Huang Chengyan did not tell anyone about his desire to seek help from Zhuge Liang, but soon after he returned, he sent someone to ask Zhuge Liang to come over and talk to him.

Anyway, in terms of seniority and friendship, the Zhuge family and the Huang family also have many connections. Although Zhuge Liang is from Langya in Xuzhou, his hometown in Langya was destroyed long ago due to the second rebellion of the Yellow Turban Army. He has lived in Jingzhou for so many years and worshiped in

After joining Sima Hui's family, he was already considered a Jingzhou native.

Even if Liu Xuan suppresses these activities of forming parties based on regions, it is impossible to completely eliminate them. After Zhuge Liang comes to Luoyang, even if he does not do it deliberately, those civil and military officials from Jingzhou will spontaneously get closer to him.

.

As for the people who came from Jingzhou to Luoyang specifically to visit, there are even more.

For example, today, Zhuge Liang is entertaining his friends from Jingzhou at his home: Pang Tong!

Sitting on the wooden chair, Pang Tong moved his butt left and right, and finally leaned back, and finally said to Zhuge Liang with a strange smile: "It's good to come to Kongming here, you can be more casual.

It’s not like we had to abide by all the rules in Jingzhou!”

Pang Tong's family is also a well-known family in Jingzhou. There are many rules at home. Although there are no family members watching outside, they have to worry about the family's face, so they feel more uncomfortable than at home.

In addition, the Pang family is a fairly traditional force and is not very interested in some of the things that the emperor has promoted over the years. Even the tables, chairs and other equipment that are said to have been passed down from the royal family are not used very much. On weekdays, they still choose to kneel more often.

Sit back and wait.

But when it comes to Zhuge Liang, there is no need to be so troublesome, not to mention that many of the facilities in the newly built Luoyang City have abandoned some of the original habits. For example, the layout of this hall is very different from the past - there is no place for people to kneel and sit at all.

There is no room even if you want to kneel down.

If you want to see the traditional layout, you probably have to go to Nancheng Old Town to see it.

After Pang Tong fully enjoyed it, he chatted with Zhuge Liang about his family affairs. Only then did Zhuge Liang know that Pang Tong had just resigned from the position of county magistrate. Although the next arrangements have not been finalized, if there is no surprise, he would be the prefect of the county.

There is no escape.

"Kong Ming is still Yilang now?"

"yes!"

Zhuge Liang was very happy that his classmate could have such a smooth career. He even asked his servants to prepare some food and drinks for him to chat with Pang Tong over a drink, and at the same time, he was celebrating Pang Tong's upcoming promotion.

Pang Tong didn't care much about his official position. On the contrary, after hearing Zhuge Liang's answer, Pang Tong said with dissatisfaction: "With Kong Ming's talent, he is more than just a Yilang? Could it be that the emperor did this on purpose?"

Pang Tong was quite proud of his talent and learning, and felt aggrieved that Kong Ming, who was as talented and learned as himself, was treated in this way, as if he was not taken seriously by the emperor back then. He even felt that the emperor deliberately disliked them and suppressed them.

"Now the world is at peace, the court is recuperating, and nothing major is happening everywhere... In other words, there are no great achievements, and naturally there are no opportunities for promotion!"

Zhuge Liang saw it clearly, probably because he had close contact with the core ruling class of the Han Dynasty. He saw much more than Pang Tong.

What's more, Zhuge Liang has not been idle in these years and has done nothing. In addition to diligently doing the things assigned by the emperor, he has been practicing diligently every day. Now his cultivation has improved very quickly, although the emperor has not spoken.

He said it clearly, but Zhuge Liang realized that he had been noticed.

Now, he just lacks a merit, or a suitable reason. As long as he has any merit that can be taken, he will be promoted immediately.

However, there is no need to tell Pang Tong these words. Firstly, these are just his own speculations. With his temperament, he will not publicize uncertain things. Secondly, given Pang Tong's current situation, I am afraid that he is worried about the imperial court in his heart.

The prejudice has not gone away, and what I have said is in vain.

So with a few words, we turned the topic aside and started talking about trivial things.

For example, how is Jingzhou doing now? Did the imperial decree have any impact on Jingzhou? And when did Pang Tong get married...

"Isn't Kong Ming not married yet?"

Taking a goose feather fan and fanning it gently, Zhuge Liang smiled and said nothing. If it was said that getting married before was for family inheritance and continuation of the family tradition, then it seems that it is not necessary or urgent now.

According to what Xun Yu, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, said to himself back then, he can maintain this state for at least a hundred years. Even if he cannot go further by then, he will not be in a hurry to consider the inheritance of incense.

Pang Tong... I guess he also had ordinary thoughts.

While we were talking, a servant suddenly came to report: "Huang Shangshu of the Ministry of Industry invites you to come and have a brief talk!"

"Huang Shangshu?"

The status of Huang Chengyan, the Minister of the Ministry of Works, in the imperial court is no longer what it was back then. At first, the scholars did not think highly of the Minister of the Ministry of Works. Although it was one of the six ministers of the Ministry of Works, the Minister of the Ministry of Works...

But with the changes in the world in the past few years, everyone understands how important the position of the Minister of Works is? And Zhuge Liang, who is in the court, knows that the position of the Minister of Works is not only powerful, but also has great influence on the court.

The relationship was very important, and the emperor always attached great importance to it, and even required everyone to cooperate with the work of the Ministry of Works when necessary.

For what? Although the emperor and even some people did not say it, Zhuge Liang could roughly guess it.

Just by looking at how busy Huang Chengyan has been in the past two years, he knows that this matter has reached the most critical moment. How could he think of looking for him at this time?

"Huang Shangshu?"

Pang Tongtong was stunned, and then he remembered that the Minister of Industry was also one of the people he had to visit this time. Hearing this, he said: "It just so happens that I am going to visit Huang Gong when I come to Luoyang this time, and I happen to be with Kong Ming!"

Zhuge Liang reacted quickly and immediately nodded in agreement. He and Pang Tong went to Huang Chengyan's mansion. On the way, they inevitably talked about things related to the Huang family.

"I heard that Huang Gong's daughter Huang Yueying is very talented and is now an official in the imperial court?"

"Yes, the doctor of the Weapon Refining Department!" Who in Luoyang doesn't know Huang Yueying's talent and name? Besides, there are rumors in the palace these days that Huang Yueying is expected to be officially canonized and become one of the emperor's concubines.

"I heard that Huang Yueying has a dark complexion and yellow hair, and looks quite..." It's interesting to talk about this matter. When Pang Tong heard that the emperor valued talent and learning very much, but was treated coldly by the emperor, he thought it was just a lie deliberately.

But later I heard that the emperor valued talent more than appearance, because the daughter of Huang Chengyan, Minister of Industry, was very ugly. As a result, the emperor loved her so much that he even allowed her to enter and leave the palace at will.

Various rumors spread back to Jingzhou, which made Pang Tong reduce a lot of his prejudice against the emperor. The reason was that Pang Tong was also ugly!

How delicate is Zhuge Liang's mind? How could he not notice Pang Tong's thoughts? He could only smile bitterly and say nothing, and then said cryptically: "I heard that the emperor will accept Huang Shangshu's daughter as a concubine in the near future!"

"Let Pang Tong be careful and don't talk nonsense and get into trouble.

They are all smart people, and everyone will understand what something means as soon as it is mentioned. As expected, Pang Tong no longer talked about Huang Yueying, but discussed Huang Chengyan with Zhuge Liang.

Speaking of Huang Chengyan, he was quite famous in Jingzhou at that time, and the Huang family also had a high status in Jingzhou. Although Huang Chengyan could not represent the entire Huang family, because his status became higher and higher later, he now seems to be the spokesperson of the Jingzhou gentry.

Now that Jingzhou scholars come to Luoyang, who dares not to visit Huang Chengyan? Even if he can't see him, he still has to pay a visit.

Pang Tong did the same thing this time, but he felt that the Pang family was also a famous family, and his friend Zhuge Liang was by his side, so it shouldn't be too abrupt.

In fact, although Huang Chengyan was surprised by Pang Tong's arrival, he was not too dissatisfied. Anyway, the matter discussed this time was not a secret - the things built by the shipyard were there, and anyone who wanted to see them could see them.

What kind of secret is there? It’s just that many people look at that thing and don’t know what it is used for. They just think it is a tin can.

"sit down!"

Huang Chengyan even specially prepared food and wine to entertain Zhuge Liang this time. As for Pang Tong? It was nothing more than preparing an extra set of tableware, which would not be a problem.

"I guess Kong Ming hadn't had time to eat yet, so we chatted while eating!"

Zhuge Liang did not refuse, and chatted with Huang Chengyan while eating wine and food. After eating for a while, Huang Chengyan turned the conversation to more serious matters.

"Kong Ming must also know that the imperial court is currently building a large ship!"

Zhuge Liang's eyes lit up. Needless to say, he knew the purpose of this big ship. Even Pang Tong, who was standing next to him, suddenly stopped his hand and put the wine glass to his lips without pouring the wine into his mouth.

"There's just a problem right now!"

Looking at Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong, the two young men looked like they were waiting for the next chapter. Huang Chengyan did not want to continue talking in circles and directly explained the problem to them in detail.

Zhuge Liang was asked to help this time. As for Pang Tong, he also knew the name of this young man. He knew that this was an outstanding talent who was no worse than Zhuge Liang. He just had a slightly weird temper, but he had done a lot in Jingzhou over the years.

If the results are good, maybe I can take the opportunity to be transferred to Luoyang.

"This..." After hearing this problem, Zhuge Liang realized that the problem was not that easy to solve, and judging from Huang Chengyan's intention, he wanted to help him himself. Could it be that he wanted to join the Ministry of Industry himself?

Perhaps seeing Zhuge Liang's worries, Huang Chengyan directly explained that this time he was seeking Zhuge Liang's help in his own name and would not transfer him to the Ministry of Industry. However, if Zhuge Liang really helped a lot, the credit would not go to him.

It's on other people's heads.

With everything being said so clearly, what reason did Zhuge Liang have for refusing? He was just missing an opportunity to make meritorious deeds, and Huang Chengyan was presented to him. Moreover, he had studied martial arts over the years and was quite proficient in the art of machine forging. This time, too, Huang Chengyan

It is an opportunity to test the results of my studies over the years.

Seeing Zhuge Liang nod in agreement, Huang Chengyan was naturally overjoyed. As the emperor's quasi-father-in-law, he knew that the emperor attached great importance to this young man. However, there was no suitable opportunity or credit at the moment, so he kept placing him in the position of Yilang.

.

It is estimated that after this time, this young man will be promoted.

As for the other one...

"His Majesty has also heard about Shi Yuan's meritorious service in Jingzhou. If there are no mistakes, it is estimated that the edict to recruit Shi Yuan to serve as an official in the court will be issued soon!"

This was when Pang Tong really heard the news about his future. He originally thought that he would continue to stay in Jingzhou, but he didn't expect to be recruited into the court. This was a surprise.

However, being able to enter the court also meant that his talents and knowledge were recognized. Pang Tong suddenly felt a comfortable feeling that "I have won." The joy on his face was not concealed at all, but Huang Chengyan was speechless for a while.

"After all, he is a young man... With this kind of character, there is no guarantee that he will suffer a lot in court!"

It's just that some things are in vain. Anyway, today's court is not so dangerous, and it won't be so bloody that it would be good for him to learn a lesson.

He didn't say anything out loud, he just chatted with the two juniors, and occasionally asked about things in his hometown in Jingzhou. This meal was actually a very enjoyable meal for both the guests and the host.

At the court meeting on the second day, Huang Chengyan asked the mediator Zhuge Liang to help solve the power problem. Liu Xuan naturally had no reason to disagree and nodded in agreement on the spot.

I believe that after getting familiar with Zhuge Liang for a while, the problems of manufacturing the star core and the engine can be solved. As long as these two problems are solved, the battleship can be formed as soon as possible. Then with the current strength of the Han Dynasty, although the battleship will not explode instantly

sea, but at least there will no longer be any obstacles to attacking the neighboring island countries.

The problem of the island country has not been solved yet, but trouble first appeared in the Northeast. The days when Pingbei General Gongsun Zan was stationed in the Northeast have been quite peaceful, but I don’t know what kind of medicine those aliens took recently, and they actually joined forces to invade the Han Dynasty.

There have been several frictions at the border.
To be continued...