Chapter 036: A Tail Too Large to Control

Chapter 036: The Tail Wags the Dog

Within the Prime Minister’s central command tent, the cheerful atmosphere of banter and camaraderie dissipated the moment the Wei father and son departed. After being reproached by Zhuge Liang, Liu Yan slunk away, packing up to return to Chengdu. Yang Yi, however, remained—his face ashen, the traces of tears washed away yet his eyes still swollen and red, resembling a ripened peach.

Zhuge Liang sat in silence behind his desk. Ma Su rose sharply and rebuked, “Wei Gong, what is wrong with you? Why would you provoke Wei Yan? Liu Yan was foolish, but must you follow suit? Fu Yong died in battle for the state, a loyal martyr. You watched his son be beaten so terribly by Liu Yan, yet not only did you fail to report to the Prime Minister and rush to the boy’s aid, you even sided against Wei Yan and with Liu Yan? Go listen to what the men in the camps are saying. Though their words name you, their true censure is directed at the Prime Minister.”

Yang Yi hung his head in shame, knowing that nothing he said now could alter the course of events. Wei Yan had already taken the man away, and to quell Wei Yan’s fury, Zhuge Liang had even parted with a suit of armor. As the official in charge of logistics, Yang Yi knew how much that armor meant to Zhuge Liang, yet through his own negligence, it was now in Wei Yan’s hands.

The more he thought about it, the more aggrieved he felt; his eyes reddened once again. He had seen it clearly: Yang Meng had never intended to assassinate Wei Yan—he had neither the nerve nor the intent. If he had, the Wei father and son would have been lying dead in the supply camp long ago. The Wei family was truly shameless to frame him so insidiously. Had Zhuge Liang not intervened, not only would Yang Meng have lost his life, but Yang Yi himself would have faced severe punishment.

Ma Su was furious. Yang Yi came from a powerful family in Xiangyang, and most people, whether out of courtesy or lack of authority, dared not speak against him. But Ma Su had no such qualms—the Ma family’s influence in Xiangyang far exceeded that of the Yangs. Apart from Zhuge Liang himself, Ma Su was perhaps the only one truly qualified to reprimand Yang Yi. There were things Zhuge Liang could not say himself, so as his confidant, Ma Su made it his business to voice them.

Such as now, in admonishing Yang Yi.

Fei Yi rose to smooth things over. “Youchang, Wei Gong was merely acting out of momentary indignation. Never mind how eloquently the Wei father and son pleaded their case; we all know the truth of the matter. Wei Gong has suffered a grievance here—surely he already regrets his actions. There’s no need to say more.”

Ma Su snorted but refrained from further rebuke, following Fei Yi’s lead. “Wenwei is right. This never would have happened but for the Wei father and son seizing the initiative while Wei Gong was unable to defend himself. Though he knew he was being wronged, he had no choice but to swallow his anger. Besides, although Wei Yan is a rough warrior, he is one of our own from Jing and Xiang. With the Prime Minister’s northern campaign underway, he is a vital asset. If this matter escalates, it will be said that men from Jing and Xiang cannot work together, and that would harm the cause. Wei Yan is unruly, yes, but surely you, Wei Gong, understand the importance of unity?”

Yang Yi dared not answer, lowering his head in silence.

Fei Yi smiled gently, stroking his beard as he spoke after a pause, “Prime Minister, Wei Yan is indeed courageous, but if allowed to grow too arrogant, what if one day he refuses to obey your command?”

Zhuge Liang’s brow furrowed. He raised his hand to gently massage his forehead and, after a long pause, said, “Wenwei, you worry too much. Wei Yan is rough, but he knows propriety. He might act rashly at times, but when it comes to the greater good, I trust he understands what matters most. In this affair, I believe the fault lies with Liu Yan, and Wei Gong was also too hotheaded. Though the Wei father and son behaved arrogantly, they committed no great wrong. Ah, Wei Gong, you are a learned man—why can’t you get along with Wei Yan? One is gifted in letters, the other in arms. Both are my trusted aides.”

Yang Yi sniffled, prostrating himself in apology.

“It’s done. There’s no use in further words. You must be exhausted—go and rest. Wenwei, please see him out.”

Fei Yi complied, rising to leave, but then paused, stepped to Zhuge Liang, and whispered something in a low voice. Zhuge Liang’s brows arched, then he smiled and waved a hand. “It’s nothing—I understand.”

Yang Yi felt puzzled but dared not inquire further, turning to leave. Fei Yi followed him from the tent. Once they had gone, Ma Su immediately moved before Zhuge Liang, picked up the cooled dregs of wine, sipped, and remarked with deliberate casualness, “Prime Minister, I see the Wei father and son as a growing threat—especially the younger son, Wei Ba. He’s young, yet quite cunning. Wei Yan is little more than a brute, but with Wei Ba at his side...”

Zhuge Liang laughed softly, waving his hand. “Wei Ba may be shrewd, but how could he possibly compare to you, Youchang?”

Ma Su smiled faintly. “Prime Minister, I merely wished to remind you. Since you already see it, there’s no need for me to belabor the point.”

“What troubles me is not the Wei family, but that Wei Gong acted without sense, using Fu Xing’s safety as a bargaining chip against Wei Yan, only to be foiled himself. If I don’t discipline him, the people will not be appeased. That’s why I asked Wenwei to see him off—Wenwei is clever and will handle it well. As for Wei Yan, I can’t think of anyone suitable to deal with him. Youchang, do you have any suggestions?”

Ma Su smiled. “Prime Minister, since you already have someone in mind, why ask me?”

Zhuge Liang laughed heartily. “You know me well, Youchang!”

Ma Su tipped back his head, draining his cup, then ladled two more measures of wine—one for Zhuge Liang, one for himself. Only then did he continue, “Tomorrow I’ll pay a visit to the Wei father and son, and with my unflagging tongue, persuade them to lend their full support to your grand endeavor.”

“With Youchang on the task, I have no worries.” Zhuge Liang smiled, raising his cup to clink it against Ma Su’s, then addressed Zhuge Qiao, “Bersong, you should take Youchang as your model—strive to improve and help shoulder your father’s burdens.”

Zhuge Qiao lifted his cup with both hands, beaming. “Rest assured, Father. Tomorrow I’ll accompany Uncle Youchang to visit the Wei family. While he works on Wei Yan, I’ll meet this Wei Ba myself.”

...

When the Wei father and son returned to their camp, the banquet was naturally called off due to Fu Xing’s severe injuries. Wei Feng immediately arranged for Fu Xing’s wounds to be treated. After much effort, they finally managed to tend to his injuries. Liu Yan had struck with brutal force—breaking both of Fu Xing’s legs and several ribs. Had he been left in the supply camp without care, he would not have survived the night.

Sitting beside Fu Xing, now swaddled like a rice dumpling, Wei Ba felt both grateful and ashamed. “I never imagined Liu Yan would be so vicious. I should have invited you to our camp earlier.”

Fu Xing merely smiled. “You can’t blame yourself. If anyone is at fault, it’s me for being careless. I should have known he was a reckless fool and taken more precautions. I’m sorry to have caused trouble for you and your father.”

“Don’t say that. This happened because of me.” Wei Ba said earnestly, “Don’t worry—recover in our camp. My father and I will handle everything else. And by the way, it was a young lady named Peng Xiaoyu who came to alert us. She’s your true savior—if you wish to thank someone, thank her. Miss Peng...”

Peng Xiaoyu hurried over. “Young General, what are your instructions?”

“Well, since you have nowhere else to go, stay with us for now. You’ve spent years in the supply camp, so you must be skilled at tending the wounded. Brother Fu’s injuries are serious—we’ll have to trouble you to care for him.”

Peng Xiaoyu smiled shyly. “Rest assured, Young General. I’ll do my utmost for Captain Fu. In the supply camp, I was the best at nursing the injured—without me, the medics there will surely feel the loss.”

Recalling Yang Yi’s earlier hesitation, Wei Ba was finally at ease and couldn’t help but smile and shake his head. So, although the girl was plain in appearance, she was a skilled hand—no wonder Yang Yi was so reluctant to let her go.

“In any case, we owe you a great debt for what happened today. Words cannot express my gratitude. When the chance comes, I’ll see that you’re safely returned home to your family.”

“Thank you, Young General.”

As they spoke, Wei Wu entered, carrying a large bowl of mutton. As soon as he stepped inside, the rich aroma of the meat swept away the bitter scent of medicine that filled the tent. Wei Wu, cheeks bulging, devoured the food enthusiastically, a large mutton bone in one hand. He approached Fu Xing and said, “Brother Fu, come have some mutton. It’s good for your recovery.”

Fu Xing smiled, “Thank you, little brother.”

Peng Xiaoyu quickly took the bowl, carefully selected a piece, blew on it, and fed it to Fu Xing. He opened his mouth to receive it, chewing slowly.

“Heh, I’m not that little anymore,” Wei Wu puffed out his chest and thumped it with oily hands, making a thumping sound. “In another year, I’ll be fifteen. Then I can join Father and my brothers on the battlefield. Brother Fu, how about we have a match?”

Wei Ba tugged at his sleeve, “Have you no shame, challenging a wounded man? If you want to spar, go find our older brother—or Father, if you dare.”

“Heh, I meant after Brother Fu recovers, not now. Do you take me for someone who preys on the weak?” Wei Wu glared proudly.

“All right, all right—you’re a true hero,” Wei Ba said, not in the mood to argue.

“Now that’s more like it.” Wei Wu, thoroughly pleased, turned to leave, but at the tent’s entrance, he doubled back, tugging at Wei Ba’s sleeve in a coaxing tone. “Next time something this exciting happens, don’t forget me! I just heard Father and our older brother talking so happily, I really regret missing out. Had I known it would be such fun, I’d have gone with you.”

Wei Ba’s face darkened. You clueless fool, he thought, can’t you see how badly Fu Xing is hurt, and you’re talking about fun? “Out!” Wei Ba sent him flying out of the tent with a swift kick.

Watching the brothers spar and seeing Wei Ba’s embarrassed expression, Fu Xing smiled. “You’re fortunate to have such affectionate siblings—it’s enviable.”

“Cough, your brotherhood is admirable too,” Wei Ba replied politely. He knew Fu Xing had an elder brother, Fu Qian, now serving as Left General of the Gentlemen of the Household and stationed in Jiangzhou with Li Yan. But as the elder, Fu Qian bore the family’s responsibilities and likely had little time for camaraderie. It was natural for Fu Xing to feel wistful at seeing the Wei brothers’ lively rapport.