Chapter 0006: Joining the Militia

Liu Yan suddenly recalled something and said to Liu Xiu: "A Xiu, I have mentioned several times that you should move out from Uncle's house and live with me. Are you still worried that there won't be enough space for you and your younger sister at elder brother's house?"

In the living room, Liu Xiu saw Liu Yan and Liu Zhong, and respectfully greeted each of his elder brothers with a bow, saying: "Eldest brother, second brother!"

Seeing his expression as if he had lost his parents, Zhu Yun felt a surge of anger from the bottom of his heart. He suddenly slammed the table and said loudly: "What is there to fear about the southern barbarians? If it were not for Wang Mang's usurpation, the southern barbarians would still be a submissive vassal state of our Han Dynasty!"

The current state of Yizhou has already become a complete mess

Since Wang Mang usurped the Han dynasty, Liu Yan has been constantly lamenting the need to restore the Han dynasty's state and its institutions. Now, by joining the rebel army, isn't he effectively aiding the oppressor in his tyranny

When Liu Zhong took the handkerchief, he said in a proper manner: "Thank you, little sister"

Liu Xiu, Liu Zhong, and Liu Boji simultaneously set down their bowls and chopsticks, gazing eagerly at their elder brother, uncertain about what matter could have prompted such solemnity from him

Liu Yan took a deep breath and said, "Come to my elder brother's house for dinner in the evening, and remember to bring little sister along."

Liu Xiu smiled and said, "Elder brother, my younger sister and I are living quite well at our uncle's house"

Zhang Ping and Zhu Yun both reside at Liu Yan's home, and their relationship with Liu Yan is akin to that of friends, yet also resembles that of his retainers

But who exactly are these two people? Why do they want to kill themselves? Liu Xiu was filled with confusion, unable to make sense of it no matter how hard he thought.

After everyone had seen it, they all praised it without reservation. Liu Boji embroidered peonies, with flowers as red as fire and leaves as green as emerald, creating a vibrant and lifelike display. In terms of needlework skills, Liu Boji truly surpasses many of her peers.

Liu Xiu, hearing Liu Yan's words, looked puzzled and asked, "Where are you going, elder brother?"

Does the third brother want it too

Liu Yan's gaze naturally glanced towards Liu Boji. Upon seeing this, Liu Xiu immediately understood that his younger sister must have been speaking recklessly in front of his elder brother

You little girl! Liu Xiu pulled his younger sister closer, his hand incessantly tickling her underarm. The little girl burst into laughter, pleading as she laughed, "I did it, I did it for Third Brother too..."

Liu Yan stated: "This year, the southern barbarians have not only caused chaos at the borders, but have also invaded Yizhou, committing arson, murder, and plunder, leaving no evil act uncommitted. The people of Yizhou have suffered countless deaths and injuries. Wang Mang has dispatched Lian Dan and Shi Xiong with an army of 100,000 to Yizhou to confront the barbarian forces. Additionally, Wang Mang plans to organize another 100,000 volunteer troops to assist Lian Dan and Shi Xiong in the battle in Yizhou. I intend to join the volunteer army."

Liu Yan nodded and said, "Alright, you should hurry home. The world has been unstable lately, and you should spend less time in the fields in the future"

Many people came to seek Liu Yan, drawn by his reputation. Among them were not a few thieves and robbers engaged in petty crimes and highway robbery. However, Liu Yan welcomed all visitors without exception, regardless of their background, and was able to open his heart to them, forming deep friendships.

The three brothers of the Liu family have distinctly different personalities

Elder brother is going to Yizhou to fight against the Southern Barbarians. Liu Xiu has no objections to this, but there is one thing he cannot understand. He asked, "Why does elder brother want to assist Wang Mang in the war?"

Liu Xiu smiled at Liu Yan and pretended to be nonchalant as he said, "Elder brother, see, I am perfectly fine!"

Liu Yan cheerfully patted Liu Xiu on the shoulder, and it was evident that he was in a very good mood today

His temperament is neither as fierce and arrogant as Liu Yan's nor as weak and indecisive as Liu Zhong's. On the surface, he appears gentle, yet in reality, he is resolute and tenacious

Liu Xiu and Liu Boji finally stopped their playful scuffle. The young girl took out two handkerchiefs, giving one to Liu Xiu and the other to her second brother Liu Zhong. As Liu Xiu received the handkerchief, he playfully pinched Liu Boji's delicate little face and said with satisfaction, "This is much better."

That evening, Liu Xiu, along with his second brother Liu Zhong and younger sister Liu Boji, successively arrived at the home of their eldest brother Liu Yan

Oh! Liu Xiu responded, feeling somewhat perplexed. His elder brother had spent all his money on making friends and socializing, and was not financially well-off at the moment. Why did he suddenly think of treating everyone to a meal today?

Liu Xiu felt a sense of pride bubbling within him, as if he were sharing in the glory. He deliberately pretended to still be angry, maintaining a cold expression, and extended his hand, asking: "What about mine?"

Ah, ah, Ah Xiu has arrived. Liu Zhong nodded awkwardly at Liu Xiu

Upon hearing these words, Liu Zhong's body trembled, and his complexion changed dramatically

Lao Da Liu Yan, known for his generous nature, possesses innate strength and remarkable martial prowess. He is quite famous in the vicinity of Caiyang County, and whenever people mention Liu Yan, they cannot help but give a thumbs up and respectfully refer to him as 'Bo Sheng'.

Liu Yan had two sons, the elder son Liu Zhang and the younger son Liu Xing

Second brother Liu Zhong, whose temperament is completely opposite to that of Liu Yan, is an honest and straightforward person. He speaks very little; to put it bluntly, he is just a big, silent person. Even if he is bullied, he will not speak out, instead choosing to swallow his grievances silently.

At this point, Liu Yan could not help but exclaim: "In those years, the elder brother of Emperor Gaozu was also quite skilled at farming!"

"Who said that?" Liu Xiu looked at his elder brother with a puzzled expression

This family banquet was not lavish, and under such difficult circumstances at the time, Liu Yan found it challenging to prepare a sumptuous meal to entertain everyone. However, sitting together as a family, they all enjoyed their meal happily

Liu Zhong's face was filled with anxiety as he stammered, "B... big brother, you absolutely must not, the barbarian army is ruthless, the barbarian army is ruthless!" Liu Zhong himself could not articulate the reasons, but he felt that it was far too dangerous for his elder brother to join the righteous army and fight against the southern barbarian troops in Yizhou.

Indeed! Liu Yan nodded, then changed the subject and said: "After I leave, the ones I worry about the most are your sister-in-law and your two nephews"

Liu Yan carefully folded the handkerchief given by his younger sister and tucked it into his lapel. He then waved to Liu Xiu and Liu Boji, saying: "Alright, alright, we are all grown-ups now, yet we still act like children, playing around."

He smiled at several friends present and said: "The ability I admire most about my younger brother is farming. Now that the drought in Nanyang is so severe, other families' fields have yielded nothing, but the land that A Xiu farms still produces a bountiful harvest every season"

During the meal, Liu Boji said with a hint of sadness, "If my elder sister and second sister were also in Chongling, our family could be together today!"

The conditions of Liu Yan's family are relatively good, having built their own residence, which is of a modest scale

Liu Yan cleared his throat and said with a serious expression: "I have another matter to announce to everyone today."

I did not do it for Brother San

Since Wang Mang usurped the throne, he has implemented a series of new policies both domestically and internationally, yet none have gained the support of the people. In foreign affairs, Wang Mang downgraded all neighboring vassal states from kingdoms to marquisates, stripped the Xiongnu of their tax rights over the Wuhuan, which led to disturbances at the borders by the Xiongnu. The new Wang Mang court was compelled to deploy 300,000 troops to garrison the northwestern borders to fend off the Xiongnu army. The northeastern front was also unstable; Wang Mang executed the leader of Goguryeo and changed the name of Goguryeo to Lesser Goguryeo as a form of humiliation, resulting in continuous warfare along the northeastern borders. In the southwest, the Qiang and Ailao tribes directly invaded Yizhou, causing chaos.

I still need to go to the second brother's house to inform your second brother that he is invited to dinner at our home this evening

The Gaozu referred to by Liu Yan naturally points to the founding emperor of the Western Han Dynasty, Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang. He first praised Liu Xiu for the quality of his land, and then compared Liu Xiu to Liu Bang's elder brother, Liu Bo, which effectively equated himself with Liu Bang

If it were not for the fortunate arrival of the elder brother, I might have already been harmed by the blades of those two individuals

Why does my elder brother have it, but I do not

Liu Boji, sitting beside Liu Xiu, also nodded repeatedly. Liu Xiu continued: "Moreover, both uncle and aunt are getting older and need someone to take care of them."

Liu Yan took the handkerchief, examined it closely, and couldn't help but emit a series of clicking sounds. He then held the handkerchief high, displaying it to the crowd, and asked, "Everyone, take a look, how well has my little sister done with her needlework?"

Zhu Yun suddenly laughed heartily and said aloud: "Do kings, nobles, and high officials have any special lineage? I believe that Bo Sheng is no less than the Gaozu of his time"

This occasion can be considered a family gathering, however, there were still several friends of Liu Yan present at the banquet, among whom Zhang Ping and Zhu Yun, who are often by Liu Yan's side, were naturally included.

Zhang Ping used to do what, Liu Xiu is not very clear, he knows that Zhu Yun was once the leader of a band of mountain thieves, later the bandit den was besieged by the officials and soldiers, and he took the opportunity to escape to Caiyang County, and later he was taken in by his elder brother

The expressions of the others present were somewhat unnatural to varying degrees

Where else does the elder brother want to go

Never be like your second brother, living in such a pitiful manner! He muttered to himself. Someone like Liu Zhong, who is so honest and straightforward, is someone Zhu Yun truly looks down upon.

Liu Xiu, on the other hand, appears to be a composite of his two elder brothers: low-key, cautious, not ostentatious, yet shrewd, fond of making friends, but never engaging in indiscriminate associations

In the Liu family, Liu Zhong has never had much presence.

Zhu Yun patted Liu Xiu on the shoulder and said in a cheerful tone: "What are you afraid of? There are no outsiders here! Ah Xiu, you are still too timid; in this regard, you should learn more from your elder brother."

If this word were to reach the ears of the authorities, it would be a serious matter; even if Liu Yan had ten heads, it would not be enough to be chopped off

He glared at Liu Boji, just about to speak, when the little girl hurriedly ran to Liu Yan's side, hugging her elder brother's arm. Like presenting a treasure, she held out a handkerchief in front of Liu Yan, smiling and saying: "This is the handkerchief I embroidered for you, elder brother. Please take a look and see if you like it!"

As he spoke, he once again scrutinized Liu Xiu, patted his arm, tugged at his clothes, and murmured with lingering fear, "This time, you really almost scared me to death!"

Watching his younger brother and sister in a chaotic scene, Liu Yan could not help but feel emotional. It has been seven years since their father's passing, and in the blink of an eye, his younger siblings have grown into adults.

Liu Yan also realized that he had gone too far with his words, so he changed the subject and cheerfully asked, "A Xiu, I heard that you have a girl you like?"

Do not cross, elder brother. As Liu Xiu walked home, he recalled the events that had just transpired, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt the danger.

Liu Xiu let out a quiet sigh and couldn't help but remind, "Elder brother, be cautious with your words! Brother Yun, be cautious with your words!"