Love Like the Galaxy

This was Shao Shang's third time leaving home for a long journey in her life. As for the previous two times... well, better not mention them.

Originally, Madam Xiao had hoped she would wait until the rebellions across the land were quelled before setting off. However, seeing that this matter wouldn't be resolved overnight, Madam Xiao eventually relented—mainly because Shao Shang's destination was Yu Province. Thanks to Governor Old Man Liang, this was one of the few regions where the Land Measurement Decree was being smoothly implemented. The province was largely peaceful, with even divorce cases between couples proceeding as usual.

Passing through Yingchuan, Shao Shang took the opportunity to visit Qu Lingjun, who was awaiting childbirth at home, and even managed to bring back two small cloth tigers handmade by the expectant mother. Madam Qu was the epitome of a true gentlewoman, accomplished both in domestic skills and character. The cloth tigers she sewed were round-headed and chubby, utterly adorable, and Shao Shang adored them. Cheng Shao Gong, however, looked on with disdain throughout—indeed, this time, he was the only one accompanying Shao Shang on the journey.

Yu Province was located in the central plains, slightly to the south. Viewed from above, its terrain resembled an upright silkworm cocoon. To the north lay the capital region and Yan Province, while beneath it stretched the sparsely populated and still-developing Jing and Yang Provinces. The western prefectures had only sporadic rebellions, and General Han, like a patient cleaning lady, led his troops to sweep them away one by one. To the east lay Xu Province, one of the four most rebellious regions.

To prevent rebels or refugees from slipping into Yu Province, Liang Wuji, despite his wife's impending childbirth, was constantly on the move—now catching a few bandits in the west, now blocking mountain passes in the east, running back and forth until he was utterly exhausted.

Empress Dowager Xuan's hometown was in Yiyang Commandery, the southernmost part of Yu Province. As long as Shao Shang's group stuck to the central official road and avoided the eastern and western borders of Yu Province, they would face little danger. With the crisp autumn weather, the journey was leisurely and carefree. Shao Shang even mused that after fulfilling Empress Dowager Xuan's last wish, they could continue south to Jiangxia in Jing Province to visit Lady Wang Ling. Rumor had it that this young lady had gained quite a reputation for virtue locally, praised for her gentleness and obedience—though she was also known among sisters-in-law as the new bride who beat her husband the least... Huh?

"You and that Lady Wang were sworn enemies, weren't you?" Cheng Shao Gong couldn't comprehend this kind of "friendship."

Shao Shang replied, "Xu E and I even fought once, and she still became my husband's sister-in-law. We women have broad hearts—even if there's discord, it's just a light breeze or drizzle, never a storm. Not like you men, who at the slightest provocation raise armies and rebel, bringing bloodshed and war!"

Shao Gong very much wanted to tell his sister about the queens and consorts of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods who stirred up storms, but after a few lip movements, he retreated into the carriage. His sister had always been decisive, but after five years as a palace official, she had become even more confident and resolute—he couldn't suppress her at all. Not only that, but she had even begun questioning his qualifications as her elder brother!

"Third Brother, let me ask you something," Shao Shang said, squeezing into the carriage when she had a moment. "When Mother was in labor, Grandfather was seriously ill, and Father happened to be away. The household was in chaos. Do you think it's possible the midwife made a mistake—that I was actually born an hour earlier, not you?"

After a long silence, Cheng Shao Gong could only say, "If it were two boys or two girls, perhaps they might mix up who came first. But you and I are dragon-phoenix twins—how could the midwife forget which was male and which was female?!""It's hard to say. Qing Yimu mentioned that she was still young at the time. Seeing Mother faint, she was so frantic she kept circling around, only managing to ask whether it was a brother or sister after Mother woke up."

Shaogong sighed helplessly, "We're not children anymore. Why dwell on such trivial matters?"

"It's nothing. I just want to feel more justified when ordering Third Brother around."

Cheng Shao Gong: ...

By noon that day, the convoy stopped to set up camp for a meal and let everyone rest.

Shao Shang sat down beside her brother with a smile. "Third Brother, there's something I'd like to ask, though I'm not sure if I should."

Shaogong turned his back to her, sulking. "Even if I said no, would that stop you from asking?"

"Glad you understand. Third Brother, most of us siblings have settled down now, except for the younger ones like A Zhu. What exactly are your plans for the future?"

Shaogong sighed inexplicably. "Eldest brother wants me to learn official duties in his county. Second brother wants me to help survey rivers in Xu County. Father wants me to join him in the military camp. Mother wants me to learn household management... But I'd like to travel the world first."

Shao Shang was astonished. "Wow, official duties, surveying, leading troops, household affairs—can Third Brother really do all that?"

Shaogong was quite pleased with himself. "Of course I can. If you don’t believe me, ask Mother." Though Madam Xiao often complained that he was a jack of all trades but master of none, he was actually the most versatile among his siblings.

Shao Shang immediately regarded him with newfound respect. "If Third Brother wants to travel, why haven’t you left all these years? Did Father and Mother not agree?"

"Not exactly. I wanted to see you married before setting off."

A warm feeling surged in Shao Shang’s heart. She smiled sheepishly and leaned against him. When the fire was lit, she brought him a steaming bowl of Soup Cake, her face full of eagerness. "Third Brother, try this while it's hot. I seasoned it myself, and the broth was prepared earlier at the post station."

Shaogong took the bowl and teased, "First arrogance, then flattery—what a petty person!" But this petty person’s cooking was quite good. Hmph, that Huo fellow was getting a bargain!

"Let’s set aside your future plans for now. What kind of wife do you want to marry someday?" Shao Shang continued.

Shaogong blew on the bone broth and thought for a moment. "Not someone too clever and mischievous like you. I couldn’t handle it."

Shao Shang resisted the urge to hit him and pressed, "Then someone steady and composed like Mother."

"Too intelligent and formidable. I couldn’t handle that either."

"How about gentle and demure like Sister Xu E?"

"I don’t like overly virtuous women. They make me look bad." His personality was miles away from the rigid propriety expected of a proper scholar-official. He enjoyed teasing and joking, occasionally acting eccentric. A too-virtuous wife would put too much pressure on him.

"So Third Brother admits he’s not exactly proper. Well, how about someone cheerful and carefree, naturally pure like Sister Qiqi?"

This time, Shaogong nearly jumped up. "Are you trying to kill me? Do you know how many beatings I took from her when we were kids? Do you?!"

Shao Shang lost patience. "Then what exactly do you want? Aunt Sang? Qing Yimu... Don’t tell me you like someone as ‘mighty as lifting mountains’ as Grandmother!"

Shaogong was equally frustrated. "I haven’t even thought about it—why are you interrogating me? That’s why I want to travel! Maybe I’ll meet the right person out there!"“Suit yourself.” Shao Shang sighed helplessly. “Just be mindful of Yuan Shen’s father’s example—our family can’t withstand that kind of turmoil.” Truthfully, she wanted to set up some properties for Cheng Shao Gong, lest he remain a drifter all his life, ending up with no wife, children, home, or career in his old age.

Seeing his younger sister unwilling to speak, Shaogong grew more talkative and leaned in to gossip. “Niao Niao, before we left, His Majesty summoned you to the palace. What did he say?”

Shao Shang replied gloomily, “Nothing much.”

“Did His Majesty say something like, ‘His life has been very difficult’ or such?”

Shao Shang suddenly turned her head, sitting up halfway. “Did you divine this for me again?!”

Shaogong quickly waved his hands. “No, no! I promised you—I haven’t performed any divinations for you in years!” He paused, then added with a bitter smile, “Even if I could divine the future, how could I possibly predict what His Majesty would say?”

Shao Shang slowly settled back, her face tense. “Good… but how did you know, then?”

“Just a guess, a guess! Empress Dowager Xuan just passed away. His Majesty is kind and sentimental—Father said he’s been melancholy these past two months. Seeing someone like you, who served Consort Xuan for so long, how could he not feel moved and wistful? For those of us who divine fortunes, the first rule is to understand human nature, to read expressions and moods. If we just spout nonsense, we’d be lucky to escape with half our lives intact!”

“So you’re all just frauds.”

“That’s not fair. When Emperor Wen’s mother, Empress Dowager Bo, was still in the palace of the King of Wei, Xu Fu predicted she would bear a son destined to be emperor—and wasn’t that proven true?” Shaogong defended his profession earnestly.

“What’s so strange about that? At the time, warlords were rising everywhere, and Wei Bao was one of them. Xu Fu probably told every warlord’s concubine the same thing. Eventually, one warlord would unite the realm, and his consort would indeed bear the emperor.”

“Nonsense! The diviner Yao Weng also told Zang Ao, ‘Your eldest daughter is destined for greatness—she will bear an emperor,’ and it came true. The eldest daughter of the Wang family did indeed give birth to Emperor Wu.”

“At the time, the palace was selecting beauties, and Zang Ao was full of ambition. Of course Yao Weng would say what she wanted to hear. Would he dare say, ‘Your daughter is only fit to be a palace maid, destined to carry washbasins’? He’d have been lucky to keep his head!” Shao Shang refused to believe fate could be determined just by looking at someone’s face.

“But Zang Ao originally planned to send her younger, unmarried daughter to the palace. It was Yao Weng who insisted her eldest daughter had the destiny to be empress—proof of his uncanny accuracy.”

“That’s even easier to explain. Yao Weng must have seen that Empress Wang, though already married with a child, was more beautiful and clever than her sister. For a woman seeking favor in the palace, beauty and wit are naturally the best assets!”

Shaogong was furious but couldn’t refute her. His face turned as sallow as dried daylilies before he finally spat out, “You—you—women and petty men are impossible to reason with!”

Shao Shang burst into laughter. When she finally calmed down, she said softly, “His Majesty truly didn’t say much that day. It’s just… it felt as though, in his eyes, the world’s affairs are as chaotic as drifting fluff, and human hearts are too elusive to grasp. Yet His Majesty dismissed it all so lightly…”

Shaogong, exercising his fortune-teller’s insight, ventured, “Did His Majesty speak to you about Huo Bu Yi?”

Shao Shang nodded gloomily. “I thought green beans are hard to cook because they’re stubborn, and leeks are pungent because the soil is dry. But His Majesty… he said I was just…”

“Just timid.” Shaogong finished calmly.

Shao Shang whipped her head around. “How did you know that?”Shaogong sighed softly and said, "I saw it long ago, but I didn’t know how to tell you. Father always praises you for being cautious, meticulous, and thorough in your considerations, but I know that’s not your true nature. Seeing how you and Sister Qiqi hit it off at first sight, I realized you actually prefer being bold and free-spirited. If you wanted to drink, you’d sneak two jars from the cellar and get utterly drunk, unafraid of being scolded. If you wanted to argue, you’d even dare to shout in front of elders—but you don’t dare. Sister Qiqi has someone to cover her mistakes, but you..."

His voice grew heavy with sorrow. "Have you noticed? After you entered the palace, you tended to make more mistakes when Huo Bu Yi was around, but when he wasn’t, you behaved much more cautiously. Later, after Huo Bu Yi was exiled, you became even more impeccable. I often hear people say, ‘Young Lady Cheng is truly remarkable, navigating effortlessly between the palaces of Changqiu and Yong’an, not only serving Grand Empress Dowager of Huai'an with great care but also earning the favor of Empress Yue and the praise of His Majesty.’"

For a deposed empress to leave the palace two or three times a year was no small matter, yet his younger sister handled it flawlessly—first, the Imperial Physician suggested that prolonged residence in the palace was detrimental to Grand Empress Dowager of Huai'an’s health, so the Emperor allowed her to recuperate at a royal Secluded Residence. However, since Empress Yue often visited there for hot springs, Empress Dowager Xuan refused to go. Thus, the Emperor arranged another estate (privately owned by Empress Xuan and fully managed by Shao Shang) for her convalescence, leaving even the imperial censors with nothing to criticize.

Innocent, carefree children are the products of indulgence; those with no one to rely on must learn to read others’ moods. That’s why his sister clung so tightly to Empress Dowager Xuan—not because of her wisdom, insight, or temperament, but simply because she could rely on her wholeheartedly.

"His Majesty is right," Shao Shang said after a long silence. "I overthink and fear everything, but it all boils down to one thing—cowardice. What’s there to fear from setbacks? Learn from them. What’s there to fear from falling? Just get up and keep walking. The real question is whether I still want to spend my life with that person."

—Self-respect is essential. Compromising without principles is self-degradation, and no one pities those who debase themselves. But too much pride, holding oneself aloft, can make one miss out on wonderful people and things.

"Well said," Cheng Shao Gong patted her shoulder—Niao Niao had grown up, but it still saddened him.

This sadness didn’t last long. Like most Dragon-Phoenix Twins who had been kicking each other since the womb, within a few hours, Cheng Shao Gong was ready to strangle his sister again.

After the midday rest, Shao Shang ordered the journey to continue, aiming to reach the next post station before nightfall. Two hours into the trip, the convoy paused at a wooden tavern at a crossroads. The Cheng siblings boldly ordered a spread of local delicacies—cured meats, dried bamboo shoots, preserved fish, and more—and had the Martial Maids distribute them among the Guards.

The tavern had few patrons, coming and going from all directions, but Shao Shang’s group was the only one heading south. Hearing this, the old tavern keeper hurriedly advised, "Honored guests, the southern road was blocked a few days ago by fallen trees and rocks from the hillside. With the officials busy with land measurement and suppressing rebellions, they haven’t had time to clear it. You might consider taking the western gorge path—it’s actually shorter."

Shao Shang frowned slightly but said nothing.Cheng Shao Gong quickly asked, "How do we get through that gorge path? Is it far? Can the wagons pass easily? Can we reach the post station before nightfall?"

The old innkeeper laughed, "Yes, yes, all possible. Actually, that gorge path was originally the official southern route. Later, as more merchants traveled to Yangzhou and Jingzhou, they found it too narrow. Hmm, it was around the reign of Emperor Xuan of the previous dynasty when the court sent a large army south to suppress the local clan rebellions. Supplies and provisions had to be transported in massive quantities, so the authorities simply opened a new, wider, and smoother official road."

Cheng Shao Gong felt relieved and repeatedly expressed his thanks.

Shao Shang smiled sweetly, "Thank you, elder. Then we'll take the western path. Since fate has brought us together today, why don't you tell us about other nearby mountain trails and byways? Your land is quite scenic—once my brothers and I finish our errands, we'd love to explore."

As she spoke, she grabbed a handful of coins from her pouch and handed them over. The old innkeeper was overjoyed and immediately stopped attending to other merchants, sitting down with the Cheng siblings to explain everything in detail.

Just as Cheng Shao Gong thought everything was going smoothly, barely half an hour after leaving the tavern, Shao Shang suddenly ordered the convoy to turn around. They detoured along a small path to bypass the tavern and returned to the blocked official road.

Cheng Shao Gong was shocked and hurriedly asked what was wrong.

Shao Shang remained composed, "Nothing's wrong. I just feel something's off."

"What's off? That old man has run that tavern his whole life—why would he lie to you?"

Shao Shang grinned, "Third Brother, you want to go east, I want to go west. Since we siblings disagree, do you think our subordinates will listen to you or to me?"

Cheng Shao Gong glanced at the two sharp-eyed guards standing behind his sister, smacked his lips a few times, and reluctantly said, "Fine. It's not like fulfilling Empress Dowager Xuan's last wish is urgent. If you want to take a detour and check, go ahead."

It wasn't that he was being agreeable—circumstances left him no choice.

The convoy included over a hundred martial maids, guards, and private army members combined. Since Cheng Shi and Cheng Zhi also needed manpower, only twenty percent were Cheng household troops, led by Cheng Shao Gong's personal guard Fu Deng. The rest were all Shao Shang's people.

They were originally orphaned children of soldiers taken in and cared for by Empress Dowager Xuan in earlier years. As adults, they were incorporated into the Empress's guard. After the Xuan mother and son were deposed, they refused to serve under the Yue family. To avoid suspicion, they also couldn't join the households of any princes or princesses, so Empress Dowager Xuan entrusted them to Shao Shang.

With her wealth, estates, and military-savvy father, brothers, and uncles, Shao Shang spent the past five or six years training and managing them according to the Cheng private army's regulations, while also caring for their families. At the time, Madam Xiao sighed that man proposes but God disposes—many of the skills she had painstakingly taught Cheng Yang had gone unused, while the daughter she thought would never need them now had to handle everything.

After spending another hour or so, the convoy quietly circled back to the southern official road. As expected, it was broad and smooth, wide enough for eight ammunition wagons to travel side by side. However, after advancing a few miles, they encountered a blockage of rocks and trees over twice a man's height.

Cheng Shao Gong exclaimed, "See? That old man didn't deceive us—this road really is impassable!"

Instead, Shao Shang dismounted and walked over, carefully examining the massive pile of rocks and debris.

Cheng Shao Gong had no choice but to follow, squatting beside his sister and repeatedly asking, "What? What is it?"Shao Shang stood up with a solemn expression and said, "Third Brother, do you know why the government builds official roads?"

Shaogong was speechless: "...It's almost dark. If we don't leave now, we'll have to camp in the wilderness. I'll take you to listen to the Teacher's lecture later."

Ignoring him, Shao Shang continued, "Official roads—official roads—are, to put it bluntly, built for the government's use. What does the government use them for? The movement of officials and the passage of merchants are secondary. The First Emperor mobilized a hundred thousand soldiers and civilians to construct an eight-hundred-li Imperial Highway precisely to dispatch troops and supply wagons more swiftly and conveniently."

"Therefore, there's a principle in building official roads: unless absolutely necessary, they should never be constructed in deep mountains or dense forests. The best locations are flat terrain, unobstructed on all sides, making it difficult for anyone to set up ambushes or launch sneak attacks."

Shaogong snorted, "Did Huo Bu Yi tell you all this?"

Shao Shang shot him a glare, "Didn't Father explain this to you brothers? It's just that it went in one ear and out the other for you!"

"I already know all this! What exactly are you trying to say?"

Shao Shang went on, "Before we left, I asked the Crown Prince for permission to borrow the Yuzhou maps from the Hongwen Library. This official road is flat along its entire length, except for one section where there's a small hill to the east..."

Shaogong looked up and pointed at the small hill to the east ahead, "Right, it must be this one. Probably heavy rain caused a landslide, bringing down rocks and trees. Last month, with all the summer thunderstorms and continuous downpours, several hills near the Capital City collapsed, nearly flooding nearby villages."

Shao Shang said slowly and deliberately, "But that old man said this road was blocked only a few days ago. It's already autumn—where would such heavy rain come from?"

Shaogong froze.

Shao Shang pointed at the pile of rocks and fallen trees, "Look closely. Does this look like it was caused by a landslide? The wood is dry, the soil is firm, and the sun-facing sides of these rocks are almost completely clean. If they had been washed down by mudslides, wouldn't they be covered in mud?!"

Shaogong was horrified. After a long pause, he said, "Someone deliberately pushed these rocks and trees down the mountain to block the road!"

Shao Shang said calmly, "We can't be certain. Sometimes improper logging or quarrying by mountain villagers can also cause such disasters. But someone like me, who's had bad luck since childhood, must be extra careful—caution is the parent of safety."

"Then let's hurry back and take another route!" Shaogong said firmly.

Shao Shang replied, "It's dark. If we light torches to travel at night, we'd just become easy targets."

"Then what do you want to do?!"

"Move a few li away, extinguish the lights, and wait quietly until morning."

Shaogong angrily objected, "If we know something's wrong, why linger outside? It's better to hurry back!"

Brushing the dirt off her hands, Shao Shang stubbornly said, "No, we can't travel overnight."

Shaogong was furious now, "I'm your elder brother. Listen to me!"

Shao Shang, unable to hold back any longer, unleashed years of pent-up frustration—

"Back when Fan Ni rebelled in Yanzhou, Third Uncle insisted on entering Qing County to see his senior brother. I said it wasn't wise—if Qing County had already fallen, Third Uncle would be walking into a trap like meat buns thrown at a dog, never to return. If Qing County was safe, what was the urgency? I said, 'Since the situation ahead is unclear and we don't have many guards, we shouldn't act recklessly. It's better to return to Chenliu County first, clarify the situation, and then make plans.' But no one listened to me!" Aunt Sang didn't understand these things, but that pig-headed Uncle was the worst!"Before parting, Third Uncle shed a few tears while holding his wife and daughter, then set off for Qing County with an air of solemn determination, instructing us to continue on to Hua County. And what was the result? What was the result? Aunt and I nearly met our complete demise, with not even our bodies left intact!" Shao Shang nearly shouted the last sentence—that scene of roasting human flesh remained her worst nightmare.

Shaogong said sheepishly, "Third Uncle is a scholar, after all... naturally... not very knowledgeable about such things..."

"The following year, someone impeached Uncle Wan for oppressing the common people, so we siblings went to see him. On the way back, I said that since there had already been several waves of assassins, we should take the main road even if it meant going a bit farther—no shortcuts through dense forests! Did anyone listen to me? Did anyone?! Uncle Wan even laughed at me for being timid, and you and Sister Qiqi especially mocked me hard. Second brother just hesitated. And then? What happened next? What happened next! If it weren’t for... him coming to rescue us... we would have been wiped out again!"

At the time, Shaogong was also present and knew this was true, so he forced a laugh and played dumb.

"Third brother, let me tell you, I’ve been holding in these grievances for years! Out of respect for Uncle and Uncle Wan’s pride as men, I never spoke up!" Shao Shang grew angrier the more she thought about it. It was all because of these unreliable male elders that she owed that man more and more, with no idea when she could ever repay him.

"There’s one more thing I’ve wanted to say for a long time. Even though I’m young, aside from Father, Mother, and Third Aunt, don’t you think I’m actually the smartest person in the family?" Shao Shang’s aura was overwhelming, her eyes blazing with fury. Shaogong, spittle flying at his face, nearly shrank under the belly of his horse.

"Since I’m smarter than all of you, why can’t you just listen to me properly?!!!"

Shaogong: ...Alright, alright, you’re right, okay?

Author’s Note:

The general opinions are as follows: The Cao and Xiahou families were neighbors from the same hometown. Back then, the Cao family was very poor, so they sent one of their sons, Cao Teng, to the palace to become a eunuch. Unfortunately, he didn’t do well at first. Once, when he took leave to return home, his father and brothers looked down on him and treated him coldly. Cao Teng was heartbroken—he had become a eunuch to help his family live a better life, yet his own family treated him like this.

Instead, it was the old man from the neighboring Xiahou family and his childhood friends who welcomed him warmly, serving him good food and encouraging him to take care of himself and not lose heart. Later, when Cao Teng rose to prominence, gaining high rank and wealth, he treated his own clan indifferently but was very kind to the Xiahou family.

—Isn’t this story full of drama? Don’t just stand there, dear readers—time to start writing that farming novel! Who’s the female lead? Of course, it’s Lord Cao’s mother. Along the way, she could save her husband and remind her son of certain mistakes.

Finally, the question remains: When Cao Teng needed to adopt a son, did he choose a child from the Xiahou family or still pick a nephew from his own clan?

Don’t be fooled by the image of Liu Bei as a weepy figure in Romance of the Three Kingdoms . In reality, Liu Bei was truly one of the era’s greatest heroes. Lord Cao’s famous line, “Of heroes in this world, only you and I,” wasn’t just empty words. In fact, during Liu Bei’s northern expedition at Yiling, if not for Sun Quan stabbing him in the back, Lord Cao was so frightened he almost moved the capital!

Or if Liu Bei had lived a few more years, who knows how the Three Kingdoms situation might have turned out? Our Imperial Uncle’s only disadvantage was his low starting point—while others already had small foundations, he had just escaped the grassroots handicraft industry, struggling to gather a few sets of armor and good horses!Why did Liu Bei initially choose to lead the people across the river? Some fools on forums claim Liu Bei was stupid, but that’s because Lord Cao had a history of massacring cities! Whether to boost his own morale or intimidate the enemy, he did it more than once! While massacring cities in ancient times might not have been considered an unforgivable crime—others did it before and after Lord Cao—it was still a massacre!

Liu Bei started from a lower position than Cao or Sun, facing far greater hardships, but that didn’t mean his moral standards were lower. In the struggle to dominate the realm, both Cao and Sun resorted to massacring cities—only Liu Bei never did (there are no historical records of him doing so)!

During the reigns of Cao, Sun, and Sima, court intrigues were rampant—emperors and ministers schemed against each other, rulers distrusted their subjects, and subjects plotted against their rulers. But Shu Han had none of that! Even in regency scenarios, Zhuge Liang worked diligently and devotedly until his death, while Sima Yi bullied orphans and widows to usurp the throne. Liu Bei treated his brothers and ministers with sincerity, and they repaid him in kind!

Throughout Shu Han’s history—whether it was the Prime Minister, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, or later Meng Huo and Jiang Wei—none ever betrayed the trust of their ruler, brothers, or mentor. Not once in their entire lives! They were all men of unwavering integrity!

Looking through history, almost all regimes that clung to a corner of the land—whether Gongsun Shu, the Eastern Jin, the Southern Song, or Zhang Zizhong—inevitably descended into tyranny or complacency. But Shu Han was different. To the very end, they relentlessly pursued their original dream, never yielding (even after the Prime Minister’s death, Jiang Wei carried on the fight)!

They were the weakest of the three kingdoms, yet they steadfastly resisted Cao Wei, which had eight times their land and population, never wavering in their determination to restore the Han. While the Prime Minister lived, Cao Wei—despite its vastly superior economic conditions—was consistently beaten back, forced to rely on Sima Yi’s turtle-shell tactics, only daring to emerge after the Prime Minister’s death. Pathetic! (And yet they dare to make whitewashing dramas about this.)

More importantly, despite launching multiple northern expeditions with such limited resources, Shu Han’s tax and conscription policies remained well-managed, never driving the people to ruin. When Shu fell to Wei, logic dictated that without the burden of northern campaigns, life should have improved. Yet the people of Shu continued to yearn for the Prime Minister, honoring his memory in endless rituals.

Even when court officials accused the Prime Minister, given his immense power and the chaos of the northern expeditions, he could have easily crushed them and their families without a second thought. But he didn’t. He never abused his authority. Instead, he meticulously investigated and refuted every accusation in court, reducing his political opponents to tears until they confessed and submitted to justice.

This was the power of integrity—a force so radiant it cannot be dismissed simply because it was cumbersome, inconvenient, or ultimately unsuccessful in its grand ambition.

Let me say this: in thousands of years of feudal dynasties, among countless regents, the Prime Minister alone lived up to his duty, seeing it through to the end without fail. He was the pillar of strength feudal rulers dreamed of, the elder minister young emperors longed for in their fear—a peerless figure towering above all! (How dare that Sima Yi even compare?!)

Whether in later dynasties’ official histories or private records, everyone hoped Shu Han could achieve another "Guangwu Restoration." Yet, they failed. But that doesn’t mean righteousness perished.In my view, Shu Han represents a spirit of chivalry and idealism, making it no surprise that it became an object of praise and admiration for rulers, officials, and common people in later dynasties.

For rulers, they wish to have capable and loyal ministers like Guan, Zhang, Zhao, and Zhuge. For officials, they hope to encounter a sovereign like Liu Bei. And for the common people, who wouldn't long for a governor like the Prime Minister?

But alas... the times were not in our favor, and the autumn wind has already reached Wuzhang Plains.

Apologies, I got a bit carried away.