novelSusiti Chapter 96 Utter Rebellion
Chapter 96 Utter Rebellion
Chapter 96 Outrageous Rebellion (First Update)
It was early morning. The sky was still dimly lit. Liu Chen had already made preparations, Zhang Sheng led the guards, and Yang Yong and ten old guests set off together.
Huang Chong stayed at home to observe the situation in Chengdu.
"Du'er has only been born for three days, and you want to go to Dujiangyan? You father... sigh." Consort Li had blocked Liu Chen for three days, and before leaving, she even tried to put up a stubborn resistance to prevent Liu Chen from leaving.
"Can't you just not go?" Consort Li asked.
Liu Chen said, "No."
To receive the crown, one must bear its weight. This father and son are destined to be separated more often than together from now on; let it begin here.
Of course, he loved his son too. It was just fate that he was born into the Wang family.
Consort Li watched her son leave with a resentful expression.
Before leaving, Huang Chong, with a solemn expression, approached Liu Chen's carriage, placed his hands on it, and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, the situation is very delicate right now. This old minister believes that Your Majesty should not leave Chengdu."
There are no signs that Cao Wei is going to attack Liu Han yet, but he keenly senses that this is a critical time.
This may have been the beginning of Liu Chen's struggle for the throne. At this critical juncture, it would have been unwise for Liu Chen to leave Chengdu.
But Liu Chen knew that seizing the throne would have to wait until a war broke out. It was still too early.
Dujiangyan is a must-visit.
Liu Chen replied, "Rest assured, I know what I'm doing." After a pause, he smiled and said, "I will be back soon, especially since you are in Chengdu... If anything happens, send someone to deliver a message to me, and I will return immediately."
The main route to Dujiangyan is by water, and it's not far.
Huang Chong looked closely at Liu Chen's face, and finally let go, releasing Liu Chen.
Having followed Liu Chen for several years, he knew Liu Chen's temperament very well. He was open to advice but also had his own ideas.
In other words, Liu Chen did not completely listen to his advisors.
Moreover, going to Dujiangyan may not necessarily bring bad results.
As Huang Chong let go, the convoy slowly started moving, leaving the palace and heading towards the ferry.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty, on the birth of the Crown Prince."
"Congratulations, Your Majesty."
People kept coming to offer their congratulations along the roadside. In fact, after the people received the news, some elders had already gone to the palace as representatives to offer their congratulations. Liu Chen hosted a banquet and they had a joyous occasion.
However, upon learning that Liu Chen was going out today, many people still came to congratulate him.
His joy was palpable. It was absolutely genuine, without a trace of falsehood.
This is all a result of Liu Chen's good treatment of Menghu over the years.
Liu Chen's carriage didn't stop, but he was inwardly overjoyed. He thought, "This shows that a nation's strength lies not in favorable timing or strategic location, but in the hearts of the people. As long as one wins the hearts of the people, even if one is situated in the Central Plains, a region surrounded by enemies, one can be as solid as a rock. If one fails to win the hearts of the people, even if one is in a remote area like Sichuan, one will be in a precarious situation."
"Now I am king, and the Northern Kingdom is peaceful and prosperous. Tomorrow I will be emperor, and the Han Dynasty will surely become strong and powerful."
Filled with hope and anticipation, Liu Chen arrived at the ferry crossing by car, then transferred to a boat and sailed against the wind and waves to Dujiangyan.
Liu Chen was frugal and didn't own any luxurious ships. However, he had a good fourth brother, Liu Zan, and would always take advantage of him whenever there was a good opportunity. This time, he also borrowed a large ship, along with more than ten other vessels for his retinue.
The boats were lined up one after another, and the banners of the "King of the North" fluttered in the wind. Ships encountered along the way recognized the magnificent and large procession as the King of the North's journey.
Liu Chen's fleet moved like a crab, domineering and aggressive, with other ships avoiding it at all costs.
Yang Yong and ten other old guests also stayed on Liu Chen's boat. They would stand at the bow from time to time to admire the scenery, their faces full of excitement.
Human beings are subject to unpredictable fortune and misfortune.
Old people will die. Of the ten guests currently following Liu Chen, three joined later.
Like Yang Yong, they all admired Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang. However, this was their first time traveling to Dujiangyan.
He was as excited as a child.
Dujiangyan is the lifeline of Sichuan and one of Prime Minister Zhuge Liang's great achievements.
Ah, how exhilarating!
The boat can only go as far as the vicinity of Dujiangyan, but a carriage is still needed to reach Dujiangyan.
After the boats stopped, Liu Chen mounted his horse and arranged for Yang Yong and the others to ride in carriages. The group then arrived at Dujiangyan in a grand procession.
The official in charge of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Guan Cheng, led 1,200 soldiers who were responsible for guarding the system, and they lined up neatly to welcome Liu Chen.
Liu Chen spoke with Guan Cheng while looking at the 1,200 soldiers, and was quite satisfied.
Even the worst person knows that Dujiangyan is the lifeline of Sichuan and Chongqing, and cannot be taken lightly. So, while corrupt officials are rampant in the Liu Han dynasty, the situation in Dujiangyan is like a white lotus rising from the mud, untainted.
The soldiers were all ruddy-faced and very strong.
Guan Cheng invited Liu Chen to stay at the government office, but Liu Chen refused and asked Guan Cheng to take him to the dam immediately.
The entire Dujiangyan Irrigation System is a damless water diversion system with three main projects: the Fish Mouth Weir, the Feisha Weir, and the Baopingkou Weir, which divert the surging water into a gentle river that benefits the Chengdu Plain.
This fostered the land of abundance, known as the "Land of Abundance." And this magnificent project is still needed even in modern society.
Irreplaceable.
"Li Bing and his son are truly remarkable people," Liu Chen remarked sincerely as he stood on the dam observing the water's flow.
Zhuge Liang was very capable, but he only maintained the Dujiangyan Irrigation System.
Li Bing and his son were pioneers; they were truly great.
Guan Cheng was initially apprehensive about Liu Chen's arrival, given Liu Chen's notorious reputation. However, after getting to know him, he was surprised to find Liu Chen quite easy to get along with, and thus relaxed.
He laughed and said, "Your Majesty is right. Li Bing and his son are truly extraordinary men. There are still temples dedicated to Li Bing, his son, and the Prime Minister on the mountain. People worship them, and the incense burns continuously."
"Lead me to see the Prime Minister," Liu Chen said happily.
"Yes," Guan Cheng bowed in agreement. Under his guidance, Liu Chen walked uphill for a while and arrived at the mountainside where he saw two temples standing side by side.
They were all illegal temples.
One was Prime Minister Zhuge.
One is Li Bing and his son.
Liu Chen had pigs and sheep brought out and first offered sacrifices to Li Bing and his son with the rites of a lesser sacrificial animal. Then he turned to offer sacrifices to Prime Minister Zhuge Liang.
There is a statue of Zhuge Liang inside the temple.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Liu Chen, as the King of Beidi, knelt before the statue of Zhuge Liang and bowed.
Yang Yong, the guests, Guan Cheng, and others who were watching were moved.
"Prime Minister, please forgive me, I have committed a great act of treason." Liu Chen straightened up, looked up at the statue of Zhuge Liang, and thought to himself.
A man like Zhuge Liang is like a mirror, reflecting evil and wickedness. Even though Liu Chen knew he was right, he still felt somewhat ashamed in front of the Prime Minister.
After Liu Chen stood up, guests such as Yang Yong and military men like Zhang Sheng also stepped forward to pay their respects to the Prime Minister.
Yang Yong and the others were moved, and their crying was heart-wrenching. Those who heard it were deeply touched, and those who listened were heartbroken.
Guan Cheng watched from the side, his expression thoughtful.
After paying homage to Zhuge Liang, Liu Chen settled down at Dujiangyan. He enjoyed the scenery of Dujiangyan and the local delicacies while waiting for the storm to arrive.
It's almost here, it's really almost here this time.
Luoyang.
Sima Zhao prepared to attack the Shu Kingdom.