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

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“…Yes… the map,” Kongming sighed uncomfortably. “I know this is going to sound… bizarre… but…”
“You are not going to present the map,” Yueying guessed.
“…You know me well,” Kongming said softly. “…I suppose you know why, too.”
“Because you do not fully trust Liu Bei,” Yueying replied calmly. “Wang Mang of old times promised to defend the Han, and ended up usurping it and ruling by fear.”
“Precisely,” Kongming said with a congratulatory tone. “We have already had Dong Zhuo, Yuan Shu, Li Jue, Guo Si… and Cao Cao, all coveting the throne. What if Lord Liu is no better than them at heart…? …I must speak with him, learn his innermost thoughts, learn his true motives… it is only by refusing to impart my knowledge that I will see him for who he truly is. If he grows impatient, and starts to bully me for the things that he wants to know, or leaves and does not return… then he not the man he claims to be.”
“…I agree,” Yueying said hesitantly. “If he is what you believe him to be… then you present him with the map…?”
“…More than that,” Kongming admitted. “I will pledge allegiance to him, and promise to do all I can to make that map’s vision a reality. If he really is that forthright… then it will be a wonderful thing to follow a just cause.”
“…If we had a son,” Yueying said suddenly, “What do you think he would grow up to do…?”
“…Whatever he dreamed of,” Kongming replied. “I’d let him choose, as I did.”
Kongming and Yueying embraced, and said no more.

The next day, a youth wearing the battle tunic of Liu Bei’s army was spotted loitering near the bridge that led to Kongming’s forest home.
“…Brother…!” Jun exclaimed.
“I know, I know… I saw him,” Kongming replied uneasily.
“This is exciting…!” Jun said with glee.
“Why…?” Kongming asked calmly.

“…Because… be… because…” Jun said with sudden discomfort. “…B-but… he’s… he’s a Lord Liu… soldier.”
Lad!” Kongming bellowed: one of the servant boys that was employed at the Zhuge household ran into the living quarters and awaited instructions.
“…Find out… why he’s here,” Kongming ordered sternly: the boy left the house and crossed the bridge to speak to the soldier.
“…What’s wrong…?” Yueying asked as she entered the living quarters, dressed as if to receive guests.
“…I’d rather you weren’t seen,” Kongming said with reflexive concern and warmth. “Just in case he… isn’t friendly.”
Yueying disappeared into the sleeping quarters without another word, and Kongming started to fan himself slowly.
“There’re more soldiers,” Jun noted. He was correct, as a whole battalion of Liu Bei’s infantrymen were now advancing on the land on the far side of the bridge. “…Brother… why’s he brought so many soldiers…? I thought he wanted to talk to you.”
“…I won’t lie, this offends me,” Kongming said angrily. “You do not bring a legion to chat with a scholar… the man is unschooled in good etiquette.”
“Wait… who’s that lot coming now…?” Jun wondered aloud.
Kongming looked to the distance: another group of soldiers, this time on horseback, was approaching.
“…This is starting to get a little intimidating,” Kongming admitted.
Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were leading the new group of cavalry: Kongming watched as Liu Bei appeared to berate Zhang Fei before seemingly dismissing the infantrymen with a harsh gesture.

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