Tiger Owl

Chapter 94 Brothers talk at night
As December arrives, the atmosphere of the New Year grows stronger, and people in various places brew Tusu wine, slaughter pigs and sheep, and prepare for New Year's sacrifices.

Twenty miles northwest of Xiangyang lies a place called Longzhong. This area is picturesque and home to many villagers. Although it is very close to Xiangyang, it is administratively under the jurisdiction of Deng County, Nanyang Prefecture.

To the south of Longzhong, there is a low, gently sloping hill that looks like a dragon lying between the fields. The locals call it Wolonggang (Sleeping Dragon Hill). In the cold winter, Wolonggang is also covered with snow.

At the foot of Wolonggang Mountain, in front of a bamboo forest, stands a wealthy family with a property of about two acres. This family seems to have recently gotten married, as festive lanterns are hanging in front of and behind the house, and the character "囍" (double happiness) is pasted on the gate. As you can probably guess, this is Zhuge Liang's home.

This is also why Zhuge Liang, who clearly lived outside Xiangyang, said that he was stationed in Nanyang. Although Longzhong was very close to Xiangyang, it was under the jurisdiction of Deng County, Nanyang Prefecture.

In the first year of Jian'an, Zhuge Xuan, the governor of Yuzhang appointed by Yuan Shu, defected to Liu Biao. At that time, Liu Yao's army also retreated to Yuzhang Commandery. The court also appointed Zhu Hao as the governor of Yuzhang Commandery, making the situation in Yuzhang Commandery very complicated.

Zhuge Xuan then sent his two nephews, Zhuge Liang and Zhuge Jun, to Xiangyang. This was actually a way of expressing his loyalty to Liu Biao, and it would be reasonable to call them hostages.

In the second year of Jian'an, Zhuge Xuan was killed by powerful figures in Nanchang, and his head was presented to Liu Yao. The Zhuge brothers also lost their value as hostages.

At the young age of seventeen, Zhuge Liang left Xiangyang City with his younger brother Zhuge Jun and settled in Longzhong, which was twenty miles away from Xiangyang City.

A month ago, Zhuge Liang married Huang Yueying, the daughter of the famous scholar Huang Chengyan. The two were a loving and devoted couple.

With the New Year approaching, Zhuge Liang was also making preparations for the celebration. That afternoon, a young scholar arrived, travel-worn. He inquired around and soon came to Zhuge Liang's door.

The scholar knocked on the door, and it opened. A boy of about fifteen or sixteen years old recognized the person outside, paused for a moment, and then jumped up with joy, exclaiming, "Big brother is here!"

The visitor was none other than Zhuge Liang's elder brother, Zhuge Jin. He came from Moling County in Danyang Commandery. He hugged his third brother, Zhuge Jun, and asked with a smile, "Where is your second brother?"

"Second brother, eldest brother is here!"

Zhuge Liang came out upon hearing the noise, and upon seeing his elder brother, he was so excited that he embraced him.

Zhuge Jin smiled and said, "I heard that my second brother got married?"

Zhuge Liang quickly introduced his wife, Huang Yueying, to his elder brother. Huang Yueying performed a full curtsy and then asked with a smile, "Would you like to come along, sister-in-law?"

Zhuge Jin smiled and said, "She's staying at her parents' house for the time being."

Zhuge Jin also got married last year, and his wife, Xie, is also from a prestigious family.

"Brother, you've come at the right time. Let's eat first, and then we can talk in detail!"

After dinner, as darkness fell, Zhuge Liang invited his elder brother to sit in his study. Huang Yueying served them hot tea, and Zhuge Liang asked, "Brother, you seem troubled. Is something wrong?"

Zhuge Jin sighed and said, "Sun Ben forced me to become his advisor, but I was unwilling to serve him, so I escaped overnight and came directly here by boat."

"Oh! Is your sister-in-law alright?"

“She’s fine. She’s gone back to her parents’ home for the time being. Sun Ben has almost no power in Danyang County anymore, so he doesn’t dare to do anything reckless.”

"Big brother doesn't think highly of Sun Ben?"

Zhuge Jin shook his head. "Although this man is ambitious, he is too mediocre and short-sighted. For his own selfish reasons, he is willing to dismantle the foundation of Jiangdong and become Cao Cao's lackey. I despise him."

"Didn't you write to me last time, brother, that Hongzi recommended you to go to Sun Quan's side?"

"I was originally considering going, but then the two Suns turned against each other, so I thought I'd take another look." Zhuge Liang smiled and said, "Does my brother have other ideas?"

Zhuge Jin also laughed and said, "Your foolish brother's thoughts really can't be hidden from you, second brother. I do have other ideas."

Zhuge Jin pondered for a moment and then asked, "What does Second Brother think of Gan Ning of Yuzhang?"

Zhuge Liang laughed and said, "This man is indeed much stronger than Sun Ben. He started out in a way similar to Sun Ce, but he doesn't have Sun Ce's sharpness. He is more tactful and knows how to be both assertive and accommodating. In my opinion, in the future, the south will be dominated by two heroes, Sun Quan and Gan Ning."

"What is your second brother's suggestion? Should I side with Sun Quan or Gan Ning?"

Zhuge Liang smiled slightly and said, "Hasn't my brother already made his choice? Why do you still need to ask me?"

Zhuge Jin smiled bitterly and said, "I did consider Jiangdong before, but I found that Jiangdong is full of factions, with two major factions controlling the government. I am neither a member of the Huai-Si faction nor the Jiangnan faction, and all the positions are already filled. If I go there now, I'm afraid it will be difficult to get ahead."

Zhuge Liang nodded. "So, brother, you're starting to consider Gan Ning's side?"

"That's right, but I'm also a little uneasy. I'm taking this opportunity to avoid Sun Ben to talk to you and hear your opinion."

Zhuge Liang said calmly, "I have been observing Gan Ning for the past few months. Especially after his great victory over Huang Zu, he did not press his advantage and take Jiangxia County in one fell swoop. Instead, he negotiated with Huang Zu, asking Huang Zu to recognize Wuchang County and also to release Huang Zu's wife and children."

This was a very clever move. If he had taken Jiangxia County, Liu Biao would have been more than happy to do so. Liu Biao's army would have taken the opportunity to invade Jiangxia County, and given Liu Biao's current strength, Gan Ning would have been no match for him.

Therefore, Gan Ning left Huang Zu behind, thus creating a buffer zone with Liu Biao. This shows that Gan Ning will surely achieve great things in the future. If I'm not mistaken, Gan Ning will soon be at war with Sun Ben in Lujiang; this is the beginning of his gradual encroachment on Lujiang Commandery.

"What's the situation with the factions on Gan Ning's side?" Zhuge Jin asked again.

Zhuge Liang smiled slightly and said, "This is why Gan Ning will be able to go further than Sun Quan in the future. There are no high-ranking officials in Gan Ning's regime, and the civil and military officials come from all over the country. My three friends have all gone to join him. His future development will not be hindered by local factions like Sun Quan's. If I were to recommend someone, I would recommend my brother to join Gan Ning instead of Sun Quan."

Zhuge Jin was overjoyed, "Why don't we brothers go and join Gan Ning together!"

Zhuge Liang shook his head, "Brother, you may go and join Gan Ning, but I have my own ideas!"

Zhuge Jin wanted to inquire about his brother's future, but Huang Yueying said at the door, "Husband, my brother's room has been prepared. He must be tired from his journey, so let him rest early!"

Zhuge Liang stood up and said with a smile, "Brother, go and rest first! We'll talk in detail later."

The next morning, Zhuge Jin got up to take his leave. He was extremely anxious and couldn't stay a day longer. Since Gan Ning and Sun Ben would go to war next spring, he had to go see Gan Ning now.

Zhuge Liang wanted his elder brother to stay until after the New Year, but Zhuge Jin insisted on leaving. Zhuge Liang had no choice but to borrow a donkey for Zhuge Jin to ride, and also ordered his younger brother Zhuge Jun to ride his own donkey to take his elder brother to Deng County.

The two walked away one after the other. Zhuge Liang escorted his elder brother back, and his wife Huang Yueying smiled and said, "Husband, didn't you tell my elder brother that Gan Ning also wrote to invite you?"

Zhuge Liang shook his head. "If I say it, my elder brother will be suspicious. I don't even want to go, so why would I recommend him? It might cause my elder brother to miss a good opportunity and also bring unpleasantness between brothers."

Huang Yueying then smiled and said, "Since my husband wants to assist Liu Huangshu, why don't we go directly to Xinye to find him?"

Zhuge Liang shook his head. "The time is not right yet. I will wait a few more years until Cao Cao marches south. That will be my opportunity."

(End of this chapter)