When Liu Qi returned to the mansion, Liu Biao was teaching Liu Cong to study. Without Mrs. Cai's instigation, Liu Cong became much gentler and the brothers were harmonious.
Now Liu Cong and Zhou Buyi have become the two prodigies in Xiangyang. They are studying in the same school and competing with each other.
Zhou Buyi was taught by Xu Shu and Zhuge Liang and made rapid progress. Liu Cong was under great pressure and came to Liu Biao for advice every day, and his enthusiasm for learning was high.
Liu Qi praised his brothers and informed Liu Biao of the marriage arrangement between Soochow and Sun Quan's sister.
"What did you say?" Liu Biao dropped the bamboo slip in his hand and looked at Liu Qi in disbelief: "Sun Quan wants to marry his sister into my family?"
"Exactly!" Liu Qi nodded and said with a smile: "Now that Jingzhou is strong and powerful, Jiangdong is surrounded by powerful enemies. In order to protect himself, Sun Quan had no choice but to take this strategy."
Liu Biao was stunned for a long time, his expression changed several times, he shook his head and smiled bitterly.
Since the death of Sun Jian, the Sun brothers have relied on their strength to attack Jiangxia many times. The whole Jiangdong area has also been unreasonable and unyielding.
Who would have expected that they would take the initiative to negotiate peace, even get married, and be willing to become concubines?
"It really complies with the popular saying: A good person will be bullied by others, and a good horse will be ridden by others!"
Liu Biao sighed with emotion and said: "Since Sun is willing to compromise, if we don't, Sun Quan will be angry and angry, and he will retaliate with his jealousy. He will also start a war, both public and private. My son has no choice but to get married again, but be careful with Sun Quan." Family trick."
"It's a pity that my second brother is young and can't share my worries." Liu Qi touched Liu Cong's head, feeling secretly happy in his heart, but with a look of helplessness on his face: "I want to take care of the overall situation, even if Sun Quan sends me a knife. Let’s continue too!”
A flash of light flashed in Liu Biao's eyes, and he said sternly: "In troubled times, my son should be good at strategizing heroes. He should not learn from his father's benevolence and risk the disaster of annihilation of his family."
Liu Qi hurriedly said: "My father rode into Jingzhou and Baoding. I don't know how many people fled here to avoid chaos. He has done a great job. Why do you say this?"
Liu Biao sighed and said: "In the past, I just wanted to secure Jingzhou, educate and bring peace to the people, and leave the Han Dynasty a pure land. Who would have thought that I would be laughed at by everyone in the world... If everyone is a thief, then a good person will become a thief!"
Liu Qi said: "The world is flooded with evil and people's hearts are declining. The country will not survive. If the country does not exist, how will the people follow it? In both public and private matters, we should strengthen ourselves and revitalize the Han Dynasty without hesitation."
"My son is truly a man of words!" Liu Biao smiled happily, "No matter what Soochow thinks, dealing with Cao Cao's thieves is a top priority, and expedient measures are inevitable. You must be more careful."
After Cao Cao was blackmailed and Sun Quan took the initiative to sue for peace, Liu Biao finally understood a truth: in today's troubled times, blindly staying safe and defensive is not a long-term solution. Only by showing swords and guns can he win the respect of princes and even enemies.
…
When the Soochow envoy arrived, news of the marriage spread like wildfire, and there was a debate among officials and people in Xiangyang.
Some people think that Soochow is too bullying and should not join forces with him. Now that the eldest son is strong, he should go down the river and seize Jiangdong. Let's see how long he can be arrogant?
Some people also believe that Cao Cao is powerful and must join forces to protect Jiangnan. Sun Quan took the initiative to marry, which shows that the eldest son of Jingzhou has been recognized by all the princes, and the Han Dynasty is expected to revitalize.
A manor on the east side of the Xi family has been converted into a winery. The 200-acre wine cellar is basically completed and the wine is being prepared. Most of the famous winemakers in Jingzhou have been invited here.
Xi Xuan just brought a pot of newly brewed wine to Huang Chengyan to taste, and discussed with the winemaker how to change the koji. This is Sanliangye brewed from wheat, rice and sorghum, and is still being tested.
"Oh my sister, something terrible has happened. Are you still in the mood to make wine here?"
At this moment, Xi Guan hurried over with an anxious look on his face.
Xixuan came over and asked, "Third brother, what happened?"
Xi Guan paused and said: "Soochow sent people to arrange a marriage, you don't know about such a big thing?"
Xi Xuan chuckled and said: "Of course I know, but this is a national matter and it is not our turn to interfere."
"My silly sister!" Xi Guan said angrily: "You haven't even married yet, but the eldest son has agreed to marry another family. This clearly means that our Xi family... doesn't take you seriously. How can we repay you in the future? No, I’m going to break off the engagement!”
"Third brother, don't mess around!" ignore the general interest?"
"We are not rude, who are you afraid of coming? Today the eldest son is here in person, so I will do the same..."
Halfway through the words, Xi Guan suddenly put on a smiling face, crossed his fists and crossed Xi Xuan, laughing loudly and said: "The general is here at the right time. My little sister is praising you for being a great hero, but I was so scared that Soochow came to ask for peace, but... We Jingzhou people have grown taller."
Xi Xuan's delicate body was impressive. She turned around and saw that it was indeed Liu Qi who was strolling over. He seemed to be a little more heroic than when he met before. There was a sense of majesty between his brows, and he became more confident and steady.
Liu Qi came over and said with a smile: "That's why I'm here. Sun and Liu unite to fight against Cao, which is related to the rise and fall of the Han Dynasty. We have no choice but to do it. I hope Miss will not take offense."
Xixuan's pretty face was slightly red, she lowered her head and whispered softly: "I have already said that I will never interfere in the affairs of the young master. Only if you don't forget your original intention can you be a real man."
Xi Guan smiled and said: "Soochow took the initiative to form a marriage. In terms of the art of war, is this called subduing the enemy without fighting?"
Liu Qi sighed: "Sun Quan may have other motives for Soochow's move, but Cao's thieves are so powerful that if we don't join forces, it will be difficult to fight against the enemy. I can't help myself!"
"Hmph, Sun Quan's sister is here, and she's just a side chamber!" Xi Guan snorted slightly: "If Sun dares to cause trouble in Jingzhou, my sister will definitely make her look good!"
In ancient times, the most important thing was the status, especially the title of the main wife and the side wife, which were related to the status and inheritance rights of the descendants. Xi Guan said this, obviously he wanted to occupy the status. After all, the power of the Sun family was so powerful that they could not compare with it, but the main wife was The position must be firm.
"Third brother, what are you talking about?" Xi Xuan rolled her eyes at him and saluted: "Young master can come and ask questions. I am already satisfied. I have no objection to this matter."
Liu Qi actually came to the village in person for this matter, which really touched Xi Xuan. At least it showed that he still pretended to be his own, which was enough.
Liu Qi nodded slightly and asked, "How is the progress of the wine cellar?"
Xi Xuan smiled and said: "The funds from the auction of those furniture are enough to build wine pools and wine cellars, and there are fifty wine steamers for distillation..."
When Xi Xuan talked about the industry, she lost her shy attitude and turned into a smart and capable woman. She introduced the progress of the project to Liu Qi with all her treasures.
The two of them had discussed this matter long ago. Distillation technology, like making furniture, cannot be kept secret for a long time. Others can imitate it and make wine cellars and wine yeast in advance. This is the core of competition.
A thousand-year-old cellar will be ten thousand years old. To make good wine, you need an old cellar. Only by having the best cellar and brand, and then continuously developing other brewing methods and making continuous progress can you remain invincible.
As I was walking, I saw a large wooden sign hanging on the beam in the middle of the wine pool in front of me. It read: Practice is the only criterion for testing truth!
Xi Guan saw Liu Qi looking up and explained: "The general's words are easy to understand, and it is just right to use them here to encourage craftsmen."
Liu Qi pointed at him and smiled: "You kid, you can always come up with something new for me."
