Mythical Three Kingdoms

Sun Ce and Zhou Yu also appeared on the List of Extraordinary Women. Though both felt mildly dissatisfied with their wives being on the list, Sun Ce even threatened to deal with Xu Shao, to let him know what can be said and what cannot be said.

In the end, nothing came of it. After all, the commentary on Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao — ”Jiangnan beauties, national beauties, moon-cloaking appearance, flower-shaming look, graceful dance, harmonious music” — wasn’t low, ranking fourth. Behind them was Empress Fuu Shou, and compared to the top three, aside from having some shaky credentials in comparison to Zhen Mi, the commentaries on Diao Chan and Cai Yan were truly beyond the reach of Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao.

After all, this is the List of Extraordinary Women, not a list of beauty, as Xu Shao clearly stated at the outset, ”Gathering the exceptional women and concubines of the nation, prominent family builders, unparalleled in history, those who pave the way forward, whose talent, virtue, behavior, and appearance are documented, called: List of Extraordinary Women,” which means this is not solely about looks.

Diao Chan tops the list not just for her sinking fish and appearing swan beauty, but more for her loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness, marking the ups and downs of the Han Dynasty; Cai Yan is third, not for her grace like the orchid in the empty valley, but entirely because, the Eastern Pavilion’s collection of three hundred thousand volumes is all within Cai Yan’s mind, inheriting the ultimate knowledge from the saints!

This is why Sun Ce kept quiet; Zhen Mi’s reputation among the top three wasn’t very loud, but the first and third were indeed overwhelming, and even Sun Ce found it difficult to pick holes in the overall ranking. With Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao ranking surprisingly high, Sun Ce ended up simply cursing verbally, feeling secretly pleased instead.

Similarly, when Cao Cao saw the official announcement, he certainly felt like cursing, but having encountered Xu Shao, he trusted his character deeply. Despite the rankings being somewhat displeasing, according to the tone set by Xu Shao, this ranking had no flaws.

Under such circumstances, the queen ranks sixth, and his wife ranks thirteenth, which indeed makes sense. Although discontent, Cao Cao thought it best not to provoke. Considering how the list was formulated, even if he eliminated Xu Shao, Xu Shao wouldn’t change it, only bringing upon himself a heap of trouble in the process.

After all, Xu Shao’s official announcement wasn’t falsified; it was sound and reasonable, and eliminating Xu Shao would be pointless. Silencing those who speak the truth isn’t ideal, for it could seriously damage the feudal lords’ reputation.

Liu Bei similarly saw the official announcement and simply chuckled; he had nothing to say. At this point, he viewed it more openly than any other feudal lord, considering it merely an evaluation. Moreover, he believed Xu Zijiang was sensible, naturally having no intention to crush Xu Shao.

As for the one person capable of eliminating Xuu Shao — the Son of Heaven of Han, Liu Xie — he was deep within the palace and hadn’t been exposed to the official announcement. Likewise, no reckless official would present this announcement to Liu Xie, given such negligence could easily lead to personal misfortune.

In such circumstances, the world was abuzz with the List of Extraordinary Women, yet Xu Shao, in the eye of the storm, remained composed, continuing to drink and play chess with Liu Yan, having a great time, completely unperturbed.

Xu Shao had long anticipated the current situation; he released the List of Extraordinary Women to create momentum for subsequent lists. Xu Shao’s fearless stance of commenting with life on the List of Extraordinary Women earned universal recognition. Naturally, the forthcoming list will catch even greater attention!

Amidst this chaos, Xu Shao’s reputation reached its zenith. A noted scholar seeks reputation, for nothing else attracts their attention more than reputation. Living is for reputation!

It could be said, originally Xu Shao did not need to incite widespread uproar through the List of Extraordinary Women, but how else can one seek fame without risking failure? Thus Xu Shao decisively included wives of the feudal lords to make the list even more eye-catching.

To be frank, Xu Shao was not afraid of Sun Ce or Zhou Yu raging for his removal; he remained safe at Mount Tai, staying out of harm’s way.

As for Cao Cao, of this person Xu Shao was quite knowledgeable; at most he would experience a brief moment of anger, soon enough realizing the most appropriate course of action. Liu Bei’s attitude was most crucial since Xu Shao resided within Liu Bei’s territory. Angering Liu Bei would surely lead to a dire outcome.

Thus Xu Shao observed for a long time, eventually determining that Liu Bei wouldn’t suppress reasonable discourse. Even somewhat biased remarks might be tolerated as long they contained truth, and Liu Bei generally wouldn’t silence them, much less punish for them, causing cumulative personal damage.

Then Xu Shao thought such wouldn’t suffice for garnering more attention, wanting the official announcement to be more explosive for greater fame. Thus, after considerable contemplation, he added Empress Fuu Shou, continually risking on the path to self-destruction.

Yet, upon adding the empress, Xu Shao had to adjust the ranking rules to avoid being caught on minor issues. He pondered extensively on Fuu Shou’s commentary and penned ”Mother of the Nation of Han, noble presence, flawless virtue!”

Within, the most crucial is the last four characters, ”flawless virtue,” both a standard and an insinuation. Essentially when drafting this official announcement, Xu Shao prepared for rebuttals in case it reached Liu Xie, should any fallout occur that would lead to his elimination.

Technically Empress Fuu Shou should have ranked first, but her position at sixth naturally resulted from ”flawless virtue.” Whatever inference those who receive the official announcement make is not Xu Shao’s concern. Regardless, his rankings were genuinely free of manipulation.

Fake sensational news and genuine sensational news differ absolutely. Xu Shao’s realm thrives in truth and authenticity; only the real does not fear scrutiny, only the real can silence dissent.

”Zijiang, you certainly sit serene upon high, unafraid of trouble?” Liu Yan asked with a grin, deeply admiring Xu Zijiang’s commentaries, particularly Xu Zijiang’s discerning perceptions.

”What is there to fear? Send out the Heroes Ranking for me.” Xu Shao remarked dismissively, embodying the poise of a noted scholar, boldly walking further on the self-destructive path but fearlessly, unshakeable by calamities.

”Have you finished writing it?” Liu Yan twitched his mouth, fearing the Heroes Ranking’s release will prompt even more turmoil.

”Not finished, but send it anyway. It’s meant to elicit criticism.” Xu Shao disdainfully glanced at the official announcement on the desk.

Liu Yan pursed his lips, took the announcement, and went on to prepare for printing, expecting uproar across the land.

That year, severe cold, snow in mid-autumn, after the List of Extraordinary Women, Xu Zijiang issued the Heroes Ranking, few feudal lords remained listed, and the listed were infamous, yet making people deeply sigh.

Expanding territories, safeguarding the people’s peace under the Han Dynasty were heroes, helping the weak, integrating the Five Garments into Huaxia culture were elites. In short, those who waged civil war were excluded, and those who were listed mostly perished, thus Xu Ziyuan ventured further down the self-destructive road. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)