With the public release of Zhang Huan's letter in the imperial court, officials in the central government of the Han Dynasty seem to have found a direction to move forward.
Whether we like it or not, everyone must strive in that direction. This is both an inevitable trend and a constraint: to diligently govern and restore national strength in order to avenge the humiliation on the border.
Although there are still mutual attacks, the approach has shifted from impeaching each other on the spot to closely monitoring whether the other party is lazy or negligent.
Liu Hong also took the opportunity to instruct the spies of the "Investigation Division" to spread rumors about the brutality of the northern grasslands.
Throughout history, officials of various dynasties have always used their established moral standards to restrain emperors, but the emperors have trampled on those moral principles with impunity, leaving the emperors powerless to stop them.
Now Liu Hong is taking the initiative, vigorously promoting and creating the theory of external threats, and using national and ethnic righteousness to restrain these officials.
In Liu Hong's view, this nation is the most lovable and the most resilient. No matter what, even if they fight amongst themselves, as long as there is an external threat, they can always put aside all prejudices and unite against the outside world.
To restrain officials, in addition to strict laws, there must also be a certain amount of pressure. The country is still in a difficult period, and it is not the time for you to be corrupt, lawless, or indulge in pleasure. If you are caught, not only will the emperor not forgive you, but even the scholars and literati in the countryside will not let you off the hook. This is Liu Hong's ultimate goal.
That's why Liu Hong spared no effort in promoting and creating the theory of external threats; people need pressure...
Hearing about the horrific incidents on the border, countless young students, scholars, and wandering knights were filled with rage and petitioned to prepare their own weapons and provisions to march north and kill the barbarians.
However, Xun Shuang, the then Minister of Justice, kindly persuaded him to return. Looking at these young people full of enthusiasm and eager to serve their country, Xun Shuang could imagine what kind of prosperous era they would create under the emperor's leadership.
"Please hear me out!"
Xun Shuang, known as a "great scholar," was highly respected by both scholars and common people, and all the petitioning youths watched him silently.
Facing the gazes of the crowd, Xun said in a clear voice: "The country is currently in difficulty and cannot send a large army to fight. The Emperor has already known about your patriotism and is very pleased. However, His Majesty does not want you to lose your lives in vain. Today, the Emperor has something to ask me to convey to you. I wonder if you are willing to listen?"
A representative of the Imperial Academy students said respectfully, "Please speak, Master Ciming. We will obey the Emperor's decree."
Xun Shuang nodded and then said, "The Emperor has decreed that all citizens of the Han Dynasty, whether scholars, gentlemen, or wandering knights, should diligently cultivate themselves and strengthen their bodies. A gentleman must not forget his hatred, but he must not lose his integrity either. Only when the nation is restored can we slay the barbarians!"
"We are acting on the Emperor's orders!"
Xun Shuang's words enlightened the group of young people, and they all responded and left.
Soon, the emperor's motto, "Study diligently and strengthen your body," became the guiding principle for countless young people in the Han Dynasty. Quietly, a martial spirit began to sweep across the Han Dynasty, centered on Luoyang.
At the Yuan residence, Yuan Feng felt much comforted seeing Yuan Shu diligently practicing every day.
After hearing that Yuan Shao had been conscripted as a member of the Imperial Guard and incorporated into the Imperial Guard, Yuan Shu finally stepped out of his room and began practicing his fist and archery skills every day.
He wanted to tell everyone that, in addition to his background, he also had the ability to live up to his status as the eldest son of the Yuan family.
Meanwhile, with the completion of the "Imperial Guard Camp," Liu Hong also dispatched Imperial Guards to various places to recruit the first batch of trainees.
Huang Zhong was also sent to Zhuo County. As he rode on his horse, Huang Zhong couldn't help but think of the name the emperor had mentioned: Liu Bei!
In no time, young people from all over the Han Dynasty began their own preparations.
Zhuo County is a village thirty miles south of the city. In the village, there is a mulberry tree that stands out. The tree is about five feet tall, and its dense canopy is like a giant umbrella, which is quite peculiar.
In a small courtyard next to a mulberry tree, a boy of about ten years old was practicing swordsmanship, holding a short sword.
The young man was handsome, with a face like jade, lips like painted rouge, and eyes as sharp as an eagle's. His earlobes were also larger than those of ordinary people. This young man was none other than Liu Bei.
Liu Bei strolled through the courtyard, his steps measured and methodical. His short sword moved with a sharp, aggressive style, whether thrusting, slashing, or hacking, clearly demonstrating the skill he had acquired under the tutelage of a master.
Just as Liu Bei was engrossed in his practice, a middle-aged man pushed open the door and entered. Upon seeing the visitor, Liu Bei immediately stopped practicing, stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and addressed him as "Uncle."
Liu Zijing nodded and said with a smile, "Bei'er, His Majesty has issued an edict to select teenagers over ten years old for an assessment. You are now ten years old, so you are qualified to go. Moreover, the person in charge of the assessment in Zhuo County this time is His Majesty's trusted and beloved general, General Huang Hansheng. You must perform well then. If you can win General Huang's favor, you will surely be highly valued by the Emperor in the future!"
Liu Bei nodded solemnly, "Uncle, rest assured, I will live up to your and Father's expectations, and I will definitely make a name for myself and revive our Linyi Marquis lineage."
Liu Zijing looked at Liu Bei with satisfaction and said with a smile, "Good! Go and say goodbye to your mother. Tomorrow you will come with me to Zhuo County."
After Liu Zijing left, Liu Bei returned to the house and saw his mother weaving straw mats. Liu Bei's eyes were a little red. His father had died early, and he and his mother barely made a living by relying on the help of his uncle and his mother weaving straw mats and straw sandals.
Looking at his mother, who was not yet thirty, but whose temples were already turning gray, Liu Bei knelt down with red eyes.
"Mother, tomorrow I will be going to Zhuo County with my uncle to participate in the Imperial Guard's assessment. Please rest assured, I will definitely be able to join the Imperial Guard, become the Emperor's personal guard, and make great achievements!"
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