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

The King of the North sent a royal envoy to summon him to serve as prime minister, offering a white jade disc.

This is completely different from the situation where the King of the North came in person.

The doorman, flustered, hurriedly opened the door and invited Liu Chen in. Meanwhile, he rushed to the study to find Yang Yong.

Inside the study. Yang Yong was reading the Shu Ke textbook. As he read, tears streamed down his face, and he cried as he read.

The Shu Code was a set of laws compiled by Zhuge Liang, Fa Zheng, Yi Ji, Li Yan, Liu Ba, and others. Although there were additions and subtractions later, the basic structure remained unchanged.

It was Zhuge Liang who took the lead in compiling the book because "Liu Zhang governed Yizhou, and the laws in Yizhou were lenient," and "the emperor's punishments were not strict, his subjects were undisciplined, and many powerful and influential people broke the law."

In the past, every official of the Han Dynasty had a copy of the Shu Examination Manual. Yang Yong was an official under Zhuge Liang, so it goes without saying.

"What a magnificent sight it was when the Prime Minister was alive!" Yang Yong cried.

"Master. The King of the North has arrived and entered the residence." The gatekeeper rushed in, stumbled and fell to the ground, and looked up to report.

"What did you say?!?!" Yang Yong was dumbfounded, then panicked. He grabbed a handkerchief to wipe his tears, straightened his clothes, and hurriedly got up to greet him.

"Go and inform Yuan," he ordered as he walked past the gatehouse.

He could ignore the king's envoy, but he couldn't ignore Liu Chen, as long as he still considered himself a Han subject.

It wasn't because Liu Chen was a vassal king, but because Liu Chen was a prince.

He was a Han official in life and a Han ghost in death.

After Yang Yong left the study, he saw Liu Chen wearing a casual outfit made of Shu brocade and a Liu family crown, walking towards him surrounded by people.

"What a handsome appearance! Truly a descendant of Zhaolie." Yang Yong praised Liu Chen's appearance in his heart, quickly put on his shoes, and went out to greet him, saying, "This humble man, Yang Yong, greets Your Majesty." After a pause, he bowed again and said, "This humble man has failed to greet you from afar; please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Liu Chen glanced at Yang Yong, who looked much the same as when they met last year. He smiled and said, "I came without prior notice; you are innocent."

Just then, Yang Yuan hurriedly came out and, seeing this scene, quickly walked over to his father's side and bowed to Liu Chen.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Yang Yong bowed again. He then invited, "Please, Your Majesty."

"Hmm." Liu Chen nodded and went to the corridor. A eunuch came over and helped Liu Chen take off his shoes.

Liu Chen went up into the corridor and into the study.

The Yang father and son followed closely behind.

Liu Chen dismissed his attendants and sat in the main seat, while Yang and his son knelt on either side of him.

After Liu Chen was seated, he said directly, "Yesterday, I sent an envoy with a white jade disc to invite you to be my prime minister. Why did you refuse?"

Yang Yong had calmed down and gracefully cupped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty, I am old and ill, and unable to shoulder such a heavy responsibility."

Liu Chen shook his head and said with a smile, "You are not being honest."

Yang Yong's face flushed slightly; indeed, he was in excellent health and rarely fell ill. But he quickly regained his composure; his age was a factor, and that made sense. The King of the North had arrived, and he should be welcomed.

But he wouldn't take the official position.

"I dare not deceive Your Majesty," Yang Yong said sadly. "I am already dependent on medicine and get up seven or eight times a night. I'm afraid I won't live much longer."

"Hahahaha." Liu Chen burst into laughter.

"Why is Wang laughing?" Yang Yong asked helplessly, picking up the conversation.

"I never expected you to be so witty," Liu Chen continued with a laugh. The old man was an upright man, but that didn't mean he wouldn't lie.

Liu Chen let the joke go and said directly, "I am a straightforward person, so I will speak frankly. I know my reputation is not good, which is why you rejected me."

"You are a gentleman; how could you associate with a king like me? Is that not so?"

Yang Yong wanted to explain.

Liu Chen waved his hand and said, "You don't need to explain. I know everything. I don't care about it because I am indeed greedy, lustful, and stingy."

"But I have one hobby."

Liu Chen, head held high and chest puffed out, said with righteous indignation, "I enjoy listening to stories, especially stories about the good deeds of my ancestors."

"I know you are a veteran official under Zhuge Liang and know the past of Emperor Zhaolie. I know how I enfeoffed my state. Although there is the official title of Prefect of the Northern Region, it is not a real title. I have summoned you not to do anything, nor do I need you to collude with me. On the contrary, you can gather the former officials of Emperor Zhaolie and former subordinates of Zhuge Liang and explain their past to me."

"Furthermore," Liu Chen said with a smile, glancing at Yang Yuan, "I know you and your father are currently in dire straits, and are doing this for the sake of the family. Shouldn't you, sir, step forward and do something?"

Before Yang Yong could say anything more, Liu Chen stood up and said, "I have said all I need to say. You may consider it for yourself."

He walked out the gate with his hand on his sword, and the eunuch came in from outside. He put down the imperial seal and the white jade.

The seal is a symbol of authority.

The white jade was a betrothal gift.

When a king recruits a minister, he always presents him with a white jade disc.

"Your Majesty!" Yang Yong and his son Yang Yuan were stunned by Liu Chen's actions, so much so that they were a beat slow to react. By the time they stood up to chase after him, Liu Chen was already far away.

They chased him to the door, but Liu Chen had already gotten into the car.

"No need to see me off." Liu Chen waved his hand with a smile and ordered the group to set off. The large group of people split up and headed forward.

On the carriage, Liu Chen knelt with his sword in hand, his smile never ceasing.

Favorable timing is not as important as favorable location.

Favorable location is not as important as favorable human relationships.

The fall of the Han dynasty was due to the loss of popular support.

Rebuilding faith, recalling the glorious past. Thinking back to the time when Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang were alive, the Han dynasty was powerful and prosperous.

That's the job he has to do.

Yang Yong and other upright old officials existed during the time of Zhaolie and Zhuge.

It is a precious legacy.

"Let's fight together." Liu Chen thought to himself, his eyes slightly closed, filled with anticipation and satisfaction.

In front of the Yang residence.

Yang Yong and his son Yang Yuan stood watching the king depart. Their brows furrowed in unison, lost in thought.

"Father, this King of the North's behavior is somewhat inconsistent with the rumors," Yang Yuan turned his head and spoke first.

"If we put aside the rumors, he is a very straightforward person. Moreover, he is handsome and has a dignified demeanor. His words and actions are not annoying." Yang Yong nodded and added more details.

Some people hide a knife behind a smile.

Even if someone is willing to act, they won't.

Throughout his many years as a veteran official, Yang Yong had met all sorts of people. Liu Chen spoke with a smile and in a calm, unhurried tone during his conversations with the father and son.

Beautiful appearance, witty remarks.

A handsome man who smiles a lot is usually not a bad person.

Unless you're hiding a knife behind a smile.

However, Yang Yong did not think that Liu Chen was a person who was smiling while hiding a knife.

Putting aside Liu Chen's reputation, he did not dislike Liu Chen.

Yang Yuan looked at Yang Yong again, stroked his chin, and said, "Father, should we take the position of Prime Minister?"

He added, "Father, our family will soon be starving."

The Yang family consists of more than just the father and son; there is an entire extended family. The children are young and still need to study.

If all else fails, the father and son will have no choice but to copy books for others.

Upon hearing this, Yang Yong's face turned ashen, and he raised his hand to tug hard at his beard.