Chapter 26: Wu Yi

The Wu residence.

Wu Yi stood with a group of people, waiting at the gate. In the distance, the carriage of the Governor of Yizhou was approaching. Today was the day his sister was to visit her maiden home, but what puzzled Wu Yi was that her companion was not her husband, Liu Mao, but the newly appointed Governor of Yizhou, Liu Zhang. He had questioned the messenger twice, and both times the reply was that it was Governor Liu, not his brother-in-law, Liu Mao.

However, Wu Yi felt no disappointment at Liu Mao’s absence; rather, he felt a sense of relief. Not having to see that brother-in-law, who was spineless abroad but arrogant at home, and avoiding the need for hypocritical pleasantries, was a welcome change. As a man of direct character, Wu Yi despised pretense and duplicity.

As the carriage drew near, Liu Zhang stepped out first. Wu Yi led his household in offering salutations and exchanging formal greetings. As for Wu Yi’s sister, Wu Xian, her carriage—a *pianche*—remained behind the Governor’s procession. She had to wait for the Governor’s party to move forward before her vehicle could reach the gates.

As the procession advanced, Wu Xian’s carriage arrived. It was a high-end, ornate carriage with curtains, featuring a square cabin covered by a helmet-shaped roof with slightly upturned edges. The door was situated at the front, and it could accommodate only one person, with the driver seated on a board outside. In the Han Dynasty, such carriages were the height of comfort and luxury, reserved exclusively for noblewomen.

With the assistance of her attendants, Wu Xian stepped down. The moment she saw Wu Yi, her face lit up. Despite the grievances she suffered in the Governor’s mansion due to Liu Mao, she could not help but show her joy when facing her family. Conversely, Wu Yi felt a pang of sadness upon seeing her. Having grown up together, he keenly observed the traces of distress on her face, like a shadow cast over her smile. He even noticed that, despite the layer of powder she had applied to create a uniform complexion, there were faint, unnatural marks on her skin.

A surge of anger rose within him: *That damned Liu Mao, he actually dared to strike my sister.* The rumors from the Governor’s mansion appeared to be true; Liu Mao was venting his frustration over failing to secure the governorship on his wife.

Wu Xian approached, and once everyone was gathered, Wu Yi guided Liu Zhang and his sister through the grand entrance.

***

Upon reaching the hall, it was time for Liu Zhang and Wu Xian to part ways—Wu Xian to the inner quarters to converse with the household ladies, and Liu Zhang to discuss matters with the head of the Wu family, Wu Yi. Having been under Liu Zhang’s protection lately, Wu Xian no longer had to share a residence with Liu Mao or suffer his bullying. Furthermore, since Liu Zhang had executed Li Da in front of Liu Mao, his authority in the mansion was absolute.

As they separated, Wu Xian subconsciously looked at Liu Zhang, her eyes lowered in a deferential request for permission to depart. Liu Zhang, standing in place as the brother-in-law, intended to see her off. Their eyes met, and, acting on the behavioral instincts of his past life, he offered a gentle, warm smile and nodded. Seeing the nod, Wu Xian returned a soft smile before following the ladies to the back courtyard.

Wu Yi, standing at Liu Zhang’s side, widened his eyes. He observed the exchange, sensing an unusual atmosphere, and his gaze flickered between the two. *What is going on here?* He was utterly bewildered. His sister was married to Liu Mao, yet the current scene felt strange, as if Liu Zhang were the one who was his brother-in-law.

Suddenly, a memory resurfaced from the depths of his mind: the time the old curmudgeon Dong Fu had visited their home. Dong Fu, stroking his beard with half-closed eyes and a solemn expression, had fallen into a deep silence while physiognomizing Wu Xian. After a long while, he had sighed, "Noble beyond words, noble beyond words."

*Noble beyond words, noble beyond words.* The phrase echoed in Wu Yi’s mind, leaving him standing there in a daze.

"Zi Yuan?" When Liu Zhang turned, he noticed Wu Yi had not followed and called out to him, confused by why people in this Eastern Han era were so fond of spacing out.

The call snapped Wu Yi back to reality. The formal, distant expression on his face vanished, replaced by a smile so broad it resembled a blossoming chrysanthemum, which made Liu Zhang feel a bit uneasy.

"Governor, please." Wu Yi gestured toward the hall, his tone now filled with unexpected, fervent enthusiasm.

*Could he have hidden executioners in the corridor, waiting for him to drop a cup as a signal to hack me into mincemeat?* Faced with Wu Yi’s sudden warmth, Liu Zhang felt a wave of suspicion. It was far too abnormal. Suppressing the urge to turn and run, he stepped into the hall.

The idea of executioners was merely a morbid fantasy; Pang Jing had already sent scouts to investigate before his arrival. The steward of the Governor’s mansion was a cautious man who would not overlook such details. Moreover, Wu Yi was a man worth cultivating; in history, he had eventually risen to the ranks of General of Chariots and Cavalry and Inspector of Yongzhou, serving alongside Zhuge Liang—a man who tolerated no fools. Even Yang Xi’s assessment in the *Eulogy for the Ministers of the Ji Han* praised Wu Yi’s extraordinary character. With Pang Jing’s caution and his own historical foresight, Liu Zhang stepped into the hall with steady resolve.

***

Once inside, Liu Zhang took the seat of honor without hesitation, while Wu Yi sat in the secondary position, a young attendant standing by his side.

Skipping the usual pleasantries, Liu Zhang spoke first, apologizing solemnly to Wu Yi: "My brother has recently suffered from a bout of madness, causing him to act in ways contrary to his usual self, which has led to my sister-in-law suffering grievances. I am here to apologize to you, Zi Yuan, on his behalf."

While rumors about Liu Mao had been circulating, no one had yet confirmed them officially. Now, Liu Zhang had provided an official certification from the Governor himself, effectively trampling on Liu Mao’s reputation.

Liu Zhang could apologize, but Wu Yi could not possibly accept it. He declined, "Governor, there is no need for this. With you in charge of the mansion, there should be some stability, preventing such petty, wicked men from acting recklessly."

Wu Yi’s words were pointed. His sister had occasionally sent him news from the mansion. A major incident had occurred recently: Liu Mao, out of resentment for not obtaining the governorship, had beaten an old maid to death. Liu Zhang had intervened, personally executing the agitator Li Da and ordering Liu Mao into seclusion.

Looking at Liu Zhang in the seat of honor, he found the young man clear-eyed and heroic, far superior to his duplicitous and malicious brother-in-law. Previously, he had been resentful, feeling that Liu Zhang was unworthy of the governorship and favoring his brother-in-law out of familial proximity. Now, he found himself thinking how much better it would have been if Liu Zhang were his brother-in-law.

*"Petty, wicked men."* Liu Zhang understood immediately. This future general knew exactly what had happened. Given his attitude, Liu Zhang knew he would not leave empty-handed today.

He smiled and nodded. "It is a misfortune for our house. My late father passed away suddenly, and my brother has been struck by this madness. These past days, I have truly felt as if I were living years in a single day."

He then revealed his true purpose: "Furthermore, I have just arrived in Yizhou, and the affairs are complex and overwhelming. It is truly difficult, and I am in dire need of capable men to assist me."

"I have heard that you, Zi Yuan, possess great strategy and a steadfast character. Would you be willing to take on the role of Military Justice, concurrently serving as a Colonel, to rectify the discipline of the Dongzhou troops?"

Liu Zhang looked directly at his chosen candidate, his eyes reflecting the same yearning as his ancestors: *“Where shall I find a hero to guard the four corners of the land?”*