Before Declaring Emperor 3

“So you’re asking me to go to Anding with you?”

Zhuge Liang asked Zhang Ran, who had joined him in Hanzhong saying she received the task of escorting him. Though it was an unexpected request for support work, Zhuge Liang’s expression remained unperturbed.

Instead of being flustered, Zhuge Liang pondered what the true intention might be behind Zhang Ran’s proposal.

Not accepting things at face value and wondering if there might be some hidden intention was not unique to Zhuge Liang alone.

It could be called an occupational disease that all strategists have.

Xu Mao was a name Zhuge Liang knew. In fact, officials at the level of governor were all recorded in Zhuge Liang’s mind without exception. Among them, the name Xu Mao belonged to those requiring special attention.

A famous governor who received thick trust from ethnic minorities and whose actual ability was not greatly lacking. Just looking at how they sent Wang Ping, considered a strong card, shows Xu Mao’s reputation.

But if asked whether Zhang Ran would step up like this to persuade him, Zhuge Liang would shake his head.

Zhang Ran is no longer the young bird waiting for its time to fly under Pang Tong.

She has long since grown into a phoenix that has soared high into the sky and joined the ranks of the stars.

In this Northern Expedition, Zhang Ran received the tally axe as commander-in-chief of the Guanzhong expedition army. For a moment, she stood on equal footing with even Guan Yu.

Of course, it would be an exaggeration to say they were completely equal, but no one could deny the fact that she had become the second-in-command of Shu Han’s military for a time.

Would such a Zhang Ran personally travel a thousand li just to persuade a governor, and one already captured as a prisoner at that? Absolutely not.

Zhuge Liang also knows there’s no high or low when seeking talent. Wasn’t there an anecdote of Liu Bang, who had risen to become Emperor Gao, lowering himself to apologize for his rudeness to the commoner Lu Jia?

However, Zhang Ran’s measure was somewhat excessive. It was even more so that she asked Zhuge Liang for help, saying it was difficult for her, even though Wang Ping, who was clearly Zhang Ran’s confidant, had personally asked for help.

‘Above all, it’s questionable that the Rear General herself finds persuasion difficult. That can’t be. With the Rear General’s abilities as I know them, it’s certainly not beyond her.’

Zhuge Liang did not think for a moment that Zhang Ran lacked ability.

Zhuge Liang had been watching her with great attention for quite a long time. From that day when they first met over 10 years ago.

At that time, he had only shown interest in her as the companion of Liu Shan, who would become the Later Lord, but now he treated her like he did himself or Pang Tong.

Though her academic achievements were somewhat lacking, she possessed broad knowledge and unbelievable insight. Her way with words was better than most scholars. These were more than enough abilities to persuade Xu Mao.

‘Since she would have also become acquainted with Deng Zhi, who already made Shu Zhi defect, there must be a reason why she specifically requested me…’

At that moment, something flashed in Zhuge Liang’s mind like a bolt of lightning.

“I see… so that’s it.”

At Zhuge Liang’s muttering, Zhang Ran made a questioning expression as if to ask what he meant.

But Zhuge Liang, trying to reconfirm one last time if there were any errors in the judgment he had made, didn’t actually look at her face.

‘The military’s prestige has risen too high from this Northern Expedition.’

The question of why Zhang Ran, who had gone near the peak of the military, was stepping up like this.

The answer was, paradoxically, that she showed this behavior because she was in such a position.

The success of the Northern Expedition is great. Recovering Chang’an was an affair incomparable to even Guan Yu’s occupation of Yangfan or Zhuge Liang’s Southern Campaign.

It was truly finishing a war that squeezed out all the country’s strength with perfect victory, so its value goes without saying.

The prestige of the military that achieved such great merit was also soaring to the skies accordingly.

The fact that they could achieve such great merit was because the assistance of civil officials supporting them with various support from behind propped them up. However, rear support that doesn’t appear at the forefront tends to be forgotten.

Did the great minister Xiao He ever receive proper recognition of his merits from the generals? It was because Liu Bang, as a ruler, had the eyes to discern right from wrong that he received appropriate treatment.

Zhuge Liang also achieved merits like Xiao He, and it’s true that he received Liu Bei’s favor fully. However, Zhuge Liang alone could not compare to the entire military.

The Southern Campaign conducted before the rebellion broke out was difficult to see as pure military merit, and because the attack on Guanzhong, the core of this Northern Expedition, was accomplished in a surprisingly short time, the share of the rear in charge of logistics was small.

In this situation, Zhang Ran, undoubtedly the greatest meritorious official of this Northern Expedition, came to Zhuge Liang with her head bowed.

What could this mean?

It’s to balance things out.

Zhang Ran, one of those representing the military, places Zhuge Liang above herself.

On top of that, not using blatant means that would hurt the military’s pride, she even saved face for the military by putting forward the pretext of persuading an enemy before the imperial ascension.

‘Insight to prevent the military’s domination. At the same time, deep calculation to balance with minor matters where the intention is not clearly revealed. Though not even twenty years old yet… I may have underestimated Mingjing.’

Now that it had come to this, Zhuge Liang belatedly regretted not appointing Zhang Ran as Crown Princess.

Though he didn’t reveal it, considering it disloyal, how could Zhuge Liang not know Liu Shan’s shortcomings?

Until now, he had watched thinking he’s still young, and after all he inherited Liu Bei’s blood. But now that he had turned 15, even Zhuge Liang was accepting the fact that Liu Shan’s talent fell far short of Liu Bei’s.

If Zhang Ran firmly supported Liu Shan’s side, there would have been no great worry even if he himself had to step down right away.

Anyway, Zhuge Liang firmly believed that what he had guessed was true. What else could be the answer that resolved all his questions?

If the other party is being so considerate, it would be polite to accept while pretending not to know. Zhuge Liang willingly nodded.

“Very well. This unworthy Zhuge Liang. I will accept the opportunity Mingjing has given.”

If Zhang Ran had known the thought process leading up to this answer, she probably would have said:

‘They say there’s only a paper-thin difference between genius and fool.’

Of course, Zhang Ran, who had no way of knowing Zhuge Liang’s thoughts, was only happy at the thought that she could intuit Zhuge Liang’s eloquence, but.

Even that appearance looked to Zhuge Liang’s eyes like she was rejoicing at eliminating a potential danger to the country.

Preconceptions were this frightening.

§

There are things that immediately come to mind when hearing the name Zhuge Liang.

For example, the feather fan and Taoist robe. As one gets older, the four-wheeled carriage or the wooden ox and gliding horse. Things like the southeastern wind or Kong Ming’s trap are also famous.

Those with high interest in the Three Kingdoms might mention the Memorial on the Northern Expedition.

However, among these, there is one thing that cannot be left out, and that is verbal sparring.

In the novel, he successively refutes opponents to form the alliance between Liu and Sun for the Battle of Red Cliffs, and even causes Wang Lang to die from anger with just the venom spat by his three-inch tongue.

It’s not just a story from the novel. Even in actual history, Zhuge Liang thoroughly refuted Wang Lang, who sent him a letter urging surrender.

His aspects of engaging in discussions about Cao Zhi and the founding emperors of Han, Han Gaozu and Han Wudi, or impeaching Yi Yan by pointing out his mistakes one by one show that he was a born orator.

And now I was appreciating Zhuge Liang’s historically renowned eloquence in real-time.

“Though we served different masters, I have long known your name as a comrade serving the Han dynasty together. I admired your great virtue in comforting the people and embracing ethnic minorities. I always regretted that our paths were different and I had no chance to visit you and receive your teachings. Zijun and Mingjing, who met you earlier, praised your nobility, so although I meet you for the first time today, I feel as if we’ve been acquainted for a long time.”

Zhuge Liang, who poured out a long speech-like statement, spoke smoothly and clearly without stammering or getting his pronunciation tangled even once.

“I too have held inner respect for Master Zhuge. Seeing you in person, I know that what is said about you in the world is indeed not wrong.”

Xu Mao was also a man who did not fall behind in eloquence.

Even to Zhuge Liang’s words that probed while speaking familiarly, Xu Mao continued to respond steadfastly.

“I don’t understand why you, a benevolent and wise governor, do not follow the natural order. There are still many people groaning in suffering. How can you cut off contact with the outside and stay content while holding onto your talents? This will only bring shame upon yourself.”

“How are there suffering people? Isn’t it born from war? You spoke of the natural order, but how is the Wei imperial court, which received a peaceful abdication following the example of Yao and Shun, not the natural order? If we follow this and stop the war, how will the people’s groans not cease?”

Popcorn, popcorn is needed.

It’s so exciting how the two are engaging in a verbal tit-for-tat. Perhaps because of the name value of Zhuge Liang, it makes me focus even more.

To Xu Mao’s pointed fastball, Zhuge Liang immediately rebutted as if he had been waiting for those words.

“Where in the world is there anyone who doesn’t know that Cao Cao intimidated Emperor Xian while he was alive? Cao Pi’s abdication was usurpation achieved through sword and blood, not peace, so this is nothing more than an empty name like a dragon made of mud or a dog made of straw.”

Because it was well-known that Cao Cao and Cao Pi had mistreated Emperor Xian, Xu Mao seemed at a loss for words this time and kept his mouth shut, falling silent.

As if to drive in a wedge at this opening, Zhuge Liang continued speaking.

“The lack of virtue in Cao Cao and Cao Pi is clear just by looking at the wars so far. Red Cliffs, Hanzhong, Jingzhou, Guanzhong. When have they ever won? They are exhausted from continued defeats, so we will now strengthen our borders, focus on livelihoods, and let the people rest. If we store up resources, train our soldiers to be elite, watch for the right time, and then strike all at once when they are divided due to Cao Pi’s lack of virtue, we can pacify the realm without making our soldiers fight battles or making the people suffer.”

Zhuge Liang, who emotionally argued that Cao Pi had no legitimacy, then logically spoke of Wei’s downfall.

As Xu Mao began to waver, Zhuge Liang grabbed his hand and spoke earnestly.

His slightly trembling voice seemed to prove Zhuge Liang’s sincerity.

“Please comfort the people with your virtuous reputation, and correct abuses with your virtuous conduct. How could I ask you about military affairs? It is said that the ruler is the boat, but the people are the water. You need not board the boat, but please keep the water clear.”

Probably even Grandfather Xu Mao would find this hard to refuse.

When Zhuge Liang, considered the top scholar and minister of the age, begs so earnestly for help like this, if one could coldly refuse, we should question if they are really human.

Befitting the author of the Memorial on the Northern Expedition, which is even called “if you don’t shed tears reading it, you’re not a loyal subject,” Zhuge Liang’s words had an aspect that struck people’s heartstrings.

In the end, Xu Mao let out a long sigh, then clasped both hands and bowed his head to Zhuge Liang, saying he would follow his will.

As we came out after finishing the persuasion of Xu Mao, which succeeded only after going through three people – Wang Ping, me, and Zhuge Liang – Zhuge Liang asked me.

“Mingjing, how was it?”

“Ah. As expected of Military Advisor Zhuge. I think it was really good that I asked you.”

“Haha, is that so? That’s fortunate then.”

Zhuge Liang smiled as if he had passed a test.

To be this happy, I guess Zhuge Liang really does like verbal sparring. He was born to be a debater.

‘Should I ask him to write a persuasive text for me later?’

Yes. That would be good.

Thus, I and Zhuge Liang burst into laughter with different thoughts.