With Cao Cao by my side, what do I have to fear from the world?

Chapter 272, Liu Bei's Opportunity
Xiahou Dun led his troops into Youzhou and won one victory after another, with reports of his success frequently arriving. Cao Cao was very satisfied. Meanwhile, Xu Huang and Zhong Yao also made good progress in Pingyang.

On this day, Guo Jia and Cao Cao were chatting idly. Guo Jia was in a good mood, and in front of Cao Cao, he leisurely took a big gulp of Five-Stone Powder.

Cao Cao sighed repeatedly, "You... I've told you so many times, that stuff is no good at all."

Cao Cao was genuinely worried about Guo Jia's health, but he couldn't do anything about it.

After a while, Guo Jia, having comfortably enjoyed himself for a bit, finally spoke: "My lord, news has come from Jingzhou that Liu Qi is nearing his end. I intend to give Liu Qi another chance."

"What do you mean? Do you mean you want to cure Liu Qi again?"

Guo Jia laughed, “Jian Yong once advised Liu Bei to send Liu Qi to Xudu, but Liu Bei did not agree. I want to see how Liu Bei would react if Liu Qi asked him to go to Xudu himself.”

Cao Cao shook his head. "You are taking a risk. Since Liu Qi is already seriously ill and will not live much longer, why go through all this trouble? What if Liu Bei softens his heart and really sends someone to send Liu Qi to Xuchang? Wouldn't that be troublesome?"

Guo Jia, however, said confidently, "My lord, rest assured. Liu Bei is determined to obtain Jingzhou. Liu Xie's serious illness has given him an unprecedented opportunity. Jingzhou is about to be in his hands. Faced with such temptation, how can Liu Bei resist?"

Cao Cao glanced at Guo Jia and sighed, "You always like to dance on the edge of a knife and play dangerous tricks."

Guo Jia laughed: "If we're talking about taking risks, Gongda is even more adventurous than me. I've discovered that he recently sent someone to Xudu, so I'm afraid he has some new scheme in mind."

"He sent someone to Xuchang?"

Cao Cao was suddenly startled. "Does he think there's still hope of taking Xuchang back?"

Guo Jia nodded and said, "I'm afraid that's what he's thinking. His Majesty appointed him as the Imperial Censor, and he already knows that His Majesty is watching him, so he wants to do something to change this unfavorable situation."

Cao Cao was at a loss for words. He trusted Guo Jia's judgment. Deep down, Cao Cao had always harbored thoughts about Xuchang.

His family was still in Xudu, a place where Cao Cao had poured so much effort into. As a man who didn't like to admit defeat, Cao Cao naturally hoped to get back up from wherever he fell!

"Fengxiao, let's leave him for now. Are you confident about the situation in Jingzhou?"

Cao Cao also had his own selfish motives. Since Xun You still had designs on Xudu, which would also benefit Cao Cao, he did not want to interfere.

In fact, Cao Cao had already discovered that Xun You was very interested in Xuchang.

When Xun You returned to Xudu last year, he sent people to search carefully outside the city, seemingly looking for the entrance to a secret passage.

Xun You didn't say anything, and Cao Cao didn't ask any more questions. If things could be accomplished, then everyone would be happy, and Cao Cao would be able to stand at the highest point in Xuchang once again.

Guo Jia said earnestly, "My lord, I am confident, so you can rest assured. How could Liu Bei let such an opportunity slip away?"

Guo Jia had a keen understanding of human nature. When Liu Qi fell ill, Liu Bei was very concerned. As the benevolent and wise Liu Bei, he naturally hoped to cure Liu Qi and thus gain a better reputation for himself.

However, as the doctors proved helpless and hopes were dashed time and again, Liu Qi's condition worsened day by day, and Liu Bei gradually lost hope.

However, everything has two sides. When life closes a door, it may open a window for you.

With Liu Qi seriously ill, Liu Bei became the least controversial candidate for Governor of Jingzhou.

Liu Cong was too young, while Liu Bei had two huge advantages.

First, he was a member of the imperial court, an imperial uncle of the Han Dynasty, and his status was extremely important.

Secondly, Liu Bei had stayed in Jingzhou for so long, and had maintained harmonious relationships with all parties, thus accumulating a good reputation.

Compared to him, Liu Cong had no advantage whatsoever. Liu Bei was doing well in Jingzhou, and the imperial court wouldn't just send someone else to Jingzhou casually.

So gradually, Liu Bei's mindset changed, and he stopped actively treating Liu Qi and no longer hoped that he could recover.

In fact, Liu Bei even harbored a desire for Liu Qi to die quickly!

Even if Liu Qi were dead, Liu Bei would have a clear conscience, because he did not kill Liu Qi.

These days, Liu Bei is busier than anyone else. On the one hand, he helps Liu Qi handle all the big and small matters in Jingzhou. On the other hand, he is also more proactive in making connections with the powerful families of Jingzhou. He has already begun preparing to become the governor of Jingzhou.

Liu Bei never cared much about beautiful women. He believed that brothers were like limbs and women were like clothes. This was a belief he held throughout his life.

However, he was, after all, a man. He was currently riding high on his success and was about to take over Jingzhou. Whenever night fell, Liu Bei was also interested in relaxing with the women around him.

He was more interested in Madam Gan than Madam Mi.

As night fell, the bright moonlight shone through the window and onto Liu Bei and Lady Gan's bed. Liu Bei gently stroked Lady Gan, savoring this rare moment of peace.

On the table next to him was a piece of crystal-clear jade. Whenever Liu Bei was with Lady Gan, he would use the jade to compare with her.

Lady Gan's skin was as white as snow, not like jade, yet surpassing jade in beauty, which made Liu Bei very infatuated with her.

Each time they compared them, Liu Bei's interest would grow stronger, which could be considered a good way to entertain the two when they were intimate.

Soon their bodies were intertwined. After so many years of wandering, Liu Bei felt that his spring had finally arrived!

He was extremely satisfied with everything: his career, women, fame, and status.

Jingzhou, located in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, has been an important strategic location throughout history.

Jingzhou is bordered by Jiangxia to the east, Bashu to the west, Hanzhong to the north, and the Yangtze River to the south. It is a strategic location fought over by military strategists and a hub for north-south transportation. At the same time, Jingzhou is also an economically prosperous place with abundant resources and vast land.

Jingzhou has many powerful clans and talented people, and its conditions are very convenient in all aspects. Compared with Runan, which we obtained before, it is a hundred times better.

After a night of gentle breezes, Liu Bei felt refreshed and energetic. The next day, as usual, he went to visit Liu Qi. Whether it was the gatekeepers, maids, or servants in Liu Qi's mansion, they all bowed and greeted Liu Bei respectfully.

Liu Bei was poised and easygoing, nodding warmly to each of them.

With such a good mood, even when Liu Bei pushed open the door to a room filled with the smell of herbs, he didn't feel annoyed.

Madam Cai was also there. She had been coming more frequently these past few days; she came yesterday and came again today.

"Uncle, you've arrived."

Liu Qi always maintained respect for Liu Bei, greeting him politely every time they met.

Even when he was seriously ill, his respect for Liu Bei remained unchanged.

How are you feeling today?

Liu Bei hurried to the bedside and tenderly took Liu Qi's withered hand. Liu Qi's body was hunched over, and he was so thin he was almost unrecognizable. "Second Madam just told me... His Majesty's medical skills are superb; I heard he even cured Sima Yi's rheumatism..."

Liu Qi paused several times during his sentence, catching his breath, before finally finishing his sentence haltingly: "Second Aunt advised me to go to Xudu, perhaps His Majesty can really cure my illness."

Humans have a survival instinct, and Liu Qi is no exception.

Lady Cai reminded Liu Qi to go to Xudu because she was "instructed" by someone else.

Because of Lady Cai's weakness, Cao Cao gained control over her.

Once the truth about poisoning Liu Biao is revealed, not only will Lady Cai be finished, but the Cai family will be completely ruined.

"To Xuchang?"

Liu Bei frowned immediately and couldn't help but turn to look at Lady Cai. Although this woman was still charming, Liu Bei found her repulsive.

Why did you give Liu Qi this idea if you had no other choice? He's already in this situation, why not just obediently wait to die?
Liu Bei couldn't say these things out loud, but he thought to himself: If you go to Xudu and cure my illness, what will I do?

Once a person has hope, they don't want anyone else to take that hope away!

Liu Bei pretended to be hesitant, saying, "Nephew, your body is still very weak and not suitable for long journeys. The journey to Xuchang is long and arduous, and I am worried that it will worsen your condition. Besides, although His Majesty has studied under the divine physician Hua Tuo, he may not be able to cure every disease. How about this, I will send someone to Xuchang to inquire first. If His Majesty can cure you, then we can set off. What do you think?"

Liu Qi nodded, "That's the only way... I'll leave it to you, Imperial Uncle."

Liu Bei held his hand tightly and comforted him, "Don't worry, Brother Jingsheng entrusted you to me, so I treat you like my own child. Seeing you getting thinner and thinner every day and your health deteriorating day by day, my heart is torn apart."

As he spoke, Liu Bei shed tears of heartache.

Lady Cai watched quietly from the side, without any reaction. She wouldn't believe that Liu Bei was really so kind just because he shed a few tears.

Don't let her being a woman fool you; she's not that easy to fool.

When it comes to crying and acting, Lady Cai is also a master. Not long ago, she sent Liu Biao away while crying like this.

Liu Bei offered a few more words of comfort, then turned and left. He had promised Liu Qi that he would send someone to Xuchang to ask the emperor if he could cure Liu Qi's illness, but Liu Bei did not actually write the letter.

A few days later, Liu Qi would fall into a coma from time to time, and he was awake for very little time each day.

When he saw Liu Bei again and asked him about it, Liu Bei gave a vague reply: "We should have news soon."

Liu Qi believed whatever Liu Bei said.

Liu Qi had always treated Liu Bei as an elder, like a father. He trusted Liu Bei completely and unconditionally.

Liu Qi was ill. Actually, Liu Xie wasn't completely unaware of it, but the news that came was only that Liu Qi was sick. Not many people knew the truth about how serious Liu Qi's condition was.

On the one hand, for the sake of stability in Jingzhou, no one would disclose such a serious illness publicly.

In addition, Liu Bei intentionally kept the news under wraps, hoping the matter would gradually fade away.

Liu Qi waited and waited, but there was still no news. His health deteriorated, and on this day, Madam Cai came to visit him again.

Lady Cai said to him, "Liu Bei wrote a letter to Xuchang, but we haven't heard back yet. Why don't we write a letter to Xuchang ourselves and ask His Majesty to treat him?"

Liu Qi hesitated for a long time, but was eventually persuaded by Madam Cai. He forced himself to write a letter despite his physical condition.

Lady Cai immediately ordered the letter to be sent out, naturally following Guo Jia's instructions.

To better control and command the situation, Guo Jia has also come to Xiangyang from Bingzhou.

Every warlord had his own intelligence system, and Cao Cao was no exception. All of Cao Cao's intelligence was under the command of Guo Jia.

Guo Jia had planted people around Liu Bei, Liu Qi, and Lady Cai.

Lady Cai sent a messenger with a letter, and Guo Jia deliberately leaked the information to Liu Bei. When Liu Bei learned that Lady Cai had written a letter to Xuchang, he was shocked. He thought to himself, "At this time, I must not let the emperor know about this, and I must not let the emperor help Liu Qi with his illness."

Liu Bei immediately sent men to hunt down the messenger. As expected, the letter ended up in Liu Bei's hands, and the messenger sent by Lady Cai was also killed.

"Chief Guo, the man has been killed, and the letter has been stolen!"

After the person who had been secretly monitoring them returned, he reported the truth to Guo Jia.

"Hehe, as expected, Liu Bei truly wanted Liu Qi dead."

In an inn, Guo Jia stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes gleaming with a deep light; everything was as he had anticipated.

"Next, have Madam Cai tell Liu Qi about this..." Guo Jia handed over a spy and gave him a few more instructions.

That night, Madam Cai came to see Liu Qi again. Upon meeting him, Madam Cai appeared flustered, her eyes filled with vigilance, and she kept glancing at the doors and windows, as if she was afraid of being discovered.

"Something terrible has happened! We just received news that the messenger has been killed and the letter has been stolen."

Liu Qi, who was already feeling weak and listless, suddenly opened his eyes wide. "What? Who did this?"

Madam Cai looked towards the door again, her nerves on edge. "You probably won't believe it, but it's...it's Liu Bei!"

"Huh?...How is this possible? This...How could this be?"

Liu Qi stared at Madam Cai in disbelief. He was so agitated that his breathing became increasingly rapid, as if he were about to run out of breath.

"It's absolutely true, and there's something else I have to tell you."

Liu Qi stared wide-eyed at Madam Cai.

Mrs. Cai finally dropped a bombshell: "I suspect that you are not sick at all, but poisoned."

"Poisoned?" Liu Qi's pupils suddenly dilated to twice their normal size.

Why do you say that?

"Because your symptoms are the same as your father's, what a coincidence that the father and son both have the same disease, and both have such strange symptoms. I feel that Liu Bei is behind all of this."

Cao Cao had leverage over Lady Cai, so she did whatever he asked. Moreover, she was very happy to shift the blame for Liu Biao's death onto Liu Bei.
(End of this chapter)