Rather Than Zhang Ran, Zhang Bao’s Eldest Daughter

Something had gone wrong. I was acutely aware of that fact.
Regret for having allowed this little brat to ride with me came belatedly, but it was already too late.
The smiling, excited little Liu Shan leaned against my back, occasionally lifting his head to chat with me. Seeing how this looked, those around us smiled warmly and gazed at us fondly.
It wasn’t just the soldiers. Because he threw a fit every time I tried to make him get down, I ended up having to ride with Liu Shan all the way until we entered Gong’an. The people of Gong’an who had come out to watch Liu Shan’s return cheered every time Liu Shan and I conversed.
It’s dizzying to think how Liu Shan and I must appear in their eyes.
I’m reminded of Zhou Yu’s words from the past. That as long as I stayed on Liu Bei’s side, I would always be tested.
The strengthening of relations through the in-law connection between Liu Bei and Zhang Fei is certain. Though there’s Yingying, it’s undeniable that the eldest daughter looks better. In the end, there will be various talks about me.
So I shouldn’t give them such an excuse. This was also why I had said I would follow separately from Zhao Yun.
‘Let’s not think too negatively. The more attention I get, the more my achievements will be noticed.’
At least the fact that I rescued Liu Shan, which might have been buried under Zhao Yun’s fame, will be clearly emphasized. Though it doesn’t really matter much since the righteous and good-natured Zhao Yun wouldn’t steal someone else’s credit, but it’s better than nothing.
Finding some small comfort in that thought, I was about to enter the official residence when another headache-inducing situation occurred.
“I want to go too!”
We needed to go to Zhuge Liang for the report, but Liu Shan was causing trouble again.
No, why is someone who listened to his ministers so well in the original history acting like this? It makes me wonder if it wasn’t his nature but rather the result of brainwashing education.
Of course, Zhao Yun and I tried to stop Liu Shan somehow, but it was futile. A child’s stubbornness is not easily broken, and we didn’t have the authority of parents to force him.
And so, the scene before us was created.
The civil officials gathered in the large space prepared for meetings in the official residence, and us standing in the center, receiving their gazes.
Surprisingly, Zhuge Liang was not at the highest rank. Liu Bei’s seat at the head was empty, but the people sitting on either side of the top seat were not Zhuge Liang but others.
I carefully recall Zhang Ran’s memories of who they might be. Mi Zhu and Shen Jian. Familiar names that seem somewhat out of place being above Zhuge Liang.
‘They’re certainly being treated as meritorious subjects.’
Of course, the real power was Zhuge Liang, but it’s not bad that they’re at least given this much respect. Mi Zhu, who held the highest position among those gathered, opened the conversation.
“But why has the young master come along? He must have been very frightened, shouldn’t he have been allowed to rest comfortably?”
“Well…”
Zhao Yun, uncharacteristically, dragged out his words while glancing at me. True to the historical records of his benevolent nature, he seemed concerned that I might be uncomfortable.
Tsk. While I felt uncomfortable that Zhao Yun was hesitating because of me, what bothered me more was the presence of Liu Shan, who was clutching my clothes tightly and trying to hide behind my back.
“It seems that because I rescued the young Liu master, he doesn’t want to be separated from me. As he still seemed uneasy alone, I accompanied him.”
“Is that so?”
Mi Zhu nodded without further questions, as if recognizing me. For him, this was just opening the conversation; the real power was elsewhere.
“But we can’t leave the young master like this. We’ve prepared separate maids, so young master, please return and rest now.”
Zhuge Liang, that was him.
Liu Shan buried his face in my clothes as if thinking that hiding just his head was enough, like a pheasant. However, when silence continued, Liu Shan dejectedly let go of my clothes and took the hand of the maid Zhuge Liang had called.
He’s already got a firm grip on Liu Shan. Zhuge Liang’s charisma was different from Liu Bei’s gentle charisma – it was hard and dry, but it had the same effect of making others move according to his will.
And so Liu Shan left the meeting hall, turning back to look every step with eyes dripping with lingering attachment.
While wondering if I had been too cold-hearted, I realized how precocious the 5-year-old Liu Shan was, leaving bravely without crying.
Our Yingying was like that too. Children who can think of others first at such a young age. An era where children have no choice but to grow up quickly. It was a dark aspect of the chaotic times.
After Liu Shan left, Zhuge Liang’s next target was me.
“I asked for cooperation from General Zhengliao as well, but I received an answer that he had already made a move. I didn’t expect he would send his daughter directly… Would you tell us how you knew about Lady Sun’s actions in advance and moved accordingly?”
I couldn’t read anything from Zhuge Liang’s gaze as he looked at me, holding his feather fan.
Hiding his emotions in calmness, concealing his expression in composure – how exactly was he viewing me?
Suspicion? Goodwill? Or disdain?
If asked to choose the person I like most in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, I would hesitate but ultimately choose Zhuge Liang. However, right now, he felt more difficult and distant to me than anyone else.
“Half was intuition, and half was speculation.”
“Oh?”
“Some of you might remember the bet that transpired between Lady Sun and me in the past.”
“You mean when you earned the name Little Immortal Maiden.”
Ugh. Hearing the words “Little Immortal Maiden” from Zhuge Liang’s mouth really makes it hard to maintain my composure. It’s somehow both cringeworthy and impressive, given that it’s coming from the renowned Zhuge Liang.
I continued speaking while trying my best to maintain my expression.
“The price I initially demanded from Lady Sun was to send back her maids. But as you all know, Lady Sun refused that. From that moment on, I began to keep an eye on Lady Sun’s movements.”
“Kept an eye, you say.”
“Lady Sun assigned a maid named Chokupak to me with the intention of monitoring me. But observing someone also means that person comes to know you as well.”
Using Nietzsche’s famous quote elicited sighs from various corners.
Those gathered here are civil officials who hold some sway under Liu Bei. They have the talent to understand the gist even when things are explained poorly.
So when given words with truly profound meaning, how much more would they read into them? I could feel the nature of the gazes directed at me changing.
“A counter-espionage plan? But Lady Sun wouldn’t have fallen for it so easily.”
“That’s why I said it was half intuition.”
In truth, I received no information from Chokupak. I knew the outcome, and what I’m saying now is nothing more than fabricating the process of reaching that conclusion.
“I knew that Lady Sun would show her true colors someday. Then, when I received word from Fan Zhun that the atmosphere in Gong’an was ominous, I intuitively felt that this was the moment.”
At my words, Shen Jian, sitting opposite Mi Zhu, spoke:
“I saw it too. The letter you sent to Fan Zhun, that is.”
I glanced briefly towards Fan Zhun, who was looking embarrassed and avoiding my gaze. I’ll deal with him later; for now, I focus on the meeting.
With the endorsement of the elder Shen Jian, the discussion continued smoothly afterward. Either way, safely bringing Liu Shan back was undeniably my sole achievement.
My status was too strong to be suspected of collusion with Lady Sun or to have my merit stolen by some petty scheme.
The eldest daughter of Zhang Fei, who had been with Liu Bei longer than anyone along with Shen Jian, and whose merits were so great it would be tiresome to explain. Truly a claim of pure bloodline.
Naturally, the verification of the incident was concluded with the testimonies of Zhao Yun and myself, and they immediately moved on to discussing rewards.
“But Miss Zhang doesn’t hold an official position, so how should we view this?”
When one counselor raised this question, Fan Zhun stepped forward before anyone else.
“Although Miss Zhang hasn’t been appointed to an official position, she has clearly served in the army before. Moreover, since General Zhengliao himself said he gave permission, this should rightfully be considered a military achievement.”
The difference between whether it’s considered a military achievement or the work of volunteer soldiers is significant.
Of course, given that she rescued Liu Shan, the heir apparent candidate, she would receive considerable compensation even as a volunteer soldier, but not as much as for a military achievement.
Fan Zhun, who was friendly with me, openly stood up to support me, but there was no opposition. They might be concerned about my backing, General Zhengliao Zhang Fei, but Fan Zhun’s words weren’t wrong either.
Zhuge Liang also nodded in agreement without saying much and asked:
“It was Zhang Ran who predicted and responded to the situation, but it was General Zhengliao who authorized it, so it’s right to view it as a military achievement. However, we can’t casually appoint official positions while our lord is away, so we’ll submit a recommendation to our lord and discuss rewards afterward.”
As Zhuge Liang was about to conclude the matter, I spoke up, not missing the opportunity:
“Military Advisor General, may I say something?”
“Of course.”
“Could I go as the messenger to deliver the recommendation to our lord?”
“The road to Shu is treacherous. Not only is the journey dangerous, but the rebellion hasn’t been completely suppressed yet, so an attack could come at any time.”
“That’s precisely why I would be a suitable choice. I’m not so weak that I can’t protect myself, and I can report the details of this incident to our lord more thoroughly than anyone else.”

“Hmm, what do others think about this?”
Instead of expressing his own opinion, Zhuge Liang asked for others’ views. Zhuge Liang wasn’t yet the paramount Prime Minister above all others. He probably wanted to avoid the impression of handling everything alone arbitrarily.
And there was no need for that. There were plenty of capable talents here.
Shen Jian, the master of diplomacy; Mi Zhu, who could handle any task properly; Fan Zhun, who had newly joined and proven his abilities; and Zhao Yun, a fierce general with wise insight.
But this time, I had no certainty that they were on my side. They care for me as much as they would try to dissuade me from going to a dangerous place. Zhao Yun did just that.
“There are soldiers you brought who witnessed the situation, so we can select from among them. If we reward them for their efforts later, there will be volunteers.”
As I was choosing my words carefully on how to refute this, Fan Zhun spoke again.
Contrary to my expectation that it would be supporting fire for Zhao Yun, a statement that overturned my prediction came from Fan Zhun’s mouth.
“I agree.”
“Fan Counselor?”
Shen Jian called out to him in surprise. If asked to pick the person I’m closest to here, it would undoubtedly be Fan Zhun.
We had built a friendship by regularly exchanging letters for a year, and this incident was successful thanks to Fan Zhun.
“Following the wishes of the one who has earned merit is also a matter of principle. What reason is there to refuse when she’s not asking for special treatment but willing to undertake hardship? I hope everyone will recognize Miss Zhang’s loyalty.”
He might have respected me more than I thought. Knowing that I desired to enter Shu, he was trying to help me do so, following my wishes even though he was worried about how dangerous it was.
“Fan Counselor’s words are right. She’s not asking for a greater reward, so why oppose someone willing to take the initiative? I agree as well.”
With Shen Jian agreeing and Mi Zhu maintaining neutrality through silence, the balance tipped decisively in my favor.
If Zhuge Liang made up his mind, he could overturn any balance, but there was no merit in that choice.
“If that is everyone’s opinion, I will follow it as well. Let’s send Zhang Ran to deliver the recommendation to our lord. One counselor should accompany her, who will go?”
“I will…”
“Now, now. You have so much work to do here, what are you saying? Military Advisor, I will recommend a suitable person.”
Shen Jian cut off Fan Zhun’s words and quickly wrapped up the discussion.
“I understand. Then let’s conclude this meeting.”
Finally, my entry into Shu was decided.