Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Liu Xie showed hesitation. Although he was moved, he still said worriedly, "Master Wang, although what you said makes some sense, this...how can we easily get an opportunity? Besides, the risk of doing this is too great. If we are discovered, it will be a disaster."

Wang Yun quickly reassured him, "Don't worry, Your Highness. We will proceed with extreme caution in this matter. While there may not be an obvious opportunity right now, as long as you agree, we will keep an eye out for it. The opportunity will eventually arise. Just rest assured for now and wait for the right moment."

After listening to Wang Yun's advice, Liu Xie became more and more conflicted. On the one hand, he was really tempted by the possibility of returning to the throne, but on the other hand, he was really afraid of the risks involved. For a moment, he was caught in a dilemma.

Wang Yun's words were like a huge rock dropped into a calm lake, stirring up a thousand waves in Liu Xie's heart. Liu Xie felt that the longing for the throne that he had once possessed deep within him was rekindled, and his heart surged with emotion.

His eyes revealed an unconcealable excitement, and various scenes of when he sat on the throne of the emperor kept emerging in his mind, as well as the grand picture of himself carrying out his ambitions and reviving the Han Dynasty if he could ascend the throne again.

Liu Xie's lips trembled slightly as he nodded gently. He said to Wang Yun, "Sir Wang, you are absolutely right. I... I do long for the opportunity to serve the Han Dynasty again and support this shaky country. However, I understand the risks involved and must not act rashly."

Wang Yun was overjoyed when Liu Xie agreed, and he quickly said, "Your Highness is wise! It is a blessing for the Han Dynasty that you have such a heart for the Han Dynasty. Rest assured, we will plan carefully and will not act rashly. This matter cannot be rushed. We must slowly seek opportunities and wait for the most appropriate moment to strike with one strike, ensuring absolute success."

Liu Xie took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, and replied solemnly, "Well, then, I'll do as Lord Wang says. I'll stay in this palace and keep a close eye on the Emperor's movements. If I have the chance, I'll act accordingly. I just hope Lord Wang, General Lu, and the others will also make more preparations while they're away, so as not to rush and mess up such a big event."

"Your Highness, don't worry. We will do our best and make all the preparations outside. Once the perfect opportunity comes, we will work together with Your Highness to accomplish this great cause." Wang Yun assured with confidence.

With a mixture of trepidation and anticipation, Liu Xie formally agreed to Wang Yun's plan. From then on, he secretly watched the actions of Emperor Liu Bian in the palace, quietly waiting for the opportunity to change his fate and regain the throne.

Although Liu Bei had been fully supplied with food and fodder and was busy reorganizing his army, his mood was completely different from the confidence and ambition of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. He sat by the fire in his tent, gazing at the leaping flames, and could not help sighing, filled with worry.

The source of all this has to start with Gongsun Zan. Gongsun Zan has been really worried these days. His army's food and grass have run out, and the food and grass from Youzhou has been delayed. Seeing that the soldiers are about to starve, how can he fight this war? And because of the emperor's promise, he went to Xun Yu again and again, hoping to replenish some food and grass for his army. But Xun Yu always made excuses, either saying that the food and grass were also tight and he had to focus on other arrangements of the court first; or saying that Gongsun Zan's army had not yet met the conditions for priority supply. In short, Gongsun Zan always went there full of hope, but returned dejectedly empty-handed.

One day, Gongsun Zan returned from another failed attempt at Xun Yu, feeling incredibly frustrated. Passing by Liu Bei's camp, he unexpectedly discovered that Liu Bei's supplies were surprisingly well-stocked. Bags of food piled high, and supply carts lined up neatly, the sight was a source of indescribable disappointment for Gongsun Zan. He was a powerful vassal, yet now he had to beg for food and fodder in vain. Meanwhile, Liu Bei, once his subordinate, was now receiving such abundant supplies so easily. How could he possibly swallow this?

So, Gongsun Zan walked straight into Liu Bei's tent, not caring about their past friendship. His face was gloomy, his eyes full of jealousy and dissatisfaction, and he started to mock Liu Bei: "Oh, Xuande, you are so glorious now! Look at this food and grass, piled up like a mountain, it's really enviable. Have you forgotten how I treated you when you were under my command? I really treated you like a brother, and I always thought of you first when there was anything good. But now, you are so good, you only know how to work for the court, and you don't care about our old friendship at all." As he said this, he deliberately sneered a few times, and the laughter echoed in the tent, which was particularly harsh.

Gongsun Zan paused, as if still feeling unsatisfied, and then continued, insinuating, "Humph, back when you were under my command, you relied on my protection to gain a foothold. Now, you've grown your wings and set up your own faction. Have you thrown all the moral principles of life to the wind?"

Liu Bei was a man of mellow character, always valuing friendship and loyalty. Being rebuked in this way by Gongsun Zan was incredibly painful. He opened his mouth, wanting to argue, but felt that anything he said would sound like quibbling. He could only lower his head silently, letting Gongsun Zan's sarcasm pierce him like sharp arrows. After Gongsun Zan left, Liu Bei sat alone, grieving, his heart filled with helplessness and bitterness. He knew full well that in these troubled times, people's hearts were unpredictable. He had wholeheartedly wanted to support the Han Dynasty, but he had no idea that in the process, he would find himself misunderstood and caught in the middle. But what could he do?

Liu Bei pondered anxiously. He felt that the emperor shouldn't be sowing discord among his subjects. While the tactics of emperors existed since ancient times, the current situation clearly demanded the concerted efforts of all the generals.

The current situation had been relatively favorable. While various factions competed, they all shared a common passion for serving the Han Dynasty. However, the emperor's actions were inappropriate. His manipulations had gradually alienated his supposedly loyal generals. Instead of focusing solely on pacifying the country and restoring the Han Dynasty's glory, they each harbored their own ulterior motives, harboring mutual suspicion and wariness.

If this continued, when would the Han Dynasty truly be revived? When would it regain its former glory and prosperity? The more Liu Bei thought about it, the more worried he became. He felt the road ahead was long and fraught with uncertainty. He feared that if he wanted to realize his ambition to uphold the Han Dynasty, he would have to face countless hardships and obstacles.

I could only sigh and swallow the grievances and sorrows in my heart for the time being.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were very worried when they saw that Liu Bei had been gloomy and down in the last few days. Zhang Fei, a straightforward man, had no idea why Liu Bei was so upset and thought he was worried about the upcoming expedition against Yuan Shao. He himself was full of confidence, thinking that he would kill everyone and make great achievements. So he patted his chest and said to Liu Bei, "Brother, don't worry. What is there to be afraid of Yuan Shao? The three of us brothers will definitely defeat him and make great achievements. Don't worry, brother!"

Liu Bei listened, shook his head slightly, and sighed solemnly, "Third brother, I'm not worried about going to war. This turmoil in the world is the perfect time for us to fight and uphold the Han Dynasty. Fighting on the battlefield is our duty, so why should we be afraid?"

Guan Yu listened from the side, and with a subtle mind, he wondered if Gongsun Zan's recent ridicule of his elder brother had upset him. So, Guan Yu asked softly, "Brother, is it because of Gongsun Zan's inappropriate words to you a few days ago?"

Zhang Fei was immediately enraged upon hearing this. His eyes widened as he cursed, "Humph! That Gongsun Zan is such a scoundrel! When I was under his command, I risked my life for him and served him relentlessly. Now that I've received some food and supplies, he's become jealous and even comes to mock me. Does he really think we're easy to bully? Don't pay any attention to him. We don't need to worry about a villain like him!"

Liu Bei sighed again, a sigh filled with resignation. He said slowly, "Third and Second Brothers, Gongsun Zan's fault is not this. After all, it was the Emperor who made the promise. Gongsun Zan is inherently stubborn. Seeing that I've received supplies while he's been unable to obtain them, he's naturally angry, and that's why he said those words to me. Alas, everything in this world is interconnected by cause and effect. How could I bother with him over such a trivial matter?"

Guan Yu was puzzled when he heard this and asked, "Brother, if it's not Gongsun Zan, then what exactly is it that worries you so much? Don't make me and my younger brother worry. Tell us so we can share your worries."

Liu Bei raised his head, his eyes filled with deep worry. He gazed at the tent roof and said with a worried look on his face, "Alas, I'm worried about the Emperor's temperament. As the ruler of a country, he should have the world at heart and lead his generals with integrity. But now he's been playing the game of emperor all day, stirring up trouble among his generals and causing discord among them. If this continues, when will the Han Dynasty truly be revived? When will peace return to the people of this world? We have fought wholeheartedly to support the Han Dynasty, but the human strife and political schemes behind it are like an invisible blade, gradually severing the foundation of our Han Dynasty!"

Zhang Fei, upon hearing this, was somewhat skeptical. He said loudly, "Brother, I see that the Emperor treats the three of us brothers with great courtesy. He's always polite when we meet, and he gives us many rewards. How is that like what you say?"