If Xu Ziyuan's List of Extraordinary Women stirred up a storm across the nation, then the Heroes Ranking shook the Central Plains like a tidal wave, causing all the noted scholars to boil over with anger.

In short, Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Sun Ce were all absent from the list; none met the criteria.

According to Xu Ziyuan's commentary, making the nation prosperous and the Han Dynasty flourish is the responsibility of wise rulers and capable ministers. To enjoy a life of luxury and leave one's name in history, one must bear the burden of responsibility for a lifetime.

The chaos in the country and the decline of the Han Dynasty are not the wishes of the people but are driven by necessity. The blame falls squarely on the Han Court, a great embarrassment.

With the current state of the nation, what qualifications do you high-ranking folks have to be selected as heroes and leaders? Choosing from you is merely picking the tallest among dwarfs. I, Xu Zijiang, cannot disgrace myself like this. Until the nation is unified and the Han Dynasty is restored to peace, none of you are qualified!

Under these premises, achievements can only be measured by territorial expansion, defending the nation, protecting the people, and educating the barbarians. As for enlightening the Han people, that is a duty that should have been performed in the past!

The list drawn from these criteria was immediately met with outrage from all the noted scholars. The top spot did not name anyone but contained a phrase: "The Xiliang territories swept away by military might, and iron horses trampled the Northern Frontier. Prosperity always seems like a dream, vanishing with the passing smoke and clouds."

Though Xu Zijiang didn't clearly state who it was referring to, those who understood the official announcement knew it was about Dong Zhuo, fully and completely Dong Zhuo.

Despite not being explicitly stated, everyone knew Dong Zhuo was in first place, which naturally led to the noted scholars bashing Xu Shao, even calling him fatherless and kingless. Still, these attacks had no real effect, considering what Dong Zhuo did in Xiliang before entering Luoyang was indeed substantial!

More importantly, this ranking does not account for the dirty deeds Dong Zhuo committed in the Central Plains; it only compares territorial expansion, defending the nation, protecting the people, and educating the barbarians. In Xiliang, Dong Zhuo truly defended the territory and the people, reclaimed quite some land that had been occupied by the Qiang and Hu.

The second place belongs to Gongsun Zan; without Liu Yu as his successor, this wouldn't be an issue. However, with Gongsun Zan second and Liu Yu not ranking, naturally reigniting the conflict between the Enlightenment Sect and the Iron Blood Sect.

Aside from certain debaters of the Enlightenment Sect who argue purely for argument's sake, the majority acknowledge Gongsun Zan's second place, considering he indeed defended the nation. Even during the war with Yuan Shao, he never compromised the last line of defense in the North.

Compared to external ferocity alone, Gongsun Zan does not fall short of the first place. However, the biggest difference is that Gongsun only left a defensive line at Youzhou, while Dong Zhuo's Xiliang Iron Cavalry never allowed the Qiang and Hu to reclaim the stolen territories.

The third is due to removing Gongsun Zan, leaving Yuan Shao, who has been blackened for a long time. But now, the truth is surprising; Yuan Shao has also been continuously fighting the Xianbei, and the war in Bingzhou has not stopped. Lyu Bu's presence in Bingzhou is due to Yuan Shao's approval, but Yuan Shao did not pursue the enemy deep into the Northern Grasslands like a madman, akin to Gongsun Zan.

Upon realizing this fact, those notable scholars began to criticize Liu Bei instead. However, Liu Bei doesn't have as much dirt as Yuan Shao does; although lacking external war achievements, Liu Bei's forward strides clearly indicate a path toward sainthood, merely balancing internal and external affairs!

Fourth is Lyu Bu; whatever it may be said, Lyu Bu's accomplishments include reclaiming Wuyuan and Jiuyuan, and he still fights in the frontline battles in the North, unlike the previous three who have fallen. Lyu Bu is still alive, still fighting!

The fifth is not an individual but a group of people, once again with no names but a phrase: "The Iron Cavalry emerged from Liangzhou, returning to the distant Central Plains."

This naturally stirred criticism again; all figures below Dong Zhuo from Xiliang, defined by Guandong's noted scholars as national traitors, yet followed Dong Zhuo on the ranking list.

Not everyone sees it this way, though; Li Jue's actions in this life have balanced out his merits and faults. Although his reputation is seriously tarnished, one must admit he bears no faults in terms of ethnicity. Instead, he primarily suppressed the Qiang and Hu, giving a final push to crush almost half of the Qiang and Hu tribes before departing.

Sixth is Liu Yu, who indeed successfully enlightened barbarians beyond the Five Garments, but in evaluation, Xu Zijiang's commentary was "Strengthening the trunk while weakening the branches, identifying the Han Dynasty as orthodox; not focusing on primary and secondary, leaving disaster to future generations."

Liu Yu remained silent for a long time when he saw these words in Chang'an. Having been in Chang'an for quite a while now, without the endless political affairs, he rarely needs to attend court, allowing him plenty of time to read ancient texts. Liu Yu has formed a new perspective on enlightenment.

The fact of the Ma Clan enlightening the Qiang and Hu made Liu Yu question whether the Ma Clan assimilated the Qiang and Hu, or the Qiang and Hu assimilated the Ma Clan. Is so-called enlightenment really the pure faith and righteousness he once believed in?

The previous correctness was secured by Gongsun Zan's strong martial force, but once that was lost, mere faith and righteousness could not garner loyalty without fully absorbing the Central Plains' virtues like benevolence, justice, ritual, wisdom, and faith. Would the Hu Captives really not rebel?

This is why Liu Yu does not refute his lagging position in this ranking and why he did not intervene between the Iron Blood Sect and Enlightenment Sect's arguments. He remains a competent civil official and, stepping outside his earlier mindset, begins a historical reflection on both sides, naturally perceiving more insights. This is why Liu Yu did not meddle this time.

"Xu Zijiang's comments…" Li Youu handed the official announcement to Liu Bei without expressing his own opinion, merely with a composed demeanor.

After roughly browsing through it, Liu Bei slightly frowned but soon said calmly, "Regardless of other matters, at least Xu Zijiang's words, 'Maintaining national peace and ensuring people's clothing and food are the duties of officials; most officials fail to achieve this, allowing people to forget it should be natural,' is very well put."

"And Zichuan's saying, 'Being incorrupt as officials and serving the people is duty, not the cause for rewards' echo in concept. We've forgotten too many duties, while what we are doing now is mere responsibility. Yet those on the list fail their duties but have made other achievements," Liu Bei shook his head, saying, "So it's neither here nor there."

Liu Bei's words were serene, not keeping Xu Zijiang's official announcement in mind, yet his following words made Li Youu smile, "But now that our duties are satisfactorily done, we ought to do more to emphasize that as well!"

Clearly, after being stirred by Xu Zijiang's announcement, Liu Bei felt aggrieved; no matter how much achievement internally, it cannot compare to territorial expansion—what a disgrace! (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to visit Qidian.com to vote for recommendation tickets, monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation. For mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)