My Father in Law is Lu Bu

Chapter 681

“Who are you? How dare you obstruct the Yangzhou Army!” The soldiers shouted at the middle aged man.

“Hmph! Weren’t you all here to look for me? How can you not know my name?” Zhuge Jin replied.

“Are you…?” The armored general asked uncertainly.

“Yes. I am the Chief Ambassador Zhuge Jin.” Zhuge Jin replied. “I am the person you are looking for. These innocent people are unrelated to me. Please let them go.”

“You all cannot arrest our Master! Our Master is your High Official Zhuge’s elder brother!” Wu Shun also rushed out and shouted but was obstructed by a few soldiers. The book servant was small sized and could not fight against the soldiers. He very quickly found himself in a position where even struggling was impossible.

“Chief Ambassador. There was no need to do this!” The housekeeper said to Zhuge Jin.

“These people are all here for me. This is my responsibility. I will not implicate others. Come! The one you all want to take away is me. I will not resist!” Zhuge Jin said.

“Good! It is good since you, Zhuge Jin, is here! Men!” The armored general nodded.

“Yes!”

“Announcing an edict!”1

“Is Jiangdong Zhuge Jin present? Quickly kneel down to receive the edict!” One of the soldiers shouted loudly.

“Receive an edict?” Zhuge Jin was shocked but quickly knelt down as well, feeling like a fish on a chopping board.

“Jiangdong’s Chief Ambassador Zhuge Jin is talented. Jiangdong’s affairs were handled smoothly under his management. This is a waste of his talents. Therefore, Zhuge Jin shall be transferred to the Ministry of Appointments in Yangzhou to work as an assistant minister!” The soldier read Liu Mang’s decree aloud.

“They are not killing our Chief Ambassador?” Wu Shun was stunned. He thought that His Highness the King of Shu was angered by Zhuge Jin and wanted to execute Zhuge Jin. Instead, Zhuge Jin was given a post.

“Uncle Chen. What kind of place is the Ministry of Appointments?” Wu Shun asked the old housekeeper.

“The Ministry of Appointments? It is a place that manages officials.”

“Is the position of assistant minister at the Ministry of Appointments as important as being the Chief Ambassador of Jiangdong?”

The housekeeper did not know whether to laugh or cry. How could these two positions be compared? The Chief Ambassador of Jiangdong is a local official position. The Ministry of Appointments was a central official position. The Ministry of Appointments had the authority to fire the Chief Ambassador of Jiangdong in the event that the Chief Ambassador was underperforming. It was to the extent that if the assistant minister of the Ministry of Appointments don’t like him, the Chief Ambassador can forget about ever getting promoted.

“What about compared to Young Master Liang?” Wu Shun asked again. This question was more reasonable and the old housekeeper had also met Zhuge Liang before.

“Compared to High Official Zhuge, this position is lower by half a rank!” The Ministry of Appointments was in a higher position compared to the Ministry of Justice. However, Zhuge Liang was the head of the Ministry of Justice while Zhuge Jin was only the assistant minister at the Ministry of Appointments. So, Zhuge Jin’s rank was lower.

“What’s wrong? Does Master Zhuge intend to defy this decree?” The armored general asked sullenly as he looked at the kneeling Zhuge Jin. A sneer was on his face.

“I…?” Zhuge Jin’s head was completely blank. He was unable to think of anything or react at all.

“Master! Master! Receive the edict!” Wu Shun shouted, finally snapping Zhuge Jin out of his stupor.

“General. Would you be willing to inform me as to why His Highness wants me to be an assistant minister at the Ministry of Appointments?” Zhuge Jin could not understand as this was not a small position.

“This is because he thinks highly of your talent!” The armored general replied.

“Talent?” Zhuge Jin had some confidence in his own talent. But why would His Highness the King of Shu know of it? Zhuge Jin barely had any reputation.

“This is because there is a huge talent that came from Master Zhuge Jin’s guidance.” The armored general replied.

“A great talent? Is it Liang?” Zhuge Jin immediately knew who this great talent was referring to and could only smile bitterly. The armored general did not give a reply but his expression seemed to give his confirmation.

Zhuge Jin could not help but say bitterly. “How can this brother instruct him? Though he is my little brother, he is more talented than me. I am a failure as a brother!”

“You are thinking too much! He says that Master Zhuge Jin’s talent is in governing while his is in scheming. They are both incomparable! When it comes to scheming, you are inferior to him. But when it comes to governing, he would not even reach your feet even after a hundred years!” The armored general said to Zhuge Jin.

“Governing? Scheming?” Zhuge Jin slowly thought about it and agreed. Zhuge Jin conducted himself prudently like his name would suggest2. He follows a straight and logical way of life. His talents lie in governing which is how he managed to take over Zhang Zhao’s position. Both big and small issues won’t pose much trouble for Zhuge Jin.

On the other hand, Zhuge Liang had many ideas since he was a child. He was the kind of person who does things differently. So, Zhuge Jin would not be able to beat Zhuge Liang in scheming. On the other hand, Zhuge Liang can’t govern at all.

“Liang!” Zhuge Jin’s eyes twinkled.

“Sir. Are you still not going to accept the edict?” The armored general asked again.

“This one still has a question!” Zhuge Jin said.

“There is no harm in asking.” The armored general laughed.

“Yesterday, I rejected His Highness’ visit. Is he not angry? Why does he still want me in a high position?” Zhuge Jin thought that this was strange. He already offended the King of Shu. Yet the King of Shu did not give him trouble but instead gave him an important position.

“Who said His Highness the King of Shu is not angry?” The armored general said. “Do you know what we came here for?”

“Do declare His Highness’ edict?”

“You are half right. One more thing is…” The soldier approached to whisper into Zhuge Jin’s ear. Zhuge Jin’s eyes grew wide with fear.

“Do you understand?” The armored general laughed.

“Zhuge Jin accepts the edict.” Zhuge Jin knelt down and accepted the edict.

____

A reward kind of edict.

Same “jin” from prudent.