Chapter 988: The Tyrant's Revival

  Zhou Bu Yi smiled: "Actually, the lord in my heart is very simple, only needs to have one condition, use people without suspicion, fully authorize me to be responsible for all military and political affairs, do not interfere arbitrarily, do not point fingers, such a lord I Zhou Bu Yi am willing to assist him in achieving his ambitions."

  Alas, looking around the world, I haven't found such a person. If Your Excellency dares to make such a promise now, Zhou Yu is willing to swear allegiance immediately, take down Han Zhong within a month, capture Jingzhou within half a year, and sweep across the land in ten years. How about it?

  Liu Zhang's eyes gazed at the surface of the stone table, his fingers stroking the icy ceramic wall of the teacup, and after a long while, he said, "I can't do it."

  Zhou Bu Yi smiled lightly: "This is within my expectations, sir. You are a decisive person, and your ambition is probably the greatest among all the vassals under heaven. Not only do you want to seize power, but also reform the world. How could you possibly let your subordinates take control of military and political affairs?"

  "It's easy to say that one should trust others, but it's actually very difficult. How can you not suspect someone who holds all the military and political power? Throughout history, there has only been one Liu Bang who was able to do so. I'm afraid Zhou Yafu will spend the rest of his life stuck in a humble position."

  "No wonder your name is Bu Yi." Fa Zheng joked.

  Zhou Bu Yi smiled slightly, the three of them silently sipped their tea, distracted. Liu Zhang suddenly spoke in a low voice: "A master like this, under the current sky, there is only one."

  "Is there one?" Zhou Bu's eyebrows furrowed, thinking carefully about the various princes of the world, but he couldn't get an answer. Although Zhou Bu was a child prodigy, he never became arrogant and often sought guidance from those with more experience than himself, even going so far as to kowtow and become their disciple.

  What he saw and heard in Yi Province, the four arts of governance, the new style of workshop, the ambition to reform the world, Liu Zhang really gave him too many unexpected surprises. At this time, Liu Zhang said that there was a person who matched his ideal master, although he couldn't find the answer himself, but he didn't doubt that Liu Zhang could give him a convincing answer, and he listened carefully with his ears perked up.

  "His name is Liu Bei." said Liu Zhang slowly.

  "You're saying that, as a member of the imperial family and uncle to the Emperor, Liu Bei is someone who has been personally acknowledged by the Emperor himself? Zhou Yu fell silent for a moment in thought: "Liu Bei rose from humble beginnings, gained fame during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, came to the aid of Tao Qian in Xu Province, and conquered Yuan Shu in Huainan. He repeatedly accomplished what others deemed impossible, strictly adhered to his imperial heritage, and had under him the two mighty generals Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. Indeed, he is a hero of our time, but I don't see Liu Bei possessing the qualities you mentioned."

  "That's because he didn't have the opportunity to show it. To achieve great things, two points are necessary: first, the ruler must have the ability to control his subordinates; second, he must have both civil and military wings. Liu Bei has always been known for his benevolence and righteousness, winning the hearts of the people and his ministers. His generals Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were each worth ten thousand soldiers. Unfortunately, his civil officials Sun Qian and Jian Yong were mediocre. If Liu Bei had a military advisor like Zhuge Liang, with both wings complete, he would surely soar to great heights and rise to the clouds. At that time, even Zhuge Liang could see how Liu Bei used people."

  At this time, Fa Zheng suddenly interrupted with a disdainful tone: "Liu Bei is called the imperial uncle, but Fa Zheng didn't see that Liu Bei was as powerful as Master said. In the Yellow Turban Rebellion, he performed mediocrely. He was able to assist Tao Qian only because of Lü Bu's sneak attack on Xuzhou. As for attacking Yuan Shu, it was just a formality, and in the end, he lost Xuzhou. Now that he is trapped in Xuchang, what can he do? As for Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, they are brave, but it is the bravery of common men. If I were the commander, I would rather have one Zhang Ren than ten Guan Yus and Zhang Feis."

  "Haha." Zhou Bu Yi burst out laughing, his childish face trembling in the moonlight: "Master Fa doesn't need to deliberately belittle Liu Bei to prevent me from going over to him. When your master was praising that Liu Bei, he already had the intention of killing me again."

  However, Zhou Bu did not fear death, nor did he seek it. I still want to distinguish myself for the sake of seeing tomorrow's sun.

  The lord lifted Liu Bei so high, not only because of the murderous intention that surged in his heart, but also to show that the lord had a deep-seated fear of this Liu Bei. The fact that Liu Bei could make such a powerful lord fearful, proves that he must have something extraordinary about him. But I, Zhou Yu, wouldn't possibly go running to Xuchang to join Liu Bei just because of the lord's few words. Besides, I've already found my life's pleasure.

  "What's the pleasure of life?" Liu Zhang and Fa Zheng were both stunned.

  Zhou Yuqi said to Liu Zhang: "I'd like to ask you a question first, sir. Whether I can enjoy myself depends on your answer."

  "You're welcome."

  "What do adults think of yesterday's debate on heavy agriculture and light commerce?"

  Liu Zhang hesitated for a moment before saying, "The debate between Xu Jing and Qin Hui is simply a case of apples and oranges. One talks about enriching the country and strengthening its military, while the other discusses maintaining national stability. There's no common ground to argue about. As for you and Xu Jing, you've simply taken advantage of Xu Jing's noble birth and his lack of understanding of agriculture, grasping at his mistakes in commerce and governance, and slapping him with the label of a non-laboring merchant. However, you avoid discussing how commercial competition can benefit production and how social wealth can contribute to social stability. How could a superficial scholar-official like Xu Jing possibly win an argument against you?"

  Zhou Bu Yi smiled and said, "I, Zhou Bu Yi, have not misjudged. Your calmness and insight are truly beyond ordinary people. The answer is better than I imagined. In that case, my fun will also be increased. My pleasure lies in seeing how far you can go on the path of changing the world. Before that, I won't surrender to any master."

  The Great Wall of China still exists today, the hundred passes of Qin have become Han territory. The First Emperor's construction of the Great Wall will surely protect our Chinese people for a thousand years. The hardships of millions of laborers were exchanged for the peace and stability of countless generations of our nation. However, with Chen Sheng and Wu Guang rising up in revolt, the curtain fell on the Qin dynasty, and even the First Emperor became an unmitigated tyrant.

  Four occupations were promoted, land was ordered, prices were limited, commerce and agriculture were simultaneously promoted. These are all against the great unrighteousness of the world, but they are also the eternal imperial enterprises. Who among the mediocre can have such a heroic ambition? However, the massacre in Jiangzhou is no better than Qin Huang's harsh policies. Ordinary people who choose this path will inevitably be buried halfway.

  However, the adults have a calm mind, extraordinary insight, and a group of loyal and good ministers and generals.

  The world is like a chessboard, unpredictable and vast. Perhaps the great man can indeed sweep away the six directions and create a new Han dynasty, even if it's as small as a distant star in the vast expanse, isn't that still worth expecting? Even if it ends in defeat, isn't that still worth mourning?

  Zhou Bu Yi said with a smile, "If Your Excellency succeeds, Zhou Bu Yi will be delighted to see the renewal of China. If Your Excellency fails, if at that time I, Zhou Bu Yi, have not yet died, I will write down all your actions into a book. Even if it is scorned by people of this generation, it will definitely make you and me famous for eternity."

  Zhou Bu Yi took a sip of tea and said leisurely, "The master's killing intent has dissipated, I think I should be able to leave now. Today, the master spared me, Zhou Bu Yi owes the master one favor, there will definitely be a day for repayment."

  Zhou Bu Yi stood up with a smile and walked out of the grape arbor, sighing against the moonlight.

  "The nine states are turbid and polluted, but the moon is alone in its brightness. The imperial court's dominant industry has fallen into the mortal dust. Unity is turbid and polluted, while contention within the universe is clear. Chaos has lasted for four hundred years...the moonlight shines on the white ice..."

  Zhou Yu looked up and sighed, Fa Zheng gazed at Zhou Yu's small figure under the moonlight and murmured to Liu Zhang: "My lord, Zhou Yu's talent is unparalleled in ancient and modern times. Don't you really want to kill him?"

  Liu Zhang slowly shook his head and sighed, "As long as the world is full of impurities, I will not intervene in its affairs. Now I understand why Zhou Yubou did not leave seclusion. Let him be, if he really joins someone else's camp, then so be it, losing to him would not be unjust."

  Monday vote request, ranking position dropped, urgently needs rescue