Crouching Dragon: The Journey of Zhuge Liang sample (Act I) -- T. P. M. Thorne

-

JavaScript is off/unavailable on your browser. You will not be able to experience this website as it was intended without JavaScript enabled.

“Honestly, I meant no harm,” Pang Tong insisted. “You’ve a great future ahead of you, just like Liu Bei, Cao Cao, Kongming, and me.”
Kongming laughed boisterously.
“…You don’t think I’m right…?” Pang Tong challenged.
“I’m just wondering what ‘great’ means,” Kongming replied. “I don’t doubt we’ll have great futures… I’m just not sure whether that’s a good thing or not.”
“…Should I go to Sun Ce, with you, Shiyuan…?” Xu Shu asked of Pang Tong.
“…If you feel that’s what you should do,” Pang Tong replied. “I’ll make no choices for you, friend. You’d only hate me later, instead of yourself.”
“Then… then perhaps, Kongming, I should remain in Longzhong…?” Xu Shu prompted awkwardly.
“…Oh, I see, so I can be the one to blame for your downfall, instead,” Kongming chuckled. “No, Xu Yuanzhi… you should do what your own heart tells you to do.”
“…Xiangyang is a big place… it’s easy for a man to be noticed there,” Xu Shu decided after a long and ponderous pause. “A lot of our friends are there.”
“I almost forgot that Shi Tao is in town,” Kongming replied. “He could help you find a place to stay… don’t rule it out.”
“I agree,” Pang Tong said kindly. “I shall soon be off myself, though… to places further than Xiangyang.”
“I’ll miss you,” Kongming said with a smile.
“…I doubt that,” Pang Tong retorted mischievously. “You’ll be the closest thing to a clever man in these parts when I’m gone.”
Kongming laughed softly, and started to fan himself again.
“Him and that fan,” Pang Tong teased. “He’s already practicing to be the Chief Strategist for Liu Bei.”
“Liu Bei…?” Xu Shu wondered.
“Enough, Shiyuan,” Kongming insisted. “Say no more.”
“…Very well,” Pang Tong promised with a smirk.

The three men parted company with slight, solemn bows once they reached Longzhong. Kongming made his way through the busy, bustling streets toward the home of Huang Chengyan, dodging peddlers and traders selling everything from fish and meat to sandals and mats. When Kongming reached the Huang household, he asked for an audience with the master of the house, and awaited a response.
“Ah…! Young Master Zhuge!” Mister Huang Chengyan hailed, from the street behind Kongming; the young scholar was taken aback, which amused the old man greatly.
“Mister Huang,” Kongming hailed in response. “You wanted to see me…?”
“I did!” Mister Huang replied. “I consider you to be one of the geniuses of our time, you know; perhaps you can find me a servant that knows when I’m in.”
“…I’m flattered, Mister Huang,” Kongming replied politely.
“I shall be direct,” Mister Huang declared. “I know you are seeking a wife… I wonder, have you heard about my daughter, Yueying…?”
“I have,” Kongming replied calmly.
“So you’re aware she’s a bit of an ugly one, then…?” Mister Huang sighed woefully. “That’s a pity… you see, she’s every bit a match for your talent, Kongming, and I would like to see you paired… but if you know about her dark, rough complexion, reddish hair, and general poor features, then…”
“I don’t care,” Kongming interrupted. “I should like to meet her.”

<< Main Product Page

<< Previous Page

Next Page >>