Three Kingdoms: The Great Han Hero's Wind and River Military Twenty-Third Chapter Liu Bei Establishes an Oath Flag

  Cai Wenji changed her tone, looked at Guo Jia, Liu Bei and the officials of Yi Province with a phoenix eye, then began to change her tone, and said to Guo Jia in a probing tone: "Now you are assisting the king, for the revival of the great Han Dynasty. I dare not speak more, and also quote Zuo Zhuan as an example. But if one day when you, Lord Zuo, assist the king in unifying the rivers and mountains, and revive the great Han Dynasty, I ask you to retreat after your success, and live with me for the rest of my life, enjoying the pleasure of the countryside! Let's follow the story of the three heroes of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Zhang Liang and Zhang Zifang, and hide in the forest. Can't be an official in the mundane world?"

  Now Guo Jia was in a difficult situation, he and Liu Bei were both friends and friends! At this time, Guo Jia didn't even dream that Cai Wenji would ask such a question! Not only Guo Jia, but also Liu Bei and many of the civil and military officials of Yi Province were shocked! This was not a simple question! The most tense person now is Cai Wenji's father, Cai Yong. Because Cai Wenji undoubtedly quoted the story of Zhang Liang, the Marquis of Hou! It was a hint that Liu Bei might become Emperor Gaozu of Han in the future, and after pacifying the world, he would massacre his meritorious generals! After all, Emperor Gaozu of Han was the most famous marshal! The meritorious officials of the Western Han Dynasty, who annihilated Xiang Yu, the King of Chu, in the Battle of Gaixia, and forced Xiang Yu to commit suicide in the Wujiang River. The war god, General Han Xin! Han Xin is not simple! He was a person who held all the positions of king, general, and minister in the Western Han Dynasty! Han Xin was one of the three heroes of the early Han Dynasty, leaving behind many famous battles and strategies. Han Xin was a military strategist, tactician, commander, and military theorist of the 3rd century BC. He was a representative figure of China's military thought "Mou Zhan" school. He made great contributions to the Western Han Dynasty, serving as King of Qi, King of Chu, and Marquis of Huaiyin, but also aroused suspicion due to his military talent. After Liu Bang defeated his main opponent Xiang Yu, Han Xin's power was repeatedly weakened; in the end, Han Xin was accused of treason, lured into the palace by Empress Lu Zhi and Xiao He, and finally executed in the Bell Room of the Long乐 Palace. Before his death, Han Xin left behind the famous saying: "The cunning rabbit dies, the good dog is cooked; the high bird is gone, the good bow is hidden; the enemy country is broken, the strategist is dead. The world has been settled, I should be cooked!"

  Here is the translation:

  Actually, how could this principle deceive Guo Jia? Guo Jia also understood that Cai Wenji was letting him assist Liu Bei in completing his great cause after he had finished his own work and then retire.

  The story of Zhang Liang is very famous. Zhang Liang had always been weak and sickly, but since Han Gaozu Liu Bang entered the Guanzhong region and unified the world, establishing the Han dynasty, he knew that Liu Bang would not be able to share wealth and glory with his meritorious officials. Zhang Liang was a very intelligent person who saw through his lord, Han Gaozu Liu Bang. He thought of a strategy and began to feign illness, closing his doors and not going out.

  As Han Gaozu Liu Bang's imperial position gradually stabilized, Liu Bang's contradictions with those who had suffered difficulties with him in the past became more intense. Those meritorious officials and good generals had already become thorns in Han Gaozu Liu Bang's eyes. At this time, Zhang Liang began to gradually retreat from his position as "emperor's teacher" to that of "emperor's guest", following the principle of being able to advance or retreat at will.

  At this time, Zhang Liang saw that Liu Bang was going to take action against those meritorious officials and good generals. Zhang Liang did not participate in the cruel struggle of eliminating the kings of different surnames during the early Han dynasty. In the open and secret struggles of the Western Han, Zhang Liang also adhered to the principle of "not interfering with relatives".

  Zhang Liang had preserved his life and reputation to the end.

  In the tenth year of the Han dynasty (197 BC), a new crisis appeared in the highest level of the imperial court, threatening the newly established Han dynasty. What was this crisis? Han Gaozu Liu Bang intended to change the crown prince. At that time, Han Gaozu Liu Bang favored Qi and knew that Empress Lu had different intentions and signs of replacing Liu with herself. Therefore, he wanted to abolish Crown Prince Hui (Empress Lu's son) and establish Zhao King Ruyi (Qi's son) as the new crown prince.

  The officials in the imperial court rose up to remonstrate, but they could not change Han Gaozu Liu Bang's mind. As the position of crown prince was about to be taken away, Empress Lu sought help from Zhang Liang, who had been Han Gaozu Liu Bang's "strategist" in the past.

  Zhang Liang considered that the position of crown prince was important and could not be easily changed. Uncle Sun Tong said: "The crown prince is the foundation of the world, and if it shakes, the whole world will shake." Moreover, at that time, the world had just been pacified, and the Han dynasty's rule was still unstable. The various systems were still being perfected, and only by following the current situation and doing nothing could the world be stabilized.

  Based on this overall situation, Zhang Liang said to Empress Lu: "It is difficult to protect the crown prince with words alone." He suggested that she invite four wise old men who were known for their integrity and had them vouch for Crown Prince Hui's character. This would make it difficult for Han Gaozu Liu Bang to abolish him.

  Empress Lu followed Zhang Liang's plan, and as a result, Han Gaozu Liu Bang did not dare to abolish Crown Prince Hui.

  Zhang Liang was appointed as the Grand Marshal after his retirement, but he was the only one among the three heroes of the early Han dynasty who had a good end. This was Zhang Liang's strategy!

  Cai Wenji knew that her father Cai Yong was a loyal minister of the great Han, and also understood that Guo Jia was a trusted advisor to Liu Bei, the King of Shu. He was now and would be in the future the right-hand man of Liu Bei! Moreover, Cai Wenji could see that Guo Jia's feelings for her were absolutely sincere! However, Cai Wenji did not have a good impression of Liu Bang's descendants, fearing that her future husband might become like Han Xin, who died without a proper burial. Who is Cai Wenji? She was a renowned talented woman of her generation, famous for thousands of years as a great talent! And now, Cai Wenji was also testing Liu Bei! If Liu Bei were to blame her for this remark, it would only prove that he was not a wise ruler! At most, he was just another Han Gaozu Liu Bang.

  At this time, Liu Bei stepped forward before Guo Jia could respond and smiled: "May I ask Miss Wenji, are you afraid that the Lone King Liu Bei will one day emulate the story of Gaozu?"

  Cai Wenji bowed and said to Liu Bei: "I dare not, Your Majesty! It's just a small wish of mine!"

  Liu Bei burst out laughing and said: "How could I, a lonely king, not know Miss Wenji's intentions?"

  Cai Wenji asked Liu Bei, "May I ask your majesty, do you want to be an emperor for the ages or a sage ruler revered for ten thousand generations?"

  Liu Bei did not understand what Cai Wenji meant and said: "What is the difference between the two? I really don't understand!"

  Cai Wenji explained: "A monarch of a thousand ages, with great talent and strategy! Like Qin's First Emperor, Zu Long Ying Zheng! With the power of one country, he seized the nine tripod cauldrons! He broke the alliance of many states and swallowed up six countries!! It can be said that Qin Shi Huang swept across the six directions as a heroic master of his generation, but he cannot be called a sage ruler!"

  Liu Bei remained silent after hearing this, thinking that Cai Wenji had elevated Qin Shi Huang too highly. After all, it was his own Liu family that had brought about the downfall of Qin. However, at this moment, Li Yu stepped forward and said: "Although Han destroyed Qin, it was because of the tyranny of Qin that harmed the people and incurred the wrath of heaven! Qin's Shi Huang can be considered a sage ruler! He abolished the system of enfeoffment and implemented centralized power, unified the written language, and standardized weights and measures. Although he burned books and buried scholars, his achievements will last for eternity! It was because of this that our country was able to unify its writing system, laws, and institutions. He reformed the currency system, allowing our ancient Chinese nation to issue a single currency. He improved transportation, making carts and carriages standardized. His military campaigns against the southern Yue and northern Xiongnu tribes opened up new territories and expanded our borders! This is truly an achievement that will be remembered for eternity! He built the Great Wall, protecting our people from suffering countless humiliations in those times! Although Qin's Shi Huang was tyrannical, his achievements cannot be denied. Although he was extravagant, his accomplishments cannot be taken away! He can indeed be considered a sage ruler worthy of eternal praise!"

  Li Yu's words undoubtedly pushed Qin Shi Huang to a new height, but Liu Bei also felt that Li Yu's words made sense after listening! Not only Liu Bei, but also Cai Wenji was quietly savoring Li Yu's words on the side! Li Yu's words can be said to have repositioned Qin Shi Huang! All the civil and military officials present in Yizhou were also re-savoring Li Yu's positioning of Qin Shi Huang and pondering the reason behind his words.

  Finally, Liu Bei broke the deadlock and said: "We don't need to care about the affairs of our predecessors, but please, Miss Wenji, tell us about the Holy Lord!"

  Cai Wenji said: "My daughter observes history, and can be considered a sage ruler! There are only a few people!"

  Liu Bei asked Cai Wenji: "I don't know which ones can be called a sage ruler?"

  "My daughter has shown off in front of so many great and senior masters! Indeed, she has been a bit too presumptuous. Please, esteemed masters and seniors, do not take offense!"

  Everyone said: "We wish to hear more! Please instruct us, Miss Wenji!"

  Cai Wenji said: "I observe that the wise rulers in Chinese history can be divided into four categories. First, those who laid the foundation and created a new era, such as Qin Shi Huangdi Ying Zheng and my Han Guangwu Emperor Liu Xiu. Why Han Gaozu cannot be included among the wise rulers is known to all of you, I dare not speak out of turn.

  Second, those who inherited the throne and continued the prosperity or greatness of their predecessors, such as my Han Wendi Liu Heng, Jingdi Liu Qi, and Wu Di Liu Che.

  Third, those who received the mandate of heaven when the dynasty was on the verge of collapse and revived the state, such as Han Zhao Di Liu Fuling and Guangwu Emperor Liu Xiu.

  Fourth, those who did not create a new era or achieve greatness but solidified the foundation for future prosperity, such as Han Wu Di Liu Che. The so-called 'Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors' are considered wise rulers, and the founding kings of Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties were also wise rulers.

  Since the Xia Dynasty, it can be said that almost every dynasty has had wise rulers, who have painted a colorful picture of Chinese history with their brilliant achievements, creating the eternal glory of Chinese civilization. I speak of these ancient wise rulers, but I wonder if you gentlemen have different opinions?"

  Kuo Chia heard this and said: "There are still a few who can be called wise and enlightened rulers!"

  Tsai said: "Please ask Prime Minister Zuo to come and instruct!"

  Guo Jia said: "The Xia Dynasty's Yu, Qi, Shao Kang, Zhong Kang and Xiang."

  Chen Gong continued to say to Guo Jia: "The Shang Dynasty had: Tang, Zhong Ren, Tai Jia, Wu Ding, Tai Wu, He Dan Jia, Zu Yi, Pan Geng, Wu Ding, and Zu Geng."

  Li Yu also followed Chen Gong's words: "The Western Zhou Dynasty: King Wu of Zhou, King Cheng of Zhou, King Kang of Zhou, King Mu of Zhou."

  Liu Bei listened and thought for a moment, then said: "Today, I, the lonely king, have learned from you! I will take this as an encouragement to myself. I must continue the legacy of my ancestors and save our great Han Dynasty from collapse, and rescue the people from suffering! From today on, I will strive to govern with integrity! I am determined to become a wise and virtuous ruler who will be revered for generations to come! I am determined to establish a lasting foundation for our dynasty. Please, all of you wise ministers and generals, assist me in this endeavor! I, Liu Bei, descendant of Han Gaozu, kneel before you and beg for your help!"

  Liu Bei finished speaking and immediately knelt down on the ground!

  Li Yu and Guo Jia, as well as Chen Gong, immediately led the civil and military officials to kneel down on the ground. Even Mi Heng and Wang Xiu, who were pregnant, also knelt down on the ground!

  Li Yu led the way, bowing his head to the ground and saying: "Today, I, Han Xing Wang, have decided to continue the legacy of my ancestors and establish a great Han dynasty! I was born in a chaotic world, which is unfortunate. However, I am fortunate to have met a wise and enlightened ruler! This is indeed a great fortune! I, Li Yu, have decided to help my lord Han Xing Wang Liu Bei eliminate all difficulties and assist the great king in pacifying the chaotic world!"

  Chen Gong also said: "I met Mingzhu, and I am willing to die for it! It is necessary to assist the great king and become a model of a sage ruler for all eternity!"

  Guo Jia also said: "Wenji, Fengxiao cannot accept your last request. Fengxiao is determined to be born as a minister of my king and die as a ghost of my king! Can Wenji accept?"

  Cai Wenji said: "I will not marry anyone but Guo!"

  Liu Bei and his officials bowed three times and then stood up together!

  Li Yu knelt down to the ground: "I beg for an order to conquer Hanzhong, I will not return until victory!" Liu Bei listened and pondered for a moment, did Liu Bei agree or disagree with Li Yu's expedition to Hanzhong?

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