Chapter 177: Beautiful Jade, Teaching on Behalf of the Master Beautiful jade is how Liu Bei describes Zhuge Liang. As soon as Qin Zhen heard it, he knew what Liu Bei meant. Comparing Zhuge Liang to a beautiful jade shows that Liu Bei was extremely optimistic about Zhuge Liang's future. This optimism even exceeds that of the newcomers in their army, such as Xu Sheng and Zhuge Jin. But beautiful jade also has another meaning, that is, it is not yet a useful object without being carved. The subconscious mind is telling Qin Zhen that he is very optimistic about Zhuge Liang and is prepared to train him vigorously! Only after careful cultivation can it become a jade artifact of great use. This is also consistent with Qin Zhen's current impression of Zhuge Liang. No one is born with knowledge. Even someone as strong as Zhuge Liang was only eighteen years old, and his world views had not yet been fully formed. There are still more than nine years before Zhuge Liang comes out of seclusion.

Without these years of study, Zhuge Liang would naturally be a piece of unpolished jade. Thinking of this, he smiled and said to Liu Bei: "If so, I know what is going on. But I don't know how you would like to carve this jade." Liu Bei saw that he understood what he meant as soon as he heard it, so he smiled and said: "If you want to carve beautiful jade, you need a skilled craftsman. I have seen that the people under my command, like my second and third brothers, are all famous for their bravery, but not for their political strategies." "People like Xianhe and Gongyou are good at politics but not good at planning." "And there are people like Liu Yuanying and Yuan Yaoqing, who are good at politics but not good at military affairs!" "After thinking about it, I think only the military advisor can do this!" "So I want Kong Ming to learn from the military advisor, so as to enhance his abilities and make him useful!" "I wonder if the military advisor has this intention?" Having said this, he looked at Qin Zhen sincerely. When Qin Zhen saw this, he understood it instantly. No wonder Lao Liu brought Zhuge Liang to introduce him as soon as he arrived today. And then he asked him what he thought of Zhuge Liang. It turns out that Old Liu was waiting for him here, wanting him to be Zhuge Liang's teacher! He was naturally a little surprised by this. After all, Zhuge Liang was Liu Bei's original wife. Now that he is here, it seems like a third party has intervened, turning the original wife into a mistress. Why did Old Liu ask this question as if he was afraid that he wouldn't respond? After thinking about it this way, he came to his senses, put himself in Liu Bei's shoes, and understood his thoughts. In fact, the reason why he felt strange was because he knew what happened in the original process. In the current timeline, because he joined Liu Bei's army, Liu Bei rose to power ahead of time. At this time, Zhuge Liang was far from the future Zhuge Liang. All in all, he was just the brother of Zhuge Jin, a subordinate of Qin Zhen.

Therefore, in Liu Bei's eyes, Zhuge Liang was a talented person who could be cultivated, but he was just a talented person who could be cultivated, and had nothing to do with Qin Zhen. Now he wanted Zhuge Liang to study with Qin Zhen, not only for training, but also to make Zhuge Liang Qin Zhen's successor. It was the apprentice who was taught that starved the master to death. In this situation, everyone would have some different thoughts. Theoretically speaking, as a monarch, Liu Bei should not express such thoughts. But he couldn't let Zhuge Liang, this beautiful jade, go to waste. So he was naturally worried that Qin Zhen, the military advisor, was unwilling to accept Zhuge Liang. In fact, Liu Bei had no idea what Qin Zhen was thinking. In fact, Qin Zhen now also wants to instill some personal ideas into Zhuge Liang. Because reform is a huge proposition, it requires huge support and successors. Otherwise, if something unexpected happens to him in the middle and the next person in charge overturns everything, all his efforts will be in vain. Among all the people under Liu Bei's command, Zhuge Liang is the best successor! Firstly, Zhuge Liang was almost ten years younger than him. As long as he didn't work as hard as the original history said, he should have no problem living to his seventies or eighties. Secondly, he has strong political skills, and even if something happens to him, he can still implement his policies! Now if we can add a master-disciple relationship and instill more personal ideas in him, then when he retires and Zhuge Liang takes over, the new policy will be a natural thing. After figuring this out, he smiled and said to Liu Bei: "Since it is a beautiful jade, wait for me to see it. If you have the talent, you can inherit my business!" He thought that Kong Ming had always only read the superficial knowledge of books, so he could pass on to Kong Ming the series of later knowledge he knew. By continuously instilling knowledge from later generations, an enhanced version of Kong Ming is created. When Kong Ming grows up in the future, we can throw all the reform matters to him. It is a good thing that he can take off his burden and enjoy a peaceful life with his wife and children. Liu Bei didn't know what Qin Zhen was thinking. When he saw Qin Zhen agreed, he smiled and said: "The military advisor can tell the talent of Kong Ming with just one look!" After the two men had agreed on this, Liu Bei was of course very happy. They talked for a while, and then the imperial carriage arrived outside the county government. In order to welcome Qin Zhen and others, Liu Bei prepared a banquet in his mansion. That night, Liu Bei hosted a banquet for all his ministers, including Zhuge Liang and Taishi Xiang. At the banquet, Liu Bei cordially called Taishi Xiang to his side and asked him about Taishi Ci's recent situation. When Taishi Xiang saw Liu Bei, he felt very friendly and told him about Taishi Ci's recent situation. Upon hearing this, Liu Bei took Taishi Xiang's hand and said: "Although Ziyi and I are not brothers, we have the brotherhood of brothers."

"Now that Ziyi has been defeated and has gone south, my nephew is staying in the mansion. Just stay home and don't worry too much!" "When the time is right, I will personally lead my nephew south so that you and your son can meet!" Qin Zhen had mentioned similar words to Taishi Xiang before, but Taishi Xiang felt relieved when he heard them from Liu Bei's mouth. He nodded immediately and asked what to do with Liu Xun's head. Since Qin Zhen did not give any solution before, Liu Xun's head is still in the hands of Taishi Xiang. Liu Bei naturally asked everyone about this matter. Seeing this, Liu Fu stood up and said to Liu Bei: "Mingsir, although Liu Xun is fond of money, he has not committed any serious offense and should be dealt with by the court." "Even if he was killed by mistake, we should not humiliate him. Considering that his body is hard to find, it is better to bury him properly." "As for the elderly and children in their family, who are helpless and alone, they should be treated kindly." "Because this man has many wives and concubines, why not ask him what he wants and settle them one by one? This will also show your benevolence!" Upon hearing this, Liu Bei happily nodded in agreement, and ordered his men to take away Liu Xun's head. At this point, the incident in Lujiang came to a temporary end. However, Qin Zhen's dealings with Zhuge Liang had just begun. At the table, Qin Zhen had been looking at Zhuge Liang. He saw that Zhuge Liang was sitting calmly at the last seat. Even though he was ignored, he took it calmly and did not feel embarrassed at all. If someone asked him to drink, he would gladly accept the request. If no one asked, he would just drink by himself and enjoy himself. Seeing this, he nodded secretly, thinking that Kong Ming was indeed Kong Ming. There might be a difference in talent and learning, but this temperament was far beyond the reach of others. While thinking about this, he smiled and said to Kong Ming: "Kong Ming, come over here and have a few drinks with me!" When Zhuge Liang heard this, he was startled at first, then he quickly stood up and walked to Qin Zhen and said respectfully: "I have not yet paid my respects, so I dare not trouble you, Lord Qin, to invite me." As he said this, he was about to pour wine for Qin Zhen. However, Qin Zhen stopped talking when he saw this and said with a smile: "No need to do that. I regard Ziyu as my brother, and you are also my brother!" "Sit here, I have something to ask you!" He naturally moved aside to make room for Zhuge Liang. When Zhuge Liang saw this, he didn't even think twice and moved half a body length behind Qin Zhen before he sat down respectfully and said: "I wonder what you want to ask, sir?" Seeing that he behaved so appropriately, Qin Zhen nodded secretly, thinking that Kong Ming's cautious character was really cultivated since childhood. He is already so cautious at the age of eighteen, and there is really nothing wrong with his words and actions. So he asked him directly:

"Let me ask you, what do you mean by wanting to learn from me today?" Although Liu Bei had already discussed this with him, Kong Ming's own wishes were also important. The reason for asking this question is to find out whether studying was Kong Ming's original intention. When Kong Ming heard this, he immediately explained to Qin Zhen: "This is what my elder brother wanted. Last year, my uncle passed away, so Liang and my younger brother moved in together to observe mourning in Nanyang." After his explanation, Qin Zhen finally knew the details of Zhuge Liang's visit this time. However, after Zhuge Xuan brought his nephews including Zhuge Liang south, he went directly to Lujiang and was appointed as the prefect of Yuzhang by Yuan Shu. The court then appointed Zhu Hao to replace Zhuge Xuan as the prefect of Yuzhang, and Zhuge Xuan took Zhuge Liang and others to Xiangyang for refuge. In the following years, Zhuge Xuan officially established a foothold in Jingzhou by relying on his friendship with Liu Biao. Not only did he marry his two nieces to the Kuai and Pang families respectively, but even the Zhuge brothers became members of the Jingzhou scholars. This continued until last year, when Zhuge Xuan died of illness. According to the ritual system, mourning in this era was determined by the closeness of the relationship. If one's biological parents die, one needs to observe mourning for three years, which is called the "three years of mourning". When an uncle like Zhuge Xuan passed away, Zhuge Liang and others needed to observe mourning for a year. Zhuge Xuan died in January last year, and Zhuge Liang observed mourning until January this year. When Zhuge Jin's letter arrived, Zhuge Liang's mourning period had just ended. Originally, with the death of Zhuge Xuan, their source of income was cut off, so Zhuge Liang planned to farm for a few years and study hard to accumulate experience for a few years. But at this time he received a letter from Zhuge Jin, saying that he had been serving in Liu Bei's army. Liu Bei was a benevolent monarch of the time, and his superior Qin Zhen was also a modest gentleman, and they both took great care of him. Now that our Zhuge family has declined to this point, you and I brothers need to support ourselves. I have already established my foothold here, you might as well come and join me first! When Zhuge Liang saw the letter, he thought that he was having a leisurely time farming in Nanyang, and since Zhuge Jin had already established himself, he might as well take a look first! So Zhuge Liang arranged his family affairs and headed towards Shouchun City alone. As soon as he arrived in Shouchun, Zhuge Jin heard the news of Zhuge Xuan's death and was overwhelmed with grief and tears. Also because the news was not flowing smoothly, Zhuge Liang and others did not know that Zhuge Jin was here. This led to Zhuge Xuan's death, and Zhuge Jin Renjiu did not hear the news. Now that he had heard the news, Zhuge Liang had already completed his mourning period. What else could he do? When Zhuge Liang saw this, he said to Zhuge Jin: "My uncle is now buried in Nanyang. Although he has not returned to his hometown, he has rested in peace." "Brother, if you are interested, why don't you go with me to worship first and then return!" But Zhuge Jin heard this and shook his head: "My third brother is still in Xiangyang. I will go to pay my respects alone. My second brother does not need to accompany me."

"Today I am living in Shouchun, working for the military advisor Qin Jun. I wanted to recommend you to study under Qin Jun, but unfortunately Qin Jun is now on a southern expedition and has not yet returned!" "My dear brother, why don't you come with me to meet the Lord first and stay here first. When Mr. Qin returns, we can pay our respects to him." When Zhuge Liang heard this, he thought that Qin Zhen was famous all over the world and his brother praised him so much, so he simply agreed. Later, he met Liu Bei with the introduction of Zhuge Jin. It would have been a good thing that they didn't meet. As soon as Liu Bei saw Zhuge Liang, he immediately fell in love with this smart and hardworking young man. Therefore, without knowing Zhuge Jin's intention, Liu Bei also wanted Qin Zhen to train Zhuge Liang. This is why Liu Bei introduced Zhuge Liang to Qin Zhen as soon as Qin Zhen returned. It can be said that both Zhuge Jin and Liu Bei wanted Qin Zhen to accept Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Jin's purpose, of course, was to curry favor with someone powerful. However, Liu Bei simply had high hopes for Zhuge Liang and thought that if he was well trained, he could become a pillar of the family like Qin Zhen. Qin Zhen felt a little strange when he heard it before because he didn't know the reason. Now that he had heard the whole story, he couldn't help but secretly shake his head. It turned out that these were other people's ideas and not Zhuge Liang's own. At that moment, he asked him directly: "That is not what I want to hear, although it shows that both you and Ziyu want you to learn from me." "But to learn from a master, one must follow one's heart. What does Kong Ming think?" As soon as he finished speaking, Kong Ming bowed and said: "I am not talented, but I am willing to learn from you!" Seeing this, Qin Zhen nodded with satisfaction. Other people's opinions were not important. The key was that Kong Ming had the subjective intention to learn. This way, it would be easier for him to smuggle other goods! However, there is one thing: if Zhuge Liang became Liu Bei's disciple, he would be a generation younger than him. Even if he succeeded Liu Bei in the future, he would not be able to suppress these arrogant and powerful generals under Liu Bei's command. Moreover, he is extremely powerful. If Zhuge Liang succeeds him in the name of his disciple in the future, there will be a risk of him being too powerful to be removed! While thinking, he said to Zhuge Liang: "Although you are willing to learn from me, I do not accept disciples. Besides, Ziyu and I are close friends, so we should not mess up the seniority. I can teach you the art on your behalf. Are you willing to follow me?" When Zhuge Liang heard this, he was stunned for a moment, because he wanted to be Qin Zhen's disciple sincerely and never thought that Qin Zhen would reject him. But on second thought, Qin Zhen was doing this because he was afraid of taking advantage of his brother. Isn't this exactly what Zhuge Jin said about the style of an elder! Thinking of this, he couldn't help but nod secretly, thinking that what a sincere gentleman, and a true teacher! At that moment he bowed to Qin Zhen again and said: "Just follow Mr. Qin's advice. Liang is willing to follow it!" Just like that, following this banquet, Zhuge Liang completely took root in Liu Bei's army. "

(End of this chapter)