To say that Liu Jian and Liu Bei were able to become Lu Zhi's disciples, it was still a matter of luck.
As a disciple of Ma Rong, Lu Zhi was a well-known Confucian scholar in the country. Logically speaking, according to the Liu family's worth, he would never be able to match it, let alone send his children to Goushi Mountain to study scriptures.
Fortunately, the Liu family in Zhuo County had some friendship with the ancestors of the Lu family, namely Liu Xiong and Lu Chong.
Although this kind of friendship did not occur in the generation of Liu Zhou and Lu Zhi, for Lu Zhi, who studied ancient classics deeply and read Zuozhuan of various schools, he understood better than anyone else the principle of repaying kindness.
.
Even if it takes a hundred years, he still has to pay it back in his lifetime.
To put it bluntly, even if Lu Zhi does not want to repay his kindness, his status will inevitably prompt him to repay the kindness for his ancestors... There is no way, who makes him a great Confucian? A great Confucian must repay a favor and not allow it.
no!
It's a matter of reputation.
Lu Zhi's way of repaying the kindness of his ancestors from the Liu family in Zhuo County was to accept a son and a nephew recommended by Liu Zhou as his disciples, which was both trouble-free and enough to make the other party grateful.
Although they were said to be disciples, in fact Lu Zhi had taught the Liu brothers for less than two months.
Five years ago, Liu Bei and Liu Jian, two young sons, took their father's orders to go to Fengshi Mountain to study scriptures. It took them two months to arrive at Fengshi Mountain. Unexpectedly, Lu Zhi was sent to Jiujiang to quell the rebellion two months after studying the scriptures.
.
During the two months of studying the Classics, Lu Zhi's time in the Fengshishan Academy was quite limited because he still held the position of Doctor of Imperial Studies, and his son Lu Yin basically took over the lecturing duties.
Liu Jian remembered that he could count the number of times he met Lu Zhi on two fingers.
However, studying the classics was just a gimmick for Liu Jian. Liu Jian was not interested in the hundred-character scriptures of the Eastern Han Dynasty that were annotated by hundreds of thousands of words from generation to generation.
A 30,000-word "Book of Songs" has been interpreted by various famous scholars, and it has more than a million words. Who is in the mood to study that shit?
Liu Jian was interested in the people under Lu Zhi's family.
Most of these people are born with political resources, and if you can make friends with them, it will definitely be beneficial in the future.
But the status and class system of the Han Dynasty taught Liu Jian a lesson and gave him a deep understanding of how the world works.
Here, there is an insurmountable gap between people of low background and those of high background, and it is still written naked on their faces.
Almost all the disciples in the hall, after learning about the family backgrounds of Liu Jian and Liu Bei, almost ignored them and avoided them as much as possible.
These two people surnamed Liu have no decent heirloom classics, and none of the living members of this family has a decent six hundred stones, and they are Tiehanhan from the border county of Youzhou...
Just stay where it's cool.
But not everyone is like this, there are exceptions.
Gongsun Zan, one of the powerful Gongsun clan in western Liaoning, was relatively close to Liu Jian, and their relationship was very harmonious.
Of course, this is because Gongsun Zan is the son of a concubine, and to a certain extent, he cannot be on the stage.
…………
"It's just that I don't understand. Lu Ziqian is in Luoyang now. If Abe wants to ask for a cousin, he only needs to send a letter to Luoyang to inquire. What does it have to do with him? Does he even go to Luoyang City himself?
"Jian Yong knocked on the table and kept asking.
Liu Jian played with his chopsticks, thinking: "Since you are asking for a cousin, you must be sincere. Master Lu is far away in Luoyang, but his family members are in Zhuoxian. I asked Abe to go back to Lousang Village first to meet him.
I'll go to my aunt and ask her to write a letter to ask Master Lu to give me my cousin's name. Then Abei will go to the Lu family's former residence in person with the letter and ask a representative of the Lu family to deliver it to Master Lu."
Zhang Fei was confused and didn't understand at all: "Why is it so troublesome to pick up a pseudonym?"
Jian Yong patiently explained to him: "A Bei's name, Lu Ziqian, is qualified, but A Bei's mother is still alive. If he doesn't ask his mother, it will be unfilial, and there is also an act of flattering the teacher. If he is a thoughtful person,
If he seizes the clues, his reputation may be ruined, so if his mother writes the letter herself, and then has A Bei send it to Lu Zhai, there will be no arrogance."
Speaking of this, Jian Yong elbowed Liu Jian: "Is this your plan for A Bei?"
Zhang Fei looked at Liu Jian with admiration: "Brother is so thoughtful... I admire you!"
Liu Jian waved his hand humbly: "Young Daoer is not worth mentioning."
Jian Yong seemed to be energetic and couldn't hold back his chatter: "Brother, if you want to do great things, it's not enough to rely on a great scholar to earn fame. I invited you here today because I have an idea.
.”
Liu Jian naturally understood what Jian Yong said, and he had thought about this issue countless times in his mind.
How can it be so easy to get ahead?
"Brother Jian, do you have any great ideas? Why don't you teach me?"
Jian Yong leaned forward and looked at Zhang Fei and Liu Jian with a mysterious expression.
"According to our status as the Four Tigers of Zhuo County, it is really difficult for us men from the border counties to join the officialdom by taking the senior or special courses. In addition to being filial and honest, we men from the border counties have another way, which is to join the army to guard the border..."
After Zhang Fei heard this, he shook his head and interrupted him directly.
"Is this a good idea? Isn't it just to join the army? Who son of a border county doesn't know this? It's just that a few men of the army can eventually find a way out, so don't you have to rely on connections?"
Jian Yong was interrupted and felt dissatisfied: "Isn't it easier than promoting Xiaolian..."
"Stop!" Liu Jian stretched out his hand to stop the two of them from talking: "I have never joined the army. I will look back and think carefully. After drinking this wine - go home!"
In fact, Liu Jian has been preparing to do a big thing recently, which is somewhat similar to the method of joining the army mentioned by Jian Yong. At the same time, it can also solve the problem of having no way out as mentioned by Zhang Fei, but the specific implementation plan still needs to be studied by him.
…
The three of them just drank and went home.
Liu Jian returned to his house and saw his mother Hu standing at the door waiting for him.
Hu's natal family is not bad. The number of residences and fields is slightly larger than that of her husband's family, and there are fifty households. In terms of size, they are also among the small wealthy.
Because of this, her husband Liu Zhou did not dare to offend his first wife.
Mrs. Hu has little knowledge and is illiterate. She grew up in a border county and is much more rebellious, arrogant and domineering than women from the Central Plains.
At the same time, he also protects his calf...
"What time is it? I'm just going home now! You don't want your mother!" Mrs. Hu's words were reproachful, but the concern in her tone could not be concealed.
"Mom..."
"You smell like alcohol! Go wash your face quickly and then go to the main room to see your father. Liu Bei is back. He seems to have brought back the cousin names that Lu Zigan gave you two. You should also go and listen. Don't let it happen.
That kid got one that sounds better than you!"
Liu Jian scratched his head awkwardly, not knowing how to answer.
Although the mother means well, the names are all based on her children’s real names or have special meanings. Each one has its own name, so where can I get it?
"Mother, my child is still a few years away from his crowning ceremony. Why do you need to express your love so early? This time I asked someone to look for Master Lu to do something for A Bei."
Mrs. Hu was very angry and refused to argue.
"You kid is too honest. Then Liu Bei will stay at our house and give you half of the good food, clothing, and good things! Lu Zigan clearly accepted your father's favor and accepted you as his disciple, but he still wants to
Adding him, what's the big deal! Why should he be the only one who chooses your cousin name this time? I feel unhappy for my mother... I specially asked your father to write a letter to the person named Lu, and give your cousin a good name too.
Yes, and it must sound better than Liu Bei’s!”
Hu's dissatisfaction with Liu Bei lasted for more than a day or two.
When Liu Zhou brought Liu Bei home, Mrs. Hu became so furious that she almost tore down the roof of the Liu family's house. Fortunately, the young Liu Jian helped Liu Zhou and persuaded his mother.
Liu Bei was reluctantly allowed to stay at their home.
Because of this incident, Liu Zhou suffered a lot.
Of course, Liu Jian had his own ideas, and there was nothing wrong with sharing half of everything good with Liu Bei.
If Liu Bei can win the hearts of the world, then he will win the hearts of Liu Bei.
Whether it's delicious food, nice clothes or fun things, he does it all with Liu Bei.
People's hearts are made of flesh, and Liu Jian's method has obvious results. After ten years of accumulation, Liu Jian can clearly feel Liu Bei's special feelings for him.
But Ms. Hu didn't understand this. In her opinion, this was someone else's hooligan coming to take advantage of her son.
"Mom, this has nothing to do with A Bei. He didn't want to argue with me at all. The confession thing was my idea for him. He wanted to save some reputation for A Bei."
"Okay, okay! You want to save some reputation for others, as if you have a good reputation! In the end, you still have to worry about your mother for you?"
"Haha, okay, thank you, mom."
Mrs. Hu patted his cheek lovingly, and then hurriedly ordered the servant: "Take Young Master to rinse his mouth, get rid of the alcohol smell, and see my father-in-law again."
The servant hurriedly led Liu Jian to clean up briefly, and then came to the main room.
In the main room, there are two people sitting at the moment, one is Liu Zhou and the other is Liu Bei.
The grown-up Liu Bei is quite similar to the one described in history. He has big ears, long wingspan, and a pair of thin and long eyes, which makes him look quite heroic.
"I met my father."
"Where have you been?" Liu Zhou stared at him with dissatisfaction: "Are you messing around with those reckless people again?"
At this time, Liu Jian naturally had to argue for his friends.
"Father, those friends of mine are all from good families, why are they so reckless?"
There is a Ji Han chariot general and a Zhao De general. If they are reckless, Liu Zhou will have no place to stand.
Liu Bei also rushed to help: "Uncle Mingjian, those friends of Ajian and I are indeed from good families. We have never done anything bad outside..."
Liu Zhou's expression was quite strange: "Never?"
"Well...actually, sometimes it happens once or twice..."
"Humph! Don't think that I don't know about the stupid things you two are doing outside. If you don't study the scriptures well, you just do some ridiculous things in one day... The Four Tigers of Zhuoxian County? Who are you talking about!"
It's so famous that even my own father has heard about it.
Liu Jian didn't want to talk too much with Liu Zhou about this matter, so he could only try to change the topic.
"Father, I heard from mother that Master Lu personally wrote the names of Abiti and me?"
Liu Zhou originally wanted to scold the two of them, but when the words came to his lips, he had so many words to say that he didn't know where to start, and he lost interest for a while.
He helplessly pointed at the two cloth bags on the table: "You, Mr. Lu, have already prepared the couple's names for you two, but you just kept them with your family in Zhuoxian County and never gave them to me. Now,
Just wanted it."
Liu Jian thought that Lu Zhi had indeed made a brilliant plan.
He should have already estimated that the old Liu family would take advantage of him to the end, and he would not give up until all the remaining value was extracted from him, so he reserved the name and waited for the Liu family to ask for it.
It’s really wonderful to understand human nature deeply.
"Brother, have you read it?"
Liu Bei shook his head seriously: "I haven't read it yet. I'm just waiting for you to come back and read it together!"
Liu Jian could feel Liu Bei's sincerity and felt comforted in his heart.
He took the cloth bag, opened it and looked at it.
"Xuande... Deran?"
"Liu Xuande, Liu Deran!"
Liu Zhou was also muttering to the side: "Xuan is water, yet it is fire. Every moment of silence and movement makes the two of you complement each other. Lu Ziqian is really insightful."
Liu Jian secretly thought that his father was really capable of telling nonsense.
I and Liu Bei were studying under Lu Zhi. To put it bluntly, I had never met Lu Zhi more than twice. How could there be "movement and silence"? Where could Lu Zhi go?
He and Liu Bei made it clear that it was "move, move".
The father of the Han Dynasty really didn’t understand and pretended to understand.
However, the Han Dynasty rules the world with filial piety, and for the sake of face, he will not expose his biological father today.
"From now on, should I call you Brother Xuande?" Liu Jian asked Liu Bei with a smile.
Liu Bei waved his hand and said, "You're a quick talker! We haven't officially crowned you yet, so why don't you just say your cousin by name in front of outsiders?"
"It's okay to do it in private, right?"
"Haha, that's true."
Liu Zhou looked at the two of them with a stern face, his face twitching from time to time.
Suddenly I heard a loud shout: "Stop talking nonsense! Go read the Bible!"
…
After a while, the two left the main room and came to Liu Jian's room.
Liu Jian took out a brand new set of sacrificial attire from a wooden box.
Cross collar, right gusset, lace-up, wide sleeves, no matter the style or workmanship, they are all the best choices.
These days, productivity is underdeveloped and in times of disaster, fine brocade can be used as currency, which shows how precious clothing is.
Liu Jian was young and not in charge of the family, so the fact that he could come up with such a set of clothes for Liu Bei showed that he had invested a lot of money.
Liu Bei became anxious when he saw this, and subconsciously stretched out his hand to push back.
"What are you doing? How much money will it cost? I can't bear it for my brother!"
"There's nothing I can't bear!"
Liu Jian used more strength to push the dress back into Liu Bei's hands: "Be polite to me? Since you and I are disciples of Master Lu, we are considered 'scholars'. How can we wear it casually during the adult crown ceremony? We must have
Dress more gorgeously! Then you can also support our brother's appearance. This outfit basically cost me all my personal money. If you don't want it...then pay me back!"
Liu Bei was about to cry but had no tears: "Are you blackmailing me? How can I have the money to pay you back?"
"Then put your clothes away! Don't act like a woman! Otherwise I'll beat you up."
Liu Bei held the dress in his hands and felt a rush of warmth in his heart. Apart from the crown ceremony, he actually liked gorgeous clothes very much.
He pursed his lips, not knowing how to express his gratitude.
After a long while, I heard him slowly say: "It's so valuable, what can I give you back in the future?"
"If you have a good time and do great things, that will be the greatest reward for me."
When Liu Bei heard this, not only was he not happy, but he laughed loudly: "If someone with a background like yours or mine can be recruited by the county king as an official in the future, it will be a great blessing. What other great things can be done? Hahaha
…”
"Hahaha……"
"Ha ha……"
"ha?"
Seeing Liu Jian's serious face, he slowly stopped laughing: "Are you serious?"
Liu Jian said seriously: "My father hopes that the two of us can take the formal education and become officials, but how can it be so easy to follow the formal path in this world? Among the three generations of the Liu family in Zhuo County, only my grandfather has been promoted to Xiaolian.
It’s too late! I think we, the children of border counties, can only have a glimmer of hope to get ahead by pursuing military service and becoming officials.”
Conventionally, the children of scholars should take the junior college, which is the right way. However, people from the border counties are different from those in the Central Plains. They can take advantage of the many wars in the border counties, enlist in the army, and use military merit as a gimmick to advance through military merit.
road.
However, this method was considered unfashionable in the eyes of the real elite, and Liu Zhou did not want Liu Jian and Liu Bei to take this path.
But the situation is stronger than people, and sometimes you have to let go of yourself as a human being.
Liu Bei was indeed no ordinary person, and he made up his mind overnight: "We usually make trouble, but to be honest, you have a far-reaching vision than me! I will do what you say, and I will follow your lead!"
If you listen to me, that's right. With me here, I will definitely save you from taking detours!
"Okay, that being the case, without further ado, take Jian Yong and Zhang Fei with you. The four of us will go to a good place in a few days."
"So fast?"
Liu Bei looked surprised: "In our local military service, you must be twenty-three years old before you can take a rotation. You and I are both under that age now, how can we join the army?"
"If we were to perform normal military service, you and I would be just ordinary reserve soldiers and would hardly have the opportunity to make meritorious deeds. What's more, my father would definitely pay the money directly to the county, saving us two military service."
Paying money to join the army is a common thing in this era.
"What do you mean, dear brother?"
"Brother, what I mean is that there is someone available right now."