The Duke of Shu Han began guarding Jingzhou in place of Guan Yu.

Chapter 129 A Son's Deep Scheme: Seeing the Whole from a Spot

A cool breeze was blowing on a summer afternoon.

Zhuge Qiao followed his adoptive father, Zhuge Liang, to the courtyard to handle official documents.

These official documents were piled up like mountains on the floor and on the desk.

Some came from the Ministry of Personnel, and some came from the military.

As the Chancellor who was in charge of the administration of state affairs, Zhuge Liang was not only the head of all officials.

He was also the de facto head of the Ministry of Personnel.

As for the nominal head of the department, Liu Ba, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, he was actually subject to the control of Zhuge Liang.

This "Recordation of the Ministry of Personnel" includes the "Acting General of the Imperial Guards and Commander-in-Chief of the Military Affairs of the Interior and Exterior" which will be abused in the future.

Taken together, they form the symbol of a powerful minister.

However, at least in Zhuge Qiao's still immature eyes, his father is not a powerful minister.

Although he never interfered in matters concerning the Ministry of Personnel or the army unless necessary.

Even when he was on rare days off at home, he would simply change the location to continue handling state affairs.

But it was indeed handled officially, without any favoritism.

As a result, most of his subordinates worked diligently and dared not slack off in the slightest.

And as the person closest to Zhuge Liang.

Although Zhuge Qiao was young, he only did some odd jobs such as copying and writing for the time being.

But I also felt more acutely the invisible pressure my father exerted.

That feeling.

Just like ants moving house, bees collecting honey, and birds migrating in flocks.

My companions are all working hard, and as one of them, if I don't hurry up and do something, what should I do?

I always feel like I'll fall behind the rest of the world in the next moment.

So after Zhuge Qiao finished copying the last official document, he casually picked up some newly arrived memorials that were not classified and read them through.

After looking at the stack, I couldn't help but burst out laughing.

The next instant, Zhuge Liang's gaze swept over.

Zhuge Qiao was startled, bowed his head, and apologized, saying:
"I have been rude, please punish me, sir!"

When Zhuge Liang saw his son's pale face and trembling arms, his eyes suddenly warmed.

But he covered it up very well.

I have followed His Majesty through 14 years of wandering and hardship, and have yet to have any children.

Now that he has been adopted by his elder brother, the feeling of doting on the child is overflowing every moment.

The stronger the feeling of pampering, the more vigilant Zhuge Liang became.

They were afraid that if they weren't careful, they might end up with a doting father spoiling his son.

Do you not see how Zhuge Ke, the son of Sun Quan, became increasingly lawless and unruly, relying on his brother's doting affection and Sun Quan's love for him extended to him as well?
Zhuge Liang did not want his son to become like that, so he had to fight against his own human nature.

The deeper the love, the harsher the criticism.

He continued with a stern face, "Why were you being rude?"

Zhuge Qiao lowered his head further and confessed honestly:

"Because my son saw two contradictory military reports!"

After a slight pause, not hearing his father's reproachful voice, he quickly said:

"A document from Song Wenqi, the Prefect of Jianwei County."

He said that Li Fuhan killed two hundred bandits the day before yesterday, five hundred bandits yesterday, and today he has trapped the bandit leader in the mountains. He will be defeated soon.

"Your Majesty need not worry about the enemy situation; everything is under control."

At this point, he heard his father's breathing pause noticeably.

But he remained silent.

He continued:

"The other one came from Mi Fengche."

"His letter mainly urged for grain. Secondly, it explained why, after the great victory that day, he neither withdrew his troops nor continued southward."

"It is said that if the mountain road is not cleared for a day, the people of the two counties will not be able to focus on farming. Therefore, troops are stationed in front of the mountain road to appease the people."

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Liang nodded slightly and spoke:
"And then what? What's so funny?"

Upon hearing this question, Zhuge Qiao knew that his father no longer blamed him for his rudeness.

With a bit more courage, he also raised his head slightly:
"Compared to the two, Li Fuhan's claim of killing two hundred people in one day and five hundred people in two days is simply laughable!"

"The bandits there have clearly been wiped out by Mi Fengche long ago!"

"Clearly a fabrication of military achievements!"

Zhuge Liang neither agreed nor disagreed, but instead asked:
"How can you determine that Li Zhengfang's report is false and Mi Shishan's report is true?"

"Could it be that Mi Shishan lacks experience in mountain warfare and is afraid of difficulties and doesn't advance?"

Seeing his son speechless in astonishment, he continued, "Just because you admire his talent, you're certain what he said is true?"

This……

Under his father's stern gaze, Zhuge Qiao's head sank again.

But what he didn't know was.

Behind that dignified face...

It is actually a father's feeling of having high expectations for his son.

A moment of silence.

When Zhuge Liang saw that his son was so anxious that he was about to cry, his heart softened.

Well, he's still young... Here's a hint.

He sighed inwardly and spoke again: "Grain."

Grain...grain?

Zhuge Qiao immediately started thinking.

A moment later, recalling the memorials and reports he had read that day, he suddenly had an epiphany.

He then spoke, half to himself and half as an analysis:

"Although Mi Fengche urged for grain every other day, a considerable portion of it consisted of drought-resistant and heat-resistant grains such as millet and sorghum that ripened quickly."

"It's obvious they want to replant the fields that the thieves ravaged before midsummer arrives."

"This corresponds to the military intelligence that the bandits were roaming between the two counties."

"Moreover, as he said, the mountain roads were not yet cleared, and only when government troops were stationed in front of the mountains would the rural farmers, who were already like frightened birds, be willing to go down to the fields to cultivate the land."

He paused briefly, then continued.

"On the other hand, Li Fuhan, although he claims every day to advance and kill the enemy."

"But no unusual arrangements were observed at the Jianwei residence."

"But when a large army is on a long campaign, the consumption of grain will inevitably increase day by day... How could there not be any abnormalities?"

"Judging from this, I'm afraid that the person didn't actually travel far, but instead stayed in one place to observe!"

Zhuge Qiao spoke more and more fluently and confidently.

"Based on this, unless the barbarians themselves come to our door to deliver their heads, there is no way we could have achieved such results... therefore, this is a false report of our war achievements!"

The moment he stated his conclusion, he almost couldn't help but burst out laughing again.

But this time I managed to hold back.

As Zhuge Liang listened to his analysis, his expression finally softened.

This child has a good foundation.

Although he may be a little slow to think, with the help of a good teacher, he might become successful in the future.

Unfortunately, as the prime minister of a country, he dared not slack off for a moment and was unable to personally teach his son.

Who should I hire as my mentor?
As he pondered, his gaze fell upon a private message beside him.

It comes from Ma Su, the Commandant of the Imperial Secretariat.

The latter was recently temporarily recruited by Miwei to serve as a military staff officer.

Ma Su wrote that since following Mi Wei, he felt he was benefiting every day.

Thinking back on all those theoretical discussions in the past, I find them utterly laughable.

As Zhuge Liang was in charge of all affairs in the country and two provinces, he certainly wouldn't just listen to Ma Su's one-sided words.

In fact, at that moment, he also thought of a wise man.

It was Pan Jun, who was then the Prefect of Nanxiang in Jingzhou.

Pan Jun's relationship with Mi Wei began much earlier, and he had long ago entrusted his son to Mi Wei.

Now both of his sons have been recommended for the civil service examination.

In particular, the second son, Pan Mi, has recently been supervising the excavation of a mountain road in Shangyong, and his performance has been remarkable.

Even His Majesty has heard of it and inquired whether he is suitable to serve as a Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.

The Pan Jun family of three achieved this.

Upon closer examination, it seems that all of this is inextricably linked to Miwei.

It should be noted that Pan Mi initially served as Mi Wei's clerk.

Thinking of this, a sudden thought struck him, and he blurted out:

"Would you be willing to serve as a scribe for Mi Shishan?"

what?
Zhuge Qiao looked up in surprise.

But then he came to his senses.

A smile finally appeared on her little face.

(End of this chapter)