Liu Xiu also got up and went back to the backyard, and went straight to Zhao Yun's courtyard. On this day, Zhao Yun's spirit was quite good, and he was reading a book in the courtyard.

Seeing Liu Xiu coming, Zhao Yun looked up, lowered his head, and said, "Sit."

Liu Xiu smiled, it seems that Zhao Yun is really used to it.

Now, he actually has the master's mind and lets him sit down by himself.

Liu Xiu sat down and looked at the handsome Zhao Yun, and his heart was also looking forward to it. If a peerless general like Zhao Yun can make full use of it, then he will have no problem consolidating Jingzhou, and he can even prepare for the attack on Jiangdong.

It's just that there is still a long way to go to subdue Zhao Yun.

Liu Xiu sat quietly and did not open his mouth to disturb.

About a quarter of an hour later, Zhao Yun put down the scroll in his hand and said with a smile: "Master Xiu came to see me today, is there anything wrong?"

Liu Xiu said: "Liu Bei came to Xiangyang"

Zhao Yun looked overjoyed and said, "What is the lord doing in Xiangyang?"

Liu Xiu said: "Naturally, it is a negotiation, Zhuge Liang came to Xiangyang, and wanted me to recognize Liu Qi as the pastor of Jingzhou and implement the common respect of the two lords of Jingzhou." It's a pity that Zhuge Liang can't be the master, so Liu Bei also came. Liu Bei was sure that I didn't dare to do anything to him, so I came to Xiangyang, and I was really fearless. ”

Zhao Yun said with a straight face: "Master Xiu, is the negotiation going well now?"

Liu Xiu said: "It's not going well"

Zhao Yundao: "Who is not going well"

Liu Xiudao: "What do you think?"

Zhao Yun thought for a moment, and hurriedly said: "What problem has the lord encountered?" In the words, Zhao Yun was very worried about Liu Bei's situation. Rao was once Liu Bei who let him stay by Liu Xiu's side for food, but in the final analysis, Zhao Yun still had his heart on Liu Bei, especially since he also thought that Liu Bei was not Liu Xiu's opponent, so it was Liu Bei who asked.

Liu Xiu didn't answer, changed his words, and said: "In the negotiation, there are naturally a lot of bumps and bumps. Zilong doesn't have to worry about it. ”

Zhao Yun said: "When Kong Ming came to Xiangyang, he once said that Wuling County and Nanjun were loyal to Qi Gongzi. But now that the lord is in trouble, it is possible that the prince has solved the dilemma."

The corners of Liu Xiu's mouth rose and said, "Zilong, you are really accurate." Indeed, I have taken Nanjun and cut off the connection between Nanyang County and Wuling County. The current Wuling County is surrounded, and it will soon fall into my control. ”

In a word, Zhao Yun knew Liu Bei's predicament.

Zhao Yun thought for a while, and then said, "Even if this is the case, the lord will not be so embarrassed." ”

Liu Xiu shrugged his shoulders and said in a deep voice: "Because, I asked Liu Bei for you." ”

In a word, Zhao Yun suddenly fell silent.

During this period of getting along, Zhao Yun had already seen that Liu Xiu valued and appreciated him very much. Even Zhao Yun admired Liu Xiu. However, Liu Bei had the grace of knowing him, and Zhao Yun was unwilling to turn his back on Liu Bei.

Liu Xiu didn't want to talk too much, so he stood up and said, "Zilong, you are loyal to Liu Bei, this is your business." But I will let you see that Liu Bei will sacrifice you for the power in his hands. If it were me, I would never give up on you, but chose to go to war directly, but unfortunately, Liu Bei would not. ”

After speaking, Liu Xiu turned around and left.

Zhao Yun sat alone in the courtyard, he picked up the scroll in his hand and flipped through it, but his heart was already in chaos, and he no longer had the slightest mind to read. With a light sigh, Zhao Yun got up and walked to the room, took the gentian bright silver spear, and practiced martial arts in the courtyard.

Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang returned to the inn, and the two sat in the room without saying a word.

Chen Zhi was also worried when he saw this scene in the room.

Obviously, the situation is very unfavorable.

Chen Zhi sighed lightly, no longer bothered Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang, and left the room, waiting for the scout sent out to send back the news. At this time, we can only hope for news from the front.

At noon, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang did not eat the rice, and they didn't even drink a sip of water.

In the afternoon, a message reached Chen Zhi's hands.

The moment Chen received it, his face fell. He hurried into the room and said, "My lord, something is wrong. The Taishou of Wuling County has now changed his banner and directly declared his support for Liu Xiu. Liu Xiu's army had not yet attacked Wuling County, and the other party had already raised its flag and surrendered. ”

As soon as these words came out, Liu Bei's face collapsed even more.

The situation has deteriorated even more.

Zhuge Liang looked at Liu Bei, he took a deep breath and said, "Lord, you can't wait any longer." If we keep waiting, the situation will get more and more out of control. What should be discarded, can only be discarded. ”

The implication is that Zhao Yun can only be abandoned, otherwise the situation in Xinye will collapse.

Liu Bei's eyes showed a look of reluctance, and said: "Kong Ming, once Zilong is abandoned, what will Zilong think, what will the soldiers in the army think, I can't open my mouth, I can't pass the level in my heart." ”

A thick depression spread in my heart.

Liu Bei wants to give up his henchmen, he can't do it.

Zhuge Liang said: "Lord, no matter what, I can only find an opportunity to explain to Zilong." This is something that cannot be done if the problem of food is not solved. With the current situation, I am afraid that the lord's strength will be greatly weakened. It will be very difficult to expand the power in the future. ”

"Alas"

Liu Bei sighed lightly, got up and said, "Let's go, go see Liu Xiu." ”

At this time, Liu Bei's heart had already made a decision to negotiate with Liu Xiu. At the same time, he has already decided to give up on Zhao Yun. After the two of them left the inn, they arrived at the State Governor's Mansion, and as soon as they were reported, Liu Xiu came to the hall.

Liu Xiu saw Liu Bei and asked, "Xuande Gong, have you thought about it?"

"Yes, it's been thought about. ”

Liu Bei nodded, but the expression on his face was extremely embarrassed.

Liu Xiu suddenly laughed and said, "I just received a message that the Taishou of Wuling County has now issued a notice to respect my son. When this news came out, the situation was different. Xuan Degong, do you know this news?"

Liu Bei said expressionlessly: "I already know"

Liu Xiu said: "Now that you know, then you should understand that the conditions are different now." ”

"Brush"

Liu Bei's face couldn't help but change.

Immediately, Liu Bei still suppressed the anger in his heart and asked, "What are the conditions for cultivating Gongzi?"

Liu Xiu smiled slightly and said, "Actually, my conditions are still very simple. The first condition is still that the eldest brother will withdraw the previous declaration, and then obey Jingzhou's dispatch and declare himself a vassal to me; second, hand over Zhao Yun to me; third, Xuande Gong will personally go to see Zhao Yun and ask him to come to me, and Zhao Yun will come to me with the contract, and we will both sign a contract, which will be stamped with a seal to take effect. ”

Liu Bei's eyes widened, his hands clenched into fists, and his body couldn't help but tremble.

humiliation

A strong sense of humiliation grew in Liu Bei's heart.

In his mind, there was even a moment when he wanted to directly overturn the table and want to directly start a war with Liu Xiu. But when he thought of his foundation and foundation in Xinye, he finally suppressed his anger.

Zhuge Liang sat in the hall, and he couldn't help but worry in his heart, worried that Liu Bei would break out.

In the end, it turned out that his worries were unnecessary.

Liu Bei took a deep breath and said, "Master Xiu, I agreed to your conditions, but because of the previous 100,000 stone grain, there was a problem. After the soldiers in our army ate it, many people had problems with their bodies. Therefore, I need Jingzhou to give a certain amount of food again to get through the current difficulties. ”

Liu Xiu smiled and said, "Yes, but this time the grain is only 20,000 stones." 20,000 stone of grain is enough for the soldiers under the command of Xuande Gong for one or two months, plus the previous storage of grain, I believe that Xuande Gong's food is already a lot. Xuande Gong, what do you think?"

Liu Bei shook his head and said: "Twenty thousand stone grain, too little, at least, forty thousand stone grain." ”

Liu Xiu said: "Xuande Gong, 20,000 stone of grain, the purpose is to make it impossible for you to start a war. If it's 40,000 stone of grain, as long as you save money, maybe you can start a war. So, it's impossible. ”

When Liu Bei heard this, he secretly scolded Liu Xiu for being cunning in his heart.

Liu Xiu has taken this into account, it is too cunning.

Liu Bei took a deep breath and said, "Yes, I promise your conditions." ”

Liu Xiu directly took out a piece of cloth, and then ordered someone to bring a pen, ink, paper, and inkstone, and quickly added the condition of giving 20,000 stone of grain, and said, "Xuande Gong, come and see this contract." ”

After Liu Bei took it, he quickly glanced at it.

The general content has not changed.

First, Liu Qi recognized Liu Xiu's official position as the pastor of Jingzhou; second, Zhao Yun belonged to Liu Xiu; third, Liu Xiu gave Liu Bei 20,000 stone of grain. The rest of the conditions were not added.

Liu Xiu smiled and said, "Xuande Gong, Zilong is in the mansion, you can go to him." In fact, if I asked you to go to him, you can also find a reason for yourself and tell Zilong that you are forced to do so, isn't it good for you. ”

When Liu Bei heard this, his face froze.

He snorted, and asked Liu Xiu to call the attendants, and then walked to Zhao Yun's residence