Ji Han Liu Zhang

In the sixth year of Jian’an, it was March in late spring.

In the courtyard of the governor's mansion in Xiangyang City, there were flowers and trees growing, grass lush and birds flying. However, when Liu Biao, the governor of Jingzhou, saw this vibrant and flourishing scene, he just drooped his eyelids, yawned occasionally, and looked bored.

The flourishing spring scenery in front of others only made Liu Biao feel that time flies and years are unforgiving. The white hair on his temples and the wrinkles on his forehead were silently illustrating the power of time.

"old."

Mrs. Cai, who served Liu Biao, said considerately, "Why do you say that, my husband? You are getting stronger and healthier, and your appearance is youthful. How can you say you are old? Even ordinary young people can hardly compare to you in terms of energy and spirit."

Mrs. Cai's accent was like the gurgling of a spring, very pleasant to the ear, and her words were moving. When Liu Biao heard her words, he immediately smiled, with a happy expression on his face, as if he was moved by Mrs. Cai's words.

But Liu Biao was happy for only a moment, and then his smile disappeared immediately. He thought of Sun Ce of Jiangdong, the young and ambitious Sun Ce.

Ever since Sun Ce crossed the river and conquered Jiangdong, every year, Sun Ce would send troops to Jiangxia under the pretext of avenging his father, launching fierce attacks on the eastern gate of Jingzhou, each time more fierce than the last, like a fighting cock in the heat of the moment.

Liu Biao knew clearly that revenge for Sun Jian was just a name. After all, Sun Ce wanted to take over Jingzhou. Jingzhou was located in the upper reaches of Jiangdong, just like Wu and Yue together with Jiangdong. Wu and Yue could not coexist. Either Wu would destroy Yue, or Yue would annex Wu. There was no other possibility.

Thinking of this, Liu Biao couldn't help feeling a little regretful. Why didn't he think of taking over Jiangdong when it was full of bandits and divided in the early years? As a result, Jiangdong was now in the hands of Sun Ce and had become a source of great concern to him.

So Liu Biao sighed in his heart, feeling that his mind, like his body, had become old and decayed, no longer as vigorous as in his youth. Especially when facing a young talent like Sun Ce, the comparison between the two made him feel lifeless and dying.

Here Liu Biao was somewhat fortunate. He was fortunate that apart from the threat of Sun Ce, Liu Zhang in the west was his ally and had always had a good relationship with Jingzhou. Cao Cao in the north was surrounded by enemies and was attacked from all sides by Yuan Shao last year. He was powerless against Jingzhou. He only needed to focus on Sun Ce in the east and would not be too tired.

"There are still some things to discuss today, madam. I'm leaving now." Liu Biao, who was enjoying the spring with Madam Cai, remembered that he still had things to do today, so he said goodbye to Madam Cai.

"Hmm..." Madam Cai uttered a coquettish sound, somewhat unhappy about Liu Biao's departure, but as a woman from an aristocratic family, she knew the difference between the important and the unimportant, so she only said virtuously: "My husband, state affairs are more important, you go now."

"I will enjoy the scenery with my lady again tomorrow." After drawing a cake for Madam Cai, Liu Biao left the courtyard and went to the left wing room for meetings under Madam Cai's reluctant gaze.

The eldest son Liu Qi, the deputy driver Liu Xian, the attendant Kuai Yue, the generals Cai Mao and Zhang Yun and other Liu Biao's confidants had taken their seats early and were waiting for Liu Biao's arrival. After seeing Liu Biao, they all stood up and greeted him respectfully.

"No need to be so polite." Liu Biao spoke in a lazy and relaxed tone, waving his hand to signal everyone not to stand up and take their seats. Liu Biao took the chief seat without hesitation, and he first asked about the recent situation in Jiangdong: "What actions has Sun Ce taken at the moment?"

Deputy driver Liu Xian took the lead and responded, "My Lord, according to the information sent by the spies stationed in Jiangdong, the people in Jiangdong are repairing war equipment and forging military weapons, and at the same time a large amount of food and grass has been transported to Chaisang. It is very likely that Sun Ce will invade Jiangxia again in the future."

"Hiss." Liu Biao felt a headache when he heard this. He stretched out his hand to support his forehead and said angrily: "It is indeed Hu Zi, tyrannical by nature, who has been raising troops to invade Jiangxia for years. I only regret that I don't have generals like Han Bai, Wei and Huo in Jingzhou, otherwise how could Sun Ce be so presumptuous."

According to common sense, at this time, as generals, Cai Mao and Zhang Yun should stand up to show their loyalty and courage, claiming to be Han Baiwei Huo, and ask for permission to go to Jiangxia to compete with Sun Ce. However, the two of them just remained silent.

There was no other reason, it was because Sun Ce was brave, Zhou Yu was resourceful, and the Jiangdong navy was even better at fighting. Cai Mao and Zhang Yun knew they were no match for Sun Ce, so they kept their heads down and decided to say something more heroic.

Seeing that Cai Mao and Zhang Yun were silent, Liu Biao sighed as he said before. Among the generals commanding troops in Jingzhou today, Cai Mao was just an average talent, and Huang Zu was old and frail, and neither of them was a match for Sun Ce.

The reason why Huang Zu was able to hold Jiangxia when he was not as good as Sun Ce was all thanks to the two brave generals Huang Zhong and Liu Pan. Without Huang Zhong and Liu Pan, Huang Zu would have found it impossible to hold Jiangxia. In the current situation, Jingzhou is more than capable of defending itself but not capable of defeating the enemy.

"I think Huang Zu is too old to control Jiangxia, so I send Qi'er to Jiangxia to supervise the army. Firstly, he can be familiar with military affairs, and secondly, he can boost morale and stimulate the fighting spirit... Qi'er, what do you think? What do you think?" Liu Biao glanced at Liu Qi who was sitting next to him, expressed his thoughts, and at the same time asked for the opinions of everyone present.

Liu Qi responded first: "Father has given orders, and as a son, I should obey them. Jiangdong is the concern of Jingzhou. As the eldest son and the oldest, I should help my father solve his problems. In addition, the world is in turmoil, and it is time to learn military skills. In the past, I have always wanted to find an opportunity to learn a few martial arts. This time, my father's appointment is exactly what I want."

Liu Biao showed a gratified look. He was very satisfied with Liu Qi's answer. As a result, he was reluctant to let such a filial and well-behaved son go to Jiangxia. After all, Liu Qi had never been involved in military affairs in the past. He had always been obsessed with Confucian classics. He had more literary talent than military strategy.

Seeing Liu Biao hesitate and not immediately respond to Liu Qi's words, Cai Mao, who was sitting below, became anxious. He rolled his eyes, thought for a moment, and then echoed loudly: "What the envoy has ordered is perfect. If the eldest son goes to Jiangxia, with the son guarding the national gate, the soldiers will surely be motivated and their morale will surely soar. By then, we may be able to defeat Sun Ce and bring peace to Jiangxia."

After saying this, Cai Mao raised his eyebrows and hinted to Zhang Yun. Zhang Yun was stunned for a moment, but then understood. He said, "Young Master has a good reputation and has read a lot of military books, but he has never had the opportunity to put his skills into practice. If he can go to Jiangxia for some experience, we will have a great general in Jingzhou soon."

Kuai Yue glanced at Cai Mao and Zhang Yun who were singing the same tune. He roughly guessed what Cai Mao and Zhang Yun were thinking, but he had no intention of exposing them, nor did he intend to go against Cai Mao and Zhang Yun, so he just kept silent.

Liu Biao, who was at the head of the group, was somewhat moved by the singing of Cai Mao and Zhang Yun. (End of this chapter)