While he was talking, a strong-backed cavalryman came galloping towards him. He rolled his saddle and dismounted, clasped his fists and said, "Lingling Guards General Xing Daorong has been ordered to come to greet the general!"
"General, please get up!" Liu Qi smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Commander Liu."
This Xing Daorong looked tall and thick, and his stature was almost the same as that of Zhang Fei. Liu Xian called him General Lingling. He was more than enough to guard the county, but he was not yet ranked among the famous generals.
Without Liu Bei to seize Jingzhou, Xing Daorong's chance to become famous is gone. It would be good to just be a general in the county.
When everyone came to Lingling, Liu Du had already brought hundreds of officials to greet them. They went to the government office to hold a banquet and enjoy themselves.
Liu Du and his son surrendered voluntarily, but nothing happened in the county. In the evening, Liu Qi wrote a letter and ordered Liu Xian to send it to Liu Ba to see if he was willing to serve as an official.
Early the next morning, Liu Qizheng met with Jiang Wan and Liu Min. These two people were about the same age as him and had not yet been promoted. They did not have the titles of Maocai and Xiaolian, and could not serve as officials in the court.
Liu Qi saw that Jiang Wan was knowledgeable and calm, while Liu Min was more heroic and worthy of being a figure who dared to resist Cao Wei's 100,000 troops in the later period.
At this time, Liu Qi's changes had already spread throughout the world, and Jingzhou was even more agitated. Everyone was of the same age. While the two admired Liu Qi, they also had a good conversation, and they were both attracted by the youth's vitality and pride.
In order for the two of them to be promoted to official positions, they must at least have the title of Maocai, so they discussed finding a famous person to recommend them.
This is the shortcoming of the imperial examination system in the Han Dynasty. Without celebrities and official recommendations, it is impossible to enter the officialdom.
The person recommended is a life-long benefactor. Naturally, each family only recommends people close to them. This has also become the basis for the family to control officialdom.
The imperial examination is one of the ways to break the monopoly of aristocratic families, but Liu Qi does not yet have the power to do it, let alone the conditions and resources to implement it, so he can only follow the current rules.
While they were discussing, suddenly an official document from Xiangyang arrived, and an imperial edict. Cao Cao declared Liu Qi as the Marquis of Xiangyang, worshiped the general of chariots and cavalry, and took charge of Jingzhou affairs!
"Congratulations, General!" Liu Xian and others were overjoyed after hearing this, and they all held their hands in congratulations.
At the age of only eighteen, he was honored by the Nine Ministers, and was granted the title of Marquis and General. Such an achievement, looking at all dynasties, only a few people could achieve it.
After this edict was issued, Liu Qi not only took charge of Jingzhou, but also had the power to establish a government and manage affairs. In the future, he would appoint officials without having to show up for everything.
Liu Qi glanced at the letter, then slowly put down the imperial edict, frowned and sighed: "The thief Cao is just eager to redeem the captives. How can he reward him like this if he has no hostages in hand? If this is really the emperor's favor, then How great would it be?”
Cao Cao gave him an official title just because he wanted to reduce the five million money and grain to two million. The official title was dispensable to Liu Qi. After all, Jingzhou was in his hands, and the money and grain were real benefits.
Jiang Wan clasped his fists and said: "General, what you said is wrong! The edict comes from the imperial court. Your Majesty knows that the general is powerful in the south of the Yangtze River. He wants to destroy the traitors and rejuvenate the Han Dynasty. He will be looking forward to it in the deep palace. This edict may not contain your majesty's earnest hope." meaning."
Liu Qi was slightly startled and bowed far to the north: "The emperor is trapped in Hebei and is desperately looking forward to rescue. Cao Cao, a thief, faked an edict to order the world. Someone will save the emperor's brother from water and fire."
Everyone saluted one after another, but heard one person laugh and say: "The general has such great ambitions, and Cao Cao's thieves will never be wiped out, why worry about the Han Dynasty not being prosperous?"
Liu Qi looked back and saw a man standing outside the yamen. He was wearing long sleeves and a goatee, and he was walking in with a big smile.
Liu Xian was surprised and said: "This is Liu Zichu!"
To elaborate, Liu Xian and Liu Ba belong to the same sect and were in the same family five generations ago. Although they are estranged now, they occasionally interact with each other.
Liu Qi stepped forward to greet him, clasping his fists and saying, "Jingzhou is lucky to have you here, sir!"
"How dare you, how dare you!" Liu Ba returned the courtesy and said, "The great victory in Nanyang has made Cao Cao return home in disgrace. It is the good fortune of Jingzhou and the good fortune of the Han Dynasty!"
Liu Qi was secretly happy. Sure enough, Liu Ba was optimistic about Cao Cao because he was the strongest and even had the hope of unifying the world. He wanted to end the troubled times as soon as possible.
The sudden rise of Liu Qi blocked Cao Cao's march south. He was much stronger than Liu Bei in terms of status and strength. This series of operations finally made Liu Ba change his mind.
After some greetings, everyone came to the government office. Liu Xian ordered a new banquet. Jiang Wan and Liu Min were both acquainted with Liu Ba. The three famous people in Jingzhou finally gathered in the Lingling government office.
After chatting for a while, Liu Ba asked: "The general's letter, drawing the Nanyang route and traveling as far as Guishuang, is really an ambitious plan. I have been living in Jingnan for a long time, and I have only heard about it. However, the general's drawings are so detailed, which is admirable."
Liu Qi smiled and said: "When I was in Xiangyang, I liked to collect strange books from all over the world, and I had a little dabble in the affairs of other countries. In the past, Qin Shihuang conquered Baiyue, and General Fubo Ma Yuan pacified the South China Sea. This is my land in China, and the treasures of South Sea are extremely rare." If there is a lot of it, if it can be transported to the Central Plains, we will definitely make a lot of money."
Liu Ba stroked his beard and said: "You can live with rare goods and make a lot of profits. The general can not only command the army, but also have such foresight. Why worry about big things happening? If we can trade with South Vietnam and transport goods from Jingzhou to Jiangdong, Xishu, and the Central Plains, there will be a lot of potential in Jingchu." "
Liu Qi said: "Although I know a little bit about business, I know nothing about financial matters. The foundation of a country depends on whether the treasury is sufficient. I still need my husband to make plans."
Liu Ba cupped his fists and said, "Thanks to the general's respect, Ba is willing to do his best."
Liu Qi was overjoyed. The key to impressing Liu Ba was to let him engage in economics. This business route and money-making strategy really aroused Liu Ba's interest.
Although Liu Ba was reluctant to join Liu Bei at first and fled from Jingzhou to Jiaozhi and then to Yizhou, he came thousands of miles to meet Liu Bei and eventually became Liu Bei's staff.
The first thing he did when he took office was to solve Liu Bei's financial problems. A "worth a hundred" system would replenish the treasury within a few months!
Liu Ba had such advanced economic ideas, and he could tell from Liu Qi's plan at a glance. This was completely different from those of today's princes who only increased taxes to fill their treasury. Although the two had not met, they already felt like close friends.
The plan to open up Nanyang made Liu Ba realize his ambition.
The slogan of reviving the Han Dynasty is known to the world. In the Central Plains, it was just to win people's hearts and to send troops just for the sake of justice. But expanding outwards showed Liu Qi's unique side.
As a man who impressed Zhuge Liang, there is no doubt about Liu Ba's vision and ability. Only by using these extraordinary means can he impress him.
During the banquet, everyone exchanged glasses and talked freely. Some of Liu Qi's novel opinions made everyone praise him. Especially when he talked about making money with Liu Ba, the two talked endlessly, leaving others dumbfounded.
Seeing the high spirits of these young people, Liu Du realized that his son Liu Xian was still far behind, so he finally agreed to let Liu Xian go out to practice. If he wanted to achieve something, he could not stay with his parents all the time.
The trip to Lingling was fruitful, so Liu Xian was asked to take the three of them to Xiangyang. Liu Qi's next stop was to go to Wuling. He didn't know what the ambiguous Jin Xuan's attitude was towards him.
