Liu Bei sets out on an expedition!

  Liu Biao helped Liu Bei up and said in a low voice, "Xuande, I wish you an early victory and a triumphant return!" After a slight pause, he continued, "Tomorrow, I will prepare a farewell banquet for you!"

  "Many thanks for the good intention of Brother Jing Sheng!" Liu Bei's face showed a hint of emotion, and after a moment of contemplation, he said to Liu Biao with a serious expression: "Brother Jing Sheng, since speed is crucial in military affairs, let us put off the matter of the banquet until Xuande returns from suppressing the rebellion."

  Liu Bei nodded after listening, with a worried look in his eyes, and said warmly: "Xuande, don't worry, I'll bring you good news!"

  Liu Bei thanked him again and hastily took his leave. Liu Biao watched as Liu Bei's figure disappeared into the distance, then slowly sat back down in his seat, his eyes fixed on Kuai Liang, saying: "Zi Rou, make sure that the supplies arrive safely!"

  "My lord, please be at ease. The two armies have set out, and the treasury of Xiangyang Prefecture can still be maintained. If not, we can also let Fu Shou, the governor of Jiangling, take charge of this route for Liu Xuande." Kuai Liang responded in a low voice. Liu Biao listened and slightly eased his mind, looking at Cai Mao with his eyes: "Dehui, how many soldiers are left in Xiangyang?"

  Cai Mao sensed that Liu Biao's words seemed to imply the intention of dividing the Xiangyang army, and his heart sank. The Jingbei army was in the hands of the Cai family, and every time there were fewer people, Cai Mao's heart would bleed. Cai Mao immediately spoke up: "My lord, actually this expedition to Jiangxia does not need the soldiers from Xiangyang!"

  Liu Biao saw Cai Mao's old treachery, his heart sank, and the darkness in his eyes deepened. He stared at Cai Mao for a long time without speaking, and the atmosphere suddenly froze. Just as the Ku brothers were about to break the silence, Liu Biao burst out laughing!

  "De Gui is indeed a loving general for Gu, considering everything for Gu. De Gui, then tell me where the army that went to Jiang Xia is?"

  Cai Man's eyes were dim and his face twitched slightly as he said in a low voice: "Jing Nan."

  "Jingnan?" Liu Biao raised an eyebrow and smiled lightly: "Does De Cai think the Jingnan army can be invited to the hall?"

  "Your Excellency, the land of Jingnan has long been under the threat of the Five Tribes of the South. In recent years, each of them must have had elite troops." Cai Mao's face was full of confidence as he pointed to the map and said in a low voice: "Moreover, the four counties of Jingnan are far away from Xiangyang, and although the governors of the four counties appear to obey Your Excellency on the surface, they actually disobey you secretly and build their own power. If this continues for a long time, I'm afraid that the people of Jingnan will only remember the governor and not Your Excellency."

  "Haha, it seems that I was too tolerant before. Now it's time to show them some color! Liu Biao deeply felt that Cai Mao's words were reasonable and looked at Kuai Yue with a solemn expression: "Kuai Yue, labor you to Jingnan to recruit two million soldiers from Jingnan!"

  Kuai Yue's face changed slightly as he stammered: "Your Excellency, t-two...two hundred thousand troops?"

  Kuai Liang and Cai Mao also looked at Liu Biao in dismay, as if they had misheard?

  Liu Biao nodded his head and slapped the table with his right hand, saying in a cold voice: "Yi Du, you heard that right, it's 20,000. If they don't obey, I can expel them. Don't occupy the toilet without doing anything. They don't want to be governor, someone else will do it. Otherwise, when Wen Pin and Wang Wei return, I'll order them to go to Jingnan for a visit!"

  Liu Biao's meaning is now very clear, damn it, not to fight? Then I'll take the army to tour Jingnan, and see how it goes, everyone understands. Kuai Liang, Kuai Yue, Cai Mao three people heard after their bodies were all shocked, eyes deep in surprise looking at Liu Biao, it seems that this time Liu Biao is really serious, after Liu Bei defeats Zhang Wu, Chen Sun, will the military power of Jingnan still be left to him?

  Will the fat meat in hand be sent back alive? The fact is there, how is it possible?

  The two brothers of the Kuai family were secretly delighted, although the Kuai family's power was vast, but the clan's children did not touch military power at all, they all went into politics and firmly grasped the lifeline of Jingzhou, financial rights! This is also one of the reasons why the Cai family grasped military power but did not dare to thoroughly turn against the Kuai family!

  The Cai and Kuai families were originally in a very peculiar balance, but during this period, the balance was broken when Cai Mao's sister married Liu Biao, and the scales slowly tilted towards the Cai family!

  The Ku brothers are all old and cunning, this matter is more beneficial to the Ku family, and the two of them naturally agree with both hands. Cai Mao is also an old hand at playing power politics, seeing Ku Liang and Ku Yue's joyful expressions, as if they had married a beautiful young woman, Cai Mao was so angry that he wanted to rush over and beat him up, but in front of Liu Biao, Cai Mao did not dare to be too presumptuous.

  On the surface, Liu Biao was still the master of Jingzhou, and Cai Mao controlled most of the military power in Jingzhou, but it was limited to the northern part of Jingzhou. There was still a portion of military power firmly held by Liu Biao, such as the old troops from Shanyang who followed him, and Huang Zu's family, Huang Zu being someone Liu Biao had promoted with his own hands. Although only one member of the Huang family, Huang Zu, held high office, the influence of the Huang family in Jingzhou was not to be underestimated!

  Liu Biao saw that both his left and right arms agreed, and he felt slightly relieved in his heart. Liu Biao's mind was clear: the current Jingzhou was divided into several factions... The Cai family was the most respected.

  Liu Biao strengthened his control over the northern part of Jing Province for more than a decade, but his control over the southern part declined. The ambiguous attitude of the southern part of Jing Province today is not unrelated to this. If Liu Biao had the courage to take up arms and sweep away the southern part of Jing Province at that time, perhaps the southern part of Jing Province would not be in its current state.

  Liu Biao understood that Jingnan was so arrogant now, sometimes openly obeying his orders while secretly disobeying them. There must be a powerful backer behind him, and Liu Biao had already guessed one or two of them in his heart. Therefore, Liu Biao's anger grew even more intense, and he swept a glance at Cai Mao without leaving any trace.

  All along, Liu Biao has been in a passive position. Although he is the governor of Jingzhou, there is no one under his command who can be used for great things. Huang Zu is capable, but he is far away, and as the saying goes, "distant water cannot save near fire." Liu Biao had been suppressing his ambitions all along, but finally, he saw an opportunity. First, Liu Bei entered Xinye, and then Zhang Wu and Chen Sun rebelled. Such a great opportunity would not be missed by someone as cunning as Liu Biao.

  At that time, Liu Biao immediately started his small abacus in his heart. Liu Bei went to quell the rebellion, but it was just a banner. Liu Biao's real purpose was still to rely on Liu Bei to control the large army of Jingzhou. Isn't there a great man who said: "The fist is big and it's the boss, the gun barrel comes out with power!"

  Liu Biao knew that the tens of thousands of troops in Xiangyang would not easily let go, and Liu Biao did not plan to let Cai Mao agree. Liu Biao retreated and took a step back, first starting from Jingnan, cutting off some forces from Jingnan before speaking again.

  As for Liu Bei's abilities, Liu Biao didn't have the slightest doubt. Who would believe that someone who could survive under Cao Cao's rule until now wouldn't even have two brushes in his hand?

  "What about the 20,000 troops later?" Liu Biao immediately fell into deep thought, and soon secretly thought: "Hmmm... well, let's have Xuande take charge first, and temporarily station them in Jiangling, then we'll slowly plot against him!"

  Liu Biao thought everything was fine, but he still didn't dare to be careless. The power of the aristocratic families couldn't be underestimated by Liu Biao. Why couldn't Liu Biao have the final say in Jingzhou? It's because there were too many people from aristocratic families under his command, and over time, this became a factor that led to the current situation!

  Liu Biao smiled and looked at Kuai Liang, Kuai Liang said: "Zi Rou, Yi Du, you two go ahead and busy yourselves!"

  Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue knew that Liu Biao was giving them a subtle order to leave, so they nodded in understanding and quietly withdrew.

  After Jing Lian and Jing Yue left, Liu Biao rubbed his temples. After all, he was old, and overexerting himself would not do. A moment later, looking slightly fatigued at Cai Mao, he said softly: "De Kui, you can also withdraw. In the past few days, you should often go to inspect the defenses of Xiangyang City, and never let bandits take advantage of it!"

  Cai Mao was deeply worried, after listening to Liu Biao's words, he made a perfunctory response and retreated, hurrying back to the Cai residence, where he consulted with Zhang Yun and others of his own faction on a counter-strategy.

  Liu Biao watched as Kuai Liang, Kuai Yue and Cai Mao retreated, his heart feeling gloomy: "Alas, each has their own interests. When I am around, I can suppress them, but when I'm gone, will Jia Xu be able to bear this great responsibility?"

  As soon as he thought of his eldest son's usual behavior, Liu Biao felt even more painful and regretful. Liu Qi was weak-minded and had been associating closely with some bad friends in recent years, neither accomplished in literature nor skilled in martial arts! He had no style of his own. His second son, Liu Cong, was born to Lady Cai, the younger sister of Cai Mao. Although Liu Cong was young, he was clever and talented, and Liu Biao loved him dearly.

  What worried Liu Biao most was Cai's family, the Cai clan!

  The external relatives' abuse of power is not uncommon, let alone Liu Cong being a young child. Liu Bei also doesn't know how long he can live, and this makes him very worried. He furrows his brow, gently rubs his temples, and twists his eyebrows together.

  The light in his eyes flickered uncertainly for a long time before Liu Bei's gaze finally steadied, becoming firm and determined.

  Post house!

  Inside the room, Liu Bei, Liu Xuan and Zhao Yun sat opposite each other in stunned silence.

  Liu Bei said everything that Liu Biao had entrusted to him and his own thoughts, while Zhao Yun didn't say anything, with a calm and steady expression, his eyes filled with endless fighting spirit!

  Liu Xuan furrowed his brow deeply, "Father, why do you want to go and capture Jiang Xia's thief? After a long time of contemplation, Liu Xuan finally spoke in a soft voice: "Father, Ping Zhang Wu, Chen Sun, why do you want me to go?"

  Liu Bei's face still had a smile, and he spread his hands and chuckled: "Wen Ping, Wang Wei, the two generals are fighting outside, Cai Mao bears the heavy responsibility of defending Xiangyang, so Jing Sheng can only entrust it to his father before leaving."

  Liu Xuan couldn't help but slap his forehead and thought to himself: "Damn it, old man, you're really something."

  Liu Bei looked at Liu Xuan with a worried face and asked concernedly: "Xuan'er, what's wrong?"

  Liu Xuan listened to Liu Bei's question, helplessly rolled his eyes, spread out his hands and bitterly said: "Father, we are now in the tiger's den..." Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Liu Bei's displeased voice, shouting: "How can you say that, Xuan'er? Brother Jing Sheng has great kindness towards us, if Brother Jing Sheng is worried, we should do our best to help!"

  Liu Bei slightly blamed and glared at Liu Xuan with a stern expression, saying: "Earlier, I asked you to follow me to see Brother Jing Sheng, but as soon as you turned around, you disappeared. Where did you go? You're just making excuses not to go!"

  Liu Xuanyin's heart skipped a beat, and he smiled foolishly to gloss over it, saying in a low voice: "Father, I went into the city alone to understand the general situation of Xiangyang."

  "Does Father know what the child has heard?" Liu Xuan's face was heavy, with a hint of worry between his eyebrows, and he said in a low voice: "Almost half of the troops guarding Xiangyang are attached to the Cai family." After a pause, Liu Xuan looked at Liu Bei with shining eyes and said softly: "Has Father thought about what will happen after the rebellion is put down?"

  "Father, can you be sure that Cai Mao will be kind and won't deal with you? As the saying goes, 'a visible spear is easy to dodge, but a hidden arrow is hard to guard against.'"

  He glanced at Liu Bei's deep-thinking face, and Liu Xuan said lightly: "Father, why not do this? Father takes Yunchun to quell the rebellion, and I'll stay in Xiangyang. If people like Cai Mao make small moves, I can also inform father!"

  Liu Bei shook his head immediately and said firmly: "No way, Xuan'er, it's too dangerous for you to stay in Xiangyang alone!"

  Liu Xuan smiled strangely after hearing this and said in a low voice, "Father, as the saying goes, the most dangerous place is also the safest! Father can entrust me to Liu... uh... Uncle Jing Sheng!"

  "Father is going to war, Liu Bei should have the ability to protect a young child like me?" Liu Xuan smiled lightly and gazed at Liu Bei: "Father can rest assured to go to war, afterwards, I will have my own way..."

  Liu Bei listened and his eyes wandered over Liu Xuan's body, smiling: "What plan does my son have?"

  "Enemies coming, we'll fight them off; water coming, we'll dam it up!" Liu Xuan shrugged his shoulders, quite nonchalant. When Liu Bei heard Liu Xuan's words, he was taken aback for a moment, then burst out laughing and exclaimed loudly: "Indeed the son of Liu Xuande!"

  "Braver than ordinary people, with extraordinary insight... Good! Good! Good!"

  Liu Bei said three good things, and Liu Xuan suddenly had a look of being favored and surprised. In less than a moment, Liu Xuan's face turned solemn, and he said: "Father, although it is so, we still need to consider it carefully."

  Liu Bei nodded in agreement, and the three of them huddled together to whisper among themselves. Before long, time had passed and it was already dusk. Liu Bei then took Liu Xuan to visit Liu Biao at the General Who Guards the South Mansion.

  …………

  The next day, Liu Bei led three thousand soldiers from Xiangyang City and was about to rush to the battlefield in Jiangxia with the rising sun.

  Liu Biao accompanied by a group of civil and military officials saw him off several miles outside the East City Gate.

  Liu Bei couldn't help but look on with some disdain, grasping Liu Biao's hands and saying excitedly: "Brother Jing Sheng, escorting you a thousand miles, we must eventually part ways, today is the end."

  Liu Bei nodded silently and remained silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Younger brother must remember the words I spoke to you yesterday."

  Liu Bei's expression changed slightly, his eyes flashing with a hint of joy and solemnity. He immediately gave an order, and Zhao Yun led the vanguard in a majestic manner towards Jiangxia!

  Liu Bei stood beside, Cai Mao's face was gloomy, his eyes flashing with uncertainty, looking at a 8 or 9 year old boy standing next to Liu Bei. The boy had round and bright eyes, a fair complexion and sword-like eyebrows, exuding an aura of spirituality that was very lovable and made people like him extremely.