Thirty miles outside Wuling City, outside a small thatched cottage, seven or eight big men stood with their hands crossed, their faces indescribably serious. In the thatched cottage, a young man in his mid-twenties and a man in his thirties
The men sat opposite each other, holding teacups in their hands, staring at each other motionless. Outside the thatched cottage, a woman with a gauze face and two book boys were burning a fire, making tea to entertain guests, even though the water in the pot was already gone.
It boiled for a long time.
"Champion, I really can't understand that although I have a little reputation, it's not worth taking such a risk." The twenty-five or six-year-old young man is none other than Zhuge Liang. The person sitting opposite him is naturally
Liu Zhang.
"Since I'm here, I think it's worth it. I know Mr. Zhuge's talent very well." Liu Zhang complimented Zhuge Liang with a smile on his face, but he smiled secretly in his heart: "You kid must not know that your reputation in future generations has already been
He is so intelligent that he is almost a demon. Although not everyone agrees, at least no one can deny his talent in domestic affairs."
"I don't understand." Zhuge Liang shook his head in confusion and said, "Although I am very touched by the general's coming, I will never serve for a reckless person. I also ask the champion to go back quickly."
"Mr. Zhuge, am I really not as good as Liu Bei?" Liu Zhang said with a smile: "Even if you defect to Liu Bei, it will be easy for me to destroy him. Why don't you follow me and use your talents to revitalize the great man?"
"This..." Zhuge Liang had a confused look on his face. It was hard for him to say. He didn't develop well under Liu Zhang. In desperation, Zhuge Liang had no choice but to hold the tea cup and say nothing.
Different bosses have different attitudes of applicants. Liu Bei begged Zhuge Liang on his knees, so Zhuge Liang was able to be high-spirited, point out the country, and appear to be high-spirited. Facing Liu Zhang, Zhuge Liang was a lot more restrained. Liu Zhang was not only very tall, but his strategic layout was also completed. Now we need to
What he does is to develop step by step. But it is this kind of steady development that tests talent, knowledge and skills. Although Zhuge Liang is very confident, in his opinion, how could Liu Zhang hand over power to him?
Historically, when Zhuge Liang defected to Liu Bei, Liu Bei only had a new field, which was dispensable. Even if it was lost, he would not feel bad. Even when Liu Bei's power was complete, it was only one and a half states. Zhuge Liang helped to defeat it. Of course, Liu Bei
I can safely hand over the power to Zhuge Liang. Now, Liu Zhang has five and a half states in his hands. If he hands over the power to Zhuge Liang, he will either be too courageous or stupid.
"Why are you silent, sir?" Liu Zhang said with a smile: "That day, I met my husband by chance in the market. He was generous and talented. Could it be that because his identity has changed, he has become restrained? If so, sir, just treat me as a passerby.
, If you have any ambitions or ambitions, just tell me and I will satisfy you sir.”
Zhuge Liang smiled bitterly and said: "Champion, Guo Jia and Jia Xu under your command are all talented people who can help the world. Zhou Yu and Xu Shu can also stabilize the country. Let's talk about the few generals you brought. Which one is not an enemy of ten thousand people? Why should you?"
Give up the beauty and turn to the stubborn stone."
"You have to distinguish between beauty and stubbornness," Liu Zhang said: "In my eyes, you are a piece of beauty, and I also know what you are worried about. Don't worry, I am not a mediocre person. I will let you make the best use of your talents."
Zhuge Liang smiled and asked: "Champion, I know your ability, but if I suddenly ascend to a high position, will everyone under your command be convinced? Even if you subdue them, aren't you afraid of losing their support?"
"Not afraid." Liu Zhang laughed and said: "Do you think I am a waste like Liu Bei? All generals in the army, I say one is one, and two is two, no one will object to my opinion. Among the civil servants, Guo Jia,
Everyone like Jia Xu has discernment, how can they not see your talent? People who really have opinions are irrelevant, so why should I care?"
"Don't they care about the rights they get?" Zhuge Liang said: "Things like rights can make brothers turn against each other and father and son kill each other."
"That depends on who the person is." Liu Zhang said with a smile: "To tell you the truth, if it weren't for the world's great sluts, none of the people under my command might be able to be officials. Just say me. If the world is peaceful, I would rather work in bright clothes and fur horses."
, a playboy who rides an eagle to drive away dogs. Fengxiao may be a làngzi, Wenhe is just a lazy man, and Yuanzhi may be a sword-wielding knight, but there is nothing unfair to deal with. As for the generals,
Most of them are killing pigs and dogs, cooking sheep and chicken, and drinking a cup of wine at leisure, with their wives and children around their knees, to enjoy the rest of their lives. It is this messy world that brings us together. Our goal is to end the messy world and serve the people of the world.
Fight for a glimmer of life and leave a piece of prosperity for the Han Dynasty."
"This..." Zhuge Liang was calmed down by Liu Zhang. In his opinion, no one could escape fame and fortune. Even he just wanted to show off his talents. If it was said that he would serve the country and the people, he would not be able to do it at all. But he found that he was too small.
After looking at Liu Zhang, he also underestimated the people of the world. Zhuge Liang stood up and saluted and said: "The ambition of the champion is admirable."
"Sir, you don't have to be like this." Liu Zhang held Zhuge Liang's arms and asked with a smile: "I just want to ask you, sir, to do your best for the Han people. I wonder if you are willing, sir?"
"This..." Zhuge Liang smiled bitterly and said, "If I said I didn't want to, I probably wouldn't be able to save this thatched cottage."
Liu Zhang said: "I know that Sir has the power to penetrate the sky and the earth. Maybe there is a murderous intention hidden in this small house. But I am fully prepared. Even if thousands of arrows are fired, they may not be able to hurt me at all. I just want to invite Mr.
Don't embarrass me, even if you really want to embarrass me, I will ensure that your bloodline will continue."
"Alas." Zhuge Liang sighed in embarrassment, and then laughed and said: "The champion Hou Gan has taken such a risk to come here, how can I let you down? A few days ago, I told my wife, if you, Cao
cào, Mr. Sun, whoever comes to invite me first, I will go with him. Since I have met you twice, we are destined to be together, so I will follow you."
"Sir, are you willing to come with me?" Liu Zhang's eyes widened with disbelief on his face. Thinking about it, it would take a lot of effort to convince Zhuge Liang. Didn't you see that even if Zhuge Liang was optimistic about Liu Bei, he would ask him three times?
?
Zhuge Liang smiled and asked: "Does the Champion find it easier?"
"Indeed," Liu Zhang said, "since you have moved to Wuling, you must be optimistic about Liu Bei. But he has come twice and you haven't even met him, so why did you follow me so easily?"
"Champion, the gap between you and Liu Bei is too big." Zhuge Liang said with a smile: "Who is Liu Bei? He only has Wuling City in his hands. Naturally, he has to test his sincerity several times. Otherwise, how can I let me work hard for him?"
And you, sitting half a big man, like an emperor, but you came here to take risks for a villager like me, this is already the greatest sincerity."
"Okay." Liu Zhang laughed and said, "What you said makes sense. I have learned from you. In recent days, I am preparing to reform the system under my command. With your help, I will make it happen."
"Dare you refuse to die?" Zhuge Liang stood up very respectfully, bowed to the end and said: "Liang, pay homage to the lord."
Liu Zhang no longer stopped him and allowed Zhuge Liang to bow down. With this bow, Zhuge Liang was equivalent to signing a contract of betrayal. After he finished bowing, Liu Zhang stretched out his hands and said, "This is the courtesy of a monarch and his ministers. There is no need to do this in the future."
"Thank you, Lord." Zhuge Liang is not a rotten old scholar, so he will not struggle with etiquette. Of course, he will not relax when he should struggle.
When the two sat down again, the vague barrier between them disappeared. Liu Zhang felt that Long Zhong had disappeared and wanted to ask Zhuge Liang to talk about the current situation, but Zhuge Liang suddenly said seriously: "My lord, can you come?
I am very touched by this invitation, but I still ask the lord to leave now. When Liang packs up his things, he will naturally go to Yizhou to join the lord."
Liu Zhang smiled and said: "Sir, what else do you need to pack? The next few people will naturally help me to meet the great sage, but I can't turn away. Isn't it a pity? As for my safety, sir, you can rest assured. Samoko and Deng Zhi are both
The generals have already laid an ambush outside Wuling City. General Pang De and his 40,000 overlords are waiting at Fuguan. The people I brought here are Huang Zhong, Guan Yu, Zhao Yun, Zhang Fei, Ma Chao, Dian Wei,
With Dianman and the others plus me, even if Liu Bei's 100,000-strong army arrives, what's there to fear? But I'm afraid that my husband's family will be a drag, so why not send someone to Fuguan first?"
"This...according to my lord's words." While he was hesitating, a baby cried. Thinking of his youngest son, Zhuge Liang stood up and saluted Liu Zhang: "My lord, please wait a moment."
Huang Yueying, who was making tea outside the thatched cottage, saw Zhuge Liang coming out, and immediately stepped forward and asked: "Husband, have you decided?"
"Yes." Looking at his wife, Zhuge Liang suddenly felt a big stone in his heart. Loyalty and filial piety cannot be balanced, and how can he take care of his family and country? If he follows Liu Bei, although he can show his talents to the best, he will be sorry for his beloved wife. Today's choice, perhaps,
Even better. Zhuge Liang smiled and said: "Ying'er, you and the scholar take a carriage to Fuguan first, and I will arrive soon."
"But are you worried that Liu Bei will lead the army?" Huang Yueying is not stupid. She knew Zhuge Liang's worries as soon as she thought about it, but why wasn't she worried about Zhuge Liang?
Seeing the worry in his wife's eyes, Zhuge Liang nodded. Originally, he was still a little hesitant, after all, Liu Zhang was not his first choice, but now he was extremely determined. Liu Zhang, who was sitting in the thatched cottage, saw Zhuge and his wife looking at each other outside the hall.
, he naturally understood what the two of them were thinking, so he walked out of the thatched cottage and said, "Madam, I'd better go ahead, and Mr. Zhuge will be taken care of by me. If he loses a hair, how about you shave my head?"
"Thank you so much, my lord." Knowing Zhuge Liang's choice, Huang Yueying was very respectful to Liu Zhang. She smiled and saluted, then called the book boy to load some important items onto the carriage. After she was ready, she looked at Zhuge Liang reluctantly.
After a quick glance, I got on the carriage.
"Dianman" Liu Zhang didn't want to cause problems for Zhuge Liang's family. He shouted: "I order you to escort Mrs. Zhuge to Bajun. If anything goes wrong on the way, you don't have to go back."
"The general will definitely live up to his trust." Noriman knows the importance of Zhuge Liang, and also knows that he is the worst in martial arts among everyone. The task of escorting the family members is both important and not dangerous, so he is the most suitable to do it.
Zhuge Liang felt at ease with Dian Man sending him off. As the son of Dian Wei, since he can be Liu Zhang's bodyguard, his loyalty and ability are not a problem. Zhuge Liang gently squeezed his wife's hand and said, "Be careful, stay safe.
Bajun is waiting for me”
"Yeah." The tulle couldn't block the bright red color. Huang Yueying's face turned red with embarrassment and she could only hum.
The carriage drove away, and Zhuge Liang stood at the gate of the thatched cottage with a feather fan, watching from a distance. It wasn't until the carriage disappeared from sight that he turned around and said with a smile: "Master, let's pack up and get ready to leave."
"Okay." Liu Zhang immediately directed Guan Yu and others to clean up Zhuge Liang's home. Since he was leaving anyway, there was no need to handle it with care. The behavior of the few people did not look like moving, but rather like ransacking the house. Everything was packed away.
At about the same time, Zhang Fei actually lit a torch
"General Zhang, what are you going to do?" Zhuge Liang grabbed Zhang Fei's hand and said, "Just leave, why bother burning down the thatched cottage?"
"Uh..." Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, and quickly put out the torch in his hand. He smiled awkwardly and said, "I'm really sorry, I'm used to it."
"Uh..." Now it was Zhuge Liang's turn to be stunned. Who are these people? Villains who kill people and set fires.
Seemingly seeing through Zhuge Liang's suspicion, Liu Zhang smiled and said, "Mr. Zhuge, ignore them. Half a year before coming here, we led our troops to rampage in the Xiongnu and Xianbei territories. There were enemies everywhere, and they kept burning and killing. This kid is a little addicted.
But don’t worry, if he dares to do these things in the Han Dynasty, he will be punished by military law."
"It turns out that I have heard of the splendid style of my lord and generals defeating foreigners." Looking at Zhang Fei who looked like a thug, Zhuge Liang suddenly felt like he had been on a pirate ship.
"Okay," Liu Zhang said, "If Mr. Zhuge has nothing else to pack, let's get ready to set off."
"Can you wait a little longer?" Zhuge Liang turned back and looked at Liu Zhang. Liu Zhang knew that he was reluctant to part with the thatched cottage where he had lived for several years, so he nodded lightly.
With Liu Zhang's permission, Zhuge Liang stroked the couplets in front of the thatched cottage and stood in the courtyard for a long time. Then he took a harp from his horse, burned incense and sat down. He stroked the strings with both hands, and there was a tinkling music, like
It flows out like water, and the sound of the piano is so melodious that people can't help but be intoxicated. Of course, the only person in the courtyard who can understand Zhuge Liang's piano music is Liu Zhang.
Looking at the familiar scene and listening to the melodious sound of the piano, Liu Zhang suddenly remembered a song he had played when he was watching The Romance of the Three Kingdoms at home, and he opened his mouth and sang: "Read poetry and books with your hair tied up, cultivate your moral character as well as your body, look up and look down,
Tao Lue Xiong Zhongcun... I'm going back, I'm here, my long-cherished wish is to be a villager for the rest of my life. The breeze and the bright moon are in my arms, and the apes and cranes listen to me playing the piano again."
The sound of the piano stopped and the singing also stopped. Zhuge Liang looked at Liu Zhang with excitement, because Liu Zhang actually sang his heartfelt voice in that song. It is worthy of joy to find the Lord of Ming. If the Lord of Ming is also a confidant, what else can I ask for?
In Zhuge Liang's excited eyes, Liu Zhang chuckled and said: "Sir, it's time to set off..."