Chapter 1999: Chapter 1792: The Gap Between You and Him Is Vast
[Indeed, these two fellows seem to have some rivalry intentions, huh? I was wondering why Kongming suddenly mentioned Zhongda back then; turns out, this is why. However, Sima Zhongda and Kongming are quite different, huh? Let me see if I can give him some pointers...] Fa Zheng thought silently with an evil smile on his lips.
"These people will be left to you to handle; we won’t interfere." Fa Zheng patted Sima Yi’s shoulder and said, "I have high hopes for you; keep working hard. Zhuge Kongming is about to arrive in Chang’an, and there will inevitably be some competition then."
"Zhuge Kongming?" Sima Yi said quietly with a gloomy expression.
"Although I don’t really want to admit it, he’s better than me in most ways. He believes you have the same potential as him, but from my current feeling, you are not his match." Fa Zheng walked past Sima Yi with a calm smile and voice transmitted to him.
Sima Yi narrowed his eyes at these words; he wouldn’t think Fa Zheng is joking. As a top talent of the time, there’s no need for him to joke around. Just as he could see Fa Zheng’s genuine talent and learning, he also believes the other party can at least gauge his depth.
"Could you tell me a thing or two about Zhuge Kongming?" Sima Yi voice transmitted to Fa Zheng with hope; he truly harbors resentment towards Zhuge Liang.
"Hmm, Zhuge Kongming, his resources are much richer than what I had back then, and your resources are probably less than mine were. Whether it’s Master Li or Marquis Chen, they spared no effort in cultivating Zhuge Kongming." Fa Zheng said with a sense of reflection.
Looking back, Fa Zheng was really grateful to have encountered Guo Jia and Jia Xu; although they thoroughly challenged him back then, he must admit that he absorbed a considerable amount of nourishment from them. Without those two, he wouldn’t have grown to this level.
But compared to the nurturing Zhuge Liang has received afterward, it’s really kindergarten stuff. Li Youu truly treats Zhuge Liang like a son, teaching him everything he wants to learn. Plus, Zhuge Liang has extremely deep relationships with many people and has set aside pride to absorb nourishment from many others.
And with Chen Xi’s investment in Zhuge Liang, sometimes Fa Zheng feels that if the next era isn’t Zhuge Liang’s, it defies natural order.
Occasionally, Fa Zheng even wonders whether Chen Xi values Lul Xun as much as Zhuge Liang. The latter is already a natural prodigy, receiving the best education of the time, and even as with the opening of the Western Regions matter, Fa Zheng can feel a mysterious sense of destiny.
From the current conversation and Sima Yi’s approach, Fa Zheng sees Sima Yi’s potential as indeed not inferior to his own, even comparable to Zhuge Liang. Adding to that, the spiritual talents of both Sima Yi and Zhuge Liang are extraordinary; their potential is comparable.
But, alas, the ability displayed by Sima Yi now shows a significant gap from Zhuge Liang. Just like when Fa Zheng encountered Pang Tong in the Northern Frontier, his potential was outstanding, of the same age as Sima Yi, once considered a peer rival to Zhuge Liang, but now, he can barely surpass Zhuge Liang in Ingenious Strategy, and barely so.
For Fa Zheng, who is skilled in surprising victories and adeptly understands human mind, most ingenious strategies are effortless now. Yet, even he cannot guarantee victory over Zhuge Liang, who is five years younger, with equal resources.
This isn’t the most important aspect; the most important is Zhuge Liang’s rapid development period has just begun, with endless potential to spend, while Fa Zheng can already vaguely sense his own limits. Although those limits seem far away, they are there.
Occasionally, Fa Zheng also sighs: after Marquis Chen, Zhuge Kongming is bound to dominate an era. Even someone as proud as Fa Zheng gradually acknowledges this.
Because Zhuge Liang, after the accumulation stage, has finally reached the rapid growth stage; once going to the Western Regions, reappearing three years later, he’ll likely become another Marquis Chen, yet already perfected without any flaws.
"Sima Zhongda, when I was in the Northern Frontier, I met a young man of the same age as you, equally intelligent; his name is Pang Shiyuan, very formidable, once Zhuge Kongming’s rival, Zhuge Kongming’s spiritual talent even emerged due to him, but do you know?" Fa Zheng said wistfully, looking at Sima Yi.
"There’s such a person?" Sima Yi frowned, looking at Fa Zheng.
"Indeed, he’s very formidable, but no longer considered Zhuge Kongming’s rival, his strongest talent barely surpasses Zhuge Kongming, and in other aspects, the gap is very large." Fa Zheng said with a sense of emotion.
"Is that so?" Sima Yi furrowed his brows; there’s no point for Fa Zheng to lie to him. Upon hearing this, Sima Yi can’t help but feel anxiety.
"Yes, only you could potentially rival Zhuge Liang now. However, as far as I feel, although you have potential, you are not as good as him, probably on par with Pang Shiyuan." Fa Zheng slowly shook his head, causing Sima Yi’s expression to turn grim.
"Then what guidance do you have for me, Brother Xiaoo Zhi?" Sima Yi looked at Fa Zheng and asked, not believing all Fa Zheng said was nonsense.
"Honestly speaking, there’s really nothing I can teach you. Zhuge Kongming will arrive in less than half a month. If I could train someone to counter him in half a month, I wouldn’t be in this position. When you meet him, you’ll understand; I’m just notifying you to be mentally prepared." Fa Zheng smiled at Sima Yi and said.
Sima Yi looked at Fa Zheng with a wooden expression, thinking: after all this talk, you’re completely rambling, aren’t you playing me?
"Don’t pull that face; you’ll understand when the time comes. If you start striving now and find the right teacher, there might still be a slim chance, but just a slim one, because as Kongming keeps advancing, you’ve already wasted time." Fa Zheng sighed, looking at Sima Yi.
Sima Yi was about to speak when Fa Zheng continued, "You’re eighteen now, while he’s sixteen. If you can barely catch up to his pace now, I’m afraid in this lifetime, you’ll only wait until you’re over the hill. Of course, unless your lifespan is exceptionally long."
Sima Yi heard this, looking depressed, unable to help clenching his fists, "Would I, Sima Yi, lose to Zhuge Kongming? Even if suffering temporary defeat, I’ll bide my time and eventually soar."
