Zhuge Liang lost his father when he was young and worked hard in Nanyang...
Of course, "gong plowing" is just a figure of speech, and it does not really mean farming every day. Otherwise, if he was just hoeing the land at home, how could Liu Bei not find him twice?
In fact, the Zhuge family is a big family in Langya. Although Zhuge Liang is not a direct descendant of the Zhuge family, his father Zhuge Gui also served as a county magistrate and came to Nanyang to avoid trouble... He did not come here as a refugee. He had his own small village in Longzhong.
It's just that Zhuge Liang didn't attach much importance to these external things, and his food, clothing and accommodation were very simple. He only had a simple meal all year round. In addition... he raised a few old servants and book boys, traveled around the county two or three times a year, collected some ancient books, and entertained guests as necessary.
Tea, seeing people's clothes... that's all.
"Little boy, tell your master that a guest is coming." Xu Shu arrived in front of Zhuge Liang's village and shouted to the book boy at the door.
He is said to be a book "child", but he is actually about fifteen or sixteen years old. He probably heard the sound of horse hooves, so he came out to take a look. After all, there are many people visiting on the first day of every lunar month.
Xu Shu had specially reminded everyone before that Zhuge Liang was usually very awkward and didn't like too many people going in. When the time comes, he would make sure that Bai Tu and others go in, but ordinary guards might have to stay outside...
When Lu Lingqi heard this, she already looked like she was going to burn down the house again, but was comforted by Bai Tu's kind words.
"Good afternoon Mr. Xu, are these all your friends? My uncle said that if Mr. Xu comes, I will invite you as soon as possible!" the book boy opened the door quickly and said.
Xu Shu was slightly surprised when he heard this. Zhuge Liang didn't feel uncomfortable this time. Could it be that he guessed who was coming?
Well, it's very possible...
After all, although Bai Tu is dressed as a white dragon fish, he does not hide his identity. He is just not visiting as the King of Chu in name.
I ignored it for a moment, but the book boy was talking about "uncle", which is a rare title.
Bai Tu and his party filed into the village. Before arriving at the front hall, they saw a serious scholar dressed as a scholar. He looked older than Bai Tu expected. A young man who looked to be in his mid-twenties took the initiative to greet them.
"Brother Yuanzhi came here by chance. My younger brother had to travel a few days ago. As the elder brother, I took care of Zhuangzi... Ah! These are His Highness the King of Chu and the generals of the Chu Kingdom, right? Zhuge Jin, a common man,
Meet the king."
Zhuge Jin deliberately pretended to recognize Bai Tu and others, but he was obviously prepared.
"No courtesy, no courtesy. I'm not here for official business today. There is no King of Chu here." Bai Tu heard that Zhuge Liang was not here and was slightly disappointed, but he immediately supported Zhuge Jin.
When Xu Shu heard that Zhuge Liang was traveling far away at this time, he already had some guesses. He couldn't help but sigh in his heart - this trip, when we meet again, we won't know whether we are friends or foes!
However, as the brother of Zhuge Liang, Zhuge Jin was very eager to talk to Bai Tu at this time. He flattered Bai Tu without any trace and invited Bai Tu to come in.
There were already many people in the front hall at this time, and it seemed that they were having a cocktail party. The format... made Bai Tu feel a little uncomfortable.
"Chairs" were popularized in Yangzhou during the Jiangjun Mansion era. Now, because Chu State's official offices are all high-top tables and chairs, people are more willing to imitate them.
However, here is still the "retro" combination of kneeling and low tables. When Bai Tu came in, everyone stood up to greet him.
"No courtesy, no courtesy, I am not here as the King of Chu today, so you don't need to be restrained." Bai Tu said grandly.
"Yuanzhi, Ziyu, why don't you introduce me to all the heroes here?" Bai Tu then thought about asking Xu Shu and Zhuge Jin to introduce him.
Yingchuan Shitao, courtesy name Guangyuan, Runan Mengjian, courtesy name Gongwei, Boling Cuijun, courtesy name Zhouping, Hongnong Yangxiu, courtesy name Dezu... Huh? It seems like there is something weird mixed in?
When Zhuge Jin introduced Yang Xiu, he was slightly embarrassed.
"Greetings to His Highness the King of Chu. Xiu was ordered by the King of Wei to come to Wancheng to pick up Mr. Cao. He happened to hear that there were elegant scholars in Nanyang, so he couldn't help but set out to gather here." Yang Xiu looked younger than Zhuge Jin.
But in fact, the difference is only two years, mainly because... Zhuge Jin looks older when he is honest.
After Emperor Xian returned to the west, Yang Xiu, unexpectedly, did not serve the court with his father Yang Biao, but continued to stay under Cao Cao.
I don’t know whether it was the Yang family’s plan or Yang Xiu’s own initiative. In short, Yang Xiu has entered the Wei Kingdom now.
But regarding Yang Xiu’s appearance here at this time...
Although Bai Tu had a smile on his face, something was bubbling in his heart - it's okay for you to welcome Cao Bang back, but when you come to Nanyang...are you here for a party or to poach people?
Although he has not conquered the country yet and his surname is not Chu, he is still a little sensitive when he comes to Chu State to recruit talents for Wei State, so when Zhuge Jin introduced him before, his tone was a little embarrassed for Yang Xiu.
Yang Xiu's face was pale, but his heart was not so calm - you are such a great king of Chu, and even a few young people have to come in person? Are you so mobilizing troops and people?
It turns out that Yang Xiu was just ordered to borrow Xia Houjuan, who was also his future wife...
Originally, the Yang family had arranged a marriage for Yang Xiu, but Yang Xiu insisted on joining the Wei Dynasty. As a result, whether Yang Biao was really angry or to show Liu Xie and the court, Yang Xiu had nothing to do with the Yang family's decision.
She has already separated from the Yang family, and the marriage has naturally been called off.
Well, although many of the children from aristocratic families get married after they reach the age of 18, those who have not yet gotten married at the age of 26 do feel like they are delayed older youths.
On the one hand, Cao Cao wanted to appease Yang Xiu, and on the other hand, he also wanted to use Yang Xiu as a representative to appease those who had followed him for the "imperial court", so he personally arranged a marriage for Yang Xiu.
Cao Cao's own daughters were either already married or not as good as Dou Ke, and Yang Xiu was already very old, so Cao Cao chose Xia Hou Juan - Xia Hou Yuan, as the top 5 or even top 3 of the Wei Kingdom, had enough reputation.
and……
Xia Houyuan is not very resistant to this marriage. After all, although Yang Xiu is annoying, at least he has chosen to follow the Wei Dynasty now, which makes Xia Houyuan feel better about him. Now Yang Xiu is "helpless", although it is considered that he has no one to rely on.
He won't marry into his wife, but he won't have to worry about Xiahou Juan, who is just like his own daughter, being bullied in the future.
The most important thing is... Yang Xiu is a civilian official. Not only is he safe, but he will also continue to serve in Yecheng in the future. It is better than marrying a military commander or marrying far away!
Therefore, Cao Cao directly asked Yang Xiu to pick up Xia Houjuan, so that they could meet him first.
"It turns out that he is a student of the Yang family in Hongnong. I'm glad to meet him. How are you doing, Mr. Yang?" Bai Tu looked familiar.
"My father and I haven't seen each other for a long time, but I think my father is in Chang'an, so everything must be fine." Yang Xiu replied calmly.
Zhang Chunhua had accurately read the atmosphere and judged that Bai Tu was unhappy now, but he had to respect his identity and could not say anything directly, so... Zhang Chunhua rolled his eyes and said:
"Your Majesty, when Cheng Yu tortured Old Taiwei Yang in every possible way, my teacher, Kong Jijiu and the others were very worried about the old Taiwei's health. This time we also brought some health-boosting medicine prepared by Divine Doctor Hua. Why not
Please ask Mr. Yang to send it? Anyway, we are going north."