Three Kingdoms: Madam, I am a decent person

Chapter 770 Tian Feng: Killing Liu Bei
Zhang Sui left the room, gave Fu Shou, who was lying on the bed, a final smile, and then closed the door tightly.

A maid was already waiting at the door and said, "The master is in the study."

Zhang Sui nodded and followed the maid to the study.

There, Tian Feng was kneeling before a table, wearing a cloak.

Zhang Sui smiled and said, "It's so late, I'm sorry to bother you, sir. I can explain about Fu Shou's matter—"

Although he had already arranged for Xu Du to order Man Chong to find a female corpse to replace Fu Shou.

However, this matter could not be kept from Tian Feng.

He was really afraid that Tian Feng would criticize him.

Back when Yuan Shao was alive, Tian Feng was known to be quite hostile towards him.

Tian Feng waved his hand and said, "I don't care how many women you have, and the ministers won't care either."

"Although this woman is the Empress of the Han Dynasty, the Han Dynasty is now truly existing in name only."

"The courtiers knew, but they were powerless to do anything about it."

"Moreover, you've made arrangements, which shows you value your reputation."

"And the Empress of the Great Han Dynasty was always aware of her situation."

Zhang Sui scratched his face and smiled, "Well then, thank you, sir."

Tian Feng looked at the somewhat uneasy man standing in front of him, and his originally serious expression softened as he said, "You are now the lord. As long as you don't make any big mistakes, there's no need to be nervous."

"In the end, I am still your subject."

Zhang Sui quickly said, "Sir, please don't say that."

“I have always regarded you and Duke Ju as my fathers.”

"In my hometown, the saying goes, 'A teacher for a day is a father for life.'"

"In these past few years, if it weren't for you and Lord Ju covering my retreat, how could I have accomplished what I have?"

"Most of the powerful families in Hebei are loyal to me out of respect for you two."

"Even now, when I go out occasionally, I still hear people calling me the son of a farmer."

Tian Feng said, "It is easier to stop the people from talking than to stop a river from overflowing. Don't worry too much about these things. You should follow the trend and guide the people."

"So what if you're the son of a farmer?"

"Emperor Gaozu was originally just a village head in Sishui."

"The ancestors of the Qin dynasty were herders of horses for the Zhou royal family."

"Although you are the son of a farmer, you were able to become a disciple of Ding Yuan, the former governor of Bingzhou, and gain the favor of the prestigious Zhen family. Doesn't this speak volumes?"

"Even if you are the son of a farmer, you are still the chosen one."

"You are the son of a farmer, so you can better understand the hardships of the common people. That's why the system of military farms and the work-point system were created, so that there would be no displaced people under your rule."

"This isn't a shameful past; it's clearly the secret to your success."

“After you pass away, the historians will surely add a line to the history books: Emperor Taizu rose from humble beginnings and ascended to the highest heavens.”

Zhang Sui laughed and said, "I didn't expect you to be so good at praising people, sir."

Tian Feng simply nodded and said, "Let's get down to business!"

Zhang Sui found a seat and sat down.

Tian Feng said, "I just discussed it with the General Staff."

"When everyone learned that you were going to lead your cavalry south, no one objected."

"There is no enemy as formidable as Cao Cao in Jingzhou."

"Moreover, the powerful clans have already submitted to its rule."

"Cai Mao was also killed."

"After dawn, take Madam Huang and Liu Ziyang with you."

Madam Huang refers to Huang Yueying.

Liu Ziyang refers to Liu Ye.

Zhang Sui said, "Okay."

Tian Feng continued, "Madam Huang is a member of the main branch of the Huang family. Now that Huang Zu has been killed, Madam Huang is the right person to represent the Huang family."

"You need to let the scions of the prominent families in Jingzhou see that you are willing to win them over."

"At this time, you need to humble yourself."

"If you want to reorganize Jingzhou in the future, that's a matter for the future."

"Moreover, to be honest, in the current situation, even if you lead your cavalry to sweep across the land, no one will dare to disobey you."

After a pause, Tian Feng picked up a stack of letters from the table and handed them to Zhang Sui, saying, "Moreover, the Kuai family of Jingzhou has also been in contact with me."

"Kuai Yue, the head of the Kuai family, sends a letter to inquire about our well-being approximately every three months."

"His chief clerk, Chen Zhen, is a very talented person."

“He would give me a monthly report on the current chaotic situation in Jingzhou.”

"I didn't tell you before because you've been fighting all this time, and I was afraid it would distract you." "If you think I'm overstepping my bounds, after pacifying Jingzhou, I'll retire and go back to my hometown to enjoy my old age."

"Power is not something I am particularly attached to."

"I have no need for you to be used in the 'killing the hunting dog after the rabbit is caught' scenario."

Zhang Sui grunted.

Voila.

This is Tian Feng.

Sometimes, what they say can be really harsh.

If I hadn't always known his character, these words alone would have enraged many people.

Zhang Sui laughed and said, "No, no."

"Although I don't know about Kuai Yue and Chen Zhen's affairs, I had dealings with them when I went to Xiangyang in Jingzhou, so I know their intentions."

“Sir, I am very satisfied with how you handled these matters for me.”

Tian Feng hummed in agreement before continuing, "As for the expedition route, I've drawn up a map for you. Just follow this map directly."

"This time we don't need to bring any provisions or supplies."

"I had Kuai Yue and Chen Zhen secretly stockpile grain and fodder in Fancheng in preparation for you to lead your army south at any time."

"After taking Jingzhou, bring Kuai Yue and Chen Zhen to your side as a reward for them."

Zhang Sui said, "Okay."

Tian Feng picked up a scroll from the table and handed it to Zhang Sui, saying, "As for the guide, Madam Huang will suffice."

"Although she was a woman, she had an exceptional memory and was a native of Jingzhou."

"Although you are quite absurd in your treatment of women."

"However, I must say that each of your wives has one or two special skills."

Zhang Sui took the scroll and laughed twice.

Tian Feng tucked his hands into his sleeves, his expression turning serious.

Zhang Sui also stopped smiling and looked at Tian Feng seriously.

Tian Feng said, "The last thing is about how Liu Bei will handle things."

"Liu Bei was also quite benevolent."

"In the past few years, although I have been in Xuzhou, I have learned about him in many ways."

"He has an excellent reputation in Xuzhou."

"Moreover, he can integrate into any social group, whether they are scions of powerful families or ordinary people."

"In the General Staff, Chen Deng, Chen Qun, Chen Gong, and others all spoke highly of him."

“Even though Chen Gong had conflicts with him before.”

Zhang Sui said, "I know that."

“When we were conquering Yijing in Youzhou before, I mentioned to him that he lacked a strategist, which is why he couldn’t succeed.”

"Later, in return, he told me about Yuan Shao's plan to kill me."

"If we can make him submit—"

Tian Feng pulled his hand out of his sleeve, interrupting Zhang Sui, and said in a deep voice, "The third thing I want to tell you is this."

"Whether it's Cao Cao or Liu Bei, they were both powerful and ruthless figures."

"Even if forced by circumstances, they are willing to submit."

"But what if something unexpected happens in the future, such as you becoming critically ill, or your heir being incompetent?"

"They will all become a sharp blade aimed at you."

"Even if they themselves are unwilling, their officials will certainly do it."

"Especially Liu Bei, compare him to Liu Ziyang."

"You have only one way to deal with him when you go to Jingzhou this time—"

"Give him and his subordinates some dignity."

"It's a pity, but we need to have a long-term perspective."

"Don't create unnecessary difficulties for your future."

"Although you are a benevolent ruler, you do not have to be benevolent in everything."

"Take Liu Ziyang there."

"If you can't make up your mind, let Liu Ziyang help you decide."

"If anyone spreads the charge of killing Liu Bei, a virtuous man, then you should make Liu Ziyang bear the blame."

"As fellow members of the Han imperial family, Liu Ziyang was a descendant of Emperor Guangwu."

"He was willing to be loyal to you wholeheartedly, but Liu Bei still insisted on opposing him as the lord of Jingzhou. He deserved to die."

(End of this chapter)