On the third day of the fifth month in the sixth year of the Jian'an Era, after more than three months of fierce warfare, Liu Biao finally opened the city gates and surrendered.
That day, Liu Qi personally carried the seals, ribbons, and official registers. He ordered the gates opened and led Jing Province's officials in offering their surrender.
Upon hearing the news, Liu Bei personally left the camp to receive them. When he saw Liu Qi, he immediately asked after Liu Biao's condition. Liu Qi told him that Liu Biao was bedridden and unable to rise.
Liu Bei was greatly alarmed. Without even pausing to receive the seals and ribbons, he led his followers toward the residence.
When he saw Liu Biao and found him already critically ill beyond cure, he could not bear it. Taking Liu Biao's hand, he sighed.
"Though you have committed faults, brother, you should not have come to this. Now you lie bedridden, unable to rise. This is truly your younger brother's fault!"
Hearing him call himself younger brother, Liu Biao felt a desolation in his heart. Yet he still forced out a smile.
"Life and death are decreed by fate. I committed unrighteous deeds, and this is the bitter fruit of my own making. It is not Xuande's fault!"
"I fear I can no longer govern affairs. Jing Province cannot be without a master. Now that you have come, brother, you shall be the master of Jing Province!"
Liu Bei had received offers of yielding twice in his life. The first had come from Tao Qian, and the second was now from Liu Biao.
Yet Tao Qian's intentions in those days might not have been entirely good, while Liu Biao now was driven by circumstance and left with no other choice.
Though Liu