The Three Kingdoms: Home Travel

"uncle!"

"What else is there?" Wang Yun asked, frowning. "Perhaps you wish to seek my clarification?"

"Uncle, you're mistaken!" Jiang Zhe stammered, "Uncle, you are wise. I am a lazy person and don't really care about fame. All I want is for Xiu'er and me to live out our lives peacefully..."

"Absurd!" Wang Yun slammed his teacup down and said in a deep voice, "So you've ignored all my teachings these past few days? Let's not even talk about the duties you, as a citizen of the Han Dynasty, should perform! How can a true man live a life of mere survival? To live a meaningless life, without fame or hope, leaving no trace in history, with future generations unaware of you! What is the point then?"

Jiang Zhe chuckled and cupped his hands, saying, "To be honest, although Uncle is harsh on me and I have spoken rudely, I fully understand the depth of your affection. It was just a matter of interest, and has nothing to do with fame or power! I am fortunate to have Xiu'er as my wife; this is enough for me in this life!"

"You!" Wang Yun was furious and stared directly at Jiang Zhe. Jiang Zhe looked back at her, his expression unchanged.

"Alas!" Wang Yun sighed and shook his head. "If I were just an old man from the countryside, I would be quite pleased to hear your words; but I am the Grand Minister of the Han Dynasty! You are my nephew-in-law, the son-in-law of the Diao family, and I absolutely cannot do this! If Xiu'er's father heard you say this, he would certainly not betroth Xiu'er to you!"

Wang Yun looked at Jiang Zhe with mixed feelings and said regretfully, "Shouyi, don't blame me for being so strict with you. You are talented! You are incredibly talented! You are a national hero! In some ways, even I am far inferior to you. However, you are only young and inexperienced. You understand the principles of the world, but you cannot truly comprehend them!"

Jiang Zhe remained silent.

"I cannot bear to see such a fine piece of jade wasted here! What you say is all wrong! A man should not live for himself; your father and grandfather must have hoped that you would bring glory to the family..."

"You're wrong! You're wrong!" Jiang Zhe raised his head, about to speak, but Wang Yun interrupted him again.

"You certainly understand the wickedness of the world! But do you realize that if you have no power or influence, let alone wanting to stay with Xiu'er, even survival will be difficult! Xiu'er is a beautiful woman, which is both your admiration and your downfall! I know Xiu'er is skilled in martial arts, but as a man, do you intend to rely on Xiu'er for survival? If so, I will not consider you my nephew-in-law!"

Jiang Zhe felt a chill run down his spine. Yes, the Three Kingdoms period was a chaotic era, and he didn't know any martial arts. How could he protect Xiu'er? Xiu'er was very skilled in martial arts, but what if... Even if there was no "what if," could he bear to have Xiu'er protect him?

Seeing Jiang Zhe's face change color from pale to red, Wang Yun breathed a sigh of relief. It would be such a pity to lose such a talented person!

Seizing the opportunity, Wang Yun continued, "I truly admire your lack of desire for fame and officialdom. However, the world is full of complexities. Didn't you speak of the well-being of the people just a few days ago? Now you only seek your own comfort?"

"This...isn't this about 'when poor, one should cultivate one's own virtue; when successful, one should benefit all under heaven'...?"

"You!" Wang Yun laughed in exasperation, pointing at Jiang Zhe helplessly, "I told you you don't study, you have studied a little, but you use it all for crooked purposes! It's infuriating!"

"Calm down, calm down..." Jiang Zhe said somewhat awkwardly.

"Hmph!" Wang Yun snorted and took a sip of tea. "Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Jiang Zhe nodded helplessly.

"Shouyi, you are still young. You should broaden your horizons. Judging from your thoughts, they are not even as ambitious as those of an old man like myself!"

"Yes, yes, yes..." What else could Jiang Zhe say? He glanced at Wang Yun and said, "Uncle is right! But what about Uncle Cai's daughter... this... is that unnecessary? How about Uncle changes the bet? How about we bet that morning reading will start at 9 AM from now on?"

"9 AM?" Wang Yun's eyes widened as he glanced at Jiang Zhe, then, as if remembering something, he suddenly said with a strange expression, "Eh? I'm quite curious. I find Bo Jie's daughter very beautiful, so why is Shouyi so reluctant to accept? Could it be because of Xiu'er?"

"That's one point!" Jiang Zhe nodded and said, "What I think is that if two people have no feelings for each other, it's actually not good for them to be together!"

"Oh?" Wang Yun chuckled. "Matters of the heart can be discussed after marriage, what harm is there? If you're worried about this, why not visit the Cai family more often? As for Xiu'er, she's my niece, you can have her if you want! What's wrong with a man having three wives and four concubines?" He then glanced at Jiang Zhe, frowned, and said, "However, your health is a problem!"

"..." Jiang Zhe's expression froze.

"My lord, Lady Cai has come to see you!"

"Oh?" Wang Yun said with a smile, "We were just talking about him, and here he is. Please, come in!"

Immediately, Cai Yong rushed in, looking somewhat nervous.

"Yunzheng spoke of Bojie..."

"Something terrible has happened! Senior Brother Zi! A major incident has occurred!" Cai Yong exclaimed in alarm.

"What is it?" Wang Yun's expression hardened.

"Just now, Yong learned that He Jin had sent Empress Dowager Dong to be exiled in Hejian..."

Wang Yun's expression changed, and he said in a deep voice, "Empress Dowager Dong... Alas! We are in grave danger!"

"What can we do?" Cai Yong said urgently, "He's behavior is becoming increasingly arrogant and domineering..."

"Bojie, don't be hasty!" Wang Yun stroked his beard and said, "Have you not heard the saying, 'To take, one must first give'? The more He Jin acts this way, the more impatient Zhang Rang becomes. Let's just wait and see!"

"It's just that Empress Dong was killed... Alas!" Cai Yong sighed, then said, "Just now, Master Zishi mentioned me? What was it about?"

"I'm making a bet with this young man!" Wang Yun told him with a smile.

Cai Yong looked on in astonishment and exclaimed repeatedly, "Truly a genius! Truly a genius!"

Wang Yun looked at Jiang Zhe with a smile, his face full of joy, as if he had already forgotten what had just happened.

"In that case, Yong's residence also has over a hundred guards who can lend a helping hand to Zishi. Furthermore, once we contact the virtuous officials in the court, we will surely receive their assistance!" After Cai Yong finished speaking, he glanced at Jiang Zhe with a half-smile.

"The word 'feeling' that Shouyi used is rather unusual... In that case, we'll wait until after your appointment with your uncle is over! If you have some free time, you might as well come and visit the Yong residence..."

Jiang Zhe felt increasingly embarrassed.

Within a few days, rumors spread that Empress Dong had died on her way to Hejian. This rumor caused widespread panic.

He Jin was greatly agitated upon hearing this.

Yuan Shao entered the palace and said, "Zhang Rang, Duan Gui, and others are spreading rumors that you poisoned Empress Dong and are plotting something big. If you do not punish the eunuchs now, they will surely cause great disaster later. Now, your brothers, subordinates, officers, and generals are all outstanding men; if you give them your all, the matter is in your hands."

This opportune moment, blessed by Heaven, must not be missed.

He Jin hesitated and asked, "What if the Empress Dowager doesn't agree?"

Yuan Shao said, "We can summon heroes from all directions, muster their troops, and bring them to the capital to exterminate all the eunuchs. The situation is urgent; the Empress Dowager cannot disobey." He Jin readily agreed, "This plan is brilliant!"

Suddenly, a man in the room sneered, "The scourge of eunuchs has existed throughout history; but a ruler should not bestow power and favor upon them, allowing things to come to this. If you wish to punish them, you should eliminate the ringleader; a mere jailer would suffice. Why summon troops from outside? If you try to kill them all, the matter will inevitably be exposed. I predict you will fail." Everyone recognized him as Cao Cao.

He Jin angrily dismissed Cao Cao, asking, "Does Mengde also harbor selfish motives?"

Cao Cao scoffed and withdrew, saying, "Those who bring chaos to the world will surely advance!"

Yuan Shao watched Cao Cao walk out with a complicated expression, recalling what Cao Cao had said, and from then on, a resentment arose in his heart.

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