Chapter 232: Each Seeking His Own Future
Ma’s Manor, on the outskirts of Xiangyang.

Zhuge Liang and Ma Liang drank from their cups. When Ma Liang heard that Zhuge Liang was going to take his wife to Guanzhong, he was secretly annoyed and cursed in a low voice: "Pang Shiyuan is so heartless."

"If we don't advance now, we will retreat. If we retreat, everything will be over. We can't blame Shi Yuan."

Zhuge Liang was calm and said with a smile: "My wife and father-in-law also agreed to this. I came here to invite Ji Chang to go to Guanzhong with me. Ji Chang's family has only been in Nanjun for three generations since Maoling. Although they have a small property, it is getting worse day by day."

Ma Liang listened without refutation. He and Zhuge Liang were as close as brothers, and Zhuge Liang was naturally aware of the Ma family's financial situation.

In those days, the Maoling Ma family produced a prefect of Nanjun, and their descendants multiplied and developed into the branch called Ma Liang.

Since the chaos in the world, the Ma family's industry has begun to shrink.

This only provided enough space for Ma Liang and his brothers to study, and two generations did not enter officialdom, and all the old friends they had from those days had passed away.

The Ma family did not engage in any military annexation or anything like that, and in terms of labor costs, it was difficult for them to compete with the Cai and Huang families.

Because they are a recent branch of the Maoling Ma family, they can't be considered a poor family. However, none of their descendants have obtained any meaningful official positions in the past two generations, and they are in a period of transition.

Ma Liang frowned and hesitated, saying, "Since Shi Yuan served as General Fu Bo, Liu Zhennan has been quite wary of Lumen Mountain. To be honest, brother, I intend to live in seclusion in Huya Mountain, manage a business, and concentrate on studying classics. I will wait and see how the situation changes, and then wait for an opportunity to serve as an official."

He is the third child in the family and will be separated in the future when the family is divided.

He is not married yet, so his family still supports him in studying and socializing.

Zhuge Liang listened to the analysis and said: "Huya Mountain is located at the confluence of Xiashui and Hanshui, and there are frequent ships coming and going. It is indeed a good place."

The big families look down on it, and the small poor family cannot monopolize it, so they can put a foot in.

Seeing Ma Liang's hesitation and struggle, Zhuge Liang said, "Ji Chang should go to Huya Mountain first. When the situation becomes clear next year, if I am not doing well in Guanzhong, I can retreat to Jingzhou and take refuge in Huya Mountain."

There are two famous Tiger Tooth Mountains in Jingzhou. One is located south of Hanjin, near the mouth of the Xia River where the Han River merges into the Xia River. The other is near Xiaoting, blocking the Yangtze River with Jingmen in the south and north.

Ma Liang was about to accept the offer when Ma Su, who was pouring wine for them, spoke up: "Brother, I think it's fine if you don't have the property in Huya Mountain. Haven't you seen what happened to Sima Zhi? With your talent and Ma Shoucheng's recommendation, how could your rank in Guanzhong be lower than Sima Zhi's?"

It was only after Sima Zhi became the magistrate of Shangluo that his reputation became known to the people of Jingzhou, and his previous experiences were also dug up.

He lived in seclusion in the mountains of Jingzhou for seven or eight years, supporting his elderly mother by copying books. It is only natural that he should be named a filial and honest official for such an act of filial piety.

As for whether Ma Teng would recommend Ma Liang?
There is no problem with this. They are both out-of-town branches of the Fufeng Ma family. When Ma Liang comes to ask for help, Ma Teng will come forward for both moral and practical reasons.

Seeing Ma Liang's hesitation, Ma Su looked at Zhuge Liang again and said, "Brother, I heard that Yang Wei of Zhonglu suddenly fell ill. The affairs of Jingxiang are not something we can get involved in. Even Pang Shiyuan has more than a hundred armored guards when he travels. Times are different now, so we should think long-term."

Ma Liang glared at Ma Su, who was in the process of voice change and body development, and then heard Zhuge Liang say, "Shi Yuan asked me to stay away from Jingzhou because he was worried that I would be injured by mistake."

Before, he could travel around Jingzhou just by scanning his face, and everyone would give face to his father-in-law Huang Chengyan and uncle-in-law Liu Biao.

But now it is different. You may be murdered by hostile forces, or you may be murdered by irrelevant people in order to intensify conflicts or muddy the waters.

Zhuge Liang followed Ma Su's lead and advised Ma Liang: "Ji Chang, the best future of Jingzhou is that the people are prosperous under General Fu Bo's rule, and Pang Shiyuan is in charge of the planning. Shiyuan has great ambitions, but the soldiers of Jingzhou cannot attack Yizhou to the west, and they are no match for the generals of Jiangdong to the east. And in the south, if Yuan Tan is firmly in power, Shiyuan cannot move."

"Liu Fubo is kind and gentle by nature, not a belligerent person. With him around, Shi Yuan can only use one-third of his tricks. If Liu Fubo wasn't around, Hei Zhenbei would definitely send troops to invade and would never let Shi Yuan become powerful."

Zhuge Liang looked at Ma Liang sincerely and said, "We can go to Guanzhong together and cooperate with Shi Yuan. Even if we don't seek power, we can ensure the stability of Jingzhou and make the officials and people live in peace and happiness, which will not disappoint our teacher."

"Let me think about it."

Ma Liang raised his glass as a gesture, and Zhuge Liang also raised his glass and drank the wine.

Ma Liang frowned in thought, his eyes fixed on the steamed fish on the table, thinking about the changes in Jingzhou and Pang Tong in the past six months.

Jingzhou has changed a lot, and Pang Tong has changed even more.

Black Bear instigated Liu Qi to launch a mutiny, which almost destroyed Liu Biao's rule.

Liu Qi was appointed as the prefect of Nanjun County as General Fubo, but in fact, Liu Biao only controlled the city of Xiangyang.

Originally, it would have been difficult for Liu Qi to maintain this state for a long time given his tolerant character. However, after Black Bear withdrew from Jingzhou, his offensive in Guanzhong was too fierce, and the scale of the war became larger and larger.

Unifying the Three Ancestral Temples within a few months was already terrifying enough, but what was even more terrifying was that within two months, 100,000 Huns were beheaded and the siege and pincer attack of an army of 200,000 was broken.

Let the people of the time see what it means for the center to blossom.

Therefore, Liu Biao's side felt very depressed. He could obviously seize power from Liu Qi with just a few tricks, but he was afraid of attracting the black bear.

If Black Bear were really brought in, with the endless supply of Guanzhong soldiers under Black Bear's command, they would be able to occupy Jingzhou and make Liu Biao a helpless man.

Those who dared to take part in the plot against Liu Qi, such as the three clans of Wang Yun, and the rebellious families of Taiyuan and Hedong, are examples of warning.

The cost of confrontation was too high, so many people gave up and placed core leaders such as Liu Biao and Kuai Yue in high positions, from which they could not get off the tiger.

Under this situation, these people dare not deal with Black Bear, nor can they deal with Liu Qi. Could it be that they cannot take action against Lumen Mountain which is right under their noses?
Lumen Mountain was originally at odds with Liu Biao, and there was also a conflict between it and the official school founded by Liu Biao.

It is certain that Lumen Mountain was impacted, and many students, out of anger, ran to Jiangling to join Liu Qi.

Pang Tong's influence increased sharply. Given Liu Qi's personality, he had no control over the decision-making power on many matters.

Over time, the power naturally passed to Pang Tong. This was something that Ma Liang could almost foresee, but who dared to warn or remind Liu Qi?
Given the obedience Liu Qi has shown over the years, he would certainly not act arbitrarily and would definitely give Pang Tong a chance to explain.

Do you really think Pang Tong won't kill anyone?
In the future, Liu Qi will inherit everything from Liu Biao. When that time comes, when you become an official in Jingzhou, will you listen to Liu Qi or Pang Tong?
This is a very critical question.

Pang Tong's father was still alive, and Pang Tong had brothers and cousins. With a little management and seizing key positions, he could hide from Liu Qi's eyes and ears.

Now Pang Tong is the Gongcao of Nanjun, and the power of assessment in the county is in Pang Tong's hands, including the magistrate of Xiangyang County.

Just after he started his official career, Pang Tong killed the county magistrate of Jiangxia, Shaxian, on the spot for corruption when he passed by Jiangxia, which shocked the prefectures and counties.

Having come this far, is there anyone we dare not kill?

Persuading Zhuge Liang to go to Guanzhong was the greatest kindness Pang Tong could show at the moment.

If Pang Tong had a more sinister mind, he would have gotten rid of Zhuge Liang with his wisdom.

Times make heroes, and Pang Tong is currently standing at the forefront of Jingzhou.

Anyone who attacks Pang Tong will damage Black Bear's interests in Jingzhou.

Those who have the ability to attack Pang Tong are afraid to do so; those who don't have the ability to do so can only watch helplessly no matter how greedy they are; they cannot even show any malice, otherwise Pang Tong will bring up old scores and get rid of such people when he gets the chance.

Ma Liang thought again and again, looked at the young Ma Su, and nodded gently to Zhuge Liang: "Brother, what you said makes sense. There are several brothers in my family, and we really shouldn't live together. If I go to Guanzhong, my family will have confidence."

Ma Su beside him breathed a sigh of relief: "Brother, this is the way to go. Pang Shiyuan has big plans. We can't be enemies with him, nor can we be in the same group with him. Brother learned from Lumen Mountain. How can he stay out of it in the future?"

Zhuge Liang looked at Ma Su with a smile, picked up his chopsticks and ate his food, then said, "I have met Yuanzhi, Gongwei and Guangyuan in the past few days. Guangyuan is from the same hometown as Yuanzhi, and the two have always been close. At Yuanzhi's invitation, Guangyuan will serve under Liu Yuzhou."

Ma Liang listened and nodded slowly. Shi Tao, whose courtesy name was Guangyuan, had always been very close to Xu Shu.

Since Liu Bei retreated to Nanyang last year and Xu Shu took up an official post, Shi Tao stayed in Lumen Mountain. Although he did not directly take up an official post, he acted as Xu Shu's eyes and ears and won over other scholars.

The number of scholars studying at Lumen Mountain usually remains between 200 and 300, so it is normal for them to form cliques.

Zhuge Liang put down his chopsticks, chewed the dried bamboo shoots, and swallowed them before saying, "Ji Chang, you also know that Meng Gongwei has always wanted to return home. This year, the Black Town North has risen suddenly, and the Central Plains war is imminent. Even if you go to chase Gongwei away now, he will not return home. So this time, he will go with you to Guanzhong. If he advances, he will serve as an official. If he retreats, he will study and cultivate himself, waiting for the times to change."

Ma Liang nodded and said, "It's quite fun to have Meng Gongwei with me. What about Mr. Zhou Ping?"

Cui Zhouping was from Hebei and the second son of Grand Marshal Cui Lie. He served as the governor of Xihe County when Dong Zhuo moved west. He fled because his plan of plotting a second attack on Dong Zhuo was leaked.

Cui Lie was arrested and imprisoned. If Lu Bu and Wang Yun had not suddenly assassinated Dong, Cui Lie would not have survived for a few days.

Later, Li Jue and Guo Si counterattacked Chang'an. Cui Lie served as the captain of the city gate and died in the battle.

Ma Liang asked about this matter because he thought there was a high probability that Cui Zhouping would also go to Guanzhong.

Cui Zhouping lived a relatively carefree life in Jingzhou in recent years, and his status dictated that Liu Biao had to support him.

If Cui Zhouping starved to death in Jingzhou, Liu Biao would be embarrassed.

With the support from Liu Biao, Cui Zhouping either lectured at Lumen Mountain, taught at the official school, or went around Jingzhou as a guest lecturer.

Life is very comfortable and you can do whatever you want.

But Ma Liang knew clearly that when the news came that Black Bear had unified Guanzhong, Cui Zhouping had already planned to go to Guanzhong.

It’s just that the original plan was to set off in the early summer of next year, rather than traveling in the middle of winter like now.

The reason why Ma Liang knew this was because Cui Zhouping had the best relationship with Zhuge Liang.

"Mr. Cui has also agreed."

Zhuge Liang frowned slightly and lowered his voice as he spoke: "He is currently a guest in Caizhou."

Seeing Zhuge Liang suddenly lower his voice, Ma Liang calmly glanced at Ma Su, who was unaware and just curious, and knew that it was Ma Su who was present and Zhuge Liang did not finish his words.

What can Cai Zhou do now?
Ma Liang thought about it and probably grasped the Cai family's idea. He nodded slowly, but then felt it was a bit ridiculous and looked Zhuge Liang up and down.

Zhuge Liang also felt a little embarrassed, but marriage was a common method.

His sister married Pang Degong's son.

That is to say, Ma Liang had no sisters. If he had a suitable sister, Zhuge Liang would definitely help his brother marry her.

Ma Su looked at his two brothers who were playing a riddle and was very curious. He looked them left and right again and again, but forced himself not to ask any questions.

Seeing this, Zhuge Liang couldn't help but laugh. He picked up the small wine cup and drank it all. He was very happy: "With Ji Chang accompanying me, I will definitely make a big splash in Guanzhong!"

Ma Liang also nodded. As long as Black Bear was a connoisseur, Zhuge Liang would definitely be able to start out as a county governor.

As for himself, Ma Liang did not seek to be the governor of a county, but started as a Caoyuan.

(End of this chapter)