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

May 20th, the seventh year of Jian'an, Xiangyang.

As dawn broke, Liu Qi rose from the mourning hall. His knees, numb from kneeling all night, were numb. He leaned against a nearby pillar for a while, waiting for his legs to regain feeling before slowly walking outside. Several servants stood in the courtyard, bowing their heads when they saw him.

"Where is the Second Young Master?" Liu Qi asked. A servant replied that the Second Young Master was in the backyard and had gone there early in the morning. Liu Qi nodded and walked towards the backyard.

There was an old locust tree in the backyard, and Liu Cong was squatting under its shade, scratching at the ground with a twig in his hand. Hearing footsteps, he looked up: "Big brother." Liu Qi walked over and squatted down beside him: "What are you thinking about?" Liu Cong threw down the twig in his hand: "Thinking about Cai Mao. He'll definitely come today."

Liu Qi nodded and said he understood. Liu Cong looked at him and asked, "Then what should we do?" Liu Qi didn't speak, staring at the scratches on the ground for a long time, then reached out and smoothed them out: "If he comes, we'll see him. We'll answer whatever he asks, and we won't argue with him."

Liu Cong was taken aback: "That's it?" Liu Qi stood up: "That's it. He has troops, we don't, we can't fight him head-on." Liu Cong also stood up: "So we just accept it?" Liu Qi turned to look at him: "Accept what? Accept that he appoint you as the governor of Jingzhou?" Liu Cong didn't speak. Liu Qi patted his shoulder: "Second brother, do you still stand by what you said yesterday?" Liu Cong raised his head and said yes. Liu Qi said that's good, we brothers are of one mind, no matter how powerful Cai Mao is, he can't turn the world upside down.

---

As expected, Cai Mao arrived at Chenshi (7-9 AM). He led more than twenty personal guards directly into Liu Biao's residence, accompanied by Kuai Yue, Kuai Liang, Han Song, and Fu Xun. The group of people crowded the main hall to the brim.

Liu Qi and Liu Cong sat in the main seats waiting. Cai Mao entered and first bowed to Liu Biao's memorial tablet, then turned to Liu Qi: "My lord, please accept my condolences." Liu Qi nodded: "General Cai, what is it?" Cai Mao smiled: "My lord, Jingzhou cannot be without a ruler for a day. Now that the governor has passed away, we must discuss who is suitable to succeed him."

Liu Qi looked at him: "General Cai, who do you think is suitable?" Cai Mao was taken aback, not expecting Liu Qi to be so direct. He looked around at the people: "According to the rules, the eldest son should naturally be chosen, but the eldest son's health..." Liu Qi interrupted him: "I am in good health."

Cai Mao's smile froze, and the hall fell silent. Kuai Yue coughed, "Young Master, General Cai is only thinking of Jingzhou. If your health can't hold up, the burden of the eight counties of Jingzhou..." Liu Qi looked at him, "Mr. Kuai, I can handle it." Kuai Yue remained silent.

Cai Mao's smile slowly faded: "Young Master, are you going to defy us?" Liu Qi stood up: "General Cai, I have no intention of defying anyone. I am the eldest son, and according to the rules, I should succeed to the throne. If you don't want me to succeed, you must give a reason." Cai Mao stared at him: "A reason? Your poor health is the reason."

Liu Qi smiled, a smile somewhat resembling that of his father, Liu Biao: "General Cai, I know my own health. If you don't believe me, you can find a doctor to examine me." Cai Mao remained silent.

Liu Cong suddenly stood up: "General Cai, my elder brother is right. According to the rules, he should succeed to the throne." Cai Mao turned to look at him: "Second Young Master, you..." Liu Cong interrupted him: "I support my elder brother."

Everyone in the hall was stunned. Kuai Yue and Kuai Liang exchanged glances, Han Song lowered his head, and Fu Xun took a step back. Cai Mao's expression changed. He looked at Liu Qi and then at Liu Cong: "Young masters, was this something we discussed beforehand?" Liu Qi didn't speak, and neither did Liu Cong.

Cai Mao sneered, "Fine, fine." He turned to leave, but stopped at the door. "My lords, have you thought this through? The affairs of Jingzhou are not for you two to decide." He pushed open the door and went out, his personal guards following him. Kuai Yue and the others stood there, unsure whether to stay or leave.

Liu Qi looked at them and asked, "Does anyone else have something to say?" Kuai Yue cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Young Master, we'll take our leave now." The group hurriedly left.

Only Liu Qi and Liu Cong remained in the hall. Liu Cong walked to Liu Qi's side: "Brother, he's gone." Liu Qi nodded and said he was gone. Liu Cong looked at him: "He'll come back." Liu Qi hummed in agreement and said, "I know."

---

At noon, in a courtyard west of Xiangyang City, Zhang Song and Fa Zheng sat facing each other, with two bowls of tea in front of them, neither of them drinking.

Zhang Song spoke up: "Have you heard? Liu Qi and Liu Cong joined forces and shut Cai Mao down in the hall this morning." Fa Zheng nodded, saying he had heard. Zhang Song took a sip of tea: "Cai Mao won't let this go easily. He has a navy and men like Kuai Yue and Kuai Liang. In a head-on confrontation, the Liu brothers can't beat him."

Fa Zheng looked at him: "What do you want to say?" Zhang Song put down his teacup: "I want to say that we should go." Fa Zheng thought for a moment: "When?" Zhang Song said tonight, take advantage of the chaos to leave the city, the city gates are not yet closed and Cai Mao will not be able to care about us. Fa Zheng nodded and said okay.

Zhang Song took out the map from his pocket and looked at it again: "Xiaozhi, how do you think Liu Bei will treat us?" Fa Zheng stood up and walked to the window: "I don't know. But it's better than being here."

---

At Shenshi (3-5 PM), at the east gate of Xiangyang City, Zhuge Liang stood by the gate watching the people coming and going. Zhao Yun approached: "Kongming, when are we going into the city?" Zhuge Liang shook his head, saying they weren't going in. Zhao Yun was taken aback: "Not going into the city? Then what are we doing here?" Zhuge Liang pointed into the distance, saying he was waiting for someone. Zhao Yun looked in the direction he was pointing but saw nothing: "Waiting for whom?" Zhuge Liang didn't answer.

---

At dusk, in the inn, Zhuge Liang and Zhao Yun sat facing each other. Zhao Yun spoke, "Kongming, who are you waiting for?" Zhuge Liang took a sip of tea, "Two people." Zhao Yun asked which two. Zhuge Liang put down his teacup, "One is named Zhang Song, and the other is named Fa Zheng." Zhao Yun was taken aback, "Who are they?" Zhuge Liang said, "They're from Yizhou, and they have something in their hands."

Zhao Yun was about to ask another question when there was a knock at the door. Zhuge Liang stood up: "Coming."

---

At the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), at the entrance of the inn, Zhuge Liang opened the door. Two men stood outside, one short and stout, the other tall and thin. The short, stout one bowed slightly: "Mr. Zhuge?" Zhuge Liang nodded: "Mr. Zhang?" Zhang Song nodded: "Indeed." Zhuge Liang stepped aside: "Please come in."

The four men sat down in the room. Zhang Song took out a map from his robes and spread it on the table: "Mr. Zhuge, this is a complete map of Yizhou. I spent three years drawing it." Zhuge Liang looked down at the map; every mountain, pass, city, and road was clearly marked. He looked up at Zhang Song: "Mr. Zhang, what do you need?" Zhang Song looked at him: "We want to see Lord Liu." Zhuge Liang nodded: "Alright."

---

At 9 PM, Xiangyang City had quieted down. Liu Qi and Liu Cong sat in the room, neither of them asleep. Liu Cong spoke up, "Brother, has there been any movement from Cai Mao's side?" Liu Qi shook his head and said no. Liu Cong looked at him, "He won't just let it go like that." Liu Qi nodded and said, "I know."

Footsteps sounded outside the door, and a servant ran in: "Young Master, Second Young Master, General Cai has sent someone." Liu Qi stood up: "Let him in." A soldier in armor walked in, holding a letter in his hand: "Young Master, General Cai sent me with a letter."

Liu Qi took the letter and opened it. The letter was short, containing only a few sentences: "Young Master, the matter of Jingzhou needs further discussion. I invite both gentlemen to my residence for a meeting tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM). Cai Mao."

Liu Qi handed the letter to Liu Cong. Liu Cong's expression changed after reading it: "Brother, we can't go." Liu Qi remained silent. The soldier was still standing there: "Young Master, General Cai said he absolutely must invite the two young masters to grace us with his presence." Liu Qi looked at him: "I know. Go back and tell General Cai we will arrive promptly at Chenshi (7-9 AM) tomorrow." The soldier saluted and left.

Liu Cong panicked: "Brother, are you crazy? That's a trap!" Liu Qi sat down: "I know." "Then why are you going?" Liu Qi looked at him: "If I don't go, he'll have an excuse to attack. If I go, there's still a chance." Liu Cong was speechless. Liu Qi patted his shoulder: "Second brother, don't be afraid, we'll go together."

---

At midnight, in the inn, Zhang Song and Fa Zheng had already settled in. Zhuge Liang sat by the window, gazing at the night sky. Zhao Yun approached: "Kongming, are those two men trustworthy?" Zhuge Liang thought for a moment: "Whether they are trustworthy or not, we'll only know after we see our teacher." Zhao Yun nodded: "Then when shall we return?" Zhuge Liang said: "After Liu Qi's matter is settled." Zhao Yun looked at him: "Can Liu Qi win?" Zhuge Liang didn't answer, only looking at the distant outline of Xiangyang City, blurry in the night.

---

At dawn, the sky began to lighten. Liu Qi stood in the courtyard, watching the sky slowly brighten. Liu Cong walked to his side: "Brother, can't you sleep?" Liu Qi nodded: "Let's go, it's time."

The two men walked out of the courtyard toward Cai Mao's residence. The street was quiet except for the sound of their footsteps. Liu Cong suddenly spoke up: "Brother, what if we don't come back?" Liu Qi didn't answer, but after a few steps he stopped: "Then we won't come back. We brothers will die together."

Liu Cong looked at him, then smiled: "Okay."

On the 21st day of the fifth month of the seventh year of Jian'an, at the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), at the residence of Cai Mao in Xiangyang.

Liu Qi and Liu Cong stood outside the mansion gate, followed only by two servants. Cai Mao's men searched them and then stopped the servants at the gate. "Young Master, Second Young Master, please." Liu Qi stepped inside, with Liu Cong following behind.

They passed through the front courtyard and entered the main hall, which was already full of people. Kuai Yue, Kuai Liang, Han Song, and Fu Xun were all there, along with seven or eight unfamiliar generals, dressed in armor and with swords at their waists. Cai Mao sat in the main seat and did not rise when he saw them enter; he merely raised his chin and said, "The two young masters have arrived. Please have a seat."

Liu Qi sat down on the left, with Liu Cong next to him. As soon as they sat down, servants brought in wine and dishes, setting out a table. Cai Mao raised his cup: "Gentlemen, there was some misunderstanding about yesterday. I invited you here today to clear it up. Come, have a drink first." Liu Qi picked up his cup but didn't drink: "General Cai, speak plainly."

Cai Mao's smile faltered for a moment as he put down his wine cup. "Since the eldest son is so straightforward, I won't beat around the bush." ​​He stared at Liu Qi. "The eight prefectures of Jingzhou are no small place. Your health isn't good; you can't force yourself to endure it. The second son is young but intelligent, and he has the support of the Kuai family. Let him succeed to the throne, and you can live a carefree life as a young master, with no worries about food or clothing. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Liu Cong clenched his fist, but Liu Qi pressed it down. Liu Qi looked at Cai Mao: "General Cai, my father just died, and his memorial tablet is still there. It's inappropriate for you to be in such a hurry to change the successor." Cai Mao's face changed: "Young Master, I'm doing this for your own good." Liu Qi stood up: "If you're doing this for my own good, then let me succeed to the throne. According to the rules, I am the eldest son."

The hall fell silent. The armored generals stared at Liu Qi, their hands on their sword hilts. Kuai Yue coughed, "Young Master, General Cai is acting out of good intentions. You're not in good health, and you're forcing yourself to be strong. What will happen to Jingzhou if something goes wrong?" Liu Qi looked at him, "Mr. Kuai, I know my own health. If you don't believe me, you can find a doctor." Kuai Yue remained silent.

Cai Mao slammed his hand on the table: "Liu Qi! Don't be so ungrateful!" Liu Qi turned to look at him: "General Cai, so what if I'm ungrateful?" Cai Mao sneered: "So what? Do you think you can walk out this door today?" As soon as he finished speaking, the generals stood up and drew their swords halfway from their waists. Liu Cong also stood up and blocked Liu Qi's path, but Liu Qi pushed him aside and took two steps forward.

"General Cai, if you kill us brothers today, how will you explain yourself to the people of Jingzhou tomorrow? How will you explain yourself to the world?" Cai Mao stared at him. Liu Qi continued, "My father is dead, and we brothers came to your banquet only to die in your mansion. If word gets out that you, Cai Mao, are a treacherous murderer, who will dare to follow you?"

Cai Mao's face flushed red. Kuai Yue stood up to smooth things over: "General Cai, the eldest son has a point. Let's leave it at that for today and discuss it another day." Cai Mao glared at him, then looked at Liu Qi, and finally waved his hand. The generals sheathed their swords.

Liu Qi pulled Liu Cong outside. As they reached the door, Cai Mao's voice came from behind: "Liu Qi, I'll let you off today. But remember, things in Jingzhou won't end so easily." Liu Qi didn't turn around and stepped out the door.

---

At 9:00 AM, Liu Qi and Liu Cong were walking down the street. Liu Cong's hands were still trembling: "Brother, just now..." Liu Qi patted him: "It's alright, it's over." Liu Cong looked at him: "Why aren't you afraid?" Liu Qi didn't answer. His palms were sweaty.

---

At noon, in the inn. After listening to Liu Qi's account of what had just happened, Zhuge Liang nodded: "Young Master Liu, you did the right thing today." Liu Qi looked at him: "Mr. Zhuge, what's next?" Zhuge Liang thought for a moment: "Cai Mao won't let this go. He let you go today because he wasn't prepared. He'll make his move again once he's ready." Liu Qi nodded and said, "I understand."

Zhuge Liang said, "What you need to do now is find people to support you. Not everyone in Xiangyang listens to Cai Mao; Kuai Yue, Han Song, and others each have their own agendas. Go see them one by one, talk to them one by one. Give those who are willing to support you benefits, and don't offend those who aren't." Liu Qi looked at him and asked, "Will it be useful?" Zhuge Liang said, "It will be useful. No matter how capable Cai Mao is, he can't swallow Jingzhou all by himself. As long as someone supports you, he won't dare to act rashly."

Liu Qi stood up and cupped his hands in thanks to him: "Mr. Zhuge, thank you." Zhuge Liang waved his hand: "Young Master Liu, you go ahead and take care of your business. I'll stay here for a couple more days. Come find me anytime if you need anything." Liu Qi nodded and left with Liu Cong.

---

At Shenshi (3-5 PM), in a residence west of Xiangyang City, Zhang Song and Fa Zheng had already packed their things. Zhang Song asked, "Xiaozhi, when are we leaving?" Fa Zheng replied, "Tonight. The city gates close at Youshi (5-7 PM), so we'll leave before then." Zhang Song nodded, "What about Zhuge Liang?" Fa Zheng said, "He already knows. We'll wait for him at the Shili Pavilion outside the city after we leave." Zhang Song tucked the map into his robes, "Let's go."

---

At dusk, at the gates of Xiangyang city, Zhang Song and Fa Zheng mingled slowly among the crowd leaving the city. The soldiers guarding the city glanced at them but didn't stop them. Once outside the city gate, the two quickened their pace towards Shili Pavilion. After walking for half an hour, as darkness approached, they arrived at Shili Pavilion. Sitting inside was Zhao Yun. He saw Zhang Song and Fa Zheng and stood up: "Mr. Zhang, Mr. Fa?" Zhang Song nodded: "General Zhao?" Zhao Yun said: "Kongming told me to wait for you here. Let's go, the horses are ready." The three mounted their horses and headed north.

---

At the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), at Cai Mao's residence, Kuai Yue, Kuai Liang, Han Song, and Fu Xun were gathered together again. Cai Mao sat in the main seat, his face grim: "Liu Qi contradicted me in the hall today; you all saw it." No one spoke. Cai Mao continued, "He dared to contradict me like that; he must have someone backing him up. Tell me, who is it?"

Kuai Yue thought for a moment, then said, "General Cai, Liu Bei's men have arrived from Xuchang." Cai Mao frowned, "Liu Bei?" Kuai Yue nodded, "Zhuge Liang and Zhao Yun arrived in Xiangyang the day before yesterday." Cai Mao's brows furrowed even more, "What are they doing here?" Kuai Yue said, "I don't know. But Liu Qi's stubbornness today is probably related to them."

Cai Mao stood up and paced a few steps in the hall: "Liu Bei... his reach is quite extensive." Kuai Yue looked at him: "General Cai, what should we do now?" Cai Mao stopped: "Keep an eye on Liu Qi. Write down everything he says to everyone. Also, keep a close watch on those two of Liu Bei's men."

---

At 9 PM, thirty li outside Xiangyang City, Zhuge Liang and Zhao Yun met up. Zhang Song and Fa Zheng stood by, waiting for them to speak. Zhuge Liang looked at Zhang Song: "Mr. Zhang, I've seen your map; it's indeed useful." Zhang Song nodded: "Mr. Zhuge, when shall we go to see Lord Liu?" Zhuge Liang said: "Let's leave now. Traveling through the night, we can reach Xuchang in three days." Zhang Song looked at Fa Zheng, who nodded without speaking. The four of them mounted their horses and headed north.

---

At midnight, in Xiangyang City, Liu Qi sat in his room with a list spread out in front of him. It listed the residences of Kuai Yue, Han Song, Fu Xun, and others, marking them one by one. Liu Cong sat beside him: "Brother, are you really going to see them?" Liu Qi nodded: "I'll go see them." Liu Cong looked at him: "What if they're in cahoots with Cai Mao?" Liu Qi said: "Then we'll accept it. How will we know if we don't go see them?" Liu Cong fell silent.

Liu Qi folded the list and put it in his pocket: "Go to sleep. We'll go see Han Song first thing tomorrow morning."

---

At dawn, the sky began to lighten. Liu Qi stood in the courtyard, watching the sky slowly brighten. Liu Cong walked up to him: "Brother, can't sleep?" Liu Qi nodded: "Let's go, it's time."

The two walked out of the courtyard and headed towards Han Song's residence.