Shuhan

Chang'an Imperial City.

In the Xuanshi Palace.

The spring sunshine shines through the carved window lattices, sprinkling onto the bluestone floor, adding a bit of vitality to the solemn and dull Xuanshi Hall.

Liu Chan sat in front of a mountain of memorials, his brows furrowed, his eyes revealing a hint of anxiety that was hard to conceal.

The task of compiling the "Clan Records" was like an invisible mountain pressing on his heart.

This is not only a technical job, but also a political game. If you are not careful, it may cause turmoil in the Han Dynasty. As the king of a country, he must carefully choose the person who can take on this important task.

The candidate must have a prominent position and reputation, be able to intimidate the heroes by himself, and at the same time possess extraordinary wisdom and be able to navigate the intricate relationships between aristocratic families with ease. He must control the aristocratic families without causing too much disturbance.

However, it is so difficult to find such a candidate!
Once he takes on this task, he will inevitably offend countless powerful people, become infamous, and even ruin his career.

Liu Chan sighed inwardly, who should bear such a heavy burden?

Just as he was immersed in deep thoughts, the sound of soft footsteps broke the silence in the room.

Queen Zhang, dressed in a gorgeous phoenix robe, with a plump yet dignified figure, slowly walked into the hall.

She was holding a child of about four or five years old, wearing a prince's robe. That was the eldest prince, Liu Si. An innocent smile was on his young face, and his big eyes looked around curiously.

Behind him, the palace maids followed closely with food boxes in their hands, and the air was filled with the tempting aroma of food.

The queen walked to Liu Chan, bowed slightly, and said in a gentle voice, "Your Majesty is very busy, and you must also pay attention to your health. How can you not have lunch?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Chan raised his head from the pile of memorials. A hint of fatigue flashed in his eyes, but also a bit of relief.

He stood up, stretched, and loosened his muscles that were stiff from sitting for so long, and sighed, "State affairs are complicated, oh so difficult."

Seeing this, the queen stepped forward and gently opened the food box, revealing the various delicacies carefully prepared inside, which were delicious and fragrant. She gently served a bowl of rice to Liu Chan and said softly: "No matter how busy or annoyed you are, you have to eat. Your Majesty is the support of the people of the world, so you need to take care of your health."

Liu Chan nodded, took the bowl, and although he was absent-minded, he reluctantly started eating.

When the queen saw this, her heart was filled with ripples. She knew that something important must have happened in the court to make Liu Chan so worried.

So she asked softly, "What's the matter? Your Majesty, why are you so distracted?"

Liu Chan put down his chopsticks, his eyes became deep, and he slowly laid out the difficulties of compiling the "Clan Records".

After hearing this, the queen frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and suddenly smiled slightly, saying, "If it is an errand that offends people, I have someone I can recommend."

When Liu Chan heard this, his eyes lit up, as if he saw the dawn of hope, and he quickly asked, "Who is it?"

The queen smiled gently and confidently, and said, "My father!"

When these words were spoken, Liu Chan was stunned at first, then he laughed out loud, and the haze in his heart seemed to be swept away.

Zhang Fei was not only a martial arts expert who intimidated the enemy countries, but also enjoyed extremely high prestige in the court. It was indeed most appropriate for him to be in charge of compiling the "Clan Records".

In fact, Liu Chan had already thought of this candidate.

However, there were considerable obstacles and great difficulty in compiling the "Clan Records". Zhang Fei was old and Liu Chan could not bear to give him this task. But since the Queen had said so, it seemed that his third uncle could no longer stay idle at home.

When the Queen saw Liu Chan's happy expression, she felt relieved. It seemed that her suggestion had solved His Majesty's urgent problem.

She stroked Liu Si's head gently, her eyes full of tenderness, but in her heart she was also thinking about how to better support Liu Chan and consolidate the Han Dynasty.

Liu Chan put down his bowl, stood up, walked to the queen, held her hand, and said gratefully: "The queen's plan is very good, and my father-in-law is indeed the best candidate. With him, I believe that the compilation of the "Clan Records" will proceed smoothly."

The queen smiled slightly, her eyes sparkling with wisdom, and said softly: "I only wish Your Majesty to be free from worries and the Han Dynasty to prosper."

"How long has it been since the Queen last saw her father-in-law?" Liu Chan's voice was gentle and low, breaking the silence in the palace. There was a subtle concern in his words.

Upon hearing this, the queen was slightly stunned, the jade spoon in her hand paused slightly, then she raised her eyes and looked at Liu Chan, with a hint of surprise and unexpectedness in her eyes.

"It's been a long time since I thought about it."

Seeing this, Liu Chan's lips curled up into a gentle smile, which showed both his love for the Queen and his composure as a king.

"Let's go to the General's Mansion tomorrow. The Queen should go home to visit her parents!"

The queen felt warm in her heart, for she knew very well the real purpose of the emperor's visit - to compile the "Clan Records" in order to consolidate the imperial power and balance the forces in the court.

However, the emperor did not summon his father into the palace, but chose to go to the general's mansion in person. This was undoubtedly a humble attitude and a kind of sympathy for her.

After marrying into the deep palace and becoming a queen, it is not easy to leave the palace once.

Thinking of this, the queen's eyes reddened slightly, and she said emotionally: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your favor."

Liu Chan waved his hand gently, his eyes full of tenderness and determination.

"You and I are one, no need to say more."

After saying that, Liu Chan lowered his head again and concentrated on eating his food.

After eating half full, he put down his chopsticks, gently wiped the residue from the corners of his mouth with a silk handkerchief beside him, then turned and walked towards his desk, which was piled with memorials waiting for his review.

Liu Chan sat on the dragon throne, picked up a memorial and read it carefully.

His brows were sometimes furrowed and sometimes relaxed, and his eyes revealed his worry and concern about state affairs.

Being a wise ruler is far from as easy as imagined.

When the queen saw this, she felt heartbroken, but she had no choice but to pull the eldest prince out of the hall.

The next day, the first ray of sunlight in the early morning penetrated the mist and gently brushed the eaves of the General's Mansion, covering this ancient and solemn mansion with a layer of golden veil.

There was already a bustling scene inside and outside the General's Mansion.

Last night, the news of the Empress's visit and the Emperor's personal visit spread like a spring breeze, quickly spreading to every corner of the palace, making the originally quiet night instantly boil.

The servants in the mansion, whether they were experienced housekeepers or young maids, were all busy shuttling between the courtyards, cleaning, arranging, and preparing to welcome the arrival of the two saints.

Their faces were filled with a mixture of excitement and nervousness, and they dared not slack off in the work in their hands.

In the kitchen, the activity was in full swing. The chefs worked hard, preparing delicious dishes with great appearance, aroma and flavor, just to let the emperor and empress taste the most authentic delicacies.

General Zhang Fei, although old and with a big frame but slightly thin, his eyes are still bright and seem to be able to see into people's hearts.

He was dressed in brocade armor, with a sword hanging from his waist, standing in front of the mansion gate, with a hint of tenderness revealed in his majesty. Lady Xiahou, Zhang Fei's wife, was already middle-aged, but still had charm, and her every move showed the charm and elegance of a mature woman.

She was wearing a luxurious brocade robe and gold jewelry on her head, and her eyes were full of anticipation and joy for her daughter's return.

"Husband, look, isn't that the emperor's carriage?" Madam Xiahou suddenly pointed to the distance, with a hint of excitement in her voice.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fei immediately looked intently and saw a team of gorgeous carriages slowly approaching in the distance with dust flying. The dragon and phoenix totems on the carriages were shining brightly in the sun, demonstrating the royal dignity and majesty.

"Yes, it is the emperor's carriage." Zhang Fei nodded, feeling an indescribable sense of pride and honor in his heart.

As time passed, the carriages were getting closer and closer. Zhang Fei and Madam Xiahou involuntarily took a few steps forward, their eyes fixed on the most magnificent carriage.

The carriage stopped, the attendants quickly got off, respectfully opened the curtain, and Emperor Liu Chan and Empress Zhang slowly walked out.

Liu Chan was wearing a dragon robe, a crown on his head, had a handsome face, and his eyes revealed a temperament that was awe-inspiring without even being angry.

Queen Zhang was wearing a phoenix robe and a phoenix crown on her head. She was dignified and beautiful, with a faint smile on her face, looking gentle and lovely.

They saw Zhang Fei and Madam Xiahou standing in front of the door at a glance, and immediately walked forward quickly.

"General, Madam Xiahou, the Queen and I are here to visit you. We are sorry to have kept you waiting." Liu Chan's voice was gentle and kind, without the slightest airs.

"Your Majesty, I welcome you. It is our honor to have the Emperor and Empress visit the General's Mansion." Zhang Fei and Madam Xiahou hurriedly saluted, their voices filled with gratitude and awe.

After some greetings, the emperor and the empress, accompanied by Zhang Fei and Madam Xiahou, slowly walked into the general's mansion.

The servants in the mansion knelt down and bowed in obeisance.

After entering the General's Mansion, Liu Chan and Queen Zhang walked into the banquet hall hand in hand. His father-in-law Zhang Fei and mother-in-law Madam Xiahou had been waiting for a long time.

The hall is decorated in a solemn yet warm manner, with red candles shining brightly and magnificent decorations. Portraits of sages from past dynasties hang on the walls, and the air is filled with a light scent of incense, which makes people feel relaxed and happy.

The family dinner began, and the table was filled with various delicacies, including the spicy and fresh flavor of Sichuan, as well as the light and elegant flavor of the Jiangnan water towns.

The steaming steamed fish has tender meat and rich soup; the braised lion's head has soft meat that melts in your mouth; and the golden and crispy fried peanuts are small and exquisite, with a fragrant aroma.

After three rounds of wine and five dishes, the atmosphere gradually became lively.

Liu Chan gently put down his wine glass, glanced at everyone present, and his expression became serious.

He spoke slowly, his voice low and powerful: "Actually, I came here today to discuss something with the general."

Upon hearing this, Lady Xiahou's heart tightened and she immediately stood up. She held her grandson, the eldest son of the emperor, Liu Si, in her arms and said gently to the queen, "Let's go to the inner room and let the children rest early."

The queen nodded, and left the hall with her mother and nephew, leaving Liu Chan and Zhang Fei to continue their deep conversation.

After the women left, the hall suddenly became much quieter. Zhang Fei slowly put down his chopsticks, looked at Liu Chan with a sharp gaze, and said in a deep voice: "I don't know what it is? As long as Your Majesty can use this old bone of mine, I will naturally do my best."

His voice was a little hoarse, but it was full of strength and determination.

Liu Chan nodded and said solemnly: "If we want to achieve the long-cherished wish of the previous emperor, unify the country and restore the Han Dynasty, we must first solve the domestic problems. Nowadays, the domestic problems are especially serious with the aristocratic families. They hold great power and are deeply rooted, which seriously hinders the unification and development of the country. I want to compile the "Clan Records" to win over and weaken the aristocratic families. This task is important and must be handled by a strong man."

Liu Chan's words were clear and powerful, and every word seemed to strike Zhang Fei's heart.

He slowly explained the details of compiling the "Clan Records", including how to investigate the background of the aristocratic families, how to win over those potential emerging forces, and how to gradually weaken the power of the aristocratic families.

After hearing this, Zhang Fei understood the difficulty and importance of this matter.

He immediately said: "I can eat three bowls of rice a day, so leave this matter to me. I know my limits and will not let Your Majesty down!" Zhang Fei's voice was firm and powerful, and his eyes flashed with an indomitable light.

This was not only for the country, but also for the long-cherished wish of his sworn brother and for the great cause of restoring the Han Dynasty.

Liu Chan felt a little relieved when he heard this.

He nodded and said, "Once this is accomplished, we can take another step to restore the Han Dynasty!"

Zhang Fei's eyes flickered even more when he heard this.

Restoring the Han Dynasty was his and Liu Bei's common wish, and also the goal of his lifelong struggle.

What's more, his daughter is the empress, and if the emperor wants him to do something, how can he refuse?
His grandson is now the eldest prince, so naturally he has to start paving the way for him.

Various reasons intertwined together forced Zhang Fei to come out resolutely even though he had already semi-retired.

He picked up the wine glass and drank it in one gulp.

Then, he looked at Liu Chan and said firmly: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will do my best to live up to your trust!"

The family dinner continued, but the atmosphere was no longer relaxed. Liu Chan and Zhang Fei continued to discuss the details of compiling the "Clan Records", while Lady Xiahou and the Queen were in the inner room taking care of the eldest son Liu Si.

As the night deepened and the candlelight flickered, the General's Mansion remained brightly lit, as if foreshadowing the upcoming changes and challenges.

. . .

Three days later, as the morning light began to break, a solemn and dignified atmosphere filled the imperial city.

Liu Chan was wearing a dragon robe and a crown on his head. He sat upright on a high throne, his eyes as sharp as torches as he scanned the ministers kneeling below.

In front of him, the eunuch Huang Hao took a deep breath and issued an imperial decree in a loud voice: "I, Liu Chan, today specially order the general Zhang Fei to compile the "Clan Records". Xu Jing, Liu Ba, Pang Xi, She Yuan and other wise officials will assist in the compilation, in order to clarify the world, rectify the government, and jointly plan the prosperity of the Han Dynasty!"

As soon as the imperial edict came out, a low voice of discussion suddenly sounded in the court.

The ministers were either surprised, confused, or thoughtful, because the compilation of the "Clan Records" indicated that the Han Dynasty was about to usher in an unprecedented change.

When Zhang Fei heard this, he felt an indescribable surge of ambition and passion in his heart.

He stepped forward and spoke in a sonorous and powerful voice: "Your Majesty, I am Zhang Fei. I accept your order and thank you! I will do my best to live up to your majesty's trust and contribute my humble efforts to the prosperity of the Han Dynasty!"

Xu Jing, Liu Ba, Pang Xi, She Yuan and others also expressed their full support for Zhang Fei's writing work and worked together for the prosperity and stability of the Han Dynasty.

However, outside the court and between the government and the public, there was constant discussion.

The aristocratic families were cautious and even resisted the compilation of the "Clan Records" as they were worried that their power and status would be threatened.

Some emerging forces are eager to try, believing that this is a good opportunity to break the monopoly of aristocratic families and realize personal ambitions.

The compilation of the "Clan Records" began in such a complex and subtle atmosphere. (End of this chapter)