Five days later, Liu Qi returned to Xiangyang with an army of more than 12,000 men.

Liu Biao had already received the news of Liu Qi's victorious return, and led officials of all sizes in Jingzhou to greet him at the gate of the city.

This battle can be said to have made Jingzhou raise its eyebrows, Yixue was ashamed of Deng Ji being captured and killed last year, and more importantly, this battle gave Jingzhou's soldiers and civilians new confidence, boosted morale, and let them see that even if they are as strong as Cao Cao, they are not invincible.

Liu Cong, who greeted Liu Biao with a face full of disbelief, whispered to Cai Mao, the prospective father-in-law beside him: "Isn't it just that you took shit and picked up a bargain?" What is there to celebrate? Hmph, if it weren't for the news that Yuan Shao wanted to attack Xuchang that made Cao Gong anxious to withdraw his troops, it would be strange if he could win with that waste. It's not that the old man doesn't understand, why did he make such a big battle to meet that waste? ”

Cai Mao shouted in a deep voice: "Silence." It's just a matter of secretly discussing this matter in the house, how dare you talk nonsense here? Hmph, my Jingzhou army was newly defeated last year, not to mention the loss of division and land, even Deng Ji was captured and killed, it can be said that the morale has dropped to the lowest point, and the people are disappointed, and now they finally won a battle, and they directly defeated Cao Gong, can we not hype it up? This is a great opportunity to restore my confidence and morale. It's just a pity that I have worked so hard to prepare for you that I am afraid that I will give up a meritorious opportunity for you. ”

"What kind of opportunity?" Liu Cong couldn't help but be stunned, and then asked.

"Alas, speaking of which, this is also my misfortune in Jingzhou, Zhang Xian of Changsha was bewitched by traitors, and even united the three counties of Wuling, Lingling, and Guiyang to rebel, and now the entire four counties of Jingnan have fallen into the hands of traitors, I am thinking about letting you also take the soldiers and horses to quell the rebellion in Jingnan, accumulate some military merits for yourself, and take over the position justifiably, but now that Liu Qi has won and won the hearts of the military and people in Jingzhou, I am afraid that this time the candidate for the commander of the army will fall into his hands again." Cai Mao sighed and said with a wry smile.

"Huh? It turned out to be leading troops to fight? Father-in-law, you also know that I have never been on the battlefield, how can I do such a thing? What's more, it's a poor place like the four counties of Jingnan? Not to mention the dangerous mountains and rivers, the accommodation conditions are too poor, not to mention that I heard that the air is humid somewhere, in case I have a rheumatism, wouldn't it hurt Wan'er? Liu Cong smiled and said softly.

"Hmph, you're enjoying it now. But you know what? Just when you were pampered, Liu Qi was trying to find a way to win the hearts of the army and the people, do you know how Liu Qi cleaned up the hearts of the army during the Battle of Anzhong? He had traveled 400 miles on foot and had eaten the same meals as the soldiers in the army, so the soldiers were willing to die for him. And you? I asked you to go to Jingnan to fight against the thieves, but I didn't want to go. What's more, I'm going to send Wenpin to you as a deputy general, everything has Wenpin to worry about, you just need to fill the number, and you don't have to think about it, you don't want to go, I think you will compete with Liu Qi for succession in the future? ”

"Hehe, don't I have the help of my father-in-law and mother?" Liu Cong laughed with him and said secretly: "This old dog, you are just my father-in-law, how dare you teach me like this?" When this son inherits Jingzhou Mu, he will definitely make you look good. ”

Cai Mao snorted and said slowly: "Liu Qi has just defeated Cao Gong, and his voice is high, this expedition to the four counties of Jingnan will definitely fall on his head, even if you want to go, there is no such possibility at all." ”

Liu Cong's eyes rolled a few times, and he whispered: "It's okay to let him go, save yourself from dangling in front of the old man every day, otherwise you won't be able to say that the old man will look at him pleasing to the eye one day, and he will hand over the succession to him." What's more, he went to Jingnan, if he wants to win, it's not up to us? Hehe, he depends on his eldest cousin for food and grass, and his eldest cousin has always been good friends with me......"

When Cai Mao heard this, she was slightly shocked, and then said: "This is a major military incident, and it is related to the safety of our entire Jingzhou, how dare you make a fuss about this?" Once the matter is revealed, you and I will be guilty. ”

A cold glint flashed in Liu Cong's eyes, and he said slowly: "Father-in-law doesn't have to worry at all, as long as Liu Qi dies on the front line, my father can only rely on me, and even if he knows that Liu Qi's death is due to our calculations, he will definitely turn a blind eye." ”

"You, you ......" Cai Mao looked at each other in surprise as if she knew Liu Cong for the first time, with a hint of complicated eyes, and she didn't know whether it was the jealousy of Liu Cong's ruthlessness, or the affirmation and relief of this son's decisiveness.

But Liu Cong said lightly as if he was nothing: "Father-in-law, don't worry, I will definitely do a clean job in this matter, even if it happens in the future, I will never be found out to us." ”

"Okay, then." Cai Mao nodded, and then agreed with Liu Cong's idea.

The two hid in a corner and whispered for a long time, when they suddenly heard an earth-shattering sound of horses' hooves in the distance, and knew that it was Liu Qi who led the army back, so they reluctantly went out to greet them.

"The child sees the father, and the father is blessed with gold." Liu Qi saw Liu Biao's face full of expectation and excitement in his eyes, and hurriedly paid a salute.

"Okay, good, Qi'er is back, and he also brought the good news of defeating Cao Cao, which is really gratifying. My son has worked hard, go for a walk, go back to the house with my father, tonight, treat the wine for my father, entertain all the civil and military, and celebrate your achievements. Liu Biao took Liu Qi's hand, took a closer look, and said with a smile: "I have lost weight, but my body is a lot stronger." ”

Liu Biao's words are true, because after a long journey of nearly 400 miles from Yiyang to Anzhong, and after Liu Qi's daily non-stop practice of five poultry operas, his body has become much stronger than before, and now Liu Qi is still learning swordsmanship from Wei Yan and learning swordsmanship from Yu Ban, and dancing with swords every day has also made his body a lot stronger. Although there is still a slight gap compared to those elite soldiers, compared to his previous weakness, it is a world of difference.

Liu Qi smiled and handed Liu Biao a roll of bamboo slips, which recorded the exploits of the meritorious personnel in this battle, as well as the report of Liu Qi's appointment of Wei Yan, Yu Ban, Pei Qian and others.

Liu Biao glanced at it, then said with a smile: "Before you set out on the expedition, my father said it. You can decide on your own decision on the appointment and promotion of the civil and military generals, and you don't need to ask me. ”

"No. The child is now waiting for the war to be over, and now he wants his father to return power. Liu Qi bowed, and then said to Liu Biao.

Liu Biao said with a smile: "You don't have to return it, my father is preparing to appoint you as the Huyang Order, let you replace Deng Ji, garrison the northern border, and guard against Cao Cao, so you should lead this team as usual." ”

Although it was father and son, Liu Qi naturally did not want to return the military power, but now seeing that Liu Biao did not accept it, he was even happier in his heart, and hurriedly thanked him without mentioning it.

After Liu Qi led the army into the city, Pang Degong and Sima Hui, who were mixed with the onlookers, were all smiling, and the two walked out of the south city gate, talking as if no one was around.

"Pang Gong, how's it going?" Sima Hui said to Pang Degong with a smile in his eyes.

Pang Degong nodded and said appreciatively: "It's just a one-month military career, and it has become a lot calmer, and it is really not easy to see through Cao Cao's plan at a young age, and let Cao Cao, an old fox who is proficient in the art of war, be fooled." ”

"I have heard that in the course of the war, Cao Cao led the army to retreat, Zhang Xiu led the army to chase after him, the eldest prince persuaded hard, did not listen, and the result was a big defeat and returned, but the eldest prince persuaded him to chase again, Zhang Xiu will be suspicious, and the result is a big victory, the wisdom of this son, I am afraid that it is no less than Ling nephew Yuan."

Sima Hui smiled and continued: "In addition, I also heard that this son originally went out to fight Cao Cao, but he used a strategy to attack the east and the west, ostensibly to conquer Yuan Shu, and he didn't stop until he led the army to Pingchun, but he happened to be there with a discerning eye and recruited a general, this general is named Wei Yan, a native of Yiyang, and his ability is not inferior to my first general in Jingzhou, Wen Ping, and even better than Wen Ping. This is not counting, when this son led the army to drive directly to Anzhong, he actually dismounted, marched on foot with the foot soldiers, and completed the 400-mile rapid march in only two and a half days, which shows that this son is resolute and enduring, and he also eats and drinks with the soldiers, so that the morale after the rapid march, the morale not only did not decline, but rose unprecedentedly, and everyone was willing to die. ”

"Is there such a thing?" Pang Degong was not very surprised when he heard that Liu Qi defeated Cao Cao with his wisdom, but when he heard that Liu Qi was able to capture the hearts of the army in this way, he couldn't help but be shocked and hurriedly asked.

"This matter is absolutely true, I have a reliable source, and I heard what Wang Zhongxuan said himself." Sima Hui said softly: "Pang Gong, we should be able to see that this son has unparalleled wisdom and scheming, has the world in mind, plus he is close to the soldiers, good at using people to recognize people, and has the conditions that a generation of strong men have, plus there is such a big foundation as Jingzhou as the foundation, why worry that the Han family cannot recover the world?" Therefore, I am ready to recommend my subordinate Xu Yuan to go straight to this person. ”

When Pang Degong heard this, he pondered for a moment, and then said loudly: "Isn't his nephew Shiyuan your disciple?" Why is Mr. Shui Jing so eccentric? ”

Sima Hui smiled: "This is your family matter, how dare I interfere?" ”

Pang Degong said with a smile: "Since it is my family matter, then I will make the decision for Shiyuan." ”

"Hehe, I'm afraid that Ling's nephew will not obey the arrangement, with his temperament, he will definitely find a way to test the sincerity of the other party." Sima Hui smiled faintly, and then said meaningfully.

And Pang Degong thought about it for a while, and then smiled again: "I heard that Huang Chengyan is recruiting a son-in-law for her ugly daughter, I wonder if this son has this blessing?" ”

"Hehe, the nephew's appearance is already unbearable, and now you recommend an ugly woman, I don't know if this son should thank you or blame you." Sima Hui smiled faintly and said unhurriedly, his eyes full of mockery.