After Liu Bei entered Nanyang, he crossed Xiong'er Mountain, Funiu Mountain, and Tongbai Mountain, and went south along the Jishui River. The mountains in the south had become low, like mountains, and more of them were endless countryside and plains. , the space between heaven and earth seems to be much wider because of this.
These northern Xinjiang warriors walked among the streams and rivers. It was often the first time for them to feel the warmth and humidity of the south. Therefore, they felt a little uncomfortable, a little novel, and more of a joy to see the return of spring. In the past few days, willows are sprouting, the spring breeze is intoxicating, and there are new flowers blooming everywhere, such as peach blossoms, apricot blossoms, pear blossoms, magnolias, winter jasmine, peonies, sophora flowers, etc. After several years of war, the mountains and fields have It is rare for human beings to see each other, and their beauty is even more splendid because of it.
What was even more surprising about this was the people of Nanyang. When they saw this team carrying the banner of the government and army, their clothes and accents were not like the locals. At first they thought the Liang people were coming again, so they closed their doors and hid. But they soon discovered that these northerners had no intention of looting. Some herdsmen's cattle and sheep ran into the team, but they just drove the livestock out again and continued southbound. When the northerners were stationed twenty miles south of Deng County, the southerners realized that these were the imperial army's eastward expedition to suppress the rebellion. They sighed: "I didn't expect that after General Zhu (Zhu Jun) left, today there will be another army." I can see Master Wang. Isn’t the day of peace not far away?”
But compared to the joy of the people, Liu Biao, who crossed the river to greet him, was extremely uneasy. When he and his state officials crossed the Han River in more than ten boats, they saw the flags on the north bank were like clouds, and the army officers and soldiers were setting up camp, brushing horses and sharpening troops, as if they were generals who would stay here for a long time. Liu Biao changed his face and asked for help. Kuai Yue, an officer in charge of the Central Committee, said: "It seems that the people from the north have bad intentions when they come to the south! What are our plans in the alien world?"
Kuai Yue put his hands on the Han River to look at the situation on the other side, twirled his beard for a moment, and then smiled at Liu Biao and said, "No matter what your plan, Ming Gong, there is no need to worry. Although these northerners look like they have been stationed for a long time, their expressions are relaxed and there are many things to do." The person who joked did not have any murderous intent. It must be that the general was dissatisfied with Duke Ming's previous attitude and wanted to use this to show off his power."
After Liu Biao heard this, he looked at the north bank and saw something different. I saw that although Liu Bei's army was densely arranged, the soldiers behaved in a relaxed manner. Some were competing to shoot willows, some were resting on the ground, and some were playing in the water. They were all in a peaceful manner. On both sides of the military camp, some farmers from Nanyang came over and boldly went to sell pears and peaches in front of the camp. They were quickly surrounded by northerners and rushed to buy them. Such a scene seemed like it was a time of peace.
When Xiangyang's stern docked on the north bank, Liu Bei had already led the shogunate personnel to wait in front of the ship. When the ship's planks were lowered from the stern, Guo Kai immediately asked people to play music when admonishing him. This is a piece of elegant music with a long melody. The wind of the music is like the wind passing through the plain forest, wading in the flowing water, and the birds chirping in it, and a cool breeze flows through it.
Liu Biao strolled out of the boat at this time and walked down slowly. I saw him wearing a light blue Confucian uniform, a Jinxian crown on his head, a dust tail in his hand, wooden clogs on his feet, a silver-printed green ribbon around his waist that represented the governor's status, plus his exquisitely styled hair and beard, and his fair complexion The skin of a woman is like the image of a Confucian scholar from the words of Confucius and Mencius. Everyone, whether they had seen Liu Biao or not, couldn't help but feel moved by his romance at this moment, thinking that he was worthy of being one of the eight most handsome people in the world.
After everyone on the boat got off the boat, the music playing on the shore also ended. Liu Biao led everyone forward, bowed slowly to Liu Bei, and then said with a smile: "There are bitter leaves in the leaves, and there are deep roots in the deep ones. The deep ones are harsh, and the shallow ones are deep." Then it will be revealed. What is the general trying to warn by playing "Bitter Leaves"?"
The poem Liu Biao spoke of was exactly the first two lines of the music played just now. "There Are Bitter Leaves" is a song about courtship. The meaning of the song is that when a woman is waiting by the river for her sweetheart to come and propose marriage, she tells the world about her longing for happiness.
Liu Bei smiled when he heard the words, and he slowly chanted: "If you want to recruit a boat, you will be involved in Xuan or not. If you are involved in seals, it will be my friend. I am just waiting for your envoy. You know it clearly, so why come?" What to ask?"
After saying that, the two laughed loudly and each recommended outstanding scholars under his command. The people under Liu Bei’s command have finished the preface, and Liu Biao’s family is no less impressive at this time. There are both old men with high virtues and handsome young men, many of whom are elegant and elegant. They are all like a spring breeze. Among them, those who have become famous are:
Biejia is engaged in Cai Mao, Zhongzhong is engaged in Kuai Yue, Consulting Cao is engaged in Liu Wangzhi, Literature is engaged in Pang Ji, Book Cao is engaged in Han Song, Military Cao is engaged in Zhang Yun, Five Classics is engaged in Wang Can, Master and Friends is engaged in Sima Hui, Governor is engaged in Fu Xun, and Xiangyang is engaged in Yi nationality, Nanjun was engaged in Laimin, chief bookkeeper Liu Xian, Xiangyang Duwei Lai Gong, Nanjun Duwei Wu Chen, Xiangyang Ling Wenpin, Jiangling Ling Liu Pan and others.
After the introduction, a banquet was held on the shore to celebrate. At the banquet, Liu Bei called Liu Biao, who was nearly 20 years older than him, his elder brother because they were both members of the Han clan and it was not easy to give birth to each other. Liu Biao couldn't refuse, so he called Liu Bei Xuande.
The two sides first talked about the old affairs of the party, and then about the personalities of the north and the south, and then about the situation when Liu Biaodan rode into Jingzhou. Liu Bei made a sighing gesture and said to Liu Biao: "Brother's plans are as fast as lightning, and his changes are like lightning. He is really the pillar of the country, the dragon and phoenix of the Han family." . Before I heard the name of my brother, I was quite doubtful. After all, the name is difficult to live up to. But now after having a good talk with my brother, I can say that my brother is in Jiangnan and the country is safe."
Then he pretended to be thoughtful and asked Liu Biao: "Since I took over the position of general, I have been lamenting day and night for fear of neglecting my duty. It is a blessing to see my brother today, so I have to ask my brother for advice. In my opinion, the country Who is the greatest enemy?”
Liu Biao said: "Of course they are the remnants of moth thieves. Their troubles have disturbed people's hearts like autumn grass that cannot be burned away. Now they have established the emperor's self-respect, even if Dong Zhuo's troubles are incomparable."
Liu Bei nodded and said: "Brother, what I am thinking is exactly what I am thinking, so I am going to the east to get rid of this big trouble!" At this point, Liu Bei stopped talking for a moment, glanced at Liu Biao, and then said, "Just before we get rid of the trouble, , I still have some worries, and if I don’t get rid of these worries, it will never be possible for me to make the trip.”
Liu Biao was silent for a while, stroking his beard and asked, "What worries Xuande? Why don't you tell me."
As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Bei said "Okay", took Liu Biao's cuff with one hand, stood up and strode outside the tent. At this time, all the soldiers outside the tent were also having a banquet, but Liu Bei gave an order, and all the soldiers immediately lined up in armor. On both sides, there were hedgehogs holding sharp knives and swords, and they drew their bows and fired arrows in advance. Then Liu Bei pulled Liu Biao and walked through the middle.
The knife was shining with cold light, the blade was sharp and thorny, and the bow and arrow were menacing. Liu Biao followed Liu Bei as he walked through the middle. He felt frightened and sweaty, but Liu Bei was right in front of him. He didn't dare to resist, so he could only hold on. Complete this section of the road. When he walked out of the sword forest, he felt relieved, and the green shirt behind him was completely soaked.
Liu Bei ordered the soldiers to put away their swords and lower their arrows, then turned around and asked Liu Biao: "Brother, did you feel worried when you passed this road?"
Liu Biao smiled bitterly and said: "The sword is at your side. Even if you don't use it, why don't you worry?"
Liu Biao nodded and said, "Brother is right. I am going to raise an army to march eastward, but my brother's attitude is unclear. How can I not be worried? I hope that my brother will help me relieve my worries." Then he asked Liu Biao to follow Liu Yu's old rules and send at least one person. Wanjing people participated in the Eastern Expedition, plus fifty carts of ordnance and baggage, and a hundred water transport ships. Liu Biao was so shocked that he dared to refuse. He immediately agreed one after another. Liu Bei was so happy that he personally took Liu Biao's hand and returned to the banquet.
But after this incident, even though there was fine food and wine at the table, Liu Biao felt that he was being forced by Liu Bei, and thinking about the flash of swords and swords just now, he felt extremely unhappy in his heart. He was depressed for a while, and he only used chopsticks to eat and drink without saying a word.
When Liu Bei saw this, he raised his glass with Liu Biao and said with a smile: "Today my brother is relieving my worries, I should also be relieving my brother's worries."
Liu Biao didn't know why and asked suspiciously: "What is Xuande doing?"
Liu Bei clapped his hands again and gave the order. He saw that the Yang Mi, who was responsible for admonishment, took out an edict he had written long ago, stepped forward and opened it in front of everyone, and then slowly read:
"The edict says: Since Dong Zhuo's rebellion, chaos has spread all over the world, and the world has been in turmoil. However, Liu Biao, the governor of Jingzhou, has a high moral character, a clean conduct, and has defeated bandits. , taking into account his merits, he should be entrusted with the post of state pastor, so that he can achieve great success."
After reading this letter, Yang Mi took out another edict and continued to read: "The "Six Tao" says: A king and a commander must have wings to become a god of power. Today there is Zhang Xian, the governor of Changsha. He has been in the place for a long time and has many achievements. To quell the chaos can serve as a basis for the Eastern Expedition, so we summoned the troops to prepare for the war and entrusted General Andong with the task of leading the expedition from the general."
After reading the two letters, Yang Mi exited the tent. Everyone in the tent had not recovered yet. It took them a long time to realize that this was indeed a great gift from the imperial court to Liu Biao. First, Liu Biao was named the shepherd of Jingzhou, and then Zhang Xian, who disobeyed Liu Biao, was recruited into the army. In this way, Jingzhou became Liu Biao's world.
Liu Bei smiled again and asked Liu Biao: "I wonder if Xuande can relieve my brother's worries in this way?"
Liu Biao asked, "If Zhang Xian refuses to obey, what should Xuande do?"
Liu Bei said calmly: "The warriors under my command can even kill Liang people, but does my brother now think that my soldiers cannot kill mere rebels?"
Liu Biao sighed and said, "I know the power of Xuande today." Then the banquet resumed, and both parties laughed as before.
After the banquet, Liu Bei personally sent Liu Biao to Xiangyang and rested in Xiangyang city that night. The next day, Liu Biao opened his treasury, allocated all the supplies, troops and horses, and delivered them all to Liu Bei within three days. Only then did Liu Bei return to the north bank.
Seeing Liu Bei's figure on the boat gradually disappearing, Liu Biao stood on the shore for a long time. He recalled the experience of the past few days, his face was as dark as water, so he asked Kuai Yue again: "What do you think of the general?"
Kuai Yue sighed: "Looking at his words and deeds, you can see that he speaks a thousand words, but you don't know the depth. Every move is like his original heart. The so-called boldness is as bold as a fight, and the heart is as careful as hair. But if you look at his ambition, it doesn't matter. Wealth, silk, and beauty do not matter, but only the length of the person and the situation of the world. It can be seen that the king's domination and valiant strategy are all in his heart, and the style of Gaozu is just like this."
Liu Biao nodded and thought deeply, and suddenly said: "But if his plans are too big and he doesn't think about himself, sooner or later he will be conceited and get into trouble."
Since then, Liu Bei has been training troops on the north bank of the Han River, and all the expenses during this period were provided by Xiangyang. On February 24, Zhang Xian, the governor of Changsha, accepted the edict and summoned more than 10,000 soldiers from all the counties to join him. Liu Bei was overjoyed, except for General Anton. In addition to his post, he was also granted the post of Xuzhou Mu, and then he bid farewell to Liu Biao and led his army north again.
