Chapter 642

The officials of Jingzhou remained silent after Yang Hong was taken away. This is because no one knew the thoughts of the gloomy Liu Biao.

“All of you are still silent. How about you give an opinion on whether we should return the money of Yang Hong’s master?” Liu Biao asked lightly but still received no replies.

Liu Biao could only call names and started with Kuai Yue. “Yidu. What do you think?” Though Kuai Yue had been silent recently, Liu Biao still subconsciously asked Kuai Yue first.

“Hm?” Kuai Yue stepped forward when called. “This subject thinks we should return whatever is left behind by the King of Shu Liu Mang.”

The others rolled their eyes at Kuai Yue’s suggestion as it answered nothing. Yangzhou had clearly come over demanding money, not property. The problem is that the property was not worth so much.

Liu Biao sighed. He knew that the Kuai Family was no longer reliable after bringing down Cai Mao. What used to be his right and left arms no longer agreed with him.

“My child, Liu Pan. What about you?” Liu Biao turned to Liu Pan instead.

“Father. This child thinks that Yangzhou is just being a scoundrel. None of their things are worth so much. We should not give the money. We should instead kill Yang Hong and show that Liu Mang that we won’t act as he wishes!” Liu Pan said. He already considered himself the heir of Jingzhou so he felt as though his own pockets is the one that gets lighter when money is taken out of Jingzhou.

“Yes Milord! Kill Yang Hong as a sacrifice for our fallen heroes at the Yangtze River!” Liu Pan’s subordinates were all in the pro-war faction. They would have more support the more Yangzhou persecutes them.

“Yes! Kill him! Then when Yangzhou advances South, we will fight against Yangzhou’s endless amount of elites with our one hundred thousand new recruits! Then General Liu Pan can obtain a decisive victory with his strategies as he wiped out the powerful enemy!” Huang She said sarcastically.

Huang She’s words forced the others to become silent again. Jingzhou may have a large army but even they knew that these were all new recruits. Hoping for them to guard the city was one thing. Asking them to go out for war was suicidal. After all, their own elites were wiped out at the Yangtze River so how much fighting strength could these new recruits have against Yangzhou’s elites.

“If a hundred thousand men cannot do it then we can create an army of two hundred thousand! Jingzhou has many people! Why should we be afraid of that Liu Mang?” Liu Pan replied angrily.

Huang She’s mocking sneer grew even deeper. At the end of the day, Liu Pan simply wanted a bigger army. Jingzhou actually has the capability to create an army of three hundred thousand if they were to mobilize for war. At that moment, they may be able to fight against Yangzhou. However, this does not benefit Huang She. If Jingzhou were to form an army of three hundred thousand, would the Huang Family still have a place left?

“Yes! Yes! We form an army of three hundred thousand! We can definitely defeat that Liu Mang! After that, we wait for Cao Cao to come down South and commit suicide. Or maybe we even open the gates for him!” Huang She said.

Huang She was also right. Liu Mang was not the only person they had to worry about. When Cao Cao went down South in the past, the whole of Jingzhou was very cautious. If it was not because of him wanting to sleep with Lady Zou, it was possible that the whole of Jingzhou would already be his.

“Does that mean you approve of Liu Mang’s demands? It is ninety thousand gold! With this much gold, we can get many troops, many ships and lots of provisions! Are you trying to provide financial aid to the enemy? In the end you will just burn yourself!” Liu Pan retorted. Giving Yangzhou money could bring peace but it would not last. Once Yangzhou expands their army with that money, they would just come back and attack.

“Haha. What we want is that period of peace!” Huang She stood forward and said to Liu Biao. “Milord. We may have a hundred thousand men but they are all new recruits. They can only defend the walls. So our army needs time to train. It is only once they become elites that we stand a chance against Liu Mang.” Yangzhou needed time and so did Jingzhou. Their troops right now were only for appearances.

“Milord. Cao Cao has sent a letter.” Huang She added.

“Cao Cao from Xudou?”

“Men. Bring Xudou’s Heaven’s Messenger in.” Huang She shouted.

“Understood.” Soon, two scholars were escorted in by three soldiers.

“Lord of Jingzhou, Liu Biao. Kneel before the Mandate of Heaven!” The Heaven’s Messenger declared. This was the same person that got beaten up by Liu Mang. He simply changed his clothes and covered up the injuries on his face before coming to Jingzhou. Yet, his conduct did not change.

However, Liu Biao gave the envoy face because he still deferred to the Han Emperor. Both Cao Cao and the Han Emperor were also bigger figures than him. That was why he got off his seat and knelt down. “The Lord of Jingzhou, Liu Biao, greets the messenger.”

The envoy was satisfied and delivered his message, saying that the Emperor compliments Liu Biao for holding onto Jingzhou for decades and that Liu Biao would be promoted to East General and being in control of Jingshu.

Before Liu Biao could react, the envoy added. “Lord of Jingzhou… No. East General. Are you still not going to accept?”

“Your Honor. Isn’t the East General the King of Shu?” Liu Biao asked.

“Hmph! The Emperor has other plans for that whelp Liu Mang!” The Heaven’s Messenger harrumphed.

Liu Biao seemingly understood what happened after learning that Jiangdong received the title of East Expedition General.

“What does Cao Sikong require of me?” Liu Biao asked.

“You don’t need to do anything. Just do your job right and protect the Southeast. He hopes both the East General and East Expedition General would forgo your hatred to deal with any scoundrel eyeing the Southeast lands.”

Liu Biao understood the moment he heard the words scoundrel. He was asked to ally himself with Jiangdong to deal with Yangzhou’s invasion since Jingzhou has money while Jiangdong has troops.

“There would be no problems from Jingzhou but what about Jiangdong?” Liu Biao asked. Since he was the one that killed Sun Ce’s father, would Sun Ce agree to this?

“The General does not need to worry about this. Our Cao Sikong has a way.”

Liu Biao nodded when he saw the envoy’s confidence. He then had people make arrangements for envoy’s stay.

Cao Cao said that Liu Biao need not worry about Jiangdong then it might be possible for Jiangdong to ally with Jingzhou. Liu Biao felt like he saw the possibility of them being able to compete with Yangzhou.

“Milord. Once Jingzhou allies with Jiangdong with Jingzhou taking the lead, there would be no need to fear that Liu Mang!” Huang She cupped his fist towards Liu Biao.

“What we lack right now is time. We would be finished if Liu Mang recklessly decides to attack us. However, even if we give him a hundred thousand gold, it is a mere drop in the ocean for us. Once our army is formed, he would be the one crying! On top of that, once Cao Cao finishes off the Yuan Family, he would head South! At that time, Liu Mang would be too worried about his own safety!” Huang She laughed.

Liu Biao was persuaded. This was indeed Jingzhou’s most difficult moment. Once they get out of this predicament and reform their army, they would not need to be afraid even if the alliance with Jiangdong breaks. After all, Liu Mang cannot afford a war of attrition.

Even Liu Pan was persuaded since he also needed time to train the troops. He needed to train them from peasants who could only swing hoes to true elites swinging swords.

“Zhongye. What do you think?” Liu Biao turned and asked Wen Pin.

“It takes three months for an army to be able to fight. Half a year for them to be able to endure a battle. A year for them to go off to war, and over three years to become elites!” Wen Pin said.

Liu Biao could not wait for over three years. However, one year was enough for his needs.

“Alright. We will give the ninety thousand gold!” Liu Biao said while gritting his teeth. It was not a disastrous amount for Jingzhou but it was still enough to give Liu Biao some heartache.

“Milord. Since we are already giving Liu Mang money, how about we bargain as well?” Huang She spoke his intent.

“Bargain?”

“Yes. Xiangyang’s vicinity could no longer support training so many people. We need a new barracks. Besides that, if we are to fight against Yangzhou, we would suffer severe losses regardless of whether we win or lose.” Huang She added.

“So what do you want?”

“Let us redeem Jiangling!” Huang She finally said.

“Redeem Jiangling?” Liu Pan finally understood Huang She’s plan. If they were to redeem Jiangling, who would it belong to? Clearly, it would go to the Huang Family since Jiangling was close to Jingnan, Wujun. The Huang Family possessing Wujun was enough of a headache for Liu Pan. If they also get Jiangling, Liu Pan would be forced to tolerate the Huang Family even after he inherits Jingzhou. As a result, Liu Pan immediately objected. “No, Father! Xiangyang is big enough for our troops!”

“How much space do you have after excluding Jiangling? Also, would you have a strategic location to defend Jingzhou if you let go of Jiangling?” Huang She also shouted loudly. Jingzhou had only blocked the river by sinking their own ships. If they just crossed over using Jiangling, can Xiangyang defend themselves? Liu Biao nodded at this. Jiangling was their second capital because it was easy to defend.

“Father! This Liu Mang’s house is already ninety thousand gold! If we add in Jiangling, how much would it cost? Are we going to bankrupt Jingzhou?” This was also true. Jiangling would absolutely not be cheap. Even if Liu Biao is rich, he could not afford to spend money like this.

“Yidu. What do you think?” Liu Biao turned towards Kuai Yue again.

Kuai Yue looked at both Huang She and Liu Pan. If they were to redeem Jiangling, Huang She would be able to get land for nothing. He could even annex Liu Pan’s military power. On the other hand, not redeeming Jiangling meant that Huang She would be at a disadvantage once Liu Pan finishes training his troops. Kuai Yue thought to himself. Huang She was excessive but he still wanted Liu Zong to inherit the throne. That was why the Kuai Family and the Huang Family were still on the same side. After thinking for a while, Kuai Yue found a suggestion.

“Milord. There is no point discussing about whether we should redeem Jiangling. We need to ask the current owners first. If the price is appropriate, then we might as well redeem Jiangling. If it is too expensive, then Jingzhou would not be able to afford it.” Kuai Yue stayed neutral on the surface but he was secretly on Huang She’s side. This is because he already had an idea on how to obtain Jiangling.

“Yes! Yidu is right!” Liu Biao nodded after thinking about it. They would redeem Jiangling if the price was appropriate.

“In that case, Milord. I will immediately call for Yang Hong at once.” Huang She cupped his fist at Liu Biao.

“It is already late. We will continue tomorrow!” Liu Biao was already tired since he was old. He was also discussing this for the entire day.

Huang She could only nod as he watched Liu Biao leave. The discussion could only continue the next day.