Chapter 88

I had already achieved all my goals in Tianshui, but I decided to stay a few more days. Since I came all this way, shouldn’t I at least see Ma Chao before leaving?

Moreover, I needed to give Jiang Wei some time to prepare to leave his hometown. Although Jiang Wei himself was ready to leave at any moment, his mother was a different story.

Only after Jiang Wei conveyed his mother’s approval to move to Nanjing did I begin preparing to leave Qixian. With Jiang Wei’s subordinates joining us, the return journey was much livelier compared to when we came as a trio of three.

“You’re leaving,” Wang Sha said with a hint of regret as he saw us off at the city gate.

“Don’t be too sad. We’ll meet again soon,” I replied.

While I exchanged farewells with Wang Sha, Ma Chao, who had been chatting with Pang De, approached. Although Wang Sha was the governor of Tianshui, Ma Chao held the highest rank here and thus represented the group in bidding us farewell.

“Please convey my regards to General of the Rear and His Majesty, the King of Hanzhong.”

“I will.”

“The next time we meet, it will likely be on the battlefield again.”

As Ma Chao said, over the past year, each state had been recovering its strength and preparing for the next war. The clouds of war were not far off.

“Perhaps by then, you might even outrank me.”

“How could that be? With Marquis of Duting here, how could I possibly…”

“It’s just a saying. But keep it in mind. And let me say this in advance—I wouldn’t mind it at all.”

Ma Chao’s words carried a hint of jest, but his past actions suggested there was some truth to his lighthearted remark.

Hmm, considering Ma Chao’s track record, his words might have some weight.

With that, we left Qixian and began our journey back to Nanjing.

Unlike our trip here, this time we had followers on foot, so our pace was slower.

I had told my father I would return soon, but by the time we reached Nanjing, nearly half a month had passed.

“You’re quite late.”

“Ah… my apologies.”

“I see many unfamiliar faces.”

“Well…”

“And I heard you appointed one as an officer in the Rear General’s Office?”

Given how much noise I had made, it was no surprise my father had heard about it.

My father wasn’t scolding me. The Rear General had the authority to establish his own office and appoint personnel to assist him.

Recruiting talent was something I had been doing since my days as the General of the North, a rank lower than the Rear General. But the fact that he brought it up now suggested he was a bit disappointed that I had prioritized other matters over seeing him after so long.

Last time, when discussing the criteria for a son-in-law, he mentioned Guan Yu instead of himself, showing that despite his outward demeanor, he held a certain affection for me.

“Well, at least you returned safely. That’s what matters.”

Just as I thought he was letting it go, my father singled out Jiang Wei.

“But is that young man really such a remarkable talent? I heard he’s called the ‘Qilin of Tianshui.'”

Rumors travel fast. I had only referred to Jiang Wei as a Qilin twice, yet someone had already spread the word.

“Yes, he is a remarkable talent. The title ‘Qilin of Tianshui’ will surely be recognized by the world.”

“Hmph… I’ve seen many talents you’ve recruited and promoted, and none have been lacking. Especially Wang Zijun and Ma Dexin—even my elder brother praised them as pillars of the state. But are you saying this one is even greater than them?”

When introducing talents to others, I often included my evaluations. For example, I said Wang Ping had the makings of a Supreme General, and Ban Jun was destined for high office.

Those who recognized their abilities trusted my judgment.

But the title “Qilin” must have felt different. My father, who had once said my eye for talent was similar to my elder brother’s, was now questioning me.

“To my humble judgment, yes. He is.”

“Is that so? If you say so, there must be a reason.”

My father, showing strong interest in Jiang Wei, stroked his chin as if recalling their first meeting. Then, with a fiery gaze, he spoke as if on the battlefield.

“I’d like to meet him in person.”

“Shall I arrange a meeting?”

“Given the fatigue from the journey, tomorrow or the day after would be best.”

After planning the meeting between my father and Jiang Wei, I went to inform Jiang Wei.

I found Jiang Wei not in his assigned room but in the training grounds outside. From Qixian to Nanjing—a distance comparable to Seoul to Busan—yet he still had energy left. Truly, the vigor of youth at nineteen is something else.

Beside him were Pang De and Zhao Yun. It seemed my evaluation of Jiang Wei had stirred more than just my father’s curiosity.

When I revealed my presence, they stopped what they were doing and gave a simple nod in my direction. I returned the gesture with a bow.

“Practicing here? You must be tired, yet you haven’t rested.”

Though my words were directed at everyone, they carried a subtle reprimand toward Zhao Yun and Pang De for not letting Jiang Wei rest. Sensing the underlying message, Jiang Wei smiled warmly and replied.

“I was seeking guidance from these two. I’m grateful they took the time to help despite their busy schedules.”

“Is that so?”

Though Jiang Wei framed it positively, it wasn’t the whole story. While Pang De maintained his usual poker face, Zhao Yun’s awkward smile gave it away.

But I didn’t press further. Instead, I used this as an opportunity to bring up the main point.

“How about receiving guidance from one more person?”

“One more? Could it be…?”

“Yes. My father wishes to see you.”

At the mention of a figure ranked within the top five of Shu, both Pang De and Zhao Yun immediately cooled their competitive spirits.

“We’ll stop here.”

“General of the Rear is a hero among heroes. This will be a valuable experience.”

As Zhao Yun and Pang De nudged him, Jiang Wei readily nodded. He didn’t seem forced; his genuine enthusiasm for learning was evident, which reassured me.

Good. Keep making a good impression. You need to rise quickly.

I smiled inwardly as I watched Jiang Wei. It felt like the pride of a gardener watering a growing tree. Seeing Jiang Wei build connections and find his place was truly gratifying.

‘This time, I’ll help you unleash your full potential.’

Jiang Wei, who had struggled both externally and internally due to Huang Hao’s schemes, remained loyal and righteous until his dying breath. Even after Liu Shan’s surrender, he dreamed of reviving Shu-Han. This time, he would surely fulfill that dream.

The next day, Jiang Wei met with my father. I didn’t know what they discussed, but given my father’s respect for scholars and Jiang Wei’s academic background, the atmosphere couldn’t have been bad.

Moreover, Jiang Wei’s expertise in Confucianism, particularly the teachings of Zheng Xuan, who had ties to Liu Bei and advocated for moral principles, made them a perfect match.

As expected, my father and Jiang Wei got along well. They naturally moved to the training grounds as if taking a stroll, and without prior discussion, they seamlessly transitioned into a sparring match.

“Jiang Wei of Tianshui humbly requests a lesson from the Hero of Ten Thousand.”

“Very well. I shall show you the spear of my sworn brother, Zhang Yide.”

Jiang Wei and my father faced each other, wielding real spears instead of training staffs.

The spectators included not just me but also Zhao Yun and Pang De, who had sparred with Jiang Wei the previous night, as well as my father’s officers.

It had turned into a public event, much like when I had sparred with Wei Yan.

I was a bit worried. While Jiang Wei’s potential was undeniable, I wasn’t sure how strong he was at this stage.

It was natural that he couldn’t defeat my father yet, but if he were completely overwhelmed, it might affect his reputation…

“What do you think, Generals?”

“General of the Rear’s victory is a foregone conclusion, but there’s no need to worry.”

“That young man certainly has talent. This should be an interesting match.”

Zhao Yun and Pang De’s assessments were highly favorable. Pang De, who took great pride in being from Xiliang, rarely praised others, so his acknowledgment of Jiang Wei’s talent spoke volumes.

Though Jiang Wei was also from Xiliang, Pang De wasn’t the type to favor someone just because they shared the same origins.

“It’s starting.”

Perhaps intending to give the younger man the first move, my father waited for Jiang Wei to attack.

The thrusting spear. The youthful vigor behind the blade sliced through the air with precision. The straight, unwavering spear demonstrated the countless hours of training Jiang Wei had undergone.

But his opponent was the Hero of Ten Thousand. My father’s spear moved a breath later.

In the blink of an eye, my father’s spear coiled around Jiang Wei’s and deflected it.

It was a perfect counter—flexible as a snake and swift as the wind. The epitome of “striking after the opponent.”

Though age had diminished his muscles and strength, my father’s martial prowess had only grown more refined.

Jiang Wei didn’t give up. Anticipating a counterattack, he stepped back and twisted his body, simultaneously raising his spear for another strike.

This immediate response wasn’t something that could be achieved through mere training—it was honed in real combat.

“Not bad!”

But to my father, even this posed little threat. With a hearty laugh, he increased the speed of his spear, unleashing a barrage of strikes that overwhelmed Jiang Wei.

My father’s spear techniques were a blend of speed and fluidity. His strikes fell like thunder and swept like a storm.

Jiang Wei, forced on the defensive, barely managed to parry each blow. Yet, even in this dire situation, his eyes remained sharp, searching for an opening to counterattack.

His unyielding spirit eventually granted him a chance to strike.

Clang!!

But his final, decisive blow was in vain. My father had deliberately left an opening, luring Jiang Wei into a trap and countering with a swift strike.

The unexpected blow disrupted Jiang Wei’s balance, causing him to stumble. Yet, even as he fell, he didn’t let go of his spear.

As everyone expected, my father emerged victorious. But the fact that Jiang Wei had held his own against my father was an achievement in itself. Even I wasn’t confident I could defeat my father yet.

How many exchanges had they gone through before the conclusion? It was a performance worthy of recognition. Through this single spar, Jiang Wei had fully proven his worth.

“Quite impressive.”

My father helped Jiang Wei to his feet and dusted off his clothes.

When Jiang Wei bowed in gratitude, my father grabbed his shoulders, pulled him up, and patted his back.

“Your body is strong, your spirit resolute, and your energy abundant. You cultivate martial arts externally and scholarship internally. Truly deserving of the title ‘Qilin.'”

My father’s gaze then turned to me.

“You’ve found a good talent. Part of me wants to take him from you and make him my disciple.”

“You wouldn’t do that, would you?”

“Ahem. I know you have a better eye for talent than I do. Nurture him well. If you ever feel overwhelmed, send him to me.”

With that, my father subtly left the door open. Then, addressing the gathered crowd, he declared:

“Today is a joyous day! A talent who will become a pillar of the state has arrived. How can we keep such joy to ourselves? Let us hold a banquet, and I hope all officers will attend!”