Chapter 25: Zhang Liang Is Afraid

Extermination of Ten Clans!

Those three chilling words made even Liu Bang and Zhang Liang’s hearts tremble involuntarily.

They had never heard of exterminating ten clans before; in fact, neither of them clearly understood which relatives were implicated in the so-called “ten clans.”

Up until now, the most severe collective punishment they knew was the extermination of three clans.

The penalty of clan extermination dates back to the Xia and Shang dynasties, when there were records of crimes affecting family members. However, it was during the Spring and Autumn period in the state of Qin that the extermination of clans became codified into law. In the twentieth year of Duke Wen of Qin’s reign, the state began enforcing the punishment of exterminating three clans.

Near the end of the Qin dynasty, Chancellor Li Si and the eunuch Zhao Gao were both subjected to the “extermination of three clans.”

Specifically, these three clans referred to the paternal clan, the maternal clan, and the offspring’s clan.

This meant all relatives on the father’s side, all relatives on the mother’s side, as well as one’s own descendants and their spouses.

But extermination of ten clans? That was something they had never imagined. How ruthless must the fourth prince Liu Heng have been to establish such an absurd and furious form of punishment?

“This… this… how is this any different from a tyrant!?” Liu Bang’s voice trembled. He had hoped Liu Heng would be a wise ruler, but never expected him to institute such terrifying penalties—surpassing even the cruelty of the legendary tyrants Jie of Xia, Zhou of Shang, or Qin’s Hu Hai.

“It is indeed brutal, but many later generations thought he deserved it, reckless as he was,” Lu Xuan shook his head, unable to understand their mindset. One cannot simply justify every action of Emperor Yongle because of his notable civil and military achievements.

Was Fang Xiaoru reckless?

It was precisely Fang Xiaoru’s integrity that made him fearless in the face of death; this very spirit forged the soul of the Chinese nation, inspiring generation after generation to face war and calamity without fear.

Lu Xuan intended to briefly explain this part of history to Uncle Fang and Uncle Ji but hesitated immediately.

This was Ming dynasty history.

The figures he was about to mention were historically renowned.

Especially Fang Xiaoru, whose backing was formidable.

Fang Xiaoru’s father, Fang Keqin, was a celebrated Confucian scholar during the Hongwu era of Ming; his mother, Lady Lin, came from the distinguished Lin family of Ninghai.

His teacher was none other than the statesman Song Lian.

By the Jianwen period, Fang Xiaoru had become the foremost scholar in the realm, with disciples and former officials spread across the empire—perhaps an exaggeration, but not far from the truth.

If he spoke Fang Xiaoru’s name outright, trouble might follow. The scholars wielded immense influence and could easily trace the source, and they could be ruthless, putting him in grave danger.

After some thought, Lu Xuan said, “This civil official who was exterminated along with ten clans held great power and status at court, so I cannot reveal his name.”

“Perhaps you should ask others?” Lu Xuan did not want to continue.

But Liu Bang was eager to know who this person was.

Beside him, Zhang Liang’s heart trembled slightly. Throughout history, those who committed such grave crimes were often great meritorious officials.

Without sufficient achievements and status, how could one be condemned to such a fate?

In the current Han dynasty, the top three with great accomplishments and high status were Han Xin, Xiao He, and then Zhang Liang himself.

Han Xin could be ruled out first, as Lu Xuan had already explained that Han Xin died for treason.

So the official exterminated with ten clans was likely either Zhang Liang or Xiao He.

Since following His Majesty in Pei County, Xiao He had never made enemies; he was cautious and prudent in all matters. Xiao He was a man who left a good impression—anyone interacting with him felt as if bathed in spring breeze—so it was very unlikely to be him.

That left only one possibility.

Could it be Zhang Liang himself who was exterminated along with ten clans?

It was not impossible. Zhang Liang’s personality was somewhat rigid; he had always dreamed of restoring the fallen state of Han. His earlier assassination attempt on Qin Shi Huang at Bolangsha, covert contact with the nobles of the six states, and support for other royal houses were all driven by personal ambition rather than concern for the entire realm.

Even after becoming a high minister of Han.

Yet, he had grown weary and resentful.

He still yearned for the Han of his childhood memories.

Zhang Liang had long contemplated retiring quietly, leaving Chang’an.

Why did he feel this person exterminated with ten clans was himself? The more he heard, the more it seemed so. Though the reasons remained unclear, his emotions were in turmoil.

“Lu Jun, tell us who this person exterminated with ten clans is,” Liu Bang said.

“We want to hear the details and reasons.”

Liu Bang glanced at Zhang Liang, sensing his inner turmoil. His own mind was unsettled; he suspected the person might be Zhang Liang.

Could it be that the fourth prince, that scoundrel, would kill his former strategist?

Lu Xuan hesitated, then said vaguely, “I’ll just say it casually. You must not spread this, or we could all be in mortal danger.”

“Go ahead, go ahead. I promise I won’t tell anyone.”

Lu Xuan sighed inwardly. Only Uncle Fang and Uncle Ji had saved his life; otherwise, he would never have revealed such matters. Then he summarized briefly, “The Prince of Yan seized the throne through the Jingnan Campaign, seemingly legitimate, but everyone knew exactly how he obtained it.”

“Therefore, the Prince of Yan had to find ways to consolidate his authority.”

“This man was a powerful minister with immense influence throughout the empire.”

“After the Prince of Yan took the throne, he ordered this man to draft the succession edict, but the man resolutely refused. His refusal was a direct affront to the legitimacy of the Prince of Yan’s regime and indicated he did not recognize the new dynasty.”

“He upheld the imperial loyalty and righteousness as the supreme principle and refused to submit to the Prince of Yan. His unyielding integrity was notable in history.”

“To eliminate potential opposition and intimidate others, the Prince of Yan decided to exterminate nine clans.”

Lu Xuan sighed, “Though admirable in spirit, this man was stubborn and inflexible. At this critical moment, he provoked the Prince of Yan, who held the power of life and death, by saying, ‘Even if you exterminate my ten clans, so be it.’”

“Imagine that the war for the throne lasted four years—countless lives lost, bloodshed everywhere. Once enraged to that degree, who wouldn’t dare to exterminate ten clans?”

“And so, the unprecedented extermination of ten clans occurred.”

As Lu Xuan spoke, Zhang Liang’s steps faltered; his chest ached.

Was this man truly himself?

It seemed so, yet also not.

From the perspective of loyalty, he might have said such words, because even after Han’s fall many years ago, he still longed for its restoration—that was a form of loyalty.

Imagine he never retired to the mountains but stayed in Chang’an; after the emperor’s death, the crown prince ascended the throne.

He carefully mentored the crown prince.

Then the Jingnan Disaster happened. The fourth prince Liu Heng became emperor and forced him to draft the succession edict. Would he agree?

Zhang Liang was unsure if he would consent. There was a good chance he wouldn’t, for a man can die but must not lose integrity; yet, since the founding of Han, he had always wished to withdraw from politics and preserve his life. Perhaps he would relent under pressure and comply.

But now it seemed this future victim of the extermination of ten clans was most likely himself.

“Could it have been someone else? Like Shusun Tong or Lu Jia?”