100 Historical Stories That Unlock Teenage Wisdom

Chapter 99 5

Chapter 105 Liu Bei Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage to Invite Zhuge——To get a talent, you must condescend
There is a classic line in the movie "A World Without Thieves": "What is the most important thing in the 21st century? Talent!" In fact, it is not only the 21st century, but it is the same at other times.Talent is the most urgently needed force of the times at any time.Of course, it is not easy to get talents, and you need to work hard to succeed.

After the Battle of Guandu, Liu Bei, who had originally taken refuge with Yuan Shao, fled to Jingzhou and joined Liu Biao.Liu Biao allocated some troops for him to stay in Xinye.

Liu Bei lived in Jingzhou for several years, and Liu Biao always treated him as a first-class guest.But Liu Bei is an ambitious person, because his ambition has not been realized, he is always depressed.

Once, when he touched his thigh, he felt something in his heart and shed tears.Liu Biao found out and asked him what unpleasant things happened to him.Liu Bei said: "It's nothing! I used to fight a lot, and I didn't leave the saddle every day. The flesh on my thighs is very strong. Now I live a leisurely life here, and the flesh on my thighs has grown fat again. Look at the days passing by like running water, everyone I’m getting old, and I can’t do any big business, and I feel sad when I think about it.”

Liu Biao comforted him for a while.But Liu Bei is always thinking about long-term plans.

He found out that there was a famous person in Xiangyang named Sima Hui, so he made a special trip to visit him.Sima Hui received him very politely and asked him why he came.

Liu Bei said: "To tell you the truth, sir, I came here to ask you about the general trend of the world." Sima Hui laughed loudly after hearing this, and said, "What does an ordinary person like me know about the general trend of the world? Want to talk about the general trend of the world?" , depends on talented heroes.”

Liu Bei begged, "Where can I find such a hero?" Sima Hui said, "There are crouching dragons and phoenix chicks here. If you can invite one of them, you can bring peace to the world."

Liu Bei hurriedly asked who Wolong and Fengchu were, and Sima Hui told him: Wolong's name is Zhuge Liang, whose name is Kongming; Fengchu's name is Pang Tong, whose name is Shiyuan.

Liu Bei thanked Tong Ma Hui and returned to Xinye.It happened that a scholar came to see him.Liu Bei saw his generous manner and thought he was either a crouching dragon or a phoenix chick, so he received him warmly.

After some conversations, I found out that this person was named Xu Shu, who was also a local celebrity. He came here because he heard that Liu Bei was recruiting talents.

Liu Bei was very happy and left Xu Shu under his command as a counselor.

Xu Shu suggested: "I have an old friend Zhuge Kongming. People call him Wolong. Would you like to see him, the general?"

Liu Bei learned about Zhuge Liang's situation from Xu Shu.It turned out that Zhuge Liang's hometown was in Yangdu County, Langya County.His father died when he was young.His uncle Zhuge Xuan was friends with Liu Biao, so he brought him to Jingzhou.Soon, his uncle also died, and he settled down in Longzhong, building a thatched hut, plowing the land and planting crops while studying.At that time, he was only 27 years old, but he was knowledgeable and broad-minded. His friends admired him very much, and he often compared himself to Guan Zhong and Le Yi in ancient times.Although he is unemployed in the village, he has been concerned about the general situation of the world and is ready to find an opportunity to join the Ming Lord.

Liu Bei listened to Xu Shu's introduction and said, "Since you are so familiar with him, please do your best to invite him here!"

Xu Shu shook his head and said, "That's impossible. For a person like this, the general must invite him in person to show your sincerity." Liu Bei heard Sima Hui and Xu Shu praise Zhuge Liang so much, and knew that Zhuge Liang must be a great talent. So I took Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to Longzhong to find Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang learned that Liu Bei was coming to visit him, so he avoided it on purpose.When Liu Bei got there, he was in vain.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei who went with Liu Bei felt impatient.But Liu Bei remembered Xu Shu's words, and went to invite him patiently. If he didn't see him once, he would go again the second time;

Zhuge Liang was finally moved by Liu Bei's sincerity, and received Liu Bei in his thatched hut.

When the two met, Zhuge Liang analyzed the general trend of the world incisively, and stated the development direction of the Three Kingdoms. This is the famous "Longzhong Dui".Listening to this, Liu Bei couldn't help admiring the young man in front of him from the bottom of his heart, and said, "Sir, what you said really opened my eyes. I will definitely follow your advice. Let's go down the mountain together now."

Seeing Liu Bei's enthusiasm and sincerity, Zhuge Liang happily followed Liu Bei to Xinye.Later, people called this event "three visits to thatched cottage".

After that, Liu Bei treated Zhuge Liang as a teacher, and Zhuge Liang also regarded Liu Bei as his master.The two grew closer.Seeing this, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei felt very unhappy and murmured behind their backs.They thought that Zhuge Liang might not have much ability due to his young age, and blamed Liu Bei for thinking too highly of him.

Liu Bei explained to them: "I have Mr. Kong Ming, just like a fish finds water. You are not allowed to make random comments in the future." After listening to Liu Bei's words, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei had nothing to say.

Wisdom Interpretation
There has been a "corporal of courtesy and virtuousness" since ancient times, and Liu Bei's "three visits to the thatched cottage" has become a good story.We must give real respect and courtesy to talents; talents are also the endorsement of knowledge and ability on a certain level.This requires us to treat every talent with sincerity, so that every capable person receives the highest preferential treatment.

(End of this chapter)