In the evening, Bowang City was overcrowded, with people shouting and neighing everywhere, and it was as noisy as a market.
Xu Shu was in the government office collecting battle reports and taking inventory of supplies. He was so busy that he transferred Mi Zhu and Sun Qian to assist.
In this battle, Xiahou Dun was defeated, and more than 30,000 prisoners were captured. Countless weapons, money and food were seized. It has not yet been fully investigated.
Just when the reward list was being prepared, the defenders came to report that someone outside the house asked to see him, but did not give his name and only brought in a token.
Xu Shu took it and saw that it was the letter he had left in Longzhong. His heart beat wildly and he stood up suddenly, then slowly sat down and ordered someone to invite him in.
Not long after, a figure flashed at the door. Zhuge Liang arrived at the door, wearing a feather fan, silk scarf, and a fluttering white shirt. Seeing Xu Shu busy at his desk, he smiled casually and stepped into the hall.
He walked straight to the case, clasped his fists and said, "Congratulations Yuan Zhi for another great achievement!"
Xu Shu raised his head and said calmly: "Young master, you have done me the favor of saving my mother. How dare you not try your best to repay me? How can it be compared to Kong Ming's sightseeing tour and his big wedding soon?"
Zhuge Liang laughed loudly and said: "After not seeing each other for many years, Yuan Zhi still has the same temper, and his aura in the world has not diminished at all."
Xu Shu put down his pen and said with emotion: "When you are in the Jianghu, you can't help yourself."
Zhuge Liang glanced around and asked, "Where is General Zuo?"
Xu Shu said: "The general is not in good health and has been tired all the way. The governor stayed up all night last night and has just rested for a long time."
Seeing that Xu Shu had no intention of calling for help, Zhuge Liang had no choice but to clasp his fists and say: "I missed the general twice. I deeply regret it. I came here to apologize. Can Yuan Zhi introduce me to you?"
Xu Shu raised his eyebrows and looked at Zhuge Liang: "You still consider me your friend?"
Zhuge Liang smiled and said: "You and I have become close friends and have the same affection as brothers. Why do you say this?"
Xu Shu said displeasedly: "You are free and easy by nature and don't stick to common etiquette, but you came to the house twice and avoided seeing me. It's too disrespectful to Xu."
Zhuge Liang shook his feather fan lightly and said with a smile: "I don't want to meet you. I don't know the purpose of the general's visit. I'm afraid that if I give you face, you and I will lose face."
Xu Shu was startled, pointed at Zhuge Liang and laughed and said: "Kong Ming, Kong Ming, you are still so cautious, don't let go of the eagle when you don't see the rabbit!"
With a smile, the barrier disappeared. Xu Shu took Zhuge Liang to his seat and prepared wine to entertain him.
Zhuge Liang sighed with emotion: "In today's world, not only the king chooses his ministers, but the ministers also choose the king! If you entrust someone to someone else, not only will you fail to serve the country, but it will also cause harm to the people. How dare Liang be rash?"
Xu Shu smiled and said: "The Duke's talents are far better than mine. If the dragon comes out of the mountain, why should we be afraid of Cao Cao's thieves? Why should we worry about the uncertainty of the world?"
Zhuge Liang sighed softly: "Yuan Zhi's sentence, 'Every man is responsible for the rise and fall of the world', shames me!"
Xu Shu shook his head and said with a smile: "This is not my word, it comes from the eldest son."
"Oh?" Zhuge Liang was deeply surprised. He paused and raised his glass and said, "That's all, let's have a drink together!"
Xu Shu finished drinking and said with emotion: "Yesterday's great victory, the first credit should be given to the eldest son, I am just the icing on the cake."
Zhuge Liang was surprised again and asked: "The eldest son also knows the art of war?"
Xu Shu shook his head and said: "Although the eldest son does not know the art of war, he has ambitious and clever strategies. In the battle last night, according to common sense, it was just an attack on the camp to defeat the enemy. But the eldest son destroyed the cauldron and sent out the entire army, killing Cao's army and throwing away their helmets and armor. I expected that Xiahou Dun also How can anyone put all their efforts into the first battle without taking any precautions?"
"It shows that the eldest son is very courageous!" Zhuge Liang shook his feather fan and nodded slightly, "He is decisive in killing, knows people well and is good at assigning tasks. The Liu family has such talents, why worry about the Han Dynasty not being prosperous?"
Xu Shu frowned and said: "Although Xiahou Dun fell into the trap and was defeated, Cao Cao will be furious and come with a large army. There are 300,000 soldiers and horses in Runan. With the strength of Jingzhou, it is not enough to fight for a long time."
Zhuge Liang said: "Cao Cao is powerful and cannot compete with him. I am here to discuss matters in Jingzhou with the eldest son."
"It's getting late, I'll take you to see him!" Xu Shu stood up and said with a smile, "Kong Ming doesn't know something. Ever since he got rid of Cai Mao, the eldest son has been talking about the sleeping dragon and the phoenix chick all day long. If he knew that the king was coming, he would be overjoyed."
The two went to the back hall and saw that the bedroom door was still closed. Xu Shu waved back the defenders and was about to wake up Liu Qi.
Zhuge Liang stopped him and said, "The eldest son came to the door twice. Liang was rude first. Why not wait for a while?"
"There will be a celebration party tonight. The time has come and it's time to wake him up."
Xu Shu signaled to Zhuge Liang that there was no need to be polite, and gently pushed the door open. He saw Liu Qi half lying on the bed, having already woken up, and was stunned for a moment: "General, haven't you rested yet?"
"The war is about to begin, how can I sleep well?" Liu Qi stretched out and said with emotion: "I know who wakes up from the big dream first.
There was not enough sleep in the courtroom, and the sun was getting late outside the window. "
Xu Shu was startled, put his hands on his hands and laughed loudly: "The general's words are very similar to those of a crouching dragon."
Zhuge Liang paused slightly at the door, his eyes flickering uncertainly. Liu Qi's words seemed to have a meaning, which coincided with the artistic conception of the thatched cottage. Could it be that he had truly become a saint?
Liu Qi sighed: "Wolong is a hermit, free and easy, but I shoulder heavy responsibilities and dare not say anything. How can I compare with him?"
Xu Shu smiled and said: "Today there are distinguished guests coming, and they will certainly be able to share the general's worries."
"Dignified guest?" Liu Qi frowned slightly, suddenly lifted the quilt and said in surprise: "Mr. Wolong is here, please come and meet me."
Xu Shu smiled and said: "General, don't worry, Kong Ming is right here."
"Where is the person?" Liu Qi ran out the door with his feet bare, and saw a man standing tall and graceful. His eyes widened as expected.
Zhuge Liang's eyes flashed, and he bowed and said: "Zhuge Liang, a barbarian from Nanyang, has come to apologize. I hope the general will forgive me!"
"Sir, he is indeed here!" Liu Qi supported Zhuge Liang and said excitedly: "I have been looking forward to Crouching Dragon for a long time. Now I can see his face. I will have no regrets in this life. Please come in quickly."
Xu Shu came over and said with a smile: "General, please calm down. I will accompany Kong Ming to the front hall to wait. The celebration banquet will also be arranged. Please come back before you change your clothes."
"Yes, yes!" Liu Qi looked down and saw that he was still barefoot and wearing pajamas, clasped his fists and said, "I was rude and made the gentleman laugh."
Zhuge Liang was very moved and said goodbye to Xu Shu. Liu Qi immediately asked someone to wash and change clothes.
The soldier guarding the door just now came in with a basin towel. Liu Qi patted him on the shoulder and praised: "Liu Neng, you did a great job!"
The soldier scratched his head and said with a smile: "Dad told me that when you ask me to do things, you should watch and pay more attention, and always think about the young master. I know that the young master has been thinking about Mr. Wolong for a long time, so I dare to wake up the young master boldly."
This soldier was Liu Neng, the son of the housekeeper Liu Fu. Liu Fu was too old to travel far, so he asked his son to follow him. He was a smart and capable man. This name always made Liu Qi a little embarrassed.
Liu Qi wiped his face and said, "No one is allowed to tell you what happened just now."
Liu Neng bowed and said: "Don't worry, sir, I won't even tell my father about this."
Just now Liu Neng came to report the news, and Liu Qi jumped out of bed with joy. If Xu Shu hadn't entertained Zhuge Liang for a while, it would have been difficult to act sleepy.
In order to maintain the mystery and bring Zhuge Liang back to his heart, he first plagiarized a poem from him, and then greeted people with bare feet. Is this sincerity enough?
