Chapter 106: The Acting Pro

Wei Ba had been closely observing the expressions of Zhuge Liang and Ma Su. He knew full well that there were only two ways to recruit a spy: through coercion, by holding something over the person so they had no choice but to submit; or through inducement, by offering benefits unattainable under normal circumstances, utilizing the golden rule that heavy rewards will surely attract brave men.

The first method was well within Zhuge Liang’s power to implement. If Wei Ba refused, Zhuge Liang could easily execute him for murder, and even his father, Wei Yan, would be powerless to stop it. A life for a life, especially when the victim was the Prime Minister's son—no matter how protective his father was, he would find no way to intervene short of staging a prison break. The second method was equally viable. Even if Wei Ba were unwilling to risk his life for money, the Ziwu Valley plan had been proposed by his father and himself. If Zhuge Liang used the implementation of this plan as a condition, it would be difficult for Wei Ba to refuse without inciting his father’s immense wrath.

To his surprise, however, Zhuge Liang did neither. He offered no threats and no bribes, simply telling him to return as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Although Wei Ba was a pragmatist and didn't mind measuring a gentleman's belly with a villain’s heart, Zhuge Liang’s reaction still exceeded his expectations. After a long period of contemplation, he said to the Prime Minister, "Prime Minister, may I have a few days to consider?"

Zhuge Liang looked at him in surprise before replying, "For such a significant matter, a few days is reasonable. However, if you haven't decided to refuse yet, you cannot return to your camp."

"Then where shall I go?"

"To the prisoner camp. You will stay with the captives. If you decide to go, I will then proceed according to the plan."

Wei Ba gave a bitter smile. "That’s fine, but you must let me see my father first. Otherwise, given his temper, there’s no telling what misunderstandings might arise."

Zhuge Liang agreed and immediately sent for Wei Yan.

As Wei Ba had anticipated, the moment Wei Yan heard that his Ziwu Valley plan was being considered, his eyes lit up. Although he did not force Wei Ba to agree, the pleading look in his eyes betrayed his expectations completely. Wei Ba sighed inwardly. *Oh, Father, you who live only for glory, am I truly your own son?*

...

Wei Ba’s hair was disheveled, his clothes torn, and he was shackled. To make it look convincing, he had been soundly beaten, leaving his face bruised and swollen. Although his father had been the one to strike, Wei Ba felt that the old man had been even more ruthless than necessary, fearing any flaws in the ruse. Those blows had been real, and his face still burned, his walk reduced to a limp.

Cursing his father under his breath, he was shoved by several soldiers into the prisoner camp and tossed into a tent.

Jin Dongliu, who had been sitting in a corner counting ants, looked up in surprise. Upon seeing it was Wei Ba, he couldn't help but laugh. "Brother Wei, have you been well?"

"Go to hell!" Wei Ba spat, turning to kick the soldier who had pushed him. But the shackles were heavy and the chain too short; he managed only to lift his foot halfway before tripping and falling hard, the iron chain digging into his flesh, making him wince in pain.

"You brat, you’re at death's door and still acting arrogant? Careful, or I’ll split you open right here!"

"I’ll screw your mother! If you’ve got the guts, kill me now!" Unable to move, Wei Ba didn't let that stop him from cursing loudly. "You pack of curs, I didn't kill anyone! You’re framing an innocent man. Even if I become a ghost, I won’t let you go!"

"Hmph, the evidence is ironclad and you still dare to quibble? Why didn't you speak up in front of the Prime Minister earlier?" The soldier spat at him and walked away with a sneer.

"I’ll screw your ancestors!" Wei Ba hollered. "You’re framing me! I won’t accept this!"

Jin Dongliu listened for a while, finally grasping the situation. With a smile, he asked, "You killed someone? Who?"

Wei Ba, his throat dry from shouting, looked at Jin Dongliu impatiently. "Can’t tell you’re enjoying being a prisoner?"

"Facing death, yet having Brother Wei as a companion—the road to the underworld won't be lonely. Why shouldn't I be happy?"

"Screw your mother. I’m not keeping you company; I’m innocent!" Wei Ba cursed, his mood foul. He sat down with difficulty, closed his eyes, and ignored Jin Dongliu.

Jin Dongliu, likely lonely from being kept in isolation, was unusually delighted to see an acquaintance. Ignoring Wei Ba’s verbal abuse, he leaned in and asked, "Who did you kill? Even your father, the General Who Guards the North, couldn't protect you?"

Wei Ba hung his head, refusing to answer. He knew that in this era, class distinctions were rigid; those with power had privileges, and killing was not necessarily a capital offense. As Jin Dongliu had implied, given Wei Yan's status, killing a few commoners would never result in his son's execution. Compared to his current situation, the so-called "rich kids" of later generations were nothing.

"Zhuge Qiao."

Jin Dongliu was startled. "Why?"

"Why? I didn't kill him!" Wei Ba flared up, glaring at Jin Dongliu with a ferocious expression. "Those bastards framed me, do you hear me?"

Jin Dongliu retreated two steps and leaned against a broken saddle. Thinking of something, he suddenly began to laugh, which irritated Wei Ba to no end. "What are you laughing at? Laughing like a woman. Do you believe I won't smash you to death right now?"

"No need to be in such a hurry, I’m going to die anyway," Jin Dongliu said calmly. "And, of course, you are doomed too. Since that’s the case, why rush to kill me? If you kill me, you’ll be very bored all by yourself."

Wei Ba’s eyes narrowed. "You’re done for, but I may not be."

After Jin Dongliu was captured and brought to Mianyang, he had refused to surrender to Zhuge Liang. He was waiting for someone to ransom him, but it was more likely he was being kept to be sacrificed at the ceremony of the battle flag. Before a grand campaign, it was customary to sacrifice a live person to Chi You, the God of War. Jin Dongliu was the perfect candidate. Sacrificing a high-ranking Wei general would greatly boost the morale of the Shu-Han army. Jin Dongliu likely realized this and had lost hope of survival.

"I can't see any way out for you," Jin Dongliu said, looking at him with mockery. "We are both pathetic, not dying on the battlefield, but in this miserable fashion. But compared to you, I’m slightly better off. I die at the hands of the enemy, while you die at the hands of your own people."

Wei Ba remained silent. His mission was to get close to Jin Dongliu and earn his trust so that when they reached Chang'an, there would be an opportunity to lure him in. He certainly wasn't in mortal danger; when the time was right, someone would "break him out of prison." But he couldn't let Jin Dongliu see that, or the plan would fail. He had to act as realistically as possible; he couldn't let Jin Dongliu see a single flaw.

He thought of Zhuge Liang’s instructions and recalled the performances of the great actors he had seen in the films of his past life, looking for a template to learn from. His silence was interpreted by Jin Dongliu as despair, and the all-too-real injuries on his body served as irrefutable evidence. In that regard, Zhuge Liang was meticulous, and his father, Wei Yan, was ruthless. Had he not truly struck him, those injuries would never have fooled the eyes of a veteran who had fought on the battlefield for years.

Although he could sense that Jin Dongliu had no suspicions, Wei Ba did not dare to be careless. After three days of persistence, he finally waited for Jin Dongliu to take the initiative.

"Brother Wei, you are young and promising. Don't you feel it’s a cowardly way to die?"

Wei Ba lay on his side on a piece of withered wood. A few days of imprisonment had left him haggard and gaunt, no different from a real prisoner. It was pathetic—other than knowing he wouldn't die, his living conditions were exactly those of a true captive.

Hearing Jin Dongliu’s words, Wei Ba felt a surge of secret joy, but his face remained impassive; he was even too lazy to reply.

Jin Dongliu scanned the surroundings and lay on his side as well, face to face with Wei Ba, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"Brother Wei, have you thought about escaping?"

Wei Ba’s eyes moved dully, only slightly recovering from his "numb" state. He had to praise himself—he hadn't realized he had such a talent for acting, and it was entirely self-taught. It seemed that being a good actor wasn't difficult; as long as one was willing to endure hardship, experience life, and deeply explore the psychology of the character, being a method actor was well within reach.

Facing the impatient Jin Dongliu, "Actor Wei" waited a long while before letting out a cold, dismissive laugh. "If I could escape, do you think I’d still be here keeping you company?"

Jin Dongliu smiled, unbothered. "You have no way, but I do."

Wei Ba snorted and rolled over, turning his back to Jin Dongliu in disdain. Jin Dongliu prodded him and added, "Fine, I admit I don't know if this method will work, and without your help, I wouldn't even have the chance to try."

He paused, then continued, "If I am not mistaken, we have a spy hidden in your main camp. If we can reach him, we might have a chance to escape."