Three Kingdoms: Rebirth of Liu Bei, the Zhaolie

After hearing Liu Bei's words, Dongye Ban frowned deeply:

"Is the world about to descend into chaos?!"

Aragaki Ken nodded silently:

"I think Xuande is right. In the years I've been doing business in Shiwulipu, I've always had a vague feeling that something is wrong, but I can't quite put my finger on it."

Liu Bei immediately said:

"Don't you feel that there are more and more refugees in Zhuojun, bandits are starting to appear everywhere, taxes on the people are getting heavier and heavier, the manors of the powerful are getting bigger and bigger, and the lives of ordinary people are becoming increasingly difficult to make ends meet...?"

Aragaki Ken immediately slapped his thigh. "Ah, that's exactly it! Xuande's observation is truly insightful. Could this be a harbinger of impending chaos in the world?"

"Exactly."

Liu Bei nodded heavily. "The chaotic world is coming, just like the arrival of winter. We must prepare winter clothes and firewood to keep warm. We must make plans early."

Shinju Ken deeply agreed:

"Therefore, one should practice martial arts to defend oneself."

Higashino's expression grew increasingly grave. He sighed deeply and muttered to himself:

"If the world descends into chaos, I'm afraid I'll never be able to play gambling again..."

One sentence left Liu Bei speechless.

This Higashino team has gone completely mad from playing gambling games.

He was determined to pull Higashino's crew out of that deep quagmire.

"Is saving your life more important, or gambling?"

Liu Bei looked directly at Dongye Ban.

Higashino was taken aback, and immediately said:

"Of course, staying alive is more important. If you lose your life, you lose everything. Let alone gambling."

"So there's still hope for you."

Liu Bei smiled slightly, "You two are older than me, but if you want to learn the skills to save your lives, you'll have to listen to me obediently. The world is in chaos, and armies are roaming freely; it is indeed very dangerous, and death could come at any moment. But it also holds many opportunities. If we seize them, we can completely turn our lives around, and it's not impossible for us to go from peasants to great generals!"

"General..."

Higashino's eyes were filled with envy. "That would be so impressive!"

Aragaki Ken said in a deep voice:

"Better to be a dog in times of peace than a human in times of chaos. I don't aspire to be a great general, but I'd be grateful if I didn't die in a chaotic world. Xuande, as you know, I'm just a vegetable vendor. I've witnessed your martial arts today and I'm truly in awe. If you're going to establish the White Feather Society, I, Xinyuan Jian, will be the first to sign up."

"it is good."

Liu Bei was overjoyed, then looked at Dongye Ban and asked, "And you?"

Higashino shouted loudly:

"Centuries ago, Fan Kuai was just a dog butcher, but he was later ennobled, wasn't he? I'm a pig butcher, and I can still be ennobled! Alright, I'll join the White Feather Society too!"

Liu Bei listened and nodded.

As the three were talking, Geng Yong walked into the courtyard, looking travel-worn.

The gray wolf ran over happily and circled around Geng Yong.

Geng Yong stroked the gray wolf's head, glanced at the three people under the mulberry tree, and walked straight over.

"Xianhe, haven't you gone home?" Liu Bei asked.

Geng Yong walked over, plopped down, leaned against the mulberry tree, and lay sprawled on the ground. "I bought two catties of pork in the county town and delivered it home before I rushed over. I've been busy lately, and I was afraid you'd want to talk to me about something."

Liu Bei inwardly sighed that Geng Yong was practically a mind reader, "I do have something to discuss with you."

"Looks like I made the right choice coming here."

Geng Yong smiled slightly, then looked at Dongye Ban and Xinyuan Jian, "What business do you two have with Xuande?"

Aragaki Jian hurriedly said:

"We originally came to deliver the straw mat and sandals that Xuande had left behind at Shiwulipu, and also to visit his aunt and younger sister. We never expected that Xuande would return from the county office so quickly after being captured by Cheng Youjiao."

Geng Yong said calmly:

"Since he didn't kill the person, of course he was released."

"That's good."

Aragaki Jian smiled and said, "Jian Yong, Higashino Ban and I have already decided to join Xuande's White Feather Society. Would you like to join?"

"The White Feather Society..."

Geng Yong looked at Liu Bei.

Liu Bei nodded.

Geng Yong immediately said:

"Of course I'll join, is that even a question?"

"Very good!"

Higashino shouted, "When does this White Feather Society open?"

Liu Bei thought for a moment, then pondered and said:

"Once I find out who killed Zhang Hun, the White Feather Society will officially open in Shiwulipu. It may take some time. In the next few days, you can find a few more interested young men and persuade them to join the White Feather Society. Of course, you should continue doing your business as usual. It won't interfere with anything."

"it is good."

The group reached an agreement.

Higashino Ban and Aragaki Ken then took their leave.

In the courtyard, under the mulberry tree, only Liu Bei and Geng Yong remained.

It was nearly dusk.

After returning the horse to Liu Buyi, Liu Bei went home.

Geng Yong was still lying under the mulberry tree.

Liu Bei lamented to him that this day felt like a year, filled with bloodshed, turmoil in the imperial court and the martial world, and the ebb and flow of life among scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. It was a truly dramatic and exciting experience.

Gradually.

Night falls.

The moonlight shone like quicksilver spilling onto the ground.

At this time, the mother, Wu, and the younger sister, Liu Azi, had already fallen asleep.

It was late at night, and all was quiet.

But neither Liu Bei nor Geng Yong felt sleepy.

He and Geng Yong were very close and could talk about anything.

Geng Yong was very outspoken with Liu Bei, never hiding anything from him.

"Xuande, you always say you are a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan, a great-grandson of Emperor Jing of Han, and a member of the Han imperial family. I think I might be a descendant of Geng Yan, one of the Twenty-Eight Generals of Yuntai, or perhaps a descendant of Geng Chun," Geng Yong said with a smile.

"Geng Yan is from Maoling in Fufeng, Geng Chun is from Songzi in Julu, and you, Geng Yong, are from Zhuo County in Zhuojun. Your origins are completely different, and you are not from the same family. It can only be said that you were one family five hundred years ago," Liu Bei said.

Geng Yong smiled, "That's true. Kings and generals... I wonder if I, Geng Yong, am destined for that. But you, Xuande, the fortune teller said you have a very noble destiny. Do you remember what you said under this mulberry tree when you were a child?"

"Of course I remember."

Liu Bei said in a deep voice, "I must ride in this feathered canopy carriage."

Geng Yong was startled:

"To ride in a carriage with a feathered canopy is a sign of the emperor's majesty. Are you now no longer hiding your lofty ambition from me?"

"I've never treated you like an outsider. You and I are like brothers from different fathers and mothers."

Liu Bei pondered for a moment, then continued, "When our Great Han was first established, the winds rose and the clouds flew, the dragon's might reached across the land, and valiant warriors guarded the four corners of the earth—how glorious it was! Emperors Wen and Jing relied heavily on virtuous ministers like Jia Yi and Chao Cuo, allowing the people to recuperate and thrive. Emperor Wu promoted Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, who spread their might across foreign lands, expanding the territory and forging the prosperous Han Dynasty. The vastness of its territory and the grandeur of its lands were unprecedented in history. But Emperor Huan of the Later Han and the current emperor, in order to consolidate imperial power, have favored eunuchs, opposed powerful relatives, and persecuted virtuous ministers, repeatedly creating the disaster of the Party Prohibitions—how utterly incompetent they are! A dignified emperor actually uttered such absurd and nonsensical words as, 'Zhang Changshi is my father, and Zhao Changshi is my mother,' leaving everyone speechless. Imperial power has become a laughingstock, and the hearts of the people have been lost. Is our glorious Han Dynasty truly doomed?! Let the magnificent Milky Way and countless stars in the sky bear witness: the great edifice is about to collapse, and only we can save it!"

Geng Yong strongly agreed with Liu Bei's words:

"Hmph, so what if he's the supreme emperor? If he's incompetent and foolish, he should step down! Only when the wise rise and the mediocre fall can the people be saved and the world be governed in an orderly manner. Xuande, you come from humble origins, you know the hardships of the common people, and you have great ambitions. You are exactly the kind of sage ruler that all the people need. Learn from your ancestor Liu Bang, who overthrew the tyrannical Qin Dynasty, appointed virtuous ministers, and brought peace to the world."

Liu Bei sighed and said again:

"To realize my ambition, I must conquer the entire world. I want to build a powerful nation, with a mighty military that can subdue all barbarians, where the people live in peace and prosperity, where a hundred schools of thought contend, a hundred flowers bloom, and everyone is like a dragon! At that time, I will vigorously develop trade, promote people's livelihood, govern the Western Regions, build the Silk Road, and send ships to the five oceans and seven continents to exchange goods. When the nation has developed to a certain level, the Han court will only control the military, retreating to the background, ruling but not governing, while the prime minister will govern all the land. And the prime minister will be the most virtuous person recognized by the world. The hereditary imperial power of one family is a great drawback and is not conducive to the development of the nation."

This is essentially about implementing the Three Departments and Six Ministries system of the Sui and Tang dynasties.

However, this idea was considered astonishing and unheard of by Geng Yong, a man from the Eastern Han Dynasty.

Geng Yong was astonished, his eyes widening in surprise:

"Building the Silk Road, connecting the five oceans and seven continents... The Han dynasty reigns but does not govern, while the Prime Minister governs all... Xuande's vision and strategy far surpass those of Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han, truly unprecedented! How enlightened he is! Geng Yong admires him greatly! I am willing to serve you like a beast of burden, helping you realize this grand ambition!"

……

Being close to virtuous ministers and keeping away from petty men is why the Former Han Dynasty prospered; being close to petty men and keeping away from virtuous ministers is why the Later Han Dynasty declined. When the late emperor was alive, he often discussed this matter with me, and he never failed to sigh and lament over the actions of Emperor Huan and Emperor Ling.

—Zhuge Liang, "Memorial on Dispatching the Troops"