"Marquis of Shu!
For years, wasn't this the glorious title Liu Bei longed for?
As a child, he once pointed at the large mulberry tree in front of his house and declared he would ride in a carriage with feathered canopies. His uncle Liu Zijing quickly covered his mouth, warning him not to speak carelessly, lest it bring about the destruction of their entire family.
In his youth, he sold straw sandals. Later, he gained the favor of his uncle Liu Yuanqi and, along with his cousin Liu Deran, traveled to Luoyang to study under Lu Zhi on Mount Gou.
In the first year of Zhongping, he campaigned against the Yellow Turbans, was appointed as the Commandant of Anxi County, angrily struck the Inspector, and fled with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, abandoning his official post.
Later, General-in-Chief He Jin dispatched Guanqiu Yi to recruit soldiers in Danyang. Liu Bei joined them en route. Upon reaching Xiapi, he fought valiantly against bandits and was appointed as the Magistrate of Xiamí County. However, not long after, he resigned in indignation due to the pervasive corruption in the bureaucracy.
He then served as the Commandant of Gaotang and later as its Magistrate. Yet, good fortune was fleeting. Shortly thereafter, Gaotang County was overrun by bandits, forcing Liu Bei to seek refuge with Gongsun Zan, who recommended him as a Commander of a separate detachment...
Subsequently, he followed Gongsun Zan to jointly campaign against Dong Zhuo!
When the allied forces against Dong Zhuo fractured, he joined Gongsun Zan in opposing Yuan Shao;
He relieved Kong Rong of Beihai from the Yellow Turban siege;
He defended Tao Qian of Xuzhou against Cao Cao's furious retribution for his father's death. He accepted Tao Qian's offer of Xuzhou three times, harbored the homeless Lu Bu, was betrayed by Lu Bu, and then joined forces with Cao Cao once more to counter Lu Bu!
With great effort, he finally managed to meet the Emperor. He was indeed granted the title of General of the Left of Han. However, he then bore the heavy responsibility of the Imperial Edict in the girdle. To deceive Cao Cao and Lu Yu, he even feigned an addiction to the Five-Stone Powder, thereby escaping with his life... averting a bloodbath due to the exposure of the Imperial Edict.
He aided Yuan Shao against Cao Cao, then assisted Liu Biao against Cao Cao, and finally... again and again... he united with the Sun clan of Jiangdong to resist Cao Cao!
Yet, every time he seemed on the verge of a comeback against the odds, he... he ultimately fell victim to Lu Yu's schemes, his efforts thwarted at the last moment!
In recent years, rather than saying Liu Bei was campaigning south and north, it would be more accurate to say he was... fleeing north and south.
Like a stray dog, utterly lost.
His aspirations... to make a name for himself, his dream of the carriage with feathered canopies, had gradually faded and dissipated!
Now...
He was nearly fifty years old. Apart from acquiring Yizhou through "dishonorable" means, he had achieved nothing...
Marquis of Shu?
Such a lofty title, such a prestigious rank infinitely close to that of a "carriage with feathered canopies" – how could Liu Bei not be tempted?
But...
In stark contrast to the stirring within his heart was the silence of the entire assembly.
Indeed...
Accepting the title of "Marquis of Shu" meant they were accepting the "five-year ceasefire" proposed by Lu Yu!
More importantly... it was an indirect acknowledgment of the legitimacy of the Great Wei!
The slogan "Han rebels and Wei overlords cannot coexist; the king's enterprise cannot be confined to a corner" was instantly rendered untenable!
The people yearned for change!
If they refused, confronting Cao Cao and Lu Yu in open warfare so soon... not to mention others, even Liu Bei himself lacked the confidence!
Moreover, could he withstand... the inferno beneath thousands of flying orbs, the chain of signal fires?
Accept?
Or refuse?
That was the question!
"Could it be..." Fa Zheng voiced his suspicion, "could this envoy merely be a delaying tactic orchestrated by Lu Ziyu?"
This...
Fa Zheng's words sent a shiver down the spines of everyone present.
They all turned their gazes towards Zhuge Liang...
The implication was obvious.
"My Lord..." Zhuge Liang spoke slowly, "Perhaps you would allow me to speak with the Wei envoy privately before making a decision!"
Oh...
Liu Bei feigned a look of sudden realization.
"I had almost forgotten, this Wei envoy is also the strategist's younger brother..."
This statement... directly clarified the identities of Zhuge Liang and Zhuge Jun.
Simultaneously, this statement... also served as an unspoken reproach from Liu Bei to Zhuge Liang!
"My Lord, rest assured. My brother and I belong to different factions, and I know... what I must do!" Zhuge Liang clasped his hands...
"The strategist is devoted to public service... the world knows this!" Liu Bei quickly clasped Zhuge Liang's hand. "I trouble the strategist!"
...
...
By the river, the water flowed gently, fallen blossoms creating a fragrant path. Liu Chan sat in Gan Fu's embrace, as Gan Fu taught him to fish...
"Adou, look quickly... the fish has taken the bait!"
Despite Liu Chan's young age, he was very fond of fishing and playing with dogs... as for poetry, calligraphy, rites, and etiquette... Liu Chan paid no attention whatsoever.
Because Adou lacked the strength, the fish broke free.
It stirred up ripples across the water's surface and swam away without looking back.
"It got away, the fish got away!"
Adou pouted... giving off a "little dragon's roar" vibe. But before long... the elder and the younger were once again holding their fishing rods, gazing at the water surface dyed red by the dawn.
Just then...
"Old Gan..."
A voice called out from nearby. Gan Fu turned his head... and saw Zhao Yun walking towards them.
His expression seemed profound.
Immediately...
Gan Fu realized something had happened. He handed Adou over to Gan Mu to care for, then stood up, brushed off his coarse cloth tunic, and hurried to meet him.
"Zilong..."
"Old Gan, what brings you to enjoy fishing with Adou?" Zhao Yun did not get straight to the point, but instead inquired with concern.
"Haha..." Gan Fu stroked his beard. "The ancient sages all loved to fish. Jiang Taigong was still fishing at eighty. I am merely following the example of the ancient sages!"
"Jiang Taigong was waiting for King Wen of Zhou. Who is Old Gan waiting for?" Zhao Yun asked instinctively.
"Haha..." Gan Fu smiled and patted the dust off himself. "Zilong, you are not here for that, are you!"
"I have just received a secret message..." Zhao Yun's expression instantly turned serious. "The Crown Prince intends to conclude a five-year ceasefire with Liu Bei... for five years, neither side will attack the other!"
Hmm...
Gan Fu was taken aback. He had thought... now that Hanzhong had surrendered to Great Wei, marching south from Hanzhong... they might be able to capture Chengdu within a year!
At that time... he would be reunited with his daughter, and his daughter would be reunited with her mother and son... but now... five years... another five years?
In an instant, a great sense of powerlessness and disappointment appeared on Gan Fu's brow!
Wait...
Gan Fu was about to speak, but he suddenly remembered something. His mind raced, and his eyes fixed on Adou, who was playing by the river... "Is the Crown Prince buying time for Adou?"
"That's right..." Zhao Yun nodded. "According to the Crown Prince's wishes, Bashu belongs to Great Wei. Adou is too young now to be of much help, but... as he grows older, the patience we've shown over the years will eventually yield results!"
Time is fair to everyone...
Granting Zhuge Liang five years to govern Shu also grants Adou five years to grow!
And Adou's growth, Adou's position, is crucial to Great Wei!
Time... is Great Wei's friend, and Bashu's enemy!
Having reached this point in their conversation...
Suddenly... Adou's innocent childish voice rang out again. The fishing rod had moved, and Gan Mu exclaimed with joy.
"Quick, quick..."
Adou, with Gan Mu's help, reeled in the line. Zhao Yun shouted encouragement.
"Adou, don't let it get away!"
Finally... with Gan Mu's assistance, Adou yanked with all his might. A fish flew in an arc and landed on the grass. Zhao Yun quickly went to hold it down...
"Caught it, caught it!" Adou cheered excitedly.
Gan Mu smiled, Gan Fu smiled... Zhao Yun also smiled for a moment, his expression slowly dimming. He turned to look at the river, as if lost in thought.
Gan Fu saw through Zhao Yun's thoughts at a glance...
He lowered his voice and sighed, "I deliberately don't let him learn too much... and I deliberately always bring him out to play!"
Zhao Yun nodded. "I understand!"
Gan Fu gazed deeply at Zhao Yun again. "Great Wei has only one Crown Prince. I cannot let my grandson become a threat to the Crown Prince... being ignorant and useless, wouldn't it be wonderful to be a pampered prince?"
People say that a parent's love for their child is to plan far ahead for them...
But who knew...
It is often the grandparents who are even closer!
...
...
A new moon leaked its brilliance through the window lattice of Zhuge Liang's study.
Zhuge Jun waited in the study. Zhuge Liang emerged slowly. The weariness from governing Bashu and dedicating himself to public service had clearly not faded, and Zhuge Liang's expression was somber.
Zhuge Jun advised, "Has my brother always worked so hard in Bashu?"
Zhuge Liang slowly sat down. "Your brother is not seriously ill. It's just that in Bashu... Liu Zhang's previous rule was dark and incompetent, and many matters require careful handling... I dare not be negligent, nor dare I be lax..."
Speaking of which... he looked up. "Does brother Jun miss home?"
Zhuge Liang's words were clearly carefully considered, but when spoken, they still carried a degree of caution...
"The northern horses yearn for the north wind, the southern birds nest in southern branches. How can a wanderer not miss home... I am doing alright. I can still return to Langya Commandery... but the people there no longer recognize me. Brother... you wish to return, but it is difficult to do so!"
"Langya... the Zhuge clan!" Zhuge Liang murmured. "Once, we were a great clan. When Cao Cao attacked here to avenge his father's death... at the last moment, I proposed that Yanzhou, being a strategically contested land where warlords vied for supremacy, was not a suitable place! Thus, I had my uncle, my elder brother, my two elder sisters, and my two younger brothers leave this place and flee elsewhere, to avoid the battles and turmoil of the Central Plains! As for me, I stayed behind to cover their retreat..."
Speaking of this...
Zhuge Liang paused. He uncharacteristically placed his feather fan on the table and rubbed his hands nervously.
"At that time, you all thought... covering the retreat would be a near-certain death, and heading south to Jingzhou... was the better course of action. However... my arrangements then were actually selfish!"
Hmm...
This was the first time Zhuge Jun had heard his second brother, Zhuge Liang, mention a so-called "selfish motive"!
"Second brother..."
"Third brother, please let me finish speaking first!" Zhuge Liang continued. "Indeed, I calculated that Yanzhou was a strategically contested land where warlords vied for supremacy, making it unsuitable! But I also calculated that Cao Cao's rise was no accident. Hidden Dragon was most likely in Yanzhou... Since he specifically wanted me, it was certainly not to kill me. Perhaps... by staying by his side, I could grow significantly, and become much more agile and wise!"
This...
Zhuge Liang's words greatly shocked Zhuge Jun. It turned out... his second brother had deliberately... deliberately intended to stay back then.
It was he himself who had knocked his second brother unconscious, altering his second brother's original plan!
And he had replaced his second brother... becoming a disciple of Hidden Dragon, and then... then grown to his current position!
"Second... Second Brother..."
Zhuge Jun lowered his head, his face filled with disbelief, yet also with guilt... "It was me... it was me who took second brother's opportunity. Master... Master originally intended to teach second brother..."
His fists clenched and then suddenly relaxed...
Zhuge Jun's eyes were filled with tears.
"If it were second brother... if it were second brother by Master's side, second brother would certainly have done better than me, better... better!"
"You have already done exceptionally well!" Zhuge Liang gently patted Zhuge Jun's shoulder...
Zhuge Liang was gratified that the Zhuge clan had produced such an outstanding younger brother.
Zhuge Liang closed his eyes... He sighed from the bottom of his heart, "Battles between armies have winners and losers... but our Zhuge family has already won!"
This...
Zhuge Jun gritted his teeth. "Did second brother summon me just to discuss these things?"
Zhuge Liang nodded. "You and I, brothers, haven't seen each other in a long time. Is there anything more important than this?"
Zhuge Jun had a feeling that his brother Zhuge Liang's eyes originally held light, but because of their conversation, his brother's eyes had lost their luster...
As if he had foreseen everything.
Indeed...
A five-year ceasefire, was there any need to discuss it?
The current situation, was it something that the corner of Bashu could choose?
Whether it was the Wei Crown Prince's ennoblement or the ceasefire, this was a scheme – a scheme that, no matter how Zhuge Liang chose, would inevitably put him at a disadvantage...
...
...
Xuchang.
When Lu Yu's carriage team returned here, the city walls were brightly lit!
The cold wind was biting, causing the large banners on the city walls to flutter and snap.
The Huben Army, left behind in Xuchang, guided Lu Yu's carriage into the plaza beneath the imperial steps. As if anticipating Lu Yu's return, a banquet had already been prepared here...
However, none of the officials were seated. It seemed... everyone stood erect, awaiting his arrival.
"What is this?"
Lu Yu was puzzled. Before he could inquire.
Thousands of dancers, acrobats, and watching soldiers on the high platform all stopped their actions simultaneously, as if... everyone was anxiously looking up, eagerly anticipating... gazing towards the high platform!
Only at this moment did everyone realize what Han or Wei truly meant...
Cao Cao alone was the sole support of this empire, the very soul that sustained hundreds of thousands of troops!
Finally...
After Lu Yu took his seat, Cao Cao, clad in a cloak, appeared on the royal palace's high platform, supported by others. In just over a month of separation, Lu Yu felt that his father, the King, had aged considerably and become much more haggard.
It was as if... in the past, time left deep marks on his face and body each year.
But now... the frequency of these marks had shortened to every month!
Stomp...
Stomp!
Though no sound could be heard, Cao Wei's "clanging" footsteps on the high platform echoed in everyone's ears.
Seeing Cao Cao standing tall, the officials and soldiers who were standing at attention were so excited that they all knelt in unison, and thousands of voices cried out together, "Long live King Wei, long live King Wei!"
Cao Cao laughed heartily. "Jiangdong and Xiliang have submitted, the Five Pecks of Rice sect of Hanzhong has surrendered. Of the ten parts of the world, Great Wei controls nine. All this is thanks to the Crown Prince, and also to all the soldiers. On this day of the Crown Prince's return, I shall celebrate with all the soldiers. Serve wine, play music, and dance!"
As Cao Cao's words fell...
Instantly, drums and music blared, and numerous dancers in exotic attire stepped forward... performing vigorous dances!
The crowd below... drank wine and sang in unison:
—"In the ninth month, frost appears; in the tenth month, the threshing ground is cleared. Friends gather for wine, the lamb is slaughtered; ascend the lord's hall, raise the ceremonial cup, and live for ten thousand years!"
—"Long live King Wei and the Crown Prince, long live, long live!"
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