On this day, Liu Xiuzhao took a look at the crops in the field, and then went to the mountains and forests to continue practicing martial arts.
Ever since he met two 'robbers' that day, Liu Xiu realized that his ability was still far from adequate, so he practiced even more diligently.
During this period, Liu Liang's family was short of everything, but the most indispensable thing was firewood.
Because of Liu Xiu's martial arts training, he could only chop down a small tree half a person thick every day at first, but gradually he could chop down a large tree as thick as a person a day.
The felled trees were naturally chopped into firewood by him.
Seeing Liu Xiu carrying a lot of firewood home every day, Liu Liang was very happy at first. However, as Liu Xiu carried back a lot of firewood day after day, there was so much firewood at home that there was no place to put it.
Place is put.
Liu Liang went to Liu Xiu specially and said meaningfully: "Axiu, you are tired from working in the fields every day. You don't need to chop so much firewood every day. Give yourself a rest."
After Liu Xiu heard this, he just laughed and said nothing. From then on, he no longer carried firewood to his home. All the chopped firewood was stored near the cabin. When he accumulated more, he loaded it on an ox cart and took it to the market.
Sell it here and make some extra money.
It has been nearly a month since Long Yuan left. Liu Xiu's arm and leg strength have improved greatly. Now he can chop down a tree as thick as a person with an ax in less than an hour.
Of course, after an hour, Liu Xiu's clothes were almost soaked with sweat.
On this day, after cutting down a tree, Liu Xiu was sitting on the tree stump to rest and prepare to chop down the tree. At this time, the sound of rustling and faint footsteps came from behind him.
Liu Xiu stood up from the tree stump almost subconsciously and took advantage of the situation to hold the ax standing on the side. When he looked back, he saw a man in ragged clothes and a full beard walking towards him.
He looked carefully and recognized the person after a long while. This man who looked like a victim was none other than Long Yuan, who had been away for a month.
After Liu Xiu recognized him, he exclaimed with surprise and joy: "Uncle Zhong, you are back!"
Long Yuan, who was covered in dust and dirt, flicked the dust off his body first, then quickly came to Liu Xiu, bowed to the ground, and said: "My lord, my subordinate is back!"
Liu Xiu pulled him and said repeatedly: "Sit down quickly, sit down quickly!" He asked Long Yuan to sit on the tree stump and asked: "Uncle Zhong, did you find Long Zhun and Long Bo during this trip?"
Long Yuan shook his head with a wry smile and said: "Although I couldn't find them, I found the marks they left for me in Lantian County. I also left marks for them. As long as they see them,
Then you will come here to find me."
Liu Xiu said oh, feeling somewhat disappointed.
Firstly, he was very curious about Long Zhun and Long Bo. Secondly, in order to achieve great things, he must have a group of trustworthy people around him. Long Zhun and Long Bo were Long Yuan's brothers, so they could naturally be used as his own.
Unfortunately, Long Yuan returned from his trip to Lantian County without success and failed to bring Long Zhun and Long Bu back.
Liu Xiu suddenly remembered something and asked: "Uncle Zhong, have you heard that Wang Mang sent Lian Dan to lead an army of 100,000 to Yizhou to fight against the Southern Barbarians?"
Long Yuan nodded and said: "I have heard a little about it."
Liu Xiu said: "In addition to the 100,000 troops led by Lian Dan, Wang Mang also wants to form a 100,000 rebel army. My eldest brother plans to join the rebel army, and I want to go too!"
Long Yuan took a breath, frowned slightly, and said, "My lord, joining the rebel army, doesn't it mean that you are helping the thieves?"
Liu Xiu shook his head and told Long Yuan the whole story. Then he said: "My eldest brother thinks that joining the rebel army this time is a good opportunity to make money. I also think this opportunity should not be missed."
"So that's it." Long Yuan nodded thoughtfully. If he wanted to overthrow Wang Mang's tyranny, he would definitely not be able to do it without money. He said seriously: "The master is going to Yizhou, and the subordinates should follow the master. !”
Liu Xiu smiled, patted Long Yuan on the shoulder, and said, "My uncle and eldest brother are against me going, so we will have to go secretly." As he spoke, he looked at Long Yuan and asked, "We haven't eaten yet. Right? Come on, let’s cook!”
Back at the cabin, Liu Xiu asked Long Yuan in detail about his trip.
Long story short.
Two days later, Liu Yan said goodbye to his family, carried his luggage, and a group of friends on his way to Yizhou.
There were quite a few people going with Liu Yan. In addition to Zhang Ping and Zhu Yun, who were inseparable from him, there were more than 20 people.
Among them, only Liu Yan had relatively complete equipment. I don’t know where he got a set of leather helmets, leather armor, and a short sword hanging under his ribs. This was Liu Yan’s expedition. All outfits.
His equipment is still the most complete among the team. Most of them don't even have a decent weapon, let alone armor. They either have a sickle on their waist or a hoe on their shoulder.
In fact, it is understandable that as long as the family has some money and can live a comfortable life, who is willing to go to Yizhou and fight against the Nanman people?
Nanyang County is next to Yizhou, and Caiyang County is even closer to Yizhou. More than fifty miles to the west is Xiangyang, and another fifty miles to the west is Hanzhong County of Yizhou.
During Wang Mang's reign, he changed the place names across the country, which was very confusing. Xiangyang was also changed to Xiangyang, but among the people, it was still customary to refer to it as Xiangyang.
Xiangyang is one of the gathering places for the rebels. The destination of Liu Yan and others is to go to Xiangyang. It is only fifty miles away and they can easily walk there in one day.
Liu Yan and others set out after half past Yin hour, which was around four o'clock in the morning. It was still dark at this time, but by Mao hour, around five o'clock in the morning, the sky was bright.
As we were walking forward, a young man quickly caught up with Liu Yan in front and said, "Brother Bo Sheng, there are two people following us. Could they be the spies of the nearby bandits?"
There is a severe drought in the world, people are in dire straits, and there are many people who fall into the trap of bandits. Incidents of killing and stealing goods also occur from time to time in various places.
Hearing that they might have encountered bandits, Liu Yan and others were not afraid, but became energetic. Zhu Yun grinned and said: "Hey, we have fun this time. Before we go to Yizhou, we can practice with bandits first." Practice!"
The people who follow Liu Yan are usually idle and idle scoundrels. They have no other skills. They are just the best in fighting. After hearing Zhu Yun's words, everyone's eyes became brighter. They rolled up their arms and sleeves and raised their eyebrows. Shuidi looked at Liu Yan, looking eager to try.
Liu Yan chuckled, nuzzled his lips toward the woods ahead of the road, and said, "We will ambush in the woods ahead to see clearly who is following us, and then decide whether to take action."
Everyone followed Liu Yan's lead, and when he finished speaking, everyone nodded. The group of people headed by Liu Yan suddenly quickened their pace, and within a short time, they had reached the vicinity of the woods.
At Liu Yan's signal, the crowd immediately divided into two groups, one to the left and one to the right, and hid in the woods at extremely fast speeds.
The two people walking behind them seemed to have noticed that Liu Yan and his group suddenly disappeared, and they both quickened their pace.
When the two of them approached the woods, they suddenly heard a whistle from the woods, followed by a roar, and Liu Yan and others all rushed out, surrounding the two of them.
Seeing their appearance clearly, everyone was dumbfounded. Liu Yan exclaimed: "Axiu?"
Following Liu Yan and others were Liu Xiu and Long Yuan. Liu Xiu looked around at everyone, cleared his throat with some embarrassment, first bowed his hand to his eldest brother and saluted, and then met Zhang Ping, Zhu Yun and others.
Liu Yan quickly calmed down from the shock. He knew Liu Xiu's purpose of following them without asking him. He asked solemnly: "A Xiu, did you sneak out?"
With his uncle's temper, it was impossible to let Axiu join the rebel army. Even if he wanted to join the rebel army, his uncle would make a lot of noise at home.
"Yes." Sure enough, Liu Xiu nodded and whispered: "Brother, I left letters for my uncle, aunt and little sister!"
Liu Yan pursed his lips and said, "Didn't I say that you can't follow us to Yizhou, you have to stay and take care of my little sister!"
Liu Xiu said seriously: "Brother, my little sister has an uncle and an aunt to take care of her, so there is no need for me at all!"
Seeing that Liu Yan still wanted to refuse, he hurriedly said: "Brother, I have run out now and left a letter. My uncle must have seen it. If I go back now, my uncle will not let me go easily! What's more, in the war, As brothers, father and son go into battle, and it is only natural that my eldest brother and I go to Yizhou to join the rebel army." As he spoke, he turned to look at Zhang Ping and Zhu Yun, whom he knew best, and winked at them. .
Zhang Ping and Zhu Yun were both amused by Liu Xiu's appearance, and said to Liu Yan: "Bo Sheng, we are going to Yizhou this time. There are officers and soldiers to fight in the big battle. We only need to start the fight. There is no danger, so let Axiu Go ahead, let alone us brothers taking care of Axiu, what else does Bosheng have to worry about?"
"Yes, brother, I am no longer a child, I am already twenty, so just let me go!" Liu Xiu looked at Liu Yan expectantly.
Liu Yan frowned and refused in a deep voice: "No! Come back right away!"
Liu Xiu said with a sad face: "Brother, it may not be safer at home than in Yizhou. Have you forgotten what happened last time?"
He was reminding Liu Yan that he almost died at the hands of two 'bandits' last time. After hearing this, Liu Yan's expression changed and his attitude became less determined than before.
He took a deep breath and said quietly: "Do you think fighting is a child's play? People will really die!"
"Brother, I have the ability to protect myself!" Liu Xiu said anxiously.
"Are you capable?" Liu Yan was almost angry. Even he didn't dare to say that he would be safe on the battlefield, let alone A Xiu?
"I don't care! I've already come out anyway. If you beat me to death, I won't just go back!" In front of Liu Yan, Liu Xiu has always been a very obedient and sensible little brother. This time he is a rare fool. temper.
Seeing Liu Xiu's determined look, Liu Yansi thought about it, thought for a long time, and finally compromised, saying: "When I join the rebel army this time, I am not allowed to make my own decisions no matter what, and I have to listen to me. Do you understand?"
