Chapter 054: Strengthening the Trunk, Weakening the Branches (Third Update—Seeking Votes and Favorites)

Chapter 54: Strengthening the Trunk, Weakening the Branches — Third Update, Please Vote and Add to Favorites

Fu Xing’s hesitant expression puzzled Wei Ba for quite a while. Although their acquaintance was brief, their bond was as intimate as that of lifelong friends. Fu Xing had suffered grave injuries protecting him, and in return, Wei Ba had caused an uproar in the supply camp to rescue Fu Xing—they were bound by life and death. Just now, Fu Xing had explained the Battle of Mount Dingjun to him, mentioning certain past events as well. In truth, Fu Xing knew Wei Ba’s previous ignorance of military affairs and the terrain, and was deliberately enlightening him. Such important matters had been openly discussed, yet when the topic turned to Yang Hong, Fu Xing grew evasive.

Wei Ba immediately sensed that there was something crucial about Yang Hong.

Seeing that Fu Xing was unwilling to elaborate, Wei Ba did not press further. He simply kept the matter in mind, accompanying Fu Xing on a walk along the Mian River, exchanging idle chatter. Glancing at Mount Yangping in the distance, Wei Ba reflected on how a single quarrel with the girl in white had set off a chain of troublesome events, leaving him with a sense of regret. Having provoked Yang Yi to the point of spitting blood, he knew Yang Yi would not let the matter rest, and further conflicts were sure to follow.

His father, Wei Yan, would certainly not yield; only if Yang Yi were driven to death would he be satisfied. Yet Wei Ba understood that such a course was entirely unwise. Both the Wei and Yang families hailed from Jingxiang and were trusted by Chancellor Zhuge. Should they fall into infighting, Chancellor Zhuge would be put in a difficult position and eventually forced to intervene—and it would not be Yang Yi who suffered, but his own father, Wei Yan.

Historically, after Zhuge Liang’s death, it was Yang Yi who managed the retreat. Wei Ba had not previously understood why, but now he began to see. Wei Yan’s reputation was poor, and as a military man, Chancellor Zhuge would never entrust him with great authority. Yang Yi’s character was not exemplary, but at least he was among the chancellor’s trusted circle, familiar with Jiang Wan, Fei Yi, and others, unlike Wei Yan, who spent years stationed in Hanzhong, barely interacting with the chancellor’s staff, and possessed a notoriously difficult temperament—a classic lone wolf.

How could such a man unite the majority and steer the great ship of Shu-Han?

How to resolve this conflict was the pressing question before Wei Ba; he did not want things to spiral beyond repair and burden Chancellor Zhuge with the consequences. The incident began with the girl in white, but seeking reconciliation with her now seemed too late, and considering the Ma family’s status, they might not be able to influence Yang Yi regardless.

Wei Ba felt a growing frustration, finding technical work far simpler than these complex human entanglements. With so many threads and no clear answers, everything depended on guesswork—a blur beyond comprehension, so much so that even modern fuzzy mathematics would be inadequate.

As the saying goes, a woman’s heart is deeper than the sea. Yet in officialdom, which among these men does not possess a heart equally unfathomable?

Wei Ba sighed, feeling the future bleak. Before him loomed a precipice, and a carriage bearing the Wei family’s name was rumbling straight toward it, while he was powerless to stop it.

Fu Xing noticed Wei Ba’s distraction and, hearing his sigh, could not help but sigh as well, a faint worry crossing his brow. He had originally spoken in Wei Ba’s defense only to spare him undeserved hardship, never imagining things would escalate so. Now, bound to the Wei family, he could not say whether fortune or disaster lay ahead. According to the principle of self-preservation, he ought to distance himself from Wei Ba, yet recalling the care shown him by Wei Yan and his son, he found such a move too mercenary.

After much hesitation, he finally said, “A Ba, we are all men of Jingxiang. Some rivalry is inevitable, but never let it lead to the pain of kin and the joy of foes. Do not continue your feud with Officer Yang—it will only make things hard for the Chancellor.”

Wei Ba gave a bitter laugh. “You think I don’t want to? I simply don’t know how to resolve this enmity. Yang Yi and his son hate me to the core; nothing I say will change their minds. Am I to go before the Chancellor and confess my guilt, admitting I was wrong?”

“That’s not necessary,” Fu Xing replied with a smile. “The Chancellor has no time to mediate these matters. But you could approach Zhuge Qiao; talking to him would be far easier than to the Chancellor himself.”

Wei Ba nodded. “That is indeed a possibility. I’ll find a chance to speak with him.”

Fu Xing breathed a quiet sigh of relief. He had feared Wei Ba would refuse to compromise and insist on clashing with Yang Yi to the bitter end. Hearing these words, he felt reassured and somewhat gratified. Wei Yan was not one to accept a loss; Wei Feng was a straightforward warrior, but Wei Ba at least knew when to advance and when to retreat—a comfort amid his worries.

While Wei Ba and Fu Xing were conferring by the Mian River, news of Yang Yi’s humiliating defeat in the mathematics contest against Wei Ba—so crushing that it left Yang Yi vomiting blood—had already spread quietly through the camp. Those present were all sons of nobility, aware of the stakes, and though many disliked Yang Yi, few were willing to openly support Wei Ba. Thus, while the incident was sensational, it did not spread like gossip among commoners, but circulated only among the upper echelons, leaving the masses oblivious.

Zhuge Qiao entered the central command tent somewhat nervously, kneeling silently before Zhuge Liang. The Chancellor was pacing with his hands behind his back; upon Zhuge Qiao’s arrival, he turned and looked at him, his lips moving as if to speak, but saying nothing. After a moment, he sighed. “Bo Song, rise. This matter… is not your fault. If anyone is to blame, it is I. Even I did not anticipate this outcome.”

Zhuge Qiao, shamed, rose hesitantly and stood respectfully to the side.

Ma Su and Fei Yi sat nearby, their expressions rather awkward. When Zhuge Qiao had reported Wei Ba’s challenge to Yang Yi in mathematics, their consensus was not to interfere—partly to give Zhuge Qiao a chance to handle affairs and show his grasp of the bigger picture, and partly to let Wei Ba lose face, allowing Yang Yi an opportunity to recover his reputation and restore balance before mediating. They had never imagined this result: not only did Yang Yi lose, but he lost so badly he was left vomiting blood—a total rout.

Not only Zhuge Qiao, but none of them had foreseen this outcome.

After an uncomfortable silence, Ma Su spoke first. “Chancellor, Bo Song ended the contest at an appropriate moment and handled it well.”

Zhuge Liang shook his head, his gaze gentle but tinged with sternness. “To intervene only after matters reach this point shows a lack of foresight, Bo Song. Even if you failed to sense the depth of Wei Ba’s mathematical skill at the outset, after four or five questions, the disparity should have been clear. Bo Song, your methods are still hesitant and lack decisiveness.”

“Father, your lesson is well taken,” Zhuge Qiao replied, bowing in acknowledgment.

“Bo Song’s reaction was indeed slow, but who could have imagined Wei Ba’s skill in mathematics was so profound?” Ma Su said with a smile. “Chancellor, I have spent many days with Officer Yang and never expected him to be so thoroughly defeated by Wei Ba. I believe Bo Song merely wished to give Officer Yang a chance to turn the tables and regain his standing, not realizing he would be so utterly outmatched.”

Fei Yi also sighed. “This matter… is truly strange. What manner of master could have produced a disciple like Wei Ba? Chancellor, we have underestimated Wei Yan’s true strength.”

Zhuge Liang’s brow furrowed. After a moment’s thought, he turned to Zhuge Qiao. “Since Officer Yang publicly promised to recommend Wei Ba to the chancellor’s office if he solved two problems, you should see Wei Ba and ask what position he desires.”

Zhuge Qiao immediately assented. Zhuge Liang’s words held three implications: first, it showed support for Yang Yi, as Zhuge Liang’s acceptance of the recommendation affirmed Yang Yi’s authority; second, recruiting Wei Ba into the chancellor’s office would placate Wei Yan and bring this talented youth into their service; third, it demonstrated continued trust in Zhuge Qiao—though the matter had gone awry under his watch, entrusting him to resolve it indicated his value was undiminished.

“Father, I will go at once.”

“Chancellor,” Ma Su interjected, stopping Zhuge Qiao, “is it not too hasty to bring Wei Ba into the office? He is only eighteen and already so gifted in mathematics. What position would suit him? If too lowly, Wei Yan will be displeased; too high, and who could check his influence in the future?”

Zhuge Liang smiled. “You overthink it, Youchang. However brilliant Wei Ba may be, can he compare to you and Wenwei? There is no need to worry. Mastery of mathematics does not mean he excels in all things. At the very least, we know his health is not strong, and he has not inherited his father’s martial prowess or skill in command.”

Ma Su and Fei Yi exchanged glances and smiled as well. Their amusement was not at being valued by Zhuge Liang, but at discerning his intent: by drawing Wei Ba close, Zhuge Liang was well aware of the latent risks, and that understanding was reassurance enough.

“The important thing is to discover Wei Ba’s teacher in mathematics. Such a talent cannot have remained unknown all this time.” Zhuge Liang’s expression turned serious. “To leave such a worthy person in obscurity is our failing. Now that we know, we must not err again.”

Ma Su agreed, “The Chancellor is right. Bringing Wei Ba into the office is a small matter; the true priority is to invite his teacher to join us. That would be of real significance.” As he spoke, he glanced at Zhuge Qiao.

Zhuge Qiao suddenly understood, giving Ma Su a grateful look before turning to leave. If not for Ma Su’s reminder, he would not have thought of the great talent behind Wei Ba. Leaving such a person at Wei Yan’s side was far less desirable than inviting them into the chancellor’s office. The trunk must be strengthened and the branches weakened—the chancellor’s office was the trunk, while Wei Yan’s offices as General Who Guards the North and Governor of Hanzhong were but branches. The branch already possessed formidable military power; if it were further supported by a brilliant strategist, it would develop abnormally and inevitably threaten the trunk’s influence.

This hidden peril must be removed as soon as possible.

——Third update. Please vote for Sanjiang, recommend, and add to favorites!