Second-hand time travel: Liu Bei, the big-eared bandit

Chapter 375 The True and False Emperors
There are very few people who would say such things to Liu Bei, and it was only because Diao Chan truly trusted Liu Bei that she said such things.

People always compare everything.

It was inevitable that Liu Xie would compare himself to Liu Hong's experience.

A young emperor, assisted by powerful ministers—this has been the experience of every Han emperor for over a hundred years, and Liu Xie would naturally follow his father's path.

Liu Bei implemented a special examination system to select officials, cutting off the path of recommendation by powerful families. This would inevitably be seen by the aristocratic families as a new form of "partisan persecution".

Moreover... given Liu Xie's current age and experience, it is indeed difficult for him to understand the difference between Liu Bei's policies and the Party Prohibitions.

Anyone who sits in the position of ruling the Han Dynasty will inevitably face the predicament brought about by powerful clans and aristocratic families, and this cannot be solved by simply destroying and rebuilding the Han Dynasty.

If we want to demolish and rebuild, the first to be destroyed will inevitably be the common people, who have the least ability to withstand risks.

In the face of total war, ordinary people have no choice but to rely on the powerful and wealthy for protection in order to survive.

Just like in present-day Ji and Yan provinces, the self-cultivating farmers who were registered as ordinary citizens have almost completely disappeared, leaving only powerful clans and their retainers and tenants—not that all the people died or ran away, but that they all changed from being registered as citizens of the state to being the private property of the gentry.

In the end, only powerful families and serfs remained; there were no independent farmers or commoners left.

It's not that the population has dwindled to only a few million, but rather that only a few million are considered human beings, while the rest are all nameless and unregistered slaves.

The wealthy do not pay taxes, abide by the law, assume no social responsibility, and do not allow their serfs to learn any knowledge; they simply lock them up in their manors and treat them like cattle and horses.

They engage in lofty discussions, flaunt their wealth, indulge in entertainment to the point of death, and drink the blood of cattle and horses, yet the cattle and horses are still expected to be grateful to their masters for their 'kindness'... This is the elegance and refinement of the literati.

Liu Bei knew the original course of history. He knew that from the end of the Han Dynasty to the Three Kingdoms, and then to the Wei, Jin and Southern and Northern Dynasties... there were no victors at all.

From the moment the Nine-Rank System was introduced, the aristocratic world that lasted for hundreds of years was dominated by aristocratic families. Everything, including people, was monopolized. The clan system solidified one's birth, and ability and achievements were insignificant in the face of bloodline.

The upper-class gentry either flaunted their status through philosophical discussions or engaged in power struggles, even resorting to foreign invasions to wreak havoc on China in their quest for power.

High-ranking officials and scholars took turns in power, squeezing the essence of the Han people dry. They would rather serve as dogs for foreign tribes than lose their "elegant and refined" lifestyle, until the Five Barbarian tribes became powerful and noble families, and until the Xianbei clans became famous families in the world, bestowing surnames upon the Han people on Han land.

When the whole world is like this... how can it be rebuilt?

Even a rebellion couldn't gain any traction. The two-legged sheep and cattle had almost no sense of resistance; they believed they were born to be eaten.

Liu Bei knew what the consequences would be if he accepted investment from powerful families and quickly gained control of the country.

The powerful clans, who already possessed all the local resources, were never under the control of the imperial power. The emperor was nothing in front of these powerful families' interests. Once they withdrew their investment, the emperor would be left begging for food!

However, for a young emperor like Liu Xie, the easiest shortcut to "revival" to see and "obtain" was the "assistance" and "serving" of powerful families.

Just like the powerful families of Yanzhou who 'defected' to Cao Cao before.

If powerful families wanted to undermine Liu Bei's legitimacy, they would inevitably flock to Liu Xie's side.

Once Liu Xie begins to accept the 'serving' of powerful families, Liu Bei will face extremely difficult circumstances.

The powerful clans did not need to be truly loyal to Liu Xie. They only needed to let Liu Xie establish his own faction, a faction composed of the sons of powerful families. In fact, Yang Biao and Fu Wan had already done this, but Yang Xiu and others were still young and could still control them.

Liu Bei could not prevent Liu Xie from summoning officials indefinitely, nor could he stop Liu Xie from establishing government offices. If he prevented powerful clans from 'pledging allegiance' to Liu Xie, Liu Xie would certainly not accept it.

This would cause Liu Bei to lose his sense of righteousness and become a public enemy.

With just a little manipulation, Liu Xie would most likely clash with Liu Bei, and Liu Bei might very well become a 'traitor to the Han'.

Just like Cao Cao in history. But if Liu Bei didn't stop it, his troops would definitely not accept it.

If powerful and influential families filled the emperor's side, most of Liu Bei's policies would lose their original effect, and the lives of his subordinates and even himself would be difficult to protect.

This is an open conspiracy, and there's no way to break it.

Liu Bei remained silent for a moment, then asked Diao Chan, "Does Your Majesty intend to establish your own staff?"

"He may not have this intention at the moment... but as long as someone mentions it, especially if the late emperor's old ministers recommend officials, then His Majesty will definitely have this intention."

Diao Chan shook her head slightly: "Your Majesty is kind-hearted, but young people are bound to have ambitions for achievements and institutions. Moreover... Your Majesty is somewhat afraid of the administration of generals."

"Fear? Why?"

Liu Bei was usually quite mild-mannered, and he never expected that Liu Xie would be so afraid of him.

"Your Majesty is not afraid of the General, but of the policies he has implemented. Qingzhou is showing signs of revival, and the General's talent is comparable to that of the sages of the past. But the more this is the case, the more Your Majesty fears him..."

Now that things were out in the open, Diaochan decided to be even more explicit: "I know that General is not comparable to Liang or Dou, but... will General dare to return power to His Majesty in the future? Even if General dares to return power, does His Majesty possess General's talent? If His Majesty lacks the talent, leading to the neglect of good governance, what then? His Majesty can still trust General now, but I fear that His Majesty will find it difficult to truly understand the profound meaning of General's governance for more than ten years... What is the solution to this matter?"

"...I understand."

Liu Bei closed his eyes, then opened them again, and bowed deeply to Diao Chan: "Thank you for reminding me, Chan Guan... but... this matter can be resolved. However, if you want to get out of this predicament, you will need the help of someone as wise as Chan Guan."

"Can this matter be resolved?"

Diao Chan's eyes widened in surprise.

"If Your Majesty has the people of the Han Dynasty in your heart, then the problem can be solved. If Your Majesty only has yourself in your heart... then the problem can also be solved."

Liu Bei nodded earnestly: "I ask Chan Guan for your help. Chan Guan is a trusted relative of His Majesty, and His Majesty will listen to your words."

Diao Chan sighed: "What does the general intend to do?"

"Please ask Your Majesty to change your name, temporarily relinquish your imperial status, and enter the academy as an ordinary student, so that Your Majesty can live as a poor scholar... He is now curious about life among ordinary people, and as long as you are here, Your Majesty will definitely be happy to do so."

Liu Bei replied, "Only by going among the people, seeing what they need, and making a living by doing it yourself, can you learn my master's way of governing the world. If Your Majesty does not achieve anything in your studies, then you can remain a student and still live a peaceful and happy life."

Diao Chan was stunned for a moment: "This..."

"Jiang Li, you will become His Majesty's elder sister... Give His Majesty a new name, send him to primary school first, and don't let anyone know His Majesty's identity."

Liu Bei continued, "I'll have Zhuge Liang find you a job in his workshop... Few people have actually seen His Majesty's face. Without the title of Emperor, His Majesty is actually safer... and perhaps even happier."

Zhuge Workshop was the safest place in all of Linzi, because it was flanked by military factories and mints, and Zhao Yun was Zhuge Liang's teacher...

"But... His Majesty is not in the palace, how will we hold the court assembly..."

Diao Chan was halfway through her sentence when she suddenly realized, "General, you want Zhuge Liang to impersonate His Majesty?"

"Yes, when it's necessary to make an appearance, Zhuge Liang can stand in for His Majesty. He can wear the crown, and apart from you, me, and Zuo Yuanzilong, no one will recognize him."

Liu Bei nodded: "You want to leave the palace, so this can be considered as fulfilling your wish. Zhuge Zhen is a good child, so teach her more, but don't tell her about His Majesty's identity."

Zhuge Zhen, Zhuge Liang's older sister, was someone Liu Bei would be willing to matchmake if she were interested in Liu Xie, who was a commoner.

(End of this chapter)