Three Kingdoms: I am not Liu Bian

Chapter 375 "Ode to the Military Forces"

On the 25th day of the tenth month of the second year of the Han Dynasty.

This was not the first time Liu Bian had personally led troops into battle, but it was the first time since he ascended the throne that he had personally led an expedition as the Son of Heaven.

Therefore, the scale of the welcoming ceremony for the emperor's return this time far surpassed that of the one that quelled the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and in Liu Bian's view, it was even somewhat extravagant.

When the imperial carriage arrived fifty li outside Luoyang City, it was led by Grand Tutor Lu Zhi, who led the three dukes and nine ministers of Luoyang City, as well as officials of the rank of six hundred shi or above, who had already lined up to welcome it.

Along the official road, people, organized by officials, lined the road to welcome the travelers with food and drink.

"Your humble servants congratulate the nation on its great victory in suppressing the rebellion and returning to the capital!"

"May the Emperor live ten thousand years!"

"May the Han Dynasty live ten thousand years!"

The rehearsed blessings were delivered in unison, loud and clear, resounding through the sky.

Liu Bian sat upright on his horse, nodded slightly, raised his hand to help the officials up, and said loudly, "During my absence from Luoyang, I have troubled the Grand Tutor to assist the Empress Dowager in ruling the country. All of you have also worked hard!"

Officials, including the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, were not qualified to respond to each one individually.

Only Lu Zhi, as the head of all officials, stepped forward, bowed, and replied, "To receive the emperor's bounty and serve him loyally is the duty of a subject. I dare not accept Your Majesty's praise."

"Even so, you all share the same heart with me and are not misled by treacherous officials. I am very pleased and should reward you to show your loyalty!" Liu Bian's gaze briefly met Lu Zhi's, then swept over the ministers below. His lips still held a gentle smile, but his eyes had become more profound.

Upon hearing this, all the officials bowed down in gratitude for the Emperor's grace.

Clearly, they understood what the emperor meant by "treacherous officials."

The tragic fates of the Jiangxia Huang clan, renowned for its centuries-long reputation, and the Hongnong Yang clan, whose three generations of officials served as tutors to three emperors, evoke a sense of melancholy in many. (Note 1)

Of course, it is regrettable, but the Yang family of Hongnong has the friendship that the late Grand Commandant Yang Ci has forged with the emperor, and there are also outstanding sons such as Yang Qi who are still relied upon by the emperor. Therefore, it will not collapse as suddenly as the Yuan family of Runan, but it will still give up a lot of political resources.

The same applies to the Huang family of Jiangxia.

Even without Huang Wan, there was still Huang Chengyan, who was related to the emperor by marriage; Huang Zu, the Right Sima of the General of the West who made military achievements in the south; Huang Zhong, the General of the Central Army and Marquis of Yunting, whose ancestral home was Jiangxia County; and Huang Gai, the Sima of the Xiaoqi Camp.

However, the political resources they were forced to relinquish are a shameful waste... Let their former colleagues suffer the consequences!
After expressing his gratitude, Chen Lin, the Vice Minister of the Imperial Household Department, stepped forward with bamboo slips in hand and presented the emperor with a poem entitled "Ode to the Martial Army"!
Officials from the Imperial Household Department followed closely behind, standing in solemn formation and reciting in unison.

"How magnificent and splendid is this military army! With the assistance of the Heavenly Mandate, and the power of the Dipper shining brightly, the flames of the Han Dynasty burn brightly, and the Azure Dragon leaps through the heavens. Talented men flow like rivers to the sea, and fine steeds gallop forth at the sound of drums. Bearing the might of Heaven, they quell the rebellion and establish the Divine Cauldron in the Hao Palace."

Then the military minister, filled with fierce anger, roared throughout the land and proclaimed his authority over the eight directions. He then planned to establish a fortified camp in the north, erecting walls and ramparts. Hundreds of officers stood in formation, thousands of troops arrayed, covering the city walls and plains. Then, at dawn, the evening star was announced, fires were lit, and drums and horns resounded. They marched in formation, following the established laws, to confront the enemy in the Central Plains. The eight divisions were established, their ranks like stars scattered across the mountains, weapons and armor like a forest, banners fluttering like a painting, thousands of soldiers chanting, and millions seeking peace. The roar echoed through the mountains, and the light shone brightly through the night.

The poem is magnificent and colorful, depicting the grandeur of the army and the majesty of the emperor.

After the recitation, those officials who enjoyed literature couldn't help but cheer, while the imperial students in the welcoming procession applauded and cheered enthusiastically.

"Kong Zhang's talent is unlike anything found in this world!" Liu Bian praised with a smile.

Such praise surprised the officials and students, and delighted Chen Lin.

Liu Bian's evaluation of Chen Lin is remarkably similar to Yang Xiong's earlier assessment of Sima Xiangru: "Changqing's poems seem to come from the human world; is it the work of a divine being?"

No one could surpass Sima Xiangru in the art of fu (a type of classical Chinese prose-poetry); this was a standard unanimously agreed upon by scholars and writers of the Han Dynasty. Sima Xiangru was the benchmark for fu!

Such an evaluation is almost as if Liu Bian, with his imperial status, established Chen Lin's position and secured for him the opportunity to compete with Sima Xiangru.

Although Liu Bian was not good at writing poetry, he was not lacking in basic appreciation skills.

This poem uses powerful and magnificent language, and its imagery is grand. It also expands the genre of military poetry and deserves such praise. He also intended to use this to promote the style of military poetry and prose.

From the pre-Qin period to the Han dynasty, there were very few poems and fu (a type of classical Chinese prose) on the theme of military life. Most of them depicted palaces, pavilions, mountains, rivers, and fields. Liu Bian's praise of Chen Lin was also intended to increase the popularity of military-themed poems and fu.

However, Chen Lin's literary talent deserves such praise, and that is the most fundamental reason!
The procession traveled to the east of Luoyang City and arrived at the Yangqu Canal, which connects the Yellow River and the Luo River. There, banners covered the sun and the imperial procession was neatly arranged.

Emperor Emeritus Liu Hong and Empress Emeritus He personally went to the pontoon bridge to welcome the triumphant emperor.

Even an emperor, as a son, cannot ride a horse and receive greetings in front of his parents.

Liu Bian dismounted fifty paces away, quickly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I have led the expedition against the rebels and returned to the capital in triumph, but I have still caused your father and mother worry. I am truly uneasy that your father and mother had to personally welcome you."

Empress He smiled with her phoenix eyes and personally helped her beloved son up. She looked him over carefully and saw that Liu Bian looked travel-worn and a little tired, but was still in high spirits and full of energy. Her heart finally settled down.

Although she knew her son hadn't gone to the battlefield, how could she, as a mother, not worry and fret when her son was thousands of miles away?

Empress He gently patted Liu Bian's hand and said softly, "It's good that Bian'er has returned safely. That rebellious emperor overestimated himself and tried to stop us like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. Fortunately, my son is so brave that he was able to wipe him out so quickly and show the majesty of our great Han Dynasty."

"Your Majesty flatters me. It was merely a small favor to clear away some dust," Liu Bian said modestly, but his gaze turned to the silent Emperor Emeritus Liu Hong. His tone was calm but pointed as he said, "It was just a small favor, and I dared not trouble Your Majesty and Mother to personally welcome me."

Old Deng, I appreciate your kind intentions, but you don't need to come!

Upon hearing this, Liu Hong's eyes twitched almost imperceptibly, and he let out a barely audible snort. Ultimately, considering the occasion, he refrained from making a scene, simply turning his head slightly to avoid Liu Bian's seemingly respectful yet utterly disrespectful gaze.

Seeing this, Empress He quickly smiled and tried to mediate, saying, "I've been exhausted from handling state affairs for you these past few days. I didn't originally intend to personally welcome you, but your father... he deeply hated this villain back then, but he had to endure it. Now that you've eliminated this traitor for him, he's overjoyed."

In recent years, as concerns about his son's succession to the throne have subsided, the relationship between Liu Hong and Empress He has improved considerably.

Although the affection between them was no longer as strong as when they first entered the palace, he still spent most of the month staying at Empress He's Deyang Palace. Now, Empress He's complexion was becoming increasingly rosy, as if she were experiencing a second spring. He had no doubt that this couple could give him a few more younger brothers and sisters.

Upon hearing this, Liu Bian's lips curled into a half-smile as he looked at Liu Hong.

Old Deng, if you're happy, say some nice things; I love to hear them.

Liu Hong turned his head away again, unwilling to face this rebellious son.

Empress He was also quite helpless, but at least the father and son didn't fight in public like last time.

Just then, the performance meticulously prepared by Liu Yu, the Minister of the Imperial Clan, began, interrupting the silent confrontation between the two "loving father and filial son".

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Note 1: The term "teacher of three emperors" refers to Yang Ci's father, Yang Bing, who lectured Emperor Huan of Han, and Yang Ci who lectured Liu Hong and Liu Bian.

The Book of the Later Han Dynasty, Volume 54, Biography of Yang Zhen, Chapter 44: When Emperor Huan ascended the throne, he was summoned to the capital to lecture on the Book of Documents because of his knowledge of the Book of Documents. He was then appointed Grand Master of the Palace and General of the Left Palace, and later promoted to Attendant-in-Ordinary and Minister of the Palace.

(End of this chapter)