Chapter 47: It is difficult to raise only girls and young children.

  Liu Xiu is a cautious person, even a bit conservative. He would rather give up some opportunities than take risks that might leave behind future troubles. He can choose not to speak to Lu Min, but he absolutely cannot make suggestions that would disgust Lu Min, because good impressions are easily lost, while bad impressions can linger in the other person's heart. This is just like painting: before you have a complete picture in your mind, you can delay putting brush to paper; at most, the ink will go to waste. But if you rush into it and make even one careless stroke, it might affect the entire effect of the painting.

  Seeing Lu Min's unpleasant expression, Liu Bei's courage that had just been stirred up gradually dissipated again. He looked at Lu Min with some embarrassment and unease, then sought help from Liu Xiu.

  Liu Xiu seemed to have not seen it, after a while, he said in a low voice: "Whether the people know or not may not be important, but... sir should know."

  Lu Min looked at him suspiciously, thinking he was making excuses for Liu Bei, and felt a little unhappy in his heart. He raised an eyebrow, waiting to see how Liu Xiu would continue to explain.

  "Sir, are you aware of the situation with the Xianbei people?" Liu Xiuzi saw that Lu Min didn't take it seriously and asked another question.

  "I've heard Gong Sunzhan say that before." Lu Min said lightly, with a hint of impatience in his expression. He adjusted his clothes, as if he was about to end the conversation. Liu Xiu shook his head secretly, pretending not to see Lu Min's gesture, and continued: "Gong Sunzhan indeed knows a lot about the Huren's affairs, but that's in Liaoxi, whereas this is Gaoyang County. The people of Gaoyang have never seen the Huren invade, so they're not interested in preparing for battle. As the person in charge, without solid evidence, it's unlikely they'll believe you."

  Lu Min furrowed his brow, his expression becoming serious, a hint of embarrassment on his face. He took another look at Liu Xiu and paused for a moment: "De Ran, you're right, I was being too presumptuous." He stopped for a moment, then said: "So, in your opinion, should we go take a look at the border?"

  "It's not that I don't know the reason, but it's just that one can't claim to understand without seeing it with their own eyes. Perhaps when they see the brutality of the Hu people with their own eyes, they won't be so hesitant and indecisive like now. Or perhaps Governor Cui has his own considerations in implementing a policy of appeasement."

  Lu Min nodded slightly in agreement, and he looked at Liu Xiu with a hint of admiration. He smiled and said: "Now that I think about it, I was indeed too rash. Alright, tomorrow I'll go again to persuade the Governor and the Magistrate, and personally make a trip to the border. The Upper County has a Hu market, where there are many Hu people. I'll go there first and take a look, maybe I can gather some useful information."

  Liu Xiu also smiled: "What you said is absolutely right."

  Lu Min smiled and said, "You guys should also get ready, let's go together later." He thought for a moment and then said, "Mao Niang is just next door, with the brave warriors from the village by her side. Go ask her if it's convenient for her, and we can all go together."

  Liu Xiu was somewhat embarrassed, but still agreed. Since he knew that Mao Jie was not the woman of his dreams, and now they were in a trench together, this knot had to be untied sooner or later.

  Lu Min had a plan for the next step and felt much better. He rarely asked about Liu Xiu and Liu Bei's studies, mentioning that they had been under Lu Zhi's tutelage for so many days, and this was still Lu Min's first time performing his duties. Liu Bei was originally prepared, but after arriving at Peach Valley, he followed Gongsun Zan and Mao Zong to play horseback archery, and soon forgot all about his homework. Lu Min asked a few questions, and he stuttered through the answers. On the other hand, Liu Xiu had actually put in effort over the past few days. Although it wasn't particularly profound, he was familiar with the contents of "The Analects" and "The Classic of Filial Piety". Not only did he answer Lu Min's questions very appropriately, but he also asked Lu Min two questions based on that.

  The questions were certainly simple enough, but they were sufficient to let Lu Min know that his attitude was serious.

  Lu Min was overjoyed and answered Liu Xiu's questions with a smile, finally encouraging him: "De Ran, although you are older and not very talented, as long as you study hard, you will make progress. If you read books well, aren't you afraid that there won't be opportunities to enter officialdom?"

  Liu Xiu expressed his gratitude in a timely manner: "I am dull and stupid, I can only put in some rough and clumsy work, take the foolish bird to fly first, and make up for my clumsiness with diligence. I hope Mr. will teach me more."

  "Don't worry, Master also said 'Chai is foolish and Can is clumsy', but among the few disciples who can inherit his skills, Zengzi, who was evaluated as clumsy by Master, has also achieved great success." Lu Min comforted warmly: "As long as you work hard, there will be progress."

  Liu Xiu was delighted to see Lu Min's sincere encouragement, which meant that Lu Min really regarded him as a disciple who could pass on his teachings.

  At least it's a good start.

  The three of them, Master and his two disciples, exchanged a few more words on academic matters. Lu Min withdrew to the inner chamber to ponder and verify the facts about the Huren people. Liu Xiu and Liu Bei retreated to the outer chamber, sitting facing each other. Liu Bei tried to speak several times but stopped himself, ultimately saying nothing, just dejectedly lowering his head, occasionally flipping through the two bamboo scrolls he had brought with him.

  Liu Xu got up and said, "Xuande, I'm going next door to find Sister Mao." Then he went out the door and came to the door of the neighboring house. He greeted the two sturdy men and smiled politely: "At Mr. Feng's behest, there is something to discuss with the young lady, please announce it for me."

  The two of them exchanged a glance, not daring to be slow. One of them nodded and said: "Please wait a moment." He turned around and entered the door. Not long after, he came out and said to Liu Xiu with a somewhat strange expression: "My daughter is asking you to come in."

  Liu Xiu pretended not to see her expression, and reported at the door: "Mao Niang, I am Liu Xiu, ordered by Mr. Feng, there is something to discuss with you." Then he entered the door, cupped his hands, and stood upright inside the threshold.

  Mao Niang walked out from behind the screen with a sullen face, not speaking yet, but first gave Liu Xiu a glare, her mouth twisted in disdainful cold smile. She didn't have a good impression of Liu Xiu, and even felt some disgust towards him; if it weren't for Lu Min letting him come, she wouldn't want to see him at all, despite Wu Junhou's previous hint that she should invite Liu Xiu into the manor as a guest.

  Liu Xiu secretly peeked at A Chu in front, and was rude to her behind her back. She thought this young man not only wasn't a good person, but also a hypocrite more detestable than a real small person. He put on a polite appearance in public, but actually he was a beast in disguise.

  She sat down on the chair without asking Liu Xiu to take a seat and waited silently.

  Liu Xiugan coughed and repeated what Lu Min meant. Mao Qiang listened, didn't dare to be careless, thought for a moment and said: "I understand, since the master has this plan, I will naturally accompany him."

  Liu Xiu saw that she was still aloof, hesitated for a moment, and bowed his head to say: "Miss, last time we fought, I didn't know you were a woman either. In the heat of the moment, I lost my composure and was rude. Please forgive me, miss."

  "How dare I." It's better not to mention this matter, but as soon as it was mentioned, Mao Jie couldn't control her emotions and scolded sarcastically: "It's because my skills are inferior, and I'm ashamed of myself. How can I blame you? Quyang is several times more prosperous than Taogu, you must be very busy, I don't dare to disturb you, please go ahead."

  Liu Xiu bowed and retreated calmly, but inwardly rolled his eyes. He knew it was impossible to resolve the feud with just a few words, so he simply expressed his attitude, not putting much emphasis on Máo Jiǎn's attitude. As the sage said, "It is difficult to deal with women and petty people." Although Liu Xiu had unintentionally done something wrong, the other party might not see it that way, and having some temper was unavoidable. Trying to placate a woman would not only be useless but also make him appear narrow-minded, which was not something Liu Xiu would do.

  Mao Jie saw Liu Xiu and retreated like this, couldn't help but get even angrier. Thinking about what he did to Ah Chu and how rude he was to himself, yet he couldn't do anything to him. From now on, they would still have to spend a considerable amount of time together, so his heart started burning with unspoken anger, wishing he could catch up and beat Liu Xiu again right now.

  "Sister, what's wrong?" Zhang Fei poked his head in from outside the door, looked at Mao Jie's face, and scratched his head in confusion. Then, puffing out his chest, he said loudly: "Who made you angry? Tell me, I'll take care of him for you."