Chapter 25: Dao and Shu

  Just as Liu Bian was indulging in the joy of his first glimpse into the doorway, a hurried footsteps sounded from behind him, and Lu Zhi's extremely distinctive loud voice rang out, like a Huang Zhong Da Lü in the room, making people's eardrums ache.

  "Your Majesty, it's enough to just taste and stop, don't get addicted." Lu Zhi shook his sleeve and pushed away Shi A: "These are all minor skills, not the great way, not what Your Majesty should pay attention to."

  Liu Bian was in a good mood and didn't mind Lu Zhi's bluntness. After several days of interaction, he also knew that Lu Zhi was a loyal minister who genuinely cared about him. He smiled and signaled Shi Ah to withdraw.

  "Lu Qing, I just sensed an aura of vastness."

  "It's impossible." Lu Zhi sighed and said: "Your Majesty, that is impossible. Confucius once said, 'At seventy, I follow what my heart desires, without transgressing what is right.' Cultivating one's mind and intentions is a lifelong practice, how can it be understood in just a morning or evening? Your Majesty, Luoyang is facing a severe crisis, the Han Dynasty is struggling to take a step forward. You have more important things to worry about, you absolutely cannot indulge in the minor skills of self-cultivation and family management, but should focus on the great way of governing the country and bringing peace to the world."

  After being told by Lu Zhi, Liu Bian also became somewhat uncertain. What Lu Zhi said was right, Confucius cultivated for a lifetime, and Yuan Wei also cultivated for a hundred years, only to have today's dignity, how could he possibly rise to the top in one step? It is possible that there is indeed an element of self-hypnosis in it. Moreover, what Lu Zhi said was also right, cultivation is not something that can be done in a day or two, and he had bigger troubles to deal with.

  "Lu Qing, let's go upstairs and sit down. I have some things to ask you about."

  Lu Zhi let out a sigh of relief and cast a disgusted glance at the walls around him. Earlier, his clothes had blown against the wall hanging, and he had seen the Spring Palace painting on the wall, understanding the nefarious deeds that the previous emperor had done here. He couldn't help but feel both angry and anxious, fearing that Liu Xian would follow in the previous emperor's footsteps. However, not only did Liu Xian not mind his discourtesy, but also listened to his advice and asked for his guidance on national affairs, which made him very pleased.

  Two men went up to the pavilion, Liu Bian recounted the three suggestions that Jia Xian had made to him to Lu Zhi. Lu Zhi listened and pondered for a moment before saying respectfully: "Your Majesty, these methods are all correct in direction, but as for specific implementation, some adjustments may be needed."

  Liu Bian did not get angry either and sincerely asked Lu Zhi for advice.

  Lu Zhi made an analysis.

  First, investigating the death of the Grand General and the Cavalry General and holding relevant personnel accountable is beyond doubt. However, making Yuan Wei responsible for this is unreasonable. All officials have their respective duties, and as the Taifu, it is not within Yuan Wei's scope of responsibility. Forcing Yuan Wei to take charge of this matter would allow him to decline openly and justifiably, while Your Majesty would be ridiculed for being at a loss. Therefore, sending someone to investigate is acceptable, but a more suitable candidate should be appointed.

  Secondly, appointing a minister to fill the power vacuum left by the Grand General is a correct strategy. However, the Grand General's identity is unique and cannot be replaced by anyone. The He family no longer has anyone suitable for the position, and now only the Tang family can provide someone capable of taking on this role. But the Tang family does not have anyone qualified or powerful enough to assume this position. Forcing an appointment would only lead to greater backlash, and in the end, the Tang family will either be unable to gather officials or be controlled by Yuan Shao like Grand General He Jin was. What's the point of that? It's better to just leave the position of Grand General vacant.

  Finally, seize the opportunity to dismiss Yuan Shu and regain control over the Hu Bao Lang, which is correct. However, as with the previous two points, it is essential to choose a suitable person to succeed him. The commander of the Hu Bao Lang will be in charge of the Hu Bao Lang, an important force within the Southern Army. If the wrong person is appointed, the consequences will be extremely severe. Most of the Hu Bao Lang are from influential families or students of the Imperial Academy, and they would find it difficult to accept someone like Dong Zhuo, a rustic man from the border regions, as their leader. How much more so when Yuan Shu is not a good person, what kind of good person is Dong Zhuo?

  Liu Bian scratched his head. Handling state affairs, especially these subtle power struggles, was obviously too profound for him. At most, he was just talking on paper, and when it came to actual implementation, he was far from being able to keep up with Jia Xiang and Lu Zhi. When Jia Xiang made a suggestion, Liu Bian thought Jia Xiang's words were reasonable, and now that Lu Zhi countered Jia Xiang's suggestion, he also felt that Lu Zhi's consideration was correct.

  There is no absolute right or wrong in this matter, whether it's Jia Yu or Lu Zhi, they may all have their own perspectives and come to different conclusions, which is also normal. It can even be said that they also have their own private hearts and are not completely standing from his perspective, making plans for him, which is also understandable, after all, they are also ordinary people, not saints.

  However, his biggest worry was that his historical knowledge was insufficient and he lacked experience, unable to understand the deeper meaning of Jia Xu and Lu Zhi's suggestions, making wrong decisions. Being underestimated and disappointing others was secondary; being unable to solve problems and instead causing even more trouble was what really gave him a headache.

  It's hard to be an emperor, especially for a newcomer like myself who has no experience, no trusted advisors, and not even self-confidence. The country is in doubt with a young master, it's not just talk, these are real difficulties.

  I am a fake son of heaven, but I am a real lonely and childless person.

  "No matter what, I must first grasp a trustworthy force." Liu Bian thought for a long time and solemnly said to Lu Zhi: "Since the Southern and Northern Armies, as well as the eight schools of Xiyuan, have all fallen into the hands of the Yuan family, and the noble sons also look up to the Yuan brothers with admiration, then I can only choose some people from among those whom they despise - the people of Bingzhou."

  "Your Majesty... wise and enlightened."

  ……

  Yuan Fu, Yuan Wei and Ma Lun sat shoulder to shoulder. Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu sat on either side. Chen Lin and Xun Yu sat below Yuan Shao, while Qiao Rui and Zhang Jun sat below Yuan Shu. Yuan Shao's face was expressionless, while Yuan Shu's face was filled with anger.

  Just now, because of Ding Yuan's affair, Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu had a conflict.

  Yuan Shao said that although Ding Yuan's status is not high, the Pingzhou army he leads is crucial, and Yuan Shu should attach great importance to it. Only sending Qiao Rui instead of going in person has a lazy tone. Moreover, Qiao Rui only met with Ding Yuan and did not meet with Lü Bu, the brave warrior who dominates the northern border, which may make Lü Bu very angry. They just received news that Lü Bu will come to compete with Zhang Yang tomorrow, saying it's a competition, but it's actually the emperor wanting to recruit Lü Bu, or even further undermine Ding Yuan. After all, Ding Yuan is not from Pingzhou, and the one who truly represents the elite of Pingzhou is Lü Bu.

  Yuan Shu disagreed with this. He thought that Yuan Shao was intentionally picking a fight. You say I'm slow to respond to Ding Yuan, but Ding Yuan has already agreed to surrender to our Yuan family. You say I'm slow to respond to Lü Bu, but Lü Bu is going to have a life-or-death battle with Zhang Yang. Besides, how can Lü Bu represent the people of Pingzhou? He's just a wandering swordsman, and even Wang Yun, a native of Pingzhou, looks down on him - why should I put him in my sights?

  Yuan Shu finally said something unpleasant: I am the legitimate son of the Yuan family, not some unknown wild species. There is no need to lower myself to a humble origin like yours. I, Yuan Shu, cannot afford to lose face because of this person, and neither can the Yuan family.

  This sentence pierced Yuan Shao deeply.