Chapter 36: Farewell, Gongsun Zan

  Although Mao Qin was a bit tense and Yan Rou's injury was severe, Liu Xiu had managed to turn the tables and defeat Yan Rou so badly that the Mao family's reputation was salvaged. He was only worried about Li Ding losing face, so he hastily accompanied him with a smile and said: "Li Jun, it was just luck, it was an even match, let's... go sit down first?"

  "Isn't this someone from the Mao family?" Li Ding slightly sneered and curled his lips: "I know him, his father Liu Yuanqi has met me several times."

  Mo Qin felt a bit embarrassed, but it was just a fleeting moment: "Yan Jun is a famous master, what person in my Mo family can be his opponent? However, these students have recently been studying with Master Lu at my Taogu Jing She, and maybe some of them will condescend to visit my manor in the future."

  Li Ding didn't say anything else, and ordered someone to go check on Yan Rou's injuries. He accompanied Lu Zhi as they walked towards the manor, speaking softly along the way: "Lu Jun, on the battlefield, brave warriors are of course indispensable, but one or two brave warriors can't change anything. What Liu Shizhong is worried about isn't that there aren't any brave warriors - after all, Youyan has never lacked for brave warriors. What he's worried about... is supplies."

  Lu Zhi nodded in agreement with Li Ding's opinion.

  "Lord Mao's loyalty to his family and country is commendable, but it makes me worry that others may not be as loyal. Lord Li praised Mao Qin for a moment, then turned around and whispered to Lu Zhi: "The envoy's intention is to hope that Lord Lu can come forward and negotiate with the various families. As a native of Zhuo County, you are familiar with the situation in Zhuo County, and your loyalty is known to the imperial court, so I suppose you won't decline?"

  Lu Zhi hesitated for a moment, then replied: "Since Governor Liu has given the order, how dare I not obey? However, although I am from Zhuo and have received the mistaken love of my fellow villagers, giving me some reputation, after all, I have been away from home for a long time, and I'm afraid what I can do is limited. I only dare say that I will do my best."

  "So, you don't have to worry about it anymore." Li Ding let out a sigh of relief. Since Lu Zhi agreed to take on this responsibility, Governor Liu Yu wouldn't have to worry so much. The Han Dynasty claimed to be "the ruler of the world", but in reality, when it came to local affairs, it was still the local powerful families who held sway. Take Zhuo County for example, apart from the county magistrate appointed by the imperial court, all the other officials were locals, and unless there was an exceptionally strong-willed magistrate, ultimately it was still the locals who had the final say in major and minor matters.

  The county is the same, and the prefecture is naturally the same. The state is no exception. Liu Yu was the governor of Youzhou, and he could be in charge of the affairs of all eleven counties in Youzhou, but if he really wanted to get things done, he still had to rely on the local powerful families in Youzhou.

  Lu Zhi has a reputation and is also a local, making him the most suitable candidate. However, there is some regret that the Lu family in Zhuo County does not have much power, so they lack confidence when speaking. If other families do not take his reputation seriously, he will not be able to recruit anyone.

  It's just that compared to Liu Yu, the governor of Youzhou, Lu Zhi is still somewhat useful, which is also why Liu Yu let Li Ding rush to Taoyuan, giving face to the Mao family is secondary, the key is to borrow Lu Zhi's reputation. If Lu Zhi is willing to take charge, come forward and convene a meeting with the powerful clans of Gaoping County to discuss this matter, then Liu Yu can retreat behind the scenes, making it possible for him to take credit for it, if not, he can hold Lu Zhi responsible.

  Lu Zhi had been an official for many years, he wasn't oblivious to the underlying meaning, it's just that he was straightforward by nature, not the kind of person who shirks responsibility, otherwise he wouldn't have dared to advise General Dou Wu to resign his title back then.

  Li Ding felt relieved that his trip had achieved its purpose. He suddenly smiled and said, "As it happens, I'm more familiar with that young man. It's just that he doesn't like to study, so I didn't recommend him back then. His father even came to my humble abode several times to ask if he could become a disciple of Master Lu. Now that he's been at the monastery for nearly half a month, has there been any progress in his studies?"

  Lu Zhi felt a bit embarrassed. Liu Xiu and the others had been at Jing She for more than half a month, but Lu Min had left for Zhuo County on the second day. He himself was not feeling well and hadn't even taught one class. Li Ding saw that he wasn't speaking up and didn't ask again, knowing that truly seeking knowledge were few in number, while most people just wanted to gain a reputation.

  ……

  Liu Xiu and his classmates returned to the temple, surrounded by a crowd of people, but saw Gong Sun Zan packing up his luggage. Liu Bei was anxiously advising him on the side, but Gong Sun Zan's face was cold and he didn't respond to him at all. As soon as he saw Liu Xiu and others rushing in with joy, he was taken aback: "How was the battle? Did we win?"

  "Of course, De Ran unleashed his divine power and beat that Yan Rou until he spat out blood, which can be considered as helping you vent your anger."

  That classmate had just said half of what he wanted to say when he noticed that Gong Sunzhan's face was not right, so he stopped abruptly and changed the subject.

  Gongsun Zan was taken aback, a flash of surprise in his eyes, and he forced a laugh, his voice somewhat hoarse: "Well, congratulations are in order then."

  Liu Xiu furrowed his brow and waved his hand in disapproval: "That's nothing, it was all an accident. What's going on with you? Are you leaving?"

  "I want to go back." Gong Sunzhan tightened his luggage, saying with some regret: "Anyway, I didn't want to be a doctor, being able to register under Master Lu's name is already satisfying enough." He hesitated for a moment, then reached out and pulled Liu Xiu's arm towards the house. The others saw that they had something to discuss and didn't want to listen in, so they dispersed one by one. Only Liu Bei followed them inside.

  Gongsun Zan saw that there was no one else outside, lowered his head and hesitated for a moment. Liu Bei saw him and asked hastily: "Big brother, what's going on? Did you defeat Yan Yu?"

  Liu Xiu recounted the events of just now, and as he spoke, even he himself began to feel a little incredulous. When Yan Rou came at him with a fierce killing intent, although he felt a bit tense, but... why didn't he have any feeling of fear? In his past life, he was a standard bookworm, and in this life, despite having a good physique and being told by Liu Bei that he was a fighting prodigy, he had never actually fought with anyone before. So how come the first time he clashed swords with someone, he didn't feel worried at all, but instead... felt a little excited?

  Liu Bei and Gongsun Zan looked at each other, feeling that this matter seemed a bit off, if not for the fact that many classmates had just testified, they would have been suspicious that Liu Xiu was bragging. Seeing the expression on Liu Xiu's face also seemed to be a bit guilty, they naturally became even more suspicious. However, although they were suspicious in their hearts, it wasn't good to say it out loud in front of Liu Xiu, so they just vaguely glossed over it with two sentences.

  "De Ran is indeed a born fierce general." Gong Sun Zan forced a smile, thought for a moment, and then solemnly said: "De Ran, I think you're not the kind of person who likes to read books either. Mr. Lu won't have time to teach you patiently, he'll be busy with his official duties soon. If staying in Zhuo County is boring for you, why don't you go to Liaoxi? We can fight side by side."

  Liu Xiu was not interested in going to Liaoxi, and he did not plan to become a fierce general. Although he defeated Yan Rou, a great horse thief, in his first formal battle, it did not mean that he would have to lick blood from the blade head again. What's the use of being fierce? Could you be more fierce than Dian Wei? He was still shot dead by random arrows. However, looking at Gong Sun Zan's sincere face, he nodded solemnly: "Definitely."

  Gongsun Zan smiled and stretched out his hand to pull Liu Bei, saying: "Let's go to Zhuo County. Although I didn't read much of the book, it's also a fate that we can recognize each other and meet Chengming. Since Chengming is busy now, I won't say goodbye to him. When you see him later, please help me greet him and tell him that I am preparing a good horse for him in Liaoxi."

  Liu Bei rubbed his nose and said with some reluctance: "Brother Bo Yi, I will also go to Liaoxi if there is a chance."

  "Welcome, I've been searching for you everywhere." Gong Sun Zan laughed and warmly patted Liu Bei's shoulder: "Xuande, a great man like yourself, why act like a young girl? We're still young, we'll have plenty of chances to meet again in the future."

  Liu Xiu thought for a moment, turned around and took out the unused stirrups from under the bed box, stuffed them into Gongsun Zan's hands: "Bohu, I know your riding skills are exceptional, you don't need these things, but others may not have your riding skills. This pair of stirrups is given to you, maybe it can be of some use. In the future, when leading a team of elite cavalry galloping across the grasslands, killing enemies and achieving merits, it will also be my heartfelt wish."

  Gongsun Zan patted his horse's stirrup and understood Liu Xiu's intention, without forcing the issue: "In that case, thank you for your kindness, De Ran."

  Liu Xiu saw that he didn't take it seriously, and originally wanted to advise him to put his mind at ease. However, thinking of Gong Sun's current mood being extremely unpleasant, if he were to say anything more, he feared that Gong Sun would think he looked down on him. So he swallowed his words, hoping that in the future he could see the benefits of this thing and apply it to the white horse that was destined to make a name for itself, also considering it as his contribution to the Great Han border.