Can I get to the other side?

The trip from Jingzhou to Jizhou went very smoothly, and there were no accidents along the way, so we arrived in Wei County much earlier than expected.

It wasn't until they entered Wei Jun's territory that the three Qingzhu men truly felt relieved and slowed down their progress slightly.

After all, Zhuge Liang is from the south. He may not be accustomed to the climate and climate when he first arrived in the north. In addition, due to the fatigue of traveling all the way, it would be bad if he fell ill.

"Mr. Kong Ming, we will arrive in Yecheng today. I have done many rude things to you before, so I would like to apologize to you."

"If possible, sir, please help us hide something in front of His Majesty, lest His Majesty blame us for being too rude."

Qingzhu followed the carriage on horseback, clasping his fists and saying to Zhuge Liang in the carriage, with a trace of apology on his face.

Zhuge Liang was personally summoned by the emperor, and he would definitely be reused in the future. Needless to say, Zhuge Liang became very successful, so he was not easy to offend.

And he had to use some shameless methods to get Zhuge Liang to go with him. If the emperor knew about this, he was worried that he would be blamed.

Of course there is another reason.

After getting in touch with him along the way, he found that Zhuge Liang was indeed a gentleman, and that he was a bit of a bully by threatening his two brothers.

"Just don't worry."

Zhuge Liang nodded and agreed. He knew that Qingzhu and others were just helpless, and they were indeed very polite and caring to him along the way.

While chatting with Qingzhu, Zhuge Liang looked at both sides of the official road outside the carriage. After observing for a moment, he said, "May I ask why there are so many more refugees here than in other places in Jizhou since entering Wei County?"

Refugees can be found everywhere in today’s world.

However, Zhuge Liang found that there were not many refugees in other places in Jizhou. On the contrary, after entering Wei County, the number of refugees increased sharply, and refugees could be seen everywhere on both sides of the official road.

But what surprised him even more was that these refugees were different from ordinary refugees, and they looked much better.

"Mr. Kong Ming doesn't know something."

Qingzhu glanced at the refugees and people and explained to Zhuge Liang: "Your Majesty cares about the people and spends a lot of financial and material resources to resettle the refugees."

"After hearing the news, refugees from all over the country flocked to Wei County. This resulted in many more refugees in Wei County than outside."

"Although the court is working hard to resettle them, there are too many refugees and they cannot all be resettled in a short time."

"However, the imperial court will distribute food and clothing every now and then, which finally allowed these refugees to survive this winter. Otherwise, I don't know how many people would freeze to death and starve to death."

Zhuge Liang couldn't help but feel a little moved when he heard this.

Resettling so many refugees is undoubtedly a huge burden for the court, and it can even be said to be a thankless task.

If so much financial and material resources are spent on building an army, a large number of elite troops can definitely be produced.

But the emperor chose to spend all these money and materials on the lowest level refugees to let them survive this winter.

Zhuge Liang believed that any prince, not even Liu Biao, who was known as a gentleman, would not do this.

This kind of kindness cannot but be admired.

However, this is really a waste. If he is allowed to do it, the role of these refugees can definitely be maximized.

After Zhuge Liang sighed in his heart, he looked at the refugees outside the car window. Their faces did not have the numbness of ordinary refugees, but were much more angry.

Although their situation has not improved much now, at least the attitude of the emperor and the court is hope for them.

Because the emperor did not give up on them.

At this time, a group of children passed by laughing and playing on the roadside, and at the same time they sang a song: "On February 2, the dragon raises its head, and the emperor plows the land and the ministers drive cattle."

"Spring plowing and summer work lead the world, the harvest will be abundant and the autumn will be peaceful..."

Zhuge Liang watched the group of children go away, a soft smile flashing in his eyes, and he became more curious about the emperor in Yecheng.

During this period, he learned a lot about the emperor's deeds from Qingzhu.

When I first heard that the emperor had endured for a long time under Yuan Shao, and finally came back to seize power, I felt that he was an emperor with profound power;

Then I heard that the emperor killed the whole family of the Yuan family and Xun Chen in the palace, and felt that the emperor was ruthless and ruthless in his methods;

When he heard that in order to resettle the refugees and the people, the emperor had devised a strategy to get all the famous families to compete for donations and good reputation, he felt that the emperor was well versed in the way of controlling power;

Later, he heard that the emperor often went in and out of the city to inspect the lives of the refugees, and openly committed crimes in front of the people. He also spent a lot of financial and material resources to resettle the refugees, and when he asked the Xiongnu to sacrifice the lives of the people with their heads, he felt that... this was very possible. He is the Holy Emperor who can make the Han Dynasty quiet and bright again.

Tolerance has a city, to be cold and ruthless to the enemy, to be kind and powerful to the ministers, to be cruel and iron-blooded to the foreigners, to be kind and tolerant to the people.

He resembles both Emperor Wen and Emperor Wu.

The most important thing is that this emperor is only twenty years old like him, just reaching his prime, but such a young emperor has the demeanor of a saint!

"The appearance of such a sage king at a time of crisis for the Han Dynasty shows that the heavens will not stop our Han Dynasty, and our Han Dynasty will surely prosper again!"

Zhuge Liang thought in his heart, his eyes burning.

What he has always hoped for is to join the court, display his ambition and talents, help the Han Dynasty and revive the Han Dynasty.

Although he didn't know how the emperor knew him and summoned him to Yecheng, he was lucky enough to meet such a wise monarch, which was an opportunity given by God!

Thinking of this, Zhuge Liang became more determined to behave well after meeting the emperor, and he couldn't waste this opportunity in vain.

The carriage drove slowly into Yecheng along the official road.

With the privilege of the Embroidered Clothes Envoy, the group soon arrived outside the palace without any obstacles.

Qingzhu explained his identity and purpose to the Yulin Guard, and the latter immediately went to report.

"Mr. Kongming!"

Zhuge Liang was tidying up his appearance. When he heard the words, he turned around and saw a scholar with a rich appearance and gorgeous clothes, welcoming him with a smile on his face.

When Qingzhu, Wutong and Yinzhen saw him, their faces suddenly became solemn, and they knelt on one knee and said, "I see Mr. Jia!"

This scholar was naturally Jia Xu, who set up the Embroidered Clothes Envoy.

Jia Xu nodded to them, then took Zhuge Liang's hand and said with a smile: "These three idiots are incompetent and took so long to bring you here."

"Sir, you have been so tired all the way."

Faced with Jia Xu's enthusiasm, Zhuge Liang was a little uncomfortable and saluted: "May I ask who you are..."

"I lost my composure for a moment, please forgive me."

Jia Xu knocked his head and then said with a smile: "My surname is Jia, my name is Xu, my courtesy name is Wenhe, and I am the Minister of the Central Secretariat."

Jia Xu?

Zhuge Liang was slightly shocked. Of course, he had heard of Jia Xu's reputation, and he learned from Qingzhu and others that Jia Xu was one of the emperor's most trusted confidants.

The emperor was able to get rid of Yuan Shao's control because of Jia Xu's great contribution. Now he is directly in charge of the Embroidered Clothes Envoy, and all the Embroidered Clothes Envoys need to obey his orders.

Facing this undoubted court official, Zhuge Liang did not dare to neglect him and saluted, saying, "Zhuge Kongming, I meet the Minister of the Central Secretariat."

"Mr. Kongming, no need to be polite."

Jia Xu turned aside and did not accept Zhuge Liang's salute. He personally helped him up and said with a smile, "Your Majesty ordered me to find you, but I have something to do and cannot get away, so I can only let these three fools go and invite you."

"They are not rude, right?"

As soon as these words came out, the three people from Qingzhu felt cold sweat on their backs, and their whole bodies became stiff.

Zhuge Liang shook his head and said, "The three embroidered clothes envoys took great care of me along the way, and there was nothing rude about it."

"That's good."

Jia Xu nodded, and then said to the three people from Qingzhu, "You did a good job, record the first-class merit, go and get the reward yourself."

"Thank you, Mr. Jia!"

The three people from Qingzhu were as if they had been pardoned. They all cast grateful eyes at Zhuge Liang, and then hurried away, not daring to stay here any longer.

Then Jia Xu said to Zhuge Liang: "Your Majesty is not in the palace now, but is inspecting farming outside the city. Why don't you follow me into the palace and wait?"

"Inspecting farming? Your Majesty goes in person?"

Zhuge Liang was very surprised. Although he heard that the emperor would go out of the palace to inspect from time to time, he didn't expect that he would inspect not only the lives of the people, but also farming.

That means walking in the fields.

Jia Xu smiled and said: "Your Majesty sympathizes with the people, and now is the time for spring plowing. Your Majesty asked the people to use the Jian'an plow he invented to farm, so he wants to go and see the effect in person."

"Your Majesty has been out of the palace for more than an hour, and it's almost time to come back. Mr. Kong Ming, please follow me to the Xuanshi first."

Zhuge Liang did not refuse and followed Jia Xu into the palace.

At this time, a drizzle began to fall from the sky.

Jia Xu held up an umbrella and strolled with Zhuge Liang in the palace, smiling and saying: "Spring rain is as precious as oil. It rained as soon as Mr. Kong Ming came. This is a good sign."

"Your Majesty has been waiting for you for a long time."

Hearing this, Zhuge Liang asked curiously: "May I ask the Minister of the Central Secretariat, why did your Majesty summon me? I am just a commoner."

"Of course you want to use me."

Jia Xu replied as a matter of course: "Your Majesty told me that you are a great talent. What the court lacks now is talent."

"Since you have caught your Majesty's eye, you will definitely use me. You are really successful at a young age."

Although Jia Xu didn't know what the emperor valued Zhuge Liang for, it didn't stop him from showing his goodwill. It was always right to say good things.

And now Zhuge Liang was still a commoner. It would be much easier to make friends with him now than when he was reused in the future.

"You are too kind, Zhongshu Ling."

Faced with Jia Xu's praise, Zhuge Liang remained modest and said, "Zhongshu Ling can call me Kongming. The word Sir is too heavy and I really can't bear it."

If Qingzhu and others, Liu Qi and others called him Sir, it would be fine, but Jia Xu is not only older than him, but also has a much higher status and identity than him.

It is not appropriate for such an important official of the court to call him Sir.

"Okay."

Jia Xu agreed with a smile, and at the same time, he had a preliminary evaluation of Zhuge Liang in his heart. His praise just now also had the purpose of testing.

If Zhuge Liang was complacent or uneasy because of his praise, it would mean that this person was just so-so; but he could be neither humble nor arrogant and still remain humble, which is rare and precious.

"Your Majesty's vision is really sharp."

Jia Xu expressed his admiration for Liu Xie in his heart, and then put away his tentative thoughts, and went to Xuanshi with Zhuge Liang, talking and laughing.

The Xuanshi was not empty.

Guo Jia and Sima Yi were both inside, working on memorials at their desks. When they saw Jia Xu and Zhuge Liang coming in, they all looked over.

"Who are these two?"

Zhuge Liang looked at Jia Xu inquiringly.

Being able to work on memorials in the Xuanshi Hall meant that the two people in front of him were not ordinary people, but close ministers of the emperor.

"This is Guo Jia, the Chief Censor, courtesy name Fengxiao, a drunkard."

Jia Xu first introduced Guo Jia, and then Sima Yi: "That is Sima Yi, the Attendant Censor and Palace Attendant, courtesy name Zhongda, also a young talent."

Zhuge looked at the two after hearing this.

Guo Jia smiled slightly and nodded in greeting; while Sima Yi frowned tightly at Zhuge Liang, who was wearing a feather fan and a turban and had a noble demeanor.

"Who is this person?"

For some reason, he felt an inexplicable resistance to the young man in front of him, and a sense of crisis was faintly born in his heart.

This feeling is hard to describe. If I have to give an example, it's like seeing... a destined enemy.

But it was clearly the first time he had seen this person.

On the other side.

Zhuge Liang was also looking at Sima Yi, and he also had a tit-for-tat feeling towards this young imperial censor with an eagle-like look and a majestic bearing.

The two people's eyes met in the air, and Jia Xu did not notice their abnormality. He introduced Zhuge Liang and said: "This is Zhuge Liang, whose courtesy name is Kongming. He is a great talent specially invited back from Jingzhou by your majesty."

Hearing this, Guo Jia and Sima Yi were both surprised.

They heard about this for the first time.

The emperor personally sent someone to invite him back from Jingzhou!

What kind of courtesy and importance is this?

Guo Jia was fine, he just had a strong curiosity about Zhuge Liang, but Sima Yi felt that the sense of crisis in his heart became stronger.

"This person is indeed my opponent!"

Sima Yi clenched the pen in his hand. Although his expression did not change, a trace of solemnity flashed in his eyes.

His ambition was to be the most respected minister of the emperor, but the Zhuge Kongming in front of him was not only younger than him, but also invited by the emperor, which showed that the emperor respected this person more than him!

Just when Sima Yi was thinking about Zhuge Liang's origins, there was a sudden sound of footsteps outside the Xuan Room, and a voice filled with great joy.

"I heard that Mr. Kongming has arrived in Yecheng. Where is Mr. Kongming?"

Everyone looked at the door of the Xuan Room.

Liu Xie trotted into the Xuan Room. The hem of his wide dragon robe was covered with mud, as were his feet, and even his hair was wet by the rain.

But this did not affect the joy on his face at all.

When Zhuge Liang saw Liu Xie's clothes, he immediately realized the identity of the person in front of him, and hurriedly paid homage, saying respectfully:

"Zhuge Liang, the wild man from Nanyang, pays homage to Your Majesty!"