Ten miles outside Guiyang City, Zhao Fan personally led his troops to meet them. When he saw that Liu Qi only brought 500 soldiers, he was secretly shocked.
Liu Qi dismounted at the Changting, and Zhao Fan stepped forward and saluted, saying, "I heard that the general led Jingzhou and resisted the treacherous Cao. Guiyang is remote, and I was not able to congratulate you. I am very ashamed. Zhao Fan is highly valued by Liu Mu and has been protecting the territory. I was hurt by rumors occasionally, and I am very uneasy. Please understand clearly."
Seeing Zhao Fan's attitude, Liu Qi felt relieved. He stepped forward to help him up and said with a smile, "The Han Dynasty is in decline, and treacherous ministers have stolen our throne. We still need to work together to destroy the bandits and achieve an unprecedented feat. Your Excellency is stationed at the frontier. Remembering the love of my father and the loyalty of the monarch and his subjects, this is enough!"
After a short rest under the pavilion, Zhao Fan introduced all the officials to each other. Half an hour later, they headed for the city. Zhao Fan had prepared a carriage with tents, but Liu Bei refused to ride in it and still mounted his horse and went with the generals.
Although his buttocks were completely numb, Liu Qi had to grit his teeth and hold on. If he had to conquer the world, he could not appear weak and delicate.
As the lord of Jingzhou and a noble of the Han Dynasty, the god must set a good example. The country was won on horseback, and carriages and sedan chairs are for women.
After everyone entered the city, Zhao Fan received Liu Qi into the government office, and the guards entertained him outside the government office. Gan Ning and Huang Zhong accompanied him.
After the ceremony, a banquet was set up and Zhao Fan reported the people's conditions in Guiyang in detail. Although Guiyang's tax revenue was not as high as Changsha's, it could guarantee self-sufficiency.
South of Guiyang is the Shiwan Mountains, where bandits and mountain gangs roamed, often robbing the people. Guiyang's 30,000 soldiers were also distributed everywhere, guarding the dangerous places, and there were only 5,000 defenders in the city.
When they were half drunk, Zhao Fan suddenly clapped his hands softly. Then he heard the sound of drums and music, and saw a group of dancers enter.
Each of these women was outstanding in appearance, with enchanting figures, and they were dressed in light gauze, appearing and disappearing. The lead dancer, in particular, was so charming that she seemed to be able to capture people's hearts.
Liu Qi watched quietly. The expressions of these dancers were indeed occasionally similar to Du Ling'er, especially the one in the lead, who even had some similarities in her eyebrows.
Liu Qi sighed inwardly. If he had not accepted Zhao Linger first, he might have been obsessed with today's Indian-style dance. Zhao Fan's dancer team was indeed worthy of its reputation.
Zhao Fan secretly observed from the side and found that although Liu Qi was immersed in it, his eyes were very clear, unlike the confused expressions of other officials.
I couldn't help but sigh in my heart, it's true that heroes emerge from youth, Liu Qi will definitely become a heroic leader!
When the song ended, Zhao Fan signaled the dancer to leave and said with a smile, "General, you have traveled a long way across the mountains and rivers and have worked hard all the way. Do you need a dancer to accompany you tonight?"
Liu Qi waved his hand and said, "That's not necessary. I've been traveling for several days and I'm already tired. Let me recuperate. We have something important to discuss tomorrow."
Not to mention that his body was already weak, the dancer he liked was probably Zhao Fan's sister-in-law.
He wanted to do what Cao Cao did, but he didn't have Dian Wei to protect him!
Zhao Fan quickly apologized and sent Liu Qi and his party to the inn to rest. When he returned to the government office, it was already time to light the lamps.
Two generals were waiting, they were Chen Ying and Bao Long, stroking their beards and smiling, "Liu Qi made a great success, he is indeed not an ordinary person, he was not moved by the dancers, he is not interested in women, he is very courageous, he will definitely be a great leader."
Chen Ying clasped his fists and said, "The more such people are, the more cunning they are. Liu Qi's intentions are hard to predict. You must be careful to guard against him."
Bao Long also hummed, "I think Liu Qi must have come to take Guiyang. How can we let a sickly boy give orders in Guiyang? We should see what he can do."
Zhao Fan said to the two men, "I have received great favors from Liu Mu, and have been able to gain a foothold in southern Jingzhou. Now Liu Qi is in charge of Jingzhou, and it is legitimate. I have seen him today, and he has great ambitions. He can protect Jingzhou, first resist Cao Cao's 300,000 troops, and then defeat the Dongting water bandits in a few months. He is the only one who can restore the Han Dynasty. I will serve him as my master, so why should I worry about Cao Cao?"
Chen Yingyan said, "Liu Qi is just relying on his father's reputation. Your Excellency does not know how strong he is. Why not test him tomorrow? If he can help, then help him. If he is just a name, why not kill him at the banquet and send his head to Xuchang? Your Excellency will surely accomplish great success."
Zhao Fan shouted, "I am serving Liu Mu, how can I have two minds? You guys should stop making trouble, or you will get into trouble."
Seeing Zhao Fan walk away in anger, Chen Ying said to Bao Long: "Although the governor is loyal, he is colluding with Cao Cao after all. I think this matter cannot be saved. When he takes charge of the troops, he will be held accountable for this matter. You and I cannot escape responsibility."
"Zhao Taishou is indecisive. I don't think we can achieve anything by following him. Why don't we find another good strategy?"
Bao Long was also worried about this matter. When Cao Cao sent people to Guiyang, he was the first to receive them. Cao Cao promised him the position of General Zhennan, a position equivalent to the Nine Ministers. From then on, he would get rid of the name of hunter and bring honor to his family. What could Liu Qi give him
The two agreed to return to Chen Ying's house. Chen Ying said, "Tomorrow they will hold a banquet in the mansion to discuss matters. You take your men to ambush 200 swordsmen outside. I will test Liu Qi's strength. You only need to kill one of the guards. When there is chaos at the banquet, you can rush in and kill Liu Qi in the name of protecting the governor of Zhao."
Bao Long clenched his fist and said, "This is a brilliant plan. As long as Liu Qi is beheaded, the governor of Zhao will have no choice but to surrender to Cao Cao with you and me. Cao Gong will then lead his troops south to take Jingzhou, and you and I will be the first to do so."
Chen Ying sneered, "Liu Qi only led a mere 500 soldiers into the city. He really doesn't take our two fortresses of Guiyang seriously. We must make him pay the price tomorrow without delay."
The two men discussed it carefully again and decided that Chen Ying should rest at home and prepare his weapons, while Bao Long should return to the camp to select two hundred confidants and prepare for a big fight.
Liu Qi returned to the inn, washed up and prepared to rest. Gan Ning came to see him again and said, "When I entered the city today, I saw a man on the top of the city wall who was quite hostile and had murderous eyes. You must be careful when we discuss matters tomorrow."
Liu Qi chuckled and said, "How can Zhao Fan succeed with two hunters as his generals? If he sincerely surrenders, I will forgive him. But if he dares to hold a Hongmen Feast tomorrow, I will make him regret it."
Gan Ning said: "In this case, I will lead the guards to follow you, just in case."
Liu Qi waved his hand and said, "I came here with the intention of winning people over with virtue, not using force. Chen Ying and Bao Long are just brave men. If the situation changes during the banquet, we only need to subdue them, and Zhao Fan will not be a concern. You and Han Sheng are more than capable of doing this."
Gan Ning smiled grimly: "Since the general has decided to attack Zhao Fan, why should I be afraid of a mere general? If these bastards dare to seek death, I will grant their wish."
After Gan Ning retreated, Liu Qi suddenly thought of Liu Bei who failed at the Tan River, and sneered in his heart. They were far worse than Cai Mao.
According to the secret letter sent by Zhao Linger a few days ago, Zhao Fan had no intention of rebelling, and was grateful for Liu Biao's appointment, so he was determined to change his ways.
This is also consistent with his historical performance. With many judgments, Liu Qi dared to swagger into Guiyang City.
Zhao Fan surrendered sincerely, and he was worried that he could not find an excuse to ask about Cao Cao. If Chen Ying or Bao Long still harbored hostility and wanted to hold a Hongmen Banquet, then they would have brought it upon themselves.
Although Gan Ning is slightly inferior to Zhao Yun, he is also a top general in the Three Kingdoms. With the veteran Huang Zhong around, how much trouble can these two hunters make