There are two main ways to go from Changsha to Xuchang. One is of course to cross the river and go north. However, Jingbei is Liu Biao's territory. With the current bad relationship between the two sides, they can be called mortal enemies. Once Liu Biao is found to be Liu Jing's man, ten people will be killed.
There are eight or nine cases where he will be executed by Liu Biao.
Fortunately, Liu Yan only became an official at the beginning of this year. Before that, because he was reclusive and not interested in fame and fortune, few people knew about him. As long as he was not caught by others, he could pretend to be a scholar from the Central Plains returning to the north and head to Xudu in a swagger.
The second is to go east across the mountains, enter Yuzhang County of Yangzhou, then go north along the Gan River into the Yangtze River, and go all the way down the river. As long as you reach Jiujiang County, you are basically safe.
Because Jiujiang County is currently in the hands of Liu Fu, the governor of Yangzhou, Liu Yao can ask Liu Fu to send someone to escort him to Xudu.
The only concern is that in order to contain Liu Biao's army in Jingnan, Cao Cao not only ceded Lingling and Guiyang counties to Zhang Jin, the governor of Jiaozhou, but also ceded Changsha County to Sun Bi, the prefect of Yuzhang. No one can judge. Sun Bi
How will you react when you see Liu Yao?
Liu Jing advocated taking the second route. Although this route was far away, it was relatively safe. Even if Sun Ben had evil intentions towards Changsha, he might not kill Liu Yao. Liu Biao was different. It would be extremely difficult for Liu Yao to be caught.
Escape to death.
However, Liu Yao insisted on taking the first road. This road had many advantages, which were countless. The only disadvantage was that he would be in danger of dying if he was discovered. However, Liu Yao believed that the probability was very low and he only needed to be careful.
The two argued about this for a long time, but in the end, as expected, Liu Jing was persuaded by Liu Yao and agreed to take the first path.
Then the two of them turned to other topics, and it wasn't until the night after that they ended the drinking party and went back to their room to rest.
Liu Jing, always energetic, only slept for more than two hours and woke up on time at sunrise. He then took a boat across the last few dozen miles and arrived at Linxiang City at noon.
As the saying goes, "Mountains and rivers are moving quickly, and we hope they will come soon." It was already mid-August, more than half a month had passed since the floods occurred at the end of July, and the floods gradually receded.
The officials and people in Linxiang had long received the news of Liu Jing's return. On both sides of the Xiang River, tens of thousands of people were crowded shoulder to shoulder, and everyone was looking forward to it.
Unknowingly, Liu Jing had left Linxiang for more than three years, but the people of Linxiang had never forgotten him for a moment.
This is not an exaggeration. In times of peace, Liu Jing's well-known poems and essays, his much-talked-about deeds, and even his good governance in the market will inevitably remind the people of Linxiang of him.
During the war, the first news of victory that the people of Linxiang heard came from Liu Jing. His victory over Cai Mao's navy last spring greatly inspired the people of Linxiang who had been numb for a long time. Now he has completely wiped out the Northern Army and regained Linxiang.
The people of Hunan and Linxiang are all proud of Liu Jing.
"Coming, coming..." Seeing the trace of Liu Jing's fleet, the long line of onlookers on both sides of the Xiang River, stretching for several miles, instantly became excited.
"Liu Jun...Liu Jun..." Cheers like a tsunami swept across Linxiang and outside.
Seeing this, Huan Jie couldn't help but sigh: "Liu Lingling has been away from Changsha for many years, and his reputation is still as high as this. He has visited Changsha ancient and modern times, and there are only a few of them. I'm afraid he can be compared with Jia Sheng."
After his death, the people of Changsha built a shrine for him, which is still popular today.
As soon as Huan Jie finished speaking, all the officials in Changsha County who were behind him all echoed and praised Liu Jing.
Wang Qiang's face was as gloomy as water. He glanced at them lightly and then looked away. The two sides were far apart and could be said to be clearly separated.
There is no way, although Wang Qiang is Liu Jing's leading general, he is a merchant, and most of the officials around Huanjie are from the Linxiang family, and at worst they are from poor families. Therefore, even if Wang Qiang is powerful, in their eyes Not worth the trouble of making friends.
Liu Jing wore the Erliang Jinxian crown on his head, a purple robe, and a Bailian Huanshou sword on his waist. Under the guard of a large number of soldiers, he stepped ashore, looking particularly graceful.
He first came to the Changsha officials led by Huan Jie and Zhi Zhi. Looking at the mostly unfamiliar faces, he couldn't help but let out a sigh.
Among the three chief officials of the Changsha Prefecture, Liu Pan, the official of the five sense organs, died of illness, and Li Yong, the governor of the postal service, died in battle. Only the meritorious Cao Huanjie chose to hide himself after the city was broken, thus saving his life. The chief officials under his command, including Cao Cao and Shi, also suffered heavy casualties, not to mention that they also suffered heavy casualties. As a military general, it can be said that this North-South war in Jingzhou caused the entire elite of a county in Changsha to suffer losses.
"If there were no variable like myself, Liu Zong, Chu Fang, Cai Sheng...even Ma Zhou, Zheng Zheng, Liu Zhu...would they have died in Linxiang like Liu Pan and become a speck of dust swallowed up by the storm of history? ?" Liu Jingxin said: "Because of his existence, their destiny has completely changed. How far can they go in the future?"
All the officials in Changsha saluted Liu Jing one after another, but the personal etiquette was different. Those represented by achievements saluted Liu Jing as ministers, while those represented by Huan Jie bowed to Liu Jing.
Liu Jing remained calm, his attention returned to Huan Jie, and he said first: "We have been apart for more than three years, but Huan Jun's style is still the same."
"Liu Lingling has changed a lot," Huan Jie replied while looking at Liu Jing. Liu Jing had just turned nineteen when he left Linxiang. Although he spoke and behaved like an adult, if you look carefully, you can see that There is still a hint of youthful charm on his face. Time flies, more than three years have passed, Liu Jingjiu has been in the upper position, and he is invincible in the battlefield, which makes him have a deep and deep demeanor. Even Huan Jie is in front of him. pressure.
Liu Jing smiled and said: "Huan Jun, just call me by my cousin's name as before."
Huan Jie smiled and said nothing. He used to call Liu Jing by his cousin's name because he had a higher status than Liu Jing and said his cousin's name was more familiar.
Things are different now. Although Huan Jie did not meet Liu Jing with the courtesy of a minister, this does not mean that the two of them can sit on equal terms.
Seeing that he was silent, Liu Jing did not force him, and said: "Prior to Wang Zijian's letter, he said that Han Xuan, the governor of Changsha, was surrounded by Zhennan General Mansion and Kuai Qi, but he still had the intention to fight to the death. Fortunately, Mr. Huan rallied the loyal people. , launched an attack from within, captured Beiguo Gate in one fell swoop, and then successfully captured Linxiang. In this battle, Huan Jun made the greatest contribution."
Huan Jie slowly shook his head and said: "This is not my fault alone. Song (Lin) Ziren also contributed a lot. In order to contain the Northern Army, hundreds of houses were burned down, and the price was not small."
Liu Jingdao: "If the houses are burned, they will be burned. The county government will pay to rebuild them. As long as there are no serious casualties among the people, it will be fine."
Huan Jie nodded slightly. If he failed to capture Linxiang that day and gave Han Xuan and Kuai Qi more time, Liu Jingjun would have to pay a higher price if he wanted to capture Linxiang.