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

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“…Cao Cao massacred a hundred-thousand civilians in Xu Province when he wanted to avenge his father,” Pang Tong whispered to Xu Shu as the two walked down the hill toward Longzhong. Kongming was walking ahead of them, and he was still fanning himself and grinning ambiguously.
“I know,” Xu Shu retorted. “You know that I know… what, you think that is why he is so fearful of Cao Cao…?”
Kongming stopped, turned to the other two men, and chuckled, “I don’t fear Cao Cao… you should both know that. I don’t necessarily hate him, either… war is war, and war has casualties. I simply see before me a man who will go far.”
That said, Kongming turned and continued on his way; as he walked, he laughed, and suddenly recited a poem he had composed:

“Oh, Heaven and Earth, so displaced!
The fire of Han burns dim!
The lords’ allegiances, so misplaced!
The hope for redemption grows slim!

And lo, in the cities and valleys,
Worthy men idle and sigh,
For when heroes come seeking their service,
Will they see them, or ride blindly by…?”

Pang Tong laughed softly at the words.
“…He sees a man that will go far…” Xu Shu pondered.
Pang Tong continued to watch Kongming walking confidently ahead of him, and whispered to himself,
“…So do I.”

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2

Kongming’s home was located within the forest near Longzhong, alongside a stream. The secluded nature of the place was perfect for him; he could pursue his texts by night, after the hard work in the fields, and nothing would disturb him. As the three men reached the fork in the road that lead to Kongming’s home, Xu Shu and Pang Tong turned to their friend and nodded politely.
“…I’m going into town,” Kongming announced.
“Oh…?” Xu Shu exclaimed.
“I heard that Mister Huang wanted to see you,” Pang Tong noted pointedly.
“Uh… yes,” Kongming replied with a little embarrassment.
“I wonder why,” Pang Tong teased.
“…Mm… yes, so do I,” Kongming said with an awkward smile.
The three men started to walk toward the town.
“…You’re nearly twenty, Kongming,” Xu Shu said suddenly. “Does that mean you shall be seeking a wife quite soon…?”
Pang Tong smiled mischievously.
“Laugh all you want, Shiyuan,” Kongming scoffed. “To seek a wife whose mind is formidable… is not stupidity.”
“And what about you, Yuanzhi…?” Pang Tong prompted as he turned to Xu Shu. “What great steps are you taking next in your promising life…?”
“I don’t know,” Xu Shu lamented. “I’m not considered a ‘prodigy of the age’, as you two are; what do I do…?”

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