Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1101 Advice to Become Emperor: A Shocking Move

Ma Chao gestured for Li Ru to sit down, then personally poured him a cup of hot tea, saying with a smile, "Mr. Wenyou, your strategic planning is truly admirable; this cup of tea is a tribute to you." After Li Ru thanked him and took his seat, Ma Chao turned to the people in the hall, his gaze sharp and piercing: "Now that the situation in the Central Plains is clear, everyone, please tell me, where should our Western Liang place its next move?"

Xu Shu, dressed in a blue robe, rose first and cupped his hands in greeting: "My lord, Yuan Shao controls the four provinces of You, Ji, Qing, and Yan, with hundreds of thousands of armored soldiers. He is truly the strongest enemy in the world. His power is immense and his foundation is deep. If we do not contain him as soon as possible, once his internal strife subsides, he will surely become a major threat to our Western Liang. In my opinion, we should take advantage of the power struggle among his sons and the instability of his army to march out of Tongguan, control Luoyang, and use Luoyang as a base to directly take Yan Province—this is the strategy to sever Yuan Shao's left arm and seize the throat of the Central Plains."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Su rose, fanning himself with his feather fan: "Yuanzhi's words are reasonable, but too hasty. Yuan Shao is strong, but difficult to shake in the short term. On the contrary, Lü Bu and Cao Cao are locked in a fierce battle along the Xuchang and Runan line, which is the perfect opportunity. If our army goes out of Tongguan and occupies Luoyang, and then launches a surprise attack on Lü Bu's rear with our elite troops, we can take Xuchang and Runan in one fell swoop. We can not only seize the emperor's banner, but also cut off Cao Cao's way back east. Wouldn't that be even better? Lü Bu is brave but lacks strategy. Although he has Zhang Liao's old troops under his command, their morale is not stable. If we act now, our chances of victory will be much greater."

“What you two say is biased,” Jia Xu stroked his beard and spoke slowly. “The Central Plains are in chaos, a time when even the two sides are locked in a struggle. Why should our army rush in? In my opinion, we should turn our attention to Yizhou with our cavalry. Liu Zhang is cowardly and has been terrified by General Zhang Ren. If our army marches out of Hanzhong and strikes Chengdu directly, we can surely pacify Yizhou within three months. Yizhou is a fertile land with thousands of acres of farmland that can be used as granaries thanks to the Dujiangyan Irrigation System. It also has the natural barrier of Jiange, which is easy to defend and difficult to attack. Taking Yizhou will allow us to connect with Xiliang and Hanzhong, providing a strategic foothold for both advance and retreat. Then we can launch our attack on the Central Plains. This is the most foolproof strategy. Moreover, Yizhou is the place where Emperor Gaozu of Han rose to power. Occupying this precious land is in accordance with the will of Heaven and the hearts of the people.”

As soon as the three finished speaking, the council hall fell silent. The generals either frowned in deep thought or stared intently, all weighing the pros and cons of the three strategies: Xu Shu's strategy of "attacking Yuan" directly attacked the strongest enemy, but it might lead to a protracted war; Lu Su's strategy of "attacking Lü" seemed easy, but it would have to face the counterattacks of both Cao Cao and Lü Bu's forces; Jia Xu's strategy of "taking advantage" was steady and methodical, but it seemed to be separated from the main battlefield in the Central Plains, and might cause them to miss the initiative.

Ma Chao tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, his gaze sweeping over the map of Luoyang, Xudu, and Chengdu, remaining silent.

After a long while, Ma Chao turned his gaze to Li Ru, who had been sitting silently, and said gently, "Mr. Wenyou is known for his firm opinions. Just now, everyone had their own opinion. I wonder what your insightful view is?"

Li Ru slowly rose, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall. Suddenly, he spoke, his voice low but each word clear: "In my humble opinion, it would be better if Your Majesty were to directly declare yourself Emperor."

With a loud "boom," the council chamber seemed to erupt into chaos.

Jia Xu, who was stroking his beard, suddenly stopped, as two strands of his beard were ripped off. His eyes widened, clearly not expecting Li Ru to utter such a shocking statement. Xu Shu's teacup trembled, and he didn't even notice the tea splashing onto his sleeve, his brows furrowed into a tight knot. Lu Su's hand froze in mid-air, his composure completely gone.

The generals reacted in completely different ways—Zhang Liao slammed his hand on the table, the clanging of his armor echoing loudly; Pang De stood up abruptly, his eyes blazing with fury; Xu Huang clenched his fists, his breathing becoming heavier, each of them staring intently at Li Ru, as if those two words had ignited a long-buried flame within them.

Ma Chao's smile vanished instantly, his brows furrowed, and he said in a deep voice, "Mr. Wenyou, we have known each other for many years, why would you utter such a jest?" His voice carried a hint of barely perceptible anger. "The world is still unsettled, and the people are suffering. If I were to rashly declare myself emperor, how would I be any different from those usurpers and traitors? Moreover, wouldn't this place my Western Liang in opposition to all the other warlords?"

Li Ru remained unmoved, bowing and saying, "My lord, please calm your anger. What I said was not a joke, but a plan devised after careful consideration of the situation." He looked up at Ma Chao, his gaze earnest, "My lord, consider this: Yuan Shao now controls Hebei, Cao Cao covets the Central Plains, and Lü Bu holds the emperor hostage to command the other warlords. Each of them harbors rebellious intentions. My lord has pacified the grasslands and recovered Hexi, winning the hearts of the people and the loyalty of the soldiers. Your prestige has already far surpassed that of the other warlords. Declaring yourself emperor at this time is not for the sake of a title, but to raise a banner—to let the world know that there is a true new ruler who can bring peace to the land, not a puppet emperor confined to Xuchang."

“Furthermore,” he changed the subject, “after you become emperor, you can rightfully bestow official titles and ranks, thus winning over the hearts of the people. Your soldiers have fought for many years, and all they seek is fame and fortune. If you can grant them a chance to serve the emperor, the effect will far surpass any words. As for the Liu family's rule… since Liu Bian’s death, the Han dynasty has long existed in name only. What the people yearn for is stability, not just a surname with an empty temple name.”

These words carried weight, and the commotion in the hall gradually subsided. The generals' eyes gleamed even brighter, while the strategists remained frowning, clearly still weighing the pros and cons.

Ma Chao remained silent for a long time before pressing his fingertips heavily on the two characters "Chang'an" on the table. His voice was deep and resonant: "This matter is too important. Allow me to think it over carefully. Wenyou, do not mention what you said today to anyone else."

Li Ru bowed and replied, "Your subordinate obeys."

The atmosphere in the council hall became somewhat stagnant for a moment. The heated debate on strategy had vanished, leaving only the lingering echo of Li Ru's words about "becoming emperor" in everyone's minds.

The candlelight in the council hall flickered, casting Ma Chao's shadow on the wall, sometimes long, sometimes short. His fingertips hovered over the table, neither pointing to Hebei, where Yuan Shao was based, nor to Xuchang, which was occupied by Lü Bu. They just hung there quietly, as if weighing a decision of immense weight.

The hall was so quiet that one could hear the soft popping of candle flames. Xu Shu's hand, holding the teacup, tightened slightly; the tea had long since gone cold. Lu Su stared at the map, lost in thought. Jia Xu closed his eyes, seemingly resting, but the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were deeper than ever before.

Several generals, however, could not contain themselves. Zhang Liao and Xu Huang exchanged a glance, both seeing the barely suppressed restlessness in each other's eyes—Li Ru's earlier words about "declaring oneself emperor" were like a spark thrown into a tinderbox, igniting a burning desire within them. Pang De subtly straightened his spine, his hand unconsciously resting on the hilt of his sword at his waist, his knuckles slightly white—a look of suppressed rage. They had fought alongside Ma Chao on the grasslands for two years, and shed blood in the Central Plains, all for the hope of one day achieving great things with their lord. If they could truly reach that point, even death would be worthwhile.

Zhang Xiu sat at the end of the table, his eyes lowered, but a barely perceptible smile played on his lips. He had followed Dong Zhuo into the capital years ago, fighting for many years, and he knew all too well the weight of the word "reputation." Only if his lord could truly take that step would the banner of Xiliang truly be established.

Ma Chao suddenly raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the crowd before finally settling on Li Ru. Li Ru met his gaze calmly, as if his earlier earth-shattering words were nothing more than ordinary advice.

Ma Chao let out a long sigh, his breath heavy with worry, like a stone thrown into still water. Everyone in the hall instantly calmed down, even their breathing became lighter.

"Do you know," he began slowly, his voice hoarse from a sleepless night, his gaze sweeping across the map spread out on the table, as if he could see the impending flames of war burning through the ink, "that rashly declaring oneself emperor would be like putting Xiliang on the hot seat of fire. All the warlords of the land, whether sincerely supporting the Han dynasty or coveting the imperial power, will rush over under the banner of 'punishing the rebels'—Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, Lü Bu, and even Sun Quan, far away in Jiangdong, will temporarily set aside their grudges and turn their spears against us first. At that time, Xiliang will be surrounded by enemies on all sides, how many soldiers will be buried on the battlefield? How many people will suffer the ravages of war again?"

Li Ru bowed his head, his back ramrod straight, but his voice grew even more resolute: "How could I not know what you say, my lord? But in chaotic times, those who achieve great things never lack the courage to burn their boats." He looked up at Ma Chao, his gaze intense, "If my lord only wishes to be a regional warlord, guarding the foundation of Xiliang, he can proceed step by step, either allying with one side against another, or observing the situation quietly. Living a peaceful life is not impossible."

"But does my lord truly only have Xiliang in his heart?" Li Ru's voice suddenly rose a few decibels, carrying a hint of barely perceptible passion. "Back then, beneath Chang'an, my lord fought bloody battles, not only for revenge but also to ensure that the people of Xiliang would no longer be bullied; he marched north to the grasslands, raising the prestige of our Han people, so that the people on the border would no longer be plundered. How could such a magnanimous heart be tolerated by a mere 'warlord'?"

He stepped forward, his tone earnest: "If you wish to conquer the world, unify the four seas, and bring peace to all people, some steps must be taken sooner or later. Becoming emperor may seem like inviting disaster, but in reality, it's about raising a great banner—giving hope to those who yearn for stability, and letting your soldiers understand why they fight. Even with countless difficulties and dangers, once you overcome them, you will find a bright and clear world!"

Ma Chao remained silent, his fingertips repeatedly stroking the two characters "Chang'an," the calluses on his fingertips brushing against the rough paper, making a soft rustling sound.

Ma Chao's voice grew increasingly hoarse, like a blade sharpened by wind and sand, each word carrying a heavy weight: "You all dream of achieving great deeds, but how could I not wish to restore peace and order to the world?"

He raised his hand and placed it on the table, his knuckles turning white from the force. His gaze swept over everyone in the hall, finally settling on the map of Xiliang. His voice was filled with sorrow: "Leaving aside other places, let's just talk about Xiliang. Since Lord Dong led his troops into Luoyang, it has been less than ten years. Do you count how many fine young men from Xiliang have died in battle?"

“Xiliang is located on the border, with barren land and sparse population.” He paused, as if something was stuck in his throat. “Over the years, the Battle of Tongguan, the Battle of Weishui, the Northern Expedition to the Grasslands… how many major battles have there been? Outsiders only see the formidable reputation of the Xiliang cavalry, but they don’t see the white banners hanging in front of every household in Xiliang. Every time they returned from an expedition, what awaited them at the city gate was not a triumphant feast, but countless mothers weeping their hearts out and countless wives becoming widows.”

The council chamber was eerily quiet; even the crackling of the candlelight could be heard. The excitement on the faces of the military officers gradually faded, replaced by solemnity—they had all crawled out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood, and what their lord was saying was what they had witnessed and experienced firsthand.

"This time we returned victorious from the grasslands," Ma Chao's voice lowered, tinged with weariness. "At night, I often think that I need to rest for at least three to five years. I want the men who have risked their lives with me to be able to go home, hug their children, and talk to their parents; I want the land of Xiliang to breathe, to let the crops grow stronger, and to let the cattle and sheep multiply... I want to see Xiliang regain its vitality, instead of burying my bones in foreign lands time and time again."

He raised his hand and wiped his face, as if to wipe something away. When he looked up again, the excitement in his eyes was gone, replaced by a heavy sense of responsibility: "Whether it's becoming emperor or fighting for hegemony, if it comes at the cost of the blood of the people of Xiliang, I would rather not take such a 'great cause'."