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

Chen Xi quickly calmed down, since the Chen family had no expectations of Liu Chen anyway. The marriage wasn't for Liu Chen as a person, but rather to become relatives with the Li family of Nanzhong.

The soldiers became interested; it turned out they wanted to hear a story.

Zhang Sheng and Wang Chong narrowed their eyes, seemingly lost in thought.

The dozens of elderly men remained calm.

Your Majesty is a wise and benevolent ruler. Let alone hearing tales of your ancestors' glorious deeds, they would even enjoy the sound of dogs barking.

After Liu Chen finished speaking, he turned his head and looked at Yang Yong with a smile.

Yang Yong was well-versed in Liu Chen's family affairs and had made ample preparations, but he still hesitated for a moment before speaking. Then, with great enthusiasm, he said, "At the end of the Han Dynasty, many heroes rose up. Cao Cao was almost invincible in terms of military strategy and tactics. Yuan Shao's family was powerful and deeply rooted. Lü Bu possessed the courage of a tiger, and heroes feared him. Sun Quan was cunning and treacherous, protecting his father and brother's legacy."

"While other members of the Han imperial family, such as Liu Dai, Liu Yao, Liu Zhang, and Liu Biao, each guarded their own territories, why was it only Liu Bei (Liu Zhaolie) who was able to revive the Han Dynasty?"

At this point, Yang Yong paused, looked up at everyone, his eyes bright, his emotions at their peak.

Everyone was unconsciously swayed by his emotions, and asked themselves: Why?

Benevolence? Courage? Tenacity? Or something else entirely?

The brilliance of Liu Chen's ancestors was so dazzling, but due to Liu Shan's actions, it has dimmed considerably with the passage of time.

Some people only know one side of the story, not the other.

Some people are completely in the dark, knowing absolutely nothing.

But the name of Emperor Zhaolie is so resounding that it's hard not to arouse curiosity.

Seeing the change in everyone's expressions, Yang Yong smiled slightly and continued, "The story of Zhaolie could go on for three days and three nights. But there are some things that, once I tell you, you will understand."

After a pause, Yang Yong said, "Liu Bei suffered countless defeats in his battles against Cao Cao, and abandoned his wife and children on several occasions."

Liu Chen rubbed his chin and rolled his eyes at Yang Yong. Is that how you praise someone?

Everyone had been eagerly anticipating Yang Yong's narration of Liu Bei's bravery, skill in battle, and high moral character. Unexpectedly, the story began with Liu Bei's defeats and his repeated abandonment of his wife and children. The contrast was too great, leaving everyone astonished.

Yang Yong then said, "In the sixth year of Jian'an, Cao Cao was invincible, and Zhaolie had no place to stand in the Central Plains. He had no choice but to go south and submit to Liu Biao. At that time, Zhaolie was over forty years old."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Liu Bei lived in Jingzhou for several years. Because he rarely led troops into battle, he didn't ride horses often. As a result, his legs grew fat, and he couldn't help but weep bitterly, lamenting the passing of time and his unfulfilled ambitions."

Yang Yong then added meaningfully, "At that time, Zhaolie was nearly fifty years old, had suffered countless defeats, and had abandoned his wife and children several times. He had no more than a thousand soldiers and no more than Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun as generals."

Everyone understood and couldn't help but feel a deep respect.

The white-haired men present were particularly moved, having failed countless times, abandoned their wives and children several times, and still had unfulfilled ambitions at the age of fifty.

At forty, one is no longer perplexed; at fifty, one knows one's destiny.

If it were an ordinary person, they would have given up long ago.

Zhaolie's perseverance and indomitable spirit ultimately led to the establishment of a dynasty and his ascension to the Han throne. Given Zhaolie's tenacity and courage, wasn't it also a matter of destiny?

Seeing the expressions on everyone's faces, Yang Yong knew they understood. He stroked his beard and nodded with a smile.

His voice grew increasingly impassioned as he said, "In the Battle of Red Cliffs, Cao Cao led his troops to attack Jingzhou with overwhelming force. Liu Cong, fearing the consequences, surrendered Jingzhou to Cao Cao. The people of Jingzhou, hearing of Cao Cao's arrival, feared his slaughter. Upon hearing that Liu Bei was marching south, they gathered the elderly and the weak to pursue him, totaling more than 100,000 people."

"At that time, there were many supply wagons, and the convoy moved extremely slowly."

"Among these 100,000 men, some advised Zhaolie to abandon them and go to Jiangling first. Jiangling is a large city with military supplies and provisions. If Jiangling is taken first, then we can confront Cao Cao. Zhaolie replied, 'The people follow me, and I cannot bear to abandon them.'"

Cao Cao sent light cavalry to pursue him. Zhaolie suffered another defeat and once again abandoned his wife and fled for his life.

"If Liu Bei had occupied Jiangling with his troops at that time, the situation at Chibi would probably have been very different."

At this point, Yang Yong paused again.

The crowd understood. The people weren't foolish; they would find their own way. That's where benevolence and righteousness lie. Cao Cao, on the other hand, didn't have a good reputation.

Yang Yong continued, "After Guan Yu's defeat, all the officials of Jingzhou surrendered to Sun Quan. Liao Gonghua, the chief clerk of Jingzhou, feigned surrender and then faked his death. Everyone in Jiangdong believed him. Liao Gonghua sought an opportunity, carrying his elderly mother, and traveled day and night to return to Zhaolie (Sun Quan). He met Zhaolie in Zigui. Liao Gonghua missed Zhaolie and was unwilling to serve as Sun Quan's subject."

Yang Yong continued, "Guan Yu was defeated and killed, and Zhao Lie wanted to avenge him. General Huang Quan tried to dissuade Zhao Lie. Zhao Lie did not listen to Huang Quan and personally led his troops to attack Sun Quan. Zhao Lie ordered Huang Quan to lead troops to garrison north of the Yangtze River to defend against the Wei army. The fire at Yiling wiped out tens of thousands of elite troops. Zhao Lie's army was almost completely wiped out, and he fled back to Baidi City. Huang Quan was unable to return to Yizhou because the roads were cut off, and he could only lead his troops to surrender to Cao Wei."

"The officials, in accordance with military law, were to search for and arrest Huang Quan's wife and children."

"Zhaolie said, 'I have wronged Huang Quan, but Huang Quan has not wronged me. Not only have I not punished Huang Quan's family, but I have treated them as before.'"

At this point, Yang Yong added meaningfully, "Huang Quan has a son named Huang Chong, who is deeply grateful for Liu Bei's kindness and righteousness. He often sheds tears and says that he wants to die for the country."

"Good job." Liu Chen clapped his hands and laughed. Yang Yong cited many examples to explain why Liu Bei succeeded.

However, Yang Yong did not directly say how awesome Liu Bei was; he even started talking about Liu Bei from the point of defeat.

Liu Bei served under Gongsun Zan, Tao Qian, Lü Bu, Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and Liu Biao... suffering countless defeats, abandoning his wife and children several times, and enduring great humiliation.

In the Battle of Dangyang, Liu Bei knew full well the ensuing trouble, yet he refused to abandon the people. Abandoning them and establishing a small military stronghold in Jiangling would have been a more advantageous option for him. But Liu Bei chose to suffer defeat alongside his people.

After Guan Yu's defeat, Liao Hua refused to serve Sun Quan and carried his elderly mother westward to return to Liu Bei.

After the fire at Yiling, Liu Bei felt he had let Huang Quan down.

Why?

Why did Liu Bei, despite suffering countless defeats, always manage to rise again? Why did Chen Deng still call Liu Bei a hero?

Chen Deng of Guangling was a very proud and aloof man who rarely looked up to anyone, but he held Liu Bei in the highest esteem. He said, "In terms of strategies for becoming a king or hegemon, I admire Liu Xuande."

After Liu Bei sought refuge with Liu Biao, some people spoke ill of Chen Deng. At that time, Chen Deng was serving Cao Cao in Xuzhou. Liu Bei still spoke out for justice and defended Chen Deng.

Aren't these two going in opposite directions?

Why was Liu Bei considered a succubus at the end of the Han Dynasty, and why was he able to succeed?

On the contrary, Cao Cao was so powerful, cunning, brave, and resourceful, so why didn't he unify the country? What were his shortcomings?

Sun Quan was ruthless and cunning, but he was good at employing people and was able to preserve Sun Ce's foundation. Why was he confined to the southeast? What were his shortcomings?

Why did the Three Kingdoms period come about?

After hearing Yang Yong's words, everything becomes clear.

Even if this country is terrible, it still has a glorious past.

It can still be saved.

Come on. Let us rebuild our faith and rekindle the fighting spirit of our ancestors.

He killed Deng Ai at his doorstep, so that the glory of the Han Dynasty could be revived.