Reborn Liu Bei: I'll lead this Three Kingdoms to victory!

On the fifteenth day of the fifth month of the seventh year of Jian'an, in Xiangyang.

Liu Biao coughed up blood again.

This time it was even worse than last time; after coughing, he fainted, scaring his concubines and servants half to death. He didn't wake up for an hour, and his first words were, "Summon Cai Mao."

Cai Mao arrived quickly. He was Liu Biao's brother-in-law, the de facto commander of the Jingzhou navy, and one of the most influential people in Xiangyang. He stood before Liu Biao's bedside, looking at his sallow face, pondering something in his mind, but his face was full of concern.

"My lord, you must take care of your health."

Liu Biao waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit down.

"Cai Mao, I'm dying." His voice was weak, but every word was clear. "Can I trust you with the eight counties of Jingzhou?"

Cai Mao's heart skipped a beat, but he remained expressionless.

"Your Excellency is too kind. You are in the prime of your life; this minor illness..."

"Don't give me that," Liu Biao interrupted him. "I know my own body best. Tell me the truth, what will happen to Jingzhou after I die?"

Cai Mao remained silent for a moment. "My lord, you have two sons."

Liu Biao stared at him. "Tell me, who should we make emperor?"

Cai Mao did not answer immediately.

He had pondered this question for a long time. Liu Qi was the eldest son, but he was soft-hearted and in poor health. Liu Cong was the youngest son, but he was intelligent and quick-witted, and Cai Mao's own niece had married him. Both for public and private reasons, he should choose Liu Cong.

But he couldn't say those words.

"My lord," he lowered his head, "you must make the decision yourself."

Liu Biao stared at him for a long time. Then he smiled, a bitter smile. "Cai Mao, you may leave."

Cai Mao bowed and withdrew. Liu Biao lay on the couch, gazing at the roof.

Whom should be honored?

If Liu Qi is chosen, Cai Mao will object. If Liu Cong is chosen, Liu Qi will object. No matter who is chosen, Jingzhou will be in chaos. He closed his eyes.

In a secluded courtyard west of Xiangyang City.

The two people sat facing each other.

One was short and stout, the other tall and thin. The short and stout one was Zhang Song, the Prefect of Yizhou, who had just arrived from Chengdu. The tall and thin one was Fa Zheng, a native of Fufeng, who had lived in Xiangyang for several years but had never been given an important position by Liu Zhang.

"Xiaozhi," Zhang Song began, "Liu Biao is dying."

Fa Zheng nodded. "I know."

"After he dies, Jingzhou will surely descend into chaos," Zhang Song said in a low voice. "This is an opportunity."

Fa Zheng looked at him. "What opportunity?"

Zhang Song leaned forward. "You know Liu Zhang better than I do. He's a ruler who's good at maintaining the status quo, not one who's good at dealing with chaos. Yizhou may seem stable now, but it's full of weaknesses. Zhang Lu is to the north, and Jingzhou is to the east. If either of them attacks, he won't be able to hold out."

Fa Zheng remained silent. "Xiaozhi," Zhang Song stared at him, "you've followed me for so many years, I won't hide it from you. I want to offer Yizhou to Liu Bei."

Fa Zheng's eyes narrowed slightly. "Liu Bei?"

"Yes," Zhang Song said. "You've heard about what he did in Liaodong. He took in displaced people, distributed land, reduced taxes and corvée labor, and made good use of talented people. Even someone like Xun Yu entrusted his students and old friends to him before he died."

He paused. "This kind of person is worth investing in."

Fa Zheng remained silent for a long time. Then he spoke: "What do you plan to do?"

Zhang Song pulled a scroll from his pocket and spread it on the table. It was a map. The mountains, passes, cities, and roads of Yizhou were drawn clearly. "This took me three years to complete," Zhang Song said. "A complete map of Yizhou."

Fa Zheng stared at the painting for a long time. "You want me to give it to Liu Bei?"

Zhang Song nodded. "It'll be too conspicuous for me to go alone. You can come with me; it'll be good to have someone to look after you on the way."

Fa Zheng thought for a moment. "When are we leaving?"

"Wait until Liu Biao breathes his last," Zhang Song said. "At that time, Jingzhou will be in chaos, and no one will be able to take care of us."

Fa Zheng nodded. "Okay."

By the time of You Shi (5-7 PM), chaos had broken out in Xiangyang City.

The news of Liu Biao's critical illness somehow spread, and it was the talk of the town. Some said he was already dead, and Cai Mao was keeping his death a secret; others said he was still alive, but it would only be a matter of a day or two.

At Cai Mao's residence, people came and went.

Kuai Yue, Kuai Liang, Han Song, and Fu Xun—all the prominent figures from Jingzhou—had arrived. They sat in the hall, none of them speaking, only exchanging glances.

Cai Mao came out from the back hall and sat down in the middle.

"Gentlemen," he began, "the magistrate is seriously ill. We must discuss what to do should something go wrong."

Kuai Yue looked at him. "General Cai, the lord has two sons. Which one are you referring to?"

Cai Mao smiled. "Brother Zhongxuan, that's a good question. Whom the governor appoints is naturally up to him. We, as his subjects, simply obey."

Kuai Yue smiled as well. "What if the magistrate hadn't had a chance to speak?"

The hall fell silent. Everyone stared at Cai Mao. Cai Mao's smile faded. "Then let's proceed according to the rules," he said. "The eldest son succeeding to the throne is a matter of course."

Kuai Yue was taken aback. He thought Cai Mao would support Liu Cong, but he didn't expect him to say that.

"General Cai means... to install Liu Qi?"

Cai Mao shook his head. "That's not what I meant," he said. "I meant, follow the rules. As for what the rules are, we can discuss that later."

Kuai Yue understood. Cai Mao didn't want to take the blame himself. He wanted everyone to share the burden.

"General Cai," he began, "this matter needs an explanation."

Cai Mao nodded. "So I invited you all here to discuss a solution."

At the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), at Liu Biao's residence.

Liu Qi knelt before his father's bed, motionless. He had been kneeling for two hours; his knees were long since numb, but he didn't move.

Liu Biao had his eyes closed, and it was unclear whether he was asleep or awake.

"Father," Liu Qi called softly.

Liu Biao did not respond. Liu Qi called out again. Still no response. He lowered his head, his shoulders trembling slightly. Footsteps sounded outside the door. Liu Cong entered and knelt beside him.

"Big brother."

Liu Qi looked up at him. "What are you doing here?"

Liu Cong lowered his head. "I've come to see my father."

Liu Qi remained silent. The two brothers knelt together, neither looking at the other. Suddenly, Liu Biao coughed on the couch. Both men looked up simultaneously. Liu Biao opened his eyes and looked at them. "You've both come?"

Liu Qi nodded: "Father, your son is here." Liu Cong also nodded: "Your son is here too."

Liu Biao looked at this one, then at that one. Then he laughed. That laugh was more painful than a grimace.

"What am I supposed to say about you two?"

Liu Qi lowered his head. Liu Cong also lowered his head. Liu Biao closed his eyes. "Go out. Let me have some peace and quiet."

The two men rose and left. Liu Biao lay on the couch, gazing at the ceiling. He thought back to many years ago, when he first arrived in Jingzhou. Back then, he was young and thought he could accomplish great things. Later, he realized that great things cannot be done alone; one needs help. But those people each had their own thoughts and their own calculations.

He thought of Liu Bei. That man who came from Zhuojun, weaving mats and selling shoes, now controlled four provinces and had his army at the gates of Xuchang.

He was inferior to Liu Bei. He accepted that.

At 9:00 PM, in Xuchang.

Liu Bei sat in his study, with a newly delivered secret report spread out in front of him.

"Liu Biao is critically ill, and Jingzhou is about to fall into chaos."

He handed the secret report to Pang Tong beside him. Pang Tong glanced at it, then took a swig of wine. "It's time to move."

Liu Bei nodded. "Who will go?"

Pang Tong thought for a moment. "Let Zhuge Liang go," he said. "He's young, quick-witted, and eloquent. Besides, Liu Qi has a past with him."

Liu Bei was taken aback. "Liu Qi and Kongming?"

"I met him in my younger days," Pang Tong said. "When Liu Qi came to Liaodong, he chatted with Kongming. The two got along quite well."

Liu Bei thought for a moment. "Then let Zhao Yun accompany him."

Pang Tong nodded. "That's what I think too. Zhao Yun is reliable and can keep him safe."

Liu Bei stood up and walked to the window. Outside, the night was deep.

"Jingzhou," he murmured. "If this step is taken correctly, it will be half the world."

Pang Tong stood behind him without saying a word.

At midnight, when Zhuge Liang received the order, he was just about to go to sleep.

He stared at the order, remaining silent for a moment. "The teacher wants me to go to Jingzhou?"

Zhou Yuan, who came to deliver the letter, nodded.

"When are you leaving?"

"The sooner the better."

Zhuge Liang thought for a moment. "Tell the teacher I will set off first thing tomorrow morning."

Zhou Yuan left. Zhuge Liang sat in the room, gazing at the night view outside the window. Jingzhou.

Liu Biao is dying. Liu Qi and Liu Cong are vying for the throne. Cai Mao, Kuai Yue, and the others each have their own agendas.

He recalled meeting Liu Qi a few years ago. Back then, Liu Qi was young, with a bright look in his eyes, and he said he wanted to revitalize Jingzhou. Later, he heard that Liu Qi was in poor health and hadn't been able to work since.

I wonder how he is now. There was a knock at the door. "Come in." The door opened, and Zhao Yun walked in.

"Kongming, my lord wants me to go with you."

Zhuge Liang nodded. "General Zhao, you've worked hard."

Zhao Yun smiled. "What's so hard about it? It's not like we're going to war."

Zhuge Liang smiled as well. "That's not necessarily true."

At dawn.

The sky was beginning to lighten with the first light of dawn.

Zhuge Liang and Zhao Yun, accompanied by thirty personal guards, left the south gate of Xuchang and headed towards Xiangyang.

Liu Bei stood on the city wall, watching their figures grow farther and farther away until they finally disappeared into the morning mist.

Pang Tong stood beside him and took a swig of wine. "My lord, rest assured. That boy Kongming won't let you down."

Liu Bei didn't speak. He just stared at the road for a long time.

May 19th, the seventh year of Jian'an, Xiangyang.

Liu Biao fainted again.

This time he was unconscious for longer than the last time, from morning until evening before he finally woke up. The first thing he did after waking up was to send everyone out, leaving only Liu Qi and Liu Cong.

The two sons knelt before the bed, neither daring to speak.

Liu Biao looked at them for a long time. "Qi'er," he said, his voice weaker than it had been a few days ago.

Liu Qi raised his head: "Father, your son is here."

Liu Biao pointed to the stack of documents on the table. "Those are the household registers, grain registers, and military registers of the eight counties of Jingzhou. I've been collecting them for twenty years; they're all there."

Liu Qi glanced at it, wondering what his father wanted to say.

Liu Biao continued, "After I die, you shall give these things to someone."

Liu Qi was taken aback. "Give it to whom?"

Liu Biao didn't answer, but instead looked at Liu Cong. "Cong'er, who do you think should be entrusted with it?"

Liu Cong lowered his head and remained silent. "Neither of you will speak. I know even if you don't." He closed his eyes. "Cai Mao will come looking for you. Whatever he says, just listen to him. Don't argue; you can't win."

Tears streamed down Liu Qi's face. "Father..."

Liu Biao raised his hand and waved it. "Go out. Leave me alone for a while."

The two men remained kneeling, motionless. Liu Biao opened his eyes and looked at them. "What, are you waiting for me to die before you leave?"

Liu Qi and Liu Cong then rose and left. As the door closed, Liu Biao gazed at the ceiling and murmured:

"Liu Bei...you're too late."

At the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), thirty li outside Xiangyang City.

Zhuge Liang reined in his horse and looked at the city in the distance, which was gradually darkening in the twilight.

"General Zhao," he began, "shall we enter the city tonight, or wait until tomorrow?"

Zhao Yun thought for a moment. "Go tonight. Liu Biao is dying. The sooner we arrive, the sooner we can see Liu Qi."

Zhuge Liang nodded. "Then let's go."

The thirty riders continued forward, their hoofbeats carrying far into the night.

At the gate of Xiangyang City.

The soldiers guarding the city stopped them. "Who goes there?"

Zhao Yun rode forward. "I am Zhao Yun, a subordinate of Prefect Liu, from Xuchang. I have been ordered to request an audience with Prefect Liu."

The guard was taken aback. Lord Liu? One of Liu Bei's men? He dared not delay and quickly sent someone to report. After a short while, a man dressed in scholar's robes hurried over.

"General Zhao?" The newcomer bowed. "I am Kuai Yue, here to greet you on General Cai's orders."

Zhao Yun looked at him. "Mr. Kuai, we wish to see Liu Jingzhou."

A hint of unease flashed across Kuai Yue's face. "Lord Liu... tonight is not a convenient time."

Zhuge Liang stepped forward. "What's wrong?"

Kuai Yue hesitated for a moment. "Lord Liu... just left."

At midnight, at Liu Biao's residence.

The mourning hall has been set up. Cai Mao moved quickly, as if he had been preparing for it for a long time.

Liu Qi knelt before the coffin, his face deathly pale. Liu Cong knelt beside him, his head bowed, his expression unreadable.

Zhuge Liang and Zhao Yun stood outside the door, not going in. Cai Mao walked over and cupped his hands in greeting. "Mr. Zhuge, General Zhao, you two have come from afar and should have been properly received. But due to this situation, I am truly sorry."

Zhuge Liang looked at him. "General Cai, how did Lord Liu leave?"

Cai Mao sighed. "He was seriously ill. After dragging it out for so many days, he finally couldn't hold on."

Zhuge Liang nodded and didn't ask any further questions. He knew he wouldn't get anything out of him. "General Cai, did Lord Liu leave any instructions before his death?"

Cai Mao paused for a moment. "An explanation... is naturally given," he said. "With both young masters here, the affairs of Jingzhou will be handled by them."

Zhuge Liang glanced at him. His words were perfectly watertight.

"Then we'll take our leave now," he said. "We'll come back tomorrow to offer our condolences."

Cai Mao nodded. "Please take care, gentlemen."

At the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), at an inn west of Xiangyang City.

Zhuge Liang and Zhao Yun sat facing each other, neither of them asleep. "Kongming," Zhao Yun spoke, "what do you think?"

Zhuge Liang thought for a moment. "Liu Biao's death is suspicious," he said. "He died just as we arrived. It's too much of a coincidence."

Zhao Yun nodded. "That's what I think too. But I have no evidence."

Zhuge Liang remained silent. "Cai Mao," he said slowly, "is not easy to deal with. He has a navy and the support of people like Kuai Yue and Kuai Liang. Liu Qi cannot defeat him."

Zhao Yun looked at him. "Then what do we do?"

Zhuge Liang stood up and walked to the window. "I'll see Liu Qi first," he said. "After dawn, I'll find a way to meet him alone."

At the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), it was still dark.

Liu Qi came out of the mourning hall, wanting to find a place to get some fresh air. Just as she reached the backyard, someone emerged from the shadows.

"Young Master Liu."

Liu Qi was startled. He recognized the person in the dim light and froze. "Mr. Zhuge...?"

Zhuge Liang nodded. "Young Master Liu, may I speak with you in private?"

The two walked to a secluded spot. "Young Master Liu," Zhuge Liang began, "did your father leave any instructions before he died?"

Liu Qi paused for a moment. "I'll keep it."

"What did you say?"

He said... regarding the matter of Jingzhou, I should listen to Cai Mao.

Zhuge Liang stared at him. "Do you believe me?"

Liu Qi lowered his head. "I don't know."

Zhuge Liang sighed. "Young Master Liu, if your father really wanted Cai Mao to make the decision, why didn't he say it in front of everyone? Why did he have to tell you secretly?"

Liu Qi looked up. "You mean..."

"What I mean is," Zhuge Liang said, emphasizing each word, "that Cai Mao wants Jingzhou, and you can't stop him. But you can't just let him take it like that."

Liu Qi looked at him. "Then what should I do?"

Zhuge Liang thought for a moment. "Don't do anything right now," he said. "Kneel before the spirit tablet when you should, and wail as you should. Just listen to whatever Cai Mao says. Don't argue with him."

Liu Qi was stunned. "That's it?"

"That's settled then," Zhuge Liang nodded. "We'll make our move after he's fully exposed."

At Chenshi (7-9 AM), at Cai Mao's residence.

Kuai Yue, Kuai Liang, Han Song, and Fu Xun had all arrived. Cai Mao sat in the main seat, his expression serious.

"Gentlemen," he began, "Governor Liu has left, and Jingzhou cannot be without a ruler for even a day. We must discuss who should be appointed."

Kuai Yue looked at him. "General Cai, according to the rules, the eldest son should be chosen."

Cai Mao nodded. "I know. But can Liu Qi's body handle it?"

Kuai Yue remained silent. Han Song spoke first: "General Cai, what is your meaning?"

Cai Mao thought for a moment. "Although Liu Cong is young, he is intelligent and quick-witted, and he also has the support of the Kuai family. I think he is more suitable than Liu Qi."

Han Song looked at Kuai Yue. Kuai Yue lowered his head and remained silent. Fu Xun coughed. "General Cai, this matter... we should ask the two young masters for their opinions, shouldn't we?"

Cai Mao smiled. "Of course we should ask. But before we ask, we need to have a unified explanation."

He looked at Kuai Yue. "Brother Zhongxuan, what do you say?"

Kuai Yue raised his head. "General Cai is right."

At noon, before Liu Biao's spirit tablet.

Liu Qi was still kneeling. Liu Cong knelt beside him and whispered, "Brother, General Cai just spoke to me."

Liu Qi didn't turn around. "What did you say?"

He said... tell me to get ready.

Liu Qi's hand tightened slightly. "What are you preparing?"

Liu Cong did not answer. Liu Qi turned to look at him. "Second brother, do you want to be the governor of Jingzhou?"

Liu Cong lowered his head. "Brother, I hadn't thought about it. But General Cai said..."

"You listen to everything General Cai says?" Liu Qi interrupted him.

Liu Cong fell silent. Liu Qi turned back and looked at his father's memorial tablet.

"Second brother, if we brothers fight and argue, who will ultimately benefit?"

Liu Cong was taken aback. "You mean..."

"I mean," Liu Qi said softly, "Cai Mao wants us to fight. The fiercer the fight, the easier it is for him to talk to us."

Liu Cong remained silent. "Big brother, what do we do now?"

Liu Qi didn't speak. He just stared at the memorial tablet and the rising smoke.

In that secluded courtyard west of Xiangyang City.

Zhang Song and Fa Zheng sat facing each other again. "Xiaozhi," Zhang Song began, "Liu Biao is dead."

Fa Zheng nodded. "I know."

"Cai Mao wants to install Liu Cong as emperor. Liu Qi will definitely object. Jingzhou is going to be in chaos."

Fa Zheng looked at him. "When are we leaving?"

Zhang Song thought for a moment. "Let's wait two more days," he said. "Once they start making a scene, we'll slip away in the chaos."

Fa Zheng nodded. "Okay."

Zhang Song took out the map from his pocket and looked at it again. "Xiaozhi, do you think Liu Bei will want us?"

Fa Zheng paused for a moment. "Yes."

Why?

"Because he is Liu Bei."

At the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), in the inn.

Zhuge Liang and Zhao Yun were eating. "Kongming," Zhao Yun spoke, "are we just going to wait like this?"

Zhuge Liang put down his chopsticks. "Wait."

"When?"

Zhuge Liang thought for a moment. "Wait until Cai Mao steps forward himself," he said. "If he wants to install Liu Cong as emperor, he'll have to force Liu Qi to concede. If Liu Qi doesn't, he'll take action. Then we'll have something to say."

Zhao Yun looked at him. "Kongming, that was a pretty underhanded move of yours..."

Zhuge Liang smiled and said, "That's what my teacher taught me."

At the hour of Hai (9-11 PM), at Liu Biao's residence.

Liu Qi was the only one left in the mourning hall. He knelt there, motionless. Footsteps sounded outside the door. A person walked in and knelt down beside him.

Liu Qi turned his head and saw Liu Cong. "Second brother?"

Liu Cong lowered his head. "Brother, I've been thinking about it all afternoon."

Liu Qi looked at him. "What are you thinking about?"

Liu Cong raised his head. "Brother, let's not argue anymore."

Liu Qi was stunned.

Liu Cong continued, "Cai Mao wants us to fight over this. Once we've fought, he'll be more agreeable. In the end, he'll be the one who benefits from our fighting."

Liu Qi stared at him for a long time. "Second brother..."

"Brother, why don't you become the governor of Jingzhou?" Liu Cong said. "I'll help you."

Tears streamed down Liu Qi's face. He reached out and patted Liu Cong on the shoulder.

"it is good."