When Lu Xuan arrived at the door of Cai's house, Lu Meng went up to knock on the door and told him about his visit. When the concierge learned that Lu Xuan was coming, he did not dare to delay and hurriedly went to inform him. Not long after, Cai Hao came out to greet him in person.
Cai Mao is less than thirty years old, slightly younger than the Cai family. Even so, Cai Hao is already the helmsman of the Cai family.
When Liu Biao first arrived in Jingzhou, Cai Mao fully supported Liu Biao and helped Liu Biao stabilize Jingzhou. During this period, Cai Mao led the Cai family's private army to help Liu Biao sweep Jiangxia and Nanjun. Cai Mao successively served as the prefect of Jiangxia and the prefect of Nanjun.
Last year, the imperial court appointed Liu Biao as General Zhennan, Jingzhou Mu, Jiajie, and Marquis Wu. Cai Mao was even appointed by Liu Biao as military advisor, responsible for all matters in the army.
In Jingzhou, Cai Mao was very powerful.
In particular, Cai Mao's second sister married Liu Biao as her second wife, which further strengthened the Cai family's power.
Cai Mao knew about Lu Xuan's visit to the Prefecture Mufu, and he also knew that Lu Xuan was not a simple person, and he did not underestimate him. With a smile on his face, he said unhurriedly: "Prefect Lu is coming to Cai's house. It's very pleasant. Please come quickly."
Lu Xuandao: "Please!"
The two of them entered the hall hand in hand, and the host and guest took their seats.
Cai Mao said: "I have heard about what happened to Grandmaster Lu in the Prefectural Mufu. My sister asked Grandmaster Lu to write a poem. Without any preparation, Grandmaster Lu did it in one go. In one poem, I made my sister look like a fairy or a goddess."
"In my opinion, when it comes to talent and learning, Prefect Lu is far superior to arrogant people like Mi Heng. I agree with Prefect Lu trying to deal with Mi Heng. If the lord hadn't stopped him, I would have dealt with Mi Heng."
Lu Xuan smiled and said: "Master Cai has given me the award. My aunt is the beauty of heaven and earth, and my poems are just embellishments."
Cai Mao said: "Prefect Lu is too humble."
Lu Xuan continued: "Speaking of which, Liu Jingzhou gave me 70,000 shi of food thanks to my aunt's help. If it weren't for my aunt, I wouldn't have had so much food. It's just that my identity is sensitive, so it would be inappropriate to go to see my aunt rashly.
.So I kindly ask Master Cai to convey my gratitude on my behalf.”
Cai Mao stroked his beard and said approvingly: "Prefect Lu is so polite. My sister can help me with a little effort."
He sighed in his heart.
Lu Xuan is a very particular person. As Lu Xuan, it is naturally inappropriate for him to visit Liu Biao's female relatives.
Cai Mao is Cai's younger brother. Lu Xuan asked Cai Mao to convey this, which was very polite.
Lu Xuan said: "Auntie has helped me a lot. I have been thinking about how to repay this kindness."
Cai Hao's mind was spinning.
Lu Xuan didn't visit the Three Treasures Hall for anything, so since he came to visit, he must have some intentions.
He waited for now.
Lu Xuan continued: "Just today, I went to visit Mi Heng in the post house and met the eldest son Liu Qi. I talked with him in private for a while and got some news. I heard that my aunt wanted to marry the pearl of the Cai family to Liu Qi.
, but Liu Qi was very resistant. I didn't discuss the matter in depth at the time. After I separated from Liu Qi, I thought about it and I could persuade Liu Qi to marry the daughter of the Cai family and repay my aunt for her kindness."
Cai Hao's eyes lit up when he heard this.
Looking at Lu Xuan, he was even more approving.
This is a good thing.
In fact, it was Cai Mao who suggested from the beginning that the second sister, as stepmother, marry a daughter of the Cai family for Liu Qi. At this point, even if Liu Biao dies in the future, the Cai family will still be strong.
However, Liu Qi never agreed.
Things came to a standstill.
Cai Mao asked: "Prefect Lu, Liu Qi seems to be weak, but in fact he is very noble and stubborn. Can you complete the persuasion?"
Lu Xuan looked obligated and said: "Auntie helped me get countless grains and armor. If I can't persuade Liu Qi, wouldn't it be a slap in my face? Please rest assured, Master Cai, I will definitely be able to complete it. Otherwise, I'm sorry.
This batch of food. After I took the food, I naturally had to do something."
Cai Hao's cheeks twitched when he heard this.
Lu Xuan's words are not separated from food, but are all about food.
Obviously he wants food.
Lu Xuan also said that he had to do something after taking the food. Now that Lu Xuan has to do something, can the Cai family not express his gratitude?
Cai Mao didn't care about mere grain. As a wealthy family in Jingzhou, the Cai family had countless grain supplies. To put it bluntly, the Cai family's supplies far exceeded the grain in Jingzhou's treasury.
This is the heritage of the Cai family.
This is also the reason why the Cai family can help Liu Biao and quickly calm down the chaos. Without the Cai family's materials and strength, it would be impossible to help Liu Biao quickly stabilize the situation.
Cai Mao examined Lu Xuan and did not rush to agree. He laughed and said, "Prefect Lu is a man of faith."
Lu Xuan looked righteous and awe-inspiring, and said eloquently: "Everyone in heaven and earth must have faith. If I just ask for it without knowing anything in return, will Auntie help me next time? It's definitely impossible. So be a human being.
When doing things, there must be a back-and-forth.”
Cai Hao's eyes rolled.
Just ask for it.
Don’t know the return?
Is this an insinuation about him?
The more Cai Mao looked at Lu Xuan, the more surprised he was at Lu Xuan's sophistication and shamelessness. With a smile on his face, he tried again: "I also agree with what Prefect Lu said, what comes and goes is the right way. Otherwise, unilateral efforts,
useless."
Lu Xuan nodded in agreement and said: "Master Cai is right, one-sided contribution will not last long. So aunt has helped me a lot and raised food for me, and I must repay her."
"A drop of kindness should be repaid by a spring. What's more, aunt helped me a lot, not just a little bit of food, but a full 70,000 shi of food and 5,000 sets of armor. I won't do my best for such a great favor.
, I’m sorry for auntie.”
Cai Mao sighed in his heart.
Lu Xuan is too thick-skinned, and he doesn't let go of the rabbit before he sees it.
He kept pretending to be stupid and refused to give food, and Lu Xuan also kept expressing his position.
Lu Kang is an upright and upright person, and he would not be able to do such a thing without engaging in evil deeds. But this kid Lu Xuan is full of tricks.
This guy is cunning.
Every move, word and deed is exactly like an old fox.
Cai Mao tested out Lu Xuan's background and stopped thinking about beating around the bush. He leaned forward slightly and said directly: "Prefect Lu said that Lujiang County is short of food and the people are in difficulty. I also sympathize with him."
"I'll just tell you, if Grand Administrator Lu convinces Liu Qi and makes him agree to marry the Cai family, my Cai family will alone support Grand Administrator Lu with 20,000 shi of food. The Cai family will arrange ships to send you all the supplies to Lujiang County.
.”
Lu Xuan said: "Lu Xuan is grateful to the leader of the Cai family for his kindness and righteousness. However, the soldiers of Lujiang County are in trouble. They went to the battlefield one by one without even armor. The last time we fought against Yuan Shu, it was because of the lack of armor that we lost a lot."
"Even if Liu Jingzhou gave me five thousand sets of armor, it would still be far from enough. The Cai family is a big family with a profound foundation. The head of the Cai family is a benevolent and righteous person, so why not support some more armor?"
"Five hundred sets of armor."
Cai Mao spoke directly.
Lu Xuan shook his head and bargained: "The Cai family is the uncrowned king of Jingzhou. It costs at least three thousand sets, right?"
Cai Hao couldn't help but roll his eyes.
If you ask for three thousand sets, do you think the Cai family is a charity?
Cai Mao snorted and frowned: "Three thousand sets of armor are not a small number."
Lu Xuan took advantage of the situation and said: "If Liu Qi is allowed to marry a daughter of the Cai family, and the two parties get together and give birth to a child, the relationship with the Cai family will be closer. Liu Jingzhou is old and there is a high probability that he will not be able to give birth to a child. He doesn't know
How many more years can you live?"
"But it's different now that Liu Qi has a child and is related to the Cai family by blood."
"The foundation of the Cai family will be further strengthened. Although the Cai family is very strong now, it is still limited to Jingzhou. If everyone in Jingzhou works together, and with children as a link, the Cai family may be able to go further and have a broader future.
.”
Cai Hao's eyes lit up.
The reason why he insisted on letting Liu Qi take a girl from the Cai family was to give birth to a bloodline close to the Cai family. Liu Biao was in his fifties and could not give birth to a son, but Liu Qi had a great chance.
Cai Mao was not a fool and did not agree with Lu Xuan's words. He flicked his sleeves and said: "A thousand sets of armor, do you want it or not? If you don't want it, forget it."
"Of course."
Lu Xuan answered directly.
A thousand sets of armor is not a small number, and it can equip a thousand elites.
Cai Mao is also a good person.
Cai Mao looked serious and continued: "Prefect Lu, a gentleman's words are hard to follow. As long as you complete the marriage, I will give you supplies immediately. Even if it is completed today, I will arrange a merchant ship to send you supplies tomorrow. And these supplies
, I will send it away on a merchant ship, even the lord cannot know."
Lu Xuan confidently said: "Master Cai, don't worry, I promise to complete the mission."
Cai Mao said: "We'll see."
Lu Xuan stood up and said urgently: "It's better to get things done sooner rather than later. I'll go to the Prefectural Shepherd's Mansion to get the matter settled. The head of the Cai family will contact his aunt and ask her to go to Liu Qi later. Liu Qi will definitely agree."
"I got it."
Cai Hao nodded and answered.
He was looking forward to it in his heart. If he paid a little bit of material, he could get Liu Qi's marriage, which would definitely be beneficial without any harm.
Lu Xuan bowed his hands and left in a hurry, heading towards the Prefectural Shepherd's Mansion.
