Three Kingdoms: I rely on system loopholes to survive

Since Liu Biao became seriously ill, officials in Jingzhou were blocked by Madam Cai and had difficulty seeing Liu Biao. News from both inside and outside the country often failed to be conveyed effectively. Prince Liu Qi was not tolerated by his stepmother, and his old father favored the youngest son Liu Cong, so the situation became increasingly difficult.

One day, Liu Qi came to Madam Cai and asked her to stay and take care of his father. Madam Cai raised her eyebrows when she heard this: "Qi'er is very filial, and mother has seen it all. But firstly, the doctor said that the master can only stay out of the sun and rest, and can't stand the slightest breeze. Secondly, the master just took medicine and now he has finally fallen asleep... Qi'er is a filial son, so I don't think he will be in a hurry to show his filial piety in the next one or two days, right?"

Liu Qi was upset when he heard the sarcasm in Madam Cai's words, but he was a junior after all, so he couldn't get angry in front of her. He swallowed his anger and bowed: "In this case, I will leave now. My father has been ill for a long time and I need you to take care of him."

When Madam Cai saw Liu Qi leaving, a cold look flashed in her eyes. She signaled the maid to lift the curtain, rubbed her red eyes with a handkerchief, and slowly walked into the inner room. The curtain was made thick to block out light and wind. Madam Cai was tall, and the maids were afraid that the curtain would touch Madam's headdress and upset Madam Buyi, so they lifted the curtain high.

Liu Biao was originally sleeping soundly when he suddenly felt a gust of cold wind. He leaned over the pillow and coughed, with a hoarse sound in his throat.

There was no servant in the room to serve, and Liu Biao couldn't even reach the spittoon, so his phlegm flowed onto the pillow.

Madam Cai covered her nose with a handkerchief. The disgust and impatience on her face disappeared in an instant. When she walked to Liu Biao's bed, the only thing left on that beautiful face was worry: "My lord, my lord, what's wrong? Someone come quickly."

She sat on the edge of the couch with Liu Biao's head on her lap, and rubbed his back through the handkerchief to help him breathe. The maids quietly took away the dirty pillow and replaced it with a clean pillow and spittoon. The coming and going of the pillows inevitably caused a draft, and Liu Biao almost coughed to death in Madam Cai's arms.

"My lord, please have some hot soup." Mrs. Cai tested the temperature and fed it into Liu Biao's mouth bit by bit.

Liu Biao felt much better after drinking the water. He enjoyed the care and concern of his young wife, and felt very comfortable. Thinking that he had been seriously ill and his young wife and young son had been by his side all day, but he only received a few words of concern from his eldest son, he could not help but feel unhappy. Just as he was thinking of this, he saw Madam Cai lowering her head to wipe her tears, her eyebrows full of sorrow, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated. He did not care about the discomfort and asked with a cough: "Did something big happen in the state? Why do you look so depressed?"

Madam Cai wept with emotion, her voice mournful: "My master and I have been married for more than thirteen years. Since my master was ill, I have been suffering every night, wishing I could take his place. If my master were to die, I would not want to live alone in this world... But I can't bear to leave my young Cong'er, he is still so young, and he was enjoying the love of my master yesterday... If he lost his parents, how pitiful would Cong'er be?"

Liu Biao felt sad when he heard this, but he knew that he was seriously ill and it would be difficult to recover, so he tried to comfort her: "Foolish! You are young and in good condition. If you are willing to stay faithful to me after I die, that's fine. Why are you talking nonsense about dying together? Are we husband and wife in this life and can we be husband and wife again in the next life? If God really doesn't give me a long life, I can see Cong'er and Qi'er guarding the foundation of Jingzhou in my afterlife, which will be worth my life."

Mrs. Cai sighed when she heard this, and tears fell like beads.

Liu Biao couldn't help wondering: "Madam, why are you looking even more sad?"

Mrs. Cai was just sobbing softly. Liu Biao was uneasy because of her crying, but he could not bear to blame her because of her tears. He waited until Mrs. Cai wiped away her tears before he asked again.

"Please forgive me, my lord. It was because you mentioned what will happen after your death that I felt sorry for the orphans and widows."

Liu Biao coughed twice, and Madam Cai quickly adjusted him to a more comfortable position: "Madam, why do you say that? Qi'er is kind and filial, and will definitely treat you and Cong'er well."

Madam Cai sighed slightly: "I also know that Qi'er is filial. Just now, Qi'er wanted to serve the master when he was ill."

Liu Biao frowned slightly and leaned on Madam Cai's arms to relax for a while: "If it is as Madam said, why don't you see Qi'er?"

Madam Cai looked embarrassed: "Qi'er was concerned about the master's health, so I told her the truth. I said that the master's illness was getting worse... Maybe Qi'er didn't come in because she was afraid of disturbing the master's rest, right?"

"Cough, cough, cough..." Liu Biao's face turned purple and swollen from coughing, and he seemed like he couldn't breathe.

"Master! Master! Calm down." Mrs. Cai supported the man's back and wiped his sweat. Her service was extremely meticulous and there was nothing wrong with it.

“This… hehe… this…” Liu Biao panted and waved his hands repeatedly, “Madam, I will, I will hand over the navy of Jingzhou to your two brothers, and, and, you go call Zirou, I want to make plans for you and Cong’er…”

Mrs. Cai cursed in her heart that this old man had become smarter before his death and had not yet given up the idea of ​​establishing Liu Qi. Her eyes rolled and she came up with another vicious plan.

"I am so lucky to be loved by such an outstanding master. Qi'er is kind and filial. Who in Jingzhou doesn't know her? Even the officials under the master's command praise her! Moreover, Qi'er is also friendly to her younger brother. They say that Cong'er will definitely become a figure like Lord Xinling in the future... Qi'er is so filial and brotherly. Please don't worry too much. I believe Qi'er will treat us mother and son well."

"Lord Xinling?! He wants to be the King of Anli!" Liu Biao vomited a mouthful of black blood, his face was pale, and veins on his forehead were throbbing: "Quick, go... call Degui and Yidu... No no, call Degui, Zirou and Yuner."

When Mrs. Cai heard that Zhang Yun was called, she knew that the plan had been accomplished. Tears streamed down her face, but her eyes were full of smiles. It was a pity that Liu Qi had been a filial son for almost twenty years, but was ruined by these two or three sentences.

It was not until that night that Liu Qi learned that his father had summoned Cai Mao, Kuai Liang, and Zhang Yun to discuss matters. He immediately felt that something was wrong. He sent people to investigate and also called on his retainers for advice.

But before they could come up with anything, they heard earth-shaking crying outside the house. Several servants hurried in to report that Liu Biao was dead, and Madam Cai summoned her to come and take charge of the situation.

Liu Qi was so shocked that he even forgot to put on his shoes. He was about to walk out stumblingly. A retainer hurriedly stood up and grabbed Liu Qi's sleeve: "Sir, wait a moment! Madam has always disliked you. When the envoy left, why didn't Madam suppress the news to establish the second young master? Madam's intention to separate the envoy from the state officials is today, but now she is making such a big fuss, isn't it against common sense? Besides, you said that the envoy summoned Cai Mao and Zhang Yun last, and these two are the second young master's followers. Don't you know what the envoy meant? Since the envoy has set his sights on the second young master, why does Madam need you to take charge of the situation? It will definitely be very dangerous if you go, so think twice!"

Liu Qi was shocked by these words, and his grief calmed down a little. He waved away the servants, with tears in his eyes: "Could my mother really be so cruel as to leave me no way to live? Please show me a way out. If I can survive by chance, I will never forget your kindness even after my death!" After saying this, Liu Qi bowed deeply and knelt for a long time without getting up.

The retainer hurriedly helped Liu Qi up and said, "Your body is worth thousands of gold. How can I accept such a great gift? As a son, if you don't go, I am afraid that you will lose your filial piety. If you go, you may be murdered by your wife. So, please go to Fanting Marquis Kuai Yidu first. If Mr. Yidu is willing to go with you, the matter will be 30% sure. If you are more careful and don't touch food, the matter will be 30% sure. Although I am not talented, I am also eating your salary. I am willing to go with you and do the work of Mao Sui and Zhu Hai for you."

Liu Qi was deeply moved and followed the instructions of his retainer. Mrs. Cai originally had evil intentions, but when she saw Kuai Yue and Liu Qi were traveling together and Kuai Liang was by her side, she could only temporarily put her mind at rest.

Cai Mao knew his sister's intentions, and also wanted to suppress Liu Qi for his nephew, so he openly said, "Why did the eldest son come so late? Is there something more important than keeping vigil for the master on the way? After all, since the master fell seriously ill, the second son has been serving him personally. I think the eldest son is just being filial."

Seeing his rude words, the retainer stepped forward and asked: "General, do you think that a person's life span is determined by heaven?"

"Who are you?" Cai Mao frowned at first, then sneered: "Of course it was decided by heaven. The eldest son is so confused that he can bring anyone into the mourning hall!"

"Since it is God's will, my son is stupid and can only pray to God for mercy every night and ask diligently every day, hoping to avoid the pain of losing his mother and father... He is not as smart as Madam. The spirit of our late father is still here, and the petition for the title of the second son has already been prepared!"

"Where did this little thief come from? He is talking nonsense. Someone come and kick him out!"

Mrs. Cai was annoyed by the stabbing and interrupted him directly.

The retainer still sneered: "Madam, your conscience is clear, why should you be ashamed? Since my late master fell ill, we have been cut off from the outside world and have not been able to communicate with him. I am afraid that what happened to Shen Sheng and Chong Er is happening again!"

The servants on both sides hurried forward to chase them away, but the doorman just stood there motionless: "Madam said that the late master was too ill to be exposed to the wind, so she repeatedly refused my son's request to serve him. This is really strange. Is it that only the second son goes in and out without wind, but my son goes in and out with wind? My son couldn't bear to disobey Madam, so he endured Madam's nitpicking, but outside, he was considered unfilial. I am confused, how can a father and son in this world have such different hearts? Are you just worried that someone is instigating it?"

"Qi'er!"

Mrs. Cai could no longer bear it: "Your father's body is still warm, and you are going to bring people to interrogate your mother?"

"Children don't dare."

Liu Qi bowed and apologized: "Mother, please forgive me, I just want to be filial to my father..."

The news that Kuai Yue, Kuai Liang, Cai Mao and others had arrived one after another had gradually spread. Many officials also got the news and came to Liu Biao's house. Mrs. Cai had lost the opportunity and it was not good to be too aggressive. She snorted coldly and turned into the inner room.

The second son Liu Cong, assisted by his uncle Cai Mao, received the guests who came to pay their respects.

The vigil lasted for three days in total. Liu Qi wept day and night in front of the coffin and refused to eat or drink. Mrs. Cai occasionally peeked in. The servant stayed behind Liu Qi but could not find any opportunity to attack him, so he had to give up in disappointment.

When the day of Liu Biao's burial was over, Madam Cai could not wait to announce Liu Biao's last words, ordering Liu Qi to go to Jiangxia to take up his post. Although he was stationed in Xiakou, she did not give him a single soldier, and secretly attacked Liu Qi on the way.

Liu Qi received the appointment, feeling sad and anxious. Madam Cai was urging him to do so, so Liu Qi did not dare to disobey her order. He packed his luggage hastily and took his retainers with him to set off for his new post.

Most of the people in Jingzhou sympathized with the eldest son Liu Qi, but the Cai family was now in control of everything, and Liu Cong was carrying out Liu Biao's will, so no one dared to take the initiative to speak up for Liu Qi.

It was Liu Qi's luck that he died. Just after he walked out of Jiangling, he was shocked to hear that Jiangxia had been occupied by Lu Bu. Although he didn't have to go to Jiangxia again, it was difficult for him to return to Jiangling. He was stuck in no way out for a while.

"Sir, sir, what is the plan?"

Liu Qi never thought that he would fall to this point. He was in his own home, but he was like a stray dog.

The retainer also sighed, bowed his head and thought for a long time: "For now... I heard that the emperor's uncle Liu Bei is the governor of Cangwu. This man is well-known for his benevolence and righteousness. He is also your uncle. Even the former Shaofu Zhong Ping is under him. This shows his virtue and talent. You can go to Cangwu to surrender to Liu Bei. I will be your lobbyist and lend you several thousand soldiers to fight against the second young master."

Liu Qi hesitated a little: "I have never met him, how can he lend me his troops?"

"First, consider emotions, then interests. The prince is kind, filial, and respectful, but he was framed innocently, just like Chong'er's disaster in the past. Most of the people in Jingzhou are on the side of the prince. The second prince is young and ignorant, and the government is all in the hands of the Cai family. Let me ask, is Jingzhou today owned by the Liu family or by his Cai family? The prince is the eldest son, and borrowing troops to seize power from the Cai family is a move to rectify the source and protect the foundation. In terms of emotion and reason, who can find fault with it?"

"If affection doesn't work, please tempt him with benefits. Just say that you will return so many soldiers and food after the matter is completed. Although Jiaozhou is adjacent to Jingzhou, it is not easy to govern after all. If he wants a city, I am afraid it will be too much of an insult to the name of the emperor's uncle."

"You can't stay in Jingzhou any longer. If you stay here, you will die sooner or later. If you take a desperate gamble, you may still have a chance to survive."

This is all the words of the retainer.

Liu Qi hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "A man born into this world should die at the hands of his stepmother? Let's go to Jiaozhou!"

(End of this chapter)