Outside Jiangling City, Nan Commandery, Jingzhou.
A gentle breeze drifted by, sending ripples across the river. Waterfowl rose and landed among the reeds along the bank, their crisp cries mingling with the river's roaring flow to form a peaceful, tranquil scene.
On the river, a small boat bobbed on the waves. Apart from the boatman at the stern, only two men sat facing each other at the bow, drinking freely.
A pot of fish soup was simmering on a small charcoal stove. Snow-white fish meat rolled through the milky broth from time to time, its rich aroma drifting away on the wind.
A middle-aged scholar raised his wine cup and took a light sip. He closed his eyes to savor it, then sighed. "The wine produced in the north truly is extraordinary. Its fragrance is rich and its initial taste spicy, yet its aftertaste is endless."
"Indeed!" The scholar opposite him also raised his cup and took a sip. "But no matter how good the wine is, it is still a pity if one cannot drink it freely whenever one wishes."
"Lord Chengyan, what is your assessment of Liu Bei?" Kuai Liang asked Huang Chengyan across from him after setting down his cup.
"Rather than speaking of Liu Bei, we should speak of Wang Xuan." Huang Chengyan gazed northward and could not help sighing softly. "A prodigy seen only once in a millennium. What a pity, what a pity!"
"So what if he is a prodigy seen only once in a millennium? His thoughts and methods are far too ruthless. He leaves no room for others when he acts. A man like that will not last long." A trace of fear flashed through Kuai Liang's eyes, as though he had thought of something.
"His learning may be excellent, but it