Suiyang, Liang Kingdom.
A large procession arrived in grand array.
The armored guards at the city gate had no idea which great family's scion was traveling, and dared not obstruct them. Without so much as an inspection, they hurriedly let them through.
The carriage seemed to have its destination fixed already, hurrying toward the Chancellor's Residence in the north.
Watching the direction they took, the armored guards at the gate wiped the sweat from their brows. Thank goodness they had not stopped them.
When the carriage reached the Chancellor's Residence, the gates stood wide open, and it entered without hindrance.
Only after the servants closed the gates did a man step out of the carriage.
He stood eight chi tall, with a refined, affable face and a long beard-the very picture of a scholar-official.
"We pay our respects to the General Who Conquers the South!"
The officials inside hurried forward to offer deep bows.
This man was Zhuge Dan, the General Who Conquers the South.
He was a descendant of Zhuge Feng, the Han dynasty's Colonel Director of Retainers, and a younger cousin of Zhuge Liang, the late chancellor of Shu Han.
In appearance, he did bear some resemblance to Zhuge Liang, only with less weariness and more of an air of wealth and rank.
In his youth, he had served as a Gentleman of the Secretariat, then as a county magistrate, and later as Chief Imperial Censor and a minister of the Secretariat.
He was well versed in classical studies and befriended men such as Xiahou Xuan, spending his days in abstract philosophical discourse. Cao Rui thoroughly detested such discourse, believing these anglers for fame and reputation were of no use to the state, and therefore dismissed him.
Later, when Cao Shuang assumed power, he promoted both him and Xiahou Xuan, appointing him Inspector of Yangzhou and granting him the title of General Who Displays Martial Prowess.
Unfortunately, Cao Rui had not misjudged him. Abstract discourse really was all he understood.
He had been of little help to Cao Shuang, turning a blind eye to everything that happened at the Imperial Court.
Even when Xiahou Xuan and the others were killed, and Guanqiu Jian was so furious that he intended to raise troops against the Sima Family, Zhuge Dan remained unmoved.
In history, he had even helped the Sima Family send troops against Guanqiu Jian.
Clearly, he did not understand that once Guanqiu Jian was killed, he himself would be next.
Aside from their surname, he had nothing in common with his elder cousin. He was merely a shortsighted watchdog.
He was not the loyal minister of Cao Wei that later generations called him. He was merely a foolish military strongman who wanted to continue ruling his own territory, stabbing Guanqiu Jian in the back when the latter marched for a righteous cause, then leaping the wall like a cornered dog only when the Sima Family moved against him.
Though he repeatedly insisted that he had risen to campaign against the Sima Family, the real reason was that they wanted to bring him into the Imperial Court and strip him of military authority. Only then did he take up arms.
Thus, the saying "Dragon, Tiger, and Dog" really was quite apt.
Of course, he was not entirely without strengths. He enjoyed great prestige, knew how to win people's hearts, and could inspire his soldiers to fight to the death for him. He was very good at keeping up appearances.
Stroking his beard, Zhuge Dan asked, "Where is the Grand General?"
"Please follow me."
Several nearby Imperial Guards were about to follow them inside, but Zhuge Dan glared at them. "You need only remain here on guard!"
The Imperial Guards dared not say a word.
Zhuge Dan followed the man into the Inner Chamber alone.
"I, Dan, pay my respects to the Grand General!"
Upon entering the Inner Chamber, Zhuge Dan hurriedly bowed deeply to the man seated in the place of honor.
Sima Shi had arrived here at some unknown point. He sat in the place of honor, his expression dark as he stared down at Zhuge Dan.
"Rise."
"Thank you, Grand General."
Zhuge Dan hastily stood, then looked in surprise at the scholar seated beside Sima Shi.
This man was about the same age as Zhuge Dan, but lacked his air of aristocratic wealth. Dark-faced, lean, and wiry, he looked much like a farmer working in the fields.
Yet Zhuge Dan did not dare underestimate this man in the slightest.
"General Who Shakes with Might!"
The man hurriedly rose to bow in greeting to Zhuge Dan.
He was Deng Ai, Inspector of Yanzhou and General Who Shakes with Might.
Though he did not look wealthy, there was no mistaking it: Deng Ai came from a great lineage, the Nanyang Deng Clan.
His circumstances were simply rather unusual. He had lost his father as a child, and his life had been straitened compared with those of other aristocratic families. Still, he had truly experienced life among the lowest ranks.
Deng Ai's starting point had been far lower than that of the vermin now filling the court. In his early years, he had received the great grace and benevolence of Emperor Taizu, Emperor Wu: he had been forcibly relocated north and brought to Runan to farm.
He had herded cattle and tilled the fields. Because he could read, he became a petty official guarding fodder, burying himself in hard work in the provinces for twenty years.
Only through his many achievements did he climb to the position of Director of Agricultural Affairs.
When he went to Luoyang to deliver a report, he met the benefactor who would change his fate: Duke Xuanwen, Sima Yi.
At a glance, Sima Yi saw that this fellow was no human... no ordinary human.
He promptly recruited him as an Administrative Clerk in the Grand Commandant's office and brought him into his confidence.
Deng Ai had made immense contributions to Wei. While others indulged in lofty rhetoric, discoursed on Xuanxue, and sang at the top of their lungs after taking mineral powders, he never forgot his old trade: farming.
He submitted proposals to Sima Yi for water conservancy and military agriculture, and Sima Yi approved them all. Deng Ai was an expert farmer, and within a few years, Wei's national strength began to soar. Huainan and other regions grew exceedingly prosperous.
He continued earning merit in this fashion, becoming a Governor and repelling enemy attacks. By now, he had risen to Inspector of Yanzhou.
Sima Shi valued him highly, repeatedly telling his younger brother Sima Zhao that this man was vigorous and capable, and could be entrusted with great responsibilities.
Seeing Deng Ai here as well, Zhuge Dan narrowed his eyes.
Unlike his younger brother, Sima Shi was not particularly adept at putting on a show. Had Sima Zhao been here, he would already have been holding Zhuge Dan's hand and calling him brother. Had Cao Mao been here, he would already have turned into Zhuge Mao.
Sima Shi, however, was cold. "Master Zhuge, what caused you to arrive so late?"
Zhuge Dan hastily replied, "Please forgive me, Grand General. The Wu Rebels are stirring, and I truly dared not leave rashly..."
Sima Shi gestured for Zhuge Dan to sit. Zhuge Dan thanked him before taking the seat to his left.
"Master Zhuge, Shiji should already have explained the particulars to you."
"You can see my condition for yourself. This ailment of my eye grows worse by the day. Until the rebels are eliminated, my heart cannot rest."
Zhuge Dan stole a glance at Sima Shi beside him. His condition did indeed look terrible: his face was pale, his body thin as a skeleton, and even his voice had a harsh rasp.
"Rest assured, Grand General. Benevolent men and patriots throughout the realm are willing to serve the Imperial Court and repay their sovereign's grace, even at the cost of their lives. A few petty rebels are not worth mentioning!"
Zhuge Dan's voice rang out loud and clear. Judging by his appearance alone, anyone would have thought him an able minister of the age.
Beside him, Deng Ai looked little different from an old country fellow.
Sima Shi began discussing the situation in the Central Plains with him.
Sima Shi knew what Zhuge Dan wanted: nothing more than self-preservation. He did not take Zhuge Dan seriously at all. If they could defeat Guanqiu Jian, he could hand part of Guanqiu Jian's power over to Zhuge Dan.
Compared with Guanqiu Jian, Zhuge Dan posed very little threat. It was not that his forces were too small; the chief difference lay in their commanders.
Even if Zhuge Dan absorbed all of Guanqiu Jian's forces, Sima Shi would not fear him. What was there to fear in a watchdog?
Naturally, Zhuge Dan was excited too. If I can inherit what Guanqiu Jian leaves behind, then wait for Sima Shi to die of his illness, who in the realm will still be able to deal with me? I can remain safely in the provinces and carry on living as I do now...
The two conversed happily, reaching agreement on numerous points.
Deng Ai merely watched them calmly, without saying a word.
Deng Ai was here only because Sima Shi wanted to put him on display for Zhuge Dan.
Deng Ai did not much care for such matters. He wanted them finished sooner so that he could return to farming.
After they had spoken at length, Sima Shi's body began to fail him. He told Zhuge Dan to rest for now and decided they would resume their discussion in two hours.
Only then did he turn to Deng Ai beside him.
His expression was not nearly as cold as it had been toward Zhuge Dan.
"Shizai, I have read your memorial. Your thinking is sound and thorough. Agriculture truly is the foundation of victory, and grain matters more than troop numbers."
"Since you believe the local officials neglect agriculture, devote themselves to social connections and soliciting favors, and conduct themselves with empty extravagance, dismiss and replace them as you see fit. There is no need to submit another memorial to me. You may handle it yourself."
"Furthermore, I approve your proposals to establish rewards, encourage the people to store grain, and reduce taxes. I entrust you with the responsibility of stamping out this showy but hollow spirit throughout the realm."
Deng Ai froze, then hurriedly rose.
"Th... th... thank you, Grand General."
Sima Shi was about to say something when another violent fit of coughing seized him. This time, at last, he instinctively moved to cover his left eye.
Deng Ai's face changed in alarm.
"I am fine. Do not worry... I have simply been a little weary these past few days... so many troublesome affairs..."
Sima Shi spoke through gritted teeth.
"More and more letters... are arriving from Luoyang..."
Before you continue