Mythical Three Kingdoms

”This structure...” after Yueying Huang’s mind had disassembled the Qin Crossbow, it was reassembled, and then many parts were replaced, ”it seems if I want to go further, I’ll need to dismantle the actual item.”

The Qu Family had expended a great deal of manpower and resources to replicate the Qin Crossbow, yet Yueying Huang was able to mostly understand it with a single glance. Such an event, if known to others who understood mechanics, would surely astonish them beyond belief.

Though there were still some aspects of the crossbow Yueying Huang did not fully grasp with that single glance, being able to replicate it just from the appearance alone was terrifying enough. This kind of ability was not merely a simple understanding of mechanics, but rather a kind of sublimation that could only arise thereafter.

Following Zhuge Liang, Yueying Huang passed by numerous siege and defense equipment within the military camp, many of which were quite exquisite. There were also some she had never seen before, but with Yueying Huang’s insight and wisdom, she quickly understood their purposes.

”People say Mount Tai is prosperous, and indeed, one can only understand what that prosperity is like after seeing it in person,” said Huang Chengyan as he followed Zhuge Liang on their way, suddenly speaking out as they neared the Central Army Tent.

Jiangh Wan looked puzzled at Huang Chengyan, wondering why he suddenly brought up Mount Tai. They hadn’t gone to Mount Tai; on what basis had Huang Chengyan come to this conclusion? Just from what they had seen and heard in this military camp?

”Uncle, after you visit Mount Tai, you’ll understand even better that within the military camp, one only glimpses a part to see the whole,” Zhuge Liang wasn’t particularly surprised. He had read many books that taught how to deduce the overall picture from a minimal amount of information, so Huang Chengyan’s observation did not startle him much.

”I’m afraid I have underestimated Chen Zichuan before. This is no longer simply about comfort of daily living; you have already started to extend in other directions. I really don’t know how he does it,” remarked Huang Chengyan, visibly impressed.

Huang Chengyan’s ability could be described as ”discerning the profound through the minute,” but this ability could only be used to analyze situations or conduct research, and not to grasp people, given the fickle nature of the human heart. Even Fa Zheng’s Spiritual Talent, which was designed to deal with the human heart, couldn’t ensure total comprehension of it.

”Yueying and I won’t go in. You can just arrange accommodations for Yueying and me, the camp is no place for a woman to stay. We’ll head back this afternoon,” Huang Chengyan sighed as he spoke.

Originally, Huang Chengyan thought that with his ability, he could provide some guidance to Chen Xi and establish a good relationship. But upon arrival, he realized that even with his Spiritual Talent meant for pinpointing flaws, without a deep understanding of Mount Tai’s situation the best he could offer were minor remarks that weren’t matters of life and death.

Since that was the case, they might as well meet next time. Huang Chengyan planned to thoroughly understand what lay under Liu Bei’s rule before discussing Mount Tai’s situation further. The Huang Family wanted enduring peace and security and, in addition to necessary familial teachings, in Huang Chengyan’s view, they also needed a pillar of support and to demonstrate their indispensability to the Monarch.

The prosperity of Mount Tai, combined with Liu Bei’s tolerance towards traditional families that abided by the rules, Huang Chengyan felt that this might very well be an opportunity for the Huang Family.

”Alright then,” Zhuge Liang pondered for a moment, aware that now was not the time for romantic dalliances. Although he did wish to interact more with Yueying Huang, he couldn’t be as shamelessly persistent as Fa Zheng and Chen Xi.

”Gan Lan, see my uncle to the Rear Camp to rest, and prepare the carriage as well,” Zhuge Liang turned and instructed Gan Lan, helplessly - since the Tiger Guard that normally protected Chen Xi were sent to Linyi, fearing Yuan Shao might play his cards unexpectedly, Gan Ning had now taken over the task of protecting Chen Xi.

”My lord, may I take a look at your logistics?” Just as Gan Lan was preparing to escort Huang Chengyan and his daughter away, Huang Yueying suddenly turned around and asked.

”Here, take this,” Zhuge Liang hesitated for a moment and then handed his jade plaque to Huang Yueying, ”With this, most places in the rear camp will let you through. Gan Lan, I’ll leave the rest to you.”

In truth, Zhuge Liang’s Secretary-General Jade Plaque was enough to allow Huang Yueying free rein throughout the entire camp. Although Zhuge Liang’s official position wasn’t too high, he truly wielded significant power. However, he also knew that he couldn’t let Huang Yueying do as she pleased, so he instructed Gan Lan to keep an eye on her.

”Thank you, my husband…” Huang Yueying took the jade plaque, replied to Zhuge Liang in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz, then quickly left. The matchmaker had already sent word, the betrothal gifts had been received, and just going by the process, she had moved ahead of Fa Zheng. Who knows whether the supplementary betrothal gifts had even reached Liangzhou.

As Zhuge Liang stood with an expressionless face and a secretly delighted heart, there was suddenly a loud crash behind him. Fa Zheng had tumbled directly onto the floor, dragging down the felt tent’s door curtain with him.

”Cough cough cough, congratulations, Kongming,” Fa Zheng got up nonchalantly and congratulated Zhuge Liang. This guy had thought of sneaking a peek as soon as he heard that Zhuge Liang’s wife was very beautiful.

Zhuge Liang shook his head slightly and watched as Huang Chengyan and Huang Yueying left. He had become accustomed to Fa Zheng’s antics by now. Although the man could be quite stubborn, he never seemed to harbor any ulterior motives towards him.

”Stop staring. Your soul’s been hooked away, and they’ve already left. Besides, isn’t that your wife? You can look as much as you want when you get home,” Fa Zheng said flippantly, waving his hand in front of Zhuge Liang.

”Let’s talk about that after this battle is over,” Zhuge Liang glanced at Fa Zheng and said.

”You, are you even human? I always feel like you’re missing a sense of humanity,” Fa Zheng rolled his eyes and then leaned towards Jian Yong, ”Xianhe, you’re back, huh? Without you in the Political Office, with only Zhuge Kongming there, it has been completely overtaken by a workaholic.”

”Don’t talk as if I’m as lazy as Zichuan and you. You should know that I’ve also been very busy, constantly traveling here and there. I haven’t stopped over these years. Now, I’ve learned to speak more than a dozen local dialects. I’ve found that I can even communicate with the Qiang Hu barbarians,” Jian Yong boasted somewhat proudly.

Speaking of linguistic talent, even Mount Tai couldn’t compare with Jian Yong. This man had now learned more than a dozen local dialects and three or four barbarian languages. Of course, he also knew Xianbei and Wuhuan languages, and the only issue was a matter of proficiency. This guy had a real talent for diplomacy.

”How do you learn them? It feels like every time you return from a trip, you’ve picked up a local dialect. By the way, what local language did you learn in Jingzhou this time?” Fa Zheng asked helplessly, unable to deny this talent.

”I’ve learned the language of the Wu Creek Barbarians. Following the tasks previously allocated by Zichuan, I’m now tracing the roots of all these languages and working on developing a unified language. I’ve had Weishuo help me gather quite a few people, and it seems we’re finally making some progress,” Jian Yong said with a sigh.

(To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian ) to vote and give monthly passes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)