Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3770 Enduring countless dangers and fully understanding the truth

In late autumn, Jiangdong was shrouded in damp cold.

This is a magical attack; even wearing multiple layers of clothing cannot completely block the invasion of the cold.

In the council hall of Sun Quan's residence, the tall beams and pillars appeared particularly solemn in the flickering candlelight and the shadows cast by the charcoal brazier.

A silent tension filled the air, overshadowing the faint warmth from the charcoal fire.

The high-ranking officials of Jiangdong and Liu Bei's entourage, who were staying there, sat on either side, each according to their rank and status. No one spoke, and they even deliberately avoided direct eye contact, as if any slight movement might break this dangerous balance and ignite the undercurrents hidden beneath the calm surface.

All eyes were fixed on Sun Quan, who sat in the main seat.

Sun Quan was having a very difficult time during this period.

In short, Sun Quan was like a sophisticated white-collar worker during an economic downturn, struggling to maintain his dignity while enduring various problems caused by the economic downturn, including but not limited to layoffs, reduced income, and soaring prices...

However, Sun Quan looked quite energetic today.

At least on the surface.

Today, Sun Quan was unusually dressed in a complete set of crown and robes, meticulous in every detail, as if he wanted to use this excessive solemnity and majesty to fill the growing power void since Zhou Yu's death.

Sun Quan's gaze slid to Liu Bei, and he sneered inwardly.

His introduction of Liu Bei, this trapped dragon, was a carefully planned risky move. He intended to leverage the prestige and military strength of this imperial uncle to counterbalance the deeply entrenched and increasingly powerful local clans of Jiangdong, allowing him to manipulate the situation and regain absolute power. However, Liu Bei's shrewdness far exceeded expectations. Far from clashing with the clans as anticipated, he skillfully maneuvered, even secretly colluding with some of them, leaving Sun Quan feeling frustrated and threatened that his plan had backfired and that he was now under Liu Bei's control.

Now, the turning point has finally arrived...

The thunderous news from the north gave Sun Quan an unexpected opportunity to break the deadlock.

Emperor Liu Xie was actually kidnapped by Cao Cao, who then "personally led an expedition" to Sishui Pass!

Fei Qian published a 'outrageous' manifesto!

The first event, no matter how many intricate connections or ups and downs it involved, the mere appearance of the emperor's banner at Sishui Pass symbolized a complete break between the Han dynasty in Shandong and Fei Qian in Chang'an!

What followed, when Fei Qian's "Letter to the Scholars and Commoners" was transmitted to Jiangdong, was even more scathing, its words aimed directly at the very foundation upon which the gentry depended for their survival.

Land, official career, cultural privileges.

This news shocked Sun Quan, but it also gave him a glimmer of hope.

Fei Qian is courting death!
This is the last chance!

Sun Quan had to use the pretext of "righteousness" and the fear of the gentry for their own survival to completely bind Liu Bei and all the gentry of Jiangdong to his cause in front of everyone, and regain the crumbling leadership.

Sun Quan slowly raised his eyelids, his gaze revealing a barely perceptible weariness and a deeper calculation. He scanned the crowd, then spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but unusually clear due to the silence of the hall, as if each word carried a heavy weight.

"The recent upheavals in the Central Plains are surely already known to you all," Sun Quan said calmly, stating the facts first. "The crimes of that traitor Cao Cao are countless! He dared to brazenly kidnap the Emperor and feign a personal campaign; this is a calamity beyond measure, arousing the wrath of both gods and men!"

He first pointed the finger at Cao Cao, defending Emperor Liu Xie.

This is politically correct, and no one can refute it, which easily leads to a brief consensus.

He paused slightly, his gaze seemingly unintentionally sweeping across Liu Bei's composed face, before continuing, his tone suddenly becoming more somber, even tinged with sorrow, "However, compared to the arrogance of the traitor Cao Cao, another matter is even more appalling. His heart is despicable, and his actions are even worse! Fei Qian, who entrenched himself in Guanzhong, has openly issued a so-called 'Proclamation to the People of the World.' His words and phrases are not merely rebellious; they are an attempt to overthrow the millennia-old rites and laws of China, destroy the enduring legacy of the Han Dynasty, and sever the very foundation of the state!"

Sun Quan deliberately raised his voice, emphasizing each word: "Equal land distribution? Isn't that plunder and robbery, destroying the well-field system and disrupting the order of wealth and poverty? Abolishing the recommendation system and promoting the merit examination system? Isn't that cutting off the path to officialdom for the virtuous and upright, allowing cunning commoners to be ranked alongside noble scholars? Promoting practical learning and emphasizing craftsmanship? Isn't that despising classical texts, disgracing literature, and forcing our families, steeped in scholarship, to associate with those engaged in lowly professions?!"

Each question was like a heavy hammer blow, striking the most sensitive and fearful nerves of all the aristocratic members in the hall.

When Sun Quan saw that Zhang Zhao, Gu Yong and the others had turned slightly pale, he raised his head even higher.

Fei Qian and Fei Ziyuan were so blinded by greed that they committed such a clumsy act!

That’s really, really great!

Having finished describing Fei Qian's "terror," Sun Quan suddenly turned his gaze like a sharp sword to Liu Bei, his voice rising abruptly, carrying an almost public interrogation tone, and an unavoidable implication: "Lord Liu!"

Liu Bei's heart skipped a beat; he knew the moment of truth had finally arrived. He straightened up slightly, his face instantly switching to a perfectly measured expression of respect and sorrow, and bowed, replying, "General Sun."

They used to call her "Little Sweetie," but now they call her "General Sun"...

Sun Quan's lips twitched involuntarily, but he quickly gritted his teeth, his gaze fixed on Liu Bei, and spoke with the weight of a final ultimatum: "You are a descendant of the imperial family, a bloodline of the Han dynasty! The world knows of your loyalty and devotion to the country; you have spent half your life in exile without wavering in your resolve to restore the Han dynasty! Now, traitors rise up one after another. Cao Cao is in the lead, his arrogance rampant; Fei Qian has overthrown us, his actions even more heinous! The Han dynasty is teetering on the brink of collapse, the legitimacy of the dynasty hanging by a thread! At this critical juncture of survival, I ask you, my lord, as a member of the Han imperial family, a model for the world, how will you act?"

His words were like knives, pressed against Liu Bei's throat.

Sun Quan had no room for private maneuvering and instead placed the immense burden of "loyalty and righteousness" squarely and openly on Liu Bei's head under the watchful eyes of everyone.

If Liu Bei still maintained his image of loyalty to the Han Dynasty, he would have to acknowledge that Emperor Liu Xie was the legitimate ruler, and he would have to completely sever ties with Cao Cao and Fei Qian, even at the cost of armed conflict, leaving no room for compromise. If Liu Bei did not accept this statement, or if he was even slightly ambiguous, then the image of "benevolence, virtue, loyalty, and righteousness" that Liu Bei had painstakingly cultivated throughout his life would collapse instantly. He would not only immediately lose his foothold in Jiangdong, but would also instantly become a rat that everyone wanted to kill, despised by the world.

In an instant, all eyes in the council hall focused on Liu Bei as if they were physical objects.

Liu Bei lowered his head slightly in thought, his expression remaining largely unchanged, but a hint of annoyance and a sharp glint flashed deep within his eyes.

Sitting behind Liu Bei, Guan Yu opened his slightly closed phoenix eyes a mere slit, as unfathomable as a cold pool. His hand unconsciously stroked his prized long beard, his expression one of undisguised disdain. Zhang Fei, on the other hand, was breathing noticeably heavier. His eyes were wide open, his beard slightly flared, and his muscles taut, like a tiger bound by invisible ropes, ready to pounce at Liu Bei's command.

silence.

The air inside the council chamber seemed to grow increasingly heavy.

Liu Bei felt the immense pressure from countless gazes converging upon him, filled with concern, scrutiny, and even cold expectation and malicious probing. His mind raced as he weighed all the pros and cons.

This was an extremely ruthless scheme by Sun Quan, forcing him into a trap.

Since it's an open conspiracy, there's only one choice… Liu Bei sighed, his face quickly filled with sorrow, seemingly deeply grieved by Sun Quan's depiction of the emperor's predicament. He stood up, facing north, cupped his hands high, and bowed deeply to the ground. When he raised his head again, his eyes were slightly red, and his voice carried a perfectly timed sob and tremor, yet he tried to maintain a resounding strength: "Your Majesty is in peril, your sacred body is endangered, and the nation is in turmoil. As a descendant of the Han dynasty, I am filled with anguish and my heart burns with unbearable pain whenever I think of this! I wish I could take Your Majesty's place in this calamity and strike that traitor Cao Cao with my sword!"

Liu Bei first intensified his hatred for Cao Cao, fitting the current atmosphere, then turned his attention to Fei Qian, his face showing extreme heartache, disbelief, and even deep revulsion. "That Fei... he has unjustly received the Han's favor, rising to the rank of General of the Cavalry. If he does not think of repaying the court, disregards His Majesty's great kindness, and commits the heinous act of regicide, he will surely be abandoned by the entire world!"

Before anyone could find anything wrong with his words, Liu Bei raised his voice and filled it with the rage of betrayal, as if he had lost his composure after suffering a great blow...

"Though I am unworthy, lacking in talent and virtue, I deeply understand that loyalty, filial piety, integrity, and righteousness are the foundation of human relationships and the basis of one's character! As long as I have a breath left, I will dedicate my life to eliminating the traitors and restoring the Han Dynasty! This heart and this will are as clear as day! Heaven and Earth bear witness! If I ever disobey, may I be forsaken by both gods and men!"

These words, spoken with fervor and poignant determination, vividly portrayed the indignation and unyielding spirit of a loyal and filial son driven to the brink of despair, making them highly infectious and persuasive.

But the problem is...

Liu Bei seemed to have said everything, yet also seemed to have said nothing at all.

Inside the hall, even the officials from Jiangdong couldn't help but be slightly moved. Regardless of their inner thoughts, at least on the surface, Liu Bei perfectly accepted the banner of "righteousness" thrown by Sun Quan, and raised it high above his head, waving it fluttering loudly.

Stop asking!
The Han dynasty's principles of "loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness" are my motto!
What a great actor!

A deeper sense of apprehension flashed in Sun Quan's eyes, but at least on the surface, Liu Bei's words seemed to meet Sun Quan's needs. He immediately clapped his hands in praise, his voice echoing loudly throughout the hall, "Excellent! Excellent! Lord Xuande is truly a pillar of the Han Dynasty, a model of loyalty and virtue for all under heaven! If His Majesty knew of this oath, he would be greatly gratified, for the Han Dynasty has hope!"

After the initial praise, Sun Quan abruptly changed his tone, his gaze turning cold and sharp, sweeping across the silent, thoughtful leaders of the Jiangdong gentry, especially Zhang Zhao, Gu Yong, and Lu Xun. He gritted his teeth and said, "Lord Xuande's heart is as clear as the sun and moon, and heaven and earth resonate with it! However—"

He deliberately drew out his words, creating an immense sense of pressure: "—And where are the gentlemen of Jiangdong? You gentlemen, whose families have received the nation's favor for generations, some from prominent clans, others outstanding figures from your regions, yet at this time of national crisis and utter collapse, are you not uttering a single word?"

Sun Quan gave no one a chance to catch their breath or observe. He laid bare the most grievous issue before everyone: "You gentlemen must have already read Fei Qian's proclamation carefully, even scrutinizing every word, losing sleep and appetite! What he desires is not merely to contend for supremacy and establish a regional power! He intends to uproot our gentry, destroy the foundation of our thousand-year-old heritage, and extinguish the hope of our descendants!"

Sun Quan's voice grew louder and more urgent, like a series of heavy blows striking the hall.

"Under the Equal-Field System, how can the land, fortified villages, and ancestral homes accumulated by your families over generations be preserved? With a single decree, they can forcibly seize and plunder, euphemistically calling it 'equalizing the rich and poor'! With the abolition of the recommendation system and the promotion of this inexplicable so-called 'merit-based examination,' where will the career prospects of your sons, students, relatives, and friends be placed? Will they be forced to compete with poor officials, lowly bureaucrats, and even common laborers, vying for scraps? Their so-called practical learning disregards classical texts and values ​​craftsmanship; if ingenious and frivolous skills are treated as honored guests, where will the words of the sages be placed? At that time, where will the dignity and decorum of Jiangdong's scholarly families, their traditions of propriety and officialdom, be?!"

As Sun Quan spoke, he slammed his hand on the table, almost taking off his shoes and banging them on it.

However, while Sun Quan's performance certainly had many flaws, it also did point out the dangerous situation faced by the old aristocratic families.

A terrifying future where family property is seized, descendants' futures are ruined, and family honor is lost...

Zhang Zhao's forehead was covered in a fine layer of cold sweat, Gu Yong's fingertips trembled slightly, and Lu Xun's young face was also extremely solemn.

"If that traitor Fei were to gain control of the world," Sun Quan's voice was cold and resolute as he delivered his final verdict, "forget about wealth and honor, or generations of high office; I fear even your life, your family's possessions, and the preservation of your ancestral temples will be in jeopardy! This is not an exaggeration; this is the clear and unmistakable malice revealed in his manifesto!"

Sun Quan stood up, his true intentions revealed, completely binding "defending the Han Dynasty" and "protecting the privileges of the gentry" together: "Today, the Emperor's banner still flies over the Han Dynasty! Lord Xuande's loyalty and righteousness also lie with the Han Dynasty! The people of the world also place their hopes on the Han Dynasty! This is precisely the last chance for all of us in Jiangdong to set aside past grievances, unite as one, and face this national crisis together, both to defend the legitimacy of the Han Dynasty and to protect our own lives, our families, and our ancestral heritage!"

Sun Quan slowly scanned each face, one by one, looking at each one that was pale, terrified, or struggling. He issued his final warning, his final appeal: "If, at this moment, anyone still hesitates, harbors illusions, or even attempts to secretly collude with these traitors who seek to destroy our very foundation, seeking only to live in peace… then they are not only traitors to the Han Dynasty, but also sinners of Jiangdong, and enemies of all of us! We must unite and strike them down!"

The sharp blade was revealed.

A deathly silence fell over the council chamber; the air was as still as a sheet of iron, so heavy it was hard to breathe.

The occasional crackling sounds from the charcoal brazier sounded particularly jarring at that moment.

Zhang Zhao, Gu Yong, and other experienced and prudent individuals had ashen faces.

They knew what Sun Quan's words meant...

Similarly, they also knew what Fei Qian's new field administration was, but now that Sun Quan had forced them onto the war chariot in this way, their future was equally uncertain, and the initiative would completely fall into Sun Quan's hands.

However, Sun Quan, through Liu Bei's words, firmly occupied the absolute high ground of "righteousness" and completely exposed Fei Qian's unavoidable threat, placing it in front of everyone and blocking all avenues for tactful evasion or ambiguity.

Anyone who jumps out to oppose this now is opposing the emperor and the Han dynasty...

Sun Quan could even directly order someone to be dragged out and beheaded!
Because their "power" and their "representatives" just happen to come from the so-called "Son of Heaven" and the so-called "Han Dynasty"!
In the oppressive, almost maddening silence, Zhang Zhao, with his white hair and beard, representing the civil officials of Jiangdong, seemed to have used all his strength to slowly stand up. His movements were slightly hesitant, as if all the joints in his body were rusty, and even his voice was extremely dry…

"My lord's words..." Zhang Zhao began with difficulty, "Though...though harsh and stern,...those words are, in essence, true. The actions of the treacherous Fei are not merely about vying for the throne; they are...they are about cutting off our lifeline, severing our very lifeline. As the saying goes, when the nest is overturned, how can the eggs remain intact? If the skin is gone, where will the fur attach?"

Zhang Zhao took a sip of West Lake Fish in Vinegar Sauce, his gaze sweeping over the others, as if conveying or receiving some message through his eyes. His voice rose slightly, "Zhao... this old man is willing to follow my lord, to defend the nation... to protect the Han Dynasty... to safeguard the foundation of Jiangdong, and the homes of its people..."

His statement clearly focused on the three words "protecting our homeland," fully expressing the most genuine and core demand of all the gentry at this moment...

With Zhang Zhao taking the lead, Gu Yong, Lu Xun, and others also stood up and echoed his sentiments.

Their statements were mostly cautious and conservative, filled with helplessness and self-preservation, emphasizing family interests far outweighing loyalty to the emperor and patriotism. Ultimately, however, they were forced to achieve a superficial unity under Sun Quan's strong leadership and the influence of Liu Bei's "example." No one dared to defy public opinion at this time, openly oppose the banner of "restoring the Han Dynasty," or utter a single word in defense of Fei Qian's "treasonous" new policies.

Seeing this scene before him, Sun Quan felt the huge weight that had been hanging over his heart for so long finally lift off his feet. He had successfully exploited the "persona" that Liu Bei had to maintain, amplified and used the deep fear of survival that the Jiangdong gentry had for themselves to the extreme, cleverly shifting the internal conflicts outwards and managing to swerve the out-of-control rudder back into his own hands with great difficulty.

Sun Quan's face revealed a mixture of authority, decisiveness, and unquestionable resolve. His voice, deep and resonant, echoed in the no longer deathly silent hall: "Very well! Since that is so, all of Jiangdong shall unite as one to overcome this difficult time! From this day forth, we shall prepare our troops and prepare for war, and soon march upon the Central Plains to protect the Emperor and uphold the state! We will not allow the traitors' plot to usurp the throne to succeed!!"

Naturally, everyone could only agree in unison.

Sun Quan immediately began assigning people, issuing orders, and giving instructions about the country...

After everyone had received their orders and left, in the now empty council hall, Sun Quan stood alone before the main seat, his earlier majesty and decisiveness gradually transforming into an inescapable gloom and profundity between his brows.

He won this round, temporarily consolidating the internal situation and suppressing dissenting voices.

However, this is still only a superficial victory; the process from making a resolution to its actual implementation is not so simple.

Sun Quan knew better than anyone that this consensus was as fragile as ice; the alliance beneath his feet, seemingly solid, was actually riddled with cracks and fraught with danger. He had to launch his most devastating attack at the crucial moment, ideally when Cao Cao and Fei Qian were both weakened…

If Gongjin were still alive...

Sun Quan couldn't help but sigh aloud, followed by a long, low sigh.