58: What's the straightest thing in Chengdu?

Although it was just past nine o'clock, the area outside the red walls of the Wuhou Shrine was already packed with people.

After all, this is a cultural landmark in Chengdu, and if you arrived late, you probably wouldn't even have room to stand.

Jiang Yuan had booked his ticket in advance on his phone and scanned his ID card for instant entry, saving him the hassle of queuing.

Upon entering the main gate, ancient cypress trees stood dense and tall, and a profound sense of history immediately washed over him.

The first sight was two tall stone steles, standing on the left and right.

The one on the left was a Ming Stele, and the one on the right was a Tang Stele.

Jiang Yuan leaned in to look. Although the inscriptions on the steles had been eroded by wind and rain, the calligraphy remained vigorous and powerful, silently recounting the dramatic changes of a thousand years ago.

Passing through the first courtyard, he entered the Second Gate.

In this long corridor, the number of tourists clearly increased. Everyone slowed their pace in unison, stopping to gaze at the famous essay carved into the wall—the *Chu Shi Biao*.

The calligraphy on the wall was dynamic and flowing, imbued with a mix of sorrow and passion.

"The Late Emperor had not yet completed his great enterprise when he passed away..."

"I was originally a commoner, tilling the fields in Nanyang, merely seeking to survive in troubled times, not aspiring to fame among the feudal lords."

The sound of tourists softly reciting the text reached his ears.

Jiang Yuan stood beneath the wall, silently reciting these lines, and couldn't help but picture the figure of the old man writing this final memorial with tears in the dim light.

Six Expeditions from Mount Qi. Knowing that something was impossible yet still attempting it—that was the most poignant aspect of Marquis Wu Zhuge.

Further inside was the Corridor of Civil and Military Officials.

Civil officials were on the left, and military generals were on the right.

Jiang Yuan walked slowly, looking at the familiar statues: Zhao Yun, the Silver Spear and White Horse; Ma Chao the Splendid; the veteran general Huang Zhong... Each vivid name had now transformed into a silent statue, guarding their sovereign.

Passing through the corridor, he reached the Han Zhaolie Temple.

Above the main entrance hung the magnificent plaque inscribed with "Ye Shao Gao Guang" (Successor to Lofty Virtue), grand and imposing.

In the center of the Main Hall, Liu Bei's golden statue sat upon a high platform, with the memorial tablet inscribed "Liu Bei, Emperor Zhaolie of Han" standing before it. Although he didn't appear tearful as in the historical novel, his expression genuinely conveyed kindness and benevolence.

The two side halls, east and west, housed his left and right-hand men.

The Guan Yu Hall on the east side bore the plaque "Yi Bo Yun Tian" (Righteousness Reaches the Sky), and the Green Dragon Crescent Blade shimmered with cold light; the Zhang Fei Hall on the west side bore the plaque "Cheng Guan Jin Shi" (Sincerity Pierces Stone and Metal), and the statue with the leopard head and round eyes was indeed terrifyingly mighty, as if he might roar "Zhang Yide of Yan is here!" at any moment.

After paying respects to the Former Sovereign and his Second Brother, Jiang Yuan continued walking toward the back.

Passing through a connecting hall, the view suddenly opened up.

The Wuhou Shrine itself had been reached.

This was the core of the entire scenic area, and the place with the strongest incense offerings.

The main gate was wide open, and the plaque hung high.

Jiang Yuan stepped over the high threshold and entered the Main Hall.

In the center of the hall, the statue of Zhuge Kongming held a feather fan and wore a scholar's cap, his expression composed and his gaze profound, looking ahead as if still planning the unfinished Northern Expeditions.

This was the classic image of the "Eternal Wise Prime Minister," instantly bringing the scene to life.

The offering table was covered with fresh flowers and letters, but what was most noticeable and what made Jiang Yuan chuckle was the pile of colorful cards.

Sanguosha.

Some cards read "Interception," some read "Volley Attack," and others read "Zhuge Repeating Crossbow."

"This is probably the most unique way modern young people pay tribute."

Jiang Yuan smiled, bought a bundle of incense sticks from the nearby offering area, lit them, and respectfully placed them in the censer.

Wisps of blue smoke curled upwards.

Looking at Zhuge Liang on the high platform, a strange thought suddenly popped into Jiang Yuan's mind:

"Speaking of which, I am a genuine Northerner. Counting back dozens of generations, I would surely have been a citizen of Cao Wei, the target of the Prime Minister's Northern Expeditions..."

"And yet, here I am offering him incense. Does this count as 'colluding with the enemy' across a thousand years?"

The thought made him laugh.

But this did not hinder his respect for this Eternal Sage of Wisdom.

Their stances might differ, but his personal charisma was powerful enough to transcend region and time.

After paying respects to Marquis Wu, Jiang Yuan did not backtrack. Instead, he followed a small path to another famous photo spot within the Wuhou Shrine—Red Wall and Bamboo Shadows.

This was a narrow path leading to Huiling (Liu Bei's Tomb).

On both sides were winding, vermillion-red high walls, and overhead were towering, emerald green bamboo stalks that obscured the sky.

Sunlight filtered through the bamboo leaves, creating a powerful visual contrast between red and green. It was truly a perfect spot for photography.

However, Jiang Yuan didn't linger, as the place was already occupied by young women in Hanfu taking photos.

He casually took one shot of the empty scene and exited the scenic area through a side gate.

"Phew..."

Stepping out of the heavy gate, the bustling traffic outside instantly pulled him back to reality.

He took a single step from the romantic regret of Shu Han into the modern metropolis of the 21st century.

As noon approached, the sun climbed higher.

After Jiang Yuan asked for suggestions, and upon Old Chen's strong recommendation, Jiang Yuan arrived at a long-established Sichuan cuisine restaurant hidden in an alley.

The facade was small, but it was full of local flavor, and the pungent aroma of chili oil could be smelled from far away.

Jiang Yuan ordered three signature dishes: Boiled Sliced Meat in Chili Oil, Spicy Chicken, and Twice-Cooked Pork, and also asked for a basin of white rice.

"Old Chen, sit down and eat together."

Jiang Yuan handed him a pair of chopsticks, his tone brooking no argument.

"Mr. Jiang, this... this isn't according to protocol. I can just eat a boxed meal in the car."

Old Chen was slightly overwhelmed and waved his hands repeatedly.

He had driven for many big bosses, but most of the time, the driver was just a transparent person forgotten in the corner.

"Stop worrying about rules. I can't finish all these dishes by myself; it would be a waste."

Only after Jiang Yuan insisted did Old Chen cautiously sit down.

But he only dared to sit on the edge of the seat, and he only took food from the dish directly in front of him, eating with extreme restraint.

Jiang Yuan saw this but didn't say much, only occasionally using the serving chopsticks to give him a couple of pieces of meat.

This kind of easygoing demeanor couldn't be faked; it was refinement etched into his bones.

Just as they were eating, his phone vibrated.

Gu Xinyu's message popped up:

"Brother Jiang, the legal team has drafted the documents. A professional lawyer will deliver them to your residence this afternoon. When would be a good time for you to sign?"

Jiang Yuan replied with one hand:

"Tell him to call me when he arrives. I'm near Taikoo Li."

"Understood, Brother Jiang!"

Putting down his phone, Jiang Yuan quickly ate a couple more mouthfuls of rice and said to Old Chen:

"I have some personal business this afternoon, so you don't need to follow me."

"The mansion is only a few hundred meters from here. I'll just stroll back to help digest."

"It's rush hour now, so driving would actually be slower than walking."

"Understood, Mr. Jiang."

Old Chen immediately put down his chopsticks and agreed promptly.

For a professional driver, the most important thing is not driving skill, but intuition and awareness.

If the boss says he'll stroll, it means he doesn't want to be followed. No matter how amicable their relationship, Old Chen would never ask "Where are you going?"

Full and satisfied, Jiang Yuan walked alone along Chunxi Road.

Although it was broad daylight without the aid of neon lights, the sense of prosperity characteristic of an international metropolis still washed over him.

Unlike the slow-paced second or third-tier city he came from, the buildings here were densely packed, and the glass curtain walls sparkled in the sunlight.

What was even more striking were the people.

The streets were filled with fashionably dressed young people; various trendy brands, Hanfu, JK uniforms, and even Lolita Fashion coexisted harmoniously here.

Jiang Yuan walked with his hands in his pockets, watching the bustling crowd, and couldn't help but sigh internally:

It truly deserved the title of the First City of the Southwest; the city's inclusiveness was unbelievably strong.

Just as he was thinking this, a scene ahead made him pause slightly.

He saw two burly men, both six feet tall and sporting full beards, walking side-by-side down the street, their fingers tightly intertwined, looking utterly sweet.

The surrounding pedestrians hurried along, mostly looking straight ahead, as if they were already used to the sight.

Although Jiang Yuan had seen many jokes online, receiving this kind of visual shock in real life still felt a bit... jarring.

He subconsciously lowered his head, preparing to quickly walk around them.

This was Chengdu, a city you never want to leave once you arrive, and also a city that genuinely doesn't care who you love.

However, his outstanding demeanor and good looks made him a firefly in the dark in a place teeming with gay people.

Just as he walked past the pair of burly men, Jiang Yuan felt a scorching gaze stick to him.

"Handsome Guy~ Want to make a friend?"