Chapter 1: Reforming Domestic Politics!

  On the way, Liu Bei's army led by Li Yu did not commit any offense against the people of Mianzhou, which was also a beautiful landscape in the late Han Dynasty. The hundreds of thousands of troops stationed wherever they went, and the local people would fetch water and chop firewood for them! They gained the love and admiration of countless civilians! Liu Bei was even called the "Holy Master" by the people! And this army was later known as the "People's Sons and Daughters Army"! On the way, some people abandoned their homes and businesses to join Liu Bei's army, wanting to settle down in Yizhou. It can be seen that at this time, Liu Bei's popularity among the people was extremely high! But Li Yu also understood that Yizhou was a strategic location, with its rugged terrain and fertile land. The land of abundance, where Han Gaozu Liu Bang rose to power and defeated Xiang Yu, the king of Western Chu. If he could take good care of it, maintain its natural barriers, pacify the western tribes, and stabilize the internal politics, then when there was a change in the world, he could lead his army to capture Hanzhong and march straight to Chang'an! Li Yu's blueprint in his mind had become even more grandiose! He fantasized even more! But as the Buddha said, if this happens, then that will happen. Li Yu understood that every "if" has another outcome. So now he truly did not want so many "ifs". He wanted to take things one step at a time, steadily and surely. Because Li Yu felt that in the end, only Liu Bei unifying the world would be the best result for the people!

  Although the distance from the capital Luoyang to Yizhou is not too far, it took nearly a month for the army to arrive in Yizhou and then after a long time the army entered the capital Chengdu! Although this ancient city will also be Liu Bei's capital later, but at this moment it came too early! After the army arrived in Chengdu, Liu Bei ordered the soldiers to rest for three days and rewarded the three armies.

  Three days later, King Han Xing of Liu Bei issued an early morning decree. Liu Bei said: "Now that we have just arrived in Yizhou, we must not waste time. What plans do you have to ensure our safety?" Li Yu stood up and said: "Your Majesty has asked for our opinions, and I think we should widely recruit talented people, reform the internal administration, give land to those who need it, and eliminate corrupt officials. Furthermore, Your Majesty should get married as soon as possible. I suggest taking Xu Shu's younger sister as your wife. She is a virtuous and kind-hearted woman with the demeanor of a queen mother! It would be suitable for Jian Yong to act as matchmaker!"

  Liu Bei was overjoyed and said: "As you have advised, fourth brother!"

  Li Yu continued: "I request that Guo Jia be appointed as the Left Chancellor, in charge of domestic affairs! The reform of domestic affairs includes three aspects: first, abolish excessive taxes and levies; second, establish a recruitment system to attract talents from all over the world; third, promote paper-making technology, I have already submitted the following improved paper-making techniques to Your Majesty! (The widespread use of paper during the Han Dynasty is not yet universal, Li Yu secretly spreads paper-making technology to collect more talented people and increase revenue!) Fourth, establish schools, implement universal education, any child between the ages of six and twelve will receive six years of compulsory education, with funding allocated from the imperial treasury. Those who pass the imperial examination can receive three years of free education, and after passing the high-level examination, they can be appointed to official positions by Your Majesty! The subjects of the imperial examination should not be limited to Confucianism; Your Majesty should have a broad mind to accommodate all talents, establish a literary academy that includes various schools of thought, establish a medical school to improve medical technology, set up an engineering academy to create agricultural tools and military equipment, reform technical education, and establish an economics academy. Do not look down on merchants as inferior! Establish a military academy, which can have internal selection within the army, or allow talented young people from humble backgrounds to take the entrance examination! All educational matters will be overseen by the great scholar Lu Zhi! Establish a music academy, do not consider dance and music as inferior, but treat them equally! A wise youth is a wise nation, a strong youth is a strong nation!" (Li Yu originally wanted to implement nine years of compulsory education, but it was unrealistic due to the current financial constraints of the imperial treasury.)

  Lu Zhi rose to his feet and said, "Haha! What Han Xing has said is indeed reasonable. This way of openly selecting talent is not bad. I, your old minister, am willing to take on this task! I will definitely do my best!"

  Liu Bei burst out laughing and said: "Good! I grant your request!"

  Li Yu continued: "Please invite Zou Dan to Yangzhou Huainan Chengde, and Liu Ye! Liu Ye was a descendant of Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu's son Fuling King Liu Yan, who was famous for his youth and known as having the talent to assist the world. He is also a member of the Han imperial family! Please appoint him as the president of the Mechanical Institute and grant him the title of Guangluo! Please invite Lu Zhi Enshi to take charge of the position of Shangshu Ling, I will be the president of the Military Academy, please invite the famous doctors Hua Tuo Zhang Zhongjing to be the president of the Medical College! Wang Xue will be the president of the Music College! After Wang Shang's grand wedding, appoint Mi Zhu as the Minister of Agriculture and president of the Economics College!"

  Liu Bei ordered: "Zou Dan, go down and prepare!"

  Zou Dan bowed and said: "I obey your orders!"

  Li Yu continued to memorialize: "Please, Your Majesty, appoint Chen Gong as the Right Chancellor, to supervise and inspect all officials! To coordinate the livelihood of the people! Order Jian Yong to be the Supervising Censor, to impeach all officials!"

  Liu Bei said: "I agree! And when the Chaoxian Hall is completed, I will personally write the horizontal inscribed board and hang it up!" This shows that Liu Bei indeed has a set of methods to win people's hearts.

  Li Yu knelt down and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for a thousand years!" Li Yu also felt like a thousand-mile horse meeting its master at this moment. It was no wonder that Zhuge Liang had devoted himself to Liu Bei until his death! Liu Bei indeed had his unique charm!

  Liu Bei hastily got up and walked to Li Yu's side, helped him up and said: "Fourth brother, what are you doing? You and I are brothers, not different from each other! From now on, we will share wealth and honor together, you are me! And have full authority to handle state affairs!"

  Li Yu heard this and thought, "What is Liu Bei doing? He's putting too much importance on me!" But then he realized that Liu Bei was just testing him. Li Yu hastily said: "Your subject dares not! I'm terrified! Please, Your Majesty, don't say such things again!"

  Liu Bei looked, with a hint of a smile in his eyes. Indeed, Liu Bei was probing Li Yu, but he wasn't entirely probing! Liu Bei waved his hand, and the attendant brought over the Shangfang treasure sword bestowed by Emperor Ling of Han. This Shangfang treasure sword held the power to behead first and report later! Liu Bei grasped the sword in his hand and said: "I now bestow upon General Li Yu, Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Expedition, the Shangfang treasure sword granted by His Majesty. Seeing this sword is like seeing my face! It holds the power to behead first and report later!"

  Li Yu repeatedly declined, but Liu Bei insisted on granting it. Li Yu knelt down again and held up the Shangfang treasure sword with both hands, saying: "I will die for King Xian's foundation!" After finishing, tears filled his face. People from a different era wouldn't know how much trust this represented!

  Liu Bei helped Li Yu up and said: "Pass the edict! Appoint Han Xing Hou Li Yu as the Eastern Expedition General, granting him the title of Commander-in-Chief of Shu State, overseeing all military affairs! Appoint Zhongyi Hou Guan Yu as the Southern Expedition General! Appoint Hanshou Hou Zhang Fei as the Western Expedition General! Appoint Zhao Yun as the Northern Expedition General, holding the title of Chengdu Hou! Appoint Zou Dan as Wanhu Hou, holding the title of Town East General, appoint Zou Jing as Wanhu Hou, holding the title of Town South General, appoint Cheng Yuanzhi as Wanhu Hou, holding the title of Town West General, appoint Deng Mao as Wanhu Hou, holding the title of Town North General!

  Liu Bei, in high spirits, said: "The Han Dynasty has ruled the world for generations without end. In the past, there was the struggle between Chu and Han, and Emperor Gaozu fought with his sword to establish our great Han Dynasty. Later, although there were usurpers like Wang Mang, Emperor Guangwu rose up in anger and put an end to him, restoring the dynasty. Now, the Yellow Turban bandits are rampaging across the land, slaughtering innocent civilians, and committing heinous crimes that reach the heavens. I, a lone king, have led my brothers and troops to punish them, but they still harbor evil intentions and dare to usurp the sacred imperial seal. All of you officers and soldiers believe that the Han Dynasty has fallen into decline, but I will put down the Yellow Turban Rebellion and bring peace to the world by personally carrying out heaven's punishment. Now, there are also the Ten Eunuchs causing chaos, fearing the clear mandate of heaven and the achievements of Emperors Gaozu and Guangwu, which will soon collapse. Today, I, Liu Bei, make a solemn oath that I will surely revive the great Han Dynasty and eliminate these national pests!"

  Everyone heard this and all the officials knelt down saying: "The king is wise!"

  Liu Bei was overjoyed and rewarded everyone. He granted a general amnesty to the whole country. The military and civilians of the two rivers were all jubilant. After the civil and military officials finished paying their respects, they lined up in two rows. Emperor Xian of Han, Liu Bei, issued an edict saying: "I, the emperor, have been bound by oath with Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Li since we swore brotherhood at Peach Garden. We vowed to share life and death together. Unfortunately, there are still ten eunuchs causing chaos in the country today; if they are not eliminated, it will be difficult for the Han dynasty to rise again. I truly wish to capture these rebellious traitors alive and avenge this hatred! Today, all of you generals are heroes who have followed me through thick and thin, fighting against the Yellow Turbans and roaming the country. You should all share in the wealth and glory!"

  At this time, Li Yugang wanted to speak, but unexpectedly, someone behind him stepped forward and said: "Minister Zhao Yun pays homage to Your Majesty! May the king live for a thousand years, a thousand years, a thousand times!"

  Liu Bei said: "General Zhang Fei needn't be so polite, if there's something on your mind, just speak up!"

  Zhoa Yun said: "I have a memorial to present!"

  Liu Bei said: "General Zhang Fei, please report!"

  "I report to Your Majesty that in the time of Emperor Wu of Han, General Huo Qubing once said that as long as the Xiongnu have not been destroyed, there is no use for a household. Now, the enemies of the state are not just like before when there was only one Xiongnu, but also within the court, the ten eunuchs hold power and cause chaos in politics, while outside the court, there are still some Yellow Turban rebels causing trouble everywhere. In my humble opinion, it is far from being a time to settle down yet. We must wait until the world is at peace before allowing people to return home to farm and cultivate their land. This would be the best decision. The people of Yi Province have just suffered from the war disaster of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, so now we should return their houses and properties to them, let them live in peace and contentment first, then they can serve as soldiers and pay taxes with a willing heart. In this way, we can also gain the hearts of the people of Yi Province and show that Your Majesty is an enlightened ruler!"

  Before Liu Bei could speak, Guo Jia stepped out of the line of officials and said: "Zilong is truly a man of unparalleled loyalty and righteousness! This decision will cut off personal wealth and gain the hearts of the people of Yi Province. I request that Your Majesty grant this proposal for a thousand years!"

  Chen Gong also stepped forward and said: "The world is everyone's world, not one person's world. General Zhang Fei's words are excellent! Please let the king grant his request!"

  Guan Yu also stepped forward and said: "Today, we have just suffered from the flames of war in the Yellow Turban Rebellion. We follow our lord not for wealth and glory! I only wish that all people under heaven can live in peace and prosperity!"

  Zhang Fei also stepped forward and said, "Big brother, I'll say it straight out - you don't have to be polite with us anymore. We now have a place to live, meat to eat, and wine to drink, we're well-off! But many common people are still living in hardship!"

  Li Yu also said: "Wang brother, we brothers and ministers only wish that the world is at peace, the people live in peace, the common people are rich and sufficient, personal wealth is not worth mentioning! The Buddha says to save all living beings! All living beings have not been saved yet, how can we be happy!"

  Liu Bei nodded in satisfaction and said, "With such loyal and righteous ministers under my command, how can the Ten Eunuchs not be eliminated? How can the Great Han Dynasty not rise again? How can the people not become rich? However, there is one thing that must be done as soon as possible! Li Yu, listen to the order!"

  Li Yu knelt down and said: "Your subject has received your orders!"

  Liu Bei said: "I, the lonely king, have known you since we were poor and humble. Fortunately, my four brothers eliminated the three bandit leaders Zhang Jue, Zhang Bao, and Zhang Liang! King Xueyu's fourth brother, a wife who is as insignificant as a humble rice, until now I, the lonely king, have not yet held a wedding ceremony for you! Now I, the lonely king, order that Li Yu marry King Xue as his wife! And grant him one hundred beautiful women!"

  Wang Xue exploded in anger, shouting at Liu Bei: "Old Liu, what do you mean by this? What are you trying to do?! You want to arrange a marriage for me? Thank you very much! But giving me a beautiful woman as a gift? We don't want that! If you really dare to give it to me, I'll never let you off the hook. Others may be afraid of you because you're a king, but I'm not!"

  Liu Bei didn't say that he was really afraid of him, but Liu Bei is now also a king, can't be so shameless, can't just take back the order for so long, and was worried about finding an excuse, Li Yu stood up!

  Li Yu said, "I told my brother Wang that I had already made a lifelong vow with Wang Xue. We want to be together forever and never part ways! The beautiful woman you've given me is hard to accept! My wish is to spend the rest of my life with Wang Xue, even if it means drinking only one scoop from the three thousand waters! Please forgive me, brother, and take back your gift! I truly cannot betray the promise I made at first!" (In reality, there was no betrayal of that promise! It's just a matter of cause and effect. I don't blame or resent anyone, nor do I regret it. At the time, we knew the success rate of the surgery was less than 20%, so let's just move on! I recite scriptures every day to wish you happiness, WL! There are people who are more foolish than me, but they're not great, and those who have never truly loved don't understand!)

  Although these words are nothing in the eyes of modern people, they are a kind of loyalty to love in the eyes of ancient people. Guo Jia, Chen Gong Lu Zhi, Guan Yu Zhang Fei and others admire Li Yu's sincerity even more! Maybe if they were in his shoes, they could only be a wife who is not divorced no matter how poor she is! I didn't expect Li Yu to be so determined! Just this one will do!

  Liu Bei was worried that he had no way out, but Li Yu brought it up and said: "Fourth brother must not be afraid of his wife! Among thousands of troops and horses, the fourth brother is a hero for generations! How can this be? Wouldn't it make others laugh at me for being stingy?"

  Wang Xue was furious, really furious this time. You're right, you Liu Bei have a way out, why don't you just step down? What's with the pretence? This time, Wang Xue is very angry and the consequences are severe! Wang Xue pointed at Liu Bei and said: "Old Liu, you're not being honest! Do you know what the consequences of your actions will be? I'll burn down your Silver Peace Hall, no, I'll burn down the entire palace with it. Don't think that just because I'm a gentle lady, I won't show my power! You wait and see if your mother doesn't scold you!"

  Indeed, during this time, Wang Xue and Liu Bei's mother had a very good relationship. Liu Bei's mother even said that if it weren't for the fact that Wang Xue was already married to Li Yu, she would have been willing to let Wang Xue marry Liu Bei as his queen!

  Liu Bei is done for now, I've given you a way out but you won't take it, this time you're finished, let's see if you can get out of this one!

  Down below, Zhao Yun, Guo Jia, Chen Gong and others were all fooled. This lady is really not easy to mess with! From now on, it's better to keep a distance when meeting her! On the other hand, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei had long been aware of this lady's ferocity and didn't dare to intervene, pretending not to see anything. In their hearts, they thought: "Big brother, you don't know how fierce this tigress is! Last time you went to the Wanhualou to find a girl, you told me to cover for you, saying you were going to my place. You didn't know how your mother found out in the end!" Now it's not that brothers are unwilling to help you, but they're really powerless. You can only pray for good luck! Zhang Fei was secretly delighted: "Every time this little girl comes to find me for bean powder, you always take advantage of her and ask for more. It serves you right today!"

  Liu Bei was now speechless, like a mute eating bitter melon! However, Liu Bei also had a way out. He burst into loud laughter and said: "Sister, what's going on? I'm just joking with you! I'll help you test the fourth brother, I'm afraid he won't treat you well! Isn't that right, from now on I'll take care of you, my only sister-in-law! If the fourth brother bullies you in the future, come straight to me and I'll deal with him for you! How's that?"

  This made Wang Xue satisfied, and Wang Xue said: "Then thank you big brother! But in the future, fewer jokes like this!"

  Liu Bei laughed and said, "My younger sister is right! From now on, big brother won't be so generous anymore! However, big brother will see things through to the end. I'll personally host your wedding ceremony, and Empress Wang will preside over the high hall! Also, Guo Jia has received the imperial edict!"

  "Your servant Guo Jia is here, awaiting Your Majesty's decree!"

  Liu Bei said: "I order you to lead an army of 10,000 people to build the Hanxing Houfu, don't be afraid to spend money, whatever Taihu stone, courtyard buildings and pavilions are all built for them. My fourth brother believes in Buddhism, so for my fourth brother, a Buddhist pagoda will be built in the back hall, nine is a noble number in Buddhism, you can build it nine stories high! A golden body will be built for the Buddha! All the silver needed will be allocated from the treasury! The deadline is two months to complete the work! At that time, I and the Queen Mother will personally inspect it! Don't be careless!"

  Li Yu was stunned, he didn't expect Liu Bei's handwriting to be so large!

  Guo Jia, by nature eloquent and articulate, said: "Your minister will follow Your Majesty's orders. However, there are two matters that your minister wishes to inquire of Your Majesty!"

  Liu Bei said: "It doesn't matter what the prime minister says!"

  Guo Jia said: "In the future when I get married, can it be as simple as this!"

  Liu Bei himself had a belly full of fire that hadn't been released, and Guo Jia just delivered it to his doorstep. Liu Bei furiously scolded: "You're looking for a scolding, you've spent your whole life marrying only one woman, you shameless thing! Do you think I don't know? You're a philanderer, a regular at the brothel!"

  This is all over now! Everyone in the palace knows about this little secret! Guo Jia's face turned red! However, this also shows the friendship between the monarch and his subject!

  "What if it's still not finished in two months!"

  Before Liu Bei could speak, Wang Xue said on the side: "I'll have the Wan Hua Building demolished for him!"

  Kwok Ka went blank and said: "Must be completed! Must be completed!"

  Everyone in the hall burst out laughing! At this time, Liu Bei's mother, Empress Wang, came out from the inner chamber and said: "So my Xiao'er is so eager to get married! It seems that when a girl grows up, she doesn't listen to her mother anymore!"

  Wang Xue's face turned red with embarrassment and she ran into Tai Hou's arms!

  If in reality, you could get along with my mom like this, I believe we would have gotten married a long time ago, and probably already had kids! Haha, but everything is just my one-sided wish. Now that my mom has agreed, aren't you going to turn back?

  One heart holds one hand, two hearts never part!

  It's beautifully written, but reality is too cruel! Next chapter: The wedding of my dreams! Also for you! Today there might be two chapters updated, I hope brothers will give me support, if not, please don't mind, fellow book friends!