Has the Han Dynasty been restored today?

On the same morning, around 9 a.m., Fei Cheng, wearing a round-necked robe with arrow-shaped sleeves, had just reached the door and had not yet taken the reins from the servant when he was stopped by a clear voice.

"Brother!"

Fei Cheng's smile froze. He sighed, then forced a smile again, turning to look at his younger sister who had appeared out of nowhere behind him.

"Oh, I'm just about to go out of the city on horseback and will be back by noon. Don't worry, you go back first."

"Who's worried about you?" Fei Zhen stood not far from the doorway, giving Fei Cheng a disapproving look. Her eyelashes fluttered a few times, and her lips were pursed together. Although it was a complaint, she seemed somewhat aggrieved. She lowered her head and stared at her toes: "Brother, don't forget that matter today!"

"I haven't forgotten, of course I remember!" Fei Cheng patted his chest first, then glanced at the backyard a few times, looking somewhat troubled. He walked up to Fei Zhen and explained earnestly, "Little sister! I really want to help you, but when I asked yesterday, I learned that Imperial Censor Chen went to Taichung the day before yesterday and didn't return home the night before last. He was in Taichung all day yesterday as well. I asked Xu You, and he only said that Imperial Censor Chen will be leaving Chengdu soon and has important matters to attend to. He doesn't know when he'll have any free time..."

Fei Cheng gestured with his chin toward the backyard: "Even if I invite them, what will Mother say? Have you forgotten how displeased she was after reading the letter the other day?"

Fei Zhen retorted, "Mother's displeasure is her problem. I'm asking my brother for help! You said yesterday that he was leaving Chengdu. If we don't see him again, won't we have to wait until our wedding to find out what he looks like?"

"Brother, brother! I'll just go with you out of the manor. Surely we'll have a chance to meet again? Just one glance will do!"

"Alright, alright." Fei Cheng finally said helplessly, "I'll go find Xu You later, okay? You just stay home and wait for me to get back and let you know, alright?"

"Thank you, brother!"

Fei Zhen finally smiled, her eyes crinkling with laughter. She gave Fei Cheng a playful bow, then left without looking back.

From her departing figure, Fei Cheng could see the small joy and anticipation in Fei Zhen's heart.

I wade across the river to pick lotus blossoms, and find many fragrant herbs in the orchid-filled marshland.

We wish to be a pair of swans, spreading our wings and soaring high.

This is Chengdu. Everyone knows the story of Zhuo Wenjun and Sima Xiangru. What young woman wouldn't have expectations for her future husband? Especially since this person appeared in her home a few days ago, and his name and deeds were vividly heard, and his appearance was described so clearly by her brother and mother, how could Fei Zhen be any different?

However, when Fei Cheng returned at noon, he disappointed his younger sister once again.

On their way back, Xu You and Fei Cheng went to the Ministry of Personnel to ask around, only to learn that Chen Zhi was not in the Ministry at the time, but had been summoned by His Majesty and entered the palace.

In her disappointment, Fei Zhen felt that even the food in her mouth tasted a little bland.

Meanwhile, Chen Zhi, who was in the palace, had already eaten a quick meal and started to get down to business.

Inside the Qingliang Hall, more than fifty boxes of various gifts were placed on the ground in two rows.

Logically, such a matter could have been resolved with the approval of the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Jiang Wan. However, Liu Shan had just assumed power and was curious about state affairs, so he specially ordered the gifts to be brought into the palace and summoned Chen Zhen to the palace.

Chen Zhen, who had just been dismissed from his position as Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and appointed Grand Master of the Palace, was holding a list of gifts. The two envoys, Zong Yu and Chen Zhi, who were on a mission to Wu, were introducing the gifts one by one. Liu Shan stood leisurely to the side, listening with his hands behind his back.

"These on the left are products from Shu, which were presented as state gifts to Wu after arriving in Jianye. They include rice, wheat, vegetable seeds, Shu salt, Shu cloth, silver, lead, tin, copper, Shu pepper, lacquerware, strong liquor, and medicinal herbs. State gifts do not need to be expensive or numerous; it is enough to show sincerity. Our dynasty and Wu are equal, regardless of rank. If state gifts are too extravagant, it would be inappropriate."

"These on the right are gifts the envoy will present to the ruler and ministers of Wu." Chen Zhen coughed a few times and pointed to the smaller boxes on the right: "These ten boxes are top-quality Shu brocade for Sun Quan. Every time brocade is sent, he will reward the palace and his officials. It would be impolite not to send any this time."

Chen Zhen noticed out of the corner of his eye that Liu Shan was staring at the Shu brocades, so he added, "Every time someone from Wu comes, they bring pearls, coral, tortoiseshell, and other such items. The value of these gifts is roughly the same between the two countries. Between the two nations, these are nothing special."

Liu Shan nodded slightly.

Chen Zhen then turned to Zong Yu and Chen Zhi: "You should travel down the river from Baidi City, taking a boat to Gong'an first. You can stay overnight in Gong'an and pay a visit to General Zhuge Ziyu of Wu. Among these four boxes are two boxes of brocade, and the other two boxes contain the Prime Minister's writing implements, such as pens, ink, and inkstones, as well as several scrolls of documents with the Prime Minister's handwriting, a copy of a eulogy for the Prime Minister, and some miscellaneous items that the Prime Minister kept in Chengdu. He is the Prime Minister's elder brother. The Wu people employ Zhuge Ziyu in Gong'an to gain the trust of our dynasty, so you should be more courteous when meeting Zhuge Ziyu in person."

Zong Yu and Chen Zhi nodded repeatedly.

Chen Zhen was older and had already helped Liu Bei win over people in Jingzhou during the Xinye period. In addition, he had experience as an envoy, so he was an expert in this area.

Chen Zhen continued, "These four boxes of brocade are for use in Wuchang. You can stop briefly when you arrive in Wuchang. Give two boxes to General Lu Xun of Wu and two boxes to Crown Prince Sun Deng of Wu. That's all. If they want to see you, then see them; if not, just stay at the inn. These two boxes of brocade are to be given to Prime Minister Gu Yong of Wu after you reach Jianye. You don't need to give any to the others. Take the rest of the gold with you on your journey. If you need it, feel free to use it; if not, take it back. I don't need to say anything more about the other preparations."

Chen Zhi cupped his hands in greeting: "Lord Chen, there is something I do not understand."

"Speak," Chen Zhen nodded.

Chen Zhi asked, "When our dynasty sends gifts to the rulers and ministers of Wu, one gift is sent to Zhuge Ziyu, one to Lu Xun, one to Sun Deng, one to Sun Quan, and one to Gu Yong. Why is it that there are five separate gifts? How many gifts does Sun Quan send to our dynasty each time he sends an envoy?"

Chen Zhen raised an eyebrow and glanced at Chen Zhi: "Although Han and Wu are allies, there is internal wariness. Therefore, when Wu officials are mentioned in the country, because of the Prime Minister, Zhuge Jin is only called Zhuge Ziyu. Other officials can be addressed by his given name or courtesy name. But once you leave Yong'an, you should be more careful about this. You should address him by his courtesy name, lest you give others cause for gossip."

"Yes, I understand." Chen Zhi nodded.

Chen Zhen then began to explain: "When Wu and our dynasty exchange private gifts, they usually send only two: one to His Majesty and one to the Prime Minister. These gifts are generally deposited into the treasury to fund the military. However, Wu is different. Its territory spans thousands of miles from east to west. Sun Quan is located in Jianye downstream. If something happens upstream, he cannot respond immediately. Therefore, Sun Quan appointed Zhuge Ziyu as Grand General and Lu Xun as Supreme Grand General. The two of them are divided in command of military affairs, with Baqiu as the boundary. Zhuge Ziyu is stationed in Gong'an and Lu Xun is stationed in Wuchang. These two men wield immense power and cannot be ignored."