"I have told him many times to work less, but when has he ever listened!"
The speaker's voice was clear and melodious. Even though dusk had already fallen, she still wore a veiled hat, concealing her face.
Zhuge Liang showed a trace of embarrassment and hurried forward.
"My lady. Why have you come so early today?"
With the veil obscuring her expression, only Huang Yueying's calm voice could be heard:
"Even if there were nothing, I intended to come earlier to call you home… Today an old acquaintance of yours came to visit. I had him leave a calling card. He will return later."
Zhuge Liang noticed the bamboo slip in her hand and took it curiously.
Calling cards were still written on bamboo slips. Turning it over, he softly read the inscription:
"Assistant Officer Ma Liang, paying respects and inquiring after your well-being, courtesy name Jichang of Yicheng."
"An old acquaintance of yours?" Huang Yueying asked.
"No." Zhuge Liang shook his head with a smile. "He was recruited by Lord Xuande half a year ago as a provincial assistant. At the time, I found him sharp in thought and proper in conduct, so I offered a few pointers. Four months ago, he was sent to Lingling on official business. He must have just returned."
"That is well then. My lady, wait a moment. I will finish arranging these documents and return home with you."
With that, Zhuge Liang returned to the hall, carefully sorting the day's documents into categories. The words from the light screen, however, he transcribed with great care onto precious Zuobo paper.
After a moment's hesitation, he placed the paper into a bamboo tube, sealed it, and carried it with him.
By the time they returned home, night had already fallen. Before they could even rest, a servant came to report that Ma Liang had arrived again.
"Invite him to the side hall," Zhuge Liang said, adjusting his attire before going to receive him.
Ma Liang looked much the same as before. Most striking were the faint streaks of white in his eyebrows. From a distance, they appeared grayish-white, which was why people called him "Baimei."
"Jichang, have you eaten? Shall we talk over a meal?"
"Then I shall trouble you," Ma Liang replied calmly.
Zhuge Liang inwardly praised him. Neither humble nor arrogant. A man of talent.
The meal at Zhuge Liang's home was not lavish, merely a step above plain fare. There was no helping it. Zhuge Liang did not care for luxury, and at present they only held four commanderies of Jing Province. Liu Bei's entire faction lived modestly.
Ma Liang showed no dissatisfaction. What surprised him instead was the warm atmosphere. A son and a daughter played happily, and Lady Huang, rumored to be unattractive, was in fact quite pleasing in appearance.
Only Zhuge Liang's two young children kept glancing curiously at Ma Liang's eyebrows, making him somewhat uneasy.
Zhuge Liang noticed and smiled as he served food to the children.
"How was your journey to Lingling, Jichang?"
Speaking of official matters, Ma Liang relaxed and answered in detail. Zhuge Liang also shared some of his own administrative experience. The two soon fell into lively conversation.
"The people of Lingling are simple and honest. If Lord Xuande one day restores the Han, I would gladly spend my life there," Ma Liang said with a sigh. Then he added with amusement, "On this trip, we also suppressed a bandit group. Their leader called himself the 'Great General of Lingling.'"
"The Great General of Lingling?" Zhuge Liang clapped his hands and laughed. "What forces did he command?"
"One wooden barricade, three worn-out horses, fifty laborers, ten sets of spears and long blades, and half a suit of bamboo armor," Ma Liang listed. "He claimed to be a general under Governor Liu Du of Lingling."
"Unfortunately for him, Governor Liu was present when we arrived. The man claimed to serve him but did not recognize him. He was cut down in a single charge by Liu Xian, the governor's son."
"Since the surrounding villagers testified that he had never looted, destroyed crops, or harmed lives, Governor Liu spared him and recruited him as a gate guard."
"That is for the best," Zhuge Liang nodded. "For those who are not inherently evil, recruitment is often the best solution. When I next go to Lingling, I must meet this 'Great General' at the gate."
After several courses, the meal concluded. The children were taken to the rear courtyard to play, and Huang Yueying remained beside Zhuge Liang.
Only then did Ma Liang speak of his true purpose.
"I have a younger brother. From a young age, he has read widely and aspires to earn merit on horseback. Recently, he has written repeatedly, urging me. I could not refuse, so I have come to ask shamelessly. If the Strategist lacks a minor clerk…"
Zhuge Liang laughed.
"You are a man of talent, Jichang. Lord Xuande is in great need of capable people. Send him over at once. Tell me his origin and name. I will write a letter of recommendation."
Ma Liang was overjoyed.
"Many thanks, Strategist. My younger brother's courtesy name is Youchang. He is from Yicheng. His name is Su."
Zhuge Liang wrote it down as requested.
Ma Su of Yicheng, styled Youchang…
Ma Su?!
Ma Liang, in his delight, did not notice, but Huang Yueying saw clearly.
Her husband's entire body had tensed like a drawn bow. The last time she had seen him like this was before his mission to Jiangdong.
It was just a name. Why such a reaction?
If he were some great figure, she should have heard of him before. Yet she was certain she had never heard this name.
Ma Liang, having obtained the letter, departed with repeated thanks.
Huang Yueying looked at Zhuge Liang, who stood at the doorway in a daze, and grew concerned.
"My husband, have you heard some troubling news?"
Zhuge Liang seemed to awaken from a dream. For a moment, he did not know how to explain, and finally sighed.
"My lady, it is not that I do not wish to speak, but it is too absurd to explain."
"Then do not speak," Huang Yueying said with a smile. "When you have sorted your thoughts, it will not be too late."
Zhuge Liang shook his head, then gathered himself.
"Let us set aside matters of the future. Today, I obtained drawings of two novel farming tools. Help me examine them."
"Matters of the future?" Huang Yueying was puzzled, but her interest was quickly captured.
"New farming tools?"
"Yes. They are said to be more efficient."
"Then what use is a drawing? Why not see them in the fields?"
"Ah… it is said they came from Yuzhou or Jizhou, so only drawings are available."
"Truly?"
"… "
"Very well. I shall assume, for now, that they came from Jizhou."
…
The night was quiet, yet the training grounds of Gong'an County were still alive.
Two burly men, like tigers and bears, fought bare-chested.
The red-faced man locked his arm around the black-faced man's neck and shouted:
"Third Brother, do you yield!"
The black-faced man did not struggle. He planted his feet, muscles bulging, veins standing out as he forced the other's arm apart through sheer strength.
Then, lowering his stance, he seized the red-faced man's arm and shouted, "Up!"
With that, he threw him clean over his shoulder.
The red-faced man flipped and landed steadily, roaring:
"Again!"
Nearby, two small boys stood side by side, whispering in boredom.
"How long do you think Father and Uncle will keep fighting?"
"No idea. Maybe it ends when my father gets hungry?"
"Hey, but a few days ago my father talked in his sleep and said your uncle died."
"Your father is the one who died!"
"My father also said your elder brother died too. Said he and your uncle were beheaded together. Really miserable. My father even cried loudly in his dream."
"Zhang Bao! Are you asking for a beating!"
"Guan Xing, do you think I am afraid of you? It was my father talking in his sleep, not me!"
"I think you need to be taught a lesson!"
"If I am afraid, then I am not the son of Zhang Yide of Yan!"
With that, the two boys tumbled into a scuffle, throwing wild punches and underhand strikes without restraint.