Chapter 4: Full Counterattack (2 / 2)

Liu Qi shouted urgently, “Everyone, Cai Mao took advantage of my father’s illness, acted alone, oppressed me, and even plotted against Liu Huangshu. Are you just going to stand by and watch? Does Jingzhou belong to the Liu family or the Cai family?”

Cai Mao’s face changed slightly when he heard this. He looked around at the soldiers, who remained unmoved, and said in a deep voice, “Da Lang, there’s no need to spread rumors. I am carrying out the lord’s orders.”

Seeing Liu Qi getting desperate, Zhang Yun sneered, “Hahaha, cousin, are you confused by your illness? Is this how you speak?”

Liu Qi, Zhang Yun, and Liu Pan were once the best trio. Huang Zhong hated Zhang Yun for his betrayal. His eyes burned with killing intent: “Young master, this guy’s too arrogant. Let me shoot his head off with an arrow.”

Liu Qi saw that there was still no movement in the city and shook his head, “Brother must be trying his best to persuade my father. We can’t alarm the enemy yet.”

Before this, Liu Qi looked more like Liu Biao. Before Cai Mao’s instigation, Liu Biao had always been satisfied with his eldest son. However, due to age and weakening health, Cai Mao gradually took over control, and Liu Qi’s timidity allowed Liu Biao to fall into despair.

Before that, Liu Biao had also been worried about Cao Cao’s southern advance and was caught in a dilemma over succession. He had consulted Liu Bei about disinheriting his eldest son, but Liu Bei strongly opposed and suggested slowly stripping Cai Mao of his military power.

This conversation was overheard by Madam Cai, who was behind a screen. After that, Cai Mao completely decided to kill Liu Bei, ensuring no forces supporting Liu Qi would appear.

Liu Bei’s sigh over his “recovered thigh muscle” also made Liu Biao realize that Liu Bei harbored ulterior motives. With both internal and external troubles, Liu Biao was now even more anxious.

Now that Liu Pan had been sent to persuade Liu Biao, Liu Qi’s determination and resolve should touch Liu Biao’s heart.

But words alone weren’t enough. To change Liu Biao’s or the neutral party’s opinion, actions were necessary to show strength.

At this moment, Yi Ji was by Liu Qi’s side. Liu Qi pointed to the city and shouted, “Cai Mao, you dog, scheming for power and causing deaths, I won’t let you go!”

Cai Mao was stunned for a moment and then laughed loudly, “Da Lang, everyone here is mine. What do you have to fight against me?”

Just as his voice fell, the sound of horses’ hooves echoed from the city. A person rode up to the gate and shouted, “Cai Mao, the rebel, surrender now!”

Cai Mao was shocked and turned around to see Liu Pan, accompanied by Wen Pin and Wang Wei, approaching. Liu Pan said in a deep voice, “You dare defy my orders?”

Liu Pan took out a golden token and shouted, “Here is the lord’s command. Capture the rebel Cai Mao and open the gates to welcome the young master.”

The soldiers on the city walls immediately started to stir. Cai Mao and Zhang Yun’s faces turned pale, not expecting Liu Pan to have the golden token from Liu Biao.

Zhang Yun hurriedly stepped forward and shouted, “General Wen, don’t be fooled by him. The golden token must have been stolen by Liu Pan. I’m the lord’s own nephew. The lord trusts me most.”

“Own nephew?” Liu Pan coldly smiled, “I’m his own nephew, too. The young master is outside the city. Who’s more trustworthy?”

Zhang Yun’s face turned ashen. Cai Mao had secretly ordered men to gather troops at the other three gates. He unsheathed his sword and shouted, “I am the great general of Jingzhou, who dares to disobey me?”

Liu Qi saw the time had come. He immediately ordered Huang Zhong, “Han Sheng, shoot him!”

“I’ll shoot with you!” Zhao Yun also drew his bow.

Zhao Yun’s archery was almost as good as Huang Zhong’s. The two snipers drew their bows at the same time, and the arrows shot like shooting stars, flying towards the city walls.

The guards were startled, dodging while shouting. Cai Mao, who was facing away from the city, couldn’t react in time. A soldier rushed forward and knocked him to the ground.

Wen Pin saw the chaos on the city walls and seized the opportunity to shout, “Cai Mao and Zhang Yun have betrayed the lord, plotted to murder Liu Huangshu. The young master is outside the city, follow me and open the gates to welcome him.”

Leading the charge, he swung his sword towards the city gate and shouted at the guards to step aside. Anyone who tried to block him was knocked over by his sword, and he moved forward to open the gates.

“Kill!” Liu Pan shouted, raising his sword. “Capture Cai Mao and Zhang Yun!”

The city guards hesitated, but Liu Pan and Wang Wei had already led their troops onto the city towers from both sides, forcing the guards to retreat.

Cai Mao struggled to his feet. The sound of fighting came from below the city, and as he heard the gates opening, he fled towards the north gate.