Tiger Owl

Chapter 161 Dangerous Edge
Everyone rushed forward to ask, "How is the governor?"

The old doctor sighed and said, "The governor's condition is very bad. He was lucky to survive this time. If he were to experience a similar situation again, his life would be in danger. I'm not exaggerating. We were all helpless today, and the governor pulled through on his own."

Kuai Yue asked, "What should we be careful about?"

"We must not let the governor become agitated, especially not extremely angry, or things will get very bad. The governor is already on the verge of extreme danger. That's all I have to say. Everyone, please be careful!"

The old doctor shook his head and left.

At this moment, a maidservant announced from the doorway, "Master invites Military Advisor Cai and Chief Secretary Kuai!"

Cai Mao and Kuai Yue exchanged a glance and walked into the ward together.

The room was filled with the smell of medicine. Liu Biao lay on the bed, his face ashen, barely breathing, and in very poor spirits.

The two men asked with concern, "What does the governor think?"

With a weak breath, Liu Biao asked, "How many soldiers did we lose in Jiangxia?"

Before Cai Mao could speak, Kuai Yue interrupted, "There were basically no casualties; they were all forced to surrender due to lack of supplies."

Liu Biao nodded, "That's good. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to explain to their families. I'll immediately send someone to Chaisang to negotiate with them and try my best to redeem our soldiers."

"Your subordinate obeys!"

Liu Biao then said to Cai Mao, "Summarize the lessons learned from this defeat. Don't make excuses for yourself. It's okay to lose. The key is to find the reasons, learn from the experience, and strive not to lose again next time!"

Cai Mao said with shame, "This humble servant will remember!"

Liu Biao then said, "Bring in my two sons!"

Before long, Liu Qi and Liu Cong were led in. The two sons knelt on either side, holding their father's hands and weeping.

Liu Biao clasped his two sons' hands together. A hint of disgust flashed in Liu Cong's eyes, but he dared not show it in front of his father. He could only pretend and force a smile.

"When brothers are of one mind, their strength can break metal. Now our safety has been compromised. Liu Bei is in the north, and Gan Ning is in the east. If we want to protect Jingzhou, we can only rely on you brothers to unite as one. Otherwise, Jingzhou will be in danger. Do you remember my words?"

The two brothers nodded with tears in their eyes.

Liu Biao slowly closed his eyes. "Go! I'm a little tired. You all go!"

Everyone slowly retreated.

After leaving the Zhennan General's Mansion, Cai Mao boarded Liu Cong's carriage.

Liu Cong asked in a low voice, "What will happen next?"

Cai Mao said slowly, "The next year or two will be peaceful, allowing the old man to recover. We also need to actively plan to raise your reputation and get the support of the powerful families. Then there will be no hope for Liu Qi."

"I've heard that some prominent families have moved to Gansu and Ningxia. For example, the Ma and Pang families have nephews and nieces who have gone to Chaisang. Could it be..."

Don't worry!

Cai Mao interrupted him, "The forces that have turned to Gan Ning are basically the aristocratic families who previously supported Liu Qi. This is actually a good thing for you. Their shift to Gan Ning naturally weakens their support for Liu Qi. So you should look at the issue from your own interests and not see it as a monstrous threat."

"Thank you for your guidance, strategist. I understand now!" Cai Mao continued, "When dealing with Liu Qi, we must pretend to be serious so as not to give anyone a pretext to criticize us. Remember, saying it is one thing, doing it is another."

Liu Cong nodded silently, and Cai Mao patted him on the shoulder and laughed, "You are the son-in-law of the Cai family. I will fully support you in taking the position. Don't worry! The future governorship is yours alone!"

In Chaisang, inside the Wuchang Marquis's residence, Da Qiao sat at her desk, completely absorbed in practicing calligraphy.

Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao attended school for two years when their family was well-off, but they stopped studying after their father died in battle.

After marrying Gan Ning, Da Qiao's life settled down, and she had the idea of ​​studying again. Especially after the arrival of the talented Xu Wei, Da Qiao inevitably felt some pressure. With her husband's encouragement, she also began to pick up paper and pen again to read and write.

The person who taught Da Qiao to read was none other than Xu Wei. Xu Wei genuinely liked Da Qiao and treated her like her own older sister. When Da Qiao told her that she wanted to go back to school, Xu Wei volunteered to teach Da Qiao to read and write.

Sometimes Xiao Qiao would join in the fun and write a few words, but she was too playful and couldn't concentrate. She couldn't focus on reading and writing like Da Qiao.

At this moment, Xu Wei walked into the room and asked with a smile, "Is Big Sister practicing calligraphy?"

Da Qiao put down her pen and smiled, "I've been waiting for you!"

Xu Wei sat down, took out a textbook from the bag and handed it to Da Qiao, saying, "Big sister, today we're learning 'Qin Feng: Jianjia' from the Book of Songs. Here's the one I wrote for you. Read it once first."

Da Qiao took the poem and read it softly: "The reeds are green, the white dew is like frost. The one I long for is on the other side of the water. I go upstream to find her, but the road is difficult and long; I go downstream to find her, and she seems to be in the middle of the water. The reeds are withered, the white dew has not yet dried. The one I long for is on the bank of the water. I go upstream to find her, but the road is difficult and steep; I go downstream to find her, and she seems to be on a sandbar in the water. The reeds are abundant, the white dew has not yet ceased. The one I long for is on the edge of the water. I go upstream to find her, but the road is difficult and winding; I go downstream to find her, and she seems to be on a small island in the water."

After Da Qiao finished reading, she asked with a smile, "Did I read it correctly?"

Xu Wei nodded, "Eldest sister can read without any problems. Now, as long as she expands her reading and reads more good articles, she will naturally acquire knowledge."

Da Qiao shook her head and laughed, "I'm still far from it! I haven't even studied Mencius."

"Don't rush, sister. Let's take it slow. First, we'll finish learning the Book of Songs, and then we'll study Mencius. I'll explain the meaning of this poem to you. It expresses the common people's persistent pursuit of love and their sorrow at its loss. But in the eyes of those who govern, this 'beloved' refers to a talented and virtuous person. So, different people will have different interpretations. Let's look at the first line."

After listening to the interpretation, Da Qiao sighed and said, "I think this is more about the pursuit of love, which is especially suitable for you. To pursue the love in your heart, you are willing to turn against your family."

"Isn't this appropriate for the eldest sister?"

Da Qiao shook her head. "I don't have the courage to fight against fate. If it had been another man who kidnapped my sister and me instead of my husband, I think I would have given in too. I was just lucky to meet my husband, so I am very grateful to God for his favor."

"Alright! Eldest sister, memorize this poem, preferably while writing it down."

Da Qiao spread out a blank sheet of paper and began to write seriously.

The room was quiet. Da Qiao was concentrating on writing, silently reciting as she wrote.

At this moment, Xiao Qiao quietly peeked out and meowed.

Da Qiao ignored her, and Xiao Qiao jumped in, "What are you writing, sister?"

"I'm practicing calligraphy! Ah Yu, where have you been?"

"I went to buy a parrot, sister. I also bought one for you. It's all white and very beautiful. I can only get it tomorrow."

Da Qiao sighed and waved her hand, saying, "Sit down, your older sister has something to tell you!"

(End of this chapter)