Liu Bei POV
She was speaking normally before too but then she went into archaic speech all of a sudden. Even so, her sudden poem was not too difficult to understand and was actually rather endearing, which greatly impressed me.
“But since you all took up this space already, I’ll just back off.” She said as she smiled at us, “Don’t worry about me. There are many scenic spots in the area. If you find yourselves coming here again, you can try to look about. Well then…”
She did not speak very quickly but once she finished, she turned to leave almost immediately and I very nearly forgot to stop her, “Ah, umm, please wait!”
“Eh?” She turned back and tilted her head to the side when she saw my frantic expression, “May I ask if there is anything else?”
Ah, there’s no doubt about it. This person has to be Kong Ming. Only Kong Ming could have such a demeanor.
“Ah, umm.” I began to feel shy and nervous when I thought of this and my limbs stiffened as I looked up at the great sage before me, “May I ask if you are the master of Crouching Dragon Ridge, Teacher Zhuge Kong Ming?”
Ah, I am indeed. You’ve heard of me? — For a moment these words flashed in my head but when I looked at her, all I saw was surprise.
“Eh? Kong Ming?”
“Eh?” I felt rather off-put at hearing her throw back the question at me, “You… Aren’t you Teacher Kong Ming?!”
It was a little rude but I still ended up instinctively pointing at her and I even changed the way I addressed her to make sure.
“Hahahahaha,” But when I finished, all she did in response was laugh out loudly as though I had told a joke.
“Of course not.” She said as she waved her hands and smiled, “But I too have come here to look for Kong Ming. What’s the matter? Is Kong Ming not in?”
The 3 of us nodded in response.
“Then she must have gone on a hike in the mountains.” She said as she scratched her head and looked frustrated as she went on a long soliloquy, “Even though her limbs are so short, she always likes to push herself now and then. We were supposed to go together too but she actually left ahead of me huh?”
“Umm, excuse me.” I very rudely interrupted her when I sensed that it could go on for an indefinite amount of time.
“Eh? Ah! Sorry about that. Did I drift off into a daze again?”
So she is aware of that huh?
“Well then, I’ll be introducing myself to everyone first. My name is Cui Jun Cui Zhou Ping. I am a friend of Kong Ming’s and have come to seek Kong Ming to go on a hike.”
Cui Jun Cui Zhou Ping? I feel like I have heard this name somewhere before…
“Ah!” I finally recalled her name after pondering for a moment, “Are you Cui Zhou Ping of Boling?”
“Eh? Am I that famous?!”
She seems rather happy about it.
“Un, un. Teacher Shuijing mentioned your name before.”
“What? You even know Teacher Shuijing– Wait.” She stopped halfway and came up to me and stared at me for a while before uttering in surprise, “Ah! Are you Imperial Uncle Liu?!”
“You know me?”
This time, it was my turn to be surprised.
“I heard about you from Teacher Shuijing as well.” She nodded as she looked at me, “But you really are Liu Xuan De huh? Teacher Shuijing’s description was on the mark.”
I am really curious about how Sima Hui described me but it’s not like I can ask.
“But let me ask you while I’m at it,” She said as she came up to me once more, “Is your purpose for seeking Kong Ming today for the sake of inviting her to emerge from the mountains?”
“I do indeed have that intention.”
“Un~” She grunted as she looked up at the sky.
When I saw her reaction, I thought back to the discouragement Sima Hui had given me before.
“Do you think that it’s hopeless as well?”
“Un?” She looked at me when she heard me speak and shook her head, “No, I feel that if you are truly sincere, then there is a good chance actually.”
“I see.” I said and was about to ask her further but she cut me off.
“But, given that Kong Ming’s present whereabouts are unknown, it will be difficult to find her. Even I cannot be sure of where she is.”
Ah… I can see that.
“So just come again another time. Don’t be discouraged. As long as you come around enough times, you will get to see Kong Ming eventually.”
Even though I know that already, it feels like she is delivering a prophecy of sorts as though she can already see it happening, which further elevated my impression of her.
“Ah, is Teacher Cui Zhou Ping also a hermit?” Yun Chang chimed in after nodding along to our conversation the entire time. Looks like she has a good impression of this Cui Zhou Ping person.
“Haha, a hermit huh?” She chuckled, “I’m just an ordinary peasant. My household happens to own some land that is being rented out so my life is rather good and leisurely and all I do is seek out my friends to kill time.”
How is that the life of an ordinary peasant?
“You’re being too humble.” I said, feeling like I wanted to speak with this woman a little more, “I’ve heard that you like to discuss matters revolving around governance, politics and administration. Would you happen to know of any strategies to create a stable nation? I, Liu Bei, would most definitely be keen to listen.”
“Not at all. All I can tell you are some flawed theories and suggestions. It’s best if I don’t say anything.” She said and smiled as she sat down a flattish rock and waved her hands dismissively.
“Ah yes, let me ask this first. Did Teacher Shuijing happen to recommend me when he spoke with you?” She suddenly asked me seriously.
“… That did indeed happen.” I replied truthfully since she already suspected it. Even though I did not actually plan on inviting her, she asked me anyway so I might as well do it, “So if you would be willing to come and–”
“Ah, if he did so, please do ignore what he said.”
Eh?! Before I could finish, she turned me down decisively. If she does not want to join me then why did she ask me about it with such great interest?
“I’m sorry but I don’t think what you just did was very appropriate.”
“Un?”
Just then, Yi De spoke up and when I turned to look at her, I saw that she looked rather furious. The only time I have ever seen her like this was back at Liu Biao’s residence when Kuai Yue and Kuai Liang made light of me.
“I feel that you should at least let Xuan De finish before giving a response.” Yi De continued while Yun Chang looked on from the side with a stony expression.
“It’s fine, it’s fine.” I said, trying to placate her.
“Aiya aiya, look at me!” Cui Zhou Ping looked like she just realised something and held her face as she shook her head and looked at me apologetically, “You misunderstood me. I didn’t accept your invitation not because I feel that you aren’t worthy of my serving you or that I think too highly of myself. I just feel that I am not capable enough.”
“Aiya, you’re being too humble.”
Cui Zhou Ping shook her head at me, “Let me ask you a question, why does one become a hermit?”
“Eh?” I never thought about this before but I do have some ideas, “Un… Perhaps one is tired of all the ongoing conflicts and wishes to seek a life of tranquility and peace?”
She nodded, “Imperial Uncle is right. That is the main reason why we become hermits. But is there any rule that states that we are all very intelligent and capable individuals?”
Ah… Now that I think about it, that does not seem to be the case. I looked at Yi De and Yun Chang from the side and saw that they were deep in thought as well.
“Definitely no right?” She asked again and sighed, “I can’t speak for the others but I must tell you all that I am not as capable as Imperial Uncle expects. Perhaps there is some sort of charisma that comes from being a hermit but I’ll have to be honest and tell you that I am not very capable.”
She was serious. This was not her trying to be humble.
“I was once an Administrator and I was also a General of the Household as well. But to be honest, my skill with administration is only so-so nor am I very adept at leading in battle. As for my understanding of the crisis that plagues the Central Plains, I must say that I am not too clear on it. And the only reason why I am here is because my father and brother died in their service and my family has lost much sway.” She said and shrugged, “May I ask, after knowing all this, do you still wish to invite me?”
Wu… I do not know what I can say at this point. Remaining silent makes me seem weak at this point but I do not have the courage to gamble on someone who does not seem to be very capable and clearly believes that. Besides, I was not actually serious about inviting her in the first place.
“You need not feel ashamed. I should be the one who is ashamed. Even though I still hold some ambitions of my own, I sought refuge in the remote countryside because I know that I cannot survive in the chaotic world. Hermits are just hermits. One does not automatically become a sage just by being a hermit. We may seem special to outsiders but not all of us possess extraordinary wit, intelligence and capability. If you assume that, we will be very troubled.”
“Hahaha!” She laughed but it looked like she was laughing at herself.
“Alright, I got it.” I nodded. I should have known about this. Cui Zhou Ping must have received many other invitations from others before this as well. I felt sad for her when I realised this.
Liu Bei POV
She was speaking normally before too but then she went into archaic speech all of a sudden. Even so, her sudden poem was not too difficult to understand and was actually rather endearing, which greatly impressed me.
“But since you all took up this space already, I’ll just back off.” She said as she smiled at us, “Don’t worry about me. There are many scenic spots in the area. If you find yourselves coming here again, you can try to look about. Well then…”
She did not speak very quickly but once she finished, she turned to leave almost immediately and I very nearly forgot to stop her, “Ah, umm, please wait!”
“Eh?” She turned back and tilted her head to the side when she saw my frantic expression, “May I ask if there is anything else?”
Ah, there’s no doubt about it. This person has to be Kong Ming. Only Kong Ming could have such a demeanor.
“Ah, umm.” I began to feel shy and nervous when I thought of this and my limbs stiffened as I looked up at the great sage before me, “May I ask if you are the master of Crouching Dragon Ridge, Teacher Zhuge Kong Ming?”
Ah, I am indeed. You’ve heard of me? — For a moment these words flashed in my head but when I looked at her, all I saw was surprise.
“Eh? Kong Ming?”
“Eh?” I felt rather off-put at hearing her throw back the question at me, “You… Aren’t you Teacher Kong Ming?!”
It was a little rude but I still ended up instinctively pointing at her and I even changed the way I addressed her to make sure.
“Hahahahaha,” But when I finished, all she did in response was laugh out loudly as though I had told a joke.
“Of course not.” She said as she waved her hands and smiled, “But I too have come here to look for Kong Ming. What’s the matter? Is Kong Ming not in?”
The 3 of us nodded in response.
“Then she must have gone on a hike in the mountains.” She said as she scratched her head and looked frustrated as she went on a long soliloquy, “Even though her limbs are so short, she always likes to push herself now and then. We were supposed to go together too but she actually left ahead of me huh?”
“Umm, excuse me.” I very rudely interrupted her when I sensed that it could go on for an indefinite amount of time.
“Eh? Ah! Sorry about that. Did I drift off into a daze again?”
So she is aware of that huh?
“Well then, I’ll be introducing myself to everyone first. My name is Cui Jun Cui Zhou Ping. I am a friend of Kong Ming’s and have come to seek Kong Ming to go on a hike.”
Cui Jun Cui Zhou Ping? I feel like I have heard this name somewhere before…
“Ah!” I finally recalled her name after pondering for a moment, “Are you Cui Zhou Ping of Boling?”
“Eh? Am I that famous?!”
She seems rather happy about it.
“Un, un. Teacher Shuijing mentioned your name before.”
“What? You even know Teacher Shuijing– Wait.” She stopped halfway and came up to me and stared at me for a while before uttering in surprise, “Ah! Are you Imperial Uncle Liu?!”
“You know me?”
This time, it was my turn to be surprised.
“I heard about you from Teacher Shuijing as well.” She nodded as she looked at me, “But you really are Liu Xuan De huh? Teacher Shuijing’s description was on the mark.”
I am really curious about how Sima Hui described me but it’s not like I can ask.
“But let me ask you while I’m at it,” She said as she came up to me once more, “Is your purpose for seeking Kong Ming today for the sake of inviting her to emerge from the mountains?”
“I do indeed have that intention.”
“Un~” She grunted as she looked up at the sky.
When I saw her reaction, I thought back to the discouragement Sima Hui had given me before.
“Do you think that it’s hopeless as well?”
“Un?” She looked at me when she heard me speak and shook her head, “No, I feel that if you are truly sincere, then there is a good chance actually.”
“I see.” I said and was about to ask her further but she cut me off.
“But, given that Kong Ming’s present whereabouts are unknown, it will be difficult to find her. Even I cannot be sure of where she is.”
Ah… I can see that.
“So just come again another time. Don’t be discouraged. As long as you come around enough times, you will get to see Kong Ming eventually.”
Even though I know that already, it feels like she is delivering a prophecy of sorts as though she can already see it happening, which further elevated my impression of her.
“Ah, is Teacher Cui Zhou Ping also a hermit?” Yun Chang chimed in after nodding along to our conversation the entire time. Looks like she has a good impression of this Cui Zhou Ping person.
“Haha, a hermit huh?” She chuckled, “I’m just an ordinary peasant. My household happens to own some land that is being rented out so my life is rather good and leisurely and all I do is seek out my friends to kill time.”
How is that the life of an ordinary peasant?
“You’re being too humble.” I said, feeling like I wanted to speak with this woman a little more, “I’ve heard that you like to discuss matters revolving around governance, politics and administration. Would you happen to know of any strategies to create a stable nation? I, Liu Bei, would most definitely be keen to listen.”
“Not at all. All I can tell you are some flawed theories and suggestions. It’s best if I don’t say anything.” She said and smiled as she sat down a flattish rock and waved her hands dismissively.
“Ah yes, let me ask this first. Did Teacher Shuijing happen to recommend me when he spoke with you?” She suddenly asked me seriously.
“… That did indeed happen.” I replied truthfully since she already suspected it. Even though I did not actually plan on inviting her, she asked me anyway so I might as well do it, “So if you would be willing to come and–”
“Ah, if he did so, please do ignore what he said.”
Eh?! Before I could finish, she turned me down decisively. If she does not want to join me then why did she ask me about it with such great interest?
“I’m sorry but I don’t think what you just did was very appropriate.”
“Un?”
Just then, Yi De spoke up and when I turned to look at her, I saw that she looked rather furious. The only time I have ever seen her like this was back at Liu Biao’s residence when Kuai Yue and Kuai Liang made light of me.
“I feel that you should at least let Xuan De finish before giving a response.” Yi De continued while Yun Chang looked on from the side with a stony expression.
“It’s fine, it’s fine.” I said, trying to placate her.
“Aiya aiya, look at me!” Cui Zhou Ping looked like she just realised something and held her face as she shook her head and looked at me apologetically, “You misunderstood me. I didn’t accept your invitation not because I feel that you aren’t worthy of my serving you or that I think too highly of myself. I just feel that I am not capable enough.”
“Aiya, you’re being too humble.”
Cui Zhou Ping shook her head at me, “Let me ask you a question, why does one become a hermit?”
“Eh?” I never thought about this before but I do have some ideas, “Un… Perhaps one is tired of all the ongoing conflicts and wishes to seek a life of tranquility and peace?”
She nodded, “Imperial Uncle is right. That is the main reason why we become hermits. But is there any rule that states that we are all very intelligent and capable individuals?”
Ah… Now that I think about it, that does not seem to be the case. I looked at Yi De and Yun Chang from the side and saw that they were deep in thought as well.
“Definitely no right?” She asked again and sighed, “I can’t speak for the others but I must tell you all that I am not as capable as Imperial Uncle expects. Perhaps there is some sort of charisma that comes from being a hermit but I’ll have to be honest and tell you that I am not very capable.”
She was serious. This was not her trying to be humble.
“I was once an Administrator and I was also a General of the Household as well. But to be honest, my skill with administration is only so-so nor am I very adept at leading in battle. As for my understanding of the crisis that plagues the Central Plains, I must say that I am not too clear on it. And the only reason why I am here is because my father and brother died in their service and my family has lost much sway.” She said and shrugged, “May I ask, after knowing all this, do you still wish to invite me?”
Wu… I do not know what I can say at this point. Remaining silent makes me seem weak at this point but I do not have the courage to gamble on someone who does not seem to be very capable and clearly believes that. Besides, I was not actually serious about inviting her in the first place.
“You need not feel ashamed. I should be the one who is ashamed. Even though I still hold some ambitions of my own, I sought refuge in the remote countryside because I know that I cannot survive in the chaotic world. Hermits are just hermits. One does not automatically become a sage just by being a hermit. We may seem special to outsiders but not all of us possess extraordinary wit, intelligence and capability. If you assume that, we will be very troubled.”
“Hahaha!” She laughed but it looked like she was laughing at herself.
“Alright, I got it.” I nodded. I should have known about this. Cui Zhou Ping must have received many other invitations from others before this as well. I felt sad for her when I realised this.
