Three Reconstructions of the Han Dynasty: I Helped Zhuge Liang Perfect the Longzhong Plan

Seeing this, Fa Zheng knew that further words were useless. He stood up and said in a calm tone, "A good bird chooses a good tree to perch on, and a good minister chooses a good lord to serve. I hope you will not wait until Shu is in chaos before you regret it. I have said all I have to say. Take care of yourself." After saying this, he turned and left without any hesitation, leaving Liu Ba alone sitting in the courtyard.

Liu Ba stared at the cold tea in his cup, his expression growing increasingly complicated.

Two more days passed. At dawn, just as the sky was beginning to lighten, the east was tinged with the pale white of dawn, the morning mist swirled, and the air was fresh.

Liu Ba had been tossing and turning these past few days. He would get up before dawn, go to the courtyard, and gaze at the tall, green bamboo, his thoughts churning.

Huang Quan's gentle persuasion and Fa Zheng's sharp questioning echoed repeatedly in his mind. The barriers in his heart had long been dismantled, leaving only a trace of hesitation and unwillingness.

Just then, the gatekeeper announced that Liu Bei had come to visit in person.

Liu Ba was greatly alarmed. He walked to the courtyard gate, gently pushed it open a crack, and looked out. He saw Liu Bei dressed in plain linen robes and a simple cloth crown. He was alone outside the gate, carrying a basket of ordinary pastries. He had a humble expression and gentle eyes. He stood quietly in front of the steps, without any entourage.

"Lord Xuande?" Liu Ba was taken aback, completely unexpected that Liu Bei would come in person, and in such simple attire, lacking any of the majesty of a regional overlord, instead resembling an ordinary visitor. He paused for a moment, not expecting Liu Bei to actually disregard past grievances and personally visit him. He hurriedly opened the courtyard gate, bowed, and said in a flustered and complicated tone, "I was unaware of your arrival, Lord Xuande. I have failed to greet you properly; please forgive me."

Liu Bei smiled and raised his hand, indicating that he did not need to be so polite. His tone was gentle, as if he were meeting an old friend: "Zichu, there is no need for formalities. I have come here today not to assume the title of my lord, but simply as a fellow Han official, and as someone who cares about the world, to have a few words with you. There is no need to be so formal."

He held up the pastries in his hand and said with a smile, "I heard that Zichu likes these kinds of common pastries, so I specially had them bought yesterday. They are nothing expensive, and I hope Zichu will not find them too expensive." After saying that, he followed Liu Ba into the courtyard, took the initiative to walk to the stone table and sit down, placed the pastries on the stone table, opened them himself, and pushed them in front of Liu Ba.

Seeing Liu Bei's amiable demeanor, Liu Ba's unease gradually dissipated, but he still felt somewhat uncomfortable. After inviting Liu Bei to sit down, he slowly sat down himself and said in a low voice, "My lord is too kind. I am unworthy of such a title."

Liu Bei didn't press the matter. He picked up a piece of pastry, took a small bite, and spoke in a casual tone, completely avoiding the topic of official appointment. He began by saying, "Zichu, I have long heard of your talent. Back in Jingzhou, Kongming repeatedly recommended you to me, saying that your intelligence was ten times that of ordinary people, and that you were particularly skilled in financial management, tax reform, balancing tax burdens, and reorganizing the treasury. Kongming and I also wrote letters and sent envoys several times to politely invite you to join us, but you always avoided meeting us. Although I feel regret, I understand your intentions."

He paused, his gaze gazing into the distance, his tone growing increasingly sincere: "I know that you once traveled far to Jiaozhou, and then returned to Shu, with your heart set on the Han dynasty and your lifelong dedication to supporting the imperial family. I know this sentiment well and admire it greatly."

"But you must see the current situation clearly." Liu Bei's tone became solemn, his gaze gentle yet firm. "Last year, Cao Cao attempted to change the system and become a duke. His ambition to usurp the Han throne is known throughout the world."

He has seized power by holding the emperor hostage, controlling the court, gradually encroaching on the Liu family's territory, and slaughtering loyal ministers and generals. If he is allowed to grow stronger, the Han dynasty will be in grave danger within a few years. I will never sit idly by and watch him steal the throne; I will surely raise an army to punish him.

Since raising his army, Liu Bei has not sought hegemony or wealth, but only to continue the Han dynasty, save the people from suffering, eliminate treacherous heroes, and restore peace to the world.

The Han dynasty you cherish is not the puppet court controlled by Cao Cao, but the true Han dynasty, a Han dynasty where the people live in peace and prosperity, and the world is at peace. Our hearts are one; we are both for the Han dynasty and for the people.

Liu Bei looked directly at Liu Ba, his tone sincere and earnest: "I know you are prejudiced against me, thinking that I rose from humble beginnings, of lowly status, and am unworthy to govern Yizhou or to restore the Han Dynasty. But birth does not determine everything. Emperor Gaozu rose from a village head, and Emperor Guangwu humbled himself in the fields. Their actions are the true measure."

Looking at Liu Bei's sincere expression and listening to his earnest words, Liu Ba's last bit of resistance gradually dissipated. His lips moved, but he remained silent, though the arrogance in his eyes gradually faded.

Seeing this, Liu Bei understood. He made a promise softly, his tone solemn and each word carrying immense weight: "Zichu, I know you despise factional strife, dislike military campaigns, and fear being bound by worldly affairs and entangled by factions. If you still refuse to help me, I will not force you. But if you change your mind in the future, I promise you: I will not be involved in factions, will not command troops, will not be embroiled in factional disputes, will not allow you to join the army, and will keep you away from turmoil."

"You are skilled in systems, finance, laws, and etiquette, so you should only focus on your duties, such as managing the finances and taxes of Shu, revising laws and regulations, stabilizing people's livelihoods, and standardizing the treasury. All related matters will be fully entrusted to you, without interference or obstruction."

I will only use your talent, not force your ambition, to accommodate your pride and preserve your true nature. You can still maintain the integrity of a scholar, and you can still act according to your own will. As long as you can bring peace to Yizhou and assist me in restoring the Han Dynasty, I will fulfill all your requests.

Liu Ba suddenly looked up at Liu Bei, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

He was proud and aloof throughout his life, and he was most afraid of being bound by worldly conventions, being swayed by factions, having his talents buried, and losing his true self.

Now, Liu Bei indeed disregarded past grievances and personally visited the man, displaying a humble and courteous attitude, leaving no room for criticism.

Liu Bei's final words struck a chord with what he cared about most. They not only preserved his dignity as a scholar but also gave him enough trust and space to display his talents and do what he was good at.

He remained silent for a long time, his coldness completely fading, a hint of emotion appearing in his eyes. He sighed deeply, rose, and bowed deeply to Liu Bei. His tone was solemn, tinged with guilt and determination: "My lord's hospitality is too great for me to refuse. I was stubborn and prejudiced in the past, and I have offended you in many ways. I hope my lord will forgive me."

From this day forward, I, Ba, am willing to serve you with utmost loyalty, assisting you in reforming the finances and taxes of Shu, revising laws and regulations, stabilizing the people's livelihood, and helping you restore the Han Dynasty and bring peace to the world!

Liu Bei quickly rose to help him up, his eyes filled with joy. He gripped Liu Ba's hand tightly, his voice trembling with excitement: "With your initial assistance, Yizhou is safe, and the revival of the Han dynasty is within reach!"

The two looked at each other and laughed heartily; the estrangement between ruler and subject had now completely dissipated.

As the morning mist gradually dissipated, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the bamboo leaves, bathing the two of them in warmth and brightness.