The setting sun stretched across the sky, a chilling atmosphere permeating the entire Zhuge estate.
"Clop, clop, clop..."
The sound of hundreds of horses' hooves echoed from the village entrance. Countless Cao soldiers were surging towards the Zhuge estate. No one knew what fate awaited this wealthiest family in Xuzhou, a family filled with legends.
Inside the manor's main hall, seated in the center was the nominal patriarch of the Zhuge clan, Zhuge Xuan.
His elder brother, Zhuge Gui, had passed away two years ago, leaving behind three sons and two daughters. The sons, Zhuge Jin, Zhuge Liang, and Zhuge Jun, sat on the left. The daughters, Zhuge Ruoxue and Zhuge Ruolan, sat on the right. Besides them, standing behind Zhuge Xuan was a ten-year-old young master, Zhuge Dan, the son of Zhuge Gui.
Among the younger generation of Zhuge clansmen, the eldest was Zhuge Jin, who was only eighteen this year.
Zhuge Ruoxue and Zhuge Ruolan were both fifteen, Zhuge Liang twelve, Zhuge Jun a mere eight, and Zhuge Dan nine.
Despite Zhuge Liang's indeterminate age, he was already involved in many family matters and always offered unique insights... a fact that earned surprised glances from his uncle, Zhuge Xuan, and his elder brother, Zhuge Jin.
"We can't come to any conclusion..." Zhuge Xuan waved his hand, letting out a long sigh. "Who could have imagined that Cao Cao's first act after conquering Langya Commandery would be to order our Zhuge family to relocate to Yanzhou? The future is uncertain..."
Zhuge Xuan had recently spent a considerable sum of money to obtain a piece of intelligence. It was unclear who was behind it, but Cao Cao's cousin, Cao Ren, was searching for their Zhuge family throughout Langya Commandery, intending to invite them all to Yanzhou.
Because of this, the Zhuge clan felt like they were facing a great enemy, their future uncertain, and had been living in a state of heightened anxiety for days.
Today, with Zhuge Liang and Zhuge Jin's return, it was the first time all members of the Zhuge clan were discussing the matter together. As the sound of hooves grew louder, their time was running out.
"We cannot go to Yanzhou!" Zhuge Jin's tone was serious. "I have a dear friend in Henei Commandery who wrote to me recently, stating two things. First, the renowned scholar Bian Rang, on his way to Chang'an, was killed by Cao Cao in Henei! Second, half a month ago, Lü Bu led his Bingzhou Wolf Riders, bade farewell to Zhang Yang, and headed east out of Sili."
Hmm... Upon hearing this, Zhuge Liang's eyes narrowed slightly.
He was one of the few in the family who constantly paid attention to the overall situation of the world. Furthermore, with the Zhuge family's considerable wealth, they had clansmen and informants in various commanderies of the Central Plains and the Northern Territories, so much information escaped Zhuge Liang's notice.
"The death of the renowned scholar Bian Rang is very peculiar. In reality, by the time he reached Chang'an, he would have died at the hands of Li Jue and Guo Si anyway. Cao Cao had no need to kill him in Henei and bear such a bad reputation... If we also consider Lü Bu heading east out of Sili... then..."
With Zhuge Liang's hint reaching this point, everyone, except for his two younger brothers, suddenly understood.
Lü Bu was plotting to take Yanzhou!
"Second brother is correct," Zhuge Jin said loudly. "If that is the case, Lü Bu killed Bian Rang, framed Cao Cao, with the intention of uniting with the Yanzhou clans to seize Yanzhou. This..."
"Yanzhou will inevitably become a battlefield. If our Zhuge family relocates to Yanzhou, we will surely be drawn into this conflict!"
Zhuge Liang spoke first... "Yanzhou is a land of contention, where warlords clash. It is not a good place. In my opinion... Uncle, elder brother, elder sisters, and younger brothers, perhaps you should leave this place and seek refuge elsewhere, to avoid the flames of war and the sharpness of the Central Plains!"
"Kongming speaks with reason, but... Cao Ren's cavalry is about to arrive. Is it still too late for us to retreat?" Elder sister Zhuge Ruoxue frowned, her tone laced with some anxiety.
"Our Zhuge estate has the most secret cellar," Zhuge Liang proposed. "You can all hide in the cellar and you won't be discovered..."
"Then? Will Cao Ren simply give up?" Zhuge Ruoxue continued to ask.
"He certainly will not!" Zhuge Liang waved his hand. "However, the intelligence we purchased also mentioned another point: they specifically want me, Zhuge Liang, to return to Yanzhou! Only if I agree to go to Yanzhou, as a condition, can they spare the entire Zhuge clan. This is the only way for our family to survive this calamity."
Even at the tender age of twelve, Zhuge Liang's mind was exceptionally meticulous. He could even devise a strategy to sacrifice himself for the peace of his family.
It's just that...
"No!" Zhuge Xuan said sternly...
But before he could finish, Zhuge Liang's voice continued, "Uncle, this is not a choice, this is the only method to preserve our Zhuge clan."
"If the Zhuge clan is to prosper, it is not dependent on me, but on you, Uncle, and my elder brothers and sisters, and younger brothers!"
Having said this, Zhuge Liang stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze falling on a crudely drawn map of the Thirteen Provinces of Han hanging in the center of the hall.
"Look here, as I survey this map, I have found several good places... For our Zhuge clan to flourish, Uncle, elder brother, elder sisters, and younger brothers must follow my advice and seek refuge in these places respectively!"
At this point, Zhuge Liang paused.
"Firstly, the Central Plains and the Northern Territories. The situation is currently unclear. Yuan Shao, Gongsun Zan, Cao Cao, and Yuan Shu are bound to fight. Who will emerge victorious is impossible to predict. Therefore, Uncle and younger brother Dan can lie low here and wait for the opportune moment to serve. Relying on the Zhuge clan's industries, informants, and estates in the Northern Territories, we can develop discreetly, and when the situation changes, we can act accordingly. Once successful, our Zhuge clan will prosper!"
Having spoken, Zhuge Liang cast a deep gaze at Zhuge Xuan and Zhuge Dan, then turned to look at Zhuge Jin.
"Secondly, in the southern territories, Sun Ce exchanged the Imperial Seal for his father's former subordinates. He is now campaigning in Jiangnan, with many generals under his command, the support of the Jiangnan clans, and an abundance of advisors. However, he lacks a strategist who can forge alliances, and this is precisely where elder brother excels. If we seek refuge with Sun Ce, we will surely be entrusted with important tasks!"
Huu...
Zhuge Jin let out a heavy sigh, intending to say something, but ultimately swallowed his words.
Zhuge Liang then turned his head again, looking towards his third brother, Zhuge Jun, and his two elder sisters, Zhuge Ruolan and Zhuge Mengxue!
"Third brother, recently... I heard that in Xiangyang city of Jingzhou, the renowned Mirror Master is recruiting disciples. Although the threshold is somewhat high, since you, younger brother Jun, have studied military strategy and formations with me since childhood, there is still a chance. Younger brother Jun and elder sisters can go to Jingzhou and try to become disciples of the Mirror Master!"
"Furthermore... the Mirror Master has many friends, and there is no shortage of talented young men locally. With the looks and knowledge of the elder sisters, they will surely find good husbands, which will indirectly help younger brother Jun!"
After saying this, Zhuge Liang patted Zhuge Jun's shoulder. "Younger brother Jun, I heard that the Mirror Master has a close friend named Huang Chengyan. His wife is the legitimate eldest daughter of the renowned Cai family of Xiangyang. Cai Mao, who commands the Jingzhou navy, must call her elder sister. And their daughter is named Huang Yueying, the same age as you this year..."
"If there is an opportunity to gain her favor, a childhood sweetheart, and eventually become Huang Chengyan's worthy son-in-law, then your future career in Jingzhou will surely be smooth sailing. If the elder sisters can also lend you a hand, then the Zhuge clan may rise in Jingzhou!"
With his eloquent words, Zhuge Liang arranged everything for his uncles, elder sisters, elder brother, and younger brothers...
The key was that his reasoning was sound, coupled with an extremely clear insight and judgment of the current situation...
It was difficult to imagine that a twelve-year-old boy could possess such meticulousness.
However... Zhuge Liang was the only one he hadn't considered himself!
All the clansmen could see that Zhuge Liang, Zhuge Kongming... he was the key to the prosperity of their Zhuge clan!
He... was he going to sacrifice himself and get caught up in the vortex of Yanzhou?
...
...