People from the East 2

There’s a saying: If you want to test a person’s character, give them power.

It’s said to be a quote from U.S. President Lincoln, but in reality, it’s also said that it’s not. Though the source is unknown, many people sympathize with its meaning because it truly penetrates human affairs.

And in fact, Zhuge Ke was one of the real-life examples that perfectly fit this saying.

So I thought to use this to gauge Zhuge Ke’s tendencies.

‘It doesn’t have to be an enormous authority to be considered power.’

Sometimes even a very small authority can have a big effect.

What’s important is what kind of authority is given, and when it’s exercised. It depends on how to handle the true nature revealed when authority is given.

‘So Zhuge Ke went to see his brother…’

While I was recalling Zhuge Ke’s schedule that had been reported to me, Guo Yi came in. Skipping the greetings, I asked directly:

“Shaoxian, you said you’re close with the Imperial Son-in-law Zhuge, right?”

Son-in-law was short for Fuma Duwei, an official position managing the horses that pull the emperor’s carriage called fuju. As it was a position directly related to the emperor’s safety, it was principally given to someone who could be trusted more than anyone else.

As time passed and entered the Western Jin period of the Sima clan, it became an exclusive position given only to sons-in-law who were family, not to other officials, but that’s a matter of later generations.

Liu Bei had made Zhuge Jiao, Zhuge Liang’s nephew and adopted son, his Fuma Duwei.

Considering that Zhuge Jiao was Zhuge Jin’s biological son, it was a personnel choice that showed deep trust in Zhuge Liang.

“Yes. We’ve been close since Baisong came to our country.”

Guo Yi’s father, Guo Jun, was also one of Liu Bei’s close associates. It’s said that Guo Yi and Zhuge Jiao had been friends from before due to their fathers’ relationship.

“I’d like you to relay a message for me.”

“To Baisong?”

“Yes.”

“That’s not difficult, but are you considering Wu’s condolence delegation?”

Zhuge Jin, who was leading Wu’s condolence delegation, was Zhuge Jiao’s biological father.

Guo Yi, having thought of something, spoke quite seriously:

“General, Baisong is absolutely not someone who would betray our country. Isn’t it because His Majesty recognized Baisong’s sincerity that he entrusted him with the important position of Fuma Duwei?”

“Huh? Do you think I’m suspecting Imperial Son-in-law Zhuge?”

“What? Ah, you weren’t?”

“What are you talking about? Why would I suspect Imperial Son-in-law Zhuge, who is the Chancellor’s child? It’s not like that, so don’t make a fuss. Rather, what’s your answer to what I said earlier?”

Guo Yi, as if trying to make up for his mistake, quickly nodded his head.

“Please tell me.”

“The day after tomorrow, we’ll finish mourning and take off the mourning clothes.”

Taking off the mourning clothes meant literally ending the mourning period and removing the mourning attire.

“I received an elegy from the Chancellor, and I want to share this elegy together as we end the mourning period. But how could we leave out Imperial Son-in-law Zhuge, who is the Chancellor’s child?”

“Are you not writing separate invitations?”

“I’m not trying to make it grand.”

It should be fine as just a gathering of peers who are not too different in age.

While the content of the event might be modest, the lineup of participants would not be.

‘Starting with me, the host, there’s Jiang Wei, Guo Yi, Bu Zhan, Ma Dai from the General of the Guards’ Office… It would be good to invite Fei Yi and Zhang Wan too. Would Dong Yun come if I invited him? It would be disappointing to leave out Xu Shulong and Guo Yuzhi, who have connections with me.’

At this point, it’s no different from a gathering of Han’s next-generation talents under the pretext of ending the mourning period.

‘Zhuge Ke wouldn’t let such an opportunity pass by.’

Unless there’s been a dramatic mental change in him, he would try to join in.

I deliberately left room for Zhuge Ke to join in. Through the buffer of Zhuge Jiao, allowing him to naturally access the information.

It didn’t matter if Zhuge Ke noticed that this was too obvious. It was fine even if it was a transparent pretense.

What’s important is whether Zhuge Ke comes or not. And if it’s the Zhuge Ke I know, he’d rush to come if he knew this gathering was aimed at him.

‘A sparrow wouldn’t just pass by a mill…’

Zhuge Ke liked to show off his talent by stepping forward, knowing his own excellence. The various anecdotes he left from his childhood were evidence of such tendencies.

‘To put it crudely, he’s an attention seeker.’

Sure enough.

A letter came from Zhuge Jiao requesting to accompany Zhuge Ke, who had now become his cousin.

And I immediately sent a reply.

Writing the character “Ke” (可) meaning “Yes.”

§

“Any absentees?”

“None. Everyone is in attendance.”

I thought at least a few people would be absent, but unexpectedly, the level of interest in me seems to have been higher. To think we’d hit a 100% attendance rate.

“Boyue, how do you find Zhuge Ke?”

“He’s quite impressive. Lord Xu had a debate with him earlier and was the first to close his mouth.”

Xu Shulong was once counted among the top talents along with Fei Yi and Dong Yun. And even now, Xu Shulong was considered a capable new talent.

Working as a Senior Clerk in the overflowing Chancellor’s Office is impossible without being a considerable talent.

He entered Zhuge Liang’s Chancellor’s Office through my recommendation, and he gladly agreed to my request to repay that debt.

“What else?”

“Lord Guo was pushed back, and Yushang was also having a hard time.”

“Yushang?”

While Guo Yuzhi was a card I had prepared so that’s understandable, why did Ma Su step up and get beaten?

‘Well, it’s not bad to have more added.’

Ma Su is a talent recognized even by Zhuge Liang. It’s enough to elevate Zhuge Ke’s reputation.

“It seems Lord Dong also suffered a defeat.”

“Ah, Xiuzhao?”

Dong Yun, armed with principles, is invincible on topics with clear orthodox arguments, but he’s a bit lacking when it comes to improvised debates.

I had expected Dong Yun not to come. Although we put forth the pretext of ending the mourning period, this gathering might look like a kind of faction. Dong Yun, who adheres to principles, would have been reluctant.

‘Looks like he came just to be humiliated.’

As expected, it seems Ma Su and Dong Yun weren’t enough to stop Zhuge Ke’s tongue.

Would it be different with Fei Yi, a worthy opponent proven by original history?

“Was Wenwei just sitting quietly?”

“I came to you when I saw Lord Fei stand up, so they’re probably in the midst of a heated debate outside.”

“Is that so? Then shall we go take a look?”

I moved towards the banquet hall where the guests were waiting, still in mourning clothes.

A modest gathering that belied the word “banquet.” It was a gathering without lavish food or fine wine, but the vitality of the people filled the place.

As I got closer, the protagonists of the increasingly clear conversation were, as Jiang Wei said, Fei Yi and Zhuge Ke.

I quietly observed the banquet hall without announcing my arrival. They must have already competed with a poem, as papers with written verses were placed beside the two.

I wonder if those are the “Ode to Barley” and “Ode to Grinding.”

It’s said that when Fei Yi composed a poem about barley (mai), Zhuge Ke countered with a writing about grinding (mo) barley.

In the midst of this, Zhuge Ke clicked his tongue and exclaimed:

“A phoenix comes from the east, and the simurgh recognizes and tries to welcome him, but why do swallows and sparrows beneath raise their voices? Though I come from another land, the laws of the world are the same, is this truly your law? If so, I am truly disappointed.”

“Hahaha! A phoenix, you say? The phoenix is in the north, how can you say it comes from the east? It’s pitiful to blame ignorance, so the envoy should return home before being further embarrassed.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

The conversation between Fei Yi and Zhuge Ke was a role reversal of what they had exchanged in the original history.

Zhuge Ke, who had faced Fei Yi when he went as an envoy to Wu, was now facing Fei Yi in Han, so it felt like entering a scene from history, just like in a movie.

Perhaps noticing my arrival from my laughter, the voices in the banquet hall suddenly stopped.

As attention turned to me, I reflexively cleared my throat and said:

“Ahem, thank you all for gathering here.”

After scanning those gathered once, I finally fixed my gaze on Zhuge Ke.

An appearance that resembled Zhuge Liang more than Zhuge Jin, who was called horse-faced.

Unlike Zhuge Liang, who brought to mind the word “clear and pure,” Zhuge Ke had a sharper impression.

His gaze, meeting mine without being intimidated, shone keenly.

“And also to our guest from the east who came to offer condolences.”

As I spoke while looking straight at Zhuge Ke, attention now focused on him.

Though surrounded by officials from a foreign country that was practically an enemy state far from home, Zhuge Ke was utterly composed.

“You’re too kind. I’m the one who should be grateful for accepting what might have been an impolite request.”

“By the way, while I was standing outside for a moment, I heard you were having an interesting conversation.”

Was it unexpected that I spoke so directly without formalities? Zhuge Ke’s eyes flashed as he composed himself.

“Did you say phoenix? Wenwei already said the phoenix is in the north of our country, but how could there be only one phoenix in the world?”

“Indeed, your words are correct.”

Zhuge Ke nodded and smiled. Conversely, Fei Yi’s face turned gloomy.

“But there is truth and falsehood. One can’t call a chicken a phoenix, after all.”

This time it was the opposite. As if I were a judge, the expressions of the two changed back and forth, reacting to each of my words.

“However, we have already seen a real phoenix, so how difficult would it be to distinguish between true and false?”

Pang Tong, after being recognized for his talents upon entering Liu Bei’s service, advocated for entering Shu.

Jingzhou had become impoverished, to the east was the ally Sun Quan, and to the north, the powerful Cao Cao was established, so naturally the only place to expand influence was Yizhou.

It’s an obvious claim anyone could make, but Pang Tong’s value lay in making Liu Bei accept taking the land of Liu Zhang, who was also of the imperial clan.

And what he did then has now become the mission given to them, the envoys of Wu.

“Let me ask. Zhuge Ke, in your opinion, where should our country project its power now?”