When Lu Xuan arrived at the door of Cai's house, Lu Meng went up to knock on the door and told him about his visit. When the concierge learned that Lu Xuan was coming, he didn't dare to delay and hurriedly went to inform him. Not long after, Cai Mao came out to greet him personally.
Cai Mao is less than thirty years old, slightly younger than Cai. Even so, Cai Mao is already the helmsman of the Cai family.
When Liu Biao first arrived in Jingzhou, Cai Mao fully supported Liu Biao and helped Liu Biao stabilize Jingzhou. During this period, Cai Mao led the Cai family's private army to help Liu Biao sweep Jiangxia and Nanjun. Cai Mao served as the prefect of Jiangxia and Nanjun successively.
Last year, the imperial court appointed Liu Biao as General of Zhennan, Mu of Jingzhou, Jiejie, and Marquis of Wu. Cai Mao was even appointed by Liu Biao as military advisor, responsible for all matters in the army.
In Jingzhou, Cai Mao was very powerful.
In particular, Cai Mao's second sister married Liu Biao as a successor, which further strengthened the Cai family's power.
Cai Mao knew about Lu Xuan's visit to the Prefecture Mufu. He also knew that Lu Xuan was not a simple person and did not underestimate him. With a smile on his face, he said unhurriedly: "Prefect Lu is coming to Cai's house. It's very pleasant. Please come quickly."
Lu Xuandao: "Please!"
The two of them entered the hall hand in hand, and the host and guest took their seats.
Cai Mao said: "I have heard about what happened to Grandmaster Lu in the Prefectural Mufu. My sister asked Grandmaster Lu to write a poem. Without any preparation, Grandmaster Lu did it in one fell swoop. The poem made my sister look like a fairy or a goddess."
"In my opinion, in terms of talent and learning, Prefect Lu is far superior to arrogant people like Mi Heng. I agree with Prefect Lu trying to deal with Mi Heng. If the lord hadn't stopped him, I would have dealt with Mi Heng."
Lu Xuan said with a smile: "Master Cai has given me the award. My aunt is the beauty of heaven and earth, and my poems are just embellishments."
Cai Mao said: "Prefect Lu is too humble."
Lu Xuan continued: "Speaking of which, Liu Jingzhou gave me 70,000 shi of food thanks to my aunt's help. If it weren't for my aunt, I wouldn't have had so much food. It's just that my identity is sensitive, so it would be inappropriate to go to see my aunt rashly. .So I kindly ask Master Cai to convey my gratitude on my behalf."
Cai Mao stroked his beard and said approvingly: "Prefect Lu is so polite. It's just a little effort for my sister to help."
He sighed in his heart.
Lu Xuan is a very particular person. As Lu Xuan, it is naturally inappropriate to visit Liu Biao's female relatives.
Cai Mao is Cai's younger brother. Lu Xuan asked Cai Mao to convey this, which was very polite.
Lu Xuan said: "Auntie has helped me a lot. I have been thinking about how to repay this kindness."
Cai Mao's mind was spinning.
Lu Xuan didn't visit the Three Treasures Hall for anything, so since he came to visit, he must have a purpose.
He waited for now.
Lu Xuan continued: "Today, I went to visit Mi Heng in the post house and met the eldest son Liu Qi. I talked with him in private for a while and got some news. I heard that my aunt wanted to marry the pearl of the Cai family to Liu Qi. , but Liu Qi was very resistant. I didn't discuss the matter in depth at the time. After I separated from Liu Qi, I thought about it and I could persuade Liu Qi to marry the daughter of the Cai family and repay my aunt's kindness."
Cai Hao's eyes lit up when he heard this.
Looking at Lu Xuan, he was even more approving.
This is a good thing.
In fact, it was Cai Mao who suggested from the beginning that the second sister, as stepmother, marry Liu Qi's daughter from the Cai family. At this point, even if Liu Biao dies in the future, the Cai family will still be strong.
However, Liu Qi never agreed.
Things just froze.
Cai Mao asked: "Prefect Lu, Liu Qi seems to be weak, but in fact he is very noble and stubborn. Can you complete the persuasion?"
Lu Xuan looked like he was obligated and said: "Auntie helped me get countless grains and armor. If I can't persuade Liu Qi, wouldn't it be a slap in my face? Please rest assured, Master Cai, I will definitely be able to complete it. Otherwise, I'm sorry. This batch of food. After I took the food, I naturally had to do something."
Cai Hao's cheeks twitched when he heard this.
Lu Xuan's words are not without food, but all about food.
Clearly he wants food.
Lu Xuan also said that he had to do something after taking the food. Now that Lu Xuan has to do something, can the Cai family not say anything?
Cai Mao didn't care about mere grain. As a wealthy family in Jingzhou, the Cai family has countless grain and grass supplies. To put it bluntly, the Cai family’s supplies of food far exceed the food in Jingzhou’s treasury.
This is the foundation of the Cai family.
This is also the reason why the Cai family can help Liu Biao quickly put an end to the chaos. Without the supplies and strength of the Cai family, it would be impossible to help Liu Biao quickly stabilize the situation.
Cai Mao looked at Lu Xuan and did not rush to agree. He laughed and said, "Prefect Lu is a man of faith."
Lu Xuan looked righteous and awe-inspiring, and said eloquently: "Everyone in the world must have faith. If I just ask for it without knowing anything in return, will Auntie help me next time? It's definitely impossible. So be a good person. Everything must come and go.”
Cai Mao rolled his eyes.
Just ask for it.
Don’t know the return?
Is this an insinuation about him?
The more Cai Mao looked at Lu Xuan, the more surprised he was at Lu Xuan's sophistication and shamelessness. With a smile on his face, he tried again: "I also agree with what Governor Lu said, that the right way is to come and go. Otherwise, unilateral efforts are useless."
Lu Xuan nodded in agreement and said, "Master Cai is right, one-sided contribution will not last long. So aunt has helped me a lot and raised food for me, and I must repay her."
"A drop of kindness should be repaid by a spring. What's more, aunt helped me a lot, not just a little bit of food, but a full 70,000 shi of food and 5,000 sets of armor. I wouldn't do my best for such a great favor. , I’m sorry, auntie.”
Cai Mao sighed in his heart.
Lu Xuan was too thick-skinned, and he never let go of the rabbit before he saw it.
He kept pretending to be stupid and refused to give food, and Lu Xuan also kept expressing his position.
Lu Kang is a man of high integrity and would not be able to do such a thing without engaging in evil deeds. But this kid Lu Xuan is full of tricks.
This guy is cunning.
Every move, word and deed is exactly like an old fox.
Cai Mao tested out Lu Xuan's background. He stopped thinking about beating around the bush, leaned forward slightly, and said directly: "Prefect Lu said that Lujiang County is short of food and the people are in difficulty. I sympathize with it."
"I just want to say, if Grand Administrator Lu convinces Liu Qi and makes him agree to marry the Cai family, my Cai family will alone support Grand Administrator Lu with 20,000 shi of food. The Cai family will arrange ships to deliver all the supplies to Lujiang County for you. .”
Lu Xuan said: "Master Cai's kindness and righteousness, Lu Xuan is grateful. However, the soldiers of Lujiang County are in trouble. They went to the battlefield one by one without even armor. The last time we fought with Yuan Shu, it was because of the lack of armor that we lost a lot."
"Even if Liu Jingzhou gave me five thousand sets of armor, it would still be far from enough. The Cai family is a big family with a profound foundation. The head of the Cai family is a benevolent and righteous person, so why not support some more armor."
"Five hundred sets of armor."
Cai Mao spoke directly.
Lu Xuan shook his head and bargained: "The Cai family is the uncrowned king of Jingzhou. It costs at least three thousand sets, right?"
Cai Mao couldn't help but roll his eyes.
If you ask for three thousand sets, do you think the Cai family is a charity?
Cai Mao snorted and frowned: "Three thousand sets of armor are not a small number."
Lu Xuan took advantage of the situation and said: "If Liu Qi is allowed to marry a daughter of the Cai family, and the two parties are married, and the children are born, the relationship with the Cai family will be closer. Liu Jingzhou is old, and there is a high probability that he will not be able to give birth to children. He doesn't know How many more years can you live?"
"But it's different now that Liu Qi has a child and is related to the Cai family by blood."
"The foundation of the Cai family will be further strengthened. Although the Cai family is very strong now, it is still limited to Jingzhou. If everyone in Jingzhou works together, and with children as a link, the Cai family may be able to go further and have a broader future. .”
Cai Hao's eyes lit up.
The reason why he insists on letting Liu Qi take a girl from the Cai family is to give birth to a bloodline close to the Cai family. Liu Biao was in his fifties and could not give birth to a son, but Liu Qi had a great chance.
Cai Mao was not a fool and did not agree with Lu Xuan's words. He flicked his sleeves and said, "A thousand sets of armor, do you want them or not? If you don't want them, forget it."
"Of course."
Lu Xuan answered directly.
A thousand sets of armor is not a small number, and it can equip a thousand elites.
Cai Mao is also a good person.
Cai Mao looked serious and continued: "Prefect Lu, a gentleman's words are hard to follow. As long as you complete the marriage, I will give you supplies immediately. Even if it is completed today, I will arrange a merchant ship to send you supplies tomorrow. And these supplies , I sent it away on a merchant ship, so even the lord can’t know about it.”
Lu Xuan said confidently: "Master Cai, don't worry, I promise to complete the mission."
Cai Mao said: "We'll see."
Lu Xuan stood up and said urgently: "It's better to get things done sooner rather than later. I'll go to the Prefectural Shepherd's Mansion to get the matter settled. The head of the Cai family will contact his aunt and ask her to go to Liu Qi later. Liu Qi will definitely agree."
"I got it."
Cai Hao nodded and answered.
He was looking forward to it in his heart. If he paid a little bit of material, he could get Liu Qi's marriage, which would definitely be beneficial without any harm.
Lu Xuan bowed his hands and left in a hurry, heading towards the State Shepherd's Mansion.
