Regardless of whether Chen Xi and Guo Jia found it strange or not, for them at the moment, a major issue had come to an end. Unless something unforeseen occurred, following the defeat of Yuan Shao in Northern Bing, people like Chen Gong and Lyu Bu would cast their lot with Liu Bei, and the power that was already at its peak would gain yet another increase.
"Having resolved a troublesome matter, as previously stated, the great righteousness of a nation is enough to cleanse all the impurities borne upon oneself," Chen Xi said with a clear laugh, confident that if Lyu Bu could truly conquer the Hetao Region to the north amid the internal strife among the Central Plains Feudal Lords, then all his past mistakes would be overshadowed.
This phenomenon can be described as "A single feat of valor conceals a multitude of failings," and it’s indicative of human habit—they scorn someone continuously only to revere that person when they suddenly achieve something remarkable. That’s far more praise than when someone who has been consistently elevated does the same. How should one put it, "A prodigal who returns is more precious than gold"?
In any case, Lyu Bu’s affair could be considered a thing of the past. Whether he was a "Three-Family Slave" or a patricide, none of it mattered anymore. The great righteousness of the nation was enough to wash away all impurities. This was Chen Xi’s absolute confidence, a truth also verified by history. Great righteousness may just be a slogan, but the people would discern for themselves.
Just like Ranmin, despite the many dark aspects of his life, within a plethora of mistakes, he did one thing right. That one thing, set against the backdrop of national sentiment, was enough to cleanse all his wrongdoings.
No matter how you criticize, you can’t deny the nearly all-encompassing halo that shrouded Ranmin from head to toe. And that is the power of great righteousness. No matter whose responsibility those previous burdens were, they have all been shouldered. What can be done about it? With that one halo, all the tarnished cookware has been turned to gold. Therefore, it’s said that righteousness can suffer loss, can be defeated, but future generations will have their say, and the public is not blind...
"Once the deed is done, even Yide won’t cause much trouble. He may be disgruntled, but when it comes to righteousness, Yide is well aware. He’s just foul-mouthed," Guo Jia said helplessly.
"That’s why it’s best to maintain a distant relationship. If he wishes to campaign, then let him strike northward or westward, let the ends of the earth, the capes of the sea, be the witnesses of his military exploits," Chen Xi said nonchalantly. The world is so vast, where can’t accommodate two warmongers?
"By the way, Gongtai mentioned that Weishuo has run away. This matter still requires Weishuo’s intervention, doesn’t it?" Guo Jia asked, turning his head.
"Under the universal righteousness, it’s easy to deal with. Weishuo won’t miss out. Just need to look for him, that’s all. The rest is about creating momentum. As for whether it will cause any trouble for Chen Gongtai, that’s not our concern," Chen Xi replied indifferently, having seen enough to understand that despite appearing naive and simple-minded, Chen Gong’s abilities were indeed not weak.
Chen Xi and Guo Jia were unaware of how significantly Liu Yan’s massive public relations campaign had impacted the Great Han Dynasty. Since Emperor Ling took the throne and Tan Shihuai’s rise, followed by the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the Great Han Dynasty had in fact given up on the Northern Bingzhou.
To be honest, relinquishing inherent territories after the Martial Emperor was unprecedented; since Emperor Wu of Han, the territory of the Han Dynasty had always been expanding. Even though several ineffective emperors emerged during the Eastern Han, controlled by their outer relatives, the Han territory still kept expanding, even during Emperor Huan’s reign.
However, the Han never managed to reclaim the Hetao Plain of Northern Bingzhou once it was lost, not even during the time of Cao Cao, and throughout the Three Kingdoms Period as well. It can be said that ever since Emperor Ling abandoned that piece of land, it was not rescued from the hands of the Hu People until the Sui Dynasty.
Although each time the North gained strength, there was a desire to bring that land under state control—after all, it was fertile farmland—but time and again, from the Huns to the Xianbei, then from the Xianbei to the Turkic, they stubbornly occupied it and would not leave.
Moreover, that land was actually a strategic location. When word came from Liu Yan that Lyu Bu planned to return to Bingzhou and reclaim that land for the nation, all notable scholars throughout the land expressed their support.
In the eyes of these people, the Central Plains being in chaos was a matter among brothers; the Hu people occupying the North was a national grudge. To overlook this grudge and engage in civil war was intolerable to all scholars.
This is also why, even when the population during the Three Kingdoms Period was below ten million, it was difficult for any of the three states to lose when fighting foreign enemies, because it was only during those times that they truly united in spirit. The Han Dynasty might have fallen, but the martial spirit etched into their marrow over four hundred years had not dissipated. Who wouldn’t want to inherit the title of the Strong Han?
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In plain terms, this was a domineering attitude that said: ’I can beat my brother to death, but if you touch him, not only will I not be pleased, I will also beat you to death.’
With this mindset, Chen Xi, who had originally not held any hope of rallying civil officials and military generals to return to Bingzhou, received a lot of support. Even top-notch figures appeared, willing to go to Bingzhou with him to retake those lost lands. Sometimes things were very simple, just lacking a leading figure. It is only when the currents of fate converge that true heroes are born.
Chen Xi and Guo Jia were not aware of these developments; they were still quietly contemplating how to support Lyu Bu’s return to the North and how to develop Yanzhou. At this point, they didn’t have much time left. A clash with Yuan Shao was imminent after sparks had flown in their repeated frictions. This powder keg was bound to explode sooner or later!
In Yangzhou, Shouchun, Zhou Yu was released for the first time after being grounded for several months, and the ones who came to receive him were Yuan Shu and Sun Ce. However, seeing the near-dripping gloom on both men’s faces, Zhou Yu already knew something had happened—Yuan Yao probably wasn’t faring well.
"Come with me, my boy wants to see you and Bofu!" Yuan Shu’s expression was gloomy with a hint of ferocity. He only had one son, and now, that son lay on the bed, inching toward the abyss of death.
Zhou Yu didn’t speak, following Yuan Shu who turned and left. He had noticed the gloom on Sun Ce’s face and couldn’t help but sigh deeply. At a time like this, still bearing the image of filial piety and full of self-reproach—it wasn’t Sun Ce’s fault at all. Sun Ce had merely shown good intentions, but Yuan Yao’s life was just too fragile to enjoy them.
[We’ll have to see how things go. If the situation turns unfavorable, then I’ll take Bofu and escape to heaven. I’ve laid countless pieces in Eastern Wu, but Bofu’s belief in faith and righteousness will be hard to accept.]
Zhou Yu sighed inwardly. He had been restrained for so long, even missing the prime opportunity to attack Cao Cao, all to make Sun Ce understand his intentions. Now, it was clear Sun Ce was sinking deeper.
While Zhou Yu inwardly cursed Sun Ce for being so foolish—there was nothing to repent if it wasn’t his own mistake—he also felt continuous exasperation. Wasn’t it exactly Sun Ce’s loyalty that had made him follow? If not for this, with his own intelligence, he could have had a good outcome with anyone. Why go through all these troubles to help build Sun Ce’s great cause?
(To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)