“He’s already set out?”
Jia Xu, remembering that Cao Cao would attack them in the first month, hurried to find Zhang Xiu.
Two months—maybe a little more, maybe a little less—but barring any surprises, Cao Cao’s side was definitely already planning their attack!
And here they were, still dawdling around, wanting to send provisions to Liu Bei. They really weren’t in any hurry at all.
As it turned out, he was anxious, but Zhang Xiu was even more so—he had already organized everything and set out?
How could he have set out already?!
Jia Xu couldn’t understand it. It had only been one afternoon; the sky wasn’t even dark yet. A night march—that was far too hasty.
“Don’t worry, Strategist. The lord said he’ll return within a month and will definitely not cause any trouble outside.” The soldier delivering Zhang Xiu’s message trusted him completely, even showing a hint of longing on his face—a longing to go out and fight.
Who in the surrounding area didn’t know their strength? They won more battles than they lost, with minimal casualties. Even if someone was injured or disabled on the battlefield, there were subsidies! Not to mention those who died in battle—the “compensation” proposed by the strategist would be delivered directly to their families!
The soldier looked at Jia Xu as if gazing at a deity. Nüwa created them, but Jia Xu gave them the ability to fight and even resolved their worries about going to war.
The “deity” Jia Xu felt his heart sink.
Zhang Xiu had taken half the recruits from the new training camp. These weren’t newly conscripted soldiers but ones Jia Xu had trained using his “new” methods from the modern world—more obedient, not timid like typical recruits, nor unruly like seasoned soldiers.
Of course.
Jia Xu thought expressionlessly. If it weren’t for his newly trained recruits, and if Zhang Xiu hadn’t specifically picked the “top students” among them, he couldn’t have taken them all away so quickly.
“Arrange for an expansion of the new training camp.” Jia Xu had no choice but to train more soldiers. Sharpening the spear just before battle might not make it shine, but it would at least be sharp!
As Jia Xu said this, the soldier’s eyes lit up as if he were already planning to sign up first.
Considering it was harvest season, Jia Xu also thought about speeding up the harvest while teaching this training method to the common people. Just as he used military drills to train the army—not aiming for high damage but at least instilling discipline—he wanted the people to feel a sense of unity between soldiers and civilians.
“This expansion will proceed as usual, but since it’s harvest season, there will be an additional farming assistance program. Those unwilling to work in the fields need not come.
Also, spread the word to the nearby people: this time, there won’t just be literacy classes teaching them numbers and their own names, but also lessons on how to strengthen their bodies. Let’s call it the military training class. Promote it, voluntary sign-ups, and lunch will be provided.”
“Yes! I’ll make sure to spread the word thoroughly!” The soldier’s voice boomed, startling Jia Xu.
Training soldiers here was absolutely necessary. Jia Xu had to do it and didn’t dare not to. He worried that Zhang Xiu might not return in time and could run straight into Cao Cao…
Jia Xu didn’t even want to imagine the scenario of leading disobedient troops out for support. Without strict discipline, they’d scatter like loose sand—no different from marching to their deaths. Not to mention, he had no ability whatsoever in military tactics or formations.
Thinking of military tactics and formations made him want a battlefield strategist even more. He couldn’t rely on himself, a Dog-headed Strategist, to hold everything together!
Zhuge Liang—he absolutely had to get Zhuge Liang from Zhuge Xuan’s hands!
And where is Zhuge Liang, whom Jia Xu is keeping in mind?
The next day, at the Zhuge family home in Longzhong, Deng County, Nanyang.
“Brother, today marks I don’t even know how many days since I started calling you Brother Jin. Just tell me the truth—have you been bullying people outside? So many people keep coming to see you.”
The boy, who looked about thirteen or fourteen, spoke with a tone of maturity and steadiness. The person he was looking at bore a seventy to eighty percent resemblance to him, though he was taller and more handsome, perhaps because he was a year or two older and had grown into his features.
The boy was Zhuge Jun, one of Zhuge Xuan’s nephews, and the “brother” he was addressing was his elder brother, Zhuge Liang.
Zhuge Liang sighed. “Our uncle has been bedridden for over a month, yet visitors keep coming in an endless stream. I suspect these people have their eyes on our Zhuge family.”
Zhuge Jun glanced around the house and found it hard to believe. “Brother, I know you’re smarter than me, but aren’t you being overly cautious about this?”
It wasn’t that Zhuge Jun looked down on his own family, but the truth was, there was nothing in terms of wealth for others to covet.
Back when their father was still alive, before Dong Zhuo had completely torn away the last shred of dignity from the Eastern Han, the world was still somewhat livable, and their Zhuge family could be considered modestly well-off. But now…
Zhuge Jun felt that anyone with a bit of sense who visited their family would realize that the Huang family, less than two miles away, was far more worthy of envy.
“It’s not about money,” Zhuge Liang sighed.
“Could it be about people?!” Zhuge Jun belatedly looked at his young, handsome, and most importantly, unmarried brother. He sighed like a little adult. “Brother, maybe you should just give in to Sister Huang. With her looking out for you, at least you won’t get kidnapped and sold off.”
When Zhuge Jun mentioned “Sister Huang,” Zhuge Liang’s earlobes flushed red, though Zhuge Jun didn’t notice. Just as Zhuge Liang was about to manually silence his younger brother, their uncle called for them.
Their uncle had been ill for a long time. Doctors had come and gone several times, and they had even switched physicians, but nothing seemed to help. His condition was visibly worsening.
“Kongming, there’s something I must tell you. Over the past half month, you’ve seen all the people who have come here, haven’t you?”
Zhuge Xuan spoke softly and slowly, pausing for a long time between sentences—a clear sign of insufficient vitality and physical weakness. Even his gaze seemed unfocused, lacking the spirit he once had.
Zhuge Liang looked at his uncle, who was draped in a thin robe, his expression kind yet tinged with a hint of… sorrow?
He had a feeling that what his uncle was about to say was not something he wanted to hear.
“Kongming, your uncle may not live to see next year.”
Indeed, it was not pleasant to hear!
“Uncle!” “Don’t say that, Uncle!” “Uncle, you’re still in good health. It’s just that this cold has lasted a bit longer.”
Zhuge Liang remained silent, but his younger siblings spoke up.
Having relied on their uncle for so long, they had almost come to regard him as their own father. Their bond was deep, and hearing him speak of his impending death tightened their hearts.
“Your uncle knows his own body. You’re all still young. After I’m gone, you must listen to your elder brother, understand? Especially you, Zhuge Jun. You have many ideas and love to play with your sisters. From now on, you must help your brother support this family and learn to be more steady.”
Zhuge Xuan did not offer much comfort, simply speaking many words as if delivering his last wishes. His four nephews looked at him wanting to cry, and some could no longer hold back their tears.
“Alright, why cry? Everyone must face this day eventually.”
Zhuge Xuan pursed his lips and still spoke of the preparations he had made for his nephews.
“Kongming, I have a colleague who has heard about your studies under Master Shuijing. I heard your teacher holds you in high regard, comparing you to a sleeping dragon.”
Zhuge Liang was taken aback. During his time studying under his teacher, the teacher did trust him, but he thought it was merely because he was relatively clever and obedient among his peers?
Was his teacher truly so optimistic about him?
“I’ve mentioned this colleague to you before. He comes from a relatively ordinary background, a man from Xiliang, who once served as an advisor under Dong Zhuo.”
When Zhuge Xuan mentioned Dong Zhuo, he specifically observed his nephew’s expression. He knew his own child well—Zhuge Liang’s hatred for Dong Zhuo extended to those associated with him, even to the point of resenting his subordinates. Sure enough, Zhuge Liang frowned.
“However, he is not a particularly bad person. He arrived in Jingzhou around the same time as us and now serves as an advisor under Zhang Xiu.”
Hearing Zhang Xiu’s name, Zhuge Liang’s tightly furrowed brow relaxed somewhat. He knew of Zhang Xiu.
Even scholars in chaotic times had their own sources of information, let alone Zhuge Liang, who, strictly speaking, resided in Nanyang, a territory under Zhang Xiu’s jurisdiction.
In the past six months, the spirit of Nanyang had grown increasingly unlike that of a chaotic era.
Zhuge Liang still carried memories from his childhood, following his father when he served as the Assistant Prefect of Taishan Commandery. At that time, the people had long suffered under Emperor Ling. Despite his father’s diligence and dedication, Zhuge Liang could only see the smiles of the powerful families and local magnates, while the common people were always sorrowful and dispirited.
When he first arrived in Jingzhou and Nanyang, Zhuge Liang saw the same kind of people. But within just six months, the people of Nanyang began to wear smiles.
They would chatter about General Zhang winning another battle, about Advisor Jia Xu telling them that soldiers and civilians were united, having soldiers help them farm, teaching them arithmetic, and explaining that farming itself held great wisdom.
Advisor Jia Xu…
“Uncle, the colleague you mentioned is Jia Xu, right?” Zhuge Jun also knew of him. When he spoke the name, the corners of his mouth lifted, and he looked at Zhuge Xuan like a puppy seeking praise.
“Uncle, the person who came looking for me over the past half month… was it Jia Xu?” Zhuge Liang, however, connected it to something else.
“Ah… yes.” Zhuge Xuan had actually wanted to tell Zhuge Liang earlier, but there was a slight misunderstanding involved.
Initially, it was his good intentions that backfired. He had praised Zhang Xiu and Jia Xu in front of Liu Biao, saying they were adept at caring for the people and skilled in governance. Unexpectedly, Liu Biao had completely lost his former “magnanimity” and became petty, burdening Zhang Xiu with many unnecessary tasks, such as suppressing bandits, transporting grain, and sometimes allowing other forces to pass through territories under Zhang Xiu’s control—actions that often led to friction.
Zhuge Xuan felt too embarrassed to bring up entrusting his nephews to Jia Xu again.
Then, likely due to a misunderstanding on Jia Xu’s part, Jia Xu sent someone to inquire. And as a result! His nephew also misunderstood, thinking it was some kind of villain…
Zhuge Xuan had originally planned to host a banquet and invite Jia Xu once he recovered, so he could properly entrust his nephews to him. But now, seeing his health deteriorating…
First, he sent a letter to Jia Xu, informing him of his own situation and mentioning the matter of entrusting his nephew. Yesterday, the messenger returned, saying Jia Xu was overjoyed, which finally put his mind at ease.
And so, today he planned to discuss it with his nephew.
“Knock, knock, knock!” Before Zhuge Xuan could continue speaking, someone knocked on the door. “Is this the Zhuge residence?”
Such a familiar voice…
“Yinyi, Yinyi, are you home? I’ve come to pick you up!” It was Jia Xu’s voice, filled with such joy and delight that even from over twenty meters away, separated by the door and courtyard, the Zhuge family could hear it clearly.
Didn’t I write in the letter that I was dying and entrusting my orphaned nephew to him? Not that I was coming back to life?
Listening to Jia Xu’s uncontrollably happy, lighthearted, and upbeat tone, Zhuge Xuan began to wonder if he had written something wrong.
Now he recalled the messenger saying Jia Xu was very happy… Hmm… This happy?!
I’m going to have a cat! I’m going to have Zhuge Liang!
Jia Xu was like a first-time cat owner waiting excitedly at the “cattery” door, eagerly anticipating Zhuge Xuan, the cattery owner, handing over the cat to him.
————————!!————————
Jia Xu to Zhuge Liang: A wild, stray Zhuge Liang [star-eyed] First come, first served—I’ve claimed him! [cat paw]
Zhuge Xuan: It’s not like I’m abandoning him [facepalm laugh-cry]
Liu Bei: Wait, wait, hold on [cat paw]