Chapter 10, On the Mind

Meng Jian did not respond, and after a moment of hesitation, he said: "Kongming's talent surpasses mine a hundredfold. Why not accompany me northward? Liu Jingsheng of Jingzhou, if it were ten years ago, might have contended with the Minister of Works, but now he is merely an old man with a gray beard, lacking great ambitions. If Kongming remains here, it is only to waste the remainder of his life."

Zhuge Liang nodded upon hearing this: "Although Cao Cao has the demeanor of a ruler, using the emperor to command the feudal lords is ultimately not the right path"

"Kongming's talents and virtues are worthy of our admiration," Cui Zhouping said, shaking his head. "However, many of these matters are often beyond our control."

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Liang looked at Liu Yi in silence for a long time before finally shaking his head and smiling, saying: "Although what Brother Liu said seems somewhat contrary to common sense, upon careful consideration, it indeed appears to be the case."

"Not very good at it." Liu Yi, upon hearing this, did not hold back and directly sat opposite Zhuge Liang. He had learned a bit about Go, but he could not be considered proficient. Over the past few days, watching Zhuge Liang and others take turns playing, he found it exciting, but if he were to play against any of them, he would surely be at a disadvantage. However, since Zhuge Liang had invited him, and having observed the matches from the sidelines, he knew he was likely not a match for them, yet he still felt a bit eager to try his hand.

Indeed, it seems that Meng Gongwei and the other two are about to join Cao Cao. Given Cao Cao's character of valuing talent, as long as these three individuals demonstrate their abilities and catch Cao Cao's attention, it is likely that he will come to invite them with just a mention

My reputation has already emerged, and it is likely difficult to truly avoid the world

You have lost

In recent days, I have heard some discussions from you, and I have gathered a bit of knowledge. Liu Yi smiled and said: "In today's world, aside from the Gongsun clan of Liaodong and the warlords of Xiliang, the only major powers that can be counted are Cao Cao, Sun Quan of Jiangdong, Liu Biao of Jingzhou, and Liu Zhang of Bashu"

Does Mr. Kongming have any questions

Meng Jian shook his head with a bitter smile, tossing the black piece in his hand into the chess box, conceding defeat and saying: "I have now completed my studies, and my father has sent a letter. The Minister of War has already led his army to Jixian, and there are vacancies in the court. My father wishes to recommend me to the Ministry of Personnel. The time we can spend so freely together is limited."

"Do you still believe in this?" Liu Yi looked at Zhuge Liang in surprise, wondering if in such chaotic times, one should not rely on fists to speak.

"Let us postpone the game of chess to another day; how about Liu brother accompanying me for a game of Go today?" Zhuge Liang pressed down on the chessboard and shook his head.

Liu Yi was not familiar with the three individuals and paid them no mind; he simply leaned against a pillar, his carving knife dancing in his hand as he sculpted a piece of wood.

With your exceptional talent, you are sure to achieve great things on this journey. Zhuge Liang said with a smile while gathering his son.

"That is modesty; the talents of the three of us are all no less than those of Zhuge Liang!" Zhuge Liang shook his head and said

What do we common people know? Many spend their entire lives without venturing more than thirty miles away. Liu Yi pointed around and said with a smile: Therefore, in the end, this so-called public sentiment still relies on you scholars. However, for a regional overlord, some talented individuals are unwilling to be overshadowed, so whether it is Cao Gong, Sun Quan, or those lords who have already perished, those who have achieved something will somewhat suppress the scholars. I do not know, Mr. Kongming, whether you are currently weighing the pros and cons of this matter.

It seems that the statement of not being very capable is not merely a humble remark, Zhuge Liang responded with a smile upon hearing this

Zhuge Liang had no intention of seeking an official position. Upon hearing this, Zhuge Liang shook his head

On this chessboard, the nineteen lines in both directions resemble the world; you and I find ourselves within it, often at the mercy of circumstances. Zhuge Liang, upon seeing Liu Yi's move, sighed lightly and said: "I do indeed wish to live in seclusion, but I fear that..."

"Since this is the case, why not go with them?" Liu Yi suddenly felt a stir in his heart. If he could persuade Zhuge Liang to join Cao Cao, would the situation of the Three Kingdoms not have formed?

Liu Yi nodded in satisfaction; it is not easy to astonish a sage whose name will be remembered through the ages

Seeing that Zhuge Liang had made up his mind, Meng Gongwei and others found it inappropriate to persuade him further. As the day was getting late and they did not reside at this Wolong Hill, they could only rise and take their leave.

Zhuge Liang was hearing such a perspective on the world from the viewpoint of a commoner for the first time, and he couldn't help but nod and say: "Indeed, this is the truth."

Zhuge Liang furrowed his brow and said, "Brother Liu, what do you believe is the right path?"

Zhuge Liang shook his head, remaining silent, but instead looked at Liu Yi with great interest: "It seems that Brother Liu has quite an appreciation for Lord Cao?"

According to your statement, it should be considered the will of the people. Liu Yi pondered while stroking his chin: The will of the people should be the righteous path, but this will of the people, to put it bluntly, is merely human nature. What is human nature? It is self-interest

Liu Yi suddenly wanted to slip away, and indeed, anyone who could engage in discussions about the world with Zhuge Liang was no simple character

... ...

"It is merely a state of mind." Zhuge Liang smiled faintly, effortlessly steering the conversation away from this topic: "Your thoughts seem to be elsewhere today, what could be the reason?"

"Brother Kongming, I do not know why, but every time I am in this pavilion of yours, I always feel an indescribable sense of comfort." On this day, Liu Yi finished his work but did not return home; instead, he prepared to watch Zhuge Liang and Meng Gongwei play chess. This was one of the few things from this era that he could understand. As he was engrossed in the game, he suddenly heard Meng Gongwei speak: "This craftsman's skills are decent, yet he cannot be considered a master. I wonder why there is such a marvelous feeling."

Your talent surpasses that of Mr. Meng by a hundredfold, yet there is nothing you can do about it? Liu Yi, recalling the previous remarks made by Mr. Meng, could not help but jest.

"It's not really the case; I just feel that he has a greater chance of winning." Liu Yi shook his head. He had made up his mind to side with Cao Cao, primarily because that side was the ultimate victor and relatively stable. In fact, among the warlords of the late Han dynasty, regardless of who it was, as long as they could reach Cao Cao's level, Liu Yi would choose to align himself with them.

As for Liu Huangshu, at present, he truly amounts to nothing.

Brother Liu

How about playing chess instead? Liu Yi wanted to flip the table, revealing the chessboard underneath.

Did Mr. Meng's words disturb Mr. Kongming's mind? Liu Yi nodded, acknowledging that although he played chess quite well, it also depended on whom he was competing against; when playing against Zhuge Liang, he would likely lose more often than win.

Zhuge Liang sent off the three individuals and quietly returned, sitting once again in front of the chessboard. He saw Liu Yi lost in thought and smiled, saying: "In recent days, I have noticed that Brother Liu seems quite interested in this game of chess. Now that no one else is present, would you be willing to play a game with me?"

"Li?" Zhuge Liang smiled as he looked at Liu Yi: "Brother Liu, your words are indeed quite direct"

Zhuge Liang smiled upon hearing this and said: "It seems that Brother Liu has his own insights regarding the world."

There is no need for you all to persuade me further; I truly have no intention of seeking an official position." Zhuge Liang shook his head and said

Liu Yi curled his lips, as he had figured out the routine of these ancient people pretending to be modest. When someone claims that another's abilities are not inferior to their own, it is often an exaggeration of the other's capabilities; in reality, they believe that the other person is not as competent as themselves

Liu Yi looked at Zhuge Liang with some surprise. This pavilion had the attribute of heartfelt communication, and Zhuge Liang's expression did not seem to be feigned. What was going on?

Human nature is such that, speaking for myself, as long as my own interests are not affected, it matters little to me whether the Han dynasty or Cao Cao rules this world; it is of no concern to me who governs. You may ask the common people of Wolong Ridge, how many of them care about who the emperor is? For us common folk, it is far too distant. Therefore, the sentiments of the people here are not truly the sentiments of the people, but rather the hearts of those who can grasp the sentiments of the people, such as scholars like you.