NOVPUB```
"With Wen Ru not around, and you not around either, who is there to explain the reports to me? More than half of the work I can only grasp a rough idea, and compared to the ample free time you and Wen Ru have, Zijing’s work is very busy..." Liu Bei pulled a face as he spoke.
"Hehehehe." Chen Xi grinned, at a loss for words. It seemed Liu Bei’s points made a lot of sense!
Without Chen Xi and Li Youu by his side, it wouldn’t be easy for Lub Su to give a clear report to Liu Bei on the tasks at hand. After all, explaining them in a way Liu Bei could understand would take up a great deal of Lub Su’s time—a time that could otherwise be spent on more productive work.
"Look, Kongming has arrived." Chen Xi unconsciously avoided Liu Bei’s gaze and quickly called Zhuge Liang over upon seeing him.
"I have seen Lord Xuande," Zhuge Liang said calmly as he approached and offered Liu Bei a courtesy bow. "May I ask why Marquis Chen is summoning me?"
"There’s been a lot of state affairs recently, and I’m recommending you to assist Zijing, as well as cash in some experience. I think you’ve learned enough by now," said Chen Xi, his expression hardly differing from the usual look of consideration for Zhuge Liang.
"Lord Xuande, why not give it a try?" Chen Xi turned to inquire, "Kongming is about ready to be a Prefect by now."
"Forget it, Kongming isn’t Xiao Zhi. When Xiao Zhi started, I still needed to test him. It’s unnecessary with Kongming—he’s undoubtedly a Prime Minister’s talent. Later, I’ll write a personal letter for you, and you can come work under me as a Chief Secretary," Liu Bei waved off the suggestion, fully uninterested in conducting any test.
Indeed, compared to a somewhat eccentric Fa Zheng, Liu Bei trusted the gentle and refined Zhuge Liang completely. However, when it came to official appointments, he did not give Zhuge Liang a high position straight away, as he had with Fa Zheng; instead, he appointed him to a minor role of Six Hundred Dan. It was worth noting that Zhuge Liang was far more reliable than the bustling Fa Zheng of that time.
"Many thanks to Lord Xuande," Zhuge Liang replied with a calm demeanor, neither excited nor disappointed, exhibiting a detached acceptance that neither rejoices in external gains nor laments personal losses.
"You can take up your position with Zijing tomorrow. Learn from his experience, but don’t imitate his work style. And don’t adopt Zichuan’s slippery ways either," said Liu Bei, waving Xuu Chu over. Shortly after, a servant arrived, carrying a jade plate with a wine jug and several small cups on it, the cups gleaming faintly.
Liu Bei personally poured a cup of wine for Zhuge Liang, then one for Chen Xi and for himself. "Kongming, this cup is to honor you. Li Wenru has said you have the talent of a Prime Minister, and Zijia has said the same. My civil and military officials hold you in high esteem, and I share their view. This cup symbolizes my expectations for you—do your best!"
Liu Bei’s words were simple and unembellished, yet they touched Zhuge Liang, who seldom showed excitement, prompting him to lift his cup and drink it all at once.
Chen Xi took the wine jug from Liu Bei, refilled Zhuge Liang’s cup, then lifted his own. "I’ll toast to you as well. Remember this, Kongming: you will be the pride of this era. I am but a guide; there are some things I’m truly not good at. From now on, it will be up to you to hold a high position and serve the people," he said.
Chen Xi drained his cup first. To his surprise, Zhuge Liang had already exceeded his expectations. If historically Zhuge Liang was considered weak only in domestic affairs, notably welfare, then in this life, Zhuge Liang had learned all there was to learn—the rest was left to verification.
```
"I will," Zhuge Liang said with a gentle smile, dressed in a white robe. "The power of the people is boundless, virtue and benefit drive them. You told me that a long time ago, Lord Xuande. I know what to do, and I will."
"Zhongkang, where are the things?" Liu Bei asked Xuu Chu.
"Here, here." Xuu Chu came running with a large chest, which he set down lightly, as though it were weightless.
"These are household funds I am giving you," Liu Bei said, pointing to the large chest, "I have heard that you have a betrothed who is not yet your wife. Therefore, these are my gifts to you for your marriage. As you are now in office, continuing to live here in Zichuan is somewhat improper. There are two land deeds inside the chest; take good care of them." Liu Bei had prepared all this in advance.
"Thank you, Lord Xuande. Since that is the case, I will not decline," said Zhuge Liang without even looking at the chest, knowing that anything bestowed by Liu Bei would not be ordinary.
Liu Bei, for his part, didn’t know who Zhuge Liang’s fiancée was, but he had no interest in finding out. After all, what Liu Bei needed was Zhuge Liang’s intellect—it wouldn’t matter to him if Zhuge Liang were like Guo Jia, spending one day seeking pleasures and the next night in a brothel.
Of course, Liu Bei had given similar gifts to his civil and military officials, but it was clear that, up to now, most of Mount Tai’s officials remained bachelors with the position of legal wife unfilled. The items awarded by Liu Bei were often jokingly referred to as "marriage funds," but, unfortunately, there had been hardly any marriages among the officials of Mount Tai so far.
"I’ll write a marriage document for you later. It’s not easy for us to have an official marriage here," said Chen Xi with a sigh, while Liu Bei beside him smiled foolishly. His own position of legal wife was still being reserved for the Zhang Clan, and those who knew about this naturally would not trouble him, while those who did not know could not reach him either.
"Let’s leave it for later," Zhuge Liang said calmly. He was not particularly eager to marry just yet.
"Suit yourself," Chen Xi said indifferently. If Zhuge Liang was not interested, he would not interfere. "Go ahead then, and by the way, call Lu Zijia for me. There are some things I need to inform him of."
"Lu Zijia?" Liu Bei was surprised, while Zhuge Liang had already begun to leave gracefully. "My master’s son, who was taken away by Duke Wang. Why did you bring him back? But it’s good this way; I will take care of him in the future."
"No, Lord Xuande, you are not the right person to take care of Lu Zijia," Chen Xi quickly interjected. "He is a genius, a talent not lesser than Xiaoo Zhi. Given your relationship with Minister Lu, you certainly would not be strict enough in his education. That would only spoil him over time. Do you really want to see Minister Lu’s son become mediocre?"
Joking aside, Liu Bei might well be a mighty lord, but that did not mean his approach was suitable for Lu Yu. Liu Bei’s future path was to create a radiance centered on benevolence and virtue, to be the sun that casts its light upon the mortal world—in short, to hang high in the sky dome, admired by all!
If Lu Yu was raised by Liu Bei, he would certainly be spoiled. This boy was a dark horse genius; if he stayed on the straight and narrow, his life would just be so-so. Therefore, Chen Xi would definitely not entrust Lu Yu to Liu Bei’s care. A promising young talent also needed to be nurtured with care!
(To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to continue reading.)
