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

Yang Yong spoke animatedly about Liu Bei's past, and his ten like-minded guests joined in, exchanging words and praising Liu Bei and the Han Dynasty.

A look of longing crossed everyone's faces, and they couldn't help but think, "How wonderful it would be if Emperor Zhaolie lived forever."

After speaking of Zhaolie for a long time, Yang Yong finally composed himself and said seriously, "Zhaolie visited the thatched cottage three times and gained the Prime Minister Zhuge Liang."

A refreshing energy flowed into everyone's minds, invigorating their spirits. Wolong, the Prime Minister.

Emperor Zhaolie, the Prime Minister. If we're talking about the imprint left on this country, the Prime Minister's mark is more profound.

First of all, Zhaolie only reigned as emperor for two years.

Secondly, after Zhaolie conquered Yizhou, he continuously led troops in battle. He marched north to Hanzhong, beheading Xiahou. The Xiang River was designated as the border. The Battle of Yiling followed.

What about Zhuge Liang?

After Zhaolie conquered Chengdu, Zhuge Liang took command there, ensuring ample troops and provisions.

Before Zhuge Liang was entrusted with the care of the young emperor and became prime minister, he had already begun to preside over the administration of Bashu.

How to govern this country, how to design systems, and how to shape the social atmosphere were all accomplished by Zhuge Liang.

"A leader leaves a strong personal imprint on the regime. Take the Sun family next door, for example. Liu Bei was Sun Ce, and Zhuge Liang was Sun Quan. One was to start the regime, and the other was to establish it. Without Zhuge Liang, there would be no Liu Han dynasty," Liu Chen thought to himself.

Yang Yong took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement, and stroked his beard, saying meaningfully, "To talk about the Prime Minister, we must first talk about Xuzhou. The Prime Minister is from Langya County in Xuzhou. When the Prime Minister was a little over ten years old, Cao Cao led a large army to attack Xuzhou and massacred more than ten cities."

Yang Yong stopped short of speaking and brought the topic back on track. He said, "The Prime Minister later lived in Jingzhou, where he was known as the Crouching Dragon, comparing himself to Guan Zhong and Yue Yi."

Yang Yong was an official under Zhuge Liang, so he knew Zhuge Liang's life and deeds very well. He started with Zhuge Liang's life story, leaving no detail unmentioned.

Until Zhaolie burned everything in Yiling, the prime minister took charge of the government and assisted the young emperor.

As Yang Yong spoke, everyone couldn't help but imagine Zhuge Liang's life story.

People from the same prefecture, county, or county are called fellow townsmen. People nowadays value fellow townsmen the most.

The Prime Minister may have witnessed Cao Cao's massacre of Xuzhou.

When the topic turned to Zhuge Liang taking over the administration, Yang Yong paused for a moment, then continued, "The Prime Minister's laws were strict, he suppressed powerful clans, rewarded the loyal and virtuous, and punished the wicked. Everyone in Bashu knows these things, so I won't go into them. Instead, I'll talk about how the Prime Minister governed Bashu."

At this point, Yang Yong's expression became even more serious.

"The Prime Minister held supreme power for over ten years, leading large armies on six campaigns. He launched one campaign against the Southern Regions and five Northern Expeditions, dispatching troops every two years. Countless able-bodied men died on the roads due to forced labor. Yet, the people of Sichuan did not rebel, and even decades after the Prime Minister's death, they continued to mourn him. Why?"

"Prime Minister, yes."

"The Prime Minister governs Sichuan and Chongqing, and his methods are only one aspect. His other is generating revenue."

"There are two more revenue streams."

"The first achievement was the construction of water conservancy projects. The Prime Minister's greatest accomplishment in Chengdu was the management of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System. Dujiangyan was built by Li Bing and his son. Before Li Bing and his son, the Chengdu Plain was flooded almost every year. It was not the Land of Abundance, but rather a vast expanse of marshland. It was only after Li Bing and his son built Dujiangyan and controlled the rivers that the Land of Abundance was created."

"The Chengdu Plain is the foundation, and the Prime Minister inherited the established practices of Li Bing and his son. He compiled the old rules for managing Dujiangyan, such as when to dredge silt, into regulations, and dispatched more than a thousand able-bodied men to reside permanently on Dujiangyan to protect the foundation of Sichuan."

Yang Yong recounted Zhuge Liang's political achievements in detail.

Dujiangyan, Jiuli Embankment.

The water conservancy and irrigation systems built by Zhuge Liang in Bashu were countless, benefiting an immeasurable number of acres of land.

Zhuge Liang was stationed in Hanzhong, intending to launch a northern expedition against the Central Plains. While training his troops, he also constructed irrigation canals in Hanzhong.

Wherever others were, they built. Countless irrigation canals were constructed or repaired.

The famous one is the Shanhe Embankment.

During his career as the head of the government, Zhuge Liang was more skilled in water conservancy than countless officials in the Qin and Han dynasties combined.

In addition, they also needed to launch a northern expedition to the Central Plains, planning strategies and tactics.

Rule of law, etc.

"Such a great achievement is what makes this a huge IP. It's what has earned the praise of the people of Sichuan for over a thousand years." Liu Chen thought of Zhuge Liang more than a thousand years later. The incense at the Prime Minister's Temple is still burning brightly.

After recounting how Zhuge Liang's water conservancy projects benefited agriculture, Yang Yong, full of energy, added, "The Prime Minister values ​​agriculture but does not suppress commerce."

"Although the Prime Minister governed Bashu and implemented the salt and iron monopoly, and ordered the southern regions to contribute money, gold, able-bodied men, and oxen, he also generated revenue through Shu brocade."

"Shu brocade is the most gorgeous silk in the world. The powerful and noble people of Cao Wei and Eastern Wu could not do without Shu brocade."

"The Prime Minister should protect and develop the Shu brocade industry. Use the Shu brocade to exchange for Cao Wei's warhorses and supplies, and Eastern Wu's grain. At the same time, this will benefit the people."

"Shu brocade is sold north to Liangzhou and west to the Western Regions. It is also sold through the ancient southern route to the deep mountains of the south. I think the reason why the Prime Minister is so determined to conquer Liangzhou is probably because he is considering the trade routes of Shu brocade, and not just because he wants to acquire Liangzhou warhorses."

Yang Yong explained in great detail how Zhuge Liang governed Bashu.

When the rule of law is upheld, the government and the public are respectful, and the officialdom is clean and honest.

To govern the army, to emphasize military affairs, and to strengthen the military.

They collected supplies from the south, established a salt and iron monopoly, protected and developed Shu brocade, and provided abundant military supplies.

Water conservancy projects were built, and granaries for both officials and civilians were overflowing.

While governing the country, Zhuge Liang was stationed in Hanzhong, worrying day and night, and was determined to launch a northern expedition to the Central Plains, with his heart set on the restoration of the Han dynasty. In the end, he devoted himself to the cause until his death.

He sacrificed his life for his country.

Zhuge Liang's posthumous title was Zhongwu (忠武).

Zhuge Liang wielded immense power, yet no one, whether in the highest court or in the farthest corners of the country, ever doubted him.

Therefore, his final judgment was made, and he was posthumously awarded the title of "Loyal".

He launched six military campaigns, which intimidated enemy countries.

Therefore, his posthumous title was Wu.

It was already dark when Yang Yong finished speaking.

It was well past lunchtime.

But no one knew when it got dark, and no one realized that they were hungry.

Everyone was immersed in Zhuge Liang's brilliance.

This included the eunuchs around Liu Chen.

Yang Yong smacked his lips, and finally sighed, "Why is it that the Prime Minister launches northern expeditions year after year, exhausting the people's strength? Yet the people don't resent the Prime Minister; instead, they sing his praises for decades. It's like the Zhou people praising the Duke of Zhou!"

"Let me think, let me think. I've got it."

"For example, before the prime minister, the people of Sichuan could save 100 catties of grain a year. But after the prime minister, after paying taxes to the state, the people could still save 200 catties of grain. If the prime minister did not wage war, they might save 400 catties of grain."

"The Prime Minister's laws are strict, and officials dare not be cunning. The corvée labor is reasonable and justified."

"Why can't the common people sing praises of the Prime Minister?"

"How can we not sing praises of the Prime Minister?"

"That's only right."

At this point, Yang Yong burst into tears. The ten old guests of the Northern King who were with him also shed tears along with him.

Alas, that the Prime Minister would not die!

How could the Han Dynasty have come to this?

Liu Chen clapped his hands and laughed, saying, "Excellent. My ancestor, Zhaolie, was Zhuge Liang, and my father, the Chancellor, was also my great-uncle. How magnificent my ancestors were! We should raise a large cup of wine in celebration."

"Bring us wine and food."