Journey to the West: Sun Wukong's Advice System
Chapter 278 - 257: Wishing to Acknowledge as Adoptive Father and Searching for Zhu Geliang_2

Chapter 278: Chapter 257: Wishing to Acknowledge as Adoptive Father and Searching for Zhu Geliang_2

Lu Bu’s eyes lit up, and he kowtowed on the ground again, "Ancestral Martial, Lu has devoted his life to martial arts, and if Ancestral Martial does not abandon me, I wish to become your sworn son!"

Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Jian looked at each other, all speechless, and even a bit worried.

Liu Xiu also smiled and shook his head; in his eyes, these were all young heroes of the Human Race, and watching the younger generation compete was naturally interesting.

Sun Wukong then burst into laughter, no wonder the Advise System suggested difficulty for the second-tier treasure chest, and then he nodded and said, "Becoming sworn sons is not appropriate, but being my disciple is possible."

Upon hearing this, Lu Bu was overjoyed. Having a master for a day meant having a father for life, which was much more reliable than becoming sworn brothers. He hurriedly kowtowed and performed a salute, "Disciple greets Master!"

Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Jian felt very complex emotions at the side, a mix of envy, jealousy, and hatred, and they couldn’t understand why Ancestral Martial would take a brainless brute as a disciple, just because of his martial talent?

At that moment, Sun Wukong said, "I’ve heard that Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi are quite intelligent. I wonder if they are serving as officials in the court?"

Cao Cao said, "Ancestral Martial, these two men do not serve in the court. Zhuge Liang’s origins are unknown, whereas Sima Yi already has a reputation and is a young member of the Sima family."

Liu Bei and Sun Jian also indicated that they had not heard of Zhuge Liang.

Lu Bu said, "Master, I could search the whole world and bring him before you!"

Sun Wukong merely took it as his disciple showing filial piety and also understood that Zhuge Liang was likely young and not yet famous.

Then, he asked Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Jian to tally up the martial arts abilities and the weapon situations of the warriors in the court, preparing to start the Artifact Refining process and create a batch of magical treasures for everyone.

But the three of them did not leave immediately; instead, they stayed in the palace and sought instruction on martial arts cultivation from Sun Wukong alongside Lu Bu.

Only after a long while did the four leave, still with much to ponder.

Sun Wukong watched their retreating forms and chuckled, "All interesting juniors, the Human Race is going to welcome an even greater golden age."

Liu Xiu praised him, "The Han dynasty owes its present glory to Master’s efforts as well."

...

Since Liu Xiu had almost completely delegated authority, the Han cabinet wielded significant power, with the three Chancellors each having their own teams, cooperating and supervising each other in normal times.

Were the imperial authority weak, such a system naturally would present major problems.

But since the Han dynasty was a flourishing dynasty, and Liu Xiu had occupied the throne of the King of Men, held in reverence by countless descendants, so for two hundred years, there had been no major upheavals in the court.

After returning to their residences, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan immediately began the search for Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi.

In Cao Cao’s residence, all his strategists and warriors were astonished upon learning of the events at Ancestral Martial Palace and wished they could meet Ancestral Martial and the King of Men in person.

Xun Yu said, "Chancellor, our Great Han has a Hundred-Year Talent Program that enlists talents from all over. Since Zhuge Liang has been personally named by Ancestral Martial, his abilities should not be mediocre. He might be listed in our talent program,

we should check the rosters reported from all regions, which might reveal his whereabouts, then bring him under Chancellor’s command."

Cao Cao, holding a bowl of rice and flipping through a book, replied without looking up, "I had Chen Qun start the search on my way here, and also send someone to the house of Sima Fang to invite Sima Yi over."

Xun Yu acknowledged the order with a nod and left.

Then another strategist stepped forward and said, "Chancellor, with the General of the Guards having taken Ancestral Martial as his master, we must be on guard."

Many nodded in agreement; Lu Bu was now the General of the Guards of the Han, and with the positions of Cavalry General and Great General vacant, he was the highest-ranking officer in the Han military.

If he progressed further, he would be eligible to enter the cabinet.

Cao Cao looked toward a handsome young scholar beside him and asked, "Fengxiao, what do you think?"

Guo Jia smiled, "Our Great Han has always promoted talent above all else. If we were to consider family background, then the Yuan family, with four generations of three dukes, would have long had someone in the cabinet."

Hearing this, everyone’s worries subsided.

In Liu Bei’s residence, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and others were also very surprised and deeply concerned about Lu Bu taking a master, knowing he had long coveted the position of Chancellor in the cabinet.

A strategist said, "If the General of the Guards enters the cabinet, he will certainly be a threat to the Chancellor."

Zhang Fei hastily proposed, "Big brother, why not let me fight Lu Bu once more, ensuring his utter humiliation, so he won’t have the face to seek the position of Chancellor."

Guan Yu frowned, "That’s a reckless act."

Liu Bei sighed inwardly, compared to Cao Cao and Sun Jian, he was still without a chief strategist.

Although Lu Bu taking a master made his entry into the cabinet unlikely, Liu Bei was still worried, as Lu Bu was just too formidable.

At that moment, Xu Shu returned from outside and after getting up to speed, he chuckled, "Chancellor, not only should our Great Han’s Chancellors have outstanding personal abilities, but they must also possess the capacity to lead the world."

General Wei, despite his bravery, lacks the capacity to lead the entire world and has little chance of joining the cabinet,"

Liu Bei then nodded his head in agreement, feeling relieved.

Xu Shu laughed and said, "As for the whereabouts of Zhu Geliang, the Prime Minister need not send people to look for him anymore. During my early travels, I became good friends with Zhu Geliang and have long known he is a man of great wisdom and strategy."

Liu Bei immediately became interested, "Great wisdom and strategy?"

Xu Shu bowed and said, "I was just about to recommend him to the Prime Minister. Zhu Geliang could serve as a strategist for the Prime Minister."

Liu Bei slapped his thigh and laughed, "Excellent, excellent, excellent! Where is he right now?"

Xu Shu said, "He studied under Master Shuijing and has just arrived in Chang’an to sit for the imperial examination. I just went out to provide a welcoming feast to clear his travel fatigue."

Liu Bei quickly said, "Then go and invite him to meet with me."

Xu Shu shook his head, "Zhu Kongming is a Crouching Dragon; he is a man you can meet, but you must not impose upon him to come here. The Prime Minister should put aside his own status and personally visit him."

Liu Bei took the advice and went to the tavern in Chang’an where Zhu Geliang was temporarily staying.

However, Zhu Geliang declined to meet, citing the upcoming imperial examination as the reason.

Liu Bei had no choice but to give up, understanding that it was indeed inappropriate for a Prime Minister to meet a scholar about to sit for the imperial examination at this time.

On the other hand, Lu Bu was not content to be left behind. He said to his strategist Chen Gong, "Gongtai, I must enter the cabinet. Although the Ancestral Martial has taken a liking to me and accepted me as a disciple, I must also make my own mark.

Ancestral Martial has personally asked to see Zhu Geliang, and you must help me find him."

Chen Gong frowned and said, "General, the three Prime Ministers are probably also looking for Zhu Geliang, especially Cao Aman, who has numerous strategists and military generals under his command; we are no match for him."

Lu Bu, naturally dissatisfied with this attitude, scolded, "Gongtai, don’t you hold a grudge against Cao Cao? How can you boost someone else’s morale while dampening your own spirit?

Whether we can find him or not, at least we must show our master that we’ve tried!"

Eventually, Chen Gong nodded without bringing up the possibility of recruiting Zhu Geliang.

Meanwhile, Sun Jian returned home and shared the news with his sons Sun Ce and Sun Quan.

Sun Quan said, "I was just about to discuss this with Father. I recently made the acquaintance of an adviser named Zhuge Jin in Jiangdong. He has a younger brother named Zhu Geliang, who is said to be exceptionally intelligent."

Sun Jian hurriedly asked, "Where is this Zhu Geliang? Also in Jiangdong?"

Sun Quan shook his head.

Sun Ce said, "Can Zhu Geliang be of service to Father?"

Sun Quan still shook his head, "Zhuge Jin said that this Zhu Geliang intends to serve Chancellor Liu."

Upon hearing this, Sun Jian lost much of his interest.

...

Aside from searching for someone, the three Prime Ministers hadn’t forgotten the threat from the west mentioned by Ancestral Martial. They convened a cabinet meeting to prepare for the potential war that might come.

With each meeting that took place, the Grand Han Empire, this enormous entity, began to change.

Sagacious observers could see that a war was imminent.

Inside an inn in Chang’an City,

Zhu Geliang, who was just of Crowned Adulthood, sat by the window of a high floor, brewing tea by the stove with his fellow disciple brother Pang Tong.

One had a face as flawless as jade with a commanding appearance, the other had thick brows, a turned-up nose, a dark face, and short whiskers—indeed a peculiar look.

Pang Tong asked, "Kong Ming, I’ve always been puzzled, why are you so intent on serving Chancellor Liu?"

Zhu Geliang smiled slightly, "Each of the three Prime Ministers has their own strengths, but it is only in Chancellor Liu’s service that I have the opportunity to display my talents."

Pang Tong then said, "Chancellor Sun also lacks advisors. I think after the imperial examination, you could join me in serving him."

Zhu Geliang shook his fan, "They primarily favor the scholars of Jiangdong; even if I went, I would ultimately be an outsider."

Pang Tong appeared contemplative; his family had good relations with the scholars of Jiangdong, so he didn’t share the same concern and might even have a good opportunity.

Suddenly, Zhu Geliang looked out the window, furrowed his brow, and said, "There’s going to be a battle."