cite Han

Chapter 437

"My son is not talented, and all the generals are scattered. After I die, Xuande will take control of Jingzhou, unify the internal and external military, and defend against the enemy."

Although Liu Biao's words were weak, they fell on everyone's ears like thunder. All the civil and military personnel in Jingzhou, including Liu Cong and Liu Bei, were all stunned on the spot, and the room fell into a dead silence.

It was expected by everyone that Liu Biao entrusted Liu Bei alone. After all, Liu Jing's army was overwhelming and Xiangyang was in dire straits. Only by relying on Liu Bei could there be a glimmer of hope to get through the crisis.

Everyone was surprised that Liu Biao actually wanted Liu Bei to "take Jingzhou and control the internal and external military".

Not to mention Biejia Liu Xian, who was originally a fence-sitter, and Han Song, who was engaged in Zhonglang, and others, even Pang Ji and Kuailiang, who were the die-hard factions, also showed hesitation.

At that time, Zhang Xian was deeply favored by Jiang and Hunan. Even after he died of illness, the officials and people in Changsha refused to open the city and surrender.

Liu Biao has been in charge of Jingzhou for more than ten years. He is more popular than Zhang Xian for his lenient government. Therefore, whether he is a diehard or a fencer, although he has his own ideas in his heart, he is willing to continue to assist Liu Cong after Liu Biao's death. .

Loyalty to Liu Biao, Liu Cong and his son is the duty of a subject, but now Liu Biao intends to abdicate to Liu Bei, which is debatable.No matter how stupid and loyal Jingzhou civil and military is, it is impossible for Liu Biao to turn his allegiance to Liu Bei just because of Liu Biao's words, even if Liu Bei is a world-renowned hero.

Zhang Yun's expression was even more anxious, he frequently winked at Liu Cong who was beside him, opened his mouth to speak a few times, but held back all of them.

Seeing that all the civil and military personnel in Jingzhou were silent and the atmosphere in the room became very depressed, Liu Bei knew that he could not convince the crowd and it would be difficult to repeat the story of Xuzhou, so he hurriedly said to Liu Biao:
"Why did you say that? Forgive me and dare not obey, please take it back." Before Liu Biao opened his mouth, Liu Bei said again: "You have a virtuous son, so why bother to look far away? Zhongyu is rare and beneficial, enough to inherit Jingzhou Foundation."

Liu Biao looked at Liu Bei, and then at the ministers with different attitudes. Knowing that it would be impossible to achieve what he wanted, he had to give up this idea. He held Liu Bei's hand tightly and sighed: "Zhongyu has some talents. How can a father not know? He is definitely not Liu Jing's opponent..."

Liu Bei said sternly: "Your Yu Bei has the kindness to take you in and the righteousness to help you. As long as I am alive, I will give up my life to protect you. You can rest assured."

Liu Biao felt relieved when he heard the words, and turned to Liu Cong, "Liu Yuzhou, my heart (clan) and your elders, after I die, you should serve as your father, and you must not be neglected."

It wasn't until this time that Liu Cong came back to his senses. Regarding his father's dying order, Liu Cong dared not disobey, and immediately worshiped Liu Bei as his nephew, and officially confirmed his status.

"Zhong Yu doesn't need to be too polite." Liu Bei didn't ask too much, and helped Liu Cong immediately.

Liu Biao said to the ministers again: "Qing and others are all lonely ministers, and now the lonely pass is in the position of the second son Cong. I hope Qing and others will help you wholeheartedly."

"Promise." This time, all the civil and military personnel in Jingzhou were no longer silent, and under the leadership of Pang Ji and Kuai Liang, they all bowed to their orders.

Liu Biao then called Pang Ji, Kuai Liang and other confidantes to come to him and ordered them one by one. After explaining the funeral, Liu Biao's complexion deteriorated sharply.

"Zhongyu, have you sent your mother and younger brother away?" Liu Biao asked about his wife and son when he was dying. This was the last concern in his heart.

Liu Cong endured his grief and replied: "My lord, don't worry, I sent a military boat to send my mother, younger siblings to Xinye yesterday."

Knowing that his wife and son were safely out of danger, Liu Biao heaved a sigh of relief, and slowly closed his eyes with no worries in his heart.

Watching his father swallow his last breath, Liu Cong fell beside the bed, sad and helpless.

He has always been dissatisfied with his elder brother Liu Qi, but it is undeniable that Liu Qi is the nominal heir of Jingzhou. He was able to compete with Liu Qi only with the help of his stepmother Cai, wife-in-law Cai Mao, cousin Zhang Yun and others.

As the eldest son and heir, Liu Qi began to participate in Jingzhou's government affairs very early. In contrast, Liu Cong hid more under Liu Biao's wings. Now that his father, who sheltered him from the wind and rain, passed away, Liu Cong was full of hesitation .

When the Jingzhou army captured Linxiang, Zhang Yi, the pseudo-Changsha prefect, deserved to die for his crime. Liu Biao was generous and spared his death, but he did not let him go. Instead, he was imprisoned in Xiangyang Dungeon.

Zhang Yi's tragic experience became the talk of Xiangyang scholars and people after dinner, and Liu Cong naturally participated in it, and even went to visit Zhang Yi in the dungeon out of curiosity.

It was the first time he stepped into the dungeon, and the environment inside was so harsh that it was beyond imagination, so many years later, he still remembered it deeply.

How is Liu Cong's current situation similar to that of Zhang Yi when he was in Changsha?He absolutely didn't want to end up being imprisoned in a dungeon like Zhang Yi, and of course, he didn't even want to die.

But to repel Liu Jing and keep Jingzhou, it is simply more difficult than ascending to the sky.In the past two days, Xiangyang was turbulent, the hearts of the people were scattered, and the soldiers and civilians rushed to flee. This made Liu Cong soberly aware that relying on Xiangyang to resist Liu Jing is tantamount to a dream.

At this moment, Liu Cong suddenly envied the brothers who were sent away by him...

"Liu Jingzhou wanted to entrust Jingzhou to the general. Why did the general refuse?" Guan Yu and Zhang Fei had been waiting outside. It wasn't until I got back to my place of residence that I asked each other.

As the saying goes, a lean camel is bigger than a horse. Although the situation in Jingzhou is critical, all the counties in Nanjun, the core, have fallen, and only Xiangyang is left as an isolated city. However, the three counties of Zhangling, Nanyang, and Jiangxia are still under control, which is enough to establish a foundation .

As long as Liu Jing is defeated, the three counties will return to their hearts. At that time, according to the land in Jingbei, the people of Han Mian will be collected, Liu Jing will be attacked in the south, and Cao Cao will be attacked in the north.The two really couldn't figure out why Liu Bei refused.

Liu Bei shook his head, he would be deceiving himself and others if he said he was not interested in Jingzhou, he had to be unwilling, and he really couldn't.

The situation in Jingzhou is completely different from that of Xuzhou back then. Back then, Xuzhou was coveted by powerful external princes such as Cao Cao and Yuan Shu. foreign enemy.

To put it bluntly, Jingzhou is an internal struggle. As the crown of Jingzhou and the hope of Chu, most of the scholars and people in Jingbei do not reject it.

If Liu Bei didn't know the depth and took over Jingzhou rashly, I am afraid that the day Liu Jing arrives will be the time when Xiangyang Kaicheng surrenders.

Soon, someone came to report that Liu Biao was dead.

(End of this chapter)