Mythical Three Kingdoms

”What’s wrong with this guy?” Chen Xi asked, puzzled, ”Why not just marry someone of a similar social standing?”

After speaking, Chen Xi looked at Zhuge Liang. This man had a wife but had yet to take her as his wife, akin to how Zhuge Liang’s sister married Pang Tong’s elder brother. Similarly, Zhuge Liang himself would marry Huang Chengyan’s daughter. The matrimonial connections between prominent families were already arranged, just as Chen Xi himself is supposed to marry Fan Jian.

”It’s not that simple, the marriage agreed upon in childhood cannot be consummated now.” Fa Zheng said with a bitter smile, ”It’s not a big deal for me, but it’s tough on my dad.”

”Which family do you speak of, so foolish as to be incomprehensible?” Chen Xi was taken aback. Such a family actually dared to break an engagement, they’re really throwing all face out the window. Back when his family had fallen on hard times and he himself was a sickly ghost, Fan Liang never said she wouldn’t marry Fan Jian.

”The Jiang Family.” Fa Zheng said, forcing a smile, ”A prominent family of Fufeng. In my youth, I was betrothed to a girl from their family. We saw each other often when we were young, but, well, as the Legalist family declined, they started making excuses. Previously, I sent someone to fetch my father, intending to bring her along with him, but then...”

As he spoke, a cold glint flickered in Fa Zheng’s eyes. The person he would marry hardly mattered to him, but breaking off the engagement without a valid reason, and providing no explanation was absolutely not acceptable.

”The Jiang Family of Liangzhou?” Chen Xi inquired uncertainly.

”Their ancestral temple is in Liangzhou, but they also have many in Fufeng,” Fa Zheng said disdainfully, ”They take advantage of my family’s reduced circumstances. Given the opportunity, I will definitely have a talk with them.”

Chen Xi, witnessing the coldness beneath Fa Zheng’s calm expression, knew that this man’s true nature was about to resurface. Fa Zheng had always been vengeful, and it took Guo Jia a long time to temper him, so he wasn’t as reckless as before. Now it seemed that his old habits were flaring up again.

”Blind as bats,” Zhuge Liang shook his head and said. Although Fa Zheng often stirred up trouble and vexed him, he recognized that Fa Zheng’s ability was unmistakably among the best in the world. At the moment, Fa Zheng was only seventeen, with decades ahead to prosper the Legalist family. Offending such a person at this juncture was nothing short of folly for the Jiang Family of Liangzhou.

”Who knows what they were thinking?” Fa Zheng said contemptuously, ”If it weren’t for the great distance from Xiliang, I would make sure the Jiang Family learns how to behave.”

Lu Xun tugged at his mouth, suddenly realizing that Fa Zheng, who was about to become his new instructor, seemed somewhat ruthless.

”Why not take a concubine first and leave the position of legal wife open for now?” Chen Xi suggested, hoping to soothe Fa Zheng, ”Nearly all of us officials from Mount Tai have the position of legal wife vacant, while concubines are already present.”

”I already have a concubine,” Fa Zheng replied, tugging at his lips. When his father first mentioned this matter, and he was not in good spirits, Fa Zheng immediately found a concubine to appease his father for the time being. For Fa Zheng, finding a wife with his former status in the Jiang Family wouldn’t be too difficult.

”Oh, that’s fine then, as long as it’s passable,” Chen Xi nodded and said, but it was clear that for Fa Zheng, this matter was definitely a thorn in his side.

”Let’s drop the subject,” said Fa Zheng with a touch of gloom, unable to fathom the situation. With his current status, position, and abilities, were the Jiangg Family out of their minds? Without him calling off the engagement, why would they think to do so? It just didn’t make any sense at all.

Initially, Fa Zheng wondered if the Jiangg Family felt he was too formidable now, that their daughter was not worthy of him. But on second thought, that was impossible. Not to mention anything else, Jiangg Ying grew up playing with him. Although Fa Zheng was a bit peculiar in character, he was good to his own people and valued old connections deeply.

Besides, his father was still alive and well, a Great Confucian Scholar — how could he ever commit such an act of despising the poor and loving the wealthy? In the Late Han, Great Confucian Scholars sought fame at the risk of their very lives, let alone on such matters. If Fa Zheng dared to even once suggest in front of Fa Yan that he would not marry Jiangg Ying, he would surely be beaten to death in the ancestral temple...

So after much thought, Fa Zheng was certain it wasn’t an issue on their part. It must have been due to the slow spread of information, and he hadn’t taken official office back then. Otherwise, speaking through official record documents, the Jiangg Family would never have done such a thing. In any case, it was a good opportunity to see the true face of the Jiangg Family. However, thinking of Jiangg Ying made Fa Zheng feel a bit regretful; he had always thought she would become his wife for the past ten years, and it was a pity that it hadn’t come to fruition.

”Come on, let’s grab something to eat and rest a bit. I still have work to handle tomorrow, so I won’t be returning to Mount Tai with you guys,” Fa Zheng said with a wave of his hand, as the melancholy on his face was swept away, reverting to his previous nonchalant demeanor.

”Oh, you’re planning to complete the infrastructure and iconic buildings before leaving, right?” Chen Xi followed Fa Zheng as they walked towards the inner room, asking as they went.

”Yes, I’m afraid they’ll build the city in a crooked and twisted manner if I leave,” Fa Zheng nodded, ”Once the iconic buildings are erected, even if I go back to Mount Tai, they’ll have a template to follow.”

”That’s good. In that case, I’ll leave Boyan here with you. Remember to teach him military strategy and such. He doesn’t quite get along with Kongming,” Chen Xi said patting Lul Xun, ”Don’t underestimate him, he’s very smart.”

”Oh, then he can stay with me. I don’t have much else to do anyway. I’ll take him along for the construction of the city. He should understand what he needs to by observing,” Fa Zheng glanced at Lul Xun, who was bowing to him, and nodded, ”Is Kongming also going back to continue his studies? Tsk tsk, at this rate, when he starts his position as a junior officer, I might already be managing the affairs of a province.”

”I’ll return to work on the administrative affairs of the provinces and counties with Lub Zijing and carry out long-term planning. You might be implementing some of the plans I’ve made,” said Zhuge Liang in his usual calm and collected manner, which left Fa Zheng choked up with the response. He couldn’t help but turn to Chen Xi to confirm the truth of Zhuge Liang’s words.

”Hmph, in a short while, I’ll also return to Mount Tai,” Fa Zheng, witnessing Chen Xi’s slight nod, knew that Zhuge Liang’s future duties had been arranged. Although it might start with assisting Lub Su, given Zhuge Liang’s talent, it wouldn’t take long for Lub Su to delegate authority and entrust some of the simpler administrative duties to Zhuge Liang. Fa Zheng was very certain of this, as he and Zhuge Liang had been locking horns for a long time, with neither gaining the upper hand.

”Well, everyone will have to come together soon anyway, to be precise, very soon,” Chen Xi said playfully, and Fa Zheng instantly understood the implication of his words, [Are we finally starting to stir up trouble, warming up for the eventual plan to unify the north and confront Yuan Shao?]

”Enough about matters of state for today. Let’s only talk of romance, with wine and dishes for a banquet, and music and dance to accompany us!” Fa Zheng entered the main hall and laughed heartily as he began arranging the banquet. Watching a new city gradually taking shape brought not only excitement but also the fatigue of maintaining an official demeanor in public. He had never dared to indulge with anyone before, but today he could finally put aside the mask and truly rest for a while. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian ) to vote with your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile phone users, please read at m.qidian.com.)