse. As expected, he did not insist further and came back to sit beside me at the table
In August, Duke Liu Wang of the Zongwu faction raised an army, occupied Runan, and declared himself emperor. Yan You and Chen Mao went to join him, and thus Liu Wang appointed Yan You as Grand Marshal and Chen Mao as Chancellor, intending to seize the world
This is not a difficult task
I licked my lips, pondered for a long time, and finally retrieved the wooden tablet inscribed with Wei Xiao's manifesto from the desk, placing it carefully in front of him. Liu Xiu glanced at it in surprise, and three seconds later, he slightly furrowed his brow, unexpectedly pushing the tablet away without a word, and politely said: "Lihua, you need not show me this, I do not wish to..."
A slight frown appeared on his brow, revealing a hint of pain, and my heart filled with compassion as I reached out to embrace him: "Do not dwell on those unpleasant matters any longer, you have me from now on... you have me..."
I smiled slightly; rather than saying that the two of us resemble a married couple, it would be more accurate to say that we are more like friends, confidants, and family... At the very least, he is affectionate towards me without being excessive, respectful without being distant. Perhaps in each other's hearts, we both hold a certain significance, but how much of that significance contains elements of love, I cannot say for certain.
Liu Xiu stared at me blankly and said, "Not necessarily. Our majesty..." He gently shook his head and smiled lightly, "If he were truly that useless, whether it be the Liu clan of Nanyang or the Green Forest Army, after my elder brother's death, they would have likely turned into a scattered mess long ago"
I promise you that from now on, no matter what you ask me, I will always tell the truth
I understand that her marriage is akin to Liu Xiu's wedding, both intended to make Liu Xiu's "great act of filial impiety" more deeply ingrained in people's hearts and to confuse perceptions. However, I still harbor reservations about the husband she ultimately chose
When there are no bystanders, he always wears a plain white robe. Every time I sleep until midnight, I am awakened by his soft murmurs in his dreams. When I get out of bed to check on him, he remains asleep, but the pillow beside him is already wet.
The entire court of Chang'an was engulfed in a storm of blood and violence. Wang Mang felt that he could trust no one. His most trusted confidants were Wang Yi and Wang Xun. However, Wang Xun had been killed by Liu Xiu in the Battle of Kunyang, leaving only Wang Yi to continue suppressing the rebellion in distant lands. Feeling that he had no trusted individuals by his side, Wang Mang summoned Wang Yi back to Chang'an to serve as Grand Marshal, appointed Zhang Han as Grand Tutor, Cui Fa as Grand Minister of Works, and designated Shourong Miao from the Ministry as the National Master.
A hand fell on my shoulder, and Liu Xiu embraced me from behind, softly saying: "Ciyuan is a very good person, you need not worry."
This sharp and impassioned proclamation elicited a response from all directions, and within a few days, an army of one hundred thousand was assembled to attack Yongzhou, resulting in the death of the provincial governor Chen Qing. Following this, they advanced on Anqing and killed the chief magistrate Wang Xiang. Wherever this force went, the regions of Longxi, Wudu, Jincheng, Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiuquan, and Dunhuang, as well as various counties and districts, all surrendered one after another
However, in the end, she chose to marry Li Tong
"Third Sister-in-law..." She leaned closer to me, smiling softly by my ear, "You possess a heart as delicate as a finely crafted piece, yet I would prefer if you were sometimes a bit muddled, thinking of things more simply. That way, your interactions with Third Brother would be much happier than they are now"