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"Last year, the mother of Jiangdong died of illness, and I went to Jiangdong to celebrate the filial piety. Judging from the invitation specifications I received, I was just an ordinary guest, no different from other thousand ordinary guests. However, because of the public, I was unexpectedly promoted to a distinguished guest. The seats also jumped from more than 2,800 seats to the 72nd seat. Sitting in the main hall, even Sun Quan personally offered tea to me, which caused a sensation and glorious moment."

Speaking of this, Tao Lie shook his head and smiled at Liu Jing, "But I am very sober. The reason why I am treated well in Jiangdu is mainly because I sent you a letter, which attracted Sun Quan's attention. On the other hand, the Tao family also happened to pay a generous amount of tax to Jiangdong, so Sun Quan told me again that if there were no Tao family, there would be no meat in the bowl of Jiangdong Army."

Speaking of this, Tao Lie looked at Liu Jing's eyes, "Do you understand what I mean?"

After pondering for a while, Liu Jing asked, "It is because the Tao family is in a dilemma that the owner of the hometown decided not to leave?"

Tao Lie nodded, "This is a matter of state. The Tao family must give Jiangdong an explanation. Please understand."

Liu Jing originally wanted to say that the Tao family could not be in the crack all the time, but he did not say this in the end. He could understand Tao Lie's difficulties, and the Tao family had already given him a lot.

But over the past year, due to angering Liu Biao, the Tao family's business in Jingzhou has declined by 70%. Now it depends entirely on Jiangdong to support it. If Sun Quan is angered again, the Tao family's business empire will be completely over, but...

Liu Jing sighed and said softly: "I may not care about the support of both sides of the Tao family, but the owner of the hometown has thought about it. Does Sun Quan care or not?"

Tao Lie slowly closed his eyes, and Liu Jing's words pierced into his heart like a knife. This was also a problem he had been avoiding, but now that the war is imminent, the Tao family seemed to be difficult to avoid. After a while, Tao Lie sighed, "Master, let me think about it again."

Liu Jing patted his hand, "No matter what decision the master makes, I will respect it."

Liu Jing stood up and said goodbye. Tao Zhan hurriedly sent him out. Liu Jing walked in a hurry. Tao Zhan rushed behind and walked to the atrium. Liu Jing stopped and looked back at Tao Zhan. He said nothing.

But Tao Zhan understood his intentions. She walked forward slowly with her hands behind her back, and Yanran smiled and said, "Do you think I will stay with my grandfather or follow someone's opinions and temporarily evacuate Chaisang."

Liu Jing stared at her quietly and said for a long time: "If you stay in Chaisang, I will not be able to evacuate safely. In the end, I was captured by Sun Quan and watched you become Sun Quan's concubine. Do you hope this result will occur?"

Tao Zhan trembled all over, quickly grabbed Liu Jing's hand, bit his lips tightly and said, "Jinglang, how could you have such an idea?"

Liu Jing also realized that he was talking heavily and he was in a bad mood, so he brought this negative emotion to Tao Zhan. He laughed and said in a joking tone: "Chaisang City is broken, and there is only one female prisoner of war in the city. How could Sun Quan not be moved when he saw such a beautiful woman? And he is also the daughter of the Tao family. How could Sun Quan have such a good victory?

Before Liu Jing finished speaking, Tao Zhan stretched out his jade hand and blocked his mouth, "Don't say it anymore. I understand what you mean. I won't stay. I will make you embarrassed. I will withdraw immediately."

Speaking of this, she snuggled gently in Liu Jing's arms and whispered: "Actually, I said I didn't want to leave because I wanted to be with you, not for my grandfather, do you understand?"

A warm feeling surged in Liu Jing's heart. It turned out that she was not leaving because she didn't leave. He smelled the fragrance on Tao Zhan's head. He suddenly made up his mind, held her soft shoulders, looked at her beautiful eyes like a deep pool, and said word by word: "When this war is over, I will marry you."

Tao Zhan raised his head suddenly and stared at Liu Jing. Her beautiful eyes shone like gems. She had been waiting for this day for a long time, but before two years, could her grandfather agree to her beautiful eyes again covered with a faint fog.

Liu Jing hugged her in his arms again and gently stroked her hair, but his tone was a little resolute, "A real man, if he doesn't even have the courage to fight for the woman he likes, what kind of face should he stand between heaven and earth, and his ambition to fight for dominance in the world."

After saying that, he let go of Tao Zhan, turned around and strode away, and heard his voice coming from afar, "Go and pack up, I will arrange a boat for you and take the bag away with you."

Tao Zhan looked at Liu Jing's majestic back, and her beautiful eyes couldn't help but be fascinated. It has been a year and a half since I met Jinglang. Is the day she was looking forward to finally coming?

...........

In Wuchang, Huang Zu received emergency information sent by Liu Jing. At the same time, he also received news from the detectives that Jiangdong's troops had increased significantly, and had increased to between 60,000 and 80,000. This news made Huang Zu's face pale. He had realized that this time the Jiangdong army would launch a large-scale attack on Jiangxia, and he would probably have a lot of danger.

In the room, Huang Zu was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, circling around the room with his hands behind his back. What should he do? His total strength is only 20,000. How can he resist the attack of nearly 80,000 people in Jiangdong?

"Father"

Huang Sho broke into the room like a gust of wind and said anxiously: "Just just got the news that Liu Jing was evacuating the military and civilians of Chaisang on a large scale. I'm afraid he will abandon the city."

The news seemed to make things worse. Huang Zu was stunned for a while. He suddenly roared like thunder, "Damn the bastard, he, Chaisang, doesn't resist, do you want to throw all the Jiangdong army to me?"

"Father, I'm afraid that's what he meant, what should we do?"

Huang Zu was in a mess, of course he didn't know what to do. If he knew what to do, would he still be helpless here? At this time, his aide Jiang Qi also walked in quickly. Huang Zu grabbed him as if he saw a savior and said, "Mr. Jiang Xia is in danger, what should I do?"

Jiang Qi sighed, "At present, I can only ask the provincial governor for help. If the provincial governor is willing to send reinforcements, there may be a glimmer of hope to protect Jiangxia."

Huang Zu was stunned. He really didn't want to ask Liu Biao for help. After a while, he sighed and said, "Is there no other way?"

Jiang Qi shook his head, "Even Liu Jing knew that Chaisang could not defend, so he moved to Xiazhi and Yangxin County to defend. This time, the attack of Jiangdong Army was abnormal. I heard that Sun Quan personally led his troops to fight, and it can be said that he was bound to win. Unless the guard gave up Jiangxia like Liu Jing, and evacuated from Nanjun and Xiangyang, he could only ask for help, and there was no other way."

Huang Zu stood there for a moment, and finally sighed, "Well, no matter what, I can only ask him for help."

Huang Zu forced himself to calm down. He stared at the map for a moment, turned around and shot at Chang Huang: "The money and food are all in Xiakou. I personally led 15,000 troops to guard Xiakou. If you lead 5,000 troops to guard Wuchang, if you can defend, you can defend. If you can't, you will give up Wuchang and withdraw from Lu to Xiakou. Our father's life is just one move. If it really doesn't work, we will withdraw from Nanjun."

Huang Zu immediately wrote a letter and ordered people to send it to Xiangyang quickly. He now placed all his hopes on Liu Biao's reinforcements.

...........

On the morning of the day, Liu Jing rode a horse and took a team of soldiers to patrol the empty Chaisang City. After the emergency retreat of the sky, all the money, grain, materials and more than 90% of the population were withdrawn from Xiazhi County and Yangxin County. There were less than a thousand people in the entire Chaisang City, most of which were elderly people who were unwilling to leave their homes.

The originally prosperous streets became deserted at this time, with shops closed and taverns closed. There were only a few stray dogs looking for food on the street.

"Sima"

A soldier rushed over and reported panting: "Master Tao sent someone to come and ask you to go there, saying that there is something to discuss."

Liu Jing immediately turned his horse's head and ran towards the Tao Mansion.

Tao Lie considered it all day and finally decided to stay in Chaisang City. Although Sun Quan might force the Tao family to make a last choice, he could not leave. At least under the current situation, he needed to give Sun Quan an explanation, and the Tao family would continue to support Jiangdong.

The people in the Tao Mansion were basically exposed, leaving only Tao Lie and a few elderly family members. These five or six family members have followed Tao Lie for nearly forty years, loyal. One of the family members led Liu Jing to the inner house, nagging, "The mansion is quiet, it's the first time I've been in Tao Mansion for fifty-two years. I'm in the Tao Mansion for the first time. I don't know when everyone will come back."

Liu Jing knew this old man named Tao Fu. He became Tao Lie's book boy at the age of fourteen. He is 66 years old this year. He is the eldest steward of the Tao Mansion and led his family to Yangxin County.

Liu Jing ignored his nagging and soon came to the small door of the inner house. Tao Fu turned around and smiled at Liu Jing and said, "The master said that only Mr. Jing can go in alone, and the entourage can wait outside."

Liu Jing turned around and ordered a few followers, "You are waiting here, I'll be back soon."

He followed his hometown into the inner house. As soon as he arrived in front of Tao Lie’s bedroom, Tao Fu knocked on the door, "Master, he is here."

"Come in" Tao Lie's voice came from inside.

Tao Fu opened the door, "Please"

Liu Jing felt a little strange. He saw Tao Lie in his study several times, but today he came to Tao Lie’s bedroom. What happened? He felt in his heart that Tao Lie would have to do something big.

Tao Fu did not come in and closed the door. The room seemed a little dim. He saw that Tao Lie's bedroom was very elegant and simple, with only one couch and one box, and nothing else was, but spotless.

Tao Lie was sitting cross-legged on the couch, looking at him with a smile. Liu Jing stepped forward and kowtowed respectfully, "Go to Grandfather"

He had an engagement with Tao Zhan, and Tao Zhan's grandfather was naturally his grandfather. Although Tao Zhan was not here at this time, Liu Jing still maintained etiquette.

"Good boy, don't be too polite."

Tao Lie smiled and waved his hand, asking Liu Jing to sit down, and he said straight to the point: "I have been thinking about it all day long. Although I still have all kinds of concerns, I still decided to betroth Zhan'er to you. If you are willing to marry her as your wife."

Liu Jing immediately said respectfully: "Thank you grandfather for your fulfillment. Liu Jing sincerely wishes to marry Jiu Niang as his wife."

Tao Lie considered it very realistically. This time, the Jiangdong army advanced westward. If Liu Jing could persist until the end, he would definitely be the lord of Jiangxia. Then, if he married his granddaughter and the Tao family would be completely bound to him. As for Sun Quan, when Tao Lie went to Jiangdong last year, he had an enlightenment. It seemed that Sun Quan did not care about the exchanges between the Tao family and Liu Jing, and Liu Jing was willing to reconcile with Sun Quan, so the Tao family might become a bridge between Liu Jing and Sun Quan.

As for Liu Biao, Tao Lie no longer cared about it. The Tao family could not cover everything. If he had to offend someone in the end, he would rather offend Liu Biao.
Chapter completed!