In the thatched cottage, Wang Can and Shi A were sitting opposite each other.
Wang Can smiled and asked: "Shi A, how is Zhuge Liang's situation recently? I haven't heard from you for a long time."
Shi A frowned slightly and said: "My lord, it may be a little difficult to recruit Zhuge Liang this time. The people monitoring Zhuge Liang found that Liu Bei's counselor Sun Qian often visited Zhuge Liang's thatched cottage, and the relationship seemed to be very close. I estimate that it is very possible. Zhuge Liang has defected to Liu Bei."
"What?"
Wang Can was shocked, his body stiffened, and the smile on his face suddenly disappeared, revealing an expression of astonishment.
He looked at Shi A and asked: "Sun Qian was close to Zhuge Liang, why didn't you tell me?"
Wang Can originally thought that Liu Bei was stationed on the front line and was resisting the Shu army, which would not affect his visit to Zhuge Liang, so his original plan was to deal with the business in Xiangyang first and then visit Zhuge Liang. However, Wang Can did not expect that Liu Bei was leading troops on the front line. But he sent Sun Qian to go around and dig out Zhuge Liang.
Even the people monitoring Zhuge Liang did not notice that Liu Bei had arrived in the thatched cottage.
Because there was no round-the-clock surveillance, Liu Bei came quietly.
Shi'a looked bitter and said: "My lord, I asked you whether I wanted to visit Zhuge Liang earlier. You said that you should take care of the business in Xiangyang first, and then visit Zhuge Liang after the Jingxiang clan is dealt with, so I didn't Report."
"You...oh, forget it!"
Wang Can pointed at Shi A and finally sighed.
if I get it I am lucky, but if not, it is fate.
Immediately, Wang Can ordered in a deep voice: "Inform Wu Huang immediately and send someone to investigate the situation of Sun Qian and Zhuge Liang to determine whether Zhuge Liang has defected to Liu Bei. Hurry up and hurry up!"
At this time, Wang Can had already made murderous intentions.
If the situation is really confirmed, it can only be eliminated with ruthless measures.
"promise!"
Shi A nodded in agreement, then turned and left the thatched cottage.
In fact, in Shi A's heart, he didn't take Zhuge Liang into his heart, and he didn't care much about it. Because Shi A didn't understand why Wang Can valued Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong so much. They were two fledglings. What was there to value? .And Shi A thought in his heart that with Jia Xu, Guo Jia, Cheng Yu and others, Zhuge Liang was simply insignificant.
Shi A thought so in his heart, but didn't dare to say it out loud.
Wang Can had an order and he could only execute it immediately.
…
In the Chu palace, Liu Biao was washing the dust of Du Xijiefeng.
When he sent people to Jiangdong to ask for help, Du Xi Mao recommended himself, which moved Liu Biao. The more critical he was, the more he could see people's hearts. He had already planned to reuse Du Xi and appointed Du Xi as the county magistrate. The ruling party.
In the palace, Liu Biao asked with a smile: "Zixu (characterized by Du Xi), please tell me about the situation of the envoy to Jiangdong."
Du Xi was overjoyed when he saw Liu Biao's complete change in his attitude towards him.
Self-recommendation seems to have worked.
Du Xi immediately told what he had seen and heard when he went to Jiangdong, and then focused on the issue of food. The food Liu Biao gave was 300,000 shi, but Du Xi only used 200,000 shi to persuade Sun Jian. This is obviously due to Du Xi.
After Liu Biao heard this, he laughed loudly and said: "Okay, Du Zixu is such an eloquent person. I didn't expect you to be so adaptable. You turned three hundred thousand shi of grain into one hundred thousand shi. You are quite smart. Having said that, I saved a hundred thousand shi of food, which is really a great achievement. Come on, I’ll give you a drink!”
While talking, Liu Biao picked up the wine bottle and offered Du Xi a bottle of wine from a distance.
After Du Xi picked up the wine bottle and drank it, he said humbly: "It all depends on the king's reputation, otherwise the attack will not be successful."
After hearing this, Liu Biao was even more delighted.
This person knows how to advance and retreat, and understands the general situation, very good, very good!
Kuai Yue cupped his hands and said: "My lord, this is the time to employ people. Du Zixu can be decisive without losing the prestige of our Chu country. Such a person can be of great use."
When Du Xi heard this, he glanced at Kuai Yue gratefully.
Cai Mao opened his mouth to speak, but after thinking about it, he still didn't say anything.
He originally wanted to say that Du Xi was from Zhongyuan. Such people were unreliable and might surrender to the enemy. However, the situation in Jingzhou was critical now and more talents were needed, so Du Xi did not say anything.
Liu Biao hummed and said, "What the aliens say makes sense, and Guzheng has this intention."
When Du Xi heard Liu Biao's promise in public, his heart finally fell to the ground.
He brought his family and more than a hundred people to Jingzhou. Although Liu Biao gave him a settlement fee so that the Du family could settle down in Xiangyang, the Du family would not be able to settle down unless he became an official.
Moreover, the Du family has no source of income. As the saying goes, only those with power can make money. Only when Du Xi becomes an official can the Du family take root in Jingzhou.
Du Xiang has been in Jingzhou for nearly a month, but there has been no news. The elders in the family are quite complaining.
Now, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"Report!!"
Suddenly, there was a sound of footsteps outside the hall.
A soldier hurriedly ran in, knelt on the ground with a plop, and reported: "Your Majesty, Mr. Liu Xin, the envoy to the State of Wei, has returned and is seeking an audience outside the palace."
Liu Biao was overjoyed and waved his hand: "Xuan!"
The people who went to Cao Cao for help came back, and Liu Biao could relax. Cao Cao and Sun Jian's troops began to mobilize. As long as Sun Jian and Cao Cao's armies were mobilized, he could resist the Shu army.
For a time, Liu Biao's depression was gone and he was very excited.
After a while, Liu Xin hurriedly walked into the hall, bowed his hands and said, "Your Majesty, Liu Xin, pays homage to my lord."
Liu Biao smiled and asked: "Liu Qing, did your trip to Wei go well?"
Liu Xin replied: "It went smoothly."
Kuai Liang observed his words and noticed something was wrong with Liu Xin's expression, and he sneered in his heart. At first, he strongly opposed Liu Xin's mission to Wei, but Liu Biao insisted, and Kuai Liang had no choice. After all, Liu Xin was Liu Biao's relative. But now it seems,
I'm afraid that 300,000 shi of grain cannot satisfy Cao Cao at all, so this situation will arise.
Liu Xin, it’s hard to achieve great things!
Kuai's conscience is funny, but Du Xi can be put to great use.
Liu Biao asked: "Liu Qing, what's the result?"
Liu Xin answered honestly: "My lord, Cao Cao said that he would need 500,000 shi of grain before he would send troops to help. After some humble bargaining, he finally settled on 400,000 shi of grain and reached an agreement."
"Four hundred thousand stones?"
Liu Biao opened his mouth wide with an incredible expression on his face.
He stared at Liu Xin and his breathing became rapid.
The civil and military ministers in the main hall all opened their eyes wide and looked at Liu Xin in horror. This guy must be too prodigal.
Four hundred thousand stones of grain, do you really think that the people of Jingxiang specialize in grain production?
Suddenly, the civil and military officials in the hall whispered, some shook their heads and sighed, and some sneered, but without exception, they all looked at Liu Xin with disdain, thinking that Liu Xin was a complete idiot. On the other hand, Du Xi,
The problem was solved with only 200,000 shi of grain.
Comparing the two of them, they are like heaven and earth.
"idiot!"
Liu Biao suddenly became angry, reached for the wine bottle and threw it at Liu Xin.
Seeing the wine bottle coming at him, Liu Xin refused to dodge.
"boom!"
The wine bottle hit Liu Xin's shoulder, spilling wine all over him.
Liu Xin looked at Liu Biao who was in a rage and felt that he had been wronged. He went on a mission to the Wei State and finally completed the mission. Moreover, he suffered humiliation in the Wei State and was humiliated by Cao Cao. Now when he came back to report the news, he was surprised by Liu Biao again.
He yelled and scolded, feeling very uncomfortable, and immediately asked: "My lord, I used an extra hundred thousand stones of food in my humble position, but I also completed the task, why are you so angry?"
Liu Biao was so angry that his nose wheezed and his face flushed.
Why did he choose a loser?
Shame is not only the shame of the Liu family, but also the shame of the Chu State. Liu Biao was so angry that when he heard that Liu Xin dared to ask questions, he became even more furious and wanted to kill him with his sword.