After arriving in Xiangyang, Liu Biao did not immediately discuss things with Liu Bei, but arranged accommodation for Liu Bei to wait for formal talks tomorrow.

That night, I heard that Liu Bei was coming, and Deng Hong, who is now engaged in the hussar general's mansion, went to visit.

He is now the third person under Liu Biao.

The head of the general's mansion is Kuai Liang, and the general Sima is Zhang Yun, these are extremely important positions, and under them, it is Deng Hong.

From here, it can also be seen how much political relationship Deng Hong got after marrying Cai and Liu Biao as in-laws.

In the courtyard of the mansion, there are Liu Bei's personal guards inside and outside the door, and Deng Hongqian came from the door of the newspaper.

"Youshuo!"

Knowing that Deng Hong was coming, Liu Bei hurriedly came out to greet him, and when he saw Deng Hong, who he hadn't seen for six years, he was overjoyed and said: "I haven't seen you for many years, don't come." ”

Deng Hong smiled and arched his hand: "I am concerned by the envoy, I can live and live, and now I also marry a wife and have children." ”

"Hahahaha."

Liu Bei said happily: "Then it seems that Mr. Xiao has an uncle again." ”

"yes."

Deng Hong also laughed.

For his low rank, Shen Chen had a lot of complaints.

And they went into the house, and sat down in the middle of the hall.

Liu Bei said: "Youshuo, are you now engaged in Zhonglang for General Liu?" ”

"Yes."

Deng Hong nodded.

"Then today I will watch General Liu take advantage of public opinion."

Liu Bei didn't dare to directly say whether Liu Biao wanted to rebel or not, but asked from the side.

After all, Shen Chen is Shen Chen, and Deng Hong is Deng Hong, in case their ancestors and grandchildren are not of the same mind, it will be bad for Deng Hong to report to Liu Biao.

Deng Hong smiled bitterly and said: "I came here this time, in fact, Ah Chen asked me to bring a message to the envoy, hoping that the envoy will not anger General Liu, be obedient in everything, and do not contact us in private." ”

"Hmm."

Liu Bei took a deep breath and nodded with a very solemn face.

If it was him before, or if he didn't know the situation, he would definitely be furious and dissatisfied with Shen Chen and Deng Hong's ingratitude.

If it weren't for him, the Deng and Shen clans would have been wiped out.

But as early as when he was in Yingchuan, Shen Chen reminded Liu Bei that Liu Biao was jealous, and there were many heroes in Jingzhou, if a large number of heroes were attached, it would displease Liu Biao, so he asked him to keep a low profile, and he should not contact Jingzhou privately.

Now that he saw Liu Biao traveling as the Son of Heaven, he immediately realized the seriousness of the matter, so he understood Shen Chen's hard work, so he naturally did not get angry.

Deng Hong shook his head and said: "General Liu now has the ambition to plot the world, and we are helpless, this time, I still told him that I had a favor with me when I was the pastor of Xuzhou in the early years, so I can visit, otherwise I am afraid that General Liu will be suspicious." ”

"I see."

Liu Bei said in a deep voice: "Mr. Xiao told me at the beginning, it seems that Jingzhou is also a place of right and wrong." ”

Deng Hong said: "Next year, General Liu plans to sacrifice heaven and earth in the suburbs, and this matter is likely to be tested in the negotiation with the envoy tomorrow, so Ah Chen asked me to inform the general that you must not object." ”

Sacrifice to heaven and earth?

Liu Bei almost jumped up from his seat.

Just take the Son of Heaven and take the public opinion, even the heavens and the earth dare to sacrifice.

What does Liu Biao want to do?

This is planning to be the emperor!

"How can General Liu?"

Liu Bei only felt dumbfounded, he never expected Liu Biao to be so bold.

Deng Hong said bitterly: "So I am also sad in my heart, at this time the imperial court is still there, but General Liu is determined to dominate the industry, and I am afraid that he will not give up easily." Jingzhou officials have persuaded and persuaded them, but it is useless. ”

"Alas, the country is restless, and the world is fierce."

Liu Bei sighed.

Originally, Liu Xian, who had high hopes for him, actually harbored the heart of usurpation, and he had to send someone under the fence to see Liu Biao's face and act, which made people helpless.

The two chatted for a while, Deng Hong came over today, just to tell him the current situation in Xiangyang, and asked him to be careful when he meets Liu Biao tomorrow, if he provokes Liu Biao's suspicion, I am afraid the consequences will be unimaginable.

In fact, in history, after Liu Biao pacified Zhang Xian, his strength reached its peak, and his control of Jingzhou reached a very high level.

The pro-Cao faction Cai Mao was suppressed, Han Song, Liu Guan and others were persecuted, and the upper and lower state capitals and the counties of Jingzhou were controlled by his henchmen.

Now that his strength has reached a higher level, his power control is naturally greater, but he has not yet begun to gradually clean up, and now he is disintegrating Cai Mao's power, so there are still some objections.

But Shen Chen knew that this kind of opposition would soon be like a stone thrown on the surface of a calm lake, with a little ripple at most, and no splash could be made.

It didn't take long for the entire Jingzhou to be completely controlled by Liu Biao, so at this time he had to give Liu Bei 30 million.

One, be careful.

Second, be obedient.

Third, don't keep a low profile.

Therefore, this time Deng Hong came to the door, and it was appropriate to give face-to-face teaching, which was to show Liu Bei a clear way.

Fortunately, Liu Bei had already learned how to endure and lie dormant under the obscenity of the ministers, so he listened carefully to Deng Hong's opinions and prepared in advance.

On the second day, Liu Biao really summoned Liu Bei.

In the hussar general's mansion, in the small hall in the backyard, Liu Biao sat on the main seat, and only Kuai Liang was around.

When Liu Bei came in, he hurriedly showed a respectful attitude, entered the hall and stood in the hall, bent down to Liu Biao and bowed his hand: "Bei, meet Jingsheng Gong!" ”

"Hahaha, Xuande, sit down."

Liu Biao very cordially beckoned him to sit down on the first mat under his right-hand side.

"Thank you, King Jingsheng."

After Liu Bei thanked him, he crept over, looking sincerely frightened and cautious.

Liu Biao was still very satisfied with his attitude, so he said: "Xuande, you came from the north, originally as a pastor in Yuzhou, and now you come to my Jingzhou, what are your plans in the future?" ”

Liu Bei sighed and said: "Although Bei is a descendant of the Han family, he has been defeated in many battles with Cao Cao, and now he is holding the Son of Heaven hostage and occupying Henan, I have nowhere to go, so I can only follow Shen Chen, the general under the command of Gong, to Jingzhou." ”

"Hmm."

Liu Biao nodded, and sighed again: "I know Xuande's intentions, if today's etiquette collapses, there is a portrait of the decline of the late Han Dynasty, Cao Cao is like Wang Mang, holding power, I want to follow the example of Guangwu Xingbing to fight, and then rejuvenate the country, but I am old, and there are fewer talents under my command, and it is difficult to maintain it." ”

You're planning to emulate Guangwu and become emperor.

Liu Bei slandered in his heart, but he didn't dare to say it, so he arched his hand and said: "Jingsheng Gong has great ambitions, and he also has the heart to support the universe. ”

"Hahahaha."

Liu Biao laughed and said: "Xuande has this heart, I am very pleased." Now that the clan is withering, Liu Zhang has a rebellious heart in Yizhou, and only I and Xuande can support each other together, can we destroy Cao Cao and Yuan Shao and welcome the Son of Heaven. If Xuande has the heart, he can be stationed in Wancheng, recruit troops, and fight against Cao Thief with me? ”

"Prepare for the decree of the Emperor of the Heavens."

Liu Bei got up and said.

Things are going well.

Liu Biao and Kuai Liang glanced at each other, and Liu Bei wrote to him, hoping to come to Xiangyang to meet him.

At that time, the two discussed how to treat Liu Bei.

The first thing is to find out whether Liu Bei is willing to be subordinate, for fear that after he arrives in Jingzhou, he will be anti-guest-oriented.

That's why there was yesterday's temptation.

As a result, Liu Bei has always been respectful, and he can't see anything.

After today's meeting, Liu Biao solicited words, and at the same time kept observing Liu Bei to see if he hesitated or dodged his eyes.

Unexpectedly, Liu Bei did not hesitate at all, and immediately agreed to these things, which seemed to be very humble.

But people are disguised.

Liu Biao and Kuai Liang were not stupid enough to believe that Liu Bei's performance was from the heart, so there was one last temptation.

I saw Kuai Liang get up and said: "Liu Yuanjun, under the hussar general Shi Kuai Liang." ”

"Kuai Changshi."

Liu Bei just got up and stood up, and arched his hand to him.

After Kuai Liang returned the salute, he said: "Whoever wants to send troops, he must be famous." Cao Cao held the Son of Heaven hostage, and often called the edict of the Son of Heaven to crusade against the princes, which was invincible. If we want to crusade against Cao Cao, we must have a name. ”

Liu Bei said without hesitation: "Please also ask Jingsheng Gong and Changshi to rest assured, when he was in Xudu, the Son of Heaven could not bear the bullying of Cao thieves, wrote down the edict of clothes and belts, and handed it to Uncle Dong, although Cao Cao killed Uncle Guo, but at that time, Uncle Guo personally wrote a document to ask for Cao, and Bei also signed it. ”

When the edict was issued, Liu Xie gave the edict to Dong Cheng and asked Dong Cheng to go back and find reliable people to get rid of Cao Cao together. Dong Cheng found some people, including Liu Bei. But he was afraid that they would tell him, so he wrote a document and everyone signed it, which was to tie these people together.

As a result, after the incident, all the people on the list were killed by Cao Cao, and Liu Bei ran out by himself, and the document happened to be handed over to him by Dong Cheng for safekeeping.

Therefore, as a survivor of the Cloth and Belt Edict incident, Liu Bei has this document, which can prove that the people on the list are all serving the clothes and belts to beg for thieves, but everyone else is dead except him.

Liu Biao was overjoyed when he heard this: "Xuande has this thing, then it is very good." I want to open an altar in the spring of next year, worship God and ancestors, inform the ancestors of heaven and earth and the Han family about this matter, and then issue a letter to discuss Cao Wei, affirming the righteousness, what does Xuande think? ”

"Sacrifice heaven and earth?"

Liu Bei was stunned at that time, his mouth was slightly open, his pupils contracted, and he didn't speak for a long time.

Of course he knew the news.

But it must not be shown, so be sure to show shock.

So how can you be shocked?

Eyes wide.

The mouth is open.

The pupils also have to shrink and become smaller.

That's a qualified look of shock.

Liu Biao was really deceived by his reaction, and his reaction was also expected, so he explained: "The purpose of sacrificing heaven and earth is to pray to the heavens and pray for the blessings of the country, we are the descendants of the Han family, our ancestors are all sons of heaven, and our descendants pray to heaven, so what's wrong?" ”

"Amount"

Liu Bei hesitated: "Jingshenggong's words are also reasonable, it's just."

Liu Biao said: "Isn't it that Xuande is unwilling to pray to God about the Cao thief and inform the ancestors and ancestors?" ”

"Of course not."

Liu Bei hurriedly said: "Since it is for the sake of the country, it is incumbent on me, but it is just a branch of the clan, such a big sacrifice, I am afraid that the ancestors and the ancestors will blame it, and I dare not go to the table." Therefore, I am willing to present the document and hand it over to Jingsheng Gong for sacrificial purposes. ”

What he means is that you want to sacrifice heaven and earth, and you can do it yourself, and I won't get involved. is similar to the big D in "Underworld" who wants to make a new and joint victory, and others are afraid to avoid it, so they naturally don't want to cause trouble.

Liu Biao's face was slightly displeased, but he also knew that if he wanted to hurry, he might not be able to reach it, and Liu Bei might have been frightened, so he calmed down a little and said lightly: "Xuande is not willing to sacrifice to heaven with me, and I am not reluctant, even so, after Xuande went to Wancheng, he still had to practice military and crusade against Cao Cao with me." ”

"Yes, yes."

Liu Bei was resigned, sweat came out of his forehead, and he said honestly and fearfully: "I am willing to follow the tail wing of the public, go to the soup for the Han Dynasty, and do not hesitate." ”

"Good."

Liu Biao nodded and said, "It's not early, I'm a little tired, Xuande go by himself." I will send someone to send you to Wancheng, so that all county orders will obey your orders. ”

"Thank you, King Jingsheng."

Liu Bei leaned over and bowed again, and then said, "I'm ready to leave." ”

"Hmm."

Liu Biao answered, and watched Liu Bei go out.

After he left, Liu Biao looked at Kuai Liang again and said, "Zirou, what do you think?" ”

Kuai Liang muttered: "Liu Bei gladly accepted when he talked about Cao, and he sweated profusely when he talked about sacrifices, which shows that he has no great ambitions, but I don't have to worry that he has different intentions, but this person is afraid that he is loyal to the Son of Heaven, and it is not easy to subdue him." ”

"It doesn't matter."

Liu Biao sneered, waved his hand and said, "If you can succeed in defeating Cao and the Son of Heaven dies in the chaos, even if he is unwilling to be loyal to me, he has to be loyal to me." I heard that the younger generation of this sect has a strong personality, and he must also be a tiger general, and it can be regarded as a help to get this person. ”

In the past two days, Liu Bei's respectful attitude still made Liu Biao like it very much, after all, although Liu Bei's status was a little lower than him, it was not much lower, and his posture was so sufficient, which naturally made Liu Biao very useful.

So although Liu Bei was reluctant to sacrifice with him, he had no intention of murdering Liu Bei, as long as he had no ambitions, he still needed a group of talents under his hands.

And after Liu Bei went out here, he was indeed sweating profusely, so he quickly wiped his sweat, found Guan Zhang and left Xiangyang immediately.

Liu Biao's ambition was very surprising, so he didn't dare to stay in Xiangyang for a long time.

Leave Xiangyang City by boat, arrive at Fancheng, and ride north.

After running for more than ten miles, Liu Bei looked back at Fancheng, who had disappeared on the horizon, and felt palpitations.

"Big brother, why are you in such a hurry?"

Guan Yu was surprised.

Everyone didn't talk much along the way, and they hurried away, and only took a little rest at this time.

Liu Bei smiled bitterly: "Although Youshuo has already informed me yesterday, I am still shocked by Liu Biao's ambition, I think he is afraid that he is determined to be the emperor, and he must leave as soon as possible." ”

"Liu Biao's old thief is actually a usurper."

Guan Yu was furious.

When Xu Tian was hunting, Cao Cao was disrespectful to the Son of Heaven, and he wanted to kill Cao Cao.

But at that time, it was subject to people, and there was no way.

The current situation is so similar to that time, although Liu Biao did not bully the Son of Heaven, he is about to become the emperor, this is to directly usurp the country.

Liu Bei sighed: "Jingzhou is a place of right and wrong, Mr. Xiao doesn't dare to say much, now that he has resigned and returned to his hometown to teach, we must also hurry to Wancheng, govern the place, rectify military affairs, and wait for the time in the future." ”

"Okay, let's go."

Zhang Fei shouted: "If there is a foundation, it is better than being scattered everywhere." ”

"Let's go!"

Liu Bei turned his head and looked at Xiangyang again.

That place made him feel like the Xu Capital of the year, and it was also surrounded by such an oppressive atmosphere, as if a storm was coming at any time.

But just get out of such a place.

It is like a fish in the sea, a bird in the sky, and not bound by the cage net!

(End of chapter)