As his impression of Wang Zheng became better, Zhou Shang became more courteous and invited Wang Zheng into the main hall to speak. Wang Zheng also wanted to leave a good impression in front of Zhou Yu, his uncle, so he humbly handed over his hand and asked him to go first.
The group of people entered the hall and sat down respectively. A beautiful maid served them tea.
"For the people of Yangzhou, Wangzhou Mu worked tirelessly and traveled a long way across mountains and rivers. I have no respect for him. I can only prepare some tea and express my feelings."
"The words of Duke Zhou are too polite." Wang Zheng said with a smile: "Since Zheng and Yuan Gong are in alliance, Yangzhou and Xuzhou are one family, and they are as one. Jiangdong has been devastated by the rebels, so it is only right to lead troops to help."
As he said that, he took a sip of the tea. It was refreshing and not too bitter. The aftertaste was long, even better than the tea Mi Fang had offered before. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly. In this era of the Eastern Han Dynasty, money really wasn't everything.
Some really good things may not even be available to rich people like the Mi family, but only in the hands of real aristocratic families like the Zhou family. But he immediately praised it: "It's really good tea. Not only the tea is good, but the water is also good."
."
In fact, he doesn't pay much attention to tea, so he can tell whether it tastes good or bad, but because he watched a lot of ancient TV series in his previous life, he also knows the principle of good tea with good water, and the tea has a clear soup color and is delicious when drunk.
In the mouth, it is light and fresh, with a cold feeling, which is especially obvious in this midsummer season. This is inherent.
Seeing Zhou Shang stroking his beard and smiling quite contentedly, Wang Zheng knew that he had guessed correctly, so he asked tentatively: "When you enter this tea, you feel like drinking ice and snow, refreshing your heart and lungs. Could it be that Duke Zhou used snow water to make it?"
"Zhou Muguo is a person who knows the goods."
Zhou Shang smiled and said: "This water is the first snow I collected from the plum blossoms a few years ago. It was buried in the ground and it has not been cultivated for a long time. It is not much, only half a jar. When I learned that Wang Zhoumu was here today, I thought that there was no future at home.
There is nothing to entertain you, so I took it out to make fragrant tea, whatever Wangzhou Mu likes."
The two of them talked, Zhou Shang wanted to greet them, and Wang Zheng wanted to make friends with them. Soon the guests and hosts were having a great time, and Zhou Shang couldn't help but sigh with emotion: "Although I live in a corner of Jiangdong, I often hear some friends mention it.
Wang Zhou Mu, everyone said that although Wang Zhou Mu got his career as a young man, he was humble and courteous, and treated virtuous people. What he said and did in Xuzhou was to respect the elderly and respect education. He is indeed a rare wise master. When I see him today, he has a well-deserved reputation!"
"There are so many outstanding young men in the east of the Yangtze River. Not to mention those from afar, brother Gong Jin is outstanding. This is what Zheng has seen in his life. It is unworthy of Duke Zhou's praise."
Wang Zheng smiled faintly and said: "Duke Zhou extended his hand to me the day before yesterday and gave me a strange book. He is also the uncle of brother Gong Jin, so he can be regarded as Zheng's elder. Besides, when we are having a chat, there is only the difference between the guest and the host, so why should we talk about official titles?"
"As he said this, he raised his hands and said sincerely: "Please, Duke Zhou, please call Zheng by his name."
Wang Zheng has actually used this rhetoric a lot in the past to recruit wise men and nobles, and in most cases others will follow suit.
After all, the dignity of the Han Dynasty did not entirely depend on the official position. Moreover, no matter whether it was civil servants, military officers, traders, or foot soldiers, they always regarded themselves as men. Before the status of monarchs and ministers was not determined, they naturally preferred to be upright and casual, talk and drink freely.
Unexpectedly, Zhou Shang's reaction was beyond Wang Zheng's surprise. He waved his hand and said with a smile: "The state pastor has a distinguished status. How can I call him by his name because I am a humble person? Others are fine. The so-called ignorance is not guilty, but I am."
I don’t dare to be so rude, lest...hey."
Why is it that those who don’t know are not guilty? Wang Zheng looked at Zhou Shang inexplicably, his eyes full of doubts.
Zhou Shang pretended not to know, and just continued: "Although I have only met Zhou Mu twice, I am quite impressed by Zhou Mu's demeanor. I don't know whether I should say something or not?"
"It is loyalty to have a simple relationship but a deep relationship." After hearing this, Wang Zheng's expression became serious and he said: "That's what Duke Zhou said."
"My family knows my own affairs. I am not arrogant and boastful, but my Qilin son is a versatile man in both civil and military affairs." Zhou Shang said solemnly: "But after all, he is still young and has not made any achievements. At present, he is only in Lujiang and even Jiangdong.
Although he has a poor reputation, he may be said to be a genius, but he has not gained the respect of the world."
Having said this, Zhou Shang looked at Wang Zheng with burning eyes: "Now that Tian is the Prime Minister of Hefei County, he is also a minister of Yuan Gongliu. The state pastor has many things to do and the government affairs are heavy. We just went through a fight yesterday, and when we returned to Hefei, we were even more traumatized.
Sorry, I went into this shabby alley today and paid a visit to Yu'er before I recovered. It seems that I pay too much attention to Yu'er, but why?"
Hearing this, Wang Zheng smiled slightly: "Just now, Duke Zhou said that we had a close affinity with Zheng Jian. Not long ago, the sages said that his hair is as white as new and his face is as old as before. Although Zheng and brother Gong Jin have only known each other for a short time, they fell in love at first sight.
, we are each other’s friends, what’s so surprising about visiting each other?”
Wang Zheng looked calm on the surface, but he was secretly surprised in his heart. Zhou Shang really had a close friendship. He suddenly said such a sentence, as if he was testing Wang Zheng's purpose of being so close to Zhou Yu. There was no need to say anything about Wang Zheng's feelings. A time traveler saw
For a person like Zhou Yu, the first thing he naturally wants to do is recruit.
However, after recruiting Mi Heng, Guo Jia and even Huang Zhong several times before, Wang Zheng now has some experience. He only feels that recruiting talents is like picking up girls to a certain extent, and confessing his feelings is like a confession.
, it must be a victory trumpet that can only be launched after the mutual understanding of "you know that my intentions are evil, and I know that you are pretending to be reserved."
If you take confession as a clarion call to charge, the probability of failure may not be too low. In addition, you can still stalk girls in later generations, but recruiting talents is completely different. If the other party doesn't comply after the first time, it will basically be easy.
There is no chance.
Of course, if Zhou Yu and the Lujiang Zhou family were in Xuzhou, their own territory, then Wang Zheng could just get on the bus first and pay for the tickets later, just to force the young man, but isn't this in Yangzhou now?
Moreover, considering the negative impact of Sun Ce's existence, Wang Zheng was naturally not prepared to show off his cards immediately as he was not sure.
Zhou Shang didn't believe Wang Zheng's response at all. Of course what he said before was just polite words. He also believed that Wang Zheng also knew that they were polite words.
If Wang Zheng hadn't supported tens of thousands of troops and had five counties under his control, Xuzhou Mu, how could Zhou Shang be so enthusiastic when they met him?
But Zhou Yu was just a mere county magistrate, and their identities were very different. How could He De make Wang Zheng fall in love with each other at first sight, and talk like brothers?
Moreover, Zhou Shang believed that Wang Zheng must have heard about the friendship between Zhou Yu and Sun Ce after he entered Yangzhou. How could he really regard them as friends despite knowing that they were close acquaintances of enemies?
Now that he saw Wang Zhengqi becoming a cauldron using the qi-gazing technique, Zhou Shang had already thought that the aspect and atmosphere of the other party were completely opposite to each other, just like Emperor Gao in those days. So... was he also "wisdom given by heaven"?
Not only can he be a general, but he can also observe people's subtleties, and even discovered Zhou Yu's hidden potential just like himself?
As for such a courtesy and virtuous corporal, is he just trying to recruit Zhou Yu, and doesn't even care about Sun Ce's relationship?
The more Zhou Shang thought about it, the more he felt that this guess was reasonable. After all, Han Xin was also an old subordinate of Xiang Yu, the overlord of Chu. Gaozu was also accommodating. Not only did he not have any doubts, he also entrusted him with important tasks and worshiped him as a general. His authority even
Is Fan Kuai, the Conglong minister from the same country, above him?
In fact, Zhou Shang was originally not very optimistic about Wang Zheng, for the same reason as the local aristocratic families in Xuzhou.
Not only because of Wang Zheng’s identity as a Yellow Turban bandit, but also because he now occupies Xuzhou!
Xuzhou has been the place of the Four Wars since ancient times. In terms of topography, only one side faces the sea. It is like a fan shape with a narrow bottom and a wide front. There is a possibility of being attacked on three sides. Therefore, no matter whether the lord of Xuzhou is Tao Qian, Liu Bei, or even Wang Zheng
, in fact, it is difficult to win the loyalty of local aristocratic families, nobles and even officials.
Because they all feel that if they only own a piece of Xuzhou, no matter who the Xuzhou Mu is, they will be in danger!
If it were not for Wang Zheng's two large-scale military campaigns after taking Xuzhou, marching westward to Mount Tai and conquering Beihai in the north, both of them would have successfully accomplished their strategic goals. Not to mention expanding the territory, Xuzhou's lack of depth would have been slightly alleviated by using thunderous means.
, the Xuzhou family probably won’t follow.
Because the location of Xuzhou is indeed too embarrassing. The only dangerous location within the territory is Pengcheng. Once Pengcheng is defeated, the entire territory may fall. This has been fully proven by the Yanzhou Army and Cao Cao.
Since ancient times, when the world was in chaos, the two states of Qing and Xu were most likely to form separatist regimes. However, it is rare for these two states to become self-reliant. Why?
Later generations commented: If Shandong defends itself, it is easy to be weak and die, but if it attacks others, it can strengthen itself and gather forces. This is an honest statement.
As Wang Zheng's foundation has become more solid, his advantages and strengths have actually far surpassed those of the previous two Xuzhou Mu.
What is Tao Qian's shortcoming? He is old and has poor moral character and has no successor!
What are Liu Bei's shortcomings? His strength is weak and his foundation is unstable!
The shortcomings of the first two are actual problems. Tao Qian's shortcomings are the most fatal and almost difficult to change. Liu Bei's should be said to be a weakness. As long as he is given enough breathing time and recruits troops to recuperate, it can be reversed. It is a pity that neither Wang Zheng nor Wang Zheng can change his shortcomings.
Neither Yuan Shu nor even Cao Cao could give it.
As for the shortcomings of Wangzheng, in fact, it is nothing more than a matter of status from beginning to end. In today's world of strife, even those aristocratic families who have passed down their Confucian classics and claim to be famous for generations may not really take it seriously.
The problem of identity is the problem of false reputation. Isn’t that the problem they are best at solving?
Of course, up to now, Wang Zheng's shortcomings are not big, but the advantages are far from enough for those aristocratic families to place heavy bets on, or even bet on their family's future.
After all, there are endless disputes in the world today, and heroes are everywhere. Who knows who will win?
However, as a mediocre person, after gaining power, the young Wang Zheng did not indulge in pleasure or enterprising spirit. Instead, he worked vigorously and aggressively, which can be regarded as a demonstration of his ambition. It is not an exaggeration to say that he has been secretly paid attention to by many aristocratic families.
He is even beginning to be listed as one of the possible final winners.
Zhou Shang is no exception. After all, those who understand current affairs are heroes.
When he was young, he had no desire for fame, no love for wine and sex, and was only interested in the art of Huang Lao. After he met Zuo Ci and was given three volumes of Taoism by him, he spent a lot of time studying and forgetting to eat and sleep. He realized that he was successful in the practice of qi gazing, and he believed in Taoism.
The power of magic!
When the Qi-Wang Technique told him that Wang Zheng was the emperor, Zhou Shang was convinced. Although he did not regard Wang Zheng as the real dragon emperor at this time, his advantages were infinitely magnified by Zhou Shang, while his shortcomings were simply ignored.
Excluding.
In less than a year, the Xuzhou royal government pacified the entire territory of Xuzhou, which was covered by Mount Tai and the North Sea. He was not weak in his years, and his reputation rose sharply. He knew soldiers well and fought well, was able to implement benevolent government, and had a reputation of benevolence...
Yu'er wants to serve as the Ming Lord, and I, the Zhou family of Lujiang, want to choose the real dragon. Isn't this a ready-made god-given Lord?
The key is that Wang Zheng can also extend Yu'er's life, and if he comes to visit so urgently, if he is not sincere and does not take it seriously, why would he do this?
Therefore, Zhou Shang just spoke to test Wang Zheng's true feelings towards Zhou Yu, but...
The more Zhou Shang looked at Wang Zheng, the more he liked him, but he didn't know that beneath Wang Zheng's surface gentleness, he actually didn't take Wang Zheng, a nobody, too seriously from the beginning to the end.
Even speaking seriously, if Zhou Shang's medical skills were not good and he was Zhou Yu's uncle, since there was no such person in The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, it would not be that he "didn't take it seriously", but that he would not take it seriously at all.
Already.
Seeing that Wang Zheng had no intention of bringing up the topic, Zhou Shang felt slightly disappointed, but he did not dare to test it more to avoid arousing resentment. He also remembered the deep conversation he had with Zhou Yu last time in the study room. Because of Sun Ce's relationship, Zhou Yu actually thought that "Wang Zheng is not worthy of being an official."
"It's a matter of righteousness", which gave me another big headache.
It would have been fine before, Zhou Shang just wanted Zhou Yu not to serve Sun Ce, so as not to bring disaster, die young, and cut off the family's hope of taking off. But now, since he thinks he has insight into the secrets of heaven,
Wang Zheng was a wise man with great luck, so Zhou Shang's thoughts naturally changed...
For the sake of the family and for Yu'er himself, he must let her and Wang Zheng determine the status of monarch and minister!
Let the Zhou family of Lujiang also board the warship of the Heavenly Army!
But...how can I convince Yu'er to change her mind?
After thinking for a long time, Zhou Shang's brows tightened when he saw that Wang Zheng wanted to visit Zhou Yu directly: Wang Zheng will leave after meeting Yu'er, right?
And the reason why he led the army was to relieve the danger in Linhu...
Could it be that after leaving the house, he left Hefei before I could convince Yu'er?
So what should we do?
Seeing Wang Zheng leisurely admiring some calligraphy and painting displays in the hall with his hands behind his back, Zhou Shang became more and more anxious. Just when he was anxious, an idea suddenly flashed in his mind, and he suddenly thought of a way.
"Wang Zhoumu!"
Facing Wang Zheng's turned look, Zhou Shang no longer cared about the demeanor of celebrities, and suddenly said solemnly: "The sage said, at forty, you will not be confused, and at fifty, you know the destiny. Now that you are nearly fifty, you can't even talk about the righteousness."
"I was literate at the age of three and enlightened at the age of five. I have read thousands of books and traveled thousands of miles. I think my knowledge is not shallow. Looking at the past and present, it is rare for young people to be as noble as Wangzhou shepherds."
"Today, the sea is turbulent, heroes are everywhere, the Han Dynasty has lost its deer, and the whole world is chasing it. Wangzhou Mu Mianzhi!"
As he said that, he flicked his sleeves and immediately fell to the ground.
what's the situation?
Wang Zheng was surprised and hurriedly went to help him, saying hurriedly: "Why did Duke Zhou suddenly perform such a great gift?"
Zhou Shang refused to get up, insisted on kneeling down, bowed his head to the ground, and said: "Although Wangzhou Mu avoided answering your question, I asked myself and I will not guess wrong. Since ancient times, those who have achieved great things have been half of the people's plans and half of the will of God."
, take knowledge as the main thing and talent as the supplement!”
"Yu'er is young and of low status. How dare you bother Wangzhou Mu to treat you with such courtesy? It's nothing more than seeking talents, recognizing talents, and valuing talents!"
"It's just that Yu'er is a person who values affection and righteousness, and she and Sun Ce have known each other since they were young. I'm afraid I won't be able to adapt to the situation for a while."
Looking at the dumbfounded Wang Zheng, Zhou Shang said sincerely: "Although I have little virtue and no talent, I am Yu'er's only elder living now, and more importantly, I am the head of the Zhou family in Lujiang. If I am not abandoned, I am willing to herd horse bones for the state!"
"
Wang Zheng really didn't expect Zhou Shang to be so unrestrained. You must know that as a yellow scarf bandit, he has always been the one to win over the wise men, either doing everything possible to please, or simply and violently intimidating him. The tiger's body is shaken and he is bowed down, which only appears in his dreams.
It was a good thing, but I didn't expect to meet such a proactive family member like Zhou Shang in Hefei, a foreign country.
But Zhou Shang's last words made Wang Zheng completely understand. It turned out that Zhou Shang's initiative to surrender was actually more because of Zhou Yu!
In order to make Zhou Yu recognize himself as the master!
Zhou Shang is the head of the Zhou family in Lujiang. If he and Wang Zheng agree on the status of monarch and minister, it means that the entire Zhou family in Lujiang will also be loyal to Wang Zheng. As a member of the family, can Zhou Yu still be an enemy of Wang Zheng?
Besides, Zhou Yu did not want to be an enemy of Sun Ce. In the final analysis, it was because of the word "righteousness". However, Zhou Shang, his uncle, turned to Wang Zheng, which was to force Zhou Yu to make a choice based on "filial piety".
It’s not even a choice!
Because among the great men who rule the world with loyalty and filial piety, the latter word is definitely more important than the former!
Wang Zheng really didn't want to understand why Zhou Shang, who had just met the two sides, was so optimistic about him.
However, the other party's words were sincere and did not seem to be hypocritical. Wang Zheng could not think of any reason for the other party to be hypocritical.
He strode forward, helped Zhou Shang up, and said to Zhou Shang sincerely: "What virtues and abilities does the king's government have? I have worked hard and with good intentions, Duke Zhou. I am sincere and frightened!"
"Today's visit to your mansion was originally done out of sincerity and I didn't ask for anything else. The government certainly regards Gong Jin as a friend..."
Having said this, Wang Zheng paused, and stood upright with his hands behind his back, immediately giving off a commanding aura that commanded the world. With his full charm, Zhou Shang had the urge to prostrate himself again:
"But I don't want to hide it from Duke Zhou. The country is so beautiful that it has attracted countless heroes to bend their waists. The husband is also a man of eight feet. How can he not have the desire to compete in the Central Plains?"
"If you want to conquer the world, Feiyu has nothing to do!"
"There are so many beauties in the country..."
Zhou Shang chewed it silently and sighed: "This sentence alone shows Zhou Mu's great ambition and ambition, but Zhou Mu's praise of Yu'er is too high."
"not heavy."
Wang Zheng raised his eyebrows, looked at Zhou Shang with a smile, and said loudly: "There are so many geniuses in the world, ranging from crucian carp crossing the river to Yu, they are unparalleled in the world!"
"If you win Gong Jin's heart, you should treat him as a scholar of the country!"