Chapter 153: Sima Recommends Talent
At the same moment that Jia Xu was visiting Cai Mao, Sima Hui once again arrived at the Left General’s Mansion in Wancheng to meet Liu Bei.
After capturing Nanyang Commandery, Liu Bei quickly expanded his troops by ten thousand, bringing his troop strength to forty thousand.
But Liu Bei also had troubles; he lacked capable strategists. Although Liu Qi recommended Yi Ji to him, and Yi Ji himself seemed decent, Yi Ji was only proficient in government affairs and fell short as a strategist.
Liu Bei specially wrote a letter to Sima Hui, earnestly requesting him to recommend talent.
In the official residence, Sima Hui smiled and said to Liu Bei: “Xuande has finally realized his own problem. All these years you’ve been rushing east and west; what you actually lack is a strategist to devise plans for you.”
Liu Bei sighed and said: “How could I not know that? But I have no foundation and can’t retain talent! Now that I have Nanyang Commandery, I’ve finally gained a bit of a base, and I don’t want to lose it. To be honest with you, Brother Decao, my desire for strategists is growing stronger. I earnestly request you to recommend fine talent.”
Liu Bei was not asking Sima Hui for talent, but asking the Imperial Loyalist Faction that Sima Hui belonged to for talent.
Sima Hui stroked his beard and said: “Yin Mo and Xu Shu are great talents, but unfortunately Xuande arrived a step too late. Yin Mo and Xu Shu both went to Yuzhang Commandery, but Cui Zhouping and Shi Guangyuan are both decent. Why doesn’t Xuande use them?”
Liu Bei sighed and said: “At that time I was in Xinye, with few troops and little land, destitute and downcast. I feared delaying them.”
Liu Bei spoke rather euphemistically; the key was that Cui Zhouping and Shi Guangyuan were not the strategists Liu Bei wanted, but Liu Bei couldn’t say that and could only say that his temple was too small to accommodate them at the time.
Sima Hui understood in his heart that Cui and Shi could not meet Liu Bei’s requirements.
After pondering for a moment, Sima Hui smiled faintly: “Jingxiang is a land of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. I can recommend two geniuses to Xuande. One is the son-in-law of Huang Chengyan, with compound surname Zhuge, given name Liang, courtesy name Kong Ming, style name Sleeping Dragon. This man hails from the prominent Zhuge family of Langya Commandery. His father Zhuge Gui was once prefectural assistant of Taishan Commandery. He followed his uncle Zhuge Xuan to Yuzhang Commandery, and after Zhuge Xuan died, he settled long-term in Xiangyang. Though young, he possesses talent to govern the world. Gan Ning sent people to invite him to enter officialdom twice, but he refused both times.”
“Why did this Mr. Zhuge refuse?” Liu Bei asked curiously.
“Different political views. Kong Ming is a staunch Imperial Loyalist. Gan Ning clearly doesn’t meet Kong Ming’s conditions. Although Liu Biao is his wife’s uncle, Kong Ming is also unwilling to serve Liu Biao.”
Liu Bei nodded. Sima Hui was a representative figure of Jingxiang’s Imperial Loyalist Faction, so this Zhuge Kong Ming was probably a key member of that faction.
“You just said there are two great talents.”
Sima Hui chuckled: “The other is the nephew of Pang Degong, named Pang Tong, courtesy name Shiyuan, style name Phoenix Fledgling. He is the most outstanding scion of the Pang family, brimming with talent, no less than Zhuge Liang, equally possessing talent to govern the world. In our Jingzhou, we often say, Sleeping Dragon and Phoenix Fledgling—gaining one can pacify the world—”
Sima Hui hesitated and then said: “Xuande asked me to recommend talent to you, so I knew it was time for these two to emerge. It depends on whether Xuande has the opportunity.”
Liu Bei was excited inside and hurriedly asked: “Then how do I find them?”
Sima Hui thought for a moment and said: “Both live near Xiangyang, but Pang Tong is not in Jingzhou recently; he’s traveling in Bashu. Xuande can try Kong Ming first.”
Liu Bei hesitated and said: “Although Jingsheng has reconciled with me, Cai Mao and the others have long set up a dragnet. If I go to Xiangyang and am discovered, my life will be in danger. Can we invite Mr. Kong Ming to Nanyang?”
Sima Hui smiled faintly: “Kong Ming lives at Wolonggang in Longzhong west of Xiangyang. Going there doesn’t require passing through Xiangyang at all; Cai Mao won’t discover you on a trip to Longzhong.”
Liu Bei was still a bit hesitant; he actually hoped Zhuge Liang would come to Nanyang to find him himself.
Sima Hui saw Liu Bei’s hesitation and said earnestly: “Xuande, you know our faction is actually a very loose alliance, a group of like-minded people gathered together, not some tightly organized faction.
Although Kong Ming is one of our faction, he is completely independent. I’m recommending him to you because I see your sincerity. In this era, it’s not only lords choosing ministers; ministers also choose lords. I must remind you, Gan Ning has now captured Jiangxia Commandery. He can bypass Xiangyang at any time to invite Kong Ming. If Kong Ming is moved by his sincerity and goes with him, you’ll regret it too late.”
Liu Bei was full of shame and said: “I know I was wrong. Rest assured! I will go to Longzhong as soon as possible to invite Mr. Kong Ming.”
Early in the morning, Huang Chengyan rode his donkey to his daughter’s home. Huang Shi was delighted to see her father arrive and hurriedly invited him inside.
“Where is your husband? I have business with him.”
“Father-in-law is looking for me?” Zhuge Liang appeared at the study door.
“Indeed, there is business!”
Huang Chengyan handed the donkey to his daughter and went straight into the study, with Zhuge Liang following.
Father-in-law and son-in-law sat down, and Huang Shi brought them clear tea.
Seeing his daughter leave, Huang Chengyan lowered his voice: “Sima Hui went to Nanyang Commandery a couple of days ago and recommended you to Liu Bei. Liu Bei will come to invite you in person these next couple of days. I’m giving you a heads-up: Cai Mao has set up a dragnet in Xiangyang to catch Liu Bei, and Longzhong has quite a few of his informants too. Liu Bei is taking a risk to come invite you. Entertain him well, talk well, and make it so he only needs to make one trip! Three or four visits would be meaningless.”
Huang Chengyan knew his son-in-law well; he was proud and aloof. If he didn’t come to remind him, Liu Bei could make one trip and not persuade him; at least three trips would be needed to show sincerity.
Longzhong nominally belonged to Nanyang Commandery, but was actually controlled by Liu Biao’s Army. Cai Mao had stationed three thousand troops in Longzhong, so Liu Bei coming to Longzhong was indeed very risky.
If Liu Bei were discovered by Cai Mao, his life would be in danger. He had to remind his son-in-law.
Zhuge Liang smiled: “Father-in-law, rest assured! I won’t let Imperial Uncle Liu fall into danger.”
Huang Chengyan added: “Liu Bei is a man who has seen the world. To earn his respect, you must show real ability to convince him of your talent. That’s all I’ll say; consider it carefully yourself, wise son-in-law.”
After speaking, Huang Chengyan drank his tea and rode off on his donkey.
Huang Shi entered the study and saw her husband lost in thought, so she asked: “What did Father want with Husband?”
Zhuge Liang sighed: “Sima Hui recommended me to Imperial Uncle Liu. Liu Bei will probably come calling these next couple of days.”
“That’s good news! Why the sigh, Husband?”
Zhuge Liang gave a wry smile: “Now is not the time for me to emerge!”
Huang Shi persuaded: “Uncle’s condition is very poor, according to Mother. He has at most one or two years left. Jingxiang is about to descend into chaos. Missing this critical moment would be very unfavorable for Husband’s long-term prospects.”
His wife’s words made sense to Zhuge Liang. The current Liu Bei was no longer the destitute man in Xinye; he had a base, and Nanyang Commandery was well-connected. Would Liu Bei impulsively charge into Guangzhong next? It really couldn’t be delayed any longer.
Two days later, Liu Bei brought Guan Yu and arrived at Wolonggang escorted by hundreds of soldiers. They had inquired about Zhuge Liang’s residence. Liu Bei went forward and knocked. Soon the door opened, revealing a young man.
Liu Bei hurriedly clasped his fists: “Are you Mr. Zhuge?”
The one who opened the door was Zhuge Liang’s brother Zhuge Jun. He was stunned for a moment, then smiled: “Is the gentleman Imperial Uncle Liu?”
“That’s me!”
“Imperial Uncle is here for my brother! Please come in and have a seat.”
“Is your brother not here?”
“Unfortunately, my brother had urgent business and went out. He specially instructed me that if Imperial Uncle came, to ask you to wait a bit; he would hurry back.”
“Alright! I’ll wait outside for him a moment.”
Zhuge Jun didn’t press and directly closed the door. This wait lasted a full two hours plus, until past noon, with still no sign of Zhuge Liang. Guan Yu grew furious.
“This man is so rude. He knew Brother was coming, yet made him wait over two hours. This is no way to treat a guest. Brother, let’s go! He’s probably just hyped up with empty reputation and doesn’t dare meet you.”
Liu Bei sighed: “We’re already here; let’s wait patiently a bit more! We’ve endured so many years; do we care about a couple more hours?”
Guan Yu had no choice but to swallow his anger and wait until the afternoon, when Zhuge Liang finally arrived leisurely.
