Unexpectedly, someone told the truth. Cai Mao became murderous and asked his left and right men to push him out and kill him.
Li Gui continued to curse before he died. After being executed by Cai Hao, some restless elements did not dare to come out. Cai Hao immediately appointed Liu Cong as the lord of Jingzhou, and then assigned military power to Cai's clan to guard various areas in Jingzhou. At that time, Mrs. Cai herself and Liu Cong went to Xiangyang to garrison to prevent Liu Qi and Liu Bei from attacking. Liu Biao was also buried in Hanyang Plain, east of Xiangyang City. Liu Biao's death was hidden, and Liu Qi and Liu Bei were not told.
When Liu Cong arrived at Xiangyang, he stopped. Suddenly someone reported that Cao Cao was leading an army to attack Xiangyang. Liu Cong felt very frightened, so he asked counselors Kuai Yue and Cai Mao to come out to discuss how to deal with it. Dong Cao Yun Xun Fu Jinyan Said: "Cao's army is not the most worried about coming to attack. Now the eldest son is in Jiangxia and Liu Bei is in the new field. We have not told them the news of his death. If they come to raise troops to investigate, Jingzhou will be in danger. I have an idea that can make Jingzhou The people's lives are very stable, and the lord's reputation can be preserved."
Liu Cong quickly asked: "What can we do?"
He replied: "Why don't we dedicate all the nine counties of Jingxiang to Cao Cao? Cao Cao will definitely treat my lord well."
Liu Cong said: "What are you saying? I accepted my father's inheritance, and before I can take a firm seat, I give it to others?"
Kuai Yue advised: "Actually, it makes sense to dedicate it to Cao Cao. There is a certain number of strength and weakness. Now Cao Cao leads an army of 500,000 to crusade to the south. In the name of the imperial court, the lord goes to stop it, so it is not justified in name. Moreover, lord We have just been in place, and the foreign invasion has not been eliminated. When the people of Jingzhou heard that Cao Cao's army had arrived, they were already frightened and were not in a fighting mood. How could they resist?"
After all, Liu Cong had his own considerations and said: "What you said is all right. It's not that I don't listen. As my father's inheritance, once I give it to others, I'm afraid I will be laughed at by the world."
As soon as he finished speaking, another person came and said boldly: "Fu Gongti and Kuai Yidu's suggestions are very good, why don't you follow them?"
Everyone saw that it was a person from Gaoping, Shanyang, whose surname was Wang, given name Can, and given name Zhongxuan. This man was thin and very short. When he was a child, he went to see Zhonglang Cai Yong and happened to meet him holding a banquet. Cai Yong got Knowing that Wang Can was coming, he put on his shoes and went to greet him. The guests felt very strange and asked, "Why is Cai Zhonglang so respectful to this boy?"
He replied: "You don't know something. This kid is very talented. I can't compare with him."
Wang Can has a very good memory, which is inferior to other people. Zeng Jin went to see an inscription. Before everyone had finished reading it, he could start to recite it. When he saw others playing chess, the chess game was in chaos, Wang Can could help to reset the chess game. His recovery was exactly the same as before, and he was very good at arithmetic and wrote very well. He became the Minister of Huangmen at the age of seventeen. Later, he went to Jingzhou to avoid chaos. After Liu Biao learned about him, he Treated as a distinguished guest.
He asked Liu Cong in return, and continued: "General, how do you think he compares with Duke Cao?"
He replied: "Of course it can't compare!"
Wang Can said: "Cao Gong has a strong army, a large number of advisors, and is resourceful. He once captured Lu Bu in Xiapi, defeated Yuan Shao in Guandu, drove Liu Bei to Xinye, and defeated Wuhuan in Bailang. He has wiped out countless people. Now, He also marched south to Jingzhou with a large army. No one can compete with this kind of power. The words of Fu and Kuai are the best way to go before the tomb. I hope my lord will not hesitate to avoid regrets."
Liu Cong was still undecided and said, "Sir, you are right, but I think I should report this matter to my mother."
Unexpectedly, Mrs. Cai was already behind the screen. After hearing this, she immediately came out and said, "Since the three of them have the same idea, why do you need to tell me again?"
So Liu Cong made up his mind to surrender, began to write a letter of surrender, and sent people to deliver it to Cao Cao's army.
As a messenger, Song Zhong quickly arrived in Wancheng, met with Cao Cao, and handed over Liu Cong's letter. Cao Cao was very happy after reading it, rewarded Song Zhong heavily, and at the same time asked someone to inform Liu Cong to come out of the city to greet him. , preparing to reward him as the master of Jingzhou.
Song Zhong said goodbye to Cao Cao and returned to Xiangyang along the original road. When he was about to cross the river, he suddenly saw a group of people approaching. From a distance, he saw that the man was Guan Yu. He had something in his heart and hurriedly avoided it, but still When Guan Yu saw it, Guan Yu asked him about Jingzhou. At first, he wanted to get away with it. Later, Guan Yu questioned him carefully and prepared some tricks. He had no choice but to tell all the causes and consequences of the matter.
Guan Yu was very surprised after hearing this, and immediately captured him to Xinye to meet Liu Bei, and explained the situation to Liu Bei personally. Liu Bei burst into tears after hearing this.
Zhang Fei said: "When things get to this point, we can first behead Song Zhong, then raise troops to cross the river, capture Xiangyang, kill Cai and Liu Cong, and then fight Cao Cao."
Liu Bei said: "Shut up first, I have my own plans." He rebuked Song Zhong and said: "You know everyone's affairs, why didn't you come and report to me earlier? Although killing you now will not help, hurry up leave."
Song Zhong thanked him and ran away with his head in his arms.
Liu Bei was depressed in China when he suddenly reported that his son Liu Qi had sent Yi Ji over. Liu Bei thanked him for his life-saving grace and immediately went to greet him in person, thanking him again and again for his kindness.
Yi Ji said: "The eldest son was in Jiangxia. He heard that Liu Biao had passed away. Mrs. Cai and Cai Mao discussed in secret to hide the news. At the same time, they appointed Liu Cong as the lord of Jingzhou. The eldest son sent someone to Xiangyang to inquire and verify the authenticity. I'm afraid that You don’t know, so you sent me to inform you, hoping that you can lead the soldiers and horses of Xinye to go to Xiangyang to investigate the crime."
After Liu Bei read the letter, he said to Yi Ji: "Liu Qi only knew that Liu Cong had usurped the throne, but he didn't know that Liu Cong had dedicated all the nine counties of Jingxiang to Cao Cao!"
Yiji was very surprised and quickly asked the reason, so Liu Bei told what happened.
Yi Ji said: "If you are like this, it would be better for you to go to Xiangyang in the name of mourning, attract Liu Cong out, capture him, and kill his followers, then Jingzhou will be yours."
Kong Ming felt better after receiving Yu Yi's reply. After all, he chose the road himself. At that time, he visited the thatched cottage three times and was willing to go out. He had no choice but to face Liu Bei's kindness.
At this time, he very much agreed with Yi Ji's words and said, "That's it. I hope my lord will listen."
Liu Bei suddenly burst into tears and said: "My brother asked me before he died. If I capture his son and then seize his apprentice, he will die under the Nine Springs one day. How can I see him with dignity?"
