Jia Xu had a keen mind, and naturally, based on the news that day, he had also guessed at Xu You's situation. His eyes flickered slightly.
"Your Majesty, if Xu You defects..."
"Then kill him." Liu Xie's expression remained calm, but a trace of coldness flashed through his eyes.
If Xu You had been exposed, he would certainly find a way to rescue him; if he had been killed, he would remember Xu You's contributions and treat the Xu clansmen well.
But if he defected, he would show absolutely no mercy. At most, in consideration of Xu You's past contributions, he would spare his clansmen from implication.
"I understand."
Now certain of his position, Jia Xu bowed to accept the command, then continued, "Your Majesty, last night I received an urgent report from our spies in Jing Province. Governor of Jing Province Liu Biao and his son Liu Qi suddenly died of acute illness."
"With Cai Mao's support, Liu Cong has been appointed the new Governor of Jing Province by the Pretender Emperor. Before long, he will dispatch troops to Yi Province to help Liu Zhang attack Duke Xuande."
Liu Xie's gaze shifted slightly. Frowning, he said, "Liu Biao and Liu Qi both died of acute illness? How is that possible?"
Historically, Liu Biao had lived until the thirteenth year of Jian'an before dying of illness. It was only the fifth year of Jian'an now, a full eight years before his death!
The crucial point was that father and son had both suddenly died of illness at the same time.
There had to be something more to this.
Jia Xu said, "According to what our spies learned, the Pretender Emperor held a banquet that day and invited Liu Biao and Liu Qi. Not long afterward, both father and son suddenly