Crouching Dragon: The Journey of Zhuge Liang sample (Act I) -- T. P. M. Thorne
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“…So you see yourself as Guan Zhong,” Jian Yong scoffed. “And Yue Yi…! …My friend, go home. This is not the place for an overinflated ego such as yours.”
“Whatever my demeanour may suggest, I am no egotist,” Kongming insisted. “I present myself as I do to maintain composure… which one must do to ensure victory in the face of defeat.”
“…I have followed Lord Liu Xuande since he first set out,” Jian Yong replied cuttingly. “I was there when he crushed the Yellow Turbans, defended Yu for Tao Qian, contested Lü Bu for Xu Province, and faced down Xiahou Dun this very day at Bowang. Where were you, farm boy…?”
“…That’s a little harsh,” Liu Bei said empathetically. “Remember, I have to endure remarks about being a sandal weaver, Xianhe… it does not sit well with me to judge the man on his origins, even if he does liken himself to men beyond his calibre.”
“Who’s doing that…?” Jian Yong retorted. “I merely point out that we have shared numerous battles… what do you know, ‘Zhuge Kongming, Hidden Lizard’, that you can preach to us about the dos and don’ts of warfare…?”
“…A man does not need to live a life to know of it,” Kongming replied. “Know the topography; know your enemy; know your own limits; dictate your enemy’s perception of you. The battle today was won by knowing and accepting you were outnumbered, knowing Xiahou Dun was easily provoked, knowing that Bowang was a good staging ground for a fire attack, and knowing that you needed to lure your enemy with a show of incompetence. Victory hinged on what…? …That it didn’t rain, that Li Dian didn’t talk Xiahou Dun into exercising caution. Even with all the pieces in place, victory was based on luck and hope. And almost always, it is based on perception… an undefeatable man can win bloodlessly by showing his true strength in his actions… a composed man on the verge of defeat can win a victory by sowing doubt in his enemies’ minds… a strong man can lure his foe to defeat with a show of weakness. Is this not all true…?”
Liu Bei studied Kongming uneasily, and he was visibly unsure if the young man was truly as intelligent as he seemed to be, or whether the words outweighed his true potential.
“…Well met,” Jian Yong conceded, bowing to Kongming slightly. “Whatever your true worth, your debating skills are sound enough; tell me, do you intend to one day hold an official post…?”
Xu Shu - who had remained quiet throughout the debate - waited for what he felt was an obvious response from Kongming.
“…No,” Kongming replied: Xu Shu was taken aback. “…My wife and I plan a family, and my land needs to be worked… there are others that can serve the cause of the Han far better than I… as you say, I am no Guan Zhong or Yue Yi.”
Mister Sun scoffed, got up, and left the group.
“Your devotion to your family is commendable,” Jian Yong sighed. “Perhaps if you are not so strong of will as to commit yourself to a greater mission, it is better that you remain on your land.”
“Exactly my thinking,” Kongming replied, grinning cheerfully.
“…Uh…!” Xu Shu exclaimed.
The ensemble melted away awkwardly, until only Xu Shu, Jian Yong, Liu Bei and Kongming were left.
“…Your family is well connected, is it not…?” Jian Yong asked.
Kongming smiled.
“Zhuge Kongming has a brother in Jiangdong, in the service of Sun Quan,” Xu Shu answered uncomfortably for his silent friend. “His sisters are married into the Pang and Kuai clans, and his wife is the niece of Lady Cai, wife of Liu Biao.”