"By the way, there are some things I've speculated on, but I can't guarantee their accuracy. I'll tell you, and you can take the message back," Yi Ji said after conveying Liu Biao's orders, shifting to the matter he truly wanted to discuss.
"Let's hear it," Jian Yong responded with curiosity.
"The Cai family may be leaning towards Yuan Gonglu," Yi Ji said uncertainly. "Ever since they took refuge in southern Jingzhou to avoid disaster, and after my lord had to dismantle and significantly reduce the navy due to a lack of funds, the relationship between the Cai family and my lord has become strained."
"Hmm..." Jian Yong nodded but refrained from making any comments. To him, this situation seemed quite normal and nothing worth dwelling on.
For a large family like the Cai clan, it was natural for them to seek their own interests when they felt deprived. In Jian Yong's experience, this was not uncommon. Even Chen Xi, who led the reforms, had to promise future benefits to persuade many families, and still, some short-sighted ones opposed his changes. So, seeing the Cai family act this way didn't surprise him at all.
"You misunderstand my point. What I'm saying is that the Cai family needs to be closely monitored. If they truly align themselves with Yuan Gonglu, then my lord's position will become precarious. Should the Cai family turn against us and coordinate with external forces, southern Jingzhou would be indefensible," Yi Ji said with a grave expression.
"You should probably have the Kuai family or Liu Jingzhou handle this. We can't do much from here," Jian Yong replied, still somewhat puzzled by Yi Ji's request.
Yi Ji sighed inwardly. There were things he couldn't openly discuss. Although his loyalty leaned towards Liu Bei, as long as Liu Biao was alive, he remained Liu Biao's minister and could not betray him. He would continue to fulfill his duties within those constraints, but beyond that, he wouldn't act against his principles.
This sense of duty made it difficult for Yi Ji to directly ask Jian Yong to inform the people in Taishan to prepare for a potential collapse of Liu Biao's forces and to be ready to rescue key figures like Kuai Yue, Kuai Liang, Huang Zhong, Xiang Lang, and Han Song.
The current situation was that Liu Biao's resources were too thin, and he was hampered by internal strife and insufficient supplies, not by a lack of capable subordinates. If Liu Biao's forces crumbled, these talents would have no choice but to scatter.
In Yi Ji's view, it was better for Liu Bei to prepare in advance. Even though he had already sent Huang Xu to Taishan, there was a high likelihood that Huang Zhong would follow if Huang Xu survived—or even if he didn't, provided Huang Zhong remained unaware of his son's fate. Once in Taishan, Huang Zhong would undoubtedly serve Liu Bei.
Yi Ji had also been in contact with the Kuai family, and if the worst happened, he believed he could convince them to join Liu Bei. However, southern Jingzhou was not just about Kuai Liang, Kuai Yue, and Huang Zhong; there were many other figures involved.
Yi Ji alone couldn't get all these people to safety. Only Liu Bei himself could gather them all, and these talents, though currently shackled by the limitations of southern Jingzhou, had significant potential. If Liu Biao fell and these talents were absorbed by Sun Ce, it would be a great loss.
"Forget it. Just relay my exact words to Chen Zichuan and the others. Some things are better left unsaid," Yi Ji sighed. He was still bound by his duties to Liu Biao and had to continue serving him.
"I will," Jian Yong replied with a smile, not taking Yi Ji's words too seriously. "Ji Bo, can you tell me about the virtuous ministers and talented scholars in Jingzhou? I've got some free time, and I'd like to visit them."
Yi Ji nodded and began introducing Jian Yong to the hidden talents and renowned scholars across Jingzhou. Although Jingzhou wasn't short on second-tier and nearly first-tier strategists, the truly top-tier talents had either been recruited elsewhere or remained unknown.
While Jian Yong was busy digging for talent in Jingzhou, Zhuge Liang was anxiously awaiting the arrival of his bride. He had long been destined to marry Huang Yueying, so he wasn't worried that she would refuse.
Truthfully, beneath Zhuge Liang's gentle and refined demeanor lay a will capable of taking bold action when necessary, especially after being influenced by the new ideas imparted by Chen Xi. Zhuge Liang had developed new perspectives on many things.
"Kongming, you've been rather distracted lately," Lu Su observed as he glanced at Zhuge Liang.
"When one's heart is preoccupied, it's hard to stay fully focused," Zhuge Liang calmly admitted, not denying Lu Su's observation.
"Hahaha, just wait a little longer. With An Guo accompanying them, there's no need to worry. However, this means our lord now has no personal bodyguard," Lu Su chuckled, trying to comfort him, but he couldn't help but express some concern.
"Don't underestimate the fifty City Guard soldiers. These soldiers are battle-hardened elites, each having fought in at least fifteen battles. They're now fully equipped with well-forged large shields, plate armor, strong crossbows, and suitable melee weapons," Man Chong interjected, feeling defensive. Compared to the Tiger Guards, he had more faith in the City Guard, a unit that had emerged from the crucible of battle and possessed a military soul.
"By the way, this is the only unit we have with a military soul, right? How did that come about?" Lu Su asked, raising his head.
"I don't know. It just appeared out of nowhere. I never trained for it, yet somehow we have it. Unfortunately, it can't leave this area; otherwise, I'd love to take it out to teach Lü Bu a lesson," Man Chong replied with a proud smirk. Although he wasn't purely a strategist, he was a competent commander, even if his martial prowess was lacking.
The military soul was an embodiment of elevated willpower, and the aura enveloping Fenggao City was actually a manifestation of Liu Bei's innate ability. It reflected the deep-seated loyalty of his followers and their unwavering recognition of him and Taishan. When this recognition intensified to fervor, mingled with honor and sacrifice, it became the military soul.
However, this spontaneously generated military soul was rooted in a fervent belief in Liu Bei and the Taishan government, mixed with the ever-present incense offerings at the Spirit Hall, a place that symbolized the fallen and the sacrifices made. This was why this powerful unit could not leave the area; their soul was bound to this place.
Neither Liu Bei nor Chen Xi fully understood the reasons behind this phenomenon. They continued to strive towards their lofty goals, unaware that as they worked, more and more people began to recognize and support the Taishan government. Through their efforts, education, propaganda, and rituals, they were, unknowingly, forging a soul—a national spirit.