Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

After the banquet, Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue escorted Yan Xiang back to his residence and immediately went to Liu Biao to report the banquet in detail. Liu Biao frowned slightly and said, "I didn't expect Yuan Shu wanted food and fodder. These are strategic resources and cannot be given lightly. However, to avoid antagonizing Yuan Shu, we must express our gratitude. What do you think we should do?"

Kuai Yue thought for a moment and said, "My lord, we can first agree to provide Yuan Shu with some food and fodder, but we must clearly inform him that this is out of friendship and good relations among the princes, not because we are afraid of him. At the same time, we must also strengthen the defenses of Jingzhou to prevent Yuan Shu from having other plans."

Liu Biao nodded and said, "Okay, let's do as you say. You guys go and prepare, give Yan Xiang a reply as soon as possible, and let him go back to report to Yuan Shu as soon as possible." Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue took the order and left, and began to prepare for related matters, while the game between Jingzhou and Yuan Shu continued.

When Liu Yao and Xu Shao heard that Liu Biao had received Yuan Shu's envoy, Yan Xiang, their hearts were in turmoil—they were secretly anxious but helpless. After all, they were now living under someone else's roof, in a precarious situation, truly being at the mercy of others.

Liu Yao paced back and forth in his residence, his brow furrowed, his face thick with anxiety, muttering to himself, "I wonder how Liu Biao will negotiate with Yan Xiang. Will he hand me over to please Yuan Shu?" Xu Shao sat nearby, trying to remain calm, but worry was evident in his eyes. He said, "My lord, rest assured. Since Liu Biao accepted us in the first place, he certainly won't act so easily. But the situation is so unpredictable that it's truly worrying."

Just as the two men were panicking, Liu Biao sent Kuai Yue to them. Upon seeing Liu Yao and Xu Shao, Kuai Yue smiled and said, "Don't worry, General Liu and Mr. Xu. My master has made his position clear in this meeting with Yan Xiang. He is willing to fight Yuan Shu and has flatly rejected Yuan Shu's unreasonable demand for General Liu's surrender. My master, mindful of our kinship, will ensure General Liu's safety."

Liu Yao and Xu Shao felt a sudden sense of relief after hearing Kuai Yue's words, their previously tense nerves softening. Liu Yao's eyes flickered with emotion, and he excitedly shook Kuai Yue's hand, saying, "Please, Mr. Kuai, tell Liu Jingzhou that I, Liu Yao, will never forget his great kindness. I thought I was doomed, but I didn't expect Liu Jingzhou to be so loyal and righteous."

Xu Shao also said respectfully, "Thank you, Mr. Kuai, for coming to inform us. Please also convey our gratitude to Liu Jingzhou. Liu Jingzhou's action is truly a righteous one."

Kuai Yue nodded slightly and said with a smile: "You two don't have to be polite. My lord has always been like this. I hope that Envoy Liu will stay in Jingzhou with peace of mind and wait for the situation to change." After that, Kuai Yue said goodbye and left.

After Kuai Yue left, Liu Yao was filled with emotion and relief, and immediately decided to visit Liu Biao again to express his gratitude in person.

When Liu Yao arrived at Liu Biao's residence and saw him, he immediately stepped forward and bowed to the ground, tears of gratitude pouring out: "Brother, your kindness is like a rebirth. If it weren't for your righteous help, I would have been killed by Yuan Shu today. I am willing to go through fire and water for you to repay your kindness!"

Liu Biao quickly stepped forward to help Liu Yao up, smiling and saying, "My dear brother, there's no need for this. You and I are both relatives of the Han Dynasty, and we should support each other. How could I abandon you for Yuan Shu? Rest assured, my dear brother, stay in Jingzhou. If there's an opportunity in the future, we can work together to revive the Han Dynasty."

After hearing Liu Biao's words, Liu Yao was even more moved. With tears in his eyes, he nodded heavily.

A few days later, Liu Biao had already arranged for the food and fodder for Yuan Shu. He sent Kuai Yue again to invite Yan Xiang to a meeting to discuss and finalize the provision of food and fodder.

Yan Xiang arrived as promised. In the reception room, Liu Biao, Kuai Liang, Kuai Yue, and Yan Xiang took their seats, host and guest. Liu Biao spoke first, a resigned smile on his face. "Mr. Yan Xiang," he said, "our Jingzhou has already prepared 100,000 dan of grain and fodder, as you requested. However, I hope you can reconsider this amount. While our Jingzhou has some financial resources, we are currently facing internal and external troubles, making life truly difficult."

Yan Xiang picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said slowly, "Liu Jingzhou, my lord, General Yuan Shu, has already made concessions this time because we are both from aristocratic families. If it weren't for our friendship, why would he agree to let Liu Yao stay in Jingzhou? Regarding the food and fodder, I hope Liu Jingzhou won't be too stingy."

Kuai Yue interjected, "Sir, my master is not a stingy person. It's just that the current situation in Jingzhou is understandable. However, to show my master's sincerity, we are willing to add some more food and fodder to the original amount."

After some intense bargaining, Yan Xiang finally insisted that Jingzhou pay an additional 50,000 dan of grain. Liu Biao was unwilling to accept the offer, but he knew it was not the right time to completely break off relations with Yuan Shu, so he could only endure it secretly.

At this point, Liu Biao changed the subject and said, "Sir, the situation in the world is very unpredictable right now. Ma Chao is currently engaged in a battle with Zhang Xun, a general under General Yuan Shu, in Runan County. What do you think of this battle?"

Yan Xiang's heart trembled. He knew Liu Biao's sudden broaching of the subject must have been a veiled allegation. He narrowed his eyes slightly, sizing up Liu Biao, and spoke frankly, "Liu Jingzhou, Ma Chao, under the Emperor's orders, engaged my lord's men. This is a fact known to all. My lord, General Yuan Shu, commands a vast army and command a vast empire; how could he fear Ma Chao? It's simply that the forces of power are so intertwined these days, and my lord doesn't want to create too many enemies."

Liu Biao smiled faintly and said, "Sir, you are absolutely right. However, I have heard that the Western Liang cavalry under Ma Chao are extremely brave. Although General Zhang Xun is brave, I am afraid he will have some difficulty facing Ma Chao. My Jingzhou is adjacent to General Yuan Shu's territory. If Ma Chao really gains the upper hand, I am afraid it will pose a threat to General Yuan Shu's rear."

Yan Xiang understood the deep meaning in Liu Biao's words. It was clearly implying that although Jingzhou had given Yuan Shu food and grass, it was not easy to bully. If Yuan Shu had any improper thoughts about Jingzhou in the future, Jingzhou could also use Ma Chao's power to check and balance him.

Yan Xiang pondered this inwardly, but remained calm. He said, "Don't worry, Liu Jingzhou. My lord has a plan for dealing with this. My lord sent me here in the hope of reconciling hostility with Jingzhou and jointly addressing the world's situation. Since Liu Jingzhou has agreed to provide food and fodder today, I hope he can arrange for their delivery as soon as possible so I can return and report to my lord soon."

Liu Biao nodded slightly, a solemn expression on his face as he spoke sincerely, "Please rest assured, sir. I will arrange the delivery of grain and fodder as soon as possible. There will be absolutely no delay. However, I hope you can speak well of Jingzhou to General Yuan Shu."

After a brief pause, Liu Biao gazed into the distance with a deep gaze, then slowly continued, "The current situation in the world is complex and intertwined. Yuzhang County is undoubtedly crucial to General Yuan Shu, but Runan County should not be underestimated either. It serves as a crucial buffer zone between General Yuan Shu's territory and the imperial court. If Runan County is lost, Lujiang County will be exposed to Ma Chao's sharp attack. The situation would then be precarious. Therefore, I hope you can persuade General Yuan Shu to quickly resolve matters in Yuzhang and then focus all your energy on fighting Ma Chao in Runan County."

Yan Xiang was slightly startled by Liu Biao's words, a flicker of doubt and alarm in his eyes. He stared at Liu Biao intently, thinking to himself: Liu Biao is so concerned about the war in Runan County, even specifically suggesting that the lord should resolve the Yuzhang incident to deal with Ma Chao. There must be something more at play here than meets the eye.

At this point, Yan Xiang stopped beating around the bush and spoke directly, "Liu Jingzhou, since you're so concerned about my lord, General Yuan Shu's, plans for the war, I'm sure you have something planned in mind. Just speak directly, and there's no need to beat around the bush. Ma Chao may be brave and skilled in battle, and his Xiliang cavalry is formidable, but my lord is powerful. Once he has the manpower to bring his army forward, it would be easy to defeat Ma Chao. If you have any thoughts or requests, please share them directly so we can speak openly."

After saying this, Yan Xiang raised his chin slightly and stared intently at Liu Biao, as if trying to catch the slightest clue from Liu Biao's expression and explore Liu Biao's true intentions. At this moment, the atmosphere in the reception room became increasingly solemn, as if the air had solidified, filled with invisible tension.

Seeing Yan Xiang's frankness, Liu Biao figured there was no need to hide his thoughts, so he unleashed them. His expression was solemn, and with a slight frown, he said, "To be honest, I intend to attack Zhang Ji, who is entrenched in Wancheng. Although Zhang Ji was once a traitor and traitor affiliated with Dong Zhuo, now that Dong Zhuo is dead, most of his Xiliang troops have been taken over by Ma Chao. I'm worried that if I send troops from Jingzhou to attack Zhang Ji, Zhang Ji will ask Ma Chao for help. And if Ma Chao, out of respect for his old Xiliang ties, sends troops to his aid, Jingzhou will be in trouble."

After a pause, Liu Biao looked at Yan Xiang earnestly and continued, "I truly do not wish to become an enemy of Ma Chao. That is why I hope General Yuan Shu will fully support Zhang Xun at this time and intensify the offensive against Ma Chao in Runan County to tie down Ma Chao's forces. That way, when I, the commander of Jingzhou, attack Wancheng, Ma Chao will be too busy to worry about Zhang Ji, and I will be free to worry."

Yan Xiang listened quietly to Liu Biao's words, nodding slightly as he pondered the pros and cons. He understood that if Yuan Shu could increase pressure on Ma Chao in Runan County, it would not only ease his own military pressure in the region but also potentially weaken Ma Chao's power. He would also be doing Liu Biao a favor, potentially gaining further benefits from Jingzhou in the future. At this thought, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, revealing a hint of a smile. He said, "Liu Jingzhou's concerns are well-founded. I think this is a good idea. I will convey Liu Jingzhou's intentions to my lord, General Yuan Shu, and let him consider their actions."

Liu Biao felt relieved upon hearing Yan Xiang's agreement, a look of gratitude on his face. He said, "Then I'll be thankful for your help, sir. If this is accomplished, I, Jingzhou, will never forget General Yuan Shu's kindness."

With this, the peace talks finally concluded. Seeing that the Lunar New Year was approaching, Liu Biao warmly tried to persuade Yan Xiang to stay, saying, "Sir, the Lunar New Year is approaching, and Jingzhou is bustling with activity. I hope you can stay in Jingzhou until the Lunar New Year is over before leaving, so that I can show my hospitality."

Yan Xiang, however, showed a worried look on his face, worried about Yuan Shu's current food shortage. He refused without hesitation, saying, "I appreciate Liu Jingzhou's kindness, but my lord, General Yuan Shu, is facing a food shortage, and I am truly worried. I must bring the food back as soon as possible to relieve my lord's urgent needs. I hope Liu Jingzhou will understand my difficulties and send some food and grass with me back to Yuzhang County."

Seeing Yan Xiang's determination to leave, Liu Biao couldn't force him to stay. He nodded and said, "Since you are so concerned about General Yuan Shu, I won't force you any further. I will immediately arrange for some personnel to prepare some food and fodder as soon as possible, and we will return with you." With that, Liu Biao ordered his servants to prepare food and fodder and send Yan Xiang on his journey...