Chapter 147

After changing back into my original attire, I returned to my usual self.

The sister-in-law, who was not subject to the mourning period, still wore plain clothes, and even if the mourning period were to be applied, my father, who would continue to mourn in his heart, also wore armor over his mourning clothes.

However, while the attire had returned, the entirety of daily life had not yet returned to normal.

Even though the mourning period had ended, the envoys from Eastern Wu remained, a prime example of this. Especially the events that occurred during the mourning ceremony quickly spread throughout Chengdu.

Originally, Zhuge Ge, being the nephew of Zhuge Liang, had already built a reputation from a young age with various witty anecdotes. However, his recognition in the Han Dynasty was only known to those who were aware, but this incident changed the situation.

Zhuge Ge had suddenly risen to stardom. From being a promising talent in Eastern Wu, he had now positioned himself as the leading figure of the next generation responsible for Eastern Wu’s future. No, beyond that, he was even considered an immediate asset.

The number of people seeking Zhuge Ge increased, but he remained holed up in the envoys’ quarters.

‘Zhuge Jin must have stopped him. He’s a cautious person after all.’

In later generations, many people often think of Zhuge Jin merely as a diplomat between Shu and Wu. After all, most people encounter him through the Romance rather than actual history. His spirit and achievements were overshadowed by his portrayal as weak in the Romance.

However, from what I saw, Zhuge Jin was a figure comparable to Zhuge Liang. Sun Quan didn’t fully support him for no reason. It wasn’t just trust; his abilities backed it up.

Amidst the uproar over the rumors about Zhuge Ge, a visitor arrived.

“Wen Wei? What brings you here without notice?”

It was Bi Yi, who had come to the Zhang Family Manor without any prior notice, not even to the Commander Wei’s Office.

“Haha, I suddenly thought of Commander Wei and came to pay a visit. I apologize if I’m intruding.”

“Intruding? Not at all. Come in.”

“Thank you.”

After guiding him to the guest room, I instructed the servant to bring tea and refreshments, then spoke to Bi Yi.

“You seem to have a lot on your mind.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t keep it bottled up. Speak your mind. It’s unlike you to hide things.”

Bi Yi was known for his openness and honesty in dealing with people. His sincerity and boldness allowed him to befriend many, even forming a bond with Yang Yi.

Perhaps because of this, he couldn’t hide his emotions well.

Bi Yi, having composed himself, spoke with a serious expression.

“Xu Shulong and Guo Youzhi.”

“Hmm.”

“You know what I’m trying to say, right?”

These two were people I had recommended to the Department of the Prime Minister, and they were the ones who had elevated Zhuge Ge’s reputation during the mourning ceremony.

“Why did you ask them to yield?”

“Wen Wei.”

“These two are officials of the Department of the Prime Minister. No matter how much Commander Wei recommended them, this incident could damage the prestige of the Department.”

Indeed. I had asked them to engage in a verbal debate with Zhuge Ge but to retreat at an appropriate point. And they had agreed.

The spark they ignited spread through Dong Yun, Ma Su, Bi Yi, and others, ultimately boosting Zhuge Ge’s reputation.

There was no need to ask how Bi Yi had learned the inside story. With his extensive connections, he had close friendships with both Xu Shulong and Guo Youzhi. He must have heard it from one of them.

Knowing this, Bi Yi, with his boundless curiosity and concern over the potential negative impact on me once the incident became public, had come to see me.

It was indeed no small matter for me, as Commander Wei, to have casually used officials from the Department of the Prime Minister.

But there was no need to worry.

“It’s because they are from the Department of the Prime Minister.”

“Huh? Surely not…”

Zhuge Liang was already on my side.

“Why, what do you mean?”

Bi Yi asked, seemingly unable to comprehend. Instead of answering directly, I countered with a question.

“Before that, let me ask you. Where do you think our country should focus its strength?”

The same question I had asked Zhuge Ge during the mourning ceremony. Bi Yi hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“…Still, shouldn’t it be Luoyang?”

The same answer as Zhuge Ge.

“Ah, this is absolutely not influenced by Zhuge Ge’s words. Although Jing Province is somewhat regrettable, I had always thought that now, while Cao Biao and Sun Quan are fighting, is the optimal time to recover Luoyang.”

I know.

Xingnan’s four commanderies and Luoyang.

If asked which of the two should be prioritized, nine out of ten would choose Luoyang.

Because Luoyang holds an immeasurable symbolic significance beyond population or area.

Zhuge Ge’s argument during the mourning ceremony did not stray from the realm of orthodox theory. However, in presenting systematic reasoning and justification for prioritizing Luoyang, Zhuge Ge had merely proven his talent.

Luoyang. The name of longing.

Having secured Chang’an, the desire for this land of aspiration only grew stronger.

In Chang’an, the capital of the Former Han, the aspiration to establish an empire was declared.

In Luoyang, the capital of the Later Han, the unification of the realm was proclaimed.

There is not a single person in the Han Dynasty who does not yearn for this.

“That is precisely the reason.”

“Huh? What do you mean…”

“It seems like a long story. Let’s discuss it over a game of Go.”

While Bi Yi looked puzzled, I brought out the Go board kept in the guest room.

Placing the board between Bi Yi and myself, I took the white stones to my side.

“However, I’ll concede three stones.”

Without waiting for Bi Yi’s response, I placed three white stones on the board.

Each stone had a name.

Wan, Xuchang, and Luoyang.

§

Rewinding time to when Liu Bei first summoned me and Zhuge Liang.

Liu Bei had not called us merely to discuss condolences for Zhuge Jin.

He had gathered me and Zhuge Liang to discuss how to utilize the current situation, namely the excellent opportunity presented by the war between Sun Quan and Cao Biao in Huainan.

“Kongming, Mingjing, you are the ones I trust most in Chengdu now.”

The condition of Chengdu was likely a consideration for Guan Yu, my father, Pang Tong, and others. But for me to be on the same level as them, even to the point where Liu Bei directly mentioned trusting me alongside Zhuge Liang, was astonishing.

Even the emptiness brought by Zhang Po’s death was momentarily forgotten.

“The death of a close family member is not only painful for Mingjing but also for me. However, we cannot neglect the affairs of the state. Please tell me how you think we should handle this situation.”

Liu Bei seemed unaware, but Zhuge Liang and I had already discussed how to respond if a war broke out in Huainan. And our views aligned.

Having confirmed our shared stance, we steadily worked towards realizing it.

Sending Lu Xun away from Jing Province was part of that.

Yes. Zhuge Liang and I aimed not for Luoyang but for Jing Province.

“We must recover Jing Province while Sun Quan and Cao Biao are at war.”

“Jing Province? Not Luoyang?”

Liu Bei, who also seemed to have Luoyang in mind, immediately questioned Zhuge Liang’s statement.

“Your Majesty, raising an army requires caution. We must first consider how much loss it may cause, what we can gain, and whether we can truly achieve it.”

“Kongming, do you think we cannot capture Luoyang now?”

Zhuge Liang merely bowed deeply in response.

Finding it hard to accept, Liu Bei turned his gaze to me, expecting a rebuttal. But I also agreed with Zhuge Liang’s stance.

A sigh escaped Liu Bei’s lips, filled with regret.

“I too am aware that Luoyang is our nation’s long-cherished goal. I also understand the immense symbolic significance of Luoyang. Even the Supreme General advocates for a northern expedition instead of avenging Sun Quan’s betrayal. How could I, of all people, wish to ignore that intention?”

Even Guan Yu was advocating for attacking Luoyang while Sun Quan was currently at war with Wei.

Luoyang.

Before the magic of that ancient capital, even Guan Yu could not remain steadfast.

Especially since he was stationed at Yangfan, closest to Luoyang along with Dongguan, the allure was twice as strong as felt in Chengdu.

“However, it is difficult to be optimistic about actually capturing Luoyang. While Cao Biao is countering Sun Quan’s attack on Huainan, he has also deployed a significant force to the Luoyang front, comparable to the Huainan front.”

Just as the allied forces of Wei and Wu’s attack was the final spark, Zhang Liao, who had breathed his last immediately after the war ended.

Cao Ren, who had followed after leaving behind the great undertaking his elder cousin had achieved.

Jia Xu, who had succeeded in every strategy throughout his life but left behind a single failure as a blemish in his final moments.

Following the previous war, Wei suffered consecutive losses of key figures.

Especially the deaths of Zhang Liao, the core of the Wu front, and Cao Ren, the core of the Shu front, caused significant turmoil on both fronts.

However, before Han and Wu could expand that turmoil into division, Wei quickly regained stability.

By allowing even non-relatives to hold military authority, a bold move.

Man Chong, who succeeded Zhang Liao in overseeing the Wu front, was not Zhang Liao’s equal in terms of martial prowess, but in the grand scheme of warfare, Man Chong was a superior commander.

The decisive battle between Man Chong and Lu Xun in Huainan would undoubtedly be a grand and magnificent confrontation, worthy of being called a great battle.

And the figures filling the vacancies left by Cao Ren and Cao Chang on the Shu front were equally formidable.

Luoyang, Wan, Xuchang.

From Wei’s perspective, these three places, the front lines against Shu, were now manned by what could be considered Wei’s greatest talents under Cao Biao’s deployment.

“Cao Biao has stationed Zhang Pei in Xuchang, Xu Huang in Wan, and Sima Yi in Luoyang.”

Sima Yi, who had finally grasped military authority and stepped onto the battlefield.