After Yang Hong was taken away, the silence in Jingzhou was frightening. No one said a word because no one knew what Liu Biao was thinking under his gloomy face.
"Why are all of you so silent? Let's talk about the money that Yang Hong's master left in Jingzhou. Should we give it to him or not?" Liu Biao gently knocked on the table but no one answered.
Liu Biao could only call out a name. "Yidu, what do you think?" The number one person under the civil officials was naturally Kuai Yue. Although Kuai Yue had been silent for the past few days, Liu Biao still subconsciously asked Kuai Yue.
"Hm?" Kuai Yue was called by Liu Biao and stepped forward. "This subject thinks that we should return whatever Liu Mang the King Of Shu left in Jingzhou."
Kuai Yue's words made everyone roll their eyes. Wasn't that the same as not saying anything? Yangzhou was clearly asking for compensation for the wine, not the broken house. Even if the broken house was made of gold, it wouldn't be worth more than 100,000 gold.
Liu Biao sighed in his heart. He knew that the Kuai Family was no longer reliable. After he took down Cai Mao, his former right-hand men, the Cai Family and the Kuai Family, were no longer loyal to him.
"My son, Liu Pan, what do you think?" Liu Biao asked his second son.
"Father, this child thinks that Yangzhou is a scoundrel. What is so precious about him? It is complete nonsense. This child thinks that we shouldn't give it to him. Furthermore, we should kill Yang Hong as a sacrifice to let that brat Liu Mang know that Jingzhou isn't a place where he can come and go as he pleases." Liu Pan cupped his fist and said to Liu Biao. Liu Pan was now the successor of Jingzhou. Taking money from Liu Biao was the same as taking it from Liu Pan's pocket. It would be strange if Liu Pan did not feel distressed.
"That's right, my lord. Let's kill that old man Yang Hong as a sacrifice to the heroes of our Jing Province who perished in the Yangtze River!" Liu Pan's subordinates were all from the pro-war faction. The more Yangzhou pressured them, the better Liu Pan's group would be able to obtain Jing Zhou's support.
"Yes! Kill, good kill! When Yangzhou's army came down south, we had to rely on General Liu Pan's 100,000 new recruits who had just learned how to crawl to resist Yangzhou's endless elites. In the end, we had to watch General Liu Pan devise strategies to win the battle from a thousand li away, destroying his powerful enemies with a smile. " Huang She also spoke. He said it with a sneer. On the surface, he seemed to be praising Liu Pan, but in reality, he was mocking Liu Pan.
The moment Huang She spoke, Chang Shang fell silent. An army of 100,000 soldiers? Although there were 100,000 soldiers in Jing Province, everyone knew that they were just a bunch of new recruits. It was one thing to expect them to defend the city, but you want them to go out and fight? Didn't you see the battle at the Yangtze River Bandits? Liu Pan led fifty thousand soldiers out, how many were left when he returned? How could such a force resist Yangzhou's elites?
"My army of 100,000 is not enough. We can form a hundred and fifty thousand, two hundred thousand. Our Jing Province has a population of a million. Do we still need to fear that little brat Liu Mang?" Liu Pan said angrily.
The sneer on Huang She's face became even thicker. In the end, Liu Pan still wanted to expand his army. A hundred thousand soldiers was not enough for him to eat. He still wanted two hundred thousand, three hundred thousand. With Jing Province's overall mobilization ability, they could really arm three hundred thousand soldiers. At that time, they would be able to fight against Yangzhou. However, this was not in line with Huang She's interests. Once Liu Pan took control of the three hundred thousand soldiers, there would be no place for the Huang Clan in Jing Province.
"Yes, yes, with an army of three hundred thousand, we can definitely fight that little brat Liu Mang to the death. After the battle, we can all wait for Cao Cao from the north to go south. In the end, we can all slit our throats or open the gates of Xiangyang and wait for that Cao Cao to leave us with our lives." Huang She said to the civil and military officials below.
That's right! Not only was there Liu Mang, this wolf, eyeing Jing Province covetously, there was also Cao Cao, this fierce tiger. When Cao Cao went south, the entire Jing Province was on guard. If it wasn't for the fact that Cao Cao was muddle-headed and wanted to sleep with Zhang Xiu's aunt, Cao Cao, Jing Province might not be able to sleep under Cao Cao's nose.
"Then according to your words, Huang She, you want to agree to this little brat Liu Mang's request? Ninety thousand gold! How many armies can this gold build? How many provisions can this gold buy? How many warships can this gold buy? Are you trying to fund the enemy? In the end, you can only use firewood to extinguish the fire and burn yourself. " Liu Pan retorted. Although giving Yangzhou money could provide stability for a while, it couldn't provide stability for the rest of their lives. Even if they gave Yangzhou money, after Yangzhou expanded their army, they would still attack Jing Province.
"Haha, what we want is this period of stability!" Huang She stood up and said to his Lord, Liu Biao. "My Lord, although my army has a hundred thousand strong, they are all new soldiers. They can only defend the city walls and cannot go out to fight. Therefore, my army needs time. We need enough time to train these hundred thousand soldiers. Only when my hundred thousand elite soldiers are formed can we compete with that little brat, Liu Mang, on the Yangtze River! " Yangzhou needed time, but Jing Province didn't need time. Jing Province's hundred thousand soldiers were just for show.
"My Lord, Xu Du Cao Cao has sent a letter!" Huang She dropped another heavy bomb.
"Xu Du Cao Cao?" Liu Biao froze for a moment.
"Men, bring Xu Du's Angel here." Huang She shouted to his subordinates.
"Yes!" Soon, two scholars were escorted by three armored soldiers to the hall of Jing Province's volunteers.
"By the will of the heavens, this Angel has come to Jing Province to announce a decree. Governor of Jing Province, Liu Biao, quickly kneel and welcome me!" If one looked carefully, this Angel was the one who had almost been beaten to death by Liu Mang. Cao Cao's envoy had changed his appearance and used makeup to cover up the injuries on his face. Then, he brought his deputy envoy to Jing Province. He still looked the same.
However, Liu Biao still gave face to this Cao Cao's envoy. After all, Jing Province still obeyed the orders of the Emperor of Han. Whether it was Cao Cao or the Emperor of Han, they were both much more powerful than him.
Therefore, Liu Biao still got down from the main seat and half-knelt, "This old subject, Governor of Jing Province, Liu Biao, greets the envoy and awaits the decree!"
Xu Du's envoy was very satisfied, "By the will of the heavens, the Emperor of Han decrees that Governor of Jing Province, Liu Biao, is experienced and prudent. Jing Province has been in his hands for dozens of years, and Jing Province is prosperous and strong. He is very pleased. Henceforth, Governor of Jing Province, Liu Biao will be promoted to the position of Governor of Jing Province. He will be promoted to the East Guarding General and will be in charge of our Jing Shu. “
He was promoted? Before Liu Biao could react, the Angel had already shouted, "Governor of Jing Province, no, it should be East Guarding General. Quickly receive the decree."
"Envoy, isn't this East Guarding General the King Of Shu, Liu Mang?" Liu Biao asked doubtfully.
"Hmph! That little brat Liu Mang, that King Of Shu, the Emperor of Han naturally has his own plans! "Xu Du's Angel coldly snorted.
After knowing that Jiang Dong was promoted to East Guarding General, Liu Biao somewhat understood the meaning.
"What does Cao Sikong want this old subject to do?" Liu Biao asked.
"There is no need to do anything. Just do your job as a general and guard the southeast of our Great Han. If there are any rascals who want to touch the southeast, I hope that the East Guarding General and the East Guarding General can put aside their previous enmity and rely on each other." Xu Du's Angel said to Liu Biao.
Rascals? When he heard these two words, Liu Biao understood who was the biggest threat to Jingchu. Naturally, it was Yangzhou. The East Guarding General was given to Liu Biao, and the East Guarding General was given to Jiangdong. This was to let Jiangdong and Jingzhou form an alliance. This way, they would be able to resist Yangzhou's invasion together. Jingzhou had money, and Jiangdong had good soldiers. This was a win-win situation.
"Envoy, there is no problem in Jingzhou. What about the Little Overlord, Sun Ce?" Liu Biao asked. He, Liu Biao, had a feud with Sun Ce for killing his father. Would Sun Ce unify the alliance?
"There is no need for the general to worry about this. Our Cao Sikong will naturally make a decision."
Liu Biao nodded. Seeing the confidence of the Envoy, he ordered someone to arrange for the Envoy of Xu Du.
This was Cao Sikong's decision. Liu Biao did not need to think about it if Jiangdong and Jingzhou were to form an alliance.
Liu Biao seemed to be able to see the day when they could resist Yangzhou.
"Milord, as long as Jingzhou and Jiangdong form an alliance, with Jingzhou as the main force, with Jingzhou's wealth and Jiangdong's soldiers, Yangzhou's Liu Mang would not be a threat." Huang She said to Liu Biao.
"What we lack right now is time. If that brat Liu Mang were to recklessly attack Jingzhou, then Jingzhou would have no other choice but to fight to the death. So what if we give that brat Liu Mang tens of thousands of gold? For Jingzhou, it is only a drop in the ocean. Once my army is formed, the one who will cry will be that brat Liu Mang.
What's more, Cao Cao in the north is about to deal with the Yuan family's two brothers. Once Cao Cao goes south, Yangzhou's Liu Mang will have to worry about himself! " Huang She said to Liu Biao with a smile.
Liu Biao was also tempted. It was indeed the most difficult time for Jingzhou. Only by breaking through the current predicament and forming an army of 100,000 would Liu Biao not have to be afraid even if he did not form an alliance with Jiangdong. After all, Liu Mang could fight a protracted war with him. Once it became a protracted war, then Liu Mang could wait for Xu Du's Cao Cao to make a move.
Even Liu Pan seemed to be tempted. Indeed, what he needed now was time to train his troops. Those were all farmers who had put down their hoes for vegetables. It would take a long time to turn them into elites.
"Zhong Ye, what do you think?" Liu Biao looked at Wen Pin, who was silent.
"The army can fight for three months, fight for half a year, fight for a year, and become elites in three to five years!" Wen Pin said.
Liu Biao could not afford to wait for three to five years, but one year was enough.
"Good! We will give you the 90,000 gold! " Liu Biao gritted his teeth and said. Although 90,000 gold was not enough to shake Jingzhou's muscles, it was enough to let Jingzhou breathe a sigh of relief and make Liu Biao's heart ache.
"Since Milord has given Liu Mang 90,000 gold, why don't we add some chips!" Huang She finally revealed his intentions.
"Add some chips?" Liu Biao did not understand.
"That's right. Our Xiangyang region cannot withstand the training of 100,000 soldiers. Therefore, we must have a base. Also, if our army goes to war with Yangzhou, regardless of whether we win or lose, Xiangyang will suffer unnecessary losses." Huang She said to Liu Biao.
"Then what do you mean?"
"We will redeem Jiangling!" Huang She's words shocked everyone.
"Redeem Jiangling?" When Liu Pan heard Huang She's words, he naturally understood Huang She's plan. Not to mention whether Jiangling could be redeemed or not, even if it could be redeemed, then who would be the commander of Jiangling? Needless to say, it would be the Huang father and son, who would be able to enjoy the benefits of being in a favorable position. After all, Jiangling was very close to the five counties of Jingnan. Originally, the Huang father and son already gave Liu Pan a headache. If Jiangling was added to the equation, then Liu Pan would have to endure the Huang father and son even after conquering Jingzhou. "No, Father. Our 100,000 soldiers are enough to train in Xiangyang!"
"After Jiangling, how much space is there for our army? Furthermore, after Jiangling, will there still be any strategic places left to defend? " Huang She also shouted loudly. Right now, Jingzhou is blocking Liu Mang's Army's way of the Yangtze River by sinking warships. Once they pass through Jiangling, Xiangyang will have no way to defend itself. Liu Biao nodded. The reason why Jiangling was chosen as the capital was because of its good defenses.
"Father. This Liu Mang's seven entry and seven exit mansion already cost ninety thousand gold. How much would it cost to build a huge Jiangling? Do we have to empty Jingzhou? "That was right. Liu Mang's residence already cost 90,000 gold. How much would it cost to redeem Jiangling? No matter how rich Liu Biao was, he wouldn't be able to afford it.
"Yidu, what do you think?" Liu Biao asked Kuai Yue who was beside him.
Kuai Yue looked at Huang She and then looked at Liu Pan. Buying Jiangling would be beneficial to the Huang Family. The Huang Family would be able to obtain a fief for no reason. Moreover, they could also use Jiangling's name to annex Liu Pan's military power. If they didn't buy Jiangling, then it would be disadvantageous for the Huang Clan if Liu Pan trained the troops. Kuai Yue thought about it. Although Huang She was a little overboard, he still wanted Liu Zong to succeed the throne. Therefore, the Kuai Clan and the Huang Clan were on the same side. Kuai Yue had an idea.
"Milord, whether Jiangling should be redeemed or not, our words have no effect. We should ask the owner. If the price is right, we can redeem it. If Yangzhou's price is too high, then we will not waste our money." Kuai Yue seemed to want to help both sides, but in fact, he was on Huang She's side. This was because he already had the intention to buy it.
"En! Yidu's words are reasonable! " Liu Biao thought about it and nodded. If the price was suitable, then they would buy it.
"Lord, I will go and invite Mister Yang Hong over!" Huang She cupped his fist and said to Liu Biao.
"It's getting late. Let's talk about it tomorrow!" Liu Biao was tired. After all, he was old and his body couldn't hold on for an entire day.
Huang She saw that Liu Biao had already made up his mind and could only nod his head.
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