On the 30th of the Lunar New Year in the fourth year of Jian'an, the Governor's Mansion in Jingzhou was decorated with lanterns and festoons to celebrate the new year. The year that is about to pass will be a splendid and gratifying year. This year, Liu Xun successfully invited Zhuge Liang to come out of the mountain and acquired Wuling and Lingling counties, and the site was doubled. He trained another 6,000 Xuanjia soldiers, and his combat effectiveness was very strong.
For this year, Liu Bei is quite satisfied. He feels that his luck will not always be so bad. The year that will pass will be the year of transit. Of course, these achievements are inseparable from the efforts of generals and advisers. In order to thank everyone, Liu Bei took the opportunity of the New Year to host a banquet in the Governor's Mansion to entertain the officials and their families.
The generals and counsellors feasted in the discussion hall, and their families feasted in the side hall, accompanied by Mrs. Mi. When the officials saw Liu Bei's treatment of their family members, they were naturally grateful and excited. This kind of effect is exactly what Liu Bei wants to achieve. In terms of buying people's hearts, Liu Bei is no worse than his ancestor, Liu Bang, the founding emperor of the Han Dynasty.
"Everyone has worked hard this year. Here I respect everyone!" Liu Bei stood up and said Jujue.
When everyone saw that the lord had stood up, they all stood up quickly and utterly admired.
"Yes, yes. Our army won the two counties and won an unprecedented victory. It is really gratifying."
Zhang Fei yelled loudly, seemingly very happy.
"We all have to thank the military division. If it weren't for the military division's guidance, we still don't know where to go."
Of course, Liu Bei is very grateful to Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang is like a guide, leading everyone on the right path.
Everyone talked happily.
Guan Yu was sitting down silently at this time, drinking sullen wine one after another, seemingly unhappy. In the last war against Wuling and Lingling counties, Guan Yu did not go with him because he needed to assist Liu Bei to defend and recover Xiangyang. Generals such as Zhao Yun, Zhang Fei, and Wei Yan all made great contributions, and even school lieutenants such as Zhou Cang and Liao Hua were rewarded with twelve taels of gold. I don't have much credit for myself. The more Guan Yu thought about it, the more angry he became, but after all this decision was made by his elder brother Liu Bei.
Liu Xun noticed this phenomenon in time and understood a little bit in his heart. Liu Xun walked up to Guan Yu and sat down, and asked with concern: "Second Uncle is not happy in his heart."
Hearing someone talking to him, Guan Yu came back to his senses. He looked up and saw Liu Xun sitting in front of him. He was taken aback, and then he sighed deeply, not knowing how to express his meaning, hesitating.
When Liu Xun saw Guan Yu wanting to speak and stopped, he chuckled and laughed, "I know why my second uncle is bored. It was the last time that he attacked Wuling and Lingling counties, and many generals made military contributions. And the second uncle was defending in Xiangyang. City, so there is no chance to do meritorious service, right?"
"Oh, yes. My nephew understands me."
Guan Yu said truthfully. Guan Yu admired Liu Xun very much. At first, because Liu Xun was young and led the entire army alone, Guan Yu was worried that Liu Xun would not be competent, and he was not convinced. But because Liu Xun was Liu Bei's eldest son, Guan Yu had to obey Liu Xun's command on the surface and give Liu Bei a face.
Later, Liu Xun commanded well, fought bravely, and won many battles. Especially in the battle to capture the two counties of Jingnan, Liu Xun only took two months and won the victory at a small price. Guan Yu secretly exclaimed, under the world, he used to only admire Liu Bei, but now Liu Xun has become the second person he admires.
"Second uncle, don't worry, don't worry, there will be opportunities for meritorious service in the future."
What Liu Xun said is very truthful, the world is huge, there will be too many battles to be fought in the future, and talents like Guan Yu with the demeanor of a general are needed. In the future, there will definitely be places where Guan Yu can be used for conquering cities, and there will definitely be plenty of opportunities for meritorious deeds.
"Nephew, don't lie to me."
Guan Yu said with a smile, his frowning brows finally relaxed.
"The son has always said nothing, so please don't worry about my father."
Guan Ping on the side was also comforting Guan Yu. Guan Ping saw that his father had been depressed recently and didn't know what was going on. He finally understood today, and he also hoped his father would be happy. Seeing that Liu Xun was about to move his father, he hit the iron while it was hot to comfort his father Guan Yu, hoping to eliminate Guan Yu's troubles.
"My son, don't blame me, haha."
Guan Yu said with a smile, already a little bit clear in his heart. He knew that Liu Xun had always said his words, but he still had such a trace of worry, for fear that he would not have the opportunity to make merit.
"How could I lie to my second uncle? There is a chance right now. The two counties of Changsha and Guiyang have not yet been won. You will be the vanguard if you conquer these two counties in the next year."
Liu Xun spoke very sincerely. Even if Guan Yu didn't raise it, he was still ready to take Guan Yu. After all, everyone had to have the opportunity to do meritorious service, so as to fully mobilize everyone's enthusiasm and form a good cycle of life for the three services.
"Liu Xun, what are you talking to your second uncle Guan Yu below?"
Liu Bei asked kindly.
"It's nothing, just chat."
It would be inappropriate to tell you the content of the conversation just now, and it would make everyone think that Guan Yu's temperament is small, so Liu Xun just prevaricated.
Fortunately, Liu Bei did not pay attention to the content of Liu Xun’s and Guan Yu’s conversation. He only wanted to praise Liu Xun. There are nearly twenty cities in the two counties, I am ashamed, hahaha."
"It all depends on the sage of the father, the assistant of the army division and the life of the three armies, my contribution is minimal."
Liu Xun is not greedy for merit. He puts others first and his own merits last, which shows that he has a broad mind.
"The military division also made a great contribution this time, and I will definitely give it a good reward."
"The lord has already rewarded a lot, and I should do my best to do my little work."
As soon as Liu Bei's voice fell, Zhuge Liang said quickly. Indeed, after Zhuge Liang arrived in Xiangyang, Liu Bei gave a mansion and a lot of money, so he naturally worked hard.
"Second Young Master Liu Chan is about to turn one year old, do you want the lord to let him meet with everyone."
Seeing Liu Bei's praise of Liu Xun, Mi Fang was jealous, and wanted to show his nephew. What he said was very abrupt, but Liu Bei was in a good mood today, so he readily agreed, and asked the attendant beside him to ask Mrs. Mi to hug Ah Dou over and meet everyone.
After a while, Mrs. Mi brought Ah Dou over with the nurse.
Everyone sees that Liu Chan is white and fat, and very cute, so a few compliments are inevitable. After Mi Fang heard this, she was triumphant. He happily said loudly: "Young Master Liu Chan looks like a rich face, and he will be able to inherit Datong and rejuvenate the Han Dynasty in the future."
Everyone was stunned when they heard it, and this Mi Fang was too presumptuous. The lord is now in his prime of life, so he said that it is really disrespectful to let a baby under one year old inherit the rule. What's more, the eldest son, Liu Xun, was outstanding in the battle, and his ability was superb. He has long been tacitly accepted as the heir. Even if Liu Bei is gone, Liu Xun is the one who inherits Datong.
When Mi Zhu at the table heard what his younger brother Mi Fang said, his forehead was covered with sweat. He quickly got up and knelt down to apologize: "Mi Fang can't drink enough, he will go crazy when he drinks a little, and everything just said is drunk. Please don't mind the lord and son."
After speaking, Mi Zhu took Mi Fang and knelt down to apologize. Mrs. Mi also thought Mi Fang's words were wrong, and she knelt down and apologized in terror.
Seeing that everyone was quiet, Liu Xun said in an embarrassing atmosphere, "Please don't pay attention to a drunken word, father and you."
"Yes, yes." Everyone whispered, waiting for Liu Bei to speak.
"I have my own arrangements for my funeral, so I don't need others to bother about it. But since Mi Fang is drunk, I won't pursue it. Get up."
The monarch cares about his own authority, is supreme, and will never allow others to point fingers at him. Mi Fang has violated a big taboo.
Seeing that Liu Bei didn't pursue it, Mi Zhu let out a long sigh of relief, wiped the sweat bead on his forehead with his sleeve, and his hanging heart fell. Mi Zhu took Mi Fang back to sober up with an excuse and said goodbye to everyone one by one. Outside, Mi Zhu severely reprimanded Mi Fang.
Mrs. Mi also returned to the side hall to entertain the officials' family members, and the turmoil resolved.
"Everyone drinks, don't spoil everyone's interest just because of a drunk."
"Okay, everyone drink together."
"Today I'll be drunk and then rest."
The banquet became lively again, and everyone was drinking happily. The banquet ended happily with everyone's ambitions.
On the way back to the home, Liu Xun had mixed feelings at this time. He knew that Mi Fang might be a hidden danger, and it would cause trouble sooner or later. But after all, the Mi family has a certain strength, and there is no absolute evidence to punish Mi Fang casually. Moreover, his elder brother Mi Zhu is loyal, careful and serious in doing things. His sister, Mrs. Mi, is Liu Xun's concubine, and a reasonable and virtuous woman who treats Liu Xun very well. Don't mess up everyone's relationship because of Mi Fang.
Thinking of this, Liu Xun sighed softly, thinking that now he can only pretend that nothing happened. However, as the saying goes, "You must not have the heart to harm others, and you must not be defensive." There are various signs that Mi Fang is misbehaving and must be a villain. Usually, he should be more guarded against him so as not to harm everyone.
Liu Xun did not spend much time on this matter. At present, the two counties of Changsha and Guiyang in Jingnan have not yet been won. How to win these two counties is the question Liu Xun has been thinking about. Because it is the cold winter season, it is not suitable to send troops to fight. Besides, everyone is busy celebrating the festival now, sharing the joy of the festival with family members.
Thinking that tomorrow is the New Year, Liu Xun felt much better, and his tight nerves relaxed. Forget about these worries and happily welcome the new year, Liu Xun thought, no matter what, tomorrow I will have a happy reunion year with my family.