The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 539 Zhuge's Confidence

In the dark and damp prison, the sound of dripping water echoed between the stone walls. Qin Chengji, wearing a dark cloak, walked through the deep corridor under the guidance of the jailer. His boots stepped on the bluestone slabs, making a dull sound.

"Second Prince, we're here." The jailer stopped and pointed to the innermost cell.

Qin Chengji nodded slightly, took out a piece of silver from his sleeve and handed it over: "Thank you for your help, go down."

The jailer bowed and retreated, his footsteps gradually fading away. Qin Chengji took a deep breath and pushed open the cell door. In the dim light, Zhuge Liang was sitting cross-legged on a straw mat with an unfinished chess game in front of him. Hearing the noise, he raised his head, and a flash of understanding flashed in his eyes.

"Your Highness the Second Prince visited me so late at night, probably for the Southern Expedition." Zhuge Liang's voice was calm as water, as if he had anticipated all this.

Qin Chengji took off his cloak, revealing a face that was a little haggard due to days of anxiety. He smiled bitterly and said, "Sir, you are as good as a god. The prince has already forwarded my memorial to my father. I am afraid..."

"I'm afraid your majesty will refuse?" Zhuge Liang shook his head slightly, stretched out his hand to signal Qin Chengji to sit down, and comforted him: "Your Highness is worrying too much."

Qin Chengji sat cross-legged opposite Zhuge Liang, frowning, and said hesitantly: "Sir, you don't know that the prince's faction in the cabinet strongly opposed it and almost said that I intended to get involved in military power. Father is most afraid of the prince taking charge of the army, I am afraid this matter..."

"Your Highness is wrong. What His Majesty fears is not the prince in charge of the army, but the incompetent person in charge of the army." Zhuge Liang interrupted him and tapped the chessboard with his fingers.

Qin Chengji was startled, and immediately asked curiously: "What do you mean, sir?"

Zhuge Liang took a black piece from the chess box, placed it in the center of the chessboard, and said nonchalantly: "Your Majesty, what did you rely on to pacify the world? It was military merit and ability. When he selected generals, he never looked at their family background. The same is true for the princes."

Outside the cell, a mouse rustled past and quickly disappeared into the darkness. Qin Chengji followed the movement, but his thoughts drifted further away.

"Sir, are you saying that the emperor will value ability over illegitimate children?"

"That's right." Zhuge Liang put down another white piece and explained, "If Your Majesty really adheres to the system of primogeniture, you would not let the Crown Prince govern the country and tacitly allow the Second Prince to participate in government affairs. This move is to test the abilities of the two princes."

Qin Chengji's eyes flashed with a glimmer, but soon dimmed, and he said with some frustration: "But the prince's faction is very powerful."

"Your Highness, do you know why the prince could obstruct your proposal?" Zhuge Liang suddenly asked.

"Of course it's because of his power as regent."

Zhuge Liang shook his head and said, "No. It's because Your Highness has not yet formed his own power."

He took out a list from his sleeve, handed it to Qin Chengji, and said, "These are the ministers in the court who are dissatisfied with the prince's reforms. Most of them are from aristocratic families. The new policies implemented by the prince have harmed their interests."

Qin Chengji took the list and looked at it carefully in the dim light. It was filled with names, including many important officials in the court.

"Chen Qun, Gu Yong..." Qin Chengji whispered, looking up in shock, "These people are..."

Zhuge Liang stroked his beard and said with a smile: "They are all loyal to the emperor, but at the same time, they are also loyal to their own families. They can't deal with the emperor, but they can deal with the prince. Of course, Your Highness still needs to consider these lists carefully."

"Sir, you are very smart. No wonder my father is so afraid of you." Qin Chengji didn't expect that Zhuge Liang was imprisoned, but he knew what was happening outside, and he had such a thorough understanding of it. This made him amazed.

Zhuge Liang's eyes sparkled with wisdom as he asked, "Your Highness, do you know why the Crown Prince is so eager to stop you from marching south?"

Qin Chengji thought for a moment: "Is he afraid that I will make military achievements and threaten his position?" "That's one aspect." Zhuge Liang nodded, then shook his head and analyzed: "More importantly, if the southern expedition is successful, Your Highness will gain support from the military. And the military is precisely the weakest link for the prince."

A gust of cold wind blew in from the small window of the cell, causing the oil lamp to flicker. Qin Chengji felt a chill rising from his spine, but a spark of hope ignited in his heart.

"Mr. means"

"Your Majesty will agree to your request." Zhuge Liang said firmly: "Not only will he agree, but he will also order me to serve as a military advisor."

Qin Chengji's eyes widened, and he said in confusion: "How is this possible? Sir, you are now a criminal."

Zhuge Liang smiled slightly: "It is precisely because I am guilty that Your Majesty made such an arrangement. First, it can test whether I can be used by the new dynasty, and second, it can test Your Majesty's ability to employ people and whether you only select people based on their talents."

Qin Chengji suddenly realized, but then became worried again and asked: "But the southern barbarians are fierce and Meng Huo is cunning, what if..."

"Don't worry, Your Highness." Zhuge Liang collected the chess pieces calmly. "The southern barbarians are brave, but they have no strategy. Meng Huo is cunning, but he has no foresight. We must win this battle. These people fear power but not virtue. Only by hurting them and letting them see the power of the court, will they dare not rebel."

His voice was not loud, but it was full of unquestionable confidence. Qin Chengji felt an inexplicable sense of security, as if as long as this person was in front of him, there would be no problem that could not be solved.

"Then what should I do now?" Qin Chengji asked, his tone less anxious than before.

"Wait for the imperial edict." Zhuge Liang put the last chess piece into the box. "At the same time, you can secretly contact the ministers on the list. They will speak for His Highness."

Qin Chengji nodded solemnly and carefully put away the list. He stood up and prepared to leave, but stopped: "Sir, if it is true as you said, my father orders you to go to war with me. Are you willing?"

Zhuge Liang raised his head, his eyes were like torches: "I am a guilty minister, but I have gained your trust. I will do my best to help you pacify the southern barbarians and stabilize the southwest."

Qin Chengji bowed deeply and said, "Chengji would like to thank you in advance."

When he left the prison, the sky in the east was already turning pale. Qin Chengji took a deep breath of the morning air and felt the burden in his chest disappear. He looked up in the direction of the palace, where a court meeting was about to take place to determine the fate of the southwest and the two princes.

"Qin Shou, will you let me march south?" Zhuge Liang looked at the north with a complicated expression.

At this moment in Zhuo County, Qin Shou was looking at the memorial sent from Chang'an with a smile on his face.

"You want to lead the army to the south? And you want to take Zhuge Liang with you."

Qin Shou put the memorial aside, a strange look on his face.

"Your Majesty, the 100,000 mountains in the southwest are a barren land. It may not be advisable to send troops on a long expedition. Zhuge Liang was Liu Bei's confidant, and Liu Bei died at the hands of Your Majesty. How could Zhuge Liang be willing to serve Your Majesty?" Xun You was a little worried.

"Zhuge Liang, he will!"

Qin Shou looked into the distance dimly.

(End of this chapter)