Can I get to the other side?.

Chapter 294 Pang Degong recommends Kong Ming (asking for monthly ticket)
Liu Biao was extremely angry at this time.

Although he knew that Cai Mao and others were daring and arrogant, he turned a blind eye to them for the sake of the Jingzhou gentry behind them.

After all, he was able to control Jingzhou with the support of the Jingzhou gentry, and Cai Mao was his brother-in-law, so he couldn't say anything.

But this time it's really too much!

Liu Zhang sent someone to ask him to send troops to attack Liu Bei, but he didn't even see the messenger and hadn't heard of the matter. Cai Mao and others agreed to the request on his behalf.

If he had not recently discovered that food and troops had begun to be mobilized and had investigated carefully, he would probably have been kept in the dark!

As the lord of Jingzhou, he was responsible for sending troops to deal with such an important matter. However, Cai Mao and others made the decision on their own without even telling him about it. How could he not be angry!
"My Lord, you have misunderstood. It is urgent. We just haven't had time to report this to you. We did not intend to conceal it."

Cai Mao explained without blushing at all.

Liu Biao laughed when he heard this: "Didn't you have time to report it? Liu Zhang sent an envoy more than a month ago. Do you think I'm a three-year-old child who can be fooled?"

If it was just one or two days, he would have endured it.

But a month had passed and no one under his command had told him. It was only after he discovered it that people told him they had not had time to report it.

This is simply treating him like a fool!

Seeing that he couldn't get away with it, Kuai Liang had no choice but to say, "My lord, Liu Zhang has taken the initiative to ask us to send troops to deal with Liu Xuande. This is a great opportunity for us to march into Yizhou."

"As long as we defeat Liu Bei, we can move into Ba County and take root in Yizhou. We know that you are kind, and we are worried that you will refuse, so we did not report it."

"But in any case, this matter has a hundred benefits and no harm."

As counselors under Liu Biao, they were well aware that Liu Biao, with his pedantic character, would never be willing to start a war, especially against Liu Bei, a member of the Liu royal family.

But this was a great opportunity, so they decided to keep it secret and agreed to Liu Zhang's request to send troops in the name of Liu Biao.

"It's just nonsense!"

As expected, Liu Biao was furious after hearing what Kuai Liang said, "I am the governor of Jingzhou, why should I send troops to Yizhou?!"

"Liu Jiyu and Liu Xuande are both relatives of the Han Dynasty. It would be fine if I didn't stop them from fighting each other, but how could I send troops to participate in their fight? If this matter gets out, how will you let the world see me!"

"Immediately stop all dispatch of troops and food supplies. I will personally write a letter to Liu Jiyu to cancel the alliance!"

"I won't punish you this time, but I won't allow this kind of thing to happen again, or I will definitely not forgive you, no matter who it is!"

Liu Biao showed a rare tough attitude.

And when he said the last sentence, he looked at Cai Mao. It was obvious that this sentence was meant for Cai Mao. After he finished speaking, he turned away.

The counselors in the study looked at each other.

Pang Ji, Liu Xian and others all looked at Kuai Liang and Cai Mao, waiting for them to make a decision. After all, this matter was led by the two of them.

"Let's follow the Lord's orders."

Kuai Liang sighed. He knew Liu Biao would react like this, so he didn't want to report it. But now that he has been discovered, there is nothing he can do.

They couldn't openly disobey Liu Biao's orders.

Cai Mao looked unhappy and said angrily, "You gave up such a great opportunity to enter Yizhou. You are really a coward!"

"It would be fine if the emperor didn't come to Jingzhou, but after the emperor came to Jingzhou, he stayed in such a corner. How could he accomplish anything great?"

When the counselors heard Cai Mao scolding Liu Biao for being cowardly, they had no reaction, or perhaps they had the same idea as he did.

Liu Biao occupied Jingzhou, a strategic location that was fought over by military strategists, and had always wanted to live in peace in a corner. They did not have much objection before, and some were even quite supportive.

But now it is different. If they hold the throne but still do not make progress, it is clearly not allowing them to follow the emperor and is clearly hindering their family from gaining more benefits.

Gradually, everyone had complaints to some extent.

It’s just that it’s not easy to say it out loud like Cai Mao did.

Kuai Liang shook his head and left the study.

……

the other side.

After Liu Biao scolded Cai Mao and others, the anger in his heart was still not gone, so he took a carriage to go out of the city to relax, which was also his usual habit.

Sitting in the stable carriage, Liu Biao looked at the people coming and going outside the window and felt extremely heavy-hearted.

He had originally entered Jingzhou alone and relied on the local aristocratic families in Jingzhou to control power, but now the problems had finally emerged.

The advisers under his command all came from major wealthy families in Jingzhou. They spent all day thinking about how to gain benefits for their families, and few of them were loyal to him.

The key is that he still has to rely on them, which makes them more lawless. Now the lord of Jingzhou is in name only.

It would be better to say that the real masters of Jingzhou are the local nobles of Jingzhou, such as Cai, Kuai, Pang, Huang, and Ma.

“We have to find a way to change it.”

"Even I can't control these people under my command. When I pass away and Qi'er takes over, I'm afraid she will become their puppet."

"This can't go on like this."

A gleam of determination flashed across Liu Biao's eyes.

This incident served as a wake-up call for him, making him realize that the hidden dangers within Jingzhou had reached a point where they had to be dealt with.

Whether it was to change the current situation or to clear the obstacles for his eldest son Liu Qi to succeed him as the governor of Jingzhou in the future, he had to take the initiative to find solutions to the problem.

Thinking of this, Liu Biao made up his mind and said to the coachman, "Let's go to Lumen Mountain. I want to visit Pang Degong."

If he wanted to change the current situation and get rid of the control of Cai Mao, Kuai Liang and others, he had to cultivate new confidants and eventually replace them.

Pang Degong was a famous figure of the time with great influence. If he could invite Pang Degong to work under him, he would be able to suppress Cai Mao and others.

However, he had invited Pang Degong to work in his government office many times before, and even went to visit him in person, but was rejected every time.

Now he plans to try again.

……

Lumen Mountain.

An old man collecting herbs, dressed in linen clothes and a straw hat, was walking down the mountain path towards a farmhouse at the foot of the mountain.

Although the old man looked quite old, he had a youthful face and a healthy complexion. Even when walking in the mountains and forests, he walked very fast and did not show any signs of fatigue.

And this person was none other than Pang Degong.

Pushing open the gate and entering the courtyard, Pang Degong was about to call his son to help him clean up the herbs he had collected, but he saw his daughter-in-law carrying food and drinks into the hall. He couldn't help but frown and said, "Don't eat after noon. How could you forget my teachings?"

On weekdays, he and his family strictly follow the principles of health preservation, eat a light diet, and after noon, they just drink some light porridge at most.

But it was not a holiday, but the daughter-in-law prepared a sumptuous meal and wine, which violated the rules he set.

Upon hearing this, the daughter-in-law quickly explained: "Father, these are not what we want to eat, but what the guests asked us to prepare..."

"Brother Shang, I have been waiting for you for a long time!"

Before the daughter-in-law finished her words, a hearty laugh came from the house, and a scholar of extraordinary bearing walked out of the hall.

When Pang Degong saw this man, he immediately understood everything and laughed, "Sima Decao, you are really rude."

The Confucian scholar's name was Sima Hui.

He is his best friend.

Sima Hui smiled and said, "I regard you as my elder brother. When I come to your house, it is like coming to my own home. Why should I be polite?" "Your son can't hold his liquor. I have drunk him. Brother Shang, come and continue drinking with me. Come on, come on!"

As Sima Hui spoke, he walked forward and pulled Pang Degong to the table, and sat down on the main seat. At the same time, he asked Pang Degong's daughter-in-law to prepare the dishes and chopsticks, as if he was the head of the family.

Pang Degong didn't care about these things. He held up the wine jar and asked, "De Cao, why did you have time to come to see me today?"

Although he and Sima Hui were good friends, they usually communicated mostly through letters and saw each other less than twice a year.

It was strange that Sima Hui came to find him on his own initiative today.

Sima Hui smiled faintly and said, "Nothing special, I just miss my elder brother Shang. And since I happen to be free, I came to visit you and earn some wine and meat for you."

Mr. Pang De smiled and raised his glass again.

After they drank a few cups, Sima Hui said, "Brother Shang, I heard that Shi Yuan went to serve under Liu Xuande. Why didn't he go to Jizhou?"

Pang Tong and Pang Shiyuan were the nephews of Pang Degong.

He is also his disciple.

This time he came to visit Pang Degong, also to ask why Pang Tong wanted to serve Liu Bei. In his opinion, with Pang Tong's talent, it would be best for him to go to Jizhou to serve the emperor.

"This is Shi Yuan's own choice."

Pang Degong said, taking a sip of wine, "According to what he said, he knows that he is ugly, and even if he goes to Jizhou, he probably won't be valued by the emperor."

"Liu Xuande is a man of great courtesy and benevolence, and he doesn't mind his appearance, so he plans to work for Liu Xuande first and make some achievements first."

"Liu Xuande's trip to Yizhou was in accordance with the secret order of the emperor, so he wanted to help Liu Xuande take Yizhou, so that he could gain the emperor's favor in the future, enter the court and achieve some achievements."

In this day and age, appearance is very important.

Although Pang Tong was extremely talented, he was extremely ugly, so even if there was a recruitment order, he probably would not be taken seriously if he went there.

So he wanted to make some achievements first.

"Ugh."

Sima Hui couldn't help but sigh deeply upon hearing this, and said: "There are so many people in the world who judge people by their appearance. It's a pity that Shi Yuan is so knowledgeable."

"Shi Yuan has the talent to save the world and govern the country. If he can enter the court, he will surely shine."

Pang Degong smiled and said, "It's okay. Let him hone his skills. With his arrogant personality, it would be a problem if he went straight into the court."

"What about Kong Ming? Is he still in the mountains? His talent is better than Shi Yuan's, and his character is stable enough. Why doesn't he join the court?"

"Now the emperor has defeated Yuan Shao and unified the north. Not long ago, he even conquered Bingzhou and controls the five states. However, he is in need of talents."

He felt that Zhuge Liang was fully capable of serving the emperor.

There's no need to waste your talent in the mountains.

Sima Hui smiled bitterly and said, "It's not that easy. He is too young. He has just reached the age of coming of age. Moreover, he has no reputation. He will not be valued by the emperor."

"So I suggest that he continue to hone his skills in Nanyang for a few years, build up his reputation, and then enter the court."

Pang Degong nodded and agreed with Sima Hui's words.

They are all old and have no thoughts of entering officialdom. The only things they care about are these few disciples who have devoted their efforts to them.

Going to Jizhou to serve the emperor is naturally the best way out.

While the two were talking, they suddenly heard a respectful voice coming from outside the house: "Liu Biao of Jingzhou is here to visit Lord Pang."

"May I ask if Mr. Pang is here?"

Hearing this voice, Pang Degong and Sima Hui paused in their drinking and both looked outside the hall.

Then they saw a gorgeous carriage parked outside the yard, and there was a man standing there, it was Liu Biao.

It was natural for Pang Degong to not welcome a guest, so he walked out of the main hall to welcome Liu Biao in.

When Liu Biao entered the hall, he saw Sima Hui sitting at the table and asked in surprise, "Mr. Shuijing?"

Sima Hui was also one of the famous scholars in Jingzhou, so of course he knew him. He had invited Sima Hui into his mansion before, but was also rejected.

He didn't expect to meet Sima Hui here today.

"Meet the governor of Jingzhou."

Sima Hui stood up and bowed to Liu Biao.

Then the three of them sat down together.

Pang Degong poured a bottle of wine for Liu Biao and asked, "The governor of Jingzhou has come to visit my humble home today. I wonder what brings you here?"

Liu Biao is the governor of Jingzhou and the lord of Jingzhou. Visiting him today can be regarded as a condescension.

"Of course I'm here for Pang Gong."

Liu Biao sat upright and said to Pang Degong sincerely without beating around the bush: "Pang Gong is a famous scholar in the world, a talented person who lives in seclusion in the mountains and forests."

"I have admired Mr. Pang's reputation for a long time. This time, I came here in the hope that Mr. Pang would accept my invitation and help me govern Jingzhou."

"And Mr. Shuijing——"

Liu Biao looked at Sima Hui standing aside and sighed, "I have also invited you to my house many times, but you have also rejected my invitation."

"Although I, Liu Jingsheng, am not very talented, my desire to help the world and bring peace to the people is genuine. I sincerely ask you two gentlemen to help me."

Liu Biao said this and bowed deeply to the two of them.

The attitude cannot be described as insincere.

Looking at Liu Biao in front of them, Pang Degong and Sima Hui looked at each other, put down the wine bottles in their hands, and sat up straight.

"Please stand up, Governor of Jingzhou."

Pang Degong sighed and said, "The swan builds its nest on the top of the tall forest, so it has a place to rest at night; the turtle makes its hole under the abyss, so it has a place to stay at night; people's choices and behaviors are also people's nests, and all things are just for their own place to rest."

"All I want is some peace."

"It's not that I don't want to help Jingzhou Mu, but I'm already very old and can't play a big role, so I can't work for Jingzhou Mu."

Liu Biao's expression froze and he looked at Sima Hui again.

Sima Hui returned the greeting and declined, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Governor of Jingzhou, but I am old and feeble, just like Mr. Pang, and I just want to retire to the countryside to spend the rest of my life."

Although Liu Biao had expected this, he still couldn't help feeling disappointed after being rejected by both Pang Degong and Sima Hui.

At this time, Pang Degong suddenly said: "However, although the two of us cannot serve the governor of Jingzhou, there is one person who can."

As soon as these words came out, Liu Biao and Sima Hui looked at him.

Liu Biao's depressed mood suddenly ignited hope, and he couldn't wait to ask: "Excuse me, Mr. Pang, who is it?"

Anyone who can be recommended by a famous scholar like Pang Degong must be good, so it would be great if we could invite this person.

Pang Degong said with a smile: "There is a man with a great spirit, outstanding vision, and a talent that can be compared to Guan Zhong and Yue Yi."

Liu Biao stretched his neck and asked, "Who is it?"

Pang Degong stroked his beard and smiled, whetting Liu Biao's appetite before slowly saying, "Zhuge Kongming."

　Dear ministers, please give me some monthly tickets, and I will confer upon you the title of Marquis of Wanhu.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)