The small matters, such as welcoming and cleansing off the road dust, were trivial, but this ti it was different, owing to the presence of female guests. When preparing the banquet, it got a bit more troubleso. In the past, whether Lady Gan was the legal wife or not, she would take Liu Bei’s place in receiving guests. This ti, though, things were quite remarkable.
Chen Xi glanced at the group of won in the inner chamber and couldn’t help shaking his head; indeed, it was the Zhang Clan who took on the hosting duties, but to keep up appearances, they had also invited so wives and daughters of civil officials and military generals.
"What’s there to cover up?" Chen Xi shrugged and said to Jia Xu.
"Isn’t it because she hasn’t married over yet?" Jia Xu, a bit plump, jiggled as he spoke, noting that he had shown a trend of putting on weight recently. Apparently, he hadn’t been engaging in enough ntal exertion.
"Wen He, you’ve gotten plumper," Lub Su glanced at Jia Xu and remarked, causing Jia Xu a slight embarrassnt. In Mount Tai, he ate well and slept well, and his workload wasn’t heavy—a recipe for not losing weight. But looking at Lub Su on the opposite side, he found it hard to voice this.
"Kongming, you seem to have changed quite a bit," Fa Zheng said, stroking his chin and habitually took a jab at Zhuge Liang.
"You’ve changed a lot too, you look more mature," Zhuge Liang, not bothering with Fa Zheng, suddenly seed to recall sothing. He bowed to Fa Zheng, "Congratulations, your wish has co true, hasn’t it?"
Just as Fa Zheng was about to banter with Zhuge Liang, he heard Zhuge Liang’s words and nodded, a hint of a smile flashing across his face, "It’s settled. I heard you’re also getting married? When?"
Zhuge Liang glanced at Fa Zheng and said irritably, "Next year, the date is not set yet. I will invite you when the ti cos."
On the other side, Lul Xun fixed his gaze on Lu Yu, "Long ti no see, Zijia, you seem to have gained a bit of weight. What have you been eating recently?"
In fact, Lu Yu had beco much more than ’a bit’ chubby, and Lul Xun said it that way just to be polite. When he saw Lu Yu wave at him earlier, he hardly recognized him, as Lu Yu had grown so plump.
"It’s been a long ti for you too. That person over there is my ntor," Lu Yu gazed in the direction of Jia Xu with awe, his plump face looking a bit foolish as he answered.
"He seems so harmless," Lul Xun stared at Jia Xu for a while but couldn’t find anything particularly unusual about him; Jia Xu just smiled cheerfully, and when he caught Lul Xun looking, he even waved at him.
"Mhm, very harmless. My teacher is a nice person. See, I learned from him, um, this is called ’a broad heart makes a fat body.’ Oh, and recently he’s been teaching about ’enduring loss is a blessing’," Lu Yu nodded and nodded to Lul Xun.
Unfortunately, Lu Yu had beco a little chubster, and his nodding seed quite comical. Lul Xun struggled to hold back laughter, his body trembling, while Lu Yu also scratched his head and snickered goofily by his side.
"Your disciple is not up to snuff; my student is nearly wearing him out," said Jia Xu cheerily, pointing at Lu Yu and Lul Xun. He beckoned to them warmly, picked up a dish of snacks from the table, and shook it. Lul Xun hastily motioned no with his hands, prompting Jia Xu to put the dish down before turning his head with a sly smile.
"Tsk," Chen Xi looked displeased at Jia Xu, "What can you tell in such a short ti? Just wait and see how formidable this kid becos. Believe it or not, my disciple will be able to spar with Kongming."
Jia Xu didn’t respond for a long ti. Just as Chen Xi was about to throw a few taunts his way, Jia Xu spoke up, "If I win, I’ll eat the desk; if you lose, you eat the desk."
"Let’s not." Chen Xi wiped away his cold sweat. Zhuge Liang was already enchanting enough, and now he was even more so. He estimated that Lul Xun might manage to engage with Zhuge Liang, but winning? Did he think everyone could topple an embodint of millennia-worth of wisdom?
"If you don’t have the guts, let it be." Jia Xu glanced at Zhuge Liang and raised his cup towards him. Zhuge Liang returned the gesture, and Jia Xu burst into laughter. Zhuge Liang felt a chill run down his spine; Jia Xu’s laughter was never a good sign.
"Choosing an opponent also depends on the person," Chen Xi said with a wry smile, shaking his head. "You’ve been around Kongming for so long, you must have so impressions. What do you think?"
"If Fa Xiaozhi is a genius, then Zhuge Kongming is a prodigy the likes of which the world has never seen before. The man could do everything by himself." Jia Xu clucked in amazent—his most distinct impression of Zhuge Liang was that the man was impeccably flawless.
"That settles it then. Boyan might match him in commanding troops and tactical planning, Zijia might have a go at power scheming and political maneuvers, and Xiaozhi might outplay him in strategy and puzzle solving. But in a one-on-one scenario, I fear none of us present would be his match," Chen Xi remarked with a wealth of emotion.
Zhuge Liang had grown too quickly, far beyond Chen Xi’s imagination. Initially, Chen Xi had so worries about possibly forcing growth unnaturally, but in a short period, Zhuge Liang had already beco dazzlingly prominent.
"Indeed, a rare and extraordinary talent. But at least we still have the qualifications to sit here and appraise others, especially you. You’re not that much older than them, but most of the ti, you’re the one sitting here evaluating them," Jia Xu nodded and then, with a mischievous look, shifted his gaze from Fa Zheng to Chen Xi.
"That’s what it ans to keep one’s capabilities hidden. Geniuses battle on stage, showcasing their glory, while we sit above and critique. After all, we’ve already had our battles," Chen Xi said with a ripple of laughter, a sentint that he passed to Jia Xu and then to the others.
It was indeed peculiar. Zhou Yu, Chen Xi, Lub Su, Liu Ye, and Guo Jia were not old, but when it ca to discussing seniority, these few were considered part of the older generation. That’s why they had the standing to comnt on those of their own age or even those older than themselves. The whole concept of ranking by seniority was truly intriguing.
"Speaking of which, forget about those guys. The thing you ntioned, I have already proven it—five million mu of fertile land awaits, though it requires land clearing," Jia Xu whispered the topic change, afraid of being overheard, yet he didn’t notice Lub Su spilling his wine in shock or Zhao Yun, polishing his Long Spear at a considerable distance, suddenly pausing.
"That fast?" Chen Xi exclaid in shock. It had not been long, and yet Jia Xu had already confird it.
"Five million mu of land, I’d be surprised if I weren’t quick," Jia Xu waved his hand and his eyes sparkled with excitent. Even a sage with a steady temperant like him couldn’t contain himself at the sight of five million mu of ownerless fertile land.
At this point, Lub Su stopped drinking. He couldn’t help but lean towards Chen Xi and Jia Xu involuntarily. With five million mu of land, nothing would be a problem!
"Whoosh." Lub Su leaned a bit too much and toppled over, drawing Chen Xi and Jia Xu’s attention to him for the first ti.
"Ahem, ahem, just a bit curious," Lub Su said, rubbing his hands excitedly, suddenly showing the fiery blood of a man in his pri, a complete contrast to the old man who’d been sipping his wine sullenly on the side. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you’re welco to vote and send monthly tickets at . Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian to read.)
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