Three Kingdoms: Fusion of Entries, Change of Destiny

Chapter 99: Convincing Zhuge Xuan

Rest for a night.

The next morning, Cao Yan took Dian Wei and three followers and left the Cao family compound.

The morning dew was still condensing on the old stone pavement in the ancient city of Yangdu, and many shops along the street had just opened their doors.

Dian Wei carried two iron halberds and followed Cao Yan. When the pedestrians along the street saw this evil man who was as strong as an iron tower, they couldn't help but avoid him.

The ancient city of Yangdu is not big, about two miles long from east to west and about one mile wide from north to south.

The Zhuge family's ancestral home is also in the ancient city of Yangdu, only a half-minute walk from the Cao family.

After turning two streets, Cao Yan and his party arrived at the Zhuge family's ancestral home.

Although the stone drum beside the door is mottled, it is carved with plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum, which shows that it is a family of poetry and etiquette.

The plaque above the door lintel reads "Zhuge Mansion" in three large characters, written in strong and powerful strokes.

Dian Wei wanted to go forward and knock on the door, but was stopped by Cao Yan.

Then Cao Yan walked up himself and raised his hand to knock on the door.

After a while, footsteps were heard from inside the door, and the door bolt made a sound. An old servant in blue cloth clothes stuck his head out.

"May I ask what's the matter, sir?" The old servant squinted his eyes and looked at Cao Yan. From his clothes and temperament, he knew that he was from a prominent family.

Cao Yan handed over his business card and said, "Please inform them that I am Cao Yan from Yanzhou and have come to visit Mr. Zhuge Xuan."

The old servant took the business card, looked at it, and saluted hurriedly: "Sir, please wait a moment. I will inform you." He turned around and trotted into the yard.

The story of Cao Cao and Cao Yan defeating Yuan Shu had spread throughout the Han Dynasty.

Zhuge Xuan did not dare to underestimate Cao Yan's visit in the slightest.

Soon, footsteps were heard in the courtyard, and an old servant led a middle-aged man walking quickly towards them.

"I didn't know that Mr. Cao was coming. I'm sorry for not welcoming you." When he arrived outside the gate, Zhuge Xuan bowed to Cao Yan.

Zhuge Xuan was wearing a plain robe, his face was thin, and his eyes revealed a sense of elegance.

Behind him were two young men, the older one was about fourteen or fifteen years old, with delicate features and bright eyes.

The younger one, who looked to be about seven or eight years old, was curiously looking at Dian Wei standing behind Cao Yan.

"Hello, Mr. Zhuge." Cao Yan bowed and glanced at the two young men, throwing an insight to each of them.

Zhuge Liang (Zhiyuan Kongming)

Sex: Male
Hobbies: Studying military books, deducing battle formations, and creating inventions

Favorability: 18%
Entries: Crouching Dragon (gold), Governing the Country and Maintaining Peace (purple), Unwavering Loyalty (purple), Brilliant Calculation (purple), Taking Care of Every Detail (gray)]

Crouching Dragon (Gold):
Passive: After the battle begins, ignore all enemy false reports and disguises. The first time an enemy strategy is discovered in each battle, the "See Through the Secret" skill is triggered, rendering the strategy ineffective and giving the caster a 50% chance of being silenced for three days.

Active: Increases your troops' defense by 30% and morale by 50%, and increases your next strategy's success rate. Duration: 1 hour, Cooldown: 5 days.

"What a Zhuge Liang!" Cao Yan secretly admired. "No wonder he prefers to play it safe. With his exceptionally high intelligence, the ability to counter enemy strategies and boost his own defenses and morale, and the elite Shu army he personally trained, he can truly sweep through this with ease."

Zhuge Xuan's entry is one purple, two blue, one white and one gray, which is considered to be above average.

Zhuge Jun is only seven or eight years old now, so it is normal that he has no entry.

At this time, Zhuge Xuan made a gesture of invitation and said to Cao Yan, "My humble abode is simple. If you don't mind, Master Cao, please follow me inside and have a chat."

Cao Yan bowed and said, "Well, thank you for your patience, sir."

Everyone entered the main hall and sat down as host and guest.

The maid brought fragrant tea, and Cao Yan picked up the teacup and took a sip.

After Cao Yan put down his teacup, Zhuge Xuan asked, "Master Cao, why have you come all the way from Yanzhou?"

Cao Yan smiled and said, "To be honest, I came here to ask you to go to Yanzhou and lend a hand to my brother. Yanzhou is in need of reconstruction and needs talents like you." Zhuge Xuan frowned slightly when he heard this. "I appreciate your kindness, Master Cao. However, I just received an invitation from Yuan Gonglu to recommend me for the position of Yuzhang Governor. I really can't refuse."

However, Cao Yan noticed that Zhuge Xuan had not left yet, which meant that he was still hesitating.

Zhuge Xuan, who came from a noble family, looked down on Cao Cao, the "nouveau riche" who came from a family of eunuchs.

Cao Yan was not in a hurry. He smiled and said, "Sir, I have my own opinions on Yuan Shu and my brother. I wonder if you would like to listen to them?"

Zhuge Xuan asked curiously, "Oh? Master Cao, please feel free to tell me."

Cao Yan's expression straightened, and he said, "Yuan Shu comes from a distinguished family, with three officials in four generations, and he seems to be in great glory.

However, this person has great ambitions but little talent, and is weak inside and cannot be relied upon."

Zhuge Xuan paused for a moment, then smiled wryly, "Sir, why do you say that? Yuan Gonglu has retainers all over the world."

"Although Yuan Shu is the legitimate son, he lacks the talent to govern a country," Cao Yan said. "He imposed heavy taxes and levies in Nanyang, forcing the people to flee. Now, by seizing Huainan, he will only intensify his oppression and exploit the people! His reckless behavior is only destroying his own foundation. He will inevitably fail."

"This..." Zhuge Xuan put down his teacup, thinking about something. He had heard about what Yuan Shu had done.

“On the other hand,” Cao Yan continued, “my brother, although not as noble as Yuan Shu, has great talent and ambition, and cares about the world.

Sir, you are well-read and should know that 'he who wins the hearts of the people wins the world'.

My eldest brother implemented new policies in Yanzhou, which enabled the people of Yanzhou to live and work in peace and contentment, and the elderly had a place to rely on and the young had access to education.

Even famous scholars such as Bian Rang and Wang Qian gradually accepted and supported our new policies.

In this chaotic world, we need people like my brother who can stabilize the country.

If you go to Yanzhou, you will surely achieve great things and accomplish great things."

After hearing what Cao Yan said, Zhuge Xuan fell into deep thought.

When he was an official in Luoyang, in addition to getting to know Yuan Shu, he also had dealings with Liu Biao.

Liu Biao was a relative of the Han royal family and one of the "Eight Talents". He was quite famous in Jingzhou.

Zhuge Xuan's truest thought was to go south and seek refuge with Liu Biao in Jingzhou.

Cao Cao had just captured Yanzhou and defeated Yuan Shu's army of 200,000 with an army of 50,000, and his reputation was at its peak.

Liu Biao and Cao Cao were allies. Would Liu Biao offend Cao Cao for him?
Seeing that Zhuge Xuan remained silent, Cao Yan continued, "Sir, the world is in chaos right now, and many heroes are rising up.

If you want to keep your family safe and achieve success, you must choose the right leader.

My elder brother dared to implement new policies and give important positions to people from poor families, which is truly an innovation and an elimination of malpractices!
If you help me now, you will surely leave your name in history."

"This..." Zhuge Xuan was somewhat tempted. After all, which scholar doesn't want to leave his name in history?

Seeing that Zhuge Xuan was somewhat tempted, Cao Yan struck while the iron was hot and said, "Sir, if you go to join Liu Jingzhou, you will only be a guest of the imperial court. But if you go to Yanzhou, you will at least be the head of a county."

Although Yuan Shu also recommended Zhuge Xuan as the governor of a county, how could Yuzhang County compare to the prosperity of the Central Plains?
Zhuge Xuan closed his eyes and thought, while Cao Yan picked up the teacup and waited for the next words.

At the entrance of the main hall, Zhuge Liang and Zhuge Jun secretly stuck their heads out to peek.

After thinking for a long time, Zhuge Xuan finally said, "My Lord, you are absolutely right. However, if I leave home, there will be no one to take care of me..."

Upon hearing this, Cao Yan was overjoyed and quickly said, "I've come to Yangdu to escort the elders and children of my clan westward to Yanzhou. Sir, just leave your family to me, and I'll take good care of them!"

"Ah!" Zhuge Xuan didn't expect to encounter this.

It seems this is God’s will!

Zhuge Xuan then stood up, bowed, and said, "In that case, I would be very honored to refuse!"

"It is a blessing for my elder brother and Yanzhou that you have agreed!" Cao Yan's voice was filled with joy that was difficult to conceal.

(End of this chapter)