Chapter 83: Reading Between the Lines

Time slipped quietly by as they waited. In the blink of an eye, Wei Ba had already lived in Anyang for two months. With the New Year drawing ever closer, Wei Ba began to feel bored. Ma Su had paid a visit, and ever since, Zhuge Qiao seemed energized, as if injected with new vigor—he walked with purpose, spoke loudly, and often summoned Wei Ba for heart-to-heart talks, so much so that others began to think Wei Ba was one of Zhuge Qiao’s confidants.

In truth, Wei Ba knew well that he remained outside the core circle of decision-makers. He could only glean some knowledge of the frontlines from those returning to request provisions; the news Zhuge Qiao shared with him was always the publicly available version, at most given to him half a day in advance, as a gesture of intimacy.

That was all.

Fu Xing and Zhang Wei had spent two months in the western city, fighting fiercely with Shen Yi twice and wounding him. After Shen Yi sent for help from Meng Da, he hid away in Xunkou and refused to come out. Meng Da himself never arrived; he was busy strengthening the defenses in Fangling, as if expecting Zhuge Qiao to defeat Shen Yi and march on Xincheng any day now.

Then, one day in the twelfth lunar month, Meng Da finally raised the banner of rebellion. He officially sent an envoy to declare his surrender to Shu Han.

Zhuge Qiao was overjoyed. As usual, he sent for Wei Ba and greeted him with a beaming smile. “Ziyu, now I can tell you the truth. General Meng has found his way back, and the three eastern commanderies have returned to the Han.”

Wei Ba cupped his hands, smiling. “Then let me congratulate you, Commandant. Where your military might reaches, the hearts of the people will follow.”

Zhuge Qiao laughed heartily and affectionately punched Wei Ba on the shoulder. “You rascal, always joking. I’m just a minor general—what military might do I have? By the way, this is General Meng’s nephew, Deng Xian, styled Ziyi. He comes at Meng Zidu’s command to meet the Prime Minister, just back from Mianyang.”

Deng Xian was in his thirties, with a robust frame and a long, honest face. Three short tufts of beard adorned his chin, his complexion was dark, and his hands were large and callused, with thickened skin at the base of his thumb. Though a surrendering general, he carried himself with arrogant pride—clearly an old soldier hardened by years in the army. Wei Ba was no stranger to such men; there were many like him at his side, and he could recognize that unruly air at a glance.

With courtesy, Wei Ba saluted. “General Meng’s righteousness is admirable, and General Deng has undertaken great hardships.”

Deng Xian sized up Wei Ba, visibly surprised. He had already been taken aback to see Zhuge Qiao, barely over twenty, commanding a great army, but knowing he was Zhuge Liang’s son, he felt only a twinge of envy. Yet to discover Wei Ba, even younger than Zhuge Qiao, serving as an officer of higher rank, he could no longer contain his astonishment.

“Staff Officer Wei, you are truly young and promising,” Deng Xian remarked, his tone tinged with sourness.

Wei Ba only smiled. “It’s nothing, really. The Prime Minister is keen to promote new talent, so I am here to broaden my horizons under Commandant Zhuge’s guidance. General Deng, you have long served on the battlefield—please do look after me in the future.”

Deng Xian nodded slightly, then turned to Zhuge Qiao. “Since General Meng has risen in rebellion, we are now one family. Only, Shen Yi remains in Xunkou, making communication difficult, so some delays are inevitable. To avoid mishaps, I urge you to send the provisions and equipment we need to Xincheng as soon as possible. Once Sima Yi’s army arrives, it may be less convenient.”

Zhuge Qiao nodded. “General Deng, General Meng can rest assured. Everything is ready and can be dispatched in a day or two. Please prepare your side to receive them. Also, the times are perilous—please advise General Meng to take extra care.”

Deng Xian frowned slightly, as if something had occurred to him, but immediately regained his composure and replied with satisfaction, “We only lack provisions and armaments now; all else is well prepared. As long as you do not delay, not only will Sima Yi be unable to take Xincheng, even if that brat Cao Rui comes himself, we will keep Xincheng safe.”

Zhuge Qiao laughed heartily, but Wei Ba felt uneasy. In recent days, he had learned the art of reading expressions from Mi Wei. He noticed that despite Deng Xian’s bold words, there was a trace of worry in his eyes. He couldn’t say exactly what it was, but sensed that Deng Xian was being less than candid, or perhaps their preparations were not as thorough as claimed.

Wei Ba watched for a while. When he saw that business was concluded and Deng Xian was about to leave, he quickly stood and asked, “General Deng, as Commandant Zhuge said, General Meng was originally a great general of Shu Han, and now that he has returned, we are one family. If there is anything you need, please do not hesitate to ask, not just provisions and armaments—anything we can help with, say the word.”

Deng Xian paused, glanced at Wei Ba, and smiled, “Thank you, Staff Officer Wei, but apart from provisions and armaments, we need nothing.” He bowed to Zhuge Qiao and took his leave.

Zhuge Qiao personally accompanied Deng Xian to the gate, and Wei Ba naturally went with him. Watching Deng Xian and his attendants disappear into the distance, Zhuge Qiao clapped his hands excitedly and turned to Wei Ba, saying, “Ziyu, our days of leisure are over. We’re going to be busy from now on.”

Wei Ba was not as excited as Zhuge Qiao. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss with Deng Xian, especially during his last probing question—Deng Xian had clearly hesitated, as if there was something he wanted to say but held back out of caution. Wei Ba couldn’t pinpoint the reason, but recalling that historically, Zhuge Liang’s attempt to win over Meng Da was closely linked to the first Northern Expedition, he grew wary.

To win over Meng Da, tie down Sima Yi, draw Wei’s attention to the western city, and then strike at Longyou—what a brilliant plan! If it succeeded, even if it didn’t guarantee the expedition’s success, it would at least delay Wei’s reinforcements. Yet history was silent on this, which could only mean the plan failed, or at least did not achieve Zhuge Liang’s intended effect, and thus did not influence the Northern Expedition as hoped.

Remembering Sima Yi, there remained only one possibility—as recorded in history, Meng Da would soon be defeated by Sima Yi, unable to support Zhuge Liang’s campaign.

He already knew the outcome, but that was not enough. Just as he knew Zhuge Liang’s Northern Expedition would fail, and that Ma Su would die, yet could not simply tell them so, he needed to understand the reason, to prescribe the right remedy, and convince Zhuge Qiao to heed his advice—not to make the pronouncements of a soothsayer. The warnings of a soothsayer might come true, but by then, the matter would be settled, and there’d be no chance to save the situation.

Deng Xian’s unusual demeanor seemed to offer a breakthrough.

“Bosong, I think... there’s something off about Deng Xian.”

Zhuge Qiao blinked and exchanged a glance with Yang Wei. “What’s off?”

“I’m not sure. I just feel as if he’s hiding something, or perhaps... their preparations aren’t as thorough as he claims?”

Zhuge Qiao bit his lip, pondering. “Yes, Deng Xian is indeed hiding something. According to my information, their fortifications are not yet complete.”

Wei Ba was taken aback. After all this time, how could Meng Da still be unprepared?

“Fangling stands against Wei. Once Meng Da rebels, Wei will certainly attack in force. He wants to turn Fangling into an impregnable fortress, to use it as his base—advance or retreat as needed. So he’s been very meticulous,” Zhuge Qiao hastily explained, seeing Wei Ba’s surprise. “But it doesn’t matter; it won’t delay the campaign. By the time Sima Yi arrives, Fangling will be unassailable.”

Wei Ba frowned. He had a bad feeling. Meng Da was an experienced general—how could he be so unreliable? After so many days, what harm would a few more do? Why rebel now, before the fortifications were complete? Was it because of this flaw that he would be defeated by Sima Yi?

Wei Ba pondered for a long time, unable to hold back. “If Meng Da acts before he is ready, he’s already placed himself at a disadvantage. If Sima Yi attacks, how can he respond? The advantage of defenders lies in the city walls—they can inflict heavy losses on the enemy and their morale is stronger. But if the walls are incomplete and the enemy comes, not only will they lose the advantage in attack and defense, but morale will also suffer. If the will of the people breaks, what then?”

Zhuge Qiao considered for a moment. “Sima Yi can’t move that quickly. He must first obtain an imperial edict before he can act, and Wan County is twelve hundred li from Fangling—it’ll take him more than half a month to get there. With that time, Meng Da will surely be ready.”

Wei Ba looked at Zhuge Qiao in astonishment. “Bosong, this is wartime, not peacetime, where you march at your leisure. What if Sima Yi acts first and asks permission later, moving with forced marches? Twelve hundred li can be covered in ten days. He might already be on the road, and we just haven’t heard yet.”

“You’re saying Sima Yi would act without an imperial edict?” Before Zhuge Qiao could reply, Yang Wei laughed. “Staff Officer Wei, do you know what kind of family Sima Yi comes from? In their minds, ritual is the highest rule—without an imperial edict, he wouldn’t dare move a single soldier south of Nanyang, let alone attack Fangling.”

Wei Ba had no patience for this scholar’s nonsense. He spoke to Zhuge Qiao with gravity, “As the saying goes, ‘Better safe than sorry.’ If nothing goes wrong with Meng Da, so much the better. But if something does, and he cannot tie down Sima Yi, it will inevitably affect the Prime Minister’s plans. Bosong, you cannot afford any wishful thinking.”

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