Three Kingdoms: I am not Liu Bian

Chapter 177 I was born before you, you were born when I was old

The water clock dripped in the corridor. The physician, his black boots shattering the light and shadows on the ground, strode out from the back of the house. Fine beads of sweat glistened on his forehead, and his clothes were stained with medicine. He bowed to the Crown Prince and said, "Your Highness, the Minister of Works has regained consciousness upon hearing of Your Highness's personal visit."

Liu Bian paused slightly before hurrying toward Zhang Ji's ward. Before he could even open the door, a bitter medicinal smell wafted out from the cracks in the carved wooden door, causing him to furrow his brow, but he did not slow down his pace at all.

Just as he was about to push open the door and enter, Zhang Gen and Zhang Xi reached out to stop him.

What do you two intend to do?

Before the Crown Prince could speak, Dian Wei stepped forward, his face contorted with malice as he glared at Zhang Gen and Zhang Xi, his hand on the ring-pommel sword at his waist itching to strike.

After Dian Wei went on a killing spree in the Situ Mansion, the fearsome reputation of this Crown Prince's bodyguard spread far and wide, and many aristocratic families couldn't help but feel a little scared when they saw Dian Wei.

"Your Highness, please forgive me!" Zhang Gen quickly explained upon seeing the Crown Prince's displeasure, "My father is seriously ill, and I fear his illness may affect Your Highness's daughter. I beg Your Highness..."

People in this era attributed all illnesses to disease spirits, which would release pathogenic energy into the human world, causing those whose bodies were invaded by this energy to fall ill.

Different diseases are caused by different pathogenic factors releasing pathogenic energy, and caring for a patient may result in being infected by some of the pathogenic energy emanating from the patient's body.

Therefore, before Zhang Gen could finish speaking, Liu Bian had already stepped forward, his words carrying an undeniable authority, and he shouted, "Get out of the way!"

Zhang Ji's illness was caused by a stroke, so how could it be contagious?
Moreover, Zhang Ji is very ill and has reached the point of being delirious. He probably doesn't have much time left. It's rare for him to be lucid, and there are some things he probably wants to say to Liu Bian.

Liu Bian pushed Zhang Gen and Zhang Xi aside and insisted on entering Zhang Ji's ward, looking at the sickbed.

The person on the bed was wrapped in a brocade quilt, their body as thin as paper, their sunken eye sockets shrouded in a murky light, their withered fingers curled up, and brown medicine residue stuck in their fingernails.

Looking at the emaciated Zhang Ji, Liu Bian felt a pang of sadness.

Although Zhang Ji was a member of the eunuch faction, he did not commit any major evils. While his talent was somewhat mediocre, this was only in comparison to the outstanding talents of the time, such as Lu Zhi and Yang Ci. His own brilliance was overshadowed by the brilliance of these geniuses, thus making him appear somewhat mediocre.

Regardless of whether it was for his own and his clan's survival, Zhang Ji had always supported many of his policies.

How could a member of the princeling faction, who had never seen the deaths of court officials, not feel sad?

Liu Bian held Zhang Ji's hand and couldn't help but sigh, saying, "Lord Yuanjiang has always been in good health, why has he fallen ill like this?"

When Zhang Ji felt the Crown Prince's warm hand cover his cold back, his eyes lit up slightly.

He seemed to have come to terms with it, accepting his fate with equanimity. He forced a smile that was more like a grimace, and let out a weak chuckle. He said, "This is my destiny. Perhaps this is the price I pay for being appointed one of the Three Dukes despite my meager talents."

Liu Bian retorted, "Lord Yuanjiang is confused due to his illness!"

"I will not allow Lord Yuanjiang to deny himself like this. Lord Yuanjiang is very talented, otherwise how could he have served as one of the Three Dukes? Lord Yuanjiang must recover soon, I still have important matters that I need to rely on you for!"

Zhang Ji's eyes gradually welled up with tears. A few murky tears squeezed out from the corners of his dry eyes, sliding down his deeply lined cheeks and spreading dark stains on the pillow. His chest rose and fell slightly from crying, revealing the rugged contours of his body beneath the covers.

Although he knew that His Highness the Crown Prince's words were only meant to comfort him, the fact that His Highness was willing to comfort him, a court official from the eunuch faction, was already an immense favor.

"This old minister only regrets being born at the wrong time... I only regret... I was born before you were born, and you were born after I had grown old!" Zhang Ji let the tears stream down his dry cheeks and said, coughing violently, "This old minister... this old minister is filled with resentment!"

Although Zhang Ji was promoted by Liu Hong, he understood that Liu Hong promoted him only to counter the scholars. If the situation turned against him, he would be abandoned by Liu Hong and used as a punching bag by the scholars.

The Crown Prince's heavy reliance on him may well have been motivated by a desire to use him to balance the political situation.

But he has value that makes him worthy of the Crown Prince's appointment, which is why the Crown Prince should utilize him.

Moreover, the Crown Prince truly regarded him as a subject, or rather, trusted him as one of his own. If such a loyal and righteous Crown Prince promoted him, he would surely be able to fully utilize his talents and make a name for himself in the court, rather than becoming a sycophantic minister condemned as a member of the eunuch faction.

Liu Bian took out a handkerchief from his sleeve and wiped away Zhang Ji's tears. He looked at the physician beside him and saw the physician slowly shake his head.

He understood what the physician meant: medicine was useless, and there was no way to save him.

"Your Highness, this old minister... dares to ask for your grace for the sake of my clan and descendants."

Zhang Ji naturally knew that his days were numbered. Although he accepted this reality, he was still worried about the future of his clan and descendants.

"I know this boy is mediocre, but fortunately he is honest and has never dared to do evil. If Your Highness thinks highly of him, I beg Your Highness to grant him a sinecure so that he can make a living."

Liu Bian gently patted Zhang Ji's hand and shook his head slightly, saying, "In today's world, honest and upright people are truly rare. I wish to bestow upon Yuanjiang the title of Marquis of Caiyang Township."

"Zishi (Zhang Gen's courtesy name), I wish to appoint you as a retainer of the Crown Prince, and from then on you will be my household servant!"

Zhang Ji never expected the Crown Prince to bestow such a generous reward. His cloudy pupils contracted slightly, and his withered arms trembled as he tried to prop himself up to bow and express his gratitude to the Crown Prince, but his body was unable to move.

Out of the corner of his eye, Zhang Ji saw Zhang Gen standing there dumbfounded. Gathering all his strength, he grabbed the medicine bowl from beside his pillow and threw it violently.

"You unfilial son, hurry up and thank His Highness the Crown Prince for his great kindness!"

Although the position of Crown Prince's Attendant was only a minor official post with a salary of 200 shi (a unit of grain), it was a truly prestigious position!
There is a saying circulating among the court and the public: "I'd rather be a lowly attendant to the Crown Prince than a local official with a salary of two thousand shi (a unit of grain). It's a bit of an exaggeration, but it's still widely accepted."

Everyone knows that entering the Crown Prince's court means becoming part of the Crown Prince's inner circle, a lowly official in the Crown Prince's household. The Emperor has already publicly stated that he intends to pass the throne to the Crown Prince and become the Retired Emperor, from which point he will no longer concern himself with any state affairs.

At this critical moment, Zhang Gen was appointed as a retainer of the Crown Prince, which clearly meant that he was being allowed to win without lifting a finger and enjoy the fruits of victory, thus granting him a bright future.

Not to mention the title of Marquis of Caiyang Township. Although Zhang Ji held the position of one of the Three Dukes, he did not hold the title of Marquis. He was not even a Marquis of Guannei. When he was seriously ill, he was suddenly granted the title of Marquis of Caiyang Township. This was obviously a favor bestowed upon Zhang Gen by the Crown Prince.

"Your Highness, I thank you for your great kindness!"

Zhang Gen was only just realizing that he had been promoted to the Crown Prince's inner circle and was about to receive a title of Marquis. He immediately knelt down and thanked the Crown Prince for his favor.

Liu Bian nodded slightly, then dismissed everyone, including Zhang Gen and Zhang Xi, as he had something to say to Zhang Ji alone.

"Lord Yuanjiang, is your brother capable of great things?"

Faced with the Crown Prince's question, Zhang Ji, though seriously ill, perhaps because the joy he had just experienced had lessened the effects of his illness, quickly regained his composure and roughly understood the deeper meaning behind the Crown Prince's words.

“Although we are brothers, since Your Highness has asked about Zhongjiang, I will recommend someone worthy regardless of kinship.” Zhang Ji nodded earnestly, his hoarse voice echoing in the quiet sickroom, “Zhongjiang is capable, but his talent is only fit for the Nine Ministers; he must not be made one of the Three Dukes!”

Zhang Ji naturally understood that the Crown Prince wanted Zhang Xi to replace him and support the eunuch faction's power in the court, but he also understood Zhang Xi's temperament.

This younger brother dislikes the eunuch faction, is close to scholars, and is extremely eager to cleanse his family's name and return them to the ranks of scholars. He is too selfish and is really not suitable to help the crown prince balance the court like he does.

Liu Bian gave Zhang Ji a deep look. He didn't know if Zhang Ji didn't want Zhang Xi to be in the eye of the storm in the court like him, or if he simply thought Zhang Xi was not suitable to be involved.

But since this is Zhang Ji's decision, he will respect Zhang Ji's opinion.

This could be considered the most profound favor bestowed upon this Minister of Works.

Liu Bian gently patted Zhang Ji's hand, tucked the quilt around him, and nodded slowly, turning his unspoken words into a silent promise.

(End of this chapter)