Chapter 592

Even, with Zhang Lu's help, the Secret Guards began to infiltrate Jianmen Pass and other places, preparing for Su Xuan to take the Shu region in the future.

Of course, in the process, there were some minor twists and turns.

Zhang Lu's younger brother naturally wanted to oppose it after knowing the truth, but he was soon persuaded.

It can only be said that Su Xuan gave too much, and it was all things they dreamed of.

In Bingzhou,

Having received Su Xuan's affirmation and support, Jia Shijiu also quickly reorganized the troops under his command and began to infiltrate Shangdang Commandery and other places.

In just a few days, he successfully took Shangdang Commandery and Taiyuan Commandery and began to launch attacks on the Xiongnu and Xianbei people in the surrounding areas.

For a time, Bingzhou became lively.

Under such circumstances, first Yuan Shao defeated Gongsun Zan, forcing Gongsun Zan to retreat to Youzhou.

Yuan Shao then began to pursue the victory.

At the same time, in Southern Jingzhou,

Lu Bu had a new plan, directly bypassing Picheng and starting to attack other parts of Donghai Commandery, Taishan Commandery, and Langya Commandery.

In just over a month, Lu Bu successively took the entire Taishan Commandery and subdued Zang Ba;

He took the entire Langya Commandery and a small half of Donghai Commandery, directly causing Tao Qian to lose more than half of Southern Jingzhou.

During this period, it was not that Tao Qian didn't send Liu Bei and the others out of the city to fight Lu Bu.

As a result, they failed without a doubt.

It directly caused Liu Bei and the others to suffer no small losses.

Even, if it weren't for Liu Bei and the others running fast, Liu Bei would probably have already died in Lu Bu's hands.

Even Guan Yu and Zhang Fei would definitely not have fared well.

Under such circumstances, Liu Bei and the others naturally didn't dare to easily go out of the city to fight again.

Facing Lu Bu's encroachment, Tao Qian, whose health was already poor, directly fell into a critically ill state.

Tao Qian, realizing that his time was running out, had no choice but to call for Liu Bei and said to him: "Xuande! I'm not going to make it!"

"How could this be?"

Liu Bei looked at Tao Qian, who was already thin as a stick and withered in appearance. Although he was very happy and excited in his heart, he still looked very sad on the surface: "Lord Tao, don't talk nonsense. I believe that a good person like you will have your own heaven-sent luck! You will definitely get better!"

"I won't get better!"

Tao Qian shook his head bitterly: "I know my body very well! This time, my time is truly running out!"

"Now, the only two things I can't let go of are Southern Jingzhou and my wife and children!"

"I know very well that my two sons are only of mediocre talent; even under normal circumstances, they wouldn't be able to hold Southern Jingzhou;"

"Not to mention that most of Southern Jingzhou has already been occupied by Lu Bu! They are even less capable!"

"And currently in Southern Jingzhou, only you, Xuande, might be able to replace me and hold Southern Jingzhou!"

"Therefore, I want to entrust the position of Prince of Qi and Southern Jingzhou to you, Xuande!"

"I only ask that you treat the people of Southern Jingzhou well and, at the same time, ensure the safety of my family. Please, you must agree!"

If he didn't throw this pot to Liu Bei now, he was worried that his Tao family would be doomed and face the danger of extermination.

After all, this was a struggle between warlord princes!

Struggles at this level always ended with one side being exterminated and the roots being pulled out.

Tao Qian knew he was about to die and naturally didn't want to see this scene.

Since his sons definitely couldn't hold Southern Jingzhou, and in fact, only a small half of Southern Jingzhou remained, it would be better to yield the position of Prince of Qi and Southern Jingzhou to Liu Bei, letting him replace the Tao family to control Southern Jingzhou and become the new Prince of Qi.

In this way, his Tao family would become ordinary noble clans again.

As long as they remained low-key in the future, didn't fight or compete, and didn't participate in the warlord hegemony, they would surely be able to preserve the family, right?

The current position of Prince of Qi and Southern Jingzhou was a hot potato in his Tao family's hands, and he wished he could throw it away as soon as possible.

"This... Lord Tao, why do you say this?"

Liu Bei was tempted in his heart, but on the surface, he quickly and panic-strickenly refused: "Do you think I am coveting your foundation?"

"This is looking down on me, Liu Bei, too much!"

"I, Liu Bei, came to support you, Lord Tao, not for Southern Jingzhou, but for righteousness!"

"You are trying to trap me in unrighteousness! Please, Lord Tao, do not say these things again."

In the past, even abdicating the throne required three offers and three refusals.

Even though Liu Bei saw that Tao Qian was truly about to die and was sincerely wanting to yield the position to him, Liu Bei couldn't just accept it directly.

Otherwise, how would the world view him?

They would definitely call him hypocritical and call him a thief.

This was not what Liu Bei wanted to see.

He still wanted to continue to maintain his persona and reputation as a benevolent and righteous lord!

This was also a very important part of his future hegemony.

He had seen through it long ago: any ambitious hero who wants to succeed must establish a distinct persona; only then can he truly attract a group of people who appreciate his persona and share his aspirations.

"Sigh!"

Tao Qian was not a fool either. At this moment, being exceptionally sharp, he naturally saw that Liu Bei was tempted and also saw some of Liu Bei's thoughts.

He immediately persuaded again: "Xuande! Do you want to abandon the people of Southern Jingzhou and sit by and watch them suffer and fall into Lu Bu's hands?"

"You are a benevolent lord! The people of Southern Jingzhou have seen everything you have done for them during this period, and they admire you greatly;"

"Do you have the heart to watch them suffer or even die?"

Although Tao Qian felt very disgusted in his heart, for the sake of his Tao family's lives, he had to continue to persuade Liu Bei hypocritically.

Fortunately, he hadn't been mixing in officialdom for nothing; his acting skills were still up to par.

Disgusting is disgusting! As long as he can ensure the future of the Tao family, it's fine.

In addition, the more Liu Bei was like this, the more it could be seen that this person was an ambitious hero who could endure and had schemes, a person who could do great things.

He hadn't misjudged the person.

Such a Liu Bei should be able to confront Lu Bu and protect the Tao family well.

"This..."

Liu Bei was stunned and then smiled bitterly: "Lord Tao, you are forcing me! But even if I am willing to take on this responsibility, the civil and military officials under your command will probably not submit to me, so please don't mention this matter again!"

He had made it very clear: if you want me to agree, that's fine, but you, Tao Qian, must help me persuade these civil and military officials and make them submit to me.

Otherwise, I won't be able to sit firmly in the position of the master of Southern Jingzhou!

When that time comes, how can I block or even defeat Lu Bu?

Tao Qian understood this and replied: "You can rest assured about this; I have already discussed it with Yuanlong, Cao Bao, and the others!"

"They also recognize your character and ability, Xuande, and are all willing to support you in becoming the Prince of Qi and the master of Southern Jingzhou;"

"As long as you agree to this matter, everything will not be a problem!"

Southern Jingzhou itself could no longer withstand any more tossing.

If they were not united internally, they would probably be completely defeated and occupied by Lu Bu very soon.

But given Lu Bu's actions in other commanderies of Southern Jingzhou, Chen Deng, Cao Bao, and the others would rather let Liu Bei control Southern Jingzhou and become the new master of Southern Jingzhou than let Lu Bu control it.

One must know that when Lu Bu took Taishan Commandery and other places in Southern Jingzhou, he had plundered the noble clans and powerful families in every place he passed.

Hmm! Calling it plundering is not quite right; it was just directly and forcibly collecting a large amount of money and grain from them.

And Taishan Commandery and other places had quite a lot of industries and money and grain belonging to officials like Chen Deng's family and Cao Bao's family.

Therefore, they all suffered heavy losses.

How could they still accept Lu Bu's rule over Southern Jingzhou?

They even wished they could kill Lu Bu.

In addition, there was another reason: Lu Bu's troops were strong and his strength was formidable, and his personality was also overbearing.

If Lu Bu were truly allowed to control Southern Jingzhou and become the master of Southern Jingzhou, how could they manipulate Lu Bu in the future?

How could they fish for benefits?

By comparison, Liu Bei only had five or six thousand troops left, and his only generals were Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, and his only civil officials were Jian Yong and Sun Qian.

Plus, Liu Bei was hypocritical and liked to set up a persona of benevolence and righteousness.

This was much easier to control than Lu Bu.

To sum up, the noble clans and powerful families of Southern Jingzhou were indeed all willing to support Liu Bei in becoming the new master of Southern Jingzhou.

"This..."

Liu Bei was stunned.