My brothers are all warriors capable of taking on ten thousand men; I'll roam freely in the Thr

Yuzhang Prefecture, Nanchang.

The heat and humidity here are unbearable.

The mountains and forests were filled with miasma and swarms of mosquitoes and flies.

Liu Bei stood atop the city wall of Nanchang, gazing silently at the vast wilderness below.

This was his seventh day in Yuzhang.

Sun Jian truly kept his promise, and the provisions and military equipment arrived on schedule.

The meager provisions were barely enough to feed three thousand people; and most of the military equipment was broken and obsolete.

Xu Chu was so angry that he wanted to confront Sun Jian, but Liu Bei stopped him.

"Big brother!"

Xu Chu said in a deep voice from behind, "I really can't swallow this insult!"

Liu Bei turned around, looked at him calmly, and said, "You have to swallow it whether you like it or not."

Xu Chu was taken aback.

Liu Bei descended the city wall and walked slowly down the stone steps.

His silhouette stretched long in the setting sun.

"Second brother."

As he walked, he said, "Do you know why Sun Jian wanted to transfer me to Yuzhang?"

Xu Chu shook his head.

"Because he's afraid." Liu Bei's voice was soft, but every word was clear.

"What he fears is not me, Liu Bei, but what I possess."

Xu Chu was even more confused.

Xu Sheng followed behind, also looking bewildered.

Liu Bei did not explain.

He returned to his residence, dismissed his attendants, took out the blood-stained edict from his bosom, and unfolded it by candlelight.

The blood-red handwriting was shocking.

Liu Bei read it softly, each word like a branding iron, searing his heart.

He recalled the look in Liu Xie's eyes when he handed him the blood edict; it wasn't the majesty of an emperor, but the despair and expectation of a child.

He recalled kneeling before Liu Xie and saying, "Your subject Liu Bei swears to restore the Han Dynasty to the death."

But now?

He lived under someone else's roof, dependent on Sun Jian's whims, and couldn't even feed his three thousand brothers.

What can we use to restore the Han Dynasty?

Liu Bei closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

When I opened my eyes again, they were clear.

He carefully folded the blood-written edict, put it in his bosom, and got up to walk to the window.

Outside the window, the night was as dark as ink, and from the distant mountains and forests, the faint howls of wild beasts could be heard.

"His Majesty."

He murmured, "I will not let you down."

Meanwhile, in Jingzhou and Xiangyang.

Liu Biao has not attended court for three days.

His illness was more serious than anyone imagined.

At the beginning of the year, he could still ride horses and hunt, but now he can't even get up.

The doctors changed one after another, and the patient took dose after dose of medicine, but the condition did not improve.

"My lord."

The attendant whispered, "General Cai Mao requests an audience."

Liu Biao leaned back on the couch and waved his hand: "Let him in."

Cai Mao strode in, dressed in military attire, his face full of urgency.

He knelt before the bed, clasped his hands, and said, "My lord! Sun Jian has sent an envoy to Jingzhou, seeking an alliance with you to jointly resist Ji Xuanyuan. This matter concerns the survival of Jingzhou; please make a decision, my lord!"

Liu Biao opened his eyes, looked at him, and said weakly, "De Gui, what do you think... should be done?"

Cai Mao said, "Ji Xuanyuan's power is immense; he has already seized the seven northern provinces. If he were to gain control of Jingzhou as well, no one in the world could restrain him! Although Sun Jian is arrogant, he is ultimately interdependent with Jingzhou. I believe we should form an alliance with Sun Jian to jointly protect Jingzhou!"

Liu Biao did not speak, but stared at the top of the tent, remaining silent for a long time.

"What about Kuai Yue?" he suddenly asked.

Cai Mao was taken aback: "Kuai Yue... he advocates continuing the alliance with Cao Cao."

Liu Biao nodded and then closed his eyes again.

Cai Mao said urgently, "My lord! There is no time to lose! Ji Xuanyuan has already sent Pang Tong south to Jingzhou to secretly contact the powerful families. If we delay any longer, something bad will surely happen within Jingzhou!"

Liu Biao waved his hand: "You may leave now. Let me think about it some more."

Left with no other choice, Cai Mao got up and left.

Jingzhou, Kuai Prefecture.

Kuai Yue and Kuai Liang sat facing each other, with a secret letter spread out in front of them.

The letter was written by Cao Cao.

The words were sincere and heartfelt.

The letter stated that Cao Cao had a past relationship with the governor and wished to form an alliance with Jingzhou to jointly protect Jingxiang.

Although Cao Cao is not talented, he understands the principle of mutual dependence. If Jingzhou is in trouble, Cao Cao will do his best to help.

After reading the letter, Kuai Liang said softly, "Cao Cao's letter is more sophisticated than Sun Jian's. Sun Jian wanted Jingzhou as an ally, while Cao Cao wanted Jingzhou as a brother. A difference of one word makes all the difference."

Kuai Yue nodded: "Sun Jian is brave, but he lacks wisdom. After taking Yangzhou, he became arrogant and domineering towards Cao Cao and Liu Bei. Such a person can be an ally, but not a brother."

Kuai Liang said, "But Cai Mao has already sided with Sun Jian. If he persuades our lord to form an alliance with Sun Jian, what will we do?"

Kuai Yue smiled slightly: "Therefore, we cannot let him persuade our lord."

He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed in the distance towards Liu Biao's residence, his eyes filled with a profound look: "Brother, tell me, after our lord passes away, who will own Jingzhou?"

Kuai Liang was taken aback, but then he understood what he meant.

Liu Biao had two sons.

The eldest son, Liu Qi, was kind and benevolent, much like his father, and had a close relationship with the Kuai family.

The second son, Liu Cong, was young and weak, and was controlled by Cai Mao. Cai Mao married his niece to him, and had long regarded him as a puppet.

If Liu Qi succeeds to the throne, Jingzhou will definitely be on good terms with the imperial court (Ji Xuanyuan); if Liu Cong succeeds to the throne, Jingzhou will definitely side with Sun Jian.

Kuai Yue turned around and looked at Kuai Liang: "Brother, we have to help the eldest young master."

Jingzhou, Liu Qi's residence.

Liu Qi sat in his study with a scroll of bamboo slips spread out in front of him, but he couldn't concentrate on reading a single word.

He knew his father's condition better than anyone else.

The physician privately told him that the lord's illness was terminal and he would not live past the end of the year at the latest.

If Father passes away, whose Jingzhou will it be?

In terms of seniority, he is the eldest son and should rightfully succeed to the throne.

But Cai Mao controlled the military power in Jingzhou, and his second brother Liu Cong was also in his grasp. What could he use to fight against Cai Mao?

"Young master."

The retainer Yi Ji said softly, "Cai Mao went to see the lord again today. He persuaded the lord to form an alliance with Sun Jian to jointly resist Ji Xuanyuan."

Liu Qi put down the bamboo slips and gave a wry smile: "Cai Mao is trying to sell Jingzhou to Sun Jian."

Yi Ji said, "Young master, we can't wait any longer. If our lord really allies with Sun Jian, Cai Mao will have external support, and then you will really have no chance."

Liu Qi looked up at him: "Then, in your opinion, what should be done?"

Yi Ji said, "The Prime Minister has connections with some prominent families in Jingzhou, and there are even rumors that he studied there. If you, young master, are willing to submit to the court, the Prime Minister will certainly help you. At that time, with the court as your backer, what are you afraid of, Cai Mao?"

Liu Qi remained silent for a long time before slowly nodding: "Let me think about it some more."

Shuntian, Tiance Prefecture.

Ji Xuanyuan sat in his study, with a secret report from Jingzhou spread out in front of him.

Liu Biao is seriously ill.

Cai Mao strongly advocated for an alliance with Sun Quan to resist Ji.

Kuai Yue was inclined to ally with Cao Cao. Liu Qi secretly made overtures to the court.

Liu Cong was controlled by Cai Mao.

Pang Tong, seated at the lower end, said softly, "My lord, it's time to make a move in this game of Jingzhou."

Ji Xuanyuan put down the secret report and looked at him: "Shiyuan, where do you think it should land?"

Pang Tong stood up, walked to the map, and pointed to the location of Jingzhou: "With Liu Biao dead, Jingzhou will surely be in chaos. Cai Mao supports Liu Cong and leans towards Sun Jian, while Kuai Yue supports Liu Qi and leans towards the court. If Cai Mao succeeds, Sun Jian will gain Jingzhou and his power will increase greatly, making him even more difficult to deal with in the future. Therefore, we must take Jingzhou before Sun Jian does."

Ji Xuanyuan nodded: "How do we take it?"

Pang Tong smiled slightly: "Does my lord still remember that we once sent a physician south to cure Liu Yan's illness?"

Ji Xuanyuan's eyes lit up.

Pang Tong continued, "Liu Yan is grateful for the kindness of our lord, and we have a secret agreement. If our lord can get Liu Yan to come forward as the governor of Yizhou to persuade Liu Qi to submit to the court, Liu Qi will certainly not refuse. At the same time, our lord can send an army to garrison outside Xiangyang to support Liu Qi. No matter how capable Cai Mao is, he will not dare to confront the court's army head-on."

Ji Xuanyuan stood up, walked to the map, and his gaze fell on the land of Jingzhou.

"Shiyuan, you go to Jingzhou yourself." He turned around and looked at Pang Tong.

"First meet with Liu Qi, then meet with Kuai Yue. Tell them that as long as Jingzhou submits to the court, everything will remain the same. Liu Qi will succeed to the throne, Kuai Yue will assist in governance, and the privileges of the Jingzhou aristocratic families will remain unchanged."

Pang Tong clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your subject obeys!"

Ji Xuanyuan added, "There's one more thing. Before you go to Jingzhou, go to Yizhou first and meet Liu Yan. Have him, in his capacity as the governor of Yizhou, write a letter to Liu Qi, saying..."

He paused, his gaze deep and thoughtful: "Let us say that the Han dynasty is in decline, and the world should be unified under the imperial court. Jingzhou and Yizhou are as close as lips and teeth, and we are willing to work with Jingzhou to support the Han dynasty and protect the state."

Pang Tong's eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands, laughing, "Brilliant! Liu Yan is a member of the Han imperial family, highly respected and virtuous. If he intervenes, Liu Qi will certainly not suspect anything!"

Ji Xuanyuan nodded: "Go, the sooner the better."

"promise!"

Several days later, in Chengdu, Yizhou.

Liu Yan sat in his study, holding the letter brought by Pang Tong, and remained silent for a long time.

The letter was written by Ji Xuanyuan himself.

The words were sincere and heartfelt.

The letter stated that the situation in Jingzhou was urgent, and hoped that the governor would intervene and persuade Liu Qi to submit to the imperial court.

If Jingzhou submits, the world can be at peace.

Your merits are no less than those of others.

Liu Yan put down the letter and looked at Pang Tong: "Shiyuan, is the Prime Minister... really going to make a move?"

Pang Tong nodded: "The Prime Minister said that Jingzhou is the heartland of the world, and whoever controls Jingzhou controls the world. Sun Jian and Cao Cao are both eyeing Jingzhou. If they get there first, there will be endless troubles in the future."

Liu Yan sighed: "I will always remember the Prime Minister's kindness. If he hadn't sent a physician south back then, I would have lost my life long ago. My two rebellious sons were spared because he showed them mercy."

He stood up, walked to the window, looked at the distant horizon, and slowly said, "I will write this letter."

Pang Tong was overjoyed: "Thank you very much, my lord!"

Liu Yan waved his hand: "No need to thank me. I am too old to do anything. I only hope that the Prime Minister can treat the people of Jingzhou well and not let them suffer from the ravages of war again."

Pang Tong solemnly replied, "Rest assured, my lord, the Prime Minister's heart is filled with concern for the common people."

Liu Yan nodded and picked up his pen to write a letter.

Jingzhou, Xiangyang.

When Liu Qi received Liu Yan's letter, he was discussing countermeasures with Yi Ji.

His hands trembled slightly after he finished reading the letter.

Yi Ji took it, examined it carefully, and a look of surprise flashed in his eyes: "Young Master! This is a golden opportunity! Liu Yizhou is a member of the Han imperial family, highly respected and virtuous. He has personally persuaded you to submit to the court. What is there for you to hesitate about?"

Liu Qi remained silent for a long time before slowly saying, "But what about Cai Mao..."

Yi Ji said, "Young master, rest assured, the Prime Minister has already sent Mr. Pang Tong south to Jingzhou. He will arrive soon. With the support of the court, Cai Mao will not dare to do anything."

Liu Qi nodded, his gaze gradually hardening.