Three Caos fighting for a bride? Zhen Ji, I, Cao Zhi, will take her!

Jingzhou.

Xiangyang.

Through this period of integration.

The nine counties of Jingxiang are now all under the control of Liu Bei.

Thanks to Liu Bei's reputation.

Since Liu Bei took charge of Jingzhou.

Almost every day.

There are talented people coming to invest.

On the civil side.

Liu Bei successively obtained talents such as Ma Liang, Ma Su, Yang Yi, Xiang Lang, Zhang Ji, Liu Du, and Liu Xian.

At the same time, Zhuge Liang introduced his good friend Pang Tong and Pang Shiyuan, who were from the Pang family of Jingzhou and were known as "Fengchu", to Liu Bei.

He also told Liu Bei that Mr. Shuijing once said, "If you can get one of the Crouching Dragon or the Phoenix Chick, you can pacify the world."

Liu Bei was overjoyed when he heard this.

Pang Tong was appointed as deputy military advisor on the spot, and his status was second only to Zhuge Liang and higher than Guan Yu.

Regarding military generals.

Liu Bei also gained brave men such as Huang Zhong, Huo Jun, Xiang Chong, and Xing Daorong.

Especially Huang Zhong.

Guan Yu once told Liu Bei privately, "Huang Hansheng's bravery is no less than mine!"

I see that I now have many talented people under me.

Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang discussed it together.

So they found an auspicious day.

Announce the emperor's secret decree in public.

As soon as the emperor's secret decree was issued.

The whole Jingzhou was boiling in an instant.

Everyone clamored to march north to the Central Plains to support the Han Dynasty.

I see everyone is so enthusiastic.

Liu Bei was also not vague.

He publicly sent four messengers to contact other princes to come to Xiangyang, and then everyone would discuss the matter of attacking Cao Cao together.

The other princes Liu Bei mentioned were Liu Zhang of Yizhou, Zhang Lu of Hanzhong, Sun Quan of Jiangdong, and Shi Xie of Jiaozhou.

……

Just as Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang were anxiously waiting.

A piece of news spread throughout the Han Dynasty.

That is--

Cao Cao proclaimed himself King of Wei!

When the news reached Xiangyang.

Liu Bei was furious.

He drew his sword on the spot and shouted, "Han and traitors cannot coexist."

Then Liu Bei fainted.

When Liu Bei fainted, the entire Jingzhou was instantly in panic.

Fortunately, the then governor of Changsha, Zhang Ji (Zhang Ji, courtesy name Zhongjing), was in Xiangyang.

Thanks to his treatment, Liu Bei finally woke up.

As soon as I open my eyes.

Liu Bei saw Zhang Ji.

I saw Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong behind Zhang Ji.

As well as Guan Yu, Wei Yan, Gan Ning, Yi Ji, Ma Liang and others behind Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong.

"Kong Ming, how is your Majesty?"

This was the first question Liu Bei asked after waking up.

"Your Majesty is fine. Although the thief Cao has usurped the throne, the Han Dynasty still exists, and so does Your Majesty!"

Zhuge Liang comforted him.

"That's good, that's good!"

Liu Bei muttered to himself.

Then he struggled to his feet, bowed to Zhang Ji and said, "Thank you, Governor Zhang, for saving me!"

"Haha, saving people with a machine is just a small matter, just a move. Unlike Liu Huangshu saving the Han people, it is a long and arduous task!"

"Saving the great man is a long and arduous task!"

Liu Bei repeated in a low voice, and his body trembled involuntarily.

Afterwards, Liu Bei straightened his appearance, bowed deeply to Zhang Ji, and said solemnly:

"Your words are like a revelation to me. Please rest assured, I will devote my entire life to supporting the Han Dynasty!"

Seeing Liu Bei say this.

Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong looked at each other.

Then they both knelt on the ground.

Liu Bei: “???”

"My lord, when Emperor Gaozu was still alive, he once said, 'Anyone who claims to be king except the Liu clan will be attacked by the whole world!'"

"Now Cao Cao, the descendant of a eunuch, can be crowned king. As a descendant of the Han Dynasty, my lord should also be crowned king!"

Zhuge Liang said seriously.

"That's right. If Cao Cao, a man of a different surname, could be crowned king, then my lord, being the emperor's uncle, should also be crowned king!"

Pang Tong echoed.

"What? You want me to be king? ...No, absolutely not!"

Liu Bei was stunned at first, and then refused repeatedly.

Although for Liu Bei, [becoming king] is still a great temptation.

But Liu Bei knew it well.

At present, the alliance of the princes has not even started.

I became king at this time.

What will the other princes think?

Sun Quan of Jiangdong and Zhang Lu of Hanzhong were both outstanding people of their time. How could they be willing to be inferior to others?

As for Liu Zhang of Yizhou, he would definitely not agree.

In terms of blood relationship, Liu Zhang is more noble than himself;

In terms of strength, Yizhou is full of talents and its foundation is not much worse than Jingzhou.

If I claim to be king at this time, what should Liu Zhang be called?

Although Liu Bei also wanted to be king, he also knew how to prioritize.

Claiming the throne at this time would undoubtedly cause the alliance, which had not yet been formed, to split prematurely.

Therefore, Liu Bei chose to refuse!

Liu Bei could think of these things.

Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong could naturally think of it as well.

The reason why the two of them insisted on letting Liu Bei become king after thinking about this was that

the reason is simple.

That is--

They speculated that Emperor Xian of Han would appear at some point in the future, not long after Cao Cao became king.

Either he abdicated or died of illness.

By then, the Han Dynasty will no longer exist.

Once the Han Dynasty is gone, who will take over the banner of the Han Dynasty?

Instead, by that time, the princes would become suspicious of each other, leading to the breakdown of the alliance.

Might as well do it now.

Push Liu Bei out in advance.

Let the world know.

The Han Dynasty is still here, and the Liu family is still here!

If Emperor Xian of Han unfortunately died.

Liu Bei had sufficient legal basis to declare himself emperor.

Of course, Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong did not say these words, nor could they say them.

Because in this Han Dynasty, the ruler is the ruler, the minister is the minister, the father is the father, and the son is the son.

The mere thought of this is sinful.

But the good thing is.

Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong.

None of them are pedantic.

As counselors, they should always put Liu Bei's interests first.

Therefore, when all of Liu Bei's civil and military officials came to visit him, he publicly persuaded Liu Bei to become king.

……

Sure enough, the moment Liu Bei refused, Guan Yu stood up and said in a deep voice:

"You two military advisors are right. Even Cao Aman, a eunuch, could become king. Why can't you, big brother?"

"My Lord, just agree to it. Everyone hopes you can become king!"

Wei Yan added.

"Father, you once taught me to be the first to act. How can you retreat at this critical moment?"

Liu Feng seemed to be blaming him.

"My lord, I also think that you should be king!"

Mi Zhu said seriously.

"Haha, my lord, are you afraid that Cao Cao will attack after you become king? Please rest assured, my lord, I, Gan Ning, am here. I promise to make Cao Cao lose half his men on the water!"

Gan Ning laughed.

"My Lord, this is what everyone wants, just agree to it!"

Yi Ji also smiled and persuaded at this time.

……

that's it.

With everyone persuading him, Liu Bei was moved.

"Okay, then I agree!"

"Just my title?"

Liu Bei said helplessly.

"My lord, I have discussed this with Shi Yuan. You are a descendant of the Han Dynasty emperor and a direct descendant of Emperor Gaozu. Therefore, I request that you be promoted to the King of Hanzhong!"

Zhuge Liang said seriously.

"Please promote my lord to the King of Hanzhong!"

Pang Tong continued.

"Please promote my lord to the King of Hanzhong!"

Guan Yu, Wei Yan, Mi Zhu, Yi Ji, Ma Liang and others shouted.

In the room at this time.

So they all stared at Liu Bei's face with burning expressions.

"Okay, since everyone has requested it, I, Liu Bei, will be promoted to King of Hanzhong today!"

Liu Bei said seriously.

The voice was decisive and resounding.

Every gesture and movement exudes the demeanor of a king!