The lineage of the Xiong clan was later known as the Zhan Ge clan. Subsequently, the people of Qi mispronounced Zhan Ge as Zhu Ge!
— *Shi Ben*, “Chapter on Clans and Surnames”
When speaking of Zhuge Liang, one must inevitably mention the Zhuge clan.
Indeed, Zhuge is an ancient surname. Zhuge Liang was not originally named Zhuge Liang, but Zhan Ge Liang. It was merely… that the surname was phonetically altered by the people of Qi, thus giving rise to the Zhuge clan.
And among the Zhuge family, there was also a renowned figure—Zhuge Feng!
An official under Emperor Yuan of Han, he was resolute in character. While serving as Sili Xiaowei, he investigated whomever he pleased, revealing their wrongdoings without a trace of leniency!
At that time, common folk, imitating the manner of prominent officials of the era, would say… “Why haven’t I seen you in so long? Ah, don’t even mention it, I was summoned for tea by Lord Zhuge Feng.”
It is said… following the course of history, Cao Cao never offered a single word of evaluation for Zhuge Liang. However, for this Zhuge Feng, Cao Cao did not spare his praise.
“The people under my command dare to harbor ill intentions precisely because there is no one like Zhuge Feng, who can perceive treachery and curb crime!”
And historically, when Xu Shu recommended Zhuge Liang to Liu Bei, he introduced him thus.
“This man is from Yangdu, Langya. His surname is Zhuge, his given name is Liang, and his courtesy name is Kongming. He is a descendant of Zhuge Feng, the Sili Xiaowei of Han!”
From this, one can see how far-reaching Zhuge Feng’s reputation was in his time!
Historically, Zhuge Liang and Emperor Xian of Han, Liu Xie, were born in the same year.
Just as Liu Xie was the second child of the imperial family, Zhuge Liang was also the second child. Both lost their mothers in childhood, and as toddlers, both lost their fathers in their youth. Then, both lived to be fifty-three years old before their spirits departed for the heavens. In a way, this was another form of “born together, died together”!
However…
The difference between Zhuge Liang and Liu Xie lay in this.
One handed his entire empire to another, while the other carved out one-third of a vast empire and presented it to his lord.
“Who awakens first from this grand dream? I alone know my life’s path.”
“In my thatched hut, spring sleep is deep; outside the window, the sun lingers long.”
At this moment… Zhuge Liang in his thatched cottage stretched lazily. Seeing Huang Yueying standing by the bedside, her eyes seemed to hold a trace of complex emotion, he immediately asked, “Why such an expression? Is there a vulgar guest arriving?”
Huang Yueying paused for a moment…
“Yes, a vulgar guest has arrived. It is the ‘fake’ Kongming, and also the true ‘Zhuge Jun’!”
Upon hearing this…
Zhuge Liang abruptly got up.
“Jun, my brother, is here? Where is he? Where is he…”
Without time to change clothes, he rushed towards the main hall, his demeanor exceptionally urgent.
…
…
Jing Province, Xiangyang City, a guesthouse.
At two tables, Liu Biao and Liu Bei sat as host and guest, kneeling respectfully…
After three cups of wine…
Liu Biao couldn’t help but sigh, “Xuande, it’s been half a year since we last met, and you’ve actually gained weight! Your presence is full, your form is robust.”
“My Lord…” Liu Bei put down his wine cup. “I am over forty years old, with no merit to my name, no land under my feet, only the flesh on my thighs has grown again!”
Speaking of this, Liu Bei sighed, lamenting, “Mediocre and insignificant, time slips by, and old age is fast approaching!”
“Xuande… you are only in your forties and already lamenting old age approaching. I am nearly sixty, what hope do I have?” Liu Biao also sighed.
In this chaotic era, due to corvée labor and natural disasters, very few men lived to sixty.
One must know that the Han dynasty imposed three types of military service on men. The first was service in the imperial capital, Luoyang, lasting two years!
The second was garrison duty on the frontiers. Although it only required three days, due to inconvenient ancient transportation, the journey back and forth often took more than half a year.
The third was service in local garrisons, one month annually, starting from the age of twenty-three and ending at fifty-six.
Military service, coupled with heavy taxes, almost drained the bodies of men.
Let alone sixty, even fifty was considered a long life!
Of course, in these chaotic times, such military service was not required. But for Liu Bei, a life of unaccomplishment… it was always a source of great displeasure.
“Xuande, I have invited you here today for a matter! I have endured this for many years, it causes me great distress!” Liu Biao deliberately moved a little closer to Liu Bei. “I wish for you to resolve this for me.”
“My Lord, are you referring to Cao Cao’s northern expedition?” Liu Bei asked in return.
“Yes, and no.”
Before Liu Bei could ask again, Liu Biao’s voice continued, “I have two sons. My eldest son, Liu Qi, was born to my former wife. Though kind, he is weak in character and cannot shoulder great responsibility! My younger son, Liu Cong, was born to my current wife. He is intelligent and clever, and I favor him greatly… My wife, Lady Cai, manages the inner affairs of the household, and her brother, Cai Mao, is also the Grand General of Jing Province. These two have repeatedly advised me to depose the elder and install the younger, which places me in a difficult dilemma!”
This…
Upon hearing this, Liu Bei’s brow furrowed deeply. “My Lord, have you forgotten why Cao Cao was able to break through the Yellow River, that natural chasm, to launch his campaign against Yuan?”
“Was it not because Yuan Shao deposed the elder and installed the younger, causing strife within his own walls, turning the Yuan brothers against each other? This perfectly played into Lu Ziyu’s strategy of attacking the mind! It caused the defenses along the northern Yellow River to collapse instantly. My Lord… forgive my bluntness! Deposing the elder and installing the younger has, since ancient times, been a path to disaster! Moreover, you yourself have said that Liu Qi is virtuous!”
As he spoke…
“Tap, tap…”
Two maids, with brisk steps, carried in two pots of wine. This wine was a recently procured strong spirit from the Imperial Academy of Xudu, which Liu Biao particularly favored.
After placing the wine and pouring for both Liu Bei and Liu Biao, the two maids gracefully departed…
However, one of the maids glanced back at Liu Bei.
Liu Bei noticed this detail.
After the maids had left…
Liu Biao took a sip of wine and sighed, “Alas.” He sighed again. “Brother Xuande, even if I intend to install Liu Qi, the Cai clan is a prominent family in Jing Province, with great influence and strength. If they are unwilling, I fear brothers will turn against each other, and disaster will befall us!”
At this point in the conversation…
Liu Bei dared not say more. He raised his wine cup. “My Lord, today is the Double Ninth Festival, a time to ascend heights and gaze afar… Moreover, my Lord is in his prime. Why speak of such things? I wish your household harmony and Jing Province peace and prosperity!”
…
…
Outside Jing Province, in a thatched cottage.
At a table, Zhuge Liang and Zhuge Jun sat on opposite sides. Zhuge Liang observed Zhuge Jun, and Zhuge Jun also observed Zhuge Liang.
It had been nearly ten years since their last meeting; they missed each other dearly!
Zhuge Liang appeared exceptionally excited.
“Jun, my brother, these past years, my name ‘Kongming’ has resounded throughout the Nine Provinces. As I have been dwelling in this thatched cottage, I have at times felt ashamed of myself!”
Zhuge Liang spoke first…
Zhuge Jun smiled faintly, “Brother, how have you been these years? Upon arriving at this Nanyang harbor, I heard that the renowned scholar of Jingxiang, Pang Degong, called you ‘Sleeping Dragon,’ Mr. Sima Hui ‘Mirror Water,’ and his own nephew Pang Tong ‘Fledgling Phoenix.’ This shows that you have not merely been sleeping in this humble abode all these years!”
Mature, dignified, steady!
This was Zhuge Liang’s most direct impression of Zhuge Jun. He had grown up… no longer the child who always sought his elder brother’s counsel.
Especially his eyes, they were remarkably deep, as if he understood and perceived everything.
Surely, Jun, my brother, has benefited greatly from being with Master Yinlin these years!
“Hahaha…”
Zhuge Liang laughed, “Jun, you jest. What Sleeping Dragon? It is merely Pang Degong’s kind praise. In this chaotic era, I till the fields, preserving my life in turbulent times, seeking no renown among the lords. This Sleeping Dragon actually means a lazy dragon, hahaha!”
Hmm…
Upon hearing this, Zhuge Jun did not reply immediately but paused.
He looked around the surroundings…
“Those two wooden yellow dogs outside the courtyard are likely the creations of my sister-in-law, aren’t they?”
Zhuge Jun excelled in “woodworking” among the various crafts. Upon entering the courtyard and seeing these “wooden yellow dogs,” he felt quite astonished. After asking a young attendant, he learned that these were the creations of the Sleeping Dragon’s wife, Huang Yueying.
However…
Upon hearing Zhuge Jun say this, Zhuge Liang was slightly surprised.
Such lifelike “wooden dogs” were recognized at a glance by Jun, my brother?
One must know that when Zhuge Liang first visited Huang Chengyan’s home, there was an amusing anecdote…
On that occasion, upon first entering Jingxiang, Zhuge Liang was invited to the Huang residence. To his surprise, the second gate was closed. Zhuge Liang curiously knocked twice, and the door opened… only to reveal two dogs.
One was ink-black, and the other was as white as snow. They barked and leaped towards him.
Zhuge Liang wanted to retreat but couldn’t open the door. The two dogs leaped up and down, making him frantic as he tried to fend them off.
At this moment, a woman ran out from inside, slapped the dogs on their foreheads, and they immediately crouched on the ground, motionless. He then twisted the ears of the two dogs, and they ran back behind the flower bed.
Zhuge Liang found it peculiar and followed, only to discover that the dogs were made of wood, with dog skins sewn onto the outside.
He quickly asked a maid who had made them. The maid smiled and ran away.
And this maid was his current wife, Huang Yueying. These two wooden dogs were naturally her creations as well.
And in the Huang residence, there were not only wooden dogs but also wooden tigers. This craftsmanship… Huang Yueying’s talent was no less than Zhuge Jun’s. In fact, her woodworking was so lifelike it could deceive reality.
“Indeed…” Zhuge Liang said, “Jun, my brother, you are also skilled in woodworking, so you naturally recognized these wooden dogs at a glance. It is I who has made a fuss over nothing.”
“Brother…” Zhuge Jun spoke his mind directly. “The purpose of my visit this time, brother, you can likely guess!”
Zhuge Jun had not finished his sentence…
Zhuge Liang’s eyes narrowed sharply. He waved his hand. “I have made many close friends in this Nanyang harbor, one of whom is named Cui Zhouping, a renowned scholar from Boling. I always discuss current affairs with him on rocks in the forest, and he always advises me to live peacefully. The great trend of the world is that long periods of order give rise to chaos, and long periods of chaos lead to order.”
“Now the Han dynasty has enjoyed peace for a long time and has reached a time of unrest. Why should one enter officialdom to mediate between heaven and earth, to mend the universe, and waste one’s energy? Those who follow Heaven’s will live more easily, while those who go against the tide live laboriously! Jun, my brother, what do you think of Cui Zhouping’s words?”
Heh…
Zhuge Jun’s eyes suddenly opened wide. He had also believed in fate, thinking that… their Zhuge clan’s escape from Langya, their scattering and flight, all of it was fate.
But now, he no longer felt that way. The longer he followed Master Lu Yu, the more he could directly feel four words:
— Man can conquer Heaven!
“Hahaha…” Zhuge Jun laughed. After a hearty laugh, he shook his head, his eyes looking at Zhuge Liang again. “Brother, to preserve one’s life in turbulent times, this is not the path you have chosen!”
Hmm…
Zhuge Liang also raised his gaze.
Zhuge Jun’s voice continued, “Before I came here, Master Lu told me that Kongming would surely use ‘seeking no renown among the lords’ as an excuse. But Master Lu is adept at probing hearts. Even without having met brother, he already understands brother’s aspirations.”
“Aspirations?” Zhuge Liang repeated the words…
“That’s right.” Zhuge Jun nodded. “In the past, when our brothers parted ways in Langya, Uncle Zhuge Xuan took Cousin Zhuge Yan north, Elder Brother Zhuge Jin took his stepmother south to Jiangdong, and my second brother brought two elder sisters to seek refuge here in Jing Province… But today, my second brother has been deeply cultivating for years, strategizing and planning. He is waiting for the right moment to soar!”
Many have suggested that since the three Zhuge brothers served three different factions, why did they not fight side by side?
In truth…
This is the way of survival for a clan. For a clan to endure, it cannot bet on a single offspring. Otherwise, if all are annihilated, the clan is finished.
By scattering, at least some embers can be preserved, and these embers can later ignite a blazing fire.
In this regard, ancient times differ from later eras.
Later generations place particular importance on individual destiny, while ancient people subtly tied their destinies to the chariot of their clan. Faced with the surging currents of the times, members of a clan must band together!
Of course… this is not the important part.
What is important is:
— Wait for the right moment to soar!
Zhuge Liang did not interrupt but narrowed his eyes, listening carefully to Zhuge Jun’s words.
“Before coming to Jing Province, Master Lu told me that when brother sought refuge in Jing Province in the past, the situation in Jing Province was dominated by five great families: the Pang, Xi, Huang, Kuai, and Cai clans!”
“The Pang clan is led by Pang Degong, the Kuai clan by the brothers Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue, the Huang family by Huang Chengyan, the Xi family by Xi Zhen, Xi Xun, and Xi Zhu, and the Cai family by Cai Feng!”
Speaking of this, Zhuge Jun paused. “Brother masterfully arranged for Eldest Sister to marry the son of the Kuai family, Kuai Qi, Second Sister to marry Pang Degong’s eldest son, Pang Shanmin, and brother himself married Huang Yueying, the daughter of Huang Chengyan. Furthermore, Huang Yueying is the granddaughter of Cai Feng of the Cai family! Four of the five great families are closely related to brother!”
Zhuge Jun spoke fluently and logically.
In reality…
It was not four families; the Xi clan of Jing Province also had a close relationship with Zhuge Liang.
One must know that Pang’s eldest son, Pang Anmin, married Zhuge Liang’s second sister, while Pang’s second son married a daughter of the Xi clan of Jing Province. Thus, Zhuge Liang’s second sister and the Xi clan were sisters-in-law.
Considering this, Zhuge Liang had intricate connections with all five great families of Jingxiang.
“It is for this reason that Pang Degong would ‘critically appraise’ brother, calling him the Sleeping Dragon, and Sima Hui would strongly recommend him. Thus, how can brother be said to be merely tilling the fields? Even saying he ‘walked in brocade at night with a sword’ would not be an exaggeration. He was merely patiently awaiting a wise lord!”
Zhuge Jun was correct…
Given Zhuge Liang’s background and political capital, how could he have lived so peacefully and contentedly?
Whether it was preserving life in turbulent times!
Or seeking no renown among the lords!
These were all means to increase his value!
It was a case of “waiting to be sold at a good price”!
Hiss…
Upon hearing Zhuge Jun’s words, Zhuge Liang’s eyes narrowed. He instinctively felt a tremor in his heart.
Even though he had some understanding of this “Lu Ziyu,” who was skilled in attacking the mind, to have his actions and inner thoughts so nakedly described… if such a person were an opponent, it would be truly terrifying!
Whoosh…
He let out a long breath.
Zhuge Liang asked, “Are these truly what Lu Ziyu said?”
“If not my Master? Who else could it be?” Zhuge Jun’s eyes widened, and he spoke again, “Master Lu also knows that brother has developed the habit of reading the *Zuo Zhuan* over the years!”
“He said that brother is extremely enthusiastic about and advocates for the ‘people-centric’ philosophy in the *Zuo Zhuan*. If not for the constraints of the times, Master would want to come south and discuss the *Zuo Zhuan* with brother in detail, discussing the ‘When a state is about to prosper, it heeds the people’!”
Huo…
If the previous “waiting to be sold at a good price” was nothing significant!
But… when *Zuo Zhuan*, “people-centric,” and “When a state is about to prosper, it heeds the people” were uttered.
Beneath Zhuge Liang’s calm exterior, his heart was in turmoil, churning with waves.
He had a feeling that even though he had been in Longzhong all these years… his inner state had not escaped the scrutiny of that Hidden Dragon.
— How terrifying, that Hidden Dragon!
— How terrifying, the art of prying into hearts!
Of course…
As for Lu Yu proposing the *Zuo Zhuan*, it was a deduction made by later generations based on Zhuge Liang’s actions.
Just as Guan Yu loved reading the *Spring and Autumn Annals*, Zhuge Liang loved reading the *Zuo Zhuan*. The *Zuo Zhuan* uses the history of the state of Lu as a thread, recording important historical events of the various states during the Spring and Autumn period.
It particularly focuses on the political, military, economic, legal, diplomatic, cultural, calendrical, astronomical, and customs of the various feudal states.
All of these benefited Zhuge Liang greatly.
Other aspects, such as the ideology of “people as the foundation” and “rule of law,” influenced Zhuge Liang. When governing Shu, he paid particular attention to conforming to public sentiment and benefiting the people. His pronouncements such as “The governance of a sage is to make the people reside peacefully and enjoy their occupations” and “A ruler does not reward private labor nor punish private revenge” were all influenced by the *Zuo Zhuan*.
The *Zuo Zhuan* also emphasizes the important role of talent. When governing Shu, Zhuge Liang also paid special attention to the employment and cultivation of talent, as evidenced by his statement “The way to govern a state is to earnestly promote the worthy.”
Furthermore, the *Zuo Zhuan* contains military ideas, such as “When the army marches out, it must have discipline; losing discipline brings ill fortune,” “An army without training is no match for one, but one that is trained and employed can withstand a hundred!” and “Lead by example, then others will follow, and the soldiers will all be brave!”
These also had a significant impact on the military system Zhuge Liang established in his mind.
There was also Wei Wengong’s agricultural thought of “emphasizing talent and nurturing agriculture, facilitating commerce and benefiting crafts”;
The diplomatic thought of “being close to benevolent neighbors is a treasure of the state,” and “the teeth and the mouth aid each other; if the lips are gone, the teeth are cold”;
And examples of powerful rhetoric, such as “Zhu Zhiwu Repelled the Qin Army” and “Minister Lu Refused Qin,” all had a profound impact on Zhuge Liang.
This is why he persisted in forming an alliance with the state of Wu to resist Cao Wei.
This is why he could eloquently debate with scholars, and his skill in rhetoric was astonishing!
Of course… Zhuge Liang never revealed the knowledge he gained from the *Zuo Zhuan*, yet it was relayed by Zhuge Jun, word for word.
This made him have infinite complex emotions towards Lu Yu.
To probe hearts and attack minds, how terrifying it truly was!
…
…
Xudu City, School Office.
“Is there any news from Zhuge Jun?” Lu Yu entered the School Office and asked this first…
“Not yet,” Guo Jia replied truthfully, putting down the document in his hand.
Seeing Lu Yu’s rather solemn expression, Guo Jia added, “Ziyu, you seem very interested in this ‘true’ Kongming? You were like this before, and you are still like this today… Could this person possess talents to govern the world?”
“You’ve hit the nail on the head,” Lu Yu said gravely. “This person… others compare him to Guan Zhong and Yue Yi!”
Huo…
Upon hearing this, Guo Jia’s eyes narrowed, and he sighed, “Guan Zhong and Yue Yi’s fame and achievements span the universe. Ziyu, comparing this person to them, might be a bit excessive?”
“Hahaha…”
Hearing this, Lu Yu laughed and shook his head. “This is just the beginning. If Fengxiao wants to hear, shall I tell you a few folk legends about him?”
Hmm…
Folk legends?
Guo Jia’s interest was immediately piqued.
Of course, he did not know that later generations would deify Zhuge Liang to such an extent. Lu Yu alone knew of no less than a hundred legends.
However…
In many of these legends, the direction was clear.
From Mr. Sima Hui, the Mirror Water, Zhuge Liang learned the art of strategy and diplomacy.
From his father-in-law, Huang Chengyan, Zhuge Liang learned array formations and military tactics.
From the common saying “There are no great generals in Shu; Liao Hua serves as the vanguard,” Zhuge Liang learned stratagems for dealing with various emergencies, including the Empty Fort Strategy, from Liao Hua’s grandfather, ‘Liao Jiugong.’
From Pang Degong, he received the name “Sleeping Dragon.”
So… the question arises.
What did he learn and master from Huang Yueying?
…
…