Chapter Eight: The Grand General's Decision

The Western Han Dynasty was established by Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, with its capital in Chang'an; the Eastern Han was established by Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, with its capital in Luoyang. Between them, there was the brief Xin Dynasty (8–23 AD) established by Wang Mang after he usurped the Han throne.

Although Liu Bang, the founder of the Han Dynasty, came from a background as a street ruffian, the dynasty he created was truly magnificent. Unlike the short-lived unification of the Qin Dynasty, the Han Dynasty genuinely prioritized rest and recovery for the populace. The Huang-Lao philosophy advocated during the Western Han and the Confucianism of the Eastern Han both placed great emphasis on the people's livelihood. While some estimates put the population of the Qin Dynasty at 20 million or 30 million, it grew to 60 million during the Han.

During the two Han periods, China was a great dynasty in the world. From the reign of Emperor Gaozu to those of Emperors Wen and Jing, the Han Dynasty's economic strength soared, making it the premier empire of the East, often mentioned alongside the Western Roman Empire. The major powers of Central Asia and the Western Regions all heard of it with fear. By the time of Emperor Wu of Han, the Han Empire had become the most powerful in the world, having defeated the Xiongnu Empire and sent them fleeing north in disarray. Zhang Qian’s missions to the Western Regions opened the famous Silk Road, establishing a conduit for East-West trade. From then on, China became the center of the world trade system until the Mongol rebellions more than a millennium later. It was precisely because of the Han Dynasty’s widespread prestige that foreign peoples began to call the Chinese "Han people," and the people of the Han Dynasty were proud to call themselves that. From that point on, "Han" became the eternal name for the great Chinese Huaxia people.

"Those who offend the mighty Han, no matter how far, shall be punished!" This was more than just a slogan; it elevated the spirit of an entire nation. The Han Dynasty was the first to take the initiative to strike back, driving the Xiongnu—who had long violated the borders—away like stray dogs. The ritual of "sealing the mountain at Langjuxu" became a monument to the Han's military prowess.

At its peak, the Han Dynasty was a dynasty with a clear division between civil and military roles. Military officers were responsible for defending the country and repelling foreign enemies, while civil officials handled political affairs and improved the people's livelihood. The later practice of military officers being considered inferior to civil officials, or the disparagement of soldiers as vulgar, did not exist in the Han. Throughout the Han, from the nobility down to the common people, there was a sense of grit and blood; invaders had to die!

Even in the late Eastern Han, there were many guards and border defenders who, upon seeing Hu invaders, would not only cut off their hands but their heads as well. Had Gongsun Zan, who guarded the border in Youzhou, not been eliminated by Yuan Shao, he might well have become the next Wei Qing.

Over the four hundred years of the Han, the common people had grown accustomed to the rule of the Liu family. Even in times of hardship and suffering, the majority held the belief that the Emperor was benevolent and merely deceived by his corrupt subordinates; they believed that as soon as the Emperor realized the truth, everything would be set right.

Alas, the emperors of the late Eastern Han grew increasingly inept, their capabilities falling so far behind those of Liu Xiu or Liu Che that it is impossible to quantify. No matter how grand the family inheritance, it could not withstand generation after generation of profligate descendants.

It could be said that after four hundred years of rule, the Han emperors had become quasi-divine figures. It was not until the end of the Three Kingdoms period that anyone truly attempted to overthrow the legitimate rule of the Han royal family. What year was that farce of Cao Pi’s abdication? 220 or 221 AD? It is currently 189 AD, meaning it would take another thirty years of war for this divine image of the Han to collapse. The current Yellow Turban Rebellion is merely a new, massive crack in that crumbling facade.

Liu Bian is quite pitiful; he will be poisoned not long after becoming emperor. And Liu Xie—rumor has it he is quite capable. If not for the mess he inherited, he might have been a restorer of the dynasty...

Fei Qian sat in an ox cart on his way to the Cui family estate at Mount Beimang, lost in these irresponsible, wandering thoughts.

By the way, how old are Liu Bian and Liu Xie this year? Liu Bian seems older, the eldest son, maybe fifteen or sixteen? That sounds about right. Liu Xie seems much younger; is he seven or eight?

In a later era, one would be in middle school and the other in elementary school—still just tender, innocent little boys!

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While Fei Qian was enjoying his leisure outside the city without a care in the world, General-in-Chief He Jin felt as though his head were about to explode.

How could his subordinates have so many different opinions on what seemed to him a very simple matter? The crucial thing was that they all made some sense—how was he to choose?

An eunuch had just delivered an imperial decree: Empress Dowager He was inviting General-in-Chief He Jin to the palace for a conversation.

Although He Jin was a butcher by trade, he now held the rank of General-in-Chief and had a group of men under his command, such as his Chief Clerk Chen Lin, his subordinate general Wu Kuang, and the later renowned trio of lords: Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, and Cao Cao.

Despite his high rank, He Jin’s humble origins created a deep conflict in him when facing the nobility. He appeared arrogant and overbearing, yet felt deeply insecure inside. He desperately craved the recognition of the noble clans and hoped that he would eventually be accepted as one of them.

Therefore, when descendants of the "four generations and three dukes" super-nobility like Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu became his subordinates, He Jin drank for an entire night, overjoyed. As a butcher who once sold meat, having the elite nobility bow and take orders from him—how could he not be excited?

But his foundation was too shallow. Although he tried to learn after rising to power, he lacked guidance and the perseverance for rigorous study. Consequently, he remained only half-educated, grasping the surface of things but understanding nothing of statecraft, governance, or strategic planning.

His lack of understanding regarding political rivals, his lack of firm resolve, and his gullibility—these were the fundamental reasons he wavered in handling the eunuchs, eventually leading to his own tragedy.

Just like now, He Jin could not make up his mind. He had gathered his men to discuss it, but he found that the discussion only made his head ache more.

The primary source of his headache was his Chief Clerk, Chen Lin, also known as Kongzhang.

As one of the "Seven Scholars of Jian'an," Chen Lin possessed profound literary talent, especially in poetry. Emperor Ling of Han had originally arranged for Chen Lin to be the Chief Clerk of the General's office to help the uneducated He Jin gain some cultural standing, but Chen Lin and He Jin simply could not see eye to eye. One was a man of letters, the other a coarse man; one loved the arts, the other loved wine and women. There was no common ground. At first, He Jin had some desire to learn, but he soon found it too difficult and began to slack off.

Chen Lin had tried to advise and encourage him, but to no avail. Finally, he gave up entirely. He had always looked down on this "Butcher He," and now he held no hope for him. He simply did his duty; if He Jin asked a question, he answered, indifferent to whether He Jin listened or acted. He became like a wooden idol—only responding when prompted, otherwise keeping to his own tasks and ignoring everything else.

Just moments ago, when He Jin asked how he viewed the Empress Dowager's decree, Chen Lin had replied with a touch of contempt: "This decree from the Empress Dowager must be a scheme of the Ten Attendants. You must not go; to go is to invite disaster." He offered no further explanation. If you, He Jin, want to listen, listen; if not, begone. How could he not see such a simple thing? Was his head filled entirely with wine, meat, and women?

He Jin was truly frustrated. "I am a coarse man, and every time I speak with you, I am cautious and exhausted. This is clearly a decree from the Empress Dowager; how does it involve the Ten Attendants? Why don't you explain? If I go, there is danger—what kind of danger, and how great? Don't think I can't see the contempt on your face just because I'm a coarse man! If you weren't so famous, I would have had you whipped long ago to show you how red the flowers can be!"

He Jin thought and thought, but still did not understand. He had to lower his pride and ask: "The Empress Dowager has summoned me; what disaster could there be?" He knew that if he did not go, it would be an act of disobedience. Even though the Empress Dowager was his sister, he couldn't withstand the scrutiny of so many detractors. If he gave them grounds to attack him, he would be shredded by their words.

Unfortunately, although He Jin asked, he did not face Chen Lin or address him by name. So, Chen Lin simply lowered his eyes and pretended not to hear, clearly showing the attitude that a fool asking foolish questions needs no explanation—just listen.

The hall fell into silence.

What kind of question was the General asking?

Since the Chief Clerk remained silent, the others below did not know how to respond.

Yuan Shao finally broke the silence, saving the situation for He Jin: "Now that the plan has leaked and the matter is exposed, does the General still intend to enter the palace?" Well asked, General-in-Chief! How would we know what kind of danger awaits? We are not those eunuchs; how could we know what they have planned for you?

Moreover, General, where were you before? We reminded you about the case of Dou Wu, but you hesitated and failed to act. Now, the eunuchs know you are out to get them. Our plans are exposed; why go into the palace to seek your own demise? There is danger, certainly, but as for the extent of it—sorry, we don't know.

Cao Cao also chimed in from the side: "First summon the Ten Attendants to come out, then you may enter." Cao Cao suggested a strategy of pulling the firewood from under the cauldron. If the Ten Attendants were planning something sinister, bringing them out of the palace would render them powerless without their home-turf advantage. Then, He Jin could enter safely.

The idea sounded good, but like the previous one, it had low feasibility.

Aside from having some connections to the eunuchs, Cao Cao did not favor He Jin’s decision to break with them. The struggle between the imperial in-laws and the eunuchs was a fine tradition of the Han Dynasty. How much ability did a butcher like He Jin have to completely clear them out? Cao Cao didn't know what the danger was, but he offered a solution to resolve it—whether it could be executed was another matter.

He Jin felt a surge of anger. Last time, you said all I needed was a prison guard to solve the eunuch problem, and I actually believed you! It was Yuan Shao who explained that it was a beautiful but impossible plan. I haven't even settled that score with you, and now you give me this advice?

If I could simply order the Ten Attendants to go here or there, why would I have to struggle against them? It is precisely because they don't listen to me! How am I supposed to summon them?

He Jin laughed in anger and said: "This is a child's view. I hold the power of the empire; what dare the Ten Attendants do?" Do you hear that? "Child"—that is you, Cao Cao, Cao Aman. Don't think you can fool me; I am the powerful General-in-Chief. Be careful, or I will turn against you.

Yuan Shao bowed and said: "If you are determined to go, we will lead armed soldiers to escort you and guard against the unexpected." If you want to court death, go ahead; we have done what we should. Bringing more men will at least provide a deterrent to those eunuchs.

He Jin nodded; this was a decent suggestion. He took out the tiger tally and ordered Yuan Shao and Cao Cao to each bring five hundred men as guards. If he was going to do this, he would do it with grandeur—how could a few dozen or a hundred men show off his prestige as General-in-Chief?

At this moment, Yuan Shu unexpectedly stood up and volunteered: "Bencu (Yuan Shao) and Mengde (Cao Cao) have official duties and might find it inconvenient. Why not let me lead them? I will ensure the General's safety." Yuan Shao and Cao Cao were the official commanders of the Eight Schools of the Western Garden. They could move troops with the tiger tally, but without an imperial order, it would be hard to explain if they were questioned later. It would be better for him, who held no official post, to lead them, so as not to give others ammunition to criticize them.

The logic was sound, but why was the usually lazy Yuan Shu so proactive today? Yuan Shao’s heart stirred, and he glanced at Cao Cao.

Cao Cao reacted at the same time and gave Yuan Shao a look. When things are abnormal, there is always something fishy!