“Master. Are you really not going to et Young Master Liang?” Zhuge Jin’s book servant asked.
“Liang?” Zhuge Jin was reminded of his little brother and felt a warmth in his heart. After all, they were related by blood and grew up together. Zhuge Jin who always acted nobly still had affection for his brother but for so reason, he did not want to et Zhuge Liang. “Forget it. We haven’t seen each other for so long so there is no need to et now.”
“Oh.” The book servant felt disappointed. This is because Zhuge Liang’s book servant was also this book servant’s close friend. If their two masters Zhuge Liang and Zhuge Jin were to et, then so could the two book servant. But since Zhuge Jin refused, the book servant could only pack their things in preparation to leave.
Zhuge Jin looked around as the book servant packed up their things. He looked at the things in the room and the sky as he thought about his own lofty ideals when he ca to Jiangdong. Zhuge Jin then suddenly realized that he was alone. Even when he leaves, he would still be all alone.
“To have to return before the ideals are accomplished. To return without heart.” Zhuge Jin sighed with frustration and sorrow.
“Chief Ambassador. Your Excellency. Are you going to leave?” One elderly housekeeper asked Zhuge Jin. This was the housekeeper of the Chief Ambassador’s residence. Since it was an official’s residence and Zhang Zhao had his own ho, the Chief Ambassador’s residence was mostly empty. But Zhuge Jin was different.
“Sir. You must not call Chief Ambassador anymore. His Highness the King of Shu will dispatch soone to be Chief Ambassador of Jiangdong.” Zhuge Jin said to the housekeeper. Zhuge Jin’s position was given by Sun Ce. But now that Sun Ce has surrendered, Zhuge Jin would not be able to keep his position for long.
“No. In this old man’s heart. You will forever be the Chief Ambassador.” The housekeeper was talented in judging people. Zhang Zhao was talented but wasn’t good. On the other hand, Zhuge Jin was both talented and had character. Jiangdong’s affairs were dealt with smoothly by Zhuge Jin. On top of that, Zhuge Jin did not play favorites. The common people all loved this kind of official.
“Many thanks for the affection.” Zhuge Jin replied with a smile. It was a happy thing to be recognized by others.
As the two were talking, a servant suddenly rushed over. “Not good! Not good!”
“Why are you so flustered? Show so respect!” The housekeeper scolded angrily. Zhuge Jin was already about to leave and this servant was still acting like this.
“There are a lot of troops coming towards our residence!” The servant inford while gasping for breath.
“Troops?” Zhuge Jin and the housekeeper were both shocked and confused.
“Speak clearly. Where did these troops co from?”
“They are the Yangzhou Army. They all carry swords. Supposedly, a great official has arrived in Jianye.” The servant said everything he knew.
“Great official? Who is it?” The housekeeper asked. As if on cue, a voice from outside could be heard.
“Your Excellency! You cannot co in.” Soone shouted.
“I am looking for your Chief Ambassador.”
“The Chief Ambassador has said that he is not receiving guests today.”
“I am not your Chief Ambassador’s guest.”
“In that case, then you definite cannot co in!”
“Sigh. What should I say? Forget it. Brother! Are you in? It’s , Kongming!”
Zhuge Jin imdiately knew who it was the mont he heard the voice.
“Young Master Liang.” Zhuge Jin’s book servant could not help but feel excited. “Master. It is Young Master Liang. Young Master Liang is here!” The book servant happily said to Zhuge Jin.
“Yes. I know. It’s Kongming.” Zhuge Jin nodded.
“Then Master should quickly go out and et Young Master Liang.” The book servant said innocently.
“et Kongming?” Zhuge Jin’s expression turned bitter. How could he go out and et Zhuge Liang? Zhuge Liang was his little brother. According to reason, it should be the elder brother looking after the little brother. But Zhuge Jin was not able to do that. The both of them went out to work at about the sa ti. Zhuge Liang went to Jingzhou and commanded their navy. After that, he went to Yangzhou and beca a high official in the Ministry of Justice. On the other hand, Zhuge Jin was just a counselor. He doesn’t have any money or authority. He could only talk. After that, Zhang Zhao got demoted and Zhuge Jin beca the Chief Ambassador. Initially, he thought he could beco one of the top officials in Jiangdong and gain so face. But then, Sun Ce surrendered a few days later. Sun Ce himself may not be able to preserve his own life and was conferred a position by Liu Mang. Sun Ce’s own position was lower than Zhuge Liang. So Zhuge Jin’s honor and glory all disappeared again.
How could Zhuge Jin have the face to see his little brother?
After a while, Zhuge Jin turned to his book servant and said, “Go and tell Kongming that I have gone for a walk and is not around. Then have him quickly go back.”
“Ah!” The book servant was confused. He did not know what Zhuge Jin ant. However, the housekeeper understood Zhuge Jin’s words. “Let this old man do it.”
Zhuge Jin nodded. “I will be troubling you.”
“It is no problem!” The housekeeper said and walked out.
“Who is the one looking for our Chief Ambassador?” The housekeeper walked out to see two young n. One looked like a scholar while the other looked like a general.
“You are?”
“I am this residence’s housekeeper.” The housekeeper replied with a smile.
“Hello sir.” The two n greeted their elders politely. “My na is Zhuge Liang. I am your Chief Ambassador’s little brother. I hope you can inform him that Kongming is here.”
“Ah! You are Master Zhuge Kongming, the high official of the Ministry of Justice?” The old housekeeper asked in awe.
Zhuge Liang nodded.
“This old one greets Your Excellency Zhuge.” Zhuge Liang was famous in Jiangdong not because of his position as the high official of the Ministry of Justice. Instead, it was because he burned down the Jiangdong and Jingzhou Navy. The housekeeper finally understood why Zhuge Jin did not want to co out and greet Zhuge Liang. He had heard that Zhuge Jin has a little brother but he did not expect that little brother to be Yangzhou’s Zhuge Liang.
“You are too polite.” Zhuge Liang replied without arrogance. “Please help tell my brother that I am accompanied by a distinguished guest. We are here to see my brother for both personal and business reasons.”
“Aiya. Your Excellency. As luck would have it, the Chief Ambassador as gone out on an excursion! So he is not in.” The housekeeper said apologetically.
“He is not in?” Zhuge Liang furrowed his brows. “Sir, where did my brother go?” Zhuge Liang beca anxious. He was afraid that Zhuge Jin had already left Jiangdong and returned to Jingzhou. If this was the case, how was he supposed to pursue Zhuge Jin?
“This…” The housekeeper did not know what to say until he rember Zhuge Jin’s words. “Chief Ambassador Zhuge went on a tour.”
“A tour?” Zhuge Liang’s brows furrowed even more. A tour was not a very nice thing to say. Maybe it was an excursion. It be a relaxing ti outdoors which would take a few hours long. It could also be studying abroad like how Zhuge Liang visited territories beyond the Great Wall. In such a case, how was he supposed to find Zhuge Jin?
“Do you know where he went?”
“This old one is not sure but he left in the morning.”
“This morning? That ans he hasn’t gone far. Quickly go to the naval barracks. Get Lu Xun and his troops to search along the river for Master Zhuge Jin.” The man beside Zhuge Liang said.
“Understood!” Guan Hai nodded and cupped his fist. Jianye was about to be at war so Zhuge Jin could not leave on foot. He would need to leave using the river. In that case, Yangzhou’s navy would be able to intercept Zhuge Jin’s ship.
“Wait!” Zhuge Liang suddenly shouted before Guan Hai could leave.
“Hm?” The young man did not know what Zhuge Liang want. It was Zhuge Liang who wanted to co and invite Zhuge Jin. Since Zhuge Jin had left, he needed to be chased down but Zhuge Liang stopped it.
“Mi… Young Lord. There is no need for Officer Guan to give chase. My brother did not go far. I believe he would return soon. We should just wait here for a mont.” Zhuge Liang who initially looked anxious was now smiling.
“Hm?” The young man was even more confused.
“Wu Xun. Are you not going to co over and greet after seeing ?” Zhuge Liang said towards the man hiding at the back of the hall.
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