Chapter 8: Liu Bei, You Are Being Excessively Oppressive

Xiangyang.

Due to the massive military expansion, Wei Yan had already left Liu Bei’s personal guard and taken command of the central army. This time, those accompanying Liu Bei to Xiangyang included Liu Feng, Fu Tong, Zhao Shaojie, and others.

“Wait here,” Liu Bei instructed, then went alone to meet Liu Biao.

Zhao Shaojie casually spread his legs and asked, “Have you all seen Lady Cai? Is she beautiful?” He clearly remembered the appearance of Lady Cai from the New Three Kingdoms.

Liu Feng’s eyes widened, and Fu Tong looked horrified.

Was that even a question to ask?

Just as the two were at a loss, a burly man clad in full armor stormed in. He glanced coldly at Zhao Shaojie and the others, snorted, and strode inside.

Zhao Shaojie frowned. “Who’s that, so rude?”

Liu Feng growled, “That’s Cai Mao. He is extremely hostile toward my father.”

Zhao Shaojie sneered inwardly, thinking, “So he’s a figure comparable to the second elder brother who surrendered. Wasn’t this guy killed by Cao Cao?”

Liu Feng and Fu Tong looked puzzled.

In the rear chamber, Liu Biao’s face was grave as he asked, “Xuande, do you think Cao Cao will inevitably march south next year and wipe out our Jing Province in one fell swoop?”

Liu Bei replied, “For Cao Cao, the north is now pacified; all that remains is to conquer Jing Province. Then, orders will be sent to Yangzhou, Yizhou, and Jiaozhou, unifying the world. How could Cao Cao fail to see this?”

As he spoke, Liu Bei’s expression darkened, his voice heavy with pain. “If the world is pacified but the Han Dynasty no longer belongs to the Liu family, Cao Cao will surely usurp the throne. How, then, shall we Liu descendants face our ancestors in the afterlife...?”

Liu Biao showed a pained expression as well—he too was a descendant of the Liu family—but quickly regained composure and glanced at Liu Bei, speaking softly, “Xuande, what if you were to become the lord of Jing Province?”

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei’s face turned into a mask of agony. Before, when Liu Biao said this, he could feign acquiescence, but after understanding the history, he had grown far firmer. Words he dared not speak before now escaped his lips: “Brother, if you wish to entrust the orphaned Liu Cong to me, how could I refuse?”

“But tell me, brother, is Liu Cong closer to me, or to Cai Mao and Kuai Yue?”

“Are Cai Mao and Kuai Yue loyal to the Han, or to Cao Cao?”

“If you insist on entrusting Liu Cong to me, I beg you to eradicate the Cai and Kuai families!”

Liu Biao was momentarily at a loss. He had entered Jing Province alone relying on the support of the Kuai and Cai families. His son was even married into the Cai family. How could he possibly destroy these two families? Moreover, if they were eliminated, the remaining powerful clans would support Liu Bei.

His intention in proposing Liu Bei as lord of Jing Province was to compel him to assist Liu Cong, not to truly hand over the province.

And what of Liu Bei? His words were so harsh—demanding the extermination of his wife’s family. Liu Biao glared angrily at him.

Yet Liu Bei stood firm and unafraid, meeting Liu Biao’s reproachful gaze calmly, showing no sign of retreat.

No wonder he was like this. After recent conversations with Zhao Shaojie, he was even more enraged. Cao Cao marched south; he was at Fancheng preparing the troops, waiting for reinforcements from Xiangyang, but the news he received was that Liu Cong had already surrendered and was preparing to attack him. This was utterly absurd!

After a brief stalemate, Liu Biao sighed deeply and asked, “What plans does Xuande have to counter Cao Cao’s southward advance?”

Liu Bei answered candidly, “If you insist on resistance, I am willing to give my life to hold the northern defenses of Xiangyang and stop Cao Cao’s advance. Should you fall, I will guard the north on behalf of Liu Cong. But if Liu Cong surrenders to Cao Cao, I intend to retreat to Jiaozhou. I ask you to grant passage so I may send troops south in advance to prepare.”

Liu Biao looked at Liu Bei with suspicion. Today, this Liu Bei seemed different, as if certain of his own death and Liu Cong’s surrender. In the past, he would have spoken of deposing the eldest for the youngest, or about taking advantage of chaos to support Liu Qi’s succession. Now, he said nothing of the sort. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Jiaozhou is remote and wild; it will be difficult to contend with Cao Cao there...”

Liu Bei bitterly replied, “Do I have any other choice?”

Liu Biao was silent for a moment. Sun Quan in Jiangdong had raised 100,000 troops, attacking Jiangxia daily. To the west, Liu Zhang commanded no fewer than 100,000 soldiers and had already submitted to Cao Cao. The only place left for Liu Bei to choose was truly Jiaozhou. Hesitating briefly, Liu Biao sighed, “I understand...”

Suddenly, a man burst in from outside, shouting loudly, “Liu Bei, does your massive military buildup harbor treacherous intent?”

Cai Mao pushed past the maidservants and entered the room, glaring coldly at Liu Bei.

Liu Bei said nothing and instead looked at Liu Biao.

Liu Biao was also somewhat angry at the impudence, frowning. “Cai Mao, do you realize your offense?”

Cai Mao glared hatefully at Liu Bei once more before turning and saluting Liu Biao, “My lord, please do not blame me. Liu Bei the traitor is right before us, and I cannot endure it. I beg you to order his arrest and send him to Xuchang...”

“That’s enough!” Liu Biao angrily slammed his palm on the soft couch. “Xuande is my kin and a hero of the realm. How dare you disrespect him?”

Seeing Liu Biao truly enraged, Cai Mao could only grunt and fall silent.

Liu Biao sighed. Just as he was about to comfort Liu Bei, Liu Bei turned to Cai Mao with an expressionless face and asked, “Cai Mao, if Liu Cong inherits the governorship of Jing Province, would you be willing to defend him against Cao Cao?”

Liu Biao was stunned, unsure how to respond.

He looked to Cai Mao, reluctant to relinquish his legacy and curious about Cai Mao’s stance.

Cai Mao, seeing Liu Biao’s gaze, braced himself and shouted, “I will wholeheartedly assist the Second Lord in firmly establishing his rule over Jing Province!”

Liu Bei pressed further, “Would you swear on the entire Cai clan?”

Cai Mao’s face immediately darkened. “Liu Bei, you are too much!”

Upon hearing this, Liu Biao’s spirit wilted. He waved his hand, “Cai Mao, you may leave.”

Cai Mao quickly added, “Lord Cao’s mighty power has already pacified the north. The world lies within his grasp. To resist the court is futile...”

“Leave!” Liu Biao slammed the couch again.

Cai Mao grudgingly withdrew.

Liu Biao gasped for breath. Liu Bei stepped forward to console him. After a while, Liu Biao looked at Liu Bei and said softly, “It seems Cai Mao only waits for my death to lead Liu Cong to surrender to Cao Cao. Sigh...”

Liu Bei did not know how to respond.

“Xuande, since you wish to use Jiaozhou as your base, I will fulfill your wish. I will appoint you governor of Jiaozhou and send letters to Lai Gong and Wu Ju, ordering them to obey you. Jiangling still has arms, supplies, and grain. Your troops may pass through freely and requisition as needed,” Liu Biao said in resignation.

Liu Bei hurriedly knelt. “Thank you, brother, for your support. Rest assured, as long as you persist in resistance, I will never move south but will hold the northern Jing region to the death!”

Liu Biao looked at the kneeling Liu Bei and inwardly lamented whether he should truly let Liu Bei take charge. But once Liu Bei assumed control, he would surely exterminate the Cai and Kuai families, and they would not acquiesce. Civil strife would be inevitable, a prospect Liu Biao resolutely wished to avoid.

“Enough, enough. All is in the hands of Heaven.”