Chapter 61 Emergency Rescue

  The current risk to Gan Ning is not from Zhang Yun, but rather Liu Biao. Although Gan Ning temporarily has no official position, after all, Liu Biao accepted his surrender. Without evidence, Zhang Yun also does not dare to randomly arrest people.

  But Zhang Yun would report to Liu Biao, exaggerating the facts, and since he was also Liu Biao's nephew, it is easy to imagine that this would provoke Liu Biao's extreme anger. Moreover, since Liu Biao did not care about Gan Ning, Gan Ning's situation would become extremely dangerous.

  Fortunately, today is just Dan Ri, with many things to attend to. Even if Liu Biao wants to ask about this matter, he will have to wait until tomorrow.

  He Liu Jue can then use the precious time left today to make up for what is lacking and clear Gan Ning's name.

  Now it depends on whether Gan Ning can cooperate with him.

  "General Gan, if I were to ask you to give me all 500 of your soldiers, would you agree?"

  The words were a bit abrupt, but this is the key to the problem. If Liu Jue wants to let Gan Ning escape punishment, he can only take over this matter. Otherwise, even if Gan Ning's slave trading is legal, it will still trigger Liu Bei's suspicion. Slave trading is not something that anyone can do.

  Gan Ning fell silent, of course understanding Liu Xuan's meaning, which was to help himself escape punishment. However, he had already received a deposit of 1,000 taels of gold from the next household, and if he were to hand over the military slaves to Liu Xuan, this gold would have to be returned to its owner, resulting in a huge loss for him.

  However, Gan Ning was after all a man with brains and understanding of the situation. He simply nodded slightly and agreed readily, "Alright! I'll transfer these 500 soldiers to you, I'll give you their records, you don't need to give me any compensation, consider it as my gift to you."

  Liu Xuan smiled and said, "Let's talk about compensation later! First, let's get through this crisis before discussing that matter."

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  Liu Xuan met Kuai Yue at the Fan City Wharf, and he had Liu Hu send a message to Kuai Yue. Upon hearing that it was related to Zhang Yun, Kuai Yue hastily rode his horse over.

  "Xianzhong, what's wrong?" Kuai Yue saw Liu Xuan and asked loudly from a distance.

  Liu Jiong urged his horse forward, cupped his hands and smiled: "Shi Shu, it's not convenient to talk here, let's change places!"

  Kuai Yue nodded and followed Liu Xuan to a secluded place. Kuai Yue ordered his men to withdraw, then hastily asked Liu Xuan, "What happened?"

  Liu Jiong then told the whole story from start to finish, without hiding anything from Kuai Yue. Kuai Yue gradually understood and frowned, saying: "Are you really going to take this risk for Gan Ning? You should know that the governor may be displeased with you because of this matter. Although Gan Ning is a talented person, you will lose more. Think about it again!"

  Liu Xuan shook his head, "I know there will be risks, but some things I do for my own beliefs, for justice, and won't consider the benefits too much."

  Kuai Yue let out a soft sigh, no wonder Liu Xuan was willing to sacrifice himself to save Zhao Yun, his thoughts were indeed different from ordinary people, and he would not be hindered by immediate benefits. That Gan Ning is a talented person, it's a pity to lose him, but helping him with one arm is also considered as making long-term plans for oneself.

  Thinking of this, Kuai Yue nodded and smiled: "Now I understand, okay! I can help you."

  Liu Jiong was overjoyed and hastily paid his respects, "Thank you, Uncle."

  Kuai Yue smiled, "Actually when I was young, I was just like you, hot-headed and impulsive. I advised He Jin not to trust the eunuchs, but he didn't listen. I pursued him relentlessly, which ended up offending him. If only I hadn't been so stubborn back then, I could have become a high-ranking official too... Ah, never mind, let's not bring up past matters. I'll go find Wang Yun now and ask for his help. You can go see him later!"

  "Thanks Uncle Shi for your help!"

  Kuai Yue smiled and patted his shoulder, gazing at him: "You're a man with a conscience, that's why I'm helping you. I hope you won't disappoint me."

  He looked up and smiled, urging his horse to move on. After a few steps, Xiang Yu turned back and said: "I'll give you one more piece of advice, never underestimate the governor, he's as clear-minded as a mirror."

  Kuai Yue departed with a long face. Liu Jue understood Kuai Yue's intention and pondered for a long time, realizing that this matter could not be hidden from Liu Biao.

  "Fourth Brother!"

  Liu Hu also rode his horse over at a gallop and asked somewhat strangely: "It seems like it's just a few words, and then it's over?"

  Liu Xuan smiled and said: "I asked Kuai Gong to handle something for me. Later I will go to the county government office."

  "I'll go with you."

  Liu Xuan shook his head, "You come with me to the patrol station first, I'll introduce you to some brothers. Tonight should be Zhang Ping's shift, but he was locked up by me, so you can replace him."

  "But... but..." Liu Hu was somewhat flustered, "I don't know anything, how can I be on duty?"

  Liu Jiong smiled slightly, "Of course there will be people following you, you are the nephew of the provincial governor, many people want to curry favor with you!"

  Liu Hu rubbed his head, with a mix of anticipation and worry in his heart, as he followed Liu Xuan to the Youshui Temple.

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  In the afternoon, Liu Biao, who had finished a day of New Year's celebrations, walked out of the provincial government office with his eldest son Liu Qi. Having gotten up before dawn to busy himself, Liu Biao also looked somewhat exhausted.

  Just as he walked up to the horse carriage, Zhang Yun, who had been waiting by the side, hastily came forward and smiled: "Uncle, you must be tired."

  Liu Biao also liked this nephew, who was clever and capable, able to lead troops in battle, and was his left and right arm. As for today's officials being numerous, officials from all over Jingzhou gathered in Xiangyang, Liu Biao did not notice that Zhang Yun did not attend the celebration today.

  "What's wrong, young master?" Liu Biao asked with a smile.

  "Uncle, I have something important to report to you."

  Liu Bei nodded, "Let's talk on horseback!"

  He was somewhat tired and got on the carriage, Zhang Yun and Liu Qi paid their respects, both of them also got on the carriage, the carriage slowly started moving towards the provincial government gate.

  In the carriage, Zhang Yun carefully reported to Liu Biao about Gan Ning's private sale of military slaves: "Uncle, this matter is absolutely true. I have received accurate information that Gan Ning bought 500 military slaves from Runan and they are now hidden in a certain place along the Bi River. I suspect that Gan Ning has ulterior motives for buying these 500 military slaves."

  "What is his intention?" Liu Biao asked with his eyes closed.

  "He is recruiting soldiers and increasing his own military strength."

  Liu Bei's eyes slightly opened, a hint of murderous intent flashed across them, and then closed again.

  "What basis do you have for saying these things?"

  "Last night, my nephew's younger brother, who is also the patrol officer Cao on his rounds along the Han River, discovered Gan Ning transporting military slaves. He went forward to investigate and found the slaves. Afraid that the matter would be exposed, Gan Ning had him arrested and locked up in the postal station. This is absolutely true, and I am willing to stake my head on it."

  Zhang Yun's words finally enraged Liu Biao, who also knew about the sale of slaves in Ru'nan but did not expect Gan Ning to be involved. He coldly said: "What a fine silk sail thief! I took him in with good intentions, and he dared to secretly sell military slaves. Does he think the laws of Jingzhou are child's play?"

  "Hold on," Liu Bei asked calmly, "I heard you mobilized a battalion last night. Was it for this matter?"

  Zhang Yun jumped in fright, "My nephew was only anxious to save his younger brother and hastily deployed a portion of his personal troops, merely applying pressure to force them to release the person. There were no other actions taken, and they quickly withdrew their forces. Without Uncle's consent, my nephew would not dare act rashly."

  Liu Biao remained silent for a long time, his eyes closed as if thinking about something. After a while, he slowly said: "From now on, do not arbitrarily mobilize the private troops of the various departments. If you need to deploy troops, you can report to me and I will agree as long as the reason is just."

  "Yes! Nephew remembered!"

  Zhang Yun was secretly delighted, as long as he got Liu Biao's authorization, he would immediately send troops to capture Gan Ning, and then he would have a legitimate reason for his actions.

  At this time, Liu Qi, who had been silent all along, suddenly asked: "Isn't the supervisor of You Jiao's place Jing's brother? His subordinates were caught, and he doesn't care?"

  Liu Biao was taken aback and only then remembered that Liu Jue had been appointed as the supervisor of Youzhou, he couldn't help but look at Zhang Yun with a hint of surprise.

  Zhang Yun harbored resentment towards Liu Qi in his heart, but he had already thought of a countermeasure. He hastily said, "Brother Jing certainly has the responsibility to investigate this matter, it's just that he is closely related to Gan Ning and will be torn between two loyalties. I suggest it's best not to let him get involved."

  Liu Biao, although temporarily deceived by Zhang Yun's words, was after all a man of great deeds, the master of Jingzhou, and had his own astute aspects. He detected the obvious prejudice in Zhang Yun's words towards Liu Xun.

  Liu Cong was the supervisor of Youzhou, and it was his responsibility to capture thieves, inspect tax evasion and slave trading. However, Zhang Yun also made sense, and Liu Cong might have protected Gan Ning.

  After a long silence, Liu Biao slowly said: "Don't make this matter too big."

  Zhang Yun was overjoyed and Liu Biao nodded in agreement. He immediately said: "Uncle, rest assured, I have my own measure."

  At this time, Liu Qi reminded: "Father, today is Danri!"

  A sentence reminded Liu Biao, and Liu Biao added: "Hmm! Today is Danri, we can't mobilize troops, let's talk about it tomorrow!"

  Liu Biao closed his eyes and didn't want to listen to anything else. Zhang Yun dared not disobey, but he still had to wait until tomorrow. He was filled with great hatred in his heart and glared fiercely at Liu Qi's back.

  But since Liu Bei had agreed, then tomorrow would be tomorrow, and he was determined to make Gan Ning pay a bloody price! Zhang Yun gritted his teeth.

  Zhang Yun left, and Liu Bei opened his eyes again, gazing at Zhang Yun's receding back. He couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

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  The county government office of Xiangyang is located in the south of Xiangyang City, and its size is much smaller than that of the provincial government office. Today is a day off, and most officials and clerks are resting at home, making the county government office very quiet.

  But in the county lieutenant's office, it was a different scene. Three clerks were busily checking names and registering slave records, with a list of 500 slaves in front of them.

  They need to register these slaves one by one and then sign a slave contract, which is a huge workload, at least until late at night.

  Although the three bookkeepers were tired and hardworking, they were also willing to do so. Each of them had a heavy gold piece in their pocket, which made their enthusiasm more abundant. They not only had the trust of their superiors but also had extra income. Although it was a bit hard, all three of them felt particularly comfortable in their hearts, with a sense of dignity that came from being well rewarded for their labor.

  In the next room, Wang Jue and Liu Xuan were chatting about the division of the Jingzhou faction. Wang Jue was very happy to express his own views on this topic.

  Where there is a government, there are disputes over interests. Where there are disputes over interests, there are factions. This is a very normal thing. It's like a piece of cake that can only be divided into so many pieces, and everyone wants a share. How much can each person get?

  Besides, the cake of Jingzhou has already been distributed, and there is no room for outsiders to share food. So, Master Xuan doesn't need to feel unfair either. Everyone understands reason, but when it comes to personal interests, interests come first."

  Wang Can was Liu Biao's son-in-law. From the geographical division, he also belonged to the external faction, but Wang Can did not acknowledge himself as a purely external faction.

  "What is referred to as the 'outside faction' refers to people whose ancestral home is not Jingzhou. In that case, our lord should also be considered an outside faction, but no one thinks of it that way. So we have always believed that apart from the outside and local factions, there must also be a faction that follows the dragon, namely those who are related to our lord by marriage or as disciples, such as myself, Zhang Yun, and Yi Ji, and even including Master Jing. We are not from Jingzhou, but we are not simply northern aristocrats either. This is something that the Jingzhou aristocracy completely accepts."

  Liu Jiong nodded, he understood Wang Jing's interest theory, but didn't necessarily agree with it.

  "I think the state governor should set up a special institution, such as the Imperial Academy or the Hanlin Academy, to accommodate some excellent northern scholars, such as Zhuge Liang, Xu Shu, Cui Zhouping, Shi Guangyuan, Sima Hui and so on. These talents are like precious wealth, abandoning them without using them is really a pity."

  Wang Yun smiled and said in a tone of an experienced person: "Although Gongzi's idea is good, it's not easy to talk about! The Jinzhou aristocracy absolutely does not allow the existence of this government office. When the master first proposed to provide monthly subsidies for these northern aristocrats who came to Jinzhou to avoid disaster, he was strongly opposed by the Jinzhou aristocracy. In the end, the master promised to prioritize the use of officials from Jinzhou, and it was only then that it was passed.

  "Master Xuan, the officialdom is complicated. Many things are actually understood by Master himself, but he also has no choice. Master Xuan is young and vigorous, plus he just arrived in Jingzhou not long ago and doesn't understand the situation. This mood can be understood, but later on, Master Xuan will slowly come to realize that the fundamental thing is to protect one's own interests. If you want to avoid losing your interests, you must cooperate with the local faction. I'm also a veteran, so I see through things a bit more than you do."

  At this time, a book boy brought in a thick stack of slave contracts, bowed and said: "County Magistrate, these are the first batch of completed slave contracts, totaling 100 copies, please review them."