Crouching Dragon: The Journey of Zhuge Liang sample (Act I) -- T. P. M. Thorne
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“Zhou Yu, Sun Ce’s sworn brother and his chief military strategist, is a true genius of the age,” Kongming said with respect. “Sun Quan also has the ‘Two Zhangs’ for domestic advice… a host of soldiers, sailors, pirates and generals under his command… six districts under his control. Unfortunately, though, Quan is not interested in going after Cao Cao, like his brother was. He’s made peace with Cao Cao, and strengthened the forces along the Great River… which means that they’re finally going to attack Jing, starting with Governor Huang Zu of Jiangxia.”
“…Which doesn’t bode well for Liu Bei, either,” Xu Shu mused.
“No, it doesn’t,” Kongming lamented. “He has only just started to settle here, and already, bad luck follows him. If Liu Biao is caught in a pincer between Sun and Cao, then that will be the end of the ‘Tripod of Power’ theory.”
“And Cao is bound and determined to attack Liu Biao,” Xu Shu reported. “I was lucky enough to be noticed, and I have been asked for local advice…”
“…Congratulations,” Kongming said with sincerity. “I knew that he would see the great talent you had.”
“…I’m really not speaking to him, I’m speaking to his low-ranking advisers,” Xu Shu insisted. “But Cao Cao is definitely coming… for now, there is word that he’s sending Xiahou Dun, Li Dian, and Yu Jin, three of-”
“His best generals,” Kongming interrupted worriedly. “Sending three… Cao Cao is really serious about this.”
“I’m volunteering topographical advice, mainly,” Xu Shu explained. “After all, like you’re always telling me, you need to know the topography.”
“…Fine,” Kongming murmured.
“You’ve thought of something…?” Xu Shu supposed.
“Mm…?” Kongming said absent-mindedly. “Oh, uh… it’s nothing. …Nothing that nobody else will think of, leastways.”
“…I have an idea,” Xu Shu declared. “I’m going to scout, look at the topography… it’ll be weeks before they get here, and weeks again before they’ll make a decisive strike. Why don’t you go back home, see your family, get some belongings, and follow me on my scouting missions…? Lord Liu will be sending troops with me, and he may even personally review our findings.”
“That’s very kind of you,” Kongming said gratefully. “I’ll go home… my wife will need to be told of my movements.”
“…Why…?” Xu Shu asked bluntly.
“Because it’s only fair,” Kongming retorted. “I already told you, she’s very talented in many ways…”
“Yes,” Xu Shu teased. “At the least, she isn’t really that ugly, despite the rumours.”
“…No, that’s right, she isn’t,” Kongming replied wearily.
“So go on… how did you know…?” Xu Shu asked at last.
“…I didn’t,” Kongming insisted calmly. “I really didn’t care.”
“…Really…?” Xu Shu prompted.
“No,” Kongming replied immediately.
“…Your children…” Xu Shu began.
“…Will have exemplary intelligence, between the two of us,” Kongming insisted emotionlessly. “Surely that is all that truly matters to a scholar’s progeny…?”
“But she isn’t ugly,” Xu Shu chuckled. “Seriously, how did you…?”
“I didn’t care,” Kongming insisted again. “She is a very intelligent woman… she even got me thinking about things that I was sure I fully understood. She may even have some insight for the upcoming battle, since she studies maps.”