Chapter 475 Cai Mao’s Thoughts
In this turbulent and undercurrent situation in Xiangyang City, it is no exaggeration to say that Cai Mao has become the stabilizing needle in the city. His stance and tendency are like a key weight on the scale. Whoever can get his support will be able to dominate this complex and unpredictable situation and control the direction of the situation.
However, even with such an important power, Cai Mao was still respectful in front of Liu Ping, with a humble expression hanging on his face from beginning to end, and in his every move, there was no trace of arrogant and pride.
After receiving Liu Biao's instructions, Cai Mao thanked him solemnly and then took his seat carefully. He straightened his back, looked focused and listened carefully on his face, and quietly waited for Liu Biao to speak first.
Liu Biao's eyes slowly moved on Cai Mao, round after round, and his eyes seemed to have the power of insight into people's hearts, trying to capture even a subtle emotional change from Cai Mao's face and find out him Real thoughts deep inside.
After a long time, seeing that Cai Mao had no intention of speaking on his own initiative, Liu Biao sighed in his heart. In desperation, he finally broke the silence first and said, "Don't let Han Song and the others come to the mansion again today, and they still kept persuading me to surrender to Cao Cao. Degui, you are my most trusted confidant. General, Sister Ru is my wife again. We have experienced many difficulties and obstacles together. This foundation of Jingzhou was also created step by step by step by step. This major event related to life and death, naturally I want to listen to your opinions and opinions."
After saying that, Liu Biao's eyes locked on Cai Mao tightly, and his eyes were full of expectations, as if waiting for Cai Mao to give a suitable answer. At the same time, there is also a faint sense of anxiety. After all, this choice is related to whether he can continue to take charge of Jingzhou.
After hearing Liu Biao's question, Cai Mao suddenly fell into a long silence. Time passed quietly in this quiet atmosphere bit by bit, and the hope in Liu Biao's eyes gradually became dim as the silence continued.
Just when Liu Biao was about to completely give up hope, Cai Mao suddenly spoke: "Now Han Degao and others have obviously tended to surrender to the general Cao Cao. Xi Lu came here this time just to explore the way for the general. Forget it. According to my inference, the imperial edict will be able to reach Xiangyang within half a month. Now that the situation is like this, what can I do? "
Hearing Cai Mao's words, Liu Biao's originally dim eyes It lights up again in an instant. Although Cai Mao's words seemed to be ruling and expressing helplessness towards the situation, Liu Biao keenly heard the resentment and dissatisfaction hidden in it. No matter what the reason was, it was obvious that Cai Mao was extremely dissatisfied with Han Song and others' claim to surrender, and this made Liu Biao secretly happy.
Liu Biao suddenly stretched out his hand and grabbed Cai Mao's wrist firmly. I don't know where he got the strength, but this grab made Cai Mao's wrist ached faintly.
"Brother, this Jingzhou is your and my Jingzhou. Now the city has sufficient military supplies, weapons and armor are neatly displayed, and the warehouse is full of food and grass, and there are countless wealth and supplies. Even if there are a few soldiers at present, there are a few soldiers now. There is still 20,000 soldiers available."
Liu Biao looked at Cai Mao with firm eyes: "Do you really want to give all this to others?"
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Cai Mao frowned , said with a puzzled look: "Lord, if the general does not send troops to help us, I am afraid that this Xiangyang City will definitely not be the opponent of the Yangzhou Army." "Hey, Degui, at this moment, you and me It is one, you are my brother-in-law, and I am your brother-in-law." Seeing that Cai Mao's attitude softened, Liu Biao was even more happy and hurriedly persuaded, "My brother, although your words make sense, I was thinking about it at a critical point."
A look of surprise flashed across Cai Mao's face, and then he quickly bowed and said, "Please ask... Brother-in-law to make it clear."
Cai Mao originally wanted to call Liu Biao the lord, but Liu Biao pretended to glar at him. I had to change the title temporarily.
"Xiangyang City is the key to the entire situation!"
Liu Biao spoke with a serious expression: "Han Song and others are determined to surrender, so let them rush forward. In their name, we would like to invite the Cao army to help us. As long as we control Xiangyang City firmly, all the situation will still have room for recovery. "
Cai Mao seemed to be He aroused a strong interest and then asked, "How to restore the situation in detail?"
Liu Biao showed a confident smile on his face and said slowly: "Xiangyang City is the foundation of your hard work for many years. The city walls are tall and thick, the moat is deep and wide, and the food, grass and weapons reserved in the city are enough to support it for several years. Moreover, once the Nanyang defenders are called back, they will have 20,000 to 30,000 soldiers available when they are ready. At that time, the young and strong men in the city will be recruited to join the army, and they will have 50,000 soldiers as their support. Now, although the hearts of the people in the city are It's just because I haven't recovered from the illness during this period. As long as I come forward again to take charge of the overall situation, I will definitely be able to be stable immediately. Consolidate people's hearts."
After hearing this, Cai Mao looked slightly moved, but then hesitated and asked, "That General..."
"Brother, The key is the city of Xiangyang."
Liu Biao held Cai Mao's hand tightly and said earnestly: "As long as we can firmly control Xiangyang, Cao Cao will find it difficult to gain a foothold in Nanyang. Wait for us After forcing Liu Feng to retreat, I have my own way to let Cao Cao return to Guanzhong obediently."
Cai Mao pondered in his heart, feeling that Liu Biao's words were half true and half false.
It is said that it is true because as long as Liu Biao can really control Xiangyang steadily, Cao Cao may not be able to gain a long position in Nanyang. Even if he can take over Wan County, it will not be of much significance. After all, the core of Nanyang has long been transferred to Xiangyang. Xiangyang is different from Jiangxia and Nanjun. It is the earliest territory run by Liu Biao, with many loyal subordinates and loyal people. Unless Cao Cao can send a large number of troops to suppress them everywhere, and must have elite troops, he may not be able to suppress all the forces in Xiangyang.
But Cai Mao didn't think that Liu Biao was really sure. If Liu Biao really had such confidence, how could he be so polite to himself? He would be so intimately called his brother-in-law. After all, it was not to win over himself and gain his support.
"I entered Jingzhou alone in the past, joined forces with you and the three of you, pacified Yicheng within one day, and won Xiangyang within just one month. In less than half a year, Jingzhou sixth was the first time Everyone bowed down to obey the orders."
Liu Biao gently patted Cai Mao's back of his hand, with a sincere expression, and a bit of begging in his tone: "Degui, I hope you can continue to help me, and let me share the same wish. Protect the foundation of Jingzhou! "
Cai Mao seemed to be deeply moved by Liu Biao's words, and his face was filled with tears. He immediately knelt on his knees and bowed: "Ming Gong is as kind as a mountain to me , Mao was willing to serve Ming Gong, and he was tragic and did not hesitate to do so! ”
"Okay! OK!" Liu Biao repeatedly claimed to be OK, his face full of relief, and then he held up his tired body and pulled Cai Mao up.
Immediately afterwards, Liu Biao revealed some of his detailed plans to Cai Mao, and repeatedly reminded Cai Mao to be sure to seize the military power in his hands and never let Han Song and other people from the Nanyang faction get involved in the troops in Xiangyang City.
Cai Mao naturally agreed without hesitation. This was what he cared about the most. Liu Biao's arrangement was exactly what he wanted.
The two of them discussed the time for a cup of tea on many details. Seeing that Liu Biao became more and more depressed and looked exhausted, Cai Mao immediately said goodbye. At this time, Liu Biao was already a little exhausted and drowsy. He really had no energy to continue conspiring with Cai Mao. So, the two agreed to meet again in a few days to discuss the follow-up matters.
After that, Cai Mao turned around and slowly left Liu Biao's bedroom.
As soon as Cai Mao stepped out of the bedroom, he saw a maid waiting at the gate of the courtyard. The maid was slender and looked respectful. When she saw Cai Mao appear, she hurriedly bowed her body and bowed her eyebrows and eyes.
Cai Mao walked over steadily, and the maid leaned forward slightly, lowered her voice and said, "Madam is waiting for you in front of you."
The voice is soft, but it can be clearly heard in this quiet late night.
Cai Mao nodded slowly, his movements were not slow, and he was a bit calmer to stay in a high position for a long time. Seeing this, the maid turned around and led the way with light steps. Cai Mao followed behind, passing through the winding corridor and heading to the next yard.
The yard is full of flowers and plants, and a few early wintersweets emit a faint fragrance in the cold wind, which has a unique charm under the moonlight, but Cai Mao has no intention of appreciating it.
After a while, they came to a house.
The maid turned around again, gave a respectful gift, and then turned sideways to open the main door.
Cai Mao didn't even raise his eyelids, and walked straight in, as if nothing around him was worth his distraction.
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As soon as I entered the house, warmth came to my face, and Mrs. Cai was sitting upright in the seat waiting.
Seeing Cai Mao coming in, her already tense expression instantly became a little nervous, and her eyes were filled with concern, and she asked anxiously: "The matter is over? What is his purpose in finding you?"
Cai Mao stepped forward and saluted his sister first. His movements were standard but without losing his composure. Then he slowly entered the table and replied calmly: "What else can it be? I just can't bear to leave Jingzhou. Just authority, I want to pull me to make a knife for him and control the situation in Xiangyang City. "
Second Sister Cai is a famous beauty in Jingzhou. She has a gentle temperament and her eyebrows are full of the charm of Jiangnan women. . His eldest sister married Huang Chengyan, who is Zhuge Liang's mother-in-law in the original time and space. Since Liu Biao entered Jingzhou, he married Mrs. Cai as Xuxian. The two have a big age gap, and this marriage is a political marriage and has no emotional foundation.
What's worse is that for more than ten years, Mrs. Cai has not been able to give birth to a child for Liu Biao. Although Liu Biao treats her as usual, Mrs. Cai is always unsure. In desperation, Mrs. Cai could only turn her attention to Liu Biao's second son Liu Cong, and marry her niece for her, hoping to find a trust in this way.
Now that Liu Biao's health is getting worse and worse, the situation in Jingzhou is even more chaotic, like a pile of sand. Although Mrs. Cai was in the Liu Mansion, she felt deeply isolated and had to rely on her own brothers. On weekdays, the siblings have a deep relationship and are intimate. In this situation, it is not surprising that Mrs. Cai cares about Cai Mao.
"Then how did you respond to him?"
Mrs. Cai frowned, her eyes full of worry. Obviously, she knew in her heart that this matter was very difficult and not easy. It is very dangerous, maybe even the entire Cai family will be involved.
Cai Mao looked relaxed and replied lightly: "I promised him."
The sound was not loud, but it was quite shocking.
Mrs. Cai was shocked, her eyes widened, and she subconsciously stood up and asked: "Are you crazy? Can you agree to this casually? The old man can't manage government affairs now, and he can still do it. Is there any possibility of a comeback? Besides, didn’t you settle a marriage with the general in Luozhong? Isn’t it just a handy one now? Do you really want to help the old man fight against the court? Fight against the general? ”
For Mrs. Cai, she leaned more towards Cao Cao in her heart. The reason is actually very simple. Yuan Shao is far away from Jingzhou and is too far away from him to rely on. As the general of the regent, Cao Cao represented the court, held high power and was powerful. The most important thing is that Cao Cao had a good personal relationship with Cai Mao, which made Mrs. Cai feel that relying on Cao Cao could guarantee the interests of the Cai family to the greatest extent.
Although Liu Feng is powerful, he is strict with the powerful gentry. The Cai family is worried that once Liu Feng surrenders to Liu Feng, his status and interests in Jingzhou will be seriously affected.
So at this moment, Mrs. Cai seemed so shocked and uneasy when she heard that Cai Mao had agreed to Liu Biao, as if the sky was about to fall.
Cai Mao smiled indifferently, with a little confidence and determination in his smile, and comforted him: "Second sister, don't panic. The so-called mantis stalks the cicada and the oriole is behind, why can't my Cai family be an oriole once?"
Mrs. Cai looked surprised, her eyes full of confusion, and she asked, "Degui, what do you mean?"
The body leaned forward slightly, and she couldn't wait to know the answer.
Cai Mao looked upright and replied seriously: "Now in Xiangyang City, I am the only one in charge of the troops, which can be said to have a single move. If Liu Jingsheng can have the ability to turn the tide, I will naturally be happy. Help him. After all, if Jingzhou surrendered to the court, how could he have the power we have now?"
As he said, he narrowed his eyes slightly, and a trace of undetectable shrewd in his eyes.
Mrs. Cai remained silent. She knew in her heart that the Cai family's status in Jingzhou is now important. Because of her marriage with Liu Biao, she has overwhelmed the Kuai family. Because she is in the center, she is also higher than Pang and Huang. The surname is the real person in Jingzhou and above everyone else.
In the land of Jingzhou, the power of the Cai family is like a large and airtight net, with students and former officials everywhere, and the roots are mixed. These people take the Cai family as the core, and their interests are connected and difficult to shake.
(This chapter ends)