Back at the government office, several important officials had arrived early. Today was Liu Qi's first time as a director, so he could not lose manners.
Liu Qi said: "Although my father has entrusted me with important affairs of the state and county, I still need your help. The political affairs of various places will remain the same. I also need to post a notice to recruit talents and recommend talents. Anyone with a skill can be selected."
Liu Xian asked: "The skill you are referring to, general, is it those artisans, doctors, or people with special skills?"
"That's right!" Liu Qi nodded and said, "Cao Cao will conquer the north and will definitely intend to take over Jingzhou. The war is about to start, so we should make full use of our talents and make preparations early."
"Yes, sir!" Although Liu Xian was a little confused, he still agreed.
Liu Qi wrote another list and recruited Ma Liang, Pang Tong, Zhuge Liang, Jiang Wan, Liu Ba, Li Yan, Deng Zhi, Huo Jun and others to take up the positions.
These were the famous people in Jingzhou he could think of last night. Although most of them might not come, he would still try his best. As long as there was something to gain, it would be good.
After everything was arranged, all officials went about their business, leaving only the governor Kuai Yue to discuss matters.
Liu Qi got straight to the point and said, "Someone reported that before yesterday's banquet, you and Cai Mao had a long private meeting. Could it be that you were plotting against Envoy Liu?"
Kuai Yue's heart sank, but his expression remained unchanged: "General, don't listen to slanderous words. I met with General Cai only to discuss the seating arrangement, nothing else."
"Oh?" Liu Qi stared at Kuai Yue and smiled faintly, "Is it a banquet for Zhao Yun?"
Kuai Yue's heart was pounding. He couldn't guess how much Liu Qi had asked about the inside story. He stroked his beard and said, "He didn't mention Zhao Yun."
"If this matter gets out, it may be bad for the Kuai family!" Liu Qi did not ask any more questions and said with a smile: "Since you did not conspire with Cai Mao, I would like to trouble you to investigate the Cai family. How about that?"
Kuai Yue hesitated for a moment, clasped his fists and said, "As you command!"
After going out, Kuai Yue broke out in a cold sweat on his back. In the past, when he talked with Liu Qi, although he had some knowledge, he had no scheming and was always submissive.
The look in his eyes today made him dare not look directly at him, as if he could see through everything. Although he didn't say it out loud, he understood that this was a warning from Liu Qi.
In any case, the Cai family and Liu Biao are relatives by marriage, so it is not convenient for Liu Qi to deal with the matter directly. If he is too lenient, it will easily leave trouble, and if he is too harsh, it will inevitably cause criticism.
Only if he handled the matter properly and drew a clear line between himself and the Cai family would Liu Qi forgive him for the past.
After witnessing yesterday's thundering tactics, the Kuai family had no choice.
After Kuai Yue left, Liu Qi looked through the official documents and letters on the table. They were all about taxes from various places and plans for preparations for spring plowing. He couldn't understand them, so he just left them to Liu Xian to deal with.
"Hiss—" Liu Qi suddenly saw a letter, took a breath and quickly picked it up.
There were only a few words written on the envelope: "Yingchuan Shan Fuliu". Isn't this a letter from Xu Shu
The letter highly praised Liu Biao's virtue, saying that all his subordinates were well-educated people. He felt that he was not talented enough to write articles, and thanked him for taking him in for a month.
Although he was being polite, he was actually very disappointed with Liu Biao. He couldn't leave without saying goodbye, so he left a letter.
There are numerous famous people in Jingzhou, and Liu Biao might not even read this letter, but Xu Shu was still polite and neither humble nor arrogant, which shows that he is a meticulous and trustworthy person.
It's much better than those people who quit their jobs without even going through the resignation procedures!
Seeing that the date was already three days in advance, Liu Qi was so anxious that he stamped his feet. He immediately ordered Huang Zhong to select ten people to follow him out of the city.
Upon hearing the news, Liu Pan rushed over to dissuade the general, saying, "Xiangyang has just been conquered, and there are many remnants of the Cai clan. You should not leave lightly. Don't forget what happened to Sun Ce."
Liu Qi smiled and said, "With Han Sheng here, nothing will happen."
Liu Panyan said: "Why does the general have to go in person? Why don't you let me go?"
"There's no time to explain. I'll go find someone." Liu Qi asked Liu Pan to guard the city carefully and left.
There will definitely be some turmoil in Jingzhou, but as long as Liu Biao is still alive and the Cai family is under control, there will not be major changes.
Liu Pan is in charge of the troops, and Wen Pin, Wang Wei and Wei Yan are there to maintain order, so anything can be done safely.
Liu Qi took Huang Zhong straight to Shuijing Villa in Nanzhang. This trip was both to seek talent and to gain fame.
If he only relied on Liu Biao and his own reputation, even if he issued a call to recruit talents, I am afraid those talented people would not be willing to join him. He had to impress them with practical actions.
He also knew that this trip might be dangerous, but it was especially at such moments that he went after Xu Shu to show his eagerness to recruit talented people.
What's more, Shuijing Villa is a gathering place for talents in Jingzhou. Similar to Taiqiu Academy in Yingchuan, several great talents are connected with this place. It is not a disadvantage to make a trip here to get familiar with them.
He asked farmers and shepherds along the way and arrived at Shuijing Villa at noon. He dismounted in front of the villa, gave his name, and waited outside the door. He could vaguely hear the melodious sound of a piano.
Soon, an old man with extraordinary temperament came out. He had white hair and a youthful face, and a thin complexion. He clasped his fists and said, "I didn't know that the eldest young master would come in person. I am sorry for not coming to greet you."
Liu Qi returned the greeting and said, "I am sorry for disturbing you. I have come here to look for Shan Fu. I wonder if he is still in the manor?"
Sima Hui was somewhat surprised. He invited Liu Qi in and asked, "Sir, how did you determine that Shan Fu was here?"
Liu Qi smiled and said, "I have heard of the great reputation of Shuijing Villa for a long time. Many talented people come and go here. I was unable to visit because of my illness. Shan Fu left Xiangyang and had nowhere to go. I believe he will come here. Even if he doesn't come, it would be a great comfort to see you, sir!"
"Sir, you are too kind!" Sima Hui shook his head and laughed. After sitting down, he said, "Shan Fu did come to the manor, but he only stayed for a day before going to Xinye to visit Liu Shijun."
"Going to Xinye?" Liu Qi's face changed slightly and he looked at Sima Hui.
How could he not know that Liu Bei was dead? Was he deliberately testing him
The old man is very bad!
His mind raced, and he immediately changed his expression to one of sorrow: "Sir, you don't know, the emperor's uncle was killed by Cai Mao in Xiangyang yesterday."
"Really?" Sima Hui was so shocked that he dropped his wine glass, just like a national first-class actor.
Liu Qi nodded and said, "Although I have avenged my uncle, without him to protect Nanyang, Cao Cao would surely send troops to seize Jingzhou. I thought I was no match for him, so I issued a notice to seek talents to protect the territory together. When I saw Shan Fu leaving a letter, I came to chase him, but I was still a step too late."
Sima Hui was stunned for a long while before he sighed, "Uncle Liu was known for his benevolence and was determined to revive the Han Dynasty, but I didn't expect that he would die at the hands of a traitor."
Liu Qi said: "I do not know my own limitations, but I am willing to carry on my uncle's aspirations, support the Han Dynasty, and eradicate traitors. I only regret that I lack the talent to govern the country and save the world. I hope you can give me some advice."
Sima Hui stroked his beard and said slowly: "My lord, have you ever heard the children's song in the county at the beginning of Jian'an? It started to decline in the eighth or ninth year, and in the thirteenth year there was nothing left. In the end, destiny has its destiny, and the dragon coiled in the mud flies to the sky."
Life is like a play, it all depends on your acting skills!
Liu Qi also put on a humble demeanor, clasped his fists and said, "Please give me your guidance."
Sima Hui said: "In the eighth year of Jian'an, the prince lost his mother and was deceived by Cai. This is the so-called 'beginning of decline'. 'No one will be left' means that your father will die soon and there will be no one left. 'Heaven's will have a destination' and 'dragon flies to the sky', it should be on the prince!"
Liu Qi was overwhelmed with joy and said hurriedly: "I am unworthy of this position. I only wish to protect Jingzhou and support the Han Dynasty!"
Sima Hui stroked his beard and said, "Xiangyang does have a rare talent, Fu Long or Feng Chu. If we can get one of them, we can pacify the world."
Liu Qi clasped his fists and said, "To be honest, I have sent people to invite Kong Ming and Pang Tong. This time I am here to visit Mr. Shan Fu."
"Eh?" Sima Hui had an unfathomable look on his face and was stunned when he heard this: "Sir, do you know these two people?"
Liu Qi sighed, "I grew up in Jingzhou, how could I not hear what's happening outside? It's just that I was oppressed by the Cai family and had no choice."
"Okay, okay." Sima Hui pretended to be defeated, then clapped his hands and laughed, and began to smooth things over.
Liu Qi said with regret: "It's a pity to miss such a talented person. Can I leave a poem for those who are knowledgeable?"
Now that Xu Shu has left, we can't let the old man finish all the pretense by himself. This is a good opportunity to become famous.