Chapter 6: Climbing the Dragon and Attaching to the Phoenix

Across from the Liu family, the butcher Zhang lay on a bamboo chair with a drooping arm, sighing heavily. He had exchanged one hundred taels of silver for a dead pig, and to make matters worse, his third son had a broken nose and a dislocated right arm. The entire household was also bruised and battered, not to mention that the pig's blood had splattered all over the house. To top it off, he had been so frightened in public that he had soiled his pants. Reflecting on these events, the butcher Zhang felt as if he had swallowed a fly, overwhelmed by discomfort.

Damn it, I have traveled back to the Ming Dynasty, and I do not want to be oppressed by the authorities, plundered by bandits, or slaughtered by the Manchus!

In recent days, he has not dared to step outside his door, nor has he visited his favorite teahouse, and he has stopped listening to operas, remaining at home. He has not immediately sent someone to find his county magistrate son-in-law; instead, he is observing carefully. If the Liu family of Xiwai is indeed related to the Liu family of Suokou River, then any action he takes could lead to disaster.

When it comes to action, Liu Jun immediately took the one hundred taels of silver he had obtained from Zhang the butcher's house and went on a large-scale shopping spree at the Xiwai market, purchasing numerous gifts. Moreover, he was very high-profile during his procurement, not shying away from inquiries, and openly stated that he was going to the Liu family at Suokou River

Liu Jun chose an excellent time, as three days later would mark the seventieth birthday of Liu Qiao's father, Liu Chengqi. Liu Jun was just in time to take advantage of this occasion to pay a visit.

Liu Erlengzi indeed said this, and he has said the same to many merchants.

However, Liu Jun is not like those middle school students; he is well aware that the heroes of the peasant revolution, such as Li Zicheng, Zhang Xianzhong, and Hong Xiuquan, as promoted in the textbooks of later generations, are merely a form of propaganda that arose from certain ideological needs in earlier years

A gift of one hundred taels of silver is quite substantial. Taking the land prices in Jiangnan as an example, they have traditionally been higher, and the area around eastern Hubei is known for its wealthy gentry. Therefore, a mu of high-quality paddy field often values between twenty to thirty taels of silver.

The best course of action should be to relocate immediately, moving to Jiangnan would not be safe for long, and it would be better to move to Southeast Asia or Europe. However, this can only be a thought, as the attachment to one's homeland is strong; which member of the Liu family would be willing to relocate?

Understood, I will go now

Before the arrival of the Manchu, the region of E'dong was also a target for plundering by peasant armies.

However, that day, Liu Erlengzi's arrogant demeanor, exuding an air of invincibility, instilled fear in him. Even if Liu Erlengzi was foolish, he was not afraid of him. However, if this fool had any connections to the Liu family of the Lock Mouth River, a prominent family in the brocade-clad aristocracy, then the situation would become troublesome. He did not dare to seek revenge and even had to worry about potential retaliation from the Liu family members.

Butcher Zhang suddenly wilted, retreating into the bamboo chair, feeling utterly exhausted

Regardless of the circumstances, we must now observe the developments, as Liu's family from Suokou River is not someone we can afford to offend in the slightest

Having prepared the gifts, Liu Jun led the large green mule out from the home of the calligrapher and mounted it to set off on his journey. Xiwang is located to the southwest of the county town, while the Liu family at Suokou River is twenty-five li to the northwest of the county town. The entire journey spans over fifty li, and riding the mule at a brisk pace would take most of the day to reach.

At this moment, Liu Jun was solely focused on how to establish a connection with the Liu clan and secure that golden opportunity.

However, since it is a gift, there is no reason to be reluctant to spend money. You cannot catch a wolf without letting go of the child; giving a gift is an investment. Liu Jun understands these principles well. As long as one can secure a strong connection with the Liu family, it is worth not just one hundred taels of silver, but even gathering another hundred taels.

As the saying goes, "The more gifts, the less offense." Even though Liu Chengye was expelled from the Liu family back then, after so many years, Liu Jun personally came to present gifts and celebrate the birthday. Could it be that Old Master Liu Chengqi would still refuse him

Well, it seems there is little hope of relying on my father in this lifetime. Old Liu has merely been a repeatedly unsuccessful scholar for many years.

Master, Master, Liu Erleng is currently at the market making extravagant purchases of gifts. He has bought a considerable amount of ginseng, bird's nest, shark fin, pearls, and other luxurious items, totaling no less than one hundred taels of silver.

In his previous life, Liu Jun worked hard and struggled for a lifetime, yet in the end, he was merely a representative of the countryside and a county committee member. The reason was simple: his starting point was too low. The hardships endured over the years made him understand an important principle: a man cannot be without power for a single day, but where does power come from? Besides one's own efforts and struggles, it is even more crucial to have a powerful father.

Liu Laodie felt a complex mix of emotions upon learning that Liu Jun was going to the Liu family at Suokou River. Deep down, he also wished to return to his roots and rejoin his clan, which was an unfulfilled wish of Liu Chengye from years ago. However, as an educated man, he felt a sense of shame, believing that his father had been expelled and that he had no face to return. When his son planned to go to offer congratulations and gifts, he did not approve, yet ultimately did not stop him either.

You personally go to Liu's family in Suokou River and keep an eye on Liu Erlengzi. I want to know every move he makes during the birthday celebration at Liu's family in Suokou River. Zhang the butcher pondered for a long time before finally saying this with some reluctance

Liu Qiao, Liu Xiu, Liu Feng, Liu Jun; just by looking at the names of these two families across two generations, one can tell that they are truly a family

The young man heard the merchants at the market say that Liu Erleng was purchasing gifts because three days later, it would be the 70th birthday of Liu Jinwu's father, Old Master Liu. He intended to attend the birthday celebration and bring a gift. He also mentioned to others that Liu Jinwu was his paternal uncle and that the birthday celebrant, Old Master Liu, was his great-grandfather.

It is now the twelfth year of the Chongzhen era, and in five years, the Ming Dynasty will fall. Following this, the Manchu Qing will take over China. Although the late Ming struggles desperately, it cannot hold out for many more years. The landowners in the eastern part of Hubei will soon fall into the hands of the Manchus.

"Did he really say that?" Zhang the butcher suddenly became agitated and excited, standing up abruptly and asking loudly

Essentially, they could not possibly be revolutionaries, let alone righteous soldiers, and they are certainly not heroes. These individuals are fundamentally just desperate farmers, deserters, and the like. They are not leading the people in a revolution; rather, they are merely roaming and plundering, and their actions are no better than those of the corrupt imperial army. As an ordinary commoner, when the Qing Dynasty came, there was no way to survive; when the bandit army arrived, there was still no way to survive—massacres and looting. These individuals are fundamentally just desperate farmers, deserters, and the like. They are not leading the people in a revolution; rather, they are merely roaming and plundering, and their actions are no better than those of the corrupt imperial army. As an ordinary commoner, when the Qing Dynasty came, there was no way to survive; when the bandit army arrived, there was still no way to survive—massacres and looting.

He believes that if his father can return to his roots soon, not to mention passing the imperial examination, at the very least he should be able to become a successful candidate. Even if he cannot achieve that, he should at least be able to hold a position as a county clerk or something similar, which is certainly better than being a children's leader.

First and foremost, it is imperative to find a way to establish a relationship with the Liu family. With the Liu family as a strong backing, there will at least be five or six years of shelter to rely on. As for the future, we will cross that bridge when we come to it. In the midst of this contemplation, Liu Jun had already made a decisive decision.

Conversely, one or two taels of silver can buy two stones of rice, and a small maid costs only four or five taels of silver. If one wishes to purchase a skilled maid aged sixteen or seventeen, it would only amount to twenty or thirty taels. One hundred taels of silver can buy four or five mu of high-quality farmland, or twenty small maids, or four or five young skilled maids.

Liu Jun made a series of purchases in the market, after all, it was not his own money he was spending. The one hundred taels of silver he received from the butcher Zhang had quickly been spent entirely, all exchanged for various gifts.

Previously, he had some doubts that Liu Erlengzi was deceiving him, but now Liu Erlengzi has said the same thing to many merchants at the market, which makes it very likely that this matter is indeed true. The Liu family of Xiwang is truly related to the Liu family of Suokou River, and they are even of the same clan. However, damn it, he has been neighbors with the Liu family for decades; how come he had never heard of this before

Especially for the gentry class like the Liu family, it becomes even more perilous, as they have always been the targets of plunder and repression

The saying "to keep the hair but not the head, to keep the head but not the hair" reflects the barbarity and slaughter of the Qing Dynasty's foolish rule, which will never be accepted by future generations

Butcher Zhang felt a toothache, and he cursed, "This is all costing me my own money." However, he found it a bit strange, "What on earth is Liu Erlengzi buying so many gifts for?"

Without discussing the reasons for their actions, the fact remains that everyone is willing to leave. However, relocating to a foreign continent is nearly impossible given the transportation conditions of this era. If they cannot leave, they must stay. Yet, if they are unwilling to be subjects of the Qing dynasty, do not wish to be executed by bandits, and also do not want to be exploited by the authorities, they must possess the ability to protect themselves

Old Liu was not intending for his son to seek out relatives when he spoke to him about this family secret

Fortunately, there is still a capable uncle to rely on. A grand commander, wow, truly impressive. It would be foolish not to acknowledge such a central committee-level uncle and instead strive on one's own; isn't that just silly?