The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Not only were things not going well externally, but Liu Biao was also facing internal difficulties.

Lady Cai doted on her youngest son, Liu Cong, and often praised Liu Cong and belittled Liu Qi in front of Liu Biao. In addition, Cai Mao and Zhang Yun also sang praises to Liu Cong.

With Lady Cai praising his beauty at home and Cai Mao and Zhang Yun extolling his virtues on the outside, even the smallest good deeds Liu Cong did were publicized, and his biggest mistakes were covered up.

Under normal circumstances, Liu Qi and Liu Cong should have worked together as brothers to assist Liu Biao in either intimidating or intimidating the powerful families of Jingzhou, thus establishing the authority of Liu Biao and his son in Jingzhou.

For example, Liu Pan, a cousin of Liu Biao, personally guarded You County in Changsha Commandery.

However, Liu Cong lacked self-awareness and, relying on the support of the Cai family, deliberately opposed his eldest son, Liu Qi, completely forgetting that he and Liu Qi were essentially outsiders from Jingzhou.

For the Cai family, supporting Liu Cong was not because Liu Cong was more capable than Liu Qi, but simply because Liu Cong was easier to control.

If Liu Biao hadn't been so young and senile, Liu Qi, the eldest son, would have been forced to leave Jingzhou long ago.

When Liu Biao scolded Liu Qi, it was actually because he had been listening to one side of the story and mistakenly believed that Liu Qi was not ambitious and could not tolerate others. It was not because he really wanted to give up on Liu Qi.

Therefore, after listening to Yi Ji's advice, Liu Biao had another idea and said, "I intend to adopt Kuai Liang's strategy and have my eldest son Qi prepare troops in Xinye, making it known that he intends to march out of Wancheng; and then have Wen Ping assist him. What do you think, Ji Bo?"

Yi Ji had followed Liu Biao for a long time and knew well the conflicted feelings Liu Biao had towards Liu Qi. Upon hearing this, he immediately said, "If Your Majesty wishes to have Young Master Qi organize his troops in Xinye, you may recruit a few more men to go with him."

Liu Biao waved his hand, indicating: "Ji Bo is my trusted confidant. If you have any talented people to recommend, please speak up."

Yi Ji then said, "Xiang Lang, the magistrate of Linju County, studied under Sima Hui in his youth and had a close relationship with Xu Shu and Pang Tong. He can serve as a military advisor."

Liu Biao frowned slightly: "Although Xiang Lang is talented, he is not familiar with military affairs. If he is appointed as a military advisor, he may cause trouble."

Yi Ji said, "Your Majesty only needs to let Wen Ping be in charge of specific military command. Xiang Lang serving as Qi Gongzi's military advisor is only to provide Qi Gongzi with a way out. If something unexpected happens in the future, Qi Gongzi will be able to save his life."

Liu Biao said in a complicated tone: "Ji Bo only plans a way out for my eldest son, but not for my second son. This is rather biased."

Yi Ji gently shook his head: "Your Excellency misunderstands. It's not that I'm unwilling to find a way out for Young Master Cong, but that Young Master Cong only trusts Cai Mao and Zhang Yun. If I speak recklessly, it will only backfire."

Thinking of the discord between Liu Qi and Liu Cong, Liu Biao couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

A few years ago, Liu Biao mocked Yuan Shao for not knowing how to raise his sons, saying that his sons were fighting each other, with the elder brother disrespecting the younger brother and the younger brother disrespecting the elder brother.

Unexpectedly, a few years later, Liu Biao also encountered this situation.

After much deliberation, Liu Biao agreed to Yi Ji's proposal and then went to the outer hall to inform everyone of his decision.

Cai Mao glanced at Liu Biao with a complicated expression, then turned his gaze to Yi Ji, pondered for a moment, and did not refute.

For Cai Mao, transferring Liu Qi away from Xiangyang would make it easier to slander Liu Qi and persuade Liu Biao to make Liu Cong his empress.

Kuai Yue and Kuai Liang exchanged a glance and offered no further objection. For Kuai Liang, Liu Biao had accepted his suggestion.

As far as Kuai Yue was concerned, Liu Biao had already sent his eldest son Liu Qi to Xinye, which showed his sincerity. As for how much of Cao Cao's forces Liu Qi could tie down by gathering troops in Xinye, that was not important.

Liu Biao then sent Yi Ji to deliver the order to Liu Qi, and also sent Yi Ji to Xinye with Liu Qi, to prevent Liu Qi from rushing to attack Wancheng in a moment of impulsiveness in order to prove his talent.

If he wins, all will be well; if he loses, Liu Qi will have nowhere to go in Jingzhou from now on.

Yi Ji did not delay and immediately took the military order to find Liu Qi, and also told Liu Qi the "deep meaning" of Liu Biao's transfer of him to Xinye.

Although this "profound meaning" was also embellished by Yi Ji, it sounded like heavenly music to Liu Qi.

After Liu Biao remarried, Liu Qi's status declined day by day. As the eldest son, he was even more frustrated than the group of scholars in the city who constantly lamented their unfulfilled talents.

Now that Liu Biao has valued him and sent him out to lead troops, most of Liu Qi's old resentment towards Liu Biao has disappeared: Father still loves me!

Liu Qi was extremely grateful to Yi Ji, as he would not have been qualified to lead troops without Yi Ji's advice.

"Young Master Qi, there's no need to thank me. My plans also have their own selfish motives." Yi Ji changed the subject and turned to Liu Bei, saying, "Now that General Zuo is leading the southern expedition against Cao Cao, people all over the world are responding. Not only are Ma Chao and the generals of Guanzhong leading their troops to respond in the west, but your father has also sent Young Master Qi to lead troops to respond in the south. In the east, Chen Deng, the governor of Guangling, and the people of Xuzhou will certainly not sit idly by. This is a golden opportunity to restore the Han Dynasty and sweep away the traitors."

Seeing Liu Qi's puzzled expression, Yi Ji reminded him, "General Zuo and your father are of the same generation. If Young Master Qi can call General Zuo 'Uncle' in the future, General Zuo will certainly not stand idly by and watch Young Master Qi be bullied by Cai Mao and others."

Liu Qi suddenly realized.

Although Yi Ji didn't say it explicitly, his meaning was self-evident: as long as Liu Qi wholeheartedly responded to Liu Bei this time, how could Liu Bei not take care of Liu Qi when he gained power in the future? No matter how powerful Cai Mao and others were, could they be stronger than Liu Bei?
What Liu Qi lacks most right now is a powerful backer. If he had Liu Bei as his backer, he could pave a smooth path for himself even without relying on Liu Biao.

"Thank you for your guidance, sir!" Liu Qi hurriedly bowed to Yi Ji and said, "On this journey north, I am willing to listen to your teachings."

Yi Ji nodded secretly. With Liu Qi being so sensible, Yi Ji felt it would be easier for him to act. He then said, "Your father sent Wen Ping with troops to help, but Wen Ping may not be willing to obey Young Master Qi's orders. Young Master Qi can take more gold and silver into Xinye and set up a flag there to recruit volunteers. Remember, you must recruit in the name of the Left General!"

Liu Qi was slightly taken aback: "Why in the name of General Zuo? General Zuo is not here, and the righteous army may not be willing to come."

Yi Ji said, “If we don’t recruit in the name of the Left General, Cai Mao and the others will surely think that Young Master Qi is secretly raising assassins. They are in Xiangyang, and a single slanderous remark could easily bring Young Master Qi back to Xiangyang. If we recruit in the name of the Left General, Cai Mao and the others will not have any doubts. Moreover, when Young Master Qi meets the Left General in the future, he can present the righteous troops to him. How could the Left General not value Young Master Qi? Furthermore, only by raising the banner of the Left General will fierce soldiers who want to gain a title through military merit come upon hearing the news.”

Although Yi Ji's last sentence was phrased euphemistically, Liu Qi understood it.

Which fierce soldier who wants to gain a title through military merit would actually be willing to follow Liu Qi, the eldest son whom even Liu Biao did not value?

If volunteers are recruited in Liu Qi's name, they will only come to loaf around and wait to die.

Yi Ji's strategy was very effective. After Liu Qi raised a banner in Xinye in the name of General Liu Bei, many fierce soldiers came upon hearing the news.

People like Wei Yan, Fu Tong, Liu Yong, and Hao Pu from Yiyang all came seeking Liu Bei's fame and prestige. (End of Chapter)