April of the third year of Han Guanghe, AD 180, Zhuoxian County, Hebei Province.
It's April, and it's the season in the south of the Yangtze River when spring flowers are blooming and the warm sun shines on the earth. Compared with the south, the climate in Hebei is still cold.
At this time, the nobles in the county are not willing to leave their houses. They prefer to wear furs, gather friends and lean on the brazier in the house, drink wine and wait for the winter festival to pass.
But compared with the coldness in their bodies, the hearts of the people in the northern border counties seemed to be melting, and they were exuding waves of bone-chilling chill.
But it is no wonder that since three years ago, Xia Yu, the guard of Wuhuan, defeated the Xianbei Zhonglang general Tian Yan, and sent the Xiongnu Zhonglang general Zang Min out of the fortress to attack Xianbei. After being defeated by Tan Shihuai, in the past three years, the Xianbei bandits
It's even worse on the border, and the people in the border counties are miserable.
For people living in Youhe, every early spring, they must start to prepare for the plunder of the Xianbei border.
It's okay if the property and food were robbed, but what's most terrifying is that even people will be robbed and taken as slaves outside the Great Wall, and their lives will be over.
In fact, although Xia Yu's defeat against Xianbei three years ago greatly demoralized the Han army, in terms of overall combat strength, the Han army was still superior to Xianbei. The court originally intended to resume the war this year, but unfortunately, Jiangxia in the south
The barbarians in the county rebelled and joined forces with Huang Rang's uprising in Lujiang County, taking more than 100,000 people with them.
For a time, the government and the public were shocked. The Manchu court and Duke Wu had their sights fixed on Jiangxia and Lujiang. The war between Youbingbian County and Xianbei could only be postponed.
Therefore, the border counties have formed an increasingly passive situation.
…
At this moment, in a tavern in Zhuo County, three young people were gathering around a table, grilling meat and drinking wine while cheering heartily.
In the middle, sitting was a tall young man, eight feet tall, with sharp features, a smile on his face, very confident, and his whole person looked heroic.
However, compared to his tall and straight figure, what attracted the most attention was his pair of star-like eyes, which shone with indescribable agility.
This young man is sixteen-year-old Liu Jian.
According to his mother's words - "My son's temples are as sharp as a knife, his eyebrows are like ink paintings, he is majestic, and his spirit is flowing. If you look at the whole Zhuo County, you can't find a man who can compare with my son, let alone a man who can compare with my son."
A girl worthy of my son.'
It is certain that Liu Jian's mother is bragging, but who is the mother to think that her son is not an unparalleled man in the world? Therefore, it is reasonable to brag.
So Liu Jian didn't think there was anything wrong with what his mother said.
There were two people sitting opposite Liu Jian. One was slightly older than Liu Jian, in his twenties, and his name was Jian Yong.
"Hiccup~!"
After taking a sip of warm wine, Jian Yong burped with satisfaction and said happily: "Why didn't A Bei come today?"
Liu Jian took his time and picked up a piece of meat, put it on the fire plate and slowly roasted it: "Abei has been a little busy recently, so he may not be able to take care of us these days."
Jian Yong looked unhappy: "We, the Four Tigers of Zhuo County, are gathered here to discuss important matters. What else in the world could be more important than this?"
Liu Jian hummed, obviously not too interested in the reputation of the "Four Tigers of Zhuoxian County".
"What big thing can you discuss? It's just whether a big family in Yi County has a beautiful concubine, or you're curious about who bought a good falcon. At the beginning, the four of us worshiped the world together and called ourselves the Four Tigers of Zhuo County. I wanted to
We want to do something big, but now in less than two years, we are just wandering around the market every day, just like the gangsters. We are called the Four Tigers, but in the eyes of others, we have become the Four Dogs."
Jian Yong's expression was quite unconvincing. He stretched out his chopsticks to pick up the piece of meat that Liu Jian was grilling: "You can't blame me for the fact that the reputation of the Four Tigers has not been established. If you want to do big things, you have to look for opportunities, right?"
Liu Jian gently hit Jian Yong's chopsticks with his chopsticks to make him take them away. Then he took the piece of meat, dipped it in some salt, and delivered it to the bowl of a strong young man next to him.
"Why are you so biased?" Jian Yong was quite unhappy.
"Where did I deviate?"
"Why do you always turn to Ah Fei whenever something good happens? Isn't He your brother?"
Liu Jian turned to look at Zhang Fei who was enjoying his meal beside him, and secretly thought that this will be Liu Bei's mainstay in the future, much more important than you, a white-faced man who only knows how to talk.
Although Zhang Fei is only fourteen years old now.
"Brother Xianhe, Ah Fei is the youngest among our four tigers, and you are the oldest. It is normal for the eldest brother to protect the younger ones. How dare you compete with a brother who is six years younger than you for food?"
Jian Yong's face turned red and he refused to admit defeat: "Why are you embarrassed? A Fei's family makes a living by slaughtering pigs and dogs, and they are still short of meat?"
"Snapped!"
Before he could finish his words, Zhang Fei suddenly put down his chopsticks, stared at Jian Yong angrily: "Brother, how did you get involved with my family members! Did the pig-slaughterer and dog-slaughterer offend you?"
Even though Zhang Fei is the youngest, among the four, he is the strongest and has the worst temper.
Although he is not as tall as Liu Jian, the breadth of his shoulders and the strength of his arms are far beyond Liu Jian's.
As for Jian Yong's thin figure, compared with Zhang Fei's, he might have lived in vain for the past twenty years.
Jian Yong was not afraid when he saw Zhang Fei was angry, and immediately put on a smile: "Brother, isn't this a joke on you? Look at you, why are you taking it seriously? You are really still a child..."
After saying that, he reached out and touched the back of Zhang Fei's head.
Zhang Fei smashed him in the mouth, but Jian Yongshun Mao Shun made him lose his temper.
Jian Yong has no other good qualities, that is, he can talk. Even if he talks nonsense, he never quarrels with others. No matter how embarrassing the atmosphere is, he can find a way to get around it.
"Brother Xian, what has Abe been doing these past few days? Why has he never been seen?"
Liu Jian took another piece of meat, and this time he grilled it for Jian Yong.
"Abe will be celebrating Double Ten next year. Isn't the crowning ceremony a big deal?"
Jian Yong was stunned for a long time, then suddenly laughed.
"why are you laughing?"
"What do I mean? Who is a scholar who doesn't wear the crown ceremony? Besides, who needs to prepare the crown ceremony so far in advance?"
Liu Jian smiled and said nothing. He used long chopsticks to place the roasted meat on Jian Yong's plate, and then raised the wine glass: "Why do you worry so much? Drink your wine."
Seeing Liu Jian mentioning the wine, Zhang Fei and Jian Yong raised their wine glasses together, and the three of them drank as a sign.
Later, while wiping his mouth, Jian Yong pondered: "This matter in your family is not simple. If my prediction is correct, it must have something to do with your master, who is well-respected by people all over the world!"
Liu Jian filled the bottle with wine: "I can't hide it from you."
Jian Yong was quite smart, and he probably guessed what brothers Liu Jian and Liu Bei were going to do.
Although he has only known the two brothers for two years, he knows a lot about their family and their past...
Ten years ago, Liu Jian, who was just a cute baby, accompanied his father Liu Zhou to Lousang Village and met Liu Bei. After that, he came up with the idea of binding Liu Bei to pave the way for his future.
Liu Jian encouraged his father Liu Zhou to take Liu Bei to his home from Lousang Village and receive the same education as himself. In this way, he and Liu Bei were not only brothers from the same clan, but also became close friends who grew up together.
From boyhood to youth, for ten years, the two brothers grew up together, and their relationship grew stronger day by day.
From ancient times to the present, the relationship between children can be said to be one of the most sincere relationships in the world.
True brotherhood usually begins in childhood. If nothing else happens, Liu Jian feels that he will be with Liu Bei in the future.
Although Liu Bei is a potential brother, Liu Jian has also been planning over the years, hoping to pave a brighter road for Liu Bei and himself.
After all, although Liu Bei succeeded in becoming an emperor in history, his early stage was too bumpy. Both in terms of background and resources, he was far inferior to his competitors. He was a pure late-stage hero who had to work hard in the second half of his life.
, too much delay.
But if Liu Bei did too badly in the early stage, he would also suffer a lot.
In troubled times, swords and halberds have no eyes. If you fail to grasp any aspect and kneel down, the person will die. It will be meaningless to build a huge tomb for Liu Bei after he becomes emperor decades later.
So now you have to plan ahead and start making some preparations.
After ten years, Liu Jian had integrated into the general environment of the Han Dynasty.
In this era, the way to get ahead is actually very direct and simple - just reincarnate well.
Although Liu Jian's family has considerable wealth in Zhuoxian County, it still cannot gain recognition in this large county with a population of 100,000 and 600,000.
Zhuo County can appoint three filial and honest candidates every year, but they are basically surrounded by officials or well-connected county officials, and the Liu brothers have no chance.
Fortunately, in the past ten years, Liu Jian still obtained some network resources based on his prophetic advantage and Liu Zhou's help.
First of all, there are the two playmates in front of me, Jian Yong and Zhang Fei.
These two people were Liu Bei's fellow townsmen in history, and they were also the first two people to follow Liu Bei. Liu Jian didn't know how Liu Bei met them in history, but since he came to this world, the speed at which he got to know these two people was astonishing.
It must be accelerated.
The process of getting to know these two people was not too difficult.
Although Liu Jian did not come from a prominent family, he was from a wealthy family. Some of his ancestors were praised for being filial and honest, and there were sideline scriptures handed down in his family. This also meant that he was not someone that ordinary people in the market could make friends with.
Although Jian Yong had some talent and learning, like Liu Bei, his family was in decline. The manuscript of "Qi Shi" written by Yuan Gu passed down from his ancestors was also taken by Jian Yong to make a living, and he became a down-and-out son.
As for Zhang Fei, he was born a butcher.
In the Han Dynasty, although the status of blacksmiths and butchers was relatively high, it was only reflected in property, land, and members of the household. In terms of prestige and political resources, butchers had to step aside.
Of course, a certain person named He is a special case.
Under such a premise, it was naturally easy for Liu Jian to make friends with Zhang Fei and Jian Yong, and he did not maintain his own identity and fell in love with the two of them. Such behavior cannot be said to be rare in this era, but it is indeed not many. After all, family status and status
The concept was deeply rooted in the Han Dynasty.
So I don’t know when, four young people who were not doing their jobs began to wander the streets of Zhuoxian from time to time, indulge in sex, play with dogs and horses, and call themselves the "Four Tigers of Zhuoxian" to improve their reputation.
As for where the four "Tiger" people are, they themselves can't tell. In short, the nickname is very domineering.
…
Jian Yong showed a bit of sadness: "Looking at the entire Zhuo County... no, it should be said in Youzhou, how many people are lucky enough to study the classics with Lu Shangshu as their teacher? However, you and A Bei are the only ones in your family.
The two of them...thought that the fact that Abe had not shown up for the past few days as a brother-in-law must be related to the cousin matter, right?"
"Brother is really not stupid," Liu Jian joked.
Jian Yong rolled his eyes: "As a brother, of course he is smart... Hehe, this person, if he wants to do big things, he still needs a reputation. Abei's crown ceremony is a small thing, but if this title is to be taken up by Lu Ziqian, it will be spread in the future
When he is about to leave, he will be able to gain a foothold in Shilin."
Liu Jian agreed: "For those of us who are neither high nor low, every time we want to climb up in this world, it is extremely difficult. We can only seize every opportunity and start with a mere nickname.
It’s nothing to people from a wealthy family, but for people of Abe’s and me’s stature, every step in this life can’t be taken wrong.”
Zhang Fei, a young man who had been silent all this time, was eating meat silently and said: "I don't know about others, but I just know that among our brothers, Brother Jian is the most wise. As long as Brother Jian takes the lead, I can do anything."