Two days later, when Qin Tian met Liu Biao again, he could tell that Liu Biao was not in very good spirits.
Clearly, compared with Qin Tian's rounds of social calls, Liu Biao had not had a pleasant two days.
But Qin Tian did not wish to show too much concern. At Liu Biao's instruction, he simply took his seat again.
This time, only Liu Biao and the Kuai brothers were present for the meeting. Cai Mao, Pang Ji, Liu Xian, and the others were nowhere to be seen.
Seeing this, Qin Tian knew something was amiss from Cai Mao and the others' absence, and he could not help asking:
"When I met with Governor Liu that day, Governor Liu said he needed two days to consider the matter."
"Unexpectedly, I received word from Governor Liu last night."
"Unfortunately, I was still outside the city in Longzhong at the time and could not come."
"Today, I see that neither the Assistant Officer nor the military adviser is here. Why has Governor Liu summoned me?"
Hearing Qin Tian's question, Liu Biao spoke wearily:
"Sir has certainly been in high spirits. You do not know how long we discussed this matter yesterday!"
"I summoned you today precisely to make our army's intentions clear."
"Previously, sir said you wished to borrow five hundred thousand shi of grain and three thousand ships from our army."
"By all reason, Xuande is of the same clan as I am. Now that he wishes to punish rebels, this old man should have aided him."
"Yet news suddenly came from the south yesterday that Zhang Xian has raised troops in rebellion!"
"I have already ordered De Gui and Shi Zong to gather troops and provisions and head south. We can no longer provide money, grain, or ships!"
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