Huang Yueying had a significant influence on Zhuge Liang. This was not simply about her teaching him the Repeating Crossbow, Repeating Shot, and various crafts, but more about her identity.
Huang Yueying was the eldest daughter of Cai Feng. Her younger sister married Liu Biao as his second wife, and these two sisters had the renowned general Cai Mao as their brother! Cai Feng's sister was married to the former Grand Commandant Zhang Wen. It was no exaggeration to say that Zhuge Liang could call Cai Mao his uncle and Liu Biao his brother-in-law! Through these connections, Zhuge Liang had intimate relationships with the powerful officials, warlords, and famous generals of the time. This was the most direct benefit Huang Yueying brought him!
Speaking of which, it was Huang Chengyan who actively married his daughter to Zhuge Liang… “I heard you are choosing a wife, and I have an ugly daughter, with yellow hair and dark skin, but her talent is a worthy match!” This is what his future father-in-law told Zhuge Liang. The meaning was simple: my daughter has yellow hair and dark skin, will you marry her? Who would have thought… Zhuge Liang accepted without hesitation and with a smile! This matter spread like wildfire in Jingxiang, and the common folk circulated the saying: “Don’t be like Zhuge Liang choosing a wife, you’ll end up with Cheng’s ugly daughter!”
In reality, Huang Yueying was not ugly and was considered a standard beauty. It was only because the girls in the village were jealous of her that the rumor of her ugliness spread. Huang Yueying also wanted to use this to observe Zhuge Liang. Thus, while studying under Sima Hui, she disguised herself as an ugly woman and had her father propose marriage to Zhuge Liang on her behalf.
On their wedding day, during the wedding night ceremony, Huang Yueying wore a red veil and set three tests. Zhuge Liang passed them all. When he lifted the red veil, he discovered that the birthmarks on Huang Yueying's face were fake, all pasted on. Before him stood a beauty! It was from this incident that the tradition of using a red veil for weddings began in later generations.
As his wife was honest with him, Zhuge Liang was also honest, truthfully informing her that he was not “Zhuge Jun.” The next day, almost all the prominent families in Jingxiang knew about it. Of course… Lu Yu was not telling Guo Jia these things, but rather the urban legends that were ten times more fantastical.
“There is a legend among the people…” Lu Yu knelt in the main seat and spoke slowly, “It is said that Zhuge Liang’s first life was ‘Jiang Ziya’. When the gods were conferring titles, the supreme god said his bone structure was too poor to cultivate immortality, so he had to reincarnate as a human.”
“In his second life, he did not become Zhuge Liang, but instead transformed into ‘Little Sun’ Sun Bin, becoming a God of War in the Warring States period. Zhuge Liang is his third life! He became a disciple of Mr. Water Mirror, Sima Hui!”
Hmm… Hearing this, Guo Jia felt a bit dizzy. His eyes widened, feeling it was quite mystical. It seemed Lu Ziyu rarely spoke of someone, especially a young person, in such a fantastical tone.
Lu Yu’s voice continued. “There is also a saying among the people that Sima Hui did not accept Zhuge Liang as a student, but recommended a teacher to him, a person named ‘Feng Jiu’ from Ling Mountain in Runan. He said that Feng Jiu was well-versed in strategy and specifically took him to be introduced.”
“After observation, Feng Jiu found Zhuge Liang to have an excellent disposition, tenacious and eager to learn, so he produced his hidden treasures: ‘The Secret Records of the Three Powers’, ‘Military Strategy Formations’, and ‘Prosperity and Decline of the Void’. He told him to study them carefully.”
At this point, Lu Yu paused. “After Zhuge Liang mastered the profound secrets of the books, Master Feng Jiu told him that the Han dynasty was in decline and asked him to seek out Liu Bei to save the world and the people! Zhuge Liang thought it unreliable, as Liu Bei was too weak compared to Prime Minister Cao, Sun of Jiangdong, and Liu Biao of Xiangyang.”
“But Feng Jiu commented on the helpers around Liu Bei, saying that Guan Yu was the Old Dragon of Xie Liang, Zhang Fei was the Black Leopard of Zhuo Commandery, and later, a Giant Python of Changshan, a Phoenix of Xiangyang, a Tiger Mother of Changsha, a Colt of Xiliang, and a Young Dragon of Tianshui would join him. These were all good helpers, and he told Zhuge Liang not to hesitate! To go for it!”
Lu Yu told this story with great conviction and evidence. This was something he had read from a Yuan Dynasty book called “Xian Jian,” and the story was titled “Zhuge Liang’s Apprenticeship.” Since there were no outsiders in the School Affairs Bureau at this time, Lu Yu narrated these “mythical” stories, allowing Guo Jia to understand something of Wolong.
Of course. If it were according to the story in “Generations of Immortals,” it would be completely different. In this particular story, Zhuge Liang took the initiative to go to Ling Mountain in Runan to study under Feng Jiu. Feng Jiu taught him various Daoist techniques in a hundred days, then sent him down the mountain and recommended another master to him for more profound Daoist arts. This master lived on Mount Wudang and was called the North Pole Heavenly Lord! As a result, when Zhuge Liang arrived at the North Pole Heavenly Lord, the North Pole Heavenly Lord made him wash clothes and cook rice every day. This continued for several years, and Zhuge Liang showed no impatience. Finally, the North Pole Heavenly Lord taught him the most profound Daoist arts. Finally, Zhuge Liang mastered them and descended the mountain. When he looked back, Mount Wudang was gone, so he went to find Feng Jiu, but Ling Mountain was also gone!
Of course… this story was even more fantastical! Lu Yu did not even mention it at all… However, the fact that a person could inspire countless divine and inscrutable stories in later generations was enough to show his extraordinary nature.
“Ziyu? Are you finished?” Unexpectedly, Guo Jia smiled, a very hearty smile… “According to what Ziyu said, Zhuge Liang cultivated for three hundred years before discovering we were in the Great Han? How could he be so divine?”
Lu Yu did not answer… Instead, he pointed to Guo Jia’s side. Guo Jia turned his head, and on the table beside him was a book. Guo Jia glanced back at Lu Yu, seeing him point to this very book, and it seemed he wanted him to read it. Guo Jia picked up the book, and the title was the striking three characters, “On the Philosophers”! He pondered that Lu Yu had specifically pointed out this book, so there must be something special about it. He opened the first page and began to read carefully…
But as he read, Guo Jia’s eyes suddenly narrowed.
“Laozi excels at cultivating oneself, but cannot handle danger!”
“Shang Yang excels at governing by law, but cannot be used for education!”
“Su and Zhang excel at eloquent speech, but cannot forge alliances!”
“Bai Qi excels at attacking and conquering, but cannot manage the masses; Wu Zixu excels at strategizing against enemies, but cannot plan for himself!”
…
Uh… Guo Jia’s eyes gradually opened. The last time he saw such insightful writing was Chen Lin’s “Proclamation Against the Usurper,” and that sentence, “Extraordinary people lead to extraordinary deeds, extraordinary deeds lead to extraordinary merits!”
Huo… Guo Jia couldn't help but pound the table. “Ziyu? Is this your new work?” In his opinion… only Lu Yu could write such incisive, bold, and even somewhat arrogant essays. As for the content of these essays, to put it simply… it meant that Laozi’s Daoist teachings were good for daily self-cultivation, but when facing danger, they were useless. One could only hide, and if one couldn't hide, one would die! Shang Yang’s Legalist teachings could provide people with laws to follow, laws to enforce strictly, and strict enforcement, but when it came to educating the populace, it was too rigid and inflexible, not good! Su Qin and Zhang Yi had eloquent tongues and were good at debate. Such people were adept at persuading others to defect, but not conducive to people honoring their oaths after forming alliances. Bai Qi repeatedly won battles and could capture cities and conquer lands, but he could not govern and pacify the people! Wu Zixu was skilled at plotting against enemies but did not understand self-preservation… And the ending about meeting someone under a bridge and encountering heavy rain, holding onto a bridge pillar and refusing to leave, preferring to be washed away by the flood. Such a person was good at keeping promises, but wasn't this a fool seeking death? Wang Jia would be fine if he encountered a wise lord, but if he encountered a narrow-minded master, he would have no chance. Xu Shao, Xu Zijiang of the Rinan Yuèdān Píng, evaluated people accurately and objectively, but this would only lead people to fight and resent each other, even to kill each other! Therefore, one must use people for their strengths and learn from their essence, not indiscriminately, nor with prejudice. Whatever, whoever, whatever thing, one must pick what can be used for oneself. This is the way to employ people and manage the world.
No wonder Guo Jia was certain that this “On the Philosophers” was written by Lu Yu… Besides him, who else would dare to criticize the sages of past dynasties? This was too bold! Too arrogant. However…
“Fengxiao, this ‘On the Philosophers’ was not written by me, but by Zhuge Kongming himself! I privately sent people from the School Affairs Bureau to copy this volume in Xiangyang.” Speaking of which, Lu Yu narrowed his eyes. “Now, Fengxiao, what do you think of Zhuge Kongming?”
“A talent for governing the world!” Guo Jia immediately recited. But… after a brief moment of surprise, Guo Jia shook his head. How sharp he was! How could he not understand… The more such a world-governing talent had, the higher their ambitions, and how could they be recruited so easily?
“Ziyu, if I may be so bold, this kind of talent is unlikely to be invited with just one trip!” Guo Jia warned. “Your trip south this time is likely to end in disappointment.”
Lu Yu nodded, agreeing with Guo Jia’s words. “Even three trips might not be enough.” It was obvious that Zhuge Liang had built such a large network, established intricate connections with the five great noble families of Jingxiang, Pang Degong called him “Wolong,” Water Mirror helped him fabricate stories… all the major families were supporting him! Currently, Zhuge Liang’s reputation, to put it fashionably, made him the most sought-after among the scholars in the Jingxiang region. His price had already been driven up. Next, it would naturally be further increased, such as the “Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage.” Not only did he need to choose a favored lord, but upon leaving the thatched cottage, he had to secure the most core position! And these… were things that Cao’s camp could not provide him! If Zhuge Liang joined Cao’s camp, his value would plummet to the bottom! His position could not be higher than that of the scholars from Yingchuan, and his Langya Zhuge clan would not be able to enter the circle of Yingchuan scholars, destined to be excluded and suppressed! Zhuge Liang, with his pride and arrogance, how could he go there? As for Sun of Jiangdong, it was the same. Jiangdong was divided into two factions: local gentry and officials and military men from Huai and Si. Whichever faction Zhuge Liang joined, his status and position would not be among the top. He had to choose a potential stock, one with great development space, formidable generals, but very few strategists, so that Zhuge Liang could soar like a dragon and be treasured. He also needed a good reputation and a less competitive internal environment, as such a relaxed atmosphere would be more conducive to his development. That was why… from the moment Lu Yu sent Zhuge Jun south, he knew that Zhuge Jun could not persuade his elder brother to go north. And Zhuge Jun’s purpose for this trip, or rather Lu Yu’s purpose… Haha! Since… you will not come to me willingly, then fine, I will have your brother ‘subdue’ you, making your so-called ‘pride’ disappear completely. From this perspective, Zhuge Jun’s trip was less about recruiting his elder brother and more about… declaring war on his elder brother!
…
…
Fifty li outside Xudu City, a troop of a hundred Hu cavalry set up their tents. They were a wedding procession, with the Left Virtuous King personally coming to escort the legendary eldest daughter of the Cao family, in exchange for peace between the Xiongnu and the Han! In the mountain hollow, rows of white tents had been formed. Their horse troop was not allowed to enter Xudu City, so… this was their temporary home. Outside the tents… bonfires blazed, and the Xiongnu soldiers, having dismounted and taken off their armor, sat around the fires. Whole fat sheep were placed on these burning bonfires. Soon, as the oil sizzled and crackled in the flames, the fat sheep were cooked, and the air was filled with the scent of mutton and roasted meat. The Xiongnu soldiers began their dinner, tearing into roasted meat, picking up wine skins, and guzzling fermented mare’s milk. Some sang Xiongnu songs as they ate. As the night grew deeper, for the Xiongnu soldiers outside, who were full and drunk, the tents seemed superfluous, as not a single person thought of resting inside. They lay on the ground by the bonfires, and with the day’s fatigue, they entered a deep sleep!
“See?” At this moment, a clear voice came from the nearby jungle. The speaker was Zhao Yun, and beside him were not only the Dragon Cavalry guards but also He Yan.
“I see it clearly.” He Yan nodded…
“In the frontier, this is the life of the Hu people. Can you adapt to it?” Zhao Yun asked with concern. Zhao Yun had dealt with the Wuhuan people for several years when he joined the White Horse Volunteers! He understood these customs of the Xiongnu. However… He Yan was the descendant of the Great General He Jin and had been pampered since childhood. Even disguised as a “princess” to marry into the Xiongnu, could he adapt to that environment? An environment where the sky was the cover and the earth was the dwelling!
“It’s fine!” He Yan nodded heavily. “It’s just some customs, and I’ll adapt slowly. However…” He Yan hesitated to speak. Zhao Yun immediately understood. “Are you worried that I won’t be able to impersonate the Left Virtuous King well? That I might be exposed?” He Yan nodded. In the future, he and Zhao Yun would be a team… one would prosper together, and one would suffer together! If anything went wrong, both of them would be in trouble. Therefore, He Yan was genuinely worried about Zhao Yun, worried that he wouldn’t play the part well. “In that case, before we act, I will try to interact with this Left Virtuous King as much as possible, recording his tone, his speech, and his living habits. This will make it easier for you.”
“That would be best!” Zhao Yun nodded. Unexpectedly, at this moment, He Yan directly took off his outer garment…
Uh… Zhao Yun was startled and asked, “What are you doing?”
“Interacting with the Left Virtuous King? I can’t interact with him as a man, can I?” He Yan replied nonchalantly.
“You… Aren’t you afraid of being seen through?” Zhao Yun quickly asked. He Yan did not answer, but changed into the female attire he had prepared long ago. While using the torchlight to groom himself in the bronze mirror, he replied, “General Zilong, do you think… I will be seen through?”
As his words fell… when He Yan turned to look at Zhao Yun, Zhao Yun was stunned. His originally tied-up hair was styled into cascading buns. His face was like jade, long and slightly distant. With a little padding, even as a man, he appeared plump and full, like a full moon. His forehead was wide and bright, making him appear so delicate and noble. His entire body was tall and slender, with graceful curves. This… This… Zhao Yun was dumbfounded. If he hadn't known beforehand that “Cao Mu” was He Yan’s disguise, he would have mistaken the person beside him for an extremely beautiful woman!
“Gulp!” Even the resolute Zhao Yun couldn't help but swallow. It was not just the Left Virtuous King of the Southern Xiongnu who would have his heart stirred; even he, Zhao Zilong of Changshan, felt a bit… his heart pounding! Who could withstand this?
…
…
Jing Province, Wolong Ridge, Nanyang.
In the thatched cottage.
Zhuge Liang gently shook his head. “Jun younger brother, you will most likely be disappointed this trip! I have no intention of joining Cao at the moment! Moreover, Jun younger brother is already in Cao’s camp. If Cao’s camp prospers, the Zhuge clan prospers! Why would I go there?” After casting aside the constraints of family survival, Zhuge Liang’s answer was firm.
“Hoo…” Zhuge Jun exhaled. He seemed to have expected his elder brother to say this. He shook his head helplessly. “As Master Lu predicted, elder brother has no intention of going north!”
“Hmm, even this, your Master Lu predicted it?” Zhuge Liang asked. Zhuge Jun nodded. “Elder brother has set up the current chessboard in Jingxiang, waiting for the so-called ‘benevolent and righteous’ Liu Xuande, right?” Being pointed out his true thoughts, Zhuge Liang remained noncommittal.
Zhuge Jun continued his words. “As the saying goes, ‘goods are sold to those who know their worth’!” “Now that Prime Minister Cao has begun his northern expedition against Yuan, everyone knows that unifying the northern region is only a matter of time. If elder brother joins Cao’s camp now, it would be adding flowers to the brocade, and elder brother’s position could never surpass that of the scholars from Yingchuan! This is the first reason!”
“Secondly, Master Lu once said, ‘In the north there is a beautiful woman, one glance overthrows the city, a second glance overthrows the nation. Does one not know that to overthrow a city or a nation, a beautiful woman cannot be obtained!’ Elder brother, although your reputation has grown, your ambitions will be difficult to fulfill in Cao’s camp. Only this Liu Xuande, who is also nearing a desperate situation! On one hand, he is controlled by Liu Biao, with few soldiers and generals; on the other hand, he lacks strategists. And on the third hand, he desperately needs his second brother, needs the vast net of Jingxiang talents that his second brother has woven! His reliance on his second brother is unparalleled by any warlord under heaven!”
“Elder brother has lived in Jing Province for years, yet he is still well aware of the world’s situation. The School Affairs Bureau investigated, and the Langya Xun clan and Langya Chen clan, which are affiliated with our Langya Zhuge clan, have helped elder brother gather information about Liu Bei’s movements! This is the third reason… Therefore, even though Master has never met elder brother, he can already be sure that elder brother’s favored person is Liu Bei, Liu Xuande!”
Huo… Hearing this, Zhuge Liang suddenly stood up, his hands behind his back. He faced the window and took a deep breath, exclaiming, “Lu Ziyu is truly a divine person!” As Lu Yu had predicted, Zhuge Liang knew Cao’s camp too well. There were as many strategists as clouds; one more or one less would not make a difference! Zhuge Liang, outwardly calm, was inherently proud. He would definitely choose a lord worthy of his dedication, effort, and talent! Looking at the entire world, there was only one such lord candidate!
“Since Lu Ziyu has already foreseen this, why did he send Jun younger brother south? It’s futile, isn’t it?” Zhuge Liang asked back. Zhuge Jun seemed to have been prepared.
“Master sent me here to tell elder brother!” Zhuge Jun’s tone became serious and stern. “The situation is constantly changing. Now, elder brother is unwilling to join the Dragon Cavalry Camp, but it does not mean he will not be willing in the future. If I cannot invite elder brother, Master will order me to defeat elder brother on the battlefield in the future and capture him! Master Lu hopes to emulate Ju Shou and Jia Xu towards elder brother… And this…”
At this point, Zhuge Jun paused. He suddenly looked up, meeting Zhuge Liang’s sharp gaze head-on. “Second brother, when I was young, I always lived in your shadow! In recent years, after leaving your protection, Jun has grown a lot, and I also want to truly contend with second brother, whether on the battlefield or in internal affairs! Let’s test our own depths! And test second brother’s depths!”
Huo… Zhuge Liang’s eyes narrowed tightly. At this moment, the air seemed to congeal. Brothers fighting, each serving their own lord? Heh… First a cold laugh, but then, Zhuge Liang burst into hearty laughter. “Haha, Jun younger brother, I am very pleased to hear your words, elder brother!”
“Indeed, you have grown up. From today onwards, all the fame you earn, elder brother will return to you. From today onwards, you are Zhuge Jun, and I am Zhuge Liang. In the future, on the battlefield, we brothers will decide the victor! Regardless of who wins or loses, our Zhuge clan has won, and we will be the ones to laugh in the end!” With these words, the perspective opened up!
Speaking of this… Zhuge Liang played the zither to entertain. The majestic sound of the zither rose leisurely, like the “Yang Chun San Die,” each note ascending higher, reaching the peak, and still lingering with resonance! Zhuge Jun, however, gritted his teeth, listening to his elder brother’s zither music. He recalled a ballad that his master, Lu Yu, had once sung!
“Why did the Great Sage go forth?”
“To smash the Lingxiao Palace!”
“If he never returns?”
“Then he never returns!”
The ancient road is slow!
On Wolong Ridge, gazing until the sky hangs low!
…
…
(ps: The settings for the Zhuge clan here borrow from the settings of the Langya Zhuge clan in the TV series ‘The Longest Promise.’ For example, Zhuge Liang deliberately waits for Liu Bei! I strongly recommend all viewers to watch the recently popular Three Kingdoms drama ‘The Longest Promise’! After watching it, I felt that the Three Kingdoms could also be written like this?)