When Liu Qi returned to the mansion, Liu Biao was teaching Liu Cong to read. Without Madam Cai's instigation, Liu Cong became much gentler and the brothers lived in harmony.
Now Liu Cong and Zhou Buzhi became the two great child prodigies of Xiangyang. They studied in the same academy and competed with each other.
Zhou Buzhi was taught by Xu Shu and Zhuge Liang and made rapid progress. Liu Cong was under great pressure and came to Liu Biao for advice every day with a high enthusiasm for learning.
Liu Qi praised his brother a few words and informed Liu Biao that Soochow had sent someone to arrange marriage and that Sun Quan had married his sister off.
"What did you say?" Liu Biao dropped the bamboo slips in his hand and looked at Liu Qi in disbelief: "Sun Quan wants to marry his sister to my family?"
"That's right!" Liu Qi nodded and smiled, "Now Jingzhou is strong, and Jiangdong is surrounded by powerful enemies. In order to protect himself, Sun Quan has no choice but to resort to this last resort."
Liu Biao was stunned for a long time, his expression changed several times, and he shook his head and smiled bitterly.
Since the death of Sun Jian, the Sun brothers relied on their strong power to attack Jiangxia many times. The people of Jiangdong were also unwilling to give in and would not stop until the end.
Who could have expected that they would take the initiative to negotiate peace, even to get married, and be willing to be concubines
"It really fits the popular saying: Good people are often bullied, and good horses are often ridden!"
Liu Biao sighed and said, "Since the Sun family is willing to compromise, if we don't agree, Sun Quan will be angry and humiliated. Blue-eyed man will take revenge and start a war. For both public and private reasons, my son has no choice but to find another marriage, but be careful of the Sun family's tricks."
"It's a pity that my second brother is too young to share my worries," Liu Qi touched Liu Cong's head, secretly happy in his heart, but with a helpless look on his face: "For the sake of the overall situation, even if Sun Quan sends a knife, I will take it!"
A gleam of light flashed in Liu Biao's eyes, and he said sternly: "In times of turmoil and conflict, my son should be good at making plans for the brave and the brave, and should not learn from his father's kindness and nearly suffer the disaster of extermination of the clan."
Liu Qi hurriedly said, "Father rode into Jingzhou alone to protect the people. I don't know how many people fled here to avoid the chaos. His contribution is invaluable. Why do you say this?"
Liu Biao sighed, "In the past, I only wanted to protect Jingzhou, educate the people and keep the Han Dynasty safe, but I didn't expect to be laughed at by the world... If everyone is a thief, then the good ones will become robbers!"
Liu Qi said: "The world is in a state of decay, people's hearts are declining, and the country will no longer exist. If the country does not exist, where will the people go? For both public and private reasons, we should strengthen ourselves and revive the Han Dynasty, no matter what it takes."
"My son, your words are true!" Liu Biao smiled with relief. "No matter what Dongwu is thinking, dealing with Cao thieves is the most urgent task. Expedient measures are inevitable. You must be more careful."
After Cao Cao was threatened and Sun Quan took the initiative to seek peace, Liu Biao finally understood a truth: in today's chaotic times, simply keeping safe and secure is not a long-term solution. Only by showing off swords and guns can he win the respect of the princes and even enemies.
…
When the envoys from Eastern Wu arrived, the news of the marriage spread like wildfire, and officials and people in Xiangyang were engaged in debate.
Some people think that Dongwu has gone too far and they should not form an alliance with him. Now that the eldest son is powerful, he should go down the river and seize Jiangdong. Let's see how long Bi Yan'er can be so arrogant.
Some people also believe that Cao Cao is too powerful and they must join forces to protect Jiangnan. Sun Quan's initiative to form a marriage alliance shows that the eldest son of Jingzhou has been recognized by all the princes and there is hope for the revival of the Han Dynasty.
A manor on the east side of the Xi family, leaning against the mountain, has been converted into a winery. The 200-acre wine cellar has been basically completed, and the yeast is being prepared. Almost all the famous winemakers in Jingzhou have been invited here.
Xi Xuan had just brought a pot of newly brewed wine to Huang Chengyan for tasting, and was discussing with the winemaker how to change the koji. This was Sanliangye brewed with wheat, rice and sorghum, and it was still under experimentation.
"Oh my sister, something terrible is happening. Are you still in the mood to brew wine here?"
At this moment, Xi Guan came hurriedly, looking anxious.
Xi Xuan came over and asked, "Third brother, what happened?"
Xi Guan stamped his feet and said, "Dongwu sent someone to propose marriage. Don't you know about such a big thing?"
Xi Xuan chuckled and said, "Of course I know, but this is a matter of state, and it is not our turn to ask."
"My silly sister!" Xi Guan said angrily, "You haven't even married yet, but the eldest master has already agreed to a marriage with another family. This clearly shows that he doesn't take you seriously in the eyes of my Xi family. What will happen to you in the future? No, I want to cancel the engagement!"
"Third brother, stop messing around!" Xi Xuan raised her eyebrows and whispered, "Marriage with Dongwu is definitely not a private matter. The eldest son and his men have their own opinions. If your words were to spread to the general's mansion, wouldn't it make us look ignorant?"
"We are not being rude, so who are we afraid of? Even if the eldest master came in person today, I would still..."
Halfway through his words, Xi Guan suddenly put on a smiling face, clasped his fists and walked over to Xi Xuan, laughing: "General, you have come at the right time. I was just praising you for being a hero. You actually scared the Eastern Wu into coming to ask for peace. You have made us in Jingzhou proud."
Xi Xuan's delicate body was trembling with fear. She turned her head and saw that it was indeed Liu Qi walking towards her. Compared with the last time they met, he seemed to have become more heroic. There was a sense of majesty between his brows, and he became more confident and steady.
Liu Qi came over and said with a smile: "That's why I came here too. The alliance between Sun and Liu to fight against Cao is related to the rise and fall of the Han Dynasty. I have no choice but to do this. I hope Miss won't mind."
Xi Xuan's pretty face turned slightly red, and she lowered her head and said softly: "I have already said that I will never interfere in your affairs. Only by keeping your original aspirations in mind can you be a real man."
Xi Guan smiled and said, "Dongwu took the initiative to form a marriage alliance. In terms of military strategy, isn't this called conquering the enemy without fighting?"
Liu Qi sighed, "Sun Quan may have other motives behind Dongwu's move, but Cao Cao is too strong to defeat him without our alliance. I have no choice!"
"Humph, even if Sun Quan's sister comes, she's just a concubine!" Xi Guan snorted: "If Sun dares to cause trouble in Jingzhou, my sister will make her suffer!"
In ancient times, people paid the most attention to status, especially the status of the main wife and the concubine, which were related to the status and inheritance rights of future generations. Xi Guan said this, obviously to occupy the status. After all, the Sun family was powerful and influential, which they could not compare with. However, the position of the main wife must be secured.
"Third brother, how can you talk like that?" Xi Xuan rolled her eyes at him and bowed, "I am already very satisfied that you have come to ask about this matter. I have no objection to this matter."
Xi Xuan was really touched that Liu Qi came to the village in person for this matter. At least it showed that he still cared about her, and that was enough.
Liu Qi nodded slightly and asked, "How is the wine cellar going?"
Xi Xuan smiled and said, "The funds from the furniture auction are enough to build a wine pool and wine cellar, and another fifty wine steamers for distillation..."
When talking about the industry, Xi Xuan put away her shyness and turned into a shrewd and capable woman. She introduced the progress of the project to Liu Qi like she knew it all.
The two of them had discussed this matter long ago. Distillation technology, like furniture making, cannot be kept secret for a long time. Others can also imitate it and build wine cellars and koji in advance. This is the core of competition.
A thousand-year-old cellar requires ten-thousand-year-old lees; good wine also requires an old cellar. Only by owning the best cellars and brands, and constantly developing other brewing methods and making continuous progress, can you be invincible.
As I was walking, I saw a large wooden sign hanging on the beam in the middle of the wine pool in front of me, on which was written: Practice is the only criterion for testing truth!
Seeing Liu Qi looking up, Xi Guan explained: "General, your words are easy to understand and are just right for encouraging the craftsmen here."
Liu Qi pointed at him and said with a smile: "Boy, you always come up with something new for me."