12dz Chapter 261 Deng Ai becomes Su Yu's disciple, Cao Ang: I have a junior brother now!
Chapter 261 Deng Ai becomes Su Yu's disciple, Cao Ang: I have a junior brother now!
Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue were brothers, both legitimate sons, with Kuai Liang being the eldest legitimate son.
However, Kuai Liang was devoted to scholarship and had little interest in becoming an official.
As one of the three great families in Jingzhou, the Kuai family naturally prioritized officials for the position of family head.
But Kuai Liang was, after all, the eldest son of the legitimate wife.
The eldest son is above all else, so Kuai Liang voluntarily relinquished the position of family head to Kuai Yue, making Kuai Yue the rightful heir.
After that, Kuai Liang was also willing to play a supporting role to Kuai Yue, assisting him from behind.
As Kuai Qi was Kuai Liang's eldest son, he was the apple of the Kuai family's eye from birth.
If Kuai Qi were to be executed because of Kuai Yue's inaction, it is conceivable that Kuai Liang would absolutely hate Kuai Yue to death!
Therefore, even though Kuai Yue knew he was going to be killed by Jia Xu, he had no choice but to accept it.
Liu Biao and Cai Mao's expressions were extremely grim.
With Kuai Qi's appearance, Kuai Yue effectively backed down.
The remaining two, no matter how much they argued, would probably not escape the fate of having their flesh cut off by Jia Xu!
Liu Biao forced a pale smile and said to Jia Xu in an almost ingratiating tone:
“Jia… Bah, Commander of the Imperial Guards.”
"What do you mean you want Jingzhou to give up?"
In negotiations, if one party takes the initiative to inquire about the other party's conditions, it is already at a disadvantage.
Jia Xu laughed and said:
"Don't worry, Liu Jingzhou. His Majesty and Minister Cao are both kind and generous people. They know how hard Liu Jingzhou has worked to defend Jingzhou for the country."
"Although Liu Jingzhou is inextricably linked to inciting Youwei to plot a rebellion, the court will naturally treat him leniently, considering that Liu Jingzhou has at least worked hard, even if he has not made any great contributions."
"Don't worry, it only costs a tiny bit, really only a tiny bit!"
Liu Biao smiled.
Half an hour later, Liu Biao cried.
Looking at the empty treasury, Liu Biao felt dizzy and fainted in Cai Mao's arms.
"My lord...my lord! Brother-in-law! Brother-in-law!!"
Cai Mao was so anxious that he stopped calling out to his lord.
But calling him brother-in-law couldn't awaken Liu Biao's aging heart.
By evening, after learning that Cao Cao's army had acquired a large amount of supplies, they had gradually withdrawn from the Xiangyang area.
And the news that Kuai Qi had also been released.
Liu Biao slowly awoke from his sickbed.
I don't know if my previous unconsciousness was feigned or if I was really unconscious.
But Cai Mao's first three sentences nearly killed Liu Biao on the spot!
"My lord, Cao Cao's army has indeed retreated, but they burned or demolished all the outlying cities near Xiangyang..."
"I reckon Xinye won't escape being destroyed either."
"North of Xiangyang, there are probably no more cities that our army can control."
"Pfft!"
Liu Biao coughed up a mouthful of blood, which landed all over Cai Mao's face.
Yes!
Cao Cao's army has withdrawn from Jingzhou, but when they come to attack Xiangyang next time, it will be as if they are returning home!
Liu Biao didn't leave any defensive fortifications north of Xiangyang.
Cao Jun's principle was that no matter what treasures or broken things were, if they could be taken away, they would leave the enemy with absolutely nothing!
What?
Why didn't Liu Biao rebuild cities and fortifications north of Xiangyang?
Please, building a city costs a lot of money!
Liu Biao is now penniless, and the powerful families of Jingzhou are also much poorer. Where would they get so much money to build a city for him?
Liu Biao is even worried about how to get through the winter this year!
"Raising taxes is the only option!"
Liu Biao thought to himself.
……
the other side
Cao's army slowly retreated towards Wancheng.
Many cities south of Wancheng, such as Xinye and Fancheng, are now empty land.
However, Cao Cao's army still had to leave troops to defend Wancheng, a strategically important military town.
After much deliberation, Cao Cao decided to temporarily retain Xu Huang as the garrison commander of Wancheng.
Given Xu Huang's composure, Cao Cao didn't need to worry much about things in Wancheng.
As for Zhang Xiu, he is now under the command of Cao Ang's army.
Furthermore, given his expertise in training the Xiliang cavalry, he was destined to serve as the vanguard of Cao Cao's army frequently in the future, and naturally would not remain in Wancheng as a garrison commander.
It is worth mentioning that.
When Cao's army arrived at Wancheng, Deng Chang's wife was also about to give birth.
As Deng Chang waited anxiously, a loud cry of a baby came from the room.
Deng Chang was eager to rush in, but was stopped outside by the midwife in charge of the delivery.
But the midwife still told Deng Chang that both mother and child were safe and that it was a boy!
Su Yu patted Deng Chang on the shoulder to comfort him:
"Don't worry, the baby is crying so loudly, he's destined to be a smart and healthy child!"
Deng Chang said happily:
"I thank you for your kind words, Commandant."
Su Yu smiled and said:
"I wonder if Chief Secretary Deng has already thought of a name for the child?"
Deng Chang said with pride:
"I intend to name my child Deng Ai. This is a name that my wife and I came up with together!"
"But we haven't decided on a courtesy name yet."
(PS: Here's a question many readers have had: if you haven't gone through the coming-of-age ceremony, how can you have a courtesy name?)
(The coming-of-age ceremony and courtesy name during the late Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period are completely unrelated!)
(The courtesy name given during this period is usually chosen at birth or when the child is two or three years old.)
(Only during the Sui and Tang dynasties and later did people receive a courtesy name during their coming-of-age ceremony, and it was usually bestowed by an elder in the family or a person of high moral standing.)
……
"Deng Ai?"
"What a great name."
"I wonder if Registrar Deng has found him a teacher?"
Deng Chang gave a bitter smile.
As a powerful local family, the Deng family of Xinye could naturally find a teacher.
However, there is absolutely no chance of becoming a disciple of a great Confucian scholar or a high-ranking official.
Suddenly, Deng Chang looked at Su Yu in front of him and mustered his courage to say:
"I humbly request that, after my son turns three, he be sent to the residence of the Commandant of the Guards to serve as his doorman or page!"
After saying that, Deng Chang lowered his head, already prepared to be rejected and scolded by Su Yu.
Unexpectedly, Su Yu helped him up.
"Minister Deng, there's no need for that."
"I feel a strong connection with young Deng Ai, so why don't I make him my disciple?"
Deng Chang was so excited that tears were about to fall.
His bold question was intended to secure a better future for Deng Ai.
Otherwise, given the power of the Deng family in Xinye, at best they could only help Deng Ai rise to the position of county magistrate.
Any higher, and that's almost impossible.
Although serving as a doorman or page to Su Yu doesn't grant a high position in the Imperial Guard's Office, it still makes one a member of the Imperial Guard's Office!
Deng Chang was quite satisfied that Deng Ai could serve as Su Yu's doorman and page.
Unexpectedly, Su Yu was willing to accept Deng Ai as his disciple!
"Master, does Zixiu have a junior brother?"
Cao Ang walked in from the doorway.
The joy on his face was no less than that of Deng Chang.
In truth, Cao Ang and Deng Ai were the ones who were truly destined for each other.
Now, Deng Ai has become his junior brother!
Junior brother, from now on we're definitely on the same side!
His master is so good to him! He's arranging for him to become a future right-hand man, a capable statesman!
……