Zhuge Liang accepted the assignment and raced back toward the imperial capital on horseback, entering Hanzhong through Wu Pass. The soldiers carrying dispatches were far faster than he was. Though Zhuge Liang was versed in the Six Arts and reasonably skilled with bow and horse, he still fell far short of professional soldiers.
Thus, by the time Zhuge Liang reached Hanzhong, the documents had already arrived from Luoyang and been delivered to Guo Jia in Hanzhong.
Later generations joked that "if Guo Jia had not died, the Sleeping Dragon would never have emerged," but it was indeed only a joke. After all, Zhuge Liang was only in his twenties when Guo Jia died. A few years earlier, Zhuge Liang had not even come of age. Using the Mandate of Heaven to explain human affairs was truly a stretch.
Of course, Wang Yan believed in the Mandate of Heaven. Otherwise, there would be no explaining his most revered living father. But to Wang Yan, he himself was the Mandate of Heaven. Wang was often rather domineering, after all. He had grown greatly.
Guo Jia had no particular thoughts about Wang Yan's orders: sending an unknown Zhuge Liang over to take twenty thousand troops from him and attack Shu Commandery. General Wang was an unparalleled boss, wise and mighty for so many years without ever taking a wrong step. Guo Jia trusted Wang Yan's eye for talent. Moreover, he had read Zhuge Liang's memorial, which had been copied to him, and acknowledged Zhuge Liang's ability.
Since the General had already given the order, all Guo Jia had to do was cooperate. There was no need for so much nonsense. Besides, he was not all that diligent himself. He had once greatly desired to roam the realm and make grand gestures, but after