I, Liu Bian, Sanxing Han Dynasty

Chapter 558 Zhuge Liang’s Wedding

"Meet uncle!"

"Zi Yu, Kong Ming... After not seeing you for several years, you are all different now." Zhuge Xuan was very emotional.

In recent years, he has organized and taught the barbarians in the four counties of Nanzhong how to farm. Apart from other things, he has become a lot darker.

But when he saw Zhuge Jin, whom he hadn't seen for several years, he found that the latter was not much inferior to him.

Although Zhuge Liang did not seem to suffer from the wind and sun, and was about to marry a princess, his heroic appearance was completely different from the half-grown child in Zhuge Xuan's impression!

Zhuge Xuan had prepared many words for Zhuge Liang on the way back to Beijing, but when the words came to his lips, looking at Zhuge Liang's confident look, he only said: "Kong Ming, you have been smart since childhood, and now you are valued by the emperor and favored by the princess... This is a situation that my Ge family has not seen in hundreds of years!"

"Uncle has nothing more to teach you. Walk carefully on the road ahead!"

After hearing this, Zhuge Liang solemnly thanked Zhuge Xuan.

……

It is said that Liu Bian originally wanted to take advantage of Princess Wannian's wedding to celebrate with the people and the initial success of the land measurement work, but he did not expect the chaos that would occur after the land measurement.

By the time Princess Wannian got married, the chaos had been quelled at the speed of light, just in time to celebrate the peace in the world.

Therefore, before the wedding, Liu Bian had already announced in advance that the curfew would be lifted for three days starting from the wedding day so that people could celebrate together.

All matters concerning the wedding were handled by the authorities on that day. Faced with this rare and lively event, Empress Dowager Dong and Empress Dowager He were happy to get involved, and even Liu Bian and Cai Yan became marginal figures.

Only when Zhuge Liang took Liu Shou away, Liu Bian, as an elder brother, said things like "respect and love each other, grow old together, have many children, and lead the young with your own" to the newlyweds in front of him.

Although this marriage had been planned in advance and Liu Shou was by no means unfamiliar with Zhuge Liang, on this wedding day, listening to the instructions from his grandmother, mother, and brother and sister-in-law, Liu Shou could not help but shed tears.

Zhuge Liang, who was beside her, noticed this scene, quietly approached Liu Shou and held her hand.

This scene naturally did not escape the eyes of everyone present, but everyone pretended not to see it.

Liu Bian also hoped that the marriage he arranged would have a good result in the end.

After the wedding (wedding ceremony), it was already evening. When Liu Bian watched Liu Shou and Zhuge Liang leave, the lights were already on. The wedding procession and the lights held by the onlookers made Luoyang City exceptionally bright.

Liu Bian, along with the two empress dowagers and concubines, climbed up along the corridor connecting the imperial palace to the place connecting the north and south palaces. From the high corridor, they could just see the hustle and bustle of Luoyang city.

Faced with the order to lift the curfew, the people of Luoyang showed great enthusiasm.

Compared with Luoyang City where the powerful and wealthy gathered, the market outside the city where there were more common people was more lively.

Liu Bian stood on the corridor and could even hear the noise coming from afar.

He thought that after three days, perhaps they could discuss whether the curfew in Luoyang could be lifted.

……

"I heard that when Wang Zhongxuan was the Minister of the Imperial Court, some of his colleagues looked down on him because he was too young to hold a high position. Today is your first time meeting with your colleagues. If anyone looks down on you because of your seniority, you don't have to tolerate it. You were able to become the Minister of the Imperial Court because of your virtue and ability. How can you let others look down on you?"

Early in the morning, Liu Shou was gently arranging Zhuge Liang's official robe, but his words were very domineering.

After the wedding, Zhuge Liang was appointed as the Yellow Gate Minister, and was allowed to take up the post seven days later. Today was the day for him to take office.

Zhuge Liang knew that he was blessed by heaven because of his marriage to a princess and that this would naturally arouse jealousy. Although he was only seventeen years old, he felt that he would not be disturbed by the words of the outside world and could remain content.

However, in the face of his wife's concern, Zhuge Liang responded very cooperatively: "My colleagues all know that I am the princess's husband. They are busy trying to curry favor with me. How dare you look down on me!"

Newly weds are in the time of loving each other, but when it comes to parting, the young couple say farewell to each other again. If you don’t know them, you would think they will be apart for a long time!
After seeing Zhuge Liang off, Liu Shou hadn't thought about what to do for a while, when he suddenly saw a palace maid coming over and bowing, saying, "The Queen Mother knows that Mr. Zhuge is going to take up his post today, so she sent this servant to invite the princess to the palace to accompany him."

After Liu Shou heard this, she made some arrangements and went to the palace, still thinking in her heart - I wonder if I can see my husband again today without having to wait until the next day...

On the other side, Zhuge Liang entered the palace and the pavilion area. Just as he was about to look for his office, he didn't expect that someone was already waiting there - "But is it Minister Zhuge?"

Zhuge Liang looked over, but saw that he did not recognize the person who was speaking.

But seeing his crown and seal, he should be an official of similar rank, so he immediately bowed and said, "Yes, I wonder who you are?"

"Ding Chong is also the Imperial Court Minister!"

He was a relative of Ding Gong, one of the three highest officials who had been dismissed long ago, and was also from the same clan as Cao Cao's wife, Ding.

Ding Chong returned the greeting to Zhuge Liang and said to him, "I happened to meet you on your wedding day. Why don't we go to the office together?"

"I'm new here and don't know where to go. Thank you for your help today." Faced with Ding Chong's kindness, Zhuge Liang naturally accepted it.

Seeing this, Ding Chong smiled even more happily, because it was certainly not a coincidence that he was here.

On the way, Ding Chong introduced Zhuge Liang, "The assistant ministers are responsible for the communication between the inner and outer worlds and serve His Majesty. Although there is no fixed number according to the regulations, according to past practice, there are about four to six people. Now, including Kong Ming, there are exactly six people."

"One of our major responsibilities is to be summoned by His Majesty and go to announce His Majesty's intentions or inform the ministers on His Majesty's behalf. Kong Ming must be prepared. I estimate that when Kong Ming is on duty, he should be very busy!"

As they were talking, Zhuge Liang followed Ding Chong to the workplace of the Yellow Gate Minister.

Ding Chong then introduced the rest of his colleagues to Zhuge Liang.

Some people, like Ding Chong, appear very enthusiastic, but there is also someone whose eyes cannot be seen smiling.

Zhuge Liang keenly realized that some of them must be dissatisfied with him.

After all, there were only so many opportunities to serve the emperor every day. One more person meant one less opportunity to show up in front of the emperor. Zhuge Liang's special status inevitably caused dissatisfaction.

Zhuge Liang accepted this calmly and sat down in the office under Ding Chong's arrangement.

Ding Chong then said, "We, the assistant ministers, will go to the East Palace every day to take up duty, but there should not be too many people at a time. When the Weixing Gate opens later, we will take turns to go there. Today is Kong Ming's first time on duty. I wonder if His Majesty will summon him. The Minister of the Imperial Household issued an order yesterday to bring Kong Ming with him in the near future."

Huangmen Shilang belongs to Shaofu, one of the Nine Ministers, and the current Shaofu Qing is Wang Can's father Wang Qian. Zhuge Liang has always been in contact with Wang Can, but as far as he feels, Wang Qian should not be a person who sacrifices public affairs for personal gain, so issuing this order should have nothing to do with his identity, right?

Zhuge Liang considered that if he asked Ding Chong on the spot, it would probably be seen as showing off by those who had ulterior motives, so he simply continued to accept it calmly. If His Majesty was willing to summon him to do something, could he still refuse?

Not long after, Ding Chong heard the noise and said to Zhuge Liang, "Weixing Gate is open."

Zhuge Liang then noticed that only Ding Chong and he stood up.

On the way to Weixing Gate, Ding Chong explained again: "The Forbidden City is different from other places. We, the Yellow Gate Ministers, have the right to enter and leave the Forbidden City, so we must be more cautious..."

"In fact, when Your Majesty first ascended the throne, we did not go to the Eastern Palace to wait for orders. But later on, Your Majesty felt that it was too troublesome for the eunuchs to come and make the announcement, so now there are only two people on duty at a time."

"After all, in the past, this forbidden area... It's better not to talk about these old things. Kong Ming's identity is also different from ordinary people, so I won't say more. Just remember that when walking in this forbidden area, you can only go to the East Palace without being summoned."

Now, Zhuge Liang understood more clearly that the other Yellow Gate Assistant Ministers had reasons to be dissatisfied with him.

Afterwards, Ding Chong took Zhuge Liang to the side hall next to the Yuntai Palace. In fact, Zhuge Liang was not unfamiliar with the Forbidden City. He had been to the East Palace several times before, and he had also been to the West Palace a few days ago when he accompanied Princess Wannian to her parents' home.

Ding Chong felt no stranger to Zhuge Liang after he saw him coming to the Forbidden City, and couldn't help feeling a little envious.

He looked at Zhuge Liang's height and appearance, then turned to think about his own... and sighed in his heart, I don't have such conditions!
Ding Chong and Zhuge Liang had just sat down when Ding Chong said to Zhuge Liang, "At this time, His Majesty usually does not summon us to do anything. There are some books in the side hall here. If Kong Ming is interested, he can take a look at them. It is not like he has nothing to do."

As soon as he finished speaking, someone came over here - "Your Majesty wants to see Minister Zhuge."

"Please come in, Minister..." The eunuch who led the way was extremely respectful to Zhuge Liang, and Ding Chong behind him looked at him with envy.

Although Zhuge Liang did not look back, he could still sense something.

In fact, deep down, he really wanted to get along with his colleagues as an ordinary person.

In this way, Zhuge Liang, who had just officially taken office, fulfilled his duty to meet the emperor.

When he arrived at the main hall of Yuntai Palace, he heard someone talking inside. After entering and paying his respects to the emperor, the emperor motioned for him to wait aside and continued talking to the person in front of him.

"Your Majesty, after careful consideration, I think that if the curfew is lifted, we need to increase the number of night patrols. There is also the risk of fires at night, so we need to send more people to the four Luoyang commanderies."

"After the curfew was lifted three days ago, the customs duties, liquor taxes, occupation rents, and taxes collected in the Luoyang area have all increased compared to the past."

The Han Dynasty had always had commercial taxes. Customs duties refer to the taxes that people need to pay when they use materials from mountains, forests, lakes and marshes that theoretically belong to the emperor. In theory, merchants estimate and pay taxes themselves. This method is mainly reflected in the taxes on items such as salt and iron. Rent is relatively simple. It is the tax that merchants or people need to pay when they buy and sell in the market specified by the government. This tax is generally lighter.

The person who spoke to Liu Bian was Lu Zhi's eldest son Lu Jin.

Although Lu Jin does not have the talent of Lu Zhi, he has good moral character due to Lu Zhi's teachings and deeds, and is also very diligent. He is now serving as the magistrate of Luoyang.

After listening to the report, Liu Bian asked Lu Jin, "If we use the increased commercial taxes to compensate for the increase in the number of officers in the four departments, what do you think?"

After hearing this, Lu Jin did not brag, but said honestly: "Your Majesty, three days is too short after all. It is not enough to fully see the pros and cons."

After saying that, Lu Jin didn't give any suggestions.

Liu Bian did not think that Lu Jin was incompetent because of this. In fact, he liked such ministers very much. Even though their abilities were somewhat lacking, they were down-to-earth and would not do anything bad.

However, if he wants to be pioneering and enterprising, he must be paired with a pioneering talent.

Liu Bian looked at Zhuge Liang who had been listening for a while and said, "Kong Ming, you should know that in recent years, the markets in Luoyang have become much more lively than in previous years, and the population is also higher than before. Two years ago, a new market was opened in the west of Luoyang City for trade, and there were many Hu merchants from the Western Regions."

"What does Kong Ming think about this?"

Zhuge Liang had already had some guesses in his mind after listening to the conversation between Liu Bian and Lu Jin, and now he was even more certain.

He immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I think three days is indeed too short. If we want to see results, it will take at least several months, at most a year and a half."

After saying this, Zhuge Liang hesitated for a moment, and then thought of his treatment as the Yellow Gate Minister, so he requested: "I have lived in Luoyang for a long time, and I know a lot about the various places. I am willing to help Your Majesty see the results of this matter!"

When Liu Bian heard Zhuge Liang's initiative to offer, he did not bother to be polite with him and asked Lu Jin directly: "Kongming was a boy when he was young, and later entered the Imperial College and Hongdumen School at the same time. Now he has volunteered to help you. What do you think?"

Lu Jin naturally would not object.

Liu Bian finally announced: "In this case, Kong Ming will also serve as Luoyang County Magistrate and be responsible for this matter."

The so-called settling down and starting a career, since Zhuge Liang has already started a family, he naturally has to do things. Compared with being the Yellow Gate Minister, Liu Bian wants the young Zhuge Liang to do more practical things close to the grassroots.

On the other side, Zhuge Liang had just met with the emperor, said goodbye to his future temporary boss Lu Jin, and returned to Ding Chong.

Zhuge Liang had just finished telling Ding Chong about his new assignment and was waiting for the arrival of the document appointing him as the magistrate of Luoyang County when he suddenly heard the Empress Dowager Xigong summoning him.

Generally speaking, the foreign officials who can enter and leave the Western Palace are only the relatives of the emperor, so Zhuge Liang is naturally qualified.

When he arrived at the West Palace, he found that Liu Shou was there accompanying Empress Dowager He.

Under the smiling gaze of Empress Dowager He, Liu Shou inquired with concern whether Zhuge Liang had been bullied by his colleagues.

Even Zhuge Liang felt embarrassed at this time and replied: "I was not bullied, and Minister Ding took good care of me."

He then mentioned the new official position he would hold concurrently.

After hearing this, Liu Shou believed that Zhuge Liang was capable of doing a good job, but he was also a little worried that something unexpected might happen - dealing with the issue of lifting the curfew would not be as safe as just being a Huangmen Shilang.

But knowing that Zhuge Liang's new position was appointed by her royal brother, Liu Shou couldn't say much.

I just hope Zhuge Liang can complete it successfully.

Zhuge Liang understood his wife's thoughts and reiterated his confidence in success before leaving the West Palace.

When he returned to the Eastern Palace again, he had become the magistrate of Luoyang County.

Zhuge Liang bid farewell to Ding Chong and went to the Luoyang County Temple.

He was rubbing his hands in anticipation, the Luoyang curfew would be his first step!
(End of this chapter)