On the day before the new year, Zhuge Liang suddenly came to say goodbye to Chen Chong.
In order to prove that there was indeed a reason, Kong Ming specifically explained his life experience to Chen Chong. It turned out that his parents died early and his eldest brother was missing. Apart from him, there were only two sisters and a younger brother left in the family, all of which were taken care of by his uncle Zhuge Xuan. The year before last, his uncle died of illness. After mourning, he went out to study, and even entered the customs, but in fact he still had a marriage.
At the beginning of Kongming's study tour, he once went to find friends to accompany him. During this period, he went to the home of Huang Chengyan, a famous scholar in Miannan, to talk about scriptures. Unexpectedly, after Huang Chengyan talked with him, he admired Kong Ming greatly, and then said to his wife who was waiting at the side: "This is my Wolong in Jingzhou, no one in Hannan can match it!" Then he wanted to marry his daughter, so he said to him Kong Ming said: "You are still unmarried! I have a daughter in my family who is fourteen years old. Although she is ugly, her talents match yours. How about marrying you?"
Since the fifteenth year of the Kongming Dynasty, there have been many people talking about marriage, but most of them talk about how beautiful the woman is and how noble her family is. This is the first time that Huang Chengyan has boasted about his talent. He readily agreed, but said he would postpone it for a few years because of his study abroad trip. By this year, Kong Ming was already nineteen, and the engaged Huang family was also sixteen. Huang Chengyan learned that Guanzhong was in chaos last year and felt that the wedding could no longer be postponed, so he wrote to Kong Ming to urge him to get married. Kong Ming also felt that the time was right, so he came to say goodbye to Chen Chong.
Come and try it quickly. 】
Chen Chong knew this a long time ago, and he only asked: "After you get married, how do you plan to arrange it?"
Kong Ming said with a smile: "After I got married, I took my whole family to join the teacher. I hope the teacher won't dislike me." But when he said this, he couldn't help but think of his missing eldest brother. He sighed sadly and said, "It's just the chaos in Xuzhou." Afterwards, I don’t know whether my brother is alive or dead, or where he is.”
It turns out he didn't know it yet. Chen Chong was surprised, turned around and rummaged through the piles of letters in the study, and then pulled out a letter and handed it to Kong Ming. Kong Ming didn't know why, but he opened it and read it carefully, only to find that it was a letter written by Sun Ce, the general who broke the army.
In the letter, Sun Ce first inquired about Chen Chong's safety and the situation in Guanzhong, and then introduced the situation in Yangzhou to Chen Chong: In four years, he basically defeated the separatist forces in various counties, such as Zulang, Fan Neng, Sheng Xian, Gao Dai, Yan Baihu, Jiao Ji and other wealthy county governors, either as owl leaders or as conquerors, have unified Yangzhou. After talking about the situation, Sun Ce complained again, saying that the mountains and rivers in the territory were still unstable, Liu Biao of Jingzhou and Zhang Jin of Jiaozhou were also spying on them, and there were still many superstitions in the Lujiang area, most of which came from Jiangxia. Therefore, Sun Ce hoped that Chen Chong could Grant him the right to attack Liu Biao and Zhang Jin to clear the rivers. For this reason, Sun Ce also praised the many talents under his command, including Zhou Yu, Lu Su, Zhang Zhao, Liu Ye, Shiyi, Zhuge Jin and other famous people. As long as the imperial court can issue an edict, he will definitely be willing to relieve Uncle Shi's worries.
After Kong Ming read the letter, he couldn't help but said happily: "It turns out that the eldest brother is in Jiangdong!" Then he worried: "I wonder how he has been living alone in recent years?"
Chen Chong waved his hand and said: "Jiangdong is a prosperous and safe place, and there has never been any major chaos. Even if Bo Fu raised an army, it was just to quell some bandits, and there was no serious problem. Therefore, Jiangdong is the first choice for refuge in Jiangbei. I also heard that, Because Xuande suffered a defeat, there were still many people from the Central Plains crossing the river at the end of last year and the beginning of this year! Since your brother has joined Bo Fu's command, he will definitely not suffer."
When the topic reached this point, the two simply changed from casual chat to a long conversation and continued to talk about Jiangdong's issue. Kong Ming first asked Chen Chong: "What do you think of Polu's request? Is it acceptable?"
Chen Chong said: "I have already replied to him, telling him not to worry, saying that I have sent an envoy to Jingzhou so that the two families can make peace. Now that the court is in trouble, there are huge bandits in Hebei, which is endangering the foundation. If there are still Mu Bo in the south of the Yangtze River, If there is internal fighting, the country will lose its power."
Kong Ming shook his head and said: "Business and hustle and bustle, people come and go for profit. That's all the teacher said. I'm afraid Polu won't listen."
Chen Chong smiled, nodded and said: "You are right, so I recognize the title of General Zhendong given to him by His Majesty. I also promised him that if he negotiates a peace, I will transfer Xuzhou to him in exchange for these. He will not refuse."
Kong Ming was stunned when he heard this, and then he realized: "Teacher has a good plan to drive away wolves and swallow tigers."
With Kong Ming's wisdom, he could naturally see that if Cao Cao launched an offensive again after next autumn, he would be targeting Xuzhou. As far as the imperial court was concerned, Xuzhou was almost a dead end. The battle front was extremely long and there was no danger to defend it. Once the joint battle failed, the entire Guandong might not be owned by the imperial court. But it is not acceptable to abandon the defense and let Xuzhou be left to Cao Cao in vain. After Cao Jun captures Xuzhou, he will be able to form a three-sided situation surrounding Yuzhou. By then, the DPRK and the Central Government will have no choice but to retreat westward and once again hold on to Hulao Pass.
But if according to what Chen Chong said, Xuzhou was given to Sun Ce, the situation would be completely different. Sun Ce will be involved in the melee situation in the Central Plains if he takes the land in Huaibei. In comparison, he can only use the imperial court as an ally to resist Cao Cao. Sun Ce's defense of Xuzhou is not as good as that of Bafu. The battle line is short and water transportation is extremely convenient. In addition, Jiangdong is rich in resources and people. Even if Hebei's national strength is superior, it may be difficult to win. Once frustrated, the situation on the battlefield in the Central Plains will turn to confrontation, and the court will be able to find clues. A good chance to win.
However, Kong Ming still had a confusion in his mind. He asked, "Although Sun Polu has an old friendship with his teacher, judging from his words and deeds, it seems that he has no intention of respecting Han people. If the teacher raises him like this, isn't he afraid that he will become Cao Cao again?"
Chen Chong Fusu replied: "If we can capture Cao Cao, regain Hebei, and pacify the Central Plains and Jiangdong, it will be nothing more than a trivial matter. If Cao Cao cannot be quelled, it is useless to think about these trivial matters. Kong Ming, there are many things that do not need to be considered comprehensively." , a big mountain in the eyes of a child, when one grows up, it turns out to be just a small Chul'er."
Kong Ming listened to Chen Chong's teachings and looked thoughtful. However, when the princess walked in, they realized that they had unknowingly been chatting until noon. Chen Chong left Zhuge Liang to have dinner with him. The meal was still cooked by the princess, but after she came in and put down the box of eucalyptus, she just glanced at Chen Chong and then retreated outside the room. Zhuge Liang was extremely surprised. After eating, the two drank tea and chatted for a while.
Seeing that he was about to say goodbye, Zhuge Liang suddenly approached and asked Chen Chong in a low voice: "Teacher, the student has a few words that I don't know whether I should say or not."
Chen Chong was quite surprised and quickly waved his hand to show that it was okay. Zhuge Liang returned to his seat and said to Chen Chong: "The teacher told me that people should be sympathetic, but why are you so unkind to the princess at home? The princess is close to others, generous in speech, and extremely talented. Student Everyone privately said that they were envious. But the teacher's attitude was not like that. "The Book" said: "Sincerity means correcting one's mind, cultivating one's body, and harmonizing one's family. The teacher's unwillingness to harmonize one's family has caused too much criticism."
It is actually extremely unethical to interfere with a teacher's family affairs as a student. But because it was what Kong Ming heard, Chen Chong did not answer immediately, nor was he angry because of it. He just pondered for a while and asked Kong Ming: "Why do you think the emperor married me?"
Without waiting for Kong Ming's answer, he replied: "Actually, there is only one reason, that is, the emperor has not given up yet, and will make trouble again in the future." This statement was so categorical that Kong Ming could not help but refute it.
Chen Chong closed his eyes slightly, clicked his knuckles and said: "I am neglecting the princess now, and the emperor has no one to rely on, so naturally he will not dare to act rashly. In this way, the relationship between me and the palace will be relatively peaceful, and Xuande and the others will feel relieved. . But if I treat the princess a little better, the emperor will inevitably be more responsive. If trouble occurs again, the princess will be caught between me and the emperor, and I will be caught between the princess and Xuande. We are all in a dilemma, and we don’t know how many deaths we have to make. people."
Speaking of this, Chen Chong's own mouth also showed bitterness, pointing to the seat in front of him and saying: "Sometimes when I sit in this position, family affairs become state affairs, and it's not something I can do if I want to." Then he pulled me away. Kong Ming sighed with his hand: "Kong Ming, if you can sit in this position after the world is peaceful, I can take my wife and children back to the mountain plains. I will have no regrets and no need to think about these anymore."
These are secret words that cannot be spread outside. Chen Chong told Zhuge Liang in one breath, which shows his trust and respect for him. This was also the first time Zhuge Liang knew that Chen Chong had such high expectations for him! For a moment, Kong Ming's heart was in turmoil, and it took him a long time to say to Chen Chongqi: "Students will definitely live up to the teacher's expectations!"
In the afternoon of that day, Chen Chong personally escorted Zhuge Liang out of the city and walked to Zhicheng Gate. Kong Ming thought that the teacher was busy with work, so he asked him not to see him off. Before parting, Chen Chong wanted to give him something to express his feelings, but found that there was nothing on him, so he decided to give him a few poems.
Kong Mingsurong went to listen and saw Chen Chong slowly saying: "The plum blossoms are beautiful for a moment, and the bamboo leaves are colorful for a thousand years. May your heart of pines and cypresses shine endlessly."
Zhuge Liang was immediately moved. After bidding farewell to his teachers and classmates, he quickly left with a whip.
After seeing his disciple gradually disappearing, Chen Chong was about to ride back home. Unexpectedly, when he turned around, he suddenly felt that he was familiar with the passers-by on the official road. So he reined in the horse again and looked intently, just in time to see a convoy slowly approaching in the distance. It was called a convoy, but it was actually just two cars and seven or eight men on horseback. But the figure of the leader was tall and looked like a tiger from a distance. Although he did not carry a knife or a bow, he could not help but make passers-by look at him sideways and take the initiative to make way for him.
When he got closer, Chen Chong finally dared to be sure. Wasn't it Guan Yu, Guan Yunchang, who had disappeared during the Bohai War and whom Cao Jun claimed to have captured? But it seemed that he had been imprisoned for a long time. His face was covered with unkempt beard and hair, and his figure had become much thinner. Chen Chong almost didn't recognize it. But at this moment, his heart was surging, and he immediately rode forward and called Yun Chang's name loudly.
Yun Chang heard it, and even from dozens of feet away, people could see the joy shining in his eyes. The nine-foot-tall man immediately rode his horse over like flying and grabbed Chen Chong's arm tightly. Then, under the gaze of passers-by, the two of them burst into tears and laughed, as happy as if they had seen the dead come back to life.
