First Year of Jianning [1] (168 CE)
Dou and Chen, after they became the leading officials did much to try to clean up government; in particular, they recalled the officials who had been victims of the first Disaster of Partisan Prohibitions and gave them authority to try to stamp out corruption, particularly by the clans of the powerful eunuchs.
The eunuchs tried to counter this by flattering Empress Dowager Dou constantly. Empress Dowager Dou became more trusting of them as the days went by, particularly Cao Jie and Wang Fu.
Chen and Dou Wu became alarmed, and they began to plot to exterminate all of the powerful eunuchs. However, when Dou Wu presented the plan to his daughter, she refused, reasoning that not all of the powerful eunuchs deserved death. Dou Wu, therefore, sought to execute four Guan Ba, Su Kang, Cao Jie, and Wang Fu.
As Empress Dowager Dou was still pondering this proposal, another eunuch, Zhu Yu, while Dou Wu was on vacation, opened up Dou Wu's proposal and found out that Dou Wu proposed a mass extermination plan and became enraged. He gathered 17 other eunuchs and took Emperor Ling into custody (managing to persuade him that they did it for his own protection as Dou Wu wanted to become the second Liang Ji [2]) and kidnapping Empress Dowager Dou. They then sent forces to arrest Dou Wu and Chen. Chen was quickly captured and killed, but Dou gathered his forces and resisted. The eunuchs tricked general Zhang Huan, who was battle-tested as the former commander of the northern border defense forces, into believing that Dou was committing treason. Zhang led his forces to defeat Dou Wu. After the defeat, Dou Wu committed suicide, and his entire clan was slaughtered. Empress Dowager Dou lost power and was put under house arrest ever since.
After learning he was deceived, Zhang Huan became sick and resigned, going in seclusion in his hometown.
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The second year of Jianning (169 CE)
Inside the Duan Manor, Grandfather Duan was sitting in his office laughing as he read a silk roll, "Foolish.." he snorted in the end. A fat little boy was sitting in front of him reading from a bamboo slip. "Grandfather, what is wrong?" the boy asked in a soft voice. "Hrmph... well, I guess you should learn, so hopefully you do not fall into these types of schemes when you are older." the old man huffed. Ever since last year, when the caravan returned with the ginseng and the genius doctor arrived a few months later, his grandfather's health has improved by leaps and bounds; his face was much rudder than before, and he seemed to be five years younger. Learning that all this was due to his grandson's care for his health, he was thereafter taken under his wing and taught to read and write. Duan Zing's speech has improved since then.
"Dou Wu, the Empress's father, has died, and so has grand tutor Chen. All due to their foolishness and indecision, they wished to kill all the eunuchs, but soon they have killed themselves, and that fool Zang Huan got himself involved." he shook his head. "That fool Zang Huan has fallen into the embrace and schemes of the gentry of the central plains." he took up a clay cup and drank from it before counting to speak. "Listen, well boy, never trust the central plains scholars and families. They disregard us and call us border barbarians. But in truth, we of Liang and Guanzhong gentry were the backbone of the Western Han Dynasty. The status of our Liang people in court today is meager. In the Western Han Dynasty, our Liang was closer to the capital city of Chang'an. It was a barrier to Gaunzhong and was highly valued by the court. There have been many famous generals, like Li Guang, Zhao Chongugo and Gan Yanshou all came from Liangzhou when the Liang gentry had a high status in court. However, ever since Guangwu Zhongxing restored the Han dynasty, it has been controlled by the central plains gentry."
The little fat boy sat looking at his grandfather in a daze. What does this mean? Dong Zhou was from Liang, and in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, he was described as a tyrant and murderer who committed great evil. But there was no reason for his sudden actions, but if you look at it from a power struggle perspective, all the people against Dong Zhou were from the central plains gentry, so could it be described as a struggle for power between the central and the western gentry? He was not sure. Only time shall tell.
Seeing the confusion in his grandchild's eyes, Grandpa Duan tapped his hand on the table so fatty Duan could refocus. Before he continued speaking."The dynasty values Confucianism, and those gentry despise us and martial arts. Besides, the capital of the dynasty is Luoyang. The importance attached to us in Liangzhou has also been greatly reduced. As a result, we Liang people have been excluded from the court and are in a difficult situation.
The central plains scholars have been ostracizing us Liangzhou people for a long time, not only in the court but also in the local area. For example, the Qiang people. The rebellion, why has the court been unable to quell it for so many years completely? How many times has the Qiang rebelled and quelled? Why do they rebel?"
Duan Zeng frowned, he thought for a while. He tentatively replied: "The Qiang people's rebellion is related to the excessive oppression of local officials."
Grandfather Duan patted his thigh and said, "Yes! Why do those Qiang people have to insist on rebellion? Because they have been oppressed and discriminated against for a long time, they have to rebel as they have no other way. But why are they discriminated against? This is because of our position in Liangzhou. Most of the officials are members of the central plains family!"
"Uh..." Duan Zeng was a little confused, thinking that his grandfather was a little biased by throwing all the problems to the people of central plains.
Duan Zengan said solemnly: "You don't understand you are still a child and have not read much. When Emperor Guangwu calmed down the world, Liangzhou's wealthy clans led by Wei Xiao resisted Emperor Guangwu for eight years. Therefore, after Liangzhou was calmed down, the court deliberately suppressed the local forces in Liangzhou. The prefects of Liangzhou counties and other officials were mostly central plains scholars."
"The roots and interests of these people are not in Liangzhou, so they wantonly exploit the local residents and oppress the Qiang tribes. As for whether the Qiang will rebel or not, they don't care about it. But officials like us from Liangzhou, on the contrary. Qiang people are more friendly to us."
"Hm..." Duan Zeng felt that what his grandfather said really made sense.
As he thought about it more, it made sense, and the central plain scholars did not care about the interests of Liang people. After each Qiang rebellion, some people advocated abandoning Liangzhou. Nowadays, there are also voices of abandoning Liangzhou in the court.
In the later Three Kingdoms period, Liangzhou’s land boundary shrank significantly. Although Liangzhou was not completely abandoned, in fact, the central scholars had already made a substantial compromise and gave up a large area of Liangzhou territory to Hu. The people planted the bane of the subsequent Wuhu chaos.
"Do you understand? The central plain scholars hold power in the court. They want to keep the population and power Liang low, even though the Emperor's from time to time gives us some power, it is merely to balance the central plain families, and certainly, the central plain families who now hold power would never want to go back to when the power was in our hands. Once a person holds power, he tries his hardest to latch onto it."
His grandfather patted his small head. "Do not trouble your little head; your father and grandfather are still here, do not worry about it. You're still young. Your clan uncle is returning with some of the spoils from the battlefield in a few days; I shall be busy these few days go play with your brother."
Duan Zing nodded his head, got up, and gave a deep bow leaving the room.
After leaving the room Oldman Duan, tapped his fingers on the table slowly and pulled a silk roll from under the table and read it a few times, "Old Steward," he called, as a side door opened and the steward came from within bowing. "Fifty thousand women and children, split up the woman and give them to our trilogy and family, as concubines, and whoever is loyal to us the rest give them to our tenant farmers. The children, gather them together and teach them riding and shooting, so when the group they can become our clan warriors." the steward nodded. "As for the horses, cattle, and sheep, keep most of it and sell the surplus." he frowned, thinking of something. "How are the local officials?" he asked. The steward had a smile on his face. "The local magistrate and lieutenant are all our people. As for the perfect ever since the death of the former perfect two years ago, due to the chaos, a new one has not yet arrived." Old Duan smiled. "Good, we can be a little unscrupulous then." he waved his hand, sending off the steward.
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A few days later, when Grandfather Duan went out of the city to go to the fortified manors of the Duan Family,
Duan Kun and Duan Zing went out to play in the city, followed by their servants and guards.
After walking on the street for a while, they came to the southern part of the city. Duan Zeng suddenly found a very messy place in front of him and immediately asked, "What is that place?"
"That is a shantytown built by the fleeing victims." a servant answered.
Duan Zeng quickly asked, "Isn't the court helping the victims?"
"Relief to the victims? How is it possible?" the servant suddenly shook his head after hearing this. "Most of the grain is used for wartime proposes the government is unwilling to help the war victims."
"Second brother, let's go and take a look?" Although he knew he could not help the victims, Duan Zeng couldn't help but suggest.
"This, I'm afraid it's not very safe, right?" Duan Kun hesitated. Those victims are people who are struggling and unsustainable. It is difficult to guarantee that no one will take a risk. If an accident occurs, it won't be good.
Duan Zeng hurriedly said, "Second brother, we brought our guards; nothing will happen."
Duan Kun looked at the entourage who was following him and then nodded, "Alright, but we can only look at the outside, and we can't go in."
Although he was psychologically prepared for the miserable life of the victims, when he witnessed it, he was still deeply shocked. The malnourished and unclothed refugees were huddled together in the low shack, staring dully at Duan Zeng and others with a dull expression. He couldn't see the life in them at all. It is the children who should have been innocent and joyful. Under the precarious pressure of survival, they have become as dull as the adults, as if nothing can interest them. There was a foul smell in the air as if everything was rotting. Duan Zeng felt extremely uncomfortable. Is this the strong Han who claimed, "Those who offend me must be punished even if they are far away!" Under the glamorous appearance of the Han Dynasty, what was underneath was rotten.
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What worries him, even more is that at this time, there is only a natural disaster and small rebellion, and no major chaos has occurred; once the world is completely chaotic, what will happen to ordinary people's lives?
At this time, one of the many refugees, an older man with gray hair he was thin as a piece of wood. He slowly walked over and asked in an old and tired voice: "The two young masters are here. Do you want to take some servants?"
Duan Kun was stunned for a moment, then reacted and quickly said: "Oldman, please, We are just here to take a look, and no servants are needed."
For these refugees, they are already on the verge of life and death, and now the only way to survive is to be taken in by a large family, even if they are serving as servants. It's a pity that even serving as a servant for a large family is not so easy; most of those who are strong and diligent and willing to work have been taken away as servants by some big families, and those who still stay here are basically unable to do heavy work: the old men or the older women, or just some young children.
For those big families, what they want is adults who can do things, but the elderly and children obviously cannot bring them benefits, so naturally, no one wants to take them in.
The old man was a little disappointed when he heard Duan Kun's words, and he sighed slightly and was about to leave. At this time, Duan Zeng suddenly said: "Old Man, wait a minute!" The old man turned around and asked, "I wonder what else the young master wants?"
"The kid wants to ask, how many children are there? If there are not many, I can take them in and give them a bite of food." Hearing this, the old man was overjoyed and said: "Thank you for my kindness, the old man is grateful!" The eyes of the children who had been sluggish at this time also showed hope. Duan Kun's face changed slightly, turning his head to look towards Duan Zeng. Before he could speak, Duan Zeng interrupted him and said, "Second brother, don't you have the heart to watch these children live and die here?" Duan Kun turned his gaze when he heard it and saw that the children's eyes were full of longing and pleading, and he couldn't say the words of rejection. Duan Zeng said to the old man again: "How many children are there in total here?" The old man thought for a while and said: "There are more than one hundred children in total."
Duan Zeng frowned suddenly; the number of people was still a little too much. He is not a saint, and his ability is limited; he himself is just a child, and he needs to be supported by his parents, and he currently does not have enough voice in the Duan family to help everyone, so he limited the recipients at the beginning for the children, as for the elderly and other victims, there is nothing he can do. However, even these more than one hundred children are still beyond his ability. Without waiting for him to speak, Duan Kun said in an unquestionable tone: "Twenty people at most, no more! Go and gather all the children here, and I will choose myself."
Duan Zeng hesitated slightly, and then he stayed silent; although the twenty children are a small fraction, he also knows that Duan Kun can promise to take in twenty people, which is already giving him face.
The old man was a little disappointed when he heard this, but then he was happy again: "Thank you, two young masters" The old man left happily, and within a short while, children in twos and threes gathered.
Most of them seem to be less than ten years old. They are skinny and their eyes sunken because of long-term hunger, and they looked at Duan Zeng and others numbly. When they heard that Duan Zeng was willing to take them in, their eyes showed desire and curiosity. "Two sons, all the children are here." The old man came back and said to Duan Kun. Duan Kun nodded and was about to start the selection. Duan Zeng stepped forward and whispered to him: "Try to take in some orphans. It would be better if you are literate." Duan Kun nodded after hearing it and then said in a deep voice: "If you're an orphan, take a step forward!" The children's eyes showed doubts, but no one stepped forward. At this time, the old man opened his mouth and said: "If your parents are not there, just go forward." This time, the children finally reacted, and more than sixty children took a step forward. Duan Zeng was a little surprised; so many children orphans? Duan Kun went on to say: "If you have read the book and can recognize the words, take a step forward!" This time, only two of those orphans came forward. Duan Kun decided to take both of these children and then selected eighteen relatively young children from those orphans. Boys and girls each accounted for half of them. The old man said in an imploring tone: "Can the two sons take in more? Even if one or two more are taken in! The old man shall kowtow to you here!" As he said, he was about to kneel; the children who had not been selected also knelt and begged.
Looking at the expressions on their faces, Duan Zeng was full of sadness in his heart, but he couldn't speak anymore; he was worried that he could not help being soft-hearted, so he turned around and said nothing. Duan Kun hurriedly told a servant to stop the old man up and smiled bitterly: "Oldman, you have also seen that this time, I only took them in privately without the consent of my parents at home. It is already the limit to be able to take in these twenty people. Please forgive me." After hearing his explanation, the old man had no choice but to give up, with a deep disappointment on his face.
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On the way back, although there were twenty more children in the group, the atmosphere did not become lively but rather dull. When they were almost near the manor, Duan Zeng suddenly said: "Second brother, so many victims stay here are starving, and the younger brother always can't bear it; it's better to set up a shed here to give them porridge and relieve them, which is a little bit of your heart. Second brother, what do you think?" Duan Kun nodded immediately after hearing this: "Alright, we'll send someone over when we get back." In the scene today, Duan Zeng's heart stung not only, but Duan Kun also felt sad; it's a pity that although he is a year older than Duan, he is still a young child, and he can't control the Duan family's affairs.
However, it takes a lot of money and food to take in a child who can’t work. This kind of thing is not good for them, but if you open the shed to serve porridge and make a little aid, it will not cost much, so Duan Kun did not hesitate to do it. Up. After getting Duan Kun's consent, Duan Zeng's mood was better. After returning to Duan's residence, Duan Zeng first asked his servant Duan An to take the twenty children he had just taken in, clean them up, and give them some food, and then ordered someone to set up a shed in a shantytown outside the city to start giving out porridge.
Since these victims fled to Wuwei, this was the first time someone set up a shed to give porridge. Before that, these victims had to go begging along the streets individually. If they could meet good-hearted people, they were given little food, and they could barely satisfy their hunger for a day; otherwise, they would have to dig wild vegetables and eat tree bark, struggling to survive. But this time, the Duan family sent people to serve the porridge, the victims suddenly became a sensation. Many nearby victims rushed to receive food rations, and people surrounded the porridge shed. The people sent by the Duan family suddenly became worried. Fortunately, Duan An came again with some guards this time. Only then did he barely maintain the scene and let the victims line up for food. Although the supply of rations is not much, it can barely satisfy people's hunger, but for those victims who have been hungry for several days, this is already a life-saving grace.
Therefore, when many victims learned that the person who gave the porridge was the little son of the Duan family, they immediately praised Duan Zeng's good deeds. Many people even cried and said that if they can survive in the future, they will definitely pray and make a temple for Duan Zeng in their homes.
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Duan Manor.
After some cleaning, some hot porridge, and a change of clothes, the twenty children suddenly changed their appearance. Although they were still skinny, they at least looked more energetic. However, Duan Zeng couldn't decide how to arrange these children. These children are still young, they certainly can't do the hard work for the mansion, and Duan Zeng did not expect them to work. But if they were not allowed to work, it would not be good to keep them idle, as it would easily make them lazy, and the Duan family would not keep idlers. Duan Zeng originally wanted Duan Kun to help with the placement of these children, but he didn't expect that when he spoke, Duan Kun decisively refused, saying that it was he who took them in and he had to settle it. In desperation, Duan Zengyi gritted his teeth and decided to let these children read and write. Among these children, there are exactly ten boys and ten girls. According to Duan Zeng's estimation, there will be at least more than fifteen years from now until the troubled times come; that is to say, by the time the troubled times are here, these children will have grown up. If you can train them well, even if they do not become talents, as long as there are one or two promising talents, it will be a great help to his own future. And those girls, if they are well cultivated, will always be useful in the future. With this idea, Duan Zeng thought about it, the more he felt it was a good idea.
He told Duan Kun of his decision. Duan Kun rolled his eyes and said, "Let them study? Are you crazy or stupid?" In this era, let alone these displaced orphans, even normal families do not have access to books, and they cant read and write. Now Duan Zeng intends to let these twenty children study, Duan Kun instinctively finds it incredible. "Neither mad nor stupid. These children are still young, and they can't do much work. It's better to let them study. I don't expect them to become well-educated people, as long as they can read ordinary articles. After a few years, it may be of great use." Duan Zeng replied. Duan Kun listened and shrugged, "Well, as long as you are happy, but how are you going to convince grandfather and mother?"
Duan Zeng's face suddenly became bitter after hearing this. He took in twenty children and ordered the servants to put up a porridge shed, which might cause his grandfather and mother's ire. He was not sure how they would react.
He dismissed the other children and kept the two who had some knowledge of reading and writing. "What're your names, and how old are you?" he asked the little girl. After hearing Duan Zeng's question, the girl said, "Reporting to the young master, the servant's name is Dai Lan, who is six years old this year; this is my younger brother, whose name is Dai Jing, who is four years old this year." she bowed deeply.
Duan Zeng was surprised when he saw her behavior and asked: "Who are your parents? Your sister and brother can read and write, presumably not ordinary people?" When Gu Lan heard this, her eyes watered, and she said in a low voice: "The servant girl is from Shanglu County, Wudu Commandery. The servant girl's father had served as a county magistrate before but later resigned from office and returned home due to illness and concentrated on teaching the servant girl and his younger brother to study. My mother passed away early, and there are no other relatives in the family."
Duan Zeng nodded. "Alright, your brother shall become my reading companion, and you can be my personal maid from now on." As he was speaking, Duan An came in. "Young Master Old Master Duan has returned and has asked for you." The two bowed and thanked. Duan Zeng sighed and followed Duan An to his grandfather's study.
"The child has seen his grandfather and his mother." Duan Zeng hurriedly stepped forward and knelt.
"Well, get up!" his grandfather nodded, and said "I heard that you went out today and also took in twenty children? And sent someone to open a shed outside the city to give porridge?"
Duan Zeng was startled and immediately knew what was going on.
He glanced at Grandfather and saw that his expression was calm, and he could not see any emotions, so he replied, "Yes, Grandfather. This is how my child thinks about this matter." He reiterated his reason for taking in the twenty children and finally said: "The child saw that they were about the same age as this child, but they were hungry and couldn't bear it, so he took them in. He didn't discuss it with his grandfather beforehand. And ask my Grandfather to punish me."
Old man Duan nodded and asked with a smile: "Why would I punish you? You have the heart of benevolence in this matter. Naturally, you are not to be blamed by your Grandfather. But how do you plan to deal with these people?"
Duan Zeng was a little relieved after hearing this and then said: "The boy is going to send a gentleman to teach them to read and write, and wait a few years before making further plans." After speaking, he glanced at his Grandfather with a little uneasy. He was ready to be rejected in his heart. However, what he didn't expect was that Duan Jong didn't hesitate to say after listening: "Well, since you have this idea, then do it." Duan Zeng said in surprise: "Grandfather, agreed?"
Duan Zingane smiled and said: "Yes, I agree, let children learn to read. It is not troublesome to ask an ordinary steward to teach them. This is not a big deal. Why would I disagree? Most of our stewards need to learn to read and write and count numbers."
Duan Zeng was surprised and delighted. He was ready to be rejected just now. He was still thinking about how to persuade his grandfather, but he didn't expect that this matter was so easy to solve, which made him worry in vain for a long time. He went on to say: "Grandfather, among the twenty children taken in by this child, two of them are a pair of siblings. Their father used to be county magistrates and taught them to read and write. The child intends to have the boy as a study companion. And the girl as a maid, I also ask my Grandfather for permission."
"Yes!" The old man nodded again and agreed.
Duan Zeng was even happier. I didn't expect that several requests passed so smoothly. At this moment, His mother smiled and said: "Zeng'er, I heard from your brother that today he asked people to set up a porridge shed to help the victims. Is this your idea?"
"Yes, mother."
"This is an excellent thing, and it will retain kindness in the future, and always remember to accumulate good deeds! Okay, go down, remember to come over for dinner at night!" Madam Su said with a smile.
"Yes, this child retires!"