Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator.

“I apologize for the long wait,” Li Ji said humbly, then invited Zhuge Xuan and Zhuge Liang to sit down again.

After a brief exchange of introductions, Zhuge Xuan quickly winked at Zhuge Liang, signaling him to express his desire to become a disciple.

Understanding the cue, Zhuge Liang immediately stood up once more, bowed to Li Ji, and said,

“I have long admired the renowned reputation of Marquis Guoshi. Although I am but a humble mountain dweller, I possess a heart for aiding the world and saving its people. However, I lament my lack of ability and humbly desire to become a disciple under Marquis Guoshi. I implore you to grant my request.”

Upon seeing this, Li Ji quickly stood up and personally helped Zhuge Liang up.

Looking at the young man before him, who seemed to already possess a certain grace, a smile couldn't help but appear on Li Ji's face as he said,

“Since you have a heart for aiding the world and saving its people, then we are kindred spirits. We can be friends and learn from each other, so there is no need for the formality of apprenticeship.”

If it could be said that Li Ji was taking advantage of his age to tease Guo Jia occasionally, that was one thing, but Li Ji truly didn't want to act presumptuously in front of Zhuge Liang.

It wasn't just because of Zhuge Liang's abilities, but also because Zhuge Liang's loyalty and virtue, which would be recorded in history, truly filled Li Ji with admiration.

Therefore, Li Ji was willing to be friends with him, but he didn't want to take advantage of Zhuge Liang in this way.

Moreover, Li Ji was only about ten years older than Zhuge Liang.

While a difference of twenty-something and ten-something might seem large, what about thirty-something and twenty-something, forty-something and thirty-something, or even older?

This age difference didn't even qualify as a friendship between generations.

And among the virtuous talents of the world, Li Ji undoubtedly valued Zhuge Liang the most.

He also knew that Zhuge Liang and Liu Bei had the highest compatibility with him, and that the days of being colleagues in the future would be long, so perhaps they would indeed be learning from each other more often.

However, Li Ji's high regard stunned Zhuge Xuan. These words could be completely regarded as a model of a noble lowering himself to associate with others.

Even Zhuge Liang's clear and profound eyes widened slightly.

Since childhood, Zhuge Liang had witnessed the tragic state of the chaotic world and made great aspirations. Moreover, he had once encountered Liu Bei in the mud, who didn't hesitate to dirty his robes to help a stranger carry a coffin, which filled Zhuge Liang with gratitude towards Liu Bei.

It was precisely because of this that Zhuge Liang had been silently paying attention to Liu Bei for many years, and at the same time, he had inevitably learned a great deal about Li Ji's deeds.

However, even though Zhuge Liang considered himself extraordinary, he didn't dare to be certain that he could do such extraordinary things at Marquis Guoshi's age.

Moreover, after arriving in Wu Commandery, the reason why Zhuge Liang wandered around for a while was to personally understand whether Li Ji's governing philosophy was compatible with his own before proceeding with the apprenticeship.

As a result, Zhuge Liang felt that Marquis Guoshi was not only benevolent but also a true all-rounder.

He even couldn't help but feel a sense of respect for Marquis Guoshi, thinking that if he could have such abilities and achievements as Marquis Guoshi in the future, his life would not have been in vain.

It was precisely because of this that Zhuge Liang completely made up his mind to visit and become a disciple, and he was determined to dedicate his meager strength to Liu Huangshu and restore the Han Dynasty and pacify the chaotic world as soon as he had learned enough.

And suddenly feeling that the respected Marquis Guoshi valued him so much and was willing to treat him as a kindred spirit, Zhuge Liang suddenly felt like he had encountered a confidant in his humble state.

Especially with Chen Qun's contempt beforehand, this made Li Ji's willingness to lower himself to associate with him even more commendable, filling Zhuge Liang with emotion.

Coming back to his senses, Zhuge Xuan quickly said,

“It is an honor for Liang'er to be valued by Marquis Guoshi. It is already Liang'er's blessing to be able to listen to your teachings. How dare such a young child claim to be friends with Marquis Guoshi?”

Li Ji waved his hand and said dismissively,

“I am not much older than Zhuge Liang. It is perfectly fine to associate as equals. Moreover…”

Li Ji paused slightly, recalling the records of Zhuge Liang in history, who often compared himself to Guan Zhong and Yue Yi, commenting that the talents of his friends were only at the level of governors and commandery administrators, and calling himself “Wolong” (Sleeping Dragon), which showed that he was also a proud person in his youth.

“I have heard that Zhuge Liang has only been studying at home but has already become quite learned, which shows his intelligence. Such a precocious talent may not easily take others as his teacher.”

However, as soon as Li Ji finished speaking, Zhuge Liang bowed and said,

“Teacher, Zhuge Liang greets you.”

This almost made Li Ji unable to catch his breath. Looking at Zhuge Liang's serious appearance, he didn't know what to say for a moment.

Especially since Zhuge Liang's demeanor, despite being only a teenager, was even more composed than Xiahou Lan.

For a moment, Li Ji even felt that Zhuge Liang's overly composed temperament seemed somewhat familiar…

Li Xiang?!

Suddenly, Li Ji thought of his own carefree son.

That composed temperament that didn't match his age was simply the same.

And seeing Zhuge Xuan's happy expression after Zhuge Liang主动 called him “teacher,” Li Ji simply didn't force it and waved his hand, saying,

“So be it, so be it.”

“So, Teacher is willing to accept me as a disciple?” Zhuge Liang confirmed.

“Externally, the Zhuge clan of Langya can claim Zhuge Liang as my disciple; internally, we can be more casual and discuss and guide each other as we please,” Li Ji said.

These words made Zhuge Xuan's old face turn slightly red.

However, the Zhuge clan of Langya was indeed declining. Originally, the only pillar of the Zhuge clan, Zhuge Gui, had died young after only reaching the position of commandery assistant. None of the remaining Zhuge clansmen were officials, and their influence was declining day by day.

Therefore, in recent years, Zhuge Xuan had been raising Zhuge Liang's siblings on behalf of his brother while actively running around seeking opportunities to become an official and revitalize the Zhuge clan of Langya.

And the news that Marquis Guoshi had taken Zhuge Liang as his disciple would undoubtedly be of great benefit to the Zhuge clan of Langya. This was also the reason why Zhuge Xuan was so proactive.

It could be said that with Li Ji's current status and prestige, even a few benefits that slipped through his fingers would be enough to revitalize a small family.

Immediately, Li Ji, to show closeness, specially invited Zhuge Xuan and Zhuge Liang to have dinner at the mansion and prepared to have Zhuge Xuan and Zhuge Liang stay overnight at the mansion.

However, Zhuge Xuan was also well-versed in social etiquette. Now that Zhuge Liang had also become Li Ji's disciple, the two sides had formed a close relationship that was only second to father and son. It would be fine to have Zhuge Liang stay at the mansion temporarily for guidance.

However, it would be inconvenient and impolite for him, as an outsider, to stay at the mansion.

Therefore, Zhuge Xuan declined that night, citing that Zhuge Jun, who was staying in Langya Commandery, was too young.

Li Ji didn't specifically try to keep him, and arranged accommodation for Zhuge Liang in the mansion.

Coincidentally, after Xiahou Lan and Guo Jia had been arranged to leave the mansion, there were just two rooms that had been vacated, and those two rooms were also close to Li Ji's study. (End of this chapter)