Jing Province, Xiangyang, within the General Who Guards the South's residence, just as Qin Tian was clashing with Liu Pan in the south.
Liu Biao sat within the commandery office, his face dark as water, not a trace of expression visible.
In his hand, he held a proclamation denouncing Liu Biao. Cai Mao, Kuai Yue, Liu Xian, and the others stood to either side.
Kuai Liang had originally been among them as well, but since last autumn, he had been bedridden with illness.
He was getting on in years. Kuai Liang had long since passed the age of knowing Heaven's mandate, and his health worsened by the day.
By comparison, Liu Biao, who was about the same age, remained in good spirits and could still suppress his anger as he read the proclamation Liu Bei had sent.
Amid the crowd's silence, he read for a long while before tossing the proclamation onto the desk and saying:
"Speak. Liu Bei has repaid kindness with ingratitude and now seeks to seize Jing Province."
"His army is about to arrive. How do you believe our forces should respond?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Cai Mao directly cupped his hands and said in a deep voice:
"My lord, at this point, Liu Bei has many troops, and our army will find it difficult to fight him."
"If we are to resist, we can only seek aid from the north and ask Lord Cao to send his troops south."
"Even if he sends only a detachment, it can still bolster our army's might and increase our strength."
"Furthermore, Liu Bei is attacking Jing Province without righteousness. We may submit a memorial and ask the Son of Heaven to condemn him."
"With an imperial edict, perhaps we can persuade Liu Bei to withdraw his troops!"