Cai Mao looked ugly and said angrily, "To give up the great opportunity to enter Yi Province is really cowardly!"
"Son of Heaven didn't come Jing Province, that's all. Son of Heaven came and Jing Province still stayed in such a corner, how could it be such a big deal!"
Hearing Cai Mao scolding Liu Biao for being cowardly, the counselors had no reaction, or perhaps they had the same idea as him.
Liu Biao occupies a strategic location that School of Military Strategy like Jing Province has always wanted to do. They didn't have much objection before, and they even supported it quite a bit.
But things are different now. If you hold Son of Heaven and still don't want to make progress, it is clearly preventing them from following the dragon, and it is clearly preventing their family from obtaining more benefits.
Gradually, everyone has complaints to one degree or another.
It's just not easy to say it like Cai Mao.
Kuai Liang shook his head and left Study.
The other side.
After Liu Biao finished scolding Cai Mao and others, the anger in his heart still did not disappear, so he took a car to Outside the City to relax, which was also his habit.
Sitting in the stable Carriage, Liu Biao looked at the people coming and going outside the window, feeling particularly heavy.
He originally rode into Jing Province alone and relied on the local Powerful Clans family of Jing Province to control power. Now the problem has finally emerged.
The counselors under his command all came from major wealthy families in Jingzhou, and they all focused on seeking benefits for their families, and few of them were loyal to him.
The key is that he still has to rely on them, which makes them even more lawless. Now the Lord of Jing Province has existed in name only.
It would be better to say that the real Jing Province masters are Cai, Kuai, Pang, Huang, Ma and other Jing Province native Powerful Clans.
"We have to find a way to change it."
"Even I can't suppress this group of people under my command. When Qi'er takes over after I pass away, I'm afraid she will directly become their Puppet."
"We can't go on like this."
Liu Biao's eyes flashed with a hint of determination.
This incident gave him a wake-up call and made him understand that the hidden dangers within Jing Province had reached a point where they had to be dealt with.
Whether it was to change the current situation or to clear the way for Eldest Son Liu Qi to take over his Governor of Jing Province position in the future, he had to take the initiative to find a solution to the problem.
Thinking of this, Liu Biao made a decision in his heart and said to the groom driving the car, "Go to Mount Lumen, I want to visit Pang De Gong."
If he wants to change his current situation and get rid of the control of Cai Mao, Kuai Liang and others, he must cultivate new confidants and eventually replace them.
And Pang De Gong is the current Famous Scholars, who has great influence. If Pang De Gong can be invited to serve under him, he can completely suppress Cai Mao and others.
It's just that he had invited Pang De Gong to serve in the government many times before, and even deigned to visit him in person, but he was always rejected.
Now he plans to try it again.
Mount Lumen.
An old herb collector wearing Hemp Clothes and a straw hat was walking down the mountain path to a farmhouse at the foot of the mountain.
Although this old man looks quite old, he has a childish face and a very good complexion. Even when he is walking on the mountain Woods, he is walking quickly and does not show any signs of fatigue.
And this person is none other than Pang De Gong.
Pushing open the courtyard door and entering, Pang De Gong was just about to call his son over to help him clean up the medicinal materials he had collected, but he saw his daughter-in-law Wine carrying food into the hall. He couldn't help but frown and said, "You don't eat after lunch, how could you forget my teachings?"
On weekdays, he and his family strictly follow the health regimen and eat light meals. After noon, they only drink a little porridge at most.
But it was not a holiday, so his daughter-in-law prepared sumptuous food and wine, which violated the rules he had set.
The daughter-in-law heard this and quickly explained, "Father, these are not what we want to eat, but what the guests asked us to prepare..."
"Brother Shangchang, I have been waiting for you for a long time!"
Before the daughter-in-law finished speaking, a burst of hearty laughter could be heard in the room, and an extraordinary Confucian Scholars walked out of the hall.
Seeing this person, Pang De Gong immediately understood everything and laughed and said, "Well, Grand Marshal Decao, you're really welcome."
This Confucian Scholars is named Sima Hui.
He is his best friend.
Sima Hui smiled and said, "I regard you as my elder brother. When I come to your home, I am returning to my own home. Why should I be polite?"
"Young Master is too drunk and has been knocked down by me. Brother Shangchang, come and continue drinking with me, come on, come on!"
As Sima Hui spoke, he stepped forward and pulled Pang De Gong to the table, and sat down on Seat of Honor. At the same time, he called Pang De Gong's daughter-in-law to prepare the dishes, as if he was Clan Head.
But Pang De Gong didn't care about this. He held Wine Cup and asked, "Decao, why did you have time to come find me today?"
Although he and Sima Hui are good friends, they usually interact with Letter most often and cannot see each other twice a year.
It's unusual for Sima Hui to take the initiative to look for him today.
Sima Hui said with a faint smile, "Nothing else, I just miss brother Shangchang. I also have free time, so I came to visit and earn some wine and meat by the way."
Pang De Gong smiled casually and raised his glass again.
After the two had a few drinks together, Sima Hui said, "Brother Shangchang, I heard that Shiyuan went to work for Liu Xuande? Why not go to Ji Province?"
Pang Tong and Shiyuan are the descendants of Pang De Gong.
He is also his disciple.
This time he came to visit Pang De Gong, and also wanted to ask why Pang Tong wanted to work for Liu Bei. In his opinion, it was best to use Pang Tong's talent to go to Ji Province to work for Son of Heaven.
"This is Shiyuan's own choice."
Pang De Gong said, while taking a sip of Wine, "According to his words, he knows that he looks ugly. Even if he goes to Ji Province, I'm afraid he won't be reused by Son of Heaven."
"And Liu Xuande is a polite and virtuous corporal, and he doesn't dislike his appearance, so he plans to work for Liu Xuande first and make some achievements first."
"Liu Xuande's trip to Yi Province is Secret Edict who was entrusted by Son of Heaven, so he wants to help Liu Xuande win Yi Province, so that he can be favored by Son of Heaven in the future and become Imperial Court and achieve great success."
In this era, appearance is very important.
Although Pang Tong is extremely talented, his appearance is shockingly ugly, so even if Edict to Recruit the Worthy is here, he probably won't be taken seriously.
So he wanted to make some achievements before talking about it.
"Alas."
Sima Hui couldn't help but sigh deeply when he heard this and said, "There are so many people in the world who judge people by their appearance. It's a pity that Shiyuan is full of knowledge."
"Shiyuan has the talent to help the world and govern the country. If he can join Imperial Court, he will definitely shine."
Pang De Gong smiled and said, "It doesn't matter, let him hone his skills. With his aloof temperament, if he plunges directly into Imperial Court, there will be problems."
"Kongming, on the other hand, is he still in the mountains now? His talent is better than Shiyuan, and his character is stable enough. Why not join Imperial Court?"
"Now Son of Heaven has defeated Yuan Shao Unification of the North. Not long ago, even Bing Province was defeated. It controls the five states, but this is the time when there is a lack of talents."
He feels that Zhuge Liang can definitely play for Son of Heaven.
There is no need to waste your talents in the mountains and wilderness.
Sima Hui smiled bitterly and said, "How can it be that easy? He is too young. He has just reached his prime age now, and he is not very famous. He will not be taken seriously by Son of Heaven."
"So I suggest that he continue to work hard at Nanyang for a few years, cultivate his reputation, and then enter Imperial Court."
Pang De Gong nodded and approved what Sima Hui said.
They are already old and have no idea of becoming an official. The only thing they care about is these few disciples who have devoted their efforts.
Going to Ji Province and applying for Son of Heaven is naturally the best way out.
While the two were talking, they suddenly heard a respectful voice coming from outside the house. "Jing Province Liu Biao, come to visit Pang Gong."
"May I ask if Pang Gong is here?"
Hearing this voice, Pang De Gong and Sima Hui stopped drinking and looked outside the hall.
Then they saw a gorgeous Carriage parked outside the yard, and there was also a person standing at the same time, it was Liu Biao.
When a visitor came, Pang De Gong naturally felt uncomfortable not to welcome him, so he went out of the main room to welcome Liu Biao in.
After Liu Biao walked into the main room and saw Sima Hui at the table, he couldn't help but asked in surprise, "Master Water Mirror?"
Sima Hui is also one of Jing Province Famous Scholars. Of course he knows that. He has also invited Sima Hui to come into the house before, but he was also rejected.
He didn't expect to meet Sima Hui here today.
"Seen Governor of Jing Province."
Sima Hui stood up and saluted Liu Biao.
Then the three of them sat down together.
Pang De Gong poured a bottle of wine for Liu Biao and asked, "Governor of Jing Province is visiting Humble Abode today. I don't know why?"
Liu Biao is Governor of Jing Province, and he is also the master of Jing Province. Coming to visit him today can be said to be a sign of condescension.
"Of course I'm here for Pang Gong."
Liu Biao sat upright, did not beat around the bush, and said to Pang De Gong with a sincere look, "Pang Gong is the Famous Scholars of the world, a great talent hidden in the mountains and forests."
"I have admired Pang Gong's reputation for a long time. I came here this time in the hope that Pang Gong can agree to my invitation and help me manage Jing Province."
"And Master Water Mirror--"
Liu Biao looked at Sima Hui who was standing aside, and sighed, "I have also invited your husband to join me many times, but your husband also rejected my invitation."
"Although I, Liu Jingsheng, have limited virtues and talents, my desire to help the world Anmin is absolutely genuine. I sincerely ask these two gentlemen to help me."
Liu Biao said, bowing deeply to the two of them.
The attitude cannot be described as insincere.
Looking at Liu Biao, Pang De Gong and Sima Hui looked at each other, they all put down Wine Cup in their hands and sat upright.
"Governor of Jing Province Please stand up."
Pang De Gong sighed and said, "Swan Goose builds a nest in the high forest, where it has a place to rest at night; Turtles makes a cave under the abyss, where it has a home at night; human choices and behaviors are also human nests, and everything is a place for each of them to find a place to stay."
"All I ask for is peace."
"I wouldn't want to help Governor of Jing Province, but I'm already old and can't play a big role, so I can't serve Governor of Jing Province."
Liu Biao's expression paused, then he looked at Sima Hui.