"I hear that Zhuge Zhan of Shu Kingdom is as capable as his father. If Shu Kingdom gives him an important post, we may be in for serious trouble!"
For a time, similar rumors appeared throughout Yongliang.
This region faced Shu Kingdom directly. For years, anything concerning Shu Kingdom had found a ready audience here and always sparked heated discussion.
Recently, news about Zhuge Zhan had been the most plentiful. Everyone touted his talents as equal to his father's, saying that if he were made commander, Wei would be in danger.
"General!"
A rugged warrior hurried into the General Who Guards the West's Residence.
He looked even rougher than Deng Ai, with an exceptionally piercing gaze. Deng Ai had been leafing through a book. Seeing him arrive, he set it down and motioned for him to sit.
"General, rumors are everywhere, singing the praises of this Zhuge Zhan. They mean to unsettle our troops and weaken our fighting spirit, yet the local county magistrates and commandery governors take no notice. They even discuss it openly."
"This is extremely unfavorable to us. If these rumors are allowed to spread, they will certainly blunt our edge!"
The newcomer was named Pang Hui.
His father was Pang De-yes, the very Pang De who had fought Guan Yu and, after his defeat, refused to surrender and was executed.
Cao Cao and Cao Pi had both spoken of this with deep feeling on several occasions, rewarding several of his children with the title of Marquis of the Interior.
Pang Hui was among the more outstanding of his brothers. He had served as a general in several theaters and was now a General of Miscellaneous Title in the Yongliang Theater, under Deng Ai's command.
Clearly, he was deeply displeased with the rumors circulating locally.
Deng Ai,