Liu Bei returned triumphantly to Xiangyang after slaying the enemy general and crushing his forces. Liu Biao personally came out of the city to welcome him. Cai Mao, claiming to be ill, had not joined them.
Among those who had accompanied Liu Biao out of the city were Kuai Yue, Pang Ji, Han Song, and others. They noticed that Liu Biao seemed even happier now than he had been after pacifying Southern Jing. Could he have some special affection for Liu Bei?
They recalled that when Liu Biao had served in the capital, Liu Bei had still been weaving mats and selling shoes in Zhuo Commandery. The two men had had no prior connection. Did Liu Biao really place such great importance on their shared clan name?
Though the Cai Clan was related to Liu Biao by marriage, its influence ran deep throughout Jing Province, and it wielded particularly great authority in the military. Often, Liu Biao could do little despite his wishes.
When Yuan Shao was locked in a standoff with Cao Cao at Guandu, he had once sent an envoy urging Liu Biao to attack Xudu from the rear. Unfortunately, the surrender faction led by Cai Mao had held Liu Biao back, and he had missed the perfect chance to force Cao Cao to fight on two fronts.
Now Liu Biao planned to use Liu Bei as a sword in his hand, to counterbalance the Cai Clan's influence over the military in Jing Province.
"Xuande, you truly are brave. In less than a month, you've brought Zhang Wu and Chen Sun to their deaths. I've prepared a banquet in the city to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey," Liu Biao said warmly.
Liu Bei clasped his hands and replied, "I'm honored to be able