May, 196 AD.
In the third year of Jian'an (200 AD), the seventh year since Wang Han arrived in the Three Kingdoms period, he improved papermaking and invented printing. The surrounding villages all pledged their allegiance to him.
——————————
As the villagers carried the newly printed and bound books into the yard, Wu Yong complained, "It's been almost a year. Are we really going to stay here and mess with these books forever?"
“Our lord collected these books to spread knowledge to the people of the world. This is a great deed, and we can also benefit from it,” Mei Shou said. “We all come from poor families, and you know the importance of books.”
“Of course I know,” Wu Yong said. “But there are just too many books. They’ve already filled more than a dozen rooms. These books are just printed and stored, but not distributed. Are we going to keep printing books forever?”
"Is it too many?" Mei Shou shook his head and said, "These books are still too few compared to the people of the world. As for why they haven't been distributed yet, if we distribute the books to the people now, the powerful clans and various lords will strongly oppose it, so it's not the right time to distribute the books."
"Then do you know when the time will be?" Wu Yong asked curiously. "I've been wanting to go out and make a name for myself with our lord for a long time."
Upon hearing this, Mei Shou shook his head and said, "I don't know either."
“No wonder our lord dares to say that he will spread knowledge to all the people.” Huang Chengyan said to Huang Yueying with admiration, “You have improved papermaking and invented printing, making paper and books very easy to produce. In the future, they can be widely distributed to the people, solving the problem of the number of books. Our lord’s talent is far superior to the three of us.”
"Your talent is truly astounding," Huang Yueying exclaimed, nodding in admiration. "In addition to your unparalleled martial prowess and your high reputation among the people, it can even be said that although you have not yet conquered the world, you will likely still be the one to decide its fate in the future."
"Brother Zhicai, why doesn't our lord contend for supremacy over the world?" At this point, Huang Chengyan couldn't help but ask Xi Zhicai, "If our lord were to contend for supremacy over the world, it would be a great blessing for the people of the world."
Upon hearing this, Xi Zhicai shook his head and said, "I don't know the specific reason either."
"My lord, my lord..." Just as Xi Zhicai and the other two were discussing, Zhang Shan shouted and hurriedly ran into the courtyard.
Seeing this, Xi Zhicai asked Zhang Shan, "Zhang Shan, the lord has gone to the back mountain. What's the matter that he's in such a hurry?"
"Brother Zhicai, Cao Cao just sent a message saying that the Southern Xiongnu have invaded," Zhang Shan said quickly, then could only wait helplessly in the courtyard. Wang Han went to the back mountain, and they couldn't find him either.
Upon hearing this, Xi Zhicai and the other two exchanged glances and said, "The chicken that brings the excuse has arrived; the time has come."
————————————
Night fell, and Wang Han had just returned to his residence when he saw everyone sitting together, waiting for him.
Wang Han asked, "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
"My lord, Cao Cao has sent intelligence saying that the Southern Xiongnu have invaded Bingzhou and are looting everywhere," Zhang Shan said, stepping forward and handing Wang Han a letter.
"The Xiongnu have invaded." Upon hearing this, Wang Han took the letter from Zhang Shan, opened it, and began to read it. Everyone waited for Wang Han to finish reading the letter and give his instructions.
After reading my letter, Wang Han instructed, "Zhao Liu, Zhou Qi, Wu Yong, Zheng Dian, the four of you prepare some supplies for the long journey. Tomorrow you will come with me to kill the Xiongnu."
"Yes, my lord! We four generals are ready to go through fire and water, even at the cost of our lives!" Upon hearing this, the four men excitedly accepted the order. They had been loyal to Wang Han for a year, and finally, they had a chance to prove themselves.
"Xi Zhicai," Wang Han instructed Xi Zhicai, "You are familiar with Cao Cao. Tomorrow, go to Cao Cao and tell him my idea of popularizing literacy among the people. Don't worry about whether he is willing or not. Don't say much or try to persuade him. After you finish speaking, observe his reaction and listen to his opinions. When you come back, write it down. Wang Wu, you go with Xi Zhicai and protect the people."
"Yes, my lord." Xi Zhicai and Wang Wu accepted the order.
"Huang Chengyan, go find Liu Bei and tell him about my plan to make literacy accessible to all people. Again, regardless of his attitude, don't try to persuade him or say anything more. Just observe his reaction and listen to his opinion. Record it when you get back. Zhang Shan, you come with me."
"Yes, my lord." Huang Chengyan accepted the order, then asked Wang Han, "My lord, should we also go and speak to the other lords?"
“No need,” Wang Han shook his head and said, “Making reading accessible to all people would easily provoke the dissatisfaction of the feudal lords and powerful clans, which is too dangerous. Other feudal lords should wait until I drive out the Xiongnu, and then you can have someone send a letter in my name to them about this matter. If they reply, keep the letter.”
"Yes," Huang Chengyan replied.
"The rest of you stay home for now. Huang Yueying, you're in charge of things at home. Li Si, Mei Shou, you're responsible for protecting everyone," Wang Han said to the rest of the people.
————————————————
In early June of the third year of Jian'an (196), after traveling for half a month, Wang Han finally arrived in Bingzhou, which was being harassed by the Xiongnu, with Zhao Liu and the other three.
Bingzhou is now in a state of panic because of the Xiongnu invasion. There are refugees everywhere, and no powerful lords occupy the area. Faced with the highly mobile Xiongnu cavalry, they are helpless and can only watch as the Xiongnu rampage.
On the third day after entering Bingzhou, Wang Han saw a village ahead that had been captured by the Xiongnu. Thick smoke billowed from the village, and flames soared into the sky. Thousands of Xiongnu cavalrymen had just plundered the village and were heading north. These Xiongnu were covered in blood, some fresh and some dried. Human heads hung from the sides of their horses, and bound women were carried behind them. Wang Han could hear the women's cries clearly even from a distance. These were only a part of the plunder.
Upon seeing this scene, Wang Han clenched his fists and lamented, "The people of the Central Plains are weak, and the invading troops are all Hu and Qiang. They hunt and besiege cities, and wherever they go, they are destroyed. Men's heads are hung by their horses, and women are carried behind them. They drive into the northern desert, and the return journey is treacherous and difficult."
"My lord." Zhao Liu and the other three who came out with Wang Han were also furious at the sight. They wished they could kill all the Xiongnu people without leaving a single one alive. They all looked at Wang Han and waited for his orders.
Wang Han instructed the four men: "Go into the villages and towns and see if there are any survivors."
“I will deal with these Xiongnu people. I will not let a single one of them leave alive.” Then Wang Han picked up the three-bladed sickle hanging on the white rhinoceros’s back, and slapped the white rhinoceros. The white rhinoceros then carried Wang Han and chased after the departing Xiongnu.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
