"My lord, Zhang Xiu is really not a good person. No wonder Cao Cao secretly sent a letter to my lord saying that he had the intention of rebelling.”Wang Wei said fiercely.
"My lord, I think we should take advantage of Zhang Xiu's lack of vigilance and lead the army to attack him.”
"My lord, you can't. Have you forgotten that the Son of Heaven is now in the hands of Cao Cao?
This edict was only issued by Cao Cao in the name of the emperor. If Zhang Xiu really colluded with them, why would he plunder more than ten counties in Yingchuan?
This was just Cao Cao's plan to drive the tiger to swallow the wolf.”
Kuai Liang cupped his fists and explained.
"Are you saying that this is all Cao Cao's scheme?”
Liu Biao narrowed his eyes and thought deeply. He didn't think too much about it just now, but now that he thought about it, it was probably related to Cao Cao.
"Naturally, the third party benefits from the fight between the snipe and the clam.”
"Of course, we must guard against Zhang Xiu. My lord, you can wait for three days. If Zhang Xiu accepted the edict and did not express his stance, it meant that he was afraid that he really wanted to seize Jingzhou. In this way, we should step on the river to defeat the enemy and attack Xinye directly.
If he gives the seal to Jing Xiang to show his loyalty, it means that he has no intention of rebelling at the moment. My lord, you can rest assured.
Of course, if the lord is still worried, he can summon someone to test the waters.”
Kuai Liang warmly smiled and said in a deep voice.
"How?"
"Simple. My lord, you can summon Zhang Xiu to Xiangyang to commend him for his contributions to the Northern Expedition against Cao Cao. If he has a guilty conscience, he will not dare to come.”Kuai Liang explained.
Alright, we'll do as Zirou says."
......
Sunset, dusk,
Outside Xiangyang City of Jing Prefecture.
Zhang Xiu and his party changed horses and rode for several hours before they finally arrived at Xiangyang before the city closed.
At this moment, the soldier guarding the city looked at the seal and raised his eyebrows."Are you General Zhang Xiu?"
"Is there a problem?"
Zhang Xiu said expressionlessly.
"No, it's fine. Let them go!"
The tooth general looked at Zhang Xiu as he entered. He narrowed his eyes and waved his hand,"Quickly go to the Cai Residence and tell General Cai that Zhang Xiu is here.”
On the streets of Xiangyang,
The afterglow of the sunset shone on the city.
The light reflected countless pedestrians who were in a hurry. After a day of hard work, they were hungry and exhausted.
The women or children in their homes must have prepared the food long ago and were waiting for them to go home.
Children in this era did not have a childhood. They learned to cook from an early age. Some of the younger girls even had to step on stools to cook.
Other than cooking, they had to learn how to pull weeds, sow seeds, water, deliver food, and so on at the age of six or seven.
For them, the most extravagant thing was to eat something oily during the holidays. The most coveted thing was beef and mutton, but they might not be able to eat this kind of thing once a year.
There were no lights at this time.
There were only some candles, but only the aristocratic families had them.
Watching the sky gradually darken, Zhang Xiu and his party found an inn to stay in. It was definitely not suitable to visit Liu Biao at night, but he had to visit the Cai and Kuai families first.
The Cai Clan was in charge of the army and the Kuai Clan was in charge of the government. If he could get the help of these two clans, this trip shouldn't be a problem.
Meanwhile, in the Cai Residence.
In a study room, two figures were reflected in the flickering candlelight.
"Elder sister, why did Zhang Xiu come to Jing state at this time? Wasn't he afraid that Liu Biao would kill him in anger?”
Cai Mao asked with a puzzled expression.
"Hmph, how can my Cai family have such a stupid person like you?”
Madam Cai's beautiful eyes slightly furrowed as she said angrily.
"Did you treat the imperial edict as a child's play? However, Zhang Xiu's reaction was really fast, so fast that people could not help but be suspicious.”
"Sister, what do you mean?" Cai Mao admired Cai Shi, not only because she was his sister, but also because she was meticulous and thoughtful.
Lady Cai's beautiful eyes lit up, revealing a shrewd look as she said coldly,""I'm afraid this person really has his eyes on the Jing state!”
"You're aiming for the Jing State?" "I'll go and tell the envoy that he can't be allowed to leave." Cai Mao was stunned.”
"Stop!" " You're a navy admiral," Madam Cai said with a frown." But you're so impetuous. When will your brain be worthy of your status?"”
Cai Mao was a little embarrassed by his words. He pursed his lips and did not dare to refute.
"This matter is just my speculation. There is no evidence.”Madam Cai warned, but her expression was solemn as if she was muttering to herself,"I have a premonition that the Jing Prefecture will be in chaos soon.”
"No matter what, our Cai family must seize this opportunity and not let our guard down. In addition, send someone to keep an eye on Zhang Xiu's every move. If there's any news, report back at any time.”
Just as he finished speaking, outside the door.
"Patriarch, Zhang Xiu requests an audience.”
"Zhang Xiu?" Cai Mao was surprised.
I was just talking about this fellow, and this fellow is already here?
"Let him come over!" Madam Cai said coldly.
"Yes!" the butler replied.
"Elder sister, why is Zhang Xiu visiting you so late at night?”Cai Mao raised his thick eyebrows and asked.
"Ha, he hastened to Xiangyang only to dispel Liu Biao's doubts. My Cai clan's words are of great weight in Xiangyang. If he had my Cai clan's help, things would naturally be much simpler.”
Madam Cai said as she crossed her hands over her abdomen.
"Alright, wait for my signal later.”
Not long after, outside the study.
Looking at the unique study room, Zhang Xiu was quite surprised because it was impossible for a normal guest to be in the study room. However, when he saw the person inside, he came to a realization.
Cai Mao wasn't surprised, but that woman, Cai Shi!
As Liu Biao's wife, it was not normal for her to return to the Cai family in the middle of the night. Naturally, she could not receive guests in the hall, or else people would inevitably gossip.
"Greetings, General Cai and Madam Cai.”Zhang Xiu cupped his fists.
"General Zhang, there's no need to be so polite!"
Madam Cai raised her hand and said coldly.
Zhang Xiu stood up and looked at Madam Cai. He couldn't help but blurt out,""I haven't seen you for many days. Furen has become more seductive…cough cough, more beautiful!”
Cai Mao: "???"
"Sister, you know each other? Where did you meet him?"
Cai shi's cold face flushed a little, but it was not easy to notice.
She glared at Cai Mao and said coldly,""Don't ask what you shouldn't ask."
She couldn't possibly say that she and Zhang Xiu met in Liu Biao's room, right? Moreover, they had even "chanted the goose" together. It was very intense.
"General Zhang, you praise me too much. I am old and yellow, how can I be beautiful?”Madam Cai sighed and added.
"Haha, Furen is just as beautiful. Her every move carries a charm that makes people reminisce endlessly!”Zhang Xiu teased.
Originally, he had already thought of what to say to Cai Mao, but he didn't expect Cai Shi to be there. She was a stunner, but she didn't admit it when she lifted her skirt. She was too cold and elegant.
Cai Mao: "!!!"
The words that his sister and Zhang Xiu had said made him feel a little confused. He kept feeling that something was wrong, but he couldn't figure out what the problem was.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]