Jinting Han people

Chapter 27 Father's Reprimand (4k, please read)

Liu Xian's premonition seemed unfounded. During the next two days of hunting, nothing bad happened. During the day, everyone caught rabbits and deer, hunted geese and fished, and in the evenings, they enjoyed wine and roasted meat, admiring the stars together. It was a truly joyful time. By the time they parted on the fourth day, Liu Xian had become completely familiar with these sons of the founding fathers. Their words and actions were like brothers. They said goodbye with a certain reluctance, promising to return to Wan'an Mountain for hunting in two months' time, when summer arrived and everything was in full bloom.

Before leaving, the boys divided the prey they had hunted. Liu Xian got two deerskins and three mottled rabbit skins. He folded these soft furs and tied them to the saddle, then said goodbye to these new friends one by one.

"When you return to Luoyang, we will play Chupu together," said Zhang Wei.

"If we have time, we will go to pay a visit to Mr. Ruan." This was said by Chen Zhi, Pei Gai and Xun Chuo.

"Let's fight swords again later!" This is what Wang Zhou said.

Only when saying goodbye to Jia Mi did the beautiful, delicate young man simply wave and say nothing. Liu Xian, assuming he had no interest in friendship, was about to leave when Yan Yu suddenly stopped him, saying Jia Mi had a gift for him. He then pulled a long, oblong object from his luggage: tightly wrapped in cloth, about three feet long. Liu Xian unwrapped it and saw it was a long sword!
The sword's scabbard was painted black, and its hilt, made of iron with dark lacquer stripes, made it immediately clear that it was no ordinary item. Like the Fubo Sword, its hilt was inscribed with two lines of inscription: "Warrior and Bravery Unrivaled in the World" and "His Honor and Glory Unrivaled in Honor and Glory." After Yu's explanation, Liu Xian realized that it was the Zhaowu Sword, the sword worn by Duan Xing, a renowned general who pacified the Qiang people during the reign of Emperor Huan of the Han Dynasty a century earlier.

Liu Xian naturally didn't dare to accept such a valuable item and repeatedly declined. Unexpectedly, Jia Mi, despite his delicate appearance, was resolute in his opinion. He said decisively, "Swords are easy to come by, but friends are hard to find. I saw that you have superb swordsmanship, but you don't have a good sword to go with it, so I'm giving you this gift. If you consider me a friend, accept it. Otherwise, throw it away and we'll never see each other again!"

Having said that, Liu Xian could no longer refuse. In addition, he really liked the Zhaowu Sword, so after some hesitation, he finally accepted it.

On his way back to Dongwu, Liu Xian recalled this trip with a surreal feeling: hunting with the boys, chasing the white deer with Shi Chao, and even dueling swordsmen in public with Wang Zhou—all of them were worth recollecting, and he couldn't help but smile. Although to outsiders, Liu Xian seemed calm and rational beyond his years, at the end of the day, he was still an eleven-year-old, still finding excitement and joy in playing games and making friends.

At this time, Liu Xian's mind was full of thoughts: I should tell my mother all these experiences, and she will be happy for me.

Time is always like this, when one is filled with anticipation, it rushes down like a waterfall. In a blink of an eye, Liu Xian realized he was nearing Dongwu. The willow trees along the road were sprouting tender buds, swaying in the spring breeze, like thousands of young girls waving at him.

Liu Xian quickly whipped his horse to the front of his house. After dismounting, he unloaded his luggage, took his bow in one hand and his sword in the other, and then knocked on the door of the pavilion and called out, "Mother, mother! Bi Ji is back!"

Soon, the door opened. Zhang Ximiao appeared in front of the pavilion, but her expression was not as happy as usual. Instead, her brows were slightly furrowed, with a hint of melancholy.

Liu Xian's heart skipped a beat. He was very familiar with this expression on his mother's face. It often meant that someone was losing their temper.

Sure enough, when Zhang Ximiao took the luggage from her son, she whispered, "Your father is waiting for you inside. Be careful and don't talk back to him."

Liu Xian's mood suddenly dropped. He nodded to his mother, took off his boots and put on clogs at the door, then walked straight into the lobby. Sure enough, he saw his father sitting in the main seat.

Prince Anle Liu Xun was sitting by the brazier, his expression as gloomy as ever. But strangely, he was holding a scroll in his hands, appearing quite serious. This surprised Liu Xian, as he had always thought his father would never be associated with the word "serious."

Liu Xun heard Liu Xian's footsteps. Without even looking up, he spoke from his belly, "Are you back?"

"Yes, sir." Liu Xianxing walked up to Liu Xun and kowtowed three times to his father. But to be honest, Liu Xun's image in his mind was very bad.

It wasn't that Liu Xian hadn't longed for a father's love. After all, children don't just crave their mother's warm embrace; they also yearn for their father's strong, mountain-like support. But for years, Liu Xun had only disappointed Liu Xian. First, his inhumane treatment of servants like Zhu Fu and Achun had terrified Liu Xian. Later, he took concubines for pleasure, alienating his mother and further inflicting resentment on Liu Xian. Now, as he was enrolled in school, he saw no sign of his father fulfilling any of his responsibilities, leaving his mother to shoulder the heavy workload. This had led to a profoundly frosty relationship between them.

Therefore, Liu Xian was quite reluctant when performing the ceremony.

Liu Xun saw it too, of course. He sneered and said, "Sit down! Stop pretending in front of your father."

The tone of these words was extremely harsh, not at all like something a father should say. Liu Xian felt annoyed, but remembering his mother's teachings, he decided that less trouble was better than more, so he suppressed his anger, stood up without a word, and sat down to the lower left of Liu Xun.

As soon as he sat down, Liu Xun asked again, "Where have you been for the past four days? Why didn't you tell me?"

Liu Xian was startled for a moment, then realized that Liu Xun was asking knowingly, trying to show off his father's authority. He had no choice but to explain in a low voice, "Sir, I told my mother that you were in Luoyang at the time..."

Before he could finish his words, Liu Xun interrupted him, "She is she, I am me, don't you even have the most basic courtesy?"

"Yes...I was wrong."

Seeing that Liu Xian didn't talk back, Liu Xun's expression brightened. He said, "I heard from your mother that this time you went out to hang out with those guys from the Jia, Shi, and Wang families?"

It was just a hunting trip, but he had to say it so harshly. Liu Xian didn't know where his father's hostility came from, and replied dully, "It's true. I went hunting in Wan'an Mountain."

Liu Xun nodded, put down the scroll in his hand, and finally raised his head and said, "Don't have any more contact with them in the future."

"Ah!" Liu Xian was caught off guard by his father's words. Unable to accept it, he blurted out, "Why?"

As soon as he said it, Liu Xian regretted it. Liu Xun hated being asked why because it was questioning and contradicting him. As a parent, he always demanded obedience. But Liu Xian was also genuinely puzzled. While Liu Xun wasn't a good father, he usually rarely gave him instructions and rarely asked about his studies. So what was wrong today? Why would he, for the first time ever, interfere with his friendships?

But what happened next was even more unexpected than Liu Xian had anticipated. His father didn't get angry as he had imagined. Instead, he glanced at him and slowly explained, "They weren't well brought up." "Since you studied history with Chen Shou, you should know how the Jia family of Pingyang and the Wang family of Taiyuan rose to prominence, right?"

"Know……"

"Then tell me about it."

"In the fifth year of the Ganlu reign, Duke Gaogui, Cao Mao, led the imperial guards to attack Sima Zhao. At that time, the Minister Wang Shen betrayed Duke Gaogui and reported the matter to King Sima Wen overnight. Jia Chong, however, led his troops to stop them and killed Duke Gaogui on the spot. From then on, the two families prospered..."

After listening to Liu Xian's words, Duke Anle sneered, "Since you know this, you should understand. The Jia and Wang families are like this, as are the Xun and Shi families... These so-called founding eight nobles, heroes and wise ministers, are nothing more than a bunch of two-faced, treacherous villains who sell out their masters for personal gain! What can't they do?"

At this point, Liu Xun paused, took a sip of water, and then turned his gaze to Liu Xian again and said, "If your father and grandfather were like this, then naturally, your descendants will be no exception. If you hang out with them now, what good will your future be like? Think about it carefully."

Liu Xun thought his words were convincing, but to Liu Xian, they sounded incredibly ironic. His father had never come into contact with Shi Chao and the others, so how could he just rely on their ancestors' experiences to identify them? It was simply incomprehensible. It was hard to say for others, but Xi Nu had been his friend for two or three years. He had been determined to serve his country since childhood, serving in the military. Wasn't that worthy of admiration?
Speaking of family education, no matter how bad the family education of the Duke of Leling was, could it be worse than that of the current Duke of Anle? Others sold their masters, but at least they got glory and wealth. But what did the Duke of Anle get after being licentious and dissolute, and known throughout the world?

They also say that if their fathers and grandfathers were like this, their descendants should be no exception. If Anle Gong, as Liu Bei's descendant, had set an example himself, it would be fine. His teacher often taught him: "Heaven moves with vigor, and the gentleman strives for self-improvement." But his father was so extravagant and decadent, spending his days in prostitutes and reveling, tarnishing the reputation of his ancestors and nearly having his title stripped by the court. Even walking down the street, he was often pointed at and criticized. How could he have the right to criticize others? But it was hard to say these words, and Liu Xian forced himself to hold them back.

After some thought, Liu Xian replied, "I don't know some people, but Xi Nu is a good person. He would never be like what you say..."

"Fools!" Anle Gong shouted impatiently, "They're not like that now, but they've achieved success at a young age, surrounded by people, and influenced by what they see and hear. Sooner or later, they'll become like that too!"

"Then..." Hearing this, Liu Xian finally couldn't help but look up and asked his father, "When I grow up, will I become like this?"

Liu Xun was stunned for a moment, then realized that his son was mocking him, and mocking him was also tarnishing the family's reputation. He was not worthy of saying such words, which made him furious:
"Bastard!"

Liu Xian subconsciously shrank his body, but he had already been hit hard on the left cheek. This was a wake-up call from his father.

"Humph! Say it again."

"Yes, I can say it countless times. According to what the adults said, maybe I have grown up..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Liu Xian received another resounding blow to the right side of his face, and then a burning pain shot through both cheeks. He fell silent, but his eyes remained bright as he stared at his father. Witnessing his father's rage once again, Liu Xian's entire body trembled with excitement, and he couldn't help but breathe heavily. He knew that this time, he had pierced his father's soft spot.

"Liu Xian!"

"exist!"

"Who do you think you are? You're just a kid who knows nothing, who's never seen war, who's never seen death, and who doesn't know the wickedness of human nature. And yet, just for a bunch of strangers you just met, you actually mock your father at home?!"

Liu Xian had seen all of this before. He still clearly remembered the bloody incident in front of the government office that day: the flash of knives, the blood, the corpses, and the timid and fearful look on his father's face when he was questioned. This made him despise him even more, and he said:
"I just told the truth according to what the adults said."

Liu Xun was furious, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at his son. He grabbed his son by the collar and began beating him relentlessly. He didn't stop until blood flowed from Liu Xian's lips and nose, staining his hands. The scorching heat startled Liu Xun, and he finally stopped. Throughout this, Liu Xian remained silent, staring intently at his father.

At this moment, Zhang Ximiao, who was outside, heard something strange going on inside the hall and rushed in. Seeing this scene, tears immediately flowed down her face. She hurried forward, standing between the father and son, and hugged Liu Xian in her arms. While wiping Liu Xian's nosebleed with a handkerchief, she scolded Liu Xun, "Don't you have a fatherly heart? Others are praying for their children's safety, but you're willing to take such a harsh approach!"

Liu Xun knew he was in the wrong, but he still didn't want to lose his father's dignity. He said stubbornly, "He has no heart as a son. He went off to hang out with those brats without permission and even contradicted me. How can I have the heart to be a father?"

Zhang Ximiao defended Liu Xian again, saying, "I agree with Bi Ji going to Wan'an Mountain. No matter what, he'll eventually enter the government. If he doesn't make some connections with the court while he's still young, will he be imprisoned in the mansion for the rest of his life? You're going crazy in the mansion now, feeling wronged and angry at others every day. I can't stop you. Even if you hit me sometimes, I have no complaints. But as a father, can't you think about your child and still get angry at him? Don't let him end up like you in the future!"

His wife's words were even more pointed than his son's, leaving Liu Xun speechless and even more infuriated. He initially considered scolding Lian Ximiao as well, but then, seeing his son's face covered in blood, he realized he'd gone too far, and his anger subsided for a moment.

He no longer looked at Zhang Ximiao and Liu Xian, mother and son, but still said firmly: "No matter what you two think or say, I am the head of the family and there is no room for negotiation! You are not allowed to associate with that group of people in the future. The descendants of Liu Bei are mixed with the descendants of Jia Chong, Shi Bao, and Wang Shen, and they are not afraid of being laughed at by others!" After that, Duke Anle hurriedly left the hall.

After Liu Xian stopped the bleeding, he told his mother that he was fine and went up to the attic alone.

After the door was closed, he locked up his luggage and took only the Zhaowu Sword. He lay on the bed alone, silently staring at the words on the hilt. Then he grasped the hilt and pulled hard, slowly revealing the cold and sharp blade.

The sword was decorated with dragon and tiger patterns, and also had inscriptions in seal script. The characters were obviously more delicate and exquisite than those on the hilt, and had a very classical charm. Liu Xian read while identifying them. There were four words written from the hilt downwards:
"His aspirations remain unchanged."

He turned over the other side and found four characters written between the dragon and tiger patterns. He read them out:
"His heart is pure!"

Liu Xian drew his sword with all his might. With a resounding roar, like a dragon piercing the air, the sword leaped from its sheath, whistling with joy into the hands of its new owner. He raised the sword to face level, and saw a dazzling flash of cold light before him, finally illuminating his own tearful eyes.

　I'm currently testing the waters for this update. Today's follow-up reading is very important, as it determines whether I can enter the next round. I hope everyone will read and vote as much as possible. Your support is my motivation to update. Thank you~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)