The Year of the Meteor Shower

If we were to give a nickname to the 25th year of Jian’an (220 AD), “The Year of the Meteor Shower” might be fitting.

In the original history, countless people died in this year. Of course, now that history has been twisted, they might die less or more than in the original history, but there didn’t seem to be much difference.

As soon as the new year dawned, stars began to fall one after another. It started with famous figures from Wei, Shu, and Wu dying one by one.

On Sun Quan’s side, Lu Meng, who had surprisingly survived several months longer than in the original history, perhaps due to the new task of the Battle of Hefei, finally met his death.

Sun Quan personally volunteered to carry Lu Meng’s coffin to honor him, who had shown a miracle of revival and burned the last of his life brilliantly with Zhu Ran, Pan Zhang, Zhou Tai, Sun Shao, and Xu Sheng at Hefei Castle.

Seeing the showmanship of a ruler personally carrying his subject’s coffin, if only Sun Quan hadn’t gone senile, he surely would have remained a hero comparable to Cao Cao or Liu Bei.

In our country, Rear General Huang Zhong breathed his last. As everyone knew he had been growing weaker day by day after exhausting all his energy in the Battle for Hanzhong, the shock was relatively mild.

Since Huang Xu, Huang Zhong’s son, had died prematurely before him, leaving no heir, Liu Bei regretted this and immediately bestowed the posthumous title of Marquis of Strength (Ganghow) upon his death.

Lu Meng and Huang Zhong. Wu’s Grand Admiral and Shu’s Five Tiger General. As much as these two figures’ fame, their deaths also brought great repercussions, but compared to the news of death from Wei, it was like a gentle breeze before a storm.

Wei Wang (King of Wei) Cao Cao has passed away.

The influence of those five characters was enough to shock the entire world beyond national boundaries.

Even in Shu-Han, where mourning for Huang Zhong was in full swing, discussions about Cao Cao’s death were more active than about Huang Zhong.

Namely, whether to send a condolence delegation for Cao Cao’s death or not.

“Sending condolences is absolutely unacceptable!”

The one arguing vehemently as if he might cough up blood was Huang Quan. It was quite ironic. Later, Huang Quan would defect to Wei after the defeat at Yiling, but now he’s shouting that we must never go to that Wei.

Considering that he had also advised against accepting Liu Bei when he entered Shu in the past, I suppose he’s making judgments most faithful to the cause each time.

Many agreed with Huang Quan’s claim, who had risen to General of the West for his merits in the Battle for Hanzhong, but surprisingly, there were not a few who argued that a condolence delegation should be sent. The representative of this side was Liu Ba.

“Has the General of the West forgotten the actual situation because he’s too immersed in righteousness? At this time when Wei has fallen into chaos due to repeated defeats, are we to give up this golden opportunity to grasp their internal situation?”

It was logic befitting Liu Ba, the pragmatist.

Liu Ba’s authority as Minister of the Imperial Secretariat was by no means inferior to Huang Quan’s. Not only had he contributed to establishing Shu’s bureaucratic system along with Zhuge Liang, Li Yi, Fa Zheng, and Yi Yan, but he also had outstanding military achievements proving his ability like Huang Quan.

Considering that he would rise to the position of Imperial Secretariat Director after Fa Zheng’s death, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he was among the top ranks in actual hierarchy among civil officials.

“Minister Liu, you know one but not two. When the greatest foundation of our country and the basis of our national power is righteousness, sending a condolence delegation that would tarnish it is too short-sighted a claim.”

It was Li Yi’s words, one of the five who created the Shu bureaucracy along with Liu Ba. His words were somewhat aggressive, given his treatment as one of the highest elders like Sun Qian and Jian Yong, along with his practical ability.

But was Liu Ba the kind of person to bend his will with just such words? His stubborn persistence, proven by fleeing with Liu Bei, immediately prepared a rebuttal.

“Although Cao Cao is called a traitor, it’s said that one should attend the funeral even if the enemy’s parents die. How much more so for the enemy’s own funeral?”

The pros and cons were stark.

The approval faction led by Liu Ba, including Yi Yan, Liao Li, and Zhang Yi, who prioritized practical benefits and had not clashed much with Cao Cao.

The opposition faction centered around Huang Quan, Li Yi, and Ma Liang, composed of those who prioritized righteousness or had confronted Cao Cao.

As Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, and Fa Zheng, who had the greatest influence under Liu Bei, remained silent, the commotion in the palace hall only grew louder.

If only there were military officers at the pinnacle like Guan Yu from Jingzhou, Father from Hanzhong, or Ma Chao from Tianshui.

Surprisingly, among the military officers gathered in the palace hall now, the one with the highest position was me. Because I had been promoted to Rear General in recognition of my achievements in the Battle for Jingzhou after Huang Zhong’s death.

Even I was choosing to observe.

‘This isn’t an issue for me to intervene in. Sending a condolence delegation is more in the realm of civil officials than military ones. There’s no need to unnecessarily make enemies by speaking up before being asked for an opinion.’

As it is, I’m already having a headache just organizing a new army, with the Nanling Army half-disbanded as almost everyone got promoted, just as the Eight Wings had worried.

And no matter how much debate there is from below, it all ends when Liu Bei decides, so what’s the point?

“That’s enough, everyone. I think I’ve heard your opinions sufficiently. This is not a matter to be decided lightly, so I will ponder further and make a decision by the next court session.”

After ordering dismissal and withdrawing, Liu Bei left, but the civil and military officials continued to discuss in groups of threes and fives as they left the palace hall.

I too moved my steps towards Pang Tong and asked:

“Military Advisor Pang.”

“It’s Rear General now.”

“You can lower your speech. By the way, how do you view this matter, Military Advisor?”

“Hmm…”

Pang Tong glanced at the crowd now turned towards us and said:

“This doesn’t seem to be the place for such talk. Let’s go to my house.”

Liu Bei had personally given Pang Tong a mansion for his return to the central government after finishing the affairs in Jingzhou, but Pang Tong refused it and got a small house separately. Of course, the standard of ‘small’ here is small among high officials, far from a thatched cottage.

As we entered the gate of Pang Tong’s residence, a young man about my age came out from the inner house and greeted us.

“You’ve arrived, Father.”

“Yes. And I’ve come with the Rear General, so tell them to bring tea inside.”

“Yes. Please come in, Rear General.”

“Alright.”

Pang Tong’s son Pang Hong was a young man who took after his father. He had Pang Tong’s unique confident yet magnanimous attitude.

“You have an excellent son.”

“He’s still lacking. He said he wanted to enter office, so I told him to do it if he’s as confident as you, Mingxing.”

“What did he say?”

“He said he’d study for five more years.”

“He’s certainly bold.”

There are times to be modest, and times to show pride. I have achieved unbelievable merits for my age, both objectively and subjectively.

There was no one comparable to me among my peers of the time. It’s not for nothing that Liu Bei calls me Guo Jia.

“It’s good to have big ambitions. We’re here.”

Entering the separate building made for receiving guests, Pang Tong took off his cumbersome official robes and casually hung them on the side.

“You can loosen up too if you’re uncomfortable.”

“Then I’ll just take off my hat.”

This thing is quite heavy, you know. Of course, it’s nothing compared to a helmet, but there’s no need to keep wearing it unnecessarily.

I even undid the hairpin that had fixed my hair to fit the hat and roughly gathered my hair into a single ponytail.

“Right. You asked about the condolence delegation?”

“That’s right, but actually, I wanted to discuss something else more than the condolence delegation.”

“The condolence delegation was a smoke screen, then.”

“Yes. There are too many ears in the world.”

“If it’s something you need to be this cautious about…”

Pang Tong changed his voice to a serious tone and said:

“It’s about the northern expedition, isn’t it.”

Just as he finished speaking, Pang Hong’s voice was heard from outside the door.

“Father, I’ve brought the tea.”

“Come in.”

Pang Hong set down the tea and slowly backed out.

His intentions were too obvious, so Pang Tong clicked his tongue and said:

“Do you want to join in too?”

“How could this humble one without office dare to join in discussing state affairs with you two?”

Although he referred to himself as a commoner without office, Pang Hong couldn’t properly hide the eagerness in his eyes.

“Manage your expression properly before saying such things. You must have heard about Cao Cao’s death too, so tell me. Do you think our country will send condolences?”

Pang Tong’s question was not about what he thought of the condolences, but a binary choice of whether they would be sent or not. He was not seeking his son’s insight, but testing him.

Pang Hong answered immediately:

“His Majesty the King of Hanzhong raised the great cause of eliminating the traitor Cao Cao who rebelled against the Han imperial family. I believe he won’t send condolences to maintain that cause.”

“Tsk tsk. This is why I stopped you from entering office. You may go now.”

Although puzzled, Pang Hong couldn’t go against his father’s words and left the separate building. After the door closed, Pang Tong sighed softly and spoke as if lamenting:

“That boy is like this. What would you have answered, Mingxing?”

“I would have said we’ll send a condolence delegation.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s His Majesty the King of Hanzhong.”

“Indeed. I believed you would know. That boy’s thinking is too simple. He lacks the ability to grasp people’s psychology and combine things in a complex way. How could I feel at ease putting him in office like this?”

It is a one-dimensional thought. However, Pang Hong’s words also have a point. His argument was the majority opinion in the palace hall too.

But Pang Tong seemed to want to grasp not just what’s apparent on the surface, but down to its depths.

But at that level, isn’t that really on par with Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, and Lu Xun? I guess parents having expectations for their children is unavoidable in all times and places.

“So both Military Advisor and I agree that a condolence delegation will be sent.”

“Kongming would know too. It’s just that Kongming has deep resentment towards Cao Cao, so he’s not speaking up.”

For Zhuge Liang, who is from Xuzhou, Cao Cao would just be a murderer. After all, Zhuge Liang fled to Jingzhou to escape the Xuzhou massacre.

“Anyway, righteousness can be created if needed. It wouldn’t be bad to say we’re trying to confirm the Emperor’s well-being using Cao Cao the traitor’s death as a pretext.”

My thoughts were the same as Pang Tong’s. As long as it’s not completely nonsensical, the righteousness and reputation Liu Bei has built up so far would compensate for it.

And above all, Liu Bei sent a condolence delegation in the original history too. Of course, at that time there was more justification for needing to grasp Wei’s internal situation while preparing for the Battle of Yiling.

“Let’s stop here about the condolence delegation and get to the main point.”

“Before that, how much more time do you think we need to raise an army again, Military Advisor?”

The original history has changed a lot, and since I’m far from administrative positions, I was in the dark about these internal affairs. Even if I had been in an administrative position, the situation wouldn’t have been much different. What would I know without any experience of company life in my previous life?

Pang Tong pondered the calculations and said:

“If we go steadily, at least two years would be needed. If we push hard, it’s possible to raise an army even next year.”

Was the Battle of Yiling two years later? If we proceed with the northern expedition, it would be around that time, since the situation is much better than in the original history.

Just as we were about to discuss the grand plan for the northern expedition in earnest, Pang Hong announced from beyond the door once again.

“Father, General An Han has arrived.”

“Oh my. We’ll have to postpone our discussion. It would be good to call Kongming and Xiaozheng next time too.”

Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, Fa Zheng? It’s an awe-inspiring lineup. There’s no reason to refuse an offer to arrange a meeting with them.

“Let’s do that.”

Mi Zhu’s actual power is lower than mine, but his rank was higher than even Zhuge Liang or Pang Tong, second only to Liu Bei.

After putting back on the official robes we had taken off, we went to the main gate, where Mi Zhu, who had spotted us, bowed first to greet us.

“I have humbly come to apologize for causing inconvenience to both of you.”