Chapter 35: Those Who Have Constant Property Have Constant Heart (Part 1)

  Zhou Wenbo had always held a high opinion of his fourth brother, Zhuge Yu, but he never expected that Zhuge Yu would have such brilliant strategies and clear vision, which made him extremely delighted, finally getting the first talented subordinate under his command.

  Then Zhou Wenbo ordered his men to brew tea and warm wine. He himself went to change his clothes, tidy up his appearance, and then had a pleasant conversation with Zhuge Yue.

  The conversation between the two had just established the identity of the master and his staff, and Zhuge Yu was no longer as casual as he was at first, but rather with a hint of restraint.

  The two are no longer in a master-disciple relationship, but in a superior-subordinate relationship. If you can't put yourself in the right position and still look at people with old eyes, that's really a way to seek death. Although it doesn't seem like anything now, if it's a petty-minded master, he will definitely remember it in his heart and make you pay for it sooner or later.

  Zhou Wenbo saw it in his eyes, but didn't say anything. Instead, he continued to chat with Xu Shu in a warm and friendly tone, treating him as an equal. He didn't want to put on airs, which would be unnecessary.

  When leading people, the strategy of governing subordinates lies in the combination of kindness and authority, which is the experience summed up by Zhou Wenbo over the years.

  This is also why loyalty in his subconscious system of formation consists of two parts: awe and gratitude.

  There is a saying: God's power is like prison, God's grace is like the sea.

  No need to explore its origin, just from the surface, the majesty of God inspires awe, and the grace of God evokes gratitude.

  Zhou Wenbo had just graduated and entered society when he met a capable leader.

  At work, he is extremely strict, pointing out mistakes and teaching him to improve at any time, making Zhou Wenbo have to work hard with a humble attitude, and his ability has made significant progress in just half a year.

  He is extremely easy-going in life, has no airs and is very concerned about Zhou Wenbo's difficulties. At that time, Zhou Wenbo had just graduated and had no money to rent a house, and it was his leader who paid 10,000 yuan for him to turn around first.

  Zhou Wenbo was deeply grateful, and even many years later when he no longer worked under that leader, he still kept in touch and visited him at least once a year.

  This kind of person can stand out anywhere and in any era.

  Zhou Wenbo learned a lot from this life mentor, far more than what he could have come into contact with and understood while staying in school.

  So-called kindness and severity are equally important, it's just like this, looks simple but directly points to one's heart.

  The human heart is a very subtle thing that cannot be described in words, but it does exist and has a huge impact.

  Why did the common people rise up in revolt one after another after Chen Sheng and Wu Guang's call to arms, causing the first great unified empire in Chinese history to collapse so quickly and perish in just two generations?

  The world has suffered under Qin for a long time.

  Why did Taizu of our dynasty lead his exhausted army against an enemy of a million, fighting for twenty years, and finally unify the world with one move?

  Because of the people's support, because of the citizens' backing.

  Zhou Wenbo has just started as the lord, a small warlord who hasn't even gotten off the ground yet. If he starts pretending to be noble and putting on airs at this time, who is he trying to show off to?

  Loyalty is not just a number, but an attitude that is hard to express in words.

  Zhou Wenbo knew that from today on, he had to convert all the theoretical knowledge in his mind into practical experience. From today on, he would start acting out a great play with his life, using his heart to be a wise and powerful lord, patiently treating his future subordinates and subjects. This would be the true capital of his achievement, far more important than the system he had built!

  Zhou Wenbo's tone and behavior gradually dissolved the estrangement that had quietly formed between them as their identities changed, and Zhou Wenbo finally discussed the core issue with Zhuge Yu.

  After Zhou Wenbo explained the response of the past few days, the current situation and his plan for the future to Zhuge Yu, he looked at the calm young man in front of him with expectant eyes, as if the one sitting in front of him was the Shu Han Chancellor who was "very intelligent and close to being a wizard" seven hundred years ago.

  "Didn't you go to comfort the families of our fallen soldiers?" Zhuge Yu began using Zhou Wenbo's courtesy name, now that he knew it.

  "...Nothing." Zhou Wenbo was momentarily embarrassed.

  Zhuge Yue's question was a sharp critique, and the fact that General Zhao had died in Shu was no longer a secret. As it spread through the imperial court, countless people passed it on by word of mouth, and at least within Luoyang City, everyone knew about it. Although the families of the soldiers were mostly living in the countryside, they might have also learned about it.

  As the newly appointed Zhao Guo Gong, he completely forgot about this group of people who had lost their pillar just like himself. Although there was no specific list of casualties yet, he also needed to prepare for the consolation work first.

  "Doesn't General Jingyu plan on how to go to Shu to gather the scattered soldiers and brave warriors of our Zhao State?" Zhuge Yu continued to ask.

  "Mr. Meng Zhi-xiang is a close friend of my father's, he has arrived in Luoyang and will soon take up his post as the Military Governor of Western Sichuan. I plan to send someone to accompany Mr. Meng on his journey, both to gather information and to round up any remaining troops. However, due to the urgency of the matter, I have been unable to find a suitable person to go."

  As for this point, Zhou Wenbo had considered it.

  "This matter can be left to me." Zhuge volunteered himself.

  Zhou Wenbo had been worried about the selection of people entering Sichuan, this matter was very important, it concerned how many old soldiers could be summoned back, the quality of these troops would inevitably far surpass his newly recruited militia.

  The person in charge must have great wisdom and courage, ordinary people cannot take on this role.

  Zhuge Yu was undoubtedly the most suitable person, so Zhou Wenbo naturally agreed to Zhuge Yu's request.

  "What method does General Jingyu plan to use to recruit new soldiers?" Zhuge Yu asked again.

  Zhou Wenbo then took out his own plan for recruiting and training new troops that he had organized the day before, and handed it to Zhuge Yu.

  After Zhuge Yu finished reading carefully and pondered for a long time, he seemed to have made up his mind and asked: "Jin Yu was born in a noble family, do you know what the people of the world want most at this time?"

  Zhou Wenbo was taken aback by Zhuge Yu's sudden question, but after careful consideration, he replied: "A peaceful life? Being able to eat one's fill and wear warm clothes?"

  This is what Zhou Wenbo could think of as the most urgent need for the grassroots people in this era.

  "Both are very important, but it's even more crucial for the common people to have their own land!" Zhuge Yu sighed and said: "If they can obtain their own land, even the weakest of civilians will be willing to risk life and death, and those who were once as lowly as ants will also fight bravely, forgetting about life and death. I wonder if you agree with my point of view, Jingyu?"

  Zhou Wenbo was suddenly speechless.

  He fully agreed with Zhuge Yu's words.

  The importance of land far exceeds everything else, past and present, at home and abroad, nothing is more so.