The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 63: With Zhuge Liang at the helm and Liu Bei residing in Gaotang, he could observe the entire world.
Since the magistrate of Gaotang County resigned, the county magistrate Chen Zhen temporarily took over all the administrative affairs of Gaotang County.

This naturally included entertaining Liu Bei and his entourage.

Both Liu Bei and Chen Zhen wanted to understand each other better.

Therefore, Liu Bei and Chen Zhen had a very pleasant conversation during the banquet; and by the end of the banquet, they felt a deep mutual appreciation for each other.

Even after arriving at the post station, Liu Bei was still lamenting that he couldn't have Chen Zhen accompany him.

See this.

Zhuge Liang suggested, "Why doesn't the general recommend Chen Zhen as the magistrate of Gaotang?"

Hear the words.

Liu Bei was moved.

The former magistrate of Gaotang resigned and left, leaving the position vacant.

Although Chen Zhen lacked the qualifications and reputation, Yuan Tan intended for all the officials of Pingyuan State to cooperate with Liu Bei. With Liu Bei's recommendation, it would not be difficult for Chen Zhen to become the magistrate of Gaotang!
Appointing Chen Zhen as the magistrate of Gaotang was not only a sign of respect from Liu Bei, but also a way for Liu Bei to establish a reputation among the officials of Pingyuan: If you want to advance, come to me!
Once you've chosen to enter public service, no one wants to be left behind.

If you can be an official, you will never be a clerk.

Although the county magistrate's assistant was a senior official, he was still just a subordinate official of the county magistrate.

Only by becoming a county magistrate can one officially enter the ranks of officials.

Imagine.

Chen Zhen, who had served as a local official for several years without being promoted, became a county magistrate after meeting Liu Bei!

They went directly from clerks to officials!

Did Chen Zhen's abilities improve after meeting Liu Bei?
Do not!
Chen Zhen's abilities have remained unchanged; it was Liu Bei who gave Chen Zhen the opportunity to demonstrate them!

When Liu Bei established his reputation in Pingyuan, how could the officials of Pingyuan not have their own thoughts?
Yuan Tan was close to scoundrels like Hua Yan and Kong Shun, while distancing himself from talented and virtuous men like Wang Xiu. Furthermore, Yuan Tan had lost his right to inherit the Yuan family's mansion. It was quite reasonable for the officials to want to choose another wise ruler.

The world is bustling with people, everyone is coming and going for benefit.

Talking about ideals without discussing interests will not gain public support.

During the Battle of Guandu, many of the military and civilian officials who had been treated with great courtesy by Cao Cao secretly surrendered to Yuan Shao, not to mention the officials of Pingyuan State who had not received such courtesy from Yuan Tan but were instead exploited by Hua Yan.

Having understood Zhuge Liang's intention, Liu Bei's face lit up with joy: "Don't tell Magistrate Chen yet. Let me write to Yuan Tan first. If Yuan Tan agrees, then we can talk about it."

Zhuge Liang nodded and said, "Although Hua Yan is greedy, he has served Yuan Tan for many years and left Wang Xiu and others helpless, so he must have some ability."

"General, you are new to Pingyuan Kingdom and there are many complicated matters. You need someone to help you. So let's use Gaotang as a base and settle tens of thousands of people there first. This will reduce Hua Yan's interference and test Chen Zhen's abilities."

Liu Bei wholeheartedly agreed, clapping his hands and laughing, "The strategist is absolutely right!"

Gaotang was not the capital of Pingyuan State, but it was quite special to Liu Bei.

Before Liu Bei rose to prominence, he served as the Commandant of Gaotang and was later promoted to Magistrate of Gaotang.

Although he had to abandon the city and flee due to the chaos caused by bandits, Liu Bei returned to Pingyuan Kingdom in force after recruiting an army from Gongsun Zan, and stationed his troops in Gaotang.

Together with Shan Jing, who was stationed in Pingyuan, and Tao Qian, who was stationed in Fagan, they threatened Yuan Shao to support Yuan Shu, but in the end they were no match for Yuan Shao and Cao Cao and fled.

And now.

Liu Bei returned to Gaotang once again.

As the saying goes, things should not happen more than three times.

He was defeated twice before, but the third time, Liu Bei did not want to be defeated again.

Early the next morning.

Liu Bei then expressed to Chen Zhen his desire to leave tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians in Gaotang County, hoping that Chen Zhen could help settle them.

Chen Zhen agreed to the matter without any hesitation. Firstly, Chen Zhen and Liu Bei hit it off immediately and admired each other; secondly, Gaotang County was facing a severe shortage of registered residents and much of its land was abandoned, making it a time of population scarcity.

There's no need to clear the land separately; you just need to clear the weeds from the unclaimed fields, and they're ready to use immediately.

Liu Bei then ordered the Mi brothers, Cao Xuan, and others to work with Chen Zhen to settle the people.

Simultaneously.

Liu Bei then wrote another letter in his own hand and sent it to Linzi in the State of Qi, recommending Chen Zhen to fill the vacancy of Magistrate of Gaotang.

It was just a minor position as the Magistrate of Gaotang, and Chen Zhen was not particularly famous. Yuan Tan agreed to Liu Bei's recommendation without hesitation. He even stated in the letter that "Tan has transferred Cai Xin, the former Chancellor of Pingyuan, and has ordered Hua Yan to temporarily take over the appointment and dismissal of officials in Pingyuan. The Left General can directly discuss this with Hua Yan."

Upon seeing Yuan Tan's reply, Liu Bei finally understood why Hua Yan dared to openly demand bribes from the counties of Pingyuan State.

He has taken charge of all matters concerning the appointment and removal of officials in Pingyuan State; who would dare to disobey him?
However, by taking advantage of his power of appointment and dismissal, he used the pretext of welcoming Liu Bei to solicit bribes from various counties, which greatly angered Liu Bei.

Those who are unaware of the situation may take their anger out on Liu Bei!

[That scoundrel Hua Yan, we will capture him alive one day!]

A ruthless glint flashed in Liu Bei's eyes, but he quickly concealed it.

Chen Zhen was both surprised and delighted to receive the official appointment.

After a little thought, Chen Zhen guessed the reason: if it weren't for Liu Bei's recommendation, how could he have been appointed as the magistrate of Gaotang?
"I will never forget the kindness of General Zuo in recommending me!"

If Chen Zhen had previously only felt an instant connection and mutual respect with Liu Bei, now he was completely convinced of Liu Bei's sincerity.

"Xiaoqi possesses the talent of a king. I already feel that the mere position of Magistrate of Gaotang is beneath him, so how could I dare to seek favors from him?"

Hear the words.

Chen Zhen was even more moved.

Following Yuan Shao, we went hungry nine times in three days.

Following Liu Bei, one eats nine meals a day.

Sit down!

As Chen Zhen had more and more contact with Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang, his awe of Liu Bei grew stronger.

at the very beginning.

Chen Zhen simply admired Liu Bei's benevolence and righteousness.

However, when Chen Zhen came into contact with Liu Bei's forces, he found that they included virtuous men such as Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, Xu Shu, Sun Qian, Jian Yong, Mi Zhu, and Cao Xuan, as well as valiant generals such as Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Huang Zhong, and Xiahou Bo, and the White Feather Soldiers and Swordsmen, who, though few in number, were exceptionally fierce in morale.

Chen Zhen felt a sudden fear of Liu Bei.

Tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians followed Liu Bei northward, which was merely a cover for Liu Bei's true strength, making outsiders mistakenly believe that Liu Bei was just a figurehead!

There are many in the world who are more famous than Liu Bei but lack the strength to contend for supremacy.

We don't need Liu Bei!
Only those who truly understand Liu Bei can know how great his potential is!

It is astonishing that Zhuge Liang, who was not yet twenty years old, could command the respect of so many valiant generals and capable men, such as Pang Tong, Xu Shu, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Huang Zhong!

Not to mention Pang Tong, Xu Shu, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Huang Zhong, and others, who were all rare talents in their time.

A wise ruler, virtuous ministers, fierce generals, elite soldiers, and popular support.

Putting these five words together, Liu Bei only lacked one thing: a foundation!

Compared to wise rulers, good ministers, fierce generals, strong soldiers, and popular support, establishing a foundation is actually easier to acquire.

Looking at Liu Bei, who was steadfast and composed, and had lofty ambitions, Chen Zhen couldn't help but sigh inwardly: If General Zuo could establish a foundation, the world could be contested!

　Asking for monthly ticket
　　
　
(End of this chapter)