In the bustling yet secretive political environment of Xiangyang, Cai Mao and Kuai Yue, two of Liu Biao's key officials, found themselves in a tense discussion, caught in the web of political maneuvering.
Cai Mao, the military strategist for Liu Biao, was a native of Xiangyang, and his influence was solidified by his familial ties to Liu Biao. His sister had married Liu Biao's second wife, and this connection made him a trusted figure in Liu Biao's administration. On the other hand, Kuai Yue, the Governor of Zhangling in Jingzhou, was a man who had served Liu Biao ever since Liu Biao entered Jingzhou. He was appointed to his post after the power struggles of the early years in Jingzhou, following the defeat of Yuan Shu.
While Cai Mao enjoyed a favored position, Kuai Yue had to be more cautious. Although they both served Liu Biao, there was underlying tension between the two due to their differing ambitions and personal histories. This meeting was meant to discuss whether or not Liu Biao should accept Lü Bu's request for refuge, after his dramatic retreat from Xia Pi.
After Chen Gong successfully arrived in Xiangyang, delivering Lü Bu's gold and jewels as a gesture of goodwill, Cai Mao pushed hard for Liu Biao to take in Lü Bu, arguing that Lü Bu's military prowess and reputation would only benefit Jingzhou. However, Liu Biao was cautious and convened a council with Kuai Yue and Liu Xian, his trusted advisors, to deliberate further.
Cai Mao spoke first, his voice confident. "Master, after Lü Bu's defeat at Xia Pi, he is now a man without a root. He has no more than 3,000 men left, with only a few key generals like Zhang Liao and Gao Shun remaining. He poses no threat to us."
He continued, "This is an opportunity for us to extend our generosity. If Liu Biao accepts Lü Bu, it will show the world that we are magnanimous, and many more heroes will flock to our side."
But Liu Xian, ever the pragmatist, spoke up sharply. "Cai Mao, you must be cautious! Lü Bu is a man of wild ambition, and his reputation is already infamous. If we accept him, it will send a message to the world that we align ourselves with a man of such notoriety. How will that look?"
He added, "Moreover, Lü Bu and Cao Cao are bitter enemies. If we take him in, Cao Cao will undoubtedly view it as a provocation. We will only invite trouble for ourselves, and do you truly believe Cai Mao can't see that?"
Cai Mao was not unaware of Liu Xian's concerns, but he responded calmly, "Master, Liu Xian's worries are understandable, but they are misplaced. We are already at odds with Cao Cao. The fight between him and us has been inevitable for some time, and accepting Lü Bu won't make much difference. He could also serve as a useful barrier to Cao Cao's expansion."
"Furthermore," Cai Mao continued, "If we take in Lü Bu, it would provide a strong defense against the east. Once Yuan Shu weakens further, we can use Lü Bu to take over Yangzhou. With his experience, he could be an effective vanguard."
But Liu Xian was not convinced. "Yes, Lü Bu might have been formidable in the past, but he betrayed both Ding Yuan and Dong Zhuo—he is not a man to trust. Allowing him a foothold in Jingzhou could very well backfire, leading to internal instability."
At this point, Liu Biao remained silent, observing the unfolding debate. He was well aware of the political intricacies at play and the rivalry between the Cai and Kuai families. His own position was precarious, and he needed to navigate this issue carefully.
After a moment of quiet contemplation, Liu Biao asked, "What does Kuai Yue think about this?"
Kuai Yue, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. "Master, I agree with Cai Mao that we have little to lose from accepting Lü Bu. However, I must caution you about where we place him. While I have no objection to offering him refuge, we must be careful where we allow him to settle."
He continued, "The eastern part of Jingzhou, including Zhangling and Jiangxia, is strategically sensitive. If we place Lü Bu in Jiangxia, Huang Zu will surely feel threatened and question our loyalty. Even placing him in Zhangling could cause friction with my own family, as it is our territory. We need to avoid any unnecessary complications."
Liu Biao nodded thoughtfully. "So, where do you suggest we place him?"
Kuai Yue looked up, his expression calm but resolute. "I suggest we send him to Nanyang. It is a region far from the internal power struggles of Jingzhou and strategically important for defending against potential threats from the south. It would provide Lü Bu with a place to settle without disturbing the balance of power within Jingzhou."
Cai Mao was not pleased with this suggestion. He had hoped to use Lü Bu as a tool to further his influence, but Kuai Yue's suggestion of Nanyang would place Lü Bu far from the political epicenter of Jingzhou, diminishing his value.
Yet, despite his displeasure, Cai Mao remained silent. The power struggle between him and Kuai Yue was not something that could be resolved in a single conversation. Both men knew the stakes were high.
Liu Biao finally spoke, "Very well. We will offer Lü Bu refuge, but I will agree to Kuai Yue's suggestion to send him to Nanyang. Let him settle there, and we will see how things unfold."
The meeting concluded with no further dispute, but the undercurrents of power and rivalry between Cai Mao and Kuai Yue were far from resolved. The decision had been made, but Liu Biao knew that the situation was still volatile, and how he handled Lü Bu in the future would be crucial for maintaining his own grip on power in Jingzhou.