Chapter 069: The Trial (Third Update)

Chapter 069: The Test, Third Update

Yang Wei was delighted to see Wei Ba falter, his smile just beginning to bloom when suddenly a voice cut through, freezing it on his face. Wei Ba turned toward the doorway and saw a man in his forties stride briskly into the room. His steps were swift as the wind, and he came to stand before Wei Ba, cupping his hands in salute. “Assistant Wei, please take the chief seat.”

Wei Ba blinked in confusion, hastily returning the salute and asking, “May I ask who you are?”

“I am Zong Yu from Nanyang, assigned to assist Captain Zhuge on the eastward expedition alongside you.”

Zhuge Qiao rose, smiling slightly. “Zi Yu, this is the teacher appointed to me by the Chancellor.”

Wei Ba immediately understood and hurriedly shook his head with a smile. “Assistant Zong, you are too courteous. With you here, how could I dare take the chief seat? Please, Assistant Zong, you first.” As he spoke, he warmly guided Zong Yu toward the seat.

“No, virtue does not depend on age,” Zong Yu waved his hand. “We are both assistants in the Chancellor’s office, and aside from being a few years older, I have nothing else noteworthy. Moreover, the Chancellor expressly instructed that you are well-versed in Hanzhong affairs and should lead this operation, with me assisting. So, the chief seat is yours.”

A stir ran through the crowd, even Zhuge Qiao looked surprised. Although none of them harbored the malicious thoughts of Yang Wei, they also did not believe Wei Ba was qualified to sit in the chief seat. Compared to everyone present, Wei Ba, newly entered into officialdom, was the least experienced. He was not yet twenty, only a few months ago had received his courtesy name from the Chancellor, his coming-of-age ceremony coinciding with his apprenticeship—he was but a fledgling. How could he, so young, be more distinguished than the nearly forty-year-old Zong Yu?

Zhuge Qiao glanced at Zong Yu, puzzled. Such an important matter, how could the Chancellor have failed to inform him? Was he meant to see how he would handle it himself? He watched Zong Yu’s face for any clue, but Zong Yu was stern, unsmiling, betraying nothing. As Zhuge Qiao hesitated, Wei Ba repeatedly shook his head. “Even if it is the Chancellor’s will, I dare not take this position. Assistant Zong, please don’t be modest. If you refuse to take the seat, I’ll disembark now and resign to the Chancellor.”

Zong Yu’s eyes twitched and he smiled. “Why?”

Wei Ba forced a smile. “Though our positions are equal, in terms of seniority, I cannot compare with you. With these peers, I can be a bit reckless, but in your presence, how could I dare? To be frank, not long ago my father said that among the Nanyang gentry, he respects you most. If I ever meet you, I mustn’t overstep, or he won’t forgive me.”

Zong Yu regarded Wei Ba with suspicion. “Did General Wei Yan truly say this? What virtues do I possess to earn such esteem from General Wei Yan?”

It was understandable for Zong Yu to doubt. Wei Yan was famously arrogant, never praising or admiring any fellow Nanyang natives, not even holding much regard for Fu Hong’s abilities, though he respected him for dying in battle. Zong Yu was even more inconspicuous among them—nearing forty and still only an assistant in the Chancellor’s office, now paired with Wei Ba, a mere youth. To say Wei Yan admired him would be absurd.

Wei Yan had indeed never said such words, but Wei Ba knew Zong Yu was a late bloomer, destined for greatness, though he would suffer obscurity for many more years. Only after Zhuge Liang’s death, when Zong Yu was over sixty, did he lead troops, becoming one of the few prominent generals in late Shu Han.

Knowing this, Wei Ba could never take the superior seat over such a figure, regardless of the Chancellor’s directive. Who knew if this was a trap? If he sat there today, tomorrow others would say he was as arrogant and conceited as his father.

Wei Ba resolutely refused to sit, and Zhuge Qiao breathed a sigh of relief, smiling as he addressed Zong Yu. “Zi Yu’s intentions are sincere, so please, Assistant, do not be modest. Kindly take the chief seat.”

Zong Yu’s lips twitched, he glanced at Wei Ba and smiled. “Very well, then I will presume upon your courtesy.”

“As it should be, as it should be,” Wei Ba, drenched in cold sweat, eagerly ushered Zong Yu to the seat, watching him settle before taking a place at the right hand, making sure not to show any hint of pride, striving for utmost composure.

Seeing Wei Ba’s respect for elders—even to the point of defying the Chancellor’s command—the others’ impression of him changed. Previously, many believed Wei Ba’s rapid rise to assistant in the Chancellor’s office was solely due to his father’s military power and obstinacy. Coupled with past conflicts between the Wei and Liu families, and the Yang family, they assumed Wei Ba, like his father, was arrogant and unapproachable. Now, witnessing his conduct, they were somewhat surprised, and their gazes softened.

Only Yang Wei was frustrated; he had hoped to mock Wei Ba, but instead ended up embarrassed himself. The seat was originally Wei Ba’s, but he refused it, yielding it to Zong Yu.

Zhuge Qiao coughed, announcing the start of the meeting. He turned to Zong Yu and nodded. “Assistant Zong, please begin by explaining the purpose of this operation.”

Zong Yu bowed, rose, and stepped behind Zhuge Qiao. An attendant unfurled a silk map and handed him a bamboo pointer. Zong Yu took the pointer, tapped the map, and spoke in a clear voice, “Our army’s objective in this operation is the three eastern counties of Hanzhong: Xicheng, Fangling, and Shangyong...”

The term “Three Eastern Prefectures” was used privately, for Shu Han, claiming inheritance of the Han dynasty, refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of Cao Wei’s regime, let alone their administration of the three eastern prefectures. Publicly, they were called the three eastern counties. The administrative divisions had changed frequently; now, Cao Wei referred to them as Xingcheng Prefecture and Weixing Prefecture, governed by Meng Da and Shen Yi.

Before Meng Da defected, Xicheng was established as Weixing Prefecture, governed by the local magnate Shen Dan. Later, Meng Da, Liu Feng, and Li Yan attacked jointly, Shen Dan surrendered, Weixing Prefecture was abolished and became Xicheng Prefecture. After Meng Da surrendered, he led Wei troops westward, defeated Shen Dan, abolished Xicheng Prefecture, appointed Meng Da as governor, and reinstated Weixing Prefecture. Shen Dan was relocated to Luoyang; his brother Shen Yi remained in Xicheng as governor of Weixing.

Thus, in Cao Wei’s official nomenclature, these places were Weixing Prefecture and Xingcheng Prefecture, belonging to Jingzhou, under the command of Sima Yi, Grand General stationed at Wancheng.

Over the past six months, aside from martial training, Wei Ba had pondered his father’s Ziwugu plan and the upcoming northern campaign strategy. He had discussed the situation with his father Wei Yan and his master Zhao Yun, becoming quite familiar with the eastern prefectures. Moreover, his attendant Dun Wu had frequently traveled through the area, providing firsthand experience that Wei Ba absorbed as his own knowledge.

Wei Ba understood Zong Yu’s explanation better than most, perhaps even more clearly than Zong Yu himself. Though most present were from Jingxiang and not unfamiliar with mountainous terrain, living in the Nanyang basin or Xiangyang city, they may not truly understand the mountains. Wei Ba knew more, but he was aware that his knowledge was theoretical; he had never ventured into the valleys like Dun Wu and lacked firsthand experience. Therefore, he kept a low profile, listening attentively to Zong Yu without offering unsolicited opinions.

Yet, to Yang Wei, Wei Ba’s earnestness appeared as hypocrisy, as insecurity, as feigning knowledge.

Hatred clouds judgment. While Wei Ba never considered Yang Wei a threat, Yang Wei viewed Wei Ba as a mortal enemy. Wei Ba had forced his father Yang Yi to vomit blood in public; such humiliation ensured their enmity would run deep. Any opportunity to embarrass Wei Ba, Yang Wei would seize.

No sooner had Zong Yu finished his explanation than Yang Wei stood, pretending to be cheerful, and said, “Assistant Zong’s analysis is excellent, but of those present, no one knows the terrain here better than Assistant Wei. Since Assistant Zong has finished, perhaps Assistant Wei could share his insights, so we may all benefit?”

Wei Ba glanced at Yang Wei with amusement, thinking, Has this fellow lost his mind? Why is he biting at me like a mad dog? Zhuge Qiao and Zong Yu haven’t spoken, when did it become your turn as a mere clerk?

Others also found Yang Wei’s actions rash. Zhao Guang and Fu Xing, seated by the door, exchanged a wry smile.

Wei Ba smiled unconcernedly. “Assistant Zong’s explanation was detailed enough; why should I gild the lily? If you have questions, why not consult Assistant Zong? His experience surely surpasses mine.”

Zhuge Qiao was displeased with Yang Wei’s behavior. This was official business, not a place for personal vendettas. He snorted lightly and glanced at Yang Wei, “Yuanxiu, if you have any doubts, speak up now; Assistant Zong can explain, and we can all learn.”

Yang Wei grew angrier seeing Zhuge Qiao side with Wei Ba. In the struggle between Yang Yi and Wei Yan, although the Chancellor appeared impartial, he often favored Yang Yi, such as inviting Cheng An into the Chancellor’s office to restore Yang Yi’s reputation. Now Zhuge Qiao supported Wei Ba, which only fueled Yang Wei’s resentment.

He tried to appear calm and composed, but his pale face and clenched jaw betrayed his agitation. The others noticed but chose not to intervene. Partly, Yang Wei’s temperament was much like his father’s, not easy to deal with, while the Wei family was even fiercer—best not to meddle. Moreover, Zhuge Qiao was newly embarked on his official career, and the others were unsure of his ability and worthiness. Yang Wei’s challenge to Wei Ba was a chance to test Zhuge Qiao as well.

Zhuge Qiao had considered this, and thus was even more annoyed at Yang Wei. In testing Wei Ba, Yang Wei had thrust Zhuge Qiao into an awkward situation.

—Third update complete, seeking recommendations and favorites!