Make Three Calls At The Thatched Cottage

In the third century, China was divided into three kingdoms: Wei in the north, Shu in the southwest and Wu in the southeast. Shu was a weak state. The head of Shu, Liu Bei, was searching for talents everywhere for the kingdom. He heard of a very wise and knowledgeable man called Zhuge Liang who lived in Longzhong in Hubei province. So Liu decided to invite him to be his prime minister to help strengthen the State of Shu. In the year 207AD, Liu Bei with his sworn brothers Guan Yu and Zhang Fei traveled to Longzhong to ask Zhuge Liang to assist him. But Zhuge was not at home. Thus they had to return disappointedly.

Later, they came again. But again they failed to see Zhuge, because he had been wandering about for days and hadn't yet come back. This time, Liu Bei left a note expressing his meaning.

Some days passed, Liu wanted to make a third visit. Guan and Zhang wanted to stop him, but in vain. This time, Zhuge Liang was at home but he was sleeping. Liu let Guan and Zhang stand at the door, and he stood by the bed. When Zhuge woke up and saw him, he was moved by his sincerity. He complied with Liu's request and became his prime minister. With the help of Zhuge, Liu enlarged his territory and his kingdom became as strong as the Wu and Shu.

Later, people use it to describe people who invite someone in all sincerity and eagerness.

三顧茅廬

公元三世紀，中國被分為三大部分：北邊是魏國，東南是吳國，西南是蜀國。蜀國沒有其他兩個國家強大。為了蜀國日後的強大，蜀王劉備四處求才。他聽說隆中有個傑出的人才叫諸葛亮。於是，他決定邀請諸葛亮出山，幫助他興盛蜀國。公元207年，他在結拜兄弟關羽、張飛的陪同下，親自到隆中去拜訪諸葛亮。第一次去，諸葛亮不在家，劉備他們只得失望的回去了。

不久，劉備與關羽、張飛又來到隆中拜訪。可諸葛亮又有事出去了。劉備十分失望。他留了張字條，表明他的來意。

過了幾天，劉備又要去拜訪諸葛亮，關羽、張飛都勸他不要去，可劉備堅持要去，關羽、張飛只好再次陪著他前去。這次，諸葛亮在家，但正在睡覺。劉備就讓關羽和張飛守在門口，自己站在床邊等他醒來。諸葛亮醒後，見劉備站在床前，非常感動。他答應了劉備的請求，離開隆中，成為劉備的主要謀士。在諸葛亮的幫助下，蜀國日益強大，形成了與東吳、曹魏三國並立的局面。

後來，人們就用這個成語來表示誠心誠意一再邀請。