HLnovel Chapter 254: With the army approaching Xiangyang, Liu Biao panicked, and Cai Mao wanted to kill Liu
Chapter 254: With the army approaching Xiangyang, Liu Biao panicked, and Cai Mao wanted to kill Liu
On Zhao Yun's side, the effect of pacifying the people was also very good.
As the volunteer sergeant of Zhen Ding County in Changshan Commandery, who was once elected by the people, Zhao Yun was probably the only person in the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms period to enter officialdom in this way.
It is conceivable that Zhao Yun had an exceptionally strong grassroots support system and an outstanding ability to interact with the masses.
However, as Su Yu's disciple, Cao Ang should also have the necessary vigilance.
After searching the entire city of Xinye and finding no oil, traps, or other such items, Cao Ang led all his troops into the city.
Deng Chang felt a greater sense of belonging to Cao's army and voluntarily followed behind Cao Ang, telling him about the situation in Xinye.
"So, Liu Bei packed his bags and ran away with soldiers who weren't registered residents of Xinye in just a quarter of an hour?"
Cao Ang's face showed a strange expression.
He had heard before that Liu Bei's ability to escape was unparalleled in the world.
Seeing it today, it truly is extraordinary.
but.
It doesn't matter if Liu Bei runs away.
Because next, Cao Cao's army will be at the gates of Xiangyang, and will intimidate Liu Biao and Liu Bei!
It is highly unlikely that capturing Xiangyang and ruling the entire Jingzhou region would be possible.
After all, Yuan Shao was still alive, and the powerful families of Jingzhou would not abandon their alliance with Yuan Shao and Liu Biao and instead turn to Cao Cao.
With Yuan Shao posing a significant threat from the north, Cao Cao's army could not afford to remain in Jingzhou for an extended period, spending time attacking the cities within its borders one by one.
Otherwise, if Yuan Shao were to take the opportunity to march south, Cao Cao's core base would be in danger!
However, it's still acceptable to leave a little bit of fear in the hearts of the powerful families in Jingzhou, even if we don't take Jingzhou for the time being!
After the victory at Guandu, it's estimated that even without Cao Cao's intervention, Cai Mao, Kuai Yue, and others will rush to surrender!
……
Xiangyang
In the council chamber
Liu Biao, Kuai Yue, and Cai Mao were gathered together discussing matters.
The topic of discussion was whether or not to further increase taxes on southern Jingzhou.
Hmm, the reason for today's meeting can be traced back to Jia Xu.
Old Jia Xu's fire wiped out nearly half of Xiangyang's grain reserves!
Xiangyang, as the capital of Jingzhou, was undoubtedly the core city.
Every year after the autumn harvest, other cities in Jingzhou had to pay a portion of their grain to Xiangyang.
The sudden loss of half the grain meant that Xiangyang would not have enough grain for the following year.
What if we don't have enough?
Then the people of Jingnan will have to suffer!
There was no other way; Jingbei and Jingzhong were Liu Biao's core areas of rule, and the major clans were deeply entrenched there, so naturally, he couldn't arbitrarily increase taxes.
Jingnan is different.
Although both belong to Jingzhou, the prosperity of northern and central Jingzhou is undoubtedly much higher than that of southern Jingzhou.
Even though a rebellion broke out in Jingnan, Liu Biao was still unwilling to increase taxes on Jingbei and Jingzhong!
This might be the difference between being raised by one's own mother and being raised by a stepmother!
Cai Mao laughed:
"My lord, what difference does it make if we increase taxes on those bumpkins in the four southern prefectures?"
"If they dare to disobey orders, I will personally lead the troops to subdue them!"
Kuai Yue also said with disdain:
“In previous years, allowing Jingnan to enjoy the same taxes as Jingbei and Jingzhong was already a great benefit to them.”
"So what if we increase taxes!?"
"Without these taxes, the four counties of Jingnan will not be able to survive?"
A struggle appeared on Liu Biao's face.
But soon he agreed to Cai Mao and Kuai Yue's idea.
Huang Zu, who was stationed in Jiangxia, would likely agree with the proposal to increase taxes in Jingnan.
The proposal to increase taxes in Jingnan was passed unanimously and is now being implemented!
but……
Before the transfer order could even be sent out.
Suddenly another sentry burst into the council hall and reported to Liu Biao:
"My lord, something terrible has happened!"
"Liu Bei is leading over a thousand men and marching towards my Xiangyang?"
"Liu... Liu Bei?"
Liu Biao was taken aback for a moment, then asked in return:
"Are you sure Liu Bei is heading towards Xiangyang to attack, and not fleeing here?"
"He was the garrison commander that this governor assigned to Xinye. How could he possibly rebel with only a little over a thousand soldiers?"
When Liu Biao asked him this question, the sentry realized that it might not be the case.
However, Liu Bei's speed was simply too fast.
The sentry didn't know what Liu Bei was doing so quickly, whether he was rushing to be reborn or launching a surprise attack on the city, which is why he reported the wrong information in his haste.
Kuai Yue, quick-witted, stiffened for a moment, then cupped his hands towards Liu Biao and said:
"My lord, it seems that Zhang Xiu has rebelled! That's why Liu Bei is so anxious!"
Liu Biao and Cai Mao also realized that something was wrong.
Although Zhang Xiu had been misled by them and was planning to fight Cao Cao to the death.
However, Zhang Xiu's condition for fighting to the death was that Jia Xu was not by his side.
However, a few days ago, due to the riot caused by Liao Hua and his family, Jia Xu mysteriously disappeared from Xiangyang.
Before Zhang Xiu could make a move against Cao Cao, Jia Xu rushed back to Zhang Xiu's side.
Didn't Zhang Xiu simply defect directly?
Kuai Yue hadn't thought of this because he had been busy dealing with the aftermath of the Xiangyang fire for the past few days.
Furthermore, when the fire broke out in Xiangyang, Kuai Yue was unaware that Jia Xu was the mastermind behind it all.
It was Liao Hua and his clan who defied the winds and stirred up trouble.
In the eyes of Liu Biao, Cai Mao, Kuai Yue, and others, this was a premeditated rebellion by the Liao clan.
Jia Xu and his family were likely rescued by the Liao clan during the city riots.
After all, who would have thought that even after Jia Xu was arrested, he could still incite a large group of people to rebel!
Time really flew by.
Liu Biao and his men had just finished dealing with the aftermath of the fire in Xiangyang and hadn't had time to pay attention to the situation in Wancheng, Xinye and other places when this incident happened!
In principle, Liu Bei is still in charge of Xinye.
If even Liu Bei can't hold out, he should at least send someone to give a message to Xiangyang.
But Liu Biao, Kuai Yue, and Cai Mao had no idea.
Liu Bei actually fled without a fight!
This caused Xiangyang, the capital of Jingzhou, which originally had the two protective barriers of Wancheng and Xinye, to instantly become a lamb to the slaughter!
"Damn Liu Bei!"
"His lord trusted him so much, yet he fled without a fight!"
The old tradition of internal strife should never be abandoned.
Cai Mao immediately jumped out to criticize Liu Bei.
Liu Biao's face was extremely grim.
Kuai Yue, observing Cai Mao's expression, said:
"De Gui, in any case, the most urgent task now is to find a way to strengthen the defenses of Xiangyang."
"Let's deal with Liu Bei after we get through this crisis."
Cai Mao snorted fiercely.
Meanwhile, below the city gate, Liu Bei had already begun knocking on the door.
Liu Bei was also furious about losing Xinye.
But he was certain that Liu Biao would let him in.
He was the only professional under Liu Biao who had actually fought against Cao Cao's army.
Although Liu Bei's prestige is somewhat lower than before, it is still considerable.
But... I don't know how much military power Liu Biao will give him.
If the entire army of Jingzhou were put under his command...
Liu Bei was confident that he could turn the tide!
……