Chapter 35: Zhuge Liang's Wisdom

  Zhuge Liang lay on the bed, analyzing his brother's affairs. Why would Sun Quan agree to let people from outside Eastern Wu go to Eastern Wu, including those under Cao Cao's jurisdiction? It must not be just for commercial considerations, so what other purpose does he have?

  From the participants of the auction, it must be guaranteed by people within Dongwu's territory to investigate, which is equivalent to defining a scope for investigating internal spies. There must be spies in this range, and that's also a purpose.

  After the Battle of Red Cliffs, the war subsided, and the economy developed, strengthening national power. Strengthening exchanges with various forces is a necessary means. Yes, Sun Quan wanted to strengthen his connections with Liu Zhang, Zhang Lu, Ma Teng, and other forces, not just unite with Liu Bei, so as not to be controlled by others. The glass auction provided him with an opportunity.

  One of Zhuge Liang's concerns was the risk that his younger brother would face in this matter. As the saying goes, "A common man is not guilty, but he will be blamed for having a precious jade." The huge profits from glass production would inevitably attract the attention and envy of various forces, which can be seen from Liu Bei's attitude. Since someone would covet the glass production technology, his younger brother would definitely face danger this time.

  The auction can't be cancelled, how can I help my brother avoid risk?

  He turned over and sat up, put on his clothes, wrote a letter, had someone call Li Wei, and ordered him to go to Jiangdong immediately and deliver the letter to Zhuge Jun.

  In the Huang Yueying's room at the Inviting Moon Manor, Zhuge Jun, Sun Shangxiang and Huang Yueying were discussing the auction.

  Huang Yueying excitedly said, holding the account book: "This time, a total of 93 business firms participated in the auction and paid a deposit of 930 taels of gold. Judging from the merchants' reaction to glass, our hoarded products will definitely sell for a high price. I'm worried that our warehouse won't be able to hold so much money. I've already asked Fu Bo to arrange for another warehouse to be built."

  "Sister-in-law, what's the point of having so much money? We already have more than enough."

  Zhuge Jun smiled and said, "You really are a young lady, you don't know how poor people live, money is never enough. For example, helping Ling'er build the Poetry Society requires money, right? Providing disaster relief requires money, right? And marrying you, the county princess, also requires preparing betrothal gifts. How much money will that take?" After finishing speaking, he took her jade-like hand.

  Sun Shangxiang's face turned red as she said: "Just marry her if you want to, who asked you for money?"

  He said: "I suddenly had an idea. People often say 'golden house hidden beauty', I really built a golden house, the whole thing, thieves came and couldn't move it. Just looking at it makes me drool."

  Sun Shangxiang suddenly sparkled with apricot eyes and said: "You don't say, it's really a good idea. The thief is staring at so much gold, can't take it away, and will be suffocated to death, we don't need to catch him."

  Huang Yueying smiled and said: "A big county master, learning from him is like a rural landlord. What kind of good idea is this?"

  He smiled slyly and said, "This is what they mean by 'if you marry a rooster, follow the rooster; if you marry a dog, follow the dog.'"

  Sun Shangxiang pushed his head with her slender fingers and said: "Marrying you this monkey is enough to walk all over the mountain."

  A few people were chatting and laughing when Uncle Fu brought someone over.

  Zhuge Jian looked at the newcomer and asked in surprise: "Li Wei, how did you come?"

  Li Wei bowed to several people and said, "The second master sent me to deliver a message to the third master. Oh, and there's also a letter from the second madam." After finishing speaking, he handed two letters to the two of them separately.

  Several people asked about Zhuge Liang's situation and learned that he was respected by Liu Bei, so they were all very happy. Then, he ordered Li Wei to follow Fu Bo down to rest first.

  After reading the letter, both of them looked serious.

  "He sighed: 'Second Brother is indeed Zhuge Liang!'"

  Huang Yueying curiously said: "Your second brother was originally Zhuge Liang, what's there to sigh about?"

  Zhuge Jian saw it and said something wrong again, awkwardly smiling.

  "What's going on?" Sun Shangxiang asked in surprise as she saw the two of them.

  He handed her Zhuge Liang's letter.

  Sun Shangxiang took over the letter and read it, first surprised, then blushing. She said shyly: "What kind of idea is this, Second Brother?"

  He smiled and said to her: "Xiang Er, it seems we still have to rely on you."

  Sun Shangxiang raised her head slightly with some pride.

  He turned his head and said to Huang Yueying: "Sister, let's follow the second brother's plan."

  Not long after, a message spread throughout Wu County, and soon spread throughout Eastern Wu under the psychological effect of people's gossip. "The master of Qingyue Mountain Villa, Zhuge Jun, is the younger brother of Liu Bei's military advisor Zhuge Liang, and also the younger brother of Central Minister Zhuge Jin. Recently, he is going to marry County Princess Sun Shangxiang."

  In the Welcome Inn, several merchant-dressed men were discussing matters. A middle-aged man said: "Gentlemen, it seems that our original plan to abduct Zhuge Jun is not feasible. Now that Zhuge Jun has become the son-in-law of Eastern Wu, he is no longer someone we can afford to provoke. Moreover, he is also the younger brother of Zhuge Liang. Even if we obtain the glass formula, there will be no place for us to hide in this world."

  Several people nodded in agreement and began to discuss other methods. The same result, many of those who had originally intended to defeat Zhuge changed their minds.

  According to Zhuge Liang's instructions, Zhuge Jun and others made preparations in other aspects. They just waited for the auction to open.

  Zhang Zhao reported to Sun Quan the situation of various forces participating in the glass auction. Cao Cao's side was ordinary businessmen, and it is unknown whether there were any big shots. Liu Bei's side was led by Mi Zhu. Liu Zhang's second son, Princess Annan, Xiliang, Rongdi, Qiang people, as well as many countries and tribes from Western Regions all sent people to attend.

  Sun Quan instructed to do a good job in reception, take the opportunity to establish military and political, business contacts with all parties. Do a good job in security work, ensure the safety of all participants in the auction. For Cao Cao's people, they must be strictly protected and cannot make any mistakes. If there are important figures among them, pretend not to know and do not contact them, so as not to arouse Liu Bei's suspicion.

  Zhang Zhao left with his orders.

  In Chaisang County, Zhou Yu heard that Zhuge Jun was going to marry Sun Shangxiang and felt depressed.