Chapter 044: The Three Dragons of the Li Clan

Chapter 044: The Three Dragons of the Li Clan

Wei Ba was deeply uneasy, without a shred of the pride or arrogance one might expect from a time traveler. In fact, he felt like a disgrace to the entire brotherhood of transmigrators. When it came to martial prowess, his only advantage was inheriting his father's height. His true abilities might be enough to bully a scholar like Yang Yi—if he caught him off guard. But set him against any peer, and he'd undoubtedly lose, and lose badly. As for scholarship, he was even less confident. Perhaps he could plagiarize a few poems from the Tang dynasty, but write a proper rhapsody? Heaven help him—he couldn't compose a single line. If asked to discuss the classics, he'd rather end it all than bring shame to his father and face a beating upon his return.

"Well… I've been a little busy lately. I'm not sure if I'll be able to get away. How about this: I'll ask my father for permission and see if—"

"I've already spoken to General Wei," Zhuge Qiao said, beaming, with a hint of mischief, as if he'd anticipated Wei Ba's attempt to wriggle out of it. Lowering his voice, he leaned in close to Wei Ba's ear. "To tell you the truth, the Chancellor is looking to select some promising young men to join his staff. Though it's called a gathering, it's actually more of a test—just not an official one. You're the only one I'm telling."

Wei Ba scratched his head. In Shu Han, there might be an emperor, but in most people's eyes, there was only the Chancellor's office. To enter that office, even as an ordinary clerk, meant a career starting far above the rest. His father must have been tempted by the opportunity, which was why he agreed so readily—unaware that the threshold for entry was incredibly high. Succeeding would be a triumph, but failing would be a humiliation, especially since his son was, in truth, an impostor—not remotely the match they were expecting.

"Still, I ought to ask for leave," Wei Ba said, mustering what dignity he could, though even he felt a little embarrassed. "At the very least, I should hand over my current duties to avoid disrupting proper business."

Zhuge Qiao blinked, exchanging a look with Zhao Guang, both seeming a little resigned. "If that's the case, then go ahead, Brother Wei. I trust General Wei is a reasonable man—he won't stand in your way."

Wei Ba thought so too, but his father was less reasonable and more obsessed with saving face. Whether or not his son could live up to expectations didn't matter—if there was a reputation to be won, it had to be won; if not, they'd find a way to get it anyway. It was enough to drive him mad.

After seeing Zhuge Qiao and Zhao Guang off, Wei Ba hurried off to find his father. Wei Yan was drilling the troops. When he heard Wei Ba's request, he replied impatiently, "I know already. Zhuge Qiao just told me. It's just young men sparring with each other—what are you afraid of? Go. I refuse to believe my son is any less than them."

Wei Ba thought to himself, Father, to be honest, your son really is no match for them. But after a moment's reflection, he didn't dare say it aloud, fearing his father would lose his temper and beat him in front of thousands of soldiers—he'd never live it down.

That whole day, Wei Ba was absent-minded, haunted by the thought of being utterly humiliated the next day. But he had no solution—too late to train in martial arts, even less time to study.

That night, he was sitting in his tent, chin in hand, sighing, when Peng Xiaoyu arrived with the carpenter uncle. The carpenter, beaming with pride, carried in the new footbath he had crafted, showing off the side with the carved tiger. Unfortunately, his hopes for praise were dashed—Wei Ba was in no mood to admire handiwork and waved him off. "Just leave it there."

The carpenter left, crestfallen, casting one last glance at his day's labor. Outside, Peng Xiaoyu caught up, stopped him, and handed him a handful of coins. "Wait, these are from the young general. Go buy yourself a drink."

The carpenter's face lit up instantly. Clutching the money, he was about to return to thank Wei Ba, but Peng Xiaoyu stopped him. "The young general is busy now—no need to go back inside."

"Alright then. If the young general needs anything made in the future, just come to me—Wang Wu." The carpenter pocketed the coins and left in high spirits, humming as he went.

Inside the tent, Wei Ba overheard their conversation and felt a mix of guilt and satisfaction. The footbath was a private commission, and by rights, he ought to have tipped for it, but had forgotten. Thanks to Peng Xiaoyu’s reminder, he avoided being thought a miser. His father was always generous with the servants; he mustn't tarnish the family reputation.

When Peng Xiaoyu returned, Wei Ba thanked her sincerely. "Xiaoyu, thank you."

She looked surprised, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "It's nothing. The young general has important things to do—these small matters are my duty. The footbath is ready, and I've found the herbs you asked for. Would you like to soak now, or wait a bit?"

Wei Ba tossed aside his documents, dejected. "I can’t concentrate. Go prepare the water. I’ll soak my feet and go to bed early."

Peng Xiaoyu smiled and set about her task. Soon, a steaming tub was ready, fragrant with medicinal herbs. She rolled up her sleeves, revealing pale forearms, tested the water, then gently lifted Wei Ba’s feet onto her lap, removed his socks, and placed them in the tub. Sitting across from him, she rested her chin on her knees, gazing absently at the rising steam.

Wei Ba was lost in thought and didn’t notice her unusual expression. He picked up a document, tried to read, but after a few lines tossed it aside. This happened a couple more times before Peng Xiaoyu suddenly spoke. "Young general, are you worried about tomorrow’s gathering?"

He glanced at her. "How did you know?"

Peng Xiaoyu replied slowly, "The whole camp knows. Of course I know."

"The whole camp?" Wei Ba was startled. Was it really that big a deal?

She raised her eyes, noticed his anxious look, and chuckled softly. "You’re overthinking it. It’s not aimed at you in particular." She paused, then added, "Of course, you are one of the more important candidates."

"Important? Why do you say that?" Wei Ba stroked his chin. "I’m rather ordinary, I think."

"You might be, but General Wei is not." Peng Xiaoyu straightened, her clear, almond-shaped eyes sparkling. Wei Ba felt a flutter in his chest, but the birthmark on her face quickly brought him back to reality, and he sighed.

"What’s so unusual about the general?" Wei Ba asked, lowering his gaze.

"Before the Chancellor came to Hanzhong, the General Who Guards the North was the highest military authority here. But since the Chancellor’s arrival, what to do with the general’s military power became a delicate issue. If he retains command, his office becomes a rival power to the Chancellor’s. The Chancellor would have to consult him before doing anything, which is clearly undesirable. But if the Chancellor rashly strips the general of command, who knows how he’ll react?"

Wei Ba’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"The Chancellor needs to launch a northern campaign and hold supreme power, so he must relieve the general of his command and subordinate him to the Chancellor’s office. Yet, given the general’s prestige and strength, he can’t act too brusquely for fear of provoking resentment. Thus, it’s best to win him over, allay his suspicions, and test his limits step by step."

Wei Ba looked at Peng Xiaoyu, inwardly astonished. Was this girl really raised in the supply corps? How could she read people so well? His father certainly respected Chancellor Zhuge, but his military power was his foundation. The constant drills of late were less about preparing for the campaign than about demonstrating his control over the troops. Zhuge Liang’s recent gestures could also be seen as efforts to win over the Wei family. Otherwise, the matter of the general defying orders, detaining the Rear General, and causing a commotion in the supply corps would not have been so easily resolved.

Peng Xiaoyu noticed the change in his expression and smiled wryly. "My mother was a sister to the Three Dragons of the Li Clan of Guanghan. She died in the supply corps just last year."

"The Three Dragons of the Li Clan in Guanghan?" Wei Ba was puzzled. He’d never heard of them. He knew of the Eight Dragons of the Xun Clan in Yingchuan, but not this.

"The Li family of Qi County, Guanghan, had four brothers. Except for Li Hannan, Li Miao, known for his wild temper, the other three were all men of talent and renown, called the Three Dragons of the Li Clan. The youngest, Li Ji, died young. The second, Li Wei, wrote memorials for the late Emperor and accompanied him east, dying at Yong’an. The eldest, Li Yong, fell in the southern campaign with the Chancellor two years ago." Peng Xiaoyu paused, sniffed, "Now only Li Hannan remains—his loose tongue might get him killed any day."

"Li Hannan… where is he now?"

"He’s in the army, serving as an aide to the Chancellor. He came to see me just a few days ago."

"Then why didn’t you ask him to help you?"

"I don’t want to be associated with him," Peng Xiaoyu replied, wiping tears from her eyes. "My mother always said he was like my father—talented but too arrogant, bound to come to a bad end. Asking him might free me for a time, but sooner or later I’d be dragged back into trouble." She hesitated. "Some of what I just said is what he told me."

Wei Ba ventured, "Did your father… get into trouble for speaking out of turn?"

Peng Xiaoyu nodded. "Yes. My family’s disaster all came from one reckless remark—he called the late Emperor stubborn and misguided."