Ji Han Liu Zhang

Xiangyang Government Office.

"Jun Zhang, please."

Liu Xian, the Jingzhou don't drive, led the way. From time to time, he turned sideways and stretched out his hand to greet Zhang Su, the envoy from Yizhou.

Zhang Su, who was one position behind Liu Xian, nodded with a smile and moved in the direction directed by Liu Xian.

'It's a bit too polite. As Zhang Su walked, he sighed in his heart.

As an envoy from Yizhou, Zhang Su had a small banquet every three days and a big banquet every five days since he arrived in Xiangyang. Liu Biao rewarded him with even more valuable utensils. Today, he has an important official like Biejia as a guide to come here. The Jingzhou official office met with Liu Biao, the pastor of Jingzhou.

The excessive courtesy from Jingzhou did not make Zhang Su feel arrogant. He had a clear self-awareness. His identity, his official position, and his name were not enough to receive such grand treatment.

The reason why he received grand treatment from Jingzhou was because he clearly represented Liu Zhang, the Yizhou herder Liu Zhang who was sitting in Bashu and Hanzhong, occupying Yizhou, and had many elite soldiers and generals under his command.

He, the fox, had nothing to fear. What was worthy of awe was the tiger hiding behind him.

Therefore, Zhang Su's position was very upright. When communicating with Jingzhou scholars, his attitude was friendly, his posture was level with his eyebrows, not arrogant, not wanton, and as fair as a windless river.

Just like now, Liu Xian was the guide in the Jingzhou don't drive. Every time Liu Xian stopped to signal, Zhang Su paid his respects.

After twisting and turning in the corridor, Zhang Su met the man who summoned him today - Jingzhou Shepherd Liu Biao. Liu Biao was very old, with some gray spots on his beard and hair, and his face was wrinkled with traces of time. The ravine is very obvious.

However, these are only appearances. In terms of the spirit given by Liu Biao, Zhang Su thought of one word - getting older and stronger. From Liu Biao's eyes, he saw a star-like depth, a face that was friendly and extremely friendly. Showing majesty, the beard and hairstyle are all meticulous, neat and tight, without revealing any mess.

With a territory of thousands of miles, more than 100,000 men in armor, and dominating the Jingjiang River, the Jingzhou herdsman Liu Biao really had a good appearance and was not an ordinary person.

Zhang Su had a straight face, and his body was like a pine tree. He held his arms in his arms and saluted Liu Biao who was sitting at the head: "Zhang Su, the envoy of Yizhou, has met Liu Jingzhou."

Liu Mian looked friendly. He smiled and waved his hand and said, "Zhang Jun, there is no need to be polite. Please take your seat quickly."

"Thank you Liu Jingzhou." Zhang Su did not refuse. After thanking Liu Biao, Shi Shiran took his seat.

Liu Biao waved his hand, and the attendants behind Zhang Su quietly placed dishes in front of Zhang Su and filled the wine glasses with wine.

While the attendants were serving wine and food, Liu Biao took a good look at the new envoy from Yizhou. Unlike last year's ugly-looking Zhang Song, the new envoy Zhang Su had a great appearance and excellent temperament, giving people a sense of majesty. .

'A great husband. ’ Liu Biao nodded casually.

After the waiters finished setting out the food and wine, Liu Biao picked up the wine glass and gestured to Zhang Su, "Please Zhang Jun, please drink this glass to show your respect."

"Thank you Liu Jingzhou." Zhang Su looked sternly. After thanking Liu Biao, he used his long sleeves to hide his drinking posture, drank all the wine in the glass in one gulp, and then removed his long sleeves, turned the glass over, and expressed his gratitude to Liu.

"Zhang Jun has a good drinking capacity." Mr. Liu, the escort, politely complimented him.

Liu Biao was the first to speak, and he greeted Zhang Su: "Speaking of which, I originally wanted to summon Zhang Jun immediately, but considering that Zhang Jun's journey was quite hard, I asked the people below to entertain Zhang Jun for a few days, and treat Zhang Jun I'll wait until you're tired before summoning me... Please forgive me if there's been any lack of hospitality in the past few days."

"You are so polite. I feel very honored to see Jingzhou's hospitality in the past few days." Zhang Su slightly arched his hands and greeted Liu Biao.

After another drink, Liu Biao put down his glass and asked Zhang Su: "I heard that Zhang Ziqiao (Zhang Song) is Zhang Jun's younger brother?"

"Yes, Su and Song are brothers and share the same mother." Zhang Su responded.

Liu Biao suddenly sighed with emotion. He remembered the scene when Zhang Song came to Jingzhou last year. In front of the Jingzhou civil and military personnel, he did not show any fear. Instead, he stood alone and stood up to the Jingzhou civil and military officials. His eloquence was unparalleled and few people were right. Moreover, his loyalty remained undiminished, and he was willing to go to hell for his lord Liu Zhang without even frowning.

"Zi Qiao has outstanding talents, which are rare in the world. He also has the ability of photographic memory. He can be called a genius of Bashu. Since I said goodbye to Zi Qiao last year, I have missed him so much... Zhang Jun returns from this trip and wishes to pay his respects to Zi Qiao." ”

"It is really an honor for Zi Qiao to be valued by Jingzhou... As for the compliments, they must be sent to you." Zhang Su said humbly for his younger brother Zhang Song.

Liu Xian, who was on one side, was listening to the exchange between Liu Biao and Zhang Su. When Liu Biao said Zhang Song, his memory of Zhang Song was evoked. In his memory, Zhang Song was ugly and short in stature, which was the same as the tall, burly and majestic Zhang Su in front of him. In terms of appearance, there is a huge difference.

But according to Zhang Su's words, Zhang Su and Zhang Song were actually the same mother, and two completely different men were born from the same belly.

How strange, Liu Xian lamented that the world is full of wonders.

"I don't know how much it cost Liu Yizhou to redeem the soldiers of Kuai Qi and Jingzhou. I should repay him twice as much." During the banquet, the topic came up about the cost of Liu Zhang's redemption of Kuai Qi and the soldiers of Jingzhou from Zhang Lu. Liu Biao asked Zhang Su I raised the price and planned to return double the amount to Liu Zhang.

Zhang Su smiled slightly and evaded: "My lord made it clear before leaving that the redemption of Kuai Qi and Jingzhou soldiers was due to the loyalty of allies. How can we collect the envoy's property?"

"Liu Yizhou is a man of high righteousness." Liu Biao sighed while stroking his beard. While Liu Zhang was attacking Hanzhong, he sent Cai Mao and Zhang Yun to capture Xicheng and Shangyong. Although it was in the name of helping Liu Zhang, in reality The emperor was just coveting Xicheng and Shangyong, and Liu Zhang could naturally see that. However, Liu Zhang did not have any grudge against Jingzhou because of this matter. Instead, he paid for the ransom of Jingzhou prisoners who were trapped in Shangyong, which made him ashamed.

"In addition, my lord has said that the rice thief Zhang Lu is very rampant. In the past, he caused chaos in Hanzhong and ignored the integrity of the emperor and his ministers. Today, he is separatist in Shangyong and oppresses the people of Jingchu... If you wish, the ice and snow will melt in the coming year, and the spring will be warm. After that, my lord is willing to send troops from Hanzhong to attack Zhang Lu with Jingchu to defeat the rice thieves." Zhang Su's face was serious, and his words were filled with indignation against Zhang Lu.

Don't drive Liu Xian's eyebrows flashed when he heard this, and his face became a little nervous. Liu Zhang sent troops to attack Zhang Lu together with Jingzhou. It sounded like a good thing, but in fact it was not good for Jingzhou. Subconsciously, he raised his head Looking at Liu Biao who was looking up, he was afraid that Liu Biao would be confused and agree.

Liu Biao suddenly put away his guilt for Liu Zhang's actions. His eyes were bright and he immediately responded: "That's not necessary. It's just a rice thief. Just hand it over to Jingzhou. Why bother working with Liu Yizhou... Zhang Junke replied to Liu Yizhou, the rice thief bullied I am going too far. I want to defeat the enemy alone and avenge my previous humiliation. I also ask Liu Yizhou not to send troops."

As a prince, Liu Biao was well aware of the situation around Jingzhou. To him, Zhang Lu, who was entrenched in Shangyong, was just a bad wolf, but Liu Zhang was a tiger. Zhang Lu was entrenched in Shangyang, and he was still in Xiangyang. You can sleep on the pillow, but if Liu Zhang had Shangyong, he would have to sleep with one eye open when sleeping in Xiangyang.

Shangyong, the couch in Xiangyang, how can a tiger sleep soundly on the side of the couch?
Jingzhou Don't Drive Liu Xian breathed a sigh of relief at this time, and his expression also relaxed. Hearing Liu Biao's words, he knew that Liu Biao had a thorough understanding of the situation and would not be greedy for petty gains, picking up sesame seeds but losing the watermelon.

"In this case, you should report back to my lord... But if you need help in any way, please let me know. After all, Zhang Lu is very cunning, like a fox and jackal, which is really difficult to deal with. I will focus on the previous attack. It took a lot of effort to capture Hanzhong," Zhang Su said calmly, with a tone of concern for Liu Biao.

"If your envoy sends a general to be superior, you need to ask your general to be more careful and not to fall into the rice thief's scheme again."

After hearing Zhang Su's kind words, Liu Biao's face flashed with an unkind expression. With years of cultivation of Qi, he suppressed the unhappiness in his heart.

Zhang Su's words were diligent and generous, but in Liu Biao's ears, he was derogatory to him overtly and covertly. Zhang Lu was cunning and difficult to deal with, but Liu Zhang easily expelled Zhang Lu from Hanzhong, and he, Jingzhou, He suffered successive defeats and even lost Fangling. Comparing the two, doesn't this mean that he is inferior to Liu Zhang?

"It's easy to talk to. If anything happens, I will contact you." Liu Biao's tone was slightly colder.

Having been with Liu Biao for a long time and knowing Liu Biao's character well, Liu Xian naturally heard Liu Biao's unhappiness. It was time for him, as a companion, to play his role to avoid the situation becoming deserted.

Liu Xian spoke and asked: "I heard that Liu Yizhou is sending generals to attack Wudu."

"Exactly, Wudu was established by Emperor Xiaowu in the past and became the counties and counties under the rule of Yizhou, the territory of the Han Dynasty. However, in recent years, the Qiang and Di have become rampant and unruly, so that the prestige of the government has been diminished, and the soldiers and people have been humiliated by the Qiang and Di... ..." Zhang Su felt a little sad, and he said angrily: "My lord has established Hanzhong, adjacent to Wudu, so naturally he will not sit back and watch Wudu become a place for the Qiang and Di. Therefore, he sent generals and troops to wipe out the smell of Wudu and return Wudu to its former glory. Peace.”

"Liu Yizhou has a heart." Liu Xian did not praise Liu Zhang for his kindness and love for the people, or that Liu Zhang, as an important member of the clan, had lofty ambitions and was determined to clarify things. He just said that he had a heart.

After all, Liu Biao was sitting in the top seat at this time. Liu Xian knew what to say and what not to say, so as not to arouse Liu Biao's taboo.

Liu Xian can be sure that if he boasts about Liu Zhang, the pastor of Yizhou, in front of Liu Biao and Zhang Su, the envoy from Yizhou, he is afraid that after returning from Yizhou with the envoy, he will boast about Kuai's excellent governance in Shu in front of the officials. Like Liang, he was hated and alienated by Liu Biao.

You must know that Kuai Liang has always been known as a gentleman. People like him are hated by Liu Biao for boasting about Shu administration, let alone someone who has no reputation as a gentleman.

"Liu Yizhou captured Wudu not only for the sake of the soldiers and people of Wudu, but also with the intention of advancing into Guanzhong." Liu Biao, the superior, asked casually, like a casual question without any important points.

"Guanzhong?" Zhang Su showed a puzzled look. The word "Guanzhong" seemed to be beyond his understanding. After a moment, he solemnly replied: "Your Majesty, my Lord is in charge of the government of Bashu, and I am often afraid that my power is insufficient. But he has no intention of advancing into Guanzhong... It's just that my lord is worried about the Liangzhou bandits in Guanzhong, fearing that they will raise troops to invade Bashu. "

'It doesn't look like a fake. Based on Zhang Su's immediate reaction, Liu Biao made a judgment that Liu Zhang lacked interest in Guanzhong. As for Zhang Su's words later, he only listened to them as official talk.

"Speaking of Guanzhong, I heard that the emperor sent people to persuade Li Que and Guo Si, and they drove back east. Now they have reached the boundary of Hongnong. I wonder if Liu Jingzhou has received the news." Zhang Suming asked knowingly, and there was no need to think about it. Liu Biao, one of the princes, must have received the news of the emperor's return to the east, but he still asked about it.

Liu Biao looked sad when he heard this. He sighed and said: "It is a blessing for the emperor to escape and return to Luoyang. I have heard about such a blessing."

"Eh." Zhang Su sighed and said, "I heard that Li Que and Guo Bin are now feeling regretful and have sent troops to pursue the emperor, intending to kidnap his majesty back to Guanzhong. I hate that no one from the princes of Zhongzhou sent troops to help your majesty, leaving your majesty alone. Threatened by thieves."

Tears welled up in Zhang Su's eyes, and he looked like a loyal minister of the Han Dynasty: "My lord has always hated the thieves in Liangzhou for controlling the government. He wanted to save your majesty from the thieves, but he only hated that the mountains were blocking the way and the roads were blocked. It was really difficult to help the royal family. , to welcome the emperor..."

When Liu Biao saw Zhang Su's posture, he suddenly felt uncertain. He had a premonition of Zhang Su's next words.

After explaining Liu Zhang's loyalty to the emperor, Zhang Su shed tears at the corners of his eyes. He threw out a hook and waited for Liu Biao's response: "Speaking of it, it is only a few hundred miles from Nanyang to Hongnong. The commander is the elder of the clan. As an important minister of the country, why don't you send troops to promote agriculture, welcome the emperor, and achieve the achievements of Qi Huan and Jin Wen, and also promote the Han Dynasty and revive the royal family."

Hearing the premonition, Liu Biao suddenly looked embarrassed. At this time, he could neither accept nor shirk. He had no interest in rescuing the emperor from the Liangzhou thieves. After all, if the emperor arrived in Xiangyang, then he, a Jingzhou shepherd, would not be able to do anything. How could he be so powerful that he had to ask the emperor to execute everything and be controlled by others? He was not as happy and happy as he is today, but he couldn't just shirk it. No matter what excuses he gave, he only needed to tell the truth. When he goes out, people will say that his clan has no loyalty to the emperor.

Liu Xian saw Liu Biao's dilemma and stood up: "Zhang Jun doesn't know something. Our lord has always wanted to raise troops to rescue the emperor. He only hates that the boundaries of Jingzhou are uneven. There are clan thieves who are causing trouble inside, and there are Shangyong rice thieves and Yangzhou Yuan Shu outside." For the sake of disaster, we must not lightly mobilize the masses to go on an expedition. If we lightly mobilize the masses, we will only fear that internal and external troubles will take the opportunity to raise troops, which is really intentional but powerless.”

"Eh." Liu Biao, the leader, was not able to express his position, nor was he willing to express his position. He followed Liu Xian's excuse and sighed. (End of chapter)