Has the Han Dynasty been restored today?

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"

Seeing Liu Shan's dejected appearance, a mixture of shock and anger, Chen Zhi paused for a few moments, then crawled to Liu Shan's side and gently advised him:

"Your Majesty, as the Son of Heaven, why act in this manner? I truly do not understand what Your Majesty is angry about."

Liu Shan lay sprawled on the mat, and upon hearing Chen Zhi's words, he turned his head to look at Chen Zhi, his eyes filled with confusion and doubt:

"What does Fengzong mean?"

Chen Zhi said softly, "They are unwilling and unable, so what's so strange about that? Anyone would have done the same in that situation; it's perfectly normal."

"Normal?" Liu Shan's voice rose a few decibels. "You call this normal?"

"Yes." Chen Zhi nodded firmly.

Liu Shan's eyes darted around a few times, then he immediately sat up, staring intently into Chen Zhi's eyes:

"Come here and explain yourself to me!"

Chen Zhi slowly said, "Your Majesty, in this world there are wise people, resolute people, brave people, and despicable people. No matter what kind of people they are, they all need to meet an enlightened ruler and serve a monarch in order to realize their ambitions and accomplish great things."

"Emperor Gaozu was Your Majesty's ancestor. He rose to power between Feng and Pei, and within seven years he gained the empire. He was a wise and virtuous ruler. The people of Pei County followed Emperor Gaozu in his uprising. Xiao He was originally a clerk, Cao Can was originally a prison clerk, Fan Kuai was a butcher, Zhou Bo was a musician, Xiahou Ying was a coachman, Lu Wan was unemployed and made a living... It was this group of people, like weeds by the roadside, who, upon encountering Emperor Gaozu, seized the opportunity to rise up, and later became prime ministers, generals, grand commanders, and the Prince of Yan!"

"Your Majesty, consider this: where did so many talented individuals come from in such a small town as Pei County? They only succeed because the ruler employs them and puts them to work. Without Emperor Gaozu, what would they have been in the chaos of the late Qin Dynasty?"

As Chen Zhi began to recount his story, Liu Shan sat up straight and listened attentively.

Chen Zhi continued, "The same people, when led by a wise ruler, can all rise like dragons. But without support, they will instantly become a scattered mess!"

"The Prime Minister is wise and virtuous, acting on behalf of His Majesty. With the Prime Minister in command, it is as if His Majesty is personally present, and everyone can unite to launch the Northern Expedition. With the Prime Minister absent, and His Majesty also absent, what is so strange about their confusion and disarray? To sit idly by and not become an accomplice is already an act of loyalty and prudence."

"They were all loyal ministers, not traitors."

"Your Majesty has ordered me to travel to Hanzhong to plan various matters. Your Majesty has known me for a long time, having been acquainted with me since childhood. I am only twenty-four years old, and my position is merely that of a tutor and a court attendant. Although I possess talent and wisdom, what am I worth among the generals and ministers of the Northern Expeditionary Army?"

"But His Majesty gave me the imperial staff!"

"The reason I was able to unite the strength of everyone, capture Yang Yi, restore order, and establish a three-point agreement with the generals and the officials of the Prime Minister's office, requesting Your Majesty to assume personal rule and command the army, is all due to Your Majesty's power and virtue! It is Your Majesty's strength!"

Liu Shan was stunned by Chen Zhi's words, and slowly asked, "Is that really so?"

"Does Your Majesty think I am lying?" Chen Zhi retorted, his tone extremely firm. "The Prime Minister exercises imperial power on behalf of the emperor. With the Prime Minister absent, the army can only be commanded by Your Majesty in Hanzhong. Who else besides Your Majesty is qualified to command the army of the Han Dynasty alone?"

"Chiang Kai-shek? Yang Wei-tung? Are they capable?"

As Chen Zhi spoke, Liu Shan grew increasingly confident, shaking his head and scoffing, "Feng Zong is right. Who else but me can personally command the army? I am already twenty-eight years old, how can I not take charge myself? Chengdu is not Luoyang or Chang'an; it is not the proper capital of Han. My departure from Chengdu to Hanzhong is not a big deal!"

Chen Zhi nodded emphatically: "That's exactly right!"

Liu Shan took a deep breath, frowned, and asked, "They all support me too?"

Chen Zhi stood up, picked up the memorial bearing the signatures and seals of everyone present, returned to Liu Shan, unfolded the memorial, and then placed it in Liu Shan's hand:

"This document serves as proof. Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, a descendant of Emperor Zhaolie, and this is only right!"

Liu Shan remained silent, stretched out his hands, shook his robes, and stood up, clutching the memorial. He paced back and forth in the hall, staring intently at the words on the silk.

After examining the silk for a long time, Liu Shan pointed to it and asked Chen Zhi, "Why are Wu Ban and Gao Xiang not mentioned in the memorial?"

Chen Zhi replied, "The appointment of the Right General and the Rear General to command troops in the army to resist Yang Yi was arranged by me and Fei Sima. These two are also loyal ministers."

Liu Shan nodded, put his hands behind his back, stood in the center of the hall, and stared intently at his imperial bed.

Chen Zhi carefully observed Liu Shan's condition, which was exactly as he had predicted.

As an official, one must do one's job well and be worthy of the people under one's jurisdiction. One must also manage upwards and seek the support of superiors.

The emperor, also known as the Son of Heaven, was the supreme source of power in the feudal dynasty.

Chen Zhi did not consider himself to be flattering Liu Shan, but rather stating the facts and managing upwards, albeit in a slightly tactful manner. These tactful words were encouragement and gentle guidance for Liu Shan; how could they be considered bootlicking?

Seeing that Liu Shan remained silent for a long time, Chen Zhi leaned closer and whispered, "Your Majesty, the people in Hanzhong support my proposal, partly out of loyalty to the emperor, and partly because I may offer them benefits..."

Liu Shan turned his head, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "What benefit?"

Chen Zhi lowered his voice and recounted the promises he made to Wu Yi and Wu Ban in Hanzhong, as well as his conversation with Fei Yi about continuing the Northern Expedition system and rallying the people's hearts.

Seeing that Liu Shan remained silent, Chen Zhi added, "Given the good relationship between the late emperor and his ministers, when the late emperor entered Chengdu twenty years ago, he still needed to reward those who had rendered meritorious service. He bestowed upon Prime Minister Zhuge Liang, Marquis Yi (Fa Zheng), Marquis Guan (Guan Yu), and Marquis Zhang (Zhang Fei) five hundred catties of gold, one thousand catties of silver, fifty million coins, and one thousand bolts of brocade upon each of them. He also greatly rewarded the generals and soldiers, emptying Liu Zhang's treasury. Each of them was also given an additional title."

"As the saying goes, a new emperor brings a new court. Those promoted by the former prime minister are remembered more for the prime minister's favor. If Your Majesty intends to rule personally, rewards and honors are also essential. The court's funds are limited, but official positions and titles should still be promoted."

"Fengzong's words are reasonable!" Liu Shan laughed. "When the late emperor entered Yizhou, he generously rewarded his officials, bestowing titles and honors upon them when he was promoted to King of Hanzhong and later became emperor. I should follow the example of Emperor Gaozu and the late emperor, distributing power and positions to the people. How can I be like Xiang Yu, stingy with bestowing titles and seals of office?"

"Fengzong, you acted on my behalf, and I have granted Wu Yi and Wu Ban their promises of the titles of General of Chariots and Cavalry, Left General, and County Marquis. What do the other generals and the people in the Prime Minister's office say?"

Chen Zhi chuckled lightly: "The Left General has become the General of Chariots and Cavalry, and the Rear General has been transferred to the Left General position, so the position of Rear General is now vacant, isn't it? All the generals can then make some moves, just a small gesture will suffice. As for the Prime Minister's residence..."

"Your Majesty, I speak frankly. Since Your Majesty is going to Hanzhong to take command of the army, it is no longer appropriate to retain the name of the Prime Minister's Office. It would be better to change it to the Acting Secretariat, set up in Hanzhong where the Emperor is in his temporary residence. The Prime Minister, Sima Feiyi, would be appointed as the Minister of the Secretariat, assisting Your Majesty in Hanzhong and overseeing the affairs of the Acting Secretariat. The staff of the Prime Minister's Office would also be transferred to the positions of Minister and other similar posts."