Passing through Jiameng Pass, the outskirts of Zitong were blanketed in heavy snow.
Lu Yu, Dian Wei, Cao Xiu, Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, and Zhang Liao, clad in fur-lined robes and atop fine steeds, returned with their hunting spoils, their merriment reaching its peak.
Xiahou Dun called out with a laugh, "Your Majesty, what do you say? Was this snow-day hunt exhilarating?"
Xiahou Yuan proclaimed loudly, "Indeed! The beasts were so frozen they could barely run, making them perfect targets for Your Majesty to hone your archery and riding skills, and to truly experience the thrill of the hunt."
His words brought laughter from the others, and Lu Yu joined in, "I initially thought my crude archery and horsemanship would yield little, but to our surprise, we returned with a full haul. This shows just how crucial the weather is!"
Zhang Liao remarked with a sigh, "In truth, charging into battle in weather like this is the most exhilarating. But alas... Your Majesty has invented cannons, flying spheres, and firearms. Once these are widely adopted, warfare will consist of merely firing cannons and guns from a distance. What need will there be for charges and close combat?"
Zhang Liao’s words…
Xiahou Yuan chuckled, "General Wenyuan reminisces about the glorious past. In the current era, perhaps there will be no more opportunities to break ten thousand with eight hundred. Your hands will likely itch for action, General Wenyuan!"
Hahahaha…
Amidst the peals of laughter, they chatted and jested. Lu Yu found it all quite amusing. "At times, watching you generals charge into battle with such heroic prowess, I truly envy you… I wish I could join, but considering my strength, which can barely carry a bag of rice upstairs, I must respectfully keep my distance. However… it's fair now. If I cannot go to the battlefield, neither can you. It's quite comfortable! Ah, hahaha…"
Lu Yu flicked his whip with a laugh, and his horse, feeling the sting, galloped forward.
The camp was just ahead…
Lu Yu had no intention of assaulting Peishui Pass by force, and the generals were experiencing a rare moment of quietude.
Today's objective was a winter hunt, a way to maintain their readiness.
As Lu Yu dismounted his horse before the grand tent, Liu Ye, the head of the Ministry of Works, hurried towards him with a grave expression…
"Your Majesty?"
"What is it?" Lu Yu, noticing Liu Ye's unusual demeanor, frowned slightly. "Is the workshop short on funds, artisans, or rare materials?"
"None of those!" Liu Ye reported truthfully, "While transporting a cannon to the front lines at Peishui Pass, one was lost."
Hmm…
Liu Ye's words startled Lu Yu.
The generals behind him, however, appeared indifferent.
Xiahou Dun waved a hand dismissively. "Lost is lost. The workshop can simply build another. It's no great matter!"
Liu Ye's face, however, showed much more concern. "It's not just that. I fear it may have been stolen by Shu spies."
"Just one cannon, what does it matter if it's stolen? What kind of storm can Zhuge Liang stir up with it?"
Xiahou Dun remained nonchalant, even finding Liu Ye's reaction a bit excessive.
"Damn it, your workshop is a bottomless pit. The cost of building ten cannons could support an entire camp of soldiers for a year. Why are you crying about losing one cannon!"
"General Xiahou, Liu-zhangshi doesn't mean it that way," Lu Yu explained for Liu Ye. "Liu-zhangshi fears that if this cannon truly reaches the Shu Han, Zhuge Liang, by a process of imitation, might be able to replicate it…"
Uh…
Xiahou Dun was taken aback but still shook his head. "Our workshop, with the entire might of Great Wei, took five years to develop this. Does Zhuge Liang possess such capability?"
… "He may not, but his wife, Huang Yueying, has considerable talent!" Lu Yu exclaimed with emotion.
Liu Ye added, "As Your Majesty says, I am indeed wary of this Lady Huang! With the flying spheres, she understood the principles after merely a few glances, and then proceeded to create them… Even using the flying spheres to aid Liu Bei in capturing Yizhou was a brilliant move. Such talent, I confess myself inferior. Past precedents serve as warnings; we must guard against them… Now, with the stolen cannon… if…"
This time, before Liu Ye could finish, Xiahou Dun wailed as if he had lost a parent. "You mean? If… the Shu army also develops cannons, how will we fight these wars? Once we form our formations, wouldn't a barrage of cannon fire leave nothing but dust? Oh dear… Old Liu, how did you manage your duties? Such a large cannon can be lost?"
Xiahou Dun's words… felt like a public display of double standards!
The more he said…
The more it proved that Xiahou Dun was becoming increasingly anxious.
He vividly remembered the destructive power of the cannons at Micang Pass, and the collapse of the Shu army in a single night under their barrage.
He certainly did not wish to experience such suffering himself one day!
Liu Ye looked apologetic…
He didn't want it to happen either, but it was impossible to guard against everything.
Lu Yu, on the other hand, maintained a calm and composed demeanor, his eyes as placid as a lake.
He soothed them, "Don't worry, don't worry. Such a large cannon, even if stolen by the Shu army, where could they transport it? Peishui Pass? No, it must be Chengdu, it must be to Huang Yueying!"
This…
Lu Yu's words left everyone somewhat bewildered.
He blinked and continued with emotion, "If it's Huang Yueying's hands… then this matter… is quite easily handled!"
Indeed…
In Chengdu, there are people from our Great Wei!
…
…
In Chengdu Commandery, within the Prime Minister's mansion.
Candlelight flickered, casting a warm glow. Zhuge Liang stood behind Huang Yueying, taking the comb from a maidservant and gently untangling her hair as he removed her hairpins.
His expression was deeply focused. Huang Yueying, looking at him in the mirror, smiled, "What are you thinking about?"
"I'm thinking about the suffering you've endured."
"In five years, you've returned home a countable number of times. This is the first time this year."
Huang Yueying's tone was wistful. "I don't mind, but you are well-versed in the classics. Do you not know that 'of the three unfilial acts, to have no heir is the worst'? Do you truly not intend to leave behind a child to inherit your knowledge? To inherit the lineage of the Zhuge family?"
Zhuge Liang sighed. "In the past, I always said that Shu Han was at its most critical juncture. But compared to now, the past was nothing. The Shu Han of today is truly at a critical moment of survival!"
Huang Yueying turned her head. "Still 'dedicating oneself to the last breath, and dying only after fulfillment'?"
Zhuge Liang put down the comb and nodded heavily. "Han and rebels cannot coexist, nor can a royal enterprise be content with a corner of the land. The late Emperor thrice visited me in my humble dwelling, consulting me on matters of the realm. I have no way to repay him, except to offer my utmost strength and loyal will, and to follow through with my life!"
"Tell me… Huang Yueying suddenly opened her eyes wide. She was the person who understood Zhuge Liang best. "What do you need me to do?"
"Last night, I attempted to steal a cannon from the Pei camp, observing the celestial phenomena. One must be extremely cautious, thrice, to have even a slim chance of survival," Zhuge Liang said calmly. "I have been contemplating, why this chance of survival? Precisely now… My army has managed to stealthily transport a large cannon from the Lu Army to Chengdu. I have dispatched men to move into the subordinate offices. If Madam can also produce a cannon with this… then our efforts will not be in vain, and we will have more than enough for self-defense!"
… Zhuge Liang spoke at length.
He knew that this cannon was the culmination of the efforts of many talented individuals over five years in Great Wei.
Madam… a woman, with her inherent intelligence and exceptional talent, how could she possibly create such a thing without any assistance?
Even if, taking a step back… Madam could truly replicate it…
Then the situation would certainly be that she would have to exert all her mind and spirit…
Zhuge Liang did not want that.
For the sake of filial piety, loyalty, and continuation of his lineage… this was not an empty statement!
He had no choice but to act this way.
"Madam…" Huang Yueying opened her eyes wide. "Since Madam has calculated, and fate is as it is, be extremely cautious. If I exert all my strength, perhaps there will be a slim chance of survival. Then I shall try. I will do my best."
Zhuge Liang looked at Huang Yueying's face.
The former young lady… after experiencing a few years of hardship, her face was already etched with many fine lines, her hair had thinned considerably, and her skin was tanned.
The best years of a woman's life… and yet…
Zhuge Liang could not bear to continue his thoughts.
"Madam, you have worked hard!"
Saying this, he turned around… and was about to leave.
"You're not staying tonight?" Huang Yueying's sudden question made Zhuge Liang pause.
"I still have official duties to attend to at the Imperial Study. I will not be staying tonight." Zhuge Liang could sense Huang Yueying's intention, but his mind was in turmoil. It was truly… impossible, and he was powerless.
"I heard that Viscountess Wei brought a child for the Emperor in the army camp. Is there such a thing?"
Huang Yueying's words opened another subject.
Zhuge Liang fell silent. He turned his back to Huang Yueying and remained silent for a long time, then said softly, "If Madam agrees, I will go back and…"
"Put her in the harem!" Huang Yueying's words startled Zhuge Liang.
"I cannot extend your lineage for Madam, but… I also need to ensure Madam has an heir. As the primary wife, having an heir… this can also be considered my fulfilling my duty to the Zhuge family!"
These words spoken by Huang Yueying… Zhuge Liang was almost in tears.
He opened his mouth, but found his throat constricted.
He calmed his heart and slowly spoke.
"Then, according to Madam…"
Saying this, he walked out of the Imperial Study.
Outside the door, horses were already prepared. Lu Jianhuai escorted the horse-drawn carriage… towards the Imperial Study. Now, Viscount Zhuge… Zhuge Liang was known as Viscount, but wasn't he carrying the responsibilities of the subordinate offices?
…
…
Chengdu, the capital.
A typical wine and meat gathering.
In the underground passage, Yuan Wei and over twenty special elite soldiers were changing into their night attire. They had abandoned sharp weapons like swords, and instead wore masks. They were prepared for any eventuality, and still had flintlock pistols concealed at their waists.
Madam Yuan was also present.
He frowned, holding a letter in his hand. The content of the letter was clearly visible.
Mission – capture Huang Yueying.
Finally, Yuan Yuan could no longer contain his anxious emotions and blurted out, "Your Highness, isn't this mission too risky? Not to mention the strict security of the subordinate office, but Huang Yueying alone, she is the only 'precious jewel' in Shu Han. Zhuge Liang's protection of her is surely paramount. Kidnapping her and then escorting her to the Lu Army camp is simply an impossible mission!"
Yuan Yuan's words tumbled out.
Wei was already prepared with his night attire. Every piece of equipment had been checked, ensuring no flaws.
He said with a smile, "When Your Highness established the special elite corps, it was precisely to complete impossible missions!"
"But…"
As Yuan Yuan was about to speak, Wei's words once again stifled his.
"Rest assured, if I previously had only a fifty percent chance of success, then now… thanks to Yuan's assistance, all the gate guards have brought in their brothers. This chance has now increased to eighty percent!"
Wei swore an oath.
Indeed, this time, he was extremely confident.
"Alright…" Yuan Yuan could feel that every soldier in this special elite corps was harboring some kind of thought.
The mission sent by the Lu Army… meant everything to them. There was no room for doubt.
"This old man can only wish you good fortune!"
"Borrowing Yuan's good words!"
Saying this, the twenty-odd young men in black robes either jumped from the window, or from the ground floor, or from the roof… they quickly jumped out, their hands moving swiftly… as if they had merged with the dark night.
…
…
Since Zhuge Liang left the Imperial Study and arrived at the Imperial Study, he had been waiting here and had not left.
The Wei army was currently confronting the Lu army outside Peishui Pass.
For Zhuge Liang, not only the front-line battles, but also the work of pacifying the entire rear territory… all fell upon his shoulders.
Jiangling, Nan County, and Kubi…
Even Jiangdu, Hubei, Han, Kubi, Kubi West, and Lu… all sorts of documents poured into this small Imperial Study like snow, and almost every one of them bore the stamp of "Urgent Report!"
Indeed…
The Lu Army's offensive was not limited to Peishui Pass alone.
After the defeat at Daping Mountain…
… Shu Han was in a state of emergency on all fronts!
"Is the grain and fodder in all regions insufficient?" Zhuge Liang looked at the documents with a slight frown.
Apart from returning to the Imperial Study midway, and visiting the imperial palace once to see the Emperor, for the past three days, he had been waiting in the Imperial Study.
He raised his head helplessly.
He rubbed his tired eyes and brightened the oil lamp, pulling his outer robe tighter.
The continuous winter… made Viscount Zhuge, this nobleman who had not yet reached old age… also appear weary.
Fine wrinkles began to appear at the corners of his eyes.
A strand of dark hair fell onto his forehead, already showing signs of graying.
He gently touched his hair.
Zhuge Liang always felt that something was amiss, but he couldn't quite pinpoint what it was.
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