Chapter Eight: The Dispute

Zhuge Liang gazed at the peculiarly designed eatery before him, a hint of puzzlement stirring in his heart. He had tended to the fields on Wolong Ridge for ten years, and it could be said that he knew all there was around the area. Yet, when had such a restaurant appeared nearby? Moreover, compared to other dining establishments in the Han Empire, this one was not exactly identical—at best, it was vastly different.

As Zhuge Liang examined the rural inn, the cosplay trio emerged from within. The Peach Garden trio and the cosplay trio met at the doorway of the eatery. Almost simultaneously, both parties looked at each other. Upon seeing the other's costumes, both sides were momentarily stunned.

“Hiss, Old Wang, I didn’t expect to run into others cosplaying Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei like us. But their gear is far superior—long swords, horses, and even Zhuge Liang himself. Compared to them, we’re so shabby, just some clothes and face paint—it feels like a fake meeting the genuine article,” whispered the cosplay “Guan Yu” quietly to the “Liu Bei.”

The Peach Garden trio, staring at these three whose attire and complexion were strikingly similar to their own, were equally bewildered. A strange silence fell before the inn’s entrance.

After a brief stalemate, neither group spoke; they each made way and parted. As Liu Bei and his party entered the eatery, Zhang Fei immediately shouted loudly, “Innkeeper! Innkeeper! We’re back again—bring out the food quickly to treat us!”

In the kitchen, Zhang Bo heard the voice and instantly knew who had come. Daring to dine and dash and then return for more—such audacity! Filled with anger, Zhang Bo grabbed a kitchen cleaver and rushed into the courtyard. But upon arriving, he realized his rage had clouded his judgment; even with the cleaver, it was useless. With Guan Yu and Zhang Fei’s physiques, one punch might bring him to his knees begging for mercy.

To Zhang Bo’s surprise, not only had the Peach Garden trio returned today, but there was an additional person dressed clearly as Zhuge Liang. He had to admit, this Zhuge Liang was incredibly convincing—fanning softly, donning the scholar’s kerchief, exuding a refined and amiable demeanor that made Zhang Bo instantly recognize his identity. However, no matter how convincing, looking like Zhuge Liang didn’t grant the right to freeload.

Seeing Zhang Bo brandishing the cleaver with an angry look, Liu Bei was puzzled. “Innkeeper, what has happened to cause such fury?”

Why wouldn’t I be angry? Don’t you have some awareness yourself? Yet, understanding the wisdom of a timely retreat, Zhang Bo suppressed his anger and said through gritted teeth, “Brother, do you know what kind of money you paid me?”

Liu Bei was momentarily stunned, not understanding the innkeeper’s meaning. “Innkeeper, wasn’t it five zhu coins?”

Still pretending ignorance. “Five zhu coins? How could it be five zhu coins? Do you know the true value of a five zhu coin?”

Well... a five zhu coin is worth one five zhu coin, isn’t it? Seeing Liu Bei fall silent, Zhang Bo added, “If you don’t believe me, I’ll bring out the coins and confront you.”

With that, Zhang Bo returned indoors to fetch the coins. Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and the others exchanged glances, baffled.

“Brother, this must be a crooked shop trying to swindle us. The money we paid last time was genuine five zhu coins, not those shoddy counterfeit coins minted by that Dong Zhuo.”

“Third brother, don’t blurt out nonsense. Though the coins were genuine, if the innkeeper insists, perhaps there’s reason behind it. If he says so, then we pay,” Liu Bei said, and Zhang Fei reluctantly agreed.

Just as the four sat around the stone table in the courtyard, a child’s head poked through the entrance. It was Liu Ju. But unlike previous times when he came alone, he was now accompanied by the Han Empire’s champion, Hou Qubing.

Accompanying Liu Ju into the courtyard, Hou Qubing naturally noticed Liu Bei and his group seated at the stone table. His primary focus was on Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. At the same time, the four from the Eastern Han also turned their gaze to Liu Ju and his party entering the eatery.

“Greetings, three uncles, and Master Kongming,” Liu Ju bowed respectfully to the four seated in the courtyard.

Hou Qubing stood behind Liu Ju, frowning with displeasure. These men were audacious indeed, allowing the Crown Prince to address them as uncles.

He stepped forward and blocked Liu Ju’s path. “Who are you?”

Liu Bei, upon seeing Hou Qubing, immediately sensed the man’s extraordinary bearing and heroic presence. His intuition told him this was no ordinary person. If he could recruit him, their chances to restore the Han dynasty would greatly improve.

“I am Liu Bei, the descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan Liu Sheng, and the great-grandson of Emperor Xiaojing. These two are my second brother Guan Yu and third brother Zhang Fei. May I ask your honorable name?” Liu Bei stood and bowed to Hou Qubing.

Hou Qubing, hearing this self-introduction, was skeptical. He knew of Liu Sheng, the King of Zhongshan and elder brother to the current emperor, a man fond of wine and women with over a hundred descendants. But Liu Sheng was the King of Zhongshan, not Prince Jing of Zhongshan as claimed. Moreover, judging by the man’s age, he was nearly as old as Liu Sheng himself. To say he was Liu Sheng’s descendant was nonsense.

“Absurd! Do you know how long ago Prince Jing of Zhongshan lived, yet you dare claim to be his descendant here?”

Liu Bei was momentarily speechless. Prince Jing of Zhongshan had passed away centuries ago; how could there be an age to speak of? And why did someone question his lineage now?

“Sir, I am indeed the seventeenth-generation descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan Liu Sheng, with a family genealogy to prove it.”

Seventeenth generation? That means this is three hundred years after the Han dynasty. Yet, he and the Crown Prince had only traversed a gap in the palace wall for a short while—how could they be three centuries ahead?

“Your Highness, could it be that the three-century claim comes from these people?” Hou Qubing’s words struck the group from the Eastern Han like thunder, leaving them incredulous. They all knew that the current Han emperor Liu Xie had no crown prince yet.

Zhuge Liang’s gaze shifted between Hou Qubing and Liu Ju. After a moment of silence, he posed a question.

“Sir, may I ask what the current era name is?”