However, he said that Chen Qun was ready, and took the edict of the Son of Heaven to lead 500 armor soldiers to Xiangyang City, the seat of Jingzhou. Beating gongs and drums all the way, I am afraid that others will not know that he is the messenger of the Son of Heaven.

After passing through Nanyang Wancheng, Zhang Xiu did not dare to offend Ma Chao, and hurriedly prepared a banquet to entertain the messenger of the Son of Heaven. As soon as he entered the city, he took advantage of the crowd to watch and read out the edict of the Son of Heaven on the street, sealing Zhang Xiu as the general of Huben, adding the title of Ann and Waiting, and sealing Jia Xu to sacrifice wine Zhonglang. He also gave 100,000 pieces of grain and grass, 2,000 sets of swords and armor, 1,000 horses, 1,000 iron-tired bows, and 500 million money, and then sent them to his own grain officer.

Zhang Xiu and Jia Xu were stunned at the time, and they couldn't understand which play Ma Chao was playing, and they gave away so many materials for nothing, but they didn't ask for anything at all. No matter how resourceful Jia Xu is, he can't see through Ma Chao's intentions for a while. The two discussed it slightly, anyway, don't do it in vain, when the time comes, the soldiers will block the water and cover the earth, if Ma Chao plans to send troops to fight against him, with just a Nanyang County, he will definitely not be able to stop it.

During the banquet, the two of them knocked on the side and planned to ask for a clue, but Chen Qun was also an old fox, and he just drank and laughed about Fengyue, which made the two depressed. The next day, Chen Qun said goodbye and left, knocking all the way to Xiangyang.

However, he said that Liu Biao was very happy during this time, since Yuan Shao sent Sun Jian to attack Jiangdong, he Jingzhou has never been peaceful. Now that Sun Jian has just been contained, Yuan Shao is about to attack Jingzhou from Yuzhou, but fortunately, at the critical moment, Ma Chao made a big move in Yanzhou and Xuzhou, forcing Yuan Shao to unite all the princes to fight against Ma Chao. Once the two princes go to war, it will be difficult to distinguish the winner in a year or two, and he Liu Biao can use this time to strengthen himself, and it is not impossible to take the opportunity to subdue the lost territory of Jiangdong.

didn't be happy for a few days, Liu Biao sent the messenger of the Son of Heaven to Nanyang from the mouth of the spy, rewarded Zhang Xiu not to mention, and gave a lot of money, food and military supplies in vain. Liu Biao couldn't understand Ma Chao's true purpose, and thought that this move was nothing more than to win over Zhang Xiu, so he asked for the surname to brake quietly, and waited for the messenger of the Son of Heaven to rush to Xiangyang.

Two days later, Chen Qun's large army finally walked into Xiangyang City, painted a scoop according to the gourd, and still read out the edict of the Son of Heaven on the spot, crowned Liu Biao as the pastor of Jingzhou, led the post of general of Zhennan, and added the title of Xiangyang Hou. And specifically mentioned: Liu Biao has made meritorious contributions to quelling civil strife and resisting foreign enemies during his tenure as the assassin of Jingzhou, and the imperial court should give strong support, giving 300,000 grains and grass and 3,000 war horses! 5,000 sets of fish scales and black iron helmets, 5,000 horse swords, 3,000 two-stone iron tire bows, and one billion dollars! Delivered subsequently. In addition, there was no such thing, and no instructions were given to Liu Biao.

Liu Biao became more and more sure that Ma Chao wanted to bribe him and Zhang Xiu with materials, hoping that he would not send troops to make trouble during the decisive battle between him and Yuan Shao. Immediately overjoyed, full of joy to accept the edict of the Son of Heaven. I have to say that Ma Chao can be said to have invested enough money, and the money and food are counted, but which of the war horses, armor, strong bows, and horse swords are not in demand? There are no 3,000 cavalry in the entire Jingzhou, and these materials are enough to equip an elite division.

That night, Liu Biao feasted on Chen Qun in the mansion, hugged his fists and said: "The decline of the Han family does not fall, it all depends on the general's strength to maintain!" Mr. Jin sent an envoy to Jingzhou and gave him a lot of money, but I don't know what the general's intentions are? ”

Chen Qundao: "Jingzhou is the land of the Han Dynasty, but it has been repeatedly harassed by Jiangdong Sun Jian and other anti-thieves. The general is worried about the country and the people, and has always taken the revitalization of the Han Dynasty as his own responsibility, and he will not sit idly by. I only hate that the rebels from all walks of life in the Kanto region have not been calmed down, otherwise I will personally lead the army to crusade against Sun Jian and Yuan Shao! ”

Liu Biao frowned, and said in his heart: What is the difference between saying this and not saying it, if you don't have anything to do, you will be diligent or stealing, how could Ma Chao send so many materials in vain, there must be fraud in it. After thinking about it, he asked without giving up: "As far as I know, Yuan Shao raised millions of troops in Huainan to crusade against the general, in order to do the act of King Qin. At this critical juncture, how can the general take care of my Jingzhou? Mingren doesn't say dark words, but please speak clearly! ”

Chen Qun smiled slightly: "There is a sentence and ask Liu Gong, I don't know if I should say it or not?" ”

Liu Biao said: "But it doesn't hurt to talk about it!" ”

"You can be Hanchen!" Chen Qun was not in a hurry, and suddenly came out with an inconsequential sentence.

Liu Biao frowned, and said with a straight face: "I am a relative of the Han family, and I am a Hanchen!" ”

Chen Qun said: "According to the general, Liu Gong's Jingzhou Thorn History was appointed by Dong Zhuo. Dong Zhuo is a national thief! The official appointed by the national thief is not right, and his words are not good! The court should not have recognized it. However, since Liu Gong served as the assassin of Jingzhou, he has cracked down on robbers and water thieves internally, resisted Sun Jian and Yuan Shao externally, and restrained Zhang Xiu, the remnants of Dong thieves, to ensure the safety of the people. To help Liu Gong resist the attack of the anti-thieves Yuan Shao and Sun Jian! ”

Liu Biao was overjoyed, he was indeed the person promoted by Dong Zhuo, and when the princes were begging for Dong, he also provided food and grass for Dong Zhuo, because of this, Yuan Shao, the leader of the alliance, often sent troops to invade Jingzhou in the name of exterminating the remnants of Dong thieves. Now that he has the name of the imperial court, it is very beneficial to his reputation, and he has received a lot of benefits, and he does not need to pay a cent, which is really a harmless thing.

After the dismissal, Liu Biao did not treat Chen Qun badly, and specially sent two beautiful women to sleep, and gave a lot of gifts in his personal name. Chen Qun is in charge of the affairs of the law, how can he benefit from Liu Biao? Immediately pushed them one by one.

Afterwards, Liu Biao was still relieved, and always felt that something was wrong, so he summoned Huang Zu, Cai Mao, Zhang Yun, Kuai Liang, Kuai Yue and others to discuss the matter.

Everyone was silent when they heard this, and it was really difficult to guess Ma Chao's intentions. Kuai Liang opened his mouth and said: "In Yiliang's opinion, Ma Chao's move is nothing more than to publicize it to the lord, and he wants to win over the lord to vote for the court he controls, no matter how bad it is, he can go all out to fight Yuan Shao, since the lord has received his money, food and materials, he will not help Yuan Shao to fight against him!" ”

Cai Mao, Zhang Yun and others all agreed with this point and echoed it. Liu Biao stroked his beard and smiled: "Zirou's words are very much in line with my wishes!" But do I wait to accept it? ”

Kuai Liang groaned slightly, hugged his fists and said: "The decisive battle between Ma Chao and Yuan Shao is imminent, the lord is weak at the moment, and he can't afford to offend either side, and he doesn't want to take refuge in one of them." At this critical moment, you must not have too close contacts with Yuan Shao and Ma Chao! If he is pro-horse, Yuan Shao will come to attack, if he is pro-Yuan Shao, Zhang Liao, who is guarding Wuguan, will definitely invade Jingzhou, and the lord can be sure to block the tiger and wolf armies of the two sides? ”

Liu Biao was very moved when he heard this, but Ma Chao gave things that were too tempting, especially war horses and horse swords, which were unique to Ma Chao, and they were hard to find! was about to speak, but Cai Mao interjected: "Zirou's words are different! Both parties come and go, how can they be based in troubled times? The big husband should be up and down, left and right! It's better for both parties not to come and go, whoever gives the highest chips, we will wait for whom! ”

Huang Zu nodded and said: "Degui's words are reasonable, since Ma Chao sent them to the door himself, how can we refuse people thousands of miles away!" If so, wouldn't it be equivalent to the imperial court that did not recognize Ma Chao? And now Zhang Xiu has received Ma Chao's supplies, in case this person's heart is towards Ma Chao and Zhang Liao invades Jingzhou at the same time, Jingzhou is in danger! Even so, it is better to receive Ma Chao's materials and send someone to envoy Yuan Shao, indicating that Jingzhou will never recognize Ma Chao's court! In this way, not only did he receive benefits, but he would not offend Yuan Shao! (To be continued.) )