Chapter 140

While suspicions and schemes about the Northern Expedition were sprouting in Eastern Wu, the Han Dynasty wasn’t exactly peaceful either. In fact, it was even more chaotic. It might sound like an overstatement, but because I was involved, this marriage talk snowballed into an uncontrollably huge situation. However, the main focus in Eastern Wu wasn’t on me but on Lu Xun. The marriage talk with me was secondary; the real issue was whether Lu Xun was truly defecting or not. But the Han Dynasty opposed this. Whether Lu Xun would declare independence or submit through this marriage was merely a side issue for most. From common folk to officials, everyone was purely focused on my marriage talk. It became a daily routine for people to ask if I was really getting married, and some even visited me just to ask. “But isn’t it too much to come all the way to Chengdu just to ask that?” It’s not like they were scholars coming for the imperial exams. If I had done something wrong and they were submitting a petition, that would be one thing, but just for some marriage talk… “Conscientiously, that’s a bit much.” All the words I’ve spoken have come back to haunt me. Even though Liu Bei had considered me for the crown prince’s consort, now there were rumors about me marrying Lu Xun’s son, which could even provoke accusations of treason from overzealous loyalists. Thankfully, due to my accumulated merits and reputation, no such person emerged. I should be grateful that they only followed me around and asked questions. However, because of this, both Commander Wei’s Office and Zhang Family Manor were swarmed with people, making it impossible to move around. It was a different level compared to when I was being evaluated before. Back then, I could rely on officers like Jiang Wei and Bu Chuan, and the soldiers for help, but now it’s just third parties targeting my subordinates. “So that’s why you came here?” It felt like déjà vu. Zhuge Liang, looking incredulous, asked me as I sought refuge in his Prime Minister’s Office. Since I was already here, there was no point in hiding. I had already shown my ugly side in front of Zhuge Liang, so pretending to be perfect was out of the question. “Since it was your strategy, Prime Minister, you should take responsibility for the aftermath.” I was asking for aftercare. Currently, the only safe havens in Chengdu were two places: the imperial palace where Liu Bei was and the Prime Minister’s Office where Zhuge Liang was. Even if I went to the palace, Liu Bei wouldn’t scold me and would accept me, knowing the inside story of this commotion. But I felt guilty and wanted to avoid it if possible. That left the Prime Minister’s Office. Normally, it would be hard to imagine just barging into Zhuge Liang’s place like this. But wasn’t Zhuge Liang the real starting point of this whole situation? ‘I’m confident. Yes, I have nothing to be ashamed of.’ I held my head high and argued my case with confidence. “Mingjing, what about your father?” “I’ve taken my mother to the crown prince’s consort.” “Do your officers know you’re here?” “If they did, there’d be no reason for me to seek refuge, or rather, to come see you, Prime Minister.” I saw Zhuge Liang let out a small sigh. Worried he might order me to leave, I lowered my voice and said, “They won’t stay all day, so I’ll just stay for a bit and then go.” “…Alright. I do bear some responsibility for this matter, so let’s go together when I leave the office.” Although Zhuge Liang gave his permission, I still felt uneasy. I thought I heard a small sound before he spoke. ‘Did he click his tongue?’ It was an unconscious, very small sound, but my sharp senses, honed to the extreme, didn’t miss even such a tiny noise. Anyway, with his permission, I sat down in a corner of Zhuge Liang’s office. This era was strange; they used beds but lived in a sitting style. Chairs were only for the emperor or kings. It wasn’t my first time in Zhuge Liang’s office, but it was the first time I was just sitting there watching him work. Not engaging in conversation or meetings, just sitting quietly and looking around the office, I felt like I should do something. Around me were piles of documents on bamboo slips, silk, and paper. I didn’t need to ask Zhuge Liang; just turning my head slightly, I could see them. The office was filled with the scent of ink, and the only sound was the faint scratching of Zhuge Liang’s brush. In modern times, people would seek out white noise or ASMR for studying or working, and this was similar. Unable to bear the atmosphere, I rolled my eyes and glanced at Zhuge Liang, then tried to peek at the documents beside me. “Curious?” “Huh?” “Since you seem bored, why don’t you help me with some work, Mingjing?” With that, Zhuge Liang placed a stack of documents, along with writing tools, on the table in front of me. He even stood up to do it. It was an overwhelming work pressure that I couldn’t refuse. ‘Uh… Did I just escape the wolf only to enter the tiger’s den?’ Come to think of it, what time does Zhuge Liang leave the office…? “I noticed you’re quick with calculations last time. Since this is about military supplies, it shouldn’t be a problem for you. Originally, the position of Commander Wei was to assist the emperor and the imperial court. If not for these chaotic times, this would have been your job.” Considering my usual reluctance to get involved in civil affairs, Zhuge Liang explained the necessity of assigning this task to me to prevent me from refusing. ‘You don’t need to explain in such detail; I’ll do it anyway. Math calculations aren’t that hard.’ If it were about systems or personnel, I would have refused even if Zhuge Liang handed it to me directly. It’s not that I’m exaggerating; I really don’t know much. I have a decent grasp of this era’s common knowledge, but compared to civil officials, my understanding of the classics is severely lacking. What might be a good system in later generations could be taboo or difficult to implement in this era. And as for personnel, even if historical records show their talents, I wouldn’t know if they’ve developed now or if there are any surrounding issues. Of course, Zhuge Liang probably considered all this before assigning me this calculation-related task. “Ah, Prime Minister. By the way, I thought of a tool to make calculations easier.” “A tool to make calculations easier? We already have counting rods.” Counting rods, also called suanzi, were tools used for calculations before the abacus. Even if counting rods are unfamiliar, the counting tube might ring a bell. The counting tube was used to hold these rods. Before the abacus, counting rods were generally used for calculations. They gradually disappeared after the abacus became popular, remaining only in Korea. “You’re proficient enough to handle complex calculations without counting rods. I have high expectations. Have you already made it?” “Not yet… But since I thought of it, I’ll make it now.” “No need. It’s chaotic outside, and that’s why you’re here. Make it later and focus on the present for now.” He sure knows how to shut me up. I had no choice but to act as Zhuge Liang’s calculator. It wasn’t particularly hard. Basic arithmetic isn’t that difficult. And even though it might not seem like it, I’ve been in the military for about ten years now. When it comes to military affairs, I can hold my own anywhere. The task Zhuge Liang assigned was about the central army of the recently reorganized military, especially the emperor’s direct troops. Normally, this would be handled by the Central Protector, the Imperial Forest Commander, or the Protectorate Commander. But since it involved supplies and salaries, it was also an internal affair. And Zhuge Liang, being a perfectionist, prefers to handle everything himself. ‘It’s more about reviewing than planning.’ Anyway, while working with Zhuge Liang, I heard voices from outside. “Prime Minister, someone from Commander Wei’s Office is here.” Ugh. They came quickly. Zhuge Liang continued writing and asked, “Who is it?” “They said it’s Jiang Wei from Commander Wei’s Office.” “Bai Yao!” “Right. Let him in.” Upon hearing the name of the person looking for me, Zhuge Liang finally put down his brush. Jiang Wei, who entered, first paid his respects to Zhuge Liang before looking at me. “I’ve come to fetch you.” “Has the situation outside calmed down?” “Yes. It’s evening now, and other officers from Commander Wei’s Office have dispersed the crowd.” It’s good that the situation was resolved, but I couldn’t just leave. When I looked at Zhuge Liang, he nodded and said, “You may go. And next time, bring that tool with you.” “I will.” With Zhuge Liang’s permission to leave, I exited the Prime Minister’s Office with Jiang Wei. Just in case, I disguised myself as I had when I came. But it was unnecessary. The power of proper authority was evident. The crowd that had gathered around Commander Wei’s Office was no longer there. As we passed Commander Wei’s Office on our way to Zhang Family Manor, I asked Jiang Wei, “How did you know? I disguised myself and left without anyone knowing. Did you see me go?” “Did you? I didn’t see you, but since you wanted to avoid causing a scene, there were only a few places you could go.” Well, that makes sense. No matter how different people’s thoughts are, they often think similarly. Especially when given conditions to eliminate options rationally, most answers would be similar. But still, there were other options like the imperial palace, the Prime Minister’s Office, outside Chengdu, or just ignoring it inside Zhang Family Manor. To my doubt, Jiang Wei smiled faintly and replied, “I just thought you’d be here.”