Huang Yueying's beautiful eyes sparkled. She had loved studying mechanisms and hidden weapons since she was a child, so she was particularly fond of the blueprints for the repeating crossbow, and she was confident that she could develop it.
Lu Li nodded in satisfaction and said, "You can just make the shape and design of the repeating crossbow. Just tell me what materials you need!"
Huang Yueying said, "Alright! But I'm afraid this repeating crossbow will be ineffective in the short term."
Lu Li said, "No rush, take your time!"
Subsequently, Zhuge Liang left Yunmeng Mountain with Huang Yueying.
"Yueying, I always feel that you have something you can't say about it," Zhuge Liang couldn't help but say as they walked along the road.
Huang Yueying shook her head and said earnestly, "Husband, you should trust your husband's character. I think he must have his own purpose."
"I know, but this time when I saw him, I felt that he seemed different," Zhuge Liang murmured.
Huang Yueying gently took Zhuge Liang's hand and said, "Husband, you don't need to worry too much. You are an extraordinary person, so please rest assured."
Hearing his wife's words, Zhuge Liang felt a warmth in his heart. He held Huang Yueying's soft little hand tightly and said gently, "Yes, I believe you, sir!"
During his time back in Jingzhou, Liu Bei visited Zhuge Liang's thatched cottage again, but still did not see Zhuge Liang.
Liu Bei was frustrated, but he did not give up. Instead, he became even more determined to persuade Zhuge Liang to come.
However, Liu Bei also knew that this matter could not be rushed, otherwise it would only backfire and arouse Zhuge Liang's displeasure.
When Zhuge Liang returned to his thatched cottage, Liu Bei received the news and immediately led Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to him.
"Liu Bei, the Governor of Yi Province, requests an audience with Master Kongming!"
Liu Bei adopted a very humble posture, standing outside the door and respectfully bowing towards the house.
At this moment, Huang Yueying came out and bowed to Liu Bei and the others, saying, "Please wait a moment, Liu Shijun. My husband is taking a nap. I will go and wake him up."
Unexpectedly, Liu Bei quickly said, "Since you are taking a nap, there is no need to disturb you. We will wait outside the door."
Huang Yueying nodded slightly and stepped back.
The three Liu brothers waited quietly outside the courtyard. Zhang Fei's expression was uncertain, clearly indicating that he was not in a good mood.
He couldn't help but say, "Brother, do you think Zhuge Liang is looking down on us? He made you wait outside while he slept inside?"
"Yide, stop talking nonsense!" Liu Bei scolded.
Zhang Fei scratched his head, feeling a little embarrassed, but he couldn't help but mutter, "Brother, this Zhuge Kongming is too arrogant and overbearing. How dare he treat you so disrespectfully."
Guan Yu quickly said, "Yide, don't say anything more!"
Liu Bei glared at Zhang Fei, then stood respectfully outside the door once again, continuing to wait.
Soon, a noise came from the room, and Zhuge Liang, dressed neatly, pushed open the door and came out.
"Mr. Kongming," Liu Bei said respectfully.
Zhuge Liang calmly replied, "I am Zhuge Kongming, greetings to Lord Xuande!"
"Please, Lord Xuande, come into my thatched cottage for a chat!"
Afterwards, Liu Bei instructed Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to guard outside the door, and he followed Zhuge Liang into the thatched hut.
"Lord Xuande visited my thatched cottage three times, what was the purpose of your visit?" Zhuge Liang said calmly, sitting on his prayer mat.
Liu Bei clasped his hands slightly and said politely, "Mr. Kongming is learned and wise. I have something I would like to ask you."
Zhuge Liang frowned and pondered for a moment before asking, "What is it?"
"Where should we go from here in the future?"
Zhuge Liang shook the feather fan in his hand, then smiled and said, "Now the world is divided into three. Cao Cao has unified the north, while Xuande only has the two provinces of Jing and Yi, and Sun Quan occupies Eastern Wu."
"However, Yizhou is an excellent place, easy to defend and difficult to attack, and very rich. With Lord Xuande holding Jingzhou, it is of paramount importance for the Northern Expedition to the Central Plains."
Upon hearing Zhuge Liang's analysis, Liu Bei frowned, realizing that Zhuge Liang was speaking in a politically savvy manner.
Even if you sent Fa Zheng and Xu Shu, they could say the same thing. This is not what Liu Bei wants to hear.
Zhuge Liang stood up, walked to the map, and pointed to the Central Plains: "Lord Xuande, look at the Central Plains. It is the center of the world. If we can occupy this place, we can command the four directions. However, Cao Cao has already occupied this place and his power is enormous. We cannot defeat him by force."
Liu Bei frowned: "Then, in your opinion, what should I do?"
Zhuge Liang pointed south and said, "Jingzhou is a vital passage between the north and the south. It cannot be lost. As long as we have Jingzhou, we can resist Cao Cao in the north and ally with Sun Quan in the east, forming a tripartite balance of power."
He particularly emphasized the importance of Jingzhou and, for the first time, proposed a strategy of resisting the north and allying with Sun Quan in the east. Liu Bei's eyes lit up immediately, and he looked at Zhuge Liang with approval.
Inside the thatched cottage in Longzhong, the conversation between Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang was like a game of chess, with every word and sentence filled with profound wisdom and foresight.
Zhuge Liang stood up, walked to the window, looked at the distant mountains and rivers, and slowly said, "Lord Xuande, look at this world, it is like a game of chess, each prefecture and county is a chess piece, and we are all chess players. We cannot only look at the move in front of us, but must see ten moves ahead."
Liu Bei walked to Zhuge Liang's side and looked into the distance as well: "Does the master mean that I should take a long-term view and not be limited to the gains and losses of a short time or place?"
"good."
Zhuge Liang nodded and said, "Now that Cao Cao and Sun Quan have both experienced major battles, it is impossible for them to wage war again within five years. Lord Xuande should use these five years to develop people's livelihood, recruit soldiers, and train elite troops."
Liu Bei's eyes gleamed as he asked, "According to your plan, sir, how should we proceed?"
Zhuge Liang said, "Yizhou is rich and abundant in resources. Lord Xuande can cultivate more grain, expand the farmland, and reduce taxes."
Upon hearing this, Liu Bei's eyes lit up.
Zhuge Liang smiled and said, "That's not all. Jingzhou also needs to train more naval forces, just in case."
"Cao Cao's army is mostly composed of northerners; it will not be easy for them to march south," Liu Bei said with doubt.
"The one we're guarding against isn't Cao Cao, but Sun Quan!"
"The might of the Jiangdong navy was known throughout the world after the Battle of Red Cliffs. If Sun Quan were to seize Jingzhou, the future Northern Expedition would be extremely difficult."
"Therefore, Lord Xuande must vigorously cultivate his own navy!" Zhuge Liang said solemnly.
After saying this, Liu Bei suddenly knelt on the ground, cupped his hands and said, "Sir, you are very talented. I have benefited greatly from your teachings. I am willing to treat you with the respect due to a military advisor. I implore you to come out of seclusion and assist me!"
Liu Bei's actions startled Zhuge Liang, who quickly helped Liu Bei up, saying, "Lord Xuande, you are too kind to me."
Liu Bei earnestly said, "I implore you, sir, to do what is right for the people and to uphold the state!"
Zhuge Liang then knelt on the ground, cupped his hands, and said, "Liang is willing to do his utmost! He will devote himself to the cause until his dying breath!"
Overjoyed, Liu Bei grabbed Zhuge Liang's hand and said, "Sir! I am deeply grateful!"
"I hope that my lord can restore the Han Dynasty and cleanse the world!" Zhuge Liang said solemnly.
Liu Bei laughed heartily and said with great pride, "Rest assured, sir, I will do my utmost to live up to your expectations!"
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