Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator.

Noticing Liu Bei's gaze, Li Ji, sensing something, returned it for a moment, then nodded slightly before turning back to Xu You and Guo Tu standing before him.

“Ziyuan, Gongze, long time no see, are you well?”

Guo Tu wore a frosty expression, showing no intention of answering Li Ji.

Xu You, on the other hand, wore a forced smile and said insincerely,

“I have been missing Zikun terribly. Hearing that Zikun had traveled far to Yingzhou, I thought I would never have the chance to see Zikun again in this lifetime.”

Li Ji took out a folding fan from his sleeve, fanned himself with a cool breeze, and smiled.

“Oh? I didn't expect Ziyuan to care so much about me. It truly moves my heart. It seems my efforts weren't in vain when I sent people to search for you everywhere after you suddenly disappeared in Wu County, fearing that Ziyuan had been kidnapped by the Shanyue and taken into the mountains.”

These words caused Xu You's face to contort slightly.

During the Battle of Qiantang River, Xu You realized the situation was dire. While his servant attracted attention outside, he only had time to flee with a sword.

However, to go north from Kuaiji Commandery, one had to pass through Wu Commandery.

Extremely apprehensive, how could Xu You dare to enter Wu Commandery again?

Fearing that he would suffer greatly if he fell into Li Ji's hands.

Going east from Kuaiji Commandery was a vast ocean, so the only route Xu You could choose was to avoid attention, delve deep into the western mountains of Kuaiji Commandery, first flee far to Danyang Commandery, and then go north.

However, even though Xu You was proficient in the Six Arts of a gentleman, traversing the deep mountains and old forests alone was a near-death experience.

He finally managed to cross the mountains, albeit much thinner, and then, with the help of a former Yuan clan official in Kuaiji Commandery, he returned to the Central Plains smoothly.

Therefore, the moment he heard Li Ji's words, Xu You felt that Li Ji, the dog thief, was hinting at him, and this made Xu You recall the fear of unknown insects crawling on his body in the deep mountains.

As for Xu You's livid expression, Li Ji remained calm and gentle, his gaze passing over Xu You and landing on Guo Tu.

Immediately, Li Ji raised his cup and gestured slightly towards Guo Tu.

“Gongze, today is the joyous day when heroes gather to swear an alliance and then march west to讨伐 (tǎo fá, punish/suppress by armed force) Dong Zhuo. Why the long face? Is it because you don't like to smile?”

Upon hearing this, even though Guo Tu kept his mouth tightly shut, he still made a grinding sound with his teeth, his eyes filled with resentment as he looked at Li Ji, and then he said in a deep voice, almost without showing his teeth.

“Those who devise plans for others should remain calm and steady at all times. Excessive frivolity will only lead to mistakes.”

“I see.”

Li Ji wore an expression of sudden realization, then shook his head and cupped his hands, saying,

“It seems I am not as good as Gongze. I was born loving to smile, and seeing my lord receiving courteous treatment from the heroes today fills my heart with joy, making it even harder to suppress my smile. Please forgive me, Gongze.”

The corners of Guo Tu's eyes twitched fiercely as he looked at Li Ji's handsome face and the exposed white teeth, wishing he could knock them all out one by one.

Xu You, seeing Guo Tu's colorful dark expression, suddenly felt much better and laughed, saying.

“Zikun is right. Today is indeed a joyous day, and we should celebrate with smiles.”

Immediately, Guo Tu's face almost completely collapsed, the knuckles of his hand holding the wine cup turning faintly white, barely managing to stop himself from flinging his sleeves and leaving on the spot.

This was because this corner was where the scholars brought by the lords who had come to the alliance had gathered.

Even if he left, unless Guo Tu left the central tent directly, it would only appear quite rude.

Just then, a harsh voice like a duck's quack rang out.

“Although I have long lived in Shu, I also know the name of 'National Scholar'. I didn't expect that upon meeting him, the world-renowned National Scholar would be such a narrow-minded person. Who doesn't know that Yingchuan's Guo Gongze was harmed by bandits, resulting in missing teeth? For the National Scholar to openly ridicule him like this, how is that the behavior of a gentleman?”

As soon as these words came out, regardless of Li Ji's reaction, Guo Tu's composure, which he had barely maintained, completely collapsed, his face turning green and purple. He glared fiercely at the ugly scholar who had openly mocked and exposed his shortcomings, then flung his sleeves and left directly.

However, the ugly scholar seemed unaware that he had angered Guo Tu, or that Guo Tu had left because of his ridicule.

If Li Ji's words were an insinuation, then this ugly scholar was almost贴脸开大 (tiē liǎn kāi dà, literally "open up big right in front of the face", meaning to directly and openly provoke or criticize someone) in front of Guo Tu.

Even if some people didn't know that Guo Tu had lost his teeth, after this ugly scholar publicly announced it in front of the scholars under the various lords, it would probably become common knowledge.

The ugly scholar sneered at this moment and continued to speak to Li Ji.

“Humph, Yingchuan's Guo Gongze can also be considered to have some quick wit. Perhaps he could have been of some help in this campaign to討 (tǎo, punish/suppress by armed force) Dong Zhuo and eliminate the贼 (zéi, thief/bandit), but now he has been squeezed out by the National Scholar. I wonder if the National Scholar has anything to say?”

At this moment, Li Ji turned to look at the ugly and short scholar, and for a moment, he couldn't tell if he was truly of extremely low EQ or deliberately playing a role.

It wasn't until Li Ji saw that he was still glaring at him that Li Ji realized that this scholar was truly of extremely low EQ, completely unaware that if his previous remarks had a killing power of one towards Li Ji, then they had a killing power of a hundred towards Guo Tu, the true victim.

Immediately, Li Ji, without getting angry, asked in a gentle tone.

“I am Li Ji, Li Zikun from Longxi. May I ask who you are?”

Seeing that Li Ji did not despise or speak ill of him because of his ugly appearance, but instead took the initiative to salute, the ugly scholar was slightly stunned and immediately changed his view of Li Ji. He hurriedly straightened his clothes and replied with a serious face, introducing himself.

“I am Zhang Song, Zhang Ziqiao from Shu Commandery.”

（PS: In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Zhang Song's courtesy name is Yongnian, but this is a mistake in the Romance. Historical records state that Zhang Song's courtesy name is Ziqiao.）

Upon hearing this, Li Ji's expression changed slightly, and then he raised his cup towards Zhang Song, inviting him, saying.

“So it is the famous scholar Zhang Ziqiao from Shu. I have long heard that you have the ability to never forget anything you see. It is truly a great honor to meet you today. I will punish myself with three cups for my rudeness just now, and I hope Ziqiao will not mind.”

After saying that, Li Ji drank three cups in a row towards Zhang Song, which greatly moved Zhang Song's heart.

Zhang Song was always inferior because of his mediocre appearance, which led him to sympathize with people who were also ugly, so when he saw that Li Ji's words seemed to despise Guo Tu's shortcomings, he couldn't help but question him.

Unexpectedly, he, who was also ugly and unknown, was treated so courteously by the world-renowned “National Scholar” Li Ji. How could Zhang Song not be moved?

“Has the National Scholar also heard of Zhang Song's name?” Zhang Song couldn't help but ask.

Li Ji said sincerely.

“Of course. Although I am in Wu Commandery, I have also heard that there is a famous scholar in Chengdu, Zhang Ziqiao, who has the ability to never forget anything he sees. He can write down all the books he has read and the mountains and rivers he has seen without any mistakes. He is truly a remarkable person in this world.”

“I didn't expect my humble name to have reached the National Scholar's ears. I am truly ashamed.”

Zhang Song said so humbly on the surface, but in reality, he felt a surge of excitement in his heart, deeply moved, feeling like he had met a kindred spirit. He only felt that Li Ji in front of him was perfect in every way.

As for Guo Tu being secretly squeezed out by Li Ji just now, it must be that Guo Gongze had done something despicable, which made the National Scholar couldn't help but敲打 (qiāo dǎ, knock/beat, meaning to warn or criticize) him.

Immediately, Zhang Song, realizing this, immediately took the wine pot without waiting for Li Ji to speak and drank it all in one gulp.

This made Li Ji frown as he watched. Most people raised their cups to invite wine at this moment because of etiquette, but if Zhang Song drank like this, he would probably be drunk on the ground in a short while.

If it were at a banquet, Li Ji would not say much, but at this moment it was the time to盟 (méng, form an alliance) by blood, and if Zhang Song did something because of drunkenness, it would be a joke.

Immediately, Li Ji reminded him gently.

“The time for the alliance is approaching, Ziqiao should not drink too much. Even if you intend to drink with me, it will not be too late for the two of us to drink to our heart's content tonight.”

Zhang Song waved his hand and drank all the fine wine in the wine pot in one gulp before laughing loudly and saying.

“It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. I am drinking heartily this time because I feel that it is enough to drink a large cup of wine to be able to talk to the National Scholar like this.”

As soon as these words came out, some scholars around him who were similar in reputation to Zhang Song felt that they had learned something.

Suppress first, then elevate!

By痛批 (tòng pī, severely criticize) the “National Scholar” Li Ji, they attracted the attention of the “National Scholar” Li Ji, and then treated him respectfully. This was enough to invite fame and make their names greatly enhanced.

With Li Ji's current status, he no longer needs others to praise him. On the contrary, getting a compliment from Li Ji is enough to boast about in front of others.

Just like Li Ji had just praised Zhang Song as a genius who could never forget anything he saw. This alone was enough to make Zhang Song's name greatly enhanced.

Immediately, the other scholars who felt that they had benefited a lot from Zhang Song were preparing to try to question Li Ji why he forced Zhang Song to drink and apologize, and then舔 (tiǎn, lick, meaning to fawn over) Li Ji with all their heart to invite fame.

“Everyone, the auspicious time for the alliance is approaching, please return to your respective positions.”

As Cao Cao said loudly, the people in the central tent who were toasting and exchanging greetings returned to their respective positions.

The positions of the major and minor lords had also been pre-arranged in the not-so-large central tent.

The eighteen major lords were divided into two rows, sitting on the left and right;

There were also eighteen minor lords, who also sat on the left and right, but behind the major lords.

Although the central tent was large, it was quite difficult to accommodate thirty-six seats. Therefore, the confidants brought by the lords could only share a seat with their lords and stand behind them.

Although Li Ji was talking with a group of scholars just now, he noticed that Liu Bei's original position was at the end of the row of major lords.

However, as Liu Bei displayed extraordinary prestige, his seat was quietly moved to the front row, second only to the two Yuans and the two Lius representing Liu Yan and Liu Biao, and he sat opposite Gongsun Zan.

Just as Li Ji stood leisurely behind Liu Bei, waiting for the official alliance to begin, a voice suddenly rang out from the gathering.

"How can a man of the nation not have a seat? Another seat should be added for Mr. Zikun!" (End of this chapter)