Chapter 9: The First Encounter with Liu Bei

Jia Renlu pondered for a moment, then smiled slightly and said: "Nowadays, the general should not come to seek advice from me, but should instead turn to another person for guidance; he is the general's steed that can travel a thousand miles."

Jia Renlu thought: "Hmph! Liu Dada, how can you be so lazy even in visiting the wise? You have directly transferred your approach towards Kongming onto me. You have made it easier for yourself, but I wonder what words you will use to address Zhuge Dada in the future!"

Liu Bei urged at the table: "In today's world, the Han dynasty is in decline, and the court is controlled by treacherous ministers. I am determined to restore the Han dynasty, yet I find myself lacking wise advisors and unable to act on my intentions. Time and again, I have raised troops to quell the rebellion, but each time has ended in failure, leaving me in a state of helplessness. Yesterday, you mentioned the phrase 'to dedicate oneself wholeheartedly until death.' Upon hearing it, I felt a deep resonance. Today, I have come specifically to seek your guidance. I hope you will consider the welfare of the people and generously impart your wisdom."

Upon entering the room, the host and guests took their seats. However, the tea was still not served by Diao Chan. Jia Renlu felt it necessary to assert his authority as a husband, and said: "This woman is becoming increasingly incapable of handling matters; it has taken her so long just to brew a pot of tea, causing the general to wait. Rest assured, General, I will certainly discipline her properly. After you leave, I will make her kneel as punishment"

Liu Bei still believed he was being modest and said: "Sir, you are being overly humble. Nowadays, it is widely known in Xudu that people say your ability to dream is quite remarkable. I see this as merely an excuse on your part."

Liu Bei smiled slightly and said, "I have come not for any other matter, but specifically to seek guidance from Mr. He Tushu on the methods of playing chess. Nowadays, many in Xudu are captivated by this game, and I am also quite interested in it"

Early the next day, Cheng Yu arrived. Jia Renlu welcomed him into the house and served him tea. Cheng Yu said: "Today, Lord Cao has ordered me to visit Xu Yuanzhi and Zhuge Kongming. I know you are a close friend of Kongming, so I came to ask if you have any messages or letters you would like me to deliver to him"

Liu Bei said: "You are too modest, I would appreciate your guidance."

Liu Bei was taken aback upon hearing this and said, "What you have casually mentioned is indeed astonishing; how can you claim not to be an extraordinary person?"

Liu Bei hurriedly stepped forward to help him up and said: "Sir, please rise quickly. I am a descendant of the Han dynasty and a foolish man from Zhuo County. I have long heard of your great name, which is as thunderous as it is renowned. A few days ago, I wished to visit you, but I was unable to find the opportunity. Today, I am finally able to meet you, which brings me great comfort in my life"

Jia Renlu's face flushed, and he said, "Hehe, it is also something I saw in my dreams, a celestial object." Jia Renlu had often received the favor of Duke Zhou and was frequently informed in dreams about the splendid deeds of new and interesting things, which had long been known throughout Xu Du, even to the extent that three-year-old children were aware of them. Some even gave him a nickname: "Dream Lord." Upon hearing this, Jia Renlu nearly lost his breath, thinking to himself, "Does that mean Diao Chan has become Dream Lady?"

Jia Renlu said: "This is merely something I saw in a dream; I thought it was amusing at the time, so I asked Lord Guo to create it. How could I possibly have the ability to come up with such games as this and others?" In this, he spoke the truth. Chess evolved from the game of Liu Bo, undergoing countless studies and transformations by many great minds, gradually developing into the captivating game we know today. It is certainly not something he could have conceived in an instant.

Jia Renlu said: "I am merely an ordinary soldier, not some extraordinary figure."

Liu Bei chuckled and said, "Hehe, you speak with such wit, sir. I wonder what that CPU is?"

The appearance of these three individuals is indeed quite distinctive; even in the darkness of night, Jia Renlu would be able to recognize them. They are none other than the deeply aggrieved Liu Bei and his two brothers. Jia Renlu hurriedly knelt on the ground and said, "I did not know that Lord Liu had arrived; I apologize for the lack of proper reception and hope for your forgiveness." Turning around, he shouted, "Diao Chan, why aren't you quickly preparing tea? Lord Liu is here!" Diao Chan hurriedly ran into the house to prepare the tea.

Liu Bei said: "Take this game of chess for example. It appears to have only thirty-two pieces, yet who would have thought there are so many different strategies, variations, deceptive moves, and tricks? The fact that you can conceive such a game only proves you are indeed a master"

Liu Bei nearly knelt down to express his continuous admiration, and then stepped forward to request an autograph, saying: "I suppose I should get to the point; otherwise, if I continue to be this humble, it might never end."

Hurry and let them in, while walking I said: "The minor officials of Xu Du, with their lazy disposition, have caused General Meng to come in vain, for which I feel deeply ashamed." I thought to myself: "Hmph, you think you are the only one who can recite lines from books? I can do it too! Great Zhuge, in this moment of urgency, I will borrow your lines to use. After all, you are exceptionally talented and well-versed, crafting these few lines is surely a piece of cake for you"

Jia Renlu awkwardly said: "It's nothing, just got bitten by a mosquito."

Jia Renlu could not help but let out a cry of pain. Liu Bei asked, "Sir, what is the matter?"

Jia Renlu hurriedly stepped forward to escort him out the door. Just as he was about to turn back inside, he saw three burly men approaching at the entrance. The leader was seven feet five inches tall, with ears that drooped to his shoulders, hands that reached past his knees, eyes that could look at his own ears, a face like polished jade, and lips that appeared to be coated in rouge. To his right stood a man nine feet tall, with a beard two feet long, a face resembling a heavy jujube, lips like those painted with rouge, phoenix eyes, and worm eyebrow, exuding a dignified and imposing presence. To the left was a man eight feet tall, with leopard-like eyes and a tiger's beard. Behind him was another man nine feet tall, with a beard two feet long, a face resembling a heavy jujube, lips like those painted with rouge, phoenix eyes, and worm eyebrow, exuding a dignified and imposing presence. To the left was a man eight feet tall, with leopard-like eyes and a tiger's beard.

Jia Renlu said: "I am merely speaking the truth; this thing is indeed not of my own invention. I cannot possibly tell you that I am a person from over a thousand years in the future, can I? These are actually games that are as ordinary as can be a thousand years from now. If I were to say that, you would probably have to help me call a doctor to see if I have a fever." Dao replied: "Hehe, it seems that your visit today is likely not just for the sake of playing chess with me, as the saying goes, 'the drunken man's intention is not in the wine.'"

Jia Renlu exclaimed: "Oh no! Even this sentence is not from this era? Sigh, had I known that I should have studied the Chinese language well in middle school, my scores would not have been hovering around 60 at https://mhetushu.com. Now, I have no idea which sentence belongs to which era. Oh, great Chinese teacher, could you perhaps be reborn to help me catch up on my lessons? SOS! I urgently need your assistance, can you hear me?" Upon hearing this, I felt my face flush bright red, and I said: "These are merely phrases that come to me in a moment of inspiration, they cannot be counted."

Liu Bei said, "Second brother, third brother, you both wait outside the door first." Upon hearing this, Guan and Zhang withdrew, while Jia Renlu also sent Diao Chan away, thinking to himself, "Alright! This is going to be a strategy meeting at Longzhong. Liu Da, you might have chosen the wrong temple door; I am not Zhuge Da."

Jia Renlu's face flushed, and he said: "There is no trust, in fact, I am not a friend of Kongming at all; I have merely heard of such a person. My lord, when you meet Kongming, please do not mention my name, and especially do not bring up the phrase 'to bow and serve with utmost loyalty until death.'" He thought to himself: "This phrase was only said by him many years later; if he were to hear it now, he would probably admire the person who said it as if they were an endless river flowing continuously. Moreover, it is not so easy for Kongming to enter officialdom; even Da Er Er had to visit the thatched cottage three times before he could hear the 'Longzhong Plan.' You are likely to be met with a closed door this time; I won't point it out to you, let you encounter the setback yourself." My lord, when you meet Kongming, please do not mention my name, and especially do not bring up the phrase 'to bow and serve with utmost loyalty until death.'" He thought to himself: "This phrase was only said by him many years later; if he were to hear it now, he would probably admire the person who said it as if they were an endless river flowing continuously. Moreover, it is not so easy for Kongming to enter officialdom; even Da Er Er had to visit the thatched cottage three times before he could hear the 'Longzhong Plan.' You are likely to be met with a closed door this time; I won't point it out to you, let you encounter the setback yourself."

Cheng Yu had no idea what he was thinking; he believed that he was recommending a friend without seeking any personal gain, and he held him in high regard. He slightly nodded and said: "Good harmony - diagram - book, I will definitely not speak of it. Since you have nothing to take with you, I shall take my leave now." Saying this, he did not even drink the tea, clasped his hands in a bow, and hurriedly left.

Liu Bei arranged the chess pieces and said: "In my lifetime, I have fought in the south and campaigned in the north, and I have encountered countless individuals. Yet, I have never seen a person of such high caliber hidden among the soldiers as you, almost missing the opportunity to meet you."

General, please speak

Jia Renlu said: "Since the general has this interest, then let us play a game of chess." He then had Diao Chan bring over the chess set to play against Liu Bei.

Liu Bei had not yet spoken when Diao Chan gracefully approached with tea, moving closer. Taking advantage of the moment when no one was paying attention, she shot him a fierce glance before serving tea to everyone. After serving the tea, she withdrew and quietly moved behind Jia Renlu, elegantly twisting his ear. After finishing, she was quite pleased, smiled charmingly, and left on her own.

Jia Renlu said: "Wow! Which paparazzi reported this so quickly? I only mentioned it yesterday, and Liu Bei already knows. Forget it, let's not tell him it was Zhuge Da Da who said it, or else it will go on endlessly." He continued: "I am merely a pawn, unable to stabilize the country through literature or secure it through military might." As he spoke, he pointed to a pawn on the chessboard and added: "Just like this pawn on the chessboard, it can only move step by step, unlike a chariot that can travel a thousand miles in a day. I only mentioned it yesterday, and Liu Bei already knows. Forget it, let's not tell him it was Zhuge Da Da who said it, or else it will go on endlessly." He reiterated: "I am merely a pawn, unable to stabilize the country through literature or secure it through military might." As he pointed to a pawn on the chessboard again, he said: "Just like this pawn on the chessboard, it can only move step by step, unlike a chariot that can travel a thousand miles in a day. A general's career requires a swift steed, while a pawn like me, if the great man does not mind, can simply follow in the wake of the noble horse."