[Lightscreen]
[Of course, we cannot judge the ancients by modern standards, because the liberation of productive forces was still far away.
During the Three Kingdoms period, even the "technology tree" had barely begun, whereas today we have already advanced it to nuclear energy.]
Liu Bei snapped out of his thoughts and immediately seized on the unfamiliar term.
"What does 'liberation of productive forces' mean?"
Zhuge Liang considered for a moment before answering slowly.
"It should be understood by separating the words. 'Productive forces' would refer to those capable of producing, most likely the farmers. 'Liberation' means to release or unbind. Perhaps it refers to releasing the farmers?"
Liu Bei's gaze sharpened as he spoke in a low voice.
"It should mean freeing the farmers from the control of powerful clans."
The memory of the Yellow Turban chaos had carved itself too deeply into his life, and at the time he had believed that as long as he governed with integrity and led by example, the people would naturally live well, yet reality had answered him with humiliation, dismissal, and a life without even a foothold, so now, hearing this phrase, he saw a different path entirely.
"Then what is this 'technology tree'? And what is this 'nuclear energy' spoken of by the later generations?"
Jian Yong tried to follow the same logic and spoke hesitantly.
"'Ke' could mean laws or categories, 'ji' might refer to craftsmanship, and 'tree'… well, a tree is just a tree…"
He trailed off midway, unable to form a complete explanation.
Zhuge Liang instead stared at the paper before him, his eyes gradually lighting up.
"'Ke' can also mean classification or ranking. Perhaps this 'technology tree' refers to craftsmanship developing layer by layer, like a tree growing upward."
He lifted the sheet of paper in front of him.
"Take papermaking as an example. In the time of the High Ancestor, there was no paper. Later, Marquis Cai created it, benefiting the people."
"Yet Cai paper absorbs ink unevenly and feels coarse. Later improvements produced finer variants."
"If we liken this to a tree, Cai's paper would be the trunk, while later refinements would be the branches. That may be what is meant by a 'technology tree'."
The hall fell silent for a moment, then several people slowly nodded, because the logic was unexpectedly simple once spoken aloud, which meant constantly improving upon what already existed.
[Lightscreen]
[Even so, by the standards of that time, the Chancellor had already pushed logistics to its limit.
After all, when Liu Bei entered Shu, he once made the promise:
'When the matter is settled, the treasury's contents will not be mine.'
By the time the Chancellor took over, the Chengdu treasury was so empty that even rats would weep upon entering.]
Zhang Fei muttered under his breath.
"Big Brother sure is generous."
Liu Bei coughed lightly, his face reddening, yet still spoke with conviction.
"A man must act decisively."
Zhuge Liang, however, suddenly felt a faint sense of foreboding.
[Lightscreen]
[And before the rats could even finish crying, there came the Hanzhong campaign, the loss of Jing Province, Guan Yu's death, the hasty proclamation of the dynasty, the defeat at Yiling, and Liu Bei's passing.
Even under such circumstances, the Chancellor managed to restore the economy, governing Shu to the point that
'fields were cultivated, granaries filled, tools were sharp, reserves abundant, court ceremonies were simple, and no drunken men lay in the streets.'
That level of governance was truly one of a kind.]
Zhuge Liang held his fan in silence, clearly unwilling to comment on the peculiar way the praise had been phrased.
Liu Bei, however, stared at him with bright eyes, as though discovering treasure.
Jian Yong and Mi Zhu also looked at Zhuge Liang with completely new expressions, because they had always known him as eloquent and composed, yet had not expected such administrative ability.
[Lightscreen]
[Another point worth mentioning is that the Three Kingdoms period did not place enough importance on medicine.
Despite losing sons one after another at a young age, Cao Cao still executed the famed physician Hua Tuo.]
Murmurs immediately spread through the hall.
Zhang Fei scratched his head.
"Isn't Hua Tuo the one who made Chen Deng vomit parasites?"
Liu Bei nodded.
"I have heard of him in Jiangdong as well. When Zhou Tai was gravely wounded protecting Zhou Yu, it was Hua Tuo who saved him."
"If such a physician was killed, does Cao Cao bear a grudge against his own sons?"
No one could understand it.
[Lightscreen]
[Among the three Grand Commanders of Eastern Wu, the one who lived the longest was Lu Su, and he only reached forty-six.]
Everyone subconsciously glanced at one another.
"That position sounds dangerous."
Zhao Yun spoke calmly.
"Earlier it was mentioned that Lü Meng also died young. Perhaps he was one of them."
A strange consensus formed in the hall.
[Lightscreen]
[As for Shu Han, after Hanzhong, Huang Zhong and Ma Chao passed away in succession, while Fa Zheng also died early.
Zhuge Liang likely died from overwork, and among the Four Pillars arranged for Liu Shan, Jiang Wan and Dong Yun also died of illness.
Also, Zhang Zhongjing was from Jing Province. It is difficult to understand why such talent was not fully utilized.]
At this point, the hall fell into an awkward silence.
Everyone slowly turned to look at Zhuge Liang.
Zhuge Liang continued fanning himself as though nothing had been said.
Zhao Yun nodded thoughtfully.
"Not surprising."
Liu Bei immediately raised his hand.
"From today onward, once official duties conclude, the Chancellor is to be escorted home."
"And under no circumstances is he to carry documents with him."
Zhuge Liang's fan paused slightly before resuming its steady motion.
Meanwhile, Liu Bei was already frowning.
"Zhang Zhongjing… from Jing Province?"
Zhuge Liang nodded.
"He once served as Administrator of Changsha, but resigned before the Battle of Red Cliffs. After my lord took Jing Province, he had already returned home."
Liu Bei let out a quiet sigh.
"To think such a man was missed."
Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, his expression turned serious.
"Tomorrow, I will personally visit him."
At the same time, an uneasy suspicion surfaced in his heart, because the phrase "delighting in Shu and forgetting home" still lingered in his mind, and he could not help but wonder whether A Dou's head had truly been injured back then.
[Lightscreen]
[Alright, having covered the main content, let's talk about something lighter.
Chengdu is truly a wonderful place. Wuhou Shrine and Dujiangyan are both worth visiting.
And most importantly, I finally saw Huahua. Mission accomplished.
Next episode, we will talk about Guan Yu, also known as the Beautiful-Bearded Lord, Marquis of Hanshou, Zhuangmiao Marquis, Martial Saint, Holy Emperor Guan, Literary Sovereign, and Protector Deity, and the story of his death.]
At the center of the light screen appeared an image of a round, black-and-white creature.
Zhang Fei leaned forward.
"Isn't that a panda? Why does it look like it cannot even take a single punch from me?"
He scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"If the light screen likes it, should we catch one?"