Chapter 20: A Blockbuster
In Xiangyang City, when Liu Pan received the news of troop deployment, he jumped up with joy and rushed to the government office to report the news to Liu Biao.
"What? You...say it again!" Liu Biao sat up from the bed, his messy white beard trembling.
"Dalang defeated Cao's army, captured Cao Ren alive, and captured Nanyang!"
"Okay, great!" Liu Biao looked excited and murmured: "My son is not a thing in the pool, so good!"
After a period of recuperation, Liu Biao's condition improved slightly. Although he still felt sorry for Mrs. Cai occasionally, when he learned that the medicine had been tampered with, he hated the Cai family even more.
Liu Pan said: "Da Lang is preparing to mobilize 30,000 troops to support Wancheng and fight against Cao's thieves."
"Thirty thousand?" Liu Biao was furious.
Liu Pan hurriedly explained: "Uncle, Nanyang does not have enough troops. If Cao's army comes to attack..."
"You think the military is just child's play?" Liu Biao said dissatisfied: "At least 50,000 troops must be transferred."
Liu Pan nodded and said: "What my uncle said is absolutely true. I will mobilize the troops right away."
"Wait a minute!" Liu Biao ordered: "We must also raise food and grass from various places as soon as possible to fully support Dalang in resisting Cao Cao."
"Yes!" Liu Pan was overjoyed and left.
"Dalang..." Liu Biao opened the quilt, got off the bed, staggered to the window, bathed in the warm spring light, and burst into tears without realizing it: "Mr. Liu has a daughter-in-law!"
Not long ago, he entered Jingzhou on horseback. He was so high-spirited and full of ambition.
But after Jingzhou was pacified, he was old and frail, and saw that his two sons were useless, so he gradually lost his ambition. Even if he wanted to dominate, what was the use?
There is nothing more grieving than death. I just want to keep Jingzhou, enjoy my old age, and protect my children.
Now I suddenly saw Liu Qi's change in temperament. After getting rid of Cai, he took over Nanyang in the blink of an eye. It was like a different person.
When Liu Biao was critically ill and desperate, he saw new hope. It was like the sun cleared the clouds and his condition improved.
All parents hope that their children will succeed. It is rare for Liu Qi to have such ambitions, so he will naturally support him with all his strength, even if it costs the whole of Jingzhou.
Anyway, this piece of land has almost been usurped by Cai Mao. Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Sun Quan are all coveting it. Instead of letting them snatch it away in the future, it is better to make a big gamble.
As Liu Pan mobilized his troops, news of the war in Nanyang swept through Xiangyang like a spring breeze and spread throughout Jingzhou. The officials and the people were pleasantly surprised, but also mixed with joy and sorrow.
Liu Qi became famous in one battle, but it also meant that he offended Cao Cao!
Now that Cao Cao has pacified the north, dominated the Central Plains, and occupied half of the country, he will surely usher in thunderous revenge. Can Liu Qi stop him?
In the courtyard of the Kuai Family Mansion, Kuai Liang sat under the sycamore tree, looking at the young leaves growing on the bare branches. Kuai Yue stood aside and waited for his answer.
After a long time, Kuai Liang sighed softly and said slowly: "Liu Qi kept a low profile and succeeded in making a big splash. With the help of Guan Zhang, Xu Shu and others, he was even better than his father. My ancestor of the Kuai family was dealing with troubled times and plotted with King Qi to divide the world into three parts.
The plan of tripod and foot is that now Sun and Cao each occupy one side, and Liu Qi is entrusted by Liu Bei to establish the Han Dynasty alone. By taking Jingchu, we can form the power of tripod and complete the achievements of our ancestors!"
Kuai Yue's eyes gleamed slightly, and he bowed and said, "What brother said is absolutely true."
The two brothers nodded tacitly. Liu Qi's rise was unstoppable. From now on, the only way to become a king or defeat a bandit was to be tied to him.
…
In Shuijing Villa, the music of the piano is heard, and the air is refreshing.
In the back garden, there is a clear spring in the bamboo forest and fresh green vegetation. In the pavilion, a young man in white clothes is playing the piano with his head lowered on the stone bed.
Suddenly I heard someone laugh and say: "The rhyme of Kong Ming's Qin suddenly changes into a turbulent tone. There must be something on his mind!"
A person walked out of the pine forest, it was Sima Hui, holding an orchid in his hand and planting flowers there.
The young man raised his head and saw that he was like a crown jade, wearing a silk scarf on his head, sword-shaped eyebrows at his temples, his body was as tall and straight as a pine tree, and his temperament was as strong as an orchid.
Hearing this, he couldn't help laughing, shook his head and said, "Master is laughing."
Sima Hui put down the orchid grass, clapped his hands and came over: "Liu Qi is chasing Yuan Zhi under the moon, and now he has defeated Cao Ren and captured Nanyang. He is already in great shape!"
Zhuge Liang looked to the north and said calmly: "Students are so interested in the mountains and forests, how dare they ask about the affairs of the world?"
Sima Hui shook his head and sighed: "The Master said: At thirty, Kong Ming still has no master, and he has wasted his time and lost his talent. Isn't it like this orchid growing among the grass and trees? Although it is a solitary beauty, it will eventually rot with the grass and trees. What a pity!"
"
Zhuge Liang stood by the pool with his hands behind his hands and said with a smile: "Liu Qi can achieve great things with the help of Yuan Zhi, so why should students add unnecessary extravagances?"
Sima Hui stroked his beard and said with a smile: "If a snake adds toes, doesn't it become a dragon?"
Zhuge Liang was startled, then shook his head and said: "Students enjoy farming and hoeing for a long time, and are lazy to deal with the world. They are indifferent and contented."
"Okay!" Sima Hui nodded, put a piece of paper on the table, walked into the pine forest, and laughed: "The golden scales have turned into a dragon, when will the crouching dragon fly?"
Zhuge Liang looked down, his eyes slightly glaring: "Golden scales...are they something in the pool?"
I saw four lines of characters written on it with flying dragons and phoenixes, which was Liu Qi's poem that was recently spread in Jingzhou.
…
In Jiangxia County, since the Wu army was defeated at Xiakou three years ago, Sun Quan was busy pacifying Shanyue and did not send troops again, so the territory was stable.
"The great victory in Nanyang, the eldest son Liu Qi captured Cao Ren alive and raised troops to fight against Cao..."
At this moment, suddenly there was the sound of gongs and drums on the street, and the policemen posted the notice on the street.
The people were moved upon hearing the news, crowded into the streets, and talked about it.
Across South Street, at the entrance of a tavern.
A man was sitting leaning against the threshold, hugging his knees, holding half a bottle of wine in his hand. He raised his head when he heard the sound, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, and an unruly aura.
The purple ribbon made of Sichuan brocade held up her hair, which was full of brilliance, but the look between her eyebrows was full of desolation.
"Liu Qi, how can he defeat Cao Ren?" The man laughed at himself, picked up the wine bottle and took another sip, murmuring: "When will I be able to prosper?"
"Xingba, you are indeed here!" At this moment, a man came from the street, came to the door and pulled him into the tavern.
The bartender recognized this man as Jiangxia Captain Su Fei and hurriedly invited him into the private room.
"Xingba, why are you drinking to drown your sorrows again?" Su Fei sighed helplessly and said anxiously: "Do you know that Jingzhou has changed and the world has turned upside down!"
Gan Ning shook the wine pot and said with a wry smile: "In the wine... there is also a universe."
Su Fei grabbed the wine pot and said seriously: "The sun and the moon are over, how long will life be? You are a hero, how can you be so depressed? You should have great ambitions and meet your confidant again."
A flash of light flashed in Gan Ning's eyes, and then he sighed: "I only hate that a certain young man, relying on some strength, fled to the world and made a big mistake. Although he regretted his past mistakes and changed his ways to do good, he was not tolerated by others.
Although Brother Su knows a certain ambition, what can he do about it?"
Su Fei said: "The sage said: If you know your mistakes and you can correct them, how can you do anything great? In the past, the wise brother did not meet the Ming Lord and was trapped in this situation. It is a pity! Now the Ming Lord has appeared, the Han Dynasty will be prosperous, and achievements are just around the corner. I am here to help.
A good brother lends a helping hand."
Gan Ning paused for a moment, shook his head and sighed: "I have been in Jingzhou for two years and have not been reused. Even if Liu Qi wins against Cao Ren by luck, Liu Biao and his son may not be Cao Cao's opponents."
Chapter completed!