The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 8 General Zuo has condescended to come in person; I, Liang, will certainly welcome him with open arms.

Xu Shu's few words greatly enhanced Zhuge Liang's image in the minds of Liu Bei and the other two.

Is Kongming in Xiapi?

Recalling Xu Shu's earlier words, "There is a wise ruler in the north; we can go and serve him," Liu Bei hurriedly inquired.

Since we are going together to join them, Zhuge Liang should be in Xiapi.

Xu Shu nodded: "Kongming is temporarily residing in an inn in the city. Would you like to see him, General?"

Liu Bei was overjoyed: "Since you are in an inn in the city, how can I not see you? I will hold a banquet at my residence later, and Yuanzhi and Kongming can come together."

Xu Shu advised, “Those with great talent should not be recruited. I heard that when Guo Jia entered Cao Cao’s camp, Cao Cao welcomed him from ten miles away to show his high regard for him. Kongming’s talent far surpasses Guo Jia’s. General, you should condescend to go there in person to show your desire to recruit talent.”

Liu Bei realized his mistake and looked ashamed: "It was my oversight! Second brother, third brother, quickly prepare silk, wine, and carriages and horses, and come with me."

Influenced by Xu Shu's words, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei developed a favorable impression of Zhuge Liang.

To paraphrase Zhang Fei: Guo Jia is inferior to Zhuge Liang, yet Cao Cao still welcomed him from ten miles away to show his high regard. How could my elder brother be inferior to Cao Cao?
Xu Shu, on the other hand, returned to the inn first.

Before the man arrived, his voice preceded him: "Kongming, the Left General will be arriving shortly."

In the guest house.

Zhuge Liang was discussing current affairs and general strategies with Pang Tong.

Upon hearing Xu Shu's call, Pang Tong laughed and said, "Kongming, your wise lord has condescended to invite you. Will you see him today or another day?"

Zhuge Liang was taken aback, subconsciously recalling the scene of Liu Bei's three visits to Longzhong and the words of remembrance in the "Memorial on Dispatching the Troops": "The late emperor did not consider me lowly and humble, but condescended to visit me thrice in my thatched cottage, consulting me on the affairs of the world. I was deeply grateful and thus pledged myself to serve the late emperor."

Although the circumstances are different now, Liu Bei still condescends to do it personally.

Zhuge Liang took a deep breath and said solemnly, "General Zuo, you have graced me with your presence. Shall I, Shiyuan, leave the guesthouse for now, or will you come with me to see General Zuo?"

Pang Tong stroked his short beard and pondered for a moment: "From now on, I will be your study companion, Kongming."

Although Xu Shu was highly valued by Liu Bei during this period and praised Liu Bei highly when he returned to the guest house, Pang Tong's thoughts and considerations were beyond those of ordinary people, and he had very high self-expectations when choosing a lord to serve.

In this regard.

Zhuge Liang expressed his understanding: "In that case, I will trouble Shiyuan to temporarily serve as my study companion."

Subsequently.

Xu Shu entered and informed Zhuge Liang of everything.

Upon learning that Pang Tong was only willing to meet Liu Bei as a study companion, Xu Shu felt regret but also expressed his understanding.

Twisted melons are not sweet.

Pang Tong came from a prestigious family, unlike Xu Shu who came from humble origins. In choosing a lord, he insisted on "better to have none than a bad one".

A ruler chooses his ministers, and a minister chooses his ruler.

Whether Liu Bei was the wise ruler in Pang Tong's mind was something Pang Tong needed to think carefully about.

To show respect for Zhuge Liang.

Zhang Fei arrived first, carrying a jade disc, a silk scroll, and wine, his voice booming: "Zhang Fei, Chief Clerk under the Left General of Han, respectfully inquires of Master Zhuge's well-being on my orders!"

Finished.

Zhang Fei planted his spear upside down in front of the inn's door, with a ribbon tied to the handle, as a sign of respect for a military officer.

He then stepped back three paces to the bottom of the steps, clasped his hands in respect, and lowered his eyes.

moment.

Guan Yu arrived by carriage and stopped ten paces away from the inn.

With proper attire and a banquet set up, he declared in a thunderous voice: "Sima Guan Yu, under the command of the Left General of Han, respectfully inquires of the well-being of Master Zhuge!"

Finished.

Guan Yu planted his broadsword upside down in front of the inn's door, with a ribbon tied to the hilt, showing the respect due to a military officer.

He retreated three steps to the bottom of the steps, clasped his hands in respect, and stood with his phoenix eyes lowered. [Note: Historically, Guan Yu did not use a guan dao (a type of halberd). This book uses a more dramatic interpretation, but still refers to him as the well-known guan dao.]

Subsequently.

Liu Bei dismounted and walked ten paces to show his respect for the virtuous man, speaking in a gentle and welcoming manner: "Liu Bei, General of the Left of the Han Dynasty, respectfully inquires about the well-being of Master Zhuge! I have heard that Master Zhuge possesses the talent to govern the world and save lives. Today I have taken the liberty of visiting you, hoping that you will not despise my humble status and will bestow upon me your wisdom on the great plan to bring peace to the people."

Inside the guest house.

Zhuge Liang, who witnessed the whole thing, couldn't help but shed tears.

Compared to the memory of Liu Bei's three visits to Zhuge Liang's thatched cottage, Liu Bei today was more courteous, and even Guan Yu and Zhang Fei showed respect for Zhuge Liang.

Although there were no three visits, there were three acts of respect.

Pang Tong, standing to the side, was also astonished.

Although Liu Bei only condescended to visit Zhuge Liang after listening to Xu Shu's advice, the fact that he treated the under-twenty-year-old Zhuge Liang with such courtesy shows that Liu Bei's magnanimity and ambition were beyond the reach of ordinary people!

"Liu Bei is truly no ordinary man when it comes to seeking out talented people!"

Pang Tong was secretly amazed, and his interest in Liu Bei grew even stronger.

Faced with Liu Bei's "three respects," Zhuge Liang dared not be negligent and hurriedly led Pang Tong to greet him, with Xu Shu following behind.

"I have long admired General Zuo's benevolent reputation and wished I could meet him sooner. Now that General Zuo has condescended to personally grace this place with his presence, making it shine so brightly, I am truly fortunate!"

Zhuge Liang was refined in demeanor and spoke with gentle grace.

Although it was just a polite remark, it sounded to Liu Bei like a reunion with an old friend, and he was naturally delighted.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei exchanged a glance, both secretly marveling: Such a gentleman, gentle and refined as jade, there really are such people in the world!

After exchanging pleasantries for a while.

Zhuge Liang invited Liu Bei inside, and they sat together at the same table.

Xu Shu stood to Liu Bei's left, Pang Tong to Zhuge Liang's right, and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei stood at the door.

Since Liu Bei had already confided in Xu Shu, he did not hide his great ambitions from Zhuge Liang, who was recommended by Xu Shu.

After the formalities were completed, he asked directly, "Now, although the court is stable, there are treacherous officials within the court who have secretly ordered the emperor to suffer misfortune, and there are rebels outside the court who have caused turmoil in the country."

"I have not measured my virtue and ability, but I wish to uphold righteousness throughout the world. However, my wisdom and skills are shallow, which has led to the rampant corruption of treacherous officials and the unbridled treason of rebels. Although I am down on my luck and wandering, my great ambition has never changed."

"I have long admired your extraordinary talent, sir. Therefore, I humbly request your wise counsel to help me establish myself in Xuzhou, serve the Emperor, and bring peace to the people."

Hearing Liu Bei's sincere words, Zhuge Liang was deeply moved.

As a native of Xuzhou, Zhuge Liang hoped that Liu Bei could establish himself in Xuzhou.

however.

Xuzhou was devastated, with few soldiers and scarce food supplies.

To prevent the emergence of new separatist forces in Xuzhou, Cao Cao further divided the province's power.

On the one hand, he treated Zang Ba and other bandits from Mount Tai well, and appointed them to the coastal counties and townships of Qing and Xu. On the other hand, he separated some areas from the three prefectures of Langya, Donghai, and Beihai to establish the three prefectures of Chengyang, Licheng, and Changlu.

He also appointed Bi Chen, the former Prefect of Yanzhou, as the Chancellor of Lu, promoted Chen Deng, the Prefect of Guangling, to the position of General Fubo, and placed Che Zhou, who did not belong to the original Xuzhou faction, in Xiapi as the Governor of Xuzhou.

All these measures were aimed at dividing the counties and preventing the emergence of separatist forces like Tao Qian, Liu Bei, and Lü Bu, who held absolute power.

For Liu Bei to establish a foothold in Xuzhou would be as difficult as ascending to heaven!
Zhuge Liang had analyzed the situation dozens of times, and all of them ultimately pointed to the conclusion that "Xuzhou is not a viable foothold."

"General Zuo, please forgive my bluntness."

"If it had been a few years earlier, Liang would definitely have been able to help General Zuo establish himself in Xuzhou."

"But now, Xuzhou is desolate and ruined, and its people have all left. The remaining ones, such as Zang Ba and Chang Xi, each have their own ulterior motives, so it is difficult for General Zuo to achieve his goals in Xuzhou."

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(End of this chapter)