Chapter 83: Liu Bei Meets Gu Chen and Vows to Restore the Han

——Nanyang.

Since Zhuge Xuan passed away from illness years ago, Zhuge Liang had been living in seclusion at Longzhong.

And styled himself "Crouching Dragon."

This behavior naturally earned him the disdain of most people.

Even though everyone knew Zhuge Liang had studied under the Gu clan, that arrogant tone of his still left people displeased.

Only those who knew Zhuge Liang well believed in his talent.

And Liu Bei was one of them.

Liu Bei attached great importance to this meeting with Zhuge Liang.

The moment he arrived at Longzhong, he dismounted and led his horse by the bridle, to show his sincerity.

This left Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun all somewhat unwilling.

Liu Bei's reputation nowadays was by no means low.

Even though he was currently dependent on Liu Biao, he was still a regional lord of the realm — and a mighty one at that.

The most crucial point was—

His standing in the hearts of the common people was equally high.

All under heaven had heard of Liu Bei's name for "benevolence and virtue."

By contrast, Zhuge Liang currently held no official post or reputation whatsoever.

Guan, Zhang, and Zhao were all Liu Bei's trusted confidants — how could they be willing to accept this?

"Big Brother, this Zhuge Liang, whether by status or by age, is beneath you. For you to come pay a visit in person is already enough to show your sincerity."

"Why must you dismount and walk?"

Guan Yu frowned slightly and said, looking at Liu Bei.

Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei also nodded, clearly in full agreement with Guan Yu's words.

But Liu Bei shook his head and said with a solemn expression: "In years past, when King Wen of Zhou met Jiang Ziya, he personally pulled the cart."

"If even King Wen of Zhou treated a great talent so, what more of me, Liu Bei?"

Liu Bei's attitude was utterly resolute.

Hearing this, Guan, Zhang, and Zhao, however unwilling, could only fall silent.

The four of them thus made their way through the forest.

Liu Bei had already walked this path twice before, so he was of course extremely familiar with it.

When he once again saw that familiar thatched cottage, his entire expression grew ever more complex.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

He walked slowly forward and knocked on the door ring.

After a short while, a young boy slowly opened the door and came out.

Before Liu Bei could even open his mouth to speak, the boy smiled and said: "Lord Xuande, please come in quickly. Our Mr. has been waiting for you for some time."

"Mm?"

Liu Bei was stunned for a moment and could not help asking: "Mr. Zhuge already knew I would come?"

"Mr. was speaking with a friend and said—"

The boy did not conceal it, the smile on his face growing wider: "If Lord Xuande truly has the heart to revive the great Han, he would surely come."

"Mr. even made a wager with his friend, saying Lord Xuande would definitely come."

"Today is the final day."

"Sure enough, Lord Xuande still came."

Hearing these words, the look of surprise on Liu Bei's face could not help but grow even stronger.

Without the slightest hesitation, he promptly followed the boy and slowly walked into the thatched cottage.

Before he could even step through the door, he heard bursts of clear, bright laughter rising within the thatched cottage.

At that moment, a trace of nervousness actually flashed across Liu Bei's face. He straightened his robes once more, and only then did he slowly walk forward.

Inside the thatched cottage at this moment, Zhuge Liang was in the midst of a leisurely chat with Xu Shu.

Seeing Liu Bei walk in.

Zhuge Liang smiled faintly and, looking at Xu Shu, said: "What say you, Yuanzhi?"

"Kongming's foresight is godlike — it is I who have lost."

Xu Shu shook his head helplessly, though a smile still lingered on his face all the while.

He had actually long wished to go and join Liu Bei.

Liu Bei's reputation for benevolence and virtue had indeed attracted many people.

But he had been held back by Zhuge Liang.

Precisely because of the precedent set by Gu Xi, Zhuge Liang now set extremely high standards for a worthy lord.

In his view—

If Liu Bei were truly a worthy lord, he would come to Longzhong no matter what.

He had originally still not believed it.

After all, having failed to meet anyone on two previous visits had already cost the lords face — how could there be a third visit?

Now, clearly, he had lost.

"Liu Bei greets the two gentlemen."

Liu Bei did not neglect propriety in the slightest, as though he cared nothing for his own status, and was the first to bow to the two men.

"Greetings, Lord Xuande."

The two men bowed in return.

Zhuge Liang then introduced Xu Shu's identity, smiling faintly: "Young Master Liu, do not blame me—Yuanzhi long wished to join you, but I held him back."

"A wise bird chooses its tree to perch on; how could I blame Mr.?"

Liu Xuande's expression remained unchanged; only after the page brought a reed mat did he sit down.

He had intended to immediately ask for strategy.

But Zhuge Liang spoke first with a smile: "We have not seen each other in years; now that we meet again, we must drink and recall old times."

Liu Xuande immediately suppressed his words, nodding slightly.

The three drank.

Zhuge Liang never once spoke of the current state of the realm.

He only spoke of past events.

Liu Xuande occasionally chimed in.

Only after three rounds of wine did Zhuge Liang look at Liu Xuande: "I see Young Master Liu is quiet—do you disapprove of the wine in my thatched cottage?"

"Do not blame me, sir," Liu Xuande bowed, sighing: "I am merely burdened by inner sorrow."

"Though both sirs dwell in a thatched cottage, this cottage carries the air of peace."

"Yet now, the Han realm is in turmoil, with warlords dividing the four quarters."

"I am determined to restore the Han court; my heart cannot help but grieve."

As he spoke, Liu Xuande paused, his complex gaze fixed on the two, then rose abruptly and bowed deeply to them: "I have the will but lack the ability—yet both sirs possess the talent to save the world."

"I beg both sirs to instruct me."

The atmosphere shifted abruptly.

Xu Shu stared intently at Liu Xuande, his eyes brimming with sharp light.

Though they had just met.

He had already sensed Liu Xuande's sincerity completely.

Liu Xuande's conduct was an exceedingly rare virtue in this age.

Yet he said nothing, lest he overstep as a guest.

"Young Master Liu, rise at once," Zhuge Liang hurried to his feet and moved to help him up.

But Liu Xuande insisted, asking again for counsel.

Seeing this, Zhuge Liang finally said no more; his expression grew solemn as he looked at Liu Xuande: "Do you still remember my words from long ago?"

Liu Xuande did not hesitate—he repeated verbatim every word Zhuge Liang had once spoken.

Not a single word was wrong!

For years he had been savoring those words.

It was precisely because of this that he had grown ever more convinced of Zhuge Liang's extraordinary nature.

"Then why, Young Master Liu, have you not gone west to ally with Gu?" Zhuge Liang asked again.

This simple question instantly silenced Liu Xuande.

Perhaps it was because of his childhood education under the Gu clan.

For many things,

Zhuge Liang saw with perfect clarity.

He did not care about Gu Chen's murder of Empress Dowager He.

To him, the crimes of Empress Dowager He and He Jin had stripped them of any right to be called Han's Empress Dowager.

"Given the current state of the realm, do you truly believe one man alone can restore the Han?"

Seeing Liu Xuande silent, Zhuge Liang spoke again: "Cao Cao now holds Ji, You, Yu, and Yang provinces."

"Though Xu Province nominally belongs to Tao Qian, Cao Cao may seize it at any moment."

"For Cao Cao, half the realm is already his."

"Do you truly believe a single Jing Province is enough to resist half the realm?"

Zhuge Liang shook his head. "Liu Biao of Jing Province is old and can no longer fully control the Jing clans."

"Liu Zhang of Yizhou, upon succeeding Liu Yan, has indulged in pleasure."

"Do you truly believe these kinsmen can stand against Cao Cao?"

This string of questions pierced Liu Xuande's heart like a dagger.

How could he not know these things?

Since the day he allied with Cao Cao in Yan Province against Yuan Shao, he had already seen the true nature of these kinsmen.

Otherwise, he would not be so burdened.

Yet man is always a creature skilled at deceiving himself.

Liu Xuande was no exception.

Zhuge Liang's words now laid bare all of it.

"Though the realm appears stable, hidden currents churn beneath."

"Sun Ce dominates the Jiangdong region."

"This man bears a blood feud with the Gu Young Master; one day, Cao Cao will surely ally with Sun Ce."

"To send Sun Ce against Jing, to tie down your army."

"Then Cao Cao will surely march on the capital, encircling Bing Province."

"If Cao Cao prevails—"

"Young Master Liu, to whom will the Han realm fall?"

Liu Bei's expression grew even more complex.

These words had indeed struck him with overwhelming force.

Zhuge Liang, of course, understood what Liu Bei was thinking, and continued: "Since Emperor Guangwu restored the Han, the Shi Sect has been its pillar."

"First, Wu Hou assisted Emperor Guangwu in seizing the empire and securing the borders."

"Later, Wen Cheng and Huan Hou governed the realm and pacified the Western Regions."

"Former Master Shi was entrusted with the regency by Emperor Xiaohe, thrice propping up the imperial throne and stabilizing the realm; to every Han Son of Heaven, he was like a foster father."

"The Han governs the realm through filial piety, yet Former Master Shi ended up bearing the so-called 'loyal and stern' reputation."

"Could it be that in Young Master Liu Xuande's heart,"

"the Shi Sect, who never sought kingship or dominion, has become a rebel no different from Cao Cao?"

"While these clan relatives, indifferent to the rise or fall of the Han, remain loyal ministers of the Han?"

Zhuge Liang's tone remained as calm as ever.

But whether to Liu Bei or to Xu Shu,

these light words exploded like thunder, ringing endlessly in their ears.

The limitations of the age were plain to see.

Only a very few could barely transcend them.

Zhuge Liang clearly was one such person.

Under the Shi Sect's education, and with his talent, he was now more awake than he had been in the original history.

Liu Bei fell completely silent.

Countless images kept rising in his mind.

Was Zhuge Liang wrong?

No!

Liu Bei's attitude toward the Liu clan relatives was indeed different from Gu Chen's.

Even though he had long known the Liu warlords could not restore the realm, his first goal at the time was still to seek out Liu Biao.

This in itself revealed his stance.

If he was to oppose Cao Cao, which warlord today could rival Gu Chen?

He had considered Tao Qian, he had considered Liu Biao,

but he had never once considered Gu Chen.

Gu Chen's actions in Luoyang had always been a thorn in Liu Bei's side.

Yet if one thought carefully,

what had Gu Chen actually done?

From start to finish, Gu Chen had only quelled rebellions and eradicated bandits.

Even with the Imperial Seal in his possession, he had never once taken the title of king or claimed dominion.

And what he had done far surpassed that of those so-called clan nobles.

Thinking of this, Liu Bei's expression grew even more complex.

Zhuge Liang said no more.

He had already pointed Liu Bei toward the path.

No matter how sincere Liu Bei might be, if he could not overcome the barrier within his own heart, he could not be considered a true lord.

Zhuge Liang had absolute confidence in his own abilities.

He refused to repeat past mistakes.

He had always waited for a true enlightened lord.

Someone like Emperor Guangwu or Emperor Ming of old.

Zhuge Liang returned to his seat and smiled at the stunned Xu Shu: "Yuanzhi, drink."

"Kongming,"

Xu Shu seemed to have many words to say, but seeing Zhuge Liang shake his head slightly, he held his tongue, lifted his feathered goblet, and drank in silent toast with Zhuge Liang.

Liu Bei said nothing, his brow tightly furrowed.

The clash between his steadfast beliefs and reality churned his thoughts endlessly.

His expression shifted constantly.

Only after a long while did he bow again to Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu: "I thank you, Mr., for your guidance."

"If you would not disdain—"

Before he could finish, Zhuge Liang cut him off: "Young Master Liu Xuande, no need to say more. If you truly swear to restore the Han, I will come to visit you then."

Liu Bei fell silent again.

He said nothing more, merely bowed once more to the two, then walked straight out of the thatched cottage.

"Kongming, didn't you once say Liu Xuande was an enlightened lord?"

"Why then did you speak so?"

Seeing Liu Bei leave, Xu Shu could no longer hold back and asked.

"Yuanzhi."

Zhuge Liang smiled, his eyes still bright: "My ambition is to secure the state and restore the realm."

"Liu Xuande may be an enlightened lord."

"But if he cannot pass this inner barrier, to me, he is not the right tree."

Saying this, he also shook his head helplessly.

Hearing this, Xu Shu fell silent.

"Big Brother, will Kongming follow you?"

On the other side, Liu Xuande had just stepped out of the thatched cottage when Zhang Fei, who had been waiting impatiently, rushed forward to ask.

Liu Xuande said nothing more.

He simply looked seriously at the three of them and said solemnly: "Come with me to Luoyang!"

Gu Chen had never expected Liu Xuande to suddenly come to pay him a visit.

He hadn't even brought any troops.

This was undoubtedly a very risky move.

If Gu Chen had forcibly detained Liu Xuande, his men would have fallen into chaos.

Even Gu Wei, Xun Yu, and others were greatly surprised by this.

Yet they quickly guessed the purpose of Liu Xuande's visit, and simultaneously began discussing another matter.

"Ziyan, what do you think of Liu Xuande?"

Gu Wei looked at Gu Chen and asked.

Upon hearing this, Xun Yu's eyes lit up instantly as he turned to look at Gu Chen.

"Among the Liu clan, he may be the best."

Gu Chen made no concealment; after a moment's thought, he said: "But to us, he may not be a true sovereign."

Through Liu Xuande's various actions,

Gu Chen could guess at some of his intentions.

"Perhaps this time will be different," Xun Yu suddenly smiled, then asked: "If Liu Xuande finds a true sovereign, will you support him?"

At these words, everyone present fell silent.

This question was not really a secret.

Gu Chen would not choose to transform his family into a state—otherwise, the Julu Gu clan would not have remained separate.

This was also due to the influence of Gu Xi on this generation.

According to Gu Yi's judgment,

If this generation cannot quell the chaos, then under such circumstances, the next generation of Gu clan youths would certainly develop such ambitions.

In times of chaos, too many people inevitably develop ambition.

The Gu clan's ancestral precepts could not forever hold sway.

This time, Gu Chen also fell silent.

In fact, over this period, they had already examined several members of the Liu clan.

After all, Gu Chen's Original Thought had been to pacify the entire realm before installing a sovereign.

Now that the Imperial Seal was in hand,

for Gu Chen, installing another Liu emperor to claim the mandate of legitimacy would greatly aid the current situation.

But unfortunately, none of those examined met Gu Chen's standards.

He had considered, as Gu Xi once did, beginning education with a young boy from childhood.

But he ultimately abandoned the idea.

The situation had changed.

This approach might have been feasible in times of peace, but in the current chaos, it seemed impractical.

He remained silent for a long while, then waved his hand and said: "It is still too early to discuss this—let us first meet Liu Xuande, then decide."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded.

This matter was bound to have enormous consequences.

Even Gu Yi was paying close attention to it.

Gu Chen made no arrangements in response to Liu Xuande's arrival.

Yet Liu Xuande still sensed the obvious difference.

On the journey to Luoyang, though many refugees were still visible, there was no sign of disorder.

And—

On the faces of the common people, Liu Xuande finally saw a hint of smiles.

Even though each one was disheveled and gaunt,

compared to the previous despair and numbness,

they had once again begun to hope for the future.

This contrast was immense.

Precisely because of this, Liu Xuande's thoughts grew increasingly complex.

In fact, among all the provinces and commanderies of the realm, Jingzhou had already been somewhat better.

But he had never seen so many smiles on the people's faces.

This situation became even more pronounced the closer they drew to Luoyang.

Even Guan, Zhang, and Zhao fell silent.

Finally, carrying complex emotions, Liu Xuande arrived at Luoyang.

Compared to before,

Luoyang seemed unchanged in every way, yet changed in every way.

Gu Chen received Liu Xuande at the Hou Fu.

It had now become the very center of Luoyang.

As for the imperial palace—

Aside from the dedicated attendants and guards, no one else remained inside.

This time, Liu Bei brought Guan, Zhang, and Zhao all inside.

"Greetings, Young Master Gu Ziyan."

Fang Fu entered the hall; Liu Bei bowed first to Gu Chen, then to all present: "Greetings, all of you."

Guan, Zhang, and Zhao also bowed.

All three were men of deep feeling.

Whether it was the Shi Sect or Gu Chen's actions, both were enough to earn their respect.

"Greetings, Lord Liu Xuande."

Everyone immediately returned the bow.

Gu Chen said nothing; instead, Gu Wei spoke first, a faint smile on his face: "It has been many years since we last saw Lord Liu Xuande; today, you surpass even your former self."

"And so do you, Young Master."

Liu Bei clearly remembered Gu Wei and immediately bowed again.

But Gu Wei directly stopped him: "Ah, Lord Liu Xuande, why such formality?"

"Young Master, please do not dissuade me."

Liu Bei's expression was grave: "I once held ill will toward both of you Young Masters; today, after being enlightened, I have awakened to my folly, and I come with sincere remorse."

"I humbly beg your forgiveness, Young Master and all of you."

No one had expected Liu Bei to be so direct.

This speech caused every person present to subtly shift their gaze.

Even Gu Chen was momentarily stunned.

Liu Bei let out a quiet sigh, bowed earnestly to Gu Wei, then turned again to Gu Chen.

Without the slightest pretense, he knelt directly before Gu Chen and sighed softly: "As I traveled here, I observed the changes in the capital region, and I see in them the spirit of Emperor Guangwu."

"This is my deepest regret!"

"Since Emperor Guangwu revived the Han, the Shi Sect has served generation after generation as loyal ministers, the very pillars of the Han."

"Emperors Huan and Ling were foolish and betrayed your family; the He clan corrupted governance and were truly vermin of the state."

"Your act of rooting out these villains is truly a gift of rebirth."

"Previously, my actions toward Young Master Gu Ziyan were driven by personal grievance."

"Now I realize this was the narrow-mindedness of a woman—my sin is great indeed!"

Saying this, he bowed earnestly to Gu Chen once more.

The entire hall fell silent.

Everyone stared at Liu Bei, utterly astonished that he would be so direct.

Liu Bei's expression did not change.

Once he made a decision, he would not waver easily.

He was simply this kind of man!

The changes in the capital region had utterly awakened him; he now clearly understood how the realm must be restored.

The Liu clan alone could not revive the Han;

Liu Bian and Liu Xie were not recognized by Gu Chen;

If the Han was to be restored, why could he not follow the path of Emperor Guangwu?

Ally with Gu Chen—and restore the realm!

Just as Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu and Wu Hou Gu Xiao once did?

He did not know whether Gu Chen would accept him.

But some things, some words, he must say.

"I have come here now, first to beg forgiveness, and second to join you in plotting great strategy."

"Though my talent and virtue are meager, I wish to take up the whip as vanguard, braving fire and water to serve the Han."

"Should the imperial cause be restored one day, I shall personally lead my ministers to proclaim it to heaven and earth, to the ancestral temples, and to all the people of the realm."

"I shall strip the temple names of Huan and Ling, revoke the honorific titles of the He clan, rebuild a monument for Gu Gong, and bestow a new posthumous title."

With that, Liu Bei bowed once more to Gu Chen.

Gu Yi had been watching all of this closely, and now his heart was deeply complex.

He had not expected Liu Bei to act this way.

But after careful thought, he understood.

The emergence of the Shi Sect had, in ways unseen, changed too many things.

In truth, what was happening now was much like what had happened before.

Back then, he had manipulated Gu Xiao in Hebei, leading elite troops to directly submit to Liu Xiu.

Now, it seemed this scene would repeat itself.

The only difference might be the greater gap in power between them.

After all, Gu Xiao had not been very strong back then, while Liu Xiu, though unstable in his foundations, was outwardly stronger than Gu Xiao.

But now it is different.

Gu Chen now firmly holds the Three Provinces, with nearly two hundred thousand troops under his command.

And all these lands were conquered by his own hand.

His foundation is extremely solid.

In contrast, Liu Bei, though possessing some reputation across the land and several ten thousand troops under his command, still pales before Gu Chen.

Gu Yi did not know what choice Gu Chen would make.

But he could not help thinking about it.

Suddenly, he felt Liu Bei might indeed be quite suitable.

Yet the fundamental reason for this suitability lay not in Liu Bei himself.

But in his son, Liu Shan.

Liu Shan, aside from other matters,

was unquestionably capable of providing the Shi Sect with immense assistance in obedience and longevity.

Gu Yi had long since resolved that this time, he would never allow Shenzhou to sink again.

If there could be an emperor like Liu Shan,

he would then surely find things far easier.

This was undoubtedly the most suitable emperor for the Shi Sect.

Yet while he thought this, Gu Yi never entertained the idea of interfering with Gu Chen's choice.

——Gu Chen was the variable of this era.

Whether the achievement "Pioneer" could be completed depended entirely on Gu Chen.

How could he interfere at such a moment?

Moreover, according to Gu Chen's thinking, what was wrong with establishing a new ruler after conquering the entire realm?

The hall fell into absolute silence.

All present remained mute, communicating only through glances and silent understanding.

After a moment, Gu Chen finally spoke slowly: "Lord Xuan De, you need not be so modest."

"Right and wrong, merit and fault—posterity will judge fairly."

"My humble reputation is not worth mentioning."

As he spoke, he rose slowly: "As for the alliance strategy, I agree entirely."

Gu Chen would never make a judgment lightly.

He had never once considered transforming his family into a state, but his ambition was to accomplish the great enterprise that Gu Xi had failed to complete.

Unless he truly encountered a wise sovereign.

Otherwise, Gu Chen would rather clear the realm and then establish a new ruler himself.

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei's eyes suddenly reddened slightly.

Though Gu Chen had only just spoken,

his longstanding worries about the Han dynasty suddenly weakened considerably.

——————

"In the third month of spring, the fourth year of Jian'an, Liu Bei, Governor of Qingzhou, entered Luoyang from Jingzhou, inspected the imperial vicinity, observed the people's unrest, and said to his attendants: 'The Gu family is the pillar of state stability and statecraft.'"

Later, upon entering Luoyang, he met Gu Chen at the Hou Fu.

Before he could exchange pleasantries, Liu Bei straightened his crown, adjusted his robes, and bowed deeply to the ground: "In the past, I was foolish and arrogant, failing to understand that Zi Yan's execution of the He clan was a severing of the wrist to save the Han; I wrongly judged your loyalty by my own private feelings—this is my fault;"

Though the Han dynasty's mandate is now diminished, Heaven's decree has not changed. Though I am lacking in virtue and ability, I wish to emulate Emperor Guangwu's ambition to revive the Han.

If I may cleanse the realm, I shall strip the temple names of Huan and Ling to warn future generations;

Remove the He clan from the ancestral register to restore proper order;

Redefine the posthumous title for Gu Gong to honor his loyal support. May Heaven and Earth bear witness to this heart!"

——《Records of Heroes of the Late Han, Chapter on Gu Chen》

(End of Chapter)