The story of Zhuge Liang setting up an altar in the Seven Star Altar to borrow the southeast wind, if converted into modern scientific language, should be rewritten as: Kong Ming knew that Zhou Yu wanted to use fire to attack Cao Cao's ships. Everything was ready, all I needed was the east wind, and I was very anxious. Because it was the middle of winter, the west wind and north wind blew, and the southeast wind rarely appeared. Cheng Yu reported to Cao Cao and chained the ships, which was indeed stable.
However, if Soochow uses fire attacks, it will be difficult to avoid. Cao Cao, relying on his rich common sense, immediately answered: In the depth of winter today, if there is west wind or north wind, is there east wind or south wind? This made Cheng Yu very embarrassed. Zhou Yu was so anxious about this incident that he was bedridden and couldn't even take medicine. Kong Ming had in-depth research on astronomy and meteorology. He knows that there are unforeseen circumstances and the climate is changing at any time.
Even in the depths of winter, there is a high likelihood of occasional southeasterly winds. The time will not be too long, but when it is short, if you grasp it very accurately. For fire attacks, it is enough. Therefore, he suggested to Zhou Yu that he set up a weather observation station at Kaihui, Nanping Mountain on the river bank.
Assign a number of soldiers to take turns on duty. Once the southeast wind blows, report to Zhou Yu immediately for timely action. Zhou Yu readily accepted the appointment of Lu Su, the most reliable person, and accompanied Kong Ming to handle the matter. Zhou Yu, Cheng Pu and other generals waited in despair. Just wait for the southeast wind to rise, and then dispatch your troops and generals. Twenty fire boats from Huang Gai went to Cao Ying to light the fire. Kong Ming was cautious and did not dare to neglect at all. Finally, at midnight on November 20, the southeasterly wind was measured. Zhou Yu was overjoyed. On the one hand, he sent two generals, Ding Feng and Xu Sheng, with one hundred men each, by land and water, to the Nanping Mountain Meteorological Observatory to capture Kong Ming and behead him. On the one hand, all officers and soldiers mobilized and killed Cao Cao without leaving any trace behind.
Science was not yet developed at that time, and there was not enough scientific knowledge to communicate with each other. If Kong Ming promised truthfully, Zhou Yu would not believe it at all. It is necessary to pretend to be a ghost and create some mystery in order to make Zhou Yu and other generals believe it. However, Kong Ming also expected that Zhou Yu would definitely use the reason that "this person has the ability to conquer the heaven and earth, and the ability to predict the ghosts and gods! If this person is left alive, it will be the root of the disaster of Soochow" and decided to "kill him as soon as possible to avoid rebirth." "worry" decision. He arranged for Zhao Yun to come to the rescue in time.
Lu Su’s role as an honest person is best suited to go through the motions and act as a bridge of communication. Kong Ming didn't mean to tease him or make fun of him. But there are some things that are more effective than talking to Zhou Yu directly through Lu Su.
Of course Zhou Yu did not deliberately tease Lu Su. In fact, he had no personal grudges with Kong Ming. He did this out of complete loyalty to Soochow. He was extremely intelligent since he was a child. At the age of 24, he became the general of Jianwei Zhonglang, first following Sun Ce and then Sun Quan. He and Sun Ce are brothers-in-law, no wonder he is particularly loyal.
For Kong Ming, if the alliance with Wu fails, or Soochow bows to Cao Cao. Their long-standing decision has no chance of being realized. This time crossing the river to Soochow played a very important role in their career planning. In any case, only by joining forces with Soochow to defeat Cao Cao can future plans be carried out step by step. Therefore, it is imperative to take no matter how big the risk is. On the one hand, he took risks and on the other hand, he prepared a safe escape route in advance, which fully demonstrated his uncanny calculation. In fact, what he did was a prediction of the future, rather than having such a high level of magic as Zhou Yu said. Predictions must have a scientific basis, but the people were not wise enough at the time, so they had to borrow some magical powers and the like. Bathing and fasting are just a sign of sincerity. Wearing Taoist robes and barefoot, we are just trying to scare everyone away from doing our own thing. In order to avoid wasting precious time when the southeast wind comes. That's all, it's not worth making a fuss about, thinking that Kong Ming really has magical powers.