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Fei Qian wasn't the only one troubled by the situation in Jing and Xiang.
The three Kuai brothers were also deeply concerned.
The Kuai family was a prominent local clan in Jing and Xiang, with deep roots and extensive connections.
The three Kuai brothers shared a close bond and often gathered to enjoy tea, chat, and discuss both ancient and contemporary affairs.
The most outstanding members of the Kuai family at present were these three: the eldest, Kuai Liang (Kuai Zirou); the second, Kuai Yue (Kuai Yidu); and the youngest, Kuai Qi (Kuai Yuantai).
Since taking over as the head of the Kuai family, Kuai Liang had adhered to the family's teachings, upholding the values of scholarship and propriety. His fairness and refinement earned him great respect and admiration, not only from his own family but also from other prominent clans.
His two brothers were no different. Although Kuai Liang was usually a man of few words, whenever he spoke, his brothers would follow his instructions without question.
On this fine autumn day, the sun's warmth was neither too hot nor too cold, making it the perfect weather for the three brothers to sit in their family pavilion, brew tea, and enjoy each other's company.
As the youngest, Kuai Qi naturally took on the task of serving his elder brothers. However, being young and lively, he couldn't wait to speak up as soon as he placed the water kettle on the charcoal stove. "Second Brother, you really showed your skills this time!" he said, his voice filled with admiration.
Kuai Yue chuckled, shaking his head slightly. Among his brothers, he didn't feel the need to be overly modest. With a hint of pride, he said, "Oh, it was nothing. Just a bit of talking, not too difficult."
"Not difficult? Fifty-five leaders!" Kuai Qi even gestured with his hands to emphasize the number.
"Well, Zhang Hu and Chen Sheng were the only troublesome ones. The rest were just a bunch of fools, hardly worth mentioning," Kuai Yue said dismissively, clearly unimpressed by the local bandits who had been causing trouble.
The two brothers were referring to the recent events where the Kuai family had helped Liu Biao pacify the clan bandits around Jing and Xiang…
Kuai Qi added, "I heard Liu Biao, Liu Jingsheng, has been praising you, saying Eldest Brother is like 'Yong Ji's wisdom' and Second Brother is like 'Jiu Fan's strategy'…" Just as the tea finished brewing, Kuai Qi quickly poured a cup for each of his brothers.
Yong Ji and Jiu Fan were figures from the Spring and Autumn period, both serving under Duke Wen of Jin.
At the time, Duke Wen of Jin was about to go to war with the state of Chu. He summoned Jiu Fan to discuss the upcoming battle, worried that his own forces were outnumbered by Chu's army. Jiu Fan advised Duke Wen to use deceitful tactics, as the Chu general leading the charge was rigid and inflexible.
Later, Duke Wen also consulted Yong Ji, who argued that deceitful tactics could work temporarily but not in the long term, as the enemy would learn from their mistakes.
In the end, Duke Wen used Jiu Fan's strategy to defeat Chu, but when it came time to reward his advisors, he honored both Jiu Fan and Yong Ji.
Kuai Yue sipped his tea slowly, saying nothing, but inwardly, he wasn't entirely satisfied with Liu Biao's comparison.
After all, hadn't he risked his reputation to gather the clan bandit leaders? Without his efforts, would Liu Biao have been able to capture those well-hidden troublemakers so easily?
Now, Liu Biao was comparing him to Jiu Fan. While it was meant as praise, Kuai Yue couldn't help but feel that it implied he was merely clever, while his elder brother, Kuai Liang, was the truly virtuous and righteous one.
Kuai Liang glanced at Kuai Yue. Knowing his brother's temperament well, he could guess what Kuai Yue was thinking. Although he initially didn't want to comment, he finally said, "In today's world, Jiu Fan's strategies are more valuable. Moreover, Liu Jingsheng's praise is likely self-serving. Yidu, don't dwell on it."
Kuai Yue quickly set down his tea cup and nodded in acknowledgment.
Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Kuai Qi decided to change the subject. "Eldest Brother, why did we help Liu Biao, Liu Jingsheng? Sure, he's the Governor of Jing Province, but he's just a member of the Liu royal family with no real power."
Kuai Yue also chimed in, "Yes, Eldest Brother, I've been wondering the same thing." After all, it had been Kuai Liang's decision to assist Liu Biao. Although Kuai Yue hadn't fully understood it at the time, he had followed his brother's instructions. Now that Kuai Qi had brought it up, Kuai Yue also wanted an explanation.
Kuai Liang didn't rush to answer. Instead, he slowly sipped his tea.
Kuai Yue and Kuai Qi could only sigh. Their elder brother had always been like this, so they had no choice but to wait patiently. Once Kuai Liang finished his tea, he would likely explain.
Sure enough, after finishing his tea and setting down the cup, Kuai Liang finally spoke. "Yidu, Yuantai, what do you think of Dong Zhuo's situation?"
Wait, weren't they talking about Liu Biao? Why bring up Dong Zhuo?
Although confused, the two brothers answered honestly. Kuai Yue said, "I think Dong Zhuo's power base is in Xiliang. Once he reaches Luoyang, he might not be able to win over the people. One misstep, and he could be doomed."
Kuai Qi nodded in agreement with his second brother's assessment.
Kuai Liang then asked, "And what do you think about the fact that the two sons of the Yuan family—one went to Bohai, and the other came to Nanyang?"
Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu?
Kuai Yue frowned. What was his elder brother getting at?
Kuai Qi, always quick to speak, said, "The Yuan family has long had influence in Nanyang, so it's not surprising that Yuan Shu came here. As for Yuan Shao, I heard he went to Bohai because he didn't get along with the Yuan family…"
Kuai Liang nodded but didn't comment, instead turning his gaze to Kuai Yue.
Kuai Yue felt that his elder brother's question couldn't be as simple as it seemed, so he thought carefully before answering. "What Third Brother said is only the surface. If we look at it from another angle… could it be that the Yuan family intentionally sent their two sons away from Luoyang?…"
"…After all, the Yuan family has deep roots in Luoyang. If they wanted to expand their influence, they didn't necessarily need to go to Jiyu or northern Jing. They could have stayed near Luoyang… This makes me think that only by going to Bohai and Nanyang could they gain something they couldn't obtain in Luoyang…" As Kuai Yue spoke, he became more convinced of his reasoning and continued, "…So what could be so attractive to the Yuan family? Or what does the Yuan family lack but desperately want?…"
Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he said firmly, "It must be military power! The one thing the Yuan family lacks right now is military power!"
Kuai Liang finally showed a hint of a smile and nodded. "Then why does the Yuan family want military power?"
Kuai Qi blurted out, "Naturally, to deal with Dong Zhuo!"
Kuai Liang nodded again but then shook his head. "Yes, but also no."
This left Kuai Qi completely confused. Was he right or not?
Kuai Yue, however, had a sudden realization, though it startled him. He hesitated before saying, "…Could it be that the Yuan family not only wants to deal with Dong Zhuo… but also wants to imitate him? This…"
Kuai Qi also caught on and murmured, "…This… surely not… That would lead to chaos…"
Kuai Liang remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "…Preparation leads to success; lack of preparation leads to failure. Our Kuai family has always been a scholarly one. If something were to happen… Liu Biao, Liu Jingsheng, has just arrived, and this is an opportunity for our family…"