The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 306 The only one who can protect Jingzhou is Liu Xuande!
Although what Zhuge Liang said made sense, Liu Bei knew his own weaknesses. He was not as good as Guan, Zhang and Zhao in terms of military skills, and not as good as Zhuge Liang, Jian Yong and Sun Qian in terms of literature. Not to mention Qin Shou and Yuan Shao, even Liu Biao was not as good as him.

Under such circumstances, it would be very difficult to defeat Qin Shou and seize the Central Plains.

"Alas, if I could have met you earlier, how could I be in this situation today?" Liu Bei sighed again. If he had met Zhuge Liang when he got Xuzhou, and got his assistance, he might have swept across the Central Plains by now, instead of being forced to stay in the small town of Xinye like now.

Zhuge Liang smiled and said comfortingly, "My lord, don't worry. I see that Liu Jingsheng is old and has worked hard every day. He has also recently fallen seriously ill and is getting older. I think he will only live for one or two years. My lord, you don't want to take away your brother's land, but if he attacks you, it won't be too late to take it away then."

"Ah! Brother Jingsheng!"

Liu Bei's face suddenly changed when he heard this.

Liu Jingsheng is about to die, which is a big deal.

"Reincarnation is common sense. Liu Jingsheng has enjoyed wealth and prosperity for many years. He is already a very old man to be alive now."

Zhuge Liang had no good feelings towards Liu Biao. Even though the two were relatives, Zhuge Liang never thought of coming out to assist Liu Biao, and even suggested that Liu Bei seize Liu Biao's foundation.

"Ah!" Liu Bei's eyes turned slightly red, as if tears were about to fall.

"If it weren't for Brother Jingsheng, I wouldn't have had the chance to take charge of Xinye. Now that the Han Dynasty is in decline, Qin Shou, Yuan Shao, Cao Cao and others are all treacherous. If we want to restore the Han Dynasty, we still need the strength of our Han relatives."

"Brother Jingsheng is the banner of the Han Dynasty. What will happen if he falls?"

Liu Bei's words were partly selfish, but also partly public-spirited. After all, Liu Bei was now relying on Liu Biao, and if Liu Biao had problems, Liu Bei would not be able to survive.

"My lord, if Liu Jingsheng dies, his two sons will be affected. The eldest son is weak and lustful, which is disliked by the Cai family. The second son is young and not capable of taking on important responsibilities. My lord, you must make plans early!"

Zhuge Liang consoled him.

He was advising Liu Bei so that he would be at a loss as to what to do when the situation came to a head.

Liu Bei's face was uncertain after hearing this, and after a long while he sighed and said, "Brother Jingsheng is my elder brother from the royal family, and he has been very kind to me. I cannot bear to betray him. The two sons regard me as their uncle, so I should ensure their safety."

After hearing this, Zhuge Liang immediately understood the reason.

It is up to you to arrange things, but he needs to protect his own reputation and the lives of Liu Biao's two sons.

"Don't worry, my lord. I will take care of this matter." After hearing this, Zhuge Liang's face immediately showed joy.

In the past, Liu Bei would not allow anyone to plot against Liu Biao, but now he was also anxious. Qin Shou's figure was like a mountain, pressing on his shoulders and making him breathless.

Because he knew that if he was defeated and captured by Qin Shou again, death would be waiting for him. Who made him betray Qin Shou? The other party would never let him go.

If Zhuge Liang could really accomplish this task while preserving his reputation and gain control of Jingzhou, what would be wrong with that?
"In that case, I'll have to trouble the military advisor."

Liu Bei was overjoyed and thanked him immediately.

"My lord, please wait for a while. I will go to Xiangyang right away."

After receiving Liu Bei's promise, Zhuge Liang immediately said goodbye and left.

Xiangyang, Huang Chengyan's residence, Huang Chengyan likes his son-in-law very much.

His appearance, talent, character, etc. are all rare in Jingzhou. "Kong Ming is not in Xinye, why did he come to me?" Huang Chengyan was surprised.

He looked down on Liu Bei. With only 3,000 soldiers and only three generals, how could he conquer the world? He didn't understand why his son-in-law, who was usually very smart, would assist such a person.

"Mr. Yue, I heard that Liu Jingsheng fainted in the lobby five days ago?" Zhuge Liang asked.

Huang Chengyan did not hide anything, nodded, and said: "In the Battle of Guandu, Yuan Shao was defeated, the whole world was shocked, Qin Shou's troops entered Hebei, Liu Jingsheng was worried, and he was old, so he fainted in the hall."

"It's hard to save Jingzhou even if Liu Jingsheng is still alive. If Liu Jingsheng dies, it will be even harder to save Jingzhou. Weng Yue should make preparations!"

Zhuge Liang looked at Huang Chengyan with great concern, but was met with a half-smile from Huang Chengyan.

"Kong Ming, what do you want to say? Just say it directly. There is no need to hide in front of me."

Huang Chengyan was also a wise man, so he naturally saw what Zhuge Liang was thinking.

"Does Mr. Yue want Qin Shou to rule Jingzhou?"

Zhuge Liang asked immediately.

Huang Chengyan's face suddenly showed hesitation after hearing this.

Yuan Shao was defeated, Qin Shou took control of Hebei, and then led the army south. It was only a matter of time before Liu Biao could resist Qin Shou's attack. Huang Chengyan thought it was a very difficult thing, almost impossible to achieve.

"Liu Jingsheng is no match for the prime minister. Jingzhou will eventually belong to the prime minister. Kong Ming, although Liu Bei is a wise leader, his foundation is too weak. It will be quite difficult for you to assist him." Huang Chengyan persuaded.

Although Huang Chengyan was very worried about whether Zhuge Liang was alive or dead, he was more worried about his daughter.

"Mr. Yue, once Qin Shou goes south and occupies Jingzhou, the aristocratic families in Jingzhou will be in trouble. Your private soldiers will be confiscated, and your land will be reclaimed. Mr. Yue, there will be no place for the aristocratic families in Jingzhou in the court."

Zhuge Liang said with a serious face.

Qin Shou's attitude towards the aristocratic families is already well-known throughout the world. Although the aristocratic families in the Central Plains cannot be said to be miserable, their lives are definitely worse than before.

Once the Cavalry Army occupies Jingzhou, it will be extremely difficult for the aristocratic families in Jingzhou to live their previous lives as they did in the Central Plains. The history of the Cai family in charge of the army and the Kuai family in charge of government will come to an end, and Huang Chengyan may really only be able to grow old in seclusion.

"What do you mean? If Liu Jingsheng can't do it, who can? Liu Xuande?"

Huang Chengyan asked.

Huang Chengyan is a wise man who comes from a prominent family. All he cares about is the interests of the Huang family, but he has become extremely indifferent to family affection.

In history, he would not have instructed Lu Xun to leave the Bagua formation. Wasn't his purpose because he was worried that Sun Quan would cause trouble for the Huang family? Otherwise, he could have stood on Zhuge Liang's side and used the Bagua formation to kill Lu Xun. In this way, wouldn't he have helped his daughter?

The same is true now. Whether it is Liu Biao or Liu Bei, as long as his interests are protected, everything will be fine.

"My lord, you have the might of Guan, Zhang and Zhao. If you can get the support of the noble families of Jingzhou and reorganize the troops of Jingzhou, you may be able to resist Qin Shou's attack and save Jingzhou." Zhuge Liang was delighted, for he knew that he had convinced Huang Chengyan.

Family love means nothing. Only interests can move people's hearts.

(End of this chapter)