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

"Now that Liu Zhang has been settled in Jingzhou, my lord has spared him from extermination only out of consideration for the last shred of dignity of a member of the imperial clan. If Master Xi still harbors resentment and wishes to settle his score with him in the future, my lord will not interfere and will not hinder him in the slightest."

Zhang Lu was speechless for a moment, then remained silent for a long while before revealing his concerns in full, his tone full of doubt, yet also containing a hint of determination:

Even so, Liu Bei still couldn't tolerate me.

I have been preaching in Hanzhong for many years, and I believe in Huang-Lao Taoism. I say that the fate of the Han dynasty has come to an end, and my intention is to cleanse the chaotic world and save the people from suffering.

However, Liu Bei was raising the banner of "restoring the Han Dynasty," and we were mortal enemies in terms of fundamental ideology.

If I surrender, how could he not kill me in the future? How could he not guard against me bewitching the people and ruining his great cause? In the end, I will only face death anyway!

"The department head is wrong again." Gu Sulin's tone suddenly became more serious, each word earnest and hitting the nail on the head.

Su Lin understood that his teacher's statement that "the Han dynasty is coming to an end" was not out of hatred for the Han dynasty itself, but rather out of utter resentment for the chaos that had ensued since the reigns of Emperor Huan and Emperor Ling.

With the court in disarray, treacherous officials in power, and powerful clans running rampant, the people were displaced and resorted to cannibalism. The already corrupt Han Dynasty was utterly unable to protect the people!

The professor promoted the Five Pecks of Rice sect, set up charitable institutions, and implemented lenient punishments and low taxes, all in an effort to find a way for the people of Hanzhong to survive in this chaotic world.

As for the so-called cleansing of the chaotic world, the ultimate goal is to change the world so that the people can live and work in peace and no longer suffer from war, hunger and cold.

Professor, if the new dynasty continues to plunge the people into misery, would you be willing to accept it? Certainly not!

Ultimately, what the professors cared about was never the name of the dynasty, but whether the people could live in peace.

My lord Liu Bei is the same!

What he wanted to restore was never the corrupt and rotten old Han Dynasty, but a strong and prosperous Han Dynasty with a clear political system, a wealthy population, where the elderly could enjoy their old age in peace and the young could have someone to rely on!

Our Lord has always been concerned about the suffering of the people. When Xinye was defeated, hundreds of thousands of people, young and old, followed him all the way. This popular support is the most real recognition of our Lord's benevolence.

My lord would rather his army march slowly than abandon the 100,000 refugees who follow him.

This aligns perfectly with the original aspiration of our faculty and staff to safeguard Hanzhong and bring peace to the people!

Zhang Lu's body jolted, the anger in his eyes vanished instantly, leaving only astonishment, and an undisguised emotion hidden in his eyes.

He sighed inwardly—this person was absolutely right.

Yes, as long as the people are doing well, what the dynasty is called or who is in charge is irrelevant to them.

He spent half his life guarding Hanzhong, and what he sought was never to become king or tyrant, but simply to protect the peace of the people in the region.

Gu Sulin's words struck a chord with him, revealing thoughts he had never shared with anyone, leaving him speechless and unable to refute.

Although his resolve had wavered, Zhang Lu still couldn't let go of his long-standing concerns and asked the question that had been lingering in his mind:

"People all say that my Five Pecks of Rice sect is a heretical sect, and that I use Taoist arts to fool the masses."

Liu Bei has always advocated governing the country with rites and laws and restoring the imperial court's rule. Even if he doesn't say it, how could he truly approve of my way of governing?

"The traditions I've cultivated with all my heart and soul, and the old governance systems that have been used in Hanzhong for many years—if they surrender, won't they all be lost?"

"You can rest assured, the department is affiliated with the university."

Gu Sulin spoke with certainty, offering full assurance: "When my lord led his army into Hanzhong, he personally witnessed the people of Hanzhong living in peace and prosperity, with orderly fields and no one picking up lost items on the road. He had already fully recognized the governance ability of the Master and the good policies he implemented. He even publicly stated that after taking Hanzhong, he would never easily abolish the Master's good policies."

Whether it was the Five Pecks of Rice sect's doctrine or the imperial court's rule of law, the essence was to ensure that the people could live a peaceful life.

As long as the master does not incite believers or cause trouble in the future, the old system in Hanzhong will remain unchanged, and our lord will not interfere with the matter of preaching.

The professor's life's work can be completely preserved without any damage.

Zhang Lu frowned, his fingertips repeatedly tracing the table. His heart was completely shaken, but then he suddenly remembered something and let out a long sigh of helplessness:

"But I had already secretly sent an envoy to Cao Cao to surrender and ask for help, which made it clear that I thought Liu Bei was inferior to Cao Cao. No matter how magnanimous Liu Bei was, how could he not harbor resentment?"

"You are overthinking this, Master. My Lord knows all about it and will never take it to heart."

Gu Sulin laughed loudly, then pointed out the final layer of advantage, "Not only that, the department head should also think about it from the other side:

If you insist on waiting for Cao Cao's reinforcements, my army will immediately attack the city, and Hanzhong will surely suffer bloodshed and devastation. Even if you are lucky enough to hold out until Cao Cao arrives, you will already be a defeated general, exhausted and without strength. Surrendering to him would only be adding insult to injury.

He will only place you arbitrarily, slowly stripping you of your military power, religious authority, and territory in Hanzhong. Once he has used you, he will discard you like worn-out shoes, leaving you with no say whatsoever.

But if they surrender to my lord, the situation will be completely different!

Hanzhong is of paramount importance to our lord's great cause. Now that our lord's foothold is not yet secure, he needs someone like Master Xi, who holds supreme prestige in Hanzhong, to pacify the people and govern the region.

Your surrender is a timely help to my Lord.

"My Lord will surely treat you well and give you important responsibilities to stabilize Hanzhong. When the border is finally settled and Hanzhong becomes the front line, Master Xi can still lead his followers and follow the old Hanzhong system to travel far and wide, spreading the gospel and bringing blessings to all. This is a promise my Lord has made!"

After he finished speaking, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

Zhang Lu was completely stunned. He lowered his head, closed his eyes, and remained silent for a long time. His fingertips trembled slightly. Every word Gu Sulin said echoed repeatedly in his mind.

...Do you have a blood feud with the Liu family?

That was merely a personal grudge against Liu Zhang. Liu Bei had already broken ties with Liu Zhang, and his move to seize Yizhou was also a righteous act.

...Did they disagree with Liu Bei's ideals?

He himself revered Heaven and protected the people, and Liu Bei also loved the people like his own children. If he could really defeat Cao Cao, the new Han dynasty would surely, as Gu Sulin said, allow the people to live in peace and prosperity.

...Afraid that the tradition will be lost?

Liu Bei had already personally promised that he would not hinder Liu Bei's missionary work, as long as the area was kept stable and no trouble was caused.

He turned to look at Yan Pu beside him and saw Yan Pu nod slightly, his eyes full of agreement, clearly urging him to agree to surrender.

……

After a while, Zhang Lu slowly opened his eyes. The doubts, anger, and entanglements in his eyes gradually faded, leaving only a sense of relief and an undeniable firmness.

He looked up at Gu Sulin, nodded heavily, and said in a deep voice, "Alright, I surrender."

With that statement settled in the hall, Zhang Lu let out a long sigh, and the tension around him finally dissipated.

He rose from his seat, stepped down from the main seat, and slowly bowed to Gu Sulin:

"The master's words resolved the mystery of my life. The people of Nanzheng, the Zhang clan, and the Five Pecks of Rice sect were all saved thanks to the master's words."

Gu Sulin quickly stepped forward to support him and said gently, "Master Xi is a man of great wisdom and righteousness. This is a blessing for the people, and it is by no means the work of Sulin alone."

Yan Pu also stepped forward and bowed to Zhang Lu, saying, "Master's decision can ensure that there will be no bloodshed in Hanzhong, which is truly a great blessing."

Zhang Lu nodded, then solemnly added: "However, although I am willing to surrender, I need Lord Xuande to agree to four things and sign a surrender agreement as proof before I will recognize him as the Governor of Yizhou and in charge of all affairs in Hanzhong."