Chapter 5: The Science Lieutenant

After dressing and washing up, Zhao Shaojie was led by a maid into the hall, where he dined with Liu Bei’s family. To his frustration, the meal was far inferior to the feast he had enjoyed alone the day before. Fortunately, Liu Bei did not take offense.

Everyone ate quietly. Zhao Shaojie, while silently grumbling, cast his eyes around—not at Liu Ming, but at the famed warrior Liu A Dou, clad in a diaper and standing a full head taller than Zhao Yun.

He also harbored a question: how much of the ancient tales about emperors’ miraculous births were true?

Did Lady Gan really dream of the Big Dipper that night?

After the meal, Liu Bei rose and said, “Shaojie, come with me to the government office.”

Zhao Shaojie agreed.

Once they left the rear residence, Liu Bei dismissed Wei Yan and the others, then asked calmly, “What do you make of A Dou?”

Zhao Shaojie guessed Liu Bei’s inquiry stemmed from his own recent conduct, so he replied casually, “A Dou’s reputation is rather moderate. In times of peace, he might be a benevolent ruler, but in chaos, he struggles to accomplish much. He doesn’t cause trouble, but he doesn’t excel either. Without capable subordinates, it’s difficult to manage him…”

Liu Bei sighed.

Zhao Shaojie blinked and cautiously asked, “Lord Liu, when Lady Gan gave birth to A Dou, did she truly dream of the Big Dipper?”

Liu Bei was taken aback, answering earnestly, “No. Such stories are merely propaganda to rally the people.”

“Lord Liu has indeed wasted too much time in Jingzhou…” Zhao Shaojie sighed as well. After a long while, unrest naturally grows among the people, and some means are needed to inspire hope and affirm that destiny still favors you. Then, smiling, he said, “In recent years, you could have marched east across the Yangtze, taken Wo State and Korea as a springboard, then launched expeditions to the Americas and conquered Europe. With such vast armies under your command, you could have restored the Han dynasty!”

Liu Bei listened, bewildered, but said nothing, shaking his head. “What are your talents, Shaojie?”

“I?” Zhao Shaojie wasn’t eager to work for others, so he answered casually, “No rush now. Once you secure your territory, just make me director of the Imperial Academy of Sciences.”

Liu Bei hesitated but nodded.

At the government office hall, Zhao Shaojie knelt among the others, peeking at the people around him.

Soon, he spotted a tall, handsome man whom he guessed to be Zhuge Kongming from Shandong.

Zhuge Kongming noticed him too and smiled gently.

Zhao Shaojie nodded solemnly. If not for the setting, he would have liked to say, “Zhuge village scholar, you you you!”

As more people arrived, Liu Bei cleared his throat and addressed the assembly: “Where is Zhao Shaojie?”

Hearing his name, Zhao Shaojie quickly raised his hand: “Here!”

All eyes turned to him.

Liu Bei looked a bit flustered but maintained a serious tone: “Shaojie is the son of an old acquaintance. Just days ago, he barely escaped death traveling from the north, bringing vital news.”

“Cao Cao is amassing provisions and weaponry, preparing to seize Jingzhou in a single strike. The attack will come next year.”

“For such a hero and such a great achievement, we must appoint him. I hereby name Zhao Shaojie Science Colonel, in charge of all scientific affairs!”

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

“So that’s why the lord is so wary—Cao Cao is truly marching south!”

“No wonder this man bears the marks of punishment—he must have been caught by that Cao thief!”

“Science Colonel? What does that even mean?”

Amid the chatter, Zhao Shaojie was bewildered. Science and colonel together sounded utterly incongruous. But faced with so many eyes, he could not refuse. He stood and bowed: “I thank my lord!”

Suddenly, the crowd fell silent and looked at him intently.

Zhao Shaojie straightened, noticing some disdain in their gazes.

Though puzzled, he sat back down, noting Liu Bei’s expression was also somewhat strange.

Finally, someone could not help but ask, “Colonel Zhao, why do you call Lord Liu ‘my lord’?”

Zhao Shaojie blinked. Didn’t everyone address him that way? The histories did so, though he didn’t know why. He answered, “The lord bestowed me this rank, so naturally I must call him ‘my lord.’ In these chaotic times, everyone chooses their lord. Since I serve Lord Liu, should I not address him as such?”

His words silenced the room.

Many showed looks of shame.

Though Liu Bei was famous and charismatic, he ruled only a small county of Xinye, while Cao Cao controlled most of the realm. His prospects seemed bleak.

Many had already considered defecting.

Yet today, a refugee who had barely escaped death from the north openly declared loyalty to Liu Bei—what a rare spirit and honor!

In an instant, those who had thought Zhao Shaojie a sycophant now revealed respect.

Zhuge Liang was first to sigh: “Shaojie is a true hero!” Then, turning to Liu Bei, he respectfully said, “My lord has such a man; surely the Han restoration is within reach!”

Others quickly echoed their praise.

Liu Bei had not anticipated that Zhao Shaojie would coin such a flattering title for him and bolster his reputation. Though inwardly pleased, he maintained a solemn face: “If we unite our efforts, we will surely revive the Han!”

“Everyone else may leave. Kongming, Shaojie, stay.”

The crowd responded: “Yes!”

The others departed.

Liu Bei waved his hand: “Shaojie, Kongming, come closer.”

The two sat before Liu Bei. Zhao Shaojie commented casually, “Looks like we need to invent chairs and tables first. I can’t kneel like this—it’s unbearable!” He spread his legs and sat informally.

Zhuge Liang, just settling into a kneeling posture, glanced at Liu Bei, noticing Zhao Shaojie’s casual demeanor.

Liu Bei showed no expression.

Zhuge Liang laughed: “So Shaojie is like Xianhe, a clever fellow. My lord is truly magnanimous.”

Zhao Shaojie grew interested. Though he disliked working for others, now that he held office, he wanted to act the part. He recalled that in Three Kingdoms games, his first move was always to recruit talents.

“My lord, Kongming, our army lacks capable men; we must recruit. At present, Gan Ning’s son, Gan Xingba, remains under Huang Zu’s command but is not loyal. We should send someone to invite him.”

“Also, there is a young boy surnamed Deng in Xinye. Though he stutters, he shows the makings of a great general. My lord should dispatch someone to find him quickly. By the way, he lost his father early and lives with his mother.”

Zhao Shaojie wished he had a feather fan to pose as a sage, but lacking any props, he thought momentarily. “And… well…”

Zhuge Liang was perplexed.

Liu Bei, however, was unfazed and watched Zhao Shaojie with keen interest.

After a moment’s thought, Zhao Shaojie shook his head: “Sorry, most of the others are minor players. I don’t pay much attention to them and can’t recall their names now. For now, let’s recruit these two.”