My brothers are all warriors capable of taking on ten thousand men; I'll roam freely in the Thr

In the Jingxiang region, amidst the Longzhong Mountains and waters, although winter has arrived, the mountains remain lush and green due to the southern location, though a touch of crisp chill has set in.

Shuijing Villa nestles quietly in the mountain valley, as if the clamor of war, the turmoil of the court, and the news of victory in the northern frontier are merely fleeting clouds passing by the mountain gate.

However, the mountain breeze will eventually bring the scent of distant places, and the young hearts within the mountain villa will inevitably be stirred by the turbulent tides of the times.

Inside the music room, the incense smoke curled gently.

At the tender age of thirteen, Zhou Yu knelt before the zither table, his fingertips brushing the strings, but no melody was formed.

His posture was already showing signs of becoming tall and straight, his face was as handsome as jade, and the childishness in his eyes had faded, replaced by the sharpness and thoughtfulness of a young man.

His light blue scholar's robe accentuated his elegant demeanor, but at this moment, his usually clear and smiling eyes were gleaming with an almost scorching light that was hard to suppress.

Sitting opposite him was Mr. Shui Jing, Sima Hui.

Sima Hui looked at Zhou Yu, understanding the situation perfectly, but remained outwardly calm.

"gentlemen."

Zhou Yu finally stopped unconsciously plucking the strings, raised his head and said: "I feel that I have a basic understanding of the classics, music, and military strategy. However, studying behind closed doors is not the way to make progress. As the ancients said, 'Read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles.' I would like to earnestly request your permission to go down the mountain and travel around to broaden my horizons and verify what I have learned."

He spoke euphemistically, and his reasons were also quite plausible.

But who was Sima Hui?

Ji Xuanyuan, Guo Jia, Xun Yu, Zhou Yu... all these exceptionally talented disciples were cultivated by him personally; he knew these young people too well.

Zhou Yu, in particular, appears gentle and modest, but in reality, he is extremely ambitious and possesses a pride and persistence that rivals anyone else's.

Since the news of the great victory in the northern frontier and Ji Xuanyuan's establishment of his own government and ennoblement reached the manor through various channels, the child often seemed absent-minded when playing the zither, and his gaze frequently drifted northwards out the window when reading.

This is hardly an ordinary "travel"

Clearly, he yearned to go north to see his senior brother, who had already risen to the highest position in the court, and to witness the turbulent world stirred up by his senior brother.

Sima Hui sighed softly to himself.

He naturally remembered that before Ji Xuanyuan left the manor to go north to recuperate, he had privately told him his opinion on Zhou Yu: "Gongjin is exceptionally talented, especially in music. However, his character and demeanor are not merely those of a scholar. If he were to encounter turbulent times, he would surely become a man of great talent. However... his destiny lies in Jiangdong."

How could Sima Hui not know?

On the eve of Zhou Yu's arrival at the manor, Sima Hui went alone to the Star Gazing Platform to quietly observe the celestial phenomena.

In the southeast direction, a bright star shines, its brilliance clear yet subtly sharp, its momentum gradually rising, indeed echoing the division of the Jiangdong region.

Zhou Yu truly belongs to that vast river, a place where fierce battles rage and hidden struggles abound.

However, can everything that happens by chance be determined by fate?

The human heart is restless; how can words possibly restrain it?

Ji Xuanyuan is no longer the sickly boy he once was, but a powerful ruler of the northern frontier who commands a large army, has established his own government and military, and has been granted the title of county marquis. His brilliance is enough to attract the attention of countless ambitious people throughout the world.

Given Zhou Yu's youthful nature, his admiration for the strong and virtuous, and his desire to go and see for himself, is quite understandable.

stop?

On what grounds?

Does that mean "Your destiny belongs to Jiangdong, and you shouldn't go north"?

Leaving aside the vague notion of destiny, forcibly suppressing the boy's burgeoning thirst for knowledge and spirit of exploration goes against Mr. Shui Jing's original intention of teaching without discrimination and guiding students according to their circumstances.

Sima Hui remained silent for a moment, looked at Zhou Yu, and slowly said, "Gongjin, you are intelligent and quick-witted, and your learning in the past three years has far surpassed that of ordinary students. You wish to go down the mountain to travel and broaden your horizons, which is the right path for further studies. As your teacher... I will not stop you."

Zhou Yu's eyes lit up with surprise and delight, and he quickly bowed, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, sir!"

"Wait a minute."

Sima Hui raised his hand in a gesture of support, his tone turning deep: "However, the world is a long and arduous journey, and people's hearts are treacherous. It is not just the dangers of mountains and rivers that are dangerous. On your journey, you should know the true meaning of the word 'travel': to observe the local customs, to understand human nature, to test what you have learned, and to clarify your mind, rather than simply rushing to a bustling place. Some roads you need to walk yourself, and some choices you need to make yourself. I can only give you your birth chart."

"Maintain integrity and act in accordance with the trend."

He paused, as if looking through the spirited young man before him to a more distant place, a more complex future, and finally let out a barely audible sigh: "Go, your world... ultimately you must measure it and explore it yourself."

Zhou Yu took a deep breath and bowed solemnly again: "I will remember your teachings, sir, and never forget them!"

Several days later, in front of the Water Mirror Villa.

Zhou Yu had changed into a set of sleek clothes suitable for long journeys, with a long sword hanging at his waist and a simple travel bag and book box on his back.

The boy stood tall and straight in the morning mist, like a pine tree about to unfurl its leaves and greet the wind.

Sima Hui personally escorted him to the gate of the manor, without giving him many instructions, but handed him a letter: "If you go to Zhuojun and see your senior brother Wenlie, you can pass this letter on to him."

"Please ask him for me... if he is well."

Zhou Yu accepted the gift with both hands, carefully put it away, his eyes slightly red. He bowed deeply to his mentor once more, then turned and strode away along the stone path leading down the mountain, heading north without looking back.

Only when the boy's figure completely disappeared at the end of the winding mountain road did Sima Hui slowly withdraw his gaze, looking up at the high but slightly pale winter sky, his eyes filled with complex and unfathomable emotions.

He recalled the night he took Ji Xuanyuan into the manor.

At first, he noticed that the sickly child had a strange appearance, surrounded by deathly aura yet with a hint of purple. On a whim, he observed the celestial phenomena at night, and what he saw remains unforgettable to this day.

The Emperor Star was dim and unclear, showing signs of falling. However, in the northern sky, a new star suddenly shone brightly, its light so dazzling that it seemed to encroach upon the Purple Palace. Furthermore, a comet streaked across the sky, its tail pointing directly at the Purple Palace. The five planets, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, gathered unusually in a certain constellation...

This is an extremely rare and significant celestial combination!

The birth of a new star signifies the rise of an extraordinary person; a comet sweeping across a palace is traditionally associated with renewal and also indicates major upheavals and military disasters; the convergence of five planets is even more significant, often linked to the rise and fall of dynasties in historical records.

This is almost a clear sign of a new dynasty replacing the old one!

The direction and aura of that new star faintly pointed to the sickly child he had seen during the day, Ji Xuanyuan.

At that moment, he was overwhelmed with shock, feeling a sense of awe at having glimpsed a secret, joy at discovering a gem, and a touch of bewilderment in the face of the relentless tide of history.

His acceptance of Ji Xuanyuan and his imparting of all his knowledge was certainly due to his appreciation of talent, but it also undoubtedly stemmed from a degree of observation, or even... an investment in the future.

And now, in just a few short years, the old prophecy seems to be gradually taking shape.

Ji Xuanyuan has risen to become a powerful figure in the northern frontier, wielding a strong army and holding political, economic, and military power. He has also gained the right to establish his own government, making him a nascent regional lord.

In contrast, Emperor Liu Hong's health was declining, the government was in chaos, rebellions were breaking out everywhere, and the people's hearts were gradually being lost...

Last night, he went up to the observatory again, and what he saw made him feel even heavier.

The Emperor Star's light grew increasingly dim, and its trajectory exhibited irregular, minute tremors. Meanwhile, Mars lingered near the Heart Constellation, forming the ominous sign of "Mars guarding the Heart Constellation"!

This celestial phenomenon has been considered an ominous sign since ancient times, indicating the loss of the emperor's throne, the death of the emperor, war and chaos, and dynastic turmoil!

"Mars guards the heart... Purple Star is in motion..." Sima Hui murmured softly.

"Is the fate of this Han dynasty... coming to an end?"

And Wenlie, that rising star, is now shining even brighter.

Is Gongjin's departure a blessing or a curse?

He stood there for a long time, until the mountain wind grew colder, before turning around and slowly walking back into the village.

The villa remains tranquil; the music room is empty, and the study is silent.

However, he knew that some seeds had already been sown, some trajectories had begun to deviate, and the future was slowly unfolding in a way that no one could fully predict.

Passing through the corridor and arriving outside the lecture hall, one can hear a clear yet slightly immature debate coming from inside.

"Junior Brother Kongming, you are mistaken! Guanzi said, 'When the granaries are full, people know etiquette; when they are well-fed and clothed, they know honor and shame.' Therefore, in governing a country, we should prioritize enriching the country and strengthening its military, and then educate people about etiquette!" A voice, slightly anxious and carrying the competitive spirit unique to young people, said.

The other voice was much calmer. Though the child's voice hadn't faded, it already possessed a maturity beyond his years: "Brother Shiyuan, I disagree. The Great Learning says, 'From the emperor down to the common people, all must regard self-cultivation as the root.' If everyone could cultivate virtue and character, then families would be well-ordered, the state well-governed, and the world at peace. While a wealthy and powerful nation is important, without a foundation of virtue, it's like building a tower on sand—it will eventually collapse. In the past, Qin became a powerful nation through agriculture and warfare, and its military might was unmatched. However, due to tyranny and loss of virtue, it perished after only two generations. This serves as a clear warning."

Sima Hui's lips curled into a faint smile as he pushed open the door and entered.

Inside the hall, two boys of similar age sat facing each other, arguing heatedly.

The older one was about eleven or twelve years old. His appearance was not very attractive. He had thick eyebrows, a raised nose, a dark face, and a short beard, but his eyes were exceptionally bright and spirited. He was Pang Tong, Pang Shiyuan, who had been enrolled for a year.

The youngest was only six or seven years old, not yet fully grown, but with a face as handsome as jade and eyes as bright as stars. At such a young age, he possessed a calm and serene demeanor. He was none other than Zhuge Liang, courtesy name Kongming, who had just been sent by his uncle Zhuge Xuan to become his disciple three days prior.

Upon seeing the gentleman enter, the two quickly stood up and bowed.

Pang Tong was still somewhat unconvinced and muttered, "Sir, you be the judge. Between me and my junior brother Kongming, who has a more reasonable argument regarding the fundamentals of governing a country?"

Zhuge Liang stood quietly, looking at Sima Hui with clear eyes.

Sima Hui looked at the two unpolished gems before him, which already revealed extraordinary potential, and sighed inwardly.

A cunning and scheming individual.

A calm and wise person.

Shuijing Manor has produced outstanding talents generation after generation. Guo Jia, Xun Yu, and Zhou Yu had just passed away when Pang Tong and Zhuge Liang took their place.

It remains to be seen what kind of life trajectory they will take in this era of great change that is about to begin.

Will their destinies intersect with that increasingly dazzling new star in the north?

He did not directly judge the argument just now, but said gently: "The way to govern a country is complicated. Enriching the country and strengthening the army and cultivating virtue are like two wheels of a cart or two wings of a bird. Neither can be missing, nor is there an absolute order of priority. The key is to adapt to the times and to put knowledge into practice. What you two said makes sense. You can discuss it with each other. There is no need to be stubborn about one side."

He gestured for the two to sit down, then gazed out the window at the northern horizon and slowly said, "Today's lesson will not delve into scriptures or military strategy. I ask you this: If there were a person who, rising from humble beginnings, within a few years defeated the northern barbarians, reformed the government, established his own government, recruited talented individuals, and was granted the title of county marquis, his power shaking the northern frontier, and whose actions were often unpredictable and unconventional, yet remarkably effective, what would you two think of this person and this event?"

Upon hearing this, Pang Tong and Zhuge Liang's eyes lit up, knowing that their master must be referring to the "senior brother" Ji Xuanyuan who had been the subject of much recent rumors.

The two small figures suddenly fell into deep thought...