Chapter 102: You ignored me back then, but now you regret it! Cai Mao's dog head, I'd rather let my lord chop it off!
Cai Xun was a descendant of the Cai family after all, and he had met all the prominent figures in Jingxiang.

The Huang and Cai families were once known as the Four Surnames of Jingxiang. Huang Chengyan's deceased wife was a woman from the Cai family. In fact, she was somewhat related to Cai Xun. How could Cai Xun not recognize her?

Cai Xun naturally knew that Huang Chengyan had rejected Liu Biao's proposal and had led the Huang family to side with Liu Bei.

And now he actually appeared in Gan Ning's camp, most likely to recruit Gan Ning for Liu Bei.

Based on Gan Ning's disrespect to Liu Biao just now and Huang Chengyan's sudden appearance, Cai Xun immediately felt that something was wrong.

"Cai Xun, how are you?"

Huang Chengyan stroked his thin beard and looked at him calmly.

Cai Xun suddenly came to his senses, and immediately became angry and asked:

"Huang Chengyan, the lord respects you so much that he is willing to condescend to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage for the eldest son!"

"You could have rejected the Lord's kindness, but why did you betray him and join Liu Bei?"

Huang Chengyan, however, looked indifferent and asked coldly:
"I have never served Liu Jingsheng, so how can I be said to have betrayed him?"

Cai Xun was stunned. He was speechless after hearing this casual remark.

Huang Chengyan sat down calmly and said as if he was teaching a younger generation:
"Liu Jingsheng was a flatterer who favored the Cai and Kuai families, which caused countless Jingzhou heroes to resent him. When a wise leader like Lord Xuande arrived, the Jingzhou heroes flocked to him."

"It is clear what the people of Jingzhou think they are doing."

"The change of ownership of Jingzhou is an inevitable trend."

"Cai Xun, go back and persuade Liu Jingsheng and your brother to stop struggling in vain and surrender to Lord Xuande as soon as possible."

"With Lord Xuande's generosity, he will definitely give Liu Jingsheng a good end, and will also leave a way out for your Cai family."

"Otherwise, when Lord Xuande marches into Xiangyang, Liu Jingsheng and his son will be dead and their reputations will be annihilated!"

"Whether it's your Cai family or the Kuai family, they will all suffer a devastating disaster and perish."

Cai Xun just stood there frozen, like a child who had done something wrong, until he heard Huang Chengyan's earnest advice.

He was stunned for a long while before he suddenly came to his senses. Huang Chengyan was asking him to convey a message to Liu Biao, asking him to advise Liu Biao to recognize the situation and surrender to Liu Bei.

Cai Xun came to his senses and immediately became angry and embarrassed.

"Huang Chengyan, stop being so arrogant!"

"Even if all of you villains surrender to Liu Bei, what does it matter?"

"Even if Liu Bei captured Fancheng and seized my navy ships, what would that do?"

"My lord has the natural barrier of the Han River, and my brother is leading the Jiangling navy to block the Han River. Even if that big-eared thief has a million troops, he won't be able to cross the river with a single soldier!"

"My lord controls a state, and his resources are ten times greater than Liu Bei's. We will confront him across the river and wear him out!"

Cai Xun spitted out spit and refuted arrogantly.

Huang Chengyan did not interrupt him, but just watched him speak nonsense quietly.

Then, he said calmly:

"Cai Xun, what you said is true. With the Jiangling navy blocking the Han River, Lord Xuande cannot cross the river."

"That's why Military Advisor Xiao recommended Xingba to Lord Xuande, and why I was entrusted by Lord Xuande to come and ask General Xingba to come out and help Lord Xuande defeat Cai Mao and his Jiangling navy."

"Then Lord Xuande could have led his troops across the Han River and conquered Xiangyang."

Cai Xun's eyes widened, his face gradually distorted, and cold sweat rolled down his forehead.

That ominous premonition came true.

This old villain Huang Chengyan was indeed acting as a lobbyist for Liu Bei to recruit Gan Ning.

The motive was just as Kuai Yue worried, which was to use Gan Ning's ability to deal with his brother Cai Mao's Jiangling navy.

"Gan Xingba, what is your choice?"

"Do you really want to join Liu Bei and become the enemy of my Lord?"

Cai Xun tried to remain calm and cast a gloomy look at Gan Ning.

"Back then, I, Gan Ning, was instigated by Liu Biao to rebel against Liu Zhang in Ba County."

"We were outnumbered and had no support. The mutiny failed and we were forced to retreat back to Jingzhou."

"With my martial arts and military talent, I could have helped Liu Biao conquer the Jianghan area and secure his position as governor!"

"Who would have thought that he would favor you, Cai and Kuai, and look down on me because I am not from a noble family!"

"Now Lord Xuande is respectful to the wise and humble, not caring about my background, and treating me as a national hero!"

"I, Gan Ning, have always been clear about gratitude and resentment. I will go through fire and water for Lord Xuande and defeat your brother Cai Mao's Jiangling navy for him!"

"I will also march into Xiangyang and seize the position of governor from Liu Biao, the old villain, for Lord Xuande!"

Gan Ning's eyes were burning with hatred, and he vented out all his recent dissatisfaction with Liu Biao and the humiliation he had suffered.

The attitude is clear:

I will submit to Liu Bei and destroy your lord Liu Biao!

Cai Xun was shocked when he heard this. Veins popped on his face, his fists clenched, and hatred grew in his eyes.

"Cai Xun, Xingba's attitude is clear, don't waste any more words, just go."

Huang Chengyan waved his hands to persuade him to leave tactfully.

Of course he knew that Gan Ning was a chivalrous man with an arrogant, rough, fierce and murderous nature.

So, for the sake of his deceased wife, he intended to save Cai Xun's life, lest he be ignorant of the seriousness of the matter and make rude remarks to anger Gan Ning, thus bringing disaster upon himself.

Unexpectedly, instead of understanding Huang Chengyan's good intentions, he became angry and humiliated again.

"Okay, okay, great."

"Gan Ning, don't forget that our Jiangling navy has 700 warships and 8,000 elite naval soldiers!"

"Do you really think that even if you surrender to Liu Bei, you can defeat my brother with your own strength and Liu Bei's three hundred broken ships?"

"I'm telling you, sooner or later you will regret your choice today!"

"Farewell!"

After Cai Xun uttered some harsh words, he turned around and wanted to leave.

Gan Ning had no intention of doing anything to him, but unexpectedly, the sarcastic and disdainful words he said before leaving instantly angered him.

"brush!"

The long sword was unsheathed and stopped in front of Cai Xun.

Cai Xun's face changed color, and he pressed the hilt of his sword in a hurry, asking in surprise:

"What...what do you want to do?"

Gan Ning's eyes were like fire, and he said angrily in a deep voice:

"You, the Cai family, are just bullying others in Xiangyang, but you are still trying to bully me on my territory. I think you are courting death!" "I will kill you today, and I will take Cai Mao's head someday!"

Before he finished his words, Gan Ning waved his tiger arm and slashed with the sword in his hand.

Cai Xun did not expect that Gan Ning wanted to kill him. His face changed drastically and he hurriedly tried to draw his sword to resist.

Unfortunately, with his limited martial arts skills, he was no match for Gan Ning.

The sword had not yet been unsheathed, but the lightning-fast move had already passed before his eyes.

A head rolled to the ground.

Although Huang Chengyan had seen big scenes before, it was the first time he saw someone so decisive in killing.

"Well, it seems that what Military Advisor Xiao reminded me of is that Gan Xingba really never waits to take revenge, and he can't stand others being disrespectful to him."

"Cai Xun, Cai Xun, you didn't listen to my advice and insisted on seeking death. You deserve it."

"I just don't know if Lord Xuande can control such a fierce horse..."

Huang Chengyan's thoughts raced, and he sighed secretly.

Gan Ning retracted his blood sword and kicked Cai Xun's head towards several followers. He pointed in the direction of Xiangyang and shouted:

"Take this guy's head back and give it to that old villain Liu Biao."

"Tell him that I remember all the times he treated me with contempt."

"Within a month, I will cross the Han River, march into Xiangyang, and take his head!"

The followers were so frightened by Gan Ning's brutality that they hurriedly held Cai Xun's head and fled away.

Gan Ning turned around and bowed to Huang Chengyan:

"What happened just now frightened Mr. Huang. I would rather apologize to Mr. Huang here!"

"I'd rather drink a jar of wine as a punishment to make amends to Mr. Huang!"

After Gan Ning finished speaking, without waiting for Huang Chengyan to react, he grabbed a jar of wine and drank it all.

"It is just as Military Advisor Xiao said. Gan Xingba hates anyone who treats him with contempt, and he treats anyone who treats him with respect."

"This person really has a clear distinction between love and hate..."

Huang Chengyan looked at Gan Ning who was drinking heavily and was amazed. He couldn't help but secretly admire Xiao Fang's ability to judge people.

Finish drinking.

Gan Ning smashed the wine jar to the ground and shouted proudly:

"Pass the order down, set fire to the water fort, gather all the brothers, and follow me to Fancheng to pay homage to the lord!"

...

Water fort on the north bank of Han River.

Night is approaching.

Although it is spring now, the weather is still cold, especially the strong winds by the river, which makes it even colder at night.

Liu Bei stood by the river, looking expectantly upstream.

Just half an hour ago, Huang Chengyan sent his guards on fast horses to report that Gan Ning was leading his troops to surrender by water.

Liu Bei was overjoyed and immediately rushed to the riverside to personally welcome Gan Ning.

Not only did he go to greet him himself, he also ordered all the civil and military officials in the camp who had no business to do to come to the riverside to greet him.

Before we knew it, we had been sitting by the river, feeling the cold wind for half an hour.

"Military Advisor, why do you think you need to make such a big fuss? If Gan Xingba comes, just let him come. We can host a banquet in our tent to welcome him."

"Why bother mobilizing so many of us to just sit here and watch the cold wind blow?"

Zhang Fei muttered to himself and complained softly, subconsciously wrapping his cloak tighter around himself.

Xiao Fang smiled faintly, looked upstream and said:

"Gan Ning liked bright clothes and fine horses. He and his followers often wore brocade clothes, and their boats and carriages were all hung with brocade sails. Therefore, some people called him the Brocade Sail Thief behind his back."

"Young people are always a bit vain. They like to be in the spotlight and enjoy the feeling of being noticed and valued."

"The Lord personally welcomed us and made such a big scene just to show how much he values ​​Gan Xingba. This will make Gan Xingba grateful and willing to go through fire and water for the Lord."

"My lord, your skill in controlling people is truly unrivaled in the world."

Zhang Fei said "Oh", not quite understanding.

As they were talking, a group of warships from upstream came speeding towards the north shore.

Hanging high above the flagship was the Gan flag.

It’s indeed a banner!
"The military advisor's ability to judge people is truly unrivaled in the world!"

"Mr. Huang came out to invite him, and Gan Xingba really showed up."

Liu Bei looked at Xiao Fang with a smile, then took a few quick steps and came to the edge of the pier.

The ship entered the water camp and the flagship approached the pier.

Gan Ning, who was on the bow of the ship, was stunned when he saw the huge scene on the pier.

Huang Chengyan smiled and pointed toward the shore, saying:

"Xingba, that is Lord Xuande. He has come with his whole army of counselors and generals to personally welcome you."

Gan Ning's heart suddenly shook, and an inexplicable sense of gratitude instantly enveloped his heart.

Asking Huang Chengyan, a man of high moral character and prestige, to join us shows that we hold him in high esteem.

Now he has personally led the entire camp of civil and military officials, regardless of the biting cold wind, to greet us personally at the riverside!

What a generous treat this is.

Gan Ning couldn't help but feel flattered by this courtesy.

"Xingba, you are finally here."

"It's here, but I've been waiting for you for a long time."

Liu Bei recognized Gan Ning at a glance and greeted him with a smile that made people feel like spring breeze.

Gan Ning then came to his senses, jumped off the boat, and half-knelt in front of Liu Bei.

"What virtue and ability have I, Gan Ning, possessed that the lord would treat me so well?"

"Since my lord has treated me like a great man, I should repay him with a great man!"

"The Jiangling navy would rather be destroyed by my lord!"

"I would rather chop off Cai Mao's head for my lord!"

(End of this chapter)