Upon hearing this, Cao Cao’s eyes once again grew complex.
He beca even more certain of his judgnt of Liu Bei.
This man is truly extraordinary.
He could remain indifferent to the enormous benefits of eliminating Yuan Shao in such a situation.
Such a disposition is beyond ordinary people!
Of course, Cao Cao also understood the benefits of going to pay respects to the Gu Clan.
But one could go to pay respects to the Gu Clan at any ti, whereas the opportunity to eliminate Yuan Shao was unique.
The significance of each was self-evident.
He paused in silence and then finally nodded, imdiately bowing to Liu Bei: "In that case, I shall say no more."
"I invite Xuan De to proceed first."
"After I remove the traitor, I shall head directly to Julu to pay respects to Lord Gu."
Liu Bei cupped his hands in return.
And with that, the two parted ways in Lecheng.
It was as if the gears of fate began to turn at this mont, and having traveled together for so long, they ultimately took separate paths.
One man headed to Julu, the other to the Bohai Sea;
and thus they parted....
....
——Julu.
While fires and chaos raged across the land, only Julu could enjoy a mont of peace.
The Gu Clan’s reputation not only protected the Gu Clan but also shielded the entire Julu.
At least in this Central Plains region,
no one would dare risk offending the entire world to disturb Julu’s peace.
Zhuge Liang has already grown into a young man now.
Gu Ze could be said to have taught him everything he knew.
He was naturally skilled in internal affairs, and this was the area where Zhuge Liang learned the most, in addition to acquiring much of the Gu Clan’s knowledge.
Great expectations were held for him.
Zhuge Liang had originally planned to leave for Jingzhou.
But as if by destiny.
Before Zhuge Liang could depart, Liu Bei arrived.
As one of today’s most prominent lords under the heavens, Gu Ze naturally had to receive him.
And naturally, Zhuge Liang, as his disciple, had to follow Gu Ze to et Liu Bei.
Liu Bei’s sincerity in coming to Julu was evidently high.
Even knowing that he had no forces in Julu Commandery, a dangerous area.
He did not bring an army to Julu.
Instead, he led Guan and Zhao, along with dozens of guards, entering directly, without caring for his own life or death.
When he saw Gu Ze,
before Gu Ze could even perform a salutation, he first bowed to Gu Ze and spoke: "Greetings, Young Master."
"What is the aning of this, Lord Xuan De?"
Even Gu Ze was stunned, having never expected Liu Bei to be so humble.
He hurriedly intended to return the salute.
But Liu Bei directly stopped him, speaking with solemn determination: "Young Master, there’s no need for this. Master Gu has done a great favor, and the Gu Clan is the pillar of our Great Han."
"I cannot allow the Young Master to bow to ."
His attitude was unwavering.
"Lord Xuan De...." Even Gu Ze was quite moved by this scene.
Though no sacrifice had been made yet,
there was a clear difference between Liu Bei and Yuan Shao.
"Please, Young Master, lead the way. I have long prepared by abstaining; I wish to first pay respects to Master Gu."
Liu Bei once again bowed to Gu Ze.
He was not like Yuan Shao, who first orchestrated a spectacle.
At this mont, both Gu Ze’s and Zhuge Liang’s expressions involuntarily changed.
Gu Ze said nothing more.
Instead, he gestured invitingly and directly led Liu Bei into the Gu Clan’s ancestral hall.
Within the Gu Clan’s ancestral hall, the incense smoke wafted gracefully.
The incense sticks burned year-round.
Liu Bei’s deanor was exceedingly solemn, not missing a single courtesy.
First offering sacrifices to Gu Xiao, then Gu Kang, Gu Cheng, Gu Liang... finally arriving at Gu Xi’s spirit tablet.
And then he directly knelt down.
He did not care how others viewed him, as a lord, for doing so; he spoke of the current world’s situation before Gu Xi’s spirit.
He even uttered words expressing hatred towards "Emperors Huan and Ling."
His eyes were red.
As he spoke, he even shed tears.
"Master Gu, rest assured, though I am untalented, I swear to dedicate my life to restoring the Han Dynasty."
"When the Great Han truly rises again one day, I will ensure the Emperor grants Master Gu a posthumous title to commorate his eternal rits."
Liu Bei expressed these words before Gu Xi’s spirit tablet.
This was the first ti soone raised this issue.
Although Gu Chen had imdiately abolished the "Loyal and Fierce" posthumous title given by He Jin and others after seizing power.
He had not reassigned a posthumous title to Gu Xi.
——Because he felt that the current Great Han was unworthy.
He wanted to pacify the world and then bestow a new posthumous title upon Gu Xi!
To the common people, naturally, these things were not of much concern.
However, for the scholar-officials, it was entirely different.
Because a posthumous title is a judgnt of a person’s lifeti achievents!
Viewed over the course of Gu Xi’s life,
lacking a posthumous title remained incomplete!
The expressions of many people involuntarily changed at this mont.
Of course, Gu Ze was the main focus.
He could sense the fundantal difference between Liu Bei’s visit and Yuan Shao’s previous intentions.
Liu Bei genuinely wished to pay respects to Gu Xi.
The difference was very clear.
The sacrifice concluded.
As the Patriarch of the Gu Clan, Gu Ze naturally held a banquet to entertain him.
Liu Bei seed to understand Gu Ze’s difficulties.
He did not express any intention of requesting Gu Ze’s assistance; however, at the banquet, Zhuge Liang, who was always at Gu Ze’s side, took the initiative to ask a question.
"I wonder how Lord Xuan De plans to restore the Han Dynasty?"
Zhuge Liang looked exceedingly scholarly, perhaps due to his young age,
at this mont, he exuded a spirited and confident aura.
Upon hearing this, Liu Bei paused montarily, but did not conceal his thoughts: "To sweep away the world’s traitors and rebuild the heavens and the earth."
A very simple and straightforward answer.
Zhuge Liang faintly smiled, his fingertips lightly tapping the wooden table as if striking gold and jade: "The Grand Ancestor once entered Xianyang with a three-foot sword, not relying solely on the blood of Hongn—"
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