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Over the past decade, Liu Biao has only been unable to sleep all night twice. Once, he had just arrived in Jingzhou to take office, and was alone, without soldiers, no food, and no one available. At that time, he could not sleep for several consecutive nights.

Once again, it was tonight. Liu Biao completely broke up with his nephew Liu Jing. He wanted to kill him but failed, but instead was caught and ran away by him. This made Liu Biao feel angry and depressed.

It was not until the failure hit Liu Biao with a heavy blow that his heart was so upset that he finally calmed down, and his stubborn mind gradually began to wake up. He stood in front of the study window and stared at the snowflakes falling in the sky. A thin layer of snowflakes had already accumulated on the trees and flower beds.

Liu Biao knew that the Han River would not freeze and could not stop Liu Jing's ship from going to the east. He should have left now, so he would not stay in a dangerous place again.

Liu Biao sighed softly, feeling a little regretful. He found that he was blinded by his own desires. Liu Jing was his nephew after all.

My nephew wanted to inherit his uncle's career, which was not a big deal. It was normal for him to have such a thought, so why can't he tolerate him?

There is also collusion with Jiangdong, which is obviously a plan of separation from Jiangdong. Two troops that have just ended their bloody battles are only exchanged prisoners of war at most. How can they shake hands and talk about happiness? How can they explain to the soldiers and the subjects?

Liu Biao did not realize that this was Cai Mao's disposal, he only thought that this was Sun Quan's counter-espionage plan.

What made Liu Biao even more regretful was that Jiang Xia was solved in his initial vision, and that was also solved at the same time. He could let another nephew Liu Hu monitor Jiang Xia, just like his brother Liu Pan in Changsha County.

But now that Liu Jing has escaped, Jiangxia has become a big problem. Will Liu Jing be independent by tying troops? Will he lead his army into Changsha County?

Liu Biao thought of Huang Zhong, and his loyalty to him was probably not as good as Liu Jing. This kind of concern for Changsha County was even more heavy on Liu Biao's heart.

Whether it was the regret of family affection or the soberness of reason, Liu Biao fell into a difficult self-blame. The night was deep, and he seemed to be getting older...

I don’t know how long it took, footsteps came from outside the study, and a guard reported outside: “Qi Biju, Liu Biejia asked for a meeting”

Liu Biejia is Liu Xian, the most powerful figure in Jingzhou second only to Cai Mao and Kuai Yue, and is quite trusted by Liu Biao.

Compared to Cai Mao's preference for Liu Cong and Kuai Yue's preference for Liu Qi, Liu Xian belongs to the neutral faction and carefully maintains the balance between Cai Kuai. It is precisely for this reason that when Liu Biao encounters some crises, he is the first to think of him, and tonight is no exception, but Liu Xian comes tonight.

Liu Biao nodded, "Please come in."

Soon, Liu Xian hurried into the study. He was about forty years old and tall. He bowed to Liu Biao and said, "The governor of the state, I have important matters to report."

"What's the matter?" Liu Biao turned around and stared at him.

"Jing Gong just now sent someone to find me, sent me a military newspaper, and asked me to forward a letter to the governor of the state."

"Where is the letter?" Liu Biao asked nervously.

Liu Xian submitted the letter, but Liu Biao took it but did not rush to read it. Instead, he asked first: "What military newspaper did he send?"

Although Liu Xian didn't know that Liu Biao was going to attack Liu Jing, Liu Jing asked him to forward a letter to Liu Biao, and he understood a little in his heart that Liu Jing's hurried departure must be related to Liu Biao.

"Reporting to the governor of the state, Duke Jing said that Jiangdong had increased troops. He was worried about the safety of Jiangxia, so he rushed back to Jiangxia urgently."

Liu Biao smiled bitterly for a while. It was not bad. At least Liu Jing found an excuse to protect both sides.

He sighed and said to Liu Xian: "Don't let me go, Military Advisor Cai found evidence of Liu Jing's affair with Jiangdong. Lu Ji also admitted that Sun Quan and Liu Jing had private contact. The evidence was conclusive. Do you think I would publicly announce this matter in the name of the provincial governor?"

Liu Xian was stunned. Only then did he realize that something big must have happened to Liu Jing's urgent departure, maybe the provincial mu wanted to kill Liu Jing but failed.

He asked in contemplation: "But has the provincial governor considered the consequences of doing this?"

"I've considered it, but I want to hear from you."

"Reporting to the provincial governor, doing so can certainly destroy Liu Jing's reputation, but the people of Jiangxia believe that this is not true. They think it is for the exchange of prisoners of war, and the direct consequence of doing so is Jiangxia.

Not only that, it is very likely that Changsha County will not be able to be preserved, and then the four southern counties will have serious consequences. The provincial governor thought that losing most of Jingzhou would bring about Liu Jing's reputation loss, is it cost-effective?"

Liu Biao did not say anything, which was the contradiction in his heart. Publicizing Liu Jing's collusion with Jiangdong and attacking his reputation would effectively intercept him to seek the position of governor of Jingzhou.

But on the other hand, he and Liu Jing had no room for ease. Liu Jing would inevitably seize Jiangxia and conquer the four southern counties such as Changsha County and Lingling with the support of Jiangdong. This loss would be unbearable for Jingzhou.

Liu Biao had to weigh the pros and cons, and Liu Xian's advice undoubtedly made him bias the balance in his heart towards negotiations. Moreover, in Liu Jing's hands, he was a little afraid of being a mouse.

Liu Biao sighed in his heart, and finally decided to give up revealing Liu Jing's secret. He nodded, sat down slowly, opened the letter and read it. In the letter, Liu Jing promised that he would put Liu Cong back after returning to Jiangxia, but asked him to ensure safety.

Liu Biao knew that Liu Jing was referring to Zhang Yun, but Zhang Yun was already coming to Xiangyang, so there would be no danger. The key is that Liu Jing was willing to let Liu Cong go, which is his most concerned thing.

Liu Biao was relieved and continued to look down. At the end of the letter, Liu Jing mentioned that he hoped that the envoy of Jingzhou would come to Jiangxia to discuss the future of Jiangxia. This sentence made Liu Biao feel refreshed and things were not at the worst.

But after a second thought, Liu Biao realized that the reason why Liu Jing did not turn against him and was willing to continue talking about Jiangxia was not because of his uncle, but because of the fact that he was the governor of Jingzhou. After all, he still wanted to take the position of governor of Jingzhou.

Liu Biao couldn't help but get a little angry again, but this time he restrained himself, pondered for a moment, and said to Liu Xian: "Sit down, let's discuss the matter between Jiangxia."

There are some things that need not be said. Since Liu Jing asked Liu Xian to send a letter to Liu Biao, he implied that Liu Xian would come to Jiangxia for negotiations.

Liu Biao naturally knew that Liu Xian belonged to the neutral faction, and he was indeed the most suitable candidate. Not only did Liu Jing know him, but he also recognized Liu Xian, so the negotiating candidate was decided.

Liu Xian knew very well that he was going to be the middle bridge. He did not refuse, nodded happily, sat down and smiled, "Zhou Mu, I suggest we start with Jiang Xia Shou first."

.........

Tao Zhan was picked up by Liu Jing in the middle of the night. Huang Yueying only knew that something happened in Xiangyang, but she didn't know what happened.

She was worried about Tao Zhan, but the child cried several times at night, which made her unable to sleep well all night and was busy until dawn.

Just as dawn, Huang Yueying was suddenly awakened by a sound in the yard, and then she heard the old servant report: "Madam, the master is back."

Huang Yueying was surprised and quickly got up and walked out of the room. She saw a layer of white snow in the yard. Only then did she realize that it had snowed all night, but at this time she no longer cared about the snow, she only cared about her husband.

At this time, Zhuge Liang walked into the yard wearing a straw hat and a straw raincoat. There was another person behind him, who was also wearing a straw hat and a straw raincoat, dressed in the same way as the two of them.

As soon as he entered the yard, Zhuge Liang smiled and said, "Mom, do you have any hot soup? I walked all night and was cold and hungry, so I was suffering."

"Look at you, why don't you find a place to rest overnight at night? Can't you hurry up during the day?" Huang Yueying couldn't help but complain when she heard her husband ran all night.

The man behind said apologized: "Sister-in-law, it's all my fault. I wanted to stay in Xiangyang, but I missed Guantou and had to travel all night."

Seeing that this person was quite young, only about twenty years old, and seemed to have never seen him before, Huang Yueying asked with a smile: "Husband, this person is this person."

Zhuge Liang patted his forehead and smiled, "I forgot to introduce this person. This person is Dong Xiuzhao, from Zhijiang, Nanjun. I have a good relationship with his father, but they have moved to Shuzhong with their family. I live in his house in Shuzhong."

The young man quickly bowed and bowed, "I'm going to Dong Yun, I've caused trouble for my sister-in-law."

Huang Yueying smiled and replied, "Welcome to Mr. Dong to visit"

At this time, the maid came out of the study and said, "Madam, the brazier has been lit."

Huang Yueying quickly smiled and said, "Husband, hurry up and go to the house to make the fire warm. I'll bring you hot soup."

"How is Aguo?" Zhuge Liang asked about his daughter again.

"She is sleeping soundly. My husband will go to see him later and take a rest."

Zhuge Liang nodded, took off his straw hat and Dong Yun, entered the study room. The two rubbed their hands and sat down next to the brazier. Thinking of what happened last night, Dong Yun asked in confusion: "Brother Kong Ming, what do you think happened last night?"

Zhuge Liang and Dong Yun arrived in Xiangyang in the middle of the night and prepared to stay outside Xiangyang City. Unexpectedly, the outside of Xiangyang City was full of troops and they were not allowed to approach Xiangyang City. They had to go back to Longzhong at night.

Zhuge Liang shook his head and smiled, "I'm not a god. I'm leaving Xiangyang for two months. How do you know what happened last night? Ask me, who will I ask?"

"Husband, please ask me"

Huang Yueying walked in with a vermilion plate. There were two bowls of thick broth in the plate, steaming hot, and it was the thing to drive away the cold. She knelt down and placed the broth on the small table next to the two, and smiled and said, "Do you want to know what happened in Xiangyang last night?"

"How could Mom know?" Zhuge Liang was slightly stunned.

"Because a guest came to our house yesterday, it happened to be related to this."

Huang Yueying smiled at her husband mysteriously, and then said slowly: "Tao Jiuniang came to our house yesterday and planned to stay for a few more days, but an urgent incident happened in the middle of the night last night and was picked up by the soldiers."

Dong Yun didn't know who Tao Jiuniang was, but Zhuge Liang knew that he immediately reacted, "Can something happened to Liu Jing last night?"

Seeing Dong Yun look confused, he quickly explained to him, "Tao Jiuniang is the daughter of Chaisang Tao. She has a good relationship with Yueying. She is also Liu Jing's fiancée."

Dong Yun suddenly realized that it was Liu Jing's fiancée. He pondered for a moment and asked again: "I heard that Liu Jing defeated the main force of the Jiangdong Army in Jiangxia. He should have come to Xiangyang to report his duties. How could the tense incident last night happen?"

Although Dong Yun was in Shu, he knew the general trend of the world, but he didn't know much about the details, but Zhuge Liang's heart was as bright as a mirror.

He shook his head and sighed: "Because Liu Jing is Liu Biao's nephew, his expansion of power in Jiangxia has affected the interests of Liu Qi and Liu Cong. It is probably because the negotiations broke down, or Cai Mao interfered and instigated Liu Biao to take the opportunity to get rid of Liu Jing. These are just two possibilities."

Dong Yun also sighed and said, "If this is true, there may be civil strife in Jingzhou."

"As long as Liu Biao is still there, civil strife will not happen. However, he has been a little stupid in the past two years and has repeatedly made tricks. He conferred Liu Qi to Nanjun, Liu Jing to Chaisang, and Liu Pan to Changsha, which has caused the actual local strength. From ancient times to the present, the local area is strong and the court is weak, and the way to cause chaos."

"Actually, I don't think Liu Biao can do anything. The Jingzhou family is powerful. Liu Biao wants to use his clan to suppress the aristocratic family. He also took great pains to do so. Perhaps this is also a person who controls Jingzhou."

"no"

Zhuge Liang shook his head, "The problem is not here. If Jingzhou was the early Han Dynasty and the world was unified, it would be okay to do this. But the key is that Jingzhou has a great enemy, Jiangdong in the east and Cao Cao in the north. In this case, only by gathering the entire Jingzhou's financial, material and military forces in Xiangyang and clenching into an iron fist, can we have the capital to defend the enemy from outside and protect the territory inside. But now the financial and military forces are dispersed, and an iron fist has become five fingers. How can we control Cao Cao?"

"But didn't Jiangdong defend himself?" Dong Yun said with a smile.

"Liu Jing is an exception. To be honest, he is much stronger than Liu Qi and Liu Cong. If he is the lord of Jingzhou, there would be a glimmer of hope."

Huang Yueying next to him smiled and said, "I heard that Liu Jing wanted to run academy in Jiangxia, and there were only more places, and the salary was generous. Moreover, it was assisted by Lumen Academy. Are you two interested in going to Jiangxia?"

Zhuge Liang shook his head, "I just came back from outside and was exhausted, but I don't want to run away again. Xiu Zhaoruo is interested, so he might as well go and take a look."
Chapter completed!