Chapter 54 An Unknown Soldier, Winter of the Eleventh Year of Shaoxing, Fengbo Pavilion in Lin'an...
Zhuge Liang's attitude towards this statement was neither yes nor no.
Since arriving in Songyang County, he feels that his body is no different from when he was young, and may even be better.
But this did not prevent Zhuge Liang from feigning weakness.
Wouldn't this be more advantageous for the lord in that timeline?
As for that old turtle Sima Yi, he's been cowering under Cao Mengde's nose for so many years, it's time for him to stick his head out and get a taste of his own medicine.
After Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang finished their conversation, Jiang Ge introduced the people present to Zhuge Liang, prioritizing the order by dynasty. The first person introduced was Hei Fu from the Qin Dynasty.
Qin Dynasty?
More than four hundred years have passed since Zhuge Liang's time. Zhuge Liang's eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly—four hundred years is but a moment's distance in Songyang County.
"Black Husband".
Zhuge Liang paused slightly with his feather fan, his gaze sharp as he looked at this ancient figure from over four hundred years ago. Hei Fu awkwardly clasped his hands in a salute, his rough palms still calloused.
It's no wonder Hei Fu felt awkward. Everyone present was more famous than him. These important figures should be spending time with His Majesty; he was just an ordinary Qin soldier.
He felt uneasy around Hei Fu.
Django then led the way to the second person. The young general in white armor stood tall, his brows still bearing an air of unyielding arrogance.
"This is Marquis of Champion, Huo Qubing."
The name of the champion is known to everyone.
"Liang greets General Huo Qubing." Zhuge Liang bowed solemnly, his sleeves fluttering in the breeze. Although he was older than Huo Qubing in terms of age, Huo Qubing lived before him and was a sage, so he bowed at this moment.
Moreover, their connection was much deeper than that of others, as they were both officials of the Han Dynasty.
Huo Qubing returned the salute with clasped hands, the armor plates striking each other producing a clear, resonant sound. He suddenly laughed: "You sighed just now, was it because you felt I died too young?"
The boy's words were blunt, like a sword drawn from its sheath.
Zhuge Liang neither dodged nor avoided.
The shadow of the feather fan flickered across Zhuge Liang's face: "If only the general could live another ten years..."
History was changed from that point on, and the early death of the Champion Marquis was a regret for everyone.
Even Zhuge Liang was no exception; he couldn't help but sigh when he talked about it.
Upon hearing this, Yuchi Jingde leaned closer and said, "Prime Minister Zhuge, you don't need to worry about that. Once Huo Qubing arrives in Songyang County, he will surely not die young. Everything will be fine after he receives his salary."
He was right about that, and he made the right choice by coming to Songyang County.
Having obtained the information he wanted, Zhuge Liang gently waved his folding fan and politely thanked Yuchi Jingde.
Upon hearing this, Huo Qubing raised an eyebrow, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. There really was something good; he would want it soon.
"Is General Yuchi telling the truth?" His voice was clear and bright, with the sharpness unique to young people, yet also with a touch of composure that came from years of battlefield experience.
Yuchi Jingde laughed heartily and patted Huo Qubing on the shoulder: "I, old Yuchi, never lie! You didn't see how amazing that thing was when we got paid last time..." He stopped mid-sentence, then caught a warning look from Qin Shubao and quickly coughed to change his words, "Anyway, once you're here, even the King of Hell can't take you away!"
He's being outspoken again.
Seeing this, Zhuge Liang lightly covered his lips with his feather fan, a smile in his eyes. He turned to the burly general with a bushy beard and fierce eyes before him and said gently, "This general has an extraordinary bearing. May I ask who he is?"
"I am Yuchi Jingde, Duke of E of the Great Tang Dynasty."
Qin Shubao stepped forward, saying, "Qin Shubao of the Great Tang Dynasty."
"Zheng He of the Ming Dynasty".
When Zheng He met the historical Zhuge Liang, he remained gentle and humble.
Like a gentle breeze, it could not dispel the increasingly heavy atmosphere in the room.
Zhuge Liang gently waved his feather fan, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the crowd. Although he did not know the origins of these people, his years of experience in judging character told him that these figures, whether imposing, refined, or reserved, were no ordinary individuals.
Huo Qubing impatiently rubbed the hilt of his sword, the armor plates making a soft, crackling sound. The bandits he had captured were still tied up in the warehouse, waiting to use these spoils of war to demand some benefits from Jiang Ge.
They should be going to work at this time.
"Please wait a moment, everyone."
Jiang Ge's voice suddenly rang out, like a clear spring flowing into the sweltering room. She remained seated in the main seat, a faint smile playing on her lips, her fingertips lightly tapping the table.
The group paused in their tracks.
Zhou Yu snapped his folding fan shut. The disappointment of thinking that his close friend had come but it turned out to be his mortal enemy had not yet dissipated, but now a glimmer of hope ignited in his eyes.
That figure who always laughs heartily, could it also...?
"Brother Bofu..." he whispered in his heart, his knuckles unconsciously tightening.
Could it be you?
In this eerie silence, another person appeared in the office.
A man dressed in ordinary yamen runner's clothes slowly came into view. He was about thirty years old, with an unremarkable appearance, lacking both the imposing presence of a military general and the refined demeanor of a scholar. A common waist knife hung at his waist, and his boots were still covered in fresh mud, making him look like an ordinary constable who had just returned from patrolling the streets.
A dozen pairs of eyes were fixed on him.
Zhou Yu's breath almost stopped—this wasn't the person he was expecting.
Yuchi Jingde's large, bell-like eyes widened, his gaze darting back and forth between Zheng He and the unfamiliar constable. His rough fingers unconsciously rubbed together, his Adam's apple bobbed a few times, and finally he couldn't help but lower his voice and ask, "Sanbao, do you... recognize this person?"
If we were to say who among them was more likely to know the person in front of them, it would undoubtedly be Zheng He.
It's because his dynasty is currently the most recent one.
A hint of embarrassment flashed across Zheng He's gentle face. He carefully examined the unassuming bailiff before him—his coarse cloth clothes were faded from washing, his shoes were worn shiny, and there was still some dirt under his fingernails; he was just an ordinary yamen runner.
Nothing special, I searched around but couldn't find anyone who matched up.
"Forgive my poor eyesight..."
Zheng He bowed in apology, the cloud patterns on his sleeves swaying gently with the movement. "May I ask who this valiant warrior is?"
The constable rubbed his hands nervously, several old scars on his knuckles standing out in the morning light. “The youngest was Kui Shun, a prison guard from the Song Dynasty,” his voice sounded as if it had been sanded, “and he is still a prison guard in Songyang County.”
The job was originally intended to guard those bandits, so the position was naturally that of a jailer.
“Kui...Shun?” Yuchi Jingde’s thick eyebrows furrowed, and he looked at Zheng He for help.
The latter shook his head slightly; he did not know this person.
Zhuge Liang gently waved his feather fan, thoughtfully observing the unassuming constable. He noticed that although the man was humble in demeanor, his eyes were exceptionally clear, indicating that he was a person who could distinguish right from wrong.
Huo Qubing suddenly sneered, "Magistrate Jiang, what are you up to? Sending some nobody to make fun of us?" The young general's ring-pommel sword trembled slightly in its sheath, clearly showing his impatience.
He still had to go see the prisoners. Zhuge Liang was alright just now, but now an unknown nobody was coming.
Waste of time.
"General Huo, please calm down." Jiang Ge took a sip of tea slowly, the tea soup rippling slightly in the celadon cup. "Although Kui Shun is not well-known, he did something earth-shattering."
A nameless man accomplished what many great figures of his time could not.
Zhou Yu unfolded his folding fan with a "whoosh," covering half of his face: "Oh? I'd like to hear the details."
He knew that Magistrate Jiang had not hired Kui Shun for no reason, but Zhou Yu did not know the specific reason.
Upon hearing this, Kui Shun trembled violently, his rough fingers unconsciously clutching the hem of his clothes. He had secretly buried a corpse yesterday, and this morning a strange document had floated down from the sky, with the words "Songyang County Government Recruitment" written on it as if the ink was still wet.
I thought this was a place of immortals, untouched by worldly affairs, but judging from Magistrate Jiang's words...
Could it be... that the matter has been exposed?
"Do you all know..." Jiang Ge tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, "In the winter of the eleventh year of Shaoxing, at Fengbo Pavilion in Lin'an..."
Zhuge Liang paused, fanning himself with his feather fan.
“A prison guard from the Dali Temple risked his life to carry the body of a general out of the city…” Jiang Ge’s voice grew softer and softer, “He was buried next to the Jiuqu Congci Temple, with a jade ring as a burial object and an orange tree as a marker.”
"Yue...!" Zheng He suddenly exclaimed, then quickly covered his mouth. He looked at the hunched-back constable in disbelief, as if the few words recorded in the History of Song Dynasty were floating before his eyes.
Even a nobody can leave their mark on history by following the departure of a great figure.
I never expected that this would be exposed so soon after it was done yesterday. What if someone leaked the news...?
Kui Shun's face turned deathly pale instantly. He staggered back two steps, his lower back slamming against the table, making the teacups clink. "Your Excellency, please understand!" his voice trembled, "I...I just couldn't bear to see..."
"It's just that I can't bear to leave a hero's body exposed," Jiang Ge replied softly, his gaze softening.
The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Outside the window, a withered leaf twirled and drifted down onto the window frame, making a soft rustling sound.
Who would have thought that this lowly jailer would actually do something so earth-shattering?
Zheng He took a deep breath and carefully recounted Yue Fei's deeds to everyone. When he spoke of "Thirty years of fame and glory turned to dust, eight thousand miles of road under clouds and moon," his voice choked with emotion; when he mentioned "The shame of Jingkang has yet to be avenged," his fists clenched involuntarily.
Yuchi Jingde stared, mouth agape. Qin Shubao silently clasped his hands in front of his chest, the armor plates clashing together with a crisp sound. Huo Qubing's hand, which had been gripping the hilt of his sword, unconsciously loosened.
Zhuge Liang slowly rose, pressed his feather fan against his chest, and bowed deeply to the lowly jailer.
Heroes are admired by everyone, and those who dare to collect the bodies of heroes amidst bloodshed are equally worthy of respect.
Kui Shun was so flustered that he almost knocked over the lampstand next to him. He never dreamed that after secretly burying General Yue, he would be treated with such courtesy by a group of historical figures in a foreign land. These were names he had only ever heard from storytellers in teahouses!
"The little one, the little one should go to work..." he stammered, retreating towards the door as if fleeing, his rough palms leaving a sweaty stain on the door frame.
Kui Shun bowed hastily and withdrew. As he crossed the courtyard, a gentle breeze swirled fallen leaves, chasing his footsteps, the withered yellow leaves clinging to his patched trousers. In a daze, he was transported back to that snowy night, the heavy body on his back, chilling him to the bone...
But he kept moving.
"The people have their own sense of justice," Zhuge Liang suddenly said. "Right and wrong, merit and demerit, are in the hearts of the people."
Zhou Yu felt completely relieved and suddenly said, "Just like that jailer who didn't know any grand principles, but knew... that good people should be laid to rest."
Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu exchanged a smile.
Just then, birds chirped from the eaves, their clear voices echoing through the courtyard.
In Songyang County, they were the only ones from the same era. The past battles and clashes of swords had become mere topics of conversation. In their time, Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang held opposing positions, and the interests of Eastern Wu and Shu Han were as insurmountable as a chasm; political stances took precedence over everything else.
But upon arriving in Songyang County...
Zhou Yu reached out and poured Zhuge Liang a cup of fresh tea. The tea was clear and bright, reflecting the faces of the two men. They had never been so close before.
Perhaps, they can finally be ordinary "colleagues".
We can't delay any longer.
Everyone got up and left to go on duty.
Everyone has their own job to do. Except for Zhuge Liang, who is to take over the job of Magistrate Xu, Jiang Ge looked around but couldn't find Magistrate Xu anywhere.
They even went to Magistrate Xu's room.
The door was wide open, and there were few things left inside.
Jiang Ge was truly baffled. She ran her hand across the smooth surface of the desk, her fingertips dusty. She had known about Magistrate Xu's resignation since she first arrived in Songyang County; the old magistrate had said more than once that he wanted to return to his hometown to retire.
But why did it happen so suddenly this time?
Without even saying hello?
Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded outside the courtyard. Wang Wu strode over, the sword at his waist clanging against the armor plates with a crisp sound.
"My lord!" Wang Wu clasped his hands in a salute, a complex expression on his dark face. "County Magistrate Xu is leaving, he's waiting at the door. He..." Wang Wu paused, then lowered his voice and said, "He's wearing casual clothes, carrying a bag, and has hired a carriage."
Jiang Ge strode towards the gate of the county government office.
Outside the county government office, the morning mist had not yet dissipated. Magistrate Xu, leaning on the carriage shaft, was slightly out of breath. His temples were damp with sweat, clinging to his thin cheeks. He was old, and packing the luggage had already taken up most of his strength, let alone driving the carriage himself. But he was short of money; he could afford a donkey cart, but not a driver—over the years, most of his salary had been sent back to his hometown to support the education of the children in his clan, leaving him with little savings.
Jiang Ge saw Magistrate Xu resting by his carriage from afar, so he quickly stepped forward, took out a heavy brocade pouch from his sleeve, and presented it with both hands: "Lord Xu, the journey is long, please accept these travel expenses."
This all belongs to the bandits.
Magistrate Xu was taken aback and quickly declined, "Absolutely not! How could I..."
Without a word, Jiang Ge stuffed the brocade pouch into his hand, then turned to the constable beside him and said, "Go find a reliable coachman and make sure to send Xu Gongping home safely."
Magistrate Xu held the brocade pouch, his fingertips touching the edges of the gold ingots inside, and his heart trembled. He raised his sleeve to wipe the sweat from his forehead, his gaze lingered briefly on Jiang Ge's face, and then he lowered his eyes and slowly said, "Lord Jiang's generous gift... I am unworthy of it."
Jiang Ge laughed and said, "Lord Xu served as an upright official in Songyang County for so long, bringing benefits to the local people. This little token is nothing."
Magistrate Xu remained silent for a moment, then suddenly looked up, his gaze as deep as an ancient well: "Confucius once said: 'The superior man understands righteousness, while the inferior man understands profit.' I am ashamed that I have to accept such a generous gift."
Is it not hush money?
Jiang Ge's eyes flickered slightly: "Master Xu, you flatter me. Mr. Zhuge has just taken office, and I hope you will give him more guidance. Don't rush back to your hometown, stay a few more days."
At this moment, the constable led over a strong coachman. Magistrate Xu watched as the coachman took the reins. He wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve, his gaze lingering briefly on Jiang Ge's face before he lowered his eyes and slowly said, "I am old and weary from the burdens of official duties. It would be better for me to return home soon."
Jiang Ge laughed and said, "Why be so modest, Lord Xu? You have served in Songyang County for many years and have achieved remarkable results. Now that the new county magistrate has just arrived, he needs your guidance."
Having no political achievements but also no major cases is a skill in itself.
Magistrate Xu remained silent for a moment, then suddenly looked up, his gaze as deep as an ancient well, and slowly said, "Confucius once said: 'If you are not in a position, do not meddle in its affairs.' Now that I have resigned, I should no longer interfere in the affairs of the county government."
Rejected time and again.
Jiang Ge's eyes flickered slightly, his smile undiminished: "Master Xu is very righteous, but Mr. Zhuge is new here. If he has any questions, I hope you will not hesitate to enlighten him."
Magistrate Xu shook his head slightly and said in a low voice, "Lord Jiang has lofty ambitions, while I am but a mere scholar. How dare I speak presumptuously?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ge's expression hardened slightly, and he looked at him with a half-smile: "What do you mean by that, Master Xu?"
County Magistrate Xu took a deep breath, looked up at the distant green mountains, and slowly said, "Confucius said: 'A gentleman has three things to fear: the mandate of Heaven, great men, and the words of sages.' I just want to return to my hometown to farm and study, and spend my old age in peace."
He had no intention of getting involved in these matters.
Regardless of what happens afterward, it has nothing to do with him.
Jiang Ge stared at him, his smile fading, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
Magistrate Xu said no more, bowed respectfully, turned and climbed into the donkey cart, and whispered to the driver, "Let's go."
The donkey cart slowly drove away from the county government office, its wheels rolling over the bluestone slabs with a dull thud. Magistrate Xu, his back to Jiang Ge, had his fingers trembling slightly hidden in his sleeve. He hadn't wanted to return home now; Songyang County was doing better and better, which naturally made him happy—if only he hadn't keenly sensed that Huo Qubing was no ordinary man.
Especially when he saw that Huo Qubing was able to wipe out Black Wind Village with just ten craftsmen.
The people of Songyang County were almost all crazy about Huo Qubing and his men. They had never seen such a heroic young man who only needed so few people and didn't even need support from the rear.
They were able to wipe out a bandit stronghold of a thousand men by going into battle lightly equipped.
When the people welcomed Huo Qubing back, he was also in the crowd. He looked up at the young general, whose eyes were like torches and whose nobility was beyond words.
He had never met a person like that in all his years of life.
Even the great general I met by chance when he passed the imperial examination, the general who commanded 100,000 troops, did not have the temperament of Huo Qubing. He was riding a donkey, but he rode it with the temperament of a thoroughbred horse. If you didn't know better, you would think that the donkey was a fine horse that cost thousands of taels of silver.
He was truly born a general.
These constables were no ordinary men. With the emperor incompetent and the court corrupt, the world was on the verge of chaos. He dared not imagine what Magistrate Jiang was plotting, but he prayed—that Magistrate Jiang would show a little more compassion...
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Author's Note: I've had some family matters to attend to lately, so I apologize. I'll continue updating at 9 PM from now on, at a fixed time. [Hands clasped in prayer] Thank you all so much for your support! [Pat on head][Pat on head][Pat on head]
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