Reborn in the Three Kingdoms: Da Qiao Doesn't Want to Be a Widow Anymore

Chapter 335 Three Visits to Tianlong 2
Zhuge Liang laughed and said, "I am but a humble man from the mountains, how could I possibly possess the talent of Guan Zhong? Madam, you have probably come to the wrong person."

"Mr. Zhuge isn't exactly honest either!" Qiao Wei chuckled.

"Stepping out of the Qi city gate, I gazed into the distance at Dangyin."

There are three tombs inside, all of similar appearance.

When asked whose tomb it was, the answer was Tian Jiang Guyezi.

Its power can move mountains and destroy the earth.

One day, slanderous words were spread, and two peaches killed three warriors.

Who could devise a plan for this? It was the Prime Minister of Qi, Yanzi.

"Sir, you compare yourself to Yan Pingzhong and Yue Yi; how could you truly be just a rustic man? If you intend to wait for the right person, have you considered which wise ruler in a chaotic world you are waiting for?"

This poem is "Liangfu Yin," which is said to have been written by Zhuge Liang as a Han Dynasty folk song. Its sentence structure is simple and archaic, and it is a historical poem.

After Zhuge Liang wrote this poem, only Meng Jian and others appreciated it, so it is self-evident how Qiao Wei learned about it.

At that time, Zhuge Liang hugged his knees and let out a long sigh, saying to Meng Jian, Shi Tao and Xu Shu, "With your talents, you are capable of becoming governors and prefects."

They countered, "And what about Kongming himself?"

At that time, Zhuge Liang smiled but did not answer.

Qiao Wei answered for him, "Master Zhuge's talent is such that he considers himself a prime minister of a country, with the power to pacify the world. Master Shui Jing considers you to be a hidden dragon, so you are also waiting for a hidden dragon to become your master."

But in this world, there are always many talented horses, but few discerning judges of horses.

Zhuge Liang looked at the woman before him. She was dressed in simple clothes, with a sallow complexion and a face marked with blemishes, but her clear eyes still stood out.

Those eyes seemed to possess some special power, irresistibly drawing people in and forcing them to lower their guard.

He suddenly realized something was wrong, looked away, composed himself, and asked in return, "Then, Madam, who do you think will be the future ruler of this world?"

"For me, it is naturally Sun Quan, the Marquis of Nanchang. But for you, sir, the hidden dragon in your heart should be Liu Bei, the Left General and a member of the Han imperial family who is currently trapped in Xinye!"

Liu Bei was stationed in Xinye, and his reputation for benevolence and virtue gradually spread, attracting many heroes from Jingzhou to join him.

Putting aside everything else, Liu Bei's status as a member of the Han imperial family certainly gave him natural political capital in the struggle for the empire.

Zhuge Liang had also inquired about and observed Liu Bei from various sources, and compared with other warlord forces, Liu Bei was indeed a good candidate.

"Master Zhuge admired the harmonious relationship between ruler and minister. General Zuo had gathered many heroes around him, including Guan Yu and Zhang Fei in military affairs, and Xu Shu and Yuan Zhi in civil affairs. The reason why Master Zhuge thought highly of General Zuo but refused to come out of seclusion was probably because he did not want to create a rift with his friend at this time."

Xu Shu is now Liu Bei's chief strategist. Liu Bei doesn't have many people around him who can offer him advice, so he almost completely follows Xu Shu's advice.

Zhuge Liang valued Liu Bei's open-mindedness in accepting advice, but unfortunately, that was also the case.

"Madam is so eloquent and persuasive; she wants to recruit talented people for Your Majesty. But Xiang Jintai of Jiangdong has already recruited countless heroes from all over the land, yet Your Majesty still finds it insufficient?"

Many scions of prominent families in Jingzhou and Yingzhou were recruited to serve as officials in Jiangdong, making the region rich in talent, comparable to Cao Cao's recruitment of talent under the guise of the Han dynasty.

Qiao Wei smiled faintly, "Heaven has bestowed upon the land talents of all ages, each with their own strengths and talents. The land of Jiangdong is vast and abundant, just as the ocean embraces rivers, the more the better."

However, what I admire about you is not only that, but also your unparalleled talent—capable of leading an army or governing the world.

"Military command?" Zhuge Liang seemed to have heard a joke. "Kongming lives in the countryside. How could he have military command skills? Madam, you can't just start lying through your teeth."

"Why does the Eight Trigrams Formation exude murderous intent everywhere?" Qiao Wei was not annoyed and pointed to the Eight Trigrams Formation in the field.

Zhuge Liang's Eight Trigrams Formation was less derived from the Four Transformations Technique of the Farmer School and more incorporating elements of the Eight Trigrams Formation of Feng Hou.

The formation is divided into eight arrays, which include the Heaven Covering Array, Earth Bearing Array, Wind Rising Array, Cloud Hanging Array, Dragon Flying Array, Tiger Wing Array, Bird Soaring Array, and Snake Coiling Array.

Each formation in the Eight Trigrams Formation can be freely changed to adapt to offensive and defensive tactics in specific environments.

Therefore, what appears to be just a maze is actually a massive killing formation, ensuring that the enemy has no chance of escape.

"The wheat and rice seedlings are not growing well, perhaps because there is too much killing energy in them, or perhaps because your ambitions are not limited to this."

If one's ambitions lie elsewhere, then where should one's ambitions lie?
Qiao Wei saw through his thoughts, and only then did Zhuge Liang suddenly realize it.

It is said that Lord Sun of Jiangdong was misled by beauty, but now it seems that the rumors are not credible.

"Madam has discerning eyes, but that's all there is to it."

He was resolute and would never waver in his resolve because of a few words. As a citizen of the Han Dynasty, he was naturally loyal to the emperor.

Cao Cao is still a Han official, but the Han emperor is weak and still needs the support of Han officials to help him. Cao Cao has the ability of Huo Guang, but he may not have Huo Guang's loyalty. If he can succeed to the throne in the future, the people's hearts will not be satisfied and he will not be content to remain a subject.

The same principle applies to the other feudal lords.

Among the Han imperial relatives, Liu Zhang was cowardly, Liu Biao only had the ability to maintain the status quo, and only Liu Bei perhaps still had the ambition to fight back.

"Jiangdong is full of talented people. In literature, there are Zhang, Zhang and Zhou Lu; in martial arts, there are people like Lü and Gan Taishi. It is not lacking in a scholar like Kong Yi. Madam, you have praised me too much. I really cannot accept such praise."

His elder brother, Zhuge Jin, served Jiangdong primarily out of a sense of gamble for the family.

It must be said that Sun Quan, who ruled Jiangdong at a young age, was ambitious and enterprising. He will surely have a place in the history books of the world in the future, but he is not yet the ruler he wants to be at peace with.

Qiao Wei understood that Zhuge Liang's heart was not set on Jiangdong.

"Indeed, Your Majesty has many civil and military officials around you, each with their own talents. It would be difficult for Your Majesty and you to achieve the harmonious relationship between ruler and minister, like that of Duke Guan Zhong of Qi."

But the gentleman forgot that great achievements are never made in a single moment. If he doesn't look at the present, he can look to the future.

The son of the Sun family currently lacks a proper tutor. If you, sir, are not in a hurry, and cultivate the relationship for over a decade, you may be able to recreate a harmonious tale of ruler and minister, free from suspicion.

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Liang was slightly taken aback. "Madam, you are certainly bold in your words!"

Her husband isn't even dead yet! And she's already openly plotting for her son.

It is said that Lord Sun and his wife are deeply in love and live in perfect harmony. In this light, perhaps the rumors are not credible.

"Sir, it is said that fortune and honor are found in danger. If you are not bold, I am afraid that you will serve someone else and I will regret it."

Zhuge Liang remained unmoved and refused to budge.

Of course, Qiao Wei was not discouraged. "We had a very pleasant conversation today. I am sincerely looking for talented people, but I dare not force you."

I have heard that your wife often suffers from angina. This prescription was written by Dr. Hua, and I am giving it to you today as a token of my sincerity.

Qiao Wei handed over the prescription, bowed, and left.