"So—you're Ma Youchang?"
At the entrance to the Gong'an County government office, Ma Su stood calmly as a black-faced man built like an iron tower stared down at him and asked the question.
With the information his elder brother Ma Liang had given him, Ma Su recognized the man instantly—from his appearance alone, and from that booming tone.
Zhang Fei.
General of the Central Army under Liu Bei.
Courtesy name: Yide.
"Reporting to the General," Ma Su replied, "this humble one is Ma Su of Yicheng."
Zhang Fei raised an eyebrow.
"Wrong! I'm the General Who Subdues the Captives now. Come again, Clerk Ma."
Ma Su bowed slightly.
"Reporting to the General Who Subdues the Captives, this humble one is Ma Su of Yicheng."
Zhang Fei burst into laughter and slapped Ma Su on the shoulder.
"Good! Work hard, Clerk Ma—I've got high hopes for you!"
No you don't.
Your face doesn't say that at all.
You're still laughing!
Behind his calm exterior, Ma Su was howling in grievance.
He had been steeped in the classics since childhood, yet favored military texts above all else. His fourth brother, Ma Liang, had earned a fine reputation and been recruited by Lord Liu of Jing Province as an attendant officer—how could nineteen-year-old Ma Su not envy him?
After persistent pleading, his brother had finally secured him a chance to enter official service—
And not just anywhere, but at the side of the famed Zhuge Kongming himself!
Yet after arriving in Gong'an County with his brother, reality proved… different.
Zhuge Liang treated Ma Liang with warmth, linking arms as they spoke at length. Soon after, he sent Ma Liang off to audit the tax situation in Wuling Commandery, with instructions to visit villages personally and keep records—a solid, hands-on assignment.
But once Ma Liang left, Zhuge Liang's smile turned polite and distant.
With a light, offhand remark—
"There happens to be an opening for a gate attendant at the Gong'an county office. If Youchang doesn't mind, you can fill in for a few days. It'll help you familiarize yourself with the county, inside and out."—
Ma Su was promptly dispatched to guard the front gate.
I, Ma Su, have studied military strategy for twelve years,
and now I'm reduced to being a doorman?!
After the indignation came confusion.
Why did everyone seem to know him?
Earlier that day, Lord Xuande himself had asked his name, studied his face for a moment, then shaken his head and walked inside.
General Zilong and General Huang hadn't stopped to speak, but their gazes had lingered on him with unmistakable curiosity.
General Guan hadn't asked anything at all—just patted his shoulder and went in, as if they were old acquaintances.
And this General Zhang clearly seemed to have it out for him, deliberately making things difficult!
Ma Su was baffled.
Was he… famous?
Or was it simply that his elder brother was well connected?
Inside the Gong'an county offices, a certain side hall had quietly become a restricted zone. Only Generals Guan, Zhang, Zhao, and Huang were allowed to enter without Liu Bei's written authorization.
Zhuge Liang had moved his own work there as well, spending more than half of each day within its walls.
Zhang Fei nudged a frozen persimmon cake closer to the fire and grumbled,
"That Ma Su kid doesn't look particularly sharp to me."
"General Zhang must've given him a hard time," Zhao Yun said with a soft laugh.
"I watched him accept Kongming's arrangement without complaint. That alone tells me he's no ordinary man."
"What's so hard about guarding a gate?" Zhang Fei snorted.
"I could do it myself! The real problem is—if it weren't for him, the Strategist wouldn't have died so early! And once the Strategist died early, that useless Ah Dou had no one to keep him in line, and Ah Dou—"
"Enough, enough!" Liu Bei slapped his forehead, seriously considering stuffing a persimmon cake into Zhang Fei's mouth.
He promptly ignored the now-sulking Zhang Fei.
Standing by the brazier like an old farmer warming himself, Liu Bei cleared his throat. Gong'an rarely saw snow, but winter cold still cut to the bone.
"Today I called everyone here to formally announce this," he said.
"Guan Yunlong is promoted to General Who Quells the Bandits.
Zhang Yide to General Who Subdues the Captives.
Zilong is promoted to Deputy General.
Huang Hansheng to General Who Pacifies the Captives."
The group responded with a somewhat disorderly chorus of salutes.
"Thank you, Brother."
"Thank you, my lord."
In truth, everyone already knew this was coming. Liu Bei had deliberated long over the matter, and the memorials requesting these promotions had already been sent to Xuchang. It was essentially a done deal.
"How did the curved plow and round waterwheel trials go?" Liu Bei asked Zhao Yun.
Originally, Liu Bei had planned to oversee the work personally, but with year's end approaching, his responsibilities multiplied. Zhao Yun, reliable as ever, had taken full charge.
Because the new plow featured a curved handle and the waterwheel was perfectly circular, they'd simply been named the Curved Plow and Round Wheel.
"A great success!" Zhao Yun replied enthusiastically.
"The people praise them without reservation!"
He then clasped his fists toward Zhuge Liang.
"At first, the craftsmen struggled to understand the designs. Fortunately, Lady Huang sent over detailed notes. Following her instructions, the artisans completed them smoothly. My lord may go inspect them at any time."
"Lady Huang is skilled in such things?" Liu Bei asked in surprise.
"My wife has had a talent for mechanical arts since childhood," Zhuge Liang said modestly.
"That very night, after seeing the drawings, she studied them by lamplight—and finished working them out within three days."
"Such ability!" Liu Bei praised.
"Assign a group of women to assist Lady Huang in researching mechanical designs. In the future, any technical diagrams from the light screen are to be sent to her first."
"This minister thanks you on her behalf," Zhuge Liang said with a bow.
Then he produced a letter.
"My lord, a message arrived from Jiangdong this morning."
"Oh?" Liu Bei took the letter and read swiftly. As he did, surprise crept across his face.
"Zhou Gongjin invites me to Dantu. Jiangdong wishes to offer the Wu Marquis' younger sister in marriage—to bind our two houses in friendship."
Had it not been for the revelations of the light screen, the civil and military officials would have rejoiced. Now, however, unease settled over the room.
Zhang Fei was the first to explode.
"I spit on it! If they truly want peace, they should send my sister-in-law Sun here directly!"
He jumped to his feet.
"One word from you, Brother, and I'll lead the vanguard to Dantu! I'll turn the place upside down, drag out that fire-setting Lu Xun, and burn him with—"
He trailed off.
Strictly speaking, Lu Xun hadn't actually done anything yet.
Liu Bei was deeply moved—and promptly waved for Guan Yu to drag Zhang Fei out.
Zhao Yun spoke with careful restraint.
"My lord, Jiangdong cannot be trusted. I request permission to lead the White Horse Guard and ensure your safety."
Guan Yu and Huang Zhong exchanged a glance and saluted.
"My lord, Yu requests to serve as your personal guard."
"My lord, Zhong requests the same."
Liu Bei did not answer immediately. He exchanged a look with Zhuge Liang—whose eyes were equally clouded with concern.
At that moment, Ma Su's voice came from outside.
"My lord, the Strategist has received an urgent letter. The messenger claims to be an old acquaintance from Jiangdong."
After barely two breaths, Liu Bei's steady voice replied,
"Bring it in."
Ma Su entered, holding the letter respectfully as he stepped into the mysterious side hall.
To his surprise, the room was utterly ordinary—nothing like the rumors of walls covered in secret maps and diagrams. Liu Bei and his generals were simply gathered around a brazier, chatting like family, though the atmosphere was clearly tense.
Before Ma Su could think further, Liu Bei rose, accepted the letter, and gave Ma Su an encouraging pat on the shoulder.
"Clerk Ma, work diligently under the Strategist. I have high hopes for you."
The words were the same as Zhang Fei's—but to Ma Su, they felt completely different.
The lord truly means it.
The young man stiffened and bowed deeply.
"I am willing to give my life in service to my lord!"
Guan Yu and Huang Zhong stroked their beards with amused smiles.
Off to the side, Zhang Fei muttered,
"When I praised you, you didn't bow like that…"
Historical note:
During the Battle of Red Cliffs, Sun Quan moved his seat of government from Kuaiji to Dantu (modern Zhenjiang) to better face Cao Cao. In 211, he moved again to Moling (modern Nanjing), renamed it Jianye in 212, proclaimed himself emperor in 229 at Wuchang, later returned the capital to Jianye after easing tensions with Shu Han. A truly exhausting amount of relocating.