Rest Period 5

A short while after visiting Zhuge Liang’s private residence, a court assembly was held. It was the first assembly held since Liu Bei returned to Chengdu.

Measures were taken regarding matters that had been postponed, including rewards for meritorious service, as well as those that had been pending without being handled at Zhuge Liang’s level.

There were also changes in noble ranks. I, who had been promoted from Marquis to Marquis of Dependent State when Liu Bei ascended to Emperor, was now enfeoffed as a 2nd rank Marquis of Xiang, the same as my father, for my military merits in this recent war.

“I heard you’ve been elevated to Marquis of Chengxiang. Congratulations, General of the Guards.”

“Wenwei, congratulations to you too on becoming Left Shangshu Puye.”

“I heard that Right Puye Zhang Wan was also promoted on your recommendation, so both Shangshu Puye were made by you, General of the Guards.”

“Be careful with such words. It’s not that I made them, but that His Majesty recognized your talents.”

“How could that be? I don’t say such things just anywhere. I apologize if I’ve caused you concern.”

Fei Yi was good at joking around and was such a nice person that he sometimes made me tilt my head, but he was definitely not someone lacking in tact.

Just look at how Fei Yi, who was almost uniquely close to Yang Yi whom I had sent to Nanzhong, was the very person who purged that same Yang Yi.

It’s just that his standards for drawing the line were looser than others, but Fei Yi had his own clear line.

“Don’t worry. But do be mindful. Zhang Right Puye is a fair and upright person, so if you show even a hint of such attitude, your relationship might sour.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Today is also Fei Yi’s last day coming to work at the General of the Guards’ Office, so it would be proper as a superior to hold at least a small banquet.

I held a modest drinking gathering among ourselves as a farewell party for Fei Yi and a welcome party for Ma Su.

It was a gathering with those who remained in the Luanling Army like Jiang Wei, Ma Dai, Bu Zhan, Guo Yi, as well as Fei Yi and Ma Su.

Ma Su, who came to work at the General of the Guards’ Office after I left, was much more careful with his behavior and words, perhaps having received some scolding from Zhuge Liang.

It’s good that he’s quick to reflect, but anyone would be like that after being reprimanded by someone they respect. How long that will last is what’s important.

Around the time personnel transfers were wrapping up, another invitation came from Zhuge Liang.

Though most of the major tasks were said to be finished, Zhuge Liang is the type to find work even if there isn’t any, so I first felt puzzled.

Last time he called me there was the purpose of introducing Ma Su, but now there doesn’t seem to be anything in particular.

‘Still, if this can help him escape from overwork, that’s a good thing.’

Or it could be that he wants to discuss some major issue that I’m unaware of.

However, contrary to my guess, Zhuge Liang really didn’t bring up any particular business and just chatted.

Of course, topics like the Eight Formation Diagram and Six Flower Formation, or state affairs came up, but they were just one among the flowing topics.

After that, Zhuge Liang unusually often sought me out. Since I had no reason to refuse, meeting with him became almost like a regular schedule.

But then I suddenly wondered – why is Zhuge Liang being so nice to me?

Thinking about it carefully, there were aspects that made sense. Looking back on my life so far, I had quietly built up quite a stack of goodwill with him.

First, privately he’s a classmate and close friend, and publicly I saved Pang Tong, who was the core of his faction.

Even just for that, Zhuge Liang seemed to feel an implicit debt of gratitude to me, and on top of that, I prevented the loss of Jingzhou together with the Pang Tong I had saved.

Moreover, in the Northern Expedition, I even achieved the conquest of Guanzhong, the next step after the Longzhong Plan. From Zhuge Liang’s perspective, I completed the picture following the outline he had presented. He must be quite satisfied.

Up to here, it still had a strong public feeling, but teaching me the Eight Formation Diagram in person was in the private realm.

And I won a great victory against Wei’s attack based on his Eight Formation Diagram. While killing Cao Zhang, the son of Cao Cao who was an enemy general and had ruined his home of Xuzhou.

Thinking that his disciple killed the son of his enemy must double his satisfaction. He would also feel like he got indirect revenge.

It’s uncertain whether Zhuge Liang really feels vengeful, but while he may not be a sage who forgives everything, he’s not a gentleman either, so Zhuge Liang must have at least some of those feelings.

Anyway, at this point it’s not strange for him to see me almost like his own persona.

The Longzhong Plan and revenge. Public and private. I have made Zhuge Liang’s wishes a reality on both fronts.

Though it’s in hindsight, I was the actor who perfectly embodied the script written by director Zhuge Liang himself.

Of course, the Longzhong Plan would only be truly completed when we reclaim Jingzhou and recover Luoyang, so it was still an unfinished film. But that’s not something we can do right away anyway.

It was only natural that various rumors circulated behind the scenes, as I, the highest-ranking military official currently in Chengdu, and Zhuge Liang, at the apex of civil officials, met frequently.

People who tried to attach themselves to our meetings by speaking up emerged one after another. Of course, with Liu Bei standing firmly and me and Zhuge Liang flatly refusing, it soon died down.

Later, when I asked civil officials I was close with like Fei Yi and Liu Ba, the contents of the rumors were quite something.

‘I heard the Chancellor and General of the Guards both have such good eyes for people that His Majesty has completely delegated personnel rights to them.’

‘What are you talking about? The Chancellor and General of the Guards are devising an unprecedented grand strategy to unify the realm in one go.’

‘No, I heard they’re discussing how to govern the Guanzhong land obtained from this Northern Expedition.’

‘Would the Chancellor and General of the Guards meet so often for just that? From what I secretly heard from their servants, they’re making plans to recapture Jingzhou.’

‘Who is that servant? If such top secrets have been leaked, it’s right to report to the Chancellor and have them punished!’

While telling me about the rumors, Fei Yi also asked casually:

‘By the way, can’t you give me just a little hint about what you really discuss with the Chancellor?’

Nope, not possible.

I might consider telling Liu Ba, but if I told Fei Yi, there would be no one who didn’t know within a day and a half.

Rather, if I had discussed important state matters with Zhuge Liang as in those rumors, I might have told Fei Yi. Because Fei Yi is also thorough when it comes to important matters.

But if it’s something that can be told, it would show how far his wide network of connections extends.

“Hahaha, so that happened. Feiqi Wei must have felt left out. The last response must be from Dong Xiaozhong. Isn’t that right?”

Xiaozhong was Dong Yun’s courtesy name.

Zhang Wan also tries to handle matters fairly and uprightly but has flexibility, and Fei Yi seems to go beyond flexibility to leniency, but if you look closely he boasts meticulous handling of affairs.

However, Dong Yun, the last of the Four Ministers of Shu Han, is truly the embodiment of principles. With his straightforward personality and upright nature, Dong Yun didn’t bend his principles even to Emperor Liu Shan, to the point that Liu Shan was wary of him.

Unlike Zhang Wan and Fei Yi, Dong Yun grew well on his own without me needing to intervene, and was appointed as Shizhong this time.

“That’s right. I heard Shizhong Dong said that. But don’t you think it’s about time we set the rumors straight?”

“Hmm, rather than doing that, how about we follow those rumors?”

“Pardon?”

“First, well, there was a rumor about personnel matters, right? What do you think of the recent personnel appointments? Since the imperial edict has already been issued, speak freely.”

With the acquisition of Yongzhou and Guanzhong, positions that were only nominal became key posts, and with Liu Bei ascending to Emperor, restrictions on official positions disappeared, and instead of Zhoumu, they were divided into Cishi and Dudu, and so on.

From the Northern Expedition to the recent court assembly, there were major changes across all official positions.

While the central inner and outer court didn’t change much from when Liu Bei ascended to Emperor, various personnel measures were implemented in the provinces.

Zhuge Liang still concurrently held the position of Cishi in Yizhou, and Fan Zhun remained as Cishi in Jingzhou. Father’s concurrent position as Sili Jiaowei was also removed, and Ma Liang was newly appointed instead.

In Yongzhou and Liangzhou obtained from the Northern Expedition, Xu Mo and Xiao Ze were appointed as Cishi respectively. This was a measure to show appreciation for their excellent handling of administration in that area from before, and to demonstrate preferential treatment for those who surrendered.

The placement of Dudu who held military authority was also appropriate. Or rather, most of the Dudu were retained.

Because apart from the generals of the central army’s four armies of front, rear, left and right, the central army under the Emperor’s direct command, and the General-in-Chief, General of Chariots and Cavalry, General of Light Chariots, and General of the Guards who established general’s offices, there were limited people to appoint as Dudu.

Wei Yan as Dudu of Hanzhong, Wu Yi as Dudu of Guanzhong, Li Hui as Dudu of Neijiang.

In addition, Dudu were also placed in the eastern and western parts of Yizhou, with Fei Guan as Sanba Dudu in the eastern Ba region, and Li Yan as Shujun Dudu in the western Shu region, rewarding the people of Yizhou for their contributions so far.

Ah, and there are no separate Dudu in Jingzhou and Yong-Liang-zhou. This was because Guan Yu, who was settled in Jingzhou, and Ma Chao, who was staying in Yong-Liang-zhou, concurrently held the position of Dudu.

It was deemed excessive to place separate Dudu in Yong-Liang-zhou, which has many ethnic minorities but few households to collect taxes from, and Jingzhou, which only has Nanjun left due to Wu. Why bother when Guan Yu and Ma Chao are there?

I had no particular points to criticize as the Taishou and Duwei under the Cishi and Dudu were also appointed based on ability.

“I see. Then let’s move on to the next. A strategy to unify the realm, huh. Now that the Northern Expedition has succeeded in its first phase, do you have any thoughts on the next stage?”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have anything particular yet.”

“No need to be sorry. Haven’t you been busy traversing the realm following the battle at Hetao?”

“Do you perhaps have something in mind, Chancellor?”

To my question, Zhuge Liang nodded and answered:

“Indeed I do.”