Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator.

Liu Zhang nervously took the bamboo slip, and the moment he opened it and glanced at the first line, his palm couldn't help but tremble, nearly causing him to drop the bamboo slip.

"Father..." Liu Zhang looked up at Liu Yan, his expression somewhat panicked.

At this moment, Liu Zhang's previous guess had truly become reality.

But as the moment approached, Liu Zhang instinctively felt a sense of retreat.

However, feeling Liu Yan's gaze, Liu Zhang forcefully suppressed his desire to retreat, striving to maintain composure as he continued to read the contents of the bamboo slip.

Moreover, Liu Zhang was also aware that this might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him.

Not the so-called "King", but the chance to surpass his three elder brothers and become his father's heir.

In this era, inheriting the family business was almost exclusively the right of the eldest son, with the remaining brothers mostly needing to fend for themselves.

The Liu clan was vast and numerous.

Liu Zhang had seen far too many members of the Liu bloodline reduced to commoners, even starving to death.

Liu Zhang didn't want to become a commoner, nor did he want his descendants to struggle for their daily meals.

Therefore... Liu Zhang calmly finished reading all the contents of the bamboo slip, then carefully rolled it up again and presented it to Liu Yan with both hands.

Throughout the entire process, Liu Yan, who had been observing the changes in Liu Zhang's expression, took the bamboo slip back and felt a sense of satisfaction.

In the past, he often kept Liu Zhang by his side, not only because Liu Zhang was the youngest, but also because he was the most honest and filial person on a daily basis.

If he kept the second and third sons by his side while leaving the eldest outside, it would inevitably lead to sibling rivalry. On the contrary, Liu Zhang was the least conspicuous and would not provoke hostility from his three elder brothers.

However, Liu Yan was very clear that if he truly harbored the idea of carving out territory and becoming a king, then even if his three sons who remained in Luoyang as hostages didn't die, they would probably never have the chance to return to Yi Province.

At that time, Liu Zhang would be the only heir.

Therefore, Liu Zhang's performance was also one of the factors Liu Yan considered in making his current decision.

Liu Yan knew that he could still enjoy many years of marital bliss, but at his age, starting a new lineage was definitely too late. Therefore, the ability of Liu Zhang, this heir, was extremely important.

Subsequently, Liu Yan stroked the top of Liu Zhang's head with his palm, and said with a kind expression.

"Zhang'er, in fact, among you four brothers, I am most optimistic about and love you the most. That's why I left your three elder brothers in Luoyang and brought you alone by my side."

"Your son knows." Liu Zhang obediently leaned against Liu Yan, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

Liu Yan patted Liu Zhang's head again and asked softly. "Zhang'er, do you think the words on that bamboo slip were heart-wrenching, or a sincere reminder?"

Here it comes!

In an instant, Liu Zhang knew that his test had arrived!

And Liu Zhang was very clear that, given his father's personality, since he had already asked, he must already have a certain inclination in his heart, and was extremely tempted by the contents of the bamboo slip.

Therefore, he must not persuade his father to give up.

However, how to express his agreement?

Ignoring the lives of his three elder brothers and directly agreeing would be too utilitarian and lacking in benevolence and filial piety...

Being vague might also incur his father's displeasure.

In an instant, Liu Zhang, with his head lowered, prostrated himself on the ground, his voice with a bit of a sob as he spoke.

"Our Great Han governs the country with filial piety. If Father is in trouble, your son should do everything in his power to support Father, even if it goes against loyalty and righteousness. However, if Father has the idea of carving out territory and becoming a king, I fear that the three elder brothers left in Luoyang will not be able to escape unscathed."

"Zhang'er is foolish and has failed to be filial to Father in the past, and now I fear I am unable to help Father. Therefore..."

Liu Zhang supported himself on the ground with both hands, his upper body raised, looking at Liu Yan with tears in his eyes and a sorrowful expression, and said.

"Please allow Zhang'er to exchange places with his three brothers, and let Zhang'er go to Luoyang as a hostage, so that the three elder brothers can return home. Presumably, with the abilities of the three elder brothers, they will definitely be able to help Father's great cause."

"In this way, Zhang'er can both fulfill his filial piety and protect the lives of his three brothers, which is a win-win solution."

After saying that, Liu Zhang heavily kowtowed to Liu Yan, and the sound he made shocked Liu Yan's heart, and the gaze he looked at Liu Zhang couldn't help but become completely gentle.

To have such a filial son, what more could one ask for?

Previously, Liu Yan only knew that Liu Zhang was filial and of pure and kind nature. He didn't expect that Liu Zhang would be willing to risk his life to fulfill his filial duty, even willing to go to Luoyang to exchange his three elder brothers.

For a moment, even Liu Yan couldn't help but feel a strong sense of parental love, stroking Liu Zhang's head with his palm, and said with emotion.

"Good child, good child..."

And Liu Zhang's face seemed to show a bit of surprise as he looked up and asked. "So, Father has agreed?"

"No, how could Father be willing to let Zhang'er take risks in Luoyang again?" Liu Yan touched Liu Zhang's face, and said kindly and gently, then took the initiative to pull Liu Zhang up from the ground, and said.

"Zhang'er, the ground is very cold, you and I, father and son, should get up and talk."

And Liu Zhang obediently followed and got up, his brows still furrowed as he asked.

"But if Zhang'er doesn't go to Luoyang, once the imperial court seeks revenge, how will the three elder brothers escape? Wouldn't they be in danger?"

A trace of intolerance flashed in Liu Yan's eyes, and he sighed and said.

"Perhaps, this is the fate of your three brothers."

At that moment, while Liu Zhang felt a sense of shared sorrow, a strong surge of ecstasy erupted within him. He even thought of all the sad things he had encountered in his life in a short moment to suppress the corners of his mouth from rising, while pretending to kneel down again, and said.

"Father, you must not! The three elder brothers are so innocent, why not let Zhang'er try it. Even if Zhang'er is lost, Father still has three elder brothers, but if the three elder brothers are lost, Father will surely be filled with grief."

Liu Yan forcibly pulled Liu Zhang, grabbing Liu Zhang's arm tightly, and said.

"If Zhang'er is lost, Father will be even more grieved."

After a pause, Liu Yan took a deep breath and said in a deep voice.

"I have made up my mind on this matter, Zhang'er, you don't need to persuade me anymore, and I have a very important matter to entrust to you."

Liu Zhang reached out and wiped away his tears, seemingly still grieving for his three elder brothers, and said. "Father, please speak, Zhang'er will surely accomplish it for Father even if it means being smashed to pieces."

"Good!" Liu Yan responded, then raised the bamboo slip in his hand and said.

"That is, Zhang'er needs to go to Wu County on behalf of Father to visit Li Zikun. This person has great talent and acts after careful consideration. Since he dares to make such arrogant remarks on the bamboo slip, he must have a plan in mind."

"It's just that now you and I, father and son, have an unstable foundation in Shu, and this matter concerns the lives of the entire family. Only by letting Zhang'er go to Wu County in person to inquire in detail can Father feel at ease."

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhang nodded heavily.

What are the consequences of acting without secrecy? How could Liu Zhang not know?

Previously, the Taiping Dao traitor Tang Zhou reported to the imperial court, causing the mighty Yellow Turbans to have to act in advance, otherwise, how could they have been defeated so miserably?

And if this matter were entrusted to others and reported to Luoyang, then Liu Yan and Liu Zhang, father and son, would surely be in danger.

Even if it were transmitted by letter, how could Liu Yan feel at ease with such an important matter?

Only by Liu Zhang going to Wu County in person, listening with his ears, and remembering with his heart, could Liu Yan feel at ease.

Liu Zhang, who was slightly plump, understood that this was a rare opportunity and that the matter was of great importance, and immediately said.

"Father, rest assured, Zhang'er will go down to prepare luggage and valuables and set off immediately to Wu County."

"Not so fast!" Liu Yan waved his hand and said. "How could that Li Zikun simply be reminding Father? That person has extraordinary plans in his mind, and his thoughts and actions are of great significance."

"Father, could it be that what Li Zikun is seeking is the grain mentioned in the bamboo slip?" Liu Zhang asked.

Liu Yan scratched his beard and said thoughtfully.

"Perhaps in addition to grain, there are other deeper meanings."

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhang couldn't help but recall that figure at the banquet in the Zhuo County government office.

The demeanor of a gentleman, floating and confident... Liu Yan narrowed his eyes and muttered while constantly thinking.

"If Li Zikun is only seeking grain, then it is easy to handle. Now, what Shu lacks the least is grain, but I am afraid that Li Zikun is seeking something greater, which is what makes it difficult."

Having cooperated with Li Ji once, Liu Yan not only had a cooperative foundation with Li Ji, but also worried that Li Ji had greater plans, and even that he would eventually risk his life to carve out territory and become a king, but would instead become someone else's wedding dress.

"Humph!" After weighing the situation for a long time, Liu Yan finally made up his mind and said.

"Since what Li Zikun is seeking is grain, then give him more grain, so that he has no chance to mention other conditions."

"Father, how much grain should we give?" Liu Zhang asked.

"Four hundred thousand dan... no, five hundred thousand dan."

Sitting on the Land of Abundance, Liu Yan, who had inventoried the granaries of Shu, could be said to be generous as he said a number, and then said.

"I will mobilize ships and grain, and first send 300,000 dan of grain. When Zhang'er takes a boat down the Yangtze River to visit Li Zikun, ask him for advice. After he tells a feasible plan, Zhang'er can agree to the remaining 200,000 dan of grain."

"Yes, Father." Liu Zhang silently remembered Liu Yan's instructions in his heart, and then asked. "Father, but if what Li Zikun wants is not just grain, then..."

Liu Yan's face darkened slightly, and then he said.

"My bottom line is within 700,000 dan of grain, but I must never allow Liu Bei to be granted the position of governor of any of Yi Province's commanderies!"

This was what Liu Yan was most vigilant and worried about.

At that time, Liu Yan would have worked so hard to carve out territory and become a king, but if Liu Bei, who occupied one of the commanderies of Yi Province, was ordered by the imperial court to suppress bandits and blew Liu Yan up, then wouldn't Liu Yan feel that he had become a fool?

He wouldn't even foolishly hand over the entire Yi Province to Liu Bei, effectively elevating him to the position of the new Governor of Yi Province.

Liu Yan would never do such a stupid thing.

Furthermore, Liu Yan had no doubt that, with Li Zikun's assistance, Liu Bei, who had already seized a commandery in Yi Province, possessed the ability to conquer the entire province.

"However…"

A smile appeared on Liu Yan's face as he said, "If Li Zikun is willing to join our Yi Province, I can promise to entrust all the administrative power to him."

(End of Chapter)