Liu Qi's words not only stunned Wang Lang, but Guan Yu and others were also shocked. They didn't expect that he would make such a ridiculous request.
After Xu Shu was briefly stunned, he shook his head and laughed. Liu Qi deliberately exaggerated so that the subsequent conditions would be easier to negotiate.
It took Wang Lang a long time to come to his senses, and he clasped his fists and said: "Although the general and the emperor have the same ancestry, Cao Ren is a prisoner under the rank, and the emperor is a noble person. The two are so different from each other, how can they exchange hostages and set up the imperial court?" Where is the majesty?”
Liu Qi sneered and said: "Everyone knows that Cao Cao held the emperor hostage and commanded the princes. As the emperor, he allowed Cao's thieves to oppress him. How is it any different from a hostage? Since I am a member of the Han clan, I should be welcomed and assisted. What's wrong with that?"
Wang Lang said angrily: "The Emperor is the supreme being in the world, how can he be used as a pledge? What's more, the imperial court is now in Xuchang, where the dragon spirit gathers. Moving the capital is related to the fate of the country. It is a major plan for the world and needs to be discussed by the three ministers and the monarch and his ministers. The general's argument is ridiculous."
Liu Qi did not feel dissatisfied and thought: "According to Ming Gong's words, would it be reasonable to welcome him to Luoyang?"
Wang Lang thought that Luoyang was now under the control of Cao Jun, and nodded: "It is natural and reasonable for the emperor to return to the old capital. It is the reincarnation of heaven."
"That's good!" Liu Qi said with a smile: "In that case, let's trade Cao Ren for Luoyang!"
"You..." Wang Lang's beard and hair were all spread out, and he wanted to explode, but he held back, his face turned red with anger, "General, you, don't bully others too much!"
"How is it compared to Cao Cao who held the emperor hostage and bullied his colleagues?" Liu Qi smiled coldly and waved his sleeves and said: "Luoyang is dilapidated and has been in disrepair for a long time. Since Cao Cao is unwilling to repair it, as a descendant of the Han Dynasty, I have the unshirkable responsibility to guard the imperial mausoleum and build the ancestral temple. When Luoyang is repaired, it won’t be too late to pick him up again!”
Wang Lang saw that Liu Qi refused to give in and his trip was about to fail. He begged with a sad face: "General, this is too much. I'm afraid the Prime Minister may not agree. Please think again."
"No more nonsense!" Liu Qi seemed to have lost his patience and smiled solemnly: "If Cao Cao really wants people, he must show sincerity. If there is a deadline of half a month, if there is no reply by then, one day later, Cao Zixiao will be missing something. see a visitor out!"
Wang Lang was shocked. He was still waiting for further discussion when he saw Zhang Fei taking a step forward and glaring at him: "Messenger Wang, please!"
Wang Lang was shuddered, he didn't dare to look at Zhang Fei, he lowered his head and hurried out, only to hear bursts of laughter coming from behind him.
"Da Lang, you did a great job!" Zhang Fei walked to the door and laughed: "What a pleasure!"
Guan Yu was also stroking his beard and smiling, and the eyes of Sun Qian and others looking at Liu Qi also changed again.
In the past, following Liu Bei, although he was popular among the people, he was always cautious, walking on thin ice when encountering problems, looking forward and backward, which made people feel frustrated.
However, Liu Qi acted willfully and dared to curse the imperial envoy and directly denounced Cao Cao. This was a great way to express his feelings and relieve his hatred.
Xu Shu understood, however, that this was the fundamental difference between Liu Qi and Liu Bei. Their starting points were completely different.
Liu Bei started from scratch and had no foundation. He told everyone he met that he was a member of the Han clan, just to win people's hearts and seek a place to live.
Liu Qi was different. He had Jingzhou as his foundation and was the eldest son of the Liu family with a well-established family background. As long as he was bold and ambitious, his goals would be directed at the imperial court, so it was natural for him to scold Wang Lang with confidence.
Mi Zhu came forward and said: "General, even if we evaluate it based on business methods, how can Cao Ren exchange for the emperor or Luoyang? Cao Cao will definitely not agree."
Liu Qi smiled and said, "Sir, you belong to a wealthy family in Xuzhou. His properties are spread all over the country and he is familiar with the ways of doing business. Although I ask for a high price, I don't say that the thief cannot bargain!"
Sun Qian stroked his beard and said with a smile: "General, this is a strategy to slow down the troops. Pull twice to delay the sun and the moon, and then you can calmly mobilize the troops."
Mi Zhu nodded and said: "The general is wise, but I was negligent."
Everyone laughed again. Although Liu Qi's idea of exchanging Cao Ren for the emperor was outrageous, it sounded reasonable and wonderful.
After seeing off the envoy, everyone went about their business. Liu Qi also breathed a sigh of relief. After this battle, he was truly recognized by Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and others, and completely took over Liu Bei's team.
As he became famous, Liu Biao gave his full support in Jingzhou. He ordered various places to recruit troops to help each other and prepare money and food. It was much easier to recruit talents.
In the past few days, all counties in Nanyang have sent reinforcements, ranging from hundreds to thousands. Nearly 20,000 new soldiers have gathered in Wancheng. As Nanyang people, they are all willing to defend their hometown to the death.
Liu Qi ordered Zhao Yun and Wei Yan to select and train them, and Kou Feng and Hu Ji assisted them. They would be satisfied if they could train an elite army of 5,000 men.
The next day Deng Zhi came to report that Cao's army went south to Luyang and garrisoned troops in Mopo, with Xiahou Dun personally leading the troops.
Deng Zhi was the successor of the famous general Deng Yu. He was familiar with the art of war and served as a general in his later years. Liu Qi worshiped him as being in charge of intelligence and military counselor.
Xu Shu said: "Cao Cao has deployed his troops on the border and is eyeing Nanyang. We need to prepare early."
Liu Qi nodded and said: "We can place an army in Bowang City to prevent Cao's army from raiding south. There is Bowang Slope in the south of the city. The terrain is complex and there is a lot to do."
Xu Shu smiled and said: "It turns out that the general knew the terrain here and took precautions."
Liu Qi said: "I only have a rough idea. If Cao's army really comes to attack, the deployment of troops will require planning by military advisers."
Xu Shu nodded and said: "It's your duty, do you dare not to serve me?"
Liu Qi ordered Wenpin to lead 20,000 troops to Bowang City and deploy defenses. He also sent Fu Shu to lead 3,000 troops to set up a sentry tower high on Bowang Slope to monitor Cao Jun's movements.
On this day, I was practicing swordplay with Xu Shu in his mansion, and my own soldiers came to report. Two thousand reinforcements from Jiangxia arrived, led by Captain Su Fei personally, and asked to see Liu Qi.
Scholars in the Han Dynasty were not as powerless as later generations, especially the children of aristocratic families. They had learned the six arts of the gentleman since childhood, and Liu Qi still had some foundation.
The body is the capital of revolution. In addition to military affairs, Liu Qi's most important thing now is to keep fit.
He sheathed his sword and came to the study room. He saw Su Fei in his thirties, not tall in stature, but calm in demeanor. After the ceremony, he ordered a banquet to be held.
Su Fei cupped his fists and said, "The eldest son rose up from his dormancy and soared into the sky. It is really a blessing for Jingzhou. County Governor Huang was overjoyed when he heard the news and sent two thousand elite soldiers to help the eldest son fight against Cao Cao."
Liu Qi sighed with emotion: "Why should Uncle Shi be so polite? Sun Quan has always been obsessed with his father's hatred. Wu Jun is watching around, so he should prevent the Sun family from taking the lead. Don't dare to worry about Nanyang."
Su Fei smiled and said: "The Lord has always hated the Cao family, and only hated the fact that he was unable to send troops. Now that I heard that the young master has raised troops, he also wanted to express his feelings and hope that the young master will not say goodbye."
Liu Qi nodded and said: "I should accept Uncle Shi's wishes. Jiangxia's defense is urgent, so there is no need for General Su to come in person."
Su Fei cupped his fists and said, "I'm here for both official and private matters! I heard that the young master is looking for talents, and it's time for him to employ people, so I came here to recommend a good friend."
Liu Qi thought for a while and thought that Jiangxia didn't seem to have many talents. Even if there were any, they should be kept to guard Jiangxia. What would happen if they were sent to him?
But after all, it was Su Fei's intention, so he acted like a polite corporal, raised his glass and said with a smile: "Thank you for your trouble, General Su. I wonder what this person's abilities are?"
Su Fei thought about the words and said: "This man's name is Gan Ning, and his courtesy name is Xingba. Although in his early years..."
"Pfft——" Liu Qi spit out a mouthful of wine, widened his eyes and shouted strangely: "Gan Ning hasn't gone to Soochow yet?"
