Chapter 3 is merely that this play is not a comedy

Yue Fei set down the fish soup in his hand and, with a strange expression, spoke: "Liu Lang, if you feel unhappy and wish to take a trip to Jiangnan, while also visiting some renowned doctors there to treat your nightmare affliction, I believe that would be acceptable. " Yue Fei knew that his younger brother had always been a person of strong opinions, and that whatever he did was never done lightly. Years of experience had taught Yue Fei that his brother's actions were often very purposeful, as he was preparing for something.

At dinner time, the Yue family of four sat around a table, each person having the same food and utensils in front of them, clearly defined. However, what should have been an enjoyable meal filled with food and family reunion suddenly turned tense due to a remark made by Yue.

In that case, our family could take a little break, and we would not have to work so hard every day. My father would not have to toil so much, my elder brother would have more time to practice martial arts and study, and my mother could take good care of her health. It would be best to add a few more younger siblings, and the Yue family could flourish, wouldn't it?" Yue took a sip of fish soup.

The other three members of the Yue family exchanged glances, looked at Yue Fan, then at each other, and blinked their eyes. It was evident that they had not fully accepted what Yue Fan had said, nor had they completely processed it, or rather, they had not processed it at all

County Magistrate Zhang, a successful candidate in the imperial examination, possesses a high level of cultural literacy and is known for his integrity in office. He is deeply respected by the people of Tangyin County. When news spread that the 27-year-old County Magistrate Zhang personally visited the eight-year-old young master of the Yue family, the reputation of the Yue family immediately became well-known throughout Tangyin County, with a tendency to spread across the entire Xiangzhou region.

Yue Fan somehow caught the attention of County Magistrate Zhang of Tangyin County, who took a great liking to him. When Magistrate Zhang was transferred to Tangyin County a year ago, the Yue family had no idea how their youngest son, Yue Fan, had come to know him. It was not until Magistrate Zhang personally visited their home, expressing his desire to have an in-depth conversation with the eight-year-old Yue Fan about ancient and modern times, that the Yue family realized how much their youngest son was favored by Magistrate Zhang. The Yue family had no idea how their youngest son, Yue Fan, had come to know Magistrate Zhang until he personally visited their home, expressing his desire to have an in-depth conversation with the eight-year-old Yue Fan about ancient and modern times, at which point they realized how much their youngest son was favored by Magistrate Zhang.

Father Yue suddenly widened his eyes, Mother Yue covered her mouth, and Yue Fei slammed the table, standing up and shouting: "Liulang!"

Father Yue angrily said: "Why do you not mention the matter of serving the country? You have greatly benefited from the court's favor. Our Yue family enjoys this current life, and those dozens of acres of fertile land were granted by County Magistrate Zhang; they are the blessings of the court, the blessings of the officials. Why do you not speak of defending the country against humiliation, but instead choose to flee south?"

Mother Yue cast a reproachful glance at Yue Fan, then got up to catch up with Father Yue. Yue Fei stood by the dining table, his expression complex as he looked at Yue Fan. He always felt that he could not understand this younger brother. He might comprehend why his ten-year-old brother would say such things, but he could not accept it. With the northern enemies invading the south, should not a man rise up in resistance and defend his country against humiliation? If he did not think this way, why would he have sought out Zhou Tong as his master to learn martial arts?

Yue Fan did not speak, but silently left. From that moment on, County Magistrate Zhang never inquired about the matter again. He continued to visit Yue Fan personally every thirty to fifty days or sent someone to bring Yue Fan to his residence, just as before. County Magistrate Zhang was a successful scholar, having become the magistrate of Tangyin County at the age of twenty-seven. If nothing unexpected occurred, he was certainly destined for a bright future. At the tender age of eight, Yue Fan had already gained the favor of County Magistrate Zhang, indicating that he too had a promising future ahead. In the Song Dynasty, being a scholar was undoubtedly more advantageous than being a warrior. Therefore, compared to the martial pursuits of the Yue family’s eldest son, people held higher expectations for Yue Fan.

Moving to Jiangnan? At the dining table, Father Yue, Mother Yue, and Yue Fei all stared intently with their six eyes at the calm and composed Yue Fan. In unison, they exclaimed in surprise. Yue Fei, who was just about to sip his portion of fish soup, was stunned by Yue Fan's words, standing there in a daze, like a statue, his mind filled with uncertainty.

Yue nodded slightly: "Yes."

Yue sighed, "With Beiliang preoccupied with its own troubles, how could it possibly have the time to invade the south?"

Yue casually uttered a sentence that astonished both Yue's father and mother, as well as Yue Fei. Yue Fei immediately stood up and exclaimed: "Liu Lang, more people are heading south, what does that mean? Why do you say that? Could it be that the Northern Liao is about to invade again? Will our Great Song be defeated? Who told you this? Was it County Magistrate Zhang?"

Thus, the members of the Yue family all believe that if Yue Fan has received some unfavorable news from Magistrate Zhang, it must be true and not false. Could it be that Beiliao is about to invade the south again? Since the Treaty of Chanyuan, there has not been any large-scale war between the two countries, and their relations have remained relatively friendly. Especially since it is heard that Beiliao is currently in dire straits, being severely beaten by the Jurchens, how could they have the time to invade the south?

Yue flipped a piece of chicken into his mouth and chewed slowly: "I just feel that it is no longer safe here. No matter what happens, we must prepare early, right? Compared to our family heading south now, when more people head south later, money will lose its value, and we won't be able to acquire as much property. Even whether we can safely reach Jiangnan is a question."

Father Yue furrowed his brows and spoke, "Fan, you must give your father a reason. I know you never act without purpose; what is your intention?" Father Yue is the person in the family who understands Yue Fan's intelligence the best. As the saying goes, a father knows his son best. Father Yue is well aware of the extent of Yue Fan's cleverness, even to the fundamental principles guiding his actions. Although this child always appears cold and rarely shows a smile, Father Yue knows the position of family in his heart. As the saying goes, a father knows his son best. Father Yue is well aware of the extent of Yue Fan's cleverness, even to the fundamental principles guiding his actions. Although this child always appears cold and rarely shows a smile, Father Yue knows the position of family in his heart.

Yue Fan looked deeply at Yue Fei and said, "Elder brother, you can rest assured that I will ensure the safety of our family. No matter what happens, the four of us will remain safe and sound, and not a single person will come to harm, I promise!" Then, Yue Fan drank the last of his favorite fish soup in one gulp, turned around, and left. At the dining table, only the astonished Yue Fei remained, along with a table full of leftover food.

Indeed, Jiangnan is wonderful—warm, humid, with fertile land, allowing for two harvests a year. The population is sparse. If we sell our land and property, we could go to Jiangnan and acquire double or even triple the assets. Ideally, we should consider Lingnan, where we could obtain five to six times the assets, not to mention its proximity to the sea, which would enable us to recruit labor for the South Seas and engage in maritime trade, ensuring a life of wealth and prosperity, with expenditures easily managed. Isn't this a good plan?

Yue looked at Father Yue, his expression unchanged, and said: "That is a personal favor granted to the Yue family by County Magistrate Zhang, and has nothing to do with the imperial court. If we are to leave, I will naturally inform County Magistrate Zhang, so that he can make arrangements for my transfer to Jiangnan, in gratitude for his kindness. As for the imperial court, what does it have to do with me? To defend the nation against humiliation? To flee south? Father, if the imperial army collapses and retreats a thousand miles, are we to wait for the northern enemy to come and behead us? Can we, just a few of us, contend with the iron cavalry of the bandits? Has Father forgotten what Master Zhou said? Father, if the imperial army collapses and retreats a thousand miles, are we to wait for the northern enemy to come and behead us? Can we, just a few of us, contend with the iron cavalry of the bandits? Has Father forgotten what Master Zhou said? Have you also forgotten the words of Brother Lu and Brother Lin? m. hetushucomcom

Yue looked at his father and said, "Father, if we all perish amidst the chaos of war, and the ancestral lineage is severed, what would that mean?"

Father Yue, Mother Yue, and Yue Fei all let out a sigh of relief, yet they remained perplexed by Yue Fan's sudden mention of the southward migration. Father Yue furrowed his brows and inquired, "Fan'er, you have never spoken recklessly, and I believe you will not do so now. However, since the Northern Liao will not invade the south, why must we migrate to Jiangnan? This is our Yue family's homeland, with ancestral halls and family residences. Do you understand what it means to leave this place?"

The days of the Yue family can be considered moderately prosperous; they need not fear hunger, nor worry about a lack of labor for farming. The family motto of cultivating both agriculture and scholarship can be well upheld. Moreover, Yue Fan's reputation continues to grow; people say that the young master of the Yue family is a prodigy, destined to achieve fame at the Donghua Gate and subsequently hold a high official position, accomplishing many great deeds. When County Magistrate Zhang is not present, he occasionally sends someone to deliver books to Yue Fan and tests his studies. Upon learning that the young master of the Yue family is reluctant to attend school, finding it boring, he often invites highly skilled individuals to assess Yue Fan's studies, even personally teaching him, treating Yue Fan as his own disciple.

Liulang, you..." Yue Fei wanted to say but did not speak out

Father Yue suddenly stood up, raising his hand as if to strike. Yue Fan looked directly at Father Yue, not uttering a word. Father Yue's eyes were wide open like copper bells, his expression twisted, yet he ultimately did not strike: "This matter need not be discussed further! Even if the enemy soldiers come to our Yue family's doorstep, this is our ancestral land, how can we abandon it! Better to have our blood soak the soil than to flee south! Hmph!" Father Yue turned and left, not even finishing his meal. In the past, if Yue Fei and Yue Fan left even a grain of rice, they would be sternly reprimanded by Father Yue.

Mother Yue also spoke up: "Indeed, Liu Lang, although our family is not wealthy, if you wish to visit renowned doctors in Jiangnan to treat your illness, it is still possible, right, my husband?" Mother Yue was aware that her youngest son had been somewhat different since he fell seriously ill at the age of six. Countless experiences had taught her that Yue Fan was often right.

Young people are still quicker to react

The Yue family was originally not wealthy, possessing only about seven to eight acres of thin farmland, and their lives were quite frugal. However, after Yue Fei was recognized by County Magistrate Zhang at the age of eight, the magistrate remarked that Yue Fei was very likely to become the next "Young Yan Xiang Gong." Therefore, he should be supported. A small portion of the county's finances was allocated to support the Yue family, and privately, the magistrate purchased several dozen acres of good farmland as a personal gift to the Yue family, along with a cow and ten pigs, expressing gratitude to the Yue family for raising such a promising talent for the Song Dynasty. Thus, he should be supported, and a small portion of the county's finances was allocated to support the Yue family, and privately, he purchased several dozen acres of good farmland as a personal gift to the Yue family, along with a cow and ten pigs, expressing gratitude to the Yue family for raising such a promising talent for the Song Dynasty.

Yue Fan continued to gaze directly at his father, Yue Dad. He understood that the person who could make decisions for this family was Yue Dad, not Yue Mom, nor Yue Fei. Yue Dad's eyes were wide open, his breathing rapid, as he looked at the seemingly calm Yue Fan, his entire body trembling. However, soon, Yue Dad's breathing became steady, and he then said: "Fan'er, regardless of other matters, regardless of Jiangnan, you say that if the northern enemy invades the south, we must retreat south to Jiangnan for refuge, is that not so?"

Since then, County Magistrate Zhang frequently sent someone to invite Yue Fan to stay at his residence for a day or two, or to enjoy outings together during leisure time, showing a clear trend of a friendship across generations. Upon learning that Yue Fan suffered from nightmares, County Magistrate Zhang also invited a renowned physician from the region to treat him. The seventy-year-old doctor, with a furrowed brow, sighed and said: "This is not a physical ailment, but a mental one. Young master, what troubles you so?"