The next day, when he was preparing to set off back to Xiangyang, an envoy from Xuchang suddenly came to visit and test his attitude.
Liu Qi has already persuaded Cao Ren and Xiahou Dun to let the envoys meet with them first to express his intentions, and they will explain the initial conditions themselves.
After the meeting, the envoy met Liu Qi again. The man was named Hu Zhi. After the greeting, he thanked Liu Qi again and again and praised Liu Qi for his generosity.
Hu Zhi was very nervous during this diplomatic mission, fearing that Liu Qi would be as ruthless as he had been when he scolded Wang Lang. He wanted an exorbitant amount of money, and it would be difficult to report back when he returned. However, he didn't expect that they had already reached an agreement in private. Wouldn't he be getting credit for nothing
After the tea ceremony, Hu Zhi couldn't wait to ask, "When can the two generals return to Xuchang?"
He was ordered to come here mainly to test Liu Qi's attitude. If he could bring the two generals back directly, it would be such a great achievement, how could Cao Cao not reward him
Liu Qi smiled and said, "General Zhang's wedding is coming up soon, and he will need the help of his wife's family. It will be a hassle, so I have to ask the two generals to stay for a while. When the wedding is over, you can go back with your wife's family."
"Ah? This..." Hu Zhi's heart sank, and when he looked at Liu Qi's gentle smile, he suddenly felt something sinister, and said hesitantly: "I'm afraid this will take too long, and the Prime Minister will be worried."
Liu Qi smiled and said, "Why not? Let's pick an auspicious date as soon as possible and get married as soon as possible. They are already married and only need the blessing of the bride's family. There is no need for so many mundane rituals."
Hu Zhi still had no idea of Liu Qi's temper, and he didn't dare to force it, so he could only agree vaguely and said with a smile: "General Xiahou is most fond of this girl. I estimate that this matter can be completed within a month."
Liu Qi took a sip of tea, then suddenly sighed and shook his head.
"General, is there something on your mind?" Hu Zhi's heart skipped a beat, fearing that Liu Qi would suddenly change his mind.
"That's right!" Liu Qi frowned and said, "I went out of the city yesterday and encountered a fight between two families. There has been no decision on this matter yet. If it is not decided soon, I am afraid that the people will lose their support. This is why I am in such a dilemma."
Hu Zhi thought to himself that Liu Qi couldn't even resolve a small civil dispute. It seemed that he really relied on Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu. After returning and reporting this to Cao Cao, he would definitely put his mind at ease.
His mind raced, and he clasped his fists and said, "Since the two families have already made peace, the general has a problem. I am not talented enough, but I am willing to do my best to help. May I ask for your permission?"
Liu Qi said, "Yesterday, when I was out on patrol, I saw Li Er's cow eating Zhao Si's crops. Zhao Si seized the cow and used it to replant the fields. Li Er saw that the cow had been used and was unwilling to compensate for the loss. Zhao Si refused to return the cow. What should I do?"
Hu Zhi smiled and said, "Although the ox has plowed the land, it was the first mistake. Moreover, the seedlings have already sprouted. If they continue to grow, it will inevitably affect the harvest. In my opinion, all losses should be compensated. This is a punishment! Plowing the land can only be used as an apology, not compensation. If the ox had not gotten out of control, why would Zhao Si have done so much? Everything happened because Li Er didn't supervise it properly. It is only right that he should compensate for his sins."
"Sir, that's a good point!" Liu Qi suddenly realized and said, "As the saying goes, listening to your words is worth ten years of reading. I'm grateful for your teaching."
"No, no!" Hu Zhi returned the greeting, laughing secretly in his heart.
Liu Qi couldn't handle such a simple matter, let alone national affairs? It seems that this person is not worth worrying about.
Just when he was feeling proud of himself, he heard Liu Qi slowly say:
"Prime Minister Cao led hundreds of thousands of troops southward, and the people of Nanyang suffered terribly. The people were displaced, the fields were destroyed, and many innocent people were left dead in the wilderness. I wonder who should bear the consequences of these losses?"
"What?" Hu Zhi's hand trembled as he held the tea, and the tea spilled unconsciously. He looked at Liu Qi in surprise, "General, are you..."
Only then did I understand what Liu Qi had just said. It turned out that he had already dug a trap for himself.
But how can civil disputes be compared with national affairs
You took over my territory and asked me to pay to govern it. How can this be justified? It's simply too much!
Although he was angry, Hu Zhi couldn't say anything and said hurriedly, "Didn't you say... the ransom has been waived?"
"Since the two families are related, it would be awkward to collect a ransom!" Liu Qi nodded slightly.
"That's true!" Hu Zhi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Liu Qi raised his eyebrows and smiled, "But ransom and compensation are two different things. I waived the ransom for the two generals for personal reasons, but the loss of Nanyang concerns the people. I dare not make the decision. I would like to ask Prime Minister Cao to make the decision."
"This..." Hu Zhi's smile froze on his face, and he asked carefully, "I wonder how much compensation the general plans to ask for?"
Liu Qi said: "The spring farming season has passed. It will take half a year to resettle the people. In addition to housing, etc., it will cost at least five million yuan..."
"Five million?!" Hu Zhi stood up in shock.
The total amount of money and grain collected from various places for Cao Cao's southern expedition was no more than three million. Liu Qi's request was a bit too much.
Liu Qi sighed, "You really don't know how expensive firewood and rice are until you run a household. I have no choice but to do this! Now I am the new governor of Nanyang, and my position is low. I am afraid that people will not be convinced if I have to govern Nanyang. When the time comes, I will have to trouble Prime Minister Cao to send people to Nanyang to help."
"Hiss..." Hu Zhi took a breath of cold air. Liu Qi not only wanted money, but also an official position.
Looking at Liu Qi again at this time, this kind-faced and slightly immature boy looks like a devil who kills people without leaving any bones.
After being stunned for a long while, Hu Zhi's heart had already cooled down. He clasped his fists and said, "I dare not make a decision on my own regarding the general's intention. I will report the truth to the prime minister and wait for his decision."
Liu Qi waved his hand and said with a smile: "Sir, don't worry. Anyway, the two generals have no worries about food and drink in Nanyang. They don't have to train troops, let alone fight. It's rare for them to have free time. It's a good time to let them rest for a while."
Hu Zhi cursed the little fox in his heart. He no longer felt the secret joy he had when he first arrived. He hurried back to Xuchang with a lot on his mind. The biggest gain of this trip was seeing that the two generals were safe and sound.
After seeing off the messenger, Liu Qi, Zhang Fei and others rushed to Xiangyang. With Zhao Yun and Wei Yan guarding Nanyang, and Wen Pin and Lu Chang guarding the important roads, no matter how many tricks Cao Cao had, it would be difficult for him to make a comeback.
It is already July. Thinking back on this decisive battle, it was like a dream. There were swords, horses, mountains of corpses and seas of blood. The cruelty of war was shocking, but the joy of victory was also hard to extricate oneself from.
Obtaining endless resources through wars and conquests, this most primitive pleasure of plunder is really indescribable. Humans have been engaged in constant conquests since their birth, which is probably a return to their nature.
The troops crossed the Xiang River to Xiangyang, and along the way the people lined the streets to welcome them, singing and dancing. If Liu Qi had not turned the tide and stopped Cao's army, their fate would have been the same as those of their companions who were used as food.
This battle made Liu Qi's prestige surpass Liu Biao and Liu Bei, and he officially became the number one person in Jingzhou!
After crossing the river, Liu Qi seemed to be away from the front line. He relaxed, basking in the sun, enjoying the cheers, and his heart began to beat fast.
After months of fighting, he was successful on the battlefield, but disappointed in love.
You can't have your cake and eat it too. How can you have both the country and the beauty? This is a big problem!