Chapter 103: Zhuge Liang Comes to Offer His Service
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Although Lu Bu appeared excited and full of anticipation, he seemed far more solemn and earnest than before.
It seemed he had realized it as well. This battle was unlike any they had fought in the past.
The number of people involved was simply enormous—more than a million in all.
Even Lu Bu had never experienced anything like it. The battles he had taken part in before had involved, at most, armies of several tens of thousands, perhaps a hundred thousand.
A battle involving more than a million people was a first for him.
Thus, Lu Bu did not seem quite as arrogant as usual.
Likewise, after hearing Lu Bu’s words, Liu Xie’s expression grew grave.
He did not know what orders to give, either.
This battle involved far too many people—more than a million in total.
Liu Xie wondered whether, if he ordered the battle to begin, he would truly be able to control such a vast situation.
One might say that, back in the twenty-first century, Liu Xie had been a highly capable special-forces instructor.
After coming to this world, he had even trained the formidable Wolfshadow Guards.
Yet even so, if he were asked to command a battle involving more than five hundred thousand troops, the pressure would be immense.
Of course, if the opposing army were not particularly formidable, he could fight however he pleased.
But this situation was different.
The men he now faced were Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, both among the most powerful figures of the age.
Liu Xie dared not underestimate either of them.
One mistake, and the consequences would be irreparable.
That was why he hesitated to issue the order.
Just then, a soldier came running in.
“Report!”
“Your Majesty, someone outside the camp requests an audience. He says his name is Zhuge Liang.”
At the mention of those three words, Liu Xie’s spirits immediately lifted.
“Zhuge Liang? How could I have forgotten him?”
“Quickly! Come, let us go out and receive him.”
Without another thought, Liu Xie led all his generals and strategists out of the camp.
Outside, Zhuge Liang stood waiting at his leisure, a feather fan in hand.
“Master Kongming, Kongming—you have finally arrived.”
The moment he saw Zhuge Liang, Liu Xie could not suppress his excitement. He strode forward and clasped Zhuge Liang’s hand.
When Zhuge Liang saw that the emperor had personally come out to receive him, he was instantly overwhelmed with trepidation.
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“How could I possibly deserve Your Majesty’s personal welcome? This is my fault—truly, it is my fault.”
Zhuge Liang hurriedly knelt and bowed.
“Enough, enough, Kongming. Rise. There is no need for such ceremony.”
“Come, let us go inside and speak.”
Liu Xie immediately ushered Zhuge Liang into the camp.
With Zhuge Liang’s arrival, Liu Xie felt considerably more at ease.
“Your Majesty, I knew that you were engaged in a great war here. I also know that I possess a measure of ability.”
“Therefore, if Your Majesty does not find me unsuitable, I am willing to serve at your side and follow you from this day forth.”
Zhuge Liang spoke with great respect.
Liu Xie could already guess the reason for his visit.
The moment he learned that Zhuge Liang had arrived, he understood that Zhuge Liang had come to pledge himself to him.
Still, hearing Zhuge Liang say it aloud filled Liu Xie with even greater delight.
“Excellent! With Kongming’s assistance, I believe we will surely win this war.”
“From this moment onward, I hereby appoint Zhuge Liang as the military strategist of our army.”
Liu Xie immediately announced to everyone that Zhuge Liang would be his military strategist.
Yet the moment those words fell, several people below began to object.
Zhuge Liang had only just arrived in their camp. He had not accomplished anything, and already he had been appointed strategist?
“Everyone, I know what you are thinking.”
“You believe that Kongming has only just arrived among us—he has not even been here for several hours.”
“And yet I have already made him our strategist. I know that you are dissatisfied, and that you find this difficult to accept.”
Liu Xie had already seen through their thoughts.
He had expected this reaction.
Even so, he had chosen without hesitation to make Zhuge Liang the army’s strategist.
The reason was simple: Zhuge Liang truly possessed extraordinary talent.
“Very well. Then watch him. See for yourselves whether Kongming is fit to serve as our strategist.”
“After this war, if you are still unconvinced, I will remove Zhuge Liang from the position.”
“What do you think? Is that fair?”
To dispel the resentment in everyone’s hearts, Liu Xie spoke to them at length.
The men exchanged glances. Though they remained somewhat unconvinced, Liu Xie had already put it so plainly that they could say nothing more.
“Your Majesty’s trust fills Kongming with gratitude.”
Zhuge Liang hurriedly knelt and bowed in thanks.
Other men, such as Lu Bu, had not even been in their service for two full days when they were entrusted with command of a hundred thousand cavalry.
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As for Zhuge Liang, he had not even been here an hour, yet he had already become the highest-ranking person in the army after Liu Xie himself.
Naturally, Zhuge Liang was deeply pleased, but he also felt extremely uneasy.
After all, such a sudden turn of events had caught him completely off guard.
Liu Xie, however, had no intention of worrying about such matters.
As someone well versed in history, he knew exactly what Zhuge Liang was capable of.
“Do not worry, Kongming. Work boldly.”
“From this moment on, I place the more than one million troops stationed in Jingzhou and Yizhou entirely under your command.”
“Carry out your plans without restraint. I will take responsibility for the consequences.”
Liu Xie immediately made his position perfectly clear.
He was entrusting Zhuge Liang with command of the millions of troops under his control in Jingzhou and Yizhou.
To many people, such a decision seemed reckless.
Even if they did not voice it aloud, they were still unconvinced in their hearts.
After all, Zhuge Liang had only just arrived. He had barely set foot in the camp.
Liu Xie, however, did not see it that way. He believed that Zhuge Liang would use his abilities to prove himself.
“Enough. I have already said that, from this moment onward, every soldier under my command is yours to direct.”
“Fengxian, explain our current troop deployments to Master Kongming.”
Lu Bu did not hold anything back. At once, he told Zhuge Liang the full disposition of his forces.
Zhuge Liang was an exceptionally serious man.
He listened attentively for a long while.
Finally, after hearing everything, he turned to Liu Xie.
“Your Majesty, are you certain that you intend to place all these men under my command?”
Zhuge Liang sought confirmation once more.
Liu Xie nodded firmly.
“Yes. I mean what I say. From this moment onward, I will interfere in nothing. Every decision will be yours to make.”
“We are now facing Cao Cao and Yuan Shao. Whatever orders you give, I guarantee that everyone under my command will obey.”
“That includes me. I will stand behind you to the end.”
Liu Xie spoke with unwavering resolve once more.
At last, Zhuge Liang’s heart filled with confidence.
“Very well. Since that is the case, everyone, heed my command!”
Zhuge Liang entered the role swiftly. He immediately rose and summoned all the officers and soldiers.
Without wasting words, the troops gathered in the center to await their strategist’s orders.
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