The phrase "like the common people" in the article is actually the question inversion grammar in ancient Chinese. If converted into a declarative sentence, it should be "How is the common people?" That is, "What should the common people do?"

At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Cao Cao, Sun Quan, and Liu Bei stood up. Among them, Liu Bei is the weakest, but he particularly respects talents. At that time, Zhuge Liang lived in seclusion in Longzhong and was known as "Mr. Wolong".

Liu Bei heard that Zhuge Liang was very talented, so he went to visit him personally. When I went there for the first time, Zhuge Liang was not at home. The second time, it snowed heavily, and Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei went out in the snow, but Zhuge Liang went out, so Liu Bei had to leave a letter to him.

When I went there for the third time, Zhuge Liang was sleeping. Liu Bei and the other three waited for him to wake up before sitting down and talking together. After the conversation, Liu Bei cried and said: "If you don't come out of the mountain, sir, you will be like the common people." Why?" After Zhuge Liang saw Liu Bei's sincerity and determination to do things for the people, he agreed to assist him in establishing his career.

Extended information:

In the battle in Longzhong, Zhuge Liang analyzed the situation of the world to Liu Bei and said: Let Cao Cao occupy the sky in the north, and let Sun Quan occupy the territory in the south. The general can occupy the people. He, winning Xichuan became a great cause, and he became a tripartite force with Cao and Sun.

When Liu Bei heard this, he was very impressed and sincerely asked Liu Bei to help. Zhuge Liang was very grateful and agreed. Zhuge Liang was only 27 years old that year. Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang lived and ate together all day long. Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and others were very unhappy.

Liu Bei said to them: "I got Kong Ming, just like a fish gets water. I hope you won't have any objections to him anymore." Guan Yu and Zhang Fei said nothing in the end.

Reference: Baidu Encyclopedia-Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage