Chapter 1093: All Kinds of People

"Spending all day on battlefields where choices must be made, even in low-intensity battles, inevitably leads to casualties. How could one not develop a decisive nature?" Zhuge Liang said, half of his face hidden behind his feather fan, making it impossible to discern his expression.

"Indeed, this era is exceptionally cruel." Li You nodded. "But I must say, you now seem to fit this era better."

Li You couldn’t help but recall his younger self. Back then, who could have imagined he would grow to achieve such heights?

"Come on, let’s go to my place. It’s the perfect opportunity for me to assess how much you've improved." Li You turned and led his entourage, including his daughter, maidservants, Cai Yan, and Zhuge Liang, away.

"Master..." Lu Yu hesitantly poked his head out, cautiously addressing Jia Xu.

"Even if you pretend to have accomplished nothing and come crawling back, it won't change the questions I have for you," Jia Xu said nonchalantly, waving his sleeve.

"Teacher Jia." Lu Xun, accompanied by Ma Zhong, bowed respectfully to Jia Xu.

"Zhong’er, Zhong Kang is looking for you." Jia Xu nodded at Lu Xun and pointed at Xu Chu, addressing Ma Zhong.

"Let’s go to my place. Tell me what you’ve seen." Jia Xu cast a casual glance at his daughter, son, and old servant before leaving with Lu Yu and Lu Xun.

To Jia Xu, it didn’t matter that his son lacked talent; a decent family estate, wealth, leisure, and an inherited title were sufficient. His knowledge and most important legacies were better passed down to his disciples.

"Mother." Both Taishi Ci and Xu Shu knelt respectfully before the elderly lady inside the carriage, their gestures full of filial piety. Both had been raised by their mothers alone, so their devotion to her was profound.

"Grandmother." At this moment, Lu Su, who had been complaining about the cold, also knelt with utmost respect to greet the grandmother who had raised him.

"Rise. I’ve heard about your accomplishments." Lu Su’s grandmother looked at him with a mixture of pride and emotion.

Never could she have imagined that her grandson would achieve such heights. A step further, and he could reach the positions of Chief Minister or Prime Minister. Still young, he had already been ennobled, surpassing the family’s peak during its golden era.

"Grandmother, why have you come out?" Lu Su was startled as he saw his frail grandmother stepping out of the carriage. "It’s cold here, and you cannot withstand the wind. Please, get back into the carriage." He hurriedly supported her back inside.

"I just wanted to see my grandson." The old lady’s trembling, calloused hands touched Lu Su’s face. Their family had finally produced a figure worthy of admiration across the land.

After settling his grandmother back into the carriage, Lu Su was hit with a headache-inducing revelation: she had arranged another marriage for him. Apparently, her frustration over his lack of heirs had reached its peak, prompting her to seek another match for him.

Lu Su, now a rising star, found it easy to find a wife. However, his concern wasn’t about the bride; rather, it seemed to be an issue with himself.

"Father." Although Huang Xu still bore traces of his prolonged illness, his complexion and demeanor now revealed a steady recovery. He respectfully bowed to Huang Zhong.

"Good, good!" Huang Zhong exclaimed, stroking his beard with a face full of pride. This was his son, after all!

"Let’s head home." Guo Jia's expression showed almost no change from his usual demeanor. He reached out to pinch his son’s cheek, though his smugness betrayed him.

"Ying’er~" Fazheng lifted Jiang Ying and spun her around, completely ignoring the gazes of others. "How about that? Isn’t your husband amazing?"

"Congratulations, my lord," Jiang Ying murmured shyly, her voice barely audible as she buried her face against him.

"What’s there to be embarrassed about? You’re my lawful wife, married with proper rites!" Fazheng raised an eyebrow, his face full of pride. He then turned to Wang Yi standing nearby. "Oh, cousin, you seem upset. Should I get one for you too~?"

Bang! Fazheng immediately crouched down, clutching his head. His father, Fazheng Senior, glared at him coldly. "Don’t speak improperly, and don’t act recklessly. Have you forgotten everything I taught you?"

Fazheng obediently squatted down without daring to protest. After all, Fazheng Senior was his father. No matter how high Fazheng’s rank or title was, nobody would intervene if his father chose to discipline him.

"Father-in-law, I think it’s just because Zixiao was overwhelmed to see you. Please forgive him," Jiang Ying said softly, clearly timid.

"Hmph. Get in. We’re going home!" Fazheng Senior glared at Fazheng one last time before retreating to the carriage. He decided to let the matter slide for now. Despite his son’s impudence, he had already proven capable of supporting their declining family.

"Bernin, let’s go." Liu Ye patted Man Chong on the shoulder. Although Man Chong’s face was as stoic as ever, it looked oddly reassuring now. "Thank you for taking care of my family while I was away."

"It’s nothing," Man Chong said, forcing a rare smile. "Take a look at these writings. Which one do you think is best?" He handed Liu Ye a stack of manuscripts.

"None of these will do. Only if you personally carve them yourself will they embody your true intent!" Liu Ye laughed heartily, taking the writings without even glancing at them. Man Chong’s expression softened into one of camaraderie.

"Is that Ye City?" Liu Yan exclaimed, marveling at the massive crack visible from a distance. The colossal scar could be seen by anyone approaching the city.

"I feel like if I don’t publish the ‘Civil Official Rankings’ soon, I’m going to get beaten up," Xu Zijiang joked. "Let’s take a closer look, and then I’ll head to Chang’an to publish it. I’ve already met everyone from Jiangnan. This is the only way to ensure its accuracy."

"I think someone’s going to kill you sooner or later," Liu Yan quipped.

"Not at all. At worst, they’ll be upset, but no one would actually kill me," Xu Zijiang chuckled. "Besides, Lord Xuande’s dominance is now undeniable."

"Isn’t that obvious?" Liu Yan rolled his eyes. "Too bad Kong Zhang isn’t here. If he were, he’d definitely write an excellent essay about this."

Xu Zijiang shook his head, choosing not to respond. Instead, his gaze drifted to Chen Xi in the distance. A traitor to his class might sympathize with the oppressed, but the class itself would never betray its own. These were your words, Chen Xi. Do you truly believe in them?

Xu Zijiang’s thoughts, unheard by anyone, swirled within him. He doubted that someone like Chen Xi, who had said such things, was unaware of the inherent contradictions. After all, the prominent officials under Liu Bei’s command hardly belonged to the aristocratic families.

Chen Zichuan, have you really not made any plans for yourself? Reformers often perish by their own reforms. How are you preparing for the future? Xu Zijiang pondered silently as he gazed ahead.

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