Interlude

The journey back after finishing negotiations with both Cao Cao and Sun Quan was incredibly light-hearted.

My grateful and admirable Nanling Army, who had been running, fighting, and running again without rest from Hanzhong to Shangyong, then to Fancheng, and again from Fancheng to Gong’an, finally had proper vitality for the first time in a long while.

Jiangling city, where the government office of Nanjun is located and one of the largest cities in Jingzhou, had turned into a city that never sleeps. The granaries of the government offices were all wide open, revealing their empty insides, and from within Jiangling city, the smoke from cooking rice, the smell of grilling meat, and such spread to the night sky.

The soldiers who fought with all their might, the people who kept their loyalty, the civil and military officials who did their best in their respective positions. Without exception, everyone’s smiles and conversations were in full bloom.

Especially those who had accumulated significant military merits in this battle were picturing a bright future with high expectations for the upcoming rewards and promotions.

Some were saying they would become a prefect for such and such achievements.

Others were saying their rank would rise because they had captured so-and-so.

Among those talking about such happy expectations, I noticed someone with a dark expression for some reason and approached him.

“Xiaoying, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

Swept up in the festive atmosphere covering all of Jiangling city, my tone was lighter than usual.

It felt more like friends talking to each other rather than a superior speaking to a subordinate.

At my call, Gu Bu corrected his expression and made a fuss.

“Ah, I’m sorry. Making such a mistake on a good day. There’s nothing wrong. Yes, nothing at all.”

“It’s alright. You can just be comfortable now. If there’s anything bothering you, speak up, don’t keep it bottled up. I’ll listen if you’re okay with it.”

Gu Bu, who was always spirited and mixed well with people, stroked his wine cup like a timid boy, his usual demeanor gone somewhere.

Well, everyone has inner thoughts that are difficult to speak about. Not wanting to make Gu Bu uncomfortable, I just silently kept his side seat.

After a while, Gu Bu cautiously asked:

“General, we achieved great merit, didn’t we?”

“Hm?”

“We defeated both Cao Cao and Sun Quan, didn’t we?”

“Mm… that’s right. We won against the world, so you can be proud.”

“Then your reward will be big too. You might receive a high office, haha.”

It was a dry laugh. Having achieved great merit and made a name for himself, and about to receive a fitting reward and promotion, what could be worrying him?

‘Ah, is it the burden of achieving great merit at a young age!’

Gu Bu is still in his 20s, young to the point of being green among the veterans of the military.

Most of my subordinate officers were like that. Even Ma Dai, the oldest, had just passed 30.

“Are you worried about advancing too early in your youth?”

“Pardon?”

“There’s no need to worry about such things. Look at Guo Jia, he became General Who Displays Firmness at 21. Don’t worry too much.”

“Ah, yes, thank you.”

Huh? This doesn’t seem to be it. Gu Bu’s reaction is quite lukewarm.

As I was thinking about what else to say, members of the Eight Wings who saw me and Gu Bu together started gathering one by one.

“What conversation are you having so pleasantly?”

“Please include us too, we feel left out.”

The sociable Wang Si and Ma Chao approached while striking up a conversation, and the quiet trio Wang Ping, Liu Yin, and Fu Qian naturally took a seat each.

Unlike Wang Ping and Liu Yin who were truly quiet, Fu Qian seemed to be pretending to be quiet, as his shoulders were visibly twitching, wanting to join the conversation.

What was it again? Something about maintaining dignity as my personal guard captain. Anyway, he was a funny guy.

“Where are Bai Chen and Shengzong?”

“Ah, if you mean Shengzong, I saw him drinking with those hometown friends of his over there.”

“Those friends who enlisted following Shengzong from the beginning?”

“That’s what it looked like.”

True friendship, true friendship indeed.

“And Bai Chen?”

“He’s drinking with General Pang.”

Understandable, as they must be meeting after a long time.

So, is this everyone who’s going to gather?

“Watching from the side, it seemed like you were listening to Xiaoying’s worries, but Xiaoying’s expression didn’t look good.”

“Well, everyone has worries.”

Now that I look, the faces of the others also showed glimpses of small and large dissatisfactions, or rather, signs of concern hidden behind their smiles.

The sharp-witted Ma Chao seemed to notice that they shared the same worry.

“Well, it seems I’m not the only one with such worries.”

“Hmm… I see.”

Again, they’re talking about something only they know, leaving me out. As I watched somewhat sulkily, Ma Chao laughed out “Puhah” and then said as if embarrassed:

“If we receive official positions in recognition of this merit, we’re worried about when we’ll be able to be with you again, General. Isn’t that right, Xiaoying?”

“That’s right.”

It wasn’t just Ma Chao and Gu Bu. Everyone gathered around me was nodding their heads and looking at me as if of one heart and mind.

Although Ma Chao spoke up embarrassingly, it was actually me who was truly embarrassed.

“Ahem, hem. Why are you all worrying about such things?”

“We’re all people you personally selected, General.”

Because it was the words of the reticent Liu Yin, it carried even deeper sincerity.

“Regardless of age or background. You only looked at the person themselves. While studying writing, I came across such a saying: A scholar dies for the one who recognizes him.”

“That’s right! Who else would have recognized us if not for you, General?”

As Wang Ping, who had been studying even while moving from battlefield to battlefield, broke the ice, Fu Qian, who had been itching to speak, quickly added.

Their true feelings of wanting to stay with me but regretfully having to part inevitably made my heart heavy.

Fearing that moisture might appear in my eyes, I tensed my stomach and declared to them:

“I will become the Grand General.”

The chaotic times are not over yet. The Three Kingdoms have just been fully established. Wars will continue in the future.

“So, you all come along too. Achieve merits, and on that day when I become Grand General someday, assist by my side like now.”

Becoming Grand General means that the entire military will be under me.

At that time, I hope they will have risen to key positions. I hope they will have risen to positions where I can entrust them with armies.

If that happens, when the day comes to advance beyond Hanzhong towards the Central Plains, they will once again be by my side like now.

§

As the seemingly endless festival was coming to an end, I was meeting with Fu Jun at his private residence rather than the official residence of Jiangling city.

With tea instead of alcohol between us, I teasingly said to him:

“I heard you called yourself the One Cap of Luanling?”

“Mm, that’s right.”

I asked with a bit of playfulness as if teasing slightly, but Fu Jun responded calmly.

Tch, no fun. As I pouted my lips, Fu Jun chuckled.

“It’s not wrong, is it?”

“You’re not my subordinate, Shengming. And there’s no Luanling.”

“Does one have to be a subordinate? Isn’t it enough to share the same heart? Also, does one need Luanling to be a comrade with Mingxing? If one carries the luan bird in their heart, aren’t they all Luanling soldiers?”

“I can’t win against you in words.”

To beat Fu Jun in words, I feel like we’d need to bring someone like Zhuge Liang. I think my eloquence has improved a bit now, but the orthodox style is indeed different.

But the reason I’m so pleased with his words that don’t give an inch is perhaps because his actions are the best proof of the sincerity of his words.

Fu Jun, who originally becomes a famous minister of Wu after neglecting his duties due to friction with Guan Yu and being won over by Sun Quan’s sincere persuasion, stepped forward as the most dangerous practitioner of the Empty Fort Strategy to preserve his friendship with me.

“The Front General gave you a hard time, didn’t he?”

“You can comfortably call me Zhongfu.”

Did I make it too obvious by calling him Front General, worried it might sound like I’m taking Guan Yu’s side? Or is Fu Jun’s perception sharp enough to read my inner thoughts?

Anyway, despite my concern, Fu Jun shrugged his shoulders as if it was no big deal.

“It’s fine. I understand a bit too.”

“You understand?”

“The Front General is someone who hates my teacher.”

It wasn’t that Guan Yu hated Fu Jun without reason.

Although Guan Yu looks down on scholars, he doesn’t reject those with ability and character. Maybe not in the original history, but the Fu Jun in front of me could be said to belong to such people.

Nevertheless, the reason Guan Yu didn’t acknowledge Fu Jun was largely due to the influence of his teacher.

Fu Jun’s teacher, Song Zhong, was the person who informed Liu Bei of Liu Zong’s surrender to Cao Cao in the past.

Moreover, it wasn’t that Liu Zong informed first, but Song Zhong didn’t tell Liu Bei and only revealed it when Liu Bei pressed him. So Liu Bei was angry that he hadn’t been told about this matter and tried to kill Song Zhong but let him go.

Guan Yu, who was somewhat narrow-minded, resented him and mistreated his disciple Fu Jun, and the Fu Jun in the original history acted out in response to that.

“And, didn’t Mingxing tell me?”

“Me?”

“Yes. You pointed out to the Front General that he was underestimating me, didn’t you?”

“Well, yeah. I did.”

“Who else could say such words to the Front General of the world? Just the fact that Mingxing stood up for me like that is enough reward for my efforts.”

“That’s not enough.”

I took this opportunity to bring out what I had prepared in advance.

“This is…”

Surprise spread across Fu Jun’s face as he saw what I had brought out. It was a golden cape. I had hurriedly prepared it during our stay in Jiangling for rest and banquets.

“It’s a gift.”

“May I try it on?”

Fu Jun spoke with sparkling eyes, just like a child receiving a birthday present. When I raised my hand to encourage him, Fu Jun quickly stood up and draped the golden cape over his shoulders.

“Hm? It seems a bit short, Mingxing?”

“I had it made that way on purpose. Not that side, but this side. That’s right.”

I personally put the golden cape on his shoulders and adjusted it to the proper angle.

The golden cape I prepared for Fu Jun was different from others in that it covered only one shoulder. A long and heavy one would only be uncomfortable for Fu Jun, who is far from marching and sleeping outdoors.

Fu Jun wearing the golden cape properly looked just like a philosopher wearing a toga in the West.

Fu Jun looked down at his shoulder. It was the part where a blue luan bird was embroidered.

“Did you make this yourself?”

“I’m not skilled in sewing. But I did draw the design. I thought since there’s only one feather, a single golden cape would be fitting.”

“I’ve received the best gift. I’ll cherish it for the rest of my life.”

“You can throw it away if it gets too worn out.”

“Haha, then I’ll have to wear it carefully.”

Fu Jun happily laughed while caressing the luan bird on his shoulder.

This happened the day before leaving Jiangling city to return to Chengdu.

§

“General, there, it’s Chengdu.”

The end of the long journey was there.

Chengdu, which I was seeing for the first time in nearly 4 years since stopping by to receive rewards for the merits in the Battle of Tangge, was unlike the image in my memory, with the area outside the city gates full of people. A different, orderly appearance from the usual floating population.

“Zigun, is what I’m seeing real?”

An astonishing sight was unfolding, to the point where I unconsciously asked if this was real.

I pulled the reins to stop my horse right there. Then I got off the horse and started walking on two feet. Towards those who were waiting to welcome me with the gates of Chengdu wide open.

Those who were waiting for me in front of the city gates also slowly approached.

And at the forefront was Liu Bei.

“Welcome back.”

I knelt before him, made a respectful gesture, and answered.

“I have returned.”

It was the end of the 24th year of Jian’an.