Super Cultivation System of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 969: Questions and Answers
In Luoyang City, Liu Zheng and Zhuge Liang, escorted by a team of guards, were heading towards the palace gate.

Liu Zheng looked at Zhuge Liang, who was holding the handle of his feather fan tightly and had not spoken the whole time, and said jokingly, "Hey, second brother, you usually look calm and composed, as if you wouldn't panic even if the sky fell. Why are you a little nervous now?"

Zhuge Liang smiled bitterly and shook his head: "I am just an ordinary man. How can I not be nervous when I get to see the emperor? Moreover, when His Majesty summoned you back to the palace, he also specifically asked me to come along. At that time, you and I had only been sworn brothers for two days. It is obvious that His Majesty has been secretly watching you and me. I don't know what important matter he summoned me for."

"Hey, the Flying Eagle Guards under the Emperor's command are elusive. There is nothing in the world that they cannot investigate. It's nothing strange. As for whether to meet the Emperor or not, there's nothing to be nervous about with the Emperor's old face. You and I are sworn brothers. My father is just like your father."

Liu Zheng's words choked Zhuge Liang so much that he almost couldn't breathe.

The guards escorting on the side were also embarrassed. Liu Zheng looked at their faces and pretended to scold them, "You are not allowed to spread this statement, otherwise... Humph, if I am punished by my father, I will come back to you to ask for it back tenfold or a hundredfold."

"Yes, yes, I will never reveal a single word." These guards have been guarding Luoyang City for a long time, so they have naturally heard a lot about the eldest prince's temper.

After walking for a while, the group arrived at Nantun Gate, one of the southern gates of the imperial palace.

Gong Saner had been waiting here for a long time and walked over hurriedly in small steps.

"My Lord, you are finally back. Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and especially the Queen Mother, are extremely worried."

Liu Zheng grinned and said, "Hey, I'm back safe and sound. Where's my father?"

Gong Saner said, "His Majesty said that he is waiting for the eldest prince and Mr. Zhuge at Zhangtai Gate. He asked you two to meet him first and then go to pay respects to the Queen Mother."

"Where's the queen mother?"

Gong Saner smiled and said, "The Queen is naturally in the Queen Mother's Palace. The Queen started to embroider a picture of beauties competing for beauty last month, and it will be completed soon. The business has already made preparations to auction this work. It is said that some dignitaries are eager to try and want to buy it at any price. Someone from the business has reported that this embroidery can be sold for at least 8,000 gold."

He led the way with his head down, and reported to Liu Zheng with a joyful tone.

Liu Zheng was very proud: "My mother's craftsmanship is really getting better and better. She is much better than that Shu Guifei who only has a good appearance."

When mentioning Diao Chan, Liu Zheng showed some disdain, and Gong Saner's face changed: "Oh, little ancestor, be careful with your words and actions."

He glanced at Zhuge Liang, then came to Liu Zheng's side and lowered his voice, "A few days ago, Minister Wang led the officials to impeach the three generals for killing the surrendered soldiers. The court was in an uproar, saying that all those involved in this matter would be severely punished. Although you, the eldest prince, were not mentioned, anyone with a discerning eye could see who this was directed at. Minister Xun said that this matter has not yet passed, and the officials must have other tricks up their sleeves. At this critical moment, you have to be careful with your words."

Liu Zheng pursed his lips, showing an attitude of disapproval, but still didn't say anything else.

Zhuge Liang, who was standing by, was worried for him and wondered in his heart whether he was being a little blind by becoming sworn brothers with such a guy.

The three people walked on the palace road for a while, and then they saw another big door appear in front of them. On the top of the door were three big characters written - Zhangtai Gate.

"Your Highness, the Emperor is inside. I will take my leave now."

After Gong Saner saluted the two men respectively, he bowed and walked away.

"Come on, I'm familiar with this place, I'll take you there." Liu Zheng patted Zhuge Liang on the shoulder and took him straight into the Zhangtai Gate.

Behind the Zhangtai Gate, there was first a bright hall. A few dozen steps away, a stream like a jade belt crossed in front of the two of them. After crossing the stone bridge on the river, a few dozen steps further, they arrived at the Chongde Hall, the largest palace in the southern part of the imperial palace.

However, Liu Zheng did not take Zhuge Liang into Chongde Hall. Instead, he walked directly to the right after crossing the bridge. The water flowed to the right and finally gathered into a pool. On the pool, a covered bridge led directly to the center of the pool, connecting to an open-air stone platform.

"Look, that's Zhangtai." Liu Zheng pointed forward.

Zhuge Liang looked over and saw a man standing on the Zhangtai. He had his back to him and he couldn't see clearly what he was doing.

"Hey, let's go..."

Liu Zheng grabbed Zhuge Liang and ran over.

"Youth pays homage to father." Liu Zheng bowed and Zhuge Liang also hurriedly prepared to kneel down, but was interrupted by Liu He's voice.

"No need to be so polite. Since you are Zheng'er's sworn brother, you are like my son. You are not a minister in the court, so you don't need to kowtow. Please sit down."

After Liu He said this, he turned around and looked at the two of them.

Zhuge Liang then saw clearly that what he was holding in his hand was actually a box of fish food. It turned out that this dignified Han emperor was feeding the fish alone here.

However, in this way, the slight nervousness in Zhuge Liang's heart disappeared.

"As expected of a wise emperor, regardless of other means, his aura alone can calm people down instantly, which is already very impressive."

The three of them sat down. Liu He put the fish food box in his hand aside and looked at Zhuge Liang kindly.

No one knew that although he looked so calm on the outside, he was actually cheering and excited inside.

"Is this the embodiment of wisdom in history, Marquis Zhuge Kongming? Hmm... It is just as described in the history books. His figure, appearance, and temperament are truly extraordinary."

He was immersed in joy when Liu Zheng's voice pulled him back from his thoughts. "I wonder why the emperor urgently summoned me back to the palace. What is his order?"

He spoke in a calm and fair manner, with clear pronunciation, which was completely different from his playful and laughing appearance just now.

Liu He glared at him, picked up an orange from the table and threw it at him: "Little thing, you have grown up, your wings are strong, and you dare to sneak out of the palace? I think you deserve a beating..."

Liu Zheng did not dodge, but let the orange hit him, pretending to be wronged and said: "If the king orders the minister to die, the minister has to die. If the father orders the son to die, the son has to die. But I am really worried about the country and the war situation ahead, so I left the palace to help. If the emperor wants to punish me, I will not complain."

Zhuge Liang was stunned. He had seen Liu Zheng's expression change so quickly in recent days, so he didn't find it strange. However, it was unheard of that the emperor of the Han Dynasty and his own prince would behave like this.

Liu He laughed and scolded, "Come on, come on, you are still pretending in front of the emperor. Today, your sworn brother is here, so the emperor will give you some face. By the way, your father-in-law has brought your fiancée to the palace. After we finish discussing business, you can go to the Empress Dowager's palace to meet her. You are fifteen years old now, and it is time for you to get married."

"Ah? This..." Liu Zheng's face suddenly drooped.

"What's this? If you dare to say another word again, I'll let you do it." Liu He pretended to pick up the wooden box of fish food that he had just put down. Seeing this, Liu Zheng immediately shut up and looked very well-behaved.

Liu He then regained his composure, his face returned to its amiable look, and he looked at Zhuge Liang.

"My son is very naughty. I am sorry to make you laugh."

Zhuge Liang waved his feather fan and said hurriedly, "No, no, the eldest prince is straightforward by nature and very intelligent. He is an outstanding person in the world."

Liu He glanced at Liu Zheng and said, "How can I not know how capable this boy is? Compared to you, he is far inferior. A few days ago, when the Flying Eagle Guard sent a message to him, he asked the Flying Eagle Guard to bring back a letter that mentioned your strategy for pacifying the world. Wen Ruo and I discussed it for a long time and found it quite novel, so I am waiting here to discuss it with you in person."

Zhuge Liang was deeply moved: "How could I have the honor to have Your Majesty wait here in person? I am extremely terrified."

"I said, we are all family, so let's skip the empty formalities." Liu He waved his hand. "You said, given the current situation in the world, it is extremely difficult for any party to win by force alone and wipe out other forces. To conquer the world, we must start with the hearts of the people. Otherwise, even if we can win by force, we will suffer heavy losses and affect the national situation. I wonder if I have understood it wrongly?"

Zhuge Liang said: "Your Majesty, what you said is indeed what I, the common people, think."

"Well, that's good." Liu He looked at him and said, "First, tell me why a strong attack would affect the country's situation?"

Zhuge Liang said: "Your Majesty should know that in the current internal and external situation, although the imperial court is the only one that is dominant and stands out from the crowd, with the imperial court's strength, it is easy to wipe out any of the princes alone. However, Liu Yan and Cao Cao are plotting rebellion, and Liu Bei, Sun Jian, and Shi Xie also have other intentions. The more powerful the imperial court is, the easier it is for them to collude and join forces to fight. In this way, if there is a war in the future, it will never be just a battle between the imperial court and one party, and it will inevitably involve many princes."

"Such a war would involve no less than a million soldiers on both sides, and it would last for a long time, with rivers of blood flowing. Most of the elite soldiers on both sides and the loyal and brave people in the country would be killed, and the national treasury would be empty. It would take more than ten years of rest to recover."

Liu He stroked his tiger's beard lightly and nodded frequently, while Liu Zheng's eyes were full of pride, as if he was the one who said these words.

Zhuge Liang drew a circle on the table in front of him with his feather fan. "Besides that, the Han Dynasty is surrounded by powerful enemies. The Southern Xiongnu were destroyed by your majesty in the early years, and the Xianbei have already surrendered. Many of their tribes have moved into the Han territory and learned the Chinese language and the ways of farming and weaving. The Western Qiang tribes, through the trade exchanges with the Hu market, and the frequent expeditions by generals such as Guan Yu and Ma Chao to the tribes that have not yet surrendered, have supported their own leaders who obey the court, and then bestowed them with the grace of heaven, giving them houses and fields, and reducing taxes. With such a combination of kindness and power, the Western Qiang will not be in great trouble. However, they have never completely assimilated into the Han Dynasty. If there is a slight change in the Central Plains, I am afraid these people may not be reliable."

"Even if they are loyal, there are still Wuhuan and Goguryeo in the north of Youzhou. Your Majesty has regained control of Liangzhou. Places like Dunhuang and Jiuquan are gradually becoming stable and trade is increasing. The Western Regions, which have been cut off from the Central Plains for decades, are also gradually reestablishing relations. It is still unknown how many good people and how many greedy and evil people there are. This is also a hidden danger."

"If the imperial court and the allied forces of various princes fight bloody battles for months or even years, even if they finally unify the world, they will be seriously damaged. By then, the barbarians and bandits from all sides will take advantage of the situation and rise up. The Xianbei and Western Qiang, who originally submitted, may also want to rebel again. The remaining rebels in the country will revive and raise troops to respond, and the disaster will immediately start from within the country."

Liu He's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he was very excited: "Well, well said. Listening to your words is worth ten years of reading. I have learned a lot today."

"I dare not." Zhuge Liang bowed and said.

Liu He stood up and took a step forward: "Then what does it mean to start from the heart?"

Zhuge Liang also stood up and said, "The Han Dynasty has gone through many vicissitudes in the past hundred years. The Party Banishment Disaster, the invasion of the barbarians, the eunuchs in power, the chaos of the government, and the rise of the princes, the turmoil in all directions. Natural disasters raged, wars were everywhere, the people were displaced and suffered terribly, and the people gradually lost their hearts, and then there was the Yellow Turban Disaster."

"Among the princes, Yuan Shu, Yuan Shao, Gongsun Zan, Han Sui and others do not know the weather, the terrain, or the people. They exploit the people and demand too much, alienating the people. They are truly foolish and perverse rulers who are courting their own destruction. How can they not be defeated?"

"However, the remaining princes, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan, are all heroes of their time. They governed the local areas in an orderly manner, reclaimed wasteland, reduced taxes, clarified laws, and made the people enjoy peace. Naturally, they have many supporters. Therefore, in the counties under their rule, whenever there is a call for conscription, hundreds of people will respond. The people have surplus food and are loyal to them, so the army has sufficient food and manpower, and talented people in civil and military affairs have joined them. The morale of the army is also incomparable to Yuan Shao and others. The so-called general trend is nothing more than this."

The more Liu He listened, the more surprised he was. He exclaimed in his heart: "What a great Zhuge Liang! He is indeed the one who came up with the Longzhong Plan. Even though he is only seventeen years old, his vision and pattern are superior to others."

He hurriedly asked: "In your opinion, how can the court act to win the hearts and minds of the people and the general trend? And what means should be used to deal with the internal and external situation?"

Zhuge Liang lowered his head and pondered, waving a feather fan and pacing back and forth behind the desk.

Before Liu He could get anxious, Liu Zheng got anxious first. He tugged at Zhuge Liang's collar and muttered, "Brother, please speak faster..."

Liu He glared at him fiercely: "Shut up."

Liu Zheng sat back in disappointment, but he still glanced at Zhuge Liang from time to time.

At this time, Zhuge Liang stopped, looked up, and said, "I think the court should insist on using both suppression and appeasement. Some people should be appeased, and some people should be suppressed. There should also be an order for this."

Liu He was overjoyed: "Who should be pacified and who should be suppressed? And who should come first and who should come later?"

(End of this chapter)