Chapter 407

At this time, Guo Jia, Lu Xun, Taishi Ci, Zhang Fei, and Gan Ning, who was lingering here, all arrived.

Liu Bei greeted everyone.

"Since everyone is here, let's listen to Shiyuan analyze the things we need to do next."

Pang Tong knew that Liu Bei was letting him show off in front of everyone.

He cleared his throat.

"Jingzhou has accepted many famous scholars from the north. Since my lord is staying in Jingzhou for a month, it is natural to recruit more talent and get familiar with the local Jingzhou gentry."

Guo Jia nodded. Getting on good terms with the local gentry would make the obstacles to entering Jingzhou much smaller in the future.

Pang Tong handed over a bamboo slip.

"My lord, this is the list of Jingzhou gentry relationships I have prepared, as well as suggestions for talents to recruit."

Liu Bei was startled.

"Shiyuan was prepared so early; truly a great talent."

He picked up the bamboo slip and took a look. The relationships between the major Jingzhou gentry were written clearly, including the relationship between the Huang family and the Cai family, the Kuai family, the Ma family, the Yang family, and so on.

Following that was a list of names.

Nanyang Commandery: Huang Zhong, Li Yan, Lü Chang, Fu Tong.

Xiangyang: Gan Ning, Xiang Lang, Xi Hong, Xi Zhen.

Nan Commandery: Feng Xi, Huo Jun, and so on.

Cui Zhouping and others were also on the list, which also detailed their personal preferences and so on.

Liu Bei let out a long sigh.

"With Shiyuan's help, this is excellent!"

Dong Yun, Yang Yi, Jiang Wan, Pan Jun, and others were still young, so they naturally weren't on the list.

Liu Bei showed Pang Tong's bamboo slip to everyone.

Guo Jia praised it.

"Originally, we weren't familiar with Jingzhou. With the contents on this bamboo slip, we don't need to 'feel for stones to cross the river'. Shiyuan is truly a great talent!"

Pang Tong hurriedly expressed his humility. Guo Jia was full of wisdom and had followed Liu Bei for a long time, so Pang Tong respected him very much.

Taishi Ci and Lu Xun both expressed that Mr. Pang had great talent!

Zhang Fei was very close to Pang Tong.

"Pang Shiyuan, you are so talented, you must drink more tonight!"

Guo Jia was somewhat puzzled.

"Shiyuan, I can understand the others, but this Zhuge Liang you placed at the top—what kind of person is he?"

(Seeking flowers…)

Pang Tong cupped his hands.

"Zhuge Liang, courtesy name Kongming, is from Langya Commandery. He is currently farming and living in seclusion in Longzhong. He is my good friend. This person has the talent to govern the world; I am not his equal."

Zhang Fei was stunned.

"A village farmer? Very badass?"

Everyone was somewhat puzzled.

Liu Bei naturally knew Zhuge Liang's talent. As a strategist, he might not be as good as Guo Jia, but in terms of strategy, internal affairs, and leadership, he exceeded Guo Jia.

Liu Bei smiled.

"Let's not discuss Zhuge Kongming for now. Send invitations to everyone else on the list and invite them to come here to drink with me."

"Understood!"

In Caiyang County, the city gate captain Wei Yan finished his day's work and planned to go home to eat.

A soldier found him.

"Captain, someone says he is Lord Xuande's messenger and invites you to Xiangyang to drink."

Wei Yan??

He thought he had misheard.

"Is it the Lord Xuande whose prestige shakes the world?"

After receiving a positive reply from the messenger,

Wei Yan trembled with excitement. He didn't expect Lord Xuande to actually know that there was a Wei Yan in Yiyang!

Soon, Caiyang City was in an uproar.

Wei Yan, who was arrogant and had always been disliked by the county magistrate, had actually received an invitation from Lord Xuande!

The county magistrate, who had previously looked down on Wei Yan, went directly to Wei Yan's house to express his congratulations.

Wei Yan's old mother was also extremely excited.

"My son, that is Lord Xuande, who has saved countless lives. He thinks highly of you; you must work for Lord Xuande in the future!"

Wei Yan naturally agreed readily, resigned from his position as captain, and took his weapons to Xiangyang City.

Such things were also happening in other parts of Jingzhou.

A few days later,

Li Yan, Wei Yan, Xiang Lang, Feng Xi, Huo Jun, and Cui Zhouping arrived at the guesthouse.

Liu Bei naturally entertained them warmly. After three rounds of drinks,

Liu Bei cupped his hands.

"Everyone, Jingzhou is a place of outstanding people; you are all the best among talents. I would like to invite you all to go to Guanzhong to take up positions."

Li Yan, Wei Yan, Huo Jun, Xiang Lang, and others all cupped their hands.

"We are willing to listen to Lord Xuande's orders!"

Liu Bei immediately appointed Li Yan as the Magistrate of Lantian,

and Wei Yan, Huo Jun, and Liang Xi as captains,

and Xiang Lang and Cui Zhouping as registrars of the Cavalry General Mansion, and so on.

Huo Jun's brother, Huo Du, was a captain under Liu Biao, and he himself was only a subordinate, so he could leave at any time, which also avoided making Liu Biao sad again.

Liu Bei drank and ate meat with everyone that night, talking by candlelight, making everyone admire him wholeheartedly!

When Liu Biao heard about this, he didn't know what to say. Liu Bei had stayed in Xiangyang to save his wife, and he was just taking a few minor figures to Guanzhong to take up positions; he really couldn't say anything.

"Captain? Platoon leader? How does this Liu Bei think these people can become talents?"

However, Xiang Lang and Cui Zhouping defecting to Liu Bei still made Liu Biao unhappy.

Over the next few days,

the talents Liu Bei recruited were all eating and drinking in the guesthouse.

Wei Yan soon won the respect of Zhang Fei and Taishi Ci; for no other reason than that he could fight!

Li Yan was skilled in both literature and martial arts; he could chat with Guo Jia, Pang Tong, and others in literature,

and in martial arts, he could also exchange a few moves with Zhang Fei and Taishi Ci.

That day, a special guest came to the guesthouse:

Liu Biao's strategist, Cai Mao!