Can I get to the other side?.

Chapter 301: Zhuge Liang, the Wild Man from Nanyang, Meets His Majesty
The journey from Jingzhou to Jizhou was very smooth and no accidents happened along the way, so we arrived in Weijun much earlier than expected.

It was not until they entered the territory of Wei County that Qingzhu and the other two finally felt relieved and slightly slowed down their pace.

After all, Zhuge Liang was from the south, and he might not be able to acclimate to the climate there when he first arrived in the north. In addition, he was exhausted from the long journey, and it would be bad if he fell ill.

"Mr. Kong Ming, we will arrive in Yecheng today. I apologize for my previous disrespectful actions towards you."

"If possible, please help us conceal this from His Majesty, so that His Majesty won't blame us for being too rude."

Qingzhu rode his horse beside the carriage, clasped his fists and said to Zhuge Liang in the carriage, with a hint of apology on his face.

Zhuge Liang was summoned by the emperor himself, so he would definitely be valued in the future and would rise to prominence, needless to say. It was not easy to offend him.

He had to resort to some shameless means to get Zhuge Liang to follow him. If the emperor knew about this, he was worried that he would be blamed.

Of course there is another reason.

Through his interactions along the way, he discovered that Zhuge Liang was indeed a gentleman, and that threatening the other man's two brothers was somewhat bullying.

"Just rest assured."

Zhuge Liang nodded in agreement. He knew that Qingzhu and the others were only forced to do so, and they were indeed very polite and caring to him along the way.

While chatting with Qingzhu, Zhuge Liang looked at both sides of the official road outside the carriage. After observing for a moment, he said, "May I ask why there are so many more refugees here than in other places in Jizhou since we entered Wei County?"

Refugees can be seen everywhere in today's world.

However, Zhuge Liang discovered that there were not many refugees in other places in Jizhou. On the contrary, after entering Wei County, the number of refugees increased sharply, and refugees could be seen everywhere on both sides of the official road.

But what surprised him even more was that these refugees were different from ordinary refugees and looked much better.

"Mr. Kong Ming doesn't know."

Qingzhu glanced at the refugees and explained to Zhuge Liang, "Your Majesty cares about the people and has spent a lot of money and resources to resettle the refugees."

"After hearing the news, refugees from all over the country flocked to Wei County, which resulted in many more refugees in Wei County than outside."

"Although the imperial court is working hard to resettle them, there are too many refugees and it is impossible to resettle them all in a short period of time."

"But the imperial court distributed food and clothing every now and then, which helped these refugees survive the winter. Otherwise, who knows how many people would have frozen to death or starved to death."

Zhuge Liang couldn't help but be moved when he heard this.

Resettling so many refugees was undoubtedly a huge burden for the imperial court, and it could even be said to be a thankless task.

If so much financial and material resources were used to build an army, it would definitely be possible to form a large elite force.

But the emperor chose to spend all the money and supplies on the lowest-level refugees, allowing them to survive the winter.

Zhuge Liang believed that no other lord, not even Liu Biao, who was known as a gentleman, would do this.

This kind of benevolence is truly admirable.

But this is really a waste. If he were to do it, he would definitely be able to maximize the use of these refugees.

After Zhuge Liang sighed in his heart, he looked at the refugees outside the car window. Their faces did not have the numbness of ordinary refugees, but were full of life.

Although their situation has not improved much now, at least the attitude of the emperor and the court is hope for them.

Because the emperor did not abandon them.

At this time, a group of children were laughing and playing by the roadside, singing a ballad: "On the second day of the second month, the dragon raises its head; the emperor tills the land while his ministers drive cattle."

"Spring ploughing, summer weeding, abundant harvest and peaceful autumn..."

Zhuge Liang watched the group of children go away, a gentle smile flashed in his eyes, and he became more curious about the emperor in Yecheng.

During this period of time, he learned a lot about the emperor's deeds from Qingzhu.

When I first heard that the emperor had endured for a long time under Yuan Shao, and finally turned the tables and seized power, I thought he was a shrewd emperor;

When I heard that the emperor executed the entire Yuan family and beheaded Xun Chen in the palace, I felt that the emperor was cruel and ruthless.
When he heard that the emperor had used a trick to make all the noble families compete for donations and good reputation in order to settle the refugees, he felt that the emperor was well versed in the art of ruling.

Later, when he heard that the emperor often went in and out of the city to inspect the lives of refugees, openly confessed his sins in front of the people, and spent a lot of financial and material resources to resettle refugees, and let the Huns pay with their heads for the lives of the people, he felt that... this was most likely the sage emperor who could restore the Han Dynasty.

He is patient and shrewd. He is cold-blooded to his enemies, kind and strict to his subjects, cruel and ruthless to foreigners, and kind and tolerant to the people.

He is like both Emperor Wen and Emperor Wu.

The most important thing is that this emperor is only twenty years old like him, just reaching the age of coming of age, but such a young emperor has the demeanor of a sage monarch!

"When the Han Dynasty was in danger, such a wise and sage king emerged. It shows that God will not destroy the Yan Han Dynasty. The Han Dynasty will prosper again!"

Zhuge Liang thought in his heart, his eyes burning.

What he always hoped for was to enter the imperial court, display his ambitions and talents, support the Han Dynasty and revive the Han Dynasty.

Although he didn't know how the emperor knew him and why he specially summoned him to Yecheng, he was fortunate enough to meet such a wise monarch, which was an opportunity given to him by God!
Thinking of this, Zhuge Liang became more determined to perform well after meeting the emperor and not to waste this opportunity in vain.

The carriage slowly drove into Yecheng along the official road.

Relying on the privileges of the Embroidered Uniform Envoy, the group quickly arrived outside the palace without any hindrance.

After Qingzhu explained his identity and purpose to the Yulin Guards, the latter immediately went forward to report.

"Mr. Kong Ming!"

Zhuge Liang was tidying up his appearance when he turned around and saw a scholar with a wealthy appearance and fine clothes coming towards him with a smile on his face.

When Qingzhu, Wutong, and Yinzhen saw him, their faces suddenly became solemn, and they knelt on one knee and said, "Your humble servants pay their respects to Lord Jia!"

This scholar was naturally Jia Xu, who established the Embroidered Uniform Envoy.

Jia Xu nodded to them, then took Zhuge Liang's hand and said with a smile: "These three fools are incompetent and took so long to bring you here."

"Sir, you must have had a hard time on this journey."

Facing Jia Xu's enthusiasm, Zhuge Liang was a little uncomfortable and saluted, "May I ask who you are..."

"I lost my composure for a moment, sir. I hope you can forgive me."

Jia Xu tapped his head, then said with a smile: "My surname is Jia, my name is Xu, my courtesy name is Wenhe, and I am the Minister of the Central Secretariat."

Jia Xu?

Zhuge Liang was slightly shocked. He had certainly heard of Jia Xu's reputation, and he learned from Qingzhu and others that Jia Xu was one of the emperor's most trusted confidants.

Jia Xu played a huge role in the emperor's ability to break free from Yuan Shao's control. Now he is directly in charge of the Embroidered Uniform Envoy, and all Embroidered Uniform Envoys must obey his orders.

Facing this undoubted important official of the imperial court, Zhuge Liang did not dare to neglect him and saluted, saying, "Zhuge Kongming, I meet the Minister of the Central Secretariat."

"Mr. Kong Ming, there is no need to be so polite."

Jia Xu turned aside and refused to accept Zhuge Liang's greeting. He helped him up and said with a smile, "Your Majesty ordered me to go find you, but I have something else to do and cannot get away, so I can only let these three fools go and invite you."

"They didn't do anything rude, did they?" As soon as these words were spoken, Qingzhu and the other two suddenly felt cold sweats on their backs, and their whole bodies became stiff.

Zhuge Liang shook his head and said, "The three embroidered robes have taken great care of me along the way and have not been disrespectful in any way."

"That's good."

Jia Xu nodded, and then said to Qingzhu and the other two, "Well done, you are awarded first-class merit. Go and claim your reward."

"Thank you, Mr. Jia!"

Qingzhu and the other two looked at Zhuge Liang with gratitude as if they had been pardoned. Then they left in a hurry, not daring to stay there any longer.

Then Jia Xu said to Zhuge Liang: "Your Majesty is not in the palace now, but is inspecting the farming outside the city. Sir, why don't you follow me into the palace and wait."

"Inspecting the farming? Your Majesty going there in person?"

Zhuge Liang was greatly surprised. Although he had heard that the emperor would go out of the palace to inspect from time to time, he did not expect that he would inspect not only the lives of the people, but also farming.

That means going to the fields and walking in the fields.

Jia Xu smiled and said, "Your Majesty is sympathetic to the people, and now is the spring ploughing season. Your Majesty asked the people to use the Jian'an plow he invented to farm, so I have to go and see the effect myself."

"Your Majesty has been out of the palace for more than an hour. It's almost time for him to come back. Mr. Kong Ming, please follow me to the Xuanshi Hall first."

Zhuge Liang did not refuse and entered the palace with Jia Xu.

At this time, a light drizzle began to fall from the sky.

Jia Xu held up an umbrella and strolled in the palace with Zhuge Liang. He smiled and said, "Spring rain is as precious as oil. It started to rain when Mr. Kong Ming arrived. This is a good omen."

"Your Majesty has been waiting for you for a long time."

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Liang asked curiously, "May I ask why Your Majesty summoned me? I am just a commoner."

"Of course I'll use Mr.

Jia Xu replied as a matter of course: "Your Majesty told me that you are a great talent, and what the court lacks now is talent."

"Since you have caught the eye of His Majesty, you will certainly give me important positions. You are really successful at a young age."

Although Jia Xu didn't know what the emperor valued in Zhuge Liang, it didn't stop him from showing goodwill. It was always right to say nice things.

Moreover, Zhuge Liang is still a commoner now, so it is much easier to make friends with him now than when he is reused in the future.

"You are overpraising me, Minister of the Secretariat."

Facing Jia Xu's praise, Zhuge Liang remained modest and said, "You can just call me Kong Ming. The word sir carries too much weight, and I really can't bear it."

It would be fine if Qingzhu, Liu Qi and others called him "Sir", but Jia Xu was not only older than him, but also had a much higher status and identity than him.

It was not appropriate for such an important official of the court to call him "Sir" all the time.

"it is good."

Jia Xu agreed with a smile, and at the same time he had a preliminary evaluation of Zhuge Liang in his mind. He thought that his praise just now was also for the purpose of testing him.

If Zhuge Liang became complacent or uneasy because of his praise, it would show that he was just so-so; but he was able to remain humble and modest, which was rare and precious.

"Your Majesty's vision is indeed venomous."

Jia Xu expressed his admiration for Liu Xie in his heart, then gave up his tentative thoughts and went to Xuanshi with Zhuge Liang, chatting and laughing.

The Xuanshi Hall was not empty.

Guo Jia and Sima Yi were both inside, working on memorials at their desks. When they saw Jia Xu and Zhuge Liang come in, they turned their eyes over.

"Who are these two?"

Zhuge Liang turned an inquiring look to Jia Xu.

Being able to handle memorials in the Xuanshi room meant that these two people were not ordinary people, but close ministers of the emperor.

"This is the Chief Censor Guo Jia, courtesy name Fengxiao, a drunkard."

Jia Xu first introduced Guo Jia, and then introduced Sima Yi: "That is Sima Yi, the Imperial Censor and Palace Attendant, also known as Zhongda, a young talent."

Upon hearing this, Zhuge looked at the two of them.

Guo Jia smiled and nodded in greeting; while Sima Yi frowned tightly as he looked at Zhuge Liang, who was wearing a feather fan and a green turban and had a noble demeanor.

"Who is this person?"

For some reason, he felt an inexplicable resistance to the young man in front of him, and a sense of crisis arose in his heart.

This feeling is hard to describe. If I have to give an example, it's like meeting...a destined enemy.

But it was clearly the first time he saw this person.

the other side.

Zhuge Liang was also sizing up Sima Yi, and he also had a tit-for-tat feeling in his heart towards this young Imperial Censor who had an eagle-like look and a wolf-like gaze and a dignified bearing.

The two men's eyes met in the air. Jia Xu did not notice their abnormality and introduced Zhuge Liang, "This is Zhuge Liang, also known as Kongming. He is a great talent that Your Majesty specially ordered to be brought back from Jingzhou."

Hearing this, Guo Jia and Sima Yi were both surprised.

This was the first time they had heard of it.

The emperor personally sent someone to bring him back from Jingzhou!
What a courtesy and respect this is!

Guo Jia was fine, he just became very curious about Zhuge Liang, but Sima Yi felt that the sense of crisis in his heart became stronger.

"This person is indeed my opponent!"

Sima Yi clenched the pen in his hand. Although his expression remained unchanged, a hint of solemnity flashed in his eyes.

His ambition was to become the emperor's most respected minister, but the Zhuge Kongming in front of him was not only younger than him, but also the one the emperor had actively invited. This showed that the emperor respected this man more than him!

Just as Sima Yi was pondering Zhuge Liang's background, footsteps suddenly sounded outside the Xuanwai, along with voices filled with great joy.

"I heard that Mr. Kong Ming has arrived in Yecheng. Where is Mr. Kong Ming?"

Everyone looked towards the entrance of Xuanshi.

Liu Xie was seen trotting into the Xuanshi Hall. The hem of his wide dragon robe was covered in mud, as were his feet, and even his hair was wet from the rain.

But this did not affect the joy on his face at all.

When Zhuge Liang saw Liu Xie's attire, he immediately realized the identity of the man in front of him, and hurriedly bowed and saluted, saying respectfully:

"Zhuge Liang, the wild man from Nanyang, pays respect to His Majesty!"

(End of this chapter)