Chapter 71 Liu Wu seized Jingzhou, shocking the world.

In the hall, as Liu Wu’s true identity was exposed, Cai Mao and Ma Liang’s faces changed drastically. They could not believe it was true.

Huang She, the son of Huang Zu, although he did not think as much as Cai Mao and Baimei Ma Liang, was also very shocked when he looked at Liu Wu.

He really didn’t expect that Liu Wu’s cousin Liu Bei was ambushed by Cao Ren and seriously injured when he attacked Cao Ren. All along, doesn’t it mean that it was Liu Wu who brought about the drastic changes in the Xinye forces?

Huang She seemed to have discovered a new world. He looked at Liu Wu with some surprise and excitement and said:

“Liu Wu, ah, no, brother-in-law, are you telling the truth? Have you really replaced Liu Bei, ah no, Uncle Liu, and taken control of Nanyang County, Yuzhou, and Yanzhou?”

Huang She’s voice suddenly rang out, filled with surprise and excitement, breaking the silence and immediately attracting everyone’s attention.

In the hall, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Gan Ning, Pang Tong, Mi Zhu, Jian Yong, Sun Qian, Pang Tong, Liu Ba, and Jiang Wan all looked sideways at Huang She with surprise.

Is the son of Huang Zu still very happy?
Everyone looked at them strangely.

Liu Wu looked at his cheap brother-in-law.

Huang She was the son of Huang Zu. Although he was not the most dazzling political or military figure in the late Han Dynasty, his status in the family and his military efforts left a certain historical mark.

However, it is obvious that this brother-in-law does not have enough IQ.

Of course, Liu Wu chose to marry into the Huang family not because of his brother-in-law, but because he wanted to get Huang Zu’s support.

Huang Zu was an important general under Liu Biao, the governor of Jingzhou.

Huang Zu was born into a wealthy family in Jingzhou. His family had deep roots and influence in Jingzhou and was a key figure in Liu Biao’s power. If Liu Biao wanted to steal Jingzhou, Huang Zu was destined to be an indispensable figure.

Huang Zu’s strategic position in Jingzhou was irreplaceable. During his tenure as governor of Jiangxia, he was responsible for resisting threats from Jiangdong and was an important line of defense for Liu Biao’s forces in the east of Jingzhou. Huang Zu’s military talent and strategic vision were fully demonstrated in many battles with the Eastern Wu army.

Historically, Huang Zu was active from the second year of Chuping (191) to the thirteenth year of Jian’an (208).

Shooting Sun Jian: In the third year of Chuping (192), Yuan Shu sent Sun Jian to attack Jingzhou, and Liu Biao sent Huang Zu to fight. During the battle, Huang Zu’s general Lu Gong ambushed Sun Jian in the bamboo forest and hit him on the head with a falling rock, killing him. This incident not only caused Huang Zu to have a grudge against the Sun family, but also made him famous in Jingzhou and even in Jiangdong area.

Angry beheading of Ni Heng: In the third year of Jian’an (198 AD), Cao Cao sent Ni Heng, who had insulted the rulers and ministers of Cao Wei, to Liu Biao. Liu Biao gave Ni Heng to Huang Zu because Ni Heng had insulted him. Huang Zu treated Ni Heng well at first, but Ni Heng continued to mock Huang Zu, and Huang Zu eventually beheaded him in anger. This incident reflects Huang Zu’s impatience and fierceness.

As an important general under Liu Biao, Huang Zu enjoyed high reputation and influence in Jingzhou.

If Huang Zu could be won over, then at least the military force of Jingzhou would be won over.

In fact, Liu Wu struggled for a long time on whether to marry Huang Zu of Jingzhou.

Because Huang Zu had a grudge against the Sun family.

But he married Sun Shangxiang, so there is a big contradiction in this matter.

However, at Pang Tong’s suggestion, he still married into the Huang family.

According to Pang Tong, the Sun family and the Huang family had a feud, but they could talk about it later.

In fact, they and Sun Quan were both in Guandong, and a war would happen sooner or later.

Why should we reject Huang Zu just for the sake of the Sun family?

Of course, although Sun Shangxiang was Liu Wu’s wife or concubine, in Pang Tong’s view, she was just a wife or concubine. How could he let a woman affect the strategic plan of an entire state?

Although Liu Wu did not agree with Pang Tong’s opinion, he still married into the Huang family in order to plan the Jingzhou strategy.

As for the matter of Sun Shangxiang, there will be an explanation for this matter sooner or later.

However, he would not let Sun Shangxiang affect his own cause.

“Brother She, this is natural. Although it has not been made public, the General of Cavalry appointed by His Majesty is my brother-in-law. It is indeed my brother-in-law who has the final say in Yanzhou and Yuzhou.” Liu Wu smiled as he looked at Huang She, who obviously had a low IQ.

“It’s actually true, that’s great, brother-in-law you are so awesome!” Huang She became excited instantly when he heard Liu Wu’s confirmation.

Under the angry gazes of Cai Mao and Bai Mei Ma Liang, Huang She still did not realize what was happening. He said to Liu Wu excitedly:
“My brother-in-law Huang She actually has land in two states. That’s great. Father will definitely be very happy if he knows.”

“Haha, Brother She, you’re joking. However, we are all family, so let’s not be discordant. From now on, if you have any problems in Yanzhou, Yuzhou or Nanyang, you can just report your brother-in-law’s name. It will be helpful.” Liu Wu said to Huang She with a smile.

“Okay, okay, thank you, brother-in-law!” Under the stupid gazes of everyone, Huang She hurriedly agreed.

Cai Mao and Baimei Ma Liang’s expressions became even uglier.

They did not feel the slightest bit of joy, instead they just felt cold all over.

Liu Wu was the one who took Liu Bei’s place.

What they are doing is equivalent to finding the leader of a faction to be their son-in-law.

What would Liu Biao think?
What would the major families in Jingzhou think?
“Liu Zihao, you’ve gone too far. What do you want to do? Are you going to kill the Cai family?” Suddenly, Cai Mao’s angry voice resounded throughout the hall.

Huang She, who was just happy, was startled and the smile on his face stopped instantly. He looked at Cai Mao with a blushing face with some confusion, and question marks emerged in his mind.

What’s going on here?
“Father-in-law, what are you doing? Is it because Wu did not receive you well enough?” Liu Wu was calm and said with a smile while looking at the angry Cai Mao.

“Don’t play dumb. You are plotting against my Cai family.” Cai Mao slammed the table and shouted angrily to Liu Wu:
“You are the General of the Cavalry, and have replaced Liu Bei. My Cai family is marrying you. What will my Lord Liu Jingzhou think?”

“I’m afraid that my Cai family will no longer have a foothold in Jingzhou. You’re going too far!”

Because of excitement, blood rushed to his head and Cai Mao questioned Liu Wu loudly and angrily.

“Bang!” There was a loud bang on the table, and Zhang Fei shouted angrily:
“Cai Mao, what do you want to do? This is Wancheng, not your Xiangyang. I, Zhang Fei, have been annoyed with you for a long time. Do you want to fight?”

Zhang Fei pulled up his clothes and shouted loudly at Cai Mao.

“You…you.” Zhang Fei’s imposing manner frightened Cai Mao.

“Yide, don’t be rude. He is my father-in-law, how can you be rude to him?” At this time, Liu Wu’s voice rang out. Zhang Fei snorted at Cai Mao and said, “If it weren’t for Liu Wu, I would not have spared that old guy Cai Mao today.”

Cai Mao sat down angrily. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei glared at him. Then he remembered that this was not Xiangyang, but Wancheng.

Liu Wu looked at Cai Mao, who was angry and had a red face, and a smile appeared in his eyes.

Cai Mao was born into the Cai family, a wealthy family in Jingzhou. His family had a profound influence in Jingzhou. His father, Cai Feng, was a great scholar in Nanjun, Jingzhou. Family members held important positions in the court and the local government. Cai Mao’s aunt was the wife of Zhang Wen, the Grand Commandant of the Eastern Han Dynasty. His eldest sister married Huang Chengyan (Zhuge Liang’s father-in-law), and his second sister was the successor of Liu Biao, the governor of Jingzhou. Such a family background paved the way for Cai Mao’s official career.

In the first year of Chuping (190 AD), Liu Biao replaced Wang Rui as the governor of Jingzhou. Cai Mao assisted Liu Biao in suppressing the clan bandits and stabilizing the situation in Jingzhou. During Liu Biao’s rule over Jingzhou, Cai Mao served as the governor of Jiangxia, Nanjun, Zhangling and other counties, and served as the military advisor to the General Zhennan, becoming an important assistant to Liu Biao. This brought the Cai family to the height of the first family in Jingzhou, and had a huge influence in the army and government of Jingzhou.

Historically, after Liu Biao died of illness, Cai Mao, Zhang Yun and others supported Liu Cong as the governor of Jingzhou. Then in 208 AD, Cao Cao led his army into Jingzhou, and Cai Mao, Zhang Yun and others persuaded Liu Cong to surrender. After that, Cai Mao served under Cao Cao, successively serving as Zhonglang, Sima, Changshui Xiaowei and other positions, and was granted the title of Hanyang Tinghou.

If we can take down Cai Mao, and add the Huang family, it can be said that Jingzhou will be more than half stable. “Father-in-law, don’t be angry. In fact, Wu has just said this. My brother specially asked Wu to marry you for the sake of peace between Wancheng and Jingzhou. Wu really wanted peace between Wancheng and Xiangyang. In order to prevent war between Wancheng and Xiangyang, Wu has made efforts.”

“Of course, if my father-in-law doesn’t believe it, I can swear today that I will never send troops to Xiangyang!” Liu Wu made a reassurance.

At this moment Cai Mao was speechless.

Does it matter whether Liu Wu sent troops to Xiangyang or not?
No, that’s not important. The key point is that the Cai family already has a relationship with Liu Wu, and the relationship is too deep.

Liu Wu even calls him father-in-law!
At this time, Huang She was also confused. Although he was not that smart, he was not stupid. Cai Mao’s words made him break out in cold sweats.

Yes, Liu Wu is now the General of Cavalry and has replaced Liu Bei, and the Huang family has married Liu Wu. What will Liu Biao think?
Will the Huang family be suspected by Liu Biao? If the Cai family can hardly gain a foothold in Jingzhou, what about the Huang family?

Huang She also became anxious.

“Liu Zihao, what do you want to do?” Cai Mao calmed down and asked Liu Wu.

Liu Wu smiled and shook his head, saying:
“Father-in-law, you really misunderstood. Wu doesn’t want to do anything, you can rest assured.”

“Relax? How can I be relieved? You have become the son-in-law of the Cai family, how can I be relieved?” Cai Mao said loudly to Liu Wu.

Liu Wu said to Cai Mao:
“Father-in-law, you don’t have to worry so much. The Cai family is the largest family in Jingzhou. Liu Biao needs the Cai family. And now, Nanyang County and Yanzhou and Yuzhou are all backed by the Cai family. Even Liu Biao can’t touch the Cai family.”

Cai Mao was quite angry when he heard what Liu Wu said.

Yes, the Cai family is the number one family in Jingzhou, and Liu Biao will not touch them easily.

However, Liu Biao was able to distance himself from the Cai family and support other families to replace them.

You know, among the eight great families in Jingxiang, although the Cai family is the most powerful one, the other families can still fight against the Cai family if they unite.

Thinking of this, Cai Mao felt even more that he was being plotted against.

As long as Liu Wu’s identity is passed back to Xiangyang, then the Cai family will definitely be in trouble.

Cai Mao’s expression changed from gloomy to bright as he looked at all the civil and military officials in the hall who were looking at him.

He was not stupid, but he understood what it meant.

Liu Wu wants to seize Jingzhou!

After realizing this, Cai Mao took a deep breath.

I was shocked by Liu Wu’s appetite.

You know, Liu Wu had just captured Yuzhou and Yanzhou, and he was already planning to take over Jingzhou.

However, in an instant, Cai Mao began to calculate the gains and losses in his mind.

The Cai family has already boarded the ship and there is no way back.

If so, what can the Cai family get by helping Liu Wu?
Thinking of this, Cai Mao breathed a sigh of relief, his tone calmed down, and he said to Liu Wu:
“Zihao, whether you are willing or not, you have become the son-in-law of the Cai family, and you are the controller of Wancheng. The Cai family can no longer be under Liu Jingzhou’s command. If the Cai family fully supports you, what can the Cai family get?”

Cai Mao’s voice resounded, and everyone in the hall became restless.

Huang She and Baimei Ma Liang looked at Cai Mao in shock.

Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Mi Zhu, Jian Yong and others were quite excited.

Liu Wu smiled and said, “Father-in-law, look at what you said. Wu has already married Cai Xun. You are Wu’s father-in-law. Wu will definitely be closer to the Cai family than Liu Jingzhou.”

Liu Wu said this with a smile, but he expressed his attitude clearly.

How could he be closer to the Cai family than Liu Jingzhou?

In other words, he would definitely treat the Cai family better than Liu Biao and give them more.

When Cai Mao heard this, his expression suddenly brightened.

In fact, he was in a hurry to reveal his cards, on the one hand because of the pressure of the situation, and on the other hand because Liu Wu showed great potential now.

He already owned two states, plus the imperial hometown of Nanyang County, far exceeding Liu Biao.

In addition, he had world-famous generals such as Guan Yu and Zhang Fei under his command.

Therefore, after Cai Mao’s estimation, he felt that if the Cai family was under Liu Wu’s command, as long as they could have Liu Wu’s attitude, perhaps the Cai family would become even more powerful than in Jingzhou.

And now, Liu Wu has made his attitude clear.

“In that case, Zihao, Liu Jingzhou is not young anymore. Your Majesty, I think, should consider the position of Jingzhou Governor? Let Liu Jingzhou have a good rest?” Cai Mao gritted his teeth and bowed to Liu Wu.

Liu Wu heaved a sigh of relief when he heard what Cai Mao said. He smiled and said to Cai Mao:

“Father-in-law, it is not appropriate for Wu Zhen to interfere in the affairs of Jingzhou. However, His Majesty is in the palace. I will ask Jian Yong to bring father-in-law to see His Majesty later.”

Cai Mao listened to Liu Wu’s words and felt that Liu Wu was quite scheming and manipulative, but he had made up his mind completely.

At this time, Liu Wu looked at the young man with a tuft of white hair on his eyebrows.

White-browed Ma Liang from the Ma family of Jingxiang!

Historically, White-browed Ma Liang was also an important official of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period.

Ma Liang, courtesy name Jichang, was called “White-browed Ma Liang” because of the white hair in his eyebrows. He was born in Yicheng, Xiangyang (now south of Yicheng, Hubei), and was the elder brother of Ma Su.

Ma Liang was a wise and capable minister of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period, known for his talent and strategy. He was initially recruited by Liu Bei to serve in Jingzhou, and later followed Liu Bei to fight in various places, making great contributions to the establishment and consolidation of Shu Han. Ma Liang had a friendly relationship with Zhuge Liang, and the two often discussed national affairs together.

Diplomatic contribution: Ma Liang was once ordered to go on a diplomatic mission to the Eastern Wu. With his humble attitude and outstanding diplomatic skills, he successfully completed the mission and contributed to the friendly relations between Shu Han and the Eastern Wu. During the mission, he was received respectfully by Sun Quan.

Ma Liang’s status in the Shu Han regime gradually improved. In the first year of Zhangwu (221 AD), after Liu Bei became emperor, he appointed Ma Liang as the Palace Attendant, making him an important official in the Shu Han court.

In the second year of Zhangwu (222 AD), Liu Bei personally led an expedition against the Eastern Wu, and Ma Liang followed the army. Unfortunately, Ma Liang was killed in the Battle of Yiling at the age of 36.

His death was undoubtedly a huge loss to the Shu Han regime.

Liu Wu looked at White-browed Ma Liang, who was so uncomfortable, and said with a smile:

“Ma Liang, Ji Chang, Wu should call you younger brother. We are about the same age, so we should get to know each other better. Wu has heard Kong Ming mention your name many times.”

(End of this chapter)