Chapter 081: Going Against the Current

Seeing the undisguised resentment mingled with an unspoken fear on Yang Wei's face behind Ma Su, Wei Ba paused for a moment, but then naturally chose to ignore him. To Wei Ba, Yang Wei had never been an enemy—he simply did not qualify. So long as Yang Wei did not actively provoke him, Wei Ba could readily treat him as if he did not exist.

“Officer Ma, what brings you to Anyang?” Wei Ba asked in surprise.

“Boy, don't pretend you don't know,” Ma Su replied with a slight smile. Turning, he waved Yang Wei away. “Go find Bo Song and tell him I'm here.”

Yang Wei answered quietly, bowed his head, and left. With a calm expression, Wei Ba invited Ma Su inside, stepping aside to guide him in, taking the lead. Though he held the same military title as Ma Su, Wei Ba was not so arrogant as to think himself Ma Su’s equal.

Ma Su quickly matched his pace, walking beside him. With a soft chuckle, he said, “Seeing that disagreeable fellow, don’t you have anything to say?”

Wei Ba shook his head. “No.” He paused, then added, “I’ve never regarded him as an enemy.”

“At your age, to possess such magnanimity is truly rare,” Ma Su praised. “After returning to camp, Yang Wei was ordered by Officer Yang to reflect behind closed doors, and he has come to realize his mistake. Only then did the Prime Minister allow him to assist Bo Song with documents. Boy, you should read more as well. Your urgent report was interesting, but the wording was far too dry, like chewing wax. The Master says: ‘Speech without elegance travels not far.’ Quoting at random is, of course, undesirable, but writing too roughly isn’t good either.”

Wei Ba nodded in agreement. “Thank you for your guidance, Officer Ma. I will certainly strive to read more when I have time.”

“Heh heh, you make it sound as if you’re very busy. If you’re so busy, how do you still find time to play games?” Ma Su chuckled.

Wei Ba laughed as well, but inwardly he felt a heaviness. From the very outset, Ma Su had defined his proposal as a “game”—a clear sign that Ma Su, and by extension Zhuge Liang, had no intention of adopting his suggestion. Ma Su’s trip here was not, as Wei Ba had hoped, to discuss the Ziwu Valley plan with him.

“Where are Zhongde, Zhongjian, and Zilie?” Ma Su asked as soon as he sat down, glancing around.

“Zhongjian went to the west city, Zhongde and Zilie are busy in the supply camp. A shipment of grain just arrived a few days ago, and they’re reinforcing the encampment to prevent the enemy from taking advantage.”

“Ah, that’s good. The business of war is harsh; caution is always wise.”

Wei Ba ordered food and wine to be brought. As Ma Su drank and chatted idly, he refused to touch upon the real topic. Wei Ba understood at once and promptly arranged for someone to fetch Zhao Guang and Mi Wei. Soon enough, Zhao Guang and Mi Wei hurried in. The moment they saw Ma Su, they glanced at Wei Ba in unison.

Wei Ba smiled. “Officer Ma is here; this is a great opportunity for us to learn. I wouldn’t dare enjoy this alone, so I’ve invited you to join me in receiving Officer Ma’s instruction.”

Zhao Guang and Mi Wei understood immediately, and bowed with a smile. “It would be our honor.”

Ma Su put down his cup, laughed heartily, and gestured for them to sit. “Instruction is too strong a word. General Zhao is a famous commander in our army, the General Who Guards the North is a pillar of strength, and though the Mi family lacks much military experience, General Anhan followed the late emperor for many years and is also richly experienced. With fathers like yours, what need is there for me to pontificate? I merely heard you invented a new game, and, as a lover of such things, I came to play a round with you.”

Wei Ba smiled; it was exactly as he had expected. Ma Su had come for the matter of tactical simulations—not to discuss real tactics, but to use this war-game to neutralize its influence. That was why he had gathered all those who participated—Zhao Guang, Fu Xing, Mi Wei—together. As for Zhuge Qiao, no doubt Ma Su would meet with him later.

As Wei Ba gestured for Zhao Guang to fetch the simulation board from the back room, he smiled at Ma Su and asked, “Does Officer Ma wish to play by our existing rules, or would you like to amend them?”

Ma Su examined Wei Ba with some surprise, then smiled. “Of course, any rules that are not quite accurate should be amended.”

“For example?”

“For example, the will of the people.”

“And what else?”

“And the intelligence of the commanders on both sides,” Ma Su said evenly. “Also, the availability of reserve talent. For instance, a talent like Ziyu is rare even in Wei. The art of war is static, and anyone may read the same classics, but how they are used depends on each person’s insight, don’t you agree, Ziyu?”

Wei Ba sighed inwardly, though his face betrayed not the slightest surprise. It was not that he was particularly deep, but rather that he had always had this impression of Ma Su. Hearing such words from him was the most natural thing in the world.

He offered no objection, watching as Ma Su amended several rules before the simulation began. Ma Su represented the Prime Minister, while Zhao Guang and Mi Wei played as Cao Wei. Wei Ba himself lost interest in participating. In his view, once the rules were changed, the simulation became nothing but a game—an arbitrary one. While simulations cannot fully represent reality, they do collect many uncontrollable factors, and if even these objective elements are ignored, the simulation loses all reference value.

As Wei Ba expected, Mi Wei, lacking much understanding of military affairs, quickly conceded defeat, and Zhao Guang—who had previously maintained an undefeated record as Cao Wei—also suffered complete rout, losing five games in a row without a single victory.

“Ziyu, have you no interest in playing a game with me?” Ma Su toyed with a small flag in his hand, looking at Wei Ba with a half-smile.

Wei Ba shook his head. “Officer Ma is truly a master; even Zhongde had no chance, let alone me.”

Ma Su considered this, then glanced at Zhao Guang and Mi Wei. Understanding, the two rose and excused themselves, closing the door behind them. Only when the footsteps outside faded did Ma Su set aside the flag, lift his head, and say slowly, “Ziyu, I rushed to Anyang this time because of your urgent report. Upon receiving it, the Prime Minister, though he had not slept all night, immediately summoned us for a meeting. He greatly appreciates your simulation game.”

Wei Ba replied coolly, “To earn the Prime Minister’s praise is more than I deserve.”

Noting that Wei Ba spoke politely but showed no sign of joy, Ma Su knew he did not take it to heart. With a sigh, he continued, “Even Yang Yi said that, judged purely from a computational perspective, your simulation offers considerable reference value and can greatly aid planning.”

Wei Ba watched Ma Su. Though not a master of intrigue, he knew well enough that the compliments at the beginning were not the main point; only what followed the “but” would be the true message.

“But a game is still a game—rules are made by people, and with a change in rules, the outcome can be vastly different, wouldn’t you agree?”

Wei Ba nodded and remained silent. The statement sounded reasonable, but in fact, it was not. When setting the rules, he had tried to be as objective as possible, focusing on factors not easily altered, whereas Ma Su’s amendments were arbitrary and self-assured—something entirely different.

“Of course, for your first time, to show such thought is already remarkable. My purpose in coming to Anyang is partly to correct some deficiencies, but more importantly, to commend your efforts on the Prime Minister’s behalf.” As he spoke, Ma Su took out a handwritten letter from Zhuge Liang and pushed it before Wei Ba. Wei Ba was visibly moved, hastily accepting it with both hands and bowing respectfully.

“The Prime Minister, burdened with endless affairs, still found time to reply to me personally—this is truly…”

Ma Su finally showed a satisfied smile. Looking at Wei Ba’s excited face, he added, “Besides this letter, there are words that cannot be committed to paper, which the Prime Minister asked me to convey to you in person. These words are for your ears alone, do you understand?”

“I… I fear I am unworthy,” Wei Ba stammered.

Ma Su was not at all surprised by Wei Ba’s emotion. He waved his hand and smiled. “Since the Prime Minister said you may hear them, then you are worthy. Ziyu, the Prime Minister has high hopes for you. You must guard against arrogance and impatience, remain humble and grounded, and do not let temporary gains or losses cloud your heart. As the Prime Minister says, ‘Only in tranquility can one reach far; only with simplicity can one clarify one's purpose.’”

“Yes, sir.”

“The first matter: The Prime Minister now requires a victory, no matter how small, but it must be a victory, with not the least room for error.”

Wei Ba’s heart skipped a beat. He suddenly recalled Madame Zhang’s words and thought to himself that she was truly perceptive to have immediately guessed the Prime Minister’s intentions. Was it because her position allowed her to empathize so deeply?

“The second matter…” Ma Su fixed Wei Ba with a steady gaze. “The reason the Prime Minister rejected the Ziwu Valley plan is not only because of its great risk and slim chances of success, but also because—even if it were to succeed by luck—we would still be unable to hold Guanzhong. On the contrary, we would lose control of Yizhou. Guanzhong may be fine, but it is not something we can swallow in one bite. Restoring the Han is a daunting task; we must proceed step by step, not seek glory in a single stroke or dream of instant triumph.”

Wei Ba’s brow furrowed. After a moment’s silence, he asked, “Why do you say so?”