Seeing the soldiers in the camp so moved, Liu Qi was filled with emotion and said to Zhang Fei, "It is really gratifying that Third Uncle apologizes like this, but beating someone is sincere, but it cannot make up for the mistake."
Zhang Fei glared and said, "Do I have to let them chop off my head?"
Liu Qi laughed and said, "No, the men in the army are all warm-blooded and kind-hearted. They are already deeply moved by the sincerity shown by Third Uncle. As long as they change their ways in the future, they will be satisfied."
Zhang Fei asked: "How can those who have been beaten make up for their mistakes?"
Liu Qi pulled Zhang Fei aside and said, "As the saying goes: people die for money, birds die for food. They are just ordinary people. They joined the army because they had no choice or to make a living. There are very few people who truly have great righteousness and ambition. Throughout history, only a huge reward can bring out brave men. Do you understand?"
"So that's it!" Zhang Fei suddenly realized and laughed and scolded: "It turns out that Gan Xingba was deliberately losing money."
Liu Qi was very pleased and took the opportunity to analyze: "General Gan and his soldiers share the joys and sorrows and become one with them. Therefore, whenever the Jinfan Army goes to battle, they all fight to the death. Although they all put profit first, they also exchange hearts for hearts. The art of war says: Those who have the same desire will win. The famous generals in ancient times all love the people like their own children. This is the truth."
"I understand!" Zhang Fei clasped his fists and saluted, then returned to the table, distributed the remaining wine to the soldiers who had been beaten, raised his bowl and laughed, "Cheers, brothers!"
The soldiers were all delighted, and the whole camp was filled with cheers. Their morale was even higher than during normal training sessions.
Liu Qi was deeply moved when watching this scene, and suddenly remembered a saying: Put down the butcher knife and become a Buddha instantly.
Those who are kind by nature, or even those who practice cultivation throughout their lives, may not necessarily become Buddhas. However, those who have killed people like crazy and are covered in blood can become Buddhas as soon as they turn towards goodness.
It is also like a student who usually fails the exam, suddenly gets 80 points in the exam, and parents and teachers all praise him, while a student who usually gets 100 points, gets 99 because of mistakes, and is scolded.
Zhang Fei usually criticizes his subordinates harshly and beats them at will, which makes everyone terrified. But today he has changed his ways and apologized to them, so they are grateful and support their commander more than the soldiers in other camps.
Sometimes things in the world are simply incomprehensible and cannot be explained by common sense!
Watching the guards surrounding Zhang Fei and laughing as he healed his wounds, Liu Qi quietly left the camp. No matter what, Zhang Fei's sudden repentance was indeed worth celebrating!
After a false alarm, Liu Qi returned to the government office to discuss the marriage with Pang Tong and Fa Zheng. Although Liu Bei married Wu, it might not be appropriate for him to marry her.
Pang Tong said, "Since Liu Yan took control of Yizhou, the soldiers of Dongzhou have had many disputes with local officials. First, Gan Ning and others were dissatisfied and started a rebellion, and then there was the rebellion of Zhao Wei. Even with Xiaozhi's talent, he was also excluded. It can be seen that the situation in the country is complicated. Now that you have taken control of Yizhou and added the power of Jingzhou, we must strike a balance. If we are not careful, there may be a second civil war."
Fa Zheng nodded and said, "The Dongzhou soldiers came with Liu Zhang and his son, with these two as their backing. Now that Liu Zhang has returned home, they have nowhere to rely on. The general has also implemented a new policy to resettle the land, which makes outsiders even more uneasy. Naturally, they have to find another way to settle down."
Liu Qi said helplessly: "I valued Zhang Song because of his contribution to Shu. He also regarded me as a wise leader. How could I let him down? Nowadays, everyone in the country rewards people according to their merits without any bias. There are also famous outsiders such as Xu Jing and Pang Xi who hold important positions. Isn't this enough?"
Fa Zheng sighed, "General, you come from a famous family, how can you understand the suffering of being an exile? Outsiders are excluded and have no foundation, so they are naturally afraid. Even if you enforce the law fairly, it is difficult to make them return. It's like a guest in the host's house, even if they are brothers, there is still a difference!"
"So that's it!" Liu Qi suddenly realized that no matter how fair he was, outsiders would not have a sense of belonging and would feel uneasy.
Pang Tong also said: "The forces in Dongzhou today are headed by Pang Xi in terms of literature and Wu Yi brothers in terms of military affairs. Since they have decided to marry you, if you refuse now, they will be even more uneasy!"
"This... It seems that I have no choice?" Liu Qi smiled bitterly. He couldn't help himself
Fa Zheng said: "General, you are a man of high moral character and position. You should not judge things based on your own likes and dislikes. You should put the overall situation first. Now that the great cause is about to be accomplished, why not do something that is not against moral character and will not hurt yourself?"
I heard that Wu was also very beautiful, and in a sense, she was also Liu Bei's successor. Isn't this a coincidence
Liu Qi was already feeling strangely aroused, but he said, "Liu Mao and I are from the same clan, and we are even elders. Isn't this considered as a betrayal?"
Fa Zheng smiled faintly and said, "If we talk about closeness, how can it be compared to Duke Wen of Jin and Zi Yu?"
Liu Qi was slightly startled and quickly searched the original owner's memory. It turned out that Duke Wen of Jin fled to the State of Qin and married the wife of his nephew, Duke Huai of Jin, Yu. This relationship was much closer than that between him and Liu Zhang.
It is really difficult to have a conversation with these wise men and scholars. They have to quote from classics and make extensive references from time to time. The little knowledge gained from nine years of compulsory education is not even the basics. If you are not careful, you will easily show your weakness.
"Then it has to be this way!" Liu Qi felt happy in his heart but sighed.
However, this time Wu could no longer be the wife, but could only be considered a concubine. Also, she was a widow, so everything was kept simple and the wedding was completed in seven days.
The whole of Chengdu was filled with joy. The foreign nobles finally settled down, and local people represented by Zhang Song and Yan Yan were also happy to see the success.
Just as Liu Qi said at the banquet, no matter where they come from, they are all Han people. After settling down in Yizhou, they will all be one family after a few decades. Building the Land of Abundance together is the long-term plan.
After some socializing, Liu Qi finally waited until dark. He could not wait to rush to the bridal chamber. There were red candles and gauze curtains. Mrs. Wu, dressed in colorful clothes, was sitting there quietly. Although it was not her first marriage, she was rubbing her fingers nervously.
Liu Qi was already familiar with the process by now. He walked forward and lifted the veil, revealing a peerless face that made him hold his breath.
After coming to this world, I dare not say that I have seen all the beauties in the world, but at least I have seen Da Qiao, Xiao Qiao, and Xi Xuan's wives, each of whom have their own characteristics. But the woman in front of me gives me an indescribable feeling.
If we use the words of later generations, it should be temperament. In Liu Qi's words, it is femininity. In today's words, it is nobility!
Liu Qi stared blankly for a long while, and suddenly a surge of blood rushed to his head, and he stammered: "Aunt..."
"Ah?" Madam Wu's pretty face was red. She opened her mouth slightly when she heard the words, and the shyness on her face turned into anger: "If the general despised me, why did he agree to this marriage?"
"No, no, no, I don't mean that!" Liu Qi waved his hands repeatedly, lifted Mrs. Wu's smooth chin, and chuckled, "I just... like this name."
"I am already the general's woman!" Madam Wu was obviously very sensitive about the fact that she was already a married woman. She sighed quietly, "Although the general is of a different generation than my late husband, you and I are of the same age. Why do you have to do this?"
Liu Qi smiled and took the beauty into his arms: "Just stay in Chengdu, everything will be back to normal when we get to Jingzhou."
Madam Wu raised her head abruptly, staring at Liu Qi with her large black and white eyes: "Calling you like that is really absurd... Um—"
"Shh!" Liu Qi lowered her head and covered her red lips. You can eat whatever you want with your tongue, but you can't say anything you want.