My Father in Law is Lu Bu

Chapter 714

Bu Kai was wondering who wanted to see him. He was led out of the banquet hall and eventually ended up at a study.

“Master Bu. Please wait here for a while. That person will be here soon.” The servant said.

“Sorry for the trouble.” Bu Kai nodded and the servant left. Bu Kai then took the time to observe the study room. It was very simple but showed the background of its owner. The reason was the books on the bookshelves.

“Zuo Zhuan, Lunyu, Lushi Chunqiu…” Bu Kai saw that there were so many books that it was dizzying. On top of that, these books were made out of paper instead of bamboo slips. The ink seemed fairly new and that handwriting was also very beautiful. It was as though they were all made from the same mold.

Bu Kai took out a set of the Zuo Zhuan and started reading. Some of the books were difficult for him to even touch even though he was from a noble family. This is because books were very expensive. A book had to be made from the best bamboo material. The bamboo had to be dried and they would even need bookshelves. Because of this, books were very valuable and there weren't many books in the world. Even nobles did not read many books.

The door opened and a majestic looking man walked in.

“Lord Bu. That person has arrived.” The servant announced. He was about to prod Bu Kai but the majestic man shook his head. Bu Kai was already absorbed in the book.

The man walked beside Bu Kai and looked at the book Bu Kai was reading. It was the Zuo Zhuan, one of the 13 Confucian classics. It was compiled by Zuo Qiuming based on the Spring and Autumn Annals.

Bu Kai read the book for a long time. The man simply sat there and drank tea without disturbing Bu Kai. He waited for Bu Kai to finish.

Unfortunately, the servant could no longer endure this situation. How could this person make His Highness wait for so long? “Lord Bu Kai!”

“Ah!” Bu Kai was startled. He had been too engrossed in his books.

“Lord Bu. His Highness is here.” The servant reminded.

“Your Highness?” Bu Kai's eyes grew wide. Sure enough, the person sitting over there was Liu Mang, the King of Shu.

“Bu Kai greets Your Highnes the King of Shu!” Bu Kai hurriedly knelt down. Liu Mang was the King and Bu Kai was his subject. It was reasonable for Bu Kai to kneel down and pay respects to Liu Mang. “This Bu Kai was too engrossed in reading. Please punish me!” Bu Kai was originally called to the study to discuss matters but he took out the books from the bookshelf and read them without permission.

“Do you like the Zuo Zhuan very much?” Liu Mang did not talk about punishment and simply asked. It meant that Liu Mang did not blame Bu Kai for anything.

“Ah!” Bu Kai quickly but reluctantly put down the Zuo Zhuan in his hands. “I am familiar with Lord Zuo's books. However, the collection at my home is incomplete.”

“What did Lord Zuo say at the age of twenty four?” Liu Mang looked at the Zuo Zhuan and asked Bu Kai.

Bu Kai felt reserved at first but when he was asked this question by Liu Mang, he answered confidently as he was familiar with the subject. Liu Mang proceeded to ask more questions. Bu Kai answered all of them. He even had his own opinions on the matter. This showed that Bu Kai had studied the Zuo Zhuan deeply.

Zuo Zhuan may be a Confucian classic but it mainly talks about wars. Strategists don't read Zuo Zhuan that much. There were those who liked it like Bu Kai but these people were mostly generals.

“Do you want to become a general?” Liu Mang looked at Bu Kai and asked. Bu Kai looked like graceful weakling holding a folding fan. He was like a weak scholar with heart of a tiger.

“For a general, it is not about the strength of physique but about what is in his head.” Bu Kai replied. He was saying that a general is allowed to be weak but not allowed to be stupid.

Liu Mang smiled. Bu Kai was like Zhao Kuo in history. They have never really experienced war and only saw it through books. Because of this, they think they can decide the outcome of battle with a single wave of their hands. What they don't know is that the situation on the battlefield changes rapidly and may be overturned if they do not pay attention. ȓαƝó𐌱ĚŚ

While it is true that a general does not need to be powerful. However, they still need to have a physique that is strong enough or the fatigue from travelling alone would kill them. Liu Mang himself used to be a silly boy that only read books. But now, he was someone who walked out of the battlefield.

“Are you dissatisfied that you are not with the Six Ministries despite being in Group A? Do you think we are prejudiced against Jiangdong students? Or do you think this is because of Bu Zhi and you are from the Bu Family?” Liu Mang immediately gave a few reasons, causing Bu Kai to become overwhelmed.

“This Bu Kai does not dare!” Bu Kai lowered his head.

“No. It is not that you do not dare. You have had this thought for a long time now!” Liu Mang shook his head. If Bu Kai really did not care, he would be full of vigor like the other students in the banquet. Instead, Bu Kai was giving off a fake smile, showing that he had something else on his mind. Liu Mang had people observe Bu Kai for a long time.

“Then let me tell you. Everything you thought of is absolutely correct.”