Super Cultivation System of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 916 Langya Zhuge
In Donghai County, Xuzhou, on this day, although early winter had arrived and the first snow had fallen in Xuzhou, the weather quickly became extremely cold, but Liu Bei seemed particularly happy.

He took the hand of a Confucian scholar who was about thirty years old, and the two of them walked quickly into the lobby, holding hands, laughing and talking as they walked.

"Haha, these days, when the recruitment notice was released, many wise men from all over the world came to join us. But it was not until today that Mr. Zhengming came that I was overjoyed."

The scholar also had a mixture of joy and fear: "Envoy Liu's reputation for benevolence is known all over the world. People often mention him and compare him with the emperor. Now that Envoy has issued a notice to recruit talents, it is a blessing for talented people from all over the world. I have long admired your reputation and have always wanted to work with you. However, my father died of illness seven years ago, and my mother died three years ago. Therefore, I have been in mourning until now and have not been able to come to serve you. I hope you will not blame me."

Liu Bei was a little excited. He personally invited him to sit in the seat of honor, and then ordered people to light the charcoal fire. The whole room immediately became warm.

"Mr. Yang is a very filial man, and he is truly a role model for the world. Why should I be surprised? Your father, Mr. Yang Xu, is a famous scholar in Taishan County. He is honest and upright in his official duties. He was known as the governor of hanging fish because he refused his subordinates' fresh fish. Today, I see that your demeanor is even better than your father's. I have your assistance, so why should I worry about not achieving my goals?"

The scholar was also very humble: "Half a month ago, just after the mourning period ended, my father-in-law came to visit me and mentioned you to me. He advised me to come and join you, so as to make achievements and contribute to the country. I know you are kind and righteous, and with your words, how dare I disrespect you?"

"Oh my, what virtue and ability do I have to deserve such praise from Kong Beihai?"

If Liu He were here, he would recognize the person in front of him.

This person is the current head of the Yang family of Taishan. His surname is Yang, his given name is Yang, and his courtesy name is Zhengming. His father Yang Xu was the governor of Lujiang and Nanyang counties. He defeated the Yellow Turban Army and was highly valued by the court. Emperor Ling of Han once wanted to appoint him as the Grand Commandant, but during the reign of Emperor Ling, there was an unwritten rule for those who were appointed as the Three Dukes, which was to pay a gift of 10 million yuan to the West Garden of Emperor Ling. Yang Xu was honest and self-disciplined, and did not want to be involved in corruption, so he declined and was finally appointed as the Grand Minister of Rites, one of the Nine Ministers.

Yang Xin himself was no ordinary person. He first married the daughter of the great Confucian scholar Kong Rong. After Kong died, he married Cai Zhenji, the youngest daughter of Cai Yong and the younger sister of Cai Wenji. He was appointed as the prefect of Shangdang in Cao Wei.

He and his two wives had many children, some of whom were very successful.

The youngest son, Yang Hu, courtesy name Shuzi, was a famous general in the Western Jin Dynasty. He was a trusted general of Sima Shi, Sima Zhao and Sima Yan. He was the one who wrote the plan to destroy the Eastern Wu and help the Sima family unify the world. Later, the great poet Meng Haoran once wrote a poem: Yang Gong's stele is still there, and I shed tears after reading it.

He also had a daughter named Yang Huiyu, who married Sima Shi. Because they had no children, Sima Zhao adopted his son Sima You to his brother, who was raised by Yang Huiyu. After Sima Yan usurped the throne of Wei, he posthumously named his uncle Sima Shi as Emperor Jing and Yang Huiyu as Empress Jingxian. From then on, the Yang family rose rapidly to prominence and enjoyed wealth and splendor.

Liu Bei had been recruiting talents for many days, and many people came to apply. However, no one could compare to Yang Xin in terms of reputation, talent, family background, and status. The Yang family was a famous family in Yan and Xu, and his allegiance was naturally extremely important to Liu Bei, because it represented that Liu Bei had been recognized by this generation of gentry.

He brought Tian Feng and Shen Pei with him, and after some polite greetings with Yang Xin, he went straight to the point and discussed business directly.

"Today, the world is full of strong bandits, causing chaos in the country. I am ready to fight against them, but I only regret that I have the will but not the strength. I wonder if you have any good advice for me?"

Yang Xin replied, "Your Excellency has great ambitions, and you are a relative of the Han Dynasty and the emperor's brother. You should help Your Majesty and support the Han Dynasty. Now there is the Cao thief on the left, threatening the ancestral temple. Your Excellency should work hard to strengthen the country, first occupy the entire territory of Xuzhou, then train your troops and horses, and join the emperor in attacking the Cao thief and establishing the world. In this way, you can achieve great things and gain fame."

Liu Bei was delighted, but soon became a little depressed again.

"Ugh……"

Yang Xun was a little confused: "Why is the envoy sighing?"

Liu Bei wiped his eyes with his sleeves and said, "To be honest, sir, I have had this idea for a long time. Yuan Hao and Zheng Nan have also often urged me to do so. However, I only occupy half of Xuzhou and the county of Donglai in Qingzhou. I have few soldiers and generals, so it is difficult to compete with Cao thieves."

Shen Pei on the side also sighed: "Alas, Yuan Hao and I have limited talents and virtues. Although we have assisted the lord for many years, we are ultimately unable to achieve anything. I wonder if there are other virtuous people in Qing and Xu besides you, sir?" "Well..." Yang Xin fell into deep thought for a moment.

Liu Bei sat up straight and looked at him intently: "If there are talented people here, please give me some advice. I am not afraid of the cold wind and am willing to meet you in person to seek advice on how to stabilize the country."

Seeing that his tone and expression were extremely sincere, Yang Xun couldn't help but nodded.

"There are many famous people here, but most of them have been employed by the court, or have joined the traitor Cao Cao. However, there is still a big family that has never been in the government. There are many civil and military talents in this family. If you can ask this family for help, it will be like adding wings to a tiger."

When Liu Bei heard this, his eyes immediately lit up green: "Oh? Please give me some advice, sir."

Yang Xin said, "In Yangdu, Langya, there is a large family with the surname Zhuge. The previous head of the family, Zhuge Gui, was originally the prefect of Taishan County, but he died young, leaving behind several children. His younger brother, Zhuge Xuan, was under the command of Liu Biao of Jingzhou. Because his brother died, he rushed back from Jingzhou to take care of his widow."

"It turns out to be the Zhuge family of Langya." Tian Feng's face showed understanding.

Liu Bei turned around and asked, "Could it be that Yuan Hao has also heard of it?"

Tian Feng said, "That's right. The Zhuge family is the descendant of Zhuge Feng, the lieutenant of the imperial court during the reign of Emperor Xiaoyuan. The family has always valued both civil and military talents. Some of their children study literature, while others practice martial arts. They are different from ordinary families."

"Mr. Yuan Hao is right."

Yang Xun said, "Zhuge Xuan is proficient in poetry and swordsmanship. There are also many talented people among his sons and nephews. Zhuge Jin, whose courtesy name is Ziyu, is Zhuge Gui's eldest son. He is twenty-two years old this year. When he was young, he traveled to Ji, Bing, Luoyang and other places, visited famous teachers, and was well versed in classics. And the second son Zhuge Liang is only fifteen years old, but he has a photographic memory. At a young age, he can speak eloquently and has a lot of strategies. Xuan also has a cousin who was the prime minister of Jinan in his early years. He left behind a son named Zhuge Dan, who is two years younger than Zhuge Liang, but he has practiced martial arts since he was a child and is well versed in spearmanship and military tactics."

"The Langya Zhuge family, in terms of family background and official reputation, is not as good as our Yang family, but when it comes to the talents of this generation of the clan, haha, I am not being modest, but my Yang family can compare with them..."

"How?" Liu He asked anxiously.

Yang Xun smiled and pointed to the sky: "It is really like the light of a candle, compared to the brilliance of the bright moon."

After listening to his introduction, Liu Bei's eyes sparkled and he almost drooled.

"Oh my... such a great sage was right beside me, and I was blind and didn't even know it..."

He stood up, rubbing his hands and pacing back and forth.

Shen Pei smiled and said, "Since you know of such a famous scholar, why don't you prepare a generous gift and go to him in person?"

"Pah..." Liu Bei clapped his hands and said resolutely: "Okay, prepare the generous gifts immediately. Tomorrow morning, I will set off for Langya."

(End of this chapter)