The Later Three Kingdoms: Slaying Deng Ai, and Reviving the Han Dynasty

Zhang Sheng immediately thought of Liu Chen, whom he had met yesterday, and his face darkened, his mood souring.

How can this guy be so shameless? I was so unreasonable yesterday... Not only was he not angry, but he also found out where I lived and sent someone to see me.

Since this person had come to request an audience, Zhang Sheng realized that Liu Chen meant no harm.

Zhang Sheng didn't want to see the visitor, but after thinking for a moment, he said to Zhang Chun, "Please come in."

"Yes." Zhang Chun bowed in response, then turned and left.

Zhang Sheng then sat with his legs spread wide, adopting a very thuggish and impolite demeanor.

After a while, Zhang Chun led in a man who looked like a retainer.

He was in his thirties, of average appearance, with a robust build and decent clothing.

The man glanced at Zhang Sheng's posture and felt a headache coming on. But this was a task assigned by Prince Chen, and he dared not mess it up.

After taking a deep breath, the man bowed and said, "Hero Zhang, I am Liu Ping, a retainer of the Li family. I have come on the orders of Young Master Chen to express my gratitude for saving my life."

After speaking very politely, Liu Ping took out a silk handkerchief from his sleeve and bowed to present it.

This is the gift list; the gifts are outside the door.

It's very thick.

It was so thick that Liu Ping was envious.

Zhang Chun glanced at his father. Zhang Sheng said coldly, "No need. I killed the tiger only for its skin, not to save him. So he doesn't need to thank me. You can take the gift back."

Liu Ping knew Zhang Sheng's identity. But he still couldn't understand Zhang Sheng's thoughts. Zhang Ren was indeed very powerful, and he was indeed killed by Zhaolie.

But you need to eat too. Your family is in such a state of disrepair, your elderly mother is sick and bedridden, and your children are crying for food. Whether it was intentional or unintentional, saving Young Master Chen's life is a great joy, and it can help you turn your life around.

But Zhang Sheng...

Liu Ping wished he could take a saw and cut open Zhang Sheng's brain to see what was inside, but he didn't. He simply bowed and said, "In that case, I'll be going back."

"Just like that?" Zhang Sheng was a little surprised. He had expected a lot of arguing, but Liu Ping had been so agreeable. But he was also quite happy.

He didn't want to have anything to do with the Liu family.

Zhang Chun glanced at his father, then followed Liu Ping out, seeing the guest off like a little adult. Zhang Sheng changed from a seated cross-legged position to a kneeling one and continued reading.

After leaving the house, Liu Ping immediately took his men and generous gifts and went back home.

.............

morning.

in the palace.

Inside Liu Chen's study.

Liu Chen sat upright, listening to the guards speak across the table.

"I understand," Liu Chen said, waving his hand.

The guard bowed and turned to leave.

"Just as I expected." Liu Chen raised his hand and pinched his chin, a smile appearing between his brows.

Some people are strong-willed, while others are gentle.

Zhang Sheng's personality is crystal clear. Sending someone from the Li family this time is just the first step.

It's an outpost. Tell Zhang Sheng that I already know your address.

He will personally visit in a few days.

You can't be too hasty when dealing with a stubborn person. Let patience work its magic.

Anyway, he has plenty of time.

Liu Chen lowered his head, picked up the bamboo slip he had only read halfway through, and continued reading. The content was the Six Secret Teachings, which was also one of the teaching materials Liu Bei used to educate Liu Shan.

His eyes were getting a little sore from looking at it, so he yawned slightly and rubbed them.

"Would the young master like to retire for the night?" The eunuch beside him immediately bent down and asked attentively.

"Are you kidding me? I'm sixteen, a hot-blooded teenager." Liu Chen said, "Bring me my spear."

"Yes." The eunuch bowed and left immediately.

Liu Chen also got up and walked out of the study, standing under the corridor. Soon after, a eunuch brought Liu Chen's spear, and another eunuch used a belt to tie up Liu Chen's large sleeves. Liu Chen tucked the corner of his clothes into his waistband and reached out to grasp the spear.

The eunuch knelt below and helped Liu Chen put on his shoes. Liu Chen went down the corridor and into the open space to brandish his spear.

However, he only knew a few moves. Afterwards, Liu Chen practiced his fist techniques a few more times and then practiced his sword for a while.

I did some bodyweight exercises and worked up a good sweat. I'm going to take a shower and change clothes.

A guard entered from outside, bowed, and said, "Young Master, Princess Wuyang, the Military Advisor General, and Zhuge Shang request an audience."

Princess Liu of Wuyang was the eldest daughter of Liu Shan.

The Military Advisor General is Zhuge Zhan. The Military Advisor General was an official position invented by Liu Bei. Zhuge Liang once held this position, and now Zhuge Zhan has succeeded his father.

The bloodlines of the Liu family and the Zhuge family merged within Zhuge Shang's body.

Liu Chen was somewhat surprised. Princess Wuyang, née Liu, did frequently visit the palace, but their relationship was only so-so.

Apart from his fall from his horse last time, Princess Wuyang rarely made a special trip to visit him.

This was the first time Princess Wuyang had visited him with her husband and son.

"Zhuge Zhan and his son," Liu Chen sighed inwardly.

Everyone says Zhuge Zhan was incompetent, and he was indeed mediocre. The Battle of Mianzhu was a disastrous defeat. He bears some responsibility for the fall of the country.

But it's hard not to respect loyal ministers and filial sons who die on the battlefield.

Moreover, father and son died together; the Zhuge family was full of loyal martyrs.

However, Zhuge Zhan was indeed mediocre, so much so that historical records state: Zhuge Zhan was skilled in calligraphy and painting, and had a remarkable memory.

He also wrote that because of Zhuge Liang, the court did a good deed, and the people spread rumors that it was done by Zhuge Zhan, to the point that his reputation was exaggerated.

Skilled in calligraphy and painting, and possessing extensive knowledge and a prodigious memory, these are praises to scholars. But to high-ranking officials of the imperial court, they are, in truth, a matter of necessity.

Liu Chen gathered his thoughts, tidied his appearance, and then went to the palace gate.

Zhuge Zhan and his wife, as well as Zhuge Shang, have already gotten off the vehicle.

Upon seeing Liu Chen emerge on his own, Zhuge Zhan and Zhuge Shang quickly bowed in greeting.

"Young Master," Zhuge Zhan said politely.

"Uncle," Zhuge Shang said crisply.

"Brother," Princess Wuyang called out.

"Sister, General." Liu Chen first returned the greeting to Princess Wuyang and Zhuge Zhan, then smiled and said to Zhuge Shang, "Shang, you've grown taller."

Zhuge Shang was visibly delighted, but quickly calmed down and said obediently, "Thank you for your concern, Uncle."

Both Zhuge Shang and his wife are quite good-looking. Zhuge Shang is only thirteen years old this year, still has a childlike air about him, with red lips and white teeth, and is dressed in brocade.

He was born into wealth.

Liu Chen, finding him adorable, couldn't resist reaching out to pinch his cheek. Zhuge Shang, however, stepped back and said sternly, "Shang is now grown up; please treat him as an adult, Uncle."

Princess Wuyang couldn't help but laugh, covering her mouth as she did so.

Even the usually serious Zhuge Zhan couldn't help but smile.

Liu Chen laughed loudly, "Shang, your uncle just praised you for growing taller, you looked so childish then. How come you've grown so much now?"

"Ha ha ha ha."

At this point, Liu Chen burst into laughter.

Zhuge Shang's face immediately turned red. He clenched his fists and looked at his uncle with a mixture of anger and helplessness.

Don't pretend to be an adult when you're just a little kid. After Liu Chen flirted with his nephew, he welcomed Zhuge Zhan and his wife into the side hall to sit down.