Chapter Thirty-One: The Six Great Families

  "It seems that Mr. also heard about Huang Chengyan." Yan Liang said.

  "Huang Chengyan, a renowned member of the Huang family, one of the six major clans in Jingzhou, I've naturally heard of him."

  Judging from Xu You's tone, although he acknowledges Huang Chengyan's reputation and status as a scholar, he doesn't show much respect, seemingly implying that Huang is not quite on his level.

  "The six major families? Interesting, sir, please go on."

  Yan Liang, however, became interested, after all, he had read the Three Kingdoms thoroughly, but his impression of the Three Kingdoms mostly came from the novel "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", without much deeper understanding.

  Xu You rarely got Yan Liang's guidance, and once he did, he would talk endlessly.

  Yan Liang listened quietly, his mind racing quickly, and soon sorted out the intricate relationships between the Jing Xiang aristocratic families.

  These six major families, namely Kuai, Pang, Ma, Cai, Huang and Xi, among them, the Zhonglu Kuai family and the Xiangyang Cai family have the greatest influence. The representatives of these two families are Cai Mao and Kuai Yue.

  At that time, Liu Biao took over Jingzhou and relied on the full support of the Cai family and the Kuai family. Liu Biao repaid them with heavy use, and almost all the important positions in charge of military and political power in Jingzhou were monopolized by these two families.

  It's clear that although Liu Biao appears to be the ruler of Jingzhou on the surface, in reality, the true rulers of Jingzhou are actually the two families of Kuai and Cai.

  As for the remaining four surnames, their combined strength is not as strong as that of the Kuai and Cai clans, so these four clans are not in the core of Jingzhou's governance. Although many people from these clans have served under Liu Biao, few hold high positions.

  The only exception was the head of the Huang family, Huang Zu, who was highly valued by Liu Biao and entrusted with the important position of Governor of Jiangxia to counter the threat from the Sun family in Jiangdong. He was one of the few powerful and prominent figures in Jingzhou, aside from Kuai Yue and Cai Mao.

  As for Huang Chengyan, although he is also a distinguished member of the Huang family, he belongs to a collateral branch and has not been employed by Liu Biao despite his reputation. He is currently living in seclusion in the countryside.

  "Liu Biao values people who are either from wealthy and influential families or renowned scholars of the time. It seems that this person places too much emphasis on one's background, preferring to use individuals with similar refined and noble origins. Hmm, it would seem that there must be many talented but unappreciated scholars in Jingzhou who harbor resentment towards him."

  Yan Liang spoke a few words and pointed out Liu Biao's shortcomings in using people, as well as the hidden dangers of Jingzhou.

  Xu You couldn't help but show a look of admiration, amazed at Yan Liang's quick thinking, and so quickly sorted out the pulse of Jingzhou.

  He nodded and said, "The general's evaluation is to the point. In fact, Yu Zheng wanted to say that the aristocratic families in Jingzhou are not all united in their support for Liu Biao, and the different surnames are not all of one mind. If we want to win people over, we can start from here."

  Xu You's plan coincided with what Yan Liang had in mind.

  Historically, Liu Bei won the support of Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, Ma Liang, Jiang Wan and Huang Zhong, who were not valued by Liu Biao, before he could seize Jingzhou.

  With the precedent of Liu Bei, Yan Liang deeply believed that even if he couldn't get the support of the Kuai and Cai clans, as long as he could be like Cao Cao, who only valued talent, he would definitely be able to obtain Jingzhou.

  "Sir, what you said is extremely right, but how can we take the first step? I wonder if sir has any brilliant ideas?" Yan Liang asked.

  Xu You hehe smiled and glanced outward with his eyes, as if hinting at something.

  Yan Liang was taken aback for a moment, and suddenly his eyes lit up, "Sir, aren't you thinking of making a move on Huang's daughter?"

  "Cough, cough..." Xu You cleared his throat a few times, "General, you said this, but I, Xu You, am already nearly fifty years old. How can I bear to delay the youth of someone else's young daughter?"

  "What does Mr. mean..." Yan Liang had actually already guessed his intention, but deliberately pretended not to know.

  Xu You said straightforwardly: "The fastest way to win over the Jingzhou aristocracy is through marriage. Didn't Liu Biao marry Cai Mao's sister back then? I think this Huang girl has a bit of charm and also has a good relationship with the general. Why doesn't the general ask for her hand in marriage, not only can he get a virtuous wife but also use this opportunity to establish a connection with the Huang family."

  Xu You spoke fluently and eloquently, with a hint of a matchmaker's charm.

  Which hero doesn't love a beauty? Judging from the heart, with Huang Yueying's appearance and temperament, how could it not move Yan Liang's heart.

  Yan Liang thought to himself, if he were to marry Huang Yueying, wouldn't that be taking Zhuge Liang's wife for himself? This would be somewhat unkind.

  But then he thought again, since Huang Yueying is still unmarried now, why must she marry Zhuge Liang?

  Since we've met, it's like what You Suo said, a destined fate. If I don't take the initiative to pursue the woman I have my eyes on, and instead let her slip away to someone else, then I'm not even qualified to be a man, let alone compete with others for greatness.

  At this thought, Yan Liang's mind suddenly cleared up, and a hint of a smile flashed across the corner of his mouth.

  His expression was tantamount to acquiescing in Xu You's suggestion.

  Xu You was overjoyed and couldn't help but burst into loud laughter. After laughing for a while, he suddenly became calm again.

  "This Huang Chengyan is also a very opinionated person, keeping his daughter unmarried until now. He must be waiting for a son-in-law with the right social status. General, you've just arrived in Jingzhou and your foundation is not yet stable. If you want to persuade him to marry his daughter to you, it's likely to take some effort..."

  Xu You muttered to himself, his face showing a few shades of worry.

  Xu You's concerns are not unreasonable, as the historical Huang Chengyan gave his daughter to Zhuge Liang because he appreciated Zhuge's talent and potential.

  It seems that Huang Chengyan is also a person with discerning eyes, and if he wants to marry his daughter to himself, he must let him see his extraordinary potential.

  Yan Liang thought for a moment, but then sneered: "The world's situation is changing rapidly, I don't have that much patience. As for the marriage, I'll use both courtesy and force. If Huang Chengyan doesn't agree to marry his daughter to me, I'll just take her by force."

  In a chaotic world, just talking about etiquette is useless. Sometimes it still relies on the law of the jungle, and Yan Liang deeply understands this point.

  Xu You was taken aback, a bitter smile spreading across his face. "General, you're right. I'm afraid I've been too narrow-minded. If all else fails, we'll have to resort to force."

  The two were discussing this matter when a guard outside the door reported that Xu You's scout had urgent military information to present.

  Yan Liang took out the intelligence from the sealed wax ball and took a look, his sword-like eyebrows involuntarily gathered into a line.

  Cao Cao's side has made another move.

  Cao Hong, stationed in Wancheng, Nanyang, led 4,000 infantry and cavalry southward, rushing towards Xinye. At the same time, Cai Yang, who was ordered to re-enter Runan, also led 3,000 soldiers and horses from the east, approaching Xinye.

  Cao Cao wanted to take advantage of Yan Liang's recent victory in Xin Ye and his unstable footing, and launch a two-pronged attack to eliminate the thorn in his eye.

  "Guān Duò nà biān Cáo Cāo yǐ pēng dào le jí xiàn, zhè yàng yī gè guān jiàn shí kè hái gǎn fēn zhòng bīng lái gōng dǎ Xīn Yě, tā zhè dǎn zi yě wèi miǎn tài dà le ba." Xǔ Yōu zhe zhè qíng bào, xiǎn de shì fēn de jīng yì.

  Yan Liang coldly smiled and said, "Cao Cao is best at being unpredictable. He must have anticipated that we would think he wouldn't dare to send troops here, so he did the opposite, in order to catch us off guard."

  Xu You nodded slightly, but then said disapprovingly: "The military abilities of Cao Hong and Cai Yang are far inferior to those of Cao Ren. Why should we be afraid of them?"

  "What I'm worried about is not Cao Hong, but that old slippery Liu Biao."

  Yan Liang's sword eyebrows slightly condensed, his tone was meaningful and profound.