Chapter 149

Meanwhile, Zhuge Ge was in a state of semi-confinement at the lodging assigned to the condolence delegation. It was a disciplinary action from Zhuge Jin, who was furious upon hearing about what had happened at Chang-ran’s uniform ceremony.

While Zhuge Jin went to meet Sun Lue, the second prince of the Han Dynasty who was held as a hostage, he heard that Zhuge Ge had attended Chang-ran’s uniform ceremony and immediately summoned him.

“Didn’t you promise not to speak out of turn without my permission?”

“Father, the uniform ceremony was not an official event but a private gathering hosted by Chang-ran. Moreover, I merely answered her questions. It won’t escalate into a diplomatic issue.”

Even in the face of Zhuge Jin’s anger, Zhuge Ge defended himself eloquently.

“How can you call it just a private gathering? Chang-ran is the Commander Wei of Shu, and those gathered there were all in key positions. Such a place is a public event disguised as a private one!”

Zhuge Jin also knew that this incident had little potential to be exploited diplomatically.

As Zhuge Ge said, he had only answered Chang-ran’s questions, and the attack on Luoyang was already a mainstream opinion within the Han Dynasty.

But everything starts small. Even if this incident doesn’t cause a diplomatic issue, who knows if he might speak out of turn in a more important setting next time?

Thus, Zhuge Jin decisively imposed a punishment.

“From now on, you are not allowed to leave the official residence of the condolence delegation without my permission. Even if someone comes to see you, you must seek approval and decline. Stay confined to the residence.”

Although it was a half-hearted confinement since he could be released for official reasons by the Han Dynasty, it was still confinement.

Thus, Zhuge Ge was confined to a corner of the residence assigned to the condolence delegation, but surprisingly, he wasn’t particularly bothered.

‘After all, if Shu calls for me, even Father won’t be able to stop it.’

It was only a matter of time before the confinement would be lifted.

His reputation wasn’t an issue either.

Many in the condolence delegation were dissatisfied with the current situation, where they had to tread carefully despite their past victories in Xingnan. They understood the situation but were inwardly accumulating grievances.

Then, Zhuge Ge had brilliantly refuted the renowned new talents of the Han Dynasty. If it had been an official diplomatic setting, they would have been more worried than satisfied, but Zhuge Ge’s stage was a private one.

Most viewed Zhuge Ge positively, seeing him as representing Wu’s spirit. Some even went as far as saying that Zhuge Jin was being too harsh on Zhuge Ge.

Some followed Zhuge Jin’s orders but still looked out for Zhuge Ge, bringing him news from outside or allowing him brief walks when Zhuge Jin was away.

In such a situation, what did Zhuge Ge have to worry about? His father’s discomfort with him wasn’t a new thing.

What occupied Zhuge Ge’s mind was something else entirely.

‘Zai Gong… Zai Gong, Zai Gong… What exactly did she mean by that comparison?’

Zhuge Ge was engrossed in analyzing the true meaning behind Chang-ran’s evaluation of him.

In fact, he was even pleased to have the quiet solitude for deep thought that the confinement provided.

Zai Gong, who was said to surpass even Confucius in worldly abilities, was the top among Confucius’s disciples in terms of practical skills.

Being compared to him meant that Chang-ran had accurately assessed Zhuge Ge’s talents—at least on the surface.

‘If it were just about ability, she could have compared me to Guan Zhong or Yue Yi. There must be a deeper meaning.’

It didn’t take long for Zhuge Ge’s thoughts to connect Chang-ran’s words to the concepts of “Hulian” and “Junzi Buji” that she had mentioned to Ma Su.

‘Is she saying I cannot become a gentleman? Did Chang-ran, like Father, intend to reprimand me for acting rashly?’

As soon as he thought of that, Zhuge Ge dismissed it.

‘That can’t be.’

He and Chang-ran were kindred spirits. Both were born with heavenly-endowed talents.

Just as the late Zhou Yu and Sun Ce had recognized each other, those favored by heaven naturally understood and acknowledged each other.

There must be some hidden implication in Chang-ran’s comparison to Zai Gong that Zhuge Ge hadn’t yet grasped.

‘From my perspective, it’s hard to understand. Chang-ran and I are on different levels of scholarly knowledge.’

Everyone acknowledged that Chang-ran was among the top in military matters in the Three Kingdoms.

But her literary achievements were not as high. Although she had some scholarly knowledge from her background as a scholar-official, it was not comparable to that of true literati.

She was friends with Ban Jun, a disciple of the great scholar Song Zhong, and had studied the Four Books and Five Classics to some extent. In short, Chang-ran’s scholarly knowledge was shallow.

‘She only thinks within the realm of the Analects.’

Narrowing down the scope, another passage came to Zhuge Ge’s mind.

Zai Gong had once confidently expressed his aspirations to Confucius. When Zai Gong said he would not do to others what he did not want done to himself, Confucius replied:

‘That is beyond your reach.’

Perhaps Chang-ran’s comparison to Zai Gong was her way of saying that Zhuge Ge was not yet in a position to discuss the world?

‘Come to think of it, Chang-ran hasn’t met anyone else from our delegation besides me.’

I’m still lacking. But I’m the only one worth watching.

Zhuge Ge’s thoughts spiraled.

His innate arrogance.

His competitive spirit towards the first peer he acknowledged.

His desire to be recognized while also seeing her as a rival.

All these mixed together, leading Zhuge Ge to a conclusion.

‘Is she telling me to grow more? To seize military authority like her? Then, like Confucius did with Zai Gong, she would discuss national affairs with me…’

Zhuge Ge’s thoughts were almost delusional. He had taken the absolute premise that he was superior and that Chang-ran acknowledged it. He had fallen into what would later be called confirmation bias.

Once his thoughts tilted, they continued to spiral without recognizing the slope.

‘To rise to a high position like Chang-ran and hold military authority, I need achievements.’

How can I reach the same level as Chang-ran?

Frankly, Chang-ran’s case was greatly aided by the ruler’s favor.

Without the ruler’s favor that transcended her gender, would Chang-ran have reached her current position?

While it could be said that Liu Bei’s judgment was excellent, it could also be seen as excessive favoritism towards a relative.

But Chang-ran had proven through her achievements that Liu Bei’s judgment was correct and that she deserved her position.

Then, Zhuge Ge could do the same.

In terms of the ruler’s favor, Zhuge Ge was no less favored.

As the son of Zhuge Jin, who held Sun Quan’s absolute trust, and having shown brilliance since childhood, Zhuge Ge was treated like a nephew by Sun Quan.

His ability to live up to that favor was unquestionable. He had lacked opportunities, not ability.

‘This is a test. A test for me to rise to where she stands.’

It’s not difficult. In the past, his age would have been a shackle, but that was no longer the case.

The current trend in the Three Kingdoms was to promote young talents and give them opportunities, a change from the past.

The appearance of a figure who shook the world at just twenty years old had caused this shift.

If one could prove their ability, the limits of age could be easily overcome.

The pioneer had paved the way; the followers just had to follow.

Rolling the snowball, creating a virtuous cycle of military achievements and positions, and running on the path to success. Chang-ran had achieved fame at a young age.

‘I can’t be involved in this northern expedition. But after it ends, the Three Kingdoms will catch their breath. Then, I will pacify Danyang, our internal trouble.’

Originally, the pacification of Danyang would have happened ten years later. But to Zhuge Ge, who was anxious about being told he wasn’t ready yet, ten years was too far away.

‘But even if I propose pacifying Danyang, will the ruler accept it?’

No matter how much Sun Quan favored him, Zhuge Ge had yet to achieve any significant external accomplishments.

And assuming they gained Huainan, wouldn’t stabilizing Huainan be prioritized over pacifying Danyang, which was teeming with barbarians?

‘I need achievements.’

Just as the fame he gained from the uniform ceremony had widened his scope of action even under confinement.

Only the fame brought by achievements could be Zhuge Ge’s breakthrough.

And the opportunity to build achievements was right before his eyes.

‘I must make Shu attack Luoyang.’

If he could lead the Han Dynasty’s support attack, not the hesitant Zhuge Jin but himself, then Zhuge Ge could move on to the next step of pacifying Danyang.

With such plans in mind, Zhuge Ge waited for the right moment.

The end of the confinement would come. If they were in Han, not Wu, Zhuge Jin would have no choice but to bring Zhuge Ge to an official setting at least once.

‘The Emperor, Liu Bei’s summons.’

At that time, even Zhuge Jin wouldn’t dare keep Zhuge Ge confined to the residence.

When Liu Bei summoned all the envoys, a farewell banquet would be held.