Cao Cao called me to rob a tomb

Chapter 263 Is it such a coincidence? (4000)

Antiques in this era are not as precious as those in later generations, and there are almost no deliberate imitations.

That is to say, the crescent-shaped jade pendant worn by Zhuge Xuan on his waist is very likely to be a cultural relic of the late Yin and Shang Dynasties and the early Western Zhou Dynasty...

That was about 1000 years ago.

Wu Liang couldn't help but glanced twice, secretly guessing the origin of this jade pendant.

As far as Wu Liang knows, the origin of the surname "Zhuge" is relatively simple. One theory is that it originated in the Shang Dynasty.

As early as the Shang Dynasty, Boyi’s descendant, Ge Bo, was enfeoffed as a vassal. After the vassal state perished, a branch of later generations moved to Zhucheng, and later moved to Yangdu. "The two characters are their surnames.

From this point of view, the Zhuge surname may have existed as early as the Yin and Shang Dynasties, and it had already become a noble family at that time.

The gentry have always paid attention to inheritance, not only the cultural heritage of the family, but also various family properties. Therefore, this jade pendant may be a family heirloom handed down by the ancestors of the Zhuge family from the late Yin and Shang Dynasties to the early Western Zhou Dynasty.

Besides, there is another possibility.

That is, this jade pendant was obtained by Zhuge Xuan from other places by chance.

In this way, there are many ways to obtain it... Let Wu Liang list it here, and it is estimated that hundreds of possibilities can be listed in a short time.

Even if Zhuge Xuan didn't rob the tomb himself, he could buy it from the tomb robber, or get it as a gift from the tomb robber.

Of course, these were all Wu Liang's guesses.

Although he was a little curious about the origin of the jade pendant, but after all, he was just seeing Zhuge Xuan for the first time, and there was absolutely no reason to stare at the jade on his body as soon as he came up, and there was no reason to ask about the origin of the jade pendant. Otherwise, it is easy to expose yourself.

"Oh? I don't know where Mr. Wu is from? Why did you move here?"

Zhuge Xuan smiled, and asked about household registration.

"I'm from Leling in the plains. In the early years, my family was relatively wealthy, but I was ransacked by yellow scarf thieves. As a result, my family fell into poverty and had to move westward."

Wu Liang had already thought up a more specific explanation, and immediately said with certainty, "We moved to Chenliu first, and we lived there for a few years. Unexpectedly, Zhang Miao, the prefect of Chenliu, joined forces with Lu Bu to rebel against Cao Cao. After Lu Bu came to rule Chenliu, he searched for people's fat and people's anointing. My family was also unavoidable, and the family that was not rich was even worse. Later, I heard that Nanyang County has been relatively peaceful in recent years, and it is a place where famous people live in seclusion, so I brought my family here again. Here."

"From this point of view, the son is also a man of insight. Hearing that Cao Cao is now in full swing, why don't you go and recommend yourself, so that you can support your family by being a part-time official?"

Zhuge Xuan asked again.

"Cao Cao has countless famous generals and advisers. I have neither the talent for peace nor the strategy of conquest. I can't carry my shoulders or carry my hands. How can I fall into his eyes?"

Wu Liang shook his head helplessly, "Actually, I've thought about Zhuge County Prime Minister's proposal, but I was rejected when I visited Chen Liu's prefect. How can I have a chance to meet Cao Cao? Alas, I want to make a living in troubled times , it's not easy."

"makes sense."

Zhuge Xuan nodded empathetically and said, "I used to be an official of Liu Biao. I was named the prefect of Yuzhang by Yuan Shu a few years ago. Now that I have encountered difficulties and come to join Liu Biao again, I have lost my former affection. I can only stay in this county. To be a county magistrate, I can barely earn a living."

"Unexpectedly, Zhuge County Cheng was once the prefect of a county. I admire him."

Wu Liang said with a "shocked" face.

"A prefect in troubled times can't be called a prefect. He's just a servant who looks after someone's house and guards the courtyard. It doesn't matter if you don't mention it or not."

Zhuge Xuan sighed rather self-deprecatingly, and then said with a smile, "Since Mr. Wu has decided to come to Deng County to live in seclusion, if there is any need for help in the future, you can go to the government office to find me, as long as I can do my best. Where there is strength, I will definitely not refuse."

Speaking of this, Zhuge Liang interjected happily, "Uncle, Brother Caicai just said that when he first arrived in Deng County, he heard that Uncle, you have a kind heart and wanted to make friends with you."

"Brother talented?"

Zhuge Xuan looked at Zhuge Liang in surprise.

He knew Zhuge Liang's temperament better than anyone else, he was a little surprised to see that Wu Liang and Zhuge Liang didn't fight when he came in just now, and now he saw that Zhuge Liang actually called Wu Liang a talented brother, he was even more surprised.

It is unimaginable that there is someone in this world who can make his nephew willing to be called "brother"!
"It was just heard before, but now that I have seen Zhuge County Prime Minister with my own eyes, I deeply feel that Zhuge County Prime Minister is humble and warm-hearted, which makes people feel like a spring breeze."

Wu Liang saluted with a smile.

"Young Master Wu is absurd."

Zhuge Xuan came back to his senses and returned the salute with a smile.

"However, what I admire the most is the poetic talent of Zhuge County Prime Minister."

Wu Liang said again.

"Poetry."

Zhuge Xuan said again with a puzzled look on his face.

"Just now when I came in, I saw that Mr. Zhuge was writing a poem. This poem is a superb work in both artistic conception and spirit. At first I thought it was written by Mr. Zhuge, but after I asked, I found out that it was taught by the magistrate of Zhuge County. Unexpectedly, the magistrate of Zhuge County actually wrote it. I really admire him for having such an amazing talent.”

Wu Liang pointed to the song "Liang Fu Yin" on the sand, and said tentatively with "admiration".

"Master Wu is talking about this poem?"

It was only then that Zhuge Xuan noticed the handwriting on the sand, and after taking a look, his complexion changed slightly. He immediately stepped forward and wiped the handwriting with his feet, and at the same time quickly recovered his smile, and said haha, "Hahaha , Mr. Wu praised it again, this poem is just my drunken nonsense, Mr. Wu must not take it seriously."

real or fake?

Could it be that "Liang Fu Yin" was actually written by Zhuge Xuan?
Wu Liang was stunned.

But Zhuge Xuan's micro-expression changes made him a little puzzled. Since he wrote "Liang Fu Yin", why did he have a look of "nervousness" on his face just now.

Even if you really feel embarrassed, shouldn't you show an "embarrassed" look?
Besides.

He also immediately went up to destroy the handwriting on the sand, as if he was in a hurry to destroy the corpse, and he didn't even seem to pay attention to the last sentence Wu Liang added at the end, "Master Zhuge was not born in the sky, and the later Han Dynasty is like a long night".

Logically speaking, the sentence written by Wu Liang does not belong to this era at all, and it is 99.9% flamboyant, so it will still attract some of his attention, right?
This performance more or less gave Wu Liang the feeling that Zhuge Xuan was deliberately hiding something.

I don't know if I'm thinking too much.

However, Wu Liang did not raise these doubts face to face, and still said with a smile: "Where is the absurd praise? Zhuge County Chancellor is indeed a high-spirited celebrity, who can write such excellent poems, but is so humble. I admire it."

"Young Master Wu has just arrived, what's your plan for the next step?"

Zhuge Xuan changed the topic calmly, and asked again.

"Actually, I have no plans. I want to reclaim a field outside the city like the Zhuge County Prime Minister, and live a secluded life here with my family. I just hope that I will not be involved in the war."

Wu Liang said.

"It's also a way of life."

Zhuge Xuan nodded slightly, "If that's the case, I will be able to communicate with Mr. Wu often in the future, and Liang'er will also have a partner who can talk, which is really gratifying. Unfortunately, there is no preparation at home today. When Mr. Wu comes again in the future Let me know, I must drink fine wine to cleanse Mr. Wu."

"Then thank you Zhuge County Prime Minister, hahaha."

Wu Liang could hear Zhuge Xuan's words implying an order to chase away guests.

Although there were still many doubts in my heart and I wanted to investigate, but I was not in a hurry for this moment, so I exchanged a few words with Zhuge Xuan, and chose to say goodbye amidst Zhuge Liang's reluctant send-off.

Looking at the backs of Wu Liang and Dian Wei riding their donkeys away.

The smile on Zhuge Xuan's face gradually disappeared, and when he turned his head to look at Zhuge Liang, his expression became a little serious, and he said in a deep voice: "Liang'er, what this person said to you just now, you can repeat it to me word by word. Something to hide!"

……

in the next period of time.

Wu Liang did not visit Zhuge Liang again, but sent some soldiers to investigate around Deng County. The reason was to find an unclaimed land that could be built and reclaimed for "settlement" in Deng County.

The result, of course, was nothing.

If nearly half a month had passed, Yang Wanli and others who had split up with Wu Liang after entering Nanyang County finally came to Deng County to meet up.

"Young master, this subordinate is incompetent!"

In Wu Liang's room, Yang Wanli and the soldiers under his command lowered their heads and reported to him with guilt on their faces.

"I don't blame you for this matter. Tomb exploration, how can there be any certainty?"

Wu Liang comforted them first, and then continued to ask, "Tell me about your itinerary and the news you heard along the way, and I will make my own judgment."

"After we separated from the young master, we divided into two teams according to the young master's instructions."

Yang Wanli hastily said seriously, "One team is exploring along the route of Zhixian, Liguo, Shunyang, Champion, Yinxian, and Shandu, and the other team is exploring along the way of Bowang, Jiyang, Yuyang, Xinye, and Chaoyang. During the investigation, I did not find any news related to Duke Qiu Mu or his descendants, and I also surveyed all the mountains, rivers and rivers, and found no terrain similar to Mr. Yu's description, please punish this subordinate for incompetence!"

"It seems that this trip may take some time."

Wu Liang nodded slightly, and said in an unhurried manner.

In fact, he had already been psychologically prepared for this result.

After all, after Qiu Mugong's descendants migrated to Chu State, although they had been officials in Chu State for some years, there was a great possibility of changing their appearance, and even their surnames had been changed early on. Naturally, these things are not ordinary people It is an anecdote that can be easily known and passed down from generation to generation as a rumor.

What's more, it was nearly a thousand years ago, and even some rumors may have been lost long ago.

As for the terrain and features that Yu Ji described to Yang Wanli and others, Wu Liang was beside him at the time, and even he was a bit confused, let alone these laymen soldiers.

So it is reasonable that there is no news.

But it doesn't matter.

Wu Liang has a second plan.

He knew the specific scope of Danyang, the ancient capital of the Chu State, and he expected that if the descendants of Duke Mu of Qiu wanted to move the tomb of Duke Mu of Qiu to this place, and they would serve as scholars in the State of Chu, the tomb of Duke Mu of Qiu should also be in or near Danyang. , and now it can be regarded as artificially narrowing the scope of exploration.

Next, he will order the Tuan Army to pretend to be reclaiming farmland near Deng County, doing all the tricks so as not to arouse suspicion.

He himself will bring Yu Ji, who is good at surveying, to conduct surveys within his predetermined range. Once he arrives at the correct location, Yu Ji's level should not be easily missed.

"My lord, please give this subordinate another chance, and this subordinate is willing to investigate again!"

Yang Wanli blamed himself, and begged for his life again.

"No, I have already said that you are not to blame for this matter. Let these brothers take a good rest for a few days now, and then follow me to continue the investigation in a few days. I will definitely need you."

Wu Liang glared at Yang Wanli with a stern face, and said with a smile, "By the way, Jingjing, you ask someone to buy some wine and meat. Yang Wanli and others have been working hard these days, don't treat them badly."

"Thank you son..."

Only then did Yang Wanli and the others stop talking, and went down to rest honestly.

These people have really worked hard recently, all of them are unkempt, with dark circles on their faces, and it seems that they have lived and slept in the open...

……

Yang Wanli and others were settled.

Wu Liang knew that he had to stay here for a while, so he began to prepare for the "acting".

So first he took Dian Wei to the government office and went around, wanting to ask Zhuge Xuan what he meant, and see where it would be more appropriate to "cultivate the fields".

It turned out that Zhuge Xuan didn't come to the government office today.

So Wu Liang went back and called Yu Ji, and took Dian Wei and Yu Ji to Zhuge's mansion on the outskirts of Deng County to pay a visit.

Yu Ji has more knowledge, and Wu Liang is inferior in many ways.

Therefore, he wanted Yu Ji to also meet Zhuge Xuan, pay attention to the jade pendant on Zhuge Xuan's body, and see if there is anything worthy of attention in Zhuge Xuan's house, which may be helpful to solve Wu Liang's unsure those doubts.

As a result, before the group of three reached the farmland outside Zhuge's house.

"Wow—!"

Yu Ji suddenly tightened the reins and stopped his horse, "My lord, please wait a moment!"

"what happened?"

Wu Liang rode his horse back in some surprise.

But Yu Ji was wrinkling his old face, looking at the mountains not far away with burning eyes, and he didn't know what he was looking at.

"Son..."

Yu Ji still stared at the mountains, and murmured, "These mountains are towering and towering. If you look at them as the sand and the sand, they are somewhat similar to the location of the Qiumu Cemetery in the "History of Qi". Take the old man up for a look?"

"How many mountains are these?"

Wu Liang was taken aback.

Zhuge's house is at the foot of these mountains, is it such a coincidence?
(End of this chapter)