Chapter 26: The Second Generation of the Jing Xiao Family

  The horse carriage slowed down and stopped in front of the Kuai Fu gate, where Kuai Yue was already waiting with a few young men on the steps. Kuai Yue wore a peony crown on his head and a luxurious sable coat, as he was the host and had to dress formally to show respect for his guests.

  The young men behind, however, wore ordinary long gowns and flat hats, dressed relatively casually. Although the courtesy was heavy today, the banquet was only a small one with not many people, only five or six accompanied.

  Liu Xuan stepped down from his horse carriage and quickly walked up to greet him, bowing deeply. "I've kept Lord Kuai waiting for a long time, Liu Xuan is being rude."

  Kuai Yue walked down the steps, smiling and said: "The first time I saw Master Xing, I felt a sense of familiarity. Today's gathering is also by chance, come! Come! Let me introduce you to some young talents from Jingzhou."

  Kuai Qi didn't need to be introduced, he led Liu Xuan forward, the two had long been familiar with each other on their way. Behind Kuai Yue stood three young men, one of whom looked somewhat similar to Kuai Qi. Kuai Yue smiled and introduced: "This is my youngest son, Xi, who studies in Longzhong."

  Kuai Yue had three sons. The eldest and second sons were both officials outside, only the third son Kuai Xi followed his father's side, and this year he was only 19 years old.

  Kuai Yu hastily paid his respects, exchanged a few pleasantries with the other man, and then introduced another person, "This is my nephew, surnamed Ma, named Liang, styled Jichang, from Xiangyang Yicheng. He and my son are fellow students and good friends, and they came together today to keep you company."

  Liu Xuan saw that he indeed had a cluster of white eyebrows in his brow, which made him look extraordinary. He couldn't help but smile and say: "The Ma family's Five Constants, the White Eyebrows are the best. I've heard about it before, and today I see it for myself, truly the name is not in vain."

  Ma Liang was not very old, only seventeen or eighteen years old, and he also wore a sword at his waist. He returned the courtesy with a slight smile: "Today I also went to the Sword Platform to watch Gongzi Jing's sword fight, Gongzi Jing was as swift as an eagle in motion, and as calm as Mount Tai when still, making Ji Chang admire him extremely."

  "Seasonal brother is overpraised!"

  The last one was about twenty years old, tall and handsome, with a face like jade, clear and bright eyes, smiling but not speaking on the side. Kuai Yue led Liu Xuan forward, laughing and introducing him, "This talented young man is also a fellow student of Gongzi's, surnamed Zhuge, single name Liang, named Kongming, from Langya County, and is one of the most favored disciples of Lord Pangde."

  Liu Xuan rose solemnly and respectfully, it turned out that this was Zhuge Liang, he had never seen him before, he hastily bowed and paid his respects, "It's the Sleeping Dragon Mr., I have long admired your outstanding talents, Brother Zhuge, today I am fortunate to meet you, Liu Xuan is blessed for three lifetimes."

  The Zhuge family was also a prominent clan in Langya, and Zhuge Liang's parents died early. He and his brothers followed their uncle Zhuge Xuan to Yuzhang County when he took office. After Zhuge Xuan lost his position, they fled to Jingzhou and joined Liu Biao. Four years ago, Zhuge Xuan fell ill and passed away, so Zhuge Liang traveled to Xiangyang to study, where he spent half his time farming and the other half reading. He became a disciple of Pang Degong from Luyang.

  Zhuge Liang came from a prominent family in Langya, and was also well-known in Xiangyang. He had marital relationships with the Pang and Kuai families. Zhuge Liang had two sisters, his second sister married Pang Shuming, son of Pang Degong, while his eldest sister was the wife of Kuai Qi. That's why Kuai Yue invited him to accompany him today.

  Zhuge Liang did not go to watch today's sword fight, and he was not very interested in the event that everyone in Xiangyang was talking about. At least, he did not show any admiration for Liu Xun's swordsmanship.

  His personality is relatively gentle, another way of saying that he is not cold or hot, and he doesn't like to get close to others. However, since Liu Xuan admired his title as Sleeping Dragon, he had to show the proper courtesy.

  Most people just treat his 'Dormant Dragon' title as a joke to talk about after dinner.

  Zhuge Liang also paid his respects, saying: "Gongzi is a young man of great talent, with one sword he will establish his reputation. But what Kongming admires most is that Gongzi persuaded the Governor to accept Liu Xuan, this is a great righteous act, unfortunately people in the world are ignorant."

  His words made Ma Liang's face show an awkward expression. Just now, Ma Liang was still praising Liu Xuan as swift as a falcon and calm as Mount Tai, but now Zhuge Liang seemed somewhat disdainful of the sword fight.

  Kuai Yue smiled and said, "Too many formalities are also cumbersome, let's go inside and discuss the details!"

  Everyone walked into the gate with laughter, and today's dinner was in the noble hall. The banquet of Pre-Qin Dynasty was not a gathering around the table like today, but a separate meal system. It was cold outside, so they used sheepskin as mats. In front of each person, there was a low-footed lacquer case, on which cups, plates, spoons and bamboo chopsticks had been placed.

  In the middle of the guest hall, a charcoal brazier was placed, and on its rack stood a large, gilded copper wine warmer filled with fine wine. A beautiful maid used a long wooden ladle to serve wine to everyone.

  Kuai Yue was the host, sitting in the central seat of honor, while the younger generation sat on either side. Liu Xuan sat in the first seat on the left, next to Kuai Qi, and opposite him was Zhuge Liang, who was also a guest and older than Ma Liang.

  Soon, a dozen maids brought in steaming hot meat dishes and various seasonal fruits, silver cups filled with fine wine. Kuai Yue held up the cup with both hands and smiled: "Today, I invited Master Jing to our humble abode for a small drink, also to bid farewell to the young master. Everyone, please raise your cups to show respect."

  Liu Xuan felt a little strange in his heart, why was it Jian Xing? But he didn't ask much and drank a cup of wine with the crowd.

  At this time, Zhuge Liang smiled and asked: "Just now, Kuai Shou said that Master Jing wants to go on a long journey. Is it for the sake of Jiangxia?"

  Kuai Yue smiled and said, "Zhuge Liang can know the affairs of the world without leaving his door. Indeed, it is about Jiangxia."

  He smiled faintly at Liu Xuan and said, "Young master will be going on an expedition the day after tomorrow."

  Liu Xuan was even more perplexed and bowed his head to ask: "I, Liu Xuan, know nothing. Please enlighten me, Lord Kuai."

  "It is so, Zhang Wu and Chen Sun have rebelled in Jiangxia. The lord has already ordered Liu Xuande to lead an army of 20,000 to quell the rebellion. I suggest that the lord let you go with him to gain experience in military affairs."

  Liu Jue was overjoyed in his heart, this way he would have the opportunity to ask Zhao Yun for advice on horseback combat skills, and it came just in time. He hurriedly thanked him, "Thank you, Lord Kuai, for speaking on my behalf, making my wishes come true."

  "You don't have to be polite."

  Kuai Yue stroked his beard and smiled, then continued to ask Zhuge Liang: "How does Kongming view the rebellion of Zhang Wu and Chen Sun?"

  Zhuge Liang thought for a moment and said, "Jiangxia is a strategic location, the deepest place where Eastern Wu has set foot. Sun Jian died in Jiangxia that year, and Eastern Wu's desire to take Jiangxia has been long-standing, but it was not feasible at the time. Now that Sun Quan has been on the throne for a year, internal affairs have gradually stabilized. I heard that his general Lu Su advised him to take advantage of Cao Cao's distraction to march into Jingzhou, although he was opposed by senior officials like Zhang Zhao and gave up, but Lu Su was reused, which shows that Sun Quan has a strong desire to take Jingzhou."

  But last year's Lu Ling Sun Fu's rebellion and Lu Jiang Li Shu's rebellion also made Sun Quan dare not to take military action rashly, fearing that if he failed, his position would be in danger.

  So the best way is to probe, and stirring up internal unrest in Jiangxia is the best means of probing. If the disturbance in Jiangxia is put down promptly, Eastern Wu will not mobilize its troops; if the disturbance in Jiangxia becomes more and more intense, Eastern Wu will inevitably take advantage of the situation and send its army into Jiangxia. Therefore, I estimate that the main force of Eastern Wu is lying in wait with bated breath, waiting for an opportunity."

  Zhuge Liang's words made everyone ponder, and Liu Jingsheng thought for a moment before asking: "Brother Kongming said that the rebellion of Zhang Wu and Chen Sun has the shadow of Eastern Wu, what is the basis for this?"

  Zhuge Liang shook his head and smiled faintly: "I'm just a scholar, I have no basis for it, it's just my own speculation."

  "You can't just guess without any basis!" Liu Xuan asked relentlessly.

  Zhuge Liang looked at him deeply and asked without revealing his tone: "Then what basis should I have?"

  Liu Xuan slowly said: "I think Brother Kongming's basis is this time's Jingzhou deployment of troops."

  Zhuge Liang looked up and smiled, extending his thumb to Liu Jing. Ma Liang seemed to understand something on the side, but only the Kuai brothers looked at each other in confusion, not knowing what they were getting at.

  Kongming indeed has a long-term plan, and Gongzi also has a clever mind. It is true that we have received news that Eastern Wu has appointed Lu Su as the general-in-chief to train troops in Pengze, but in fact they have deployed 30,000 elite soldiers to lie in wait for Jiangxia. Therefore, during Zhang Wu and Chen Sun's rebellion, our lord did not dare to use Huang Zu's army to suppress it, but instead dispatched another army, which was actually meant to defend against Eastern Wu's army taking advantage of the situation to attack Chaisang.

  Everyone burst out laughing, praising Zhuge Liang for his insight. However, Zhuge Liang quickly glanced at Liu Xun and thought to himself, 'This person is not a martial artist, yet he can see through my intentions, he's not simple!'

  The crowd drank a few more cups of wine and the topic turned to interesting things. Kuai Yue smiled and said, "Gongzi Xing, can you let me take a look at the Xuanlin Sword?"

  Liu Xuan took off the Xuanlin sword and handed it to Kuai Yue. Kuai Yue grasped the scabbard, slowly drew out the Xuanlin sword, admired it for a moment, and smiled at everyone: "Does anyone know that this sword has another name?"

  Ma Liang curiously asked: "Besides Xuan Lin Sword, what else is it called?"

  Kua Yue smiled mysteriously, "This sword is also called the Destiny Sword, apart from being the Xuan Lin Sword."

  Everyone was stunned, and Liu Xuan seemed to have vaguely understood something, and hurriedly asked: "Please, Lord Guo, enlighten me!"

  Kuai Yue blinked and smiled, asking: "Gongzi Xuan, do you feel that Miss Cai Shaoyou has a special affection for you?"

  The hall was filled with laughter, this is the most interesting topic. Liu Xuan touched his nose, he really had a bit of reaction, could it be that this sword has something to do with Cai Shaoyue?

  He was getting a bit anxious in his heart and urged him to ask: "Lord Kuai, please speak clearly! Don't hang Xiao Zhong's stomach anymore."

  Kuai Yue burst out laughing and pointed at Liu Xuan, saying to the crowd: "See that? There's a beauty waving at him, and Master Liu is getting anxious."

  Everyone burst out laughing again, and Kuai Yue finally satisfied Liu Xuan's curiosity, saying calmly: "This sword is actually a token of the alliance between the Liu and Cai families. Whoever holds this sword among the Liu family will marry the daughter of General Cai. This was decided two years ago, so we should congratulate Master Xuan on getting a beautiful wife."

  Among the congratulations of the crowd, Liu Xuan seemed to be in an ice cave. Marry a daughter of the Cai family? He would rather return to being a Taoist monk, Liu Biao was too rash, he actually made this important lifelong decision for himself.

  Liu Xuan had never talked about having a girlfriend in his past life. Although during the Three Kingdoms era, 16 was old enough to get married, he had only been in this era for over a month and was far from thinking about such things. However, some things were not up to him to decide, and before he knew it, a marriage had quietly arrived.

  He would rather die than marry a daughter of the Cai family!

  He really didn't like that Cai family's daughter, even if he was allowed to marry her as a concubine, he wouldn't do it, let alone the fact that the Cai family's legitimate daughter couldn't possibly become his concubine.

  Just as Liu Xuan was lamenting the vicissitudes of fate, Zhuge Liang let out a long sigh and said, "Master Xuan is only sixteen years old and already has a wife to marry, but I, Kongming, am already past my weak crown, where is my virtuous wife?"

  Zhuge Liang's words almost choked Liu Xuan, who raised his cup and laughed: "Isn't Kongming's wife the daughter of the Huang family, Yueying?"

  As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the room looked at him with extremely surprised eyes, and then burst into laughter.

  。。。。。。。。