Mythical Three Kingdoms-Chapter 799 - 763: Conflict of Beliefs
When Zhuge Liang followed Taishi Ci to lead the troops forward, Sun Ce had already set up his formation beforehand. However, upon seeing Taishi Ci's soldiers advance and retreat with precision, Sun Ce abandoned the thought of engaging in a fierce battle.
"Zhuge Kongming..." Pang Tong narrowed his eyes at the figure clad in white robes, Zhuge Liang. He had no idea when his disdain for white apparel began, as he himself always favored pure black silk attire.
"So that's Zhuge Liang?" Sun Ce tilted his head in curiosity and asked Pang Tong.
"Yes, that's him..." Pang Tong stroked the few strands of his remaining beard, visibly excited. "No wonder I felt a sense of familiarity earlier—it's him, all right. It's been so long, so very long..."
Sun Ce slowly distanced himself from Pang Tong, sensing that something seemed off about him. That strange face combined with that eerie smile—no matter how one looked at it, it was unsettling.
"Zhuge Kongming..." Pang Tong squeezed his horse's belly with his thighs and, discarding his sinister grin from before, charged into the area between the two armies with a jubilant expression, as though meeting an old friend.
"Haha, Pang Shiyuan..." Zhuge Liang also showed a delighted face upon seeing Pang Tong approaching and galloped onward atop his sturdy steed.
"Shiyuan, it's been a long time! How have things been lately?" Zhuge Liang inquired warmly, his face alight with a smile.
"I have recently become a strategist under General Sun. How about you, Kongming?" Pang Tong's ugly face revealed a faint smile. Despite not yet reaching adulthood, he had already become an indispensable aide to one of the feudal lords. It was a moment of pride for Pang Tong, and his unattractive face showed a notable smugness.
"I am still young, far less experienced than Shiyuan. Currently, I serve only as a humble Secretary-General under the Han Dynasty." Zhuge Liang replied with a calm and composed demeanor.
While the rank of Secretary-General might seem low within the vast domain of the Great Han, Zhuge Liang's official title was legitimate compared to the miscellaneous general title held by Pang Tong, which was technically slightly inferior.
Pang Tong's face darkened at Zhuge Liang's subtle jab, but his sharp eyes quickly shifted, and he laughed, saying, "In that case, let me first congratulate Secretary-General Zhuge. However, why would Secretary-General Zhuge leave Qingzhou instead of tending to its governance? Aren't you afraid of losing this hard-earned title?"
Zhuge Liang's face momentarily turned grim. When he was summoned to Yizhou, his official title had not been revoked, and he was given a military position instead. Thus, Zhuge Liang technically wasn't part of the military world.
"I have not come here for trivial matters but to support fellow kin, stand vigil, and work together to restore the Han Dynasty." Zhuge Liang glanced meaningfully at Pang Tong.
For a fleeting moment, Pang Tong seemed to grasp something, but his focus was entirely on Zhuge Liang rather than the larger picture, causing his insight to slip away.
"Mutual vigilance with Yizhou? It reminds me of Western Qin and Tian Qi." Pang Tong made no effort to hide his disdain for Yizhou. "What do you think? Far alliances and near conquests—certainly the hallmark of a skilled strategist."
"Let us not confuse Western Qin and Tian Qi, which are two nations, with my lord and Yizhou, who are of the same lineage. As long as the Han Emperor exists, how can we act like treacherous rebels who usurp power?" Zhuge Liang smiled faintly and struck Pang Tong with a verbal dagger, addressing the Liu family's ties and the questionable imperial seal associated with General Sun's household.
"Have you not heard of brothers turning against each other? Moreover, why should I believe in such ideals? Lord Xuande's ambition and Liu Jiyu's ambition differ entirely—conflicting aims and irreconcilable paths. When the time comes, who will be the traitor, and who will be the rebel?" Pang Tong remarked mockingly as he looked at Zhuge Liang.
Pang Tong, too, was no pushover. If Zhuge Liang spoke of the past, then Pang Tong would speak of the future. Why not confront him evenly?
It was evident to anyone with foresight how grand Liu Bei's ambition was. If Liu Bei succeeded, Liu Zhang's petty aspirations as a local tyrant would surely become an impediment to him. In such cases, who would be right or wrong in the end?
"Who can truly know what the future holds? Dragons are capable of great and small, can rise high or stay hidden; in their grandeur, they summon clouds and spew mist; in their subtlety, they cloak themselves unseen; in ascension, they soar through the vast cosmos; in concealment, they lurk beneath the waves. Do you truly understand the transformation of dragons?" Zhuge Liang responded calmly. Liu Bei's ambition was highly attuned to Zhuge Liang's own ideals.
"Enough joking around." Pang Tong suddenly stopped speaking. Upon closer observation of Zhuge Liang, he grasped the current situation but felt little fear. The Yizhou army had already lost its combat power, and even Liu Bei's vice army posed limited threat. Nonetheless, he solemnly fixed his gaze on Zhuge Liang. "Are you here to stop me?"
"I am merely here to guide you back onto the proper path." Zhuge Liang replied, his eyes locked on Pang Tong. He knew Pang Tong would be a valuable asset under Liu Bei, though he also understood he wouldn't get the response he desired. Still, he made the attempt.
"We are no longer children. What is the proper path? I don't know, and neither do you. Bofu's ranks suit me well." Pang Tong glanced at Sun Ce and turned back to say, "Lord Xuande's ideals inspire me deeply, but Bofu's honor resonates with me even more!"
"Sun Bofu, yes, he's indeed an excellent monarch. Yet, rigidity often leads to snapping. Without Zhou Yu by his side, he will eventually fall victim to treachery, and you, Pang Tong, are not Zhou Yu." Zhuge Liang said candidly, offering his view as a friend.
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"Rigidity leads to snapping? Hmm, allow me to return your dragon motif from earlier—he will become a hero. Likewise, Lord Xuande's benevolence, without Chen Zichuan's support, could never warm the world like winter sunlight gifting life to all. And you, Zhuge Liang, are not Chen Zichuan." This time, Pang Tong referred to Liu Bei without calling him Lord Xuande but spoke with equanimity.
Zhuge Liang gazed at Pang Tong, and Pang Tong gazed back, each understanding that the other had already chosen their respective monarch—not out of childlike stubbornness, but because they had grown mature and restrained.
"My lord Liu Xuande seeks to restore the Han Dynasty and bring peace to the realm. You and your master Sun Bofu will inevitably stand in the way." Zhuge Liang stated firmly, his voice steady but resolute.
"Whether we obstruct or not remains to be seen." Pang Tong gently shook his head. "What we say here holds no value. It's simply a matter of allegiance. At the very least, I am satisfied serving Sun Ce, and Zhou Yu, being a magnanimous man, has been of great help to me."
"It seems we are destined as adversaries." Zhuge Liang said calmly as he looked at Pang Tong. "You're indeed skilled at embracing risks, and your chosen master is courageous in the same vein. Yet, the so-called King's Way cannot be paved by clever schemes or perilous stratagems."
"Haha." Pang Tong didn't argue but instead chuckled lightly. He acknowledged Zhuge Liang's words. "Not everyone possesses the resources of Liu Xuande or Yuan Benchu. Compared to Yuan Benchu, who builds upon borrowed foundations, Liu Xuande appears as one ordained by heaven. Alas, you are not the one granting him this mandate."
"Indeed, it's not I. But does that matter? When measured against the aspirations of countless people across the realm, a single individual's desires pale in comparison. Besides, my path isn't entirely in opposition." Zhuge Liang's handsome face revealed a glimmer of virtuous radiance. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
