Chapter 5: The Fox Assuming the Power of the Tiger
Liu Jun was truly taken aback. Who is Liu Tianhe? Who is Liu Shouyou? Who is Liu Qiao? These are all first-rank ministers with the title of Gongbao. Especially Liu Tianhe, who is the highest-ranking official from Macheng to date, serving as the Minister of War. In Macheng, who does not know this Liu Gongbao
With such a powerful uncle as a brocade-clad governor, there is no reason to resort to intimidation or to use a false banner; he should directly go to the Liu family at Suokou River and formally acknowledge their relationship.
The first category includes young military officers under the age of 25. The second category consists of hereditary military officers' children who have not yet inherited their titles, specifically those who are to inherit the position of a scholar. The third category encompasses the remaining nephews and nieces of military officials who are over the age of 10. The fourth category pertains to senior military officers who are over the age of 50. The fifth category consists of individuals from the civilian sector who possess exceptional martial skills, genuine talent, and a strong aspiration towards martial arts.
As Liu Jun walked out of Zhang's house, each hand weighing a large silver ingot of over three pounds, he truly felt a sense of pride and satisfaction. Although it seemed beneath him to bully a rural tyrant from ancient times, one must stand up against injustice. Since this butcher had thrown himself into the line of fire, he could hardly blame Liu for stepping on him a couple of times.
Old Liu nodded
The martial arts of local garrisons are indeed primarily composed of young military officers under the age of twenty-five, as well as hereditary military officers' sons over the age of fifteen, but not all martial students fall into these categories
Liu Jun took this path, but his entry into martial arts was not reliant on his identity as an officer or the son of hereditary military officials. At this time, there were five qualifications for admission to the martial arts academy
Upon hearing the original account, Old Liu let out a long sigh and remained silent for a long time
If his deceit is uncovered, that butcher, a local tyrant of sorts, will undoubtedly seek revenge
In the tenth year of the Chongzhen era, the court further decreed that all provincial, prefectural, and county schools should establish military student positions, to be examined collectively by the supervising officials. However, at that time, there was a prevailing emphasis on literature over martial skills, and society looked down upon the selection of military students.
Liu Chengye was expelled from his home and later returned to his hometown of Macheng. He moved from Suokou River to settle in Xiwai, where he married and had children. Decades have passed, and Liu Chengye has long since passed away, with his identity no longer known to others. If it were not for the mention by Old Man Liu today, Liu Jun would truly be unaware, just like the other residents of Xiwai, that the Liu family is indeed a part of the Jinghu Ding clan.
Speak honestly to your father and explain what exactly is going on
As Liu Jun stepped out of the Zhang family's main gate, the old servant Liu An immediately approached him, saying, "Second Young Master, are you alright?"
In addition to Liu Anbao's family, the Liu family also has two servant families. One family has a woman cooking in the kitchen, while the man handles miscellaneous tasks and purchases. Several children work on the farm. The other family consists of the maidservants brought by Liu Zhao's wife, the Mei family, after their marriage, who are dedicated to serving that household.
Based on his swift ability to take down all the men in the Zhang family just now, it is evident that Liu Jun possesses commendable martial skills
However, a martial artist is still equivalent to a scholar; although they may not be as accomplished, for many, it still represents a viable path forward
Although Liu Jun vented his anger for the Liu family, this method of resolution instead left the entire Liu family feeling anxious. Breakfast was consumed in a rather tense atmosphere.
Liu Qiao was in charge of the Northern Pacification Office of the Jinyiwei during the Tianqi period. However, due to his refusal to collaborate with the eunuchs, he was dismissed and sent home. After Chongzhen ascended the throne, he was soon reinstated to his original position and even received greater favor, becoming a significant figure in the capital.
Liu Jun was taken aback, "Could it be that the Liu family of Xiwai and the Liu family of Suokou River are related?"
In fact, Father, there is no need to dwell on this matter; evil people will inevitably face their own kind. I merely employed a small tactic. " As he spoke, Liu Jun recounted the incident where he had intimidated butcher Zhang by using the authority of the flamboyant Liu Qiao, the commander in a luxurious robe. "Father, you need not worry; I doubt that butcher Zhang has the courage to confront Liu Jinwu about this matter.
It turned out that he merely wanted to borrow a tiger skin to wave a flag, relying on the fox's pretense of power, but he did not expect that the Liu family was truly noble. Liu Jun could not help but have his thoughts turn; although it was said that his grandfather was driven out of the house and removed from the family tree, so many years have passed, should he really, like his father, cease all connections with that side
There is indeed a reason for this, and the reason is quite simple. Liu Shouyou was a grand general in his time, a very upright person, who strongly supported the reforms of Feng Bao and Zhang Juzheng during his tenure.
In fact, there is something I originally did not intend to tell you, my brothers. This can be considered a disgrace from our ancestors' past. However, since it has come to this, I will tell you. In truth, our Liu family from Xiwai actually migrated from Suokou River.
When Liu Jun placed one hundred taels of silver on the table and recounted what he had just said to Liu An, both Old Liu and Liu Da turned pale. "Oh dear, this simply cannot be done. It's best to take a step back; since the Zhang family has already apologized, that should suffice. Just bring the pig back, there is no need to demand their silver, especially not one hundred taels. This is unacceptable; quickly, return the silver."
He once served as the Governor of Shaanxi and the General Commander of the Three Borders. During the Jiajing period, he was summoned to serve as the Minister of War and the Commander of the Troops. Subsequently, his descendants Liu Shouyou, Liu Chengxi, and Liu Qiao inherited the position of the Jinyiwei for three generations. Both Liu Shouyou and Liu Qiao held significant roles within the Jinyiwei, particularly Liu Shouyou, who, as the brother of a renowned minister, was in charge of the Jinyiwei and was further known as the Great Commander Liu Jinwu of the Jinyiwei.
Ultimately, his ability to be admitted to the martial arts program is entirely related to the current situation. Liaodong has suffered consecutive defeats in battle, with Qing troops continuously invading the interior, while banditry has surged in the Central Plains. The court is constantly engaged in military operations and urgently requires those outstanding and valiant young individuals to serve the nation
Just as not all participants in the martial arts examination are martial students, but also include officials from various regions who are recommended for their knowledge of military strategy and outstanding courage, not all martial students are necessarily the children of military officials or hereditary military officials.
Before the reign of Chongzhen, apart from the military academies associated with the garrisons, the fall of Liaodong led to the establishment of martial arts schools in various northern regions. These schools were no longer confined to the military garrisons; instead, they were also set up in various prefectures and counties, integrating martial arts with Confucianism.
Moreover, when Liu Jun was at the Zhang family, he was actually deceiving them; he did not know the son of the brocade-clad general Liu Qiao at all, nor were they brothers. What he just did was merely to use a tiger's skin to make a big flag, relying on the tiger's might. At this moment, the most important thing is to hold steady; if he were to go back now and refund the money, wouldn't that expose him to the Zhang family
Liu An's wife continues to serve as the mistress, while his son is responsible for the rental affairs of the Liu family's fields and also works as a coachman. Bao'er is in charge of attending to Liu Jun, and when he is not at home, she helps with tasks such as washing clothes and serving tea
But why did grandfather move here back then, and why has he not had any contact with the Liu family of Suokou River in all these years?" Liu Jun asked curiously, wondering how such a thick thigh could be left unheld
After dinner, Liu Laodie called Liu Jun into the study.
There was nothing much to discuss; Master Zhang is still quite reasonable. I spoke with him for a few moments, and everything was clarified immediately. You see, Master Zhang mentioned that he hadn't slaughtered pigs for a long time, and today he was delighted to see the pigs, insisting on buying ours to practice. I initially intended to give them to him, but Master Zhang was very generous, saying that the Zhang family is not short of money at all. In the end, he insisted on giving me one hundred taels of silver as payment for the pigs. Just now, he even wanted to invite me to his home for a pig slaughtering feast, but I didn't want to impose, so I politely took my leave.
Liu Jun absolutely cannot allow others to ride on his neck and defecate, while still enduring in silence
With such strong support, if not to embrace it now, then when will one wait?
Among these five, Liu Jun is the one who has been rigorously selected for his exceptional martial skills and genuine talent in martial arts, as well as his aspirations in this field. However, he did not enter the martial arts of Fuzhou County, but rather those of Huangzhou Guard, which inevitably adds an element of mystery.
Liu Shouyou? The commander of the Jinyiwei during the Wanli era? Liu Shouyou, who held the positions of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, Left Commander of the Five Commanders' Office, and Commander of the Jinyiwei, as well as Grand Protector of the Crown Prince, Minister of War, and Left Inspector of the Censorate, was posthumously honored as Shaobao and given the title Zhuangxiang, the son of Liu Tianhe?" Liu Jun asked in astonishment
Liu An is indeed Bao'er’s biological father. It can be said that Bao'er is also a legitimate child of the Liu family. Liu An was originally the servant of Liu Xiu, Bao'er’s grandfather, and later became the steward, gatekeeper, and accountant of the Liu family, holding multiple positions. He married a maid who was part of Liu Jun's mother's dowry, and they subsequently had Bao'er and another son.
This is not correct. What status does the Liu family hold? To speak of the contemporary clan leader Liu Qiao, he is the grandson of Liu Shouyou's brother Liu Shouji. He is actually a cousin of the same generation as his father. Originally, the hereditary position of the Jinyiwei was held by the branch of Liu Shouyou, but it later passed to Liu Shouyou's son Liu Chengxi. However, Liu Chengxi did not pass it on to his own son; instead, it was passed on to his nephew Liu Qiao.
In fact, Liu Jun deliberately leveraged his identity as a martial artist while in Zhang's household, claiming that all martial artists were either military officers from the garrison or the offspring of hereditary military officials, when in reality, he was merely deceiving the unworldly butcher Zhang.
Liu Jun's grandfather was originally a concubine's illegitimate son. At that time, he followed his father to the capital and, benefiting from his father's influence, entered the Imperial Academy to study. Ultimately, he became lost in the indulgences of the capital, associating with a group of debauched youths and engaging in numerous activities that tarnished the family reputation. In the end, Liu Shouyou directly enforced family discipline, expelling him from the household and even removing him from the family genealogy.
Liu An listened to Liu Jun's serious yet nonsensical talk, feeling both amused and exasperated. However, upon seeing the Second Young Master return unscathed, he momentarily felt relieved. Yet, noticing that he was still holding two large silver ingots, his worry resurfaced. Could it be that the Young Master had directly confronted someone and forcibly seized the two ingots? Oh, heavens.
However, the vast majority of scholars in the Ming Dynasty were unwilling to serve as soldiers or military officials, and the few commoners who were willing lacked the necessary skills. Therefore, Liu Jun, a young scholar who had studied and possessed genuine martial arts skills, naturally became one of the expanded military students recruited by the court.
Not only is there kinship, my father, your grandfather is named Liu Chengye, and your great-grandfather is named Liu Shouyou
The Liu family is quite large, consisting of three servants and over ten subordinates. In addition to the three brothers, there are also four sisters, and besides their mother, there is an aunt. The three brothers are full siblings, while among the four sisters, two are already married and two remain unmarried. The youngest sister, the fourth, is born of Aunt Zhao.
Father, the pig from our family has already been slaughtered by the Zhang family. This silver is the money from selling the pig, and they willingly gave it. Look, there are even handprints. Liu Jun is not greedy for this one hundred taels of silver, but if he were to return the money, it would be tantamount to admitting defeat to the Zhang family. Wouldn't all the effort from earlier be in vain?
He did not expect that their Liu family from Xiban was actually one of the four prominent families of Macheng, the Liu family of Suokouhe, and that his grandfather was the son of the renowned General Liu.
Seeing Liu Jun return in full form, everyone breathed a sigh of relief
At the entrance of the Liu family, the little girl Bao'er had long been waiting eagerly. Upon seeing the two approaching, she quickly stepped forward and called out, "Father." Bao'er first addressed Liu An as father.
Upon entering the house, the Liu family had already gathered, including Aunt Zhao, who had not been seen earlier, and two younger sisters. The servants from the three families were also standing in the corridor.
Unfortunately, this rural tyrant, Zhang the Butcher, is not well-informed about the affairs of the court, which allowed Yi Feng to flaunt his authority under the guise of the tiger, thus exerting a momentary influence.