Not only Zhuge Jin was surprised about this.
Quan Cong's eyes widened, Hu Zong had an expression of disbelief, and Sun Quan leaned forward with both hands supporting the table in front of him.
Sun Quan, who had been maintaining a dignified pose in the hall, finally spoke up: "The uncle just mentioned that Cao Pi refused twenty times in Yan Kang year one. Can you elaborate on this?"
Yin Fan, with a slight smile on his lips, bowed gracefully and said: "As a subject who has come to the kingdom in the name of righteousness from an enemy country, I have not yet received any favor from Your Supreme. May I boldly ask for a cup of drink to moisten my throat, and we can discuss it further then."
After all, he was the son of Sun Jian and the brother of Sun Ce. The bravery in Sun Quan's bones cannot be erased. Upon hearing this, he laughed loudly, and even his slightly purple beard trembled.
"Seeing the gradually darkening sky, today I, with Zhuge Liang, Zhu Yu, Wei Ze and the others, will feast Xiao Yuanzhang and Yin Fan!"
"Send someone to prepare the banquet immediately! Tonight, I and all of you will not return until we are drunk! Also, invite Zhu Zifan and Hao Zita to join us!"
The attendants in the hall quickly made preparations for it.
As for Zhu Zifan and Hao Zita, they referred to Jiu Zhi Jia Ce Zhao Zhu Ji, who was about to become the son-in-law of Sun Quan's third daughter, and Hao Pu, who had once defected from Shu Han and was now the judge of the court in Wu.
Since becoming the King of Wu, Sun Quan has held such a high and powerful position. Occasionally encountering a young man with such talent, strategic acumen, and courage, his first reaction is always admiration.
Of course, admiration is necessary!
Such high-level political issues, besides Yin Fan's self-proclaimed knowledge, the people of Eastern Wu have never heard of, even dreaming of cannot fill in.
Eastern Wu is indeed too far from Luoyang, the eye of the storm in the political world of that era. Sun Quan himself comes from a low background, and the ministers he relies on also do not have such a family heritage.
Moreover, Yin Fan had come to Wu by choice, not as a captive.
Even though caution is necessary, Sun Quan would not genuinely believe that he is unworthy of people's loyalty and dedication just because he may be lacking in virtue.
Jiang Wan watched as Yin Fan conversed with the kings and ministers of Wu, and beneath the surface of his calm and tranquil expression, he had already formed a definition of Yin Fan as a person.
"Charming words and a pretty face are rare in a virtuous person!"
Jiang Wan, who prided himself on being a pure loyalist of the Han dynasty, couldn't help but feel some stir when he saw Yin Fan's elation while discussing the abdication of the last emperor of the Han dynasty. However, as an envoy, he had to endure it temporarily.
As night fell, inside the palace.
First, Sun Quan presented three cups of wine. After the assembly drank three cups to Sun Quan in unison three times, the banquet officially began.
Zhuge Jin looked at Yin Fan, lifted the bronze wine vessel in his right hand slightly, and said:
"Yin Fan, you are a talented young man. Just now you drank the wine presented by His Supreme. May I know if your throat has been sufficiently moistened?"
Yin Fan smiled and drank the wine in one go, then turned to Sun Quan and said: "King of Wu, General Cao has invited Your Majesty to discuss the matters of abdication."
"Please!" Sun Quan put down his ivory chopsticks and extended his hand towards Yin Fan, indicating him. The musicians on the side of the hall also wisely stopped playing.
Yin Fan gradually grew serious: "The matters of Yao and Shun from ancient times cannot be verified, and Wang Mang's seizure of the Han eventually led to his downfall. Therefore, Cao Cao never dared to take the final step until it was done by Cao Pi."
Sun Quan sighed and said: "If Cao Pi did not become an emperor, how could people like Hu Xin and Wang Lang achieve the three highest offices? And how could Huan Jian become the Secretary of State?"
Jiang Wan sneered inwardly.
Sun Ce had treated Hu Xin with the honor of a guest of honor and defeated and exiled Wang Lang. Both of them were later summoned by Cao Cao. Han Jie was even recommended by Sun Jian as a model scholar-official, and after Sun Jian's death, he secured Sun Jian's remains from Liu Biao to return them for burial.
As a result, Hu Xin and Wang Lang became the second and third ranking officials of the Wei Dynasty respectively, while Han Jie became the top ranking Secretary of State in Wei. Sun Quan often deeply resented these three people in his heart.
Yin Fan bowed and said: "Cao Pi refused twenty times, most of which were various officials urging him to ascend the throne and flattering words that I don't want to repeat. I will only talk about the four abdication edicts of the late Han emperor and the three refusals of Cao Pi's ascension."
Sun Quan nodded lightly without saying more. The eyes of everyone in the hall were fixed on Yin Fan's face.
Yin Fan said: "There were more than ten occasions when officials urged for the enthronement, which were intertwined with the four edicts of the late Han emperor. It only took sixteen days from the first edict to Cao Pi accepting the abdication."
"Sixteen days?" Sun Quan subconsciously repeated it and calculated that the Han emperor had issued an edict approximately every four days.
While Quan Cong on the side expressed his regret: "The four hundred years of the Han Dynasty, destroyed in just sixteen days, it is truly pitiful."
"Quan Zihuang, how dare you speak such mad words? The Han emperor is still in Chengdu!" Jiang Wan pounded his bamboo chopsticks on the table forcefully, stood up, and pointed at Quan Cong, shouting loudly.
Quan Zihuang was first taken aback by Jiang Wan's passionate manner. After thinking about the fact that Wu and Han were once allies, he was about to bow in apology instinctively. However, upon seeing Jiang Wan's angry expression mixed with a hint of disdain, a spark of anger rose within him, and he reached for his waist. A sword should have been hanging at his waist, but it had been seized upon entering the hall, leaving an empty grip.
Since Lu Xun's surrender to Wei and Zhu Han's death, Quan Zihuang had gradually gained control of the Wu military, and it would not be appropriate for him to be humiliated in front of the King of Wu.
Before Quan Zihuang had the chance to react, Jiang Wan immediately walked to the middle of the hall and bowed to Sun Quan: "As an external subject, I have become drunk. I hope for Your Majesty's permission to return to the guesthouse for a rest."
Sun Quan observed their actions: "Alright, Wei Ze, you go and see off Gongyan."
"Obeying the order." Hu Zong nodded and left the hall with Jiang Wan. Only Quan Zihuang was left feeling awkwardly uncomfortable with his emotions up and down.
Jiang Wan is not an impulsive person, and he wouldn't do anything that would be detrimental to the overall situation. He is also genuinely unwilling to discuss matters of abdication, so he just used that as an excuse to leave.
A king who wants to proclaim himself as emperor, and a subject listening intently with him about the details of abdication in an enemy state, such a scene lacks any dignity. Only they themselves do not realize it.
It's just a small digression. Zhuge Jin continued to ask, "The late Han emperor issued four edicts in succession, but what did each of them mean?" Hao Pu also interjected, "General Zhuge is exactly right. One can't say the same thing four times in a row, can one?"
Yin Fan smiled calmly and said, "How can it be repeated four times?"
Suddenly, Yin Fan bowed to Sun Quan and said, "Your Majesty, the four edicts and three refusals have different contents."
"The first edict, the Han emperor mentioned Cao Pi's meritorious service and expressed his wish to pass the throne to him. But in his refusal, Cao Pi did not mention his merits; he only claimed that he was unworthy."
Zhuge Jin asked, "Cao Pi admitted to having meritorious service?"
"Yes, that's correct." Yin Fan smiled and said, "The second edict, the Han emperor said that Cao Pi was virtuous, but Cao Pi claimed humility and did not want to ascend the throne."
Now even Zhu Ji, who had been uncommunicative, laughed: "So it seems that Cao Zifan has also acknowledged his own virtue?"
Yin Fan nodded and said: "The third edict, the Han emperor said that those who established great enterprises do not care about small details, and those who know their fate do not mind trifles. He urged Cao Pi to stop being humble and follow the example of Shun and Yu." Cao Pi then replied that he was not as good as Shun and Yu.
After three refusals and three lettings, Sun Quan spoke up: "The fourth edict from the Han emperor, did he say that Cao Zifan can be compared to Shun and Yu?"
Yin Fan bowed and said, "Your Majesty is exactly right. On the sixteenth day when Cao Pi accepted the abdication, he said to the assembly of ministers, 'I know about the deeds of Shun and Yu.'"
Sun Quan sighed and said, "I, too, have come to understand it today. Thinking about the three generations of virtuous rulers, are they all like the Han emperor and Cao Zifan? Although there were no murders like Tzu Shu's, how many of the historical records are true ones?"
Yin Fan said: "Just now, the Han envoy Jiang Wan was here, so I couldn't say it openly. If Your Majesty wishes to achieve an imperial business, you really need to be like Liu Xue."
Sun Quan slightly furrowed his brow.
Zhuge Jin asked: "Yin Fan, what does your remark mean?"
Yin Fan replied, "If it's time to be an emperor, then be one. Don't worry too much. I have never heard of Liu Bei being so reticent!"
Zhuge Jin hesitated and asked, "After all, Liu Xuanzhi's surname is still Liu..."
Yin Fan laughed and said, "There are countless Liu surnames in the world. Is the Liu surname very valuable? Liu Xuanzhi was able to ascend the throne not because of his surname, but because he had control over the beneficial land of Yuzhou!"
"Your Majesty rules over the three states of Jing, Yang, and Jiao, with an area of ten thousand miles and hundreds of thousands of soldiers under arms. Why does being an emperor require a Liu surname or abdication? Your Majesty can simply do it on your own!"
Not only Sun Quan, but also Zhuge Jin, Quan Zihuang, Zhu Ji, and Hao Pu were all silent, carefully thinking about Yin Fan's words that could be considered earth-shattering and unconventional.
Doesn't one need to be of the Liu family or go through abdication to become an emperor? They just need to be strong in military power?
Yin Fan said no more, turned back to his seat, and began to eat and drink heartily, appearing very at ease.
After a long time, Sun Quan finally said: "Yin Fan's talent and wisdom deeply moved me. This matter needs to be considered carefully."
"Prefectural Governor! I remember there is still a vacancy in the position of the Prefectural Magistrate? "
Hao Pu bowed and replied, "Replying to Your Majesty, that is correct."
"Very well. I will appoint Yin Fan to a position. Yin Fan, you will serve as the Prefectural Magistrate. I will oversee the management of criminal justice." Sun Quan nodded and said, "As for us, Your Majesty, our relationship as rulers and subjects is long-term!"
Yin Fan stood up and thanked, "I thank the supreme sovereign for his grace, and I will die for the supreme sovereign!"
"Rise, please," Sun Quan said, waving his hand. "Send for the musicians to continue playing. Today, I will enjoy drinking with all of you to the fullest!"
Three days later, the wedding of Zhu Ji and Sun Luyu was held, and Zhu Ji's reputation in Wu was also greatly enhanced. It had surpassed the Lu and Zhang families, becoming the second after the Chancellor of State Gong He of the Gong family.
Sun Quan's daughter's wedding was naturally held with great pomp and circumstance in Wuchang. However, Sun Luba, the concubine of Sun Quan in Luoyang, who was caring for Emperor Yang of Chang in Chang'an every day, did not receive any notification of this event.
Sun Quan did not send anyone to inform Wei.
......
On the day Zhu Ji married Sun Luyu, with the capture of several military officers from the Liaodong army, who had escaped to the mountains of Gaogouli on Mount Dongshan, and with the main battle in Liaodong reaching its preliminary conclusion.
The situation had been determined. Cao Rui also had some thoughts of exercising young people and appointed the remaining three members of the light horse command as temporary messengers to tour the four regions of Liaodong.
Xiahou Xuan led a thousand heavy cavalry of the central army and three thousand Huns to patrol the Xunyu Commandery. The more remote commanderies of Yelang and Dafang were led by Xiahou Hui and He Yu, with Dai Ling leading two thousand heavy cavalry and Ke Bili leading five thousand light cavalry accompanying them.
When the three were assigned their tasks, Xiahou Xuan specially consulted with Sima Yi on how to properly conduct the tour.
Sima Yi smiled and said, "The purpose of the tour is to stabilize people's hearts. The Shenyang family has ruled Liaodong for fifty years, and their disciples and former officers are everywhere. We should only capture the Shenyang family members and pacify the officials of each county. Nothing else."
"Only to punish the chief offenders?" asked Xiahou Xuan.
"Yes, that's right." Sima Yi nodded and answered.
(Chapter Complete)
