Chapter 87: Liu Bei Meets Gu Chen, Vows to Revitalize the Han House

——Nanyang.

Ever since the passing of Zhuge the Elder years ago, Zhuge Liang had been living in seclusion in Longzhong.

He styled himself the "Crouching Dragon."

Such behavior naturally earned him the disdain of most people.

Even though it was known that Zhuge Liang was a disciple of the Gu family, this arrogant tone still caused dissatisfaction.

Only those well-acquainted with Zhuge Liang believed in his talent.

And Liu Bei was one of them.

Liu Bei placed great importance on this visit to Zhuge Liang.

Upon arriving at Longzhong, he switched to leading his horse by the reins to show his sincerity.

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

Liu Bei’s reputation was not low at all.

Even though he was currently attached to Liu Biao, he was still a regional warlord and a formidable leader.

Most importantly—

His reputation among the common people was equally high.

People throughout the land had heard of Liu Bei’s "benevolence and virtue."

Conversely, Zhuge Liang currently held no official position or fame.

Guan, Zhang, and Zhao were all Liu Bei’s confidants; how could they be content with this?

"Big Brother, in terms of status and age, this Zhuge Liang is not your equal. You coming to visit in person is already enough to show your sincerity."

"Why must you dismount and walk?"

Guan Yu frowned slightly and said to Liu Bei.

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

But Liu Bei shook his head and said with a solemn expression: "In the past, King Wen of Zhou visited Jiang Ziya and insisted on pulling the carriage himself."

"If even King Wen of Zhou treated a great talent this way, how could I, Liu Bei, do any less?"

Liu Bei’s attitude was very firm.

Hearing this, Guan, Zhang, and Zhao could only fall silent, no matter how unwilling they were.

The four of them walked toward the forest in this manner.

Liu Bei had already walked this path twice before, so he was naturally very familiar with it.

When he saw that familiar thatched cottage once again, his expression grew increasingly complex.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

He walked slowly forward and knocked on the door ring.

Before long, a young attendant slowly opened the door and came out.

Before Liu Bei could speak, the attendant smiled: "Please come in, Lord Xuande. My master has been waiting for a long time."

"Oh?"

Liu Bei was stunned and couldn't help but ask: "Did Mr. Zhuge know I would come?"

"The master said to a friend..."

The attendant did not hide it, his smile growing wider, "If Lord Xuande truly has the heart to revitalize the Great Han, he will surely come."

"The master even made a bet with a friend, saying that Lord Xuande would definitely come."

"Today is the final day."

"Sure enough, Lord Xuande has come."

Hearing this, the look of surprise on Liu Bei’s face deepened.

Without a moment’s hesitation, he hurried to follow the attendant into the thatched cottage.

Before he even entered, he heard clear, bright laughter ringing out from within.

At this moment, a flash of nervousness crossed Liu Bei’s face; he straightened his robes and then walked in slowly.

Inside the cottage, Zhuge Liang was engaged in a lively conversation with Xu Shu.

Seeing Liu Bei walk in.

Zhuge Liang smiled calmly and looked at Xu Shu: "How about it, Yuanzhi?"

"Kongming’s foresight is divine; I have lost."

Xu Shu shook his head helplessly, though a smile remained on his face.

He had actually wanted to join Liu Bei for a long time.

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

However, he had been held back by Zhuge Liang.

Because of the precedent set by Gu Xi, the current Zhuge Liang had extremely high standards for a wise lord.

To him.

If Liu Bei were truly a wise lord, he would come to Longzhong regardless of the circumstances.

He had originally not believed it.

After all, having failed to see someone twice, it was already a loss of face for a warlord; how could there be a reason for a third visit?

Now, it was clear that he had lost.

"Liu Bei pays his respects to the two gentlemen."

Liu Bei did not lose any etiquette, as if he did not care about his own status at all, and was the first to bow to the two.

"Greetings, Lord Xuande."

The two returned the bow with cupped hands.

Zhuge Liang introduced Xu Shu’s identity and said with a faint smile: "Lord Xuande, please do not take offense. Yuanzhi has long wanted to join you, but I held him back."

"A fine bird chooses its tree to nest in; how could I blame you, sir?"

Liu Bei’s expression remained unchanged, and he only sat down after the attendant brought a straw mat.

He had intended to ask for advice immediately.

But Zhuge Liang spoke first with a smile: "It has been years since I last saw the General. Now that we meet again, we must drink and reminisce."

Liu Bei immediately suppressed the words in his heart and nodded slightly.

The three drank wine.

From beginning to end, Zhuge Liang never mentioned the current state of the world.

He only spoke of past events.

Liu Bei chimed in from time to time.

It was not until they had finished three rounds of wine that Zhuge Liang looked at Liu Bei: "I see Lord Xuande is quiet and reserved; are you dissatisfied with the wine in my humble cottage?"

"Sir, please do not take offense." Liu Bei bowed and sighed: "I am merely feeling sorrow in my heart."

"Although you two gentlemen reside in a thatched cottage, there is an air of peace within."

"Yet, our Great Han is in turmoil, and warlords occupy the land."

"I am determined to support the Han house, and I cannot help but feel sorrow."

As he spoke, Liu Bei paused, looked at the two with a complex gaze, and suddenly stood up to bow to them: "I have the will but lack the ability, yet you two gentlemen both possess the talent to save the world."

"I beg you two gentlemen to instruct me."

The atmosphere changed abruptly.

Xu Shu stared intently at Liu Bei, his eyes flashing with brilliance.

Although it was their first meeting.

He had already completely sensed Liu Bei’s sincerity.

Liu Bei’s actions were definitely a rare quality in the current age.

However, he did not say anything, so as not to overstep his bounds as a guest.

"Lord Xuande, please rise." Zhuge Liang quickly stood up to help Liu Bei.

But Liu Bei insisted, asking for advice once more.

Seeing this, Zhuge Liang finally said nothing else; his expression grew serious as he looked at Liu Bei: "Does Lord Xuande still remember what I said in the past?"

Liu Bei did not hesitate and repeated exactly what Zhuge Liang had said back then.

Not a single word was different!

For these past years, he had been ruminating on those words.

It was precisely because of this that he felt Zhuge Liang was all the more extraordinary.

"Then why has Lord Xuande not traveled west to ally with the Gu family until now?" Zhuge Liang asked again.

This simple sentence instantly made Liu Bei fall silent.

Perhaps it was because of the education he received from the Gu family from a young age.

Regarding many things.

Zhuge Liang saw them very clearly.

He did not care about Gu Chen’s act of murdering Empress He in the past.

To him, the crimes of Empress He and He Jin meant they were no longer worthy of being called the Empress of the Great Han.

"With the state of the world as it is, does Lord Xuande truly believe that one can revitalize the Han house by one's own strength alone?"

Seeing Liu Bei silent, Zhuge Liang spoke again: "Currently, Cao Cao occupies the four provinces of Jizhou, Youzhou, Yuzhou, and Yangzhou."

"Although Xuzhou is nominally under the command of Tao Qian, Cao Cao can take it at any time."

"As far as Cao Cao is concerned, he has already obtained the greater part of the world."

"Could it be that you, Xuande, believe that relying solely on Jingzhou is enough to contend with the greater part of the world?"

Zhuge Liang shook his head, "Liu Biao of Jingzhou is advanced in years and can no longer fully control the noble clans of Jingzhou."

"Liu Zhang of Yizhou has only just succeeded to the position of Liu Yan, yet he is already greedy for pleasure."

"Could it be that you, Xuande, truly believe these imperial kinsmen can contend with Cao Cao?"

This series of questions pierced directly into Liu Bei's heart like a thorn.

How could he not know these things?

Ever since he joined forces with Cao Cao in Yanzhou to resist Yuan Shao back then, he had already seen the character of these imperial kinsmen.

Otherwise, he would not be so worried.

It is just that humans have always been animals skilled at deceiving themselves.

Liu Bei is also among them.

Zhuge Liang's words now have simply brought all of this out into the open.

"Although the current situation seems stable, there are actually constant undercurrents."

"Sun Ce sits firmly in Jiangdong."

"This man has a blood feud with the Young Master of the Gu family; one day, Cao Cao will certainly choose to join forces with Sun Ce."

"He will let this Sun Ce attack Jingzhou to drag down your main army, Xuande."

"At that time, Cao Cao will surely raise his troops to seize the capital region and encircle Bingzhou."

"If Cao Cao is victorious."

"Who do you think, Xuande, will this world of the Great Han fall into the hands of?"

Liu Bei's expression became increasingly complex.

These words were indeed too great a blow to him.

Zhuge Liang naturally understood what Liu Bei was thinking and continued, "Ever since Emperor Guangwu restored the Great Han in the past, the Gu family has been a pillar for the Great Han."

"First, there was the Marquis of Loyalty and Martial Arts who assisted Emperor Guangwu in seizing the world and guarding the frontiers."

"Later, there were the two men, Wencheng and the Marquis of Huan, who governed the world and pacified the Western Regions."

"The late Lord Gu was entrusted by Emperor Captain with the care of the heir, thrice supporting the dragon throne to bring peace to the world; to several of our Great Han's Sons of Heaven, he was like a foster father."

"Our Great Han governs the world through filial piety, yet the late Lord Gu ultimately ended up with the so-called name of 'Loyal and Severe'."

"Could it be that now, in your heart, Xuande"

"The Young Master of the Gu family, who has never claimed the title of king or hegemon, has become a rebel just like Cao Cao?"

"And these imperial kinsmen, who remain indifferent to the rise and fall of the Han house, are still loyal ministers of the Great Han?"

Zhuge Liang's tone remained calm throughout.

But whether for Liu Bei or for Xu Shu.

These few light, airy words were like thunder, constantly exploding in the ears of both men.

The limitations of the era are set here.

Only a very few people can slightly transcend them.

Zhuge Liang is clearly one such person now.

Under the education of the Gu family, given his talent, he is even more clear-headed at this moment than he was in the original history.

Liu Bei was completely silent.

Countless images kept surfacing in his mind.

Was there anything wrong with what Zhuge Liang said?

There was not!

Liu Bei's attitude toward the Liu clan kinsmen was indeed different from that of Gu Chen.

Even though he clearly knew long ago that the Liu clan lords could hardly revive the world, his first goal at the time was still to seek out Liu Biao.

This had already invisibly explained his attitude.

Since he wanted to contend with Cao Cao, which of the current lords could compare to Gu Chen?

He had thought of Tao Qian, thought of Liu Biao

But from beginning to end, he had never thought of Gu Chen.

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

But if one thinks about it carefully.

What had Gu Chen actually done?

From beginning to end, Gu Chen had only been suppressing chaos and eliminating rebels.

Even with the Imperial Jade Seal in his hands, he had never once made a move to claim the title of king or hegemon.

Moreover, what he had done far exceeded those so-called kinsmen and nobles.

Thinking of this, Liu Bei's expression only felt more complex.

Zhuge Liang did not say much more this time.

He was already pointing out the path for Liu Bei.

Even if Liu Bei were sincere, if he could not overcome that hurdle in his own heart, he could not be considered a wise lord to him.

Zhuge Liang had absolute confidence in his own talent.

He did not wish to repeat the same mistakes.

What he was waiting for was always a true wise lord.

A figure like Emperor Guangwu or Emperor Ming of the past.

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

"Kongming..."

Xu Shu seemed to have many things to say, but seeing Zhuge Liang shake his head slightly, he had no choice but to restrain himself, pick up his feathered cup, and drink across the air with Zhuge Liang.

Liu Bei said nothing, his brows tightly furrowed.

The constant friction between his steadfast beliefs and reality kept his thoughts racing.

His expression changed constantly.

It was not until a long time had passed that he bowed again to Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu: "I thank you, Mr., for your guidance."

"If you, Mr., do not despise me..."

Before he could finish, Zhuge Liang interrupted him directly: "You need not say more, Xuande. If you truly swear to revive the Great Han, I will certainly come to visit you, Xuande, when the time comes."

Liu Bei was silent for another moment.

Afterward, he did not say much more, but simply bowed to the two of them again before walking straight out of the thatched cottage.

"Kongming, did you not once say that Xuande was a heroic lord?"

"Why must you be like this?"

Seeing Liu Bei walk out, Xu Shu could finally no longer restrain himself and asked.

"Yuanzhi."

Zhuge Liang smiled, his eyes still as bright as ever: "My ambition lies in pacifying the state and reviving the world."

"Xuande may be a wise lord."

"But if he cannot pass this hurdle in his heart, then to me, he is ultimately not the right tree to perch upon."

Having said this, he also shook his head helplessly.

Hearing this, Xu Shu could not help but fall silent.

"Big Brother, is this Kongming willing to follow us?"

On the other side, just as Liu Bei stepped out of the thatched cottage, Zhang Fei, who had been waiting impatiently, immediately came up to ask.

Liu Bei did not say much.

He only looked at the three of them earnestly and said very seriously: "Follow me to Luoyang!"

Gu Chen had not expected that Liu Bei would suddenly come to visit him.

He had not even brought any troops or horses.

This was absolutely a very risky move.

If Gu Chen were to forcibly detain Liu Bei, the troops under his command would surely fall into chaos.

Even people like Gu Wei and Xun Yu were very surprised by this.

However, they quickly guessed the purpose of Liu Bei's trip, and at the same time, they could not help but discuss another matter.

"Ziyan, what is your opinion of this man, Liu Bei?"

Gu Wei looked at Gu Chen and asked.

Upon hearing this, Xun Yu's eyes lit up, and he immediately looked at Gu Chen.

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

Gu Chen did not hide anything, and after pondering for a moment, he said: "But to us, he may not be a wise lord."

Through Liu Bei's various actions.

Gu Chen could naturally guess some of his thoughts.

"I fear this time will be different." Xun Yu suddenly smiled, and then asked again: "If Liu Bei has a wise lord, would you, Young Master, appoint Liu Bei?"

Once these words were spoken, everyone present could not help but fall into silence.

This question is actually not a secret at all.

Gu Chen would not choose to turn his family into a state; otherwise, the Julu Gu clan would not have remained separate from it.

This is also because their generation was deeply influenced by Gu Xi.

According to Gu Yi’s judgment.

If their generation cannot pacify the chaotic world, then under such circumstances, the next generation of the Gu clan would absolutely harbor such thoughts.

A chaotic world will, in the end, cause far too many people to develop ambition.

The ancestral teachings of the Gu clan cannot influence things forever.

This time, Gu Chen also fell silent.

In fact, for some time now, they have already been vetting some members of the Liu clan.

After all, Gu Chen’s original idea was to sweep across the entire world and then install a monarch.

Now, the Imperial Jade Seal is in hand.

For Gu Chen, installing another Liu emperor to seize the name of legitimacy would absolutely be of great help to the current situation.

But it is a pity that none of the people vetted caught Gu Chen’s eye.

It is not that he had not thought about educating one from a young age, just as Gu Xi did back then.

But in the end, he gave up.

The situation is different now.

Such a move might have been feasible in times of peace, but in the current chaotic world, it seems somewhat impractical.

He was silent for a long time, then waved his hand and said, "It is too early to discuss this now; let us first meet this Liu Xuande before deliberating further."

Hearing this, everyone could not help but nod.

This matter is destined to have a huge impact.

Even Gu Yi was quite concerned about this.

Gu Chen did not make any corresponding arrangements because of Liu Bei’s arrival.

But Liu Bei still sensed the obvious difference.

On the road to Luoyang, although he could still see many refugees, there was not the slightest sign of chaos.

And—

Liu Bei finally saw a hint of a smile on the faces of the common people.

Even though they were all disheveled and gaunt.

Compared to the despair and numbness of the past.

They finally had expectations for the future once again.

This sense of contrast was immense.

It was precisely because of this that Liu Bei’s thoughts became increasingly complex.

In fact, among the various provinces and commanderies of the world today, the land of Jingzhou can already be considered slightly better off.

But he had never seen so many smiles on the faces of the people there.

This situation became more obvious the closer one got to Luoyang.

Even Guan, Zhang, and Zhao were silent.

Finally, harboring complex emotions, Liu Bei arrived in Luoyang.

Compared to the past.

Luoyang seemed to have changed nothing, yet everything had changed.

Gu Chen received Liu Bei at the Marquis of Guancheng’s mansion.

This has now become the very center of Luoyang.

As for the Imperial Palace—

Except for the dedicated caretakers and guards, there was no one else inside.

This time, Liu Bei brought Guan, Zhang, and Zhao with him.

"Paying respects to Young Master Ziyan."

As soon as he entered the hall, Liu Bei took the lead in bowing to Gu Chen, and then to those present: "Paying respects to you all."

Guan, Zhang, and Zhao also bowed.

The three of them were all men of character.

Whether it was the Gu clan or Gu Chen’s actions, both were enough to earn the respect of the three.

"Paying respects to Lord Xuande."

Everyone immediately returned the bow.

Gu Chen did not say much, but Gu Wei spoke up first, a faint smile on his face: "It has been many years since I last saw Lord Xuande; seeing you today, you are even better than in the past."

"The same to you, Young Master."

Liu Bei naturally remembered Gu Wei and hurriedly bowed again.

But Gu Wei stopped him directly: "Hey, why must Lord Xuande do this?"

"Young Master, there is no need to dissuade me."

Liu Bei’s expression was very serious: "I once held prejudices against the two young masters, but today, having been enlightened by others, I have come with a heart of repentance."

"I only hope for the forgiveness of the Young Master and all of you."

No one expected Liu Bei to be so direct.

These words made the expressions of everyone present shift slightly.

Even Gu Chen was stunned for a moment.

Liu Bei sighed softly, bowed earnestly to Gu Wei, and then looked at Gu Chen again.

Without any airs, he knelt directly before Gu Chen, sighed softly, and said slowly: "As I traveled here, observing the changes in the capital region, I felt it already has the air of the times of Emperor Guangwu and Emperor Ming."

"This is truly my deepest regret!"

"Since Emperor Guangwu restored the Great Han, the Gu clan has been loyal for generations, the pillar of the Han house."

"Emperors Huan and Ling were muddled and failed the clan; the He clan usurped power and are truly the vermin of the state."

"The Young Master’s act of weeding out the treacherous is truly a grace of rebirth."

"In the past, my actions toward Young Master Ziyan were born of personal resentment."

"Now I know this was the view of a narrow-minded person; my crime is grave indeed!"

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

The entire hall was silent.

Everyone stared at Liu Bei in a daze, never expecting him to be so direct.

Liu Bei’s expression did not change in the slightest.

Once he decided on something, he would not be easily swayed.

He was just that kind of person!

The changes in the capital region had completely awakened him, making him realize how the current world should be resolved.

The Liu clan relatives are not enough to revive the Great Han;

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

If he wants to revive the Han house, why can he not walk the path of Emperor Guangwu?

Ally with Gu Chen, and rectify the world!

Just like Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu and Marquis Zhongwu Gu Xiao back then?

He did not know if Gu Chen would accept him.

But there were some things and some words he had to do and say.

"I have come here today, firstly to bear thorns and seek forgiveness, and secondly to plan the great cause with you."

"Though my talent and virtue are meager, I am willing to hold the whip of the vanguard and go through fire and water to repay the Han house."

"If one day the imperial cause can be restored, I shall personally lead the officials to report to the heavens, the earth, and the ancestral temples, and to the people of the world."

"I will strike the temple names of Huan and Ling, strip the He clan of their titles, rebuild monuments for the Gu clan, and change their posthumous titles."

After speaking, Liu Bei bowed to Gu Chen once more.

Gu Yi had been watching all of this closely, and his heart was also incredibly complex at this moment.

He had not expected Liu Bei to be like this either.

But after thinking about it carefully, he felt relieved.

The appearance of the Gu clan had, after all, changed too many things invisibly.

In fact, everything happening now was just like it was back then.

Back then, he controlled Gu Xiao in the Hebei region, leading the elite to surrender directly to Liu Xiu.

Now, this scene seemed to be repeating itself.

The only difference might be that the gap in strength between the two sides is even greater.

After all, Gu Xiao was not very strong back then, while Liu Xiu, though his foundation was unstable, was ostensibly stronger than Gu Xiao.

But today is different.

Gu Chen now firmly occupies three provinces, with nearly two hundred thousand troops under his command.

And these are all places he conquered with his own hands.

His foundation is extremely solid.

Looking back at Liu Bei, although he had some reputation throughout the world and tens of thousands of soldiers under his command, he was far inferior to Gu Chen.

As for what choice Gu Chen would make, Gu Yi did not know either.

But he still could not help but ponder it for a moment.

Suddenly, he felt that Liu Bei seemed indeed quite suitable.

However, the fundamental reason for this suitability did not lie with Liu Bei himself.

It was his son, Liu Chan.

Liu Chan, if nothing else,

could definitely provide great assistance to the Gu Shizi in terms of being obedient and long-lived.

Gu Yi had long ago made up his mind that this time, he would absolutely not let the sinking of Shenzhou happen again.

If there could be an Emperor like Liu Chan,

he would definitely have a much easier time when the time came.

This was absolutely the most suitable Emperor for the Gu Shizi.

But thinking was just thinking; Gu Yi had never thought of interfering with Gu Chen's choice.

—Gu Chen was the variable of this era.

Whether the achievement of "Pioneer" could be completed or not depended entirely on Gu Chen.

How could he interfere at such a time?

Moreover, according to Gu Chen's way of thinking, what would be wrong with establishing a new one after conquering the entire world?

The hall was deathly silent.

Everyone remained silent, communicating only through their gazes.

It was not until a moment later that Gu Chen spoke leisurely: "Lord Xuande, there is no need to be overly modest."

"Right and wrong, merit and demerit, future generations will have their own public judgment."

"My mere empty reputation is not worth mentioning."

As he spoke, he slowly stood up: "As for the strategy of joining forces, my intention is the same."

Gu Chen would never make a judgment easily.

He had indeed never thought of turning his family into a state, but his ambition was to be able to complete the great cause that Gu Xi had failed to achieve back then.

Unless he truly encountered a wise ruler.

If not, Gu Chen would rather establish one himself after sweeping across the world at that time.

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei's eye sockets suddenly turned slightly red.

Although Gu Chen had only just spoken,

the worry he had long held in his heart for the Great Han suddenly weakened significantly.

——————

"In the third month of spring in the fourth year of Jian'an, Liu Bei, Governor of Qingzhou, entered Luoyang from Jingzhou to inspect the capital region and investigate civil unrest, saying to his attendants: 'The Gu Shizi possesses the strategy to pacify the nation; they are the pillar of the state.'"

Later, he entered Luoyang and met Gu Chen at the Champion Marquis Mansion.

Before exchanging pleasantries, Bei suddenly straightened his cap and robes, bowed deeply to the ground, and said: "In the past, I was foolish and ignorant, failing to understand the righteousness of Ziyan executing the He clan to save the Han by cutting off a wrist, and I presumptuously measured public loyalty with private feelings; this was my fault."

"Today, although the Han mandate is weak, the heavenly mandate has not changed. Although my virtue is thin and my ability meager, I wish to emulate the ambition of the Guangwu Emperor to restore the Han."

"If I can clear the world, I will certainly strip the temple titles of Emperors Huan and Ling to warn future generations;"

"I will remove the He clan from the clan registry to rectify the moral order;"

"And I will revise the posthumous title system for the Gu family to honor their merit in supporting the throne. May High Heaven and Thick Earth bear witness to this heart!"

—"Records of Heroes at the End of the Han, Gu Chen Chapter"

(End of this chapter)