Chapter 764: Public and Private

"I used to argue against you simply for the sake of argument, but that's no longer necessary. I have my own ideals, and I don't need to hide behind the will of the masses. While my lord may have many flaws, he accepts everything about me. His will is my direction, and I believe in him!" Pang Tong slowly turned to look at Sun Ce, then turned back with a resolute expression on his face.

"I expected as much," Zhuge Liang responded calmly. "I don't have many close friends, but you are certainly one of them. However, you also make a fitting opponent. If I ever meet Sima Zhongda, I will introduce you to him. Other than you, he is the only one in our generation who piques my interest."

"Unfortunately, I no longer have any interest in competing with our peers. This world’s conflicts don’t grant you any privileges based on your age or experience, as this situation clearly shows," Pang Tong said with a sneer, his upturned nose and twisted smile making his already unsightly face appear even more grotesque.

Though Zhang Song, standing behind, couldn’t hear everything clearly, he caught bits and pieces. Pang Tong's age shocked him, and he felt a deep sense of shame, once again marveling at how remarkable the people of the Central Plains were.

"I never said I was competing with our generation," Zhuge Liang replied with his usual calm. "Perhaps one day, when you meet him, you will understand." His voice softened. "You know what my presence here means."

"You’re implying that Liu Bei has marched on Yuzhou. What’s there to worry about? I trust Zhou Gongjin, and I trust your brother!" Pang Tong said, showing no sign of fear or anxiety. "Even if the three Liu brothers unite, so what? Liu Bei can't afford to commit his entire force. Without him, what other warlord would dare challenge us?"

"It’s a shame the Yuan family has split. Otherwise, they might have made worthy opponents," Zhuge Liang countered.

As Pang Tong had said, without Liu Bei, Sun Ce—having united Yuan Shu’s forces—was strong enough to contend with any of the remaining warlords. Even excluding Yuan Shao, the combined strength of Yuzhou and Yangzhou under Sun Ce could resist any coalition. But the real advantage lay with Liu Bei, who didn’t need to face each warlord individually.

"You’re just one step ahead. What’s there to fear?" Pang Tong retorted, his eyes narrowing as he smiled coldly at Zhuge Liang.

"One step ahead is still ahead. You don’t understand," Zhuge Liang sighed. Pang Tong had never seen Mount Tai, nor did he know what it had prepared. As for his brother, Zhuge Jin, while he had tried to estimate Mount Tai’s strength, his conclusions were ultimately misguided.

"You say I don’t understand?" Pang Tong sneered. He didn’t need to hear more about Mount Tai’s current power. Besides, Yuan Shao was still in the picture. In Pang Tong’s mind, the war between Yuan Shao and Liu Bei wouldn’t end in three or five years, giving Sun Ce plenty of time to solidify his foundation.

"Yes, you don’t understand," Zhuge Liang repeated, shaking his head. "Just as Zhang Song and the others only see their temporary advantage and the immediate victory, they fail to notice the hidden dangers beneath their so-called success."

"Don’t underestimate your comrades," Pang Tong scoffed. "As arrogant as it sounds, they aren’t weak. In fact, if I hadn’t made the first move, I would have lost miserably."

"You misunderstand. You wouldn't have lost miserably—just more embarrassingly," Zhuge Liang said thoughtfully. "Victory has blinded you all, Shiyuan. You don’t understand the vast difference between Yuzhou and Yangzhou and Qingzhou and Xuzhou."

The two paused for a moment. Pang Tong, sensing the end of their conversation, broke the silence. "Let’s end our reunion here. We can no longer debate as we once did. Public duty and personal relationships are difficult to separate, and next time, we may not even have the chance to speak so calmly."

Zhuge Liang remained silent. He understood what Pang Tong meant. The days when they could sit and debate for hours about philosophy and strategy had passed. In this new world, public duty and private feelings were forever intertwined.

"Let’s remember our last parting—when you stormed off angrily. That should be the memory we hold onto. If we want to keep our personal friendship intact, the best way is to never face each other in battle. But alas..." Pang Tong sighed deeply, letting the weight of their situation sink in.

Would Pang Tong hesitate to strike down Liu Bei simply because he was Zhuge Liang's friend? Similarly, would Zhuge Liang hesitate to defeat Sun Ce for Pang Tong’s sake? No. On the battlefield, both would do whatever it took. Their personal friendship was no longer relevant.

"Very well," Zhuge Liang replied, feeling a pang of sorrow. But he remained calm.

The excitement in Pang Tong's eyes dimmed as he watched Zhuge Liang. His gaze turned cold. Tugging on the reins, he turned his horse around and left without looking back.

Zhuge Liang watched Pang Tong’s retreating figure, feeling the urge to reach out and stop him. But his hand remained at his side. Slowly, he too turned his horse.

Pang Tong’s horse moved slowly, as if sensing its master's heavy heart. It didn’t display its usual wild nature.

Taishi Ci, who had overheard the entire conversation, knew Zhuge Liang wasn’t in a good mood. He approached and tried to offer words of comfort, but Zhuge Liang merely waved him off.

"Shiyuan, why break ties like this!" Sun Ce, oblivious to Pang Tong’s somber mood, grabbed him roughly. "Don’t worry! Next time, I’ll capture Zhuge Liang alive and make him your scribe!"

"Let go of me!" Pang Tong struggled, though his feeble strength was no match for the powerful Sun Ce. However, despite Sun Ce's antics, Pang Tong found his spirits lifting.

With Jiang Qin competently leading the army, Sun Ce had little to worry about. He continued to wrestle playfully with Pang Tong.

"If you can capture Zhuge Liang and make him my scribe..." Pang Tong started to dream aloud. "That would be amazing!"

"Zi Yi, return to camp," Zhuge Liang ordered, his face dark and his voice trembling slightly.

"I think I should just fight them and capture Pang Shiyuan as your scribe," Taishi Ci replied, his eyes blazing with determination as he looked toward Sun Ce.

"A general must not go to war in anger, nor a leader lead in a fit of rage. There’s no need to rush," Zhuge Liang said, his expression cold. When it came to war, he wouldn’t allow for any mistakes.

Previous Chapter | | Next Chapter