Chapter 419 Their Decision – Part One (2/2)
Five minutes later, when he opened his eyes, a question came out of his mouth, ”What is his majesty's goal?”
Sima Hui and Wei You's face changed. They understood that this question contained a deeper meaning behind it since Zhuge Liang took so much time thinking.
As Tong's eunuch elder, Wei You had a right to answer this question in Tong's stead, but he could not possibly know the answer. After all, a personal goal could always change depending on time, location, character, and occasion. Therefore, had Wei You answered this, he would have stepped across his boundary.
At the same time, had he been unable to answer, Tong and Wei You could have been deemed as incompetent.
Still, Wei You was not without fangs. Tong had bought him a cultivation manual, and he had the knowledge of the other timeline. With two worlds of experience, Wei You was not afraid to play this little game.
”His majesty passed this year policy bill that we are focusing on domestic affairs. Also, we've sent two legions to Liang Province to cut off the Xiongnu's supply lines.”
Wei You chose to craft his conversation, limiting information. Although he dodged the question, it was good enough to distract the young boy.
Zhuge Liang grinned, ”I see. Then, what is his viewpoint about the infighting between our countrymen?”
Wei You was still laughing, ”His majesty doesn't fight against his countrymen, only rebels.”
”You dodged my question again. I'm referring to the civil war between all warlords at the moment.”
”Presently, there is no such thing as a civil war, only small skirmishes between rebels and his majesty's allies.”
”Sun Fang and Sun Ce are expanding their forces in Jiangdong while Cao Cao is targeting the Sun Clan. Isn't this a civil war?”
”Cao Cao is his majesty's vessel forces, and the Sun Clan is expanding without our permission. Cao Cao's forces are trying to suppress the rebels. Therefore, no civil war happens.”
”You're being delusional. You and I know that Cao Cao and the Sun Clan are not Zhang Tong's vessels. They disregarded his authority and fought each other to expand their territories. If I can't call it a civil war, what do you call it? Hell, fighting a rebel army is already a civil war!”
Zhuge Liang's tone became rude, which irked Wei You. Pang Tong even laughed out loud to mock the eunuch, but Sima Hui and Xu Shu remained silence.
Wei You stopped continuing this debate. Since Zhuge Liang revealed his stance, the answer to Tong's invitation was clear. Furthermore, he could not answer that question since it was beyond his capability.
With a sad smile, Wei You bid farewell, ”I hope we don't have to fight in a battlefield. I wish you luck.”
Zhuge Liang did not expect that Wei You would abruptly leave after he had cornered him. He felt guilty.
”Wait, please answer my questions first!”
”I've failed your test, so I shall excuse myself.”
”I didn't test you. I just want to know!”
”A servant like myself can't possibly represent his majesty's vision and insight. If you seek the answer, visit us in Ye. Just tell the clerks that you know a eunuch named Wei You, they will allow you to see his majesty.”
”You are too tricky. I just want an honest answer. Don't trick me into joining his majesty.”
”Then, the answer is … I don't know. I'm not the emperor.”
”…”
Both Wei You and Zhuge Liang were disappointed as they parted.
Meanwhile, Pang Tong kept mocking Wei You after the latter and his bodyguards had left.
”They're stupid, Kongming. Sooner or later, they will be devoured by Cao Cao. That emperor is too weak!”
Xu Shu and Zhuge Liang sighed, giving up on Pang Tong.
Both of them could retort against Pang Tong all day, and they were confident that Pang Tong would shut his mouth when it was over. However, they decided to not wasting their time against a bias opponent.
”Shiyuan, if you keep this biased attitude, it will lead to your demise.”
”Kongming is right, Shiyuan. You have a tunnel vision.”
”Ha! How about I prove you wrong. I'll join Liu Bei, and I'll defeat Zhang Tong with my brain! Wanna make a bet?”
Xu Shu got annoyed by the provocation, ”This is why I'm telling you that you have a tunnel vision. Look at the big picture! We have to deal with the Xiongnu first, not supporting an unknown force.”
Pang Tong snorted, ”You're the shortsighted one! Look at the map! Liu Bei's territory connects to the Xiongnu's borders. His forces will be the first one that gets hit if Khan wanted Luoyang. I'm joining him to fight the Xiongnu, as well as proving my points.”
”What point?”
”Without the right strategists and ploys, how can we fight against the Xiongnu? I'll make Liu Bei's forces stronger, and Zhang Tong will be crying, begging Liu Bei for his help when I finished developing their forces.”
”…”
Zhuge Liang also had enough of this mess. Although he was mad, the sleeping dragon calmly asked his friend.
”Why do you pick the Liu Bei?”
Pang Tong laughed, ”Among all choices, they are the righteous one! Zhang Tong is a hypocrite idiot, while the Sun Clan are downright rebels. Also, Cao Cao is a power-hungry son of a bitch. On the other hand, Liu Bei never committed any crime! He never massacred innocent civilians like Zhang Tong. He never tried to create a false empress like Cao Cao, and he never tried to become a warlord at all! Look at Liu Bei's past records. He's clean, and merchants are calling him the Virtuous Liu! Did you know that Liu Bei is a distant relative of the royal blood? I think he should success the throne rather than Zhang Tong.”
”…”
Everyone stopped arguing or trying to continue their conversation with Pang Tong.
He was beyond help.
.
Pang Tong left the village that day, traveling east toward Hongnong.
His uncle, Pang Degong, was furious when he learned that the impulsive 14-year-old boy got so overconfident to the point that he thought he could make a difference with his brain alone.
Still, Pang Degong did not stop this young boy. Instead, he moved his family to Hongnong as well, planning to support this child in the future. Pang Degong knew that his nephew would experience the cruelty of the real world soon, so he had to be there to pick him home.