Thousand-year-old family: its rise began with Shang Yang’s reforms

Chapter 375 A Qualified Emperor [Second update, please subscribe]

What is the heart of an emperor?

What is a qualified emperor?
Since ancient times, few people have been able to answer this question. After all, the requirements for emperors vary depending on the times and the environment in which the country and the world are located.

But one thing is very important.

That is, family, country and the world must be above "personal feelings".

What will happen if you put the world below your own personal feelings?

Emperor Zhaolie of Han did this in history. In order to avenge his second brother Guan Yu, he ignored Zhuge Liang's obstruction and led the soldiers of Shu to attack Eastern Wu. What was his final outcome?
It was the care of one's son in Baidi City.

In history, Liu Bei also did not listen to the advice of Zhuge Liang and his many subordinates, and then he attacked Jingzhou City. So what was the result?

The result was escape.

Is Liu Bei a good emperor?
He can be said to be a good emperor.

In other words, as written in history books, that is why the Kingdom of Shu was so romantic and attracted so many people.

But is he a qualified emperor?
Absolutely not.

If Liu Bei was a qualified emperor, what should he do?

He should have accepted Zhuge Liang's advice and taken over Jingzhou when Liu Biao was being humble, and then used Jingzhou as a stepping stone to divide the world into three parts.

He should have endured the grief when Guan Yu died, blackmailed the Eastern Wu, and then completely controlled Jingzhou in his own hands.

He should have made use of the Sun-Liu alliance to gradually develop his own strength, thereby continuing to expand, and finally annexing Sun Quan, and then further dividing the world with Cao Cao, and then re-establishing the Han Dynasty.

Sanxing big man!

This is what a qualified emperor should do.

But was what Liu Bei originally did wrong?
No.

It is precisely for this reason that Liu Bei was the "benevolent, righteous and profound" Emperor Zhaolie of Han, and that his life was filled with regrets, which made people all over the world feel sorry for him.

But this is also the reason why Chen Zhulou did not choose to support Liu Bei, and even why Liu Bei was the first to be eliminated in this test.

Liu Bei could at most divide the world into one third, but he could never get the whole world.

Because human nature is evil, benevolence and kindness cannot suppress all people, nor can they overwhelm everyone in the world.

Throughout the dynasties, has there ever been any founding emperor who was benevolent and kind?
Was King Wu of Zhou a kind and benevolent person? He was not. He was able to lead a large army to attack the Shang Dynasty, he was able to control the group of capable people under him, and he was able to make Jiang Ziya concentrate on assisting him.

Is Qin Shi Huang a kind and benevolent person? He is not. He rewards and punishes his subordinates clearly. Even if there are undercurrents in the Qin Empire, no one dares to rise up before hearing the news of the death of the First Emperor.

Was Emperor Gaozu of Han a kind and benevolent person? He was not. Xiang Yu captured his father, wife and children, but he could say "please have a share of the pie". He could kick his own children off the carriage three times while escaping. After becoming emperor, he could urinate in the hat of a Confucian scholar.

Was Emperor Guangwu a kind and benevolent person? Was he someone who could put personal feelings above the world? He was not. He could let go of the enemy who killed his father and brother, and let him serve as an official and a noble, and he really never pursued the matter. He could brazenly rise up for the sake of the world, and then marry Yin Lihua and Guo Shengtong. With their power, he quickly ascended to the pinnacle of power.

Is Cao Cao a kind and benevolent person? He is not. He could say in troubled times, "I would rather betray the world than be betrayed by the world"; is Cao Pi a kind and benevolent person? He is not. He can compromise for the sake of the world and create the "Nine-Rank System". He can kill his wife and want to kill his brother.

What about Sima Yi, Sima Zhao, and Sima Yan? Needless to say, Sima Yi could endure humiliation for his own ambition, and Sima Zhao's intentions were known to everyone.

Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, could seize the throne from his son-in-law and force him to abdicate the throne to himself; Li Yuan could even keep promising his son big things for the position of emperor and then seize the throne from his cousin.

Zhao Kuangyin of the Song Dynasty could even launch the "Chenqiaoyi Mutiny" to seize the throne from his orphan and widowed mother; his younger brother was even better than him and could kill his elder brother and then his several nephews.

Kublai Khan roamed the grasslands and was also a heroic figure; and Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty was even more so. Zhu started with a bowl, and after he established the country, how many of those who assisted him in building the country had a good ending?

These people were all founding emperors, and they all had some common characteristics.

First, they will do whatever it takes; second, most of them are ruthless and can put the world above their personal feelings.

So they are a founding monarch.

If these founding emperors in history were placed in Liu Bei's position, they would definitely accept Jingzhou, a battleground for military strategists, without hesitation, and thus further develop their own power and begin to plot to rule the world.

Chen Zhulou pressed his eye sockets.

So what about Zhang Jue?
There was a hint of melancholy on Chen Zhulou's face. Zhang Jue was a good person, but why did he call Liu Bei the Prime Minister "Chang'an Liu Han", Cao Cao the Prime Minister "Langya Dahan", and Zhang Jue "Zhang Jue"?

Because the Yellow Turban Army was spread all over the world at that time, they had not formed a complete organization, or they were just an "organization" and not a "force."

Do they have a leader? Are there any hierarchies?

Is there an emperor? Is there a prime minister? Is there a general?
they do not.

The reason why the Yellow Turban Rebellion led by Zhang Jue has not received help from Chen Zhulou so far is that they do not even have "cohesion" now. They are not a country or a force, but only a "disorganized organization". They are just collectively called the "Yellow Turban Army."

Chen Zhulou shook his head slightly, looked at Cao Cao and said, "Of course I have my reasons."

There was a slight smile on his cheek: "I talked a lot with Meng De today, but Meng De, why are you here?"

"According to my speculation, I'm afraid Liu Jingzhou won't survive these few months, and there seems to be some connection between him and Xuande."

"Aren't you afraid that Jingzhou will fall into Xuande's hands?"

Cao Cao just smiled and shook his head: "Don't Donglin know this better than me?"

He said with a half-smile: "If I hadn't met Donglin here at this time, I would have almost fallen into the trap set by Donglin and Liu Jingsheng!"

Cao Cao sighed and clapped his hands: "I was a little puzzled before I came here. If Liu Biao really wanted to ensure the continuation of his family, why didn't he look for your Chen family? If he joined the Chen family, the three of us would naturally give up this piece of fat meat and wait until the victory was decided among each other before looking for the Chen family."

“And after Jiang Xia met Dong Lin, I understood that all this was Dong Lin’s plan.”

At this point, Cao Cao's expression was somewhat complicated: "Donglin, what exactly do you want to do?"

Chen Zhulou stood up, his expression calm: "What do I want to do?"

He looked into the distance and said, "I don't want to do anything. I just want the world to be stable as soon as possible, and for the people of the world to live in peace and stability again."

Cao Cao did not answer.

He also stood up: "Well, since Donglin doesn't want to say it, I won't force Donglin." Cao Cao just smiled, just like when they parted in the Plum Garden that year.

"I just want Donglin to not forget the cup of wine we had as old friends in Plum Garden. If my descendants encounter a disaster in the future, please save them."

Cao Cao's voice was very sincere, and his request was actually not too excessive.

Chen Zhulou nodded slightly, and he promised: "My ancestors promised to protect the Han Dynasty in the past. Today, I can also promise Meng De that if the Cao family encounters a disaster in the future, I can protect your direct descendants, but from now on, they need to hide their identities and let go of their hatred."

Chen Zhulou's request was also not excessive.

Chen would not rescue people casually, but he could still do such a small thing as protecting the direct descendants of his old friend.

There was a drizzle falling from the sky, and the raindrops were hitting the ground with a loud noise.

Chen Zhulou walked out of the stall, then opened an umbrella and slowly walked away.

The rain on the Tianjie Street is as crisp as the grass, but the grass color is far away but not close.

Cao Cao sat there, waiting for his men to arrive. Jiangxia County was originally a part of Jingzhou under his control. If they wanted to occupy Jingzhou, they naturally had to raise troops in Jiangxia.

Using this city as a base, they gradually swallowed up the entire Jingzhou.

When Xun Yu and Guo Jia arrived, Cao Cao told them what had just happened, and then frowned slightly.

"Ling Jun, what do you think Dong Lin wants to do?"

"Why didn't he help Zhang Jue? And why didn't he have any intention of helping Xuande and me? If Chen took action, the world would probably be able to return to peace soon."

Guo Jia picked up the wine glass beside him and drank continuously, burping as he said, "Of course it's because neither Zhang Jue nor Xuande is a good match for King An."

He yawned. "If, as the Prime Minister guessed, this Jingzhou incident was actually a plot by King An and Liu Jingzhou, then King An could only have one purpose, which is to test you, Uncle Liu, and Zhang Tianshi to see if you can pass his test."

"A wise bird chooses the tree where it roosts, and since ancient times, ministers who assist the state have to choose their masters."

Xun Yu also thought for a moment and then said, "I should be able to guess why the emperor's uncle is not the wise leader in Chen's heart. After all, the emperor's uncle is too sentimental. The more powerful he is and the older the emperor is, the greater the risk."

"Prime Minister, rest assured. This time, the uncle did not seize this opportunity to occupy Jingzhou, and King An has completely lost hope."

"King An will not choose such a noble to help him become the ruler of the world, unless the emperor's uncle suddenly reacts at this time and then changes his mind directly, and takes over the entire Jingzhou while Liu Jingzhou welcomes him into Jingzhou."

"Then he returned to Chang'an City, deposed the emperor, and established himself as the emperor."

"Otherwise, he has no chance with King An."

Cao Cao said with some regret: "It's a pity."

He was quite curious: "Then why are Zhang Tianshi and I not considered a good match in Zhu Lou's mind?"

Guo Jia curled his lips: "As for the Prime Minister, it's probably because of the massacre in the city, and Zhang Tianshi..."

He sighed, "When Tianshi Zhang unites all the Yellow Turbans and establishes a capital, it may be a good match for King An."

Guo Jia stood up and stretched: "Prime Minister, shall we go?"

He smiled and said, "Now, the net has been laid out. No matter the uncle, the heavenly master, or Liu Jingzhou, they can't stop us from occupying Jingzhou."

While Cao Cao was waiting here, Guo Jia and others were not idle either.

This time, Cao Cao was followed by many generals including Dian Wei, Cao Ang, Xiahou Dun, etc. They had already allied with the Cai family. When Madam Cai took action to send Liu Jingzhou on his way, they would take action as well!
They are determined to take the land of Jingzhou!
Unless there is some major accident, it is absolutely impossible to fail.

Jingzhou
Mrs. Cai had made all the necessary preparations. As soon as Cao Cao's message arrived, she would immediately send Liu Biao back to the west.

A servant hurried in from outside, with a solemn look on his face: "Madam, there is news from over there, saying that everything is ready."

Everything is ready?

Mrs. Cai stood up slowly, glanced in the direction of her son's courtyard, and smoothed her clothes.

She would do anything for her son.

He immediately whispered, "Are the things ready?"

The servant nodded, turned around and gave an order, and a maid brought in the medicine.

Mrs. Cai carried the medicine to Liu Biao's courtyard. She was going to use this bowl of medicine to send Liu Biao to the west.

South County
After a thousand-mile march, Liu Xuande, Ma Chao and others had arrived in Nanjun, and in front of them was Liu Biao's territory.

At this time, Liu Biao's people had already made preparations at the foot of the city and welcomed them into the city. After they packed up a little, they continued their attack. They must reach Jingzhou before Cao Cao and others captured the capital of Jingzhou!
Above the river.

Zhang Jue stood at the bow, his brows solemn. He tilted his head to look at his disciple beside him and asked, "How long will it take to reach Jingzhou?"

The strong man under his command quickly spoke up and reported the time.

Zhang Jue sighed after hearing this. His eyes seemed to be able to penetrate the thick river water. He simply said, "I'm afraid it's too late."

"Neither Liu Xuande nor Cao Mengde will give me this opportunity."

"Cough-cough-"

A gust of river breeze blew over, and he coughed lightly a few times, with a somewhat sickly look in his brows.

"Why won't Donglin come to help me?"

"What went wrong?"

Beside him, a young general could not help but speak up: "General, now there are big men in Chang'an and Langya, but we are still called Yellow Turban bandits."

"I have read in history books that after the uprising of Chen Sheng and Wu Guang, the "Zhang Chu" regime was established soon, and Chen Sheng was crowned king."

"So, talented people from all over the world came to join us."

"Now, what do we Yellow Turbans have?"

(End of this chapter)