Chapter 95: New Guardian of Nanjun
At the water interception point of the dam, many bamboo tubes are inserted into the stone dam, and the water flows out along the bamboo tubes.

Many officers and soldiers took off their armor and washed them roughly at the water outlet of the bamboo tube.

In this way, the water in the temporary dam can be kept as clean as possible. To ensure the cleanliness of the water, Gan Ning assigned soldiers to patrol upstream.

Check again and again to make sure no one may have drowned or been soaked in the water during the previous battle.

The vanguard of 5,000 troops led by Liu Qi had already turned around the mountains and appeared on the Longzhong Road.

As they gradually approached, the Qingzhou soldiers who were resting and eating dry food stopped moving around out of caution and gathered around the battle flag of the Hundred Man Team.

Black Bear just washed his face and did not take the initiative to greet Liu Qi.

When Liu Qi arrived, Black Bear was still sitting on the chariot on the side of the road. There was a green umbrella with a curved handle on the chariot, which could block out some of the sunlight.

Seeing Liu Qi dismounting, Black Bear also put down the documents in his hand and hurried to meet him.

These were the official documents from Nanjun that Cai Mao carried with him, written on bamboo paper.

Seeing the official documents on paper again gave him a special sense of familiarity.

"Sir, you're a little late."

"It's not that I'm slow, it's just that Lord Black is too fast."

Liu Qi bowed and followed Black Bear to the chariot, then asked, "How is the battle going?"

"Cai Mao's troops are indeed elite. If Gan Xingba hadn't killed the general on the battlefield and Taishi Wengong hadn't cut down the flag, this battle would have continued."

As Black Bear spoke, he took out the seized silver seal of the Nanjun prefect and handed it to Liu Qi: "I have just met Wen Pin and proposed to him that you should take over Nanjun in place of Cai Mao. Wen Pin did not dare to discuss it, nor did he dare to object."

He pointed to the Xiangyang people who were watching the battle from afar and said, "We can't delay any longer. Please immediately issue a notice in the name of the Nanjun prefect to reassure the people and state Cai Mao's crimes and the order to punish Cai."

Liu Qi played with the county governor's silver seal, his face showing no emotion: "I can lead the county. After today's incident, no one in Jingxiang dares to question this matter. It is also my duty to issue a letter to pacify the people. However, I dare not monopolize power over Cai Mao's crimes and the judgment of the Cai family."

"Sir, neither you nor I have a better choice."

Black Bear did not bother to persuade or deceive Liu Qi with a smile or a scowl, and simply said, "Does Cai Mao have any accomplices? Neither you nor Liu Zhennan can decide on this matter. Only with my cooperation and the two of you speaking out, can this matter be true. I seized the letter of Cai Mao's collusion with the enemy."

These non-existent written evidences were intercepted and destroyed by Cai Mao on the way to Xiangyang. Liu Qi and Hei Xiong could tell the specific contents, but the final judgment power was in the hands of Liu Biao.

Liu Qi's expression became serious. "Lord Hei, please save some face for me. Otherwise, my father will look down on me, and the ministers will also look down on me. How can I lead Jingxiang in the future?"

"Okay, I'll give you face, and you give me something real."

Black Bear pointed at the more than sixty members of the Cai clan who were imprisoned in solitary confinement. He said, "There are more than two hundred adult members of the Cai clan, and one third of them are here."

"Hei Jun wants to use them to take the wealth accumulated by the Cai family?"

"I have a lot of ideas. You know that I lack reliable manpower, equipment, and food and fodder the most. These sixty-plus people are the heroes of the Cai family. They are their hearts and souls. The Cai family must redeem themselves from me. Now that I can't search Caizhou, I can take a step back and use the hostages to exchange for supplies, which will save me the trouble of running around."

Seeing Liu Qi about to speak, Black Bear probably guessed what he was going to say: "Jingzhou can certainly provide me with money and food, but such things can change at any time, I dare not trust them. It's different here with the Cai family. The hostages are in my hands, I'm not afraid that they will go back on their word."

"Hei Jun, when we go to war, we plan to wipe out the Cai people and take all their money, food, servants, and property. We will then use their servants and property to exchange for the young men and craftsmen from Guanzhong that Hei Jun needs."

"That's right, but now your father has blocked the Han River. I haven't been able to capture the Cai family, so I naturally can't deal with the Cai family assets. Besides, I really don't trust your father."

Seeing that Liu Qi's expression was changing towards anger, Black Bear simply said, "Jingxiang is the Jingxiang of your father and son, and the Jingxiang of countless people, but it is not my Jingxiang. My lord, go and publish the petition to pacify the people, and at the same time negotiate with your father to see how he will deal with it."

"Should we punish Cai Mao alone, or should we implicate the Cai family, or should we say..."

The black bear grinned, "Or maybe he wants to pardon the Cai clan and order me to release the captives, and he wants to fight me to the death."

"How could it be... Hei Jun misunderstood. My father is kind and generous to others. He would never do such a thing."

Liu Qi immediately promised: "Before my father makes a decision, I will not enter the city, and will join forces with the Black Lord here."

"Since you are sincere to me, I will give you another gift."

Seeing Liu Qi's expectant expression, Black Bear said, "You are concerned about brotherly love, but I am not. Tell your father on my behalf that I am worried that the Cai clans will collude with Prince Liu Cong, which will lead to bad things in the future. So I hope to prevent such things from happening, whether it is to change the marriage or to send Liu Cong to Jingnan. "

Liu Qi immediately shook his head: "My family and the Cai family are both surnames of prefectures and counties, and the marriage is known far and wide. If it is cancelled, it will definitely be criticized. Jingnan is unstable, and if my brother goes there, it will make him more powerful."

The people in southern Jing will seize the opportunity to rebel against Liu Biao, the ruler in the north.

It is also possible to support Liu Cong against Liu Biao or Liu Qi.

Jingnan has its own political demands. In order to achieve its demands, it cannot rely on the imperial court, and it must also establish its own regime.

After hearing this, Black Bear changed his tone and asked, "After you take over the county, will you stay in Xiangyang to work?"

Liu Qi pondered and said, "Since the Black Lord defeated Cai Mao, everyone around me has advised me not to rush into the city. Now there must be a gap between my father and I. If we can't reconcile as before, I will definitely not be able to stop my father's tricks. As a son, even if I have tricks, it is difficult for me to use them."

"Then you will move the seat of government to Jiangling. This way, if there is a change in Xiangyang in the future, you will be able to control Jingnan and not be in a passive or embarrassing situation. If the situation deteriorates to a point where it is irreversible, you can wait for an opportunity to enter Yizhou."

Black Bear had no ill feelings towards Liu Qi. In troubled times, the more people like Liu Qi there were, the better.

As a normal person, Black Bear has no intention of challenging the strong to test his potential.

The simpler you make things, the better.

At this moment, he was truly thinking about Liu Qi: "When you go to Jiangling, you should take the initiative to make friends with the great family of Jingnan, Liu Zhang of Yizhou. Liu Zhang is a wise man who knows what's good for you. It will be beneficial for both sides to make an alliance with him."

It was Liu Biao who instigated Gan Ning and others to rebel, and it was also Liu Biao who cut off the fire and watched Gan Ning and others flee in defeat.

It was difficult for Liu Biao to easily gain the trust of a powerful person like Liu Zhang as an ally.

The most crucial thing is Liu Biao's Zhennan Shogunate. At that time, Li Jue gave the Zhennan Shogunate the authorization to supervise the four southern states.

Therefore, Liu Biao could legally use the name of the Han Dynasty to incite rebellion and win over the powerful officials of the four states, which naturally aroused the hostility and vigilance of the existing rulers. The court controlled by Dong Zhuo and Li Jue often promoted and appointed members of the Han Dynasty clan beyond the standard.

If Jiaozhou was not too remote and Dong Zhuo's gang of good families from the six counties had never been there, Jiaozhou would have appointed a member of the Han royal family to be the governor.

If Sun Ce had not conquered Jiangdong, the three states in the Yangtze River Basin would all be ruled by royal family members; they could have restored the Han Dynasty three times if they were successful, or they could have established their own regime to protect the Han Dynasty's inheritance if they were successful.

The more Liu Qi thought about the possibility of cooperating with Liu Zhang, the more he felt that this was a very worthwhile deal.

As the leader of a region, everyone lacks recognition and support from external forces.

Only by forming an alliance with each other in diplomacy can we easily win over the internal centrists and suppress the hostile factions with all our strength.

If he could conclude a superior alliance with Liu Zhang, it would greatly consolidate his position.

Jingzhou and Yizhou have considerable trade needs, and there are many benefits after the conclusion of the alliance.

By controlling the trade hub, he can allocate the quota himself.

Even if he retreats back to Jingnan in the future, he can still maintain his transcendent position.

Having made up his mind, Liu Qi also grasped Black Bear's bottom line. Before leaving, he asked again, "If I move the seat of government to Jiangling, how will my father respond, Black Bear?"

Nanjun must be taken away. If Liu Biao objects, Liu Qi will really have to re-examine his own value as the heir apparent of Chengwu Hou.

If Liu Biao really opposed and refused to give it, perhaps Liu Qi would have taken action even without Black Bear's instigation.

As the heir to the Jingxiang foundation, if he cannot even control Nanjun, what will Liu Qi use to take over when the old is replaced by the new?
When asked by Liu Qi, Black Bear raised his hand and touched his chin. After a moment's hesitation, he raised his eyebrows and said, "If I were your father and I was dissatisfied with you, I would find a reason to split Nanjun and set up Xiangyang County in the north. Even Yiling in the south of Nanjun could set up another county to cut off your connection with Yizhou."

In an instant, Liu Qi's eyes widened: "How could it be!"

What’s the difference between that and going to jail!
If he really did that, how would the scholars and officials inside and outside Jingxiang view him, the son of Marquis Chengwu!
He showed anger on his face, and Wang Wei, Wang Can, Gao Qian, Yi Ji and others who were watching from a distance all felt nervous, thinking that the talks had failed.

Sensing the emotion, Black Bear glanced at the group of people and didn't want to see Zhuge Liang standing behind the crowd. This guy was too tall and it was difficult for him to hide.

Retracting his gaze, Black Bear looked directly at Liu Qi: "It is difficult for men to accept old age, and your father is no exception. Otherwise, you would at least be leading an army or a county by yourself."

"Look at Huang She. He suffered a series of defeats. At least 8,000 Jingzhou officials and soldiers died at his hands. This man, who is about your age, has been the governor of Zhangling County for two years."

Liu Qi opened his mouth to refute, Huang She was appointed governor of Zhangling County because Sun Ce defeated Jiangxia that year and he urgently needed to help Huang Zu restore his confidence and power.

In order to deal with the rebellious Changsha prefect Zhang Xian in southern Jing, the former Zhangling prefect Cai Mao was appointed as the prefect of Nanjun. The vacant Zhangling prefecture was between Jiangxia and Xinye, so it was assigned to Huang She.

But Black Bear's gaze made Liu Qi feel embarrassed, so he explained: "I am idle and comfortable, not my father's intention to suppress me."

"This is a chaotic world. How is it different from killing you to show such favor to you?"

Black Bear lay back with his hands on the armrests, looking up at the blue sky with a few white clouds through the green umbrella: "Tell Yi Ji my guess about the division of Nanjun in private, he will help you make a decision. If Nanjun is demolished, Xiangyang County will block you from him, he is more afraid than anyone else. As for the alliance with Yizhou and the opening of trade, you should speak out in public when the time is right, and many people will support you."

"Qi will never forget the kindness of Hei Jun for his guidance."

Liu Qi turned sideways, bowed, passed through the green umbrella, got off the carriage, walked a few steps, turned back and suddenly said, "My eldest son is ten years old. If Hei Jun doesn't abandon him, can he raise him by your side and teach him?"

"I don't want hostages."

Seeing Liu Qi still looking at him eagerly, Black Bear said, "He's too young. You and your wife should raise him until he's sixteen and then send him to me. I'll arrange for him to start as a minor official, so that when the situation changes in the future, he will have enough to eat."

Liu Qi nodded and asked again: "It is rumored that Hei Jun is from a famous family in Liangpei, is he a royal family?"

Among the four major surnames in Pei State, the first is the Liu family of Xiao County, which has been aristocratic families for generations, followed by the Ding family of Qiao County, then the Huan family of Longkang, and the fourth is the Cao family of Qiao County.

The rise of the Cao family was too short. It was only with the support of the great eunuch Cao Teng and the support of the Party and Factions that a group of people were able to be ranked among the two thousand stone officials.

Speaking of the reputation among scholars, the Liu family of Xiaxiang County is stronger than the Cao family.

But there is already a Liu family in Xiao County, so the Liu family in Xiaxiang County is excluded. Anyway, they are collectively called the four major surnames of Pei State, and it is enough to have a Liu family leading the way.

Cao Cao's reputation has been on the rise in recent years, which has confirmed this ranking.

Judging from the amount of Liu between Liang and Pei, it is very likely that Hei Xiong was born into a royal family. Only a member of the royal family would hide their identities like this.

Black Bear looked at Liu Qi in surprise: "Why do you say that, sir?"

"You have helped me so much, and have tried your best to guide me to promote the alliance between Jing and Yi. Although I am dull, I am not a stone or wood."

Liu Qi couldn't help but sigh, and then asked again: "Do you know the origin of Liang State?"

He stared at the black bear, who smiled and said, "Everyone in the world knows this, why bother asking me?"

"Hei Jun, I mean Liang of my Han family."

"This... the one who replaced the Han Dynasty, Dangtu Gao?"

Black Bear felt that this person was speaking in secret. He also had some secret knowledge in this regard, so he said, "The mighty Han Dynasty was succeeded by Wei. When there was no Wei in the Han Dynasty, it was replaced by Liang."

Liu Qi was relieved after hearing this. He looked up at the vast sky and said, "So, I can finally convince my father."

After saying this, he bowed again to the black bear in the car and was about to turn around and leave.

At this time, Black Bear sat up straight and bowed in return, and said, "I saw a man I met at Lumen Mountain School in the crowd. I was quite impressed by him. Sir, could you please invite him on my behalf?"

"But Zhuge Kongming?"

Seeing Liu Qi's embarrassed expression, Black Bear said, "It is this man. I know his wife is Cai Mao's niece. I won't embarrass him."

Black Bear still has some credit between each other.

(End of this chapter)