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

Chapter 64 Zhuge Liang's Debate with the Confucian Scholars Causes Some to Be Restless
Zhuge Liang is busy again.

He oversaw every aspect of the government's work, including strategizing, managing finances, procuring provisions, manufacturing weapons, training troops, adjusting policies, reforming the bureaucracy, collecting taxes, and providing relief to starving people.

But unlike in the past:

Zhuge Liang has someone to use!
In addition to the original team including Pang Tong and Xu Shu, Chen Zhen and his subordinates were also added.

Other scholars who came to see and copy the texts were working for Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang, taking advantage of his young age (not yet twenty), set up a debate platform in Gaotang as a "wild scholar": whoever could defeat Zhuge Liang in the debate could take away three volumes of books; whoever could not defeat Zhuge Liang would have to serve as his subordinate for three months.

Under the reward, there must be a brave man.

The generous reward of three volumes of books made all the scholars extremely envious.

In addition, Zhuge Liang's age is too deceptive.

Who would have thought that a scholar not yet twenty was actually an old man over fifty? And an old man who had become prime minister?

Zhuge Liang debated with the scholars as if an old man were playing with a mischievous child.

Even the most self-proclaimed geniuses would have to admit their superiority upon meeting Zhuge Liang.

So-called genius is merely the threshold to meeting Zhuge Liang!
What's even more remarkable is that Zhuge Liang thought that debating one by one was too time-consuming, so he had dozens of scholars present participate in the debate at the same time, staging a great show of "debating with a group of scholars".

All of a sudden.

Zhuge Liang's reputation also grew day by day.

Some clever scholars saw an opportunity and, knowing they couldn't win the debate against Zhuge Liang, still insisted on debating with him, hoping that if they lost, they could become Zhuge Liang's subordinate!
He is now a subordinate official.

What about the future?
The path to progress is right in front of us; how can we let it slip by?

With the addition of these scholars, Zhuge Liang was able to delegate tedious basic tasks such as "supervision" and "review".

In the initial stage, everything was simple. As long as all the scholars strictly followed the procedures and norms set by Zhuge Liang, everything would be fine.

It neither sets excessively high standards that would leave scholars bewildered, nor does it allow them to gain experience in handling government affairs.

Kill two birds with one stone.

With a professional leader in charge, the team's scattered strengths can be united and directed in the same direction.

Although Liu Bei was able to unite the scattered forces of his team, he did not know which direction to direct his efforts, thus possessing great power but being unable to safeguard his foundation.

But now that there is a professional helmsman like Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei can clearly understand in which direction this force, gathered by the masses, should be directed.

Because the commotion in Gaotang was too great.

Hua Yan, who was left in Pingyuan by Yuan Tan ostensibly for cooperation but also for supervision, couldn't sit still any longer.

Before Liu Bei had even temporarily assumed the position of Chancellor of Pingyuan, he had already caused chaos among the officials and common people of the counties of Pingyuan. Once Liu Bei temporarily assumed the position of Chancellor of Pingyuan, who among the officials and common people of the counties of Pingyuan would still listen to Hua Yan?
at the very beginning.

Hua Yan concluded that Liu Bei would bring tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians into Pingyuan County, and even devised a "reasonable and justifiable" plan to divide Liu Bei's tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians.

To this end, Hua Yan secretly made an agreement with the powerful families in Pingyuan County and received benefits from them in advance. As a result, Liu Bei did not go to Pingyuan County at all but stayed in Gaotang, and even allowed tens of thousands of people to register in Gaotang County!
Furthermore, Chen Zhen was recommended by Liu Bei to be the magistrate of Gaotang, and the officials of Gaotang were either promoted or rewarded with money and silk. The scholars and common people admired the collection of books and flocked to Liu Bei.

As a result, the entire Gaotang County became completely independent of the other counties in Pingyuan State, and only obeyed Liu Bei.

Even Hua Yan's messengers had to undergo three or five investigations before entering Gaotang County!

Subconsciously, Hua Yan thought of Yuan Tan's words, "I only let General Zuo temporarily serve in Pingyuan for a year. How could the officials and people of Pingyuan be won over by General Zuo?" He couldn't help but sigh.

a year?
If Liu Bei were to temporarily serve as the Chancellor of Pingyuan, let alone a year, he could make all the counties of Pingyuan follow his lead in just three months! My lord, you are inviting a tiger into your house!

Despite his thoughts, Hua Yan did not write to Yuan Tan.

Although he lacked the talent and virtue of Wang Xiu and others, Hua Yan was valued and trusted by Yuan Tan because of his excellent ability to read people's expressions and moods.

Yuan Tan now greatly admires Liu Bei and wants to use Liu Bei to suppress Yuan Shang, so he will not listen to Hua Yan's advice.

Hua Yan was not a virtuous minister who liked to speak frankly!
Loyalty is offensive.

Hua Yan didn't want to be disliked by Yuan Tan for speaking frankly.

Mind this.

Hua Yan decided to make a trip to Gaotang himself.

In order not to arouse Liu Bei's suspicion, Hua Yan also prepared generous gifts to show his "respect and admiration" for Liu Bei.

Upon learning that Hua Yan had come with gifts, Zhuge Liang immediately made a judgment: "Hua Yan is not virtuous and is good at changing his stance according to the wind. Now he is showing goodwill to the Left General. He must not be sincere."

Liu Bei agreed wholeheartedly: "I also know that this man is not sincere. But Hua Yan is the Chief Clerk of Pingyuan State, in charge of the appointment and dismissal of all counties in Pingyuan State. We should befriend him but not offend him, lest we ruin important matters."

It is better to offend a gentleman than a petty person.

A virtuous person cherishes their reputation, while a petty person has no scruples.

The past incident of Zuo Feng framing Lu Zhi was still fresh in Liu Bei's mind, so he had to be cautious.

One came prepared with gifts, while the other did not want to offend a petty person.

The meeting between Hua Yan and Liu Bei appeared exceptionally harmonious.

The atmosphere at the banquet was filled with laughter and joy, as if old friends were reuniting.

"General Zuo's magnanimity is something I have never seen before in my life." Hua Yan's tongue trembled as he drank the wine.

Liu Bei smiled warmly, saying, "Hua Gongcao is so magnanimous that I admit I am no match for him."

"When it comes to drinking, I've never been afraid of anyone!" Hua Yan laughed, his tone quite smug.

Half-drunk and half-awake, Hua Yan squinted and feigned surprise: "Back when General Zuo sent someone to Linzi to see Magistrate Yuan, Magistrate Yuan sent someone to Liyang to tell him the truth about General Zuo's northward journey. I thought the General would gladly come to welcome him, but unexpectedly, the General has not yet sent anyone to welcome General Zuo. It's very strange!"

"Perhaps the General is too busy with military affairs to attend to this matter." Liu Bei, unaware of Hua Yan's intentions, calmly took over the conversation and then gestured to Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang understood, lightly waved his feather fan, and readily offered a misleading hypothesis: "Perhaps the General dislikes Governor Yuan, or perhaps someone doesn't want the General to know that the Left General has gone north."

Hua Yan raised an eyebrow and feigned anger, saying, "It must be that scoundrel Yuan Shang who's causing trouble! General Zuo, don't worry. If the Grand General doesn't send anyone to welcome you, then you can stay in Pingyuan and temporarily act as the Prefect of Pingyuan. Why bother going to suffer Yuan Shang's wrath!"

Under the influence of alcohol.

Hua Yan may be venting his dissatisfaction, commenting on others, or boasting about his own intelligence. His seemingly random remarks are actually full of provocation.

It seems Hua Yan doesn't really like me staying in Pingyuan Kingdom.

Liu Bei guessed Hua Yan's true thoughts.

Liu Bei, who was temporarily staying in Gaotang County, made too much of a show of force, which was quite overbearing and made Hua Yan feel threatened. Hua Yan did not dare to openly ask Liu Bei to leave Pingyuan State, so he took advantage of his drunkenness to keep provoking Liu Bei and Yuan Shang to have a conflict.

　I went on a long trip yesterday and actually caught the flu. It's 2025 and there's still the flu. I'm going to get some sleep; I'll update later.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)