Chapter 065: The Father is Honored through His Son

  Liu Yuanqi looked at Zhang Tufu, who was smiling with a flattering expression as he welcomed him to the door. He felt somewhat honored and surprised, and quickly jumped down from the ox cart to greet him. From afar, he cupped his hands: "Brother Zhang, how dare you trouble yourself to welcome me personally?"

  Zhang Tutu's face was full of smiles, but his heart was almost crying. Although he wasn't a big shot in Zhuo County, he was still somewhat of a figure. What was Liu Yuanqi? He was just an ordinary commoner outside the city, with no status or wealth. In the past, when they met, Zhang would have to greet him first and hope for a smile in return. But today, as soon as he heard that Liu had come to see his son, he was so scared that he jumped three feet high and rushed out in two strides at once.

  Why? Because his own son has now become someone else's student, and he himself has suddenly become a generation younger. If Liu Yuanqi were to put on airs as an elder, how would Zhang Tufu be able to show his face in Zhuo County afterwards?

  Zhang Tufu, although illiterate, emphasized the importance of social hierarchy and generational order among the Han people. If this were not respected, it would be no different from the barbaric tribes that killed their fathers and slept with their mothers. If Liu Yuanqi truly wanted to reason with him, he would have no choice but to tell his son Zhang Fei to stop acknowledging Liu Xiu as his master. However... this was clearly impossible, as Zhang Fei had become deeply devoted to Liu Xiu over the past few days, and even his own father couldn't criticize Liu Xiu without being rebuked.

  "Brother Liu, have you come to see your son today?" Zhang Tufu grasped Liu Yuanqi's arm, his large eyes flashing back and forth like copper bells, making Liu Yuanqi feel a chill run down his spine. Liu Yuanqi nodded stiffly, somewhat awkwardly pulling out his arm: "My humble son has disturbed your esteemed household, I'm truly sorry..."

  "Where, where." Zhang Tufu hastily interrupted Liu Yuanqi's words and patted his chest, saying: "You and I have been friends for many years, like brothers. Your son is just like my own son. When he arrives in Zhuo County, why wouldn't he come to live at our house? Would he still need to go live somewhere else? Wouldn't that be too impolite?" Zhang Tufu was enthusiastic and loud, causing Liu Yuanqi to frown. Seeing this, Zhang Tufu quickly lowered his voice and said softly: "Besides, my son Afei is about the same age as him, living together would be good for... for... for that kind of thing, you know? What do you think?"

  Liu Yuan nodded in agreement: "Your son is both literary and martial, able to spar with him, it's a rare opportunity for Ah Xiu."

  "Haha... Zhang Tufu's eyebrows opened with a smile: "It's all about opportunities, these two kids are doing great now, just like brothers. My Ah Fei and Xiao Axiu are three years old, and they treat Axiu like an elder brother."

  Liu Yuanqi didn't understand, and responded along with the voice: "Good, good, they are close in age, should be so close. They both don't have brothers or sisters, quite lonely, now that they have a companion, it's also a good thing."

  Zhang Tutu burst out laughing and nodded repeatedly.

  Li Cheng hurried over with a bundle on his back, bowed to them separately, and then said with a fake smile: "Uncle Liu, you've come to the city today?"

  "Yes." Liu Yuanqi didn't dare to be slow and hastily returned the courtesy: "Is your respected father in the mansion?"

  "In our house, my father said that Uncle Liu is coming these two days, and has prepared good wine. If I see Uncle Liu, please tell him to come to our humble abode for a chat." Li Cheng said politely, but out of the corner of his eye he saw Zhang Tu's eyes widen in surprise, and didn't know how to explain it, so he just pretended not to have seen it.

  Liu Yuanqi only then realized that something was amiss. Zhang Tufu's enthusiasm could be overlooked, but why did Li Ding also "invite" him to the mansion for a drink? He would soon come to his senses and a satisfied smile spread across his face.

  It seems like his son has given himself a slap in the face again.

  Liu Yuanqi straightened his waist, and the smile on his face also became more natural. He and Zhang Tu entered the door together, chatted for a few words, until Liu Xiu received Li Cheng's notice to come out and bid farewell to Zhang Tu with a bow.

  Liu Yuanqi smiled and looked at Liu Xiu, stroking his short beard: "Axiu, what have you been busy with lately?"

  Liu Xiu had already guessed something from Li Cheng and Zhang Tu's expressions, so he didn't ask much and simply told them about the things that had happened in the past two days. Liu Yuanqi listened quietly, with a hint of relief between his eyebrows, and finally let out a long sigh.

  "Ah Xiu, you've finally figured it out."

  Liu Xiu was taken aback for a moment, then let out a bitter laugh. It seemed that all parents in the world were the same, thinking that their own son must be a talented person. If he wasn't one now, it was only because the timing hadn't arrived yet. One day, he would suddenly come to a realization and from then on, his future would be bright and smooth.

  However, Liu Xiu still had some vigilance in his heart, fearing that his performance was too good, and the old father who was eager to make his son a dragon could not bear it. He smiled and said, "Ah, uncle, am I also bringing glory to my ancestors?"

  Liu Yuanqi gave him a pleased glance, but unexpectedly shook his head and said with a dismissive tone: "Do you know how many talents our ancestors have produced? Although you've made some progress now, compared to them, you're still far behind. Don't be complacent, young man. The ancient sages said it well: 'Pride invites loss, humility receives benefit.' You must remember this in your heart and never forget it for a moment."

  Uh, Liu Xiu rubbed his nose in embarrassment and led Liu Yuanqi into the Peach Garden, asking him to sit down. Liu Bei had already quickly poured tea. Liu Yuanqi took out a volume of silk books from his package while sizing up Liu Bei.

  "Xuande, is the accommodation here satisfactory?" He said while handing over a set of new clothes to Liu Bei: "Here, this was made by your mother overnight, and I brought it with me. There are also two pairs of straw sandals, one for each of you brothers."

  Liu Bei held up the straw sandals and showed a hint of sadness: "Is Mother still well?"

  "Good. I heard that you two are quite good at reading books, and the villagers all praise you, saying that you brothers have become students of a great Confucian scholar and will be talents in the future. Your mother even walks with a smile on her face now, and her voice is three times louder when she talks."

  Liu Bei's eyes turned red, and he hastily lowered his head, saying with shame: "Big brother is already a senior disciple of Lu Shi, I am far inferior to him. If it weren't for big brother's encouragement, I would have wasted such a good opportunity."

  Liu Yuanqi glanced at Liu Xiu and shook his head slightly: "Xuande, what are you talking about? You're the only son, and Xiu doesn't have any other brothers. Of course, you should help each other out. Brothers must be of one mind, their benefits can break through metal, do I need to teach you this principle? Anybody who can accomplish something, isn't it always with brothers working together, respecting each other's virtues, and isn't this kind of relationship just like being biological brothers?"

  "Abbot's teachings are." Liu Bei hastily nodded in response, and Liu Yuanji turned his gaze to Liu Xiu, who also dared not to slow down and nodded in agreement. Liu Yuanji smiled and handed over the scroll: "This is the 'Records of the Grand Historian' from the 'Annals of Emperor Gaozu' that I found for you. Study it carefully, as for the others, I'm still looking for them, and I'll bring them to you when the time comes."

  Liu Xiu took the silk book, opened it and took a glance. The silk book was old and had turned somewhat yellowish, feeling slightly stiff to the touch, with edges already worn out. It seemed that the years were not short. The tiny characters were densely packed, the font was ancient and clumsy, and the meaning was quite profound. It was far different from the current popular Lishu script, and a strong sense of antiquity hit him in the face.

  This is probably a thing from about two hundred years ago. As a master of the antique industry, Liu Xiu immediately weighed out the year of this silk book.

  Liu Yuanqi saw that he was cautious and reminded him: "You can be careful, this is what I have been asking for with great difficulty, and you must not damage it in any way, otherwise it will be irreparable."

  "Don't worry, I'll copy it down later." Liu Xiu carefully put away the silk book, turned around and took out a book, presenting it to Liu Yuanqi: "Uncle, take a look at this. This is the book that we three have just completed in the past few days. My elder brother has named it 'Records of the Eastern Barbarians'."

  Liu Yuanqi's eyes lit up as he took over the peculiarly styled paper book, flipping it back and forth to take a look, nodding repeatedly: "This is great, this is great, it's convenient to read and looks light, no need to worry about missing or misplacing pages anymore."