Kong Ming glanced around and continued: "My lord is a descendant of the Han Dynasty. The current emperor also checked the genealogy and personally gave him the title of Uncle Liu. How could there be no basis for reference? Moreover, the emperor of the Han Dynasty started from a small pavilion in Sishui. You started from the beginning and finally conquered the world. You only made mats and sold shoes. How can it be an insult? You are completely a child's idea. You are not qualified to talk to elegant people, so stop talking!" Lu Ji Speechless.
Someone at the table came out and said: "What you are saying is just arrogant and not the right way. Needless to say, I also want to ask you how to govern in a classic way?" Kong Ming saw that it was Yan Suan.
Kong Ming said: "Reading the classics word for word and following the text, how can a very corrupt Confucian scholar prosper the country and achieve success? Moreover, in ancient times, Yi Yin who farmed in the field of Youxin, and Jiang Ziya who fished in the Weishui River, They are all people like Zhang Liang, Chen Ping, Deng Yu, and Geng Yan. They all have the ability to help the country achieve great unification. I have never seen them mastering any classics in their lives. Do we have to imitate the scholars? Is it just a matter of using words to discuss and decide world affairs?" He was seriously downcast and unable to deal with it.
Another person said loudly: "You like to talk eloquently, but you may not have any real talents and practical knowledge. I'm afraid you will be ridiculed by real Confucian scholars." Kong Ming looked at it and saw that it was Cheng Deshu of Runan.
Kong Ming replied: "There is a difference between a villain and a gentleman among Confucians. A gentleman among Confucians is loyal to the emperor and patriotic, protects justice, and hates evil. He must use his abilities to leave his own reputation at that time, while a villain among Confucians is , I only know a few tricks, writing, painting, and poetry, but I don’t have much background. Although I can write many articles with my pen, I don’t have any good ideas in mind when encountering actual situations. Besides, Yang Xiong is famous for his good articles. He was born in the world, but he succumbed to Wang Mang's hand and eventually threw himself into the pavilion and died. This is a villain among Confucian scholars. Although he can compose thousands of poems every day, what's the use?" Cheng Deshu had no way to deal with it after hearing this.
At this time, the scene fell into silence. Everyone found that Kong Ming answered fluently and the limelight was completely occupied by him.
At this time, Zhang Wen and Luo Tong thought of something and prepared to ask Kong Ming. Suddenly a person came in from outside and said sternly: "Kong Ming is a wizard in the world today. It is not the way to treat guests with your words to make things difficult for others. Besides, Cao Cao's army is pressing down and he doesn't want to think about a strategy to retreat from the enemy. So he is just talking here." Fight!" Everyone looked and saw that the man was from Lingling. His surname was Huang, his given name was Gai, and his given name was Gongfu. He was now a grain official in Soochow.
Huang Gai said to Kong Ming: "I heard that people who talk a lot will gain benefits, but it is better to remain silent. Why not say good words to our lord instead of debating with others here?"
Kong Ming smiled slightly and said: "I am like this too, but you all here are ignorant of current affairs, and you are asking questions here constantly, and you cannot allow me to remain silent."
So Huang Gai and Lu Su took Kong Ming in. When they arrived at the middle gate, they happened to meet Zhuge Jin, and Kong Ming saluted him.
Zhuge Jin said: "Since my dear brother has arrived in Jiangdong, why don't you come to visit me?"
Kong Ming said: "Since I have served as a military advisor under Uncle Liu Huang, I should put public affairs first before private affairs. The public affairs have not been completed yet, so I dare not consider private matters. I hope you will forgive me."
Zhuge Jin said: "Okay, my dear brother, come to me after seeing my lord." After that, he left.
Lu Su said: "You must remember what I told you before and don't mess it up."
Kong Ming nodded and was taken to the central hall. Sun Quan came down from the steps to greet him and treated Kong Ming very favorably. After saluting, Kong Ming was given a seat, and everyone was divided into civil and military sides. Lu Su stood beside Kong Ming and only watched him speak.
Kong Ming expressed Liu Bei's intention, took a peek at Sun Quan, and found that he had blue eyes, purple beard, and a dignified appearance. Kong Ming thought: "This man's appearance is abnormal. He can only provoke the general, but cannot persuade him. When he asks me, I will directly provoke him." It’s law.”
After the tea presentation, Sun Quan said: "I heard Lu Su talk about your talents. I am honored to see you today. I hope to learn from you."
Kong Ming said: "My talents and learning are very average. I'm afraid I have insulted their praise."
Sun Quan said: "You have been in Xinye recently, assisting Uncle Liu Huang in the decisive battle with Cao Cao. You must know the true and false situation of Cao Cao's army."
Kong Ming said: "Uncle Liu's military strength is small and there are not many generals. In addition, Xinye is a small place with little food. How can he compete with Cao's army?"
Sun Quan asked: "How many troops does Cao's army have?"
Kong Ming said: "There should be about one million horses, infantry and water troops."
Sun Quan was a little unconvinced and asked, "Is this credible?"
Kong Ming shook his head and said: "No, Cao Cao had more than 200,000 Qingzhou troops in Yanzhou. After pacifying Yuan Shao, he got Hebei's army, which was about 500,000 to 600,000. He also recruited another 300,000 to 400,000 from the Central Plains. And now we have another 200,000 to 300,000 troops from Jingzhou. Calculated this way, it’s almost 1.5 million. I calculated it in millions because I was afraid of disturbing Jiangdong.”
Lu Su was on the side. When he saw that the plot did not develop as he had previously ordered, he blinked at Kong Ming, but Kong Ming just pretended not to see it.
Sun Quan asked again: "How many generals do Cao Cao have?"
Kong Ming replied: "There are probably no less than one or two thousand generals who are resourceful and capable of conquering and fighting."
Sun Quan said: "So now that Cao Cao has defeated Jingzhou and Chu, does he have any other ideas?"
Kong Ming said: "Now we are planning to go down to the stronghold along the Yangtze River and send people to build warships day and night. This is not a plot to Jiangdong, but where are we planning to attack?"
Sun Quan said: "If Cao Cao intends to annex Jiangdong, I hope you can help me decide whether to fight or surrender."
Kong Ming said: "I have something to say, but I'm afraid the general won't listen."
Sun Quan said: "I hope to hear your opinion!"
Kong Ming said: "Previously, the world was in chaos, so the general raised troops in Jiangdong. Uncle Liu Huang recovered the people in Hannan and fought for the world with Cao Cao. Now Cao Cao has completed his foundation, pacified most of his enemies, and recently defeated Jingzhou. It is powerful all over the world. Even if there are heroes, there is no place to use force, so Liu Huangshu fled here, hoping that the general will deal with it according to his own situation. If the troops of Wu and Yue can be used to compete with the entire Central Plains, it is better to cut off with Cao Cao as soon as possible. If No, why don't you listen to everyone's opinions and just disband the army and surrender to Cao Cao from the north?"
Before Sun Quan could come back, Kong Ming continued to ask: "The general declares that he obeys the imperial court externally, but this is not the case internally. The matter is already very urgent and if it is not resolved, then disaster is not far away."
Sun Quan said: "If this is the case, why doesn't Uncle Liu surrender?"
