Brother, stop curling up! You're curling up like the founder of the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 178 Liu Bei's Might Shakes the Central Plains, Young Zhuge Liang (Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets)
"Cough-cough-"

"Brother Mengde, you are very kind."

Liu Bei was not a paragon of virtue; to say he was unmoved by a beautiful woman would be blatant lying.

He used to make excuses like "I haven't achieved fame and fortune yet, so why worry about not having a wife?" or "I'm afraid of losing my wife due to wandering and hardship." The real reason was that Liu Bei was too shrewd, to the point that he was picky about beautiful women deep down.

Ordinary beauties rarely catch Liu Bei's eye.

Unless it's a political marriage like the one involving Dong Bai taking a concubine, where there are significant political benefits, one wouldn't lower their aesthetic standards.

Even Cai Wenji had the advantage of a privileged family background.

Gan Mei, however, would not bring Liu Bei any benefit from her family background; she only captivated him with her natural beauty, which she wore without makeup.

The White Jade Beauty truly lives up to her name.

Liu Bei did not refuse Cao Cao's kindness and brought Gan Mei back to Xiaopei that same day.

The advantage of taking a concubine is that it is not as complicated as marrying a wife; once the agreement is reached, she can be taken away on the same day.

During this time.

News of Liu Bei's victory over the rebel forces in the three provinces of Yu, Xu, and Yan spread rapidly throughout the three provinces.

Whether they were ambitious powerful families, mountain bandits, or officials from various prefectures and kingdoms, they all felt either respect or fear when Liu Bei's name was mentioned.

Liu Bei also agreed to Zang Ba's request, allowing Zang Ba to send his family to Luoyang.

Just as Zang Ba was about to go to Kaiyang, Liu Bei took Dian Wei and Ma Chao with him, leaving Guan Yu to guard Xiaopei.

Upon learning that Liu Bei was going to Yangdu to find Zhuge Gui, Zang Ba was even more delighted and said, "My father used to be a prison clerk in Hua County when he was in Taishan, and Zhuge Gui was the county magistrate of Liangfu. I often heard my father say that Zhuge Gui was a just and loyal person with a good reputation."

"Later, Zhuge Gui was recruited as the Prefect of Taishan County. Unfortunately, he fell seriously ill not long after taking office and passed away last year. My father also went to pay his respects."

Liu Bei couldn't help but sigh.

Although he entrusted Gai Xun with his care, Zhuge Gui still passed away due to illness.

Now that they had arrived, Liu Bei planned to take Zhuge Gui's children to Luoyang. Otherwise, if war broke out again in the future, it was uncertain whether Zhuge Liang could still be safely taken to Jingzhou by Zhuge Xuan.

After all, the power structure of the world has changed long ago.

Instead of waiting for Zhuge Liang to grow up, it's better to take him away this time.

Although Xiaopei is a thousand miles away from Yangdu, Liu Bei has now defeated the rebel forces in Yan and Xu, so there is no need to worry too much about dangers on the way.

Riding a horse for ten days.

Liu Bei led Dian Wei, Ma Chao, Zang Ba, and over a hundred cavalrymen to Yangdu. On the way, Sun Guan was sent to pick up the families of Zang Ba and the others.

On the way, Zang Ba asked if the families of all the brothers could also be sent to Luoyang, and Liu Bei agreed to all of them, which made Sun Guan very happy.

Although they were bandits from Mount Tai, Zang Ba and Sun Gui were not fools. Sending their families to Luoyang was definitely safer and offered a better future than staying in Kaiyang.

The Zhuge clan of Yangdu was also a large clan with many fields and houses, but Zhuge Gui's family was not wealthy.

At first, Zhuge Gui was just a county magistrate. Later, he was recruited as a prefectural assistant, but he was not fortunate enough to enjoy the position. He spent a lot of money on medical treatment and medicine. After his death, his family became even poorer, with only one wife, two concubines, three sons and two daughters left to depend on each other.

With the pillar of the family gone and a large number of people in the household, both Zhuge Jin and Zhuge Liang had to shoulder the heavy burden of the family.

After Gai Xun took office, he was frequently sent to provide assistance, as instructed by Liu Bei.

However, both Zhuge Jin and Zhuge Liang were proud, and even if Gai Xun sent people to help them, they would not sit back and enjoy the benefits.

Read books when you should read books, and cultivate the land when you should cultivate the land.

No matter the era, favors owed must be repaid.

in the house.

Zhuge Jin summoned Zhuge Liang to his side and said, "Previously, Governor Gai asked me to go to the prefecture to serve as a minor official, but I originally thought that I should observe the mourning period for my father, so I did not agree. Now I think about it, I was too stubborn."

“Governor Gai often helped us, but I refused under the pretext of observing mourning. I only care about my personal reputation and disregard Governor Gai’s good intentions. This is not the behavior of a benevolent person.”

"Therefore, I decided to go to Xiapi to take up my post, and I left the family affairs to A-Liang."

Looking at the serious-looking Zhuge Jin, Zhuge Liang, though young, was intelligent and bluntly pointed out, "Xiapi is currently besieged by rebels. Brother, you are not going to take up a post, but clearly to repay a favor. But you are just a scholar, unfamiliar with military affairs. Do you really think you can persuade Zhang Chao to withdraw his troops through persuasion?"

Zhuge Jin was taken aback, then sighed, "As expected, I couldn't hide it from A-Liang. Governor Gai has been kind to my brothers, and now that Governor Gai is in trouble, how could I not go to help him?"

"I have heard that Zhang Chao has a clerk named Zang Hong, who is quite virtuous. If I go and persuade him, Zang Hong, considering my youth and willingness to fight for justice, should allow me to enter the city and lend a helping hand to Governor Gai."

Zhuge Liang shook his head: "Zang Hong is Zhang Chao's chief clerk. How could he ruin Zhang Chao's important affairs because of you alone? If you want to repay Governor Gai's kindness, you can only wait for another opportunity."

"However, I have a suggestion that you might want to try. Why don't you go to the East Sea and persuade Chang Xi? If you can get Chang Xi to raise an army to rescue Xiapi, you might be able to repel Zhang Chao's troops."

Zhuge Jin frowned: "Ever since Governor Gai entered Xuzhou, Chang Xi has been wavering between Governor Gai and Tao Qian. Although he did not respond to Tao Qian's call to attack Xiapi this time, he has remained inactive in Donghai."

"I guess they want to wait until the fight between the two sides is over before deciding whose orders to take. Instead of trying to persuade Chang Xi, I might as well try to persuade Zhang Chao directly."

Looking at Zhuge Liang, who was shrugging, Zhuge Jin sighed inwardly.

Originally, Zhuge Jin wanted to deceive Zhuge Liang and then secretly go to Xiapi to repay Gai Xun's favor. However, judging from Zhuge Liang's expression at this moment, it was impossible for Zhuge Jin to leave quietly.

Thinking of this, Zhuge Jin couldn't help but feel annoyed: "Are we just supposed to sit and watch Governor Gai be besieged by the rebels?"

“Actually—brother, there’s no need to be too discouraged.” Zhuge Liang continued, “Why are you so sure that Governor Gai will lose? Governor Gai is the governor of Xuzhou appointed by the imperial court. If the rebels attack Xiapi, how could the imperial court not send troops?”

Zhuge Jin shook his head: "Luoyang is more than a thousand miles away from Xiapi, and I have heard that the rebels in Yanzhou are attacking Xiaopei, and Yuan Shu is also causing trouble in Yuzhou. It is hard to say whether the court can even quell the rebels in Yuzhou, so how could it possibly send troops to rescue Xiapi?"

"How about we make a bet?" Zhuge Liang chuckled.

“No betting! You’re just trying to find an excuse for me not to go to Xiapi.” Zhuge Jin saw through Zhuge Liang’s little scheme at a glance.

Zhuge Liang composed himself slightly: "Brother, I know you want to repay Governor Gai's kindness, but the current situation is unclear, so please be patient."

Zhuge Jin sighed deeply, feeling quite uneasy.

As they were talking...

A young girl rushed inside, her face pale: "Brother, a lot of soldiers have come outside, and they're all on horseback."

Zhuge Jin's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly stood up and said, "A Liang, stay inside and don't come out!" In this chaotic time of war, no one knows what kind of disaster might befall them.

You could be walking down the street and suddenly be stabbed in the back or shot like prey.

Zhuge Liang's face was also tense. After closing the door, he peeked through the crack in the door.

Zhuge Jin suppressed his panic and quickly walked outside the courtyard, where he saw more than ten cavalrymen carrying bows and spears, and could smell the blood from afar.

They were all murderers.
Zhuge Jin was even more surprised, and bowed again, asking, "May I ask, esteemed officers, is there anything I can do to assist you?"

Ma Chao carefully examined Zhuge Jin, then returned the greeting and asked, "Are you Zhuge Liang?"

Zhuge Jin looked up and glanced at Ma Chao, then tentatively said, "I am Zhuge Jin, and Zhuge Liang is my younger brother. Has my brother caused trouble outside? If so, I am willing to take the punishment in my brother's place. Please forgive me, Commander."

“No trouble.” Ma Chao grinned. “The Imperial Uncle has decided to take your younger brother Zhuge Liang as his disciple. Well, I’m the second one to join. There’s also a senior brother, Fa Zheng from Fufeng, a third senior brother, Cao Ang from Qiao County, and your brother is the fourth. He has to call me senior brother!”

Ma Chao emphasized the words "senior brother".

When Ma Chao heard on the way that Liu Bei wanted to take Zhuge Liang as his disciple, he was immediately excited and volunteered to be the first to recognize him.

Zhuge Jin was stunned for a moment, then looked at Ma Chao in astonishment: "Commander, you jest. My brother is just a village boy, how could he possibly be favored by the Imperial Uncle? Besides, there are many rebels in Xuzhou right now, how could the Imperial Uncle possibly come here?"

"Rebels?" Ma Chao laughed loudly: "What rebels? Where are the rebels? The rebels have all been defeated by the Imperial Uncle! Even Tao Qian and Yuan Yi were captured alive by the Imperial Uncle. Yuan Shu ran away too fast to be caught, otherwise the Imperial Uncle would have captured Yuan Shu as well."

The amount of information was overwhelming, leaving Zhuge Jin even more confused.

"Hey, I'm not talking to you anymore." Ma Chao was impatient. He immediately dismounted and walked into the courtyard, calling out as he went, "Junior brother! Come out quickly! Your senior brother brought you a gift. Haha!"

Zhuge Jin realized what was happening and quickly stopped Ma Chao: "Commander, you've misunderstood. There really isn't a junior brother here. My brother is just a village boy."

"Zhuge Jin, how can you be so unreasonable?" Ma Chao said impatiently, "I've already told you, the Imperial Uncle has decided to accept your younger brother Zhuge Liang as his disciple. I joined the sect first, so Zhuge Liang is my junior brother!"

"You have to listen to my reasoning. If you don't, I'll resort to violence. Don't blame me if you get hurt!"

A creak.

Zhuge Liang opened the door and stepped out, hurriedly calling out, "Brother, please calm down. I am Zhuge Liang, please do not make things difficult for my brother."

Upon seeing Zhuge Liang, Ma Chao was overjoyed: "Uncle, your eye for talent is truly exceptional. Just like me, he is handsome and refined."

“Junior brother, I brought you a gift.” Ma Chao enthusiastically took off the bundle on his back and then took out three silk books: “One is the Analects, one is Mencius, and one is the Spring and Autumn Annals. They were all personally annotated by the great Confucian scholar Lu Gong, who is also the teacher of the Imperial Uncle.”

"These are all the inheritances of our sect, you must keep them safe!"

Looking at the three thick silk books in his hands, even Zhuge Liang, who was intelligent since childhood, was stunned.

Because silk was far more expensive than bamboo slips, it was mostly used by high-ranking officials and nobles. Those who could afford to make books out of silk were not ordinary nobles.

"May I ask, brother? I am but a young man, completely unfamiliar with the Imperial Uncle, and have no reputation whatsoever. How could the Imperial Uncle know me?" Zhuge Liang asked with a composed expression.

“You should call him Senior Brother!” Ma Chao emphasized, then asked doubtfully, “Didn’t Governor Gai send someone to give you money? That’s not right. Last year, when your father fell ill, the Imperial Uncle clearly entrusted Governor Gai to take care of you.”

"Your Imperial Uncle and your father were old friends. Did your father not mention Your Imperial Uncle before he passed away?"

Ma Chao was unaware of the reason behind it.

The claim that Liu Bei and Zhuge Gui were old friends was just a fabrication, a way to find a reason for Gai Xun to take care of Zhuge Gui's family.

Later, when Yuan Shao issued a proclamation to attack Liu Bei and Dong Zhuo, Gai Xun worried that it would bring trouble to the Zhuge family, so he only sent people to secretly send money to help them.

Zhuge Jin and Zhuge Liang exchanged a glance, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.

I was just thinking about how to repay Gai Xun's kindness, but it turns out that Gai Xun was entrusted by Liu Bei, and Liu Bei was also an old friend of my deceased father.

This complicated relationship left the brothers Zhuge Jin and Zhuge Liang completely bewildered.

"Oh dear! This is such a mess." Ma Chao scratched his head, even more confused than Zhuge Jin and Zhuge Liang. He simply said, "Never mind. Anyway, you're my junior brother. Hurry up and pack up, we're going back to Luoyang."

"Going to Luoyang? Is it in such a hurry?" Zhuge Jin was even more surprised.

Ma Chao glanced around and said, "If your house is big, you can stay for one night."

Zhuge Jin's lips twitched.

Is that what I meant?

Why does this disciple of the Imperial Uncle seem a bit dim-witted?

As they were talking...

Another sound of hooves rang out, as Liu Bei, worried that Ma Chao had bumped into Zhuge Jin's young men, rushed over again.

"Master, I'm a bit confused." Ma Chao strode over to Liu Bei's side and explained in detail for a while.

Liu Bei was also annoyed. "I shouldn't have let you come to recognize the place. What is all this nonsense!"

After understanding the whole story, Liu Bei looked at Zhuge Liang and couldn't help but exclaim inwardly: "So handsome and talented, what a brilliant young man!"
His gaze then turned to Zhuge Jin, who had instinctively protected Zhuge Liang. Liu Bei bowed and said with a composed expression, "Grand Commandant, Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Governor of Yu Province, and Imperial Uncle Liu Bei, I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my old friend."

"In these chaotic times, even you brothers here cannot guarantee your safety. Why don't you come with me to Luoyang?"

The brothers Zhuge Jin and Zhuge Liang were completely stunned at this moment.

Zhuge Liang, in particular, was astonished: "I, Zhuge Liang, am but a village boy. How could I possibly be worthy of being personally invited by the Imperial Uncle? Could it be that he is truly an old friend of my late father?"
From behind, Zang Ba stepped forward and bowed to Zhuge Jin: "Young Master Zhuge, do you still remember me? Last year, when your father passed away, my father and I came to pay our respects."

Zang Ba was a powerful figure in Langya. When he came to pay his respects to Zhuge Gui, he really startled Zhuge Jin, leaving a deep impression on him.

Upon recognizing Zang Ba, Zhuge Jin was even more surprised: "Didn't Commander Zang go with Governor Tao to attack Xiapi?"

Zang Ba gave an awkward smile: "That's all in the past. Now I work under the Imperial Uncle. Governor Tao, well, he's already been captured alive by the Imperial Uncle."

If it were merely Liu Bei claiming to be the Imperial Uncle, then the relationship between Zhuge Jin and Zhuge Liang as brothers would still be somewhat questionable.

Now that even Zang Ba has arrived, the person before us is none other than the genuine Grand Commandant, Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Governor of Yu Province, and Imperial Uncle Liu Bei!
The two brothers realized what was happening and quickly bowed to Liu Bei, saying, "This humble commoner, Zhuge Jin (Zhuge Liang), greets Imperial Uncle."

"No need for formalities!" Liu Bei helped the two up, smiling gently. "I know you two have many questions. But this isn't the place to talk. How about we go inside and discuss them in detail?"

"Uncle, please come in quickly!" Zhuge Jin and Zhuge Liang hurriedly invited Liu Bei inside, and the young girl inside also hurriedly bowed.

(End of this chapter)