Han Xiang

Chapter 308 Liu Bei's trump card
Everyone had a banquet in Dawangzhuang for half a day, and the three people surnamed Liu were basically chatting. The topics changed from military affairs, politics, and finally to family affairs.

Cai Mao was bored, so he took Gong's chance to come to the river to hit the water with stones for entertainment.

As the sun was setting, a fast boat sailed upstream.

Cai Mao quickly went up to check, and found that it was Wenpin scouts who came back to report the letter. He said that Liu Bei's troops had not moved at all, and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were guarding Huyang.

Without the potential threat, Cai Mao's tense nerves also relaxed at this time.

Cai Mao picked up the stone with one hand, bent sideways and threw it towards the surface of the water. The stone was like a dolphin rushing out of the water, continuously splashing waves on the water surface, and five sprays formed a line in an instant.

In the first five-strike combo in his life, Cai Mao's mood suddenly improved. The happiness of a man is as simple as that.

Returning to sit next to Kuai Yue, I heard Liu Bei complaining in front of Liu Biao, lamenting that the first half of his life was wasted, and he had no heirs in his forties.

Liu Biao said comfortingly, "Xuande, don't worry. You are now in your prime and healthy. It is the right time to make contributions and have children. Besides, Jingxiang is a good place to raise your family. I guess my nephew must have been born in Jingzhou."

"According to elder brother's auspicious words." Liu Bei nodded happily, followed Liu Biao's words and asked: "I wonder how much elder brother has children?"

Liu Biao answered, "There are three men and one woman."

Liu Bei sighed: "There are so many children and many blessings. Jingxiang is indeed a good place."

"Haha, don't be afraid of Xuande's jokes. Except for the eldest son Liu Qi who was born in other places, the rest of the children were all born in Jingzhou. He was over fifty at that time." Liu Biaoyan stretched out his palm, with a little pride on his face.

"I admire you"

Liu Bei hurriedly cupped his fists to compliment him. He managed to bring the topic to his children, so he seized the opportunity to continue asking: "So, the eldest son is far behind the rest of his younger brothers and sisters in age?"

Liu Biao nodded in affirmation: "Qi'er is already in her twenties, and now she is married and has children, and his son is only one year older than his second brother."

"Twenty to seven, I think he is a young hero."

Liu Ye prepared two strategies for Liu Bei, one was to give Liu Biao the clothes and belts, and the other was to trick the eldest son Liu Qi,

Liu Bei can use Yuzhou Mu's identity to recommend Liu Qi Xiaolian or Maocai. This can be regarded as an exchange, and it is Liu Bei's most powerful killer.

I believe that Liu Biao can't refuse, even if he pretends to be false and reciprocates, he will give him a place to settle down.

Just when Liu Biao was about to respond modestly, Liu Ye resolutely opened his mouth to assist Liu Bei: "27 years old, that is, the third year of Xiping's birth? Is it such a coincidence?"

"What does Zi Yang mean?" Liu Biao looked curious.

Liu Ye replied: "I was also born in the third year of Xiping, the same age as the Eldest Prince."

"Hehe, what a coincidence." Liu Biao smiled awkwardly. He originally wanted to praise his son, but now he couldn't say it: "You are both 27 years old. Ziyang is already well-known in Jianghuai, but Quanzi is forgetful. It is incomparable."

"Your Majesty's words made me ashamed. If Xu Zijiang hadn't given a comment, how would you have heard of Liu Ye's name?"

After Liu Ye was modest and courteous, he frowned and looked at Liu Biao and asked, "I heard that there are many famous people in Xiangyang, why doesn't the lord let the eldest son visit more often?"

"Gou'er has little talent and learning, how can he bother celebrities, let's forget about these, let's continue drinking."

Thinking of this, Liu Biao felt depressed. When he went to Jingzhou, he heard about Lord Pang De's name. He sent people to search for him several times but was rejected.

Liu Ye deliberately poked Liu Biao's pain points, adopting the strategy of suppressing first and then promoting, laying the groundwork for Liu Bei's subsequent recommendation.

Cai Mao heard Liu Biao's displeasure, and felt that the time was almost up, so he got up and interrupted everyone, and suggested: "Brother-in-law, you and the emperor's uncle have been together for almost a day, and it's going to be dark outside, why don't you stop the banquet and stop drinking?" Go back to Xiangyang earlier to discuss the settlement? It will also save tens of thousands of people from waiting."

Liu Biao nodded in agreement, "What Degui said is true, what does Xuande think?"

"Naturally listen to brother's arrangement."

"Then let's stop here. Xuande will go back to Huyang and wait. I will discuss the results as soon as possible."

"I'll send my brother aboard."

After everyone was warm and courteous, Liu Bei sent Liu Biao and his entourage to the boat, and returned to Huyang overnight.

In the blink of an eye, it was late September, seven or eight days had passed since the meeting at Dawangzhuang.

Liu Bei walked around the river and road every day, waiting for the messenger like a watchman, but there was no news from Xiangyang, and he gradually lost his composure.

One evening, Liu Bei called Liu Ye to the river, and asked with a sad face, "Zi Yang, Liu Jingsheng hasn't heard from you for so long. Did we rush too last time? If there is no result, why don't we wait endlessly?" go down?"

Liu Ye shook his head and said, "It's not urgent at all, maybe it's too late."

Liu Bei was surprised and asked: "But why?"

"If 5 people come to Jingzhou, how can Liu Jingsheng not be suspicious? Besides, the more Cai Mao and Kuai constrain each other, the more humble you are, the more you will be feared, so you can only do the opposite." Liu Ye stroked his beard with a solemn expression.

Liu Bei seemed to understand but half understood, so he continued to ask for advice: "Please explain clearly, sir."

"In the past, Wang Jian was ordered to attack Chu, and his 60 troops were ready to go, but he asked for good fields and beautiful houses several times, why? It was nothing more than to dispel the suspicion of the Qin Emperor." Liu Ye shook his head and sighed: "The meeting that day will make you more proactive. "

"The matter has come to this, what can we do?"

"It's okay, if you are anxious here, why don't you go to Xiangyang and wait?"

Liu Bei was startled when he heard this, and quickly frowned and asked, "Are you in a hurry? If we arrive without invitation, we might be suspected of being forced into the palace."

Liu Ye laughed and said, "Your Majesty, you forgot about Eldest Young Master? This road is open early, but I can use an excuse to visit Liu Jingsheng's family. I don't think he has any reason to refuse."

"Alright." Liu Bei nodded lightly: "Tomorrow, I will ask Gongyou to go to Xiangyang to communicate first."

Liu Ye waved his hands and said, "You don't need to go to such trouble. You can take dozens of horses and go directly to Xiangyang just like Dawangzhuang did back then. You can catch Cai Mao and Kuai Yue by surprise."

Liu Bei agreed with his plan, so he asked Sun Qian and Mi Zhu to prepare gifts, and a group of hundreds of people went to Xiangyang "abruptly".

Liu Biao harvested the clothes and belts in Dawangzhuang, and when he returned to Xiangyang, he planned to choose a place for Liu Bei. However, Cai Mao and Kuai Yue were in charge of Jingzhou's military affairs, and they had a way to keep Liu Biao busy, so they delayed Liu Bei's affairs.

In early October, Liu Bei suddenly appeared in Xiangyang, which caught Cai Mao and Kuai Yue by surprise.

Liu Bei came to the house with gifts, and Liu Biao took Liu Qi out of the house to welcome them out, and held a grand reception with a family banquet.

During the dinner, Liu Biao said many times that he was busy with state affairs and that Liu Bei's matter was still under discussion. He was polite and courteous at all, but as the leader of Jingzhou, he didn't mean to blame himself at all.

Because of Liu Bei's uninvited arrival, the host felt that he was forced into the palace, and Liu Biao's suspicion and unhappiness were finally shattered by the promise of Maocai in the mouth of the guest.

(End of this chapter)