The Land of Abundance was vast, its fertile fields stretching for a thousand li.
Its people were prosperous and lived in peace.
After Liu Bei conquered Yizhou, Zhuge Liang took charge of Chengdu, allocating resources and doing everything he could to support Liu Bei's campaign against the Cao Army in Han Zhong. He labored day and night, and could hardly sleep in peace.
Recently, though, Righteous Army forces had risen in Guanzhong in response to Liu Bei, relieving much of the pressure on the Han Zhong front.
Zhuge Liang had found some free time and could finally breathe a little easier.
That day, after settling the coming strategy with Chengdu's officials, both great and small, Zhuge Liang was returning home when he heard the crisp sound of a bell.
"Jingle—!!"
Zhuge Liang froze for a moment, then abruptly turned toward the sound.
A Verdant Green Clad Woman was approaching along the distant street.
Zhuge Liang stumbled.
"That's..."
More than a dozen people, young and old, followed behind the Verdant Green Clad Woman. Their faces were anxious, and they trailed after her step by step, afraid to stray too far.
The setting sun slanted low, and a clear, lilting woman's voice drifted over.
It grew closer and closer.
"Have you not seen the Han River broken, the Tianchi Great Marsh gone for over a hundred years? What now of the white snake slain of old? The Son of Heaven in Xu Du wipes his tears in the night!"
"Son of the Red Emperor, Son of the Red Emperor! Do you regret raising your sword in those days?"
The evening breeze drifted to and fro.
As Zhuge Liang heard those sung verses, it seemed he understood something.
Only when she had come close did Verdant Green Maiden lift her Bamboo Hat and