Chapter 55 So engrossed in pleasure that I forgot about home; tomorrow I'll get paid...
Jiang Ge stood still, watching the departing figure of County Magistrate Xu.
The wind swirled fallen leaves, raising a fine cloud of dust behind him. His figure gradually receded into the distance on the official road, eventually becoming a blurry black dot until it completely disappeared from sight.
Perhaps it was destined that we would part ways from the very beginning.
Her gaze was neither sad nor happy; she simply stared quietly, as if contemplating some unspeakable destiny.
This is a path destined to be lonely.
With no companions and no way back, and no precedent in this world, she could only walk this path alone to the end.
——
Huo Qubing, who was on duty, originally planned to travel alone. He was used to being alone and didn't care about making a good relationship with anyone. However, Zheng He happened to be traveling the same way as him, so the two of them walked side by side for a while.
Huo Qubing was not a talkative person; he remained silent and hurried along the way.
Zheng He was also good at reading people's expressions, and Huo Qubing was the kind of person who didn't like to talk, so he naturally wouldn't say anything to bother him.
The two walking side by side in silence had a unique charm.
Turning a street corner, dappled shadows fell from an old locust tree by the roadside. Several sparrows hopped among the branches, chirping softly. Huo Qubing suddenly stopped, his armor clanging crisply.
"Zheng He." His voice was a little hoarse, as if he hadn't spoken in a long time, and tinged with a hint of embarrassment, "This Zhuge Liang...did he know how to raise children?"
Zheng He was taken aback upon hearing this, but then he understood. He recalled the witchcraft incident recorded in history books, and the Crown Prince Liu Ju who was driven to the brink of despair and ultimately committed suicide in resentment. What Huo Qubing was worried about at this moment was probably not just the name in the history books, but the young Crown Prince Liu Ju who was already at the center of the vortex.
"Is the Marquis of Champion worried about His Highness the Crown Prince?" Zheng He's voice was as gentle as the evening breeze, carrying a hint of cautious probing. He hesitated for a moment, carefully choosing his words: "Even someone like A Dou, like Prime Minister Zhuge Liang... cough, he was able to teach him with great care." He stopped himself from making the comment that almost slipped out, but the words had already left his mouth, and Huo Qubing keenly caught the unfamiliar name.
"A Dou?" Huo Qubing frowned slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes. He had never heard this title before, but Zheng He's tone clearly carried a profound judgment.
Seeing this, Zheng He knew he couldn't avoid the topic, so he simply explained frankly. He sighed softly, his gaze slightly regretful:
"Liu Shan, the last emperor of Shu Han, was nicknamed A Dou. His father, Liu Bei, rose from humble beginnings, enduring a life of hardship before finally becoming a powerful ruler; his prime minister, Zhuge Liang, devoted himself wholeheartedly to the cause. But this young emperor..." Zheng He shook his head, "was still young when he ascended the throne. Although he had a wise minister to assist him, he ultimately lacked the qualities of a great ruler. Later, when Shu Han fell, he was moved to Luoyang. Sima Zhao held a banquet to test him, and he actually replied, 'I am happy here, I do not miss Shu'—from then on, 'happy here, I do not miss Shu' became a laughing stock for a thousand years, and the common people also jokingly called him 'the incapable A Dou'."
After listening, Huo Qubing remained silent for a moment, his eyes deep and unfathomable. "So, it's because Zhuge Liang didn't teach him well?"
No, no.
Zheng He smiled slightly and shook his head: "It can't be entirely blamed on the Prime Minister. Liu Shan was by nature kind and weak, and even if Zhuge Liang did his best, he could not change his nature. Moreover..." He paused slightly, lowering his voice a few decibels, "Historians have also debated that the phrase 'happy in Shu and forgetting Shu' might not be a sign of stupidity, but rather a survival strategy—if a ruler of a fallen kingdom showed even the slightest resentment, how could he possibly die a good death?"
Looking at it this way...
Huo Qubing's eyes flashed, as if he had thought of something, but he did not reply.
Seeing this, Zheng He timely returned to the main topic: "However, Marquis of Champion need not worry too much. His Highness the Crown Prince is intelligent and has excellent teachers to guide him. How could he follow in Liu Shan's footsteps? Besides..." He smiled meaningfully, "With a general like you in the Han Dynasty, who would dare to act rashly?"
In Zheng He's view, Liu Ju was exceptionally intelligent and had the support of Huo Qubing and Wei Qing; his true enemy was the aging emperor. However, this cannot be said outright...
Upon hearing this, Huo Qubing's lips curled slightly, a sharp glint appearing in his eyes. "I hope so."
He realized he should ask Magistrate Jiang for something.
Two flowers bloomed, and Wei Shun and Zhuge Liang, who had just arrived at work, were sorting through the old case files.
A prison guard can't just stand in the prison and be done with it; he has to know the crimes of the people in the prison.
Kui Shun approached for a closer look and saw that the files were covered in dust, and some of the hemp ropes binding them were rotten. He picked up a roll and unfolded it, and was immediately choked by the musty smell that hit him, causing him to cough.
"Be careful." Zhuge Liang handed over a damp cloth. "These are all important case files, recording the details of each prisoner's crimes. A jailer not only needs to know how to guard the prisoners but also how they were convicted and how many years they were sentenced to, so that he can be confident when he is on duty."
Kui Shun nodded repeatedly and carefully wiped away the accumulated dust with a damp cloth. As the dusty case files were gradually unfolded, one after another, the case records with mottled ink appeared before his eyes: there were cases of injury caused by land disputes, cases of theft forced by livelihood, and cases of being sued by the government for not repaying debts... Behind each case, there seemed to be an untold story of the warmth and coldness of human relationships.
"Look at this." Zhuge Liang suddenly handed over an exceptionally thick scroll. "This is a grain theft case that shocked the entire county three years ago. The main culprit is still imprisoned in the Earth-class prison."
Kui Shun took the file and examined it closely, then gasped in shock. The file was filled with the testimonies of dozens of people, the extent of the involvement and the complexity of the case leaving him bewildered.
The job of a prison guard may seem simple, but it carries great responsibility. He must be observant and prevent prisoners from colluding to fabricate evidence, and he must always keep in mind the severity of each person's case. Even delivering meals and patrolling the prison cannot be done carelessly.
The jailer's job was relatively easy, but the county magistrate had to flip through endless case files and household registration records.
Zhuge Liang and Kui Shun spent their first day at work familiarizing themselves with their respective tasks.
The whole day passed quickly as he got busy. When Wei Shun returned to the Song Dynasty, he was still a little disoriented, wondering if he had traveled through time.
How could he have gotten himself into such a strange situation?
Not knowing who to share it with, I could only keep it to myself and go home as usual.
Zhuge Liang was different. As soon as he returned to his camp at Wuzhang Plain, everyone surrounded him.
"The Prime Minister? The Prime Minister?"
Their voices were trembling, as if they were afraid Zhuge Liang had vanished. Their caution was understandable; the Prime Minister's sudden disappearance in broad daylight had indeed terrified them.
Jiang Wei was the first to rush into the tent, his armor still on, fine beads of sweat clinging to his forehead. He knelt on one knee, his voice trembling, "Prime Minister, you...you've finally returned! This humble general sent men to search the entire camp, even the nearby mountains and forests..."
I searched everywhere, but couldn't find a trace of them.
Zhuge Liang sat at his desk, looking dazed. His prime minister's crown was slightly askew, and a few strands of hair were scattered from his usually neat sideburns.
"Boyue..." Zhuge Liang slowly raised his head, a hint of confusion in his eyes, "How long have I been gone?"
The generals inside the tent exchanged bewildered glances. Fei Yi stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Reporting to the Prime Minister, it's been about four hours. This morning, everyone assumed you were resting in your tent and forbade anyone to disturb you. Around 3 PM, General Jiang brought military intelligence, discovering the tent was empty..."
“Four hours…” Zhuge Liang murmured to himself, his fingers unconsciously tracing the bamboo slips. “It’s been that long…”
Jiang Wei keenly noticed that the Prime Minister's mood was somewhat off.
"Prime Minister, what's wrong with you...?" Jiang Wei couldn't help but ask.
Zhuge Liang seemed to snap out of his daze, glancing around at everyone in the tent—Jiang Wei, Fei Yi, Yang Yi, and Ma Dai—each face etched with worry and confusion. He forced a smile and waved his hand, saying, "It's nothing, I just went for a walk to think about some things. I'm sorry to have worried you all."
This explanation was clearly unconvincing to everyone. The military camp at Wuzhangyuan was heavily guarded, and the Prime Minister was always accompanied by personal guards when he went out. How could he have left alone for four hours without being noticed?
not to mention...
Yang Yi hesitated before speaking, "But Prime Minister, the guards at the camp gate all say they haven't seen you leave..."
The atmosphere in the tent froze for a moment. Zhuge Liang remained silent for a while, then suddenly coughed violently, an unnatural flush rising on his pale face. Fei Yi quickly stepped forward to pat his back, while turning to the others and saying, "The Prime Minister is unwell; perhaps you all should..."
"No need." Zhuge Liang stopped coughing, his voice soft but firm. "Since you're all here, I have something to say. Boyue, go and lower the curtain. Ma Dai, stand guard outside the tent and don't let anyone near."
After everyone had acted as instructed, Zhuge Liang took a deep breath and slowly recounted his day's events. To everyone's astonishment...
"Prime Minister, this..." Jiang Wei's eyes widened.
It's simply unbelievable.
The Marquis of Champion lived hundreds of years ago, how could we possibly meet him?
"I don't know where that place is either," Zhuge Liang said with a wry smile. "I only remember that when I closed my eyes to rest, I suddenly felt dizzy and the world was spinning. When I opened my eyes again, I was in an unfamiliar place. The people there were all famous generals and ministers from various dynasties."
The tent was deathly silent. Everyone looked at Zhuge Liang, neither daring to question the Prime Minister's words nor finding it hard to believe such a bizarre event.
Fei Yi asked cautiously, "What the Prime Minister saw, could it be... a fairyland?"
Zhuge Liang shook his head: "It doesn't resemble a fairyland; it's more like... a trial ground."
If it's a paradise, how come there are still so many suffering people?
Everyone looked at the Prime Minister with concern.
Zhuge Liang's hand trembled slightly: "That Zheng He said that in the autumn of the twelfth year of Jianxing, at the Battle of Wuzhang Plains... the Shu army..."
"How is our army?" Jiang Wei asked anxiously.
Zhuge Liang did not answer, his expression returning to calm: "It's nothing. You all must keep silent about what you saw and heard today, or you will be punished according to military law."
Although everyone was full of doubts, seeing the Prime Minister's solemn expression, they dared not ask any more questions and all bowed and agreed.
After everyone had left, Zhuge Liang sat alone in his tent, pondering Zheng He's words:
"In the twelfth year of Jianxing, Zhuge Liang died at Wuzhang Plains. During the Shu army's retreat, Wei Yan and Yang Yi had an internal conflict, which led to..."
Zheng He's words stirred Zhuge Liang's emotions. He rose and walked to the military map, gazing at the terrain between Wuzhangyuan and the Wei River, lost in deep thought.
Outside the tent, the autumn wind whistled, swirling fallen leaves across the ground. No one knew that on this very day, the Prime Minister of Shu Han had glimpsed a fragment of the future, a glimpse that might alter the course of history...
Night had fallen, but the lamp in Zhuge Liang's tent remained lit. The guards saw the Prime Minister's figure projected onto the tent flap, sometimes pacing, sometimes writing at his desk, seemingly making some important decision. Occasionally, a few suppressed coughs could be heard, sounding particularly clear in the quiet night.
In the distance, the Wei army camp on the north bank of the Wei River flickered with lights; Sima Yi was probably plotting something. But after tonight, the story of Wuzhang Plains might take a different turn...
—The Tang Dynasty
Li Shimin would always wait for Yuchi Jingde and Qin Shubao when they finished their duties, so why didn't he see them today?
Yuchi Jingde scratched his head; he was about to tell His Majesty that Zhuge Liang had arrived...
Inside the Ganlu Hall, Li Shimin stared intently at the kneeling imperial physician, his slender fingers unconsciously clenching the cuffs of his dragon robe. The incense smoke rising from the incense burner swirled before him, but could not conceal the complex expression in his eyes.
"Are you... sure there's no misdiagnosis?" The young emperor's voice trembled slightly, sounding both questioning and cautiously expectant.
The imperial physician's forehead was pressed against the ground, and the back of his official robes was already soaked with cold sweat. He dared not look up, but could only stare at the gold-threaded cloud pattern on the hem of the dragon robe in front of him, and replied in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, this humble subject has taken the pulse three times, and Her Majesty the Empress is indeed... indeed pregnant."
The Empress is pregnant, which is great news. Why is His Majesty reacting this way?
The hall fell eerily quiet; you could hear a pin drop.
Li Shimin suddenly turned around, his bright yellow robes tracing an arc in the air. He strode to the window, gazing at the scene outside the palace. "Guanyinbi..." he murmured his beloved wife's name softly, her pale face appearing before his eyes. No wonder she always said she was tired, no wonder she hadn't had a good appetite lately—it was because she was pregnant...
Thinking of this, the emperor's sharp features suddenly softened, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.
But then, his brow furrowed deeply. Was this child Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi? That foolish child? The child who handed the Tang dynasty over to Wu Zetian?
Li Shimin remained silent for a long time before finally speaking slowly: "You may leave."
The imperial physician, feeling as if granted a pardon, quickly kowtowed and withdrew from the hall. Only after the hall doors closed did Li Shimin sigh deeply and turn to walk towards the inner hall.
Empress Zhangsun was leaning against the soft couch when she saw him enter. A gentle smile appeared on her pale face: "Your Majesty, the imperial physician has already told me."
Li Shimin sat down beside her, took her slightly cool hand in his, and frowned: "Guanyinbi, your health..."
He still didn't want the child to be born, but that was more important than Guanyinbi's body.
"I am fine." She gently shook her head, her fingertips tracing his furrowed brow. "What is Your Majesty worried about?"
He was silent for a moment, then finally said in a low voice, "I... fear that this child will be like the original history."
Empress Zhangsun paused slightly, then said softly, "History has been changed, how can we believe it all? Your Majesty is a wise ruler, you should know that destiny is unpredictable, but people's hearts can be rectified. As long as you teach carefully, I believe you will not repeat the same mistakes."
Li Shimin closed his eyes and tightened his grip on her hand: "But what if this child...?"
“Your Majesty,” she interrupted softly, “what has the child done wrong? Besides, if that day ever comes, it will be our responsibility to teach him, not the fault of the unborn child.”
He gazed at her for a long time, then finally sighed and pulled her into his arms: "Fine, I'll grant your wish."
Human nature is inherently good; we just need to teach them with care. Besides, he has already made up his mind to let Chengqian succeed to the throne and will no longer be too biased towards Qingque. Those things will not happen again. Let it go.
Empress Zhangsun leaned on his shoulder, a smile on her lips, but a barely perceptible hint of worry flashed in her eyes.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps were heard outside the palace. A palace attendant whispered outside the door, "Your Majesty, Yuchi Jingde and Qin Shubao are requesting an audience outside the palace, saying they have important matters to report."
Li Shimin frowned slightly and exchanged a helpless glance with the Empress. Since ascending the throne, such rare moments of leisure always seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.
"Speak." He straightened his robes, instantly regaining his majestic imperial demeanor.
Yuchi Jingde and Qin Shubao strode in, still in their armor, beads of sweat glistening on their foreheads. After bowing, Yuchi Jingde eagerly spoke, "Your Majesty, we have important matters to report!"
Li Shimin gestured to the eunuchs to offer him a seat: "My two ministers, please speak slowly. What is the matter that is so urgent?"
Qin Shubao: "The newly appointed county magistrate of Songyang County... is..." He paused, seemingly finding it difficult to say, "...is Zhuge Liang, the prime minister of Shu Han."
The hall fell silent instantly. Li Shimin's teacup hovered in mid-air, the tea sloshing slightly.
"Really?" Li Shimin suddenly slammed his hand on the table, causing the writing implements on it to jump, and ink splattered onto the hem of his dragon robe, but he didn't care. A startled light flashed in the emperor's eyes, and he burst into laughter: "Excellent! Excellent! Magistrate Jiang truly has excellent judgment, managing to recruit even a talent as great as Zhuge Liang!"
Empress Zhangsun quickly rose, her slender hand gently pressing down on her husband's arm: "Your Majesty, please hold your joy." She turned to the two generals, her phoenix eyes flashing with rationality, "Could you two generals please explain the reasons in detail?"
Qin Shubao explained the reasons: the reason for recruiting Zhuge Liang was that County Magistrate Xu had resigned and returned to his hometown, leaving the position vacant.
"I can recite 'The Memorial on Dispatching the Troops' backwards..." Li Shimin's voice was low, with a hint of annoyance.
Empress Zhangsun watched her husband's slightly trembling fingers and understood. She knew that Li Shimin's eyes would always well up with tears whenever he read the eight characters "to devote himself to the cause until his dying breath".
At this moment, the emperor's eyes shone with that familiar, almost devout reverence.
"When I was young, I read the *Records of the Three Kingdoms* and often sighed with regret. Kongming's talent was comparable to Guan Zhong and Yue Yi; his loyalty was no less than that of the Duke of Zhou and Yi Yin." He turned around, a hint of excitement in his eyes. "If I could have Kongming's assistance in creating a prosperous era, wouldn't that be..."
Yuchi Jingde and Qin Shubao exchanged a glance. They both knew that Li Shimin greatly admired Zhuge Liang and would be delighted to hear this news. But how could they explain to His Majesty that even a golden hoe couldn't dig up this corner?
Never mind.
Let's not dampen their enthusiasm.
"Let's change the subject," Qin Shubao said after thinking for a moment, "Your Majesty, salaries are paid tomorrow, so let's see what we need to buy this time..."
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Author's Note: Does anyone have any items they'd like historical figures to buy? [pat on the head] Please recommend some! [hug] Please add this to your favorites!
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