Dragon map of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 869 Cai Tu's Actions

Cai Tu was a bit hesitant in Wuyin back then, but after many years of training and ups and downs, his personality has changed now. He is a decisive person. Once he has an idea, he will act vigorously.

On the second day, he hosted a banquet for his close friends and friends at Yanyulou, the largest restaurant in Xiangyang.

As a member of the Cai clan.

He is still successful in his studies. He has been in official career. He has successively served as a small official in Jiangxia County, Wuyin County Magistrate, and Nanyang County. However, there are not a few friends who have no official career and are depressed.

"Brother Meng Ting, why are you spending so much money today?"

"Meng Ting, we are friends of brothers, we don't need to stick to the place, just get together in your house for a while!"

More than a dozen scholars who were able to make friends with downcast Cai Tu were not those unbearable people. The elegant wine shop in Yanyulou is one of the best wine shops in Xiangyang, and the cost is very high. They also know that Cai Tu is now down and down, and they don't want Cai Tu to be here. waste.

"My dear friends, you are my best friends. In the past, I was down and down, depressed, and everyone never gave up. It's my luck. Today's banquet is for the sake of our righteousness. You don't have to be polite!"

The waiter next to him had already warmed the wine, and Cai Tu took the lead in raising the wine cup, toasting with a smile.

"you are welcome!"

"We scholars, like-minded, heart-to-heart!"

More than ten scholars raised their glasses one after another.

After drinking for three rounds, one person suddenly opened his mouth and said to Cai Tu, "Meng Ting is here today, and his ambition is not in drinking!"

"Zi Su's powers of observation are extraordinary!"

Cai Tu nodded with a smile.

This is his classmate when he was studying. He belongs to Cai's relatives. His name is Ming Leng, and his style name is Zisu. The small officials who are not in the county are also down-and-out, and they have always been friends with Cai Tu.

Cai Tu said in a deep voice: "So, I will leave office tomorrow, and today I have a banquet to bid farewell to you all, and also to thank you for your care over the years, so that I won't let the world feel cold. This is a kindness, and I will never forget it. In the future, if there is anything wrong with the old man, you can come to find me, as long as I, Cai Tu, do what I can, I will do anything!"

"It turns out that Meng Ting is about to become an official!"

"Meng Ting has been struggling for several years, and finally waited until today!"

"Congratulations to Meng Ting!"

All the scholars raised their wine cups to congratulate Cai Tu, this is a true friend, although a little envious, but not jealous at all.

"Meng Ting, the head of the Ling family is now the governor of the Jingzhou Navy. It would be a good thing to recommend you to be an official. But as far as I know, he hates you quite a lot. Why is he willing to recommend you?"

A middle-aged man in a gray Confucian robe cupped his hands and asked.

His name is Kuai Wu, his courtesy name is Yongli, he is a member of Kuai's collateral lineage. Although he is a scholar and has achieved success in studies, he has practiced martial arts since he was a child.

It's just that his background and character doomed the future, and it was more difficult for a bastard who was not loved by his family to become an official than a child from a poor family because of his outspoken personality.

"Yongli, I am not recommended by the head of the family to become an official!"

Cai Tu shook his head.

"Oh?"

"Who recommended that?"

Everyone couldn't help asking.

Most of them are also frustrated and want to find a way to become an official, so they are very concerned.

"The Marquis of Ming Dynasty conquers!"

Cai Tu said quietly.

"Minghou?" Kuai Wu's pupils changed color: "But that young hero who is rare in the world, Minghou Mujing!"

"Exactly!"

Cai Tu nodded: "Because I was deeply involved with the Mu clan, even though I returned home with a seal, I was not loved by the family because of it. Among them, I am originally a scholar, but I can only run for my life on the battlefield. My family and I have long been like fire and water. Now the Marquis of Ming Dynasty holds me in high regard, and I am willing to enlist me as the prefect of Xiangyang County. , and don’t want to give up!”

"The prefect of Xiangyang County?"

"I heard that Yizhou wanted the land of Xinye Fancheng in Xiangyang, established Xiangyang County, and completely separated Xiangyang and Jingzhou. It turned out to be true!"

"In this way, wouldn't the entire Jingzhou be offended!"

Everyone looked at Cai Tu with envy and worry.

Cai Tu stood up, faced everyone, bowed and saluted: "This is my choice, and I should bear it all by myself, but you are all my friends, and you are deeply involved with me. I know that if I do things in the future, I will cause trouble. Criticism, you will be implicated by me in the future, this is an injustice, I will apologize to you first, and ask you to forgive me for trying to find a way out of a troubled world with a heart that is unwilling to serve the people !"

"As it is!"

Ming Leng said in a deep voice: "Meng Ting is a man of great talent. In the past, he acted with too many scruples. He has fallen into such a situation. Now that Jingzhou has undergone great changes and is in chaos, Meng Ting wants to stand on his own and start a new one. A certain first support!"

He has long had a deep resentment towards the Cai family, the family head's children, the first thing to see is their background, a good background is more important than a good ability, this is what he is dissatisfied with.

"At the beginning, the Kuai family left with the brothers of the direct line, but left us behind. Knowing that Xiangyang was ruined and the Kuai family was suffering, but still ignored it. Now, I have no face to call myself a descendant of the family!" Kuai Wu also smiled wryly. He said: "Meng Ting, I support your decision. Now that the great man has collapsed and the world is in chaos, we are all born in troubled times. No one can predict that tomorrow will be the king today, and the bandit tomorrow. You can also be crowned king and ascend the palace, how to choose, it is all up to the individual!"

"Everyone understands that our families are unwilling to be promoted, and we have no way to seek official positions. Only by finding another way can we show what we have learned!" This is Cai Tu's second purpose for calling these friends today: "If you If you are willing to serve with me, I would like to recommend you all!"

He said in detail: "The Marquis of Ming used the meaning of me as the prefect of Xiangyang. You should have some ideas. It is nothing more than wanting to use my identity as a child of the Cai family to oppose the Jingzhou gentry. This change can attract some Jingzhou gentry children to join the Minghou Mansion. !"

"Although it is meant to be used, it is also our opportunity!"

"Those of us don't have the opportunity to be direct descendants. If we want to succeed, we can rely on ourselves!"

"In the eleven counties of Xiangyang County, I am the prefect, and I have the power to recommend the county magistrates and county magistrates. Moreover, Marquis Ming has clearly stated that for the sake of the early stability of Xiangyang County, he is willing to manage Xiangyang County with the thought of Jingzhou people governing Jingzhou people!"

"So I am sure that if I can control four or five county magistrates, I think Marquis Ming will not refuse!"

"In addition, my daily strength is quite weak, and the only thing I can trust is that it is not the famous people in those families, but you who will never give up even when I am down, so today I also hope that you Can advance and retreat with me!"

"Of course, this matter is not forced. I am also a child of the family. It is helpless to be forced to break with the family at this point. People in the family are inherited in one line. It is difficult to separate the two families. I have concerns and should, so I will never force it, no matter what you choose, we are all brothers, no matter how hard it is in the future, there will be help!"

Cai Tu was very eloquent, and he said everything he wanted to say in one breath, making everyone a little dumbfounded. This huge news made them a little hard to digest, and it was also full of endless temptations, which made it hard for them to resist.

Cai Tu knew very well that Mu Jing wanted to use his identity to tear apart the unity of Jingzhou gentry, and he was willing to do so.

He doesn't want to just be someone to be used.

Since Mu Jing recruited him as the prefect of the Xiangyang Army, then he will make some achievements. He wants to be famous all over the world. Now that he has joined the Minghou Mansion, he should let go of other thoughts and only think about being named a Marquis and worshiping the Prime Minister.

So he needs the help of these people.

"The position of prefect?"

"Recommended for an official position?"

Everyone became a little silent.

They were surprised, not that Cai Tu became an official, but that Cai Tu could transform himself into the prefect in charge of Xiangyang. As for Cai Tu's recommendation of them for an official career, they were indeed moved, but they also had many scruples.

After all, most of them were descendants of noble families, and not everyone had Cai Tu's courage to turn against the Patriarch, so they seemed a little timid.

"If I live in depression, I will not be willing!" Kuai Wu suddenly cupped his hands and said to Cai Tu: "In the future, I would like to advance and retreat with brother Meng Ting!"

"You should advance and retreat with Meng Ting!"

Ming Leng also spoke.

When someone takes the lead, naturally everyone can't help but have a throbbing heart. The career is good, just like that beautiful flower, which makes them want to stop.

"You should advance and retreat with Brother Meng Ting!"

They finally made up their minds.

"In the future, relying on you brothers, we will advance and retreat together and rule Xiangyang together!"

Cai Tu laughed, and if he has dealt with these people, then he is already half successful as the prefect. Xiangyang experienced two catastrophes, one was when the Mu army broke through Xiangyang, Liu Biao went south and took away many direct descendants, and the second time It was the rebellion in the city a few days ago that made many of Liu Biao's aristocratic families rise up, and another group was wiped out.

Now in Xiangyang, although the power of the aristocratic family can still control the hearts of the people, but the direct lineage has long since disappeared, and most of them are supported by collaterals. As long as he wins over these people, this aristocratic family in Xiangyang will not dare anyone to oppose him.

............................................................................................................

On February [-], the dragon raised its head.

It's the beginning of spring, when everything rejuvenates, the streets and alleys of Jiangzhou City are filled with the breath of spring, and even the dead weeds on the roadside are gradually turning green, and some seeds are sprouting and blooming. The soil, drilled out to meet the mild sunshine.

In the courtyard of Minghou Mansion, Mu Jing stretched his arms, took a deep breath of air, and felt refreshed all over.

These winter days are a little tough.

But I finally got through it, and spring is ushered in again, and I feel much better.

"My lord, Yiji has handed back the secret letter, and Jingzhou's heart is moving!"

Hu Zhao couldn't find anyone from the front yard, so he chased him to the back yard, and said in a hurry.

"Heartbeat?"

Mu Jing narrowed his eyes: "That means he hasn't made up his mind yet?"

"It's normal for them to have concerns now, and maybe they want to hit us!" Hu Zhao said, "But this is a smooth start. As long as the matter in Xiangyang can be resolved peacefully, we can go south without any scruples." !"

"I can offer four hundred horses, which is already very face-saving. If it wasn't for the Southern Expedition and the unification of Yizhou, let alone four hundred horses, I wouldn't even give him one!" Mu Jing said coldly. Said: "Send Yiji the silk book of the Yizhou Covenant that I personally stamped, and tell Yiji that you don't have to follow Jingzhou too much. If you want to sign, you can sign it, and if you don't sign it, just sign it. I don't have so much time to waste with them!"

He thought for a while, and said: "In addition, order the first army to march directly, and the second army to cross Wu County, and with them, go straight to Yiling, and put some pressure on them!"

"promise!"

Hu Zhao nodded, but he was a little worried: "Will it appear aggressive!"

"That depends on who is right!"

Mu Jing raised his mouth slightly and said, "If it's Dong Zhuo, if I force him like this, then there must be a fight, because Dong Zhuo will not show weakness, he is a warrior, and he will never be humiliated like this. But for Jingzhou, you have to be tough!"

"Because Jingzhou soldiers are weak?"

"No!"

Mu Jing shook his head: "Jingzhou is a land of fish and rice. It is rich and rich in academics. There are many scholars and talents. How can it be weak? The only weak one is Liu Biao. After all, Liu Biao was born as a scholar. He has a city, talent, ability, and means. , is the lack of aggressiveness, I force him, he can only retreat, because he does not have the determination to die!"

"My lord has found out Liu Jingsheng's heart!"

Hu Zhao thought for a while, but thought that what Mu Jing said was quite right. If Liu Biao said that he was inferior to the princes of the world, he would be inferior, a fierceness that would hurt both sides.

"But Liu Jingsheng is not easy to deal with!"

Mu Jing narrowed his eyes: "If possible, I would like to send troops directly to kill him. The longer he manages Jingzhou, the harder it will be for us to seize Jingzhou in the future. This man is quite capable in managing the hearts of the people, and he is a dog of the house. , not in vain!"

"But now our Yizhou can't be unified. It's impossible to fight against the enemy!"

Mu Jing finally shook his head.

Conquer the outside world first and settle the inside first. The principle has not changed through the ages. I am not afraid of how strong the enemy outside is, but I am afraid that someone will stab the knife inside. When I was in Luoyang, if the Mu family first quelled the disaster of Dong Zhuo, and then confronted the princes of the Guandong. will fall into such a situation.

One mistake can never be made twice.

"My lord, it's hard to have both. When we conquer the south, we will definitely be able to expand our power. Even if Jingzhou is a more difficult rock, he will be gnawed down!"

Hu Zhao said comfortingly.

"Hope it!"

Mu Jing smiled.

Another thing Hu Zhao reported: "My lord, there is one more thing. Xiangyang Caitu has promised to serve as our Xiangyang prefect!"

"That would be great!" Mu Jing narrowed his eyes: "Then we'll lose fire!"

"Need not!"

Hu Zhao said: "Cai Mengting is already on fire. After he received the order to receive the prefect's seal in Xiangyang, he immediately used the former state pastoral mansion as the prefect's mansion in Xiangyang, opened the mansion at the entrance, and enlisted fourteen children from aristocratic families as officials in one go. The flames of war within the Jingzhou gentry have already been ignited!"

"So fast!"

Mu Jing was a little surprised: "This Cai Mengting not only understands my intention to use him, but also cooperates seamlessly. Even if he doesn't care about the family, he has great ambitions. If he uses it well in the future, it will be a sharp knife!"

"My lord, if you are ambitious, shouldn't you be on your guard?" Hu Zhao asked.

"Ambition also means self-motivation!" Mu Jing shook his head: "Why should I be on guard, as long as he doesn't go beyond my "Mingke" law, no matter how ambitious he is, I can tolerate him. Of course, we have to see what happens next." Whether his ability is worthy of his ambition or not, it is not enough to have an ambition of his heart, there must be real materials!"

(End of this chapter)