Chapter 145

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

It is said to be a quote from President Lincoln of the United States, but in reality, it might not be. Although it is an unverified saying, many people resonate with its meaning because it truly reflects human nature.

And indeed, Zhuge Ge was one of the real-life examples that perfectly fit this saying.

Therefore, I intended to use this to gauge Zhuge Ge’s tendencies.

‘Power doesn’t necessarily mean giving someone immense authority.’

Sometimes, even a very small authority can have a significant impact.

What matters is what kind of authority is granted and when it is exercised. It depends on how one handles the underlying issues that arise when authority is given.

‘Zhuge Ge went to see his younger brother…’

While recalling Zhuge Ge’s schedule, Guo Yi came in. Skipping the formalities, he immediately asked.

“Xiao Xian, you said you were close to Zhuge Fuma, right?”

Fuma is short for Fuma Duwei (駙馬都尉), a position responsible for managing the horses that pull the emperor’s carriage. It was a position directly related to the emperor’s safety, so it was a rule to entrust it only to the most trustworthy individuals.

Over time, by the Western Jin period of the Sima family, it became a unique position given only to family members, specifically sons-in-law, but that was a later development.

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

Considering that Zhuge Jiao was the biological son of Zhuge Jin, this appointment reflected Liu Bei’s deep trust in Zhuge Liang.

“Yes. Since Bai Song came to our country, we have been close.”

Guo Yi’s father, Guo Jun, was also one of Liu Bei’s close aides. Guo Yi and Zhuge Jiao had been friends since childhood due to their fathers’ connections.

“I want you to relay a message for me.”

“To Bai Song?”

“Yes.”

“That won’t be difficult, but are you considering the Wu condolence delegation?”

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

Guo Yi, with a serious expression, said something.

“General, Bai Song would never betray our country. His Majesty also recognized Bai Song’s sincerity, which is why he entrusted him with the important position of Fuma Duwei, right?”

“Huh? Do you think I suspect Zhuge Fuma?”

“Huh? Ah, wasn’t that the case?”

“What are you talking about? Why would I suspect Zhuge Fuma, the son of the Prime Minister? Don’t make a fuss over nothing. Rather, what about the answer to what I said earlier?”

Guo Yi, seemingly trying to make up for his mistake, quickly nodded.

“Just tell me.”

“The day after tomorrow, the mourning period will end, and the mourning clothes will be removed.”

Removing the mourning clothes meant officially ending the mourning period.

“I received a eulogy from the Prime Minister, and I want to share this eulogy with everyone as part of the mourning removal ceremony. But it wouldn’t be right without Zhuge Fuma, the son of the Prime Minister.”

“Won’t you send a separate invitation?”

“I don’t want to make it too grand.”

It would be more like a gathering of peers of similar age.

Although the event itself might seem modest, the attendees would be anything but.

‘Starting with me, the host, Jiang Wei from the Commander Wei’s Office, Guo Yi, Bu Chuan, Ma Dai… It would also be good to invite Bi Yi or Zhang Wan. Would Dong Yun come? I can’t leave out Xu Shulong or Guo Youzhi, who have connections with me.’

At this point, it would be more like a gathering of the next generation of talents from the Han Dynasty under the guise of a mourning removal ceremony.

‘Zhuge Ge wouldn’t miss such an opportunity.’

Unless there was a dramatic change in his mindset, he would definitely want to join.

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

It didn’t matter if Zhuge Ge noticed this was too obvious. Even if it was like playing blind man’s bluff, it was fine.

What mattered was whether Zhuge Ge would come or not. And knowing Zhuge Ge as I do, if he knew this gathering was about him, he would come running even more eagerly.

‘Would a sparrow just pass by a mill?’

Zhuge Ge knew he was exceptional and loved to show off his talents. His many anecdotes from childhood were proof of this tendency.

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

As expected.

A letter arrived from Zhuge Jiao requesting to bring his cousin, Zhuge Ge.

And I immediately sent a reply.

With the word ‘Approved.’

§

“Any absentees?”

“None. Everyone is present.”

I thought a few might be absent, but surprisingly, their interest in me was higher than expected. A 100% attendance rate.

“Bai Yao, what do you think of Zhuge Ge?”

“Quite impressive. Xu Gong had a discussion with him earlier and was the first to stop talking.”

Xu Shulong was once considered a talent alongside Bi Yi and Dong Yun. And even now, Xu Shulong is regarded as a capable rising star.

Working as the chief clerk in the overburdened Prime Minister’s Office is impossible for anyone but the most talented.

He entered Zhuge Liang’s Prime Minister’s Office through my recommendation and was willing to fulfill my request to repay the favor.

“Also?”

“Guo Gong was overwhelmed, and Liu Xiang also struggled.”

“Liu Xiang?”

Guo Youzhi was prepared by me, so that’s understandable, but why did Ma Su step forward to take a beating?

‘Well, it’s not bad to have more.’

Ma Su is a talent even Zhuge Liang acknowledges. He is more than enough to elevate Zhuge Ge’s reputation.

“Dong Gong also seemed to be at a loss.”

“Ah, Dong Yun?”

Dong Yun, armed with principles, is invincible in topics with clear arguments but lacks a bit in improvisation.

I expected Dong Yun not to come. After all, even though we used the mourning removal as a pretext, this gathering could seem like a faction meeting. Dong Yun, who adheres to principles, would likely avoid it.

‘He came only to be humiliated.’

Even Ma Su and Dong Yun couldn’t stop Zhuge Ge’s tongue.

Would Bi Yi, the historical rival, be any different?

“Was Bi Yi quiet?”

“Seeing Bi Gong rise, I came to the General, so they must be arguing outside, right?”

“Really? Then let’s go.”

I was still in mourning clothes as I moved to the banquet hall where the guests were waiting.

The banquet was modest, with no lavish feast or fine wine, but the guests’ energy filled the room.

As I got closer, the voices of Bi Yi and Zhuge Ge became clearer.

I arrived quietly and observed the banquet hall. They had already exchanged poems, as evidenced by the paper with poems beside them.

Is that the ‘Wheat Ode’ and ‘Mill Ode’?

Bi Yi composed a poem about wheat, and Zhuge Ge countered with a poem about grinding wheat.

Then Zhuge Ge clicked his tongue and exclaimed.

“A phoenix comes from the east, and the luan bird recognizes and greets it. Why do the swallows and sparrows raise their voices beneath it? Though I come from a foreign land, the laws of the world are the same. Is this truly your law? If so, what a disappointment.”

“Hahaha! The phoenix is in the north, how can it come from the east? It’s pitiful to blame ignorance. Ambassador, return to your homeland before further humiliation.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

The conversation between Bi Yi and Zhuge Ge was a role reversal of their historical exchange.

Zhuge Ge, who had been the ambassador to Wu, was now confronting Bi Yi in Han. It felt like stepping into a scene from history, as if in a movie.

My laughter alerted them to my arrival, and the banquet hall fell silent.

As eyes turned to me, I reflexively coughed and spoke.

“Ahem, thank you all for gathering here.”

After scanning the gathered crowd, I finally fixed my gaze on Zhuge Ge.

His appearance resembled Zhuge Liang more than his father, Zhuge Jin.

Unlike Zhuge Liang, who was described as clear and pure, Zhuge Ge had a sharper impression.

His gaze, meeting mine without hesitation, shone brightly.

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

As I spoke directly to Zhuge Ge, attention shifted to him.

Surrounded by foreign officials in a land far from home, Zhuge Ge remained composed.

“Thank you for granting my possibly rude request.”

“But while I was standing outside, I heard an interesting conversation.”

Perhaps my directness was unexpected. Zhuge Ge adjusted his posture with interest.

“You mentioned a phoenix? Bi Yi already said the phoenix is in our north, but how can there be only one phoenix in the world?”

“Truly a wise statement.”

Zhuge Ge nodded with a smile. In contrast, Bi Yi’s face darkened.

“But there is truth and falsehood. You can’t call a chicken a phoenix.”

This time, it was the opposite. As if I were the judge, their expressions changed with each word I spoke.

“However, we have already seen the real phoenix, so distinguishing truth from falsehood shouldn’t be difficult.”

Pang Tong, who joined Liu Bei, advocated for entering Yi Province after his talents were recognized.

Jing Province was impoverished, with Sun Quan to the east and the powerful Cao Cao to the north, leaving Yi Province as the only place to expand.

It was an obvious argument anyone could make, but Pang Tong’s value lay in convincing Liu Bei to seize the land of his fellow clansman, Liu Zhang.

And what he did then is now the mission given to these Wu envoys.

“I ask. Zhuge Ge, where do you think our country should project its power now?”