Chapter 161: On The Edge Of Danger
The crowd hurriedly stepped forward to inquire, “How is the Governor?”
The old physician sighed and said: “The Governor’s condition is very bad. This time he was lucky and pulled through. If he experiences a similar situation next time, I’m afraid it will be life-threatening. I’m not exaggerating. Today we were all helpless; it was the Governor who endured it himself.”
Kuai Yue asked: “What should we pay attention to?”
“We must not let the Governor get emotionally agitated anymore, especially not extremely angry, or there will be big trouble. The Governor is already on the extremely dangerous edge. I’ve said all I can; everyone be careful yourselves!”
The old physician shook his head and left.
At this time, a maidservant said at the door: “The master invites Military Advisor Cai and Chief Clerk Kuai!”
Cai Mao and Kuai Yue exchanged a glance and walked into the sickroom together.
The room was filled with the smell of medicine. Liu Biao lay on the bed, his face sallow, breathing faintly, and in very poor spirits.
The two asked with concern: “How does the Governor feel?”
Liu Biao asked weakly: “How many soldiers did we lose in Jiangxia?”
Cai Mao was about to speak when Kuai Yue cut in: “Basically none were killed; they surrendered after running out of grain.”
Liu Biao nodded. “That’s good. Otherwise, I wouldn’t know how to explain to their families. Immediately send someone to Chaisang to negotiate with the other side and try to redeem our soldiers.”
“This subordinate obeys the order!”
Liu Biao said to Cai Mao again: “Properly summarize the lessons from this failure. Don’t make excuses for yourself. A loss is a loss; it doesn’t matter. The key is to find the reasons, learn the lessons, and strive not to lose next time!”
Cai Mao said shamefacedly: “This subordinate will remember!”
Liu Biao said again: “Call my two sons in!”
Soon, Liu Qi and Liu Cong were brought in. The two sons each knelt on one side, holding their father’s hand and shedding tears.
Liu Biao held his two sons’ hands together. A flash of disgust passed through Liu Cong’s eyes, but in front of his father, he didn’t dare show it and could only pretend, forcing a smile.
“Brothers of one heart, their strength can cut through gold. Now our safety has been broken. To the north is Liu Bei, to the east is Gan Ning. To hold Jingzhou, we can only rely on you brothers uniting as one. Otherwise, Jingzhou will be in danger. Do you remember my words?”
The two brothers nodded through their tears.
Liu Biao slowly closed his eyes. “Go! I’m a bit tired. All of you go!”
Everyone slowly withdrew.
After leaving the Governor’s Mansion, Cai Mao boarded Liu Cong’s carriage.
Liu Cong asked in a low voice: “What will happen next?”
Cai Mao said slowly: “Next will be calm for a year or two, letting the old master recover. We also need to actively deploy, raise your reputation, and get all the noble families to support you. Liu Qi has no hope then.”
“I heard some noble families have turned to Gan Ning, like the Ma family and Pang family, with nephews going to Chaisang. Will that…”
“Don’t worry!”
Cai Mao interrupted him. “The forces turning to Gan Ning are basically noble families that previously supported Liu Qi. This is actually good for you. Them turning to Gan Ning naturally weakens their support for Liu Qi, so you should look at the problem from the perspective of your own interests. Don’t see it as a flood or fierce beast.”
“Thank you, Military Advisor, for enlightening me. I understand!”
Cai Mao said again: “In dealing with Liu Qi, we have to pretend. Don’t let anyone catch us in the act. Remember, saying is one thing, doing is another.”
Liu Cong nodded silently. Cai Mao patted his shoulder and smiled: “You are my Cai Family’s son-in-law. I will fully support you ascending to the throne. Rest assured! The future Governor position belongs to no one but you!”
In Chaisang, inside the Marquis of Wuchang Residence, Da Qiao sat at the desk, fully focused on practicing calligraphy.
When Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao were from a good family background, they had studied for two years. After their father was killed, they stopped studying.
After Da Qiao married Gan Ning and life stabilized, she had the idea of studying again. Especially after Xu Wei, who was exceptionally talented, arrived, Da Qiao felt some pressure. With her husband’s encouragement, she began picking up paper and pen again to study and write.
The one teaching Da Qiao to study was none other than Xu Wei. Xu Wei truly liked Da Qiao and treated her like her own older sister. When Da Qiao told her she wanted to study again, Xu Wei volunteered to teach Da Qiao to read and write.
Sometimes Xiao Qiao would join in the fun, pick up a pen and write a few characters, but she was too playful and couldn’t settle down. She couldn’t focus on studying and writing like Da Qiao.
At this time, Xu Wei walked into the room and smiled: “Is Older Sister practicing calligraphy?”
Da Qiao put down her pen and smiled: “I’m waiting for you!”
Xu Wei sat down, took out a lesson text from her bag, and handed it to Da Qiao: “Older Sister, today we study《Book of Songs》’s《Qin Feng: Jianjia》. Look at this copy I wrote for you; read it once first.”
Da Qiao took the poem and read softly: “The reeds grow thick and dark, the white dew turns to frost. The one I long for is on the river’s other bank. I trace the current upstream to seek her, but the way is long and hard; I follow the eddies downstream, and she is in the river’s midst. The reeds tremble with chill, the white dew has not dried. The one I long for is on the river’s edge. I trace the current upstream to seek her, but the way is steep and hard; I follow the eddies downstream, and she is on the river’s islet. The reeds grow lush and thick, the white dew has not yet stopped, the one I long for is on the river’s bank. I trace the current upstream to seek her, but the way is winding and hard; I follow the eddies downstream, and she is on the river’s shoal.”
After Da Qiao finished reading, she smiled and asked: “Did I read it correctly?”
Xu Wei nodded. “Older Sister has no problem recognizing characters now. Just expand your reading volume. Read more good texts, and your knowledge will naturally grow.”
Da Qiao shook her head and smiled: “I’m still far from that! I haven’t even studied《Mencius》.”
“Don’t rush, Older Sister. We’ll take it slow. Finish learning《Book of Songs》first, then《Mencius》. I’ll explain the meaning of this Book of Songs poem to you. This is the common people’s persistent pursuit of love and the melancholy of loss, but in the eyes of rulers, this ‘one I long for’ refers to talented wise people. So in different people’s eyes, it has different interpretations. Let’s look at the first line first…”
After hearing the explanation, Da Qiao sighed: “I feel it’s more about the pursuit of love. This is especially fitting for you—pursuing the one you love in your heart, not hesitating to fall out with your family.”
“Not fitting for Older Sister?”
Da Qiao shook her head. “I don’t have the courage to fight fate. If back then it wasn’t my husband but another man who abducted us sisters, I think I would have gone along with it. I was just lucky to meet my husband, so I’m very grateful to heaven for favoring me.”
“Alright! Older Sister, memorize this poem, best to write it while reciting.”
Da Qiao spread out a sheet of white paper and began writing earnestly.
The room was very quiet. Da Qiao was fully focused on writing, reciting softly as she wrote.
At this time, Xiao Qiao quietly poked her head in. “Meow—” she called out.
Da Qiao ignored her. Xiao Qiao jumped in. “What is Older Sister writing?”
“I’m practicing calligraphy! A Yu, where have you been?”
“I went to buy a parrot. Older Sister, I bought one for you too—pure white all over, so pretty. Can pick it up tomorrow.”
Da Qiao sighed, waved her hand, and said: “Sit down. Older Sister has something to tell you!”
