I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 40 Zhuge the Prodigy, Deng Zhi Submits a Memorial

Deng Zhi and his party had been staying at the inn for three days. Apart from the officials coming and going from the inn, there was no one else there.

Sun Quan had no intention of sending anyone to negotiate a meeting.

This really angered Zong Yu.

He knew that the purpose of this mission was to repair the alliance with Eastern Wu and jointly resist Cao Wei in the north.

At this time, Yizhou was implementing new policies to restore people's livelihoods.

The longer it drags on, the greater the impact on Yizhou.

"Your Excellency, in my humble opinion, Xu Sheng's display of military might and Sun Quan's cold indifference are clearly a strategy to observe the reactions of the Wei army and us, so that he can reap the benefits."

Cao Pi threatened to send 100,000 troops from four routes to attack Yizhou, just to see how Eastern Wu would react before deciding on a course of action.

The Eastern Wu side wasn't stupid either. Sun Quan used this tactic against them, remaining inactive while secretly observing and planning his next move.

Deng Zhi was, of course, aware of the subtle intentions on both sides.

"Cao Pi and Sun Quan were both shrewd and calculating men, each wanting the other to make the first move so they could sit back and watch the two fight. But they underestimated Prime Minister Zhuge Liang."

Zong Yu, unable to grasp the hidden meaning in his words, stepped forward and said, "The Prime Minister sent us as envoys to Eastern Wu, hoping to quickly form an alliance with them to jointly resist Wei. But we haven't even had a chance to meet the King of Wu yet. What should we do?"

He suddenly thought of someone and said, "The Prime Minister's elder brother, Zhuge Jin, is an important minister of Eastern Wu. Why not seek help from him?"

Zhuge Jin has been working hard to ease relations with Shu Han; with his help, this matter will surely succeed.

Deng Zhi shook his head and said, "Zhuge Jin is in charge of Gong'an. He recently repelled Cao Zhen's army and is not in Jianye at the moment."

"What about Zhuge Jin's son, Zhuge Ke? He serves as a cavalry commandant and is on good terms with Sun Deng, the son of the King of Wu. We can ask him for help."

Deng Zhi frowned.

Although Zhuge Jin was pro-Han, his son may not have been.

But since there's no way to see Sun Quan right now, this is one option.

Deng Zhi was still hesitating.

As a dignified envoy, how could I condescend to seek an audience with a mere cavalry captain?

Zong Yu volunteered, "If Your Excellency finds this difficult, I would like to pay you a visit in person."

"That's excellent."

The residence of Marquis Zhuge Jin of Wanling.

Sun Quan was watching fish and admiring flowers in his mansion, accompanied by the young Zhuge Ke.

What appears to be an ordinary outing between the emperor and his minister actually carries a deeper meaning.

Sun Quan deliberately refused to meet with the Shu Han envoys in order to gauge the reactions from all sides.

However, Zhuge Jin and Zhuge Liang were brothers, and their purpose in coming here was to find out the Zhuge family's attitude toward this matter.

"The flowers, birds, fish and insects in your residence are truly delightful, and I adore them greatly."

Zhuge Ke was a child prodigy with a reputation for talent from a young age, so he naturally understood the meaning behind Sun Quan's words.

"These were all bestowed by the King of Wu. Without the King of Wu's great talent and ambition, how could these flowers and birds have flourished so much?"

Sun Quan was very pleased with what he heard.

After capturing Jingzhou, defeating Liu Bei, and repelling Cao Ren, the military strength and morale of Eastern Wu reached unprecedented heights.

The civil and military officials, led by Lu Xun and Zhang Hong, urged him to declare himself emperor. Although he humbly declined, his ambition was secretly growing.

"Your father is currently stationed at Gong'an, where he repelled the Wei army and secured our naval base. He is skilled in both civil and military affairs. How do you think he compares to your uncle, Zhuge Liang?"

Faced with Sun Quan's question, Zhuge Ke replied without hesitation, "My father is ten times better than my uncle."

"Oh, why?"

Zhuge Liang was known as the "Sleeping Dragon," a wise and capable man who could bring the world to those who possessed him.

"As the saying goes, a good bird chooses a good tree to perch on. My father knew that assisting the King of Wu was the right path, but my uncle did not. Therefore, my father is ten times better than my uncle."

Sun Quan burst into laughter upon hearing this.

Just then, a servant from the manor came to report.

"King Wu, Your Highness, there is someone outside the gate requesting an audience. He claims to be Zong Yu, the envoy of the Great Han Dynasty."

The man immediately presented the visiting card.

Sun Quan glanced at the visiting card but said nothing.

"Go and tell them that we have a distinguished guest at our residence and we will not see him," Zhuge Ke said.

"Alas, when guests arrive, how can we refuse them entry?" Sun Quan said.

"Your Majesty, I have no prior acquaintance with this man and have no relationship with him. How could I possibly slight Your Majesty because of this?"

Zhuge Ke's reasons were also quite valid.

First of all, the fact that I don't know him means that the Zhuge family had no contact with the Han envoys.

And then, today's distinguished guest is you, King Wu, you are the greatest, everything else is insignificant.

Sun Quan was very satisfied with Zhuge Ke's character and conduct, so he said, "Cao Pi now wants to form an alliance with me to jointly attack Xichuan. This man has come here, surely to persuade me to ally with Han and sever ties with Wei."

"My mind is not yet made up, therefore I have not met with you."

Zhuge Ke sensed a test in the words and said, "King of Wu, it is neither reasonable nor moral for Eastern Wu to refuse guests. On the contrary, it would make Eastern Wu appear ignorant of etiquette."

Although Sun Quan was appointed King of Wu by Cao Pi, Shu Han was the legitimate successor of the Han Dynasty. Refusing to meet the envoy would only make him appear petty.

Sun Quan found this reasonable.

The previous refusal to meet the Han envoy was due to the advice of Lu Xun, Zhang Zhao and others, which dampened their spirits.

"So, what do you think, is it to see him or not?"

"I will see you. But the time is not yet right."

Zhuge Ke laughed heartily, appearing mature beyond his years, and said, "King Wu, Zong Yu's visit shows that they are eager to see you."

"But the more this is the case, the more patiently the King of Wu must wait."

"Wait?" Sun Quan became increasingly interested.

"Wait for Deng Zhi. He is the representative of this mission. If he doesn't show up, it means that Yizhou is not in a really urgent situation yet."

"To blunt their spirit, you must blunt it severely."

Zong Yu returned to the inn somewhat disappointed.

"That brat is despicable."

Although he met Zhuge Ke, he thought that the other party would help him out of respect for Zhuge Liang.

But the boy was very clever and made excuses, so in the end he could only leave disappointed.

Deng Zhi guessed the outcome from his reaction, and after a moment's thought, he said, "It seems that Eastern Wu is neither allying with Wei nor with Han, and intends to stand by and watch."

Prior to this, Deng Zhi had thought that Eastern Wu was more likely to want to form an alliance.

After all, both sides were actively working to reconcile before Liu Bei's death.

"You're a coward who abandons righteousness for profit!" Zong Yu said angrily.

"No, this is a diplomatic maneuver. Eastern Wu wants to wear down our patience in order to gain more benefits."

Zong Yu had a good plan to persuade Sun Quan to form an alliance, but now he couldn't even meet him, so all his plans were just nonsense.

If it weren't for this mission to Eastern Wu, he would never have imagined that the conflict between the two foreign states was no less intense than the smoke of battle.

"My lord, Sun Quan is determined not to see us. What should we do?"

Although Deng Zhi looked troubled, she had already guessed the other party's intentions.

"Eastern Wu's move is a ploy to make us appear weak; it's a calculated strategy. Now that we're on the defensive, we have no choice but to walk into their trap. Only in this way can we turn the tide and survive."

"I will now do as he wishes and submit a memorial to Sun Quan."

After saying this, Deng Zhi ordered someone to bring him pen and ink.

"Respectfully presented to the King of Wu."

"Deng Zhi is a scholar from Shu, who has come specifically for the benefit of Wu, not just for Shu. It is often said that Jiangdong is full of outstanding talents, yet the entire court of civil and military officials has refused to see an envoy. How narrow-minded they are..."

Zong Yu reacted quickly and immediately understood Deng Zhi's meaning.

By retreating in order to advance, by feigning weakness to demonstrate strength, we can seek another opportune moment.