The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 10 With Kongming by my side, I felt like a fish in water

As the saying goes: the bold get rich, the timid starve.

Especially in chaotic times, if you can't get on the dinner table, you can only appear on the menu.

Liu Bei was always bold and daring, but what he lacked was a clear direction for his endeavors.

And now.

Zhuge Liang, with his keen insight into the world, pointed out the direction for Liu Bei's endeavors: conquer Hebei!
True.

Maps of Hebei are very difficult to find.

However, after the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Liu Bei wandered for more than ten years, losing his wife and children several times. He even resorted to cannibalism among officials. How difficult was that?
Liu Bei was not afraid of difficulties or failures. What he feared was wasting his life, losing weight, and failing to achieve fame and success.

"Thanks to your teachings, I have suddenly understood everything!"

"A true man should not live a life of mere survival and wait for death."

"Cao Cao's power and reputation were inferior to Yuan Shao's, yet he dared to contend with Yuan Shao. How could my courage be inferior to Cao Cao's?"

His resounding tone sent a jolt through everyone in the guesthouse.

Whether it was Guan Yu and Zhang Fei at the door, or Xu Shu and Pang Tong inside, their gazes toward Liu Bei became more serious.

Zhuge Liang's memories were stirred.

Although the time and place are different then and now, they lead to the same goal.

The Liu Bei of my memory and the Liu Bei before my eyes seemed to overlap at this moment.

Liu Bei bowed deeply again, his tone sincere:

"Although you are young, you possess great strategic acumen, which is unmatched by anyone throughout history!"

"Though I am of humble origin and lack virtue, I aspire to serve the Han dynasty. I hope that you will not despise my lowly status and will help me rise to power!"

As soon as these words came out.

This signifies that Liu Bei formally recognized Zhuge Liang's strategic plan to "conquer Hebei".

Liu Bei was unaware of the specific steps involved in "conquering Hebei," nor did he know how many difficulties and obstacles he would encounter.

What Liu Bei knew was that since the strategic idea of ​​"conquering Hebei" was proposed by Zhuge Liang, then Zhuge Liang should be responsible for its implementation, and Liu Bei only needed to give Zhuge Liang enough trust and support.

Just as Duke Huan of Qi employed Guan Zhong, King Zhao of Yan employed Yue Yi, King Wen employed Jiang Shang, and Emperor Gaozu employed Zhang Liang, all of them were sincere and offered their full support, which enabled them to achieve hegemony!
Zhuge Liang solemnly rose to his feet.

The phrase "unmatched by anyone throughout history" and "I hope you will not despise my humble status and help me rise to power" made Zhuge Liang feel Liu Bei's heartfelt trust!

Oh, the late emperor!
Memories were stirred up again.

Zhuge Liang's hands trembled slightly as he bowed deeply.

This bow was to Emperor Zhaolie, who had entrusted his son to him in Baidi City, and also to the ambitious General Zuo standing before him.

"To fulfill the general's ambition, I am willing to serve him with utmost loyalty."

In a simple sentence, he conveyed both the weight of fifty-four years and the boldness of eighteen.

Doorway.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei stood tall and imposing.

Although they didn't understand why their elder brother would approve of Zhuge Liang's strategy of "conquering Hebei," Guan Yu and Zhang Fei always followed Liu Bei's lead.

Once Liu Bei decides to do something important, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei will never object.

Liu Bei wanted to conquer Hebei, and even if there were mountains of knives and seas of fire ahead, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei would dare to charge forward bare-chested!

They were as close as father and son, and as loyal as brothers.

This is not just empty talk!
"With Zhuge Liang's assistance, General Zuo's great undertaking is assured!"

Xu Shu clapped his hands in heartfelt joy.

Although he did not spend much time with Liu Bei, Xu Shu had a very high opinion of him: "Among all the wise rulers in the world today, none other than General Liu Bei is worthy of the title!"

Pang Tong, who had not yet decided whether to choose Liu Bei as his lord, also secretly cheered.

Zhuge Liang's strategic vision of "conquering Hebei" was so broad and ambitious that it was beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Let's find someone timid.

Let alone asking Zhuge Liang for help, it would be considered a sign of a cultured gentleman not to criticize him as a "wild and pedantic scholar who only talks about war on paper."

However, judging from Liu Bei's demeanor, expression, and tone, he possessed both the air of a king and the aura of a hegemon, truly deserving the title of a hero of his time!

[Kongming has found his lord!]

Pang Tong's eyes gradually brightened.

"With Kongming by my side, I feel like a fish in water!"

"From this day forward, Kongming shall be the Military Advisor General!"

Liu Bei laughed heartily and immediately appointed Zhuge Liang as Military Advisor General, entrusting him with the management of military and political affairs!

The title of Military Advisor General was an informal official position created by Liu Bei himself. Although it was not as formal as the Chief Clerk of the Left General or the Governor of Yu Province, it was more flexible and showed more personal connections.

Because it was created by Liu Bei himself, the power and authority of the position of Military Advisor General were entirely determined by Liu Bei, and were not limited by official positions such as Chief Clerk of the Left General or Governor of Yu Province.

This was an original creation of Liu Bei, which he learned from Cao Cao.

The old days.

To show his closeness to Guo Jia, Cao Cao created the position of Military Advisor and Chief Military Officer specifically for Guo Jia.

The position of military advisor is usually filled by staff officers, and the chief advisor is the chief strategist.

Cao Cao used the title of Military Advisor to highlight Guo Jia's extraordinary and unconventional character within Cao Cao's camp.

same.

Liu Bei's appointment of the Military Advisor General was for a similar purpose.

Zhuge Liang readily accepted the informal official title of "Military Advisor General".

Since the Han Dynasty, there have been countless Left General Chief Clerks or Governors of Yuzhou.

The position of Military Advisor General was created by Liu Bei and held exclusively by Zhuge Liang!

Emperor Wu of Han once created the position of General of the Cavalry specifically for Huo Qubing, and made the General of the Cavalry's salary equal to that of the Grand General, with a gold seal and purple ribbon, and a rank equivalent to the Three Dukes.

It is precious because it is unique.

Xu Shu was formally promoted from a senior guest to the position of military advisor, participating in military and political affairs, and ranking below Zhuge Liang.

To show respect, Liu Bei then ordered Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to come forward and pay their respects.

All the courtesies were extremely thoughtful.

Because Pang Tong did not choose a master, Liu Bei was unaware that the page standing to Zhuge Liang's right was actually a genius of his time, whom Sima Hui called "the crown of scholars in the South."

Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu respected Pang Tong's wishes and did not reveal Pang Tong's identity.

only.

At twenty years old, Pang Tong appeared somewhat immature in front of Zhuge Liang, who had returned from Wuzhang Plains at the age of fifty-four.

Zhuge Liang did not intend for Pang Tong to remain a mere bystander. He suggested that Pang Tong serve as a minor official under Zhang Fei, ostensibly as a servant, but as a brother to him, and that he should be given the opportunity to gain experience.

Zhang Fei is now the Chief Clerk of the Left General, responsible for all document management, administrative coordination, and seal safekeeping. As a confidant of the Left General, he participates in confidential affairs and plays a key role in linking military command and administrative operations.

Jian Yong and Mi Zhu, brothers, are currently serving as minor officials under Zhang Fei, the Left General's Chief Clerk, assisting in administration.

Liu Bei understood the implied meaning from the sound of the stringed instrument and the song.

Near Zhu Zhechi, near the ink is black.

How could Zhuge Liang's page be an ordinary person?
Liu Bei immediately adopted Zhuge Liang's suggestion and asked Pang Tong to serve as a minor official. He also instructed Zhang Fei not to neglect Pang Tong and did not underestimate him because of his humble status as a page.

【Kongming—】

Pang Tong sighed inwardly and did not object.

Firstly, although Pang Tong was talented and learned, he rarely put his theories into practice and indeed needed opportunities to gain experience.

Both of these factors contributed to Pang Tong's growing interest in Liu Bei. Serving as a minor official under Zhang Fei allowed Pang Tong to gain a deeper understanding of Liu Bei.

Everything is perfect.

Liu Bei, full of high spirits, declared: "I have ordered a banquet to be prepared in my residence. Gentlemen, you may come with me! Tonight, we shall not leave until we are drunk!"

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(End of this chapter)