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

The palace is very large.

The front palace was where offices were located.

There were serious officials, less serious guests, and ordinary palace stewards.

Inside a room.

After Prime Minister Yang Yong and ten white-haired men had eaten and drunk their fill, they had their servants clear away the leftovers and then sat together boasting.

Just as Liu Chen promised.

Yang Yong was not responsible for specific tasks, but only for discussions.

Liu Chen also gave Yang Yong ten guest slots, which meant that the group in front of him could discuss things together.

They were talking about old stories from the time of Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang.

Yang Yong initially refused, but was persuaded by Liu Chen. Because his family was struggling to make ends meet, he reluctantly started working.

I'm happy every day now.

The world outside is too dark. The Northern King's Palace is like a paradise.

"I suddenly remembered something," Yang Yong said, hiccuping as his face flushed.

"What is it?" The ten white-haired guests all turned to look at him, and one of them asked.

"Military Advisor Pang!" Yang Yong's spirits lifted, and he said with great enthusiasm, "Pang Degong was a famous scholar at the time, skilled at judging people. He was the one who said that Military Advisor Pang was the Phoenix Chick, the Prime Minister was the Crouching Dragon, and Sima Hui was the Water Mirror. As a result, Military Advisor Pang became well-known in Jingzhou and was hailed as the crown jewel of the Southern State."

"Later, Zhou Yu conquered Nan Commandery and became its governor. He recruited Pang Junshi as his chief clerk. When Zhou Yu died, Pang Junshi escorted Zhou Yu's coffin back to Jiangdong. At that time, all the famous scholars in Jiangdong knew Pang Junshi."

"Military Advisor Pang associated with them and won the favor of the famous scholars of Jiangdong."

"Later, Strategist Pang also commented on people, but his comments were often exaggerated."

"Some people found it strange and asked strategist Pang privately. Strategist Pang replied, 'The world is in chaos now, there are many villains and few good people, and people's hearts have not been what they used to be. We should promote good people more, and when there are more good people, there will be fewer villains.'"

"Later, when the Prime Minister governed Ba and Shu, he promoted good people and punished bad people. He praised the good and condemned the bad. As a result, the bad officials in Ba and Shu dared not be cunning and became capable officials. The good people all strived to do their best, fearing to let the Prime Minister down. Therefore, during the Prime Minister's reign, the country was prosperous and the laws were clear. He allied with Sun Quan in the east and launched a northern expedition against Cao Wei."

"Isn't this a case of great minds thinking alike? Military Advisor Pang and Fa Xiaozhi were both chief strategists, but Pang's magnanimity far surpassed Fa Xiaozhi's. If Military Advisor Pang hadn't died, with the Sleeping Dragon and the Young Phoenix working together, our Han Dynasty would probably have prospered long ago. What a pity, what a lament!"

"Waaaaah."

Yang Yong praised Pang Tong with great enthusiasm, but after he finished praising him, he became emotional and burst into tears.

The ten white-haired guests present all shared Yang Yong's sentiments. Upon hearing this, some wept along with him, while others lamented incessantly.

If Prime Minister Zhuge Liang lived to be a hundred years old, and if Military Advisor Pang Tong also lived to be a hundred years old.

The Han Dynasty will surely prosper!

Of course, although the French strategist was not good at morality or governing the country, he was good at strategy and was a master strategist.

It's a pity he died too young.

Oh, right. There's also Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Ma Chao, and Huang Zhong.

besides......

When Emperor Zhaolie was alive, how powerful our Han Dynasty was!

Why!!!!

The more they thought about the good old days, the more they hated the bad old days. Soon, the room was filled with curses.

Some criticized Jiang Wei for his aggressive military campaigns, while others wanted to kill Huang Hao and Qiao Zhou.

It's so lively!

Yang Yong felt great.

The world has gone awry, there's nothing we can do. We hide away, indulging in the glory of the past, living a life of decadence and debauchery.

The eunuch beside Liu Chen came to the door and heard the nonsense inside. His face darkened, and he coughed lightly.

"cough!!!"

"Hmm?" Yang Yong and the others with white hair immediately came to their senses, straightened their clothes, and sat up straight.

The eunuch, his face grim, said, “Gentlemen, the King of the North enjoys hearing about the affairs of our ancestors, which is why he has invited you here to discuss them. But he has not asked you to criticize current affairs, so please be careful with your words.”

Their king was on good terms with the eunuch, especially with him, and they were deeply bound together by money. Yet these old men gathered to curse the eunuch.

"Hmph." Yang Yong and the others didn't take the eunuch seriously and snorted coldly. But they also toned it down a little.

The eunuchs were powerless against Yang Yong and his gang, so they had to change the subject, saying, "His Majesty has summoned all the princes and nobles to discuss this matter."

"Yes." Yang Yong and the others immediately became serious; this was their job. And it was the first time. They exchanged glances and stood up in unison to acknowledge them.

The eunuch led Yang Yong and the others out of the palace and onto a large wooden platform outside the palace.

The stage was filled with seats.

Yang Yong and the others arrived first and took their seats. They assumed that Liu Chen was the only one who would hear about their ancestors' past.

But to their surprise...

Zhang Sheng and Wang Chong led dozens of men over. These men were very strong, with upright postures and steady gaits, clearly soldiers.

The soldiers looked bewildered and somewhat at a loss. After they went up the wooden platform, they knelt down on the outer perimeter as arranged by the eunuchs.

Just as Yang Yong and the others were puzzled, many older men dressed as commoners came over and took their seats as arranged by the eunuchs.

"These all seem to be long-time residents of Wangzhuang," a guest remarked, recognizing some of them.

Yang Yong and the others were increasingly confused.

The King of the North asked them to tell stories of their ancestors, but why are there so many people? And why are their backgrounds so complicated?

Not to mention those present, even the eunuchs were completely baffled.

What exactly does the Northern King want to do?

Most of the soldiers in the army were rough and uncouth and didn't know any rules, so they started whispering among themselves.

For a moment, the stage resembled a vegetable market.

Yang Yong's face darkened.

What on earth is going on?!

What kind of behavior is this?

"Clatter, clatter, clatter!" The rapid sound of hooves rang out, and everyone on the platform turned to look. Seeing a rider galloping towards them, the rider reined in his horse and raised his head to shout, "The King's procession is approaching!"

"Silence." The eunuch's stern voice rang in everyone's ears.

The soldiers, the old man from Menghu, Prime Minister Yang Yong, the white-haired guest, Zhang Sheng, Wang Chong, and everyone else became serious and quiet.

Surrounded by a retinue, Liu Chen arrived at the edge of the platform in a golden carriage.

Tiger-like warriors served as his guards, escorting Liu Chen up the eastern steps. Then, they lined up in the center, swords at their sides.

The eunuchs stood on either side of the throne, heads bowed and eyebrows lowered.

Liu Chen, with his hand on the hilt of his sword, strode confidently to the throne and sat down. Then, looking up, he smiled and said, "I have many hobbies."

"The first is the love of money."

"Secondly, it's about saving face."

"I especially enjoy hearing others talk about my ancestors, such as Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang. I am very happy when others praise them. That is why we are talking about them today."

Chen Xi was seated next to Liu Chen.

Chen Xi believed that the discussion before the king was either about classics or about current affairs.

Surprisingly, Liu Chen was concerned with saving face and also enjoyed hearing stories of his ancestors...

"My brother-in-law is truly absurd," Chen Xi thought to himself, shaking his head slightly.