Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

The unexpected interruption diminished Chen Qun's interest, and he hastily departed.

Sima Lang, after bidding farewell to Chen Qun, felt somewhat regretful.

After all, this was an opportunity to build a rapport with Chen Qun, allowing the Sima clan to seize the chance to move back to their ancestral lands.

However, Sima Lang didn't dwell on it too much. As he and Sima Yi left the teahouse, he noticed that Sima Yi seemed to be pondering something.

"Yi-di, are you still thinking about the sand table set up by Marquis Guoshi?"

Sima Lang, seeing this, gently offered guidance. "Marquis Guoshi has set up this sand table for several years. It's only natural that it's difficult to solve in a short time. There's no need to be too fixated on it."

"No."

Sima Yi shook his head and replied, "What I'm thinking about is that Zhuge Liang. If I'm not mistaken, he might be the same as me."

The same?

Sima Lang was slightly taken aback, then asked, "Does Yi-di mean that he was also invited by Marquis Guoshi?"

Sima Yi nodded. Although there was no direct evidence, he had a strong feeling in his heart.

Sima Lang, recalling Zhuge Liang's composed demeanor, felt a greater sense of importance.

In terms of reputation, the Sima clan could be considered a prominent family in Henei, but there was a clear gap compared to families like the Chen clan of Yingchuan.

Even if Liu Bei extended invitations to the various noble families under the guise of a "Grand Military Exercise," the now-declining Sima clan might not even be qualified to be invited.

Sima Lang brought Sima Yi here mainly because he received a letter from Marquis Guoshi, claiming to have heard that Sima Yi, the second son of the Sima clan of Henei, possessed rare strategies, often worried about the world, and had extraordinary talent, and wished to take him as a disciple to teach him.

Faced with Marquis Guoshi's high regard, the Sima clan had no reason to refuse.

To be accepted as a disciple by the renowned Marquis Guoshi was the dream of countless young men in the Han Dynasty.

Therefore, Sima Lang, as the elder brother, traveled thousands of miles from Liyang with Sima Yi to Wu Commandery, all for the sake of fulfilling Sima Yi's studies and allowing Sima Yi to become a disciple of Marquis Guoshi.

And if that young Zhuge Liang was the same, not to mention whether the Zhuge clan of Langya had already declined, the mere identity of a disciple of Marquis Guoshi was enough for Sima Lang to take him seriously.

"If that's the case, to be valued by Marquis Guoshi, he must have exceptional qualities like Yi-di. When Yi-di becomes his fellow disciple, you can try to maintain a good relationship with him. He may be of great use in the future."

Sima Yi, being led by Sima Lang, remained silent, seemingly pondering something.

Sima Lang was used to this.

His younger brother had been deep and thoughtful since he was young, always seeming to be considering all sorts of things.

Although he was only eleven years old, his understanding of the trends of the world was sometimes more insightful than his elder brother.

After Sima Lang brought Sima Yi back to their residence and closed the door, Sima Lang pulled Sima Yi aside and asked.

"Yi-di, we have been in Wu Commandery for three to five days, but you said you wanted to wander around first. When do you plan to pay respects to Marquis Guoshi? Matters of apprenticeship should be done sooner rather than later."

After a pause, Sima Lang jokingly said, "If it's too late, it wouldn't be good if Marquis Guoshi kicked you out."

"It won't happen."

Sima Yi waved his hand and said.

"Marquis Guoshi is different from Chen Changwen. Judging from his past actions, he is tolerant. And Marquis Guoshi sent someone from afar to invite me, which is enough to show his high regard for me. He will not be annoyed or angry because of these minor customs."

"The reason for wandering around is also because I want to see Marquis Guoshi's governing ability, and whether he can assist Liu Huangshu to gain a foothold in the world as rumored."

Sima Lang asked, "Then what is Yi-di's conclusion?"

Sima Yi's still somewhat childish face had an unusually sharp and deep look in his eyes as he said.

"He can contend for the Central Plains, or retreat and rule across the river. He has already laid the foundation for hegemony and should not be underestimated."

… …

At the same time, in a room not far from Sima Yi's lodging, conversations were also taking place.

"To support the Han Dynasty, establish a benevolent world, and benefit the people, it must be Liu Huangshu."

Zhuge Liang replied with cupped hands.

Zhuge Xuan stroked his beard and said, "Since that's the case, has Liang-er made up his mind?"

"Yes, please Uncle lead me to visit Marquis Guoshi," Zhuge Liang replied.

Immediately, Zhuge Xuan, seeing that it was still early, simply led Zhuge Liang out of the lodging, rented a carriage, and headed to Wu County next door, where Marquis Guoshi's mansion was located.

However, even though the number of visitors in front of Marquis Guoshi's mansion was not as many as those at Liu Bei's residence, there were still countless people who wanted to visit Li Ji.

Even though Li Ji mostly chose to avoid seeing them, simply submitting a name card required queuing.

Seeing this, Zhuge Xuan could only patiently wait for a full quarter of an hour before it was his turn to submit his name card.

While handing the name card to the gatekeeper, Zhuge Xuan had an extra thought and did not forget to put the letter he had previously received from Marquis Guoshi together.

Immediately, just as Zhuge Xuan was preparing to lead Zhuge Liang back to wait for news.

The gatekeeper carefully checked the hidden mark on the letter, confirmed its authenticity, and quickly stopped Zhuge Xuan.

"Please wait a moment, Mr. Zhuge."

Hearing this, Zhuge Xuan quickly stopped.

Although Zhuge Xuan also had some reputation in Langya Commandery, he had never served as an official in his life. Facing a gatekeeper, he politely asked.

"I wonder what instructions you have?"

The gatekeeper opened the mansion door and said politely. "Please, Mr. Zhuge, come into the mansion and sit for a while. The Marquis has not yet returned to the mansion. He will meet with Mr. Zhuge after he returns."

Hearing this, Zhuge Xuan was slightly stunned, and then a few joys were born in his heart, understanding that Marquis Guoshi must have valued Liang-er very much, so he had made arrangements in advance.

Immediately, welcoming the envious gazes of many people outside the door who came to send name cards, Zhuge Xuan led Zhuge Liang into the rumored Marquis Guoshi's mansion.

After entering the mansion, unlike Zhuge Xuan, who was a little more cautious, Zhuge Liang's eyes looked around with great interest.

Unlike what he imagined, Marquis Guoshi's mansion was not extravagant. Apart from being spacious enough, it was full of simplicity everywhere.

Even the maids who occasionally passed by were only dressed slightly better than the common people outside.

This added three points to Zhuge Liang's good impression of the unseen Marquis Guoshi. Occupying a high position, seeking blessings for the people, but not greedy for enjoyment, his ambition can be seen.

Suddenly, a burst of children's laughter sounded.

A little chubby boy rushed out from the corner ahead, and his head was still looking back, constantly shouting.

"Brother, come and chase me, if you catch me, I'll let you…"

The next moment, Zhuge Liang, who couldn't avoid it, was bumped into by the little chubby boy.

Although Zhuge Liang was older, the little chubby boy's size was no less than Zhuge Liang's, which made the little chubby boy sit on the ground, and Zhuge Liang also took a few steps back and fell to the ground. (End of this chapter)