Chapter Seven, The Royal Relatives of the Han Dynasty

Yangzhou Governor Liu Yao, the younger brother of Liu Dai, the Inspector of Yanzhou

At the age of 54, Cao Cao welcomed the Emperor in Xuchang, leading to a rift with Yuan Shao. Liu Biao both paid tribute to the court and formed an alliance with Yuan Shao. The faction of Li Jue and Guo Si, along with the desperate cavalry general Zhang Ji, attacked Nanyang in search of food, but unfortunately, Zhang Ji was struck by an arrow and died. The officials of Jingzhou congratulated Liu Biao, but he remarked that it was not his intention to have someone as pitiable as Zhang Ji come to him for food, thus he would only accept condolences and not congratulations. After this display, Liu Biao quickly sent someone to persuade Zhang Ji's former subordinates to surrender. Zhang Ji's nephew, known in storytelling as the "King of Spear from the North," Zhang Xiu, united with Liu Biao under the persuasion of the renowned poison master Jia Xu, becoming a shield for Liu Biao against Cao Cao.

Liu Yan, the Governor of Yizhou, was a descendant of Liu Yu, the Duke of Lu during the Western Han Dynasty, just like Liu Biao. In his youth, he worked at the grassroots level, and after the death of his teacher, he resigned from his official position to observe a period of mourning. He then engaged in scholarly pursuits, teaching in the mountains. His dedication to mourning for his teacher was truly unique, and the court, upon realizing that there was such a cultured individual within the royal family, quickly summoned him to serve in an official capacity. From that point on, Liu Yan's career flourished, and he rose through the ranks of county, commandery, and province. By the time of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Liu Yan had already become one of the Nine Ministers.

In the year 188 AD, Liu Yan, observing the chaos in the court and the decline of the imperial family, desired to embark on an impromptu journey to seek the position of Governor of Jiaozhou (the highest military and political official in present-day northern Vietnam and Guangdong and Guangxi). Later, upon hearing that Yizhou possessed the aura of an emperor, he changed his request to the court to be appointed as the Governor of Yizhou, and surprisingly succeeded. His ability to maneuver for official positions is truly remarkable. How fickle can a person be to change his mind based on a mere rumor?

At the age of fifty-seven, Deng Ai was at the gates of the city. Although there were still thirty thousand defenders in Chengdu and the supplies could last for a year, Liu Gongzi chose to surrender to Deng Ai. Reflecting on the past when Liu Zhang was besieged in Chengdu, there were also thirty thousand defenders and a year’s worth of supplies, yet the officials and common people thought of resistance. Now, however, everyone is considering to whom they should surrender and who would accept our surrender. The main forces led by Jiang Wei were also marching a thousand miles to support the throne, yet Liu Gongzi still chose to surrender to Deng Ai. The prominent families in Shu had long been hoping for the Wei army to come and rescue them, allowing them to enjoy the unfair pleasures. Enough, enough.

Secondly, these two veteran strategists lived in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, where not only was their official career hopeless, but as common people, they also became second-class citizens

Finally, the author would like to remind readers of a detail that seems to have gone unnoticed: Liu Gongzi's mother, Madam Gan, truly had a difficult life. While Madam Sun was arrogant and Madam Wu enjoyed great honor, she was placed at the top of the list of those Liu Bei could easily part with. Although she bore Liu Bei an heir, she never received formal recognition until her death, living her life in such a manner. What must her feelings have been? Sons tend to resemble their mothers, so it is understandable how Liu Gongzi would choose to navigate his life. It was only at this point that I realized why it is said that being an ordinary person is a happy and fulfilling life; rather than dedicating one's body to struggle, it is better to dedicate it to love.

Chen Wang Liu Chong, the great-grandson of Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han Liu Zhuang, the great-grandson of King Jing of Chen Liu Xian, the grandson of King Qing of Chen Liu Chong, and the son of King Xiao of Chen Liu Cheng. He was the only warlord among the heroes of the late Han dynasty whose title matched his status, a legitimate royal relative. During the Yellow Turban Rebellion, local officials and soldiers abandoned their cities and fled. The Liu family princes, who held no real power, not only failed to collect rents but also suffered repeated robberies, with some only managing to eat once every two days, wandering in the wilderness and dying in desolation. Only Chen Wang Liu Chong was exceptionally brave, audacious, and unafraid of the suspicion of treason, privately conscripting soldiers, making his state rich and his army strong. When various warlords launched campaigns against Dong Zhuo, Liu Chong and Yuan Shao responded to each other from afar, seizing the opportunity to declare himself General Who Assists the Han. However, it proved to be of little use. In 197 AD, Yuan Shu, who had already declared himself emperor, sent assassins to kill the ambitious Liu Chong, leading to the decline of the Chen state.

Liu Gongsi had reservations about Zhuge Liang and Dong Yun. However, he did not retaliate like some of his contemporaries before and after him. He understood that these individuals had his best interests at heart, though their methods were not what he desired

At the age of twenty-seven, Zhuge Liang passed away. He finally had a say in court affairs, having gained the highest authority over personnel appointments, while the daily administrative powers were entrusted to Jiang Wan

In the late 2nd century AD, the Liu family of the Han dynasty undoubtedly served as the best emblem in the land of Huaxia. However, with the Liu descendants being exceptionally talented and numerous heroes emerging, how is it that ultimately only Liu Bei was able to stand firm and achieve greatness

Please allow me to believe that Liu Bei had realistic considerations as a person, after all, mythologizing an individual will ultimately lead to the adverse consequences of demonization

The well-known figure on Zhihu, Kaiser, stated: "The story of Liu Xiu is a Mary Sue story, while the story of Liu Bei is akin to those found in 'Reader' or 'Youth Digest.'" This observation is truly incisive.

The advantage lay with Liu Yu, who led an army of 100,000 to unexpectedly surround Gongsun Zan, who was completely unprepared with only a few hundred men by his side. Liu Yu ordered that no fires be set and that only Gongsun Zan should be killed, without harming the innocent. As the ancients said: "Benevolence does not command troops, righteousness does not command wealth." Such a strategy could hardly be efficient; a day passed and the battle had not yet concluded. Gongsun Zan held on until the wind changed direction, then set fire to the surroundings, leading a death squad of several hundred directly towards Liu Yu's main camp. Liu Yu retreated to defend the city, but his troops had little combat experience, and within just three days, Gongsun Zan breached the city.

In Yizhou, there was a beautiful and alluring shamaness who frequently visited Liu Yan's residence. Liu Yan appointed her son, Zhang Lu, the leader of the Five Pecks of Rice sect, as the Supervisor of the Military Affairs. Liu Yan's cunning plan was to have Zhang Lu feign rebellion against him alongside another military officer, Zhang Xiu, to attack Hanzhong County within Yizhou, thereby isolating the region and achieving tax exemption. The great leader Zhang exceeded expectations; after capturing Hanzhong, he even eliminated his companion Zhang Xiu. It remains unclear whether this was a mere act or if it was indeed Liu Yan's directive, much like we do not know what Liu Yan did to Zhang Lu's mother. All we know is that Liu Yan did not kill this middle-aged woman.

Come here, Liu Gongsi, let me pat your head; it has been a hard journey all the way.

Although Liu Bei did not explicitly state it, he, like Cao Cao, prioritized talent above all else. Zhuge Liang, too, followed a Legalist path similar to that of Cao Cao. Cao Cao's legacy was cast aside by Cao Pi, only to be inherited by his sworn enemy. The core value of Liu Bei's regime was fairness, which the privileged class found most intolerable. The forced pursuit of fairness ultimately led to the early demise of Shu Han among the Three Kingdoms, yet it remains a source of aspiration for future generations

However, Liu Sheng was not only bold in his desires but also courageous in action. One of the main achievements of Emperor Wu of Han in his lifetime was suppressing the feudal lords. While other relatives dared not voice their anger, only Liu Sheng had the audacity to speak out justly, essentially stating that they did not wish to bully others, but now their own brothers were being oppressed by the officials under his command, becoming a marginalized group. It was up to him to handle the situation! It was rare for Emperor Wu to lower his head in his lifetime, and what a significant achievement this was for Liu Sheng.

The author does not believe in fate, yet cannot help but submit to the weather. It is unknown whether Liu Xuande from www.hetushu.com also shares this sentiment

In the year 194 AD, Chen Wen, the Governor of Yangzhou who had previously sponsored Cao Hong, was killed by Yuan Shu. The court, under the control of Dong Zhuo's successors Li Jue and Guo Si, made a favor to Liu Yao in order to curb Yuan Shu's influence, appointing him as the Governor of Yangzhou, and soon thereafter promoting him to the title of Protector of Yangzhou. Although the title of Protector of Yangzhou seemed impressive, most of the territory was already under Yuan Shu's control, and Liu Yao was unable to report to work in the provincial capital Shouchun, instead having to go to Que'a (present-day Danyang, Jiangsu Province) to compete with Yuan Shu for territory.

At the age of thirty-nine, Jiang Wan passed away. However, as early as the year when Liu Gongzi was thirty-seven, Fei Yi had already gained actual power in Shu Han due to the prestige he established by repelling Cao Shuang's invasion of Shu. The most significant impact on Liu Gongzi that year was the death of Dong Yun, after which he could finally breathe the air of freedom

He favored Huang Hao, not only granting him wealth and status but also allowing him to interfere in state affairs, which was his mistake. However, if it were you, from childhood to adulthood, everyone has been telling you to study hard, strive for progress, and do what you are supposed to do, not what you want to do, clearly having plenty of money yet not allowing you to be willful

The earliest bestselling authors in our country, Luo Guanzhong and Shi Nai'an, were filled with resentment.

Having lost Taishi Ci, Liu Yao had no choice but to seek refuge under Liu Biao of Jingzhou. At that time, the governor of Yuzhang had just passed away, and Yuan Shu recommended Zhuge Xuan, the uncle of Zhuge Liang, to take over as the governor of Yuzhang. This not only served Liu Biao's interests but also set a trap for Liu Yao. Without a second thought, Liu Yao attacked Zhuge Xuan, thereby losing any hope of support from Liu Biao. In 197 AD, Liu Yao passed away amidst a chorus of enemies. Yuzhang was easily occupied by Sun Ben. Liu Yao attacked Zhuge Xuan without a second thought, thereby losing any hope of support from Liu Biao. In 197 AD, Liu Yao passed away amidst a chorus of enemies. Yuzhang was easily occupied by Sun Ben.

At the age of 66, Liu Biao passed away due to illness. His second son, Liu Cong, surrendered to Cao Cao, while his eldest son, Liu Qi, had an army of ten thousand, which became half of Liu Bei's resources. After the Battle of Chibi, Liu Qi conveniently passed away, and his subordinates were officially absorbed by Liu Bei. Liu Biao's eighteen years of management in Jingzhou became the main battlefield for the three factions of Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan to contend for.

Then the question arises: Luo Guanzhong, throughout his life, produced numerous works and created countless heroes and heroes in his writings. Why does he have a particular fondness for the Liu Bei faction, writing about them with such deep empathy and genuine emotion?

Thus, Liu Biao only dared to deal with bandits and quell rebellions. He did not even have the courage to confront Yuan Shu directly, and even Liu Bei, who had few troops, could make him uneasy. To attack a county defended by fifty men, he had to send ten thousand troops. His capabilities were only sufficient for self-preservation; as for offense, the only achievement he could claim was the killing of Sun Jian, which could only be indirectly attributed to him. From this perspective, Liu Biao was someone who clearly understood what he could and could not do, possessing a keen self-awareness. Not every elder can be like the old steed that aspires to gallop a thousand miles, nor can every martyr in their twilight years maintain their ambitious spirit; figures like Cao Cao and Liu Bei are rare. Not every leader lacking military knowledge can navigate among a group of military talents with ease; successful cases of lay leaders like Sun Quan and Zeng Guofan leading experts are a rarity that occurs only once in a millennium.

Secondly, what is the driving force behind Liu Bei's dream of becoming a king and dominating, despite having experienced a life of hardship and turmoil for most of his life?

At the age of thirty-one, Liu Gongsi, realizing that he was indeed incapable of accomplishing much, appointed Jiang Wan as the Grand Marshal to govern affairs from the capital.

If one day you arrive at a new organization and the highest leader tells you that only you and he have great ambitions and sound strategies, there are probably two scenarios: the first, congratulations, he intends to make you his successor; the second, run for it, brother! At the very least, he will always be wary of you

The core secret of organizational and promotional abilities lies in a certain rigidity of character that is unique among the other members of the Han royal family, characterized by gentleness towards others and strictness towards oneself. Many years later, in the eighteen principles secretly passed down by Zeng Guofan to his disciple Li Hongzhang, the first and only one that has been preserved discusses precisely this rigidity of character. As long as a person can be this strict with themselves, even if they cannot unify the realm, they can at least reach the heights of Liu Bei and Zeng Guofan.

At the age of seven, Liu Bei occupied Yizhou. In order to unite with the local forces of Yizhou, he arranged another political marriage for Liu Gongzi, this time to Lady Wu.

At the age of five, Liu Bei went out. Liu Gongzi was kidnapped by his stepmother, who intended to take him back to her family as leverage against Liu Bei's faction. Fortunately, he was rescued by Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun. It is a relief that this terrifying stepmother never returned thereafter

Liu Yu had high expectations, and although Gongsun Zan captured his entire family, he did not dare to kill them. At this moment, an envoy from the court came to promote Liu Yu and Gongsun Zan. Gongsun Zan coerced the envoy and falsely accused Liu Yu of having intentions to claim the throne

For many, freedom is easily attainable, while the throne remains out of reach. For Liu Gongsi, it is the opposite. Like each of us, he exchanged what he inherently possessed for that which he could not obtain. While others moved from persistence to compromise, he transitioned from compromise to persistence, and that is all there is to it. Liu Gongsi's life illustrates the tragedy of a person destined to engage in work they find uninteresting, unable to change their path, and it demonstrates the irrationality of a hereditary monarchy.

At the age of 60, Liu Biao dispatched 10,000 troops to capture the last county in Jingzhou that refused to surrender—Xie County in Nanyang Prefecture—where the opposing faction numbered only 50. That year, Liu Biao took in Liu Bei, who was either the most professional or the least professional of the guest generals of the late Han dynasty, appointing him as a new barrier against Cao Cao. (The original barrier, Zhang Xiu, had already surrendered to Cao Cao on the eve of the Battle of Guandu)

In the year 1367, with the assistance of Li Shanchang, known as the "Second Coming of Xiao He," and Liu Bowen, referred to as the "Second Coming of Zhuge Liang," Zhu Yuanzhang defeated the warlord Zhang Shicheng, who had controlled the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions. Shortly thereafter, Zhu Yuanzhang proclaimed himself emperor, reclaiming the sixteen prefectures of Yan and Yun, and driving the Yuan court back to the desert. This remarkable achievement was made possible by Zhu Yuanzhang's team, which was filled with the most brilliant minds of the Chinese military. However, the people of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, due to their support and nostalgia for Zhang Shicheng, faced discrimination and retaliation from the Ming dynasty for three hundred years, with taxes that were several times higher than those in other regions.

Thirdly, Liu Xiu's enemies were of a significantly lower caliber. Apart from Wang Mang, there was no other figure that was widely recognized. Wang Mang's downfall was entirely self-inflicted. The other opponents, aside from Gongsun Shu, who bore a striking resemblance to Liu Bei, were merely inconsequential figures lacking any substantial strategic planning. (The strategic planning devised by Li Xiong, a subordinate of Gongsun Shu, was essentially a precursor to Zhuge Liang's "Longzhong Plan.") It was precisely this Gongsun Shu with whom Liu Xiu spent the most time, resulting in Liu Xiu taking twelve years to conquer a mere corner of the world. As for Liu Bei's enemies... not to mention Cao Cao and Sun Quan, even just the names of the renowned civil and military officials under their command could fill an A4 sheet. Liu Bei should not be compared to Liu Xiu; Gongsun Shu is the more appropriate reference point, and Liu Bei completely outclassed him.

The core team followed Liu Bei for over twenty years. It cannot be said that they did not gain any benefits, but it is evident that the effort and reward over such a long period are not proportional. Liu Bei sought refuge with Gongsun Zan, Tao Qian, Lü Bu, Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, and Liu Biao, yet his team remained united as one. Even when Cao Cao admired Guan Yu to an extraordinary degree, Guan Yu still undertook a solitary journey of a thousand miles to find Liu Bei, which can be regarded as one of the most touching acts of brotherhood throughout history.

I often wonder, if Liu Xiu had not experienced a sudden storm with flying tiles and torrential rain at Kunyang, causing significant non-combat casualties among the enemy forces due to rising floodwaters, would the outcome have been different? Similarly, if Liu Bei had faced a sudden downpour at Yiling, or even later when Ma Su encountered a torrential rain at Jieting, would everything have changed?

If someone had the opportunity to interview Liu Bei, also known as Lord Xuande, and asked him why he is so driven, he might respond, "The Han and the bandits cannot coexist, and the royal enterprise cannot be content with a mere existence." Yet, deep down, he might be thinking, "I just want to survive"

What is power? At that time, the noble landlords had already become corrupt and degenerate, while the golden age of the commoner landlords was still far from arriving. Thus, it was necessary for the gentry landlords to transition into the ruling class, and Wang Mang's suppression of the gentry made the powerful elites willing to provide substantial support to the clever and well-connected young Liu Xiu, who even engaged in political marriages. Liu Xiu's forces were composed of landlord militias, while peasant armed groups like the Green Forest Army and the Red Eyebrow Army could only be temporarily utilized by him. (Perhaps this is why Liu Xiu's story is not widely known today.) After the establishment of the Eastern Han, Liu Xiu also turned against the powerful elites to suppress them, but this was only a superficial remedy, as his advocacy of Confucian ideology, combined with the system of recommendation, inevitably led to the monopolization of knowledge by the scholarly factions. While monopolizing wealth is not frightening, monopolizing knowledge effectively locks the lower classes out of the ladder of upward mobility. Therefore, in the mid to late Eastern Han period, the only way to contend with the gentry was through the imperial relatives and eunuchs. However, while it cannot be said that all imperial relatives and eunuchs are scoundrels, their overall quality is indeed far inferior to that of the well-educated civil officials.

Jingzhou cannot be lost; the bloody lesson from Gongsun Shu is right there. If the home base of the Jingzhou faction is lost, the conflict with the Yizhou faction becomes inevitable. Cao Pi has just taken office and needs time to establish himself, making it the best opportunity to attack Wu. Cao Pi speaks without feeling the pain, claiming that with Liu Bei's continuous encampment of seven hundred li, how could he not be defeated? However, the terrain is indeed so narrow and long, and the navy is clearly no match for the Eastern Wu navy. What else can be done without encamping on the shore for seven hundred li? Strategically, there is nothing wrong, but the tragic part lies in the tactics. Liu Bei, who once set fire to the Battle of Bowang and the Battle of Chibi, surprisingly did not pay attention to fire prevention.

Thirdly, what exceptional qualities did Liu Bei possess, and what can we learn from him

After spending seven wonderful years of bliss, Liu Gongzi passed away peacefully at the age of sixty-four. By this time, Zhong Hui, Deng Ai, and Sima Zhao had long since turned to dust.

Do not pressure me in the name of love, and do not treat me kindly in ways I do not need. Is this request excessive? For many years, Liu Gongzi's joy, warmth, and comfort have all come from a eunuch named Huang Hao

At the age of two, he had not yet had the chance to remember what his mother looked like when Lady Gan passed away. Soon after, his father arranged a political marriage for the sake of imperial ambitions, marrying Lady Sun, the sister of Sun Quan. This Lady Sun was not as beautiful and gentle as many imagined. She was not only agile but also strong and fierce, always accompanied by over one hundred fully armed female bodyguards, and she indulged the people she brought from her family, allowing them to act tyrannically and without restraint. Even Liu Bei, who had spent his life in warfare, felt uneasy every time he met her, and Zhuge Liang, a man of exceptional talent, regarded her as an unstable factor, always worried that she might become a source of trouble. Liu Gongzi was still young; hopefully, he did not carry any childhood trauma.

There is only one person who constantly indulges you, caters to you, and does everything within his power to meet all your reasonable or unreasonable demands, finding various ways each day to make you happy. The words you wish to hear can only come from him, and the things you most want to say can only be shared with him alone

In the year 194 AD, Liu Yan's eldest and second sons, who were left as hostages in the court, were killed for conspiring to overthrow Li Jue and Guo Si. Liu Yan passed away amidst the sorrow of having white-haired individuals send off his black-haired sons. His third son, Liu Mao (the former husband of Wu, the empress of Liu Bei), was disregarded by his subordinates, while his youngest son, Liu Zhang, was supported as the new governor of Yizhou due to his lack of capabilities, and he faced rebellion from powerful officials as soon as he took office. Fortunately, the only good deed Liu Yan accomplished in his lifetime was that the only group of soldiers from the Eastern State who remembered him fought valiantly to protect Liu Zhang. Liu Zhang was indeed simple-minded; as soon as he established himself, he killed the mother of Zhang Da Jiao, and subsequently faced repeated beatings from Zhang Lu. A dignified governor of a province had to hire Liu Bei to deal with a county magistrate; could it be that the idiom "inviting a wolf into the house" was coined too late?

Liu Bei is a descendant of Liu Sheng, the Prince of Zhongshan during the Western Han Dynasty. Both Liu Sheng and Liu Yu, the Prince of Lu, were brothers of Emperor Wu of Han. However, Liu Sheng had an extraordinary fertility, having fathered over 120 sons, which implies the considerable wealth his descendants inherited. We have reason to suspect that within a certain radius around Liu Bei's home, there are numerous descendants of Liu Sheng. In such circumstances, it is quite audacious for him to invoke the Han royal lineage. Li Zongwu praised Liu Bei's thick skin in his work "The Study of Thick and Black"; this is certainly not an exaggeration. We have reason to suspect that within a certain radius around Liu Bei's home, there are numerous descendants of Liu Sheng. In such circumstances, it is quite audacious for him to invoke the Han royal lineage. Li Zongwu praised Liu Bei's thick skin in his work "The Study of Thick and Black"; this is certainly not an exaggeration.

As an emperor, Liu Shan is rather unremarkable. The previous text has already sufficiently discussed Jiang Wan, Fei Yi, and Jiang Wei, so I will not elaborate further on them. This time, I would like to focus on him as an individual. Whenever the name Liu Shan is mentioned, an image of a foolish, plump figure always comes to mind. Therefore, in this article, I will refer to him by his courtesy name—Liu Gongsi

Extreme Challenge

In the year 207 AD, Liu Bei, the guest general of Liu Biao, the Governor of Jingzhou, whose troops did not exceed 10,000, and who was nominally the Governor of Yuzhou, had been wandering for 23 years and was already 46 years old. Due to the atrophy of his thigh muscles (the origin of the idiom "the flesh of the thigh grows back"), he found himself in a situation where neither heaven nor earth responded to his calls. However, in this year, Liu Bei gained new hope, and it was a double blessing:

A writer's creation is inseparable from their own experiences. Luo Guanzhong had a relatively good relationship with Zhang Shicheng, thus he integrated the early Zhang Shicheng into the character of Liu Bei, while the later Zhang Shicheng was portrayed as Liu Shan. Shi Nai'an, on the other hand, did not think highly of Zhang Shicheng from the beginning and had previously declined an invitation from him. However, due to his friendly relations with Zhang's subordinates, he indirectly assisted him, leading to Zhang Shicheng being incorporated into the character of Song Jiang in Shi Nai'an's work

People often criticize Liu Biao for favoring the young over the old. This is too dogmatic; specific issues should be analyzed in detail—would appointing someone like Liu Qi, who is a coward and short-lived, really be better than appointing Liu Zong? If he were to become the governor of Jingzhou, he would either surrender to Cao Cao, be defeated and perish at Cao Cao's hands, or hand over Jingzhou to Liu Bei. From Liu Biao's perspective, it might actually be better to appoint Liu Zong.

The father, busy with work and only occasionally checking on his studies; the mother, whose appearance he cannot recall; the strong and valiant stepmother; the guardian who is wholeheartedly focused on the northern expedition, personally overseeing everything, treating him like a child and taking charge on his behalf; the steward Dong, who watches over him every day and keeps him in check

Father, where are you going

Can the level of appreciation for one hundred billion earned through hard work be the same as that for one hundred billion obtained through theft? Moreover, no one is competing with him for it.

Liu Xiu and Liu Bei indeed share many similarities; both are commoners descended from royal lineage, their fathers were both minor officials at the county level, and they both lost their fathers at a young age, receiving support from their uncles to pursue their education. They both rose to power after the fall of their respective dynasties. However, these factors are not crucial for their achievements; the differences between them are the key points.

At the age of 46, Fei Yi was assassinated. Liu Gongzi placed great trust in Jiang Wei, allowing him to pursue the Northern Expedition with full freedom. In the subsequent eleven years, regardless of the number of objections raised, he never dismissed Jiang Wei from his military command. Liu Gongzi was neither a wise ruler nor a foolish one. If Jiang Wei aimed to restore the Central Plains, that was acceptable, as long as he did not disturb the peace between him and Grand Eunuch Huang. I will not interfere with you, and you shall not interfere with me; you may chase your dreams to the ends of the earth. Restoring the Han dynasty? I have been hearing about it since I was in my mother's womb. Liu Gongzi was neither a wise ruler nor a foolish one. If Jiang Wei aimed to restore the Central Plains, that was acceptable, as long as he did not disturb the peace between him and Grand Eunuch Huang. I will not interfere with you, and you shall not interfere with me; you may chase your dreams to the ends of the earth. Restoring the Han dynasty? I have been hearing about it since I was in my mother's womb

The concubine Gan gave birth to a son for him in his old age, who was also his undisputed heir. Liu Bei named him Liu Shan, courtesy name Gongsi

Some say that Liu Bei accepted the edict of the Emperor Xian of Han, which is why he was irreconcilable with Cao Cao, while Yuan Shao was never issued an imperial edict for punishment. Regarding the matter of the edict, works such as "Records of the Three Kingdoms," "Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government," and Mr. Lü Simian's "Talks on the History of the Three Kingdoms" all express skepticism, don't they

Both of them were once advisors to Zhang Shicheng, and it was not until the year 1363 that they left in frustration due to their discontent with his later corruption, decline, and lack of ambition. However, under the rule of Zhu Yuanzhang, their political prospects were left with no glimmer of hope.

Run, brothers

Historical records indicate that Liu Chong was exceptionally skilled in archery; however, in terms of self-defense, proficiency in swordsmanship surpasses that of archery. The "Records of the Formation" states: "The striking technique of Bian Zhuangzi, the rising and falling technique of Wang Ju, the responsive technique of Liu Xianzh主, the lightning technique of Ma Mingwang, and the striking technique of Ma Chao, these five schools of swordsmanship are well-documented." Here, Liu Bei's swordsmanship is recognized as one of the five great sword techniques in history. Given the passage of time, it is difficult to avoid the suspicion of embellishment that a book written by a Ming dynasty general would be the first to mention Liu Xianzh主's swordsmanship. Nevertheless, Liu Bei managed to survive amidst the chaos of blades for decades, and even in his impoverished state, he was able to recruit formidable warriors like Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, who could lead thousands. Who would dare to dispute his status as a martial arts master and top swordsman?

Liu Dai, the Inspector of Yanzhou, is a descendant of Liu Fei, the King of Qi and the eldest son of Liu Bang. His royal lineage is even more distant than that of Liu Bei, yet he was fortunate to have an uncle who served as one of the Three Dukes, which allowed him to rise to the position of Palace Attendant and Inspector of Yanzhou. Liu Dai was one of the only three provincial lords who participated in the campaign against Dong Zhuo. However, it is peculiar that among the eight commanderies under Yanzhou, three of the commandants independently joined the anti-Dong coalition (Zhang Miao, the commandant of Chenliu; Qiao Mao, the commandant of Dongjun; and Bao Xin, the Prefect of Jibei). A closer examination of the list of the anti-Dong coalition reveals Liu Dai's helplessness and frustration, which led him to adopt a policy of marriage alliances with Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan. At that time, the disadvantaged Yuan Shao entrusted his wife and children to Liu Dai, placing his family under Liu's care, which should have established a strong bond between them. Yet, during the conflict between Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan, Liu Dai hesitated for several days but ultimately resisted the pressure from the formidable Gongsun Zan, firmly refusing to expel Yuan Shao's family. However, Yuan Shao was not sufficiently considerate towards Liu Dai. The commandant of Dongjun was clearly a mid-level official of Yanzhou, and Liu Dai had to engage in a fierce battle with the disobedient commandant Qiao Mao to replace him with his own trusted aide. After the death of his aide in battle, this position was taken over by Cao Cao, who was recommended by Yuan Shao. Liu Dai found himself in a difficult situation, unable to maintain his territory, and ultimately broke down in tears.

The Strongest Brain

Some say that Liu Bei opposed Cao Cao because Cao Cao was a traitor to the Han dynasty. But was Yuan Shao, who privately supported an emperor, not also a traitor to the Han? Did Liu Bei not still seek refuge with him? At that time, who could have known that Yuan Shao would be defeated by Cao Cao at the Battle of Guandu? If Yuan Shao had won, would there have still been a chance for the Han dynasty? Would there have still been a chance for Liu Bei? Is it necessary for someone with great ambitions to vow never to become emperor? He is Liu Bei, a flesh-and-blood Liu Bei, not Murong Fu from "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils".

At the age of 48, Wang Rui, the Inspector of Jingzhou, was killed by Sun Jian, the Tiger of Jiangdong under Yuan Shu's command. Dong Zhuo appointed Liu Biao as the Inspector of Jingzhou. At that time, banditry was rampant in Jingzhou, and Yuan Shu was occupying Nanyang with a watchful eye. Liu Biao entered Jingzhou alone, formed alliances with the prominent families of Jingzhou, and acknowledged Yuan Shu as the Prefect of Nanyang, solely to focus on eradicating the bandits

First, why was Liu Bei's royal lineage ridiculed

Secondly, Liu Xiu rose to prominence early, as if aided by divine intervention. At the age of 28, he achieved a significant victory at the Battle of Kunyang, defeating a force of 430,000 troops sent by Wang Mang with an army of 17,000. By the time of the Battle of Chibi, Liu Bei was already 47 years old. At the age of 30, Liu Xiu had already ascended to the throne, while Liu Bei was still so overjoyed at the knowledge of his existence by Kong Rong that he danced with excitement.

The direct cause of Liu Bei's failure was the burning of the camps by Lu Xun, rather than a fundamental reason. The hope of defeating Cao Wei was slim. Liu Bang, in his time, secretly returned to the prosperous Guanzhong region to compete with Xiang Yu for supremacy. Even if Liu Bei managed to capture the already devastated Guanzhong region, when would he be able to reach Luoyang? Even if everything went smoothly, wouldn't Sun Quan still stab him in the back?

Liu Biao held dominion over the vast lands of Jingxiang, yet he either did not employ or did not cherish local talents such as Pang Tong and Jiang Wan, as well as external talents like Zhuge Liang, Gan Ning, Jia Xu, Zhang Xiu, and Liu Bei. He had contemplated actions regarding Yizhou and Jiaozhou, but ultimately took no significant steps. It was not that he lacked ambition; rather, he was too old when he began his career, which diminished his drive. Historically, people have described Liu Biao as indecisive and lacking in initiative, yet few have considered the reasons behind this. The author believes that Liu Biao's possible lack of military understanding led to his lack of confidence. (It was Gan Ning who claimed he did not understand military matters; those who disagree are welcome to debate with him.)

There are indeed many members of the Han dynasty who are determined to take on extreme challenges. This article will introduce them in the order of their downfall.

Liu Biao, the Governor of Jingzhou, was a descendant of Liu Yu, the King of Lu during the Western Han Dynasty. He was the only notable figure and member of the royal family among the warlords at the end of the Han Dynasty, a giant among the Liu clan princes. In his early years, Liu Biao participated in the student movement and survived the political turmoil of the Party Proscription by hiding in the deep mountains and forests. After emerging, he gained fame throughout the land and entered the court of General He Jin, serving as a Marquis of the Northern Army and overseeing the Imperial Guards.

From the age of seventeen to twenty-seven, matters of the court were determined by Zhuge Liang. Affairs within the palace were decided by Dong Yun. Liu Gongsi was merely a rubber stamp, resembling a monarch under a constitutional monarchy.

In the year 187 AD, Liu Yu, due to his high prestige in the north, was reinstated by the court, which sought to balance two threats by choosing the lesser of the two evils, to quell the rebellion. Upon hearing of his arrival, the rebel forces fled in fear. Liu Yu was promoted to the Governor of Youzhou

At the age of 55 to 59, Liu Biao quelled the rebellion in the three prefectures of Jingzhou instigated by Cao Cao, but he was unable to successfully extend his influence into Jiaozhou. During the Battle of Guandu, he chose to remain inactive, observing the outcome.

Liu Xiu acted in accordance with the circumstances, while Liu Bei insisted on forcing matters.

The story of Liu Bei is quite lengthy, and it is well-known to many. If I were to recount his biography, it would inevitably raise suspicions of padding. Here, I will only address a few specific issues.

When he was the county magistrate, his superiors asked him to handle some personal matters, which Liu Yao found unacceptable. He even abandoned his official position and chose to engage in scholarly pursuits instead. One must wonder how principled this man was. The court repeatedly summoned him to serve as an official in the capital, but due to the onset of chaotic times and rampant banditry, even someone as upright and brave as Liu Yao could not take up the post. Of course, at that time, positions in the capital were indeed not highly valued.

At the age of one, Cao Cao launched a southern expedition to Jingzhou. On Changban Slope, Liu Bei, unwilling to abandon the people who followed him, chose to forsake his wife and children. Fortunately, the infant Liu Gongzi was rescued by the valiant Zhao Yun.

Liu Yao was essentially a major warlord who rose directly from the position of county magistrate, severely lacking in management experience. Sun Ce, under the orders of Yuan Shu, attacked Lujiang, and Liu Yao intended to take the initiative to eliminate his uncle and cousin. In fact, Yuan Shu was quite unpopular, and Liu Yao originally had considerable room for united front efforts, yet he drove away allies and made enemies everywhere, isolating himself even more than Yuan Shu. Relying on his fierce general Tai Shici, he could barely hold his ground. When someone suggested he promote Tai Shici, he dismissed him due to his lowly origins. Tai Shici and Sun Ce, after a duel, came to appreciate each other and ultimately became the backbone of the Sun family in Jiangdong.

Luo Guanzhong, in the prime of his life, was a formidable figure. His teacher, Shi Nai'an, though advanced in age, had once been a contemporary of Liu Bowen, both having achieved the same degree of jinshi. As Liu Bowen became the embodiment of wisdom and the most powerful intellect of the empire, the two talented individuals, feeling a sense of rivalry, returned to their original profession. They infused their life experiences of blood and fire, light and darkness into historical novels, thus establishing themselves as China's earliest bestselling novelist and the greatest writer of the Ming Dynasty

Generally speaking, after a few years in the workforce, a person often experiences a sense of melancholy, realizing that many opportunities may never come their way in this lifetime. The longer one remains in a state of dormancy, the more disheartened they become, yearning for a modest prosperity that remains elusive. Thus, the story of Liu Bei's perseverance and late success becomes our source of inspiration, leading to a portrayal of Liu Bei that increasingly departs from human nature

Liu Bei's organizational ability stems from his charismatic personality, which can be described as the ability to endure personal discomfort for the pleasure of others. Liu Bei endured great hardships, such as biting his own teeth and swallowing blood, hiding broken arms in his sleeves, and facing humiliation with indifference; I find myself at a loss for words to describe such actions. Liu Bei spread positive energy to the world while absorbing all negative energy within himself. Therefore, the person he admired most in his life was Fa Zheng, who was known for his vengeful nature (Fa Zheng was the only minister to receive a posthumous title during Liu Bei's reign, while Pang Tong, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei did not enjoy this privilege). Zhuge Liang also understood this, as Fa Zheng's swift retribution perfectly aligned with Liu Bei's desire for catharsis, allowing him to vent decades of pent-up frustration. Thus, the person Liu Bei cherished most was indeed the vengeful Fa Zheng (Fa Zheng was the only minister to receive a posthumous title during Liu Bei's reign, while Pang Tong, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei did not enjoy this privilege). Zhuge Liang also expressed understanding, as Fa Zheng's quick vengeance could help Liu Bei indulge in his desires and release years of suppressed anger.

Having spent half a lifetime in loneliness and coldness, you meet someone who transfers their warmth to your heart. Can you confidently say that you will be able to reflect on the mistakes made last time and turn them into dreams

This issue focuses on Liu Bei as the main character, with his extensive relatives as supporting characters, to narrate the premier family of the late Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms—the royal clan of the Han dynasty

The courageous Liu Dai, the benevolent Liu Yu, the upright and brave Liu Yao, the audacious Liu Chong, the protector of the realm Liu Biao, and the cunning Liu Yan have all fallen. Those who leave their names in history may not necessarily possess true abilities; they might simply be of noble birth. However, over the span of four hundred years, the great Han dynasty has flourished, nurturing countless members of the Han clan under the most favorable conditions. Among these outstanding individuals, who is not a remarkable talent of their time? Yet, in the end, it was Liu Bei who triumphed within the family. Why is that? This great family, with its superior conditions, has continuously nurtured numerous members of the Han clan. Among these exceptional individuals, who is not a remarkable talent of their time? Yet, in the end, it was Liu Bei who triumphed within the family. Why is that?

It is worth mentioning that Liu Bei was under the command of Gongsun Zan at that time. If he truly had the principles as depicted in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," he, being the Prime Minister of Pingyuan, should have distanced himself from Gongsun Zan, overthrown this reactionary warlord, or at the very least, made some statement. However, he showed no response to this at all

Liu Bei did not possess a strong principle of sacrificing his life for righteousness, but he did have his own bottom line. In the year that Liu Yu was killed, Liu Bei took the opportunity to assist Kong Rong and permanently parted ways with his old classmate Gongsun Zan. Six years later, when Gongsun Zan was defeated, Liu Bei did not come to his aid either

At the age of 50, Liu Biao sent envoys to pay tribute to the court controlled by Li Jue and Guo Si. From the impoverished and notorious Li Jue and Guo Si, he acquired the titles of General Who Pacifies the South, Governor of Jingzhou, Marquis of Chengwu, and the position of Minister of State, overseeing military affairs in Jing, Yang, and Yu provinces. He then fully utilized the allure of these titles to attract talented individuals, providing a refuge for thousands of intellectuals during the chaotic times, and generously supporting them. Zhuge Liang, who had endured the ravages of war in his childhood, also spent his carefree youth under Liu Biao's protection.

To speak highly of him, he is a person who dares to confront the harsh realities of life, who dares to face the profuse bloodshed. What kind of sufferer and happy person is this? This must be a true warrior

Fourth, why was Liu Xiu able to restore the Han Dynasty while Liu Bei failed

What is even more remarkable is Liu Bei's ability to promote himself; his reputation for loyalty and righteousness is not merely spoken. From rescuing Kong Rong to saving Tao Qian, from personally whipping the county magistrate in Anxi and refusing to bribe him, to abandoning his wife and children at Changban Slope yet still caring for the common people, each instance was a life-risking endeavor to build his reputation. Without these decades of integrity as his hallmark, how could Liu Bei have the story of borrowing Jingzhou without returning it? How could he deceive Liu Zhang into inviting a wolf into his home? Liu Bei is not a benevolent gentleman like Liu Yu; he is a world-renowned hero who has patiently laid a long line for twenty years just to catch a whale.

In the year 192 AD, the Yellow Turban Army in Qingzhou continuously defeated the counties of Yanzhou. Liu Dai, feeling responsible, personally took action and was killed in battle. Cao Cao and other governors watched helplessly from the sidelines. After Liu Dai's death, Cao Cao achieved a great victory over the Yellow Turban Army and gained 300,000 troops from Qingzhou

The author has pondered this issue for a long time, ultimately focusing on the allusion of brewing wine to discuss heroes. The elegance of brewing green plums and wine is a creation of Luo Guanzhong, which naturally draws us in, causing us to overlook the profound impact of Cao Cao's statement in historical texts: "Among the heroes of the world today, only you and I are worthy."

Success is singular; it is about living life in one's own way. Humanity has never been able to decide what it receives, but it has the right to determine what it desires. If even the question of what one wants is decided by others, what significance does achieving it hold? Due to the unique historical opportunities of the Three Kingdoms period, Liu Gongzi, who had been in the wrong profession for forty-one years, surprisingly received the chance to change his career and spent his later years in blissful forgetfulness of Shu. Fortunately, in today's world, each of us has the opportunity to take control of our own destiny, to complete the journey of life in our own way, without having to carry a burden of unwanted baggage that we cannot discard.

In the late 14th century, Chengdu, the Wuhou Shrine was bustling with visitors, while the nearby Zhaolie Temple was deserted with few carriages and horses. Zhu Chuan, the tenth son of Zhu Yuanzhang and a member of the royal family, could not bear to see this disparity. He merged the Wuhou Shrine with the Zhaolie Temple, initiating a bundled offering. It seems that before the popularity of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," people's sentiments towards Liu Bei were indeed rather lukewarm.

Among the numerous descendants of Liu Shenghao, the first to achieve prominence was Liu Bei. From this perspective, Liu Bei is indeed remarkable

The fallen prince Liu Xie contemplated escaping from Chang'an, and his first thought was to seek refuge with this truly related relative. The envoy sent by the emperor was none other than Liu Yu's son, Liu He, who made it clear that you have your benevolence and I have my righteousness; I have no intention of using your son as a hostage. This young Liu was even more straightforward than his father. When passing through Yuan Shu's camp, he unexpectedly revealed the entire plan, which led to his detention by Yuan Shu. Yuan Shu deceived him into writing a letter to his father under the pretext of rescuing the emperor, requesting a thousand troops. Yuan Shu confidently promised that as soon as the reinforcements from Youzhou arrived, they would immediately set off for Chang'an to assist the emperor. It is obvious that even a child could tell that a thousand troops were far from sufficient to reach Chang'an. However, Liu Yu believed that this matter was just, and he was willing to be extorted.

Liu Yu, the Governor of Youzhou, was the son of Liu Qiang, the King of Donghai and a descendant of Liu Xiu, the Emperor Guangwu of the Eastern Han Dynasty. He was also the son of Liu Shu, the Prefect of Danyang. Liu Yu rose steadily to the position of Inspector of Youzhou through merit. He governed with leniency and benevolence, pacifying the people and winning their hearts. People spread the word about him, competing to sing his praises, to the extent that Liu Yu was written into songs and remembered fondly. When a member of the royal family serves as a local official and wins the people's affection, it is only natural for the court in a time of peace to relieve him of his duties.

At the age of 65, Cao Cao launched a northern expedition against the Wuhuan, while Liu Biao rejected Liu Bei's suggestion, missing the final opportunity for a northern campaign

At the age of 52, taking advantage of the death of Liu Yan, the Governor of Yizhou, Liu Biao incited three generals from Yizhou to defect. After these three suffered defeat, they all sought refuge in Jingzhou, one of whom was the renowned Gan Ning, also known as Gan Xingba.

At the age of sixteen, the Shu Han suffered a significant defeat in the Battle of Yiling, resulting in severe damage to its vitality. It is uncertain when Liu Gongzi will come to realize that the great undertaking of unifying the world, which he is destined to bear, had already turned into a mere illusion in this very year

At the age of seventeen, he was entrusted to Zhuge Liang by his father. He was required to treat this father figure as he would his own father, not to commit small evils, and not to neglect small goods. Liu Gong was orphaned, but fortunately, due to the young age of his two younger brothers, there were no issues with the succession of the throne. Among the eleven emperors of the Three Kingdoms, his ascension to the throne was the easiest.

Three visits to the thatched cottage brought Zhuge Liang to the fore

In the year 214 AD, although there were still 30,000 garrison troops in Chengdu, sufficient to sustain a year's worth of provisions, and most officials and common people wished to resist, Liu Zhang ultimately decided to surrender to Liu Bei in order to live out his remaining years in peace. With a single capital unable to contend with Zhang Lu, and relying on a solitary city to resist Liu Bei, what hope was there? Liu Zhang's choice must have had an impact on Liu Shan, 49 years later.

Youzhou was originally a poor province, relying on subsidies from Qingzhou and Jizhou to maintain the operation of its government. Liu Yu alleviated poverty and brought prosperity to Youzhou through foreign trade and the mining of salt and iron, even taking in millions of refugees from Qingzhou and Xuzhou, helping them to settle and thrive. When Dong Zhuo entered the capital, he bestowed upon Liu Yu the prestigious titles of Grand General and Grand Tutor. At the height of Yuan Shao's power, he even considered supporting Liu Yu as emperor, but Liu Yu firmly refused, stating that if pressed further, he would flee to the Xiongnu. Yuan Shao indeed harbored malicious intentions, yet Liu Yu held a province and was well-respected, with a strong military. If he had agreed, he would not have become a puppet; rather, he would have had the opportunity to strengthen his own power. This situation could even withstand the temptation of the throne. Reading history to this point, one cannot help but marvel that such a person truly exists in the world!

Zhang Shicheng, in his early years, was generous and responsive to requests (does this resemble Song Jiang?), relying on his brothers Zhang Shide, Zhang Shixin, and Zhang Shiyi to establish his foundation. After the most valiant and skilled brother, Zhang Shide, was captured and killed, he began to decline, succumbing to a life of indulgence. Nevertheless, he continued to love the people as his own children, to the extent that the people of Suzhou still commemorate him today. (Does this resemble Liu Bei and his sons?) Due to the scarcity of historical materials regarding Luo Guanzhong and Shi Nai'an, there is no conclusive evidence; the above is merely my conjecture, whether true or false, depends on your preference.

At the age of 49, Liu Biao's subordinate, Huang Zu, the governor of Jiangxia, ambushed and killed Sun Jian, the military support of Yuan Shu. Liu Biao cut off Yuan Shu's supply line, forcing him to leave Jingzhou and confront Cao Cao in Yuzhou.

At the age of nineteen, he rescued his uncle from the hands of robbers and personally beheaded the bandit leader. How brave do you think this person is

Liu Gongsi is neither a fool nor an actor of great renown. He is merely someone who has received too many unwanted things, shouldering a mission from birth that no one could accomplish, ultimately deciding to let go and grant himself a release

Regardless of the circumstances, Liu Yan always had an excuse not to pay taxes to the court. He also refused to send troops during the Dong Zhuo Rebellion, shutting himself in to suppress the powerful, consolidate his power, shape public opinion, and enhance his own status. Although he never openly declared himself emperor, his actions were not much different from those of an emperor. If one were to say that Liu Yan did anything good in his lifetime, it would be that he sheltered tens of thousands of refugees from the Central Plains. The troops formed from these individuals were called the Dongzhou Army, and later generations referred to the outsiders around Liu Yan as the Dongzhou faction.

From a microscopic perspective

Firstly, Liu Xiu had an elder brother who provided him with a solid foundation, whereas Liu Bei did not even have a biological brother. Liu Bei had gathered some talented individuals, but in comparison to Liu Xiu's twenty-eight generals of the Cloud Terrace, he appeared rather lacking.

Liu Yao was renowned for his integrity and held in high esteem. However, among the warlords of the late Han dynasty, Yuan Shu has always been perceived as both foolish and arrogant. In contrast, when compared to Liu Yao, he appears to be quite shrewd and cunning. Liu Yao is not mentioned in the "Book of the Later Han," and in the "Records of the Three Kingdoms: Book of Wu," Chen Shou awkwardly places the biographies of Liu Yao and Tai Shici between the biographies of the emperors and the empresses of Wu, which indeed raises many questions regarding the information contained therein. Liu Yao is not mentioned in the "Book of the Later Han," and in the "Records of the Three Kingdoms: Book of Wu," Chen Shou awkwardly places the biographies of Liu Yao and Tai Shici between the biographies of the emperors and the empresses of Wu, which indeed raises many questions regarding the information contained therein

Liu Bei in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" bears a striking resemblance to Zhang Shicheng rather than to Liu Bei himself. Since the author is discussing history, it is essential to remove the makeup of Lao Luo and the likely existing mask of Zhang Shicheng, revealing the true face of the Emperor Zhaolie of Shu Han as a formidable hero of the realm

From a macro perspective

In the year 193 AD, Liu Yu's entire family was killed, and their heads were retrieved by his subordinates during transport to the capital for burial.

Liu Bei soon set off with his brothers, and from that point on, regardless of whether Cao Cao was strong or even stronger, he never compromised with Cao Cao again

The path to taking office, though it had its ups and downs, ultimately turned out to be safe and sound. After securing Yizhou, Liu Yan's first consideration was how to justify not paying taxes to the court. Such is the awareness that teaching has instilled, pfft.

Yuan Shao and Cao Cao are essentially both usurpers of the Han dynasty. Formally speaking, Cao Cao at least supported the emperor. In terms of personal interactions, Liu Bei was also in opposition to Yuan Shao when he served under Gongsun Zan. Why could he work for the powerful usurper Yuan Shao but oppose Cao Cao to the end? Because Cao Cao valued him, valued him to the point of making him uneasy

To put it bluntly, he is like a cockroach that will keep running as long as you can't kill him, running and running until you can no longer reach him

Liu Yu was the highest military and political official in Youzhou, while Gongsun Zan served as the commander of the Youzhou military district, under Liu Yu's command. Liu Yu aimed to pacify the populace, whereas Gongsun Zan sought to allow his subordinates to plunder. Liu Yu desired peace, while Gongsun Zan favored warfare; the conflict between them persisted, yet they were compelled to compromise due to their interdependent relationship. When Yuan Shu attempted to exploit the situation, Gongsun Zan strongly opposed him (likely at the cost of his own troops). After his opposition proved ineffective, Gongsun Zan, fearing he might offend Yuan Shu, sent his brother Gongsun Yue to assist Yuan Shu as a gesture of goodwill. Unexpectedly, Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu turned against each other, resulting in Gongsun Yue's death in battle. From that point on, Gongsun Zan became irreconcilable with Yuan Shao, igniting a major conflict. The relationship between Liu Yu and Gongsun Zan completely deteriorated

For many years, there has been no opportunity for promotion or salary increase, and the work location keeps changing. The boss is constantly dependent on others, and the employees feel humiliated. With limited assets and multiple bankruptcies, how can one endure for over twenty years, working diligently and without complaint? Clearly, there are no benefits to be gained. Is it the ideal of restoring the Han dynasty? Please. How can one endure for over twenty years, working diligently and without complaint? Clearly, there are no benefits to be gained. Is it the ideal of restoring the Han dynasty? Please.