Has the Han Dynasty been restored today?

Where is this place?

Isn't this Xindu County?

Upon hearing Chen Zhi's words, Jiang Wei remained silent for a moment. Back in Hanzhong, he had already known how sharp Chen Zhi's words were and how meticulous his thinking was. Rather than guessing Chen Zhi's intentions out of thin air, it would be better to wait for Chen Zhi to reveal them directly.

Jiang Wei chuckled lightly: "This is Xindu County in Guanghan Commandery, Yizhou of the Han Dynasty. How could I not know it?"

"Why is Xindu called Xindu?" Chen Zhi pressed.

Jiang Wei shook his head: "How would I know that?"

Chen Zhi smiled and said, "Before the Shu Han Dynasty was the Later Han Dynasty, before the Later Han Dynasty was the Former Han Dynasty, and before the Former Han Dynasty was the Qin Dynasty. Before the Qin Dynasty, this place was the land of the Shu Kingdom, which had three capitals: Chengdu, Xindu, and Guangdu. Now Chengdu is the capital of the Shu Han Dynasty, Xindu is located to the north of Chengdu, and Guangdu is located to the south of Chengdu. They are only about forty miles apart and are all famous cities in the Shu Kingdom."

"I see!" Jiang Wei nodded. "Fengzong is very learned, but I have never heard of this before."

Chen Zhi continued, "Although the Shu Han dynasty has only been established for a little over ten years, it has its own traditions. When Jiang Gong first entered Shu, he was the magistrate of Guangdu. Lu Yi, the prefect of Hanzhong, was once the magistrate of Xindu. Ma Su, He Zhi, Li Fu and others were once the magistrates of Chengdu."

"Brother Boyue, these people were all promoted by Prime Minister Zhuge to become county magistrates, and you should be familiar with their resumes. Jiang Gong later served as the Eastern Clerk of the Prime Minister's Office and the Chief Secretary of the Prime Minister's Office. The Prime Minister often regarded him as his successor. Now that the Prime Minister is gone, Jiang Gong has become the new Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and Governor of Yizhou. Lü Yi later served as the Prefect of Bazhou and has been the Prefect of Hanzhong for many years. Ma Su was highly valued by the Prime Minister, needless to say. He Zhi is now a high-ranking official, and Li Fu is the Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. You and I met them on the road a few days ago."

"I know all that." Jiang Wei nodded, clearly waiting for Chen Zhi to continue.

Chen Zhi said calmly, "The Prime Minister's appointments are based on certain signs. People like Jiang Gong, Ma Su, and Lü Yi all rose through the ranks step by step; this is the proper path for scholars. But what about Brother Boyue? When Brother Boyue first returned to the Han Dynasty, the Prime Minister immediately recruited him as a general in his office, granting him the title of General with a salary of two thousand shi (a unit of grain), and elevating him to the rank of Marquis… Is this the same kind of resume the Prime Minister usually promotes?"

As Chen Zhi spoke, Jiang Wei across from him listened intently.

The present era is not much different from the Han Dynasty. When scholars converse, they should either learn from the Spring and Autumn Annals, speaking concisely and succinctly, or they should elaborate on the classics and explain the principles. In short, they should only state the key points of the matter, offer a little guidance, and leave the rest for the scholars to understand on their own.

Jiang Wei rarely encountered a conversation like Chen Zhi's, where he broke things down and explained them in such detail; it was a truly rare and valuable conversational experience.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wei finally showed a hint of worry on his face: "Prime Minister... it seems that the Prime Minister only wants to use me as a general, but does not want to use me as an official to govern."

Chen Zhi said, "The Prime Minister previously had a private conversation with His Majesty, stating that if anything were to happen, Jiang Gong should be his successor. Is it possible that the Prime Minister and His Majesty are completely open with each other? Will the Prime Minister have shared these speculations of Brother Boyue with His Majesty?"

Jiang Wei sighed deeply: "I have already guessed what Fengzong means. If His Majesty summons me, it would be best if I only discussed military matters and not politics, wouldn't you agree?"

"Hahahaha." Chen Zhi laughed a few times. "It was all Boyue's own deduction; I didn't say that. But if we only talk about military matters, what can His Majesty ask?"

"The Northern Expedition!" Jiang Wei's expression turned solemn, and he sat up straight. "If I have the opportunity to speak with His Majesty tomorrow, he will surely ask me about the Northern Expedition. The Prime Minister, in his youth in Nanyang, met the late Emperor and delivered the Longzhong Plan, which outlined the strategy of dividing the empire into three kingdoms. Lu Su of Wu, upon first meeting Sun Quan, also devised the strategy of establishing a tripartite balance of power in Jiangdong. Although I have served the Han dynasty for many years, I have only met His Majesty once and exchanged a mere ten or so words with him. I have always wished to emulate the Prime Minister in assisting the Han dynasty. If I cannot clearly articulate the Northern Expedition when I meet His Majesty tomorrow, my future will be uncertain, won't it?"

Chen Zhi admired Jiang Wei more and more. This man was so intelligent and quick to understand. No wonder the Prime Minister valued Jiang Wei so much.

Chen Zhi nodded and smiled: "Emperor Zhaolie met the Prime Minister when he was forty-seven, and the Prime Minister was twenty-seven at the time. The Prime Minister met Brother Boyue when he was forty-seven, and Brother Boyue was twenty-seven at the time. The succession is orderly, one after another. Could it be the will of Heaven?"

Forty-seven years old... Twenty-seven years old... Succession in an orderly manner...

Jiang Wei was certainly aware of the Prime Minister's high regard for him, but he had never considered the connection. However, upon hearing these words from Chen Zhi, Jiang Wei would likely never forget them for the rest of his life. After a brief mental calculation, Jiang Wei knew that Chen Zhi was absolutely right!

In an instant, a sense of mission, as if chosen by destiny, filled Jiang Wei's heart.

This was an era where even emperors had to rely on prophecies to ascend the throne... Who wouldn't believe in such things?

The Prime Minister's years of favor, the grand ambition to restore the Han Dynasty, the years of wandering away from home, the confusion and bewilderment after the Prime Minister's death... all sorts of complex and intense emotions surged in Jiang Wei's chest. Jiang Wei once thought that his will was as strong as iron and could not be broken, but at this moment, in a room in the inn in Xindu County, in front of Chen Zhi, who was ten years younger than him, he shed tears.

Even when Jiang Wei left his hometown to return to Han eight years ago, he had never cried so intensely!

Seeing Jiang Wei weeping, Chen Zhi said nothing or offered no comfort. He simply lowered his head and listened quietly to Jiang Wei's intermittent yet restrained sobs.

About fifteen minutes later, Jiang Wei wiped away his remaining tears, let out a long breath, straightened up from his kneeling position, and then bowed deeply to Chen Zhi:

"Today, thanks to Imperial Censor Chen's guidance, Jiang Wei is deeply grateful and has benefited immensely! To be honest, Imperial Censor Chen, I knew we should launch a northern expedition while we were in Hanzhong, but I didn't know how. I imagine you already have a plan in mind, Imperial Censor Chen, and I hope you will enlighten me!"

"Brother Boyue, Brother Boyue!" Chen Zhi stood up and quickly went to Jiang Wei, helping him up from his kneeling position. "I am young and lack virtue and talent. How could I possibly teach Brother Boyue? I am utterly unworthy of such courtesy from you!"

Jiang Wei stood up and faced Chen Zhi. Chen Zhi saw Jiang Wei's red eyes and the fervent expectation within them, and couldn't help but sigh.

"Very well, very well! Since Brother Boyue has asked this question, I, Chen Zhi, will speak rashly. Whether it is right or wrong, true or false, I ask Brother Boyue to judge for himself! In addition, Brother Boyue, you can simply call me Fengzong, there is no need to use my official title. We should not be so distant with each other."

"Thank you, Fengzong!" Jiang Wei didn't mince words and pointed, "Please take a seat."

"Hmm." Chen Zhi nodded, then sat down and asked seriously, "Brother Boyue, you have long served in the army, are well-versed in military strategy, and have also been instructed by the Prime Minister. May I ask, Brother Boyue, if you were to summarize the essence of military strategy throughout history in one sentence, what would it be?"

To summarize the essence of military strategy in one sentence...

Jiang Wei remained silent for about fifteen minutes before answering loudly, "If I had to sum it up in one sentence, it would be 'win first, then fight'!"