The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 149 Advice Requires Approach: Liu Bei Offers a Plan to Train Troops and Exhaust Cao Cao (4th Update)
really!

The sharpness in Tian Feng's eyes intensified.

The "Jun" and "Liu" mentioned by Zhuge Liang were not referring to the weak emperor in Xuchang, but rather to Liu Bei.

If it is the will of Heaven, then a wise ruler will naturally follow its destiny.

Who is the wise ruler?

Who is the one being obeyed?
it goes without saying!

Tian Feng had no intention of letting the matter rest and continued to press: "Sir, you have a broad mind, but what should a wise ruler rely on, and what should be considered his ability? In the world today, General Yuan Shao has a long-standing reputation, Cao Cao holds the emperor hostage to command disobedience, and General Liu Bei is known for his benevolence and righteousness... Who can be considered a 'wise ruler'? And how can we discern whether they are destined by Heaven or are merely scheming for power?"

Tian Feng's gaze sharpened as he went a step further: "Furthermore, Master Zhuge's ambition is to 'revive the Han dynasty and restore glory to the world.' However, the Han dynasty has been in decline for a long time, and its laws and regulations have been neglected. Even if a wise ruler were to emerge, would he establish the former Han dynasty's empire, or would he merely create a new dynasty cloaked in the guise of the Han dynasty? If the 'instrument' of the Han dynasty is rotten beyond repair, should we emulate the reforms of Shang Tang and Zhou Wu, and cast a new 'instrument' to inherit the mandate of Heaven?"

The series of questions directly addressed the core dilemma of Liu Bei's camp—the fundamental contradiction between the slogan of restoring the Han Dynasty and the future dynastic change.

Perhaps realizing his question was too sharp, Tian Feng softened his tone slightly: "I'll just say a few words as a discussion. If Mr. Zhuge finds it inconvenient, you don't have to answer."

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Liang continued to wave his feather fan as before, his expression unmoved by Tian Feng's sharp words, his smile remaining calm.

"Your question is very insightful. I believe that the foundation of a wise ruler lies first in 'virtue' to win the hearts of the people, and second in 'power' to quell national crises. The foundation of the Han dynasty lies not only in the bloodline of the Liu family and the old ritual system, but also in the fundamental spirit of 'Heaven's Mandate of Heaven and benevolence, the one who unifies the nation.' This is the constant principle of heaven and earth, and the common way of the past and present."

Zhuge Liang, his gaze clear, looked directly at Tian Feng and continued, “Mr. Tian says that the ‘instruments’ of the Han dynasty are rotten and incorruptible, but I believe that the foundation of the state lies in the ‘way’ rather than the ‘instruments’! The way is the human heart. As long as the human heart is not extinguished, the foundation of the state will endure forever. General Zuo is a descendant of the Han dynasty, upholding ‘virtue’ and practicing righteousness, and his ambition is to establish ‘prestige’. His heart is clear and his will is unwavering. He is determined to restore the Han dynasty, cleanse the world, and restore the state. Since the Han way has not been extinguished, why should we forge new ‘instruments’ to inherit the mandate of heaven?”

After hearing Zhuge Liang's "Theory of Dao and Qi", Tian Feng was even more shocked.

A sudden gust of wind arose, emphasizing the stillness.

a long time.

Tian Feng clapped his hands and praised: "What a profound statement! The foundation of a nation lies in the 'Dao' (the Way) rather than in the 'Qi' (tools). May I ask, Mr. Zhuge, when the Zhou dynasty was in decline, Confucius traveled tirelessly to various states, but he was unable to restore rites and music throughout his life. If we follow this logic, why didn't Confucius sit in his capital and wait for the hearts of the people to naturally turn to him?"

Zhuge Liang's feather fan hovered in mid-air, and the breeze in his sleeve suddenly froze.

Tian Feng's analogy is quite ingenious. Confucius happens to be a tragic symbol of "the Way exists but the instrument is lost." By using this analogy, Tian Feng is implying that even if Liu Bei's heart is clear and his ambition is strong, can he really rebuild the broken country?

After a moment's thought, Zhuge Liang smiled, his feather fan waving gently, and a breeze stirred again: "I have a different view from Mr. Tian. Confucius traveled throughout the states not to restore the Zhou dynasty, but to pass on the great principles to future generations, to preserve the way of benevolence and righteousness on paper and to take root in people's hearts. Today, heroes rise up all over the world, but few can practice benevolence and righteousness. Dong Zhuo was cruel, causing the death of a million people in Luoyang in Guanzhong; Cao Cao was unrighteous, causing the desolation of Xuzhou and the Si River to stop flowing. If all those who seize power are as cruel and unrighteous as Dong Zhuo and Cao Cao, how can the hearts of the people be won over? Now, General Zuo is traveling all over the world, not only for the sake of the state, but also to practice benevolence and righteousness throughout the world, so that this way can be reborn in people's hearts. Even if I fail to restore the state in this life, there are like-minded people who are willing to devote themselves to the cause and follow in my footsteps to continue General Zuo's will."

The wind howled in the corner of the house, but seemed to be frozen in mid-air by Zhuge Liang's golden words.

The sharp edge on Tian Feng's face melted away like ice and snow meeting the blazing sun, replaced by deep respect.

a long time.

Tian Feng bowed deeply, saying, "A wise ruler finds loyal and virtuous officials, and a wise minister meets a wise ruler. I admire you!" Perhaps thinking of Yuan Shao's refusal to heed loyal advice, Tian Feng sighed inwardly again.

Comparing people with each other is so annoying!

Seeing that Tian Feng no longer asked questions or spoke, Zhuge Liang quietly looked into the General's Mansion.

Inside the main hall of the mansion, due to Liu Bei's appearance, Yuan Shao had to temporarily suspend his decision to fight Cao Cao and instead consult Liu Bei's opinion.

Yuan Shao was able to beat Tian Feng out with sticks only because Yuan Shao was the ruler and Tian Feng was the subject.

However, Liu Bei was different.

Although Liu Bei is currently serving Yuan Shao, he is not as a subject but as a guest general.

You are the Grand General, and I am the Left General; neither of us is more noble than the other.

"What does Xuande think I should do?" Strength determines the volume of one's voice, and Yuan Shao's attitude towards Liu Bei was more polite than before.

Liu Bei glanced at the civil and military officials in the hall and saw that Guo Tu, Shen Pei, Feng Ji and others had different expressions. He then carefully chose his words and said, "Since Cao Cao dares to provoke the General, if the General backs down, Cao Cao will surely laugh at you."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shao's spirits immediately lifted: "Does Xuande mean that I should engage Cao Cao in a decisive battle at Dongwuyang?"

"No!" Liu Bei shook his head slightly and continued, "Cao Cao is nothing but a usurper. How could he be qualified to tell the General what to do? When to fight and where to fight should be decided by the General!"

Whether Yuan Shao should fight Cao Cao was a question that neither Tian Feng nor Liu Bei could persuade him to do.

Unlike Tian Feng, Liu Bei subtly changed the concept, shifting the question from whether or not to fight to whether and where to fight, leaving it to Yuan Shao to decide.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shao immediately realized that Liu Bei's words made perfect sense: "Xuande's words are exactly what I was thinking! If I were to fight Cao Cao in Dongwuyang next April, wouldn't I be acting as his subordinate? How could Cao Cao, a mere eunuch's scum, dare to order me around?"

Guo Tu, Shen Pei, Feng Ji, and others in the hall all looked at Liu Bei in surprise: Could he really persuade him like that?
Yuan Shao was pleased and then asked, "In Xuande's opinion, when and where should this battle be fought?"

Liu Bei was speechless: How would I know when or where to fight? I only just found out about this.

But since Yuan Shao asked, Liu Bei had no choice but to answer.

After a moment's thought, Liu Bei recalled a strategy that Yuan Shao had previously rejected, and said, "The specific time and place can be discussed and decided upon by the generals. Since ancient times, all's fair in war. Now that the general has ordered me to recruit and train new soldiers, we can take this opportunity to harass the south bank of Cangting Ferry. If they come to their left, we will attack their right; if they come to their right, we will attack their left, keeping them constantly on the move. This way, we can train our troops and also instill fear in Cao Cao's army. Once their soldiers are exhausted, the general can then invite them to a decisive battle at Dongwuyang! If they dare to cross the river, we can attack them halfway across and capture their general alive to humiliate them; if they are afraid and dare not cross, we can send a sarcastic letter to avenge the old grudge at Guandu."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shao immediately realized the truth in his words: "What Xuande says is absolutely right!"

Feng Ji, standing to the side, secretly sneered: Isn't this just Tian Feng and Ju Shou's plan to wear down Cao Cao? Liu Bei is truly cunning, actually using this plan to curry favor with the General!
　The fourth update is here! Please vote with your monthly tickets! Ugh, I slept in late this weekend, and now I have to work overtime tonight. Oh well, I'm so frustrated!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)