Wisdom Approaching the Supernatural—Zhuge Liang

When a capable man acts arrogantly, it’s called true prowess.

Take Zhuge Liang, for example. No matter how proud he might be, Gan Ning and his companions were still intent on escorting him back, to let their lord decide his fate. Perhaps, in time, Zhuge Liang would even hold a high position in Jiangxia.

But when someone like Zhao Dahuo, the county constable, who lacks true ability, displays such arrogance, it’s nothing short of reckless ignorance.

Gan Ning mused inwardly: You, a mere county constable—what rank do you imagine yourself to be? To dare utter threats, wishing death upon me, shows you have no sense of your own limitations!

Zhao Dahuo, unaware of Gan Ning’s true identity, did not realize that the infamous Gan Ning, the Pirate of Brocade Sails, stood before him. Had he known, he’d surely have turned and fled without a second thought.

Gan Ning thought, since you’ve chased me all this way, I won’t let your efforts be wasted; it’s time you witnessed the power of Gan Xingba.

With a wave of his hand, Gan Ning commanded, “Scatter them, break their ranks.”

Before setting out, Xu Shu had instructed them: do not harm members of the Huang family or innocent civilians. The county soldiers, bailiffs, and constables, however, were not included in this mercy.

Thus, Gan Ning and his men held nothing back.

The county soldiers were far from elite—indeed, they were little more than a band of aged, infirm, and idle men, just passing time and drawing wages.

Despite Zhao Dahuo leading over a thousand of them, they were no match for Gan Ning’s fifty men.

Gan Ning’s fifty men were fierce as young tigers, and with Gan Ning himself, Tai Shici, and Qu’a—three renowned generals—the outcome was never in doubt.

In less time than it takes for incense to burn, the county constable’s eight hundred men were routed, fleeing in panic.

Zhao Dahuo, skilled only in empty words and possessing barely any martial ability, was quickly dispatched; Gan Ning struck him down with a single blow.

Having driven off the pursuers from Baishui County, Gan Ning and his group pressed onward, soon leaving the county’s borders behind.

Once outside Baishui, any hope of intercepting Gan Ning’s party became a futile fantasy.

Traveling along the official road toward Jiangxia, Gan Ning’s fifty-odd men escorted three carriages.

Upon exiting Baishui, Gan Ning ordered three carriages to be procured. Huang Chengyan and his daughter, as well as Zhuge Liang and his three friends, were transferred into them.

After all, these were eminent scholars—especially Huang Chengyan and his daughter, whom their lord had specifically requested.

It would have been uncouth to keep them bound in boxes, hardly befitting proper hospitality.

Once safely outside Baishui, Gan Ning invited them into the carriages with respect.

Huang Chengyan and his daughter shared a carriage, receiving special attention.

Cui Zhouping, Shi Guangyuan, and Meng Gongwei rode together in another, as these three were notably docile.

Zhuge Liang occupied a carriage by himself; he was a thorny guest, forever hurling insults at his guards, with a particular fondness for cursing Tai Shici.

Within the second carriage, Cui Zhouping, Shi Guangyuan, and Meng Gongwei whispered privately.

“Ah!” Shi Guangyuan sighed, “This wedding feast has brought us nothing but misfortune!”

“I wonder where these men intend to take us.”

Cui Zhouping remained calm, saying, “Since we are here, we should make ourselves comfortable. They have no intention of harming us; let’s wait and see where we end up.”

“These men are certainly not mere bandits. The three leaders are all heroes capable of facing armies alone.”

“I suspect they serve a regional warlord.”

Upon hearing this, Meng Gongwei chimed in, “Sent by a warlord?”

“Looks like their aim is our wise brother Kongming! Our teacher once said: ‘With either the Sleeping Dragon or the Young Phoenix, one could secure the realm.’”

Yet Cui Zhouping shook his head, rejecting Meng Gongwei’s conjecture. He whispered, “I don’t think they’re here for Kongming.”

“Rather, it seems their true target is Huang Chengyan and Huang Yueying. Kongming is merely an extra prize.”

With this revelation, Shi Guangyuan and Meng Gongwei recalled the events of the wedding banquet: the abductors had clearly focused first on Huang Chengyan and his daughter, only later dealing with Kongming after a beating.

At first, they hadn’t even intended to seize Zhuge Liang; it was only after the leader remembered something that they bound him as well.

Thus, it seemed their true objective was indeed Huang Chengyan and his daughter.

“Zhouping, in your view, whose men are these?” Shi Guangyuan asked.

Meng Gongwei also turned to Cui Zhouping, eager for his insight.

Cui Zhouping smiled, “These men are tight-lipped; aside from delivering meals, they don’t speak with us. How could I know whose men they are?”

“However, I suspect Kongming already knows.”

Meng Gongwei: “?????”

Shi Guangyuan: “?????”

Both thought, you just said these men never speak to us except for meal deliveries. They treat us this way, and Kongming no differently—no, perhaps even worse.

Given that, how could Kongming know their allegiance when we don’t? Unless Zhuge Kongming possesses supernatural insight?

“Zhouping, why are you so certain Kongming knows whose men these are?” Meng Gongwei voiced his doubt.

Cui Zhouping beckoned Shi Guangyuan and Meng Gongwei closer, indicating they should lean in to prevent eavesdropping.

Once they did, Cui Zhouping spoke in a barely audible voice, “Do you think Kongming’s daily tirades are merely venting his frustration?”

“Kongming is provoking them, hoping to engage them in conversation. Only through dialogue can he spot cracks in their speech.”

“Have you not noticed Kongming has cursed less these past few days? I surmise he has already gleaned the information he sought.”

With this, Meng Gongwei and Shi Guangyuan were suddenly enlightened.

They thought, Kongming truly is remarkable! He is not only a step ahead of us, but ten, a hundred steps ahead!

“Alas!” Shi Guangyuan sighed, “We are confined within this carriage, unable to meet Kongming.”

“If only we could, then we’d learn directly from him whose men these are.”

Meng Gongwei tentatively suggested, “Perhaps we should imitate Kongming and hurl insults for a few days; maybe we could uncover some useful information.”

Upon hearing this, Cui Zhouping quickly waved his hands, “No, absolutely not.”

“If we mimic Kongming, they’ll surely become suspicious.”

“Kongming is likely devising a clever plan; we must not disrupt it.”

(P.S.: My head’s buzzing from too much drink—please send monthly tickets, I need them.)

(End of chapter)