Three Kingdoms: Ten Times Speed, Diao Chan Says I'm Too Fast

Time flies, and the new year has begun.

Two months passed in the blink of an eye.

The first day of the first month of the year.

The Han dynasty inherited the Qin system. In the early Western Han dynasty, October was regarded as the first month of the year. Starting from the third year of the Taichu era, the Taichu calendar was revised and January was changed to the first month.

The so-called New Year's Day is January 1st.

All the common people, princes, nobles, emperors, and ministers must begin preparing for the activities of worshipping ancestors and paying homage to elders three days before New Year's Day.

When the emperor left Luoyang, he led the Three Dukes, the Nine Ministers, and the feudal lords and high officials to perform a sacrifice in the eastern suburbs.

He ordered the people to repair agricultural tools, cultivate the fields, prepare for plowing, and guard their homes carefully.

This series of activities is called a festival.

After the emperor and the common people offered sacrifices to their ancestors and deities, a visit was held on the second day after New Year's Day.

The term "谒" refers to meeting someone of higher status than oneself.

For example, when addressing a monarch, teacher, or elder, this is called paying respects.

The duration of a visit varies depending on the family relationship, but most visits end within a day.

On the third day of the first lunar month, the activities that begin on this day are called "celebration".

"谒" means to pay respects to a monarch or elder of higher status than oneself, while "贺" means to meet someone of equal status and position, expressing congratulations on the year's success.

Outside the Luoyang Imperial Palace.

It was pitch black, but thousands of court officials had already lined up outside Sima Gate.

The first day of the new year is also the first grand court assembly of the new year.

All officials in Luoyang, regardless of rank, had to wait outside the Sima Gate starting at dawn on this day to prepare to enter the palace.

The Book of Later Han, Treatise on Rites and Ceremonies records: Every year at the beginning of the first month, a grand court was held to receive congratulations. The ceremony involved seven bells ringing before the night watchman's drum had finished, to receive the congratulations!

In other words, starting at 3 a.m., the ministers in the city would prepare to enter the palace in front of the palace gates. When the time came, the palace gates would open, and the ministers would enter the palace.

For Liu Hong, this was also the happiest day.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, in addition to discussing important national policies, the most important thing for the officials was to pay homage to the emperor and present gifts.

The air was slightly cool. Outside the Chongde Hall of the Southern Palace, the imperial guards stood on both sides of the hall, holding brand-new weapons such as spears and maces, as well as clean armor.

From the point where you climb the steps, it extends all the way to the Zhangtai Gate, the last gate leading into the Southern Palace.

Jian Shuo, the commander of the imperial guards, was also dressed in bright armor, with one hand on the hilt of his sword at his waist.

In front of Chongde Hall, the Ten Attendants stood outside the palace gate once again.

There are exactly ten people on each side, symmetrically arranged.

Zuo Feng, who was newly promoted to one of the Ten Attendants, was also among them, and he was the youngest one.

Inside the vast Chongde Hall, several eunuchs stood on the outermost edges of both sides, near the chime bells.

As the appointed time approached, the young eunuch slowly struck the chime bells.

The clear and majestic voice instantly resounded throughout the hall and then spread outwards.

As the bells rang, the first rays of sunlight, symbolizing the new year, illuminated the land of the Han Dynasty on the distant horizon.

Outside the Southern Palace, as the Sima Gate opened, the civil and military officials, lined up in order of their official rank, began to enter the palace.

The officials, dressed in black robes, formed a vast and impressive procession that stretched as far as the eye could see.

After passing through Zhangtai Gate, the officials arrived in front of Chongde Hall.

The Grand General, the Three Dukes, the Nine Ministers, and officials of various ministries with a salary of 2,000 shi or above, along with officials of 1,000 shi, arrived at the gate of Chongde Hall.

The sword hanging at his waist and the shoes on his feet were taken away by the eunuchs who were waiting nearby.

"The auspicious hour has arrived; all officials, enter the palace."

Following the shouts of the Ten Attendants.

The Ten Attendants, who were at the forefront, led the civil and military officials behind them into the palace to pay homage to the emperor.

Only officials with a salary of 2,000 shi or higher were allowed to enter the Chongde Hall to meet the emperor.

All officials below the rank of 2,000 shi were required to remain outside the palace.

Those with a thousand bushels of grain can climb the steps, while those with less than a thousand bushels must remain below the steps.

In addition to civil and military officials, feudal lords and imperial relatives also came to pay homage to the emperor.

Liu Hong, dressed in a black and red dragon robe, knelt behind a huge bronze dragon-carved table, wearing an imperial hat on his head and an emperor's sword at his waist.

The Imperial Seal, symbolizing the highest power of the Han Empire, was placed in a gold box to the side.

Dozens of bronze braziers were placed around the main hall.

The dim red glow of the burning fruitwood charcoal inside flickered, making the temperature inside the hall extremely hot.

At the forefront of the assembled officials were the Grand General, the Three Dukes, the Nine Ministers, the heads of various departments, and a group of feudal lords and nobles.

At the prompting of the Ten Attendants, the officials knelt on the ground, then kowtowed and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

Liu Hong, kneeling behind the dragon table, gently waved his hand.

"All my dear friends, please live in peace."

Liu Hong's pale face was smeared with some red rouge.

His Highness's ministers then stood up one by one.

General He Jin.

Newly appointed Grand Commandant Ma Ridi, Minister of Works Cui Lie, and Minister of Agriculture Zhang Wen, among others, rose to their feet.

Yang Ci died of illness in his own residence three days ago.

But in Liu Hong's eyes, Yang Ci's death was nothing compared to the upcoming New Year's Day.

After a symbolic posthumous conferment of titles, Liu Hong swiftly promoted Qi Ma Ridi to Grand Commandant.

On New Year's Day, besides paying homage, the most important thing for the officials was to pay tribute.

They came to pay tribute to the emperor, namely Liu Hong.

According to the etiquette of the Han Dynasty.

The feudal lords and the three highest officials were required to present jade discs as tribute to the emperor.

Officials with a salary of 2,000 shi (a unit of grain measure) or higher, and those with a similar rank, were required to present lambs to the emperor.

Officials with a salary of 1,000 shi or 600 shi were required to present wild geese to the emperor.

Officials below the rank of 600 shi were required to present pheasants to the emperor.

The Records of Rites states: When congratulating dukes and marquises on receiving jade discs, the middle tier received two thousand pieces, the next tier received two thousand pieces of lamb, and the next tier received six hundred pieces of wild goose...

Of course, this is an ancient custom.

For Liu Hong, who could sell official titles for money, there was nothing to be happy about if officials only offered these things.

Therefore, Liu Hong changed the items required for the annual New Year's Day offerings.

It was simple and direct; the money collected was converted into cash based on the official rank.

In other words, dukes and marquises needed to pay between fifty million and one hundred million.

The remainder was paid according to the official rank.

Officials who are not stationed in Luoyang but hold local positions must also send someone to Luoyang to deliver the money; otherwise, the New Year will be the last day of their term if they are unable to pay.

This is why Liu Hong quickly promoted Ma Ridi to the position of Grand Commandant after Yang Cigang's death.

This is fifty million coins.

For Liu Hong, who is now dirt poor, anything is acceptable as long as he can make money.

If it weren't for Duan Yu sending a large sum of taxes during the Yellow Turban Rebellion and after the autumn harvest, Liu Hong would be starving by now.

Not to mention living a life of extravagance.

At this moment, Zhang Rang, who was standing on the steps, had already unfolded the list of the amount of money paid by the officials as tribute.

And they read them aloud one by one in the main hall.

"The Grand General presented one hundred million coins and one hundred bolts of silk as a congratulatory gift."

Liu Hong, kneeling behind the dragon table, smiled, then stroked his beard and nodded, saying, "Good."

"The General is indeed my right-hand man, loyal to the emperor and patriotic," Liu Hong praised with a smile.

Liu Hong was happy, but He Jin was gritting his teeth in pain.

One hundred million dollars.

This money was just obtained from Duan Yu's blank paper and snow salt.

Originally, the amount of money was 200 million.

This is the total value of this batch of snow salt and white paper.

He Jin believed that Duan Yu was dead, so he left all the money behind.

They also threatened Dong Zhuo, demanding that he hand over the methods for making white paper and snow salt.

But no one expected that Duan Yu had faked his death.

According to the previous allocation, he could only receive 100 million.

The remaining 100 million should be given to Duan Yu.

And this 100 million hasn't even been properly received yet.

Now it's been given to Liu Hong.

It would be strange if He Jin didn't feel the pinch.

Besides He Jin, the other three high-ranking officials, including Ma Ridi, Cui Lie, and Zhang Wen, all had 50 million coins, while the remaining nine ministers, including high-ranking officials with a salary of 2,000 shi, all had 20 million coins.

With each name Zhang Rang read out, Liu Hong's smile deepened.

"Governor of Liangzhou... Marquis of Ji, General Who Conquers the West, Duan Yu..."

When Zhang Rang read this passage, the hall immediately fell silent.

Even Liu Hong sat up straight, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Zhang Rang swallowed hard, staring at the long list of numbers, his expression one of utter astonishment.

"Governor of Liangzhou, Marquis of Ji, General Who Conquers the West Duan Yu, tribute money... 200 million, cattle, sheep and horses, 3,000 head, silk cloth, 3,000 bolts, 10 boxes of various jewels... 3,000 lambs... 100,000 shi of millet... Western Regions... 10 beautiful women from the Western Regions."

hiss!

As soon as Zhang Rang finished speaking, a collective gasp filled the hall.

The expressions in everyone's eyes were all the same.

This is too much.

Isn't this putting them on the hot seat?

"Ha ha!"

As soon as Zhang Rang finished speaking, Liu Hong burst into hearty laughter.

"My Marquis Ji has indeed not disappointed me. With the Marquis Ji in Liangzhou, I... have nothing to worry about."

"The loyalty and patriotism of the Marquis of Ji are unparalleled in the world. I am very pleased! I am very pleased!"

The news that Duan Yu had broken through the Hexi Corridor and reopened the Western Regions had been sent to Luoyang more than a month ago.

This was a great achievement in expanding territory, and Liu Hong naturally did not hesitate to reward him handsomely.

He directly granted Duan Yu the authority to establish his own government and ordered him to handle all matters concerning the Western Regions.

In other words, the Western Regions were entirely under Duan Yu's control.

Previously, the Protectorate of the Western Regions and the Wuji Colonel were directly under the control of Duan Yu.

This right is almost equivalent to granting a kingdom.

There was no one in the court who wasn't jealous.

But jealousy is no excuse; Duan Yu's achievements are undeniable.

Moreover, the taxes Duan Yu collected in Liangzhou, as well as things like Chaohe Pine, are unmatched by anyone in the world today.

It's fair to say that Duan Yu is now Liu Hong's cash cow.

Moreover, it was the biggest money tree in the Han Dynasty.

Not only could he make money for Liu Hong, but he could also wage war.

At this moment, behind the Three Dukes, a middle-aged man in court attire looked up at Liu Hong behind the dragon desk, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

After Zhang Rang finished speaking, this man stepped out from among the officials.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report."

All the ministers focused their attention on the middle-aged man who had stepped forward.

In a cheerful mood, Liu Hong waved his sleeve and said, "What do you have to say, Imperial Uncle?"

Liu Yan held up his tablet with both hands and said, "Your Majesty, the governors and prefects are bribing officials to buy their positions and exploiting the people, which has led to widespread rebellion and alienation. We should select honest and upright officials from the court to serve as local governors and prefects, so as to safeguard and stabilize the country."

"When Duan Yu, the governor of Liangzhou, first arrived in Liangzhou, he already demonstrated his effectiveness by collecting taxes and suppressing bandits."

"If the Han Dynasty continues to exercise the power of the governor, then the tax revenue between the provinces and counties will be more guaranteed."

"Therefore, I request Your Majesty to reinstate the governorship of the provinces and appoint governors to safeguard and stabilize the realm."