Chapter 70: Zhuge Liang's Doubts

  Zhuge Liang sat up with his quilt and asked, "You are with Xiao Jun every day, what is he doing? His plan is not just to develop business, is it?"

  Huang Yueying had promised Zhuge Jun to keep it a secret, and with her relationship with Zhuge Liang, if she were an ordinary woman, she would have already been unable to bear it and must have told Zhuge Liang.

  However, Huang Yueying was Huang Yueying, she wasn't an ordinary woman. Since Zhuge Jun didn't tell Zhuge Liang and also didn't instruct her to tell Zhuge Liang, she would definitely keep the secret.

  She asked: "What's wrong, does Xiao Jun have something hidden from you?"

  He then said: "His coaching team's training is more formal than the regular military training, as a businessman, what does he do with these?"

  Huang Yueying said, "Xiao Jun has said that in these chaotic times, one must have the power to protect oneself. Now our family is large and prosperous, with many people having designs on us; how can we do without our own defensive strength?"

  Zhuge Liang saw that he didn't ask anything, so he didn't ask. However, the doubts in his heart did not disperse. He decided to have a thorough discussion with his brother to fully understand his thoughts.

  In the morning, Zhuge Liang thought that after breakfast he would go to have a deep talk with his brother. However, Wang Bao sent word that Sun Quan wanted to meet him, so after breakfast he followed Wang Bao and Han Qiang to see Sun Quan.

  Ma Chao has not been playing against the landlord for a long time, his level is not high but he is very addicted. He lost a lot of gold in the past few days. Early this morning, he came to find Zhuge Jun and said he wanted to move the stakes, asking if he dared to bet more. Zhuge Jun said who was afraid of him, then went to call Liu Xun.

  Three people set up a stall on the branch, and started practicing again. Sun Shangxiang leaned against Zhuge Jun's side, personally serving them tea and water, just like a little daughter-in-law.

  Ma Chao was really unlucky and couldn't win no matter what. Sun Shangxiang couldn't bear to watch anymore, so she went to give him directions, but Ma Chao wasn't happy about it. Sun Shangxiang kindly offered her help, but behind his back, she curled her lip in disdain. She thought to herself: "He deserved to lose."

  Ma Chao, Zhuge Jun and Liu Xun were together all day long, the three of them had similar status and were all spoiled brats by nature, so they naturally got along well.

  Cao Jing had already arrived in Wu County and sent someone to inquire about Zhuge Jun's news.

  Huang Xiaowen lived in Zhuge Jin's house, secretly heartbroken, thinking: "Jun Ge didn't even say he'd come to see me."

  Simayu sent someone to inquire about Liu Bei's news, but there was no movement at all. He was very puzzled in his heart and ordered his subordinates to go and investigate again.

  At noon, Sun Quan set a banquet to entertain Zhuge Liang, and Zhou Yu also attended the banquet. The two of them chatted like old friends, as if nothing had happened.

  In the afternoon, after finishing official business, Sun Quan also discussed his sister's marriage with Zhuge Jin and Zhuge Liang. When Zhuge Liang returned to the Inviting Moon Manor, it was already dinner time.

  After dinner, Zhuge Liang found his brother and said he had something to discuss. The two brothers went to Zhuge Liang's room and ordered that no one was allowed to disturb them.

  Sun Shangxiang came to find Zhuge Jun, and was also sent away by him.

  Zhuge Jun asked his second brother: "It's so serious, what's going on?"

  He looked at his brother and didn't speak for a long time. Zhuge Jun guessed that he must have had doubts about the Shangfang Mountain incident.

  Zhuge Liang is a politician, and he pays attention to all matters related to military and politics. Moreover, he worries that his brother's private armed forces will arouse Sun Quan's suspicion, which would be detrimental to his brother. However, he did not expect that Zhuge Jun, who is lazy by nature, would have any major plans.

  He said: "Xiao Jun, you got that coaching team in Shangfang Mountain, where did those training methods come from?"

  "It was something I figured out myself, I'm worried that someone will take advantage of us. With so many loved ones to protect and a business to safeguard, we can't rely on others."

  Zhuge Liang nodded and said, "Your idea is good, but if you assemble a team of over a hundred people here to educate them, it will easily attract attention from others. If Sun Quan finds out, who knows what he'll think? Don't look at the fact that you're his brother-in-law, there are some things he can't tolerate."

  Upon hearing this, Zhuge Jin also broke out in a cold sweat. He thought: "A well-trained team of over 100 people is indeed a formidable force that inspires fear. It's normal for Sun Quan or others to have ideas about it. If someone thinks deeply about it, one period is 120 people, how many people will there be in a year?"

  He thought of this and said: "Second brother is right, in that case, I'll reduce the number of people to half, a few dozen people won't attract attention."

  Zhuge Liang nodded in agreement. He said, "There's something I'd like to discuss with you. Would it be possible for me to obtain your training methods? When I return, I can train the troops myself. After all, Uncle Liu's forces are too few."

  Zhuge Jian thought: "Liu Bei's army is now a shield for Eastern Wu, and it won't hurt to make it stronger." So he said: "No problem, apart from training with guns, I have other training methods, all of which will be handed over to you."

  He also gave the iron floating pagodas of the Western Xia Dynasty to Zhuge Liang. He wasn't worried about Liu Bei's expanding power at all, thinking: "When the time comes, I'll get gunpowder out and completely change the pattern of war."

  Zhuge Liang saw the appearance of the iron floating tower and thought: "If there is such a striking force, at critical moments, it will surely come unexpectedly. But this price is too high. Can't afford it."

  Zhuge Jian saw through his thoughts and said, "Second brother, this time let's have your sister-in-law go with you to Jingzhou to develop business. I also have a few production techniques that we can work on in Jingzhou. Let's increase your financial resources."

  Zhuge Liang at this time had basically put down his doubts in his heart and expressed satisfaction with his arrangements.