Can I get to the other side?

Liu Biao was extremely angry at this time.

Although he knew that Cai Mao and others were usually bold and reckless, but for the sake of the Jingzhou nobles behind them, he turned a blind eye.

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

But this time it was too much!

Liu Zhang sent someone over to ask him to send troops to attack Liu Bei. He didn't even see the envoy and didn't hear about it. Cai Mao and others agreed to the matter in his name.

If he hadn't recently discovered that supplies of food, grass, soldiers and horses had begun to be mobilized and investigated carefully, he might have been kept in the dark!

As the lord of Jingzhou, Cai Mao and others made decisions on their own without even telling him about a major event such as sending troops. How could he not be angry!

"My lord has misunderstood. The matter is urgent. We just haven't had time to report the matter to you. We didn't intend to conceal it."

Cai Mao explained without blushing at all.

When Liu Biao heard this, he laughed angrily: "You didn't have time to report it? It was more than a month ago that Liu Zhang sent the envoy. You think I am a three-year-old child and you are fooling me!"

If it only lasted a day or two, he would have endured it.

But a month has passed, and no one under his command has told him. It wasn't until he found out that he told him that he didn't have time to report it.

This is simply to fool him into thinking he is a fool!

Seeing that he could not get through, 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 Liu Bei is driven back, we can move into Bajun and take root in Yizhou. We know that the lord is kind and we are worried that you will refuse, so we did not report it."

"But no matter what, this matter has a lot of benefits and no harm."

As counselors under Liu Biao, they knew very well that Liu Biao's pedantic character would never be willing to engage in war without permission, especially if he sent troops to deal with Liu Bei, a member of the Liu clan.

But this time was an excellent opportunity, so they decided not to report it, and agreed to Liu Zhang's request to send troops in Liu Biao's name.

"It's just nonsense!"

As expected, Liu Biao was furious after hearing Kuai Liang's words, "I am the shepherd of Jingzhou, why should I send troops to Yizhou?!"

"Liu Jiyu and Liu Xuande are both members of the Han clan. As long as I don't stop them from fighting with each other, how can I still send troops to participate in the fight between them? If this matter is spread, how will the world think of me!"

"Immediately stop all arrangements for troops, horses, and supplies. I will personally write a letter to Liu Jiyu to cancel the alliance!"

"I won't deal with you this time, but this kind of thing will never happen again, otherwise I will definitely not forgive you, no matter who it is!"

Liu Biao rarely showed a tough attitude.

And when he said the last sentence, he looked at Cai Hao. It was obvious that this sentence was meant for Cai Hao, and he walked away directly after saying it.

All the counselors in the study looked at each other in shock.

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

"Follow the Lord's words."

Kuai Liang sighed. He knew Liu Biao would react like this, so he didn't want to report it, but now that he was discovered, there was nothing he could do.

They could not openly disobey Liu Biao's orders.

Cai Mao looked ugly and said angrily: "I gave up the great opportunity to enter Yizhou in vain. It's really cowardly!"

"It's just that the emperor didn't come to Jingzhou. When the emperor came to Jingzhou, he still stayed in such a small corner. How could it be such a big deal?"

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

Liu Biao occupies a strategic location like Jingzhou, which is a battleground for military strategists, and has always just wanted to be in a corner. They didn't have much objection before, and they even supported it quite a bit.

But it's different now. If you still don't want to make progress even though you have the emperor in hand, it's obviously not letting them follow the dragon, and it's obviously preventing their family from gaining more benefits.

Gradually, everyone has more or less complaints.

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

Kuai Liang shook his head and left the study.

…

The other side.

After Liu Biao finished reprimanding Cai Mao and others, the anger in his heart still did not disappear, so he took a car and went outside 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, feeling particularly heavy.

He rode into Jingzhou alone and relied on the local wealthy families in Jingzhou to control power. Now the problem finally emerged.

The counselors under his command all came from major wealthy families in Jingzhou, and they all focused on seeking benefits for their families, and few of them were loyal to him at all.

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

It would be better to say that the real lords of Jingzhou are the local wealthy families in Jingzhou such as Cai, Kuai, Pang, Huang, and Ma.

"We have to find a way to change it."

"Even I can't suppress this group of people under my command. When Qi'er takes over after I pass away, I'm afraid she will directly become their puppet."

"This can't go on like this."

A trace of determination flashed in Liu Biao's eyes.

This incident gave him a wake-up call and made him understand 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 way for his eldest son Liu Qi to take over his position as Jingzhou Mu in the future, he had to take the initiative to find a solution to the problem.

Thinking of this, Liu Biao made a decision in his mind and said to the driver driving the car: "I want to go to Lumen Mountain to visit Duke Pang De."

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

And Pang Degong is a famous person in the world, with great influence. If Pang Degong can be invited to serve under him, he can completely suppress Cai Mao and others.

It's just that he had invited Pang Degong to serve in the government many times before, and even deigned to visit him in person, but he was always rejected.

Now he plans to try again.

…

Lumen Mountain.

An old herb collector in linen clothes and a straw hat was walking down the mountain path to a farmhouse at the foot of the mountain.

Although the old man looks quite old, he has white hair and a childish face and a very good complexion. Even when walking in the mountains and forests, he walks with flying colors and does not show any signs of fatigue.

And this person is none other than Mr. Pang De.

Pushing open the courtyard door and entering, Pang Degong just wanted to call his son to come over and help him clean up the medicinal materials he had collected, but he saw his daughter-in-law bringing food and drinks to the hall. He couldn't help frowning and said: "You won't eat after lunch, how could you forget?" Did you follow my teachings?”

On weekdays, he and his family strictly follow the health regimen and eat light meals. After noon, they only drink a little porridge at most.

But it was not a holiday, so his daughter-in-law had prepared sumptuous food and wine, which violated the rules he had set.

The daughter-in-law heard this and 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 speaking, a burst of hearty laughter came from the room, and an extraordinary Confucian scholar walked out of the hall.

Seeing this person, Pang Degong immediately understood everything and laughed and said: "You Sima Decao, you are really not polite."

This Confucian scholar was named Sima Hui.

He is his best friend.

Sima Hui smiled and said: "I regard you as my brother. When I come to your house, I am returning to my own home. Why should I be polite?"

"Young Master is too drunk and has been knocked down by me. Brother Shang, please come and continue drinking with me. Come on, come on!"

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

But Pang Degong didn't care about this. He held the wine bottle and asked, "Decao, why did you have time to come see me today?"

Although he and Sima Hui were good friends, they mostly exchanged letters and could not see each other twice a year.

It was unusual for Sima Hui to take the initiative to look for him today.

Sima Hui smiled lightly and said: "Nothing else, I just miss my eldest brother Shang Er. It happened to be my free time, so I came to visit and earn some wine and meat by the way."

Pang Degong smiled and raised his glass again.

After the two had a few drinks, Sima Hui said: "Brother Shang, I heard that Shi Yuan went to serve under Liu Xuande? Why not go to Jizhou?"

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

He is also his disciple.

This time he came to visit Pang Degong, and also wanted to ask why Pang Tong wanted to serve under Liu Bei. In his opinion, it was best to use Pang Tong's talents to go to Jizhou to serve the emperor.

"This is Shiyuan's own choice."

Pang Degong said while taking a sip of wine, "According to what he said, he knew he was ugly. Even if he went to Jizhou, he probably wouldn't be reused by the emperor."

"And Liu Xuande is a polite and virtuous person, and he doesn't dislike his appearance, so he plans to serve Liu Xuande first and make some achievements first."

"Liu Xuande's trip to Yizhou was based on the emperor's secret order, so he wanted to help Liu Xuande win Yizhou so that he could gain favor from the emperor in the future and achieve great success in the court."

In this day and age, appearance is very important.

Although Pang Tong is extremely talented, his appearance is shockingly ugly, so even if there is a recruitment order, he probably won't be taken seriously.

So he wanted to make some achievements before talking about it.

"well."

Sima Hui couldn't help but sigh deeply when he heard 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 full of knowledge."

"Shi Yuan has the talent to help the world and govern the country. If he can join the court, he will definitely shine."

Pang Degong smiled and said: "It doesn't matter, let him hone his skills. With his aloof temper, if he just plunges into the court, there will be problems."

"As for Kong Ming, he is still in the mountains now? His talents are better than Shi Yuan's, and his character is stable enough. Why not join the court?"

"Now that the emperor has defeated Yuan Shao and unified the north, and not long ago he even defeated Bingzhou, and controls the five states, it is the time when there is a lack of talents."

He felt that Zhuge Liang could definitely serve the emperor.

There is no need to waste your talents in the mountains and wilderness.

Sima Hui smiled bitterly and said: "How can it be so easy? He is too young. He has just reached his prime age now, and he is not very famous. He will not be taken seriously by the emperor."

"So I suggest that he continue to cultivate and cultivate his reputation in Nanyang for a few years before entering the court."

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

They are already old and have no idea of ​​becoming an official. The only thing they care about is these few disciples who have devoted their efforts.

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, come to visit Duke Pang."

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

Hearing this voice, Mr. Pang De and Sima Hui stopped drinking and looked outside the hall.

Then they saw a gorgeous carriage parked outside the yard, and a person was standing at the same time, it was Liu Biao.

When a visitor came, Pang Degong was naturally reluctant to welcome him, so he went out of the main room to welcome Liu Biao in.

After Liu Biao walked into the main room and saw Sima Hui at the table, he couldn't help but asked in surprise: "Mr. Shui Jing?"

Sima Hui was also one of the famous people in Jingzhou, so of course he knew it. He had invited Sima Hui to join the government before, but he was also rejected.

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

"I've met Jingzhou Mu."

Sima Hui stood up and saluted Liu Biao.

Then the three of them sat down together.

Pang Degong poured a bottle of wine for Liu Biao and asked: "Jingzhou Mu came to the humble house today. I don't know why?"

Liu Biaogui is the shepherd of Jingzhou, and he is also the lord of Jingzhou. Coming to visit him today can be regarded as a sign of condescension.

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

Liu Biao sat upright, without beating around the bush, and said to Duke Pang De sincerely: "Gong Pang is a famous person in the world, a great talent hidden in the mountains and forests."

"I have admired Pang Gong's reputation for a long time. I came here this time in the hope that Pang Gong can agree to my invitation and assist me in governing Jingzhou."

"And Mr. Shui Jing——"

Liu Biao looked at Sima Hui beside him and sighed: "I have also invited you to join the government many times, but you also rejected my invitation."

"Although I, Liu Jingsheng, have limited virtues and talents, my desire to help the world and bring peace to the people is absolutely genuine. I sincerely ask these two gentlemen to help me."

Liu Biao said, bowing deeply to the two of them.

The attitude cannot be described as insincere.

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

"Jingzhou Mu, please get up."

Pang Degong sighed and said: "The swans build their nests in the high forests and have a place to rest at night; the turtles and turtles make burrows under the abyss and have their homes at night; human choices and behaviors are also human nests, and everything is made for Each has his own place to stay.”

"All I ask for is peace."

"I don't want to help Jingzhou Mu, but I am already old and can't play a big role, so I can't serve Jingzhou Mu."

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

Sima Hui returned the gift and declined politely: "Thank you very much, Jingzhou Shepherd, for your love, but like Mr. Pang, I am an old man. I just want to hide in the countryside and spend the rest of my life."

Being rejected by both Pang De and Sima Hui, although Liu Biao had expected it, he still couldn't help but feel disappointed.

At this moment, Pang Degong suddenly said: "However, although the two of us cannot serve Jingzhou Mu, one of us can."

As soon as he said this, Liu Biao and Sima Hui looked at him.

Liu Biao's depressed mood instantly ignited hope, and he couldn't wait to ask: "May I ask Pang Gong, who is it?"

Someone who can be recommended by a famous person like Pang Degong will definitely not be far behind. It would be great to invite this person.

Pang Degong said with a smile: "There is a man who is full of generosity, insight and talent, comparable to Guan Zhong Leyi."

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

Pang Degong stroked his beard and smiled, which whetted Liu Biao's appetite before he slowly said: "Zhuge Kongming."

Dear friends, please come and count your monthly votes. I will confer you and others the title of Marquis of Ten Thousand Households.