Chapter 60: The Invincible General (Third Update, Seeking Three Rivers Votes)

Chapter 060: The Undefeated General (Third Update, Seeking Sanjiang Votes)

The girl was somewhat surprised; she clearly hadn't expected Wei Ba, who had steadfastly refused to admit fault and even risked offending Guan Xing and Zhang Shao, to apologize to her in front of so many people today. She stood there in a daze, seeking help from Ma Dai. Ma Dai found himself at a loss—while Wei Ba seemed sincere in his public apology, he was actually letting everyone know that the recent camp turmoil stemmed from this very remark, with Wei Ba and the girl at its center, and Wei Ba as the victim. Naturally, those who spread the rumors and caused disputes were implicitly identified.

Yet, Ma Dai couldn't say anything to contradict the facts. He could only respond with a calm expression, "To correct one's mistakes is the greatest virtue. You have received the Chancellor's bestowed name and entered General Zhao's tutelage; henceforth, you must heed their teachings, be cautious in speech and conduct."

"Thank you for your guidance, Captain," Wei Ba replied, nodding respectfully to the girl before raising his cup to toast Ma Dai. Ma Dai drank, and the girl also sipped her wine. Wei Ba nodded in thanks and moved on to the next table.

The girl, still holding her cup, watched Wei Ba's increasingly sturdy back as he departed, and suddenly felt that the wine in her cup had lost all flavor. She frowned, raised her neck, and downed the rest in one gulp. Drinking too quickly, she coughed, her cheeks flushing red. Wei Ba heard her cough and glanced back, asking with concern, "Miss Ma, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, thank you for your concern. Wen Shan simply drank too quickly."

Wei Ba responded softly, then turned and continued offering wine, but suddenly a thought struck him: so this girl's name is Ma Wen Shan. After all their rivalry, he was learning her name for the first time.

At the main table, seated at the center, Zhuge Liang heard Wei Ba's words clearly. He turned to Wei Yan and said, "Wenchang, Ziyu's ability to recognize his mistake and apologize publicly shows great magnanimity. This child will surely achieve greatness."

Wei Yan had been quite displeased, feeling that Wei Ba's apology to Ma Dai implied he was at fault and diminished his own standing. But hearing Zhuge Liang's praise, his anger turned to joy, and he quickly responded modestly, "Chancellor overstates it. The boy... well, he speaks too quickly, but truly, he has no ill intention."

"Who among men is without fault? To correct them is a virtue," Zhuge Liang said, watching Wei Ba in the distance, respectfully offering wine to guests. His head tilted slightly as he spoke to Wei Yan. Compared to Wei Yan, who leaned his whole body forward, Zhuge Liang's movement was minimal, yet the intimacy between them was apparent, and it made Wei Yan glow with pride. Enthusiasm and wine combined, and he drank more than he realized.

When the banquet ended, guests dispersed to their respective camps. Zhao Yun personally escorted Zhuge Liang to the gate, with Wei Ba and Zhao Guang standing at his sides. Zhuge Liang's attendance at Wei Ba's apprenticeship ceremony and the bestowing of a name was not only an honor to Zhao Yun and Wei Yan, but also a significant gesture of care toward a younger generation. Wei Ba was deeply grateful; though his cheeks were flushed with drink, his eyes shone brightly, his respect for Zhuge Liang evident.

Zhuge Liang himself was slightly intoxicated. He beckoned, "Ziyu, would you accompany me for a walk?"

Wei Ba was overwhelmed by the honor and glanced at his father, who was so drunk he nearly collapsed, only kept upright by his elder brother, Wei Feng. Wei Ba looked to his master Zhao Yun, who, though he'd drunk much, showed no sign of intoxication, remaining steady as ever. Zhao Yun nodded lightly, signaling him to hurry after Zhuge Liang. Wei Ba did not dare delay, quickening his pace to follow half a step behind Zhuge Liang. Ma Su, who had always stood next to Zhuge Liang, stepped back and nodded with a smile at Wei Ba.

Wei Ba smiled awkwardly and followed behind Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang was tall, and though Wei Ba was not short, he was still a bit shorter, especially as he bent his back, making the difference more pronounced.

Under the flickering firelight in the distance, Zhuge Liang's profile seemed gilded, giving him an almost sacred appearance. Wei Ba stole glances at his silhouette, filled with silent awe—he never imagined he would walk side by side with the great Zhuge Liang.

Though Zhuge Liang did not look back, he sensed Wei Ba's nervousness and joy. He smiled faintly and spoke at a measured pace, "Ziyu, do you know what is most admirable about Old General Zhao?"

Wei Ba replied, "I beg the Chancellor's instruction."

Zhuge Liang said, "You once spoke of nine talents for generals. After Bosong returned, he relayed it to me. I was most surprised. Who would have thought, at your young age, you would possess such insight—it is rare indeed. Yet, insight alone is not enough; one must have ability. To discuss strategy while seated is one thing, to act upon it quite another. Otherwise, one becomes merely a talker. Do you understand?"

Wei Ba nodded, "I will not disappoint the Chancellor's favor; I shall act, not merely speak."

"Young men must set lofty ambitions; but ambition must be matched by learning. Without study, one cannot broaden talent; without ambition, one cannot achieve learning. You have excellent potential, but must apply yourself to study if you are to become a pillar of the nation. Old General Zhao is nearly seventy, your father and I are near fifty; our days are limited. The heavy task of restoring the Han will fall to your generation. How can you not cherish time and avoid wasting it?"

Wei Ba nodded eagerly.

"Old General Zhao has fought all his life. Though lacking dazzling achievements and high rank, he is a true renowned general, nearly matching what you described as a great commander. His most admirable quality is not his bravery, but his loyalty—loyalty to the late Emperor, loyalty to the nation, placing the rise and fall of the country above personal gain or loss. This is the rarest quality in a general. You have become his disciple; while you must learn his methods of warfare, do not forget the most important thing."

Zhuge Liang stopped, looked at Wei Ba, and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Ziyu, do not let me down."

Wei Ba was startled, then bowed deeply, "I will heed the Chancellor's teachings, and never forget them."

"Very good, very good," Zhuge Liang praised twice, then turned and boarded his carriage, departing swiftly. Wei Ba stood there until he vanished into the distance, then straightened up. Wei Yan hurried over, eyes bleary with drink, "Boy, what did the Chancellor say to you?"

"He told me to learn well from my master," Wei Ba replied vaguely. His back was soaked with sweat; his respect for Zhuge Liang was enormous, but he felt equally great pressure. Zhuge Liang wanted him to learn Zhao Yun's loyalty? Was there a hidden meaning—did he think Wei Ba was too unruly, and wished to temper him through Zhao Yun? Was Zhao Yun's willingness to accept him as a disciple prompted by the Chancellor?

Wei Ba was filled with doubts, unable to discern the truth, and certainly unable to explain it to his father. He glanced at Zhao Yun, but could not read anything from his expression. Suspicious at heart, he could only keep his questions to himself and ponder them alone.

Having agreed to begin lessons at dawn, Wei Ba supported his swaying father, bade farewell to Zhao Yun, and returned to his tent. Wei Feng attended his father's rest, while Wei Ba found himself unable to sleep. Peng Xiaoyu heated water for him to soak his feet. As Wei Ba enjoyed the comfort of the hot water, he mulled over Zhuge Liang's words, occasionally shaking his head.

Peng Xiaoyu squatted across from him, hands cupping her cheeks, grinning brightly. After a while, Wei Ba finally noticed that the little maid, the "Blue-faced Beast," was acting differently today. He glanced at her gradually plumpening face and smiled, "Why so cheerful?"

Xiaoyu nodded vigorously, "It's a great fortune for the young general to become Old General Zhao's disciple. Of course I'm happy!"

"I'm the one apprenticing—why does it make you happy?"

Wei Ba quickly shifted his gaze from Peng Xiaoyu's face to her petite figure. Though he had become somewhat immune to the large blue birthmark after so much time together, he still found it uncomfortable after prolonged viewing, preferring to look at her small frame. Perhaps the Wei family's provisions were better than those of the supply camp, and Peng Xiaoyu's suppressed growth spurt finally arrived; in less than a month, she had grown fuller, like a flower bud about to bloom, her skin fairer, her complexion brightened, and her eyes even brighter.

Peng Xiaoyu's eyes were charming—arched, with fine lines, clear and lively, not large but very expressive. When she smiled, her eyes squinted into slits, blending innocence with a hint of mischief.

"You said yourself, young general, that I'm your maid. If you're well, I can be well too," Peng Xiaoyu giggled. "Young general, do you know what is most admirable about Old General Zhao?"

Wei Ba was momentarily stunned, recalling Zhuge Liang's same question. His eyes flickered, but instead of answering, he asked, "What is it?"

"Undefeated."

"Yes, undefeated," Peng Xiaoyu blinked, seeing Wei Ba staring at her, suddenly felt shy, lowering her gaze and voice. She stuck out her little tongue, licked her lips, and continued, "Old General Zhao followed the late Emperor, fought all his life. Most of the time, the enemy was stronger than us, so victory was nearly impossible; to remain undefeated was a miracle. Undefeated refers not only to the battlefield, but also to the court. As you said, Lord Guan and Lord Zhang were valiant but died tragically; Lord Ma was hailed as the Heavenly General by the Qiang, yet his later years were desolate. Compared to them, Old General Zhao never achieved great victories, yet he never suffered major setbacks. Whether as general or minister, he remained consistent. If you can learn his craft, you will preserve wealth and honor in the long term, rather than rise swiftly only to fall quickly."

Her eyes suddenly dimmed, and after a long silence, she murmured, "Just like my father."

Wei Ba pondered Peng Xiaoyu's words, realizing that though they differed somewhat from Zhuge Liang's, their essence was similar. He couldn't help but admire her—Peng Yang's daughter truly was clever, clever beyond her years. But the price of such precociousness was, alas, far too steep.

——Third update, seeking Sanjiang votes, recommendations, and favorites.