"Gongyou, the Lord has spoken of you often!"
Pang Tong came striding forward with quick, eager steps to greet Sun Qian, catching the seasoned envoy slightly by surprise.
"Pang Tong, courtesy name Shiyuan," he introduced himself, studying Sun Qian with lively curiosity. "The Lord told me you all already knew of me?"
Sun Qian gave a restrained nod, his expression polite but reserved. Pang Tong's curiosity only deepened.
Nearby, Liu Bei's thoughts were elsewhere. Having been away for over half a month, he was anxious—had Lady Gan continued her treatments with Physician Zhang? Was the "Room of Resentful Learning" he had ordered for Adou being used properly? And had Second Brother's lessons managed to temper Third Brother's temper at all?
"Gongyou," Liu Bei said, turning back to Sun Qian, "please look after Shiyuan. We shall hold a banquet tonight in his honor."
Sun Qian bowed, then smiled. "Lady Sun has been sending her maids every day to ask when you would return, My Lord. You'd best not forget her concern."
At that, Liu Bei almost stumbled. Without even glancing back, he mounted his horse and galloped away in embarrassment.
Sun Qian laughed quietly as he watched his Lord's hurried retreat. Turning back, he found a young officer standing beside Pang Tong, looking rather nervous.
"And this is?" he asked.
"Ma Zhong," Pang Tong replied casually, "a bodyguard I won in a wager."
Ma Zhong's face stiffened with indignation, but he said nothing. It was, after all, the truth.
The Tour of Innovations
As they walked the bustling streets of Gong'an, Sun Qian asked how Pang Tong had managed such a peculiar "acquisition."
"This Ma Zhong was originally a commander under Pan Zhang," Pang Tong explained. "Pan Zhang is a man of little virtue—fond of gambling, greedy for coin, and unable to go a day without wine."
Sun Qian frowned. "Such a man holds command?"
Pang Tong laughed. "He is one of the Marquis of Wu's earliest followers. Despite his vices, he has a certain talent for catching thieves."
Sun Qian's expression turned skeptical; such a man seemed more suited to chasing robbers than leading soldiers.
Pang Tong continued, "So I merely prescribed the proper cure. I waited until he was drunk, challenged him to a game, and when he lost and had no silver left to pay, he staked his officer—Ma Zhong—and lost him as well."
Sun Qian was astonished, but recalling how the armies of Eastern Wu often resembled private estates, the tale seemed oddly plausible. "Military Adviser Pang... you gamble?"
"I only dabble in mathematics," Pang Tong replied modestly.
"Mathematics? How coincidental," Sun Qian said. "There is another 'Phoenix' here in Gong'an who is well versed in that art."
"Oh?" Pang Tong raised an eyebrow. "Who might that be?"
"Military Adviser Zhuge's wife," Sun Qian replied with a smile. "The Lord calls her the 'Hidden Dragon's Phoenix.' She designed the waterwheels and what the locals call 'Zhuge Paper.' Among the people, she is known simply as Lady Phoenix."
A flicker of competitiveness stirred in Pang Tong's chest. "The waterwheel, you say... is that it?"
They had come upon a large structure by the river.
"Jiang Wan oversees this project," said Sun Qian. "The wheel powers stone mills, mortars, and even wooden hammers for washing clothes. It spares great labor. Jiang Wan calls it a 'Hydraulic Workshop.'"
Pang Tong inspected the machinery, touching each gear and lever. With every mechanism he examined, his confidence waned. He had prided himself on being the cleverest man in the room, yet this realm of practical engineering lay far beyond his reach.
As they walked further, the fields along the banks caught his eye.
"The rice here grows by the Counselor's methods," Sun Qian explained. "With the new composting techniques, the yield reaches three and a half pecks per mu."
"Three and a half..." Pang Tong murmured. The number was staggering—but Sun Qian had no reason to boast falsely. Was there nothing Kongming did not master?
Sun Qian continued his tour, his tone bright and steady:
"Those are the curved plows designed by the Counselor and General Zhao."
"Here are the hemp leggings and fried flour rations proposed by the Counselor."
"And this—this is the Repeating Crossbow."
By the time the tour ended, the Fledgling Phoenix was silent. His pride had given way to quiet dismay. While he had spent years wandering the empire in search of purpose, Zhuge Liang had already reshaped agriculture, industry, and warcraft.
The Household and the Banquet
Meanwhile, Liu Bei had returned home to check on his household. Lady Gan's health was improving under Physician Zhang Zhongjing's care.
"Husband," she said softly, "about Adou... isn't your discipline a bit harsh?"
"Harsh?" Liu Bei exhaled sharply. "I only wish him to become worthy of a temple—not a block of decaying wood."
He went to inspect the "Room of Resentful Learning." Its walls were hung with the supposed final words of his descendant Liu Chen, creating a somber air of reflection. Today's instructor, Fu Rong, was telling Adou tales of the corrupt eunuchs who had doomed the Han.
Adou sat upright, his small face solemn yet puzzled. Liu Bei nodded in approval and left quietly. It did not matter if the boy understood now; he must at least learn the names of those who had betrayed their dynasty.
That evening, at the welcoming banquet, Pang Tong sat in silence. Liu Bei, noticing his distant expression, reached across the table and clasped his hand.
"Shiyuan, what weighs upon your mind?"
Pang Tong sighed. "I am troubled by the Lord's coming campaign for Yi Province."
Liu Bei smiled, his eyes bright with confidence. "A trifling concern! For Yi Province—Kongming already holds a flawless plan."
Pang Tong's face froze.