Three Kingdoms: Fusion of Entries, Change of Destiny

Chapter 152 A Glorious Scene Amidst Chaos
As the year draws to a close, snowflakes are already falling in Chenliu County, but the lively atmosphere of the city is not diminished at all; on the contrary, it is even more intense.

Cao Yan sat in his main room, the table piled high with account books, intently tallying the year-end gifts to be distributed to officials and soldiers: "One box of soap (two bars) per person, two zhang of cloth per person..."

Outside the window, Zhuge Liang, Zhuge Jun, and others were busy with their tasks.

Zhuge Liang's height has increased rapidly during this period, and he has already exceeded 1.7 meters.

He was hanging up large red lanterns one by one, while Zhuge Jun helped by handing them lanterns and occasionally looking up to direct his brother on the position of the lanterns.

On the other side, Xiahou Lan was carefully pasting Spring Festival couplets on both sides of the door frame, the fragrance of ink filling the air and adding a touch of festivity to the upcoming New Year.

"Uncle, quickly bring the other couplet!" Xiahou Lan shouted to Chen Dao in the courtyard.

"Alright, I'll be right there!" Chen Dao ran off quickly, looking every bit like a gofer.

Zhuge Mengxue carried in a plate of steaming snacks, gently placed it on the table, and said reproachfully, "It's almost the New Year, and you're still busy with these mundane matters, aren't you afraid of tiring yourself out?"

Cao Yan raised his head, a smile appearing on his face. He reached out and took her hand, pulling her to sit down beside him. He said, "We need to carefully consider this year's harvest. Many places in Yanzhou have had a bumper harvest this year, and Chenliu is especially prosperous. We can't let the officials and soldiers of Chenliu suffer."

Zhuge Mengxue couldn't help but smile: "Of course! My husband has always loved the people like his own children and has always been very caring towards the soldiers."

After offering the compliments, she looked out the window at Zhuge Liang and Zhuge Jun, who were putting up paper-cut window decorations, and said, "Ah Liang has become a disciple of Mr. Shui Jing, and his studies have progressed by leaps and bounds. I heard that even the master praises him for his extraordinary intelligence."

When Zhuge Liang was mentioned, Cao Yan couldn't help but nod in approval: "Kongming has exceptional talent and is also taught by a wise teacher. He will surely become a great man in the future."

At this point, he changed the subject and looked at Zhuge Mengxue, "Has A-Jun's academic performance improved?"

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Mengxue frowned slightly and sighed softly: "A-Jun's talent is much worse than A-Liang's. Although he studies hard day and night, his results are always poor. I've been worried about this these past few days, thinking about whether I should find him a stricter tutor after the New Year."

Cao Yan gently patted her hand and comforted her, "A-Jun is diligent. As long as he puts in the effort, he will always make progress. Don't be too anxious. Children's things can't be rushed."

Zhuge Mengxue suddenly remembered something else and said with concern, "And my elder brother, since he left home, we haven't heard from him at all. I don't know where he is now or how he is doing."

Cao Yan pulled her into his arms and whispered, "Brother Jin is very talented. No matter where you are, you will be able to make a living. After the New Year, I will send people to inquire around. I will let you know as soon as I have any news."

Zhuge Mengxue leaned against him and nodded gently, saying, "When will we visit Uncle? I've heard he works tirelessly day and night, and I'm really worried that he'll ruin his health."

"I just saw my uncle not long ago. He is in very good health and seems to be getting younger and younger. We will go to Taishan County to visit him after the New Year."

"Yes, I will follow my husband's arrangements." Zhuge Mengxue leaned against Cao Yan's chest, quietly enjoying this rare moment of tenderness.

……

Let's say,

After leaving Wuguan Pass, the imperial envoy Zhao Qi headed straight for Yanzhou.

In these chaotic times, and in the dead of winter, the journey was truly fraught with hardship and danger.

As soon as Zhao Qi entered Nanyang in Jingzhou, the scene before him shocked him so much that he was speechless.

In the fields and beside the pipes, you can often see dead bodies, some of which have even turned into bones.

The villages we passed through were almost all deserted, with only ruins swaying precariously in the cold wind.

Occasionally, one might see a few ragged, emaciated people with vacant eyes, like walking corpses.

Even worse, some starving people committed the horrific act of cannibalism.

At that time, Zhao Qi passed by a dilapidated temple and wanted to go in to rest for a while.

Upon entering the temple, he saw several people sitting together in a corner, with something cooking in a pot. Out of curiosity, he went closer and discovered that what was being cooked in the pot were human limbs!
Zhao Qi felt nauseous and almost vomited. His heart was filled with sorrow, and he dared not linger there. He hurriedly led his entourage on a journey that night.

"This world has fallen into such chaos!" Zhao Qi muttered to himself on the way. "Even the lands east of the pass are not much better than the Guanzhong region... Your Majesty, who can you rely on now?"

After a difficult journey, they finally arrived at Chenliu County, which was under the jurisdiction of Cao Yan, after passing through Nanyang County and Yingchuan County.

Zhao Qi, who had already given up hope, suddenly found himself in another world after entering Chenliu.

The official road in Chenliu County was smooth and wide.

Although it was the dead of winter, the official road was bustling with people, with horse-drawn carriages, oxcarts, and donkey carts loaded with goods coming and going in an endless stream.

The adults and children by the roadside no longer wore tattered clothes; they were all dressed in brand-new, warm linen garments.

Some people even wore fur coats.

"This...this is really Chenliu County, which fought a war just half a year ago?" Zhao Qi's attendants exclaimed in amazement the whole way.

"I feel like I've returned to my childhood, to the days of the Great Han Dynasty..."

Zhao Qi didn't speak, but silently marked Cao Cao with a checkmark in his heart.

Upon entering Chenliu County, the prosperity there brought tears to the eyes of Zhao Qi and his companions.

The shops on both sides of the street are lined up one after another, with signs everywhere.

The store was filled with a dazzling array of goods, and pedestrians thronged around, their faces radiating affluence and tranquility.

Children laugh and play in the streets and alleys, while the elderly sit in their doorways basking in the sun, creating a peaceful scene.

Everywhere you look, there are smiling crowds welcoming the New Year, making you feel as if you've returned to the peaceful and prosperous times of yesteryear.

Zhao Qi, accompanied by his entourage, entered a tavern. The tavern was packed, and the aroma of wine filled the air.

The waiter greeted him warmly and invited him to sit down. Soon after, he brought out steaming hot food.

Looking at the delicious food on the table and the lively scene around him, Zhao Qi couldn't help but sigh, "All along my journey, I have seen hell on earth. I never thought that in Chenliu County, it would be like a peaceful and prosperous world."

An old man at the next table heard him and said with a smile, "Sir, is this your first time in Chenliu? Thanks to Magistrate Cao's effective governance, implementation of new policies, and encouragement of agriculture and commerce, our people in Chenliu are living a good life."

"New policies?" Upon hearing this, Zhao Qi humbly sought advice from the old man, inquiring in detail about the current policies and new systems of Chenliu County.

"Cao Cao brought forth new ideas, controlled powerful clans, and eliminated abuses... His reputation as a capable minister in times of peace is well-deserved!" Zhao Qi exclaimed.

After the meal, Zhao Qi, accompanied by his entourage, strolled through Chenliu City.

They arrived at the notice board by the city wall, which displayed various government decrees, all of which were favorable policies concerning people's livelihood, agriculture, and commerce.

Afterwards, they went to the market and saw that the transactions were orderly, the prices were stable, the merchants operated with integrity, and the people lived and worked in peace and contentment.

"If the whole world could be as prosperous as this, why would the Han dynasty not prosper!" Zhao Qi thought to himself, preparing to quicken his pace to go to Juancheng to see Cao Cao.

Having witnessed the peace and prosperity of Chenliu and learned about the various new policies and systems under Cao Cao's rule, he was already eager to meet Cao Cao as soon as possible and persuade him to welcome the emperor.

At the same time, he was also eager to return to the emperor's side and tell him that the Han Dynasty was not in complete chaos, but that there was still a corner of Yanzhou that could bring true peace, tranquility and prosperity to the people, the emperor and the officials!

(End of this chapter)