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

Chapter 48 Zhuge Liang's verbal battle with Cao Cao: Just now it was just a joke.

"Zhuge Liang is so young?"

Cao Cao was astonished the moment he saw Zhuge Liang.

thought.

Even if Zhuge Liang wasn't in his thirties or forties, he must have been around twenty-seven or twenty-eight.

Scholars of the Han Dynasty.

Those with exceptional talent, in particular, often travel to various prefectures, take up minor official positions, or make friends and cultivate their reputation after reaching adulthood, all in order to increase their experience and prestige.

Then they could be recruited by the government and rise rapidly in rank.

However, judging from Zhuge Liang's appearance, he was at most in his early twenties, yet he was recruited by Liu Bei as Military Advisor and General, which even made Guan Yu, who always looked down on scholars, willing to submit to his orders.

Guan Yu's attitude, in particular, made Cao Cao both envious and puzzled.

What I envy is that Guan Yu would rather be gentle and humble towards a young scholar than give me a second glance.

The puzzling thing is: Guan Yu looked down on Xun Yu, who was a man of great talent, so why was he so gentle and humble towards Zhuge Liang, who was both unknown and young?
While Cao Cao was sizing up Zhuge Liang, Zhuge Liang was also sizing up Cao Cao.

Although the person currently facing Cao Cao is Zhuge Liang, who has been in office for 54 years and has a wealth of experience, Zhuge Liang has never met Cao Cao in those 54 years.

Our impression of Cao Cao is largely formed by a mixture of various rumors and legends.

Though short in stature, he possesses a brilliant and insightful mind. To be able to become a regional overlord truly requires extraordinary qualities.

Zhuge Liang secretly made a preliminary assessment of Cao Cao's actions.

If Cao Cao's height were placed among ordinary people, the difference would not be obvious.

However, the difference becomes obvious when considering families of high-ranking officials and nobles.

Most noble families were tall and had very few members who were short.

Historical records state that Cao Teng served as Grand Chamberlain and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Feiting. His adopted son, Song, succeeded him and rose to the position of Grand Commandant, but no one could ascertain the details of his birth.

In other words, the details of Cao Song's birth and origins cannot be ascertained or verified.

Therefore, some unofficial histories claim that Cao Cao was not actually a descendant of the Xiahou clan, and that Cao Cao's biological father, Cao Song, was actually picked up by Cao Teng on the roadside.

That being said, it is no exaggeration to say that Cao Cao, despite his short stature, handsome appearance, and status as the descendant of a eunuch, rose to his current power and influence, and that he was "brilliant and insightful."

"Zhuge Liang, the military advisor and general under the Left General, a hermit of Langya, greets the Minister of Works."

Zhuge Liang, holding a fan and bowing respectfully, greeted the guests in a loud voice.

Although the voice was not loud, the pronunciation was smooth and clear.

Cao Cao was even more curious.

With a narrow, disdainful look, Cao Cao laughed loudly: "Liu Bei is incompetent, actually sending away a mere child!"

That's an extremely aggressive statement.

It criticizes Liu Bei for being incompetent and unable to attract wise men, while also calling Zhuge Liang a mere child.

Guan Yu's phoenix eyes snapped open instantly, and he gripped his crescent blade tightly.

Those who insult their elder brother are unforgivable!

Those who insult the strategist cannot be forgiven!

If it weren't for the fear of Cao Cao's cavalry behind him and the guards Cao Ren and Xu Chu on his left and right, as well as the need to protect Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu would have used his unparalleled martial prowess to declare to everyone: what it means to take the head of a general from among ten thousand troops as easily as taking something out of a bag!

As Guan Yu's aura shifted, Xu Chu, who had been watching him closely, tensed his muscles, fearing that Guan Yu might suddenly launch an attack.

The tense atmosphere, though seemingly on the verge of conflict, did not affect Zhuge Liang.

Faced with Cao Cao's mockery, Zhuge Liang simply waved his feather fan and responded loudly: "I have heard that in the past, the Minister of Works and the General of the Left discussed heroes over green plums and wine, and believed that the only heroes in the world were the Minister of Works and the General of the Left."

"Based on this assessment, I believe that General Zuo is not incompetent."

"Liang also heard that Xiang Tuo became Confucius's teacher at the age of seven, Gan Luo became the chief minister of Qin at the age of twelve, and Sikong was recommended as a filial and incorrupt official at the age of twenty."

Compared with Xiang Tuo, Gan Luo, and Sikong, I am even more ashamed. I lived to be nineteen without achieving any merit. Fortunately, General Zuo did not consider me crude and appointed me as Military Advisor General, allowing me to survive in the chaotic world.

"Although I am a child, I am willing to emulate Xiang Tuo, Gan Luo and Sikong. Although I am a child, I will not forget my great ambitions."

Was Liu Bei incompetent?

However, the saying "The only heroes in the world are you, my lord, and I" came from Cao Cao's own mouth. If Liu Bei was incompetent, then Cao Cao was also incompetent.

When Xiang Tuo was seven years old, Confucius regarded him as his teacher.

At the age of twelve, Gan Luo won eleven cities for the Qin state and was appointed as a high-ranking official (equivalent to prime minister).

These two are both children!
If we only take these two examples, it can prove that even a child can have great ambitions.

But Zhuge Liang understood Yin and Yang.

After citing Xiang Tuo and Gan Luo as examples, Cao Cao, who was recommended as a filial and incorruptible official at the age of twenty, was also listed alongside them.

however.

According to the age requirements of the filial piety and incorruptibility system, those recommended for this position must be at least forty years old and have some experience in official positions.

Cao Cao was able to be recommended as a filial and incorruptible official at the age of twenty not because of his extraordinary abilities, but because Cao Song manipulated the recommendation through connections and money.

Compared to Xiang Tuo and Gan Luo, Cao Cao's decision to become a court official at the age of twenty seems out of place.

The last sentence was the decisive blow.

It directly became: Whether it's Xiang Tuo and Gan Luo, or Cao Cao and Zhuge Liang, they are all just children!

Just like Liu Bei and Cao Cao were mentioned earlier as heroes.

If Cao Cao were to criticize Liu Bei for being incompetent, it would be tantamount to criticizing himself for being incompetent; if Cao Cao were to criticize Zhuge Liang for being a child, it would be tantamount to criticizing himself for being a child.

Such eloquence is truly remarkable.

Zhuge Liang's rebuttal secretly amazed Cao Cao.

All of a sudden.

Cao Cao then unleashed his tendency to "seize what others desire".

Perhaps due to his inferior background and the ridicule he suffered from powerful families in his childhood, Cao Cao developed a habit of "taking what others like," such as taking other men's wives, generals, and virtuous men.

Cao Cao wanted to seize any beautiful wife, brave general, or wise and virtuous woman from another man's family for his own use.

For example, Lady Yin, the daughter-in-law of General He Jin; Lady Du, the wife of Qin Yilu, a general under Lü Bu; and Lady Zou, the wife of Zhang Ji.

If Cao Pi hadn't acted first, Yuan Shao's son Yuan Xi's wife, Lady Zhen, would have been taken into Cao Cao's household.

It's commonplace for Zhi Xian, a fierce general, to covet others' talents.

"Sir, you have the ambition of Xiang Tuo and Gan Luo, which I greatly admire."

"I and Xuande share a mutual respect as heroes and a deep friendship as friends."

"I was just joking!"

Cao Cao laughed loudly.

Whether it was truly a joke or not, only Cao Cao himself knew.

Seeing that Cao Cao's smile had changed, Zhuge Liang stopped his sarcastic remarks and instead said, "I am highly regarded by the Left General, so you may speak frankly. I can go back to see the Left General and convey your message."

Cao Cao waved his hand: "My intentions have been conveyed in this letter. Please trouble you to pass it on."

A guard carrying a scroll of bamboo slips approached Zhuge Liang.

Guan Yu blocked the way with his sword, took the bamboo slips, and glared at the Tiger Guards to scare them away. After carefully examining the bamboo slips, he handed them to Zhuge Liang.

I glanced at the contents of the bamboo slips.

The gist of the message is: to express Che Zhou's apology for framing Liu Bei, and to express his hope that Liu Bei would not assist Yuan Shao after arriving in Hebei.

However, there is also a hint of sowing discord between the lines.

(Note: Illustrations of official letters are shown. [A bamboo slip version is also included for amusement only.])

Zhuge Liang saw through it but didn't say it. He smiled and said, "I already know what you mean, Minister of Works. I greatly admire you for serving the Emperor and acting righteously. I also don't want to see you defeated by Yuan Shao and cause the Emperor to suffer."

"What I said in the previous secret letter was not just my wild guess. Minister, you must be careful."

"Although General Zuo is of low rank and little influence in Hebei, he will do his utmost for the sake of the country and its people."

　At the beginning of the month, I'm asking for monthly votes. [My book dropped off the new book chart, I'm heartbroken.]

　　For the sake of my bamboo scroll illustration, asking for monthly votes isn't too much to ask, is it?
　　
　
(End of this chapter)