Chapter Four: Returning to the Countryside Inn

Liu Ju understood in his heart that if the conversation between Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang was truly as the book described, then there was no doubt about it. He had traveled from the fifth year of the Yuanshou era to the twelfth year of Jian’an! No matter how much he doubted it, the events had clearly occurred.

However, now another question loomed before Liu Ju: how was he to return?

He vaguely remembered that after climbing out through a gap in the palace wall and walking a short while, he had arrived at his elder brother’s tavern. If he were to return, perhaps he needed to retrace his steps.

Seeing Liu Ju silent, Zhang Fei scratched his head, puzzled why Liu Ju showed no sign of happiness despite their thoughts aligning perfectly with that Zhuge Liang. Nevertheless, Zhang Fei had resolved that if Zhuge Liang refused to accompany them, taking Liu Ju along would be just as good. After all, he was family, and being intelligent and wise, not unlike Kongming, with youth on his side, the future was promising.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang stepped out of the thatched cottage. Judging by the expression on Liu Bei’s face, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei exchanged a glance, already guessing the outcome of this visit. It was settled.

Upon leaving the cottage, Zhuge Liang immediately spotted the displeased faces of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. Yet, he merely shook his feather fan lightly, a faint smile on his lips. After waiting for quite some time, it was only natural for them to show some irritation.

“Mr. Kongming, let me introduce you. This is my second brother, Guan Yu, styled Yunchang; my third brother, Zhang Fei, styled Yide; and this young man is Liu Ju. We met along the way and came here together,” Liu Bei said.

Zhuge Liang was familiar with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, having accompanied Liu Bei twice before. However, this child named Liu Ju... Zhuge Liang fixed his gaze on him. Upon hearing the name, Zhuge Liang immediately thought of the Prince of Li, Liu Ju, the son of Emperor Wu.

Before Liu Bei could finish, Zhang Fei eagerly interrupted, “Big Brother, guess what? Little Ju’s ideas match exactly with Mr. Kongming’s: first seize Jingzhou, then take Yizhou.”

Surprise instantly appeared on Liu Bei’s face. If those words came from Kongming, it would be no surprise, but to hear them from a boy just over ten years old—even a battle-hardened man like Liu Bei found it astonishing. Such insight from a child was extraordinary!

Standing beside Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang, already intrigued by Liu Ju’s noble bearing, found his curiosity deepen. This child was no ordinary youth.

“Little Ju, I never thought one so young could hold such views. May I ask who your teacher is? Perhaps I know him,” Zhuge Liang inquired.

An image of an elderly man appeared in Liu Ju’s mind—the Grand Tutor Shi Qing, the prince’s tutor. He shook his head and cast the thought aside. His insight owed little to the Grand Tutor but mostly to the copy of *Romance of the Three Kingdoms* he held close.

Moreover, even if he claimed Shi Qing was his mentor, everyone present would likely think him delusional. Shi Qing belonged to his father’s era—how could he appear three centuries later in the twelfth year of Jian’an?

“Uncle Xuande, my teacher is not famous; I doubt you have heard of him,” Liu Ju said.

Liu Bei noticed something unsaid in Liu Ju’s words and refrained from pressing further, though a hint of regret lingered in his heart. To offer such insight, this child must be a prodigy rivaling even Mr. Kongming.

“Lord, the day wanes; why not rest here in the cottage tonight?”

“If so, that would trouble you greatly, Mr. Kongming,” Liu Bei replied.

“Three uncles, Mr. Kongming, I must take my leave now,” Liu Ju said, ready to depart.

He had spent enough time away this trip. If he did not return to the palace soon, he feared the Grand Tutor would punish him—assuming he could return at all.

Seeing Liu Ju prepare to leave, despite his reluctance, Liu Bei instructed Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, “Second and third brothers, escort Little Ju back to the tavern.”

Liu Ju waved his hands repeatedly. “Uncle Xuande, no need. I remember the way and can return to the tavern in just half an hour.”

Seeing his resolve, Liu Bei said no more and watched Liu Ju leave.

Outside the cottage, Liu Ju hurried like the wind toward Zhang Bo’s farmhouse inn, eager to question his brother about the strange events that had just unfolded.

When Liu Ju arrived at the inn, breathless, he was stunned by what he saw. There were several new guests inside, and while their attire resembled that of the previous Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, there was something off. Although their makeup was similar, their aura and bearing paled in comparison to the genuine trio.

“Boss, I must say, your farmhouse inn is quite nice. But how come someone so young like you has returned to run the inn in the village?”

“Can’t keep up with the hustle anymore, so I came back to the countryside to lay low. At least with an acre and a bit, I won’t starve.”

“True, I’d like to lay low too, but no one lets me,” Zhang Bo, who had been joking with the new trio, noticed Liu Ju’s hurried arrival.

“Take your time, everyone. Call me if you need anything,” Zhang Bo said, then approached Liu Ju.

“Little Ju, although security is much better than a decade ago and there are cameras on the streets, you should still be careful not to wander about. If you get kidnapped, that would be terrible.”

Liu Ju didn’t understand what a ‘camera’ was, but he had urgent matters and didn’t dwell on it. After calming his excitement, he spoke.

“Brother, I didn’t wander. I went with the previous Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei to Wolong Ridge.”

Zhang Bo’s eyes widened, disbelief etched on his face. After a moment, he relaxed.

Every youth has their phase of childishness. When he was young, he’d visited the Wuzhishan Scenic Area, saw the “Monkey King” trapped under the mountain, and thought it was real—he even bought bananas to feed him. Only later did he learn it was an actor in costume.

Liu Ju’s demeanor was just the same—believing cosplay to be real.

“Come on, Wolong Ridge is seven or eight hundred miles from Lintai City. Liu Ju was out only a few minutes, at most wandering the village. What nonsense,” Zhang Bo scoffed.

Yet, on reflection, he broke out in a cold sweat.

Damn it, those three guys tricked him into a free meal, clearly not good people. But the strange thing was they hadn’t harmed Liu Ju. It made sense—if they just didn’t pay for the meal, scolding them would suffice, but kidnapping a child was a different matter entirely.

“Little Ju, you really shouldn’t run around like that. If you get kidnapped, it’ll be bad. I don’t think those people are good at all. Guess what they did? They ate without paying!”