Chapter 2 second quarter

Young people from all over the world once again gathered in the prestigious Pound House in Longzhong.Zhuge Liang was busy with his farm work, and when he pushed open the door of Pang’s house, he saw a crowd of people in the room. He looked around, and just about to find a corner to sit down, he heard a voice say, “Why don’t you sit in front of De Gong’s bed, Kong Ming?” ?” Following the prestige, it was a short man with a square face, wearing a wine-red gown, sitting on a prominent seat, and slapped his hands on his knees. "Brother Shi Yuan..." Zhuge Liang smiled and did not go over.

The man's name was Pang Tong, and he was the nephew of Lord Pang De. Sima Hui called him "The Crown of Nanzhou Scholars", which means the most talented person in the south, and Duke De also gave him the nickname "Fengchu".Pang Tong lives in Baisha Prefecture, and he came to Longzhong specially today, hoping to win the first place in the chatting field. "Come on!" Zhuge Liang originally wanted to avoid Pang Tong's limelight, but Pang De, who was half lying on the bed, also greeted him.Called by De Gong, he had no choice but to walk past the crowd and walk to the bedside.Pang Tong was looking at him with a smile, Zhuge Liang didn't kneel on the mat like others; under the eyes of De Gong, he thought: Don't be presumptuous.Zhuge Liang gave a deep salute, almost lying half of his body on the ground.

Pang Tong burst out laughing. Mr. Pang De said lightly: "Kong Ming doesn't need to be so polite." He raised his hand.He didn't stop looking at Zhuge Liang, glanced around, cleared his throat, and said, "I invite you here today to hear about young people's aspirations. Public authority," he pointed at Meng who was hesitant to speak. Jian, "Tell me first." Meng Jian's style name is Gongwei, and like Zhuge Liang, he is not a native of Jingzhou. He grew up in Runan and was exiled to Longzhong due to the war.Maybe it's because they understand each other's feelings of being away from home. The relationship between Meng Jian and Zhuge Liang is better than ordinary people.At this moment, being pointed out by Mr. Pang De, Meng Jian cleared his throat and said, "I heard that Cao Cao in the north is a hero of a generation. In the battle of Guandu, he defeated the powerful Yuan Shao. The unification of the north should be within five years." He said, "I want to go north, hoping to do my best under Cao Gong."

These words made everyone murmur.The whole situation of the battle at Guandu had already been spread to Longzhong.For Cao Cao, who was able to wipe out Yuan Shao's hundreds of thousands of troops with tens of thousands of troops, the young people all admired and looked up to him.Among the discussions, only Zhuge Liang was silent and seemed out of place. "What? Does Kong Ming disagree?" Meng Jian asked in a low voice. "There are many scholar-bureaucrats in the Central Plains, so why go back to your hometown when traveling?" Zhuge Liang explained Meng Jian's softer and more impulsive thoughts after he made great achievements: Meng Jian wants to go back to his hometown!Hearing this, Meng Jian blushed and lowered his head.

"It seems that Kong Ming is working hard on his fame!" Kuai Qi, who was next to him, said loudly on purpose.Five years ago, he married Eldest Sister Zhuge Liang, who was supposed to be Zhuge Liang's brother-in-law, but because of Zhuge Xuan's death, Zhuge's family fell into disrepair. "Why doesn't Kong Ming want to go home? In Yangdu, Zhuge's family still has a few pieces of land, right? However, if we go back, in the north where there are abundant talents, Kong Ming will be thrown into the sea like a drop of water, and he will not even be able to see a shadow Haha..." Kuai Qi laughed out loud.

Everyone was waiting for Zhuge Liang's rebuttal, Pang Tong raised the corners of his lips slightly.Zhuge Liang just smiled, as if he didn't hear Kuai Qi's words at all.Suddenly, from some corner, there was a sound of "fool".The voice is very soft, and it disappears in a flash; but everyone in the audience can hear it clearly! "Who? Stand up and speak!" Kuai Qi shouted. Xu Shu pressed Kuai Qi's knee that was about to straighten up, suppressed a smile and said, "Do you want to hear 'fool' again? Forget it, don't yell at Degong's house."

No one noticed that there was a veiled person in the corner of the living room, and he was giggling again. It wasn't until Pang Tong spoke that everyone gradually became quiet.Pang Tong looked at Zhuge Liang and said with a smile, "I'm from Jiangnan, so naturally I have to stay in Jiangnan. Liu Biao..." He directly called out the name of Jingzhou Mu, which shocked everyone present, "As Mr. Sima said, although he is a It is a pity that a sober person is weak by nature. He rewards the good but cannot obey them, and hates the evil but cannot abandon them. If I want to serve under him, I am afraid that I will not last long. But Jiang Dong Sun Quan, at a young age, is good at following the good, and Zhou Yu, Assistant Zhang Zhao will accomplish great things in the future. If I can choose, I would like to be a minister of Sun Quan." Before everyone applauded, Pang Tong turned to Zhuge Liang and asked, "Where is Kong Ming?"

"I……?" "Brother Kong Ming, didn't you become an official in Jiangdong?" "yes." "If Kong Ming goes to Jiangdong, it won't be difficult for him to get an official position, right?" Pang Tong laughed. It was not the first time for Zhuge Liang to be despised and ridiculed as a poor boy.A part-time job, which is my wish?Zhuge Liang said in his heart.But in front of De Gong, there is no need to confront Pang Tong, so he smiled and said softly: "In troubled times, two brothers should not be in the same place, so as not to restrain each other. It is good for both prosperity and prosperity, but it hurts both brothers and sisters. Family name."

Although there is no profound truth in these words, no one can say that they are wrong. Although Zhuge Liang backed down repeatedly, Pang Tong did not intend to let him go.Before coming to Longzhong, Pang Tong had heard that Kong Ming was the most eloquent. He thought: Zhuge Liang's spirit must be defeated, so that this trip is not in vain. Pang Tong patted a speck of dust off his clothes, and asked, "Is it possible that Kong Ming is not an official?" "I am a person who has entered the world." Zhuge Liang replied. "To the north?" Pang Tong asked.If Zhuge Liang answered yes, he could use the words he had just persuaded Meng Jian to mock him.

"No," Zhuge Liang said, "As Gongwei said, the north will definitely be owned by Cao Cao within five years. For some reason, Liang will never become an official of Cao Cao." Pang Tong asked why, Zhuge Liang shook his head.Zhuge Liang didn't want to talk about those memories hidden deep in his heart.If it weren't for Cao Cao, he wouldn't be living in Jingzhou, he wouldn't be leaving his parents' graves, and following his uncle in a dusty way, over the mountains covered with bones, and through the blood-stained rivers.It's Cao Cao!When Zhuge Liang was thirteen years old, the one who led the army to conquer Xuzhou, wantonly slaughtered the people, turned the village into ruins, and made all the fertile land barren was Cao Cao.Death was behind him, chasing Zhuge Liang like a shadow. The fear went deep into his bone marrow, which he could never forget for the rest of his life.

"Kong Ming wants to stay in Jingzhou?" Pang Tong asked. "Mr. Sima's evaluation of Jing Shenggong (Liu Biao) is very appropriate." Zhuge Liang said. So, he will not work under Liu Biao?Pang Tong frowned, "Could it be Liu Zhang from Xichuan?" He asked again, tentatively, "Bashu has the reputation of the land of abundance, and it is a good thing that Kong Ming wants to enter Sichuan." "Xichuan is very good." Zhuge Liang smiled lightly, "It's just that Liu Zhang is not good enough." "So, where does Kong Ming want to go?" Duke Pound couldn't help asking. The young people who were still whispering just now were silent for a while, and Zhuge Liang would not evade Mr. Pang De's words. Everyone wanted to know what Zhuge Kongming, who often compared himself to Guan Zhong and Le Yi behind his back, was thinking. Zhuge Liang sighed and changed his sitting position.Originally, he was sitting in front of Mr. Pound's bed, but now he released both legs. He sat directly on the mat, hugged his knees, put his chin on his knees, smiled, and suddenly whistled.A long, thick voice broke from his lips, as cheerful as water, as swift as lightning, and as passionate as spring breeze.The whistling sound became higher and higher, as if it was about to break off from it, but Zhuge Liang didn't stop until everyone's eyes were amazed, then he suddenly closed his breath, and the whistling sound stopped abruptly!Zhuge Liang pointed to his best friends present here—Meng Jian, Shi Tao, and Xu Shu, and said: "When the three of you become officials, you can become county guards, governors, and govern one side." "How about you, Kong Ming?" Shi Tao asked anxiously. Zhuge Liang smiled but did not answer. "Him? Of course he wants to be Guan Zhong and Le Yi! Haha..." Kuai Qi laughed loudly.Guan Zhong and Le Yi were famous generals and prime ministers in the Spring and Autumn Period. Le Yi was a victorious general who conquered more than 70 cities in Qi State. Many people know that people compare themselves to themselves. Except for Xu Shu and Meng Jian who believe that he really has this kind of talent, others say that he is an arrogant kid who doesn't know the heights of the sky and the earth.Kuai Qi once again brought out Zhuge Liang's "boasting" words in front of Pang Degong, obviously trying to make him lose face. "Guan Zhong, Le Yi, that's nothing." There was another very soft sound, this time, Kuai Qi suddenly stood up!This voice is exactly the same as that "fool" just now!Kuai Qi suddenly picked up a veiled young man from the crowd! "It's you?" he asked viciously. The Kuai surname is one of the four major surnames in Xiangfan, and Kuai Qi has always been fearless. "It's me, what's the matter?" the young man said with a smile. His grinning voice made Zhuge Liang's heart move suddenly.It's strange that some people, even when they meet for the first time, seem like long-time friends.Zhuge Liang felt exactly this way. He looked at the man's wrist pinched by Kuai Qi, his slightly dark face flashing under the veil, and his slender and soft figure, and couldn't help it. She wanted to get up and pull him to her side, lest Kuai Qi hurt him. Zhuge Liang finally endured it. "Good boy, you have some guts!" Kuai Qi snorted, "What's your last name?" "Only you, are you worthy of asking me?" The young man smiled, "Don't think that the surname Kuai is so great! I..." Kuai Qi swung his fist at the young man! His punch was in vain, it turned out that Xu Shu pulled the young man away in time. "Xu Yuanzhi, don't mind your own business!" Kuai Qi shouted. When Xu Shu was a young man, he was a hero and killed a few villains before he fled to Jingzhou. This is well known, and Kuai Qi is by no means Xu Shu's opponent when it comes to fighting alone. "Kuai Qi," Xu Shu put his sword on his hand, and said unhurriedly, "De Gong's house is not a place to play wild? If you want to do it, I will accompany you, but," he looked around, smiled, "this place is too small, De Lord," Xu Shu turned to ask, "Can I borrow the courtyard outside?" Before Pang De could open his mouth, Pang Tong got up "teng" and said, "If you are willing to give me a thin face, please sit down and talk." When Xu Shu saw this, he also removed his hand from the hilt of his sword and sat upright. Only the young man was still standing upright, smiling slightly. "This gentleman is so arrogant." Pang Tong sneered. The young man smiled "hee hee", raised his palm sideways, and patted his face through the veil: "Pang Shiyuan, who wants you to be a good person? Here," he pointed at Zhuge Liang, "that...hey, hey!" Zhuge Liang was startled: "What?" "Is it Zhuge Liang?" "Exactly." "The word Kongming?" "good." "What does 'Kong Ming' mean?" "Confucius is extreme; enlightenment is bright." "Extremely bright? How bright?" "Zhuge Liang!" Zhuge Liang made a joke. The young man held his face in both hands, leaned forward and backward with a smile, and said in his mouth: "Zhuge Liang, is it so bright that it illuminates the entire sky? Is it as bright as the North Star? Haha..." Zhuge Liang was stunned. Unexpectedly, this young man could When you first meet, speak your mind.An emotion filled his body, making him feel melancholy, anxious and inexplicably sweet.Why did he hide his face?Zhuge Liang thought, if he wanted to make friends with him, maybe he could become close friends like Xu Shu and Meng Jian!On the other hand, he clearly felt that "friends" and "best friends" seemed... not enough. "Let me show you some face, do you want it?" the young man asked. Zhuge Liang smiled and said, "It's an honor." "Tell me what you're thinking." The young man stared at Zhuge Liang with his deep black eyes under the veil, and asked slowly, "I can see that you and them..." He glanced around, "It's different. Most people What I was planning in my heart was when and under which lord's account, how many thousand shimi would I win. One thousand? Two thousand? Third rank? Fourth rank? What about you? Are you thinking of Jingzhou? Or..." He hesitated and asked, "The world?" "The world." Zhuge Liang replied. He answered so naturally, like water is destined to flow from high to low.At this moment, he no longer thought that he should restrain himself in front of Pang Tong, be humble in front of De Gong, or give in in front of Kuai Qi. He just wanted to tell this young man his complete thoughts, just like he told him again and again. Lakes and mountains know the same thing.Those landscapes, in Zhuge Liang's eyes, are just like his most intimate partners; the masked young man in front of him actually makes him more trustworthy and willing to get close to him than the landscapes. "The world?" the young man thought, "Can the world be saved?" Zhuge Liangliang nodded: "There are disputes in the world, and all industries are withered. If you want to rule the world, it will be impossible in the past fifty years; but at least there is a way to save the people from the suffering of war." "What way?" Pang Tong asked anxiously. Zhuge Liang smiled and said: "Cao Cao in the north and Sun Quan in the east of the river are both very powerful and cannot be easily shaken. If there is a third force that can cross Jingzhou and Yizhou, it will be enough to compete with Sun and Cao. In that case In the future, these three parties must govern and develop their own territory, compete and maintain success at the same time, and the life of the people may be better than it is now." Kuai Qi snorted again: "Fantasy!" "Kong Ming thinks, who will be the third force?" Pang Tong asked suspiciously. Zhuge Liang thought for a while, shook his head and said, "I haven't seen it yet." "Haha... the daydream is getting bigger and bigger!" Kuai Qi was even more proud. Xu Shu, Meng Jian, Shi Tao, Pang Tong and even Pang Degong all looked at Zhuge Liang in disbelief. This time, no one refuted Kuai Qi's words.From Xu Shu's worried eyes, Zhuge Liang saw that even he did not dare to agree with him easily. "The sparrow only knows how many worms there are in its nest. How can it understand Honghu's ambition? Sitting in the well and looking at the sky, the sky is only as big as the mouth of the well." The young man smiled, and he didn't face Kuai Qi, as if he didn't bother to look at him any more; Suddenly he stepped forward and took Zhuge Liang's hand, and said with a smile, "I believe you." "Do you believe...?" "I believe." "What do you believe in?" "I believe that every word you say will become true." The young man didn't speak any more, he lowered his veiled hat, bowed to Lord Pang De, and left.Zhuge Liang sat in a daze on the table for a moment, then suddenly got up and chased him out!I want to see him again, ask his name, pour a pot of green tea as wine, and get drunk in the conversation between two people!Zhuge Liang chased all the way to the courtyard, and saw that in the small courtyard in autumn, phoenix leaves were scattered all over the place, scattered small chrysanthemums shone among the weeds, and occasionally the wind blew, and they scattered to the left and right.The courtyard was empty, and the path outside the courtyard seemed to have never been passed by.Not even a shadow of that veiled young man with a water-clear voice and a love for laughter was gone.Zhuge Liang's heart was empty for a while, as if he had lost something and could never find it again. "Kong Ming, Kong Ming!" Zhuge Liang didn't recover until someone pulled his sleeve. Pang Shanmin, the son of Pang Degong, is standing behind him in green clothes. "Is Master Pang okay?" Zhuge Liang asked politely. Pang Shanmin waved his hands again and again, hesitated for a while, and then said: "No... oh, just now Kuai Qi was too much, and Shi Yuan also..." Compared with Pang Tong, Pang Shanmin was too honest and honest. Fang invited, and insisted on refusing to become an official. He said: "Once he enters the officialdom, he will leave disaster for his son. Since my son does not have the courage to make a way out of the disaster, it is better to let him live an ordinary life!" "Don't take it to heart." Pang Shanmin squeezed out another sentence with great difficulty. Zhuge Liang smiled and said, "No, that's nothing." "Kong Ming..." "Ok?" "You, you," Pang Shanmin plucked up his courage, and finally said what he had been holding back for a long time, "Your second sister Ling is not married yet, right? I want to marry Zhuge Ling, and I hope Kongming will do it for you!" Zhuge Liang was dumbfounded. Pang Shanmin's face was as red as fire. "I mentioned it to my father, and my father also...agreed, promised me to marry Ling into the house...Kong Ming, I really love Ling. Since the first time I saw her three years ago, I... fell in love with her, " The meaning of "I can't think about it, toss and turn" in "Poetry·Guan Jiu", I gradually understood because of the bell, Kong Ming..." Zhuge Liang listened patiently to Pang Shanmin's speech. Bell is twenty-two years old.A twenty-two-year-old girl should have married a long time ago, so the postponement is due to the fact that Zhuge's family is poor, and famous people do not want to marry him, while ordinary people, Zhuge's family prides themselves on their family status, and refuses to give in. ; On the other hand, it was also because of Xu Shu.Xu Shu has been widowed for many years, and he and Ling have mutual admiration, but they both refuse to speak out.Alas, the person in Second Sister's heart is Xu Shu.Zhuge Liang thought, he looked at Pang Shanmin again, this honest man, how can the second sister see it?However, he is the son of Pang Degong... When his uncle was there, the reason why he betrothed his elder sister to Kuai Qi was precisely because he hoped to take advantage of the marriage to make Zhuge's family rank among the celebrities in Jingzhou. Judging by Kuai Qi's attitude, the Kuai family can't count on it What about the Pang family?With this thought, Zhuge Liang suddenly slapped himself. "Kong Ming?" Pang Shanmin looked at Zhuge Liang helplessly. "Second sister's marriage, let second sister make up her own mind." Zhuge Liang said. "Kong Ming is the head of the family!" Pang Shanmin said. Zhuge Liang didn't speak, and was about to move. Pang Shanmin chased after him and stopped him, and said, "At least Kong Ming mentioned it to Ling, okay? Mention it!" "Okay." Zhuge Liang nodded helplessly. When he nodded, Pang Shanmin became active, gearing up, and thanked him straight away with excitement.Zhuge Liang didn't want to hear his thanks, exchanged some greetings, and then wanted to return to the living room. He looked up and saw Xu Shu, dressed in black, standing upright in a narrow corridor outside the living room, looking at him with piercing eyes. .Zhuge Liang was taken aback, and managed to pretend he didn't care, walked past Xu Shu, and walked into the bustling chat room.