Chapter 6, the minor official speaks eloquently.
They had seen hospitality before, but it was the first time for Liu Zhi and others to encounter someone so enthusiastic that they were forced to take a seat with a knife. They all found it quite amusing, and thus, they nodded and smiled, saying, "Alright, thank you, Brother Bosheng. We are indeed very thirsty!"
From the very beginning, when the person with the surname Li started to speak incessantly, they had already heightened their vigilance, preparing to remind Liu Yan at the appropriate moment not to be deceived by this person's flowery words. However, they did not expect that Liu Yan would accept all the auspicious words without any hesitation, remaining completely unmoved. As a result, the leader of the Li clan, aside from exhausting himself to the point of dryness, gained nothing.
The wise emperor, upon hearing the news, was greatly enraged. He immediately issued orders to the local governors, commanding them to select talents without restriction, solely based on merit. Furthermore, through the relevant authorities, he announced preferential treatment for students of the Imperial Academy: during their period of study, they would be exempt from all corvée labor and taxes, with the state providing for their clothing, food, housing, and transportation.
His parents passed away early, and several younger sisters and brothers relied entirely on him, their older brother by just a few years, for their upbringing and care. Thus, in terms of blood relations, he is the elder brother, but in reality, he fulfills the responsibilities of a father. Whenever he hears others praise his younger brother Liu Xiu for his boundless prospects, it brings him a sense of comfort a thousand times greater than any praise directed at himself
Liu Yan first smiled at the two, signaling them to make themselves comfortable. He then finally turned his gaze to the county militia captain, who was sweating profusely, and said with a smile, "May I ask the honorable name of this captain? Where are you from, and under which esteemed official do you serve?"
The county garrison commander Li Miao had originally climbed to his position through flattery. At this moment, eager to extricate himself, he generously dispensed various compliments in abundance. Liu Yan, upon hearing this, was beaming with joy. Unbeknownst to them, the atmosphere between the host and the guests gradually became harmonious.
"How can a mischievous younger brother compare to the county magistrate?" Liu Yan, looking down on the actions of Cen Peng today, shrugged and said with a cold smile
The mist shrouded Zhengyun Mountain as it wound around the bends. I attempted to see if I could use the intermediary of the county of Xinye to establish a connection with the ruthless man surnamed Liu in front of me, in order to lower his vigilance towards me. However, at the entrance of the inn on the first floor, a half-grown boy suddenly ran out, his face smeared with blood, shouting loudly: "Brother, something's wrong, in my room..."
The county militia commander shivered and raised his hands, cautiously responding, "I dare not, I dare not. My surname is Li, with the given name Miao. I am the commander of the sixth section of the fourth camp of the Jishui division under the command of the esteemed Lord Duwei. Lord Duwei is a nephew of the esteemed Lord Zheng and has also studied in Chang'an, being a classmate of Lord Cen, the magistrate of Jiyang County. As for your magistrate Zhang from Xinye County..." Lord Duwei is a nephew of the esteemed Lord Zheng and has also studied in Chang'an, being a classmate of Lord Cen, the magistrate of Jiyang County. As for your magistrate Zhang from Xinye County..."
"Bo Xian, Xiu Feng, you two come over and help me entertain the guests with a few drinks." Knowing full well that the station chief harbored ulterior motives, Liu Yan, however, chose to ignore it, quickly turning his head towards Liu Zhi, Zhang Jun, Xu Yu, and Qu Yang, smiling as he extended the invitation, "Ruo Shui, Brother Qu, could you two please help the station chief take care of his subordinates for now? We will switch shifts in a little while."
"Comparable, absolutely comparable!" The county militia commander Li Miao did not detect the disdain in his words and continued to hoarsely praise, "The Imperial Academy today is not like in previous years; it is personally taught by the Son of Heaven. Once they graduate, they become the disciples of the Son of Heaven, and wherever they go, others dare not show any disrespect."
Speak softly and pursue it, while soothing it from both sides. Once there is indulgence and power, blessings will descend upon the Kongyi.
The other travelers in the inn, who had previously been anxious about the possibility of the local soldiers coming in large numbers for revenge, now finally understood the subtlety of Liu Yan opening the door and sitting down to drink with the garrison commander. In admiration, they generously contributed, urging the innkeeper to instruct the kitchen to bring out as many of their best dishes as possible to the courtyard. They wished that this banquet could last until dawn. After dawn, the local soldiers and the bandits would naturally be too exhausted from their looting to continue and would return to rest. At this moment, they finally understood the subtlety of Liu Yan opening the door and sitting down to drink with the garrison commander. In admiration, they generously contributed, urging the innkeeper to instruct the kitchen to bring out as many of their best dishes as possible to the courtyard. They wished that this banquet could last until dawn. After dawn, the local soldiers and the bandits would naturally be too exhausted from their looting to continue and would return to rest. Everyone would then be able to escape safely!
What happened? What is wrong with your face? Who hit you!" Liu Yan grasped the hilt of his sword, stood up tall, and was about to rush into the inn to seek justice for his younger brother
"You certainly know how to speak! More than ten thousand people each session, how could the Son of Heaven possibly take care of them all?" Hearing his eloquent prayers and praises, Liu Yan finally revealed a hint of a smile on his face, shook his head, and quietly retorted
There are guests, there are guests, and their horses are white. There is lush grass, and they are refining their journey.
Haha, in that case, I shall take Captain Li's words to heart! Liu Yan felt greatly comforted by the words and smiled as he tapped the table.
"I dare not, I dare not!" The village chief Li Miao, with a苦 face, raised the wine cup to his lips and, trembling, managed to drink several sips before finally finishing it.
"Little brother is about to go to Chang'an to study? Oh my, that is truly remarkable!" The county guard, who was worried about how to get closer to him, immediately smiled broadly and took over the conversation, "Those who can enter the Taixue to study are all reincarnations of the literary star. Take Lord Cen, the county magistrate of Jiyang, for example; he is a great talent who graduated from the Taixue. At just over twenty, he has already become the respected head of a county. In a few years, he will likely be able to govern a prefecture and wear the red and purple robes!"
As he reorganized his words, he cast his gaze back and forth between the village chief Li Miao and Liu Zhi and Zhang Jun, his hands constantly gesturing in front of his chest. However, the straightforward Liu Xian did not perceive any unusual behavior from his younger brother. He raised his eyes and interrupted in a low voice, "A little nosebleed is nothing to worry about; just find something to wipe it off and get back to it later! Can't you see I'm drinking with Chief Li? Hurry up and go upstairs to study; don't think that just because you have a nosebleed, you can take the opportunity to slack off!"
Although tender, it adds a touch of tranquility and solemnity beneath the half city of fireworks
Bersheng is unaware that the Son of Heaven cannot possibly attend to every student. However, the students of the Son of Heaven are not to be bullied by anyone! Upon seeing the rarely gentle expression on the face of the notorious villain Liu Yan, the county soldier commander Li Miao felt a stir in his heart and quickly continued to build rapport with this person, "Take the county magistrate of Qijiang, Cen Peng, for example; he does not come from a prestigious family. Yet since taking office, who in the entire county dares to put on airs in front of him? The reason is simple: the Son of Heaven stands behind Magistrate Cen. To offend Magistrate Cen is tantamount to showing disrespect to the Son of Heaven!"
However, regardless of the circumstances, it is ultimately a good thing if the future can shine a little brighter. Otherwise, based solely on the surname "Liu," Liu Xiu would have to live his life as a commoner hero, just like his brother Liu Yan. Although Liu Yan is known as the "Little Mengchang of Chongling" and is often associated with heroes and brave men, deep down, he does not wish for his younger brother to end up like him, trapped in the countryside for a lifetime, having to bow respectfully to any local official he encounters. His younger brother is intelligent, eager to learn, and possesses a kind and adaptable nature; he deserves a better future and better choices.
From time to time, new county soldiers rushed past the brightly lit streets. Upon seeing a captain dressed in military attire inside the inn, entertaining three well-dressed young gentlemen with drinks, they mistakenly believed that Li Miao was publicly expressing his favoritism towards the Gao Sheng Inn. They all stepped aside, distancing their footsteps from the entrance, fearing a conflict with the county soldiers inside the inn would hinder their respective plans for wealth.
"It is! Big brother!" Liu Xiu, feeling helpless, could only reluctantly salute his elder brother before turning around and leaving in a hurried manner
As they spoke, Liu Zhi and Zhang Jun each carried their bloodied swords and approached the table, sitting opposite each other, one to the south and the other to the north. This sight completely caught the attention of the county guard captain, who was secretly scheming.
It is a pity that although this policy is "good," it has been "slandered" by those with ulterior motives as a means to win over the hearts of the people. Not only are the scholars from all directions responding in very few numbers, but they are also "suspicious of collusion and retreating into the woods and thickets."
In the valley, Zhang Jun respectfully addresses Captain Li. Wishing Captain Li a steady rise in rank! Zhang Jun also raised his glass in encouragement, his expression filled with mockery.
"Damn it, it's done!" The village chief Li Miao felt like crying but had no tears, wanting to escape but lacking the courage, he could only continue to raise his wine cup in companionship
There are guests staying overnight, there are guests who are trustworthy. Words are given as a bond, to bind their horses.
In the midst of eager anticipation, the sound of several young boys reading in unison came from the second floor
Come, Captain Li, we are like old friends upon our first meeting; let us drink this cup to moisten our throats! Liu Yan's gaze, which had been gentle as water, instantly transformed into a sharp, gleaming steel blade. He raised the wine cup high and thrust it straight at Li Miao, causing him to feel a sudden chill of fear, drenched in cold sweat.
The most virtuous and capable person throughout history, Emperor Wang Mang of the Xin Dynasty, after accepting the abdication from his own grandson, introduced a series of new policies. The most appreciated by the scholars of the realm was the expansion of the Taixue. The Taixue, which originally accommodated around 200 students, was suddenly expanded to enroll approximately 10,000 students each session. Throughout the land, anyone who could proficiently recite the "Classics" and "Commentaries" could almost gain admission to study.
After such a series of upheavals, an ordinary descendant of the Liu family, like Liu Xiu, who originally belonged to a collateral branch of the previous dynasty, finally had the opportunity to enter the Imperial Academy for further studies. Together with the younger generation of the noble families in the court, he enjoyed the grace of receiving personal guidance from the emperor. However, it remains uncertain how much he would actually learn after entering the Imperial Academy
The county guard commander coughed, glared, frowned, and scratched his ears and cheeks. Aside from not daring to stand up and call for help, he employed all other means, hoping that the passersby outside would realize that he was not drinking with anyone and would find a way to offer assistance. However, the passersby outside were all busy making money, and no one had the time to take a second glance at the territory that he had already claimed.
No, it is not that, it is a nosebleed. My nose just started bleeding, it is hot, too hot! Liu Xiu, the young boy, raised his hand and rubbed his nose a few times, and the bloodstains on his face instantly became more pronounced. "I just had a nosebleed in the room and got the bedding all dirty. Can you come upstairs to help me..."
"Little fellow, you are about to enter the academy, yet you still cannot settle down to study." Looking at his younger brother's back, Liu Yan gently shook his head with a hint of pride
"Come, Chief Li, I also offer you a cup!" Liu Zhi, watching from the side, secretly found it amusing and also raised his wine cup, extending an invitation to Chief Li Miao.
... ...
To be honest, today Li did not intend to offend Brother Liu. After a while of waiting, seeing that the timing was almost right, the county garrison commander Li Miao hesitated for a moment and cautiously said, "It is truly because General Liang is pressing hard, and Lord Cen of the county..."