Regarding the next liquidation plan proposed by Liu Bei, some people in the court felt that enough was enough.
The Dutian Order has been successful, and Liu Bei has accomplished something that even Emperor Guangwu could not do. Continuing will not necessarily bring more victories to Liu Bei, but may bring a lot of trouble.
Therefore, some officials from the old official faction suggested that Liu Bei should stop.
But at this juncture, Lu Zhi, who also belonged to the old official faction, stood up and firmly supported Liu Bei's liquidation strategy to the end, and supported Liu Bei's launch of post-Autumn reckoning after the war to further liquidate those unclean families.
Not only those guys who took the initiative to stand up, but those behind them must also dig out, pull out the carrots and bring out the mud, and wipe out those bastards, so that the Second Empire of the Han Dynasty has accumulated more than a hundred years of abuses.
Clear once.
Lu Zhi's reason is simple: to eliminate all evil.
Since the fight has begun, since it has been a bloody war, and Liu Bei has even won, then he should enjoy the rights that the victor should have.
There is no reason to apologize to others after winning a battle.
Since they did not choose to use political means to solve the problem with Liu Bei, but chose military means, then after defeat, they must swallow all the bitter fruits, no matter what the winner does, otherwise - they can choose to rebel again,
The big deal is, let's see who can win.
Lu Zhi knew very well that blaming all problems on military issues was the stupidest mistake made by the enemy, but it was Liu Bei's greatest advantage, because Liu Bei indeed preferred and was better at military means than political means.
Once any problem requires military means to be solved, the opponent can prepare for his funeral in advance.
There are many people who know this fact, but when the time comes, there are still so many people who choose this option. That is simply seeking death. The winner never needs to pity the loser.
Lu Zhi's support caused great controversy in the court.
Because Lu Zhi has always had a low-key and restrained image, during the Dutian Order period, Lu Zhi was uncharacteristically active and participated in it. As a Taiwei, he visited the Privy Council many times to advise on the war situation in various places and discussed with the staff.
During the war, he even refuted Xun You's views many times and had a great time discussing it.
Liu Bei did not seem to be afraid of the occurrence of this situation. He allowed Lu Zhi to go to the Privy Council to consult military aircraft and learn about the latest battle developments. He also discussed with Lu Zhi many details of the Tiandu Order and followed Lu Zhi's suggestions.
As for the series of events that followed, many of them had Lu Zhi's shadow in them, including Liu Bei's liquidation of the old clan of the Second Empire. Lu Zhi was also an insider and expressed support for Liu Bei's actions.
Liu Bei knew why Lu Zhi supported him in this way, so he was relieved and allowed Lu Zhi to be uncharacteristically positive during this period, just like letting a firework set off enthusiastically, blooming with the most dazzling brilliance.
Liu Bei had a hunch that this was probably the last time his teacher Lu Zhi danced in the Luoyang court.
Faced with the argument, Lu Zhi's beard and hair were all tangled, his eyes were wide with anger, and he looked like Zhang Fei. He pointed at the old officials who objected and yelled angrily, scolding them for harboring evil intentions. If they didn't support it, get out of the court. There was no need for more in the court.
One insect has an extra bite to eat!
His tough stance made many people stunned, as if they had never known Lu Zhi before. They felt that Lu Zhi had some serious illness and whether he needed a few injections from the palace doctor to treat him.
But Lu Zhi was indeed not sick, he was just too excited and happy.
Once his long-cherished wish came true, his biggest wish was realized right before his eyes, and it was realized so beautifully, how could he not be excited?
Therefore, he also maintained maximum support for Liu Bei's continued liquidation policy, helped Liu Bei fight with the Confucian scholars, and finally passed this decision in the court. The subsequent events caused by the Dutian Order have not yet ended, and further liquidation is still going on.
The imperial court would never simply let go of the situation.
Liu Bei will never give up until the old ecological network is completely torn apart.
I want to expand!
The largest and most necessary political storm since the founding of the Third Reich violently arose after the military storm, sweeping away hundreds of years of accumulated abuses.
After the court meeting, Liu Bei invited Lu Zhi to talk in the study. The teacher and student sat opposite each other, and Liu Bei helped Lu Zhi pour tea as before.
"Teacher, I have achieved more than half of your wish. It only takes a little more time. All the shortcomings accumulated since the resurgence of the Han Dynasty can be solved by the disciples, and the Han Dynasty can go into battle lightly.
In the future, the disciples will find a new path for the Han Dynasty, so that the people of the Han Dynasty do not have to continue to fight for and kill each other in this three-acre land. They should go to more distant and fertile places to open up new things.
"
Liu Bei smiled and offered Lu Zhi a cup of tea.
Lu Zhi took the cup of tea and also smiled.
"Master knows that you can definitely do it. Sooner or later, you can definitely do it. Whether it's internal or external, you can definitely do it."
After taking a sip of tea, Lu Zhi put down the teacup and sighed slightly.
"Teacher is incompetent. I have to ask this disciple to help the teacher fulfill his wish. But the teacher himself can't do anything. He can only watch you charge into the battle alone and fight desperately. If you are not careful, your reputation will be ruined.
There is no end to it, as a teacher... I am quite a failure."
As he said this, Lu Zhi's eye circles suddenly turned red.
He stretched out his hand and rubbed his eyes.
"Fortunately, it's done. This thing has finally come true. We have survived all the difficulties and hardships. It's done. We have accomplished what Emperor Guangwu failed to accomplish. You are really good."
Having a disciple like you is the greatest pride of my life, Lu Zhi."
Liu Bei smiled.
"I am satisfied to receive such evaluation from you, and my life as your disciple can be considered complete."
"Yes, it's complete."
Lu Zhi smiled and said slowly: "So, as an old guy, I should abdicate and leave Luoyang to go back to my hometown. I think it's time for me to go back to my hometown."
With that said, Lu Zhi reached out and took out a memorial book from his arms and handed it to Liu Bei.
Liu Bei hesitated for a moment, stretched out his hand to take it, and unfolded it to see that it was a begging bone list.
Lu Zhi, who was not yet 60 years old, asked Liu Bei to beg for his body. He wanted to leave Luoyang, resign all his positions, return to his hometown in Zhuo County, Youzhou, and spend the rest of his life there.
In order to express his gratitude to the court and Liu Bei himself, he specifically hoped that the court would not give him too many beggary benefits, especially not as much as the Taiwei's specifications. He could not use so much. He still had land at home and his family still had enough money.
He could have enough food and clothing, but if he was given too much, he was worried that his descendants would live a luxurious life and forget the hardships of their predecessors in starting a business.
Liu Bei was deeply moved by his request.
In another timeline, his teacher Lu Zhi was actually supposed to have died three years ago.
At that time, Lu Zhi probably died with deep loss, worry and resentment. He died in depression after failing to restore the collapse of the Han Dynasty. He should not be able to let go of such a situation even before his death.
At this moment, Lu Zhi probably made this request with a deep sense of satisfaction. He was already satisfied, and he felt that he had no regrets in his life.
His biggest wish came true and his past regrets were nothing. The big man's future was limitless and bright. He felt that it was enough. He was about to turn sixty and had nothing more to think about.
He is tired, very tired, very tired. He just wants to return to his hometown, which he has not been to for a long time, and spend his whole life in the place where he was born and grew up. Maybe he can use the remaining life to educate his descendants and prevent them from going astray in the future.
, and become a useless insect.
Therefore, Lu Zhi was very satisfied when he made a request to Liu Bei.
Liu Bei had no reason not to agree to this request.
After a long silence, Liu Bei sighed and accepted the begging bone memorial.
"Teacher, I really want to retain you, but I also understand you deeply. Therefore, teachers and students will not talk about making concessions between teachers and students. I have accepted this begging bone memorial.
Agreed, I will respond to your request soon."
"So good."
Lu Zhi showed a relieved smile as if he was relieved, picked up the teacup, and took a beautiful sip.
"I don't know how long it will take for the rest of my life, but I think I can enjoy the peaceful years. Ah, you must continue to be the emperor, the wise king, the holy king, and let me enjoy the peaceful years more. I
This life has been too busy. In my twilight years, I just want to rest and nothing else."
When Liu Bei heard this, he smiled bitterly.
"The teacher's journey is over, but the disciple's journey has just begun. Teacher, I envy you so much."
"You should really envy me because I have such an outstanding disciple, but you don't."
Lu Zhi chuckled, pointed at Liu Bei and said: "This outstanding disciple has fulfilled my greatest wish and relieved me of my greatest worries, allowing me to return to my hometown without any worries and enjoy peace. As for you, you can
There are no such outstanding disciples who can allow you to return to your hometown and enjoy peace, right? Hahahahahaha..."
Lu Zhi smiled and laughed out loud, very heartily and happily.
Liu Bei didn't know whether to laugh or cry. There was nothing he could do about Lu Zhi who suddenly became cheerful.
Lu Zhi was right, he had such an outstanding disciple, but he, Liu, was not so lucky. There were many outstanding disciples, but there were really none who were that outstanding.
He still needs to worry about this country, worry about all the troubles in this country, and need to work like a sweatshop for decades, so that the empire he created can continue to follow his expectations.
From this perspective, Lu Zhi is really lucky.
And he, Liu, may be, in a sense, the most unfortunate person in the entire Han Empire.
Three days after this meeting, Liu Bei announced Lu Zhi's begging memorial, and approved Lu Zhi's memorial, allowing him to retire peacefully according to his request, resign all positions, and return to his hometown with honor.
Despite this, Liu Bei went against Lu Zhi's wishes and gave him the title of Taishi, allowing him to retire honorably as a Taishi and return to his hometown to enjoy his old age in peace, outside the Three Realms and not among the Five Elements.
Because Lu Zhi actually did not hold any real power, his departure had no impact on the power ecology of the Luoyang court.
But because of his great status and influence, his departure still has some impact on people's hearts.
At least for Liu Bei, the impact was quite large.
Lu Zhi took care of everything two days after Liu Bei allowed him to leave. He said goodbye to all his old friends and had a drink with them. Then he packed his bags and said goodbye to Luoyang in a very chic manner.
Liu Bei did not see him off with his old friends, but came alone to the bank of the Yellow River ferry in the north of Luoyang City to see Lu Zhi off here.
"If you still want to see me in the future, just ask me to come to Luoyang. I'm gone, but I'm not dead. Why do you, a great man, act like a child?"
Lu Zhi held Liu Bei's hand and showed his reluctance to give up, showing a very open-minded attitude.
The two faced each other for a long time without saying anything. Finally, under Liu Bei's reluctant gaze, Lu Zhi boarded the ferry and stood on the bow of the boat, looking at Liu Bei. As the boat slowly floated into the distance, he could no longer see Liu Bei's face clearly.
Until the figure.
Liu Bei also stood on the shore and watched Lu Zhi's retreating figure until he could no longer see him and did not move.
Zhang Rang, who was accompanying Liu Bei, looked at the sky and couldn't help but stepped forward to remind Liu Bei.
"Your Majesty, there will be a Dutian meeting to be held later, so you should go back."
Liu Bei looked at Zhang Rang and nodded slowly.
"I know, I just want to take another look. The teacher is old. I don't know when we will see each other again. We may even never see each other again in this life. Life is impermanent. No one knows what will happen in the next moment. I
The only thing we can do is to make every parting more unforgettable."
Zhang Rang pursed his lips and said slowly: "Your Majesty, it is normal that you are reluctant to part with Mr. Lu, but life has to go on. You are the king of a country and the emperor, so you can only continue to go on."
Liu Bei smiled.
"Yes, I am the king of a country, the emperor. My journey as a teacher is over, but I still have a long way to go."
With that said, Liu Bei stepped forward and walked on the way back and forth.
While walking, he suddenly stopped again.
Zhang Rang, who followed him, was confused for a while.
But I saw Liu Bei looking ahead, his eyes wandering.
"But Lao Zhang, do you know? This is the first time I have experienced such a formal separation. Just now, I had a feeling, a very strange feeling. I feel that from now on, I will experience it many times.
There have been so many separations that I didn’t like, even... farewells forever."
Zhang Rang blinked.
"Your Majesty, you..."
"I'm speaking out of emotion. I'm speaking out suddenly. After all, I'm in my thirties and I'm no longer a young man. Many people at my age have died. I'm still alive. This is great luck.
.”
Liu Bei rubbed his eyes, turned his head and looked at Zhang Rang: "Fortunately, you will always stay by my side, Lao Zhang, I saved your life, so from now on, you can't do anything without my permission.
If you leave at will, you must always be by my side to serve me, do you understand?"
Zhang Rang was stunned for a moment.
Then he smiled.
"That's natural. I have the honor to serve Your Majesty. Even if I die, I must die next to Your Majesty. Even if Your Majesty drives me away, I will never leave. This old slave must promise Your Majesty!"
"Then you have to keep your word."
Liu Bei smiled, turned his head and stopped looking at him, and walked straight forward.
From now on, he will still have to walk his own path for decades, and there will no longer be a teacher to accompany him and guide him.