Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator.

There's a saying that Li Ji feels captures the essence of certain things.

Power is only responsible to its source, and it must be responsible to its source.

For example, Emperor Guangwu relied heavily on the support of powerful families to rise and unify the country, which in turn allowed these families to rapidly rise and gain the qualification to truly sit at the table.

Even the Han emperors after Emperor Guangwu had to rely on empress's relatives and eunuchs, essentially relying on them to balance the increasingly powerful local families.

So, what was the source of Liu Bei's power?

Not powerful families, nor Han imperial relatives, but the territory that Liu Bei personally conquered bit by bit.

This kind of warlord in troubled times can achieve being unrestrained by anyone, just like Zhu Yuanzhang in later generations, who, even after repeatedly slaughtering officials and generals, maintained a stable rule, which was unimaginable for subsequent rulers.

Now, Liu Bei is also the same.

No matter how loud the voices of support and opposition are, once Liu Bei makes a decision, all voices will transform into Liu Bei's voice, which is why there is an endless stream of lobbyists seeking an audience with Liu Bei.

Li Ji carefully analyzed the reasons for both sides to Liu Bei, also to allow Liu Bei to make a decision without any scruples.

However, Liu Bei, looking at the map of the Han territory hanging in front of him, pondered for a while, then turned to look at Li Ji and said with a smile.

"I already understand your intention, Zikun, but what I am hesitating about is not the opposing voices, but the worry of not thinking thoroughly, so I want to borrow your eyes to see a choice that is more suitable for the Han Dynasty."

"Then it depends on which direction Your Lordship wants to focus on for the revival of the Han Dynasty."

Li Ji responded, then pointed towards Chang'an and Luoyang, and said.

"If Your Lordship focuses on Guanzhong and the Silk Road, it is advisable to choose Chang'an as the capital; if Your Lordship focuses on stabilizing the Central Plains, then you can follow the example of Emperor Shizu and choose Luoyang as the capital…"

After a pause, Li Ji's finger moved upwards, pointing towards Youzhou, and said.

"If Your Lordship wants to use the Han Dynasty to strongly suppress the foreign tribes on the grasslands, so that they cannot plunder southward, you can also establish the capital in Youzhou to show the determination of the Son of Heaven to guard the country's gate;"

"But if you want to develop the south of the Yangtze River and open up maritime transport, opening up the Maritime Silk Road, then the capital should be located south of the Yangtze River."

The capital is not only the political center, but undoubtedly will also become the center of culture, economy, and other aspects, and will also indicate the direction of national policy that the entire dynasty focuses on.

Hearing the last part, Liu Bei was slightly stunned, then pointed at Li Ji and smiled helplessly.

"Good you, Zikun, it turns out you've been beating around the bush with me all this time, just say you support establishing the capital south of the Yangtze River, why go through such a big circle."

Liu Bei may not be clear about other things, but he undoubtedly has some understanding of Li Ji's governance direction after unifying the world.

Developing the south of the Yangtze River and vigorously promoting the development of the Maritime Silk Road…

Li Ji heard this and said solemnly.

"I may have a preference in my heart, but I must not only let Your Lordship know what it is, but also let Your Lordship know why it is so, and the important matter of moving the capital still needs Your Lordship to carefully consider and decide."

"Alright, alright, alright."

Liu Bei also knew that he couldn't win against Li Ji, so he responded and began to consider the matter of establishing the capital south of the Yangtze River in more depth.

Since he started in Wu County, Liu Bei knows how amazing the changes in Wu County have been in the past decade, and also understands how much potential is contained in Yangzhou and Jiaozhou.

Once, under Liu Bei's curious questioning, Li Ji bluntly said that it was a huge potential that would be difficult to fully develop the south of the Yangtze River within a hundred years, even if the entire country was devoted to it.

It's not that the land south of the Yangtze River is more fertile than the Central Plains, it's just that the climate south of the Yangtze River is too suitable for grain growth.

In some parts of Jiaozhou and Yizhou, some can even reach three harvests a year, which is an advantage that the Central Plains cannot compare with.

Liu Bei undoubtedly deeply recognizes the necessity of focusing on developing the south of the Yangtze River.

And once the capital is unprecedentedly established south of the Yangtze River, it will undoubtedly continue to promote and accelerate the development of the south of the Yangtze River.

In addition, there is also the overseas region that has initially shown great potential, which Liu Bei is also unwilling to give up.

Yizhou has already entered the right track and is constantly transporting various resources back to Yangzhou, and Yingzhou has been excavating so many years as if there is no end to the gold and silver…

The overseas land and resources will also greatly make up for the shortcomings of the Central Plains, and the capital can only be established south of the Yangtze River to firmly control it at all times.

After thinking for a moment, Liu Bei asked.

"In that case, how about establishing Shouchun as the new capital? Shouchun was once the old capital of the State of Chu, and has recently undergone preliminary repairs and expansions. The area may not be as large as Luoyang and Chang'an, but it is also a strong city."

"Not suitable."

Li Ji shook his head and said.

"Even if Shouchun was once the old capital of the State of Chu, let alone the small area, it would be undignified as a national capital, and it is not connected to the Yangtze River, and there is no waterway that can directly reach the sea."

"More importantly, Shouchun is located north of the Yangtze River, although it seems to be only separated by a river, but the meaning is very different."

Liu Bei heard this and said with some distress.

"But apart from Shouchun, there is no other city south of the Yangtze River that can be used as a capital."

"Your Lordship must know that Luoyang and Chang'an were never bestowed by heaven?" Li Ji replied.

"Zikun means… building a city?" Liu Bei was a little surprised.

"That's right." Li Ji nodded.

Liu Bei looked hesitant, thought for a few breaths, and retorted. "But this is inevitably a waste of manpower and money. The lesson of the construction of the Afang Palace by the tyrannical Qin is still before us."

Li Ji heard this and asked.

"Does Your Lordship lack money?"

"With the overseas Yingzhou transporting it, you still don't allow me to misuse it to avoid the devaluation of gold and silver, so that gold and silver accumulate year after year." Liu Bei showed a happy wry smile.

If Cao Cao was so poor that he had to go to the tomb to earn some dead money, and tightened his belt every day, fearing that he would not be able to pay salaries and military pay one day.

Then Liu Bei, who owns countless gold and silver mountains, has really seen too many gold and silver mountains, and really can't generate any interest in money.

After all, even if other families have gold and silver mines under their rule that can be mined, they have to spend time and effort to organize manpower to mine them.

But for Liu Bei, he just transports some old grain and porcelain, tea, etc. to Yingzhou every year, and those sea ships can fill the cabins with gold and silver and transport them back.

Of course, those gold and silver may be sprinkled with the blood of the Japanese people of Yingzhou, but that was all dug out by the Japanese people under the supervision of the Japanese king in exchange for food, what does this have to do with Liu Bei?

The Han people are people, can the foreign tribes still be considered complete people?

Taking a step back, the Han law also does not govern the internal affairs of Japan. On this point, Liu Bei, who was influenced by Li Ji, still respects Japan's sovereignty very much.

(End of this chapter)