Xiangyang

As soon as people get older, it is easy to think about the past. Liu Biao saw that time was running out, and whenever there was no one around, Liu Biao couldn't help but think back to the past. Back then, he was appointed as the pastor of Jingzhou, and he went to Jingzhou alone, borrowing the momentum of Cai and Kuai, and with the help of Pang Degong, Huang Zu and others, he sat firmly in the position of Jingzhou herd.

Now things are not people, and the comrades-in-arms around him back then are only Cai Mao and the Kuai family brothers. What made Liu Biao even more troublesome was the education of his two sons. The youngest son is easy to do, he is still young, and he is Cai Mao's nephew, Liu Biao is not worried about Liu Cong's future. As long as you keep to yourself, it's no problem to be a rich man.

What worries Liu Biao is the eldest son Liu Qi, this child originally had a cowardly personality, but since he met Liu Bei, Liu Qi's courage has become much greater than before. It's a pity that the roots of the ears are softer again, he believes what others say, and he doesn't have the slightest opinion of his own, so sooner or later he will be sold and help people make money.

"Lord, Ijibo asks to see you."

Hearing Yi Yuan's request to see him, Liu Biao's brows couldn't help frowning. At the beginning, he would go to Shanyang to recruit people, in order to balance the power of the local family in Jingzhou, so as not to be hollowed out. But I didn't expect that the actions of the day would bring me today's trouble, the reason why the eldest son Liu Qi got close to Liu Bei was due to this Iraqi nationality! If he hadn't threaded the needle through it, Liu Qi would not have trusted Liu Bei so much, and even surpassed his father.

"What is he here for? Let him wait in the living room, and Lone will come later. Liu Biao commanded, got up and put on.

After a while, Liu Biao arrived in the living room and saw that Yi was drinking tea, so he asked, "Uncle Ji, why did you come here to see Lonely?" ”

Hearing this, Yi Ji hurriedly put down the teacup, bowed his hand and said: "Lord, Yi Ji is not here for anything else, but because Jingnan Liu has something to ask for." ”

"......" Liu Biao looked Yi Yuan up and down, endured the fire and asked, "What do you want Xuande to ask for?" ”

"Lord, that's the case, recently the imperial court sent troops to recruit Cao Cao for no reason, and Liu Yuanjun was very dissatisfied with this, so he intended to send troops to help Cao Cao. It's just that the army is dispatched, and it is afraid that it will cause misunderstanding among the lords, so I am specially ordered to come and inform the lord. ”

"Hmph...... What if you don't agree? Liu Biao asked with a cold snort.

"Huh? My lord, why don't you agree? Although Liu Yuanjun sent troops to help Cao Cao, he was actually helping me Jingzhou. The imperial court can make a move against Cao Cao today, who can guarantee that the imperial court will not attack Jingzhou next time. Could it be that the lord is willing to give Jingzhou to the imperial court? The lord, Yizhou Liu Zhang's lessons from the past, please think twice. ”

"Think twice? Yi Jibo, I want to ask you, are you my Liu Biao's courtier, or his Liu Bei's lobbyist? ”

"Why did the lord say this? Everything is for the sake of the Lord. ”

"Hmph, what a good one for my sake. Don't you think that what you are doing in secret will be known to anyone? Since you are bent on voting for that Liu Bei, then it's better to go. By the way, bring me a message to him, Jingnan was occupied by him, I was blind before, and I didn't see his nature, but this Jingbei, even if the fish dies and the net is broken, he can't succeed...... cough cough cough ......"

"Father......" A child's voice came, and Liu Cong hurriedly ran over to support Liu Biao.

"Lord, you really misunderstood me......"

"Shut up! I, you are so daring! Since you dare to open your eyes for Liu Bei's thief here. Cai Mao walked in from the outside with an angry face.

Yi Yuan originally wanted to quibble, but after seeing the sword in Cai Mao's hand, he didn't dare to say anything more. And Liu Biao also said loudly at this time: "Deju, let him go!" ”

"Do you hear that? The lord tells you to get out! Didn't you always think that Liu Bei was the master? Now that you have got what you want, why do you stay here? Zhang Yun drove this villain who betrayed the lord and sought glory out of Xiangyang, escorted him all the way to Jingnan, and asked him to vote for his master. ”

"You, you, Cai Mao...... You ......" Yi Yuan was shocked when he heard this, he knew that if he was really sent to Jingnan by Cai Mao's order, his reputation would be over. thought that Liu Biao would open his mouth to intercede for him, but he didn't want Liu Biao to look at him or look at him.

Seeing that Zhang Yun led people to drag Yi out of the country, Cai Mao said to Liu Biao: "Lord, it's not worth being angry for this kind of hypocrite, let's get angry." ”

“…… He is a hypocrite, so you Cai Mao are a good person? Deju, if you tell me the truth today, are you planning to take refuge in the imperial court? ”

"Why did the lord say this...... Cai Mao hurriedly said when he heard this.

"Huh?"

“…… Lord, since you have to ask, then I won't hide it from you. That's right, taking refuge in the imperial court is indeed a way out for the Cai family. The Cai family has a big business, hundreds of people, and as the head of the Cai family, I must plan for their future. ”

"Aren't my two sons worthy of your Cai family's assistance?"

"Lord, knowing the son Mo Ruo's father, if it is a peaceful year, the two children can still live as the master, and my Cai family will also help. But isn't it a troubled time now, Jiangdong Sun Ce, Jingnan Liu Bei, which one is easy to deal with? Lord, don't be angry if I say something, Lord, you are already old, and you don't know when you will be gone. With your two children, can you keep this Jingzhou? ”

"Then you didn't think about taking refuge in Sun Ce or Liu Bei?"

"Jiangdong Sun Ce and Jingnan Liu Bei can be called the heroes of the moment, but my father once told me before his death that Chang'an is the best choice for my Cai family."

"Your father is so optimistic about the court?" Liu Biao asked with some surprise. Cai Mao's father, Cai Wei, has always been known for knowing people, and if he can get a different look from him, there is a chance that he will not make a mistake, and this matter is related to the rise and fall of the Cai family, and Cai Wei is even more unlikely to joke.

"My lord, it is indeed what my father said. In fact, when Huang Chengyan was invited to Chang'an Taixue as a guest, my Cai family took the opportunity to have a relationship with Chang'an. And after all these years of observation, I also think that my father's vision is really unique. ”

“…… Who else but you share your thoughts? Liu Biao was silent for a moment and asked.

"And the Kuai family. Lord, don't blame us, you are one day, Cai Kuai's two families will be loyal for one day, but if the lord is not there in the future, please have a spirit in the sky, don't blame my two families. ”

“…… I don't blame you for waiting, it's just that you waited to vote for the imperial court, how do you plan to arrange my two children? ”

"Lord, Cong'er is easy to handle, he is my son-in-law after all, but it is not easy to handle the eldest son."

"What? Do you still want to embarrass him? ”

"My lord, where I want to embarrass him, it is clear that he is ready to attack us. According to reliable sources, three days ago, Liao Li, the right army division under Liu Bei, visited the eldest prince, and there was also news from Jiangling, saying that Liu Bei's righteous brother Guan Yu led the army to leave Wuling. ”

“…… What is wrong with Liu Pan and Liu Hu? Liu Biao was shocked and hurriedly asked.

"Not yet, but these two have always been friendly with the eldest prince, and if the eldest prince is really ready to plot against him, he will definitely send someone to contact the two of them. Lord, you must be on guard. If this Jingzhou is really taken away by the eldest prince, it will be great for my Cai family to be obscure for a while. But I'm afraid that the eldest prince will end up making wedding dresses for others in the end, and he will cheapen Liu Bei's treacherous villain in vain. ”

"And what do you have in mind?" Liu Biao asked.

"This ...... The idea is there, but I want to wronged the lord. ”

"If you have a way, you can say it, where is there so much nonsense?" Liu Biao glared at Cai Mao dissatisfied.

"As the saying goes, shoot a man first and shoot a horse first, capture a thief and capture the king first, if you can take the eldest prince to Xiangyang secretly, you can naturally not let him be used by Liu Bei."

“…… Are you trying to trick me to death? ”

"The lord is wise."

“…… Which bastard gave you this immoral idea? ”

"It's Kuai Zirou." Cai Mao sold Kuai Liang without any righteousness.

"I knew it was him."

"Lord, I think this method is very good, at least it can save the life of the eldest prince, so that he will not be secretly harmed by Liu Bei in the future."

"Okay, you go and get Kuai Zirou, I'm going to ask in person."

"Lord, Kuai Zirou is outside the house."

Not long after, Kuai Liang came to Liu Mian, and when he saw Cai Mao's face, he couldn't help but shake his head, "I know that you Cai Mao is not righteous." Lord, Kuai Liang is here. ”

"Zirou, sit down."

"Thank you, Lord."

……

Yi Yuan was still on the way to Jingnan when he heard the news, saying that Liu Biao was angry to death because he spoke for Liu Bei because of his own efforts. The Iraqi didn't believe it at first, but when they saw the obituary released by the government, they had to believe it. confirmed the news that Liu Biao was dead, and Yi nationality can be said to be like being poured with a basin of cold water, cold from the head to the soles of the feet. He is Liu Biao's courtier, but he is actually doing things for Liu Bei, once this matter spreads, the notoriety of the second minister will be carried for a lifetime, even worse than Lu Bu's three surnamed slaves.

"It's over, it's over......" Yi Yuan couldn't stand the blow, and the whole person became in a trance, and this is what he often said in his mouth. But no one sympathized with the Iraq, but felt that the Iraqi deserved it.

When Liu Biao didn't die, everyone didn't think anything about it, but when Liu Biao died, many people immediately felt that the sky in Jingzhou was about to change. Fortunately, Cai Kuai's two families came forward in time to appease people's hearts, and while handling the funeral, they sent people to Jiangxia to invite the eldest prince Liu Qi to return to Xiangyang.

At this time, Liu Qi was discussing with Liu Hu what excuse to send troops, and when he heard the news of Liu Biao's death, Liu Qi first didn't believe it, and then he was sad and couldn't help crying. Although Liu Biao didn't care much about Liu Qi before his death, he was Liu Qi's father after all, and when he heard that his father died, how could he not grieve as a son of man.

"The eldest son, please put away the grief for the time being, the lord's future affairs still need to be presided over by the eldest prince." Song Zhong, who was sent to report the funeral, comforted Liu Qidao.

Liu Cong is young, and Liu Qi is the eldest son, so his father's funeral naturally requires him to intervene. Liu Qi wiped his tears and said to Song Zhong: "Mr. Song is right, please wait for Mr. Song for a while, and I will return to Xiangyang with you after I make arrangements." ”

"The eldest prince, please."

asked people to take Song Zhong down to rest, and Liu Qi immediately found Liao Li and Liu Hu. Knowing that Liu Biao died, Liu Hu, who was a nephew, was also very sad, but it was Liao Li, who looked thoughtful.

"I want to leave for Xiangyang immediately, Ah Hu, you can take someone back with me." Liu Qi opened his mouth and said to everyone.

"Eldest prince, if you leave, who will preside over Jiangxia?" Liao Li asked.

"Didn't Liu Yuanjun order General Guan to lead the army here? He was temporarily appointed to the post of Jiangxia County Guard. ”

"Eldest son, I don't know if I should say it?"

"Mr. Liao said it bluntly."

"The eldest prince, the news of the sudden death of His Royal Highness King Jing is indeed regrettable, but it also provides conditions for the eldest prince to take over as King Jing. If the eldest prince goes to Xiangyang, he can control the many children of the family who go to Xiangyang for funeral......"

Liu Qi didn't wait for Liao Li to finish speaking, then interrupted: "Mr. Liao, don't say it, I, Liu Qi, will never use such an inappropriate method." ”

"But the eldest son, the opportunity must not be lost, and it will not come again...... Liao Li did not give up, and wanted to persuade again, but he didn't want to annoy Liu Qi, so he saw Liu Qi shouting angrily: "Shut up!" Mr. Liao, I respect you as a person sent by Liu Yuanjun, so I have repeatedly tolerated you, but if you say such words without a king and no father again, then don't blame Liu Qi for not giving Liu Yuanjun face. It was not early, and Mr. Liao could go back to rest. ”

Liao Li didn't expect Liu Qi to get angry, not to mention, this honest man was angry, it was really scary. In line with the principle that heroes don't suffer immediate losses, Liao Li apologized to Liu Qi and left the main hall.

"Eldest son, I don't like this person." Liu Hu looked at Liao Li's departing back and said to Liu Qi in a loud voice.

“…… I don't like it either, but he's still useful for now, so put up with him for the time being. ”

The next day, Liu Qi set off for Xiangyang, accompanied only by Liu Hu's 200 personal soldiers. Seeing Liu Qi and his party leave Jiangxia, Liao Li, who was standing at the head of the city, couldn't help but show a sneer. After returning last night, Liao Li, who was not sleepy for the time being, recalled Liu Biao's sudden death in the house. Maybe it was a flash of inspiration, Liao Li suddenly had a hypothesis, in case this Liu Biao was cheating to death, wouldn't Liu Qi be caught in the net if he went.

To be honest, just as Liu Qi doesn't like Liao Li, Liao Li also doesn't look down on Liu Qi. Regarding Liu Qi's life or death, Liao Li actually didn't care. The reason why Liu Qi was accommodating at the beginning was only because Liu Qi had tens of thousands of horses in Jiangxia in his hands, and now that Liu Qi had handed over the military power to the upcoming Guan Yu, Liu Qi did not have much effect on Liu Bei.

Maybe Liu Bei originally had the intention of using Liu Qi as a guise to buy people's hearts, but when Liu Biao had already torn his face, Liu Qi's role was minimal. The families that Jingzhou can buy are now basically on Liu Bei's side, and there are not many people who want to buy people's hearts. As for the common people, as long as they are treated well, they will naturally know who to support.

Liao Li didn't care what would happen to Liu Qi when he went to Xiangyang, whether Liu Biao really died or faked death, Erliu's fight for Jingzhou has become something that is about to happen. As long as Guan Yu led the navy to Jiangxia and mastered the military power, then Liu Qi would become a real outcast, and it didn't matter whether he lived or died.

It's a pity that Liu Qi didn't know what Liao Li was thinking at this time, if he knew, he would have to bite Liao Li to death. But he didn't know, so he still hurried to Xiangyang. Originally, it took three days to travel, but Liu Qi was stunned to finish it in only one and a half days. When he arrived in Xiangyang and saw the city full of vegetarians, Liu Qi couldn't help but feel sad.

……

As soon as Liu Biao died, the impact on the surrounding area was huge. Xu You, who had already gritted his teeth and was ready to accept Jiangdong's request, was told that Jiangdong had to think again, so angry that Xu You turned his face on the spot, left Jiangdong overnight and returned to the Central Plains, and reminded Lu Su to be careful against Jiangdong thieves when passing by Shouchun.

At this time, Liu Xie, who had already arrived in Chen Liu, was stunned for a while before coming back to his senses when he learned the news of Liu Biao's sudden death. It's really not the right time for Liu Biao to die, he is busy playing with Cao Cao here, why did he choose to die at this time? It's okay to die early or later, but if you die when you don't have time, you really hate even death!

"My lord, this matter is a little strange." Li Ru suddenly said to Liu Xie.

"Eccentric? What's weird? Liu Xie asked when he heard this.

Although this Liu Biao said to the outside world that he was angry with the words and deeds of the Yi nationality, from the analysis of Liu Biao's observation on weekdays, he is not the kind of person with such a narrow temperament. You must know that when he was alone in Jingzhou, if he was a person with insufficient energy, how could he get the support of wise men such as Pang Degong and Cai Wei. ”

"People change. Do you mean that Liu Biao is cheating on death? Liu Xie frowned and asked.

"There is this possibility, according to Tianyan's report, Jingnan Liu Bei has recently taken action, thinking that Liu Bei has always regarded himself as benevolent and righteous, and has been friends with Liu Qi, the eldest son of Liu Biao. Now that Liu Bei intends to invade Jingbei, will he use Liu Qi as a guise to attack Liu Biao? ”

"Liu Biao and Liu Qi are father and son, will Liu Qi turn his face with Lao Tzu?"

"I heard that Liu Biao has always loved his second son Liu Cong, and for the position of the prince of Jingwang, Liu Qi may really take risks. Therefore, Liu Biao cheated to death, and did not give Liu Bei a reason to send troops. ”

"Hmm...... It's possible. However, Liu Bei has always been thick-faced and black-hearted, even if he doesn't have Liu Qi's card, he will do it if he really plans to do it. ”

"Whether he moves or not has no impact on us for the time being, the key is whether we need to help Liu Biao?"

"Put Liu Biao? Why? ”

"Anyway, Liu Biao is also the king of Jing in the imperial court, if he is allowed to be bullied by Liu Bei, the face of the imperial court will not look good. What's more, if Cao Cao wants to deal with it, then Liu Bei can't let it go. ”

"That's right, but I'm afraid that Liu Biao won't appreciate it and treat our kindness as a donkey's liver and lungs."

"Don't worry about this, don't the two Cai Kuo families have always been in contact with the imperial court? You can send someone to contact the two families first, first find out whether Liu Biao is cheating, and then see the attitude of Cai Kuai's two families. ”

“…… It's not difficult to deal with Liu Bei, it's just that Zhuge Liang under Liu Bei is not easy to deal with, and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are not good at stubble, so we are busy dealing with Cao Cao now, I'm afraid we won't be able to draw up effective manpower. Liu Xie said with a frown.

"The lord wants to go wrong, even if we want to help, we don't have to go into battle in person immediately, Jingzhou is an outstanding person, no matter how powerful Liu Bei is, it is impossible to recover Jingzhou immediately." Li Ru reminded with a smile.