Looking at the words spoken by kings before their death throughout history in the "Zizhi Tongjian," we can understand what truly matters. White Emperor City. The year 223 AD. Liu Bei was gravely ill. He called Zhuge Liang to his bedside. He said a passage that is recorded in Volume 17 of the "Zizhi Tongjian," and it is very famous. “Your talent is ten times that of Cao Pi; you will surely bring peace to the country and accomplish great deeds. If my son can be supported, support him; if he is unworthy, you may take the throne yourself.” Your talent is ten times that of Cao Pi; you will definitely stabilize the nation and complete great achievements. If my son is capable, support him; if he is not, you can become emperor. Zhuge Liang listened, knelt on the ground, and cried bitterly: “I dare to dedicate my utmost strength and loyalty, even unto death.” This dialogue has been debated for two thousand years in history. Some say Liu Bei was sincere, some say he was testing Zhuge Liang, and others say he was retreating to advance, forcing Zhuge Liang to show his loyalty. Liu Bei was sincere. Why? Because he was about to die. A person who is about to die has no need to play tricks anymore, and moreover, he knew Zhuge Liang all too well. If Zhuge Liang wanted to become emperor, he wouldn’t need to say these words at all. If Zhuge Liang didn’t want to be emperor, whether he said this or not, he wouldn’t betray. He said this to give Zhuge Liang a title. He was telling the world that any decision Zhuge Liang made was authorized by Liu Bei, and no one should accuse him of treason. With his final words, Liu Bei entrusted Zhuge Liang with the greatest trust and protection. A person protecting another even in death—that is the true lord and minister, the true confidant, the true friendship. Liu Bei fought countless battles, lost countless territories, and was humiliated countless times, but this final message before his death is enough to make him remembered in history. Not because he was particularly powerful, but because he understood what truly matters.