Crouching Dragon: The Journey of Zhuge Liang sample (Act I) -- T. P. M. Thorne
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“Six,” Kongming replied as he started to fan himself slowly. “Yuan Shao is dead: else Cao Cao would not be so confident in confronting Liu Biao.”
“Six,” Cui Zhouping conceded. “Liu Biao, Sun Quan, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Liu Zhang, Zhang Lu; six. ….Six. …So how do you envision a tripod…?”
“…The latter two you mention are doomed,” Kongming insisted. “Lui Bei will come to power in Jing eventually, and then he will come to occupy Yi…”
“Really…?” Meng Jian said plainly. “I think, Kongming, that… that maybe you need to rethink yourself.”
Kongming stared at Cui Zhouping, Shi Tao and Meng Jian with irritation: Cui Zhouping smiled, and said, “Come now… where is our usual jovial banter? …Kongming, let us consider the debate a draw, and say no more of it. It isn’t worth ruining our friendship over, is it…? How about you recite for us a poem…?”
“…Very well,” Kongming sighed. He began to recite a favourite poem of his, one about mourning the lost: originally, he had recited it in memory of his father, but now, as he closed his eyes to recall it, he saw the burning soldiers at Bowang, the cheering Zhang Fei, and the charismatic face of Liu Bei, whose strong eyes betrayed an indescribable desire to be a force of change.
Later, Cui Zhouping, Shi Tao and Meng Jian decided to join another noted figure in a lively debate about the meanings of ancient texts: Ma Liang and Yi Ji decided to remain with the sober, ponderous Kongming.
“…Go and join the others,” Kongming urged as the other two men sat staring at him with wonder and concern. On the other side of the tavern, the now tipsy Cui Zhouping was reciting a well-known folk tale, to everyone’s amusement.
“…What you were saying,” Ma Liang prompted, “about the tripod theorem… there are those that say it is unworkable… I am wondering, why do you see it can work…? I have my own ideas, but… I should like to hear yours.”
“…So would I,” Yi Ji sighed, “but… I should go. Stay well, Kongming, Jichang… I’ll see you both around sometime soon, I hope.”
With that, Yi Ji left the tavern.
“…The tripod theorem is not completely sound, I admit,” Kongming sighed, “but it is workable, provided one is creative. If Liu Bei were to somehow claim Yi, and inherit Jing from Liu Biao…”
“…Perhaps,” Ma Liang said quietly. “My only surety is that Liu Biao is unfit to rule Jing Province.”
“Oh, that is certainly true,” Kongming chuckled. “Having met him… yes, Liu Bei is definitely the man who will torment Cao Cao in the years to come, not Liu Biao.”
“…Brother,” Ma Liang said hesitantly, “I should be grateful if you could explain to me all that you have come to understand; I hope one day to advance myself, and…”
“…Jichang,” Kongming interrupted with a laugh, “I’d say that you are far from a fool, and my equal, so don’t be so humble. In fact, I expect you to be in Lord Liu’s service before I am. …Oh, I forgot to ask, I really am slipping; how is your brother’s studying going…?”
“…He’s bright,” Ma Liang replied. “I think Su will do very well one day.”
“…Then today, I feel glad,” Kongming said with cheer. “I have a wonderful wife… worthy brothers, blood and sworn… marvellous friends… and one day, we’ll help to shape the fate of the land. What more could anyone want…?”
Ma Liang smiled, as he was sure that Kongming spoke rightly. But it would be some time before all would be clear.
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