Han officials

Chapter 323 A Way Out in Jingzhou

Yan Xiang naturally took in Liu Biao's expression.

Because Yuan Shu had repeatedly attacked Jingzhou, and even seized Nanyang County from Liu Biao, thus enlisting the help of the fierce general Sun Jian, Yan Xiang did not follow the conventional approach of seeking help from the beginning.

When others ask for help, they appeal to their emotions and reason with them, but Yan Xiang didn't consider any of that approach at all.

He understood that no matter how much he pleaded, the long-standing feud between the two families was still there and could not be resolved with words.

Therefore, Yan Xiang's strategy for seeking help can be summed up in one word—"scare!"

Seeing that Liu Biao was no longer as resistant as before, Yan Xiang ignored the mocking voices around him and seized the opportunity to intimidate him:
“A great calamity is about to befall us, yet you, my lord, are hesitant and indecisive. If you act rashly in this urgent situation, disaster will befall you soon.”

"We urge Lord Chu to make a decision as soon as possible, for it will be too late if we delay!"

Even though Yan Xiang had tried everything he could, Liu Biao still did not express his opinion.

Ultimately, it was because Yuan Shu was simply too inhuman.

Don't be fooled by Liu Biao's carefree life in Jingzhou today; he was once utterly humiliated by Yuan Shu.

Even at the most dangerous moment, Jingzhou's defenses at Fancheng were breached. After defeating Huang Zu at Fancheng, Sun Jian led Yuan Shao's army in pursuit, crossed the Han River, and besieged Xiangyang. Liu Biao was so frightened that he dared not fight any longer and could only send Huang Zu out of the city at night to gather troops to return and provide reinforcements.

Unexpectedly, Sun Jian became ruthless and unreasonable. Even when Huang Zu led a large number of reinforcements, he was still defeated by Sun Jian and had to flee to Xian Mountain in a sorry state to survive.

To be honest, Liu Biao was truly desperate when he saw this scene from the top of Xiangyang city wall.

The defeat of the reinforcements essentially dashed Liu Biao's last hope and greatly demoralized the defenders of Xiangyang. If Yuan Shu's army were to launch another strong attack at this point, Xiangyang would likely fall into Yuan Shu's hands.

Fortunately, by the grace of Heaven, Sun Jian, in his arrogance, pursued Huang Zu with light cavalry, only to be encountered by Huang Zu in a narrow passage on Mount Xian, where he was unexpectedly killed by falling rocks, thus saving Liu Biao from disaster.

If Yuan Shu had been more decisive and Sun Jian more cautious back then, the land of Jingzhou would probably have belonged to the Yuan family!

This is why Liu Biao was so lenient with Huang Zu later, allowing him to become a local tyrant in Jiangxia.

In fact, Liu Biao was also quite frightened afterward, because Huang Zu's ability to kill Sun Jian was truly a terrible mistake.

When Sun Jian attacked Nanyang, Liu Biao did send General Huang Zhong to fight, but even with Huang Zhong's skill in archery, he still couldn't do anything to Sun Jian. In fact, whether in mounted or foot combat, Huang Zhong was slightly inferior to Sun Jian.

This is not surprising, as Sun Jian was ultimately capable of defeating Lü Bu head-on.

Sun Jian's ferocity even caused Liu Biao to be frequently awakened in the middle of the night, only to be repeatedly relieved that the man was dead.

Even though several years have passed, Liu Biao still couldn't help but grit his teeth when he thought about it.

He was never in such danger when he rode into Jingzhou alone; it was all thanks to Yuan Shu!
As Liu Biao's nephew, Zhang Yun naturally knew what his uncle thought of Yuan Shu and Sun Jian.

Before Liu Biao could speak, Zhang Yun coldly snorted:

"You need not use empty threats to intimidate us. It is common knowledge that the Wei army is now pointing its sword at Shouchun."

"No matter how eloquent you are, you cannot distort the truth."

"Yuan Shu's predicament is entirely his own fault, and no one else is to blame."

"If you truly wish to form an alliance, you should first return Nanyang County to demonstrate your sincerity; otherwise, there is no need for further discussion!"

Upon hearing this, Wen Ping, who was standing to the side, immediately slammed his hand on the table and echoed:
"That's right, let's return Nanyang first!"

Upon hearing this, the civil and military officials of Jingzhou nodded repeatedly and echoed their agreement.

Upon hearing this, Liu Biao, who was at the head of the table, smiled, clearly agreeing with Zhang Yun's words.

Seeing this, no matter how eloquent Yan Xiang was, he could no longer persuade her.

Faced with this stalemate, he had no choice but to resign and prepare to seek other solutions, such as privately advising Liu Biao.

However, after Yan Xiang left, Kuai Liang took advantage of Liu Biao changing clothes to sneak around to the backyard and privately advised him:

"Your Highness may form alliances with all the people of the world, but not with Yuan Shu."

Since no one was around, Liu Biao didn't waste any more words and immediately sighed:
"That is the truth, but Yan Xiang's words are not without merit."

"The strength of the Wei family is known throughout the land. I fear that once they gain control of Huai, they will set their sights on Jing. By then, Yuan Shu will have already left, and I fear I will be left to fend for myself!"

But Kuai Liang did not answer the question; instead, he spoke softly with a deep gaze:
"Your Highness is a senior member of the imperial family. If you associate with a usurper who claims to be the emperor, what will the world think?"

"Even if the people of the world do not speak out, how will future historians evaluate you?" Upon hearing this, Liu Biao froze.

It must be said that Kuai Liang's two sentences were truly sharp, hitting Liu Biao's Achilles' heel perfectly.

The former is the name given during one's lifetime, while the latter is the name given after death.

For Liu Biao, who was obsessed with empty fame, he didn't want to lose either of them, especially the latter.

Because he was first and foremost a Confucian scholar-official, and only then the governor of Jingzhou and a member of the Han imperial family.

The negative reviews in later historical records were even more terrifying to him than death.

Seeing this, Kuai Liang continued:

"Now that Jingzhou has well-trained troops and ample provisions, and is protected by the Yangtze River, why should we associate with the enemy and become a laughingstock of the world?"

“If Your Highness is worried about the Wei family, I am willing to go to Yizhou as an envoy and follow the example of the ‘Five Kingdoms Mutual Recognition’.”

"Once Jing and Yi form an alliance, even Duke Wei of Wei will likely be unable to do anything to us!"

Upon hearing Kuai Liang's words, Liu Biao's eyes lit up, and he was immediately tempted.

"Exchanging titles of kings?"

Having thought this through, Liu Biao finally stopped hesitating and decisively said:
"Very well, let it be then. I'm sure the King of Hanzhong won't take these minor entanglements to heart."

It sounds better for members of the Han imperial family to help each other than to collude with the traitor Yuan Shu.

As Liu Biao spoke, he personally held Kuai Liang's hand and exclaimed with emotion:

"How fortunate I am to have Zirou!"

"This matter is entirely entrusted to you. Zirou can make the decision on the alliance as the situation warrants, without needing to report back on every matter!"

It can be said that Liu Biao truly treated Kuai Liang like Xiao He this time.

Upon hearing this, Kuai Liang stopped hesitating and immediately bowed respectfully, accepting the appointment.

Therefore, when Yan Xiang tried to see Liu Biao again, he was refused without hesitation.

Even after learning that Yuan Jun had no intention of returning Nanyang Commandery, Wen Ping and others suggested beheading Yan Xiang to avenge the past, but Liu Biao refused.

There's nothing we can do. Yuan Shu is a madman. Who knows what he might do if he's suddenly provoked like this?
However, Liu Biao did not let Yan Xiang off easily. Instead, he chose to tie him up and send him to Wei Zhe as a gesture of goodwill.

Even though Yuan Shu's territory directly lay between Liu Biao and Wei Zhe, Liu Biao still went to great lengths to have his navy disguise themselves as merchant ships and sail down the Yangtze River to Jiangdu County in Guangling Commandery, Xuzhou, at the mouth of the Yangtze.

In this way, he both avenged himself and showed goodwill to Wei Zhe, without excessively provoking Yuan Shu.

It must be admitted that Liu Biao had some tricks up his sleeve to secure Jingzhou.

Meanwhile, Kuai Liang quietly left Jingzhou and entered the land of Bashu.

This time, Kuai Liang was genuinely planning for Liu Biao.

After all, the Kuai clan only gained immense benefits by rising to power through Liu Biao. Once Liu Biao is defeated by Wei Zhe, the Kuai clan's treatment will certainly not be as good as before, not to mention that many scholars from Jingzhou have already gone to Ye City to study.

Under these circumstances, even though Kuai Liang understood how powerful the Wei state was, he could only try his best to resist it.

The only solution he could think of after racking his brains was "Jingyi Joint Guarantee"!
It should be noted that Yizhou had a population of over 6.97 million in earlier years, while Jingzhou, even after losing Nanyang County, still had over 4 million people. If the two provinces joined forces, they would be a behemoth representing tens of millions of people.

Even if they couldn't defeat Wei, Kuai Liang believed that protecting himself would be more than enough.

Of course, Kuai Liang did this not without his own selfish motives.

Once the general policy of the Jingyi Alliance is established, it will inevitably become the national policy of both states.

As the initiator and promoter, Kuai Liang naturally gained immense political capital and influence from this.

It can only be said that there were countless talented people in the world at the end of the Han Dynasty.

Even though Wei Zhe has now gained considerable power, he still dares not let his guard down at this critical juncture.

Otherwise, a slight misstep could have led to a "Battle of Red Cliffs," forcing the unification of the world to be postponed for another twenty years...

(End of this chapter)