Cai Mao's expression darkened, and he said with some anger, "To throw away such a perfect chance to move into Yi Province-what utter cowardice!"
"If the Son of Heaven hadn't come to Jing Province, that would be one thing. But now that he's here, he still clings to his little corner! How can he accomplish anything great like this?"
The advisers showed little reaction to Cai Mao's abuse of Liu Biao's cowardice. Or rather, they shared his thoughts.
Liu Biao occupied Jing Province, a strategic territory every military power had to contest, yet had always wanted only to remain content in his own corner. Previously, they had not objected much and had even been quite supportive.
But things were different now. With the Son of Heaven in his hands, his refusal to advance clearly denied them the chance to follow a rising dragon and obstructed their clans from gaining greater benefits.
Gradually, everyone had developed grievances to some degree.
They simply could not voice them as Cai Mao did.
Kuai Liang shook his head and left the study.
Elsewhere.
After reprimanding Cai Mao and the others, Liu Biao's anger had yet to subside, so he took a carriage outside the city to clear his head, as was his usual habit.
Seated in the steady carriage, Liu Biao watched the commoners passing outside his window, his heart especially heavy.
He had initially ridden alone into Jing Province and relied on its local aristocratic clans to secure power. Now the problems had finally surfaced.
The advisers under him all came from Jing Province's great clans. All day long, they thought of how to secure benefits for their families; hardly any were loyal to him.
The crux was that he had no choice but to rely on them, making them increasingly lawless.