The Three Kingdoms: Zhaolie, the strategist, and the rise of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 463 A hundred years later, will the world no longer belong to Liu?

The Western Regions, under the jurisdiction of the Changshi Prefecture.

The scorching sun baked the boundless sea of ​​sand, and the heat waves distorted the distant horizon.

Even the sound of the camel bells seemed weak and listless.

On this land where yellow sand and oasis intertwine, a small camel caravan is moving slowly forward.

The leader was dressed in a simple linen robe.

His face was roughened by the wind and sand, but it could not hide the noble and firm air between his brows.

It was none other than Liu Li, the third prince who was stationed in the Western Regions and the chief administrator of the Western Regions Prefecture.

He did not sit comfortably in the cool office, but instead rode this "ship of the desert" day after day.

He traversed every village within his jurisdiction, large or small, rich or poor.

Following closely behind him was Sima Zhao, who used the alias "Ma Zhao".

He lowered his head and looked down respectfully.

His dark, slightly distorted face was hidden in the shadow of the cloak.

Only when he occasionally looked up,
A fleeting glint of light in his eyes revealed a depth that belied his outward appearance.

He carefully maneuvered the camel beneath him, keeping it always half a body length behind Liu Li.

This approach demonstrates respect while also allowing for immediate response to Liu Li's inquiries.

"Your Highness, Qiemo Village is just ahead."

Ma Zhao's voice was somewhat hoarse due to the fact that he had destroyed his own throat and tongue in his early years.

But his tone was just right, conveying the perfect balance of respect and reminder.

Liu Li nodded slightly, his gaze fixed on the oasis in the distance that relied on a meager water source.

And the low adobe houses on the edge of the oasis.

"I heard there was an epidemic here last month. I wonder what the situation is now?"

His tone revealed obvious concern.

"Your Highness is benevolent, especially since the physicians brought from the Central Plains arrived."

"With the administration of medication and treatment, the epidemic has been brought under control."

"However... medicinal herbs are still in short supply, and the people here are poor and often unable to afford consultation fees and medicine costs."

Ma Zhao responded in a low voice, his words clearly explaining the situation.

Liu Li sighed softly, patted the camel's neck, and gestured for it to speed up.

"The people's livelihood is in dire straits... Pass on the order."

“A batch of money and grain has been allocated from the treasury of the Chief Secretary’s Office, specifically for medical expenses in this area.”

"Furthermore, inform the physicians."

“All those who are poor and unable to afford medical treatment can receive it first, with the expenses covered by the government treasury.”

"Your Highness is merciful, I will do it immediately."

Ma Zhao responded, but a chill ran through him.

This Liu Li is certainly no ordinary person.

He not only personally took charge of affairs, but also understood the people's needs, and governed with benevolence and leniency as his guiding principle.

If this continues, the hearts of the people in the Western Regions will be won over, and this trend will gradually take hold.

As the camel caravan entered Qiemo Village, villagers who had already received the news flocked out.

Men, women, and children all lined the street to welcome them.

They were dressed in rags and had dark complexions, but their eyes were filled with sincere gratitude and respect as they looked at Liu Li.

Some people were holding fruits, some were carrying cheese, and an old man was trembling as he tried to kneel down and kowtow.

"Fellow villagers, there's no need for such formalities!"

Liu Li quickly dismounted from the camel, rushed forward to help the old man who was about to kneel, and said loudly:
"I have been ordered by the Emperor to guard the Western Regions, protect the borders and ensure the safety of the people, which is my duty."

"Seeing you all living in peace and prosperity, I am greatly comforted!"

Amidst cheers and applause,
Surrounded by villagers, Liu Li and Ma Zhao inspected the newly dug irrigation canal.

They visited patients who were still recovering and inquired in detail about this year's harvest and tax situation.

Ma Zhao stayed close to Liu Li throughout.

This could involve recording key points, adding details, or conveying instructions.

He handled all matters in an orderly manner, and his competence and thoroughness earned Liu Li's frequent nods of approval.

Walking on the simple dirt roads in the village, I felt the almost tangible warmth of the people around me.

Ma Zhao turned slightly to the side and whispered to Liu Li, his voice carrying just the right amount of emotion:
"Your Highness is very popular with the people in the Western Regions."

"Such a scene is rarely seen even in the heart of the Central Plains."

Upon hearing this, Liu Li showed no sign of pride; instead, he became even more composed.

His gaze swept over those simple, honest faces, and he said slowly:

"The will of the people is like water; it can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it."

"Those who serve as rulers or officials should only uphold the principle of public service."

"If we do our best to do something practical for the people, they will naturally be grateful."

"This is not due to my ability, but rather to the inherent goodness of the people and their gratitude."

He paused, his tone tinged with reminiscence.

“My uncle used to say, ‘Governing a large country is like cooking a small fish. One must not disturb the people, nor should one neglect their well-being.’”

"I am stationed in the Western Regions, but I am simply following the sacred teachings and my uncle's instructions and doing my best."

Upon hearing the word "uncle," Ma Zhao's eye twitched almost imperceptibly.

That deep-seated hatred gnawed at his heart like a venomous snake, but his face still wore that respectful and admiring expression.

"...Your Highness is too modest."

“Since the Marquis of Bowang of the Former Han Dynasty opened up the Western Regions, the two Han Dynasties have managed this area for four hundred years.”

“A Protector-General was appointed, and the Wuji were established, but war broke out frequently, and rebellion and submission were unpredictable.”

"Until now that the world is unified, the imperial court has reopened the Western Regions."

“With the construction of cities and the establishment of government offices, the development of commerce and the establishment of agricultural settlements, this place has finally ushered in a long-awaited period of prosperity and stability.”

"Merchants and travelers flocked to the Silk Road, and people of different ethnicities and Han Chinese mingled in the marketplace. This was truly an unprecedented spectacle!"

His words were earnest, as if he were genuinely celebrating the rebirth of this Western Region.

Liu Li nodded, a proud smile appearing on his face:

"This is indeed the result of the concerted efforts of my father, the officials of the court, and... my uncle, Prime Minister Li."

“Especially my uncle, who overcame all opposition and reopened and expanded the Silk Road.”

"The establishment of a merchant protection army attracted merchants from all directions to gather, and goods were traded and circulated."

"Only then did this land of yellow sand gradually begin to show signs of life."

His words revealed his undisguised admiration and closeness to Li Yi.

Ma Zhao sneered inwardly, but on the surface he casually revealed a hint of disdain.

He raised his voice slightly, his tone sincere yet guiding:

"The policies of the imperial court and the grand plans of Li Xiang were indeed the cornerstone of the vigorous development of the Western Regions."

"Indeed, Your Highness's abilities are evident to all."

"The success of government policies depends on having the right people."

"The Western Regions are remote and sparsely populated, with yellow sand covering the sky."

"The harshness of the environment is far beyond what can be compared to that of the Central Plains."

"He was able to govern this place so well that the government was efficient, the people were harmonious, and all industries gradually prospered."

"To win over unruly tribes and reassure merchants from afar."

"This is something that cannot be accomplished without great wisdom and perseverance!"

"Your Highness's talent is enough to govern the world; how could it be limited by the mere Western Regions?"

Liu Li waved his hand, his smile fading slightly:
"...Mr. Ma, you flatter me."

"My duty is simply to protect the land and ensure the safety of the people; how dare I speak of anything else?"

Ma Zhao, however, seemed oblivious to Liu Li's humility, and instead went even further, lowering his voice even further.

It carried a hint of probing sharpness.

"Why should Your Highness belittle yourself? I have heard that when Your Highness was in Luoyang..."

"When the late Emperor was alive, he once favored Your Highness and intended to pass on this great treasure..."

"Unfortunately, it was later abandoned due to Li Xiang's... well, obstruction."

"Is this true...?"

He asked cautiously, but his gaze was fixed on Liu Li's face, not missing any subtle changes.

Liu Li suddenly froze, his steps halting.

He didn't turn around immediately, but just stared at the undulating sand dunes in the distance and fell silent.

The north wind whipped up sand, making his robe sleeves flutter and rustle.

The silence lasted for a long time, and a heavy pressure seemed to permeate the air.

Finally, he slowly turned around, his face now calm.

But a complex emotion, difficult to describe, flashed across the depths of his eyes.

It seemed like regret, yet also like acceptance.

“Mr. Ma,” he said in a flat, emotionless voice.

"These are all old stories, long past, why bother bringing them up again?"

Ma Zhao, however, was not about to let it go, and he took a step closer.

His voice was like a venomous snake's tongue, deep and seductive.

"His Highness is kind and does not wish to bring up the past."

"However, I believe that some things can be left in the past."

"Some hidden dangers will not disappear with time."

"The Han dynasty's empire now naturally belongs to the Liu family."

"With His Majesty in charge of Luoyang, the whole country is at peace."

"But what about a hundred years from now?"

"Has Your Highness ever considered whether this vast empire can still be ruled by the Liu family?"

Liu Li shuddered, abruptly turning his head, his gaze sharp as a knife, fixed on Ma Zhao:
"What do you mean by that, sir?!"

His usually gentle face now exuded the majesty of a prince.

Ma Zhao, however, seemed unaware of this subtle distance, or rather, he deliberately ignored it.

His tone abruptly changed, his voice lowered slightly, almost a whisper, yet clearly reaching Liu Li's ears:

"Your Highness possesses extraordinary talent and can bring peace to this desolate Western Regions. Naturally, you can also bring peace to the beautiful Central Plains."

"...Hehe, but I wonder if such palace secrets are just baseless rumors?"

Ma Zhao reiterated that this palace secret was also a topic of conversation and amusement among the common people after meals.

Upon hearing this, the surrounding air seemed to freeze instantly.

The camel bells still ring, and the wind still howls.

But an invisible tension was quietly spreading between Liu Li and Ma Zhao.

The smile on Liu Li's face froze instantly, then slowly faded away.

His grip on the reins tightened slightly, his knuckles turning white.

He remained silent, his gaze fixed on the blurry line where the sky and earth met in the distance, and remained speechless for a long time.

That silence was more unbearable than the midday heat of the desert.

Ma Zhao waited patiently, like a venomous snake lurking beneath a sand dune, quietly waiting for a crack to appear in its prey's defenses.

After a long silence, Liu Li finally spoke, his voice slightly hoarse.

This suffocating silence was broken:
"Old stories are gone with the wind, why bring them up again?"

He tried to downplay the turmoil of that moment.

But that fleeting sense of desolation and resentment did not completely escape Ma Zhao's ever-watchful eyes.

Ma Zhao sneered inwardly, knowing that the bait had been spotted.

He stopped pressing and instead turned his gaze to the more distant East.

His tone became deep and ethereal, as if he were talking to himself, or perhaps making a prophecy:

"Yes, the past is indeed like smoke and clouds."

"However, who can say for sure what the future holds?"

"The Han dynasty's empire now naturally belongs to the Liu family."

"Your Majesty is wise, and with Prime Minister Li assisting in the government, the whole country is at peace."

However, things change, and the world transforms.

"What will become of this vast land in the future... remains to be seen."

"Ok?"

Liu Li's sharp gaze shot towards Ma Zhao like lightning, filled with surprise and a hint of offended anger.

"Mr. Ma, what exactly are you trying to say?"

"Is this perhaps an implication about me?"

At this point, the group had reached the edge of a large oasis town.

There was a simple shed by the roadside for travelers to rest, with a cloth curtain blocking the scorching sunlight.

Liu Li reined in the camel, dismounted, and said to Ma Zhao:
"Sir, the sun is scorching. Why don't you rest here for a while?"

"Let's talk in detail."

He deliberately emphasized the words "discuss in detail".

Ma Zhao readily agreed and dismounted from the camel.

The guards quickly dispersed and took up advantageous positions to keep watch.

Upon seeing that it was His Highness the Chief Secretary in person, the shopkeeper, both apprehensive and excited, offered him the finest local wines and several exquisite dried fruits and baked goods from the Western Regions.

The two sat opposite each other.

Liu Li waved away the attendants who wanted to come forward to serve him.

He personally picked up the slightly rough earthenware pot and poured a bowl of blood-red wine for both Ma Zhao and himself.

He raised the bowl, his gaze fixed intently on Ma Zhao:

“Mr. Ma, what you just said concerns the foundation of the nation and is of utmost importance.”

"I would like to hear the details."

After saying that, he took a sip himself.

Ma Zhao calmly picked up the wine bowl, gently stroking the rim with his fingertips, but did not drink it immediately.

He met Liu Li's probing gaze and slowly said:
"Your Highness may not know that the Han Dynasty today appears to be flourishing and prosperous."

"In reality, a huge undercurrent is lurking within?"

"Undercurrents? What do you mean, sir?"

"The military meritocracy."

Ma Zhao uttered four words, a word completely out of place in this era.

It was like throwing four cold stones.

"From the time the late emperor raised his army until today, the world is unified."

"More than two decades of fighting have created too many families that have become prominent because of their military achievements."

"They are deeply entrenched, occupying key positions in the imperial court and holding local power."

"It possesses a large number of fiefs, lands, and retainers."

"Its momentum has grown so great that it has become an uncontrollable force."

Liu Li frowned slightly and retorted:

"I am also aware of this matter."

“However, Uncle Li is farsighted and has already foreseen this.”

"He has not voluntarily relinquished power to His Majesty."

"And did they vigorously promote the imperial examination system to promote people from humble backgrounds in order to balance the political situation?"

"Moreover, his own integrity and discipline of his children are known throughout the land."

"This is precisely to curb the excessive expansion of what you call the military meritocracy."

"Why did you describe it as a hidden danger?"

"Hahaha!"

Ma Zhao suddenly laughed, the sound of which seemed somewhat jarring under the empty pavilion.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, you are ultimately benevolent."

"Prime Minister Li is relinquishing power? To curb his brilliance?"

"It wasn't that he wanted to let go, but that he had no choice but to!"

"It's not that his brilliance has been concealed, but rather that his brilliance is too dazzling."

Even though he imprisoned himself in his mansion and refused to see any guests.

"With just his name Li Yi, he remains the brightest and most unmissable star in the Han Empire!"

"His mere presence was an invisible pressure, a symbol of power!"

"His so-called restraint is nothing more than another form of control!"

"How many of the people he promoted through the imperial examination system, who came from humble backgrounds, were actually connected in some way with his former students and officials from the Li family?"

"He was indeed suppressing other meritorious military classes, but the Li family itself was the largest meritorious military class."

"It's the thickest root of this large, intertwined tree!"

"How can he truly sever it? How could he truly destroy his own foundation?"

This series of rhetorical questions struck Liu Li's heart like a heavy hammer.

His hand holding the wine bowl froze in mid-air, and the composure on his face was gradually replaced by solemnity.

He found himself unable to refute it.

Although Ma Zhao's words were somewhat extreme, they hit the nail on the head.

It unveiled the warm and gentle facade, revealing the cold and cruel logic of power beneath.

"So... what you just said, sir, is that a hundred years from now, the Han dynasty may not necessarily belong to the Liu family..."

Liu Li's voice lowered, carrying a hint of hoarseness that he himself was unaware of.

Seeing that Liu Li had already fallen into his trap, Ma Zhao sneered even more inwardly, but on the surface he wore an expression of worldly wisdom and worry.

He took a sip of the wine, the sour taste invigorating him, and continued his analysis:
"Prime Minister Li is a rare talent, how could he not know about this problem?"

"However, since everything is interconnected, he could not easily shake this huge interest group."

Ma Zhao kept throwing out novel and unusual words.

These were all things Liu Li had never heard of before, yet it seemed as if he had heard them somewhere before.

Even the logic behind it seems somewhat familiar.

"So he came up with a seemingly brilliant, but actually short-sighted, expedient plan—"

"That was led by the Li family, in alliance with a few of the most elite families, including the Guan, Zhang, and Zhuge families."

"To form a stable core power circle to jointly suppress and balance other secondary military merit classes."

"This strategy may be effective in the short term and can maintain stability in the court."

He abruptly changed the subject, his tone becoming increasingly cold:

"However, this is not a long-term solution!"

"As long as the country continues to develop, wealth continues to accumulate, and power continues to operate."

"Then corruption will breed and desires will swell."

"When the older generation, including Prime Minister Li, General Guan, General Zhang, and Prime Minister Zhuge, who laid the foundation for the cause and still maintained the bond of friendship and ideals, pass away one after another."

Will their second and third generations be able to maintain the tacit understanding and restraint of their parents?

"When faced with self-interest, kinship and alliances are often vulnerable."

"By then, these major families will themselves become new and more stable vested interest groups." "Even... colossal entities that will usurp the imperial power!"

Ma Zhao leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp as a knife, staring directly into Liu Li's somewhat dazed eyes:

Therefore, I assert that the future Han dynasty will be...

Whether the emperor will still bear the surname Liu is perhaps still uncertain.

"However, it was foreseeable that the power of the royal family would gradually be divided and usurped by the Li, Guan, Zhang, and Zhuge families!"

"If, at that time, the royal family is unwilling to remain a puppet and wishes to rise up in rebellion..."

"Your Highness, that will surely be a great upheaval that sweeps across the land and causes rivers of blood to flow!"

"Its ferocity may even surpass that of the Chu-Han Contention!"

A moment of silence fell beneath the pergola.

Only the hot desert wind pierced through the curtain, bringing a mournful sound.

Liu Li's expression shifted constantly, and his fingers, gripping the wine bowl, trembled slightly from the force.

The prospect described by Ma Zhao was too horrifying, yet...

It is logically rigorous and directly addresses the essence of human nature and power.

This sent a chill down his spine.

After a long while, Liu Li let out a long breath.

He downed the remaining wine in the bowl in one gulp, as if trying to use the alcohol to suppress the turbulent waves in his heart.

He put down his wine bowl, his gaze refocusing on Ma Zhao's face, his tone heavy:

“Sir, your words are... utterly treasonous.”

"However, since it is just you and me here, I grant you permission to speak frankly."

"According to you, sir, is this situation... already a dead end, with no way to break it?"

Without realizing it, he had already adopted a tone of seeking advice.

"How to crack it?"

A strange and cold smile curled at the corner of Ma Zhao's mouth, making the smile look particularly eerie on his distorted face.

"Naturally there is."

"However... this method is not something that the benevolent can do, nor can the virtuous practice it."

"The process will inevitably be accompanied by unprecedented bloodshed and violence."

"It's like scraping the bone to remove poison, a brave man cutting off his own arm!"

"I would like to hear the details!"

Liu Li said urgently.

"The only solution is an unprecedented internal conflict!"

Ma Zhao's voice was resolute, like the clash of metal and stone.

"Similar to the Rebellion of the Seven States during the reign of Emperor Jing of the Former Han Dynasty!"

"However, its significance lies not in pacifying a few rebellious lords, but in—the war itself!"

War itself?

Liu Li was already a genius of unparalleled talent, but upon hearing Ma Zhao's novel viewpoint, he felt even more perplexed.

What is war itself?
Ma Zhao paused, allowing this harsh conclusion to settle in Liu Li's mind, before continuing:
"Large-scale wars will lead to a sharp decline in population and a reshuffling of social wealth."

"More importantly, it can cope with chaos—"

"Ruthlessly purge those old nobles and old forces who occupy high positions and hinder the vitality of the country!"

"A large number of vested interests will be wiped out in the war."

"The land, wealth, and people they possess will be released."

“At that time, a new and more dynamic class will naturally rise from the ruins.”

"Through military merits or talent, they redistribute the spoils and ascend to the stage of power."

"Thus, a 'blood transfusion' of power was completed."

"Like the human body's metabolism, decay is removed and new life is injected."

"Thus, the entire regime was able to prolong its lifespan."

Seeing Liu Li's shocked and thoughtful expression, Ma Zhao further elaborated on his "theory of violence":
"In short, a regime needs periodic 'blood transfusions' if it wants to last."

"Whether it's land consolidation or corruption."

"The root cause lies in the fact that the old forces have been in power for too long, forming a solid barrier of vested interests."

"This blocked the path for the virtuous and capable to advance, and also stifled the nutrients for the nation's growth."

"Only through violent upheaval—whether it be civil war or internal restructuring triggered by external threats."

"As long as we break down this barrier and allow new forces to take the lead."

"Only then can we inject new vitality into the country and delay its decline."

"Looking at the Han Dynasty today, we see that its people are descendants of the founding heroes."

“Many people have no outstanding achievements, yet they possess vast fields and thousands of servants simply because of their ancestral blessings.”

"They control most of the country's wealth and resources."

"When these resources are completely divided up, the lower-level soldiers and civilians will have nowhere to stand and no way to get promoted."

"How can we prevent conflicts from erupting? How can we prevent social chaos?"

These earth-shattering remarks were like a boulder thrown into Liu Li's mind, stirring up a huge wave.

He received Confucian education from a young age, emphasizing benevolent governance, love for the people, loyalty to the emperor, and serving the country.

Have you ever heard of such a cold-blooded theory that attributes the rise and fall of dynasties to cycles of violence and the liquidation of interests?

However, he was not a pedantic person.

His experience governing the Western Regions also gave him a deeper understanding of reality.

He carefully considered Ma Zhao's words, though he found them extreme.

Yet, one cannot completely deny the certain... cruel reality it contains.

The bloodstains in history books seem to be an annotation for this statement.

Liu Li remained silent for a long time, so long that the wine in his bowl lost its coolness.

He finally raised his head, and his gaze toward Ma Zhao was filled with unprecedented solemnity and a hint of admiration.

He straightened his clothes and, while seated, gave a slight bow to Ma Zhao.
"Sir, your insightful remarks are truly enlightening and thought-provoking; I have never heard of anything like them before."

"Sir, your insights are truly far beyond the past and present, as profound as the sea."

“Apart from my uncle Li Xiang, I have never seen anyone else.”

"To have such novel and unique insights into the general trend of the world and the rise and fall of dynasties."

"Sir, your great talent is being wasted in a corner of the Western Regions."

Ma Zhao showed no pride whatsoever in the face of Liu Li's praise and bow.

Instead, it was as if he had heard something amusing, and he laughed softly, with a hint of mockery.

He waved his hand, his tone calm yet profound:
"Your Highness, you are mistaken."

You are completely wrong.

Liu Li was taken aback:
"Was I...wrong?"

"good."

Ma Zhao nodded affirmatively, his gaze sweeping over the book on the table, Li Yi's work, which he often carried and whose edges were worn smooth from being worn.

"The so-called 'insights' I just expressed did not come from my mouth, Ma Zhao, nor are they my original ideas."

"Not the master's? Then it is..."

"They all come from your uncle, former Prime Minister Lee Ik."

Ma Zhao spoke slowly and deliberately, his tone carrying a strange and complex emotion.

It seemed like admiration, it seemed like hatred, and it was more like the coldness that comes from knowing the secret.

"I have come to this understanding entirely thanks to these years."

"He studied and pondered all the books written by Li Xiang day and night."

"Read between the lines and savor them repeatedly."

"Only then could one glimpse the wisdom and...ruthlessness contained within it that transcended this era."

Ma Zhao just mentioned many novel words, all of which he learned from Li Yi's book.

Liu Li was completely stunned, his face filled with disbelief:
"My uncle? His books..."

"I have also read it, and it contains mostly practical methods for governing the world, essentials of military strategy, and principles for self-cultivation."

"Though profound and extensive, it... it has never explicitly stated what you just described..."

"Is this the theory of violent blood transfusion? Or the dynastic cycle?"

Ma Zhao chimed in, a cold smile playing on his lips.

"He naturally wouldn't say it outright."

"How could he possibly put such shocking and unsettling arguments into writing, giving others grounds for criticism?"

"However, the fundamental ideas revealed in his book."

"His profound insights into human nature, power, and the rise and fall of organizations."

"This is the inevitable conclusion drawn from its logical deduction!"

"Only because of His Highness, and the vast majority of people in the world who read his books."

"None of them have ever, or rather, dared to, abandon all likes, dislikes, and stances like I have."

"Immerse yourself completely in his mind and try to truly 'understand' him."

“Even…go to ‘become’ him!”

The content of Li Yi's books seems not to differ much from that of books from the same era.

However, the ideas revealed in his book are those of a grand historical perspective.

If an ordinary person tries to read it using preconceived notions, it will indeed be futile.

Only someone like Ma Zhao, who truly set aside everything and completely understood Li Yi from his perspective, could truly succeed.

Only then can one truly grasp the thoughts and knowledge contained in Li Yi's works.

Ma Zhao's voice carried a seductive power:

"Your Highness, Prime Minister Li is a peerless genius, unparalleled in history."

"His thoughts and ideas have long transcended the limitations of this era."

"If we still use our inherent notions of loyalty and treachery, good and evil, benevolence and tyranny to define and understand him."

"It's like trying to see the sky through a pipe or measuring the sea with a seashell."

"Only by breaking free from conventional thinking and standing at his level."

"Only by examining the workings of the world from his perspective can one grasp even a fraction of his wisdom."

“I understood when I tried to do it.”

"He saw the empire he helped create more clearly than anyone else."

"They are all...cold-blooded."

Silence fell once again inside the pergola.

Liu Li looked down at the crimson wine in the earthenware bowl, as if he could see the blood that might flow in the future.

His mind was in turmoil.

Ma Zhao's words overturned many of his preconceived notions.

The fact that the source of these outrageous remarks was attributed to his beloved uncle made him feel a sense of absurdity and unease.

He suddenly remembered something, raised his head, and looked up with a final look of confusion and a desire for confirmation in his eyes:
"Then... in your opinion, since dynasties cannot escape this cycle..."

“My uncle… made a vow before my father’s death to continue the Han dynasty’s reign for four hundred years.”

"How...how will he do it?"

"If there is no... if there is no 'violent cleansing' as you mentioned, and only peaceful development."

"Can we truly avoid the accumulation of conflicts and fulfill the four-hundred-year promise?"

"What you just said suggests that peaceful development cannot resolve conflicts."

Upon hearing this, Ma Zhao frowned slightly.

This was the first time he had shown genuine confusion.

He pondered for a moment, then slowly shook his head:

"This matter... is precisely what I am still pondering deeply."

"Logically, and based on Li Xiang's own theoretical deductions."

"Without drastic upheavals to purge the old forces, relying solely on minor institutional adjustments and moral education will not suffice."

"Social contradictions will inevitably accumulate, and land annexation and class solidification will eventually intensify."

"An outbreak... is only a matter of time."

"This is the way of Heaven, which cannot be easily reversed by human power."

“Li Xiang is as wise as the sea. Since he dared to make a promise for four hundred years, he must have a plan in mind.”

"Or... there may be ingenious strategies and methods that we cannot even imagine."

"But... what exactly is the purpose of this plan?"

"How can he achieve a smooth transition of power and social self-renewal without causing major upheaval?"

"I... truly haven't grasped it yet."

After making this candid statement about his own limitations,
Ma Zhao suddenly turned his gaze completely to Liu Li, his eyes becoming incredibly sharp and solemn.

The body also leans slightly forward, creating an invisible sense of pressure.

"However, Your Highness, I cannot fathom it, and it is of no importance."

"The important thing is, have you ever thought about..."

He paused, then asked, word by word:

"You will be the one to 'continue' this empire's future, and even..."

"Is he the one who will execute the 'blood transfusion' to avoid major upheaval or to achieve it at the lowest possible cost?"

"I?"

Liu Li was jolted awake, almost jumping off his seat.

He stared at Ma Zhao in disbelief, as if he had heard the most incredible words.

"Indeed, it is Your Highness!"

Ma Zhao spoke with certainty, his gaze intense.

"Your Highness's abilities, prestige, and lineage are evident to all."

"Even in the capital city of Luoyang, you are a wise and virtuous king with a good reputation."

"If in the future, the country truly faces the predicament I have predicted, or other major changes occur."

"Your Majesty... well, perhaps future rulers will be unable to cope."

"Are you willing to step forward, turn the tide, and save the collapsing edifice?"

"For the sake of the Liu family's empire, for the sake of the people of this land?"

Liu Li's heart suddenly raced, his blood rushed to his head, and his face flushed.

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the pounding in his heart, his voice tinged with difficulty:
"When the nation is in peril, as a descendant of the Liu family, it is my duty to do so without hesitation!"

"However...however, given the current situation..."

"With my uncle's control over the capital and his support for my elder brother, it's like an ironclad fortress."

"I am far away in the Western Regions, which is like being exiled."

"I'm afraid... I'm afraid I'll never have the chance to set foot in the Luoyang court again in my lifetime."

"Moreover, my elder brother... has already secured his throne, and the people have his heart."

His tone carried a deep sense of powerlessness and resignation.

On Ma Zhao's face, however, appeared the deepest and most patient smile he had seen all day.

That smile was full of wisdom, patience, and waiting.

"Your Highness, what is needed now is not urgent action."

"It's just one word—'endure'!"

"'Tolerate'?"

Liu Li murmured.

"Good, endure!"

Ma Zhao emphasized this repeatedly.

"A knife hangs above the character for 'heart'! The process is incredibly agonizing."

"Like lying on firewood and tasting the bitterness of gall."

"Like walking on thin ice, like standing on the edge of an abyss."

"We need to conceal our strength, lie low, and wait for the right opportunity."

"However, its effects are often the most lasting and the most powerful."

"Please believe that day will eventually come."

"Opportunity always favors the most patient people."

Liu Li stared into Ma Zhao's unfathomable eyes, eyes that seemed to see into the future, and couldn't help but ask:
"Why...why are you so confident, sir?"

"So, 'that day' is bound to come? Could it be that you, sir, can foresee the future?"

Ma Zhao slowly shook his head, his smile becoming unfathomable.

He turned his gaze eastward again, towards Luoyang.

His gaze seemed to pierce through mountains and rivers, landing on a certain figure deep within the bustling imperial capital.

"It is not that I am confident, nor that I can predict the future."

"It's because I... know Li Yi too well."

"They had too much faith in his theories and in the laws governing the world."

He withdrew his gaze, looked at Liu Li, and spoke in a calm tone that carried an undeniable authority:
"I believe in the principles revealed in Li Xiang's book."

"This country now seems to be at the peak of its booming development, with flowers in full bloom and oil blazing."

"However, as time goes on, the gap between the rich and the poor will inevitably widen, and land consolidation will inevitably intensify."

“New nobles and solidified social classes are bound to emerge continuously.”

"Social contradictions will not disappear; they will only continue to accumulate and fester beneath the surface of prosperity."

"No dynasty can truly avoid this."

"This is something I've come to understand from the depths of Li Yi's thoughts, something he may not want to say outright."

"Yet the 'Way of Heaven' cannot be denied!"

"Your Highness, please watch patiently and wait patiently."

"Waiting for the contradictions to emerge, waiting for the times to change."

After saying that, Ma Zhao fell silent.

Following his previous gaze, he looked once again toward Luoyang.

The twisted scars on his face looked even more grotesque in the dappled light filtering through the gaps in the canopy's fabric.

A faint, cold smile slowly crept onto the corners of his mouth.

Yet, it curves quietly, carrying with it an arc of endless expectation and cruelty.

That smile was the chilling look of an avenger seeing a trap about to be completed.

It is the excitement of a dormant person sensing that a great storm is about to break.

He was also someone who firmly believed he had the key to history.

A cold, confident glance toward the unknown future.

The yellow sand still fills the sky, and the camel bells ring out in the distance.

It's as if nothing will change.

But beneath this simple shelter on the western frontier, seeds of power, ambition, and revenge were sown.

The seeds of this shocking conversation were sown quietly.

It awaits the rain or blood of the future to spur it to sprout.

……

(End of this chapter)