Chapter 115: The Secret Edict in the Robe Has Arrived

On the eve of the Battle of Guandu, the scholarly circles of Jingzhou were surging with undercurrents. The "royalists," who remained fiercely loyal to the imperial court and the Emperor, could no longer sit idly by.

Historically, before Cao Cao gained control of the Emperor, those who urged Liu Biao to submit to the central government were as numerous as carp crossing a river. Later, Liu Biao sent envoys to offer tribute to the court while simultaneously dispatching others north to form an alliance with Yuan Shao. This double-dealing behavior incited great dissatisfaction among the scholars of Jingzhou. Countless low-to-mid-ranking aristocratic families, officials, famous scholars, and great Confucian masters left Jingzhou, while many others openly opposed Liu Biao’s clandestine collusion with Yuan Shao.

By the eve of the Battle of Guandu, rumors that Liu Biao intended to march north to attack Xuchang detonated the scholarly circles of Jingzhou. A typical representative of this sentiment was Huan Jie, the Merit Officer of Changsha Commandery. Huan Jie was a staunch "royalist." Although he would later be regarded as a trusted advisor by Cao Pi after his ascension, at that time, he genuinely believed that Cao Cao’s actions were righteous efforts to restore the Han Dynasty.

He told Zhang Xian: "Any undertaking not rooted in righteousness is bound to fail. Duke Huan of Qi led the feudal lords to honor the Zhou Emperor, and Duke Wen of Jin punished the usurper to restore King Xiang of Zhou to his throne. Today, the Yuan clan acts against this principle, and Governor Liu follows suit; this is a path to destruction. If you wish to achieve merit, uphold justice, secure blessings, and avoid calamity, you must not join them."

Comparing Cao Cao to the reverent and righteous Dukes Huan and Wen, while labeling Yuan Shao and Liu Biao as treacherous subjects—this was the prevailing mindset among the scholars of Jingzhou, and indeed, much of the world. They believed the era had regressed to the chaotic struggles of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. In their eyes, Cao Cao was a feudal lord akin to the great dukes of old, acting as a loyal subject who "honored the King and repelled the barbarians" to restore the Han Emperor.

Huan Jie’s ideology represented the views of all the royalists in Jingzhou and the aristocratic families concerned primarily with their own interests. It was their lobbying that partly drove Zhang Xian to launch his rebellion. Consequently, Zhang Xian memorialized the court to declare his loyalty and ignited a massive movement in the four commanderies of Southern Jing to oppose Liu Biao, providing a vital service that allowed Cao Cao to focus on dealing with Yuan Shao in the north.

Shen Chen was currently at the residence of Deng Hong in Xiangyang. After finishing his breakfast at the end of the morning hour, he boarded a carriage bound for the Governor’s mansion. By the end of 199 AD, Shen Chen was fourteen years old—the age of a middle schooler in later times. He stood about 1.72 meters tall, and thanks to his daily practice of martial arts, his physique was robust, muscular, and formidable.

The carriage moved slowly through the bustling market before stopping in front of the Governor’s mansion. He had come today to bid Liu Biao farewell. Liu Biao had been extremely busy that year, attacking Sun Ce in the east and suppressing Zhang Xian in the south, leaving him no spare troops to march north against Cao Cao. Thus, Shen Chen had requested to lead his own Huangmen Pavilion troops and Gan Ning’s force instead. Liu Biao had granted his request and bestowed upon him one hundred sets of armor. These had been delivered to Deng Hong’s residence the previous day, loaded onto boats, and were now being escorted by two hundred guards from the Huangmen Pavilion, ready to travel north along the Yu River toward Xinye.

Following custom, Shen Chen went to pay his respects to Liu Biao before setting out. As the carriage pulled up, he saw several hundred scholars crowded outside the mansion. Seeing him arrive, the crowd began to whisper: "He’s here, he’s here."

"Is that the 'Shen Xiaolang' who talks about the unity of knowledge and action?"

"He doesn't look like anything special. Why is everyone so stirred up by him?"

"It is him. 'Unity of knowledge and action'? He’s just a treacherous subject defying the imperial court."

"But I heard his words make a lot of sense."

"That is the deceptive rhetoric of someone who would ruin the state; do not listen to it."

"Oh."

The scholars stood at the gate, watching. Liu Biao had cultivated scholars in Jingzhou, attracting countless famous men and great Confucian masters who had fled from Yizhou, Jiangdong, the Kanto region, and Guanzhong, along with their thousands of disciples. While ten thousand people might not seem like much, the issue was that they were scholars. In that era, the common people at the bottom of the social hierarchy were not even considered people; they often lacked names or courtesy names. Many of Zhang Jiao’s generals had only nicknames because they were of the downtrodden masses, living lives worse than beasts of burden.

Scholars, however, were the backbone of society. They were intellectuals who could read, generally possessed decent family backgrounds, owned farmland and property, kept servants and dependents, and controlled enormous social influence. While they couldn't compare to the top-tier aristocratic clans—who owned tens of thousands of acres of land, countless servants, and even private armies—their power was far greater than that of the common folk.

Thus, the ancient saying, "He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world," did not refer to the downtrodden masses, but to these scholars who held social power. Cao Cao had won this "people's heart." With the Emperor in his custody, scholars throughout the world were filled with anticipation for him. Hearing that Shen Chen was about to launch a northern expedition, they gathered at Liu Biao’s gate. Ostensibly, they were there to dissuade Shen Chen; in reality, they were criticizing Liu Biao through insinuation, warning him not to ally with Yuan Shao but to submit to the court.

Shen Chen alighted from the carriage and scanned his surroundings. He was protected by dozens of guards, all clad in armor, battle-hardened veterans who had fought the Cao army, their murderous intent palpable. Yet, the scholars, convinced of their own righteousness, were undaunted. They crowded forward, glaring at Shen Chen. Some even began to hurl insults: "You milk-drinking brat, how dare you be so rebellious?"

"What utter nonsense is this 'unity of knowledge and action'? You deserve to be compared to Duke Cao?"

"Wait until Duke Cao pacifies Yuan Shao. When the Emperor’s decree comes, you will have nowhere to hide, you name-stealing charlatan!"

The crowd clamored. Shen Chen didn't blink. He brushed the dust from his clothes, held his head high, and strode toward the mansion. He knew these scholars, while powerful enough to make even Liu Biao wary, were not the true obstacles; the real resistance lay inside, within the halls of power. The gatekeeper, recognizing him, did not stop him, as Liu Biao had granted him free access years ago.

Inside the mansion, the architecture was grand and luxurious. After passing through several courtyards and gates, he reached the front hall. Today, a banquet was being held, and servants were setting out rich dishes.

"The Governor is waiting for you in the back garden," said Cheng Qi, Liu Biao’s confidant, as he came out to meet him.

Shen Chen glanced at the hall and asked, "Who is here today?"

Cheng Qi shook his head. "More than twenty people, all of them renowned great masters and scholars."

"I understand," Shen Chen nodded.

He followed Cheng Qi to the back garden. Liu Biao sat cross-legged on a mat in a small pavilion, incense burning on a nearby table. Shen Chen lifted the curtain and stepped in, bowing, "Governor."

"Hmm," Liu Biao opened his eyes. "Sit."

"Thank you, Governor." Shen Chen knelt before him. "I am leaving to attack Cao Cao today and have come to bid you farewell."

"I know," Liu Biao nodded. "But I fear your departure will not be so simple today."

Shen Chen smiled. "They are merely pedantic scholars. Aside from wagging their tongues, what can they do? How can they stop me?"

Liu Biao sighed bitterly. "These are no ordinary men. Some have such prestige that even I hesitate to provoke them. If you truly anger them, your reputation will be ruined."

In truth, while these men stood in opposition to Shen Chen, they had not resorted to underhanded tactics to destroy his name. As great scholars, they maintained their dignity and moral standards; their hostility stemmed solely from their belief that Cao Cao was a loyal minister. Given their influence in the scholarly world, if they had truly united to smear him, not even Sima Hui or Pang Degong could have saved him. In a sense, they were behaving with "martial virtue."

However, Shen Chen understood that regardless of their moral quality, they remained an aristocratic class that had no compassion for the common people. He could not identify with them.

Shen Chen said solemnly, "The Han Dynasty is crumbling. Cao Cao holds the Emperor hostage to command the lords. The world is foolish, not realizing the Emperor is merely a tool in his hands. Only you, Governor, can save the Han legacy."

Liu Biao shook his head. "With Zhang Xian’s rebellion in the south and Sun Ce’s attack in the east, I am powerless."

"That is why I am willing to share your burdens," Shen Chen bowed. "If the Emperor meets an untimely end at Cao Cao’s hands, only you will be able to 'turn the tide and prop up the falling structure.'"

Turning the tide and propping up the falling structure? Liu Biao looked at Shen Chen thoughtfully. This boy was hinting at something. At that time, Liu Biao’s attitude was still ambiguous. Historically, it was only after he pacified Zhang Xian and saw the scholars’ disillusionment with Cao Cao following the "Clothing Sash Decree" that he began to entertain imperial ambitions. Before then, he dared not act. Facing Shen Chen’s hint, he merely waved his hand. "Do not speak such words; it will cause misunderstandings."

"Understood." Shen Chen noted Liu Biao’s expression, unimpressed.

They chatted for a while longer. By midday, Cheng Qi reported, "Governor, the great masters have all arrived."

"Let us go." Liu Biao stood up, stretching his legs. A shadow crossed his eyes. "It is time to meet these 'great masters'."

He walked out with his hands behind his back. Liu Biao knew perfectly well that these scholars were targeting not just Shen Chen, but himself. They were influential, and avoiding them would only invite suspicion. He had to maintain his ambiguity—neither revealing his imperial ambition nor appearing weak.

Behind him, Shen Chen watched his back, thinking: *This test has certainly revealed a problem. Liu Biao does indeed have grand ambitions.*

They reached the front hall, where Kuai Yue was greeting the guests. As the master of ceremonies, Kuai Yue welcomed them. With Cheng Qi’s announcement, Liu Biao entered, and the scholars stood to salute him. Although these scholars were prestigious, Liu Biao was one of the "Eight Peers." His reputation in the scholarly world was formidable, which was why they dared not openly attack him, only offer "advice."

Liu Biao took his seat and looked around. "I see you have all come together today. What is the matter?"

Wang Jun, an old acquaintance of Cao Cao, was the first to step forward. "Governor, I hear that the way of a well-governed world is one of loyalty, filial piety, and benevolence. Is this true?"

Liu Biao frowned. *Are they here to insult me by asking such basics?* But he maintained his composure. "Naturally."

Wang Jun continued, "When the Shang King was wicked, King Wu attacked him, yet Bo Yi and Shu Qi tried to stop him. Was that principle correct?"

Liu Biao’s face darkened, but he restrained himself. "It was."

Wang Jun then asked, "Then I ask you, Governor, is the current Emperor wicked?"

Liu Biao gritted his teeth. "The Emperor loves his people; the world knows this."

Wang Jun looked around. "The Emperor is benevolent and wise, revered by all. Yet, there are those who raise armies to attack the imperial court, using the wicked to strike at the righteous. Tell me, is there any such logic in this world?"

"Naturally, there is not!"

"Well said! We scholars should be loyal to the sovereign and love our country; how can we act as treacherous subjects?"

As they spoke, their eyes drifted toward Shen Chen. Liu Biao felt the immense pressure. These men were pointing fingers at him, and he could not refute them. He remained silent, his gaze fixed on Shen Chen.

Shen Chen stood up slowly. "I would like to ask, Master Wang, who is raising an army to attack the court?"

Wang Jun sneered, "The traitor is obvious."

Shen Chen looked puzzled. "Yuan Shao is attacking Cao Cao, and I am attacking Cao Cao. What does this have to do with the Emperor? Unless, in your eyes, Cao Cao *is* the Emperor?"

"Audacious!" Wang Jun drew his sword. "How dare you speak such treasonous words?"

"Is that not what you implied?" Shen Chen remained fearless and drew his own sword. "You claim that my attack on Cao Cao is an attack on the court, equating Cao Cao with the state. I think *you* are the one being treasonous!"

*Clang!* Other scholars drew their swords in anger. Liu Biao slammed the table. "Enough! How can scholars draw swords at a banquet? What kind of decorum is this?"

Shen Chen sheathed his sword with a cold smile, and the others followed suit, constrained by Liu Biao’s presence.

Master Wei Xi stepped forward. "Do not invert black and white. Duke Cao is upholding the Han Dynasty in a time of peril. If Duke Cao falls, who will the Emperor rely on?"

"Me," Shen Chen said, looking around. "And us."

Wei Xi was confused. "Us?"

Shen Chen nodded. "If you are loyal to the country, why are you unwilling to serve the Emperor?"

"Well..." Wei Xi was relatively polite. "The east is in chaos, and we are old."

Shen Chen said, "Before I answer that, let me ask you one thing: Do you consider Cao Cao a good man or a bad man?"

"Duke Cao is a man of great talent," Wang Jun insisted. "Only he can save the Emperor and the people."

"Good," Shen Chen nodded. "Next question: Are the common people considered human?"

The scholars were bewildered. Ying Rong asked, "Of course they are."

Shen Chen said, "If they are human, why do I see the powerful treating them as beasts? In Xuzhou, I saw a powerful man’s vicious dog attack a young child. His sixteen-year-old brother killed the dog with a stick. The powerful man then beat the brother and forced him to kneel and mourn the dog as if it were his own father. Is that man good or evil?"

Li Yan, who hated evil, said without hesitation, "Such a villain deserves death!"

Shen Chen nodded. "Well said. But Cao Cao raised his sword and slaughtered the people of Xuzhou until their blood blocked the Si River. Tell me, whose sin is greater? Or do you see the dead commoners as mere weeds, not worth counting as human?"

The room fell silent. They were used to the oppression of the commoners; it was an unspoken norm. But they could not say so out loud. "Loving the people" was a form of political correctness, just like "loyalty to the sovereign." Shen Chen was using their own "magic" against them.

After a long pause, He Qia said, "Even sages make mistakes. Who is without fault? To correct one's mistakes is the greatest virtue."

"Cao Cao has corrected his mistakes, but can the hundreds of thousands of Xuzhou people be brought back to life?" Shen Chen asked.

He Qia replied, "Duke Cao’s faults can only be judged by the Emperor. If one day Cao Cao restores the Han, and the Emperor deems him guilty, I believe Duke Cao will have nothing to say."

"Well said," Shen Chen nodded. "You great masters are indeed far superior to your disciples."

Shen Chen smiled, completely undaunted. He asked, "How do you view the Three Families Dividing Jin and the Tian Clan Usurping Qi?"

"Treacherous subjects," Wang Jun scoffed.

Shen Chen said, "Before the Tian clan usurped Qi, they used large measures to lend grain and small measures to collect it, winning the people’s hearts. Wang Mang, before his usurpation, was humble and virtuous. Truly wise men do not treat the people cruelly. If Cao Cao does not even love the people, do you think he loves the Emperor?"

He Qia countered, "The world is in chaos; Cao Cao’s cruelty was a necessity. He honors the Emperor; that is the act of a loyal subject. You cite the ancient usurpations, but we have seen no such thing from Duke Cao!"

Shen Chen asked, "So, if the Emperor is trapped in the palace and you cannot see him being bullied, you refuse to believe it?"

"It is a fabrication," Li Yan said.

Shen Chen nodded. "Very well. Let us wait."

"Wait for what?" someone asked.

Shen Chen smiled. "Wait for the Emperor’s decree."

The scholars were stunned. *The Emperor’s decree?* No matter how they pressed him, Shen Chen remained silent. Liu Biao tried to smooth things over, suggesting they eat. But the scholars were too troubled to taste their food.

After a while, Li Yan couldn't help but ask, "Where is this decree?"

Shen Chen sat by the door, watching the sky. He saw a guard running toward them in a hurry and smiled. "It has arrived."

"What has arrived?"

"The Clothing Sash Decree."

The scholars were baffled. Only Shen Chen smiled. He had sent spies to Xuchang years ago. Two days ago, word arrived that the "Clothing Sash Decree" plot had been exposed. Dong Cheng, Wang Zifu, and others had been executed, and even the pregnant Consort Dong was not spared. This had sent shockwaves through the capital. The messenger had traveled day and night to deliver the news to Jingzhou.

"It is time," Shen Chen whispered.