Xu Shu was taken aback. Looking at Liu Bei's resolute face, he was somewhat shaken. This was the first time he had met someone who had made him feel so impressed.
Seeing Xu Shu hesitate, Liu Bei became even more certain that his guess was correct.
"Please, sir, come out of seclusion and help me!"
Liu Bei stood up, bowed solemnly to Xu Shu, and then spoke sincerely.
Xu Shu was finally moved by Liu Bei and said, "In that case, I am willing to serve you like a dog or a horse!"
Liu Bei said with satisfaction, "Sir, your righteousness is truly admirable. On behalf of all the people of the world, I thank you!"
"Lord Xuande, you flatter me. I swear to follow you to the death!"
"That's great!..."
"Congratulations, Lord Xuande, on acquiring such a talented individual!" Sima Hui also offered his congratulations.
Liu Bei gained a lot from this trip to Jingzhou. Although he failed to persuade Sima Hui to join him, he did gain the help of Xu Shu.
They also learned that possessing either the Crouching Dragon or the Young Phoenix would bring peace to the world. As long as they were found later, what was there to worry about in achieving their great cause?
"Hehe, Lord Xuande has traveled a long way to come, so I will have someone prepare a banquet to entertain you!" Sima Hui said.
"Very well! Very well! Thank you for your trouble, sir," Liu Bei said.
Sima Hui immediately ordered people to prepare wine and food, and it was soon ready.
"Lord Xuande, please have some!" Sima Hui said, raising his wine cup with refined manners.
"Please!" Liu Bei also picked up the wine cup on the table, clinked it with Sima Hui's, and drank it down.
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Sima Hui saw Liu Bei and the others off.
Liu Bei did not summon Zhuge Liang to leave Jingzhou; instead, he kept inquiring about Zhuge Liang's whereabouts.
Huang Zhong then informed Liu Bei that Zhuge Liang was in Nanyang. Liu Bei then eagerly led Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to Nanyang, hoping to invite Zhuge Liang to serve him.
After arriving in Nanyang, Liu Bei went straight to the residence where Zhuge Liang lived.
"Liu Bei, Governor of Yizhou, has come to pay his respects to Master Zhuge!" Liu Bei said, bowing at the door.
After a while, the door slowly opened, and a young man in a blue robe walked out.
"Liu Bei? Liu Xuande?"
Liu Bei quickly clasped his hands in greeting and said, "I am indeed Liu Bei. I apologize for my intrusion and hope you will forgive me, sir!"
Zhuge Liang suddenly realized and asked, "May I ask what brings Lord Xuande here?"
Liu Bei said somewhat awkwardly, "To be honest, I have come here to pay my respects to Mr. Kongming."
To everyone's surprise, the young man smiled and said, "I am not Mr. Kongming. My name is Zhuge Jun. Kongming is my second brother!"
"What? You're Zhuge Liang's brother? This, this..."
Liu Bei was astonished. Hearing this, he realized that Kongming was the second son, and there must be an older brother above him!
"I wonder if Mr. Kongming is at home?" Liu Bei asked anxiously.
The young man shook his head and said, "I am traveling abroad and have not yet returned. Lord Xuande, please return!"
"Then, I'll come and bother you again another day." Liu Bei turned to leave, somewhat dejected.
However, since Kongming was called the Crouching Dragon, his younger brother should be no less impressive.
Do you have...?
Before Liu Bei could finish speaking, Zhuge Jun waved his hand to interrupt him.
"My studies are not yet complete, so I will not consider entering officialdom for the time being. Thank you for your kindness, Lord Xuande," Zhuge Jun said, bowing.
Liu Bei gave a bitter smile and finally sighed.
Zhuge Jun glanced at Liu Bei and continued, "Liu Xuande has come here, presumably to invite my elder brother to join his cause!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Bei awkwardly touched his nose and nodded.
“My second brother never participates in political struggles and has no interest in power struggles. Liu Xuande, please leave!” Zhuge Jun said calmly.
Liu Bei was taken aback, not expecting Zhuge Jun's attitude to be so resolute.
However, Liu Bei was still unwilling to give up and continued, "Mr. Zhuge, I know that Brother Kongming is upright and honest, but the Han Dynasty is now in grave danger. I hope to borrow Brother Kongming's talents and strategies to save the people from their suffering!"
Zhuge Jun coldly replied, "I will convey your message!"
Zhuge Jun then closed the door.
Liu Bei sighed helplessly and had no choice but to leave.
Liu Bei returned to Xiangyang City with a worried expression on his face. It seemed that it would indeed be very difficult to persuade Zhuge Liang to come out of seclusion.
Meanwhile, Zhuge Liang and his wife Huang Yueying were on Yunmeng Mountain.
"Sir! We were truly terrified when we heard the devastating news about you!"
Huang Yueying sat next to Zhuge Liang and said with concern.
Lu Li smiled slightly and said, "I'm sorry to have troubled you, I'm fine."
Zhuge Liang also sighed. Although Lu Li had tricked him twice, Lu Li had once been a teacher at Yingchuan Academy. Although Lu Li hadn't taught him much, he was still considered half a teacher. Zhuge Liang was still very saddened to hear that Lu Li had an accident.
"Sir, what brings you here today?" Kongming asked.
Lu Li asked, "Do you know Liu Bei?"
Zhuge Liang was taken aback and asked in confusion, "Liu Bei? The current Governor of Yi Province?"
Lu Li nodded and said, "That's right, it's Liu Bei."
Kongming frowned and said, "Sir, what are you trying to say? I am not familiar with Liu Bei and do not understand your meaning!"
"I want you to come out of seclusion and help Liu Bei!" Lu Li looked directly into Kongming's eyes.
"Why? I have never met Liu Bei before. What is the reason for your doing this, sir?" Zhuge Liang asked, somewhat surprised.
Lu Li explained, "Liu Bei is a magnanimous man who governs the people with benevolence and righteousness. If he were to receive Kongming's assistance, he would surely be able to stabilize the chaotic situation in the world and even unify the world!"
After pondering for a moment, Zhuge Liang said, "Sir, there is something I don't understand, and I hope you can enlighten me."
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