Chapter 234: A Discussion of Some Issues with This Book

Though I had the impulse to stop reading the comments, it's impossible not to. Some readers' opinions are actually quite sound.

Regarding this book, the main issues are as follows:

1. The title issue.

Liu Xiu, the Shizu of Han — I know who he is, no need for anyone to educate me. As for why I still chose this title, because I like it, is that not allowed? The battle at Luancheng in the book was somewhat intended as a tribute to "The Great Archmage," even if the analogy is a bit inappropriate.

Moreover, I've often heard that history is a little girl dressed up however one pleases. If you insist on an explanation — after the protagonist dies, when later generations deliberate his temple name, they find "Shizu" fitting, and simply change Liu Xiu's temple name. Is that not allowed?

2. The biggest controversy recently is probably Lady Geng's death.

On this point, I've said before that it was set up long ago. The original idea was to reference actual history — over the matter of Lady Geng's posthumous affairs, a fierce conflict with Yang Bin would erupt, triggering a court struggle and political upheaval. However, after being scolded all over, it was glossed over in a single stroke. The handling of Yang Bin will also have to be deferred to later.

Additionally, it was also groundwork for shaping the eldest imperial prince — an innocent child losing his mother and all that. This counts as a spoiler, but it may not necessarily be written that way afterward.

3. Regarding the protagonist's characterization and the "expressionless face" issue.

On this point, it's purely a matter of insufficient writing skill — things like "his gaze turned cold," "his heart darkened," "his brows furrowed" — even I find them cringe-worthy reading them myself. In the later parts, I've been trying to avoid deliberately emphasizing this. However, given the environment the protagonist currently finds himself in and the situation he faces, I may still be unable to resist portraying his anguish, because even imagining it myself, I feel somewhat withdrawn.

4. The Shatuo identity issue.

To this point, I can only laugh. If you want to attack "The Xiongnu Emperor," I have no defense to offer, but for this book, still throwing "barbarian mixed-blood" and "savage" at it — truly, I concede. Furthermore, anyone mindlessly attacking non-Han peoples and deliberately stirring up ethnic tensions will be permanently banned outright.

5. Regarding the pacing of this book.

Those who've persisted in following this book this far should all know that it's a slow-burn type. For the protagonist's growth and development, I try to write in the direction of "reasonableness." Of course, there are bound to be many oversights, and I welcome corrections on those.

Quite a few people say the protagonist is too timid, that even after ascending the throne, he lets others walk all over him. But those who read carefully should be able to see that since becoming emperor, he's already done quite a lot — curbing border troubles, abolishing corrupt policies, repealing oppressive levies, and reassuring the people.

Among the chancellors, Su Fengji has been removed, the power of former-dynasty ministers like Dou, Li, Feng, and Zhao has been increased, and the Hedong power clique has been suppressed and restrained. Must they all be purged from court entirely, turning the court into a one-man show and unbalancing power?

On the military side, Shi Hongzhao and Liu Xin have been transferred or demoted, with Shang Hongqian made commander. The protagonist's old subordinates — Han Tong in the Husheng Army, Sun Li in the Xiaodi Army, Ma Quanyi as second-in-command of the Longqi Army, Xiang Xun as Commissioner of the Palace City, Li Chongju in the Inner Palace Guard, Yang Ye garrisoning Tong Pass, and Murong Yanzhao, Luo Yangui and others guarding the northern frontier.

Fu Zhaoxin and Gao Huaide, the two brothers-in-law, have also been appointed as imperial army officers to balance the Lady Li consort clan. The younger generation — Zhao Yanjin, Wang Hanlun, Li Chongjin, Zhang Yongde and others — are also being promoted and appointed. Shi Hongzhao and Liu Xin's confidants have also been demoted or suppressed, which I've explicitly mentioned before.

Is this still not enough? Must everything be done in one step — completely rebuilding the hundred-thousand-strong imperial army — before it counts? Seeking death, seeking chaos? I saw a comment saying the protagonist, after ascending the throne, ignored his old subordinates. Where did you see that from? The earlier promotions and appointments to key posts — do those not count? Or must the protagonist's interactions with every single old subordinate be described in detail? As an emperor, shouldn't the people he deals with on a daily basis be chancellors, senior ministers, and high-ranking generals?

On new policies — not to say they're racing ahead, but there have been achievements after all: abolishing non-urgent affairs, pacifying bandits, reducing burdens on the people and promoting agriculture and sericulture, revising the penal code, taking over weapons workshops, instituting the imperial examinations... Can't any of this be seen? If it's about policies, the protagonist could propose a hundred in a day, but who would execute them, who would supervise them? Must we not consider real-world factors and local reactions?

PS: I've seen readers raising objections to the protagonist's opposition to the "great amnesty," and their arguments are fairly reasonable and well-founded. On this point, I'll just share my own view.

In my view, if you commit a crime, you should accept the punishment you deserve — that's beyond doubt. Benevolent governance is not meant for criminals. If one wishes to display mercy and maintain rule, to fulfill humanity, one may permit family members to visit prisoners, or reduce sentences based on circumstances, but there is absolutely no need for a blanket amnesty across the board, even for petty offenses.

The ancients had their reasons for great amnesties, but with the protagonist, it won't work. What benefit does showing consideration for the wicked bring to the good? Even if he's given a chance to reform, it must come after he's completed his punishment.

As for the issue of sentencing discrepancies, that can never be completely avoided. The only thing possible is to give the common people a channel for "appeal" through policy and law as much as possible — perfection is unattainable.

PPS: Corrections on this book's issues are welcome, but for those malicious attacks and one-sided denigrations — sorry, the moment I see them, permanent ban. For those who've been poisoned and can't take it anymore, farewell, and no thanks needed.

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Additionally, attached here is the table of the Great Han's military governor commands up to this point:

Henan:

Defender of the Western Capital: Shi Hongzhao

Military Governor of Zhongwu Army (Xuzhou): Liu Xin

Military Governor of Guide Army (Songzhou): Zhang Yun

Military Governor of Wuning Army (Xuzhou): Wu Xingde

Military Governor of Taining Army (Yanzhou): Fu Yanqing

Military Governor of Tianping Army (Yunzhou): Murong Yanchao

Military Governor of Yicheng Army (Huazhou): Guo Congyi

Military Governor of Zhenning Army (Chanzhou): Guo Rong

Military Governor of Weisheng Army (Dengzhou): Liu Chongjin

Military Governor of Shannan East Circuit (Xiangzhou): An Shenqi

Military Governor of Anyuan Army (Anzhou): Yang Chengxin

Defense Commissioner of Jinzhou (Huaide Army command): Kang Yanhuan (Though this land is Han territory, it governs itself in practice, without the title of military governor)

Hebei:

Military Governor of Tianxiong Army, Defender of Yedu (Daming Prefecture): Gao Xingzhou

Military Governor of Zhangde Army (Xiangzhou): Guo Jin

Military Governor of Anguo Army (Xingzhou): Liu Chengyun

Military Governor of Yongqing Army (Beizhou): Li Yin

Military Governor of Pinglu Army (Qingzhou): Liu Zhu

Military Governor of Chengde Army (Hengzhou): Zhang Yanwei

Military Governor of Henghai Army (Cangzhou): Wang Jing

Military Governor of Yiwu Army (Dingzhou): Sun Fangjian

Military Governor of Lulong Army (Youzhou): Zhao Kuangzan

Hedong:

Military Governor of Hedong, Defender of the Northern Capital: Liu Chong

Military Governor of Yong'an Army (Fuzhou): Zhe Congruan

Military Governor of Zhaoyi Army (Luzhou): Chang Si

Military Governor of Heyang Three Cities (Mengzhou): Li Hui

Military Governor of Jianxiong Army (Jinzhou): Wang Yan

Military Governor of Baoyi Army (Shanzhou): Zhao Hui

Military Governor of Huguo Army (Hezhong Prefecture): Li Shouzhen

West of the Pass:

Military Governor of Yongxing Army (Jingzhao Prefecture): Bai Wenke

Military Governor of Kuangguo Army (Tongzhou): Xue Huairang

Military Governor of Shunyi Army (Yaozhou): Song Yanwo

Military Governor of Fengxiang (Fengxiang Prefecture): Wang Jun

Military Governor of Jingnan Army (Binzhou): Yao Yuanfu

Military Governor of Zhangyi Army (Jingyuan): Shi Kuangyi

Military Governor of Baoda (Fuzhou): Zhang Yanchao

Military Governor of Zhangwu Army (Yanzhou): Gao Yunquan

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Tonight's second chapter will come a bit later.