The Three Kingdoms began with island farming

Chapter 586: Go straight to the point
In early autumn in Chang'an, the morning mist shrouded the towering palace walls like a veil.

One after another, standard carriages slowly arrived at the palace under the escort of the imperial guards.

On a carriage, Liu Bei, with a pale face, was looking at the towering and brand new city wall through the window, with a bitter look on his face.

Seeing this, Pang Tong, who was sitting opposite Liu Bei, couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

The defeat of Jingzhou was expected and an irreversible trend.

Finally, after weighing the pros and cons of all parties, Zhang Yun was pushed out and surrendered the city of Xiangyang.

Although he knew it, he couldn't stop it.

Because Chen Qun was by his side at that time.

Chen Qun only said one sentence to him: "The hope of the Han Dynasty lies outside, not inside."

All four armies were defeated. This was not only due to the gap in strength, but also because the people of Jingzhou were no longer loyal to the Han Dynasty.

In today's world, it is impossible to rebuild the Han Dynasty in the Central Plains. The only way to succeed is to gather those who are loyal to the Han Dynasty and start a new one outside.

Pang Tong reached out and lowered the window curtain, blocking Liu Bei's gaze from gazing at the city wall. The interior of the carriage suddenly became darker.

During this trip, Pang Tong was not only Liu Bei's assistant, but also Liu Bei's "doctor".

When Xiangyang City was broken, Liu Bei wanted to commit suicide to show his loyalty to the Han Dynasty, but was persuaded by Pang Tong.

"My lord, when Emperor Gaozu was trapped in Pengcheng, he abandoned his armor and fled; before Emperor Guangwu's battle in Kunyang, he was also forced into a desperate situation by Wang Yi's army!"

"Only by staying alive can we hope to revive the Han Dynasty. Emperor Gaozu gave the Central Plains to Xiang Yu, and he could also take the land of Bashu in the southwest to rebuild his dynasty. Since the Central Plains are unattainable, then we should march westward to build another Han Dynasty, and when the time is right, we can return to the Central Plains."

Listening to Pang Tong's advice, Liu Bei's face darkened and he sighed deeply.

How could he not understand that Pang Tong's words were just for comfort?

With the current national strength of the Great Qi, it would be easier said than done to fight back to the Central Plains. It would probably take hundreds of years to accomplish this.

The carriage bumped along the bluestone slabs, and the creaking of the shafts mixed with Liu Bei's heavy sighs.

"My lord, we're here!" Chen Dao, the coachman, looked at the palace in front of him, stopped the carriage and said softly.

Liu Bei slowly got out of the car and looked at the palace walls and red courtyard in front of him with an extremely complicated expression.

Led by the waiter, Liu Bei and Pang Tong came to the meeting room in the side hall. Tian Ze had already prepared tea and was waiting for them.

Tian An behind him looked at the prince in front of him with some curiosity. He had an ordinary appearance but gave people a comfortable feeling.

When he was studying with the philosophers and Zhuge Liang, he also heard people comment on the situation in the world and the various princes.

Everyone has a high opinion of Liu Bei.

This is especially true of those Confucian scholars who Tian An considered quite strict.

Even his own father had a high opinion of Liu Bei, saying that he had the style of Emperor Gaozu of Han.

Seeing Liu Bei coming, Tian Ze smiled slightly: "Xuan De, long time no see."

He raised his hand to signal the two to sit down. The celadon teacup made a slight sound on the table, and the wispy tea aroma mixed with the morning mist drifted into the hall.

Liu Bei sat down slowly, looking at the tea leaves floating in the cup: "Yes, I never thought that the next time we meet would be like this."

Tian Ze heard this and said calmly: "Thirty years in the east, thirty years in the west. Who could have thought that such a big change would happen in a few years?"

"Perhaps in a few years, you will build a new Han Dynasty."

"You want me to conquer Sindhu?" Liu Bei said straight to the point.

Tian Ze nodded: "Sindhu is a small country with many tribes, but with a population of nearly 40 million, it is a considerable force. I need you to help me take this place."

"What can I get?" Tian Ze stretched out his hand and turned the teacup, the halo of light reflected from the glaze flowing in his eyes: "Compared to the population you have obtained, the number of Han people is five to one. And, after I leave, the opportunity to rebuild the Han Dynasty."

Liu Bei's hand holding the teacup suddenly tightened, and the ice cracks on the celadon surface hurt his palm.

"Are you serious?" Liu Bei said in a deep voice, suppressing his excitement.

"I never speak falsely." Tian Ze said with a faint smile.

"In addition, I am afraid that many officials and powerful families will contact you for my great reforms in the country. You can accept them."

Keeping a few major princes is not only for expanding territory, but also for detoxification.

Tian Ze started a new round of reforms before Liu Bei left, in order to see the situation of those unwilling people in the country and leave them a way out.

"Your Majesty, I have a question for you." Pang Tong behind Liu Bei suddenly said.

When he addressed the other party as his subject, Liu Bei instinctively frowned slightly, but soon relaxed his brows.

Some of the stairs were inconvenient for him to go down, and Pang Tong's words were undoubtedly like handing him a ladder.

"Shiyuan, you can talk as you please." Tian Ze said with a faint smile.

Tian Ze admired Pang Tong very much and tried his best to recruit him when he was in Jixia Academy.

It’s a pity that he has already set his sights on Liu Bei.

"Your Majesty, since you have already conquered the world, why do you suddenly launch such drastic reforms at this time? Wouldn't it be better to take it slowly?" Pang Tong asked.

"Strong medicine is needed for serious illness. Some things will become more troublesome the longer they are delayed. Besides, I also want to see how much people in this world still have loyalty to the Han Dynasty."

Having said that, Tian Ze looked at Liu Bei meaningfully.

He knew very well what the results of the reforms he had set would be.

In the past, officials were already subject to great restrictions in their duties and could not act recklessly.

I am afraid that after this reform, officials will have difficulty making a living.

Officials who lost their privileges were faced with great restrictions on land and business, and even their families were implicated.

Although they still have generous treatment and can live without worries about food and clothing.

But compared with the past, the situation where power, money and special treatment were all available is much worse.

Although Tian Ze believed that under his continuous education, guidance, supervision and assessment, most of the officials of Da Qi were relatively honest and willing to work.

However, there must be many people who are resentful of power and wealth.

"Even though at least 30% of the middle and upper-level officials in Da Qi are opposed to reform, there has still been no disturbance. Even the slogan of restoring the Han Dynasty has not been shouted out." Tian Ze said lightly.

Hearing Tian Ze's words, Liu Bei's face looked a little ugly.

The Han Dynasty nurtured scholars for four hundred years, but now it seems that it was just nurturing scholars.

For the common people, what they personally felt more was the sins committed by Emperors Huan and Ling, otherwise there would not have been the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

Most people's impressions of the Han Dynasty come from the propaganda spread by local powerful families.

But now, when officials from the Great Qi go directly to the villages and towns, it is no longer possible for these local tyrants to deceive and coerce the people.

"The so-called will of the people does not refer to the will of the nobles and powerful, but the will of the people. In this regard, Xuande, you are no worse than me, but you just don't have the right opportunity."

"Now that the new era has begun, the vast stage is open for heroes to display their talents. Xuande, wouldn't it be a pity if you don't go there?"

(End of this chapter)