The first question.
Given the Yellow Turban Army's current situation, could his help with strategy really break the siege of Guangzong, overthrow the Later Han, and establish a new dynasty?
Leaving everything else aside, Zhang Jiao had died of illness after being besieged in Guangzong for over a month. That alone seemed like a dead knot that could not be untied, didn't it?
If Zhang Jiao died and was no longer in the Rebel Army Group, what use would helping the Yellow Turban Army devise more plans be to him?
The second question.
The Later Han was also the Liu family's realm.
If he helped the anti-Han rebel Zhang Jiao break the siege of Guangzong, what would Liu Bang think?
Would he stop Zhang Liang, Xiao He, and the others from putting their hearts into devising strategies for him?
With that in mind, Zhu Yuanzhang did not answer Zhang Jiao. Instead, he asked Liu Bang first.
[Zhu Yuanzhang: Han Gaozu, if I help Zhang Jiao, will it affect our deal and alliance?]
[Liu Bang: Let me ask you this. In the original history, after Zhang Jiao led the Yellow Turban Army in rebellion against Han, did the Great Han fall?]
In fact, the animated song Zhang Jiao had obtained that day had already answered this question.
However, the animation's ending had been somewhat unrealistic, so neither Zhang Jiao nor Liu Bang could be certain whether its claim that the Great Han fell after the Yellow Turban Rebellion was suppressed was true.
Now that Zhu Yuanzhang was considering how to make better use of the Rebel Army Group, he no longer minded revealing some history concerning the Han Dynasty ahead of time.
[Zhu Yuanzhang: In the final years of the Later Han, although the Great Han court suppressed the Yellow Turban Rebellion, it led to warlords carving up the land. After a series of wars among the regional lords, the realm split into three kingdoms: Shu Han, Cao Wei, and Sun Wu.]
[Zhu Yuanzhang: Shu Han was founded by Liu Bei, a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan of the Former Han. Cao Wei held Emperor Xian of Han hostage to command the regional lords, while Sun Wu held Jiangdong. The three kingdoms then fought one another for decades. First, Cao Pi usurped Han and established himself as emperor, and afterward, the rulers of Shu Han and Sun Wu proclaimed themselves emperors in succession. Finally, the Sima Clan usurped Cao Wei and established the Jin Dynasty, which also conquered Shu Han and Sun Wu. History calls this "the three kingdoms reunified under Jin."]
After Zhu Yuanzhang posted these two messages, the group fell silent for a while...
Early in the second month of the seventh year of Emperor Gao of Han's reign.
Outside Xiangguo (Xindu), the capital of Zhao.
Liu Bang sat in his carriage, studying the group's messages in silence.
An attendant reported from outside the carriage, "Your Majesty, the King of Zhao has led his officials outside the city gates to welcome you."
"Mm." Liu Bang answered absently, then said, "Summon Lou Jing and Chen Ping."
Although the attendant did not understand what Liu Bang had in mind, he answered, "Yes," and prepared to summon the two men.
But then Liu Bang called out again, "Forget it. No need to summon them. Also, tell Zhang Ao that I'm unwell and won't see him today. Have him arrange a warm room as soon as possible so I can rest."
"Yes."
As the carriage resumed moving, Liu Bang propped his head on one hand and pondered.
Originally, he had wanted Lou Jing and Chen Ping to advise him on this matter.
However, he had neither decided whether to reveal the Rebel Army Group's existence to them nor worked out how to describe the matter on which he wanted their advice. Explaining it would take considerable time, and there was no telling when the Rebel Army Group would close, so he simply considered it on his own first.
Though he knew little about the final years of the Later Han, the contents of the animated song Zhang Jiao had obtained last time, the Later Han's eventual division into three kingdoms and replacement by the Jin Dynasty, and his own experiences at the end of Qin allowed him to conclude that the Later Han was beyond saving.
Shu Han, however, was different. Since its founder, Liu Bei, was a descendant of some Prince Jing of Zhongshan from the Former Han, he could be considered Liu Bang's descendant too.
If he could find a way to help Liu Bei avoid Shu Han's destruction by Jin and unite the realm, wouldn't that allow the Great Han to be rebuilt a third time and extend its imperial reign for several more centuries?
At this thought, Liu Bang immediately entered a message into the Rebel Army Group.
[Liu Bang: From what you've said, the Later Han founded by my descendants must be beyond saving, just like the tyrannical Qin. In that case, never mind helping Zhang Jiao break the siege of Guangzong-even if you help him overthrow Han and establish a new dynasty, I won't mind.]
[Liu Bang: However, I do have an idea about this. Would you two care to hear it?]
Zhang Jiao was delighted to see Liu Bang's two messages.
Originally, he had wanted to imitate merchants lending money, using the Yellow Turbans' future power to obtain knowledge of later events and assistance from Zhu Yuanzhang. He had worried that Liu Bang would intervene and obstruct him.
Sure enough, after he made his request, Zhu Yuanzhang had asked Liu Bang about it.
That had left his heart hanging high in suspense.
To his surprise, not only did Liu Bang refrain from obstructing him, but he even said he did not mind.
As the saying went, repay a gift of peaches with plums.
Zhang Jiao immediately responded to Liu Bang.
[Zhang Jiao: Thank you, Han Gaozu! Whatever your idea may be, please share it. This humble Daoist is all ears.]
[Zhu Yuanzhang: Go ahead, Han Gaozu.]
[Liu Bang: Since that administrator said we each exist in different timelines, and even if our actions differ from the original history, they won't affect that history or one another, why don't we use this Rebel Army Group to cooperate and help each other?]
[Liu Bang: Zhang Jiao's earlier request to make a deal with you reminded me-I currently have clever strategists such as Zhang Liang, Xiao He, Chen Ping, and Lou Jing. Old Zhu, since you could drive out that Mongol Yuan or whatever it was and establish the Ming Dynasty, you must have a number of clever strategists serving you too.]
[Liu Bang: There must also be such men in the final years of the Later Han, where Zhang Jiao is. If the three of us cooperate, or even form an alliance, we could draw on the advisers from the other two timelines. Wouldn't that be splendid?]
Zhang Jiao was overjoyed.
Had Liu Bang been standing before him, he would certainly have bowed in gratitude.
Zhu Yuanzhang pictured Zhang Liang, Xiao He, Chen Ping, Zhuge Liang, Jia Xu, Pang Tong, Lu Su, and all those other advisers whose fame endured through the ages devising strategies for him, and his heart stirred too.
Yet this was how he replied.
[Zhu Yuanzhang: Even if the three of us form an alliance, I'm still getting the short end of the stick-I know what happens in your futures, but neither of you knows mine.]
[Liu Bang: That's easily settled-my advisers and Zhang Jiao's will all prioritize devising strategies for you. Each time this Rebel Army Group opens, we have limited time. Once we finish discussing your affairs, Zhang Jiao and I might not even have any time left. Surely you won't be losing out that way?]
[Zhu Yuanzhang: I still feel I'm losing out.]
Liu Bang sat upright in his carriage, grumbling and cursing.
"What's wrong with this Old Zhu? Why does he quibble over every little thing like a woman?"
He thought it over a little more carefully, then continued trying to persuade him.
[Liu Bang: How about this, then? If someone from the Late Ming joins the group in the future, Zhang Jiao and I will help you coax the information you want out of them. How's that?]
Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes lit up at this, but he did not agree outright. Instead, he continued playing hard to get.
[Zhu Yuanzhang: I'm not afraid to say something unpleasant-you and Zhang Jiao both have little time left to live. By then, you might no longer be in this Rebel Army Group. How would you help me?]
[Liu Bang: Time flows at different rates for all of us. How do you know Zhang Jiao and I will be gone by then?]
[Zhu Yuanzhang: Time flows fastest on your side.]
[Liu Bang: It was only faster than yours once. How do you know it won't be slower next time?]
[Zhu Yuanzhang: Hard to say.]
"This brat is unfit to plot with!" Liu Bang was truly furious now and had lost his patience. He was ready to say to hell with it and give Zhu Yuanzhang a thorough tongue-lashing in the group.
Just then, the administrator stirred.
[Administrator: The "Rebel Army Q&A" segment will begin shortly. Correct answers earn rewards, and incorrect answers incur penalties. Group members, please prepare!]
Another quiz already?
Liu Bang's expression shifted slightly. He immediately recalled those three days after he had answered incorrectly last time and that damned thing had inflicted the "Sleeve-Cutting Fetish" Negative Status on him—three days he had found both humiliating and rather thrilling.
Previously, when he heard that some nobles before the Qin Dynasty had favored men, he had found it difficult to understand and often mocked them.
Yet after experiencing those three days, he had actually begun to understand nobles such as King Anli of Wei who shared Lord Longyang's tastes.
Still, fortunately, the Negative Status imposed as punishment had been "Sleeve-Cutting Fetish." Had it been something else, he might have experienced things even more awkward and shameful.
At that thought, he no longer had time to consider how to curse Zhu Yuanzhang. He hurriedly shouted outside the carriage, "Have Lou Jing and Chen Ping come here at once!"
"Yes!"
Hearing this, the messenger outside the carriage hurried off on horseback.
Meanwhile, Zhang Jiao and Zhu Yuanzhang also quickly banished their stray thoughts and prepared to concentrate on the questions—they certainly did not want to be afflicted with the "Sleeve-Cutting Fetish" Negative Status.
Ten breaths later.
[Administrator: Please read the question.] [Question: Throughout history, emperors have sought either immortality or longevity. Which of the following practices shortens one's lifespan the most, and which genuinely help? Submit your answers within fifteen minutes. (No one can view anyone else's answer until everyone has entered their own.)] [A: I have heard there are immortal mountains in the Eastern Sea, with the Elixir of Immortality upon them. I shall send great ships out to sea to seek it!] [B: Daoists and reclusive masters in the mountains tend to live long lives. Why is that? It must be because they consume elixirs made through Daoist external alchemy. I shall recruit accomplished Daoists and alchemists from across the realm to refine elixirs for me to consume. Even if they cannot grant immortality, they can still extend my life!] [C: Fine wine and beautiful women are what I desire! It took so much effort to become emperor. What's wrong with indulging a little?] [D: How many people in this world can be trusted? All affairs of state must be controlled by my own hands, never entrusted to others. With power concentrated in my hands and diligent work day and night, the realm shall endure forever!] [E: His Majesty's life concerns the fate of the state. Even in an acute illness, how could unusual remedies or potent drugs be used? The imperial physicians must treat him conservatively!] [F: Keep a regular daily routine, eat in moderation, exercise consistently, enjoy appropriate recreation and relaxation, and maintain a peaceful state of mind.] [G: You medical officials draw salaries from me, yet you cannot even cure my beloved consort's illness. Your nine clans shall be exterminated!] [H: Value medicine and advance Development Medicine.]