NOVPUBWang Lie was magnanimous, and Chen Xi’s answer greatly satisfied him. He wrote this book to educate the common people; knowing it could be used to educate the whole world was already very gratifying to him. As for the core ideas, he had nothing to cling to—gains and losses, peckings and quenchings, all are ordained by fate.
"Duke Wang, if you wish to establish an academy in Linzi, in three days’ time, at Chen Hour, I will send officials to discuss with you the location and the construction criteria. Linzi is building a new city, so if you have any needs, please think them through within these three days. It will be quite difficult to make changes after the plans are finalized," Fa Zheng calmly said to Wang Lie. Though he wasn’t sure what the old man’s name was, a Great Confucian Scholar who could write books and expound doctrines was certainly not someone to be underestimated!
"Thanks to the Prime Minister of Qi State," Wang Lie said with a smile.
"It’s unnecessary, I’m just following regulations after all. Besides, constructing certain infrastructures in the new city is a must," Fa Zheng replied, his tone businesslike, yet the true meaning behind the initial plans was something those unschooled in them could hardly imagine.
"Duke Wang, thank you very much. I shall not disturb you further today," Chen Xi said to Wang Lie, holding his scrolls and bowing.
"Zijia, go with Zichuan now," Wang Lie gestured with a wave of his hand, but Lu Yu hesitated noticeably.
"Is there something else?" Chen Xi looked at Lu Yu, puzzled, only to see a blush spreading on Lu Yu’s face, although she did not speak.
Wang Lie glanced at Lu Yu, patted his own body, and drew out a jade pendant to give to his daughter, "Go with him, girl. And you, young man, if you dare to fail my daughter, hmph!"
Lu Yu’s face lit up with joy, while Li’er, who had been standing beside Wang Lie, showed signs of bashfulness, but her feet were gradually sliding toward Lu Yu.
"A grown daughter can’t be kept at home," Wang Lie said, discontented. "Marquis Chen, please take good care of them for me."
"Sure," Chen Xi nodded and said, looking at Lu Yu with an evident quirk in his gaze. This fellow had been lodged with Wang Lie for no more than a couple of months, yet he had won Wang Lie’s daughter’s hand—tsk, tsk, tsk, indeed he was no ordinary individual.
Leaving with Lu Yu, he naturally handed over the objects he was carrying to the soldiers standing guard like pillars outside the door. The main task of the day might not have been accomplished, but a greater benefit was gained.
"It’s a pity that Boyan will stay in Linzi for a short while, or else I would have you meet a peer who stands out from the rest," Chen Xi said with a smile to the slightly excited Lu Yu.
Lu Yu’s eyebrows raised as he glanced at Chen Xi, then shifted his gaze to Fa Zheng before finally settling on Zhuge Liang, "Rather than meeting those I’ve never encountered, I’m more interested in this Zhuge Kongming who’s just a tad older than me."
"That’s your thing," Chen Xi shook his head while Fa Zheng passed by, patting Zhuge Liang’s shoulder with a cheery smile.
"You should go find the one who’s about your own age," Zhuge Liang shook his head, somewhat disliking the inscrutable Lu Yu, confident that Lu Xun could hold sway over him.
"What’s the matter," Lu Yu looked puzzled at Chen Xi—he had thought Zhuge Liang would react somehow, but his deliberate observation of Chen Xi then Fa Zheng had no effect whatsoever, as the other seemed utterly nonchalant.
"You should be trouncing him," Fa Zheng said excitedly as Zhuge Liang caught up with them.
"It’s pointless. Giving Boyan a chance to rebuild his confidence is more like it—after all, he has to learn from you," Zhuge Liang said dispassionately. "A genius should have the sharpness of a genius, and lately, Boyan has been overly suppressed by me and Zichuan."
"Pfft," Fa Zheng made a scornful face, "If he can’t even handle that bit of suppression, what kind of genius is he? Back in the day, when I was with Guo Fengxiao and Jia Wenhe..."
At this point, Fa Zheng couldn’t continue speaking. The ordeal he had been through was enough to break him, if it had not been for the deep obsession Guo Jia had instilled in him, that method of tempering would have rendered him useless by now.
"Why have you stopped talking?" Chen Xi stepped back a few paces to be level with Fa Zheng and asked with a hint of curiosity.
"I’m choked up," Fa Zheng said calmly.
"…" Neither Zhuge Liang nor Chen Xi had anything to reply.
Soon after taking several turns, Chen Xi and his group made it back to the post house. "Boyan, come out. I want to introduce you to a peer. He’s quite impressive, too. Play nice together, no roughhousing."
Chen Xi’s words deliberately sounded like a warning to five- or six-year-old children not to fight, which naturally made the expression of Lu Xun, who came out to meet them, somewhat peculiar.
Lu Xun certainly wasn’t one to engage in such childish antics. He would rather spend his time reading or strategizing to try to close the gap with Zhuge Liang. And since Chen Xi, as his teacher, would not have specifically admonished him about such things, that left only Lu Yu. Naturally, this led Lu Xun to believe that the other party had the mentality of a child.
"Greetings, Master," Lu Xun said respectfully with a bow.
"This is Minister Lu’s son, Lu Yu, Lu Zijia. Xiaozhi, Kongming, and I have other matters to attend to. You take him to read some books and have something to eat," Chen Xi said as he patted Lu Yu on the back.
"Lu Yu has met Brother Boyan," said Lu Yu, his demeanor warm and refined as he executed perfect etiquette. In reality, Lu Yu was quite irritated by Lu Xun’s gaze, but his years of independence had fully taught him how to mask his true feelings in such situations.
"Alright, now that you’ve met, Boyan, I’m leaving him in your care," Chen Xi said with a smile, and without waiting for Lu Xun to pay his respects, he left with Fa Zheng and Zhuge Liang.
Standing at the door, Lu Yu snorted coldly and proceeded straight into the post house with Li’er, whilst Lu Xun just assumed it was the other’s childish behavior kicking in and shrugged before following him inside.
[Hmph, underestimate me, and I’ll teach you a lesson.] With a self-satisfied and arrogant demeanor, Lu Yu headed toward the inner rooms. A lion still uses all its strength when catching a rabbit, and Lu Yu certainly knew how to deliver a surprise attack!
"This doesn’t seem right. I remember Kongming’s face turning dark," Fa Zheng said, stroking his beard. His words suggested reluctance, yet his entire expression revealed he was quite excited!
"…" Zhuge Liang glanced at Fa Zheng without a word.
"We need to let him understand that there are skies beyond the sky and people beyond the world. Power schemes are well and good, but sometimes the best preparations pale in comparison to the ease of another’s casual strike. The greatest fear of a power schemer is a lack of understanding," said Chen Xi, shaking his head. "I’m afraid it won’t be long before we find out who is truly the novice."
"It won’t be over quickly. Although it’s obvious who is stronger, continuous probing is inevitable, again and again. Boyan and him are too close in age, and if Lu Zijia is indeed a genius, he’ll likely have a bit of confidence in himself," Zhuge Liang recalled how Lu Xun had realized he was far surpassed but still constantly probed, leading to his eventual overwhelming defeat.
"This is a tragedy," said Fa Zheng, shaking his head. "But this should make him much more cautious in his actions. Let’s hope he won’t be ruined by a single setback."
"Don’t worry, he won’t be ruined. A genius, aside from having talent and diligence, requires the right temperament. Otherwise, he can’t be called a genius," Chen Xi said with a smile. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for it or cast a monthly vote. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
