Chapter 368

Chapter 368

Can a strategist not ascend the throne? Final Volume: The Rise and Fall of Royal Power, Unification of the World, Chapter 368: Return to the North Palace

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Can a Strategist Not Ascend the Throne?

Chapter 368: Return to the North Palace

To show benevolence to the people and spread good reputation throughout the world.

To practice benevolence among the people and teach them to follow the natural order is the true essence of the book “Changyan.”

Having spent decades in the officialdom and studying the classics, how could Lu Zhi not see the true intentions of the rising star Zhong Changtong?

Did he say something wrong?

Probably not.

Since Emperor Xiaowu dismissed the Hundred Schools of Thought and revered Confucianism alone, the concepts of the interaction between heaven and man and the unity of heaven and man have become indispensable parts of the memorials and remonstrations of the Han Dynasty. However, in reality, the connection between natural disasters and human affairs is not as profound as it seems when viewed objectively.

Even in the later years of Emperor Xiaoling’s reign, he had to tacitly accept and even promote the arguments used by Qiao Yan in her debate with Zhang Jiao, trying to distance natural disasters from his use of eunuchs in power.

Looking back to the founding years, it seems that, as Zhong Changtong said, those heroes who claimed to have the Mandate of Heaven were just one among many competing for power.

Rather than saying that the Mandate of Heaven helped him rise, it was more accurate to say that the military power he controlled allowed him to achieve his goal.

This statement, seemingly earth-shattering, essentially revives Xunzi’s idea of “distinguishing between heaven and man,” which means that the way of heaven is unrelated to human affairs, after hundreds of years.

Whether as the ruler of the world or as a minister assisting in stabilizing the country, it does not rely on the gifts of heaven but on the ability to fulfill human duties, utilize the way of heaven, govern the people, follow the seasons, and achieve great deeds.

Since taking charge of Bingzhou and now the nine provinces, hasn’t Qiao Yan been adhering to this “way of using heaven”?

In troubled times, with Lu Zhi’s wisdom, he could clearly see that human initiative was pushed to its limits by the circumstances, and the feedback it brought was a strong proof of Zhong Changtong’s arguments.

Despite the great drought, locust plagues, and epidemics, there were still ways to adapt and survive, not only finding a way to live but also gaining hope for upward mobility.

Is this rebellion?

No, it seems to be just realism.

And the rest of his statements were also not wrong.

From the ruler’s fulfillment of human duties to the people’s following of the seasons, it undoubtedly pointed out a more rational and clear path for these newly enlightened people.

In these down-to-earth and substantial expressions, there was no intention to guide the people to criticize their rulers but rather to make it easier for wise rulers to govern the people and prevent them from being misled by so-called superstitious and ignorant words.

If everyone knew that when facing diseases, they should not believe in talisman water or praying to gods but follow the advice of doctors and take medicine, then, like the great epidemic in Luoyang, they could return to order with limited losses, and uprisings like the Yellow Turban Rebellion would not occur.

If everyone knew that in farming, praying to the gods of the land and treating locusts as divine messengers would not increase their farmland yield but cause great losses, and only methods like the Quitian method, seed soaking, deep plowing, and irrigation could help them accumulate food for survival, then how could so many people die of famine?

The principle that the natural order is unpredictable, but human affairs are constant, undoubtedly rekindled hope for life among the people who once lived in dire straits.

And what he said about the way officials should act in this environment of restored justice and people’s well-being was, in Lu Zhi’s view, absolutely correct!

The principle of going too far has been proven by several benchmarks, so why should there be any criticism of Qiao Yan’s overstepping and extravagance?

True benevolence does not lie in living an extremely simple life but in finding ways to utilize talents, fill the government storehouses, and live decently within the scope of one’s official salary. It is the abuse of power for personal gain that should be severely punished.

But what Zhong Changtong wanted to say was more than just the phrase “Talents are hard to find, why be suspicious of them?”

If one only sees this and thinks he is acting as the mouthpiece of the Grand Marshal, then they are underestimating this genius who stands on the side of the people’s livelihood!

In Lu Zhi’s meticulous study, what particularly made him feel that Qiao Yan’s promotion of “Changyan” was imperative was Zhong Changtong’s proposal in the book to restore the well-field system.

Not a hasty reform of existing land but a trial on newly reclaimed land in the process of restoring order.

The so-called “limiting land ownership to prevent annexation” was to first nationalize the reclaimed wasteland and then distribute it to those capable of farming, not those with the means to occupy land, to suppress land annexation on these new lands.

Compared to the phrase “heroes who claim the Mandate of Heaven,” this was a truly bold statement!

When Qiao Yan implemented this measure, she also used the excuse of gathering surplus grain to start military farming for war preparations, relying entirely on her strong military force to achieve this.

But Zhong Changtong unabashedly threw out this statement.

Yet, his next paragraph seemed to pull back this statement from the perspective of the ruler.

He said that officials are the leaders of the people, and if they cannot provide suitable official positions and salaries to those in their positions, allowing them to support their families, but instead punish them for their forced survival actions, wouldn’t that be like setting a trap for the gentlemen of the world?

But to say this was Zhong Changtong’s weakness would be underestimating him.

He clearly knew that when his “Changyan” replaced the classics of noble families in thousands of households, he was both the shield Qiao Yan chose for herself at this moment and a sharp spear.

The primary target of this spear was those who insisted on distorting the theory of celestial phenomena, not…

Not offending everyone like a porcupine.

Far-sighted people could see the hidden dagger in the map, while short-sighted people only saw the suggestions on wasteland and the statement that “officials obtaining salaries through proper means would not make the people feel extravagant; the state accumulating wealth through proper means would not make the people feel oppressed and toil.”

Clearly, this “Changyan,” written by a young author, was like a weapon thrown by a mature politician.

Lu Zhi could not know how much structural adjustment Qiao Yan had made to it to make it more suitable for her, but if Emperor Liu Yu could utilize it properly, it would undoubtedly lead the Han Dynasty to greater prosperity. No one could think that she had the intention to replace him just because of the book’s publication.

But the only question was, did Liu Yu still have the energy to follow its advice and implement it step by step?

Considering Liu Yu’s fatigue this year, even Lu Zhi, living far away in Leping, could roughly guess from the words he heard.

He couldn’t help but think of the scene when Liu Yang came to him in June.

He didn’t know why this prince thought that he could sit in a secure position because of Liu Yu, and after telling him about Qiao Yan’s various performances and words when she went to Chang’an to plead guilty, he hoped to get his support.

Or rather, he hoped that Lu Zhi would help him for the sake of the imminent danger of the Han Dynasty.

But does anyone still remember that in the past, during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, he established military merits but had to resign from military power due to Emperor Hanling’s suspicion and sat in the position of the Minister of Works.

When Emperor Hanling passed away…








He came to rescue the emperor, mobilizing the Northern Army Five Divisions under the command of the Son of Heaven, but was driven out of Chang’an by Dong Zhuo due to the Yuan Clan of Runan’s desire to compete for merit.

To preserve the dignity of the Han Dynasty, he endured humiliation and danger in Chang’an. In his old age, while seeking refuge in Bingzhou, he was targeted by the current emperor’s offspring as a potential accomplice to stir up trouble.

On one side was the future of the Han Dynasty.

On the other side was the future of the people.

Amid the words of the book “Changyan,” Lu Zhi knew what decision he had to make.

However, not many had such enlightenment. As the book spread widely, it inevitably sparked opposition.

Before these voices could reach Qiao Yan, a message came from Luoyang.

On the first day of the twelfth month of the fourth year of Jian’an, Zhong Changtong would respond to his critics in the newly renovated Dingzhong Temple in Luoyang.

Choosing this date allowed others time to attend, preventing complaints from those unable to make it.

If the publication of “Changyan” was a direct challenge, this additional response was even more astonishingly candid.

By the time the day arrived, even Liu Xie, who had not yet left Luoyang, felt restless.

He cautiously said, “Father, I want to…”

His foster father didn’t stop him. “Go if you want. Even if you don’t understand, it’s good to broaden your horizons.”

Liu Xie walked out in a daze.

His foster father didn’t realize that Liu Xie could understand Zhong Changtong’s words.

So he wasn’t going just to broaden his horizons.

Whether by Qiao Yan’s instruction or Zhong Changtong’s own consideration, “Changyan” was written to be accessible to the masses.

The seemingly rebellious yet compelling arguments had already won Liu Xie over before the formal debate, hitting him like a storm as he flipped through the pages.

Liu Xie didn’t know if he would be drowned by this storm or if he could ride the waves to resurface.

So he had to listen to the debate.

To hear what the author of these groundbreaking words would bring to the formal discussion.

Liu Xie wasn’t the only one in Luoyang with such thoughts.

Though others didn’t share his unique and delicate position, the recent rumors of celestial omens had stirred the people’s hearts. Zhong Changtong, pushed to the forefront, became a powerful response, drawing many to Dingzhong Temple just to show support, not to mention those who wanted to watch the spectacle.

Liu Xie had another layer of conflict in his heart.

The bustling figures ahead, chatting as they moved, made Luoyang feel so different from his childhood memories, like a vibrant new place.

But perhaps, ever since Qiao Yan took over, the city had already begun to transform.

Thinking this, Liu Xie instinctively glanced toward the North and South Palaces.

In the morning light, the palace roofs, distinct from ordinary buildings, bore a patchy golden hue, perhaps due to the absence of an emperor for six years, losing some of their majesty.

Liu Xie sighed and turned his gaze back to the present.

It was then he saw two children running and playing, disappearing into the distance in an instant.

But that fleeting glimpse made Liu Xie pause.

It was so familiar, too familiar!

Without thinking, he chased after them.

The eldest son of Emperor Ling, Liu Bian, had been raised outside the palace by Daoist Shi Zimiao due to the early deaths of his older brothers.

Before being brought back, Emperor Ling had taken Liu Xie, his beloved younger son, to visit Liu Bian.

Empress He, hoping Daoist Shi’s magic would protect Liu Bian, had him wear a Daoist robe.

Liu Xie clearly remembered that robe, as he had once played with Liu Bian in the streets near their temporary home.

Neither Liu Bian nor Liu Xie could have imagined the future they would face. As Qiao Yan had once heard after presenting her policies in Dingzhong Temple, the two brothers had come together to pay respects to their father, showing brotherly affection.

But after Emperor Ling’s death and Dong Zhuo’s rise to power, with Liu Xie ascending the throne under Dong Zhuo’s support, everything changed.

Now, Luoyang felt unfamiliar to Liu Xie, making the memory of those figures even more striking.

But perhaps these figures were just figments of his imagination. Despite being a tall, long-legged youth, Liu Xie lagged behind.

As he pushed through the crowd, the figures seemed to effortlessly slip away, leaving him behind.

Only when the crowd thinned did Liu Xie finally close the distance.

At this proximity, he noticed a waist pendant swaying on the Daoist-robed figure.

He had seen that pendant on Liu Bian before.

But before he could see the pendant’s details, the two children disappeared behind a door.

He hurried after them.

But as he approached, he realized this was no ordinary door.

While chasing the children, Liu Xie hadn’t noticed he had arrived at the palace walls of Luoyang.

They had entered the North Palace.

Seeing where he was, Liu Xie almost thought he was hallucinating, the illusion blending with the palace walls like a bubble.

If he remembered his destination and his need to hide his former identity as emperor, he should turn back now, pretending he hadn’t seen this strange scene.

But perhaps because he was already in a distracted state, Liu Xie hesitated, then reached out to the door.

This door shouldn’t have been open.

Upon arriving in Luoyang, locals had mentioned that Qiao Yan kept the North Palace unused as a tribute to the former emperors.

To prevent damage, all doors should have been securely locked.

Yet the door before him opened with a push.

The lock inside clattered to the ground.

Liu Xie took a deep breath and stepped inside.

The long-sealed North Palace of Luoyang, his residence after becoming emperor, stood before him once more.