Yuan Shao, the father of Fanghua in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 513 Incident in Nanyang
Lu Xun was dealing with paperwork. When he was tired, he looked up and saw piles of bamboo slips piled up in front of him. Even with his high efficiency, it was still quite tiring.

Now more than a month has passed. Tian Yu returned to Youzhou by boat and took the document written by Yuan Xi to the Chanyu of the Southern Xiongnu to discuss mutual trade and cooperation with the Southern Xiongnu.

Before that, Tian Yu and Lu Xun handed over the training and placement of Guan Yu's secret agents, and left dozens of capable men to assist Lu Xun. Lu Xun gradually discovered that his sworn brother named Fierce Tiger was not as he seemed. So simple.

From Youzhou to Qingzhou, from Jizhou to Xuzhou, it doesn't matter if it's from his own territory, Yuan Xi has a secret expenditure every year, and secretly raises a group of dead men in remote villages and towns that are not eye-catching.

The location and number of these people are extremely secret. Only a few people know that each location is controlled by a leader who hides his identity and is responsible for coordinating subordinates, training martial arts, and collecting and sending out intelligence.

And the most important thing is that once needed, a team can be immediately organized to complete the delivery order, even for extremely dangerous tasks.

Lu Xun thought that when Yuan Shao was young, he was criticized as a man who raised the dead, and he thought to himself that this son of the Yuan family is really two-faced.

The Yuan family governed the territory with benevolence and righteousness, but raising scholars was obviously criticized. But in fact, what the nobles and princes in the world did secretly were similar, and no one would be so stupid as to be pregnant with a wife like Duke Xianggang of Song Dynasty. Human kindness, after all, the world is fighting, and those who have no means will be out of the game long ago.

Lu Xun found it difficult to understand Yuan Xi. He seemed to be standing with everyone, but also seemed to be far away from everyone.

As a nobleman, he often thinks about things from a commoner's point of view. Sometimes his actions are not noble at all, but in many major decisions, he has the legacy of ancient times.

Lu Xun found this very interesting. It had been almost a year since he came here, and the things he encountered every day refreshed his understanding, making him feel that his decision to leave Jiangdong was really the right one.

Helping take care of the family in Jiangdong is not as interesting as now, where every move can change the situation in the world.

There was a light knock on the door, and Lu Xun said casually, "Come in."

He looked up and saw Mrs. Liu coming in with a tea tray. She stood up and said, "Thank you for your hard work, madam."

Ms. Liu still wore a filial piety on her head and whispered: "No, it's the husband who does the hard work."

Seeing that there was still a bit of worry on her face, Lu Xun knew that she was worried about Liu Bei's safety, so he comforted him: "Don't worry, Liu Yuzhou is not an ordinary person, not to mention there are guards beside him, he should be fine."

"When I get the news, I will tell you right away."

After hearing this, Mrs. Liu relaxed her brows and said in a low voice, "I'm sorry to bother you, husband."

Lu Xun watched Mrs. Liu go out, thinking that the world is really strange. Before he left Yangzhou and crossed the river with Tai Shici, he never would have thought that in just one year, he would not only become the foster brother of Zhou Mu , and also became the son-in-law of another Zhou Mu.

Thinking of the rumors about Yuan Xi, the biggest secret in Lu Xun's mind was whether the stargazing technique really existed, right?
In addition to Lu Xun, there were several other people who were thinking about this issue at the same time.

Jingzhou, Nanyang.

Four friends Xu Shu, Shi Tao, Meng Jian, and Zhuge Liang were sitting in front of the thatched hut, looking at the fresh greenery all over the mountain, making tea and sitting and discussing contentedly.

Meng Jian said: "These days, the world is in a state of rapid change."

"I thought Nanyang was going to be attacked by war, but unexpectedly it didn't start. Instead, Xuzhou was in chaos first."

Shi Tao squatted beside the stove, poking the charcoal fire under the stove with a branch, and replied: "Indeed, I thought Liu Jingsheng and Zhang Xiu would fight, but Zhang Xiu was surprisingly honest, so he settled down."

"I thought Cao Cao would try to plot Nanyang, but he went to attack Xuzhou again. How many times has this been? It can be seen that he is really bound to win Xuzhou."

"What's even more unexpected is that when I heard that Marquis Wen was leading troops to attack Yingchuan, Zhang Xiu actually led his troops to help him and attacked Yuan Shu together."

Xu Shu sighed and said: "Yuan Shu established himself, and those in the world who have the ambition to prosper the Han Dynasty will naturally attack him together."

"But Liu Jingsheng did not send troops, which was really unexpected."

"Is it possible that his ambition is just stuck in Jingzhou and he no longer wants to make progress?"

While Xu Shu was talking, Shi Tao and Meng Jian secretly looked at Zhuge Liang. Seeing this, Zhuge Liang said, "Brothers, don't worry so much."

"I haven't decided yet."

Everyone suddenly burst into laughter, "Kong Ming, you are getting an advantage and still behave like a good boy."

"Do you know that if you become Mr. Huang's son-in-law and become relatives with Mr. Cai, you will become a family with Liu Jingsheng."

"With this step to reach the sky, you can show your talents, aren't you satisfied?"

Zhuge Liang couldn't help but show a bit of embarrassment in the face of everyone's teasing. He shook his head and sighed: "Compared with the world's capable people, Liang is far less talented and less knowledgeable. He is far behind. He hastily become an official, and it will only cause harm." people."

"These past few discussions on the general trend of the world have proven afterwards that Liang's predictions were full of errors and fallacies. How can Liang be so shameless as to praise himself?"

Everyone looked at each other, and Meng Jian spoke up: "Kong Ming is belittling himself. Changes in the world have their own secrets. Who can see it so accurately?"

"Kong Ming doesn't dislike Miss Huang's appearance, does he?"

Zhuge Liang blushed instantly and argued: "How can this happen!"

"Don't talk nonsense!"

When everyone heard this, they laughed loudly again.

A few days ago, everyone got acquainted with Huang Chengyan, a famous scholar who visited Nanyang. He was the son-in-law of Cai Xi, a master of Nanjun County. He first made friends with Xu Shu, and then made three other friends under Xu Shu's introduction.After Huang Chengyan met Zhuge Liang, after some conversation, he admired his appearance and talents very much, and proposed that he want to marry his daughter to Zhuge Liang.

When the four friends heard this, they were all happy for Zhuge Liang, because in this way, Zhuge Liang could establish a relationship with Liu Biao, and it would be easy for him to become an official.

Because Cai Xi had two daughters, the eldest daughter married Huang Chengyan and the second daughter married Liu Biao. If Zhuge Liang became Huang Chengyan's son-in-law, his career in Jingzhou would be smooth sailing in the future.

But everyone secretly felt that Huang Chengyan was attracted to Zhuge Liang because of his appearance rather than his talent. Because at this age, Zhuge Liang was already a rare handsome man. Among the people from the family, no one could even compare to Zhuge Liang. Looking at the world, it is also rare.

However, Zhuge Liang did not reply immediately at that time. He only said that he would report it to the elders in the family and postponed the matter for the time being. At that time, everyone thought that Zhuge Liang was thin-skinned, so they made fun of the matter again today.

Unexpectedly, Zhuge Liang said seriously: "Not to mention that Liang has no intention of becoming an official. Even if he wants to join the Ming Dynasty, there is no need to choose Jingzhou."

After hearing this, everyone was surprised and asked, "Kong Ming actually had such an idea?"

Xu Shu spoke up: "Does Kong Ming feel that Liu Jingsheng is not enterprising and cannot help the Han Dynasty?"

Zhuge Liang sighed: "This is just one of the reasons."

"The most important thing is that Liang feels that he is far from the best counselor in the world."

"Let's just talk about what happened recently. Cao Mengde and Yuan Xianyi were fighting each other. The counselors under their command each used their own abilities. They were really powerful."

"Especially Lu Boyan, who was under Yuan Xuzhou, is said to have been able to stand alone and led troops to repel Cao's army several times, causing great losses to his advisers."

"I heard that Lu Boyan is two years younger than me, but he is already famous all over the world. In comparison, Liang is just a village boy who has accomplished nothing."

After hearing this, everyone looked at each other in confusion. Meng Jian comforted him: "Kong Ming is a great talent. Others don't know about it, but we don't know about it?"

"Kong Ming just lacks an opportunity. Now that this opportunity is right in front of him, why hesitate?"

"Or does Kong Ming feel that Jingzhou is not a place where you can display your talents?"

Kong Ming was silent and shook his head.

Xu Shu saw this and said, "Kong Ming really wants to reject Huang Gong?"

"But with Kong Ming's appearance, Huang Gong's daughter is indeed..."

Because when Huang Chengyan mentioned the matter of betrothal to his daughter, all four friends were present. At that time, Huang Chengyan said, "I heard that when you choose a wife, you will find an ugly girl with yellow hair and black hair, so she is worthy of her."

The meaning is very simple, that is, the appearance is not worthy of Kong Ming, but the talent is commensurate.

However, when a woman gets married, appearance comes first, followed by talent and learning, so everyone feels that Zhuge Liang's reluctance is understandable.

After hearing what Xu Shu said, Zhuge Liang shook his head and said, "That's not the problem."

"Liang really feels that he lacks a lot of knowledge. He used to work behind closed doors and boast in vain."

"Especially in these few battles, from Anyi to Huaicheng, and then to Xuzhou, Liang Fang was able to conquer the world and there was someone beyond everyone."

"Liang is very envious. That Lu Boyan has the guidance of an expert."

After everyone listened, they realized that Zhuge Liang was serious. Shi Tao smiled bitterly and said: "Kong Ming's talents are already far beyond ours. How can it be so easy in the world to go to an expert for advice?"

Xu Shu saw Zhuge Liang's bright expression and thought, "I heard that the ferocious tiger has an expert who is good at stargazing. Is Kong Ming very interested in this?"

After hearing this, Zhuge Liang said: "Originally, I thought that the art of stargazing was illusory, but Yuan Shijun's recent battles seemed to predict the future. Liang couldn't help but wonder, is there really anyone in this world who can predict the future?"

"It's a pity that there are frequent wars there, so we can't go there for the time being. Otherwise, Liang would be very interested in going to find out what's going on."

After hearing this, Shi Tao and Meng Jian discussed the war in Xuzhou, but Xu Shu hesitated.

He had a good relationship with Huang Chengyan and thought that his proposal for marriage was a sure thing. However, looking at Zhuge Liang's reaction, it seemed that he was not very optimistic about the marriage and was even thinking of leaving Nanyang.

Should you go talk to Huang Gong and see if the matter can be saved?

In Xuzhou Haixi, Jushou watched Yuan Xi draw dots on the map. Those places were all in Yuzhou and within the sphere of influence controlled by Yuan Shu. Jushou could only see what was special about these places.

He couldn't help but ask: "What's the secret of these places?"

"Is it related to the fact that the young master has delayed sending troops?"

Yuan Xi raised his head and said, "Sir, you are awesome."

"I'm definitely waiting for things to turn around."

"Now this opportunity is coming soon."

(End of this chapter)