#xiaozhisama

“Has your lord sent you out here like one of his dogs to find me?” He asked, sounding quite unamused. The scholar was hoping to have a somewhat uneventful day, but the man’s unannounced appearance said otherwise. Xu Shu sighed as he straightened his posture and crossed his arms.

On a scale of one to ten

Fa Zhengrose from his seat. A visitor had arrived; that in itself was surprise enough.Not many accepted invitations from a vindictive man, but then again, thisvisitor had nothing to fear. The wolf only bites when hungry or provoked, andtoday, he was neither. The guest finally entered and Fa Zheng rose to greet himwith a salute.

“Ah,Master Zhuge Liang. How kind of you to visit. My reputation does not give memany opportunities to showcase my hospitality, you see.”

The guestwaved his fan, hiding his mouth behind the white crane feathers as he spoke. “Thereis no need for pleasantries. Let us talk freely. What do you require of me,Master Fa Zheng?”

“I onlywant your word.”

“On what?”

“I have afew personal vendettas to take care of. I am sure you have already heard somecomplaints from other officials.”

“And youwant me to look the other way?”

“You just readmy mind.” Fa Zheng brought his hands together in a slow clap. The other manlowered his fan, a faint frown forming on his otherwise placid face. “Now, now,Zhuge Liang. While you may not see me as a righteous man, I assure you, I am afirm believer of justice.”

“Lord LiuBei is in your debt. I cannot find fault in you, despite my reservations… but Imust know, what did these people do to deserve your anger?”

“There arefive people on my list. Two are cavalry officers who refused to send mereinforcements during an ambush. Their cowardice very nearly cost me my life. Theother three are officials who slandered my name without provocation. Dirtyrats.”

“And whatdo you plan to do to them?”

“It isbest if you do not ask too many questions, Master Kongming.”

“Becareful, Fa Zheng. Left unchecked, anger is like a blazing inferno. There isnothing more dangerous than a fire that burns of its own accord.”

“I mightsay the same to you.”

“What doyou mean? I harbor no grudges.”

“Who saidanything about grudges? Righteousness, justice, benevolence – these ideals willconsume you one day.”

Fa Zheng laughedto himself - against the faint light of a cloudy sunset, his dark eyesglimmered like cold, hard marble. His gaze rested upon his honored guest, theman who took a seat by the window, with his back set against the dying light ofthe day. Zhuge Liang studied his face, trying to decipher the thoughts that randeep in his mind. There was little warmth there, in Fa Zheng’s eyes, only coldintellect.

“It isgood to know that we work for the same lord. Rivalry against you is aninteresting challenge, but being your enemy would be a daunting prospect.”

“Resteasy. A righteous dragon like yourself would never cross a black-hearted wolflike me. It’s just not in your nature.”

“I think Ican understand why you have very little guests, Fa Zheng.”

“And whyis that?”

“Is it notcustomary for a host to serve his guest some wine?”

“Well, thelast time you invited me to your house, you failed to do so. I’m only returningthe favor.”