Ye Feng, busy with what he was doing, raised his hand slightly, "No hurry. Has he woken up? Are you able to put your mind at ease!"
"My Lord," Gan Quan quickly corrected himself, "the Prefect can now eat and drink by himself. I have no worries!"
"Do you need a couple more days!" Ye Feng asked expressionlessly. They had waited for so many days, what was one or two more? It was better to grant Gan Quan this favor.
"A man without trust, how can he be trusted? Moreover, my King has already indulged Gan Quan. How can Gan Quan be so greedy! I implore my Lord to rise!" Gan Quan knelt on one knee, truly convinced.
"Good. This King will go with you to invite Master Zhuge. You will have performed a great service!" Ye Feng placed his hand on Gan Quan's shoulder and unhesitatingly left the tent, calling out loudly, "Feng Xian, accompany me to find Master Zhuge and fetch the horses!"
The Wuzhui and Red Hare horses, along with a white horse, were lined up outside the tent. Ye Feng mounted his horse and followed Gan Quan. Perhaps harboring resentment from previous events, Ye Feng only chatted and laughed with Lu Bu, leaving Gan Quan feeling somewhat dejected.
"General, when you go this time, you must not act on your own accord, nor can you be disrespectful. This King has long heard that Master Zhuge is a man of great talent!" Ye Feng instructed with concern.
In the original historical accounts, Liu Bei, with Zhuge Liang's assistance, was able to establish the tripartite division of power. This was achieved even when Liu Bei possessed no territory. If he himself had gained such an asset, he would have soared!
So Ye Feng thought, and at the same time, he held deep respect for this old minister from the historical narratives!
In the blink of an eye, they arrived at a small mountain in Liangzhou. A thatched cottage suddenly appeared before their eyes. Gan Quan gently pushed open the wooden gate, and a young servant's voice called out, "Master is not at home. Please come again another day."
Gan Quan turned, looking at Ye Feng with a helpless expression, and apologized, "My Lord, Master Zhuge is indeed not at home. Perhaps…"
Ye Feng dismounted and politely asked the servant, "May I know where Master Zhuge has gone, and when he will return!"
"Master has taken a lot of things to the mountains. It will take at least three to five days at the earliest!" the servant pointed to the vast back mountain and replied crisply, "If you come at the right time, you will meet him no matter when."
The servant instinctively reached out to close the wooden gate. Ye Feng smiled slightly. He recalled an analysis of the "Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage" from modern times.
It was said that Zhuge Liang knew Liu Bei was coming long ago, but fearing that Liu Bei could not protect him, he deliberately delayed. Only after the third visit did he agree and leave Nanyang.
As for Ye Feng, his situation was different from Liu Bei's. Possessing territory in three provinces, he had the means to turn the mountains upside down. There was no need for three visits.
As the saying goes, "You know if there are dates or not by trying to shake the branches." Ye Feng loudly declared, "If Master Zhuge has gone to the back mountain, I will find him even if I have to turn the mountain upside down. There is no need to make things difficult!"
Ye Feng stared intently at the window of the thatched cottage. As expected, he saw a figure stretch, and a slow voice spoke, "Why must the King of Chu go to such lengths."
Lu Bu, holding his Fangtian Huaji, was instantly about to charge in, "My Lord, this person dares to deceive you! Feng Xian will deal with him and see if he dares to speak so presumptuously!"
After Lu Bu finished speaking, Ye Feng gave him a disdainful look. What Lu Bu said was merely a response to Zhuge Liang's initial display of authority.
"My King, why must you do this? I invite my King to come in for a meeting!" Zhuge Liang commanded. The wooden gate swung open instantly. Ye Feng, without suspicion, entered without hesitation.
"Gan Quan is an old friend of mine. Since you have brought my King here this time, I presume my King does not mind him listening in!" Zhuge Liang said with a smile, extending his hand slightly. Two young attendants brought tea to the four of them.
"I have often heard that Master is gifted with divine calculations and should have known my origin long ago. Such prevarication, is it not that Master had already intended to retreat!" Ye Feng played a riddle, smiling as he tested Zhuge Liang's intentions.
"How dare I! It was merely because the time was not yet right, hence I asked my King to return. I did not expect my King to be so wise as to see through my actions. I am truly ashamed!" Zhuge Liang picked up his teacup and took a sip.
"Then when does Master believe the time is right, or perhaps Master is not waiting for me at all!" Ye Feng probed. "Master, I also know some methods of divination. How about we compare!"
"I did not expect the King of Chu to be skilled in this art as well. Then you must know that I am not the destined subject of the King of Chu. I implore the King of Chu to return, and let us not speak of this further!" Zhuge Liang extended his hand, and two young servants hurried to escort them out.
Ye Feng took a gentle sip of tea. "If Master had behaved himself, why would he have set up the Seven Star Formation, nor would he have done things that shorten one's lifespan? Thus, it seems that destiny is not entirely accurate."
Zhuge Liang trembled all over, his eyes fixed on Ye Feng with fear. The result he had painstakingly calculated was casually revealed by the Ye Feng before him.
"What does my King say? I do not understand!" Zhuge Liang feigned ignorance and said, "We have also had tea today. Perhaps…"
Before he could finish speaking, Zhuge Liang found Lu Bu staring at him menacingly with his Fangtian Huaji. He forcefully swallowed the tea in his mouth and quietly listened to Ye Feng speak.
"If I were lacking in any way compared to that person, it would merely be that I do not believe in Liu!" Ye Feng sat upright on the cushion. "Possessing territory in three provinces, only lacking a catalyst to unify the realm. Do you believe it is still impossible to achieve your ambitions!"
"Master, your ambition is for the world. Is it the Liu family's world or the people's world? I do not believe that what Lu Zhi understands, Master is deaf to, or perhaps you wish to protect yourself!"
Ye Feng bowed slightly. "I implore Master to come out of seclusion. In the future, Master will be below me. The soldiers in the army will be at Master's disposal, and the people will surely live in peace and prosperity!"
Zhuge Liang shook his head slightly. The next moment, Lu Bu rushed forward, grabbed Zhuge Liang by the collar, and roared, "My Lord humbly invites you for the sake of the common people. You need not be ungrateful! If my Lord cannot gain you, Feng Xian will never let you live!"
Ye Feng turned his body and remained silent, allowing Lu Bu to "act recklessly."
"King of Chu, is this your attitude?" Zhuge Liang clenched his fists. "I never thought it would be like inviting a wolf into the house!"
"Feng Xian, let go!" Ye Feng frowned and reprimanded, "If he is unwilling, I will not force him. For us to return would only be to bring more casualties to the common people!"
"Still talking about ambition for the world! I think the old farmers in the village are better than him. My Lord should not have come here for this person. It would be better to build a school and train a couple of talented individuals!" Lu Bu grumbled as he left!
Ye Feng's eyes flickered, and he reprimanded, "Feng Xian, do not speak nonsense. Everyone has their choices."