I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 227 - 18: Liu Bei Meets Gu Chen and Swears to Restore the Han Dynasty (2)

Chapter 227: Chapter 18: Liu Bei Meets Gu Chen and Swears to Restore the Han Dynasty (2)

However, Liu Bei insisted, and asked for advice again.

Seeing this, Zhuge Liang finally said no more, his expression gradually becoming serious, and he looked at Liu Bei, saying: "Does Lord Xuan De still remember what I said in the past?"

Liu Bei, without hesitation, repeated the words Zhuge Liang had said before.

Not a word was missing!

For several years he had been pondering these words.

Precisely because of this, he increasingly realized Zhuge Liang’s extraordinary nature.

"Then why hasn’t Lord Xuan De allied with the Gu Clan in the west?" Zhuge Liang asked again.

This simple question instantly rendered Liu Bei silent.

Perhaps because he had been educated by the Gu Clan since childhood.

In many aspects.

Zhuge Liang sees everything clearly.

He doesn’t care about Gu Chen’s past action of killing Empress Dowager He.

To him, the crimes of Empress Dowager He and He Jin were no longer worthy of being called the Empress Dowager of the Great Han.

"Given the current world affairs, does Lord Xuan De truly believe that a single person’s strength can restore the Han Dynasty?"

Seeing Liu Bei remain silent, Zhuge Liang spoke again: "Now, Cao Cao occupies four provinces: Ji, You, Yu, and Yang."

"Xuzhou State is nominally under Tao Qian’s control, but Cao Cao can take it at any time." 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"For Cao Cao, he has already secured more than half of the territory."

"Does Lord Xuan De think that relying on Jingzhou State alone is enough to contend with more than half of the world?"

Zhuge Liang shook his head, "Liu Biao of Jingzhou is getting old and can no longer fully control the local clans."

"Liu Zhang of Yizhou State, having just inherited Liu Yan’s position, is already indulging in pleasure."

"Does Lord Xuan De believe these clansmen can really contend with Cao Cao?"

This series of questions pierced directly into Liu Bei’s heart like a thorn.

How could he not know these things?

Since the time he allied with Cao Cao in Yan Province to contend against Yuan Shao, he had already seen through the nature of these clansmen.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so worried.

It’s just that people have always been good at deceiving themselves.

Liu Bei was no exception.

Zhuge Liang now brings all this to the forefront.

"The current situation seems stable, but in reality, there are constant undercurrents."

"Sun Ce dominates Jiangdong."

"This man has a blood feud with the sons of the Gu Clan, and Cao Cao will surely choose to ally with Sun Ce someday."

"To have Sun Ce attack Jingzhou, dragging Lord Xuan De’s army."

"Then Cao Cao will certainly raise an army to attack the Capital Region, encircling Bingzhou State."

"If Cao Cao wins."

"Who does Lord Xuan De think will gain the Great Han’s land?"

Liu Bei’s expression grew increasingly complex.

These words were indeed too harsh a blow to him.

Zhuge Liang naturally understood what was in Liu Bei’s heart, and continued, "Since the days when Emperor Guangwu revived the Han Dynasty, the Gu Clan has been its pillar."

"First there was Marquis Zhongwu helping Emperor Guangwu to seize the world and guard one side."

"Then there were Wencheng and Marquis Huan, governing the state and pacifying the Western Regions."

"Elder Gu, entrusted by Emperor Xiaohe with the orphaned throne, secured the empire three times and brought peace to all under heaven, acting as a surrogate father to several Emperors of our Han Dynasty."

"Our Han Dynasty was governed through filial piety, yet Elder Gu was eventually labeled with the title ’Loyal and Stern.’"

"Does it mean that in Lord Xuan De’s heart..."

"The sons of the Gu Clan, who never claimed kingship, are now considered rebels like Cao Cao?"

"While those indifferent to the rise and fall of the Han Dynasty are still considered loyal ministers of the Han?"

Zhuge Liang’s tone remained calm throughout.

But whether it was for Liu Bei or Xu Shu, these light words resonated like thunder, continuously echoing in their ears.

The constraints of the era are laid out here.

Only a few people can slightly transcend them.

Zhuge Liang is clearly such a person now.

Under the education of the Gu Clan, given his talents, he was even more clear-minded at this moment than in the original history.

Liu Bei fell completely silent.

Countless images repeatedly surfaced in his mind.

Was Zhuge Liang wrong in what he said?

Not at all!

Liu Bei’s attitude towards the Liu clansmen was indeed different from Gu Chen’s.

Even though he already knew that the Liu clansmen and princes could scarcely revive the empire, at the time, his first choice was still to seek out Liu Biao.

This, unknowingly, already showed his attitude.

If he aimed to contend with Cao Cao, which of the current noblemen could rival Gu Chen?

He had considered Tao Qian, considered Liu Biao...

But he never considered Gu Chen from beginning to end.

Gu Chen’s actions in Luoyang were always like a thorn for Liu Bei.

But if he thought about it carefully.

What exactly had Gu Chen done?

From beginning to end, Gu Chen was merely quelling rebellions and eliminating traitors.

Even with the Heirloom Seal of the Realm in his hand, he never showed any intention to claim kingship.

Moreover, what he accomplished far surpassed those so-called noble clansmen.

Thinking of this, Liu Bei’s expression only grew more complex.

This time Zhuge Liang said no more.

He was already pointing the way for Liu Bei.

No matter how sincere Liu Bei was, if he couldn’t overcome this hurdle in his heart, he couldn’t be counted as a wise master.

Zhuge Liang had absolute confidence in his own talents.

He refused to repeat the same mistakes.

What he always awaited was a true wise ruler.

Someone like Emperor Guangwu or Emperor Ming from the past.

Zhuge Liang returned to the seat, smiling at the stunned Xu Shu: "Yuan Zhi, let’s drink."

"Kongming..."

Xu Shu seemed to have much to say, but seeing Zhuge Liang slightly shake his head, he had to hold back, picked up his cup, and drank from afar with Zhuge Liang.

Liu Bei said nothing, his brow furrowed.

The friction between his long-held beliefs and reality constantly pulled at his thoughts.

His expression kept changing.