In Chang'an, Du Ruhui wiped the cold sweat from his brow as he glanced up at the sun.
It was only early May, yet the heat felt like the peak of July or August. Furthermore, a drought had struck Guanzhong back in February, and there was still no sign of relief.
Walking anxiously in the cool shade of the palace walls, Du Ruhui stopped a passing eunuch. "Where is His Majesty?"
"Minister Du," the eunuch hurriedly bowed. "His Majesty is still reading in the Ganlu Hall."
Just as abnormal as this year's climate was the current behavior of the Emperor. Last year, His Majesty had been as ambitious and energetic as an unsetting sun, constantly holding court in the Liangyi and Shenlong Halls. Major decisions, like relieving the drought in Shandong by exempting taxes, or sending disaster relief to the frost-damaged autumn crops in Guandong and Henan, were all made then.
But this year, he had been spending much more time holed up in the Ganlu Hall. Was he still hesitating over the campaign against Xiazhou?
An overturned foot-washing basin lay at the door, with several eunuchs kneeling beside it, still as quails.
Du Ruhui took one look, stepped slowly into the Ganlu Hall, and saw Li Shimin pacing back and forth, barefoot, his brows deeply furrowed.
Du Ruhui picked up the scattered books from the floor and noticed a neatly placed copy of In Search of the Supernatural on the desk.
"Keming, what if our future descendants are unworthy?!" Li Shimin suddenly demanded.
"Your Majesty, have you encountered something troubling?" Ten years was more than enough time for Du Ruhui to understand the temper of the Great Tang's sun.
Du Ruhui looked at the Emperor, then glanced at the open page of the book: the tale of Xian Chao and the Goddess.
"Accept me and bring glory to five clans, defy me and invite disaster..." Du Ruhui could only deduce one thing. "Your Majesty wishes to hold a concubine selection?"
"There really is an immortal granting secret instructions!" Li Shimin emphasized, utterly serious.
Du Ruhui nodded perfunctorily. "If Your Majesty intends a selection, it would require the Empress..."
"Keming!" The Emperor of Great Tang grew exasperated. Barefoot, he strode over, gesturing emphatically at the book. "That small Lightscreen appears within these pages..."
Li Shimin was utterly exhausted. Minister Du was also feeling incredibly exhausted.
"Enough of this matter!" Li Shimin waved it off. "When the three-month term arrives next time, I shall summon you to witness it yourself."
Even as he thought of startling Du Ruhui then, another name surfaced in his mind.
"Keming, what do you think... of the name Du Fu?"
Du Ruhui: "...?"
"Shall I summon the imperial physician for Your Majesty?"
Gong'an County.
After the Lightscreen ended, a flood of text surged forth.
[Server Chat Log]
[@TouristTrap_Exp: UP Host, your actual full-time job is a tour guide, right?!
@Chengdu_Resident: Honestly, since Liu Bei died early, the people of Chengdu are actually quite grateful to the Prime Minister.
@The_L_Strategist: It is a huge pity that Wei Yan and Fa Zheng are not in the 28 officials. Wei Yan to the Prime Minister is exactly like the Prime Minister to Liu Bei. They were both indispensable right-hand men.
@Theory_Crafter_X: Agreed. Regardless of Fa Zheng's other flaws, he was a true confidant to Liu Bei. If he had lived until Yiling, he might have actually managed to stop the Imperial Uncle from launching that campaign.
@Debunked_Vibe: Give me a break. With Fa Zheng's vengeful personality and his view of Liu Bei as his ultimate benefactor, he absolutely would have supported attacking Sun Wu. But true, if Fa Zheng had gone along, he could have advised Liu Bei. Win or lose, it would not have ended up as disastrously as it did.
@Hygiene_Police: With the terrible medical care of the Three Kingdoms, drinking raw water and eating raw fish, not even understanding that illness enters through the mouth, the premature deaths of so many talents were practically inevitable.
@Isekai_Dreamer: If we had a Barefoot Doctor's Manual in the Three Kingdoms, would it not be a total massacre?
@Reality_Check_99: Massacre? Cao Cao would massacre you first. Keep dreaming. And how did you even get internet access?
@Han_Forever: With one Zhuge, the Three Kingdoms can shine through history just like the Han dynasties.
@Panda_Watch: Did the UP Host run out of time and not go to see the panda Huahua? You seemed to like it before.
@DreamCatcher: With the UP Host's personality, if he went to the zoo, he would probably explain the seven continents and four oceans to you, starting from plate tectonics and ending with urban forests.
@Literati_Stan: Why only mention Du Fu? I refuse to accept this! Su Shi also wrote, Zhuge came to the western state, and for a thousand years, the love has not faded.
@Poetry_Nerd_Alpha: I think it is mainly because Minister Du wrote it best. Honestly, for thousands of years, which scholar did not love the Prime Minister? Minister Du just stood out more.
@Yiling_Grudge: Cause of the Prime Minister's death: micromanaging everything. Why micromanage? Because all the talent was burned up at Yiling. Conclusion: Imperial Uncle, you need to take responsibility.
@Angst_Lover_2026: Looking at it this way, the Chancellor is probably the greatest tragic figure of the Three Kingdoms.
@Doom_Scroller: This episode perfectly matches the last two lines of When luck departs, even heroes are not free: A thousand miles of rivers and mountains lightly entrusted to a child; the caps and swords of two reigns harbor hatred for Qiao Zhou!
@Void_Trekker: The Prime Minister's biggest mistake was not taking Liu Shan with him on the Northern Expeditions. These old ministers bled and died for the empire, but in the end, Liu Shan lightly abandoned this Shu Han, where every inch of land was bought with blood.
@Nerdy_Grass: Sigh. After watching, I seem to want to say something, but ultimately, there are only three words: A lingering sense of injustice.]
Without needing to be reminded, Ma Liang and Jiang Wan had already snapped out of their shock from the future warfare and focused intently on copying the text. But as they finished, a shared doubt arose in their hearts:
'Where is that annoying Li Shimin who always shows up to critique things?'
Everyone was already well-versed in the routine of liking the broadcast. The next question, however, was what to send.
Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang exchanged glances, both clearly wanting to take the lead. After all, this broadcast had primarily focused on their posthumous affairs, and they both felt a strong need to express their gratitude.
While the lord and his minister were locked in a silent staring contest, Zhang Fei clattered out of the room. Moments later, he returned carrying a rolled-up silk scroll.
"Big Brother! Let us send this! So the future generations know I am not that ugly!"
Zhang Fei unrolled the silk, revealing a majestic, full-body portrait of Zhang Yide in all his glory.
"My wife is highly skilled in fine brushwork," Zhang Fei said, quite proud of himself. "She painted this full-body portrait of me before. It is useless keeping it at home, so we might as well let the future see that I am not some monstrous creature!"
"In that case..." Zhuge Liang pondered for a moment. "Why not send a whole set, Yide?"
Moments later, Zhang Fei finished the strategist's errand. He placed several scrolls beneath the Lightscreen, prayed sincerely, and watched as the items vanished in a flash. Everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief.
"Well then, we just wait," Liu Bei exhaled.
"First, we need to compile a list." Facing the detailed information provided by the Lightscreen, Liu Bei's train of thought was crystal clear. "The twenty-eight civil and military officials, plus the names mentioned in Kongming's Former and Later Memorials. We copy these names down and recruit them accordingly."
"Rather, looking at the Lightscreen's description, not only do scholars and generals of a thousand years love you deeply, but the Han descendants eighteen hundred years later also favor you, Kongming."
Zhuge Liang's face flushed with deep embarrassment, but Liu Bei still solemnly grasped his hands.
"Although I have said it before, I must say it again now: gaining Kongming is the greatest fortune of my entire life!"
"My lord..." Zhuge Liang felt the firm strength in Liu Bei's grip and shook his hand in return. "Your wish is also my wish."
"Alright, alright, Big Brother, why do you not share a bed with the Strategist tonight and talk about this slowly?" Zhang Fei interrupted, shoving the newly copied comments into everyone's hands.
"For now, let us look at this first. What does... illness enters through the mouth mean? And what on earth is a Barefoot Doctor's Manual?"
His son Zhang Bao was not destined to die in battle. The hope of avoiding his early death might just lie within these simple, mysterious words!