The Three Kingdoms: Zhaolie, the strategist, and the rise of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 383 Sending off Kongming along the Hundred-Mile Long Street

The capital city, Luoyang.

Inside the palace, maple leaves were dyed crimson, and officials stood solemnly before the Weiyang Hall.

Li Yi stepped forward from his rank, holding an ivory tablet, his voice resounding throughout the heavens:
"I recommend Zhuge Liang, the governor of Jiaozhou, to succeed General Ma Chao as the commander-in-chief of military affairs in Yong and Liang provinces."

Liu Bei, seated on his throne, gently stroked his frosty temples, the jade beads tinkling softly between his black robes and crimson skirt.

"Ma Mengqi has been stationed on the border for several years, and it is indeed time for him to return to the capital to recuperate."

For Liu Bei, he had always wanted to bring local military power back to the central government.

Ma Chao's defeat actually gave Liu Bei an opportunity.

In this way, except for the military power in Jiangnan, most of the military power in the local areas was taken back.

A commotion suddenly arose below the steps. Situ Wang Lang strode out of the ranks, his crimson and purple court robes billowing like clouds.

"Your Majesty! Guanzhong is the wing and shield of the capital. How can it be entrusted to a minister who has lost the Jingzhou army?"

"Zhuge Liang misjudged people in the past, which almost led to the loss of Jingzhou and Xiangyang."

"He has only been governing Jiaozhou for a few years now. Even with the profits from sugar, he is ultimately a civil official!"

"Am I capable of undertaking such a great responsibility?"

The position of Governor-General of Yongliang was a lucrative post, and many people were eyeing it.

Li Yi, however, recommended Zhuge Liang, who was stationed on the border.

This naturally made many bigwigs in Beijing's elite circles resentful.

But it was precisely for this reason that Li Yi recommended Zhuge Liang.

Because he had little power; at most, he had some influence in Jiaozhou.

But to the powerful central government, it's not worth mentioning at all.

Cultivate new elites and suppress meritorious veterans.

This was paving the way for the second-generation ruler, something Liu Bei hoped to see.

He even felt that this was more important than unifying the world.

After all, for the powerful Qi and Han, destroying Wu and Wei was not difficult.

However, how to ensure a peaceful transfer of power between the second generation has always been a headache.

The bronze incense burner with coiled dragon design on the emperor's desk emitted wisps of smoke, casting an indistinct glow on the emperor's face.

Li Yi suddenly gripped his official tablet horizontally like a sword, his starry eyes flashing:
How can we judge a hero based on temporary success or failure?

"Emperor Gaozu was defeated by Xiang Yu several times, but finally succeeded in the Battle of Gaixia."

"Although Kongming suffered a defeat at Jiangling, Jiaozhou still had thousands of acres of sugarcane fields and a constant stream of merchant ships."

"This land, once plagued by malaria, now pays 300,000 bushels of grain!"

Before he could finish speaking, Pang Tong suddenly interjected:
"The annual revenue from white sugar can offset half of the state's salt tax!"

Since Xun You fell seriously ill and returned to his hometown, Li Yi had intended to cultivate Pang Tong.

Pang Tong also realized that Li Yi intended to groom him as Xun You's successor, so he was also a staunch supporter of Li Yi in the court.

Whatever Li Yi's political views were, Pang Tong would always agree with them.

Wang Langxue's beard trembled, and his ivory tablet pointed directly at the palace beam:
"The Yongliang Iron Cavalry is unparalleled in the world; only those who enjoy the deepest respect among the people can control it!"

"The General of the Flying Cavalry's former troops are all fierce and ruthless from Xiliang. If something unexpected happens..."

At this point, all the red-robed figures in the hall lowered their heads to look at their shoes.

Li Yi suddenly laughed and rolled up his sleeves:
“Mind your words, Minister! Do you doubt my intention to recommend worthy men?”

Suddenly, the jade steps resonated with the sound of gold and jade.

As Liu Bei rose, the twelve white jade beads on his tassels trembled violently, and he interrupted sharply:
"Please wait, my two ministers."

The emperor and his ministers exchanged glances briefly amidst the smoke from the nine tripods.

Li Yi suddenly knelt down:

"Your Majesty, I am willing to offer my position as Prime Minister to ensure that Zhuge Liang will surely defeat Sima Yi!"

Before Li Yi could finish speaking, "I am willing to offer my position as prime minister to protect Zhuge Liang,"

Pang Tong, Xu Shu, Liu Ye, and other ministers stepped forward, holding their tablets, and shouted:

"I'm willing to protect it too!"

"I'm willing to protect it too!"

"I'm willing to protect them too!!"

"..."

These people are not doing so because they all like Zhuge Liang.

In fact, Zhuge Liang's rise to power could even make him their political enemy, threatening to seize their share of the spoils.

Yet they still stood up to support Zhuge Liang without hesitation.

Because they had a bigger tree to protect them—Li Yi.

These people were all Li Yi's protégés and former officials, or his trusted confidants whom he had personally promoted. They were Li Yi's absolute supporters and cronies in the court.

Since Li Yi has pledged his position as prime minister, it shows that his political stance is very firm.

And these people were all seasoned veterans in the workplace; they had that much insight.

Liu Bei laughed loudly, and the twelve white jade beads struck the Xuanyuan Mirror with clear, melodious sounds.

"good!"

"Prime Minister Li understands me perfectly, responding to my call like a drumbeat!"

"Draft an imperial edict!"

When the emperor raised his sleeves, the black robe and crimson skirt rolled up, and the incense ash was like snow.

"Send this urgent message to Jiaozhou—instruct Zhuge Liang to bring ten bushels of white sugar and one hundred bushels of Jiaozhi rice seeds to Luoyang immediately to report on his duties!"

The clear, melodious sound of the bronze bells under the eaves seemed to echo the eight glorious years of Emperor Zhaowu's restoration of the Han dynasty.

The lingering echoes of the court's bells and chimes had not yet faded when Li Yi, still in his crimson and purple court robes, headed straight for the Eastern Palace.

The osmanthus trees on both sides of the palace road are laden with pearls, their fragrance rich and deep.

When the chief eunuch of the Eastern Palace saw the Prime Minister's entourage, he rushed to announce their arrival.

Before long, Crown Prince Liu Shan, dressed in black robes and crimson skirts, came out to greet them, accompanied by Crown Princess Zhang Xing, who wore a red phoenix hairpin with pearls in her hair.

The two men straightened their clothes and bowed deeply according to etiquette:
"Greetings, Prime Minister."

Li Yi received the full ceremony before offering his assistance.

"I just finished court and stopped by to visit Your Highness."

Looking closely at the Crown Prince, the young heir apparent had a face as round as the full moon.

The sharp edges between her brows and eyes have been softened by the palace, leaving only a gentle and refined appearance.

When the maidservant served tea, Li Yi tapped the table three times with his knuckles:

"The Han army is currently attacking Sun Wu. This old minister dares to ask Your Highness what your opinion is on this matter?"

Liu Shan's eyes lit up, and he answered respectfully:
"Where the heavenly troops pointed, the rebel Wu were utterly routed."

"Moreover, there is Chen Yuanlong, the commander of the naval forces. He is a trusted minister of the Emperor and a person trusted by the Prime Minister."

"How could we not defeat the Wu bandits?"

The tea foam swirled in the cup, and Li Yi's voice was as deep as an ancient well.

"...We will surely defeat Wu."

"What this old minister is asking is after the Jiangnan region has been pacified."

The implication was that Li Yi wanted to ask Liu Shan...

"In war-torn lands, taxes should be reduced and disaster relief provided so that the people may benefit from the Han dynasty's grace."

Before the Crown Prince could finish speaking, the Prime Minister suddenly put down his cup, making a soft thud.

"Inquire not about the common people, but about the meritorious officials."

Li Yi's eyes gleamed like lightning beneath his black sable crown.

"After the generals of Huainan destroyed Wu, they achieved great military exploits."

"The Zhu, Zhang, Gu, and Lu families, the most prominent clans in Jiangdong, have submitted. What policy does Your Highness intend to adopt to settle them?"

Liu Shan was momentarily stunned, and replied in a daze:
According to the old system of the Han Dynasty, those who made meritorious contributions were granted the titles of marquises and nobles.

“Those who have committed offenses shall be demoted and punished; what else is there to say?”

A sudden autumn wind swept through the palace, causing the curtains to flutter and clatter like pearls.

Li Yi stared at the swaying reflection of the pearl and said in a deep voice:

"If all the powerful families in Jiangnan were to take command of the military, all the surrendered generals in Wu would be granted fiefs of ten thousand households."

"When Your Highness ascends the throne, can you guarantee his loyalty?"

There was a long silence, with only the sound of the water clock dripping.

Liu Shan finally raised his head and said solemnly:
"I treat people with sincerity, and they will never betray my sincerity."

"Your Highness, you..."

The Prime Minister was speechless for a moment, a rare occurrence where the Crown Prince rendered him speechless.

This time, Li Yi remained silent for a long time.

After a long silence, he finally sighed:

"This is exactly what your father said back then."

Seeing the Crown Prince's stunned expression, Li Yi sighed like the sound of pine trees in the wind:
"However, your father was a dragon and snake in the martial world in his early years, while Your Highness was born to be a pillar of the court."

"In the martial arts world, loyalty is valued; in the imperial court, checks and balances are essential."

"If we only know how to be open and honest with each other, we may end up condoning evil."

Consort Xingcai's skirt twitched slightly as if she wanted to speak, but her husband gently stopped her.

Liu Shan leaned forward and bowed deeply, asking meaningfully:
"What does Your Excellency mean? Is there something you want me to do?"

"It is not that Your Highness should do anything harsh."

Li Yi suddenly pointed to the towering ginkgo trees outside the palace.

"This tree was transplanted when Your Majesty ascended the throne, and eight years later it has grown tall and shady."

"Does Your Highness know that there are seven layers of sand and three layers of charcoal ash buried beneath it?"

Without waiting for a reply, he continued:
"...Roots are easy to cultivate, but soil is difficult to nurture."

"Your Highness was born to be the heir apparent of the Prince of Qi. The time for him to be chosen as the crown prince is only a blink of an eye."

"To receive a great gift from heaven is as easy as turning one's hand."

That's precisely why—

Li Yi's tone suddenly turned stern:

"It is even more important to know that maintaining the status quo is more difficult than starting a new business."

“Jiangnan is not only a land of plenty, but also a hotbed of powerful and influential people.”

“Too much favor can lead to an uncontrollable situation, while excessive suppression can become a source of chaos.”

"The degree of discernment involved cannot be fully encompassed by the word 'sincerity'; one must consider the art of checks and balances."

Having said this, he straightened his clothes, stood up, picked up the *Records of the Grand Historian* from the table, and sighed.

"Your father recommended many books to you, but I know you haven't read them carefully."

"But these books are always worth reading. By learning from history, one can understand the lives of many historical figures."

"It's always good to read it."

"I hope Your Highness will recall matters such as those concerning the Marquis of Huaiyin."

After saying this, Li Yi got up and took his leave.

He had only stopped by on his way here, but when the mood struck him, he chatted with him for a bit longer.

They didn't take it too seriously.

As Zhu Zi's figure gradually disappeared into the palace road, golden ginkgo leaves fell onto the prince's shoulders, heavy as golden armor.

"Father..."

Liu Shan, holding the Records of the Grand Historian in his hands, stood there dumbfounded, at a loss for what to do.

"…husband."

Xingcai walked over and patted Liu Chan's chest.

"Your father is telling you all this because he must be hoping for your well-being."

"I know."

Liu Shan smiled slightly, but there was a hint of bitterness in his smile.

"I just don't understand, I don't understand at all."

"Does being an emperor necessarily mean abandoning the most basic human emotions and prioritizing profit above all else?"

Xingcai remained silent for a long time before finally sighing and saying:

"I am but a woman, and I should not speak so much."

"When I was a child, I followed my father and had contact with the prime minister, so I knew a lot about his political views."

"In the eyes of the Prime Minister, only those who are江湖人士 (jianghu figures) can enjoy the pleasures of revenge."

"But politicians need to plan and strategize more."

At this point, Xingcai glanced at the servants around her.

The servants understood and withdrew voluntarily.

Xingcai then whispered in Liu Shan's ear:

"...Your Highness, you must not say this to outsiders."

"I overheard it by chance when my father was drunk that day."

Liu Shan nodded, signaling Xingcai to continue.

“My father said that after the Han army destroyed Wu, they would treat the former officials of the Sun family well, including the descendants of the Sun family.”

"Oh why?"

"...I don't know much either, and neither does Father."

"I just heard that this was decided by the top cabinet, supposedly for the post-war resettlement work."

"Considering what the Prime Minister just said, perhaps this is what he meant by the planning of the court."

"Everything is for the sake of the overall situation."

"Politicians only care about their own interests because that's what's best for the country and its people."

"If we act on emotion, it may backfire and harm the country and the people."

At this point, Xingcai realized she had said too much and quickly tried to smooth things over.

"Of course, these are just my personal opinions."

"My dear... please don't overthink it, just be yourself."

Ok.

Liu Shan nodded and gently put his arm around Xingcai's waist.

"No matter what happens in the future, I will always protect you."

"And the baby in your belly."

After saying that, the two looked at each other and smiled.

……

As the evening drums resounded through the twelve streets of Luoyang, the prime minister's entourage moved into the prime minister's residence west of the Zhuque Gate.

As Li Yi alighted from his sedan chair, his eldest son, Li Zhi, dressed in a blue brocade robe, waited respectfully at the gate. The lanterns illuminated the flickering worry on his brow.

"Father."

Li Zhi was very respectful. "General Guan's residence has sent someone again to inquire when the wedding date should be set?"

Li Yi removed his sable crown and handed it to his attendant. The python pattern on his black court robe seemed to leap into the air under the candlelight.

"Are you in such a hurry?"

"It's not that I'm being reckless."

Li Zhi followed his father into the main hall, dismissed those on either side, and spoke in a low voice.

"Miss Guan has already reached the age of marriage, and the two families have long since exchanged betrothal gifts."

"To complete the ceremony as soon as possible will not only appease General Guan, but also demonstrate our family's sincerity."

He paused slightly, his voice becoming even deeper.

"Lord Yun Chang now holds the Tiger Tally of the Imperial Guard, his power shaking the entire land."

"A marriage between the two families is good for both sides."

"enough."

Li Yi suddenly tapped the sandalwood table with his knuckles, causing the clear water in the official kiln brush washer to ripple.

"Marriage is a major life event; how can it be a matter for court intrigue?"

Amidst the crackling sound of the candle flame bursting, Li Zhi bowed his head and replied:
“My father taught his sons that marriages in aristocratic families should be like playing chess – one must consider the overall situation before making a move.”

After a long silence, the Prime Minister finally sighed:

"Oh well, let's choose an auspicious day."

Seeing the eldest son's joyful expression, he then became solemn again and said:
However, it should be known that—

“The daughter of the Guan family is not a child of chess; since we have married her, we should respect and protect her for the rest of our lives.”

"Otherwise, given Guan Yu's temperament, I won't be able to help you then,"

"Father, don't worry, I know."

After Li Zhi bowed and withdrew, Lady Yuan Ying emerged from behind the screen.

The Prime Minister's wife, dressed in a Xiang skirt and adorned with jade hairpins, smiled before even speaking.

"With Zhi'er marrying the pearl of the Guan family, who in the court doesn't say it's a match made in heaven?"

"Your Excellency, you frown as if you've swallowed a bitter pill."

Lady Li Yiren removed the gold belt from her waist and sighed:

"As the Buddhist scriptures say: All phenomena arise from causes and conditions, and when the causes and conditions cease, the phenomena cease as well."

"I also believe that precisely because my Li family holds a high position, we should try our best to avoid getting involved in karma."

"Since we are already living in the mortal world, why should we get involved in more of it?"

"What if we drag other families' affairs into this too?"

"Why are you even meditating on Zen?"

Yuan Ying scoffed and threw the belt onto the bed.

"I have only heard Confucius say: 'If you do not know about life, how can you know about death?'"

"Isn't that theory of past and present lives just nonsense?"

The Prime Minister silently walked to the window, saw the gnarled branches of the old locust tree in the courtyard, broken like the autumn moon, and said softly:
"This winter festival will mark my forty-seventh birthday."

The rustling of withered leaves gradually faded away.

"The frost is cold at high places, only those who stand there know."

"Now, Li's disciples and former officials are all over the court and the country, and they have family ties with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, and are related to powerful clans."

Whether it is a blessing or a curse remains to be seen.

Li Zhi married Guan San's daughter, while his second son, Li Ping, married another daughter of Zhang Fei.

She was Empress Xiao Zhang in history.

In other words, Liu Shan in this world cannot have relations with the twin sisters.

He only married Zhang Xingcai as his legal wife.

The only regret is that Li Ping was born out of wedlock.

Although being adopted by Lady Deer raised his value somewhat.

But just as Yuan Shao was also adopted, he was still mocked by the Skeleton King.

But Zhang Fei didn't care about any of that; he felt that being able to marry Mr. Li would be the best outcome.

For the sake of the daughter, and for the sake of the Zhang family.

But Li Yi thought again that his children would eventually get married.

Throughout history, the importance of marrying someone of equal social standing has always been emphasized. Instead of agonizing over which family to marry your children into, it's better to keep it simple.

Let's arrange a marriage alliance with the Guan Yu and Zhang Fei families.

It's absolutely impossible for him to marry an ordinary citizen.

The reason is quite simple.
When one person attains the Tao, the chicken and the dog ascend to heaven.

That's how He Jin rose to power.

This man, who once slaughtered pigs and sold wine, rose to become a great general, second only to the emperor.

He suddenly turned to look at the lady, the fine lines at the corners of his eyes were like carvings.

Yuan Ying's hand holding the lamp trembled slightly as the warm light brushed against the graying temples of her husband.

"My husband is worrying too much."

"Even if there are countless dangers, how could I possibly give up this position?"

"Idiot."

Li Yi smiled and gently stroked the lotus embroidery on his wife's shoulder.

"Have you not heard the saying in the Book of Changes, 'The dragon that soars too high will have regrets'?"

"Now you only need to properly arrange the wedding ceremony—"

"Remember, the pomp and circumstance need not be too grand; reduce it by 30% according to the custom of a marquis's eldest son."

The sound of the drum echoed through the courtyard, and Li Yi couldn't help but softly recite lines from the Book of Songs.

"'Be cautious and apprehensive, as if standing on the edge of an abyss'."

"This is not the word of Buddha, but the truth of sages and saints."

Seven days later, the Guan and Li families officially became husband and wife.

The wedding was a grand affair, with Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Xu Chu, and other important officials in attendance.

Liu Bei was busy with state affairs and did not attend in person.

However, he still sent his crown prince Liu Shan to attend, in order to express his blessings to the newlyweds and to present them with a gift.

……

The Mid-Autumn Festival has just passed, but the summer heat in Lingnan has not yet completely dissipated.

Inside the governor's office in Cangwu County, a slight chill had already set in.

Zhuge Liang was bent over his desk, reviewing the records of this year's sugarcane fields and sugar mills, his wide, plain robe cuffs stained with ink.

The huge canopy of the foliage tree outside the hall casts a deep shade, and the hoarse chirping of cicadas makes the courtyard seem even more tranquil.

Suddenly, a commotion of footsteps was heard in the front courtyard. A subordinate official rushed in, and before he could even straighten his hat, he reported:

"My lord! The imperial envoy from Luoyang has arrived, and his entourage is already at the gate of your residence!"

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Liang paused, and a drop of ink fell on the three characters "sugar production," slowly spreading outwards.

He raised his head, his gaze passing over the porch, and saw the blinding sunlight in the courtyard. He paused for a moment before speaking:

"Open the central gate, set up an incense table, and welcome the imperial edict."

Although he did not yet know whether it was a good or bad edict, Zhuge Liang felt a vague sense of excitement in his heart.

This excitement is indescribable.

The imperial edict was written on yellow silk, its words elegant and refined.

The angel's voice was clear and bright, penetrating the humid air of Lingnan.

He first praised Zhuge Liang, the governor of Jiaozhou, for his effective governance of the people, which transformed remote areas into a paradise.

Furthermore, we praise his wisdom and ingenuity in teaching the people how to plant sugarcane.

The production of white sugar led to the development of this sweet and delicious industry.

It benefits the country and its people, and its merits are worthy of the nation's trust.

The officials of the prefecture, such as Jiang Wan, Liao Hua, and Liu Pan, stood solemnly below the hall.

They all nodded slightly, their faces showing a sense of pride.

Zhuge Liang listened respectfully with his head bowed, his face calm and serene, like a still well.

Such praise has become commonplace in official documents in recent years.

Until the angel's voice subtly changed, and he read out the sentence:

"...The Governor of Jiaozhou, Zhuge Liang, shall receive this edict from this date."

"Immediately hand over the state affairs and return to Luoyang for an audience with the Emperor. Do not delay."

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Liang suddenly raised his eyes, a glint of light flashing in them.

The composure I had just felt seemed to have been suddenly erased by an invisible hand.

His gaze swept over the edict held by the angel and landed on its magnificent patterns.

After regaining his composure, he composed himself and bowed deeply.
"Your subject, Zhuge Liang, receives the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude."

"Long live Your Majesty!!"

After the ceremony, the angels came forward.

The solemn, official expression on his face faded, replaced by a friendly smile, and he said in a low voice:
"hey-hey."

"Lord Zhuge, congratulations!"

"This time, upon returning to the capital, Jian must be in the Emperor's favor, and her future is limitless."

His words were full of goodwill.

He came from the imperial court in Luoyang, so how could he not know that Zhuge Liang was about to rise to prominence and become a rising star in the court?
Showing goodwill now is paving the way for themselves.

Zhuge Liang's mind raced, but he smiled and humbly declined.
"...The angels have come from afar with great difficulty."

"I live in a remote southern region and have long been unaware of important court affairs. I wonder if any major events have occurred in the capital recently?"

He paused slightly, carefully choosing his words.

"Should we reveal our preparatory moves?"

The angel understood and decided to take this opportunity to do Zhuge Liang a favor.

So he took half a step closer and lowered his voice to a whisper:
…“So that the magistrate may know.”

"Some time ago, I heard that General Ma Mengqi had been summoned back to the capital."

Zhuge Liang's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly, then returned to normal. He cupped his hands and said:

"Thanks to the guidance of the angels."

He immediately turned to the side and ordered, "Someone, lead the angel to the guesthouse to rest and treat them well."

"All supplies must be of the highest quality."

The attendant bowed and accepted the order, then led the beaming messenger away.

As soon as the envoy left, the hall erupted in uproar.

Jiang Wan, Liao Hua, Liu Pan, and other former subordinates immediately gathered around and bowed deeply to offer their congratulations.

Even Jiang Wan, usually so composed, could not hide her excitement at this moment:
"My lord! For eight years in Cangwu, you have braved wind and rain to cultivate and educate the people."

"Today we have finally gained the favor of the imperial court; we have finally made it through!"

As she spoke, she couldn't help but shed tears.

Although Zhuge Liang developed Jiaozhou very well, how could Lingnan compare with the prosperous Jingbei?

If possible, Jiang Wan still hoped to return to Jingbei, or even to the bustling city of Luoyang.

"Exactly! He will surely be of great use upon returning to the capital!"

Liao Hua replied, his face beaming with triumphant joy.

Amid the clamor of the crowd, Zhuge Liang remained silent, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the edge of the imperial edict.

His gaze was cast into the void outside the hall, as if piercing through the rooftops and reaching the Qin Chuan and Longshan Mountains thousands of miles away.

After a long pause, he slowly spoke, his tone calm, but it was like a bucket of cold water that extinguished everyone's enthusiasm.

"The imperial court is currently focusing its efforts on the southern expedition, and the war with Eastern Wu is raging."

"At this time, the most worrying thing is not the stubborn resistance of Jiangdong, but the Cao Wei of Xichuan taking advantage of the situation to invade and disturb Guanzhong."

"If Guanzhong is lost, the Central Plains will be shaken, and the overall situation will be in danger."

He paused, looked around at everyone, and seeing that they had all stopped smiling and were listening attentively, he continued:
“Ma Mengqi was born in Xiliang and his power was known to the Qiang and Hu peoples. The court relied on him as a shield for Guanzhong.”

"At this critical juncture, he was transferred away without cause..."

"Gentlemen, do you know why His Majesty wishes to recall Liang to the capital?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wan's expression hardened, and she hesitated before saying:
"Could it be... that he's going to replace Ma Chao and guard Guanzhong?"

After a moment's thought, his eyes widened in surprise. "Ma Chao is a General of the Cavalry, holding the authority of a general, and overseeing military affairs in Yong and Liang provinces."

"If you were to replace him, wouldn't that mean you..."

"It is likely that the responsibility will extend beyond defending a single city or region."

Zhuge Liang spoke, his tone calm yet carrying immense weight.

"It seems the position of Governor of Yongliang will fall to Liang."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

The elation just now was overshadowed by this heavy suspicion.

Yongliang was the front line directly facing the advance of Cao Wei's army.

The area was inhabited by both Qiang and Hu peoples, and the people suffered from poverty, a far cry from the increasingly prosperous Cangwu.

Moreover, it is close to the capital and is under the watchful eyes of countless people.

If you do something slightly wrong, you can easily be impeached and impeached.

But as the saying goes, fortune favors the bold, and this is also an opportunity to rise and climb the social ladder.

After all, as the governor of Yongliang's military affairs, once he succeeds, his future will be limitless.

Zhuge Liang suddenly chuckled, breaking the silence, his voice sounding both self-deprecating and wistful:

The Book of Rites says, “A gentleman guides people with his words and restrains them with his actions. Therefore, he must consider the consequences of his words and examine the potential harm of his actions.”

"The greater the ability, the greater the responsibility."

"This important task in Yongliang is a real hot potato; it's not something you can easily take on."

However, deep in his eyes,

That little flame, suppressed for so many years, finally burst into flames, shining brightly.

Upon closer inspection, everyone noticed that although he spoke of a heavy responsibility, the long-standing gloom between his brows had vanished.

A kind of eager, burgeoning ambition took its place.

Everyone understood that this was all because of the mistake of appointing Ma Su, who was subsequently demoted to Jiaozhou.

Zhuge Liang had always been holding back a sense of pride, and he was constantly trying to prove himself.

He hoped that one day he could return to the imperial court and make everyone look at him with new respect.

Zhuge Liang suddenly shook his sleeves and said loudly:

"Gentlemen, we met when we were still in humble circumstances and were both trapped in the southern lands."

"Today we may part ways, how can we not get drunk?"

"Tonight, a banquet will be held for all the officials and virtuous people of our state and this place."

"All who come, please join me in a drink!"

That night, the governor's mansion was brightly lit, and a banquet was held with dozens of tables.

Jiaozhou was a remote place, but Zhuge Liang managed it for several years and gained great prestige.

Upon hearing the news, local powerful clan leaders filled most of the hall, presenting a mountain of congratulatory gifts.

Zhang Hong, a trusted advisor, arrived last, and they shook hands in congratulations, everything understood without words.

What was presented on the table was not a rare delicacy.

Most of the dishes are light and healthy, including soups, seasonal vegetables, and delicacies.

It is served with a sweet wine made from sugarcane juice.

Zhuge Liang devoted himself to health preservation for many years.

The reason I did this was simply because I wanted to live a little longer.

The reason is simple: the meritorious officials of the Qi-Han regime were almost saturated.

It won't be easy for Zhuge Liang to rise again.

So the only way is to wait it out and accumulate experience, hoping to eventually get ahead.

Therefore, how could he not work hard to take care of his health?
If you ruin your health, you'll lose the chance to prove yourself again forever.

At this moment, Zhuge Liang was radiant and agile, showing none of the sluggishness often seen in people who had lived in the south for a long time.

When the wine was half-finished, Zhuge Liang raised his cup, rose, and bowed to all the guests in the room, speaking earnestly:
“Liang, a mere scholar, has been entrusted with a post in a border region by His Majesty’s favor.”

"Over the years, there have been some oversights in government policies, but we have relied entirely on your great assistance."

"Only through inclusiveness and perseverance can we have the vast sugarcane fields and numerous sugar mills we have today."

"The small contribution of merchant ships sailing far and wide."

"This is not the result of Liang's efforts alone, but the result of the concerted efforts of everyone."

"Liang, with this cup, I express my gratitude to you all!"

After saying this, he drank the sweet syrup in his cup to the brim.

A chorus of polite thanks and praise erupted from the table, with everyone raising their glasses in return, saying:

"Your Excellency possesses extraordinary talent and is perfectly suited to the position of Governor-General of Yong and Liang."

"When you conquer the nine provinces in the future, do not forget our old troops from Jiaozhou."

"Hahaha……"

Amidst the clamor of prayers, Zhuge Liang accepted the gift with a smile.

My gaze occasionally fell back to the glass, where the clear, sweet wine swayed slightly, reflecting the flickering lamplight from the beams.

It seemed as if it were a scene of clashing swords and galloping horses.

The smile on his lips froze slightly, but only for a moment before it returned to normal. He raised his glass and drank with everyone again.

Outside the window, the moon was high in the sky, its clear light bathing the ground.

The shadows of the sugarcane leaves in the courtyard stretched long, like essays yet to be written, or journeys yet to begin.

The clamor of the banquet subsided, and only the sound of the water clock remained amidst the flickering candlelight and the cold glow of the lamps.

Zhuge Liang did not go to bed, but instead sat alone in his study with a candle.

My fingertips traced the map of Cangwu County, but my gaze had already pierced through the window and was fixed on the starry north.

On the table, a glass of untouched sugar water has already formed tiny crystals.

The next day at dawn, the frost and dew had not yet dried.

The carriages and entourage were already prepared outside the mansion gate.

The trip was simple; apart from the family and their carriage, there were only a dozen or so guards and a cart full of books.

Jiang Wan, Liao Hua, Liu Pan, Zhang Hong, and other former subordinates all stood solemnly in white robes, awaiting their final farewell.

As Zhuge Liang stepped out of the mansion, his gaze swept over the faces of those who had spent years with him in Lingnan, finally settling on Jiang Wan.

He took Jiang Wan's hand and solemnly said:
“Gongyan, the administration of Jiaozhou is like a newly planted sugarcane, whose roots are not yet deep and cannot withstand the blows of wind and rain.”

"You may temporarily take charge of the affairs of the state, and all procedures shall remain as before."

"We must ensure that the people are not disturbed and that the sugar industry continues uninterrupted."

"The handover can only take place on the day the imperial court issues a decree appointing the new governor."

His voice was deep and slow, each word carrying immense weight.

Jiang Wan bowed deeply, her eyes slightly red:

"Rest assured, my lord, I will do my utmost, however incompetent I may be."

"To perform my duties diligently and safeguard the peace and tranquility of Jiaozhou, awaiting the governor's... awaiting the imperial decree."

"I earnestly hope that Your Excellency will take good care of yourself on your journey to Luoyang."

Zhuge Liang nodded, then looked at Liao Hua, Liu Pan, and the others:
"Gentlemen, you are all pillars of the nation. You should remain in this fertile land to assist Gongyan."

"With one heart and one mind, we will live up to His Majesty's expectations and the expectations of the people here."

Everyone bowed in agreement, their voices choked with emotion.

The carriage started, its hooves clattering as it rolled over the long bluestone street.

As they approached the city gate, the scene before them startled Zhuge Liang—

But the roadside was lined with kneeling people, offering food and drink, stretching for miles.

Among them were well-dressed Han Chinese merchants and local chieftains with their hair in topknots and bare feet.

There were artisans with hands covered in sugar stains, and sugarcane farmers with dark complexions.

At this moment, however, they all unanimously offered their farewells and urged Zhuge Liang to stay.

Upon seeing the car arrive, the sobbing suddenly intensified, transforming into a chorus of mournful cries:
"Please wait, my lord!"

"My lord, please don't leave!"

"We will never forget your kindness, Your Excellency!"

An elderly man with white hair tremblingly picked up a bowl of clear sugarcane juice and held it high above his head:
"My lord! Jiaozhou has long suffered from malaria."

“Since you came here, you have taught the people to grow sugarcane and make sugar, saving countless lives.”

"This is a blessing from heaven! Please, sir, drink this bowl of water from your hometown!"

Zhuge Liang immediately ordered the car to stop and quickly got off.

Upon seeing this, he could no longer maintain his usually calm and composed demeanor.

A pang of sadness shot through my nose, and tears welled up in my eyes instantly.

He took the ceramic bowl from the old man's hand, his fingers trembling slightly, and looked around at the sincere and sorrowful faces.

His throat tightened, and he could barely speak.

After a long silence, he suppressed his sobs and raised his voice:
“Liang was originally a commoner, but His Majesty did not abandon him and entrusted him with the southern frontier.”

"Over the years, thanks to the unwavering support and concerted efforts of all of you elders, we have achieved our humble success today."

"This land, these people, have been reborn thanks to Liang En!"

How could I, Liang, ever forget you?

When she got emotional, tears fell like rain, soaking her clothes.

He took a deep breath, his voice carrying on the morning breeze, with a resolute promise:
"It is not my wish for us to part today."

"I have been ordered by the king and dare not disobey."

"Ran Liang hereby swears to Heaven that if he is fortunate enough to achieve great success one day—"

"I will surely lay down my arms and return to my hometown to farm, and then go back to Jiaozhou!"

"This heart and this will, heaven and earth, and the elders of Jiaozhou bear witness to them all!"

"This place will forever be Liang's second hometown!"

After speaking, he drank the sugarcane juice in the bowl in one gulp, and found an infinite bitterness amidst the sweetness.

He then lifted the hem of his robe and bowed deeply to the ground in front of thousands of people.

A louder cry of grief erupted from the crowd, and many people fell to the ground and wept bitterly.

Their reluctance to part was palpable.

Zhuge Liang said no more and resolutely turned around and got into the carriage.

I fear that if I stay any longer, I will not be able to harden my heart and leave.

The carriage curtains were drawn, blocking out the outside world, but they couldn't stop the deafening cries.

The wheels rolled again, slowly driving out of the Cangwu city gate.

He poured countless efforts into that land he regarded as his hometown, along with the lush green sugarcane fields covering the mountains and the sweet fragrance permeating the air.

Leaving little by little behind.

Inside the carriage, Zhuge Liang closed his eyes for a long time, his fingertips still trembling slightly.

He only slowly opened his eyes when he could no longer hear the sounds of farewell.

The tears in his eyes had dried, leaving only a deep, calm, and resolute gaze as he looked towards the long and unknown journey home.

On the northern horizon, thick clouds gathered, hinting at the approaching storm.

His journey has only just begun...

(End of this chapter)