Chương 479: The Embroidered Uniform Guard Operation

Yang Biao glared at him: "Does it matter if it's real or fake? The late emperor's jade seal, signature, and stamp are all on it. Who dares to say it's fake? Besides, even without this edict, it's the will of the people that Prince Yan is the emperor."

Wang Yun thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "That's true. His Highness the Prince of Yan is a better emperor than Liu Xie, the Prince of Chenliu. The world truly needs someone who can handle things."

Ma Ridi whispered from the side, "So... does that mean we won't have to stay home every day anymore? We used to be high-ranking officials, so surely we'll have some real power, right?"

Huang Wan patted him on the shoulder and sighed, "Old Ma, stop dreaming. Just keeping your life and collecting your salary peacefully is good enough. You still want real power?"

The group exchanged glances and gave each other a wry smile.

...

One day later, at the Jinyiwei office in the northwest corner of Luoyang.

The vermilion gate is always tightly closed, and even a sparrow dares not land here on ordinary days.

Today, for the first time ever, the gates were wide open, and hundreds of Imperial Guards dressed in flying fish robes and carrying embroidered spring knives stood neatly in the courtyard, their backs ramrod straight and their eyes shining.

Since unifying the world and finishing the task of purging those powerful clans and barbarians who had committed countless evil deeds, they have been spending their days either catching thieves or investigating corrupt officials, and they are so bored that they are itching to get rid of them.

The Embroidered Spring Blade is almost rusted; if they don't have any work to do soon, the Embroidered Uniform Guards will become "idle men in brocade robes."

Some of the Imperial Guards even started researching how to catch rats, claiming it was to "train their reaction skills," which Lu Bing thoroughly rebuked.

"Brothers, how long has it been since our Embroidered Spring Blade has seen blood?" A young Imperial Guard touched the hilt of his blade, his face full of melancholy.

The person next to him rolled their eyes: "You want to see blood? Our lord said, in times of peace, kill less. Can't you hope for something better?"

"I don't want to kill people, I want to have something worthwhile to do! Catching petty thieves every day, my embroidered spring knife is practically turning into a kitchen knife!"

...

Lu Bing sat on the ebony throne in the main hall, twirling the gilded token personally bestowed by Liu Ce in his hand. He cleared his throat, his voice booming loudly enough to carry through the street:

"Brothers! Our lord has given us a great task! He said that the ascension to the throne won't involve those empty formalities of officials declining the throne three times. The will of the people is more powerful than a hundred petitions urging us to take the throne!"

"Our mission is to go to various prefectures and counties, and mobilize the people to voluntarily write petitions and leave their fingerprints. Those who are willing to come to Luoyang will be provided with food and lodging throughout their stay, so that our lord may ascend the throne and become emperor!"

These words immediately caused an uproar in the courtyard.

"My goodness! Finally, I have something serious to do! If I keep catching petty thieves every day, my embroidered spring knife will rust!"

One of the young commanders jumped up and down with excitement, almost throwing his hat off.

"Exactly! Our lord should have ascended the throne long ago! He conquered the world with his own sword and spear; if he doesn't become emperor, who will? That Prince Liu Xie of Chenliu? What does a little kid know!"

"Don't worry, Lord Lu! My hometown is Julu in Jizhou. If I go back and call on everyone, the entire village, young and old, will come!"

Even the rooster that Uncle Wang next door keeps has to leave its claw mark on my master! That rooster is fierce; normally no one can catch it, but for my master, I'm going all out!

"Hahaha! You're pressing chicken feet, not handprints! Our lord wants a person!"

"Chickens are living beings too; they represent Grandpa Wang's wishes!"

Everyone burst into laughter, laughing so hard they were doubled over.

Lu Bing couldn't help but laugh, but then his face darkened, and he slammed his hand on the table, instantly silencing the entire room.

"Listen up, all of you! Our lord has given a strict order: absolutely no citizen may be forced! Those who are willing to sign are welcome; those who are unwilling will not be coerced, and no threats, beatings, or verbal abuse are permitted!"

"Anyone who dares to force people to put their fingerprints on things, and I find out, will have their flying fish robes stripped off before the lord even lifts a finger, their legs broken, and be sent to herd sheep in the northern deserts! Do you hear me!"

"We heard that!" Hundreds of people roared in unison, shaking the dust off the roof beams.

Next, everyone gathered around a huge map of the Han Dynasty, discussing the details animatedly, creating a scene more lively than a marketplace.

"I think we should first approach the village heads and elders! They have the highest prestige in the villages, and their words carry the weight of ours! If they take the lead, the people will definitely follow!"

"We can start by finding a few respected leaders in each county and having them organize the people to write petitions. Then we can collect them and create large 'Ten Thousand People' umbrellas' and 'Ten Thousand People' cloths. That would look impressive! Imagine dozens of these umbrellas displayed at the gates of Luoyang—the scene would be truly awe-inspiring!"

"Focus on Youzhou, Jizhou, and Bingzhou! These three places are where our lord first established his power, and the people there are most devoted to him. They'll definitely respond to any call! Especially Zhuoxian, the place where our lord started his rebellion. The people there are very close to him! I've heard that some people in Zhuoxian offer incense to our lord during festivals, even more devoutly than when they worship their ancestors!"

"And another thing! Be careful on the road. If any local officials dare to obstruct you, just show your Embroidered Uniform Guard token! Anyone who dares to cause trouble, arrest them first! Our Embroidered Uniform Guard token is more effective than the Imperial Sword!"

In less than an hour, they had discussed everything in detail.

Lu Bing, holding a brush, circled the map repeatedly before beginning to assign tasks:

"Zhang Biao! Take fifty men to Youzhou, Jizhou, and Bingzhou. These three places are of utmost importance; make sure they are handled well! Take plenty of money and cover the food and drink of the people along the way. Don't let the people pay out of their own pockets! Especially in Zhuoxian, make sure to create a great impression!"

"Li Hu! Take fifty men and go to Yanzhou, Yuzhou, and Xuzhou. These places have only recently been pacified, and the people are longing for peace. Tell them about our lord's benevolent policies! For example, how he distributed land to the people, reduced taxes, and built water conservancy projects. Explain these things clearly!"

"Wang Qiang! You'll take thirty men to Jingzhou and Yizhou. It's a long journey, so bring plenty of medicine and dry rations. Be careful of miasma! Jingzhou has a dense network of waterways, and Yizhou has rugged mountain roads, so be cautious on the road!"

"Zhao Liu! Take ten men to Jiaozhou! Tell the people there that our lord hasn't forgotten them. After ascending the throne, he will send officials to repair water conservancy projects and reclaim wasteland! So they too can live a good life!"

"The rest of you stay with me in Luoyang. Set up tents outside the city, prepare food and firewood, and receive people from all over! We absolutely cannot let a single person go hungry or freeze while petitioning!"

"Yes, sir! I will obey Lord Lu's orders!"

The group accepted the order in unison, and that very day they packed their belongings, carrying provisions and money, and like a vast net cast out to the heavens, they left Luoyang in batches, heading to every corner of the thirteen prefectures of the Han Dynasty.

...

A peculiar phenomenon began to appear in the various prefectures and counties of the Han Dynasty.

In the streets of cities and prefectures, high platforms were erected one after another.

The Imperial Guards, dressed in plain clothes and posing as ordinary people, stood on a high platform and began to give speeches.