Back at the government office, several important officials arrived early. Today is Liu Qi's first time as director, so he must not lose his etiquette.
Liu Qi said: "Although I have been entrusted by my father to carry out state and county affairs, I still need to rely on your help. Political affairs in various places remain as usual. We also need to recruit talents and recommend talents. Anyone who has a skill will be selected."
Liu Xian asked: "The skills the general refers to are those craftsmen, doctors, and those with extraordinary skills?"
"That's right!" Liu Qi nodded and said, "Cao Cao must have the intention to annex Jingzhou when he conquers the north. The war is about to begin. You must use your talents to the best of your ability and make early preparations."
"Yes!" Although Liu Xian was a little confused, he still agreed.
Liu Qi wrote another list, recruiting Ma Liang, Pang Tong, Zhuge Liang, Jiang Wan, Liu Ba, Li Yan, Deng Zhi, Huo Jun and others to take office.
These were the celebrities in Jingzhou that he could think of last night. Although most of them might not come, it would be fine if there were no dates but three poles, as long as there was a harvest.
After everything was arranged, all the officials went to work, leaving only Zhizhong Kuaiyue to discuss matters.
Liu Qi got straight to the point and said, "I reported that before yesterday's banquet, my husband had a private meeting with Cai Mao for a long time. Could it be that he was plotting against Ambassador Liu?"
Kuai Yue's heart sank, but the expression on his face remained unchanged: "General, don't listen to slander. My meeting with General Cai was just to discuss the seats and nothing else."
"Oh?" Liu Qi stared at Kuai Yue and said with a faint smile, "Could it be that there is a banquet for Zhao Yun?"
Kuai Yue's heart was beating wildly. He couldn't guess how much inside information Liu Qi had asked about. He stroked his beard and said, "Zhao Yun was not mentioned."
"If this matter spreads, it may be detrimental to the Kuai family!" Liu Qi stopped asking and said with a smile: "Since you have not conspired with Cai Mao to investigate the Cai family's affairs, how about I ask you to do it?"
Kuai Yue pondered for a moment, clasped his fists and said, "I obey!"
After going out, a layer of cold sweat broke out on Kuai Yue's back. In the past, when talking to Liu Qi, although he had some knowledge, he had no scheming and was submissive.
Today's eyes made him dare not look directly, as if he could see everything. Although he didn't tell the truth, he understood that this was a blow from Liu Qi.
In any case, the Cai family and Liu Biao are related by marriage, so it is inconvenient for Liu Qi to deal with the matter directly. If he is too gentle, he will easily leave trouble, and if he is too harsh, he will inevitably attract criticism.
Only if he handles the matter properly and draws a clear line with the Cai family can Liu Qi forget about it.
After witnessing yesterday's thunderous tactics, the Kuai family had no choice.
After Kuai Yue left, Liu Qi looked through the official documents on the table. They were all about taxes and spring plowing plans from various places. He couldn't understand these, so he could just leave them to Liu to deal with first.
"Hiss—" Suddenly seeing a letter, Liu Qi took a breath of air and hurriedly picked it up.
I saw the words "Yingchuan Shan Fuliu" written on the envelope. Isn't this a letter left by Xu Shu?
The letter praised Liu Biao's virtues and said that all his subordinates were well-educated people, but they felt that they were not talented enough to write essays. He was grateful for his kindness in January.
He said it politely, but he was actually very disappointed with Liu Biao and couldn't leave without saying goodbye, so he left a letter.
There are so many famous people in Jingzhou that Liu Biao might not be able to read this letter, but Xu Shu was still polite and neither humble nor overbearing, which shows that he is a meticulous and trustworthy person.
It’s much better than those people who quit their job at every turn and don’t even go through the resignation procedures!
Seeing that the date was three days ago, Liu Qi stamped his feet anxiously and immediately sent an order for Huang Zhong to select ten people and follow him out of the city.
After hearing the news, Liu Pan came to dissuade him and said: "Xiangyang is in Xinding. There are many remnants of the Cai family. The general should not leave lightly. Don't forget about Sun Ce."
Liu Qi smiled and said: "With Han Sheng here, everything can be guaranteed."
Liu Pan said: "Why do you have to have the general personally take action? Why don't you let me go for a run?"
"It's too late to explain, I'm going to find someone." Liu Qi asked Liu Pan to guard the city carefully and leave the city.
There will definitely be some turmoil in Jingzhou, but as long as Liu Biao is still alive and the Cai family is under control, there won't be any big changes.
Liu Pan was in charge of the troops and horses, and Wenpin, Wang Wei and Wei Yan were there to maintain order, so nothing could go wrong.
Liu Qi took Huang Zhong straight to Shuijing Villa in Nanzhang. This trip was not only to seek talents, but also to earn reputation.
If we only rely on Liu Biao and his own reputation, even if a recruitment order is issued, those talents may not be willing to serve. We must use practical actions to impress them.
He also knew that this trip might be dangerous, but at such a moment, he could show his thirst for talents by pursuing Xu Shu.
What's more, Shuijing Villa is a gathering place for talents in Jingzhou. It is similar to Taiqiu Academy in Yingchuan. Several great talents are related to this place. It is not a disadvantage to go there and become familiar with each other.
Along the way, he asked the farmers and shepherd boys, and then arrived at Shuijing Villa at noon. When he got off his horse in front of the village, Liu Qi gave his name and waited outside the door, vaguely hearing the melodious sound of the piano.
Soon, an old man with an unworldly temperament came out. He had white hair and a childlike face, and a thin face. He cupped his fists and said, "I don't know that the eldest son is coming in person. I am not welcome at a distance."
Liu Qi returned the courtesy and said, "I have taken the liberty to disturb you. I have been chasing Shan Fu so far. I wonder if he is still in the village?"
Sima Hui was a little surprised. He invited Liu Qi in and asked, "How do you know that Shan Fu is here?"
Liu Qi smiled and said: "I have heard about the name of Shuijing Villa for a long time. All the talented and talented people come and go here, but I can't visit because I am recovering from illness. Shan Fu left Xiangyang and had nowhere to go, so he will definitely come here. Even if he doesn't come, he can still see you. Your beauty is enough to comfort you throughout your life!"
"Young master, you are so complimentary!" Sima Hui shook his head and laughed. After sitting down, he said, "Shan Fu has indeed been to the village. He just stayed for a day and then went to Xinye to visit Ambassador Liu."
"Going to Xinye?" Liu Qi's face changed slightly and he looked at Sima Hui.
Liu Bei is dead, how can he not know this news? Could it be that he was deliberately testing?
What a bad old man!
His mind turned and he immediately changed into a sad expression: "Sir, I don't know something. The emperor's uncle was killed by Cai Mao in Xiangyang yesterday."
"Seriously?" Sima Hui was shocked when he heard this and dropped his wine glass. He was comparable to a national first-class actor.
Liu Qi nodded and said: "Although I have avenged my uncle, without him to protect Nanyang, Cao Cao will definitely send troops to seize Jingzhou. I think I am no match for him, so I have issued a petition to seek talents to protect the territory together. I see Shan Fu leave a letter and say goodbye. I came to catch up, but it was still a step too late."
Sima Hui was stunned for a long time and then sighed: "Uncle Liu Huang has a reputation for benevolence and is determined to prosper the Han Dynasty. He doesn't want to die at the hands of a traitor."
Liu Qi said: "I don't overestimate my ability. I am willing to inherit my uncle's ambition to help the Han Dynasty, hoe the traitors and make meritorious deeds. I just regret that I lack the talent to save the world. I hope you can give me some advice."
Sima Hui stroked his beard and said slowly: "Young Master, have you ever heard of the nursery rhymes in the early Jian'an County? It began to decline in eighty-nine years, and in thirteen years there were no survivors. In the end, destiny was fulfilled, and dragons in the mud flew to the sky."
Life is like a play, it all depends on acting!
Liu Qi also put on a very humble expression, cupped his fists and said, "Please give me some advice."
Sima Hui said: "In the eighth year of Jian'an, the son lost his mother and was deceived by the Cai family. This is the so-called 'beginning of decline'. Those who 'have no survivors' may soon pass away, and the civil and military affairs will be scattered without any survivors. 'Destiny will return' , 'The dragon flies to the sky', the reason is the young master!"
Liu Qi was overjoyed and said hurriedly: "I can't bear to be ashamed. I just want to keep Jingzhou and help protect the Han Dynasty. That's enough!"
Sima Hui stroked his beard and said: "There are indeed geniuses in the world in Xiangyang, Fulong and Fengxiao. If they are together, the world can be settled."
Liu Qi cupped his fists and said, "To be honest, I have sent people to invite Kong Ming and Pang Tong. This time they are here to visit Mr. Shan Fu."
"Huh?" Sima Huizheng looked enigmatic and was stunned when he heard this: "Young Master knows these two people?"
Liu Qi sighed: "I grew up in Jingzhou, how can I not hear what's going on outside the window? I'm just being oppressed by the Cai family, and I can't help it."
"Okay, okay." Sima Hui pretended to be disappointed, then he clapped his hands and laughed, and began to make peace.
Liu Qi said regretfully: "It's a pity that we have missed a talented person. Can you leave a poem for the wise people?"
Now that Xu Shu has left, we can't let the old man pretend all by himself. This is a good opportunity to make a name for himself.
