After listening to Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong's analysis, Liu Jue's train of thought became clearer and clearer.
Cao Cao had sent an envoy to Jingzhou this time, and his target was likely to be him!
Thinking about it carefully, Cao Cao had basically pacified the north. Whether it was the Gongsun family of Liaodong or Han Sui of Liangzhou, they were not much of a threat to Cao Cao.
Therefore, Cao Cao's next step was to pacify the south of the Yangtze River.
Since he had already decided to go south, Cao Cao naturally hoped that things would go as smoothly as possible. He didn't wish for any major trouble. It would be best if Liu Biao and Sun Quan surrendered.
Liu Jue had defeated Zhou Yu and seized the four cities of Chaisang. Both Jiangdong and Jingzhou were shocked by this.
When Cao Cao heard this news, it was impossible for him not to react.
In addition, Liu Jue was the son of Liu Biao, the son of a vassal. He had the possibility of splitting up a region. The best example was Sun Quan in Jiangdong.
Thus, Cao Cao had already begun to consider the threat that Liu Jue might pose to the Southern Expedition.
Of course, Cao Cao could not predict the future, nor did he know that in history, he would be defeated at Red Cliff. This was only an instinctive way to reduce the risk.
Therefore, Cao Cao wanted to deal with Liu Jue at this time. The most likely way was to let Liu Jue go to Xuchang as a hostage and imprison him.
As for the reason, he could just randomly find one.
Liu Jue would definitely not give a damn about Cao Cao, so the final result would probably be Cao Ren's army from Wan City.
Cao Ren was a general under Cao Cao, and he commanded 20,000 soldiers in Wan City. Even Zhou Yu's soldiers were slightly inferior.
On the second day, the Jingzhou officials led by Liu Biao had already ordered people to set up incense tables to welcome the emissary of the emperor.
"My lord, the emissary of the emperor is almost at Xiangyang City. Aren't we going to go out of the city to welcome him?”Cai Mao cupped his hands and said to Liu Biao. It was the most basic etiquette to go out of the city to welcome the emperor.
"Thief Cao has sent people over this time with ill intentions. There's no need to make it too grand.”Liu Biao shook his head slightly.
Liu Biao was a relative of the Han clan and a vassal. Naturally, he regarded Cao Cao as a bandit. With Liu Jue's influence, how could he be nice to Cao Cao?
Liu Jue nodded his head. Although Liu Biao had lost his ambition to conquer the world due to his old age, he was still very tough when facing Cao Cao.
Cai Mao couldn't help but feel worried, but since Liu Biao had said so, he couldn't say anything more.
At the same time, a group of carriages and horses, escorted by hundreds of guards, was slowly approaching Xiangyang City from the north.
Two people in their thirties sat in one of the carriages.
The person on the left had a dignified appearance. He wore a dark robe and had a sword hanging from his waist. He had a military aura.
The person on the right was a pale-faced scholar. Although he looked good, his expression gave people a feeling of superiority.
These two were the messengers sent by Cao Cao. Tian Yu, the chief envoy, and Liu Rang, the deputy envoy.
Liu Rang was also a relative of the Han clan, but his official position was not high. He looked outside the carriage and could not help but snort coldly."Brother Guorang, everyone says that Jiangnan is a barren land, and now it seems that it is indeed so.”
"Why do you say that?" Tian Yu raised his eyebrows and asked.
"That Liu Biao is also a relative of the Han clan and is in charge of Jingzhou on behalf of the emperor. Now that we are waiting for the emperor's emissary to arrive, he doesn't come out of the city to welcome us.”
Liu Rang snorted heavily and said in dissatisfaction,"Not only does he not know etiquette, he is simply heartless! He doesn't put Tian Zi in his eyes at all."
Tian Yu shook his head and smiled, not expressing his opinion on Liu Rang's words.
Liu Rang was actually a subordinate of the emperor, Liu Xie. Although the Han Dynasty existed in name only, and the emperor had become a puppet, there were always one or two people who were loyal to the death. This Liu Rang was one of them.
On this diplomatic mission to Jingzhou, the Emperor Liu Xie had placed Liu Rang in.
The purpose was very obvious. He wanted Liu Rang to secretly contact Liu Biao and cause some trouble in private.
Tian Yu saw through it and did not say anything. This Liu Rang was sanctimonious, his character was sharp and mean, and his ability was also quite ordinary.
Liu Biao did not go out of the city to welcome him, but Liu Rang was already dissatisfied. What great things could this kind of person do?
It could be seen that there were no reliable talents around Liu Xie.
Liu Rang saw that Tian Yu was smiling but not saying a word, and anger instantly rose in his heart.
"Tian Guorang, I'll let you be proud for a moment now. When the emperor comes to power in the future, he'll definitely exterminate you traitors!”Liu Rang thought hatefully in his heart.
As a relative of the Han clan, Liu Rang had a natural sense of superiority. However, the one in full control now was a person surnamed Cao.
In addition, Liu Rang thought highly of himself, but he didn't have much ability. He couldn't get Cao Cao's favor, so he slowly moved closer to the emperor, Liu Xie.
Liu Rang was still fantasizing in his heart that he would be able to soar and become one of the three dukes when the emperor personally ruled in the future.
One had to admit that Liu Rang was very na?ve. Moreover, he was not the only one who was na?ve. The current emperor, Liu Xie, was also na?ve.
As Liu Xie gradually grew up, he became more and more dissatisfied with being controlled by Cao Cao. He pondered how to take over the power all day long.
Previously, Liu Xie had issued a decree, but he did not expect it to be discovered by Cao Cao. In the end, not only was Dong Cheng killed, but even the pregnant Consort Dong did not escape.
Now, he took advantage of the opportunity when Cao Cao sent an envoy to Jingzhou to place Liu Rang as the deputy envoy. He wanted Liu Biao to be his foreign aid and save the emperor from the fire and water.
It was just that Liu Xie's taste was not good. He found an unreliable Liu Rang. Now, before Liu Rang entered Xiangyang City, he had already begun to hate Liu Biao.
"When we enter the city later, we must reprimand Liu Biao. We are both relatives of the Han clan, but he doesn't even know the slightest etiquette. How can he help the emperor achieve great things?”
Liu Rang gritted his teeth and thought that in his opinion, the world was still surnamed Liu. Cao Cao was only a powerful minister for a while, and the future ruler was still the emperor, Liu Xie.
At that time, with the emperor Liu Xie's talent and strategy, he would definitely wipe out the rebels and restore the Liu family's territory.
"When I return to Xuchang, I will have to go against him in front of the emperor to resolve the hatred in my heart!”As Liu Rang thought this, the carriage entered Xiangyang City.
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