The Later Three Kingdoms: Slaying Deng Ai, and Reviving the Han Dynasty

"Since Heaven has given me this opportunity, wouldn't it be against the will of Heaven if I didn't do something?" Liu Chen smiled.

"But I'm just an ordinary person. My intelligence certainly can't compare to that of Sima Zhao, Deng Ai, or Jiang Wei. In fact, I might not even be as good as Huang Hao. After all, Huang Hao was someone who could deceive Liu Shan and monopolize the government."

"Besides the difference in intelligence, my position is actually quite awkward. In ancient royal families, the relationships between fathers and sons, and brothers, were very delicate. It would be very bad for an emperor to have no sons. It would also be very bad for an emperor to have no brothers. But if the emperor's sons or brothers were too powerful, the emperor would also be in a very bad position."

"After Liu Shan ascended the throne, he drove his two brothers out of Chengdu and made them nominal princes."

"If I were to do something, my situation would become very dangerous."

"If I were to travel back in time to become Liu Shan in the first year of the Jingyao era, things would be much easier. Apart from having a shorter lifespan, as long as I can adhere to the six words 'be close to virtuous ministers and keep away from petty men,' and rely on the geographical advantage of Bashu, Cao Wei simply won't be able to invade."

Liu Chen's thoughts were a jumbled mess; he considered many things, but it was truly a headache. His status as a prince had become a prison.

They've drawn a line in the sand and imprisoned themselves.

To the eunuchs and palace maids, his appearance was that of someone in a daze, someone who was absent-minded, and someone in an abnormal state.

The eunuchs and palace maids, recalling Liu Chen's day and night in a coma, felt extremely uneasy. An old eunuch cautiously asked, "Is Young Master Chen tired? Would he like to rest? Or should we summon the imperial physician?"

Liu Chen snapped out of his daze, then thought, "There are still five or six years left, right? Let's take it slow."

He looked up at the old eunuch and said, "No need. I just ate too much and my head is spinning."

As he spoke, he stood up and walked out of the small hall, strolling around the corridor.

The eunuchs and palace maids were slightly relieved, but dared not neglect their duties and quickly followed Liu Chen. One of the eunuchs brought a bearskin cloak and draped it over Liu Chen. The spring chill was still quite strong, and they were afraid he would get cold.

They followed closely behind, afraid that Liu Chen might fall.

"This is ancient times. Those born into powerful families indulge in extravagance and debauchery. Those born into commoner families work from sunrise to sunset."

Liu Chen sighed inwardly, but felt no guilt. He had to adapt to the environment, not resist it. Moreover, he had received the original owner's memories, which acted like lubricant, allowing him to integrate into this era more quickly.

Liu Chen spun around ten times, wanting to spin again. The eunuchs and maids couldn't take it anymore. The old eunuch said anxiously, "Young Master has just recovered from a serious illness and should focus on recuperation. This servant dares to ask Young Master to return to his room to rest."

The other eunuchs and palace maids couldn't help but nod in agreement.

Liu Chen felt there wasn't much of a problem; this body was strong and healthy, with plenty of stamina. He could even run ten laps without issue. But seeing their terrified expressions, he softened, nodded, and was about to head back.

A guard entered from outside the palace gate, bowed to Liu Chen, and said, "Young Master Chen, Mi Zhao requests an audience."

A heroic and noble face, along with historical records, immediately came to mind for Liu Chen.

Mi Zhu begat Mi Wei, and Mi Wei begat Mi Zhao.

The Mi family has been skilled in riding and archery for three generations.

Mi Zhao currently serves in the Imperial Guard, specifically in the Tiger Cavalry Battalion. He is a son of a noble family, and his position as a palace guard is both leisurely and respectable.

The relationship between the Liu Han imperial family and the nobles was very delicate. Not only Mi Zhao, but also many other noble sons were close ministers of Liu Shan or members of the imperial guards.

Liu Chen and Mi Zhao knew each other since childhood, and because they were both skilled in riding and archery, they got along quite well.

"Please come in." Liu Chen gathered his thoughts and looked up to speak.

"Yes." The guard bowed in response and turned to leave.

Liu Chen turned his head and asked, "Did they come as they did yesterday?"

"Reporting to the young master, Cavalryman Mi Hu came to visit you yesterday, but found you unconscious. He sat for a while and then left, leaving behind a bolt of Shu brocade," the eunuch replied.

"Hmm." Liu Chen nodded slightly. As the saying goes, a turbulent wind reveals a loyal minister, and a strong wind reveals the sturdy grass. This shows who is closer to whom. I'll have to ask carefully later who visited him while he was unconscious.

"Young master."

Liu Chen heard a call and looked up. He saw a heroic man wearing a wide-sleeved, ornate robe, a short cap, and a Han sword at his waist, carrying a piece of richly colored Shu brocade as he walked in.

"Zhao, I heard you came yesterday and left a bolt of Shu brocade. Why are you bringing another one today?" Liu Chen stood up and asked.

"I came to visit you yesterday because I heard you were seriously ill. Today I am overjoyed to learn that you are well. Congratulations!" Mi Zhao said with a smile, his face beaming with undisguised happiness.

The eunuch beside Liu Chen was very perceptive and stepped forward to accept the Shu brocade.

Liu Chen sighed, "Having one or two true friends in my life is enough. Zhao, you are truly my true friend."

Mi Zhao raised an eyebrow, carefully examined Liu Chen, and asked, "Why are you being so mushy today?"

Although they get along well, Liu Chen wouldn't have said something like this before. But these words really felt good to hear. I'm so happy.

"Perhaps it's because I've died once. Although it's said that a person's personality and temperament won't change until death, truly facing death can still change one's character," Liu Chen said with a smile.

Mi Zhao raised an eyebrow again. This is really strange today.

"Has something unusual happened? Or is there something you're thinking about, young master?" Mi Zhao asked after a moment's thought.

Liu Chen was somewhat surprised. Was this guy really that smart? A thought struck him, and he knelt down in the corridor, pointed to the person in front of him, and said, "Sit."

He couldn't come up with any solutions on his own. They say three cobblers can outwit Zhuge Liang. Consulting someone is much better than working alone in isolation.

"Thank you for sitting." Mi Zhao bowed, took off his shoes, and knelt down on the veranda.

"You may all leave," Liu Chen said calmly, glancing at the palace maids and eunuchs around him.

"Yes." The palace maids and eunuchs obeyed without question, bowed, and left.

Mi Zhao was surprised once again, his expression becoming more serious than ever before, and he even seemed a little uneasy. It felt like there was some kind of conspiracy going on.

Liu Chen was a prince.

He was a member of the Imperial Guard.

It doesn't seem like a good thing.

Liu Chen sensed the atmosphere becoming somewhat awkward. After carefully considering his words, he finally spoke: "Like I said before, I've died once, and many of my thoughts have changed."

"Although I'm only sixteen, people these days call themselves 'old men' at thirty, and many die before they're even twenty or in their early twenties. Time flies, and I want to do something too. I just don't know what to do right now, so I wanted to ask for your opinion."

This topic... Mi Zhao felt it was becoming increasingly dangerous. But Liu Chen's words were cleverly chosen, without revealing anything. It wasn't that he couldn't bring himself to say it. Mi Zhao carefully considered his tone and words before saying, "Young master, money can influence even the gods."