The next day, New Year's Eve, Liu He returned from Yicheng with his mother Zhang and sister Liu Rao.
Liu He now lives in Yicheng Ling. As the head of a county, he should not leave his jurisdiction lightly. The reason why he returned to Xiangyang this time was not because of the special status of Liu Jing's younger brother, but because he received a letter from Xiangyang and Jingzhou Governor Du He is going to be promoted to Maocai, and his chief executive has arrived in Xiangyang. He will be officially announced tomorrow on the first day of the new year and after his crowning.
Looking at Liu Rao, whose pregnant belly was obvious, Liu Jing was angry and funny, and said slightly scolding: "Ali, you are pregnant. If you don't have peace of mind at your husband's house to raise the baby, why did you come back?"
Liu Rao and Ma Liang have been married for less than a year, but they are already six or seven months pregnant. They are progressing at a rapid pace, which makes Liu He envious. He got married earlier than his sister, but his wife Huan Xiang's belly has not moved until now. .
"I miss my brother..." Liu Rao hugged Liu Jing's arm and acted coquettishly. This was of course an excuse. In fact, she didn't want to stay at her husband's house.
Liu Rao was a posthumous child. She had no father since she was a child. She grew up under the favor of her mother and several brothers. She was used to freedom and disliked the strict family tradition of the Ma family. During the days when she was raising a baby in her husband's family, it was almost impossible for her. The days passed like years. In the past, I often stayed at the official residence in Yicheng in the name of visiting my mother and brother, but never returned. This time, I followed Liu He and ran back to Xiangyang.
Liu Jing knew his sister's character best and shook his head helplessly. Then he turned to Liu He and asked, "Wenyi, what do you think of the state's desire to promote you as a talented person?"
Liu He replied in a deep voice: "Although Du Shijun is on good terms with his brother, Du Shijun is an upright man and will never seek personal gain or abandon public service. This time he promoted me as the most talented person in the state, presumably to replace Cao Cao." Sikong is trying to win over his brother, or this matter is simply Cao Sikong’s own intention.”
Liu Jing nodded slightly and glanced at his wife Deng Yuan. The latter understood and knew that her husband and brother-in-law had something to talk about, so he immediately led his stepmother Zhang, Liu Rao, and Huan Xiang away.
In a blink of an eye, only Liu Jing and Liu He were left in the hall. The two brothers sat at the same table. Liu Jing poured tea leisurely and sneered: "My brother's guess is right. Cao Mengde is taking the opportunity to test me. According to the old rules The noble, the filial, the honest, the talented all have to go to Beijing to meet the saints."
"Then brother, what do you mean...?" Liu He asked slightly nervously.
Although he knew that Liu Jing would probably not let him enter the court as a hostage, he was not afraid of ten thousand, just in case. He had no autonomy at all in this matter.
Liu Jing smiled and said: "It's no need to ask. Of course I accepted Maocai and declined to go to Beijing."
Liu He was relieved, but then he said with some worry: "Last year, my brother rejected Cao Sikong's request for marriage. Now that he doesn't get what he wants, will he completely hate Cao Sikong and make him angry and raise an army? My brother is currently planning for Jiangdong. , if Cao Sikong imposes restrictions, it may be detrimental to my brother's career." At this point, Liu He's mind became hot and he blurted out: "If my brother needs it, I am willing to come to Beijing as a pledge."
Liu Jing felt very pleased when he heard this, squeezed Liu He's shoulder hard, and said with emotion: "It's enough for you to have this heart. As for the quality, don't mention it again. A man should make his own decision in life, how can he be controlled by others?! "
"Come, drink tea." Seeing that Liu He still looked worried, Liu Jing said calmly, "Wen Yi doesn't need to worry. Before the Yuan clan in Hebei seeks peace, Cao Mengde has no chance of going south in a big way. At most, he can send partial troops to attack, so there is nothing to worry about. However, the next few years will be the key to the rise and fall of the Han Dynasty. If I can annex Jiangdong within one or two years, but Cao Mengde has not decided on Hebei, I will raise Jing, Jiao, and Yang from the three states to join Liu Zhang in the west and Yuan in the north. , Qin Wang Xuchang, revive the Han Dynasty! On the other hand, if Cao Mengde precedes me..."
Liu He was greatly worried and hurriedly interrupted Liu Jingdao: "Brother is the man of destiny, with unparalleled wisdom and military skills like a god. He will surely be able to eradicate the unjust and stabilize the country!"
Liu Jing couldn't help but burst into laughter, nodded and said, "I hope it's as my brother said." Then he talked to Liu He about the Eastern Conquest of Sun Bi.
Liu He listened very carefully and raised military issues from time to time. He had been extremely interested in military affairs since he was a child, and dreamed of one day joining hands with Liu Jing brothers to dominate the world. Unfortunately, this wish never came true.
Liu Jing's eastward campaign against Sun Bi took place in two months. He attacked Yuzhang and Luling counties and annihilated tens of thousands of enemies. The results far exceeded expectations.
But compared to the glorious results achieved on land, the results on the water pale in comparison.
Liu Jing sighed and said: "If we want to conquer Jiangdong, the navy is the most important thing. Although Wenxiu (Liu Zhu) is talented, he is too young to be alone. Next year, I plan to let my eldest brother Liu (Zong) uncle to conquer Jiangdong again.
Then he will lead the navy."
Liu He's heart moved and he asked: "If the eldest brother follows his elder brother to conquer Jiangdong, who will guard Jingzhou?"
Liu Jing did not respond to his brother's expectant look. He already had a candidate in mind, "Just transfer my brother Liu (Xiu) Yuande to Xiangyang."
For his brother Liu Xiu, Liu Jing felt quite apologetic. Changsha and Jingnan were to Liu Jing just like Guanzhong was to Emperor Gaozu and Hebei was to Shizu. Their importance is self-evident.
Liu Jing followed his brother Liu Xiu to be strict and prudent, and had the style of a general. Every time he led the army on an expedition, he asked Liu Xiu to stay in Changsha.
In the past few years, all the generals under his command followed Liu Jing in the southern and northern wars, overthrown the army and killed generals, destroyed the country and captured the city. All of them were promoted to the rank of commander, including six generals who served as assistants and more than ten generals who were lieutenants. However, Liu Xiu had been in command for many years.
In Changsha, he lacked opportunities to perform meritorious service, so he is still a Zhonglang general.
With Liu Jing seizing the two counties of Yuzhang and Luling in the east of Jingnan, Jingnan was internally stable and invincible from all sides, and there was no need to leave generals to guard it. Liu Jing took the opportunity to transfer Liu Xiu to Xiangyang to serve as General Pi and lead Zhangling.
Prefect, to make up for his silent efforts over the years.
Although Liu He knew that he had little hope, he still had some extravagant hopes. When he heard that his brother had chosen to follow his brother Liu Xiu, he could not hide his disappointment.
Liu Jing has watched Liu He grow up since he was a child, so he naturally knows the latter's thoughts clearly.
However, looking at the founders of the past dynasties, there are many brothers who work together, and there are also many brothers who fight against each other. Liu Jing, as a descendant, knows the famous generals of the Three Kingdoms well. There are Liu Zong, Liu Liang, Liu Xiu, Liu Zhu, etc. in the clan.
People can help, there is no need to let Liu He take charge of the army.
Liu He was not satisfied with the weak title this year, but he had already served in Liuyang, Ling, and Yicheng counties. Liu Jing made it clear that he was preparing to train Liu He into a civil servant.
Liu Jing stroked Liu He's back and said: "Maocai is the state's prize for officials. Wen Yi has been promoted to Maocai by the state. It is not suitable to continue to stay in Yicheng. I plan to report to the emperor in the near future and let him
You are transferred to Xiangyang Order."
Liu He's spirit couldn't help but be shocked. He was transferred from the Yicheng Order to the Xiangyang Order. It seemed like a peaceful move, but in fact it was not the case. Xiangyang was the city governed by Liu Jing. As Liu Jing's brother, Liu He had a special status and was appointed as the Xiangyang Order.
, which means that he has the qualifications to get involved in the core of power in Jingzhou, which is what he has always expected.
"A younger brother will never disappoint his elder brother!"