Even if Zhuge Liang failed to borrow the east wind, it would only mean another two days' delay, yet Sima Yi insisted on locking horns with him.
With such absolute words spoken, Zhuge Liang would have to persist, if only to save face. Whatever the outcome, the two would end up on bad terms.
That was why he felt Sima Yi's edge was a little too sharp.
Sima Yi dismissed Chen Gong's words, however. "Zhuge Kongming is the one refusing to mend his ways. He knows he is wrong, yet still refuses to admit it."
"I think His Majesty's excessive trust and favor have gradually made him arrogant. This time, I must take him down a peg."
"Rest assured, Gongtai. After I win the wager, I won't make him resign as military advisor. With a great enemy before us, we cannot afford to shake the army's morale."
"I only hope he can recognize his mistake."
Of course, Sima Yi had not wagered with Zhuge Liang for anything as pointless as humiliating him.
He merely wanted Zhuge Liang to put his intelligence to proper use instead of delving into things like Qimen Eight Trigrams and mysticism.
"Ah..."
Chen Gong shook his head and said no more.
He could only hope Sima Yi would get his wish.
Two days soon passed.
That evening, everyone headed from the camp to Mount Nanshan, where an altar had already been built.
Word that Zhuge Liang would perform a ritual to borrow the wind had long since spread.
Officers and soldiers of every rank came over after hearing about it.
After all, those who did not believe in ghosts and gods were a minority. Many still believed they existed, and now that Zhuge Liang intended to borrow an east wind from Heaven, how could they