Soon after the end of the Battle of Yuzhang, Huang Zu sent back a secret report in Jiangdong to verify that Xu Kun was killed by an arrow in the sea dusk, and then wrote a letter to ask for merit for the soldiers participating in the war.

The soldiers under the command of Huang Zu and Liu Pan were rewarded according to their merits, among which Huang Zhong was the first to shoot Xu Kun, in addition to receiving rewards for property, land and servants, he was also promoted to Zhonglang General by Liu Biao.

Because Liu Bei suggested weakening Liu Ye's merits, Liu Biao deliberately invited Liu Bei to participate in the reward when he was rewarded.

Liu Bei remembered that Liu Ye and Zhao Yun both mentioned Gan Ning, praising this person for his bravery and positive fighting spirit, and Zhao Yun witnessed Gan Ning's arrow shooting Xu Kun, but Gan Ning's name was not on the credit book.

The credit for shooting Xu Kun was exclusively enjoyed by Huang Zhong, it may be that Huang Zu and Liu Pan reached some kind of deal, or it may be that Huang Zu deliberately suppressed Gan Ning, but Liu Bei, as an outsider, is inconvenient to intervene.

Back at the post house, Liu Bei, Liu Ye, and Zhao Yun mentioned the matter.

Zhao Yun was very surprised, but Liu Ye's expression was very calm.

Liu Bei glanced at Liu Ye and said to himself: "The rewards and punishments are unknown, I am afraid it will be difficult to convince the public, it is said that Huang Yuanyang is strict in governing the army, how can it be so"

Liu Ye shook his head and smiled: "Gan Xingba lives in Jiangxia, and the situation is similar to that of the envoy, but the reputation of the envoy is all over the world, but this person has the experience of betraying the master, and Jingzhou is controlled by Cai Kuo and other big clans, how easy is it for him to come out?" Treating him lightly has little effect."

Liu Bei frowned, and said: "These days, I stayed in Xiangyang, and I talked a lot with Brother Jingsheng about Yizhou, Liu Junlang (Liu Yan) died of illness in the past, and Zhao Wei and others supported Liu Jiyu (Liu Zhang) to succeed to the throne, this matter is not in line with etiquette, and Gan Xingba and a few people are afraid that they are forced by the situation."

Liu Ye analyzed: "At that time, the Central Plains was in turmoil, and tens of thousands of displaced people in Nanyang and Sanfu fled into Yizhou, these were originally the people of Jingzhou, and Liu Junlang took it as his own and had a bad relationship with Liu Jingsheng, so Liu Jingsheng's words could not be fully believed. ”

"There is no need to dwell on the merits."

Liu Bei sighed and explained: "When Liu Junlang died of illness, his third son, Sima Liu Mao of the other department, was still there, and Zhao Wei and others abolished Chang Liyu and harbored evil intentions, and the rebellion in Yizhou two years ago is proof of this, so don't hold on to Gan Xingba's old things, he really has a reason."

Zhao Yun couldn't help but echo after hearing this: "Gan Xingba is heroic, and I also agree with the lord's point of view, he is by no means a villain who betrays the lord."

"Huh." Seeing this, Liu Ye smiled and said, "Didn't Zilong have a better contract with General Huang?" How can you help Gan Xingba speak in turn? ”

"General Huang's archery skills are unparalleled, and his straightforward personality is approachable, but Gan Ning is also a rare talent, since he is not reused by Huang Zu, I wonder if the lord is not."

Zhao Yun talked about the key point and couldn't help but look at Liu Bei.

Liu Bei shook his head and waved his hand: "Not to mention whether Gan would rather come to vote, after all, he lives in Jiangxia and is controlled by Huang Yuanyang, if I reach out to Jingzhou, how can Liu Jingsheng be compatible?" ”

"It's the last general who didn't think it through"

Before Zhao Yun finished speaking, Liu Bei interrupted: "I understand Zilong's intentions, but I am not defective to the general of the formation now, and there is no need to cause unnecessary troubles, if everyone is destined for Gan Ning, he will definitely have the opportunity to meet one day, and about Guiyang Zhao Taishou, even if you are a fellow villager, don't have close contacts, I'm afraid someone will frame us to make friends with the henchmen, which is not good for both parties." ”

"The Admiral understands."

Zhao Yun hugged his fists and bowed, straightened up and looked at Liu Ye deliberately.

Liu Ye instantly understood, and said with a smile: "Zilong don't worry, for Zhao Taishou to find his brother, General Long needs to help investigate, if he is lucky to find that Zhao Fan, he will be sent directly to Guiyang to meet, no need to pass a hand from us, so that sooner or later you will use this friendship." ”

"The people sent by Ziyang to Hefei believe that they should have arrived a long time ago, Yunqi did not send someone back to Yuzhang to restore his life, it should be because Zhou Yu blocked the Yangtze River, and I don't know when there will be a reply, Huainan fought fiercely in the first half of the year, I want to know his recent situation"

Seeing Liu Bei's melancholy face, Liu Ye comforted: "Although you can rest assured, with General Long's ability, they are doing well in Hefei, since the waterway is impassable in case of war, he may let people go by land."

"By land?"

Liu Bei suddenly remembered that Tun Xiaopei was back then, and Yuan Shu married Lu Bu while sending Ji Ling, and it was Long Xiang who took advantage of the gap between the escort grain ships to run wild for several days and nights to report to himself, so that there was the story of Lu Bu's halberd shooting.

Although Long Xiang is as stable as a stone in Hefei, he also has the daring and adventurous behavior of an artist in his bones, maybe he will really let the messenger pass through Cao Cao's defense area, but then he will definitely find Wancheng.

Thinking of this, Liu Bei hurriedly complained to Liu Ye: "If Yunqi sends a messenger by land, he will definitely go straight to Wancheng, I really want to know his news as soon as possible, but I'm afraid that Liu Jingsheng will make an excuse not to let me leave."

Liu Ye said calmly: "Although the two ladies have also received Xiangyang, there are not a few days before the end of the year, so that the king will go back to Wancheng to meet his brothers, I think Liu Jingsheng should not stop him." ”

"Is that a good reason?"

"If you don't know the bottom of your heart, I will go with you to see him."

"It's for the best."

Due to its proximity to the Han River, Xiangyang often has a heavy fog covering the city, and the night is relatively early in winter.

After Liu Bei and Liu Ye finished discussing, the sky outside the post house was already dark, and they thought about going to the state pastor's mansion tomorrow.

Who Cheng thought that dinner had not yet been served, and Liu Biao suddenly sent guards to the post house to spread the word, asking Liu Bei to meet at the state pastor's mansion overnight.

The tone of the guard sent by Liu Biao was eager, it seemed that he was not inviting himself to the mansion for a banquet, was there something important?

Liu Bei couldn't figure it out for a while, so he boarded the carriage with Liu Ye, and then disappeared into the fog outside the post house.

Chen Zhi protected the two ladies Gan and Mi in the post house, and Zhao Yun acted as Liu Bei and Liu Ye's guards alone.

The carriage stopped in front of the state governor's mansion, and the guards urged Liu Bei and Liu Ye to enter the mansion with him, and Zhao Yun followed closely behind the two when he saw this.

In the state pastoral mansion at night, there is a cold wind blowing from time to time to cut off the face.

Normally, it should be quiet and peaceful, but the main hall in front of it is brightly lit.

Ascending the stone steps to the palace gate, I found that Cai Mao, Kuai Yue, Wen Ping, Liu Qi and others were all there.

Liu Bei couldn't help but turn his head to look at Liu Ye, as if to say what happened to Liu Biao today? What happened in Jingzhou?

Immediately afterwards, Liu Bei entered the hall with doubts.

He bowed his hand to Liu Biao recently, and then asked curiously: "Brother suddenly summoned, is there something urgent?" ”

Without waiting for Liu Biao to answer, Cai Mao pointed at him and scolded: "Liu Xuande, why do you knowingly ask?" Do you want my brother-in-law to tell you what you do? ”

Liu Bei was directly stunned, he first looked at Liu Biao, and then met the cold-faced Cai Mao, pointed to his chest and asked, "What did I do?" ”

"Hmph, don't you know?"

"Talk"

Liu Biao hurriedly interrupted Cai Mao and reminded in a deep voice: "De Jue must not be rude, Xuande has been in Xiangyang in recent months, maybe he really doesn't know." ”

(End of chapter)