Three Letters of Varying Urgency

Jiang Wei had thought Deng Ai would be disappointed. To his surprise, the other man merely smiled magnanimously. "Only an extraordinary talent like my master could teach two outstanding men like Boyang and Zhongling. To be fortunate enough to stand alongside them is a blessing of this life."

"Brother Shizai is no ordinary man either." Jiang Wei smiled and nodded.

"Sir once told me that heaven and earth themselves are incomplete, and there is no absolute fairness in this world. If one's foundation is shallow, one must work harder than others. Diligence can make up for clumsiness." Deng Ai's expression turned grave.

"General Lan put that wonderfully. With a father like that to heed and learn from at all times, no wonder his sons are so exceptional." Jiang Wei lamented that his own father had died early. The hardships endured by a widow and her orphaned son were like drinking water—only the drinker knew whether it was warm or cold.

Seeing this, Deng Ai gently shook his head. "Boyue, what you do not know is that being Sir's son is no easy thing. Sir is far stricter with them than he is with me—several times over."

Jiang Wei nodded in agreement. "I once heard General Zhang mention that Zhongling had previously slain an enemy general in battle in Jing Province. General Lan erased his military merit and forcibly suppressed his rapid rise to fame. That runs contrary to how other fathers behave."

"Sir often says, 'A swift blade breaks easily; build deep reserves before bursting forth.' After these years of agricultural colonization, I have gradually come to understand his painstaking intentions. A solid foundation truly is important."

"The moment Brother Shizai speaks of General Lan, your face fills with boundless admiration. If there is a chance in the future, could