Section 2, The Kingdom of Heaven

Perhaps we should first consider how to survive in this era of blood and fire After all, life is of utmost importance

He was contemplating Cao Chong's thoughts, while Cao Chong was observing his expression. Noticing that Zhou Buyi's face was uncertain, Cao Chong realized that the two names he mentioned had caught his attention, and he waited to see how he would respond

Zhou Buyi observed Cao Chong's silence and, after a moment, inquired: "Aside from witnessing these peculiar objects, what other experiences have you had, young master?"

Cao Chong thought more and more, falling into deep contemplation

Historically speaking, if Cao Chong had not died, Cao Pi would have had little opportunity; even he himself said, "If Cang Shu had not died, I would also have no hope." However, it is difficult to speculate on events that did not occur. Cao Zhi was also deeply favored by Cao Cao, yet he was ultimately defeated by the treacherous Cao Pi. Even if Cang Shu had survived, the outcome would still be uncertain. Moreover, considering that he is merely an imposter now, whether he could still win Cao Cao's favor as before remains a question.

Should one defeat Cao Pi to become the founding emperor of the Wei state, or should one quietly lend a hand when the great Han dynasty is on the verge of collapse? Would that not mean opposing the old Cao? Can one handle that? It would be unfortunate if the Han dynasty does not revive, and one ends up destroying oneself first. In this era, how much influence does the Han dynasty still hold? How many people can remain loyal to the court? Given one's identity, is it somewhat untimely to propose the revival of the Han dynasty at this moment? In this era, how much influence does the Han dynasty still hold? How many people can remain loyal to the court? Given one's identity, is it somewhat untimely to propose the revival of the Han dynasty at this moment?

Then which person does the young master think is better?" Zhou Buyi immediately followed up with a question

I have seen it all. "Cao Chong thought for a moment and then smiled.

"Has the young master gone to compete again? I wonder who he has defeated this time?" Zhou Buyi said with a smile, looking at the bruise on Cao Zhang's face.

"Yuan Zhi is also here. What are you all talking about? Share it with me." Cao Zhang laughed heartily and beckoned the maid beside him to bring over tea, which he drank in one gulp

A true genius youth, a counterfeit genius youth, the two of them smiled hypocritically at each other.

That person showed me a book, which contained two articles, one about Huo Guang and the other about Wang Mang, Cao Chong pondered for a long time before slowly speaking

However, Zhou Buyi was first captivated by those strange things of his, and now he was drawn to the two articles he mentioned, momentarily overlooking this flaw

Cao Chong, while speaking nonsense, looked at Zhou Buyi's suspicious little face and felt quite pleased with himself. Damn it, what genius youth, isn't he just as easily fooled as anyone else? It turns out that geniuses are not so terrifying after all. He did not consider that even the most talented individuals in ancient times would be bewildered when faced with unfamiliar matters. Zhuge Liang, renowned for his extraordinary intelligence, still believed in the concept of a flat earth. The knowledge accumulated over the past one thousand eight hundred years is indeed an inconceivable matter for the ancients. Not to mention, the so-called polymath Aristotle's erroneous theory that heavier objects fall faster than lighter ones was still prevalent for two thousand years and regarded as a classic. Even if the ancients were geniuses, it was merely a matter of intelligence, not knowledge, as knowledge must be accumulated.

Zhou Buyi's mind was swirling with ideas; at times he felt excited, while at other moments he felt a sense of fear. Unbeknownst to him, a significant choice had already presented itself before him.

Zhou Buyi smiled faintly, lowered his head, and said: "Young master, your broad-mindedness is admirable."

His eyes flickered uncertainly, and countless thoughts surged within him. The biographies of Huo Guang and Wang Mang? There is a significant difference between them. Both were prominent ministers of the Han Dynasty and had assisted several young emperors, wielding great power. The distinction lies in the fact that one was always a loyal minister, while the other later usurped the Han throne and declared himself emperor, thus becoming a treacherous minister. That strange figure should be the Heavenly Emperor. What does the Heavenly Emperor mean by showing these two scrolls to the young master? What will the young master interpret? Does he aspire to be like Huo Guang, or does he wish to emulate Wang Mang? That strange figure should be the Heavenly Emperor. What does the Heavenly Emperor mean by showing these two scrolls to the young master? What will the young master interpret? Does he aspire to be like Huo Guang, or does he wish to emulate Wang Mang?

"Which person is better? Please tell me." Cao Zhang laughed heartily, striding in from outside. Upon entering, he drew the long knife from his waist and tossed it aside, brushing off the dust from his clothes before kneeling down on the side of Zhou Buyi.

Cao Chong momentarily could not think of a response; his smile lingered on his face, yet he was unsure how to reply. However, in Zhou Buyi's eyes, this smile appeared to be an enigmatic and inscrutable one

Which one did the young master look at?" Zhou Buyi stabilized his emotions and asked with a smile

"Hehe, Yuan Zhi, you really don't speak honestly." Cao Zhang touched the wound on his face, "Today, I was knocked off my horse by Zhang Ziwei. I originally wanted to have a fight with Zhang Zhengqing, but that kid ignored me. Sigh, it's all because of Zihuan offending him. My brother really is something, unnecessarily offending someone."

Cao Chong was taken aback, not expecting Zhou Buyi to counter his question. This fellow is quite cunning.

However, by that time, the real Cao Chong's bones would have likely decayed, while I, this counterfeit Cao Chong, am living quite comfortably. History had quietly begun to change when Lao Bai had already incurred a mountain of gambling debts to him.

He knew that although the frugal father Cao Cao did not establish himself in place of the Han, he had paved the way for Cao Pi and made all the necessary preparations. Eleven months after Cao Cao's death, Cao Pi became the emperor of the Great Wei.

Cao Zhang burst into laughter: "Alright, I know that you, Yuan Zhi, have a good relationship with Zhang Zhengqing. Rest assured, I, Cao Zhang, am not a petty person. I can distinguish between what is important and what is not."

Cao Zhang smacked his lips and said helplessly

Cao Chong looked at He Tushu with some confusion and asked, who is Zhang Ziwei, that he would dare to knock Cao Zhang off his horse? And who is Zhang Zhengqing, that he would ignore Cao Zhang and still offend Cao Pi?

In fact, there is a significant flaw in his statement. During the Han Dynasty, books were not organized by volume; they were either scrolls made of silk or bundles of bamboo slips. Even if the books were written on paper, it would not be possible for them to exist as a single volume

Cao Chong suddenly awoke from his contemplation. He looked at Zhou Buyi's face and decided to first probe the inclinations of this talented young man

He slowly contemplated a question: Would Cao Pi later usurp the throne, and what would Zhou Buyi's attitude be—supportive or opposed? He then thought of another question: What about himself?

Zhou Buyi observed but did not respond. He turned to Cao Zhang and said: "Young master need not be disheartened. Zhang Ziwei is the beloved son of General Zhang Wenyuan, the pacifier of bandits. He has grown up on horseback in Bingzhou, so his equestrian skills are certainly superior to yours. However, you possess extraordinary innate strength, and given time, Zhang Ziwei will surely acknowledge his inferiority. As for Zheng Qing, it is understandable that he is not in good spirits, having just lost the Marquis of Xuanwu, so you need not worry about it."