After Cao Cao had stabilized Guanzhong, Liu Qi did not dare to delay and sent orders to Langzhong that day, ordering Wang Ping to temporarily guard Hanchang and recruit Ba people to form an army. All expenses would be temporarily allocated from Hanzhong.
Along the way, Liu Qi discussed the matter of entering Shu with Fa Zheng and Pang Tong. With the planning of these two top military strategists, Xu Shu did not have to participate in the discussion. He concentrated on collecting intelligence and sending people to Shu to spread rumors.
The autumn wind was howling, and Fa Zheng was coughing non-stop. Liu Qi hurriedly asked, "Sir, are you feeling unwell?"
Fa Zheng sighed and said, "When I entered Shu in the past, I encountered heavy rain on the Shu Road. I probably got damp and cold. When the weather got cold and the wind blew, I couldn't stop coughing."
Pang Tong said: "There are many talented people in Shu, have you ever found a doctor or asked for medicine?"
Fa Zheng smiled bitterly and said, "Zhang Ziqiao has invited many famous doctors, but the effect is minimal. I am afraid that the disease has become chronic."
Pang Tong looked at Liu Qi and said, "It seems that Xiaozhi needs to go to Xiangyang."
Liu Qi nodded and said, "Why don't we send you to Jingzhou after we get to Langzhong?"
If it is a disease of dampness and cold, then Zhang Zhongjing is an expert in it. If that doesn't work, there is still Hua Tuo. If these two people can't do anything, I'm afraid this will be a terminal illness in the world.
"Thank you for your concern, General!" Fa Zheng shook his head and smiled, "I have just met a wise master, and it is time for me to make achievements. How can I escape from the battlefield? If a man does not make achievements, he will be just an ant even if he lives a hundred years. Life and death are determined by fate, so let it be!"
Liu Qi said helplessly: "When we get to the city, let's ask Mr. Ji to treat us and see what the result is."
When they arrived in Langzhong, Zhang Fei came out to greet them with other civil and military officials. Pang Xi saw that Liu Qi was so elegant and heroic that he felt dazed, as if he was remembering the time he met Liu Biao in Luoyang that year.
At that time, Liu Biao was the Marquis of the Northern Army. He was very brave and courageous, so he dared to enter Jingzhou alone. Everyone said that Liu Biao was a man who would sit back and wait for the opportunity, but Pang Xi did not believe it. As expected, he cultivated a talented person.
Watching Liu Qi striding towards him, Pang Xi sighed inwardly, this old fox is better at protecting himself than I am!
While he was thinking, Liu Qi had come closer and clasped his fists, saying, "Your Excellency has been protecting the country for many years and has made great contributions. I really don't deserve your resignation this time."
Pang Xi collected his thoughts and said with emotion: "Although Ji Yu is related to me by marriage, he is weak and incompetent, and it is difficult for him to defend Shu. We should let someone with more virtue take over. General, you and Ji Yu are from the same clan, and Ji Yu is a descendant of King Gong of Lu. Instead of letting outsiders snatch it away, why not let it be taken away by a relative?"
Fa Zheng smiled and said, "What the wise governor said is very true. As the people of Guanzhong say, the meat is rotten in the pot. Yizhou is still in the hands of our family after all. This is a blessing for the Liu family and also for the Han Dynasty!"
As everyone was talking politely, Pang Xi pulled his beard and reluctantly nodded, thinking that Li Yi's rash attack on Hanchang might have been instigated by you, Faxiaozhi.
However, this person is vindictive and seems to be highly valued by Liu Qi. It is better not to ridicule him. There is no need to get angry and sow the seeds of disaster.
After exchanging greetings, everyone entered the city. Zhang Fei had already ordered people to prepare a banquet. After all, Pang Xi was the leader of the Dongzhou gentry, and Liu Qi did not treat him as a surrendered general. Instead, he asked him to sit on his right as a sign of respect.
When Pang Xi saw all the talented people in the hall, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart, "If I had known this would happen, why did I do it in the first place?"
Liu Yan died suddenly of a disease that year without designating a successor. His third son Liu Mao was quite capable at the time, but in order to better control Yizhou, he and Zhao Wei tacitly recommended the cowardly Liu Zhang to the throne.
Later, the two of them fought openly and secretly. Zhao Wei relied on his local advantage to start a rebellion. Liu Zhang was so scared that he hid in Chengdu and dared not go out. If it were not for the rebellion of Zhao Wei's subordinates, the consequences would be unpredictable.
Although he managed to escape the disaster, he was ultimately unable to hold on to the land of Yizhou. After years of fighting with Zhang Lu and due to his advanced age, Pang Xi gradually lost his ambition and only wanted to protect himself.
Liu Qi's arrival was actually a good thing for Yizhou. At least from then on, people's hearts were at peace and they no longer had to worry about outsiders coveting this land of abundance.
Fa Zheng raised his cup to apologize to Pang Xi, saying, "I am not selling out my master for glory. It is because Liu Mu is weak and incompetent, unable to appoint talented people. The people of Yizhou are divided, and Zhang Lu is still thinking of invading, let alone others. Now General Liu has great ambitions and wants to revive the Han Dynasty. I am lucky to meet a wise master. If I miss this opportunity, it would not be wise. I hope you will forgive me!"
Pang Xi raised his cup and sighed: "Although Liu Jiyu has the land of Yizhou, he is not a ruler who can bring order to chaos. I was entrusted with the responsibility of taking care of my son, but I did not know his character. I was always worried that this business would be taken by others, and I felt ashamed of my former lord. Fortunately, the general came early today. This is God's will!"
During the banquet, Pang Xi toasted each other while thinking about his own things. He was also impressed by Liu Qi's demeanor. Looking at these civil and military officials, each of them was a hero of the time, and he felt at ease.
The next day, Liu Qi hosted a private banquet for Pang Xi, accompanied by Pang Tong and Fa Zheng, to discuss the matter of taking over Sichuan.
Pang Tong advised: "General Liu wants to revive the Han Dynasty in order to eliminate the usurper. He cannot bear to see his brothers killing each other and bringing disaster to the people. Since you have been entrusted with the responsibility of taking care of the orphan, why don't you persuade him to give up Yizhou and accomplish the great cause together? After the matter is settled in the future, you can make him a great country and let your descendants continue the rule. This is also a way to repay the master's kindness!"
Pang Xi sighed and said, "You all don't know that Liu Jiyu and I have had a grudge for a long time, and I'm afraid he may not be willing to listen. The Yizhou nobles have long been on guard against me, and they will definitely speak out against me."
Fa Zheng said: "Your Excellency is in Yizhou and you are expected to return home. The people of Dongzhou are following your lead. Even if the people of Yizhou are ignorant of current affairs, as long as you disturb people's hearts, someone will respond secretly. Only by stabilizing Yizhou as soon as possible can we take over the Central Plains and rectify the Heavenly Dynasty. You have also made great contributions to admonishment and your name will be recorded in history. What else can we doubt?"
Seeing Pang Xi still hesitating, Liu Qi had no choice but to persuade him: "After all, you are an important minister entrusted with the care of the emperor. It is already a great honor for you to give up Baxi. Don't make it difficult for him, or he will be scolded by those who don't understand current affairs."
As they were chatting, Zhang Fei came in angrily, clasped his fists and said, "General, Liu Zhang has gone too far. I will return to Jiangzhou and lead my troops to Chengdu to settle accounts with him."
Liu Qi was shocked and asked, "What happened?"
Zhang Fei said angrily: "Liu Zhang sent people to burn our food and grass, trying to cut off our retreat. How can this be tolerated?"
Pang Tong hurriedly advised: "Yide, calm down, tell me what happened slowly."
Zhang Fei then recounted the events of the Dianjiang battle in a rage, shouting that if the march had not gone smoothly, he would have been defeated and would have gone to find Liu Zhang to argue.
Liu Qi slowly stood up and said in a cold voice: "I came here to help out of kindness because we are of the same clan, and I couldn't bear to see my brothers killing each other, but I didn't expect Liu Zhang to kill me after I had done my job. Since that's the case, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Pang Xi had known about the conflict between Yan Yan and Zhang Fei. Seeing that the two sides were falling out, he was afraid that it was all premeditated. If he did not make any contribution now, he would probably have difficulty in having a place in the army in the future.
With his mind turning, he hurriedly stood up and advised: "General, calm down. There must be a misunderstanding. I will send someone to persuade Ji Yu to meet with you and discuss matters of supporting the court, so as to avoid internal strife and being laughed at by others."
Liu Qi asked Pang Xi to write a letter and send it to Chengdu, while at the same time comforting the irritable Zhang Fei. After sending Pang Xi away, everyone burst into laughter, which made Zhang Fei's face turn purple and black. He was so embarrassed that he drank half a jar of wine.
Bashu is interdependent. Now that the entire Ba area is in our hands, Yizhou is like a beautiful woman with her clothes stripped off, full of charm. Who can resist such temptation