Zhou Zhong lived in Xiangyang for two days and had a good meal, but he didn't see anyone he wanted to see.
Liu Biao sent people to guard the inn, called protection, and actually placed under house arrest.
Kuai Qi, who led the troops, was very polite and respectful, but he just refused to let Zhou Zhong go out. Zhou Zhong wanted to meet someone, and he could send someone to spread the word, but in the end he did not come. He either was not in Xiangyang or could not find anyone.
, As for the real situation, no one knows it.
Zhou Zhong was not surprised. He quickly gave up his efforts and started chatting with Kuai Qi.
Kuai Qi is Kuai Yue's son. He is young and has just gotten married. His wife is Zhuge, a native of Langya.
Zhou Zhong immediately remembered a person: Zhuge Xuan, a native of Langya. When he was in Shouchun, he heard Yuan Shu mention this person. Yuan Shu once appointed Zhuge Xuan as the prefect of Yuzhang and wanted to use this to control Yuzhang County. However, Zhuge Xuan had limited governance capabilities,
He was especially not good at military affairs. He abandoned the county because of the rebellion of the mountain people. It is said that he went to Jingzhou to join Liu Biao.
When Zhou Zhong asked, Kuai Qi smiled. His wife was Zhuge Xuan's follower, but Zhuge Xuan himself died of illness not long ago.
Zhou Zhong smacked his lips and sighed secretly.
He and Zhuge Xuan also met once. Zhuge Xuan was a few years younger than him, but he didn't expect to die.
"Apart from your wife, are there any other Zhuge clan members in Xiangyang?"
"The inner man also has an older sister who married Pang Shanming, the son of Pang Degong. In addition, there are two younger brothers, one is Zhuge Liang, whose courtesy name is Kongming, who is seventeen years old, and the other is Zhuge Jun, who is three years old, and he has no name yet.
”
Zhou Zhong wanted to meet Zhuge Liang. But Kuai Qi said that Zhuge Liang was not in Xiangyang City, and the two of them were in Longzhong, and they worked hard to read by themselves.
Zhou Zhong was surprised and asked about Zhuge Liang's situation. Although Kuai Qi was Zhuge Liang's brother-in-law, she was not very interested in Zhuge Liang. After a few words, she asked him three times.
Zhou Zhong was very surprised and didn't ask any more questions, but he remembered them in his heart.
Two days later, Zhou Zhong bid farewell. Liu Biao personally sent him out of the city. He watched Zhou Zhong get on the boat and then he felt relieved to go back.
After passing the Han River, Zhou Zhong walked all the way and stayed overnight in Deng County that night.
He asked his son Zhou Fang to Longzhong with his name, and must find Zhuge Liang and invite him to Deng County for a meeting.
Zhou Fang was puzzled. You didn’t even see so many talents gathered in Xiangyang City. What’s the use of meeting a seventeen-year-old Zhuge Liang?
Zhou Zhong smiled and asked Zhou Fang: "If you were you, leaving your hometown and coming to Xiangyang, you were unfamiliar with your place. The elders died and the two sisters married the great clan of Xiangyang. Would you take your younger brother to settle outside the city?
”
Zhou Fang said without hesitation: "Since you are married to a local clan, you naturally want to settle down, why should you live outside the city?"
"This is where you are worse than him." Zhou Zhong said with emotion: "If Gongjin had been replaced, he would probably make the same choice. If he was dependent on others, he would inevitably be influenced by others. Only by studying hard can he remain independent.
Although Longzhong is outside the city, it is not far away. If there is anything, it is not difficult to ask for help, but this distance is enough to discourage those who do not want to see."
Seeing that Zhou Zhong compared Zhuge Liang with Zhou Yu, Zhou Fang did not dare to neglect and stabbed him with Zhou Zhong's name.
At noon on the third day, Zhuge Liang followed Zhou Fang to Deng County to meet Zhou Zhong.
Zhou Zhong was relieved when he saw Zhuge Liang for the first time.
He will not return empty-handed during this trip to Xiangyang.
Although Zhuge Liang was only seventeen years old, he was nearly eight feet tall, with a good appearance, a bright eyes, and a calmness that was rare among his peers. Even Zhou Yu, who Zhou Zhong admired the most, might not be able to surpass him.
After the two of them met, Zhou Zhong did not go around the circle and asked straight to the point: "You are living in seclusion in Longzhong, can you know the deeds of the emperor?"
Zhuge Liang bowed and said, "I would like to ask Mr. Zhou for advice."
Zhou Zhong started from the Battle of Huayin and continued until Han Sui led his troops to Guanzhong to prepare for war, and the emperor stayed in Jincheng. As the governor of Yuzhou, he was in the same city as Yuan Shu for more than a year. He was able to receive reports from the court and knew that Yuan Shu was
The news sent back by his daughter and son-in-law is generally clear about the whereabouts of the emperor.
Finally, Zhou Zhong looked at Zhuge Liang with bright eyes. "Are you willing to assist such an emperor?"
Zhuge Liang pondered for a moment and asked Zhou Zhong. "The emperor is wise and knowledgeable and good at using people. But I am still young and have little talent in learning. Why is Duke Zhou so serious? Is it just because I have an old age with my uncle?"
Zhou Zhong stroked his beard and shook his head. "I just think your idea of living in seclusion in Longzhong is similar to the emperor's decision not to return to Luoyang. You can not be confused by the immediate benefits in front of you, and be based on the long-term and not be afraid of hard work. You are definitely not an ordinary person.
You can do it. Although you are young, you are all heroes with great ambitions. You should be able to know each other and prosper together. When I am old, if I can promote a talent for the emperor and help the rejuvenation, this life will be enough."
Zhuge Liang thought about it and bowed. "I wish to follow the teachings of Duke Zhou."
Zhou Zhong led Zhuge Liang to Wancheng.
General Zhang Ji of the Cavalry came out to greet him personally, and he was so enthusiastic. Military advisor Ding Chong was also very polite and held courtesy to Zhou Zhong.
Zhou Zhong was very comforted.
Although he was in charge of the position of Yuzhou Governor in the past two years, he was actually kicked out of the court by the emperor, and Yuan Shu had no respect for him. This time he returned to the court and returned to the court, he had already been ridiculed.
Psychologically prepared. Liu Biao treated him like that, but he was just sulking and did not argue with Liu Biao.
When a person is under the short eaves, he has to bow his head. He has been an official for so many years, with ups and downs, and he still has this consciousness.
Seeing Zhang Ji so polite, especially Ding Chong was so respectful, he was very happy and felt a little warmth.
"Youyang, you are too polite." Zhou Zhong smiled and said, "I can't bear it."
"Otherwise." Ding Chong said seriously: "Duke Zhou is the governor of my state, so it should be like this."
Zhou Zhong was a little embarrassed. "It's a pity that I have nothing to say, but I failed to step into Yuzhou."
"Liu Bei has never set foot in this state, but he regards himself as Liu Yuzhou. Duke Zhou has an imperial edict. Even if he has not set foot in Yuzhou, he is still a dignified governor of Yuzhou." Ding Chong held Zhou Zhong's arm and had a sincere attitude. "Although Duke Zhou was poor, he was wandering around.
When you come back, you can see your feelings for the court. After returning to the court, the emperor will be able to reuse it."
"I'll lend you a good word." Zhou Zhong was very grateful, and held Ding Chong's arm and shook it hard twice. "Youyang, I haven't seen you for two years, and you are becoming more and more like a minister. Your future is unlimited."
Ding Chong laughed and asked Zhou Zhong to get in the car and enter the city together.
"Duke Zhou, let's go and see the Nanyang Academy first." Ding Chong said. "The cavalry general's rule in Nanyang for two years is the greatest political achievement."
Zhou Zhong understood it and agreed immediately.
When he was in Xiangyang, he heard that Ding Chong had poached many people in Nanyang over the years. Not only did he promote education in Zhang Ji's army, but he also set up many schools to recruit children of common people to study. Although Zhang Ji and Ding Chong
He has a bad personal reputation, but this move is very popular. Even Liu Biao is not easy to say anything.
After all, education is the most respected virtue of Confucianism. Liu Biao himself vigorously promoted education in Xiangyang, but his education targets and goals are different from Zhang Ji and Ding Chong.
Liu Biao targeted scholars, while Zhang Ji and Ding Chong targeted ordinary people and children of ordinary people.