Chapter 74: Unexpected Letter

  Liu Jue did not speak for half a day, and Gan Ning eventually went to Jiangxia. As the general of the water, he was allowed to guard the hinterland of Jiangxia...

  Liu Jue sighed inwardly, he didn't know what to say, in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms it was said that Huang Zu treated Gan Ning poorly, but actually, the root of the problem lay with Liu Biao.

  Sun Quan knew how to use the wise, and ultimately achieved imperial success. Cao Cao only promoted talent, and ultimately unified the north. Liu Biao had Kongming, Pang Tong, Xu Shu and other talented scholars, as well as Huang Zhong, Gan Ning, Wen Ping, Wei Yan and other top generals, but in the end, his foundation was lost, and it cannot be said that Liu Biao's use of personnel was not a problem.

  Maybe he has his own difficulties, but who doesn't have difficulties? It depends on how to deal with the difficulties. Being trapped by difficulties and lacking the courage to solve problems, such a person will never achieve great things.

  Taking the private use of Qu Department as an example, it has been eleven years and this problem still cannot be solved. It was only when Zhang You had a small matter that he was able to take action, but when announcing Zhang You's crimes, not a word was mentioned about the Qu Department. Being so hesitant and fearful, can this really restrict the spread of the Qu Department?

  Liu Jue secretly sighed, one leaf can know autumn. From Liu Biao's appointment of Gan Ning, it can be seen that this person is too deep-minded and suspicious in using people, without the courage to do great things. If it were himself, he would let Gan Ning defend Chai Sang with sincerity, and Gan Ning might surrender to Eastern Wu?

  Just then, Liu Xuan suddenly remembered a matter of life and death. If he joined the army, military discipline was strict and he would not be allowed to leave the camp at will, so how could he practice martial arts?

  This idea suddenly occurred to him, and Liu Xuan's back broke out in a cold sweat. He had actually forgotten the most crucial thing. His lips moved, but he didn't know what to say.

  Liu Biao noticed Liu Xun's abnormal expression, and thought that Liu Xun had some opinions about Gan Ning's matter. He was slightly displeased in his heart, "What, are you dissatisfied with the arrangement of Gan Ning?"

  Liu Jiong hastily shook his head, "Nephew does not dare, it's because of personal matters, nephew has another bitter intention."

  "What's troubling you, can you tell me?"

  Perhaps Liu Bei also realized that his attitude was a bit too harsh, after all, he was his own nephew, and still just a child, he should be more tolerant, his face began to soften, and he smiled: "Jing'er, your parents have passed away, I am the closest person to you, if there's anything difficult, just say it, Uncle will do his best to help you."

  Liu Xuan did not want to mention his martial arts practice, but if he didn't say it, he wouldn't be able to come up with a reason for making special requests. Reluctantly, Liu Xuan stammered: "Reporting to Uncle, I actually practice martial arts in the Han River every night and can't leave the Han River. I beg Uncle to arrange me in the water army."

  Next to Liu Hu, his eyes widened and he thought to himself: 'Good grief, it turns out that he was practicing martial arts in the Han River, no wonder he's making such rapid progress. This kid has been secretly deceiving everyone, and I didn't have a clue. What kind of practice is this water-based training?'

  Liu Hu studied martial arts with a craze, and in his heart, he rose up with a thread of expectation, could he also learn a little bit.

  Liu Biao also showed some interest, and chuckled: "So that's how it is. I've never heard of anyone practicing martial arts in the Han River before. Actually, you can be arranged to go anywhere, but the key is that you have to tell me the truth. I don't like being deceived."

  At this point, Liu Biao's eyes became sharp and he stared at Liu Xun, "Do you understand what I'm saying?"

  Liu Jiong nodded silently, "Nephew understands!"

  "Understood, I will consider your request."

  Liu Bei's expression changed like a chameleon, from dissatisfaction to warmth, and then became severe. However, when his gaze turned to Liu Hu, his eyes softened again.

  Liu Hu was trembling with fear, but in his heart he had the same wish. Before Liu Biao could speak, Liu Hu immediately knelt down and kowtowed, saying: "Nephew is willing to follow Xuan brother, please uncle fulfill it."

  Liu Bei couldn't help but burst out laughing, "You said I'm foolish, but you're not foolish at all! Alright, I'll play along with you."

  Liu Xuan and Liu Hu bid farewell and left, while Liu Bei stood with his hands behind him in front of the window, gazing at the few plum blossoms in the courtyard. The light yellow plum blossoms were in full bloom, wafting fragrance, but Liu Bei was too preoccupied to appreciate them, still pondering over Liu Xuan's matter.

  Just now talking about martial arts, it suddenly reminded him of something. It is said that his nephew actually learned martial arts from Zhao Yun, which made Liu Biao suddenly realize what was going on. No wonder Liu Bei wanted to strongly recommend Jing'er.

  Liu Biao couldn't help but sneer, this Liu Xuande had a good idea, no matter what, he didn't want Liu Bei to be too close to his nephews and nieces, lest Xuan'er become a pawn in his hands.

  At this time, the door knocked and Liu Zhuang's voice came, "Father, may I come in?"

  "Come in!"

  Liu Biao's train of thought was disrupted, he withdrew his thoughts and returned to his seat. The door opened and Liu Cong walked in, kneeling down and kowtowing, "Greetings, Father!"

  Liu Biao was quite satisfied with this son, except that he was not very tall. He was very filial and took good care of himself and his stepmother. His wife had praised him more than once for this. In comparison, Liu Qi fell short in this aspect.

  "Is anything the matter?" Liu Bei asked with a faint smile.

  "I heard that early April is the birthday of the old master of the Tao family, and I'd like to go to Chaisang to pay my respects on behalf of my father!"

  ．．．．．．．．．

  "Xuan Di, are you really practicing martial arts in the river?" Liu Hu asked cautiously on the ferry boat crossing the river.

  Liu Jiong stood at the bow of the boat, silently gazing out at the vast river. He hadn't heard Liu Hu's question, his mind still preoccupied with his new position, and in the study, there were many things he hadn't thought of, only now slowly coming to realize them.

  Why was it Liu Bei who spoke on his behalf and repeatedly advised Liu Biao to reappoint him? Of course, Liu Bei hoped that he could take on important responsibilities to a certain extent, but Liu Jue had an intuition that Liu Bei's thoughts were complex and he might not be well-intentioned.

  Liu Hu saw that Liu Xuan was ignoring him, and he let out a sigh. A sense of self-reproach welled up in his heart. He thought to himself: "I'm really insatiable. Xuan brother taught me such profound sword techniques, and I'm still not satisfied? I'm still trying to pry into Xuan brother's secrets."

  "Slap!" Liu Hu suddenly gave himself a crisp slap in the face.

  Liu Jing was taken aback and turned around to look at him, furrowing his brow and saying: "What are you doing?"

  Liu Hu's face was full of shame, and he lowered his head to say: "I'm really too greedy, I also want to learn Xuan brother's underwater martial arts practice."

  "You're overthinking!"

  Liu Jiong sighed, patted his shoulder and smiled: "Old Hu, my underwater training is not to learn martial arts, but to temper my strength. My strength is insufficient. If I had innate divine power like you, why would I work so hard?"

  Liu Hu finally understood and scratched his head, saying: "Then you can practice lifting the stone lock! The people in the sword pavilion all practice like this, I also practiced my strength like this, it's quite effective."

  Liu Xuan shook his head, he was practicing martial arts underwater not just to increase his strength, but more importantly to practice the application of his strength. The hidden water currents at the bottom of the lake made his movements even smoother, and this was probably the real intention behind Jade True Person's instruction for him to practice at the bottom of the lake.

  He didn't want to say more, and even if he did, Liu Hu might not understand. Liu Xuan smiled and changed the subject, "Actually, I was going to recommend you to take over as the supervisor of the You Jiao camp, but why do you want to follow me into battle again?"

  Liu Hu bit his lip and stammered: "I just think... your choices are all correct, I'll just follow you."

  Liu Jiong gazed at this big fellow, who was half a head taller than himself, and felt quite moved. He discovered that Liu Hu actually wasn't stupid; he was smarter than many people. He wouldn't analyze the pros and cons of his position, he just focused on himself. If he didn't stay, neither would Liu Hu. Alas! This foolish guy.

  "Let's go back and get a good rest first. We'll start our new positions together tomorrow." Liu Xuan found himself liking this clever yet foolish older cousin more and more.

  ．．．．．．．．．

  In the evening, Liu Xuan finished dinner and sat in his room sipping tea and reading a book. He had always liked reading Zhuangzi in his past life, and now re-reading it gave him an even deeper understanding.

  At this time, a knock at the door came from the courtyard. Liu Xuan put down his book and perked up his ears to listen carefully. The door opened, and only Xiao Baozi was heard asking, "May I ask who you are looking for?"

  "I am from the Tao family business, and my master has ordered me to deliver a letter."

  Liu Xuan got up and walked into the courtyard, where he saw Li, the steward, standing at the gate. He also saw Liu Xuan, took out a letter, and respectfully handed it to him, "Master Xuan, this is a letter from my master."

  Liu Xuan thought it was an invitation card, but found it was a letter. He took over the letter and asked: "Where is your master?"

  "I have reported back to Master Huang, our master has rushed back to Chaisang this afternoon."

  This news stunned Liu Xuan. They had parted ways at noon and everything was fine, but by the afternoon, he had rushed back to Chai Sang. What had happened?

  Liu Xuan hesitated for a moment before asking: "Is something wrong with Chai Sang?"

  Li Guanshi had previously received strict orders from Tao Qian, not allowing him to speak recklessly. However, some things he didn't say out loud, and it was hard for him to bear the discomfort in his heart. Li Guanshi hesitated for a moment before revealing a little bit in a roundabout way.

  "This afternoon, my master received a letter of invitation. After reading it, he immediately decided to return to Chaisang."

  It turned out to be a brocade invitation letter. This is not something that ordinary people can take out of their hands. Liu Xuan asked again, "Who sent the brocade letter?"

  Li Guanshi shook his head, "It's what the master's servant girl said, but we don't know who exactly it is."

  Liu Xuan thought for a moment and perhaps there was an explanation in the letter, so he nodded with a smile: "Thank you, Li Guan Shi, for making a special trip."

  Li Guanshi bid farewell and left. Liu Xuan took the letter into the room, sat down, pulled out the letter paper, and a line of elegant and flowing small characters appeared before his eyes.

  Third Master Bao

  When the young master received this letter, I had already set sail from Fan City and was on my way to Chai Sang. I'm really sorry, as I originally planned to invite you for another drink tomorrow afternoon, but something happened that made me have to make a temporary decision to return to Chai Sang.

  I am also very regretful and sigh with emotion, hoping that you can understand my departure and don't think I'm an untrustworthy person.

  I am in charge of auditing the accounts of various businesses for my family, and at the end of the year or beginning of the new one, it is the time when these businesses start to report their accounts. It may be very busy, but within a month or two or three at most, I will return to Fan City, so please take care of yourself in the meantime.

  As I put down my pen, I suddenly remembered that the young master had agreed to attend the banquet, but I didn't specify a time. So, an invitation two or three months later shouldn't be considered a breach of promise, right?

  Thinking that I hadn't breached the contract, my guilty feelings immediately lightened up a bit. Patting my chest, I was relieved that I didn't think of going to which tavern at that time.

  Take care of yourself, young master! I look forward to seeing you again someday!

  Chai Sang Tao Zhan Jing Shang

  ．．．．．．

  After finishing reading the letter, Liu Xuan felt an inexplicable sense of loss.