Mythical Version of Three Kingdom

Chen Xi turned right after leaving the house, and before he could exit the inner courtyard, he encountered Zhuge Liang, dressed in his scholarly robe with a calm expression, exuding an air of wisdom and confidence.

”Kongming, you’re not studying in the courtyard. What brings you here?” Chen Xi asked, calming himself. He had always treated Zhuge Liang with leniency.

”To learn is to apply. I heard you have urgent matters, and I wish to assist,” Zhuge Liang replied with a slight smile, making him quite likable.

”Don’t call me Chen Hou; that’s too distant. Just call me Zichuan. I’m heading to Qingzhou. Are you coming along?” Chen Xi raised an eyebrow, puzzled by Zhuge Liang’s decision, given his preference for peace and quiet.

”I heard that the Qingzhou Yellow Turbans have been pacified. What I’ve learned may finally be of use. May I offer my services?” Zhuge Liang’s calm demeanor remained unchanged, his composure almost infectious to Chen Xi.

”Bringing you along is fine. Although you’re a bit young, there’s a precedent of Gan Luo becoming prime minister at twelve. You, Zhuge Kongming, won’t be any less capable. Since you’re willing, let’s go. But we might not end up in Qingzhou,” Chen Xi nodded. Unlike the group of young women, he imposed little restraint on Zhuge Liang, letting him pursue what he enjoyed.

”Thank you,” Zhuge Liang cupped his hands in gratitude.

Chen Xi nodded, taking Zhuge Liang along amidst envious gazes from Mi Zhen and the other girls. Little did Chen Xi know, Zhuge Liang’s true motivation for joining him was to escape the constant harassment from that group.

Since Chen Xi and Li You had left for Xuzhou, Zhuge Liang’s ordeal had begun.

Besides Chen Xi and Zhuge Liang, the Chen family inner courtyard had no other males. Originally, Chen Xi had kindly allowed Zhuge Liang to live there, but after Chen Xi’s departure and the arrival of Mi Zhen, Zhen Mi, and the others, Zhuge Liang’s peaceful days ended. Without Chen Xi’s presence to restrain them, even the maids became more spirited, leaving Zhuge Liang little peace.Moreover, with Li You gone, Zhuge Liang couldn’t retreat to his residence as before. Bound by propriety, he couldn’t request to move out until Chen Xi returned, making the past few months rather trying. To avoid another three months of torment, Zhuge Liang decided that following Chen Xi was the better option—after all, traveling and experiencing the world was more beneficial than staying put.

”Zichuan, judging by the sword at your waist, you’re preparing to mobilize troops? At this time, those with the ability wouldn’t start a war, and those without wouldn’t dare. Our internal affairs are stable, so has something gone wrong elsewhere?” Zhuge Liang inquired, his sharp eyes quickly assessing the situation.

”With Xuande Gong away, only I can mobilize the troops. We need to head to Qingzhou’s port and order Gan Xingba to intervene in Lujiang. The Lu family is in trouble,” Chen Xi sighed.

”The Lu family of Jiangdong?” Zhuge Liang asked, puzzled. ”What connection do they have with us?”

As Chen Xi explained the situation to Zhuge Liang, he also considered contingency plans for possible complications. His oversight had already delayed the intelligence by five days, which could mean Lujiang had fallen by now.

”I see... As you’ve often said, ’The warmth of affection can be a hero’s downfall.’ This time, you really overindulged,” Zhuge Liang’s strict nature made it difficult for him to tolerate such mistakes.

”No helping it; you’re not married yet, so you wouldn’t understand. What’s done is done—let’s focus on resolving it. Hopefully, it’s not too late. If things go wrong, we may have to face Sun Bofu in battle,” Chen Xi sighed. Sun Ce, without Zhou Yu, was easier to handle, but with Zhou Yu by his side, he was a force to be reckoned with—a true protagonist archetype.

”Sun Bofu? Not Yuan Gonglu?” Zhuge Liang, who had been focused on his studies, seemed a bit unclear about the current state of affairs.

”Yuan Gonglu’s subordinate is Sun Bofu. But compared to Yuan Gonglu, Sun Bofu is a true hero, and I hold him in higher regard,” Chen Xi explained the relationship between Yuan Shu and Sun Ce in detail before summing it up.

”In that case, the best way to deal with someone like Sun Bofu, who values loyalty, is to force Yuan Gonglu to corner him, leading to a split between them. With Yuan Gonglu’s resources, it might be possible to defeat Sun Ce before he fully matures,” Zhuge Liang suggested, clearly eager to test his abilities.

It was evident that Zhuge Liang, who had been studying strategies and governance at home, was now eager to make his mark on the world.

”That might work, but not if Zhou Gongjin is involved. With Zhou Gongjin in the picture, this strategy could backfire. Let’s just say that Yuan Gonglu lacks the talent to counter Sun Ce, even with his resources. Ji Ling, though a good general, is fighting a losing battle,” Chen Xi said thoughtfully, careful not to dampen Zhuge Liang’s enthusiasm.

”Kongming, let me finish. Sun Bofu is much like Xiang Yu—not just in personality but in strength and ambition as well. And Zhou Yu... he’s practically perfect: wisdom, ability, temperament, and even his wife. Sun Bofu is Zhou Gongjin’s sworn brother, and they trust each other completely,” Chen Xi said with a hint of helplessness. Sun Ce had significant flaws in his character, but Zhou Yu’s presence more than made up for them.

”I see...” Zhuge Liang drew out his words, though he found it hard to believe that anyone could be so perfect.

”It’s true. I’ll show you their profiles when we get a chance, and you’ll understand the havoc these two can wreak together,” Chen Xi reassured him, acknowledging Zhou Yu’s prowess.

Zhuge Liang fell silent. Before coming to Taishan, he had believed himself to be unrivaled in the world. But after arriving here, he realized how vast the world truly was.

Perhaps when he came of age, Zhuge Liang would indeed stand above all others. But for now, in this era of brilliant minds, he had yet to step onto the grand stage. And before him was one of the brightest stars of all.

”Don’t worry about him. In another six or seven years, when you’re his age, you’ll shine even brighter. You are Zhuge Kongming, after all,” Chen Xi said with a smile, noting Zhuge Liang’s change in demeanor. Even without the famous ”Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage” incident, Zhuge Liang’s intelligence was undeniable.

Zhuge Liang sighed inwardly. The more time he spent with Chen Xi, the more awed he became by his vast knowledge. It was as if nothing in the world could escape Chen Xi’s grasp, filling Zhuge Liang with a deep admiration. He hoped that one day, he too could command the world as effortlessly as Chen Xi seemed to.