"When"

"When"

"When"

Xiangyang City Head

The leisurely and crisp sound of the bell pierces the morning morning, and this historic ancient city rises from the east as a round of sunrise, and the magnificent light shines on the big city, and the last trace of twilight that envelops the city seems to be swept away.

In a huge official mansion with seven entrances and seven exits, a middle-aged man wearing a green scarf, a white Zen robe, and a purple ribbon appeared in the garden, but he was eight feet long, with a white face and beautiful hair, and his eyes were deep, revealing a trace of fierceness from time to time, giving people a sense of not being angry but threatening, but he had wide sleeves, and he was like a fairy when he walked, and there was an indescribable gentleness and elegance between his gestures. This person is the famous Chengwu Marquis, Jingzhou Mu, Liu Biao Liu Jingsheng, who is known as the Eight Horses, as the lord of Jingzhou for more than ten years, countless pacifications and expeditions, he has changed from the history of Liu Thorn who entered Jingzhou alone in the past, to a prince with more than 100,000 armor soldiers and a territory of thousands of miles.

But he is still a dog guarding the house in Cao Ang's mouth, watching for Sun Ce in Yangzhou, and he still does not dare to expand.

This place is the state pastoral office, which is the political center of the entire Jingzhou, and the front yard is where Liu Biao handles official business, and there are more than 100 subordinate officials of the large and small state pastoral offices and Liu Biao's own staff and advisers to assist Liu Biao in handling official affairs in this official office.

Liu Biao came to the official office under the guard of several attendants, and as soon as he arrived at the gate, an adjutant came forward to report: "Lord Qiyu Prefecture, the envoy of the imperial uncle is here, and he is waiting in the guest hall. ”

"Who is the messenger?" Liu Biao nodded and asked.

"It's Sun Qian, a staff member under the emperor's throne." The adjutant replied respectfully. Liu Biao frowned and said: "I remember that the person who came to Jingzhou last time was Jian Yong Jian Xianhe under the Xuande seat, how could he change people?" ”

The adjutant was about to speak, when he suddenly saw someone coming behind Liu Biao, and said respectfully: "I've seen Master Cai." ”

Liu Biao looked back, but saw that the person who came was not confused, about seven feet long, broad shoulders, strong arms, slightly yellow skin, narrow eyes, and slightly treacherous appearance, this person was Liu Cousin's brother-in-law, Cai Mao Cai Deqi, who was the military advisor of Jingzhou at the time.

At that time, there were four famous families in Jingzhou, Cai, Kuai, Pang and Huang, among which the Cai family deservedly ranked first, and Cai Mao was the head of the Cai family, holding great power in Jingzhou, not only Liu Biao's number one deputy, participating in military aircraft decision-making, but also holding the military power of tens of thousands of troops in Xiangyang, which has a pivotal position in Jingzhou.

"Dejue is here?" Liu Biao saw his left and right hands, and his face was happy, "Lord, your question just now, your subordinates may be able to answer it." When the adjutant heard Cai Mao say this, he retreated, "Oh? Then please let Lau Dejue talk to me. ”

Cai Mao should be, and said: "According to reliable reports, before Liu Xuande returned to Xudu after conquering Runan, he conspired with the imperial party to carry out the edict, if it were not for the hard work under his command, I am afraid that he would have been captured by Meng De at this time, and that Jian Yong was also killed by an arrow for Meng De's son-in-law Cao Zixuan in the blockade outside Xudu. ”

Hearing Cai Mao's explanation, Liu Biao understood, but when he heard that Jian Yong was shot to death, his brows were obviously furrowed, he didn't like to fight and kill very much, and sneered: "Meng De's sons are all some killers?" ”

Cai Mao did not answer Liu Biao's question, but replied: "The person who came is Sun Qian, it is okay for the lord to see him, but Liu Bei is at the end of his rope, and he must have come to take refuge in the lord, which will bring trouble to Jingzhou, and if the lord accepts Liu Bei, he will find an excuse for Cao Mengde to attack Jingzhou." ”

Liu Biao was a little unhappy in his heart after hearing this, he was willing to accept Liu Bei in his heart, but he also needed to face the problems faced by Cao Cao, balance the internal forces, and rode into Jingzhou alone with great pride in the past. Now on the issue of Cao Cao, the four major families are ambiguous, so Liu Biao came up with the idea of accepting Liu Bei to enter Jingzhou.

Just look at Cai Mao's attitude......

"Deju, it's too early to talk about this, let's talk about it first." Seeing Liu Biao say this, Cai Mao didn't want to insist too much, so she had to be.

The guest hall is extremely spacious, there are pillars all around, and there are huge satin brocade curtains hanging on the pillars, after Liu Biao and others entered the guest hall, Sun Gan saw this and hurriedly stepped forward to give a deep salute, "Sun Gan, a staff member under the seat of Uncle Han, see General Zhennan!" ”

"It was Gongyou in person, you and I haven't seen each other for many years." Liu Biao said politely.

Liu Biao smiled very politely, raised his hand, and said, "Gongyou has worked hard all the way, please take a seat!" Everyone sat down, and there were attendants who served them tea, Sun Gan's coming here was a state affair, and Liu Biao was more concerned about Liu Bei's situation at this time, he asked: "I don't know where my Xuande brother is now?" Cai Mao's eyes narrowed and looked at Sun Qian, Liu Bei's arrival was related to Jing Xiang's future and fate, and he was not allowed to care.

Sun Qian bowed slightly and said: "Uncle Huang is now on the bank of the Bishui River, and wants to take refuge in the state pastor, I don't know if the state pastor can accommodate it?" ”

"The lord can't, Liu Bei first voted for Tao Qian, but Tao Qian died of illness, and then followed Cao Cao, but it caused the disaster of the edict, Dong Cheng and other ministers were killed, which shows that he is the person who reckons the master, if we accept it, Cao Cao will add soldiers to Jingxiang, Jingxiang disaster is not far away, I hope the lord will be clear." Without waiting for Liu Biao to speak, Cai Mao's face changed greatly, and she spoke first.

Sun Qian was stunned at first, smiled, and then said unhurriedly: "Although Cao Cao has now occupied Runan, it does not prove that he will go south to Jingzhou, Cao Cao's main opponent at present is Yuan Shao, Yuan Shao sits on the land of four states, and his strength is strong. ”

"Therefore, at this time, the struggle between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao is at least three years, and at most five or six years, if the north is not appeased, how can he go south?"

"During this period, the Cao army will inevitably attack Jingxiang, so Cai Gong doesn't have to worry that the Cao army will attack Jingzhou because of Uncle Liu Huang, and if Cao Cao really has the heart to take Jingxiang, why doesn't he take the opportunity to chase and kill all the way?"

Cai Mao was about to refute, but Sun Qian continued unhurriedly: "Even if Cao Cao wants to plot against Jing Xiang in the future, Uncle Huang is just an excuse, is it really to hand over Uncle Liu, and Cao Cao will die down?" Will you be in harmony with Jingxiang's neighbors from now on? ”

"Cai Junshi can't help but underestimate our Cao Sikong's ambitions, if Liu Jingzhou accepts Uncle Huang, he can not only add to the world's fame of Zhou Mu, but also enhance the strength to resist Cao Jun, why not, I implore Zhou Mu to think twice!" After saying that, Sun Qianchang bowed, and Liu Biao nodded again and again when he heard it. Xin said: "Xuande's staff is a thoughtful person. ”

Cai Mao's face was blue with anger, he opened his mouth but could not refute it, he was extremely opposed to accepting Liu Bei in his heart, in fact, he was worried that Liu Bei's arrival would damage the interests of the Jingxiang family.

Liu Biao looked back and asked the middle-aged man next to him who had been silent, "What about the opinion of the different degrees?" ”

The middle-aged man is the Kuai family of the Jingzhou Shi clan, and he is also an important figure in the second family of Jingzhou, the brother of the patriarch Kuai Liang, who was famous when he was young.

In the past, the general He Jin also heard his reputation, hired him as the East Cao Peng, he had persuaded He Jin to punish the eunuchs, but unfortunately He Jin did not listen, and eventually caused the disaster of killing, and then Kuai Yue followed Liu Biao, repeatedly made meritorious achievements, and was successively named Zhangling Taishou, Fan Ting Marquis......

He is now Liu Biao's staff member in the military, participates in military aircraft decision-making, and is recognized as one of the big figures in Jingzhou.

Kuai Yue saw Liu Biao asking him about his countermeasures, and couldn't help but glance at Sun Gan deeply, and then said indifferently: "Liu Xuande is also a hero, the lord accepts him in Jingzhou, which will inevitably highlight the lord's temperament, since he comes to vote for the lord, if he refuses him for thousands of miles, I am afraid that it will damage the reputation of the lord, and his subordinates agree to accept it." Cai Mao glared at Kuai Yue fiercely, and said in her heart: "I am dedicated to safeguarding the interests of the Jingzhou family, how can you stab Kuai Yue in the back?" ”

Liu Biao nodded, and said: "Xuande is my brother, if it is difficult to vote for me, how can I not accept it." He said to Sun Gan again: "Since Xuande is already in Bishui, then I will go to Bishui in person to welcome him into Jingxiang." ”

Sun Qian was overjoyed, "The state pastor is really a wise elder, and my ancestor has thanked the state pastor for his great kindness!" "Bow down and worship it." However, no one noticed that Kuai Yue winked at Cai Mao, who was pale, and Cai Mao immediately understood.

……

Let's say that in the big mansion of the Kuai family in the east of the city, the pavilions and pavilions are solemn and magnificent, and the beauty is exquisite.

Cai Mao walked in a hurry, and walked towards the main hall with Kuai Yue, "Brother Bo Jue, I feel that your steps are very anxious, why is this?" Kuai Yue didn't look back and asked indifferently.

"Liu Xuande is coming to Jingzhou, how can I not be in a hurry?" Cai Mao said angrily.

"Liu Bei came to Jingzhou, are you so nervous?" Seeing Kuai Yue so far away, Cai Mao couldn't help but be stunned, and said in his heart: "Could it be that he has any plans?" ”

The two of them stepped into the main hall of the Kuai family, and Kuai Liang, who was dressed in black, had been waiting for a long time, and Kuai Liang set the political direction for Liu Biao to appease Jing Chu, and he was praised by Liu Biao as "the theory of Yongji".

After that, Kuai Liang was promoted to the main book by Liu Biao......

"Brother Zirou. (Brother)" Cai Mao Yu Kuai Yue greeted Kuai Liang, the latter nodded, and after inviting the two to sit down, after Kuai Yue gave Kuai Liang an overview of what happened in the guest hall today, Kuai Liang groaned, Cai Mao said: "Liu Xuande has a hero, and now he has the name of the emperor's uncle, his arrival will inevitably break the existing power structure, and once the existing pattern is broken, our interests here will inevitably be damaged." ”

"If Liu Bei arrives, I am afraid that Cao Cao will send troops south to Jingxiang, and once Cao Cao occupies Jingxiang, our forces will definitely be pushed to the edge." Cai Mao pointed at Kuai Yue and said: "However, such a shallow truth, how can the difference be unclear, and he actually agreed to Liu Bei to come here in front of the state pastor." ”

Kuai Yue sighed when he heard this, and said with a wry smile: "Brother Bo Jue, I misunderstood me, if you understand Jingsheng's good intentions, it can show that Liu Bei is here, which is exactly what he wants." ”

"Why is that?" Cai Mao asked puzzled.

Kuai Yue looked at Kuai Liang, only to hear Kuai Liang say slowly: "If Cao Cao goes south to Jingzhou and the troops come to Jingxiang, it will catch us off guard, in this way, we need a buffer force to be stationed in Nanyang, Jingsheng is also this idea, which is also one of the reasons why he finally accepted Zhang Xiu's occupation of Nanyang, he used Zhang Xiu to be a barrier between Jingxiang and Cao Cao."

"But now Yuan Shu is destroyed by Cao Cao, and Nanyang will definitely be in Cao Jun's pocket for a long time, when Cao Cao looks at Jingzhou, our barrier will disappear without a trace, if it is in Bo Jue's opinion, what does Jingsheng hope for the most?"

"He wants a new barrier?" Cai Mao thought for a while, understood the meaning of the Kuai family brothers, and said slowly, at this time, Liu Biao urgently needs a new buffer force to resist Cao Cao's southern invasion, and it just so happens that Liu Bei came to Jingzhou at this time, which just met Liu Biao's needs.

If Cao Cao goes south, will he attack Liu Bei first or attack him Liu Biao first? It is true that Liu Bei will definitely not be able to resist Cao Cao's army in the end, but he at least acts as a barrier, which can buy Jingzhou time to transfer troops. Cai Mao is certainly discerning, but he is not as far-sighted as the Kuai family, as soon as Liu Bei appeared, Liu Biao immediately thought of Liu Bei's usefulness.

"Then I'll just watch Liu Bei come in and be indifferent?" Cai Mao asked a little unwillingly.

Kuai Liang smiled and said nothing, Kuai Yue smiled: "Brother Bo Qi, don't be impatient, can you know the bride of my nephew Kuai Qi?" Cai Mao frowned at first, and wondered in her heart I am telling you how to deal with Liu Xuande, what are you doing with me about your nephew? Kuai Qi is Kuai Liang's son-in-law, if there is no accident, he will definitely be the new head of the Kuai family in the future, and Kuai Qi's wife Cai Mao naturally knows that it is Zhuge Xuan's nephew......

Cai Mao's eyes lit up and said, "Langya Zhuge Clan? Kuai Liang nodded with a smile and said: "Speaking of which, when Sikong's son is engaged, Qi'er should go to worship as a brother-in-law, so why not invite his brother-in-law and his brother-in-law to Jingzhou at that time?" ”

Cai Mao suddenly opened up, the two old foxes of the Kuai family are really thoughtful, why did I let his sister-in-law Xu Yi be the daughter of the declining family as his wife, it turned out that he wanted to get involved with Cao Mengde, it was really high! Liu Xuande can enter Jingzhou, so Cao Ang, a relative of the Kuai family, can naturally come?

"Cai has been taught." Cai Mao bowed.