Chapter 265 – Playing Each Other Sides (1/2)
Chapter 265 – Playing Each Other Sides
Sun Ce quickly send out his letters and Zhang Zhao also had received Sun Ce’s letter regarding the expelling of Shanyue tribe off Danyang region. Also because Sun Ce thought that Lu Su was the one who instigated Sun Quan’s involvement, he promoted Lu Su from Wuhu County Protectorate and relocated him to Jianye to replace Zhang Zhao’s position for temporary.
Right now, Sun Ce’s letter had arrived at Jing Province’s Liu Biao’s hand as his region is the nearest of Jiangdong.
In Xiangyang, Liu Biao’s complexion is really strange. He had fought so many years with Jiangdong and this is the second time he send letter. The first time, is when Sun Jian died where he asked for Sun Jian corpse to be buried along with Huang Zu’s head and that is the last time when they were conversating civilly, the other times were exchange of verbal insults, arrows and swords in battlefield. However Sun Ce, through Wen Pin’s army, send a sealed letter unexpectedly. Liu Biao then asked his men “Men, please said your idea. For what reason, Sun Ce send letter for?!”
“Milord, Liang believed, this is not worth your consideration!!!” Said Kuai Liang, being the first one who said his opinion. The moment Kuai Liang saw that letter, he already know what it meant. Sun Ce is giving idea how to plot against Lu Bu army. He knew that once 1,000,000 hungry people reached Shouchun and Lujiang, Lu Bu would be finished, however, no matter how bad the situation is for Lu Bu army, Kuai Liang stands for Lu Bu army because he had a very good impression toward Lu Bu army and he had been treated very well by Yang Hong; Even though Kuai Liang knew that Yang Hong is only doing courtesy as he knew that deep inside Yang Hong’s heart, he wishes for their lords to kill each other. After all they both are warlords and Lu Bu Army had caused Jing Province to almost lose Jiangxia.
On the other hand, Sun Ce was a tiger that could swallow up Jingzhou at any time. Kuai Liang had also almost lost his life to Zhou Yu. How could he have a good impression of the Sun Ce’s Army?
“Zirou. Go ahead and speak!” Liu Biao still treated Kuai Liang very good, after all, he is one of his top two advisers and if Zhuge Liang were to be added, that makes three people. Also Kuai clan is the middleman for the union of Liu Biao and Cai clan, effectively forming a triumvirate in Jing Province. Also, Kuai Liang had scored victory against Zhou Yu in Sanjiangkou, therefore, Liu Biao did not lose his respect toward Kuai Liang.
Kuai Liang then said “Milord, Sun Ce of Jiangdong had deeprooted grudge for his father’s murder with Milord. Also we had suffered too many casualties by just defending Jiangxia for us to reconcile with him. Naturally, that very letter is of no good and should be dispose immediately!!!” Kuai Liang made a point on the origin on Jiangdong’s hatred and mixed with their casualties, Kuai Liang made a point that they must fight with Sun Ce and that letter must be disposed.
Cai Mao then said “Master Zirou’s opinion is wrong.” Cai Mao then cupped his fist and said “Milord, Mao thinks that this letter would not act against our interest but it is instead each taking what we need!!!” Cai Mao is a n.o.ble and n.o.bles only saw profits and disregarding sacrifices made for that profits. He was someone who exchanged his nephew’s property for the Cai family’s glory. In his eyes, Sun Ce of Jiangdong is better than Liu Mang of Shouchun as he did not pull out nonsense like job advertis.e.m.e.nt, even though he was a.s.saulted by Jiangdong from time to time. Cai Mao had been offended full by that job ads and already thought Liu Mang as the next w.a.n.g Mang.
w.a.n.g Mang of Western Han Dynasty!!! In historical books, w.a.n.g Mang is forever labeled as usurper, butcher and monster, but no one knows that w.a.n.g Mang had a heart loyal to Han Dynasty. He was called the second coming of Duke of Zhou. He treats person with courtesy and is the prestige of Han. During the decline of Western Han, no one doubted that w.a.n.g Mang is the person who can help Western Han to raise again on its knees. w.a.n.g Mang’s policy reformation really helps commoners but limiting n.o.bles’ influence. Such as, limiting people to sell land excessively, this already limiting n.o.bles’ influence one level. Tax readjustment, forbidding slave trading and appointing talented people, those policies favor commoners and reducing n.o.bles’ influence. As w.a.n.g Mang’s policy disturbed the ricebowl of the n.o.bles w.a.n.g Mang was annihilated by n.o.bles’ rebellion and was defamed as a person that usurped the throne.
And now, Liu Mang who is clearly not as virtuous as w.a.n.g Mang dared to do that? How arrogant you are, Liu Mang. And your policy on tax reduction and land must be sold to government? You had lit fire that you cannot stop, boy. I will make sure that fire consume you. Cai Mao was a person of character. He would not let others sit on the same level as him. As a person who was born a n.o.ble, he looks down on the lower cla.s.s. The one who thought like that, is not only Cai Mao. Tao Qian, Liu Biao even Yuan Shao all asked what is your background first before asking your talent. Reducing the taxes and only being able to sell land to the officials are things that w.a.n.g Mang had did last time. While Sun Ce pose a threat toward Cai Mao’s current interest, Liu Mang pose a threat toward everything that Cai Mao’s stands for, therefore, Cai Mao would rather help Sun Ce kill Liu Mang for that.
“Each take what he needs?” Kuai Liang then responded with disdainful smile. Cai Mao may be a military strategist. However, everyone knew that besides training, Cai Mao was an idiot. Even now, Cai Mao only opposed because he has something to gain. “Military Strategist Cai. How is it ‘each take what he needs’?” Cai Mao then responded “Please don’t forget, no matter what Lu Bu army is an enemy of Jing Province. Lu Bu had attacked City of Huangzhou, converted our men and generals into his, he also had captured General Huang Zu’s beloved son Huang She, had Master Kuai Liang forgotten about that?! We all agree that Sun Ce must be pitted against Lu Bu, we need that!!! A neighbor who always targetting other people while disregarding his original goal, is the best course of them all!!!” Kuai Liang then replied “Then, did military advisor not afraid of Lu Bu Army’s repercussion?!” Cai Mao then said “Heh, this is Sun Ce’s scheme. We just feign ignorance and let nature take its course.”
Kuai Liang laughed and sneered “Oh good, let nature takes its course.” Kuai Liang then took up his cup and drink and thought This Cai Mao is an extreme idiot. He truly thought to go along with Sun Ce’s plan to destroy Lu Bu army with 1,000,000 people. Kuai Liang then put down his cup and said “Military Adviser Cai, please think it over. If Lu Bu Army were to be extinguished, who will gain the most? If were not for Lu Bu Army, in whom’s hand would Jiangxia would be right now?!” Cai Mao grimly replied “With me around, we can definitely protect Jiangxia!”
Cai Mao truly didn’t like Kuai Liang like he liked Kuai Yue, as Kuai Liang didn’t think like a n.o.ble who only thinks for profits. Kuai Liang is thinking for the good of his own lord, like Tian Feng and Ju Shou and definitely unlike Guo Tu, Xu You and Feng Ji who hid truth and information for their own gains.