Xiangyang City has the title of the first city in China.
This is not something that comes out of nowhere and sounds nice.
In terms of city defense, even the former capitals of Luoyang and Chang'an could not compare to Xiangyang City. The Han River used as a moat had an average width of fifty feet, and it completely surrounded Xiangyang City.
This means that if other forces want to attack Xiangyang, they must have both land and water forces, use the navy as cover to cross the Han River, and then use infantry to forcibly attack the city.
There are not many cities with moats in the world, but when attacking a city, you can rely on building a pontoon bridge to cross the river and then attack by force. But if you want to build a pontoon bridge more than fifty feet long, it is like a dream. What a night story.
At this time, the barrier moat of Xiangyang City became a pain in Liu Qi's heart.
Normally, both the people and the army had to cross the river by boat when leaving the city, but now, Liu Qi was standing on the edge of the Han River, but no boat was willing to carry him across the water.
There is no other way. The Cai family issued a strict order. Anyone who rides Liu Qi across the water will not be able to continue to make a living here.
He just looked at the Xiangyang City he was most familiar with with tearful eyes, knelt on the ground and cried bitterly.
Liu Biao fell ill since the Autumn Harvest Temple Fair.
But Liu Qi didn't think much about it at the time, because Liu Biao's body had long been squeezed dry by Cai, and since he was over fifty years old, he would always have some old illnesses.
Unexpectedly, after autumn, the weather became cooler and Liu Biao's health deteriorated. Not long ago, he even received news that Liu Biao was critically ill.
At this time, as the eldest son, of course he had to serve at the front and back, so Liu Qi wanted to return to Xiangyang to take care of Liu Biao with only a hundred horses, but he did not expect that Cai Mao would dare to directly block him from entering the city.
"Father! Father!" Liu Qi, who was kneeling by the Han River, dug his fingers into the soil and roared hysterically, venting the anger and pain in his heart.
He even thought about jumping into the rolling Han River and swimming across the bank regardless of the cold autumn water. As long as he could see Liu Biao, he would be satisfied.
But the soldiers accompanying him hugged him tightly. This was the Han River. The current was so fast and the undercurrent was so ferocious that no mortal body could contend with it. Jumping down would only lead to death.
"Cai Mao! Let me go, I don't want this son anymore, no more!" Liu Qi shouted one after another, and the only response to him was the roaring river wind.
He couldn't get through it. He wanted to know what was going on in the city now and whether his father wanted to see him.
In the General's Mansion in Xiangyang City, Liu Biao's face was pale, and his closed eyes and eyelids were twitching, as if he was awakening, or as if the light was shining through his waning years.
Many medical officials have come to see him, but there is no improvement. All the big families in the city have a vague feeling that Jing Xiang is afraid that something is going to change.
In the room, Mrs. Cai was sitting next to Liu Biao's bed, looking at him expressionlessly, her watery eyes without any waves, as if she was looking at a person who had nothing to do with her.
creak
The door opened, and Cai Hao walked in. He leaned forward and whispered: "Everything has been arranged. The people patrolling the city today are all our own people. All the old guy's private soldiers have been assigned training tasks today."
"What do the Kuai family say?" Cai, Kuai, Pang, and Huang, the four major families in Jingzhou. The Pang family is just a stranger, so there is no need to pay attention to it. The Huang family is inclined to Liu Qi and cannot be won over. However, the foundation and strength of these two families are not as good as the Cai family.
As long as the Kuai family doesn't cause any trouble, there will be no trouble in handling this matter.
"Don't worry, sister, I have tested Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue respectively, and they have visited the old guy more than once. They all know that the old guy will not live long, so it would not be surprising if he dies."
When he was at the height of his power, he was the lord, but now that he is in power, he has become an old man. Cai Hao knows how to change his face.
Mrs. Cai breathed a sigh of relief. The city's defense and the comfort of the four major families seemed to be no problem. She finally stood up, walked to the table aside, and picked up the bowl of turbid soup.
"Master, master, wake up, it's time to drink medicine."
Ms. Cai gently pushed Liu Biao, who slowly opened his eyes, opened his mouth, and said with difficulty: "Don't drink anymore. The more you drink, the more uncomfortable you will feel."
Ms. Cai sneered. The servant added some ingredients for you. It's normal to feel uncomfortable. "This is the last bowl, sir. Just drink it and you'll be fine."
"Really"
"Really, when did the slave family ever deceive the master?"
Ms. Cai smiled charmingly, helped Liu Biao sit up with one hand, and held the bowl to his mouth with the other.
Liu Biao really didn't want to drink it, and he didn't know what was going on. Not only did he not get better after drinking these medicines, but he became increasingly uncomfortable.
However, he still believed in Mrs. Cai. After all, a night of kindness between husband and wife could not harm him. He endured the discomfort, his cheeks trembled, and he opened his mouth with difficulty.
As soon as the soup was in his mouth, he couldn't help but vomit all over the floor, and then he leaned weakly on Cai Shixiang's shoulder, "No, there's something wrong with today's medicine. It's bitter and smelly."
"Maybe the ingredients from the slave family are a little heavier. It's okay. This is the last bowl. Just bear with it."
Perhaps because the taste of the poison was really bad, Liu Biao never opened his mouth again and dodged the soup that was delivered to him.
After struggling for a while, even Cai Hao lost his patience, leaned over and said in a low voice: "Old guy, do you want me to feed you?"
"I'm sorry for you." Liu Biao pointed at the two siblings with a trembling finger. At this moment, he finally understood why his condition worsened the more he took these medicines. It turned out that the two siblings were behind the control.
The past resurfaced, including the pounding heart when he first met Cai, the high spirits when he reused Cai Mao, and a strong regret swept through his mind.
It's a pity that now he no longer has the domineering spirit that he had when he rode into Jingzhou alone. He is just an old man who can be manipulated by others. No matter how annoyed he is, it will not help.
Cai Mao directly grabbed his throat. With only a slight exertion, Liu Biao was forced to open his mouth. Cai poured every drop of the decoction into Liu Biao's throat. No matter how hard he struggled, he could not get rid of Cai Mao's tiger. Palm.
Not long after, Liu Biao straightened up, but there was no reaction anymore, leaving only a pair of cloudy eyes staring at Cai.
A generation of heroes and royal nobles bid farewell to this world in a ridiculous way and became the dust of the torrent of history.
"Master, don't blame me. If you don't die, Cong'er won't be able to take over. If he doesn't take over, he will have no choice but to go to Xuchang. The slave family really has no choice."
With a faint sigh, Ms. Cai burst into tears, "Master, you can't leave. What will I do if you leave?"
Cai Mao also cooperated and pushed open the door and started shouting, "My lord is dead, please come quickly!"
What happened next was to follow the arrangements. The whole family surrounded Liu Biao's body and cried bitterly. At the same time, people were sent to the head of the famous family in the city to attend the funeral.
As for the notices from other counties, they don't need to be sent so urgently. The Cai family must first let the people in the city reach a consensus, that is, Liu Biao's last words were for Liu Cong to take over the throne of Jingzhou.
Of course, the position of state pastor is not hereditary, but after the collapse of the Han Dynasty, all parties have long ignored this set of rules. The princes who support the military and respect themselves have always handed over the throne to their sons.
If the imperial court is willing to issue an imperial edict, then of course it is good and justifiable; if it does not, it doesn't matter, then just mention it yourself.
For example, Lu Bu's governor of Xuzhou and Yuan Shu's pastor of Yangzhou were all appointed by themselves.
Regarding this, Cai Mao was quite confident. With the power of the Cai family in Jingzhou, the outside state pastoralists could not gain a firm foothold at all, and Ziti also had this strength.
"My lord has decreed that the second young master, Liu Cong, will be appointed as the heir apparent to take over the great cause of Jingzhou. I hope that you will assist me in the future."
After all the masters paid their respects in the mourning hall, Cai Mao couldn't wait to reveal the matter of his death.
Regarding this expected answer, Pang Degong showed no expression on his face, and Huang Chengyan just glanced at Cai Mao coldly. They all knew that only the Cai family and his younger brother were present when Liu Biao died. It was not you who made the final decision. Have the final say.
However, adhering to the principle that the four major families always speak with one voice, and without any evidence, they can only remain silent.
"I will obey my lord's orders!" It was Kuai Liang who took the lead.
Then, Pang Degong and Huang Chengyan could only stand up and bow to express their stance.
The four major families all nodded, and the others were just subordinates, just following the direction of the wind.
At this point, Jingzhou changed in one day, Liu Biao died, and Liu Cong succeeded to the throne and became the lord of Jingzhou.
After achieving the goal, there is no need to go to Xuchang, but there is still one thing that needs to be done.
That is to send people to notify the counties and confirm the news of Liu Cong's succession.
The most important thing is to let Liu Qi come back for the funeral.
Liu Biao was not dead, and Liu Qi could not enter Xiangyang because it would be inconvenient for Cai to take action.
Now that Liu Biao is dead, of course Liu Qi cannot be killed, but he can follow the example of Lin Moweng's son-in-law and put him under house arrest in Xiangyang City.
At that time, we will appoint a governor of Changsha, and then drive those shameless Liu, Guan, and Zhang out of Jingzhou. It will be over, it will be beautiful.
(End of chapter)
