Chapter 94: Brothers’ Night Talk
After entering December, the New Year’s atmosphere grew increasingly thick, with citizens everywhere brewing tu su wine, slaughtering pigs and sheep, preparing for New Year sacrifices.
Twenty li northwest of Xiangyang City, there was a place called Longzhong. This area had beautiful mountains and clear waters, with many villagers living there. Although it was very close to Xiangyang, administratively it belonged to Deng County in Nanyang Commandery.
South of Longzhong was a low and gentle small hill that looked just like a dragon lying prone between the field ridges. Local citizens called it Wolonggang, and in the cold winter season, Wolonggang was also covered in white snow.
In front of a bamboo grove at the foot of Wolonggang hill was a wealthy household occupying about two mu of land. This household seemed to have just gotten married not long ago, with festive lanterns still hanging in front of and behind the house, and the character for double happiness pasted on the gate. Everyone should have guessed it—this was Zhuge Liang’s home.
This was also why Zhuge Liang, clearly living in the suburbs outside Xiangyang City, said he was dwelling in Nanyang. Although Longzhong was very close to Xiangyang, it belonged to Deng County in Nanyang Commandery.
In the first year of Jian’an, Zhuge Xuan, the Prefect of Yuzhang appointed by Yuan Shu, defected to Liu Biao. At that time, Liu Yao’s army had also retreated to Yuzhang Commandery, and the Imperial Court also appointed Zhu Hao as Prefect of Yuzhang Commandery. The situation in Yuzhang Commandery was extremely complex.
Zhuge Xuan then sent his two nephews, Zhuge Liang and Zhuge Jun, to Xiangyang. This was actually a way to express loyalty to Liu Biao—one could even call them hostages.
In the second year of Jian’an, Zhuge Xuan was killed by local strongmen in Nanchang, who offered his head to Liu Yao. The Zhuge brothers also lost their value as hostages.
Zhuge Liang, who was only seventeen years old, then took his younger brother Zhuge Jun and left Xiangyang City to settle in Longzhong, twenty li outside Xiangyang City.
A month ago, Zhuge Liang had married Huang Chengyan’s daughter Huang Yueying. The husband and wife were perfectly in harmony, and the couple was very loving.
With the New Year approaching, Zhuge Liang was also busy preparing to celebrate it. That afternoon, a young scholar arrived travel-worn. He inquired everywhere and soon came to the front of Zhuge Liang’s home.
The scholar knocked on the door. The door opened, and a boy of fifteen or sixteen years old saw the person outside the door, paused for a moment, then jumped up happily. “Elder brother is here!”
The visitor was none other than Zhuge Liang’s elder brother Zhuge Jin. He had come from Moling County in Danyang Commandery. He hugged his third brother Zhuge Jun and smiled as he asked, “Where is your second brother?”
“Second brother, elder brother is here!”
Zhuge Liang came out upon hearing this. Seeing his elder brother, he was also excited and hugged him.
Zhuge Jin said with a smile, “I heard that second brother got married?”
Zhuge Liang hurriedly introduced his wife Huang Yueying to his elder brother. Huang Yueying performed a curtsy, then smiled and asked, “Did sister-in-law come with you?”
Zhuge Jin smiled and said, “She is temporarily staying at her parents’ home.”
Zhuge Jin had also gotten married just last year, and his wife Lady Xie was likewise the daughter of a famous family.
“Elder brother came at just the right time. Let’s eat first, and we can talk in detail after dinner!”
After dinner, the sky gradually darkened. Zhuge Liang invited his elder brother to sit in his study. Huang Yueying served them hot tea, and Zhuge Liang asked, “Elder brother seems to have something on his mind. Did something happen?”
Zhuge Jin sighed and said, “Sun Ben forced me to be his advisor. Unwilling to serve him, I fled overnight and came directly by boat.”
“Ah! Is sister-in-law alright?”
“She is fine. She has temporarily returned to her parents’ home. Sun Ben has almost no strength in Danyang Commandery, so he doesn’t dare act recklessly.”
“Elder brother doesn’t think well of Sun Ben?”
Zhuge Jin shook his head. “This man does have ambitions, but he is too mediocre, and his vision is shortsighted. For his own selfish interests, he doesn’t hesitate to dismantle the foundation of Jiangdong, becoming a lackey of Cao Cao, which I despise.”
“In the last letter from elder brother, didn’t you say that Hong Zi recommended you to go to Sun Quan?”
“I was originally considering it, but then the matter of the two Suns falling out happened, so I decided to wait and see.”
Zhuge Liang smiled and said, “Does elder brother have other ideas now?”
Zhuge Jin also smiled and said, “Second brother can really see through my thoughts. I do indeed have other ideas.”
Zhuge Jin pondered for a moment and said, “What does second brother think of Gan Ning in Yuzhang?”
Zhuge Liang smiled and said, “This man is indeed much stronger than Sun Ben. He rose to power somewhat like Sun Ce, but without Sun Ce’s sharpness. He is somewhat slick, yet knows when to advance and retreat. In my view, in the future the South will see Sun Quan and Gan Ning as twin heroes standing side by side.”
“Then what is second brother’s advice? Should I join Sun Quan or Gan Ning?”
Zhuge Liang smiled faintly. “Hasn’t elder brother already made his choice? Why ask me?”
Zhuge Jin smiled wryly. “I was previously considering Jiangdong, but I discovered that Jiangdong has numerous factions, with two major factions controlling the political power. I belong neither to the Huai Si faction nor the Jiangnan faction, and moreover, all the positions are filled. If I go at this time, it will probably be hard to stand out.”
Zhuge Liang nodded. “So elder brother has started considering Gan Ning’s side?”
“Exactly. But I feel a bit uneasy. Taking this opportunity to escape Sun Ben, I came to discuss it with you and hear your views.”
Zhuge Liang said unhurriedly, “In the past few months, I have also been observing Gan Ning, especially after his great victory over Huang Zu. Surprisingly, he did not press the advantage to seize Jiangxia Commandery in one stroke, but instead negotiated with Huang Zu, demanding that Huang Zu acknowledge Wuchang Commandery, while also releasing Huang Zu’s wife and children.
This move was very clever. If he had taken Jiangxia Commandery, Liu Biao would have been delighted, and Liu Biao’s army would have taken the opportunity to advance into Jiangxia Commandery. With Liu Biao’s current strength, Gan Ning truly would not be a match.
So Gan Ning left Huang Zu in place, thereby leaving a buffer with Liu Biao. From this one leaf, one can know the autumn. This Gan Ning will surely achieve great things in the future. If I am not mistaken, Gan Ning will soon go to war with Sun Ben in Lujiang—this is the beginning of his step-by-step nibbling away at Lujiang Commandery.”
“What is the faction situation like on Gan Ning’s side?” Zhuge Jin asked again.
Zhuge Liang smiled faintly. “This is precisely the reason Gan Ning will go further than Sun Quan in the future. There are no high officials from Yuzhang Commandery in Gan Ning’s political power. Civil and military officials come from all over the world. My three good friends have all gone to join him. His future development will not be constrained by local factions like Sun Quan’s. If I were to recommend, I recommend elder brother join Gan Ning, not Sun Quan.”
Zhuge Jin was overjoyed. “Why don’t we brothers go join Gan Ning together!”
Zhuge Liang shook his head. “Elder brother can go join Gan Ning, but I have my own plans!”
Zhuge Jin wanted to ask more about his brother’s future, but Huang Yueying said from outside the door, “Husband, elder brother’s room has been prepared. Elder brother has traveled hard all the way—let him rest early!”
Zhuge Liang stood up with a smile. “Elder brother, go rest first! We can talk in detail later.”
The next morning, Zhuge Jin rose to bid farewell. He was burning with anxiety and could not stay even one more day. Since Gan Ning and Sun Ben would go to war in Lujiang next spring, he had to go see Gan Ning at this time.
Zhuge Liang wanted his elder brother to leave after the New Year, but Zhuge Jin insisted on going. Zhuge Liang had no choice but to borrow a donkey for Zhuge Jin to ride, and also had his younger brother Zhuge Jun ride their family donkey to escort elder brother to Deng County.
The two rode one in front and one behind into the distance. Zhuge Liang returned after seeing off his elder brother, and his wife Huang Yueying smiled. “Husband didn’t tell elder brother that Gan Ning also sent a letter inviting you?”
Zhuge Liang shook his head. “If I told him, elder brother would overthink it. I don’t even want to go myself—why recommend it to him? It might cause elder brother to miss a good opportunity and bring displeasure between brothers.”
Huang Yueying smiled again. “Since husband wants to assist Liu Huangshu, why not go directly to Xinye to find him.”
Zhuge Liang shook his head. “The timing has not yet arrived. Wait a few more years—when Cao Cao comes south, that will be my opportunity.”
