Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 227 Clan

When they arrived in Jingkou, the imperial court's rewards arrived.

The imperial court was indeed stingy, only granting Liu Daogui and Liu Yu the honorary title of Yuanwai Sanqi Changshi, under the jurisdiction of Sanqi Province.

To express the court's sentiments, a sable crown, a crimson court robe, and aquamarine jade were also bestowed upon him.

Looking at these flashy things, Liu Daogui couldn't help but sneer inwardly. The Sima family was treating everyone like fools; it was all a facade. They didn't even consider who was keeping them alive.

Even the rewards were meager, only ten taels of gold and thirty bolts of silk. The soldiers' rewards were even more meager, five hundred coins and a bolt of cloth for each person...

I don't know if someone pocketed it, or if it was always this little bit.

It didn't seem like a reward for meritorious soldiers at all.

The imperial court ignored such a good opportunity to win over the army.

But thinking about it, it's normal. In the eyes of the imperial court, people from poor families, soldiers, and commoners were basically not considered human, so no one cared what they thought.

The soldiers were full of complaints and curses, almost stabbing the Sima family in the back.

Upon careful consideration, Liu Daogui realized that this was actually a good thing. If the imperial court were to bestow generous rewards, the soldiers would be more loyal to them and would no longer be of one mind with him.

When he returned to the Liu family home, the villagers all came out to greet him.

Five- or six-year-old children, barefoot and with snot running down their faces, shouted at the village entrance, "Liu San is back! Liu San is back!"

The crowd surged forward, exclaiming, "A-Gui, you two brothers have finally made something of yourselves!"

"When are you going to bring my kid along? He'll help you out, he's like a brother to me..."

Liu Zun and his men blocked their way, snarling, "Help my ass! You remember how you gambled away everything when Ji Nu lost it all?"

Before he could finish speaking, he was slapped several times. "How dare you talk like that? You think you know me, your grandfather?"

"Even Governor Liu treats us with deference, so don't tell me you're just A-Gui's lackey!"

"I'm your seventh uncle! You dare to draw your knife? Come on, come on, slash here!"

Although Liu Zun was fierce and reckless, the Liu clan was not weak either. Almost every household had someone serving in the Northern Army, so they were not afraid of his murderous aura and menacing presence.

Several shrewish women even rushed up and tore at his clothes, leaving a bright red claw mark on his face.

"Damn it..." Liu Zun was furious, but helpless.

Liu Daogui laughed heartily, feeling incredibly warm towards this scene. "Alright, from now on, any disciple over fifteen years old who is not afraid of hardship, fatigue, or death is welcome to come find me."

As soon as these words were spoken, someone on the spot changed their mind, saying, "Then we might as well go and seek refuge with Governor Liu..."

"That would require being able to enter Governor Liu's door first."

Everyone was talking at once.

When Liu Daogui and Liu Yu were so poor they were practically starving, their house was deserted; relatives and clansmen would avoid their door. Now that they've finally achieved some success, they're surrounded by kind and friendly relatives...

However, this is only natural and there's nothing to complain about, after all, other people's lives aren't easy either.

If you encounter difficulties and really ask them for help, they will still help you.

"A-Gui." Mother Xiao Wenshou's complexion has improved a lot in the past two years, and the wrinkles on her face have also decreased.

"The child is back."

"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."

The house was much more lively than before, with several more women present. Besides my sister-in-law Zang Aiqin, there were Zhang Que and Hu Daoan, both of whom were pregnant. It seemed that my brother Liu Yu hadn't been idle these days either... My little niece Liu Xingdi had grown into a young lady. When she saw Liu Daogui, she knew to bow and timidly called out, "Third Uncle."

"It's A-Gui who's back." The second brother, Liu Daolian, came out from the backyard.

After not seeing him for several years, he has grown up to be fair and plump, which shows that he is doing well at the Imperial Academy in Jiankang.

However, his forehead was dark, his eyes were sunken, and he looked listless, clearly indicating that he was having a run of bad luck.

"Where is my second brother doing now?" Liu Daogui was away from home for many years, risking his life on the battlefield, so I really didn't know how he was doing.

"Alas, what bad luck! Last year, I went through connections and spent a lot of money to get a position as an official in Xuzhou under General Wei. But General Wei died in battle, and with him gone, all my connections vanished, and I lost my position..."

Yangzhou belonged to the Sima family, Jingzhou to the Huan family, Yuzhou to the Yu family, and Xuzhou to the Xie family.

Xie Xuan and Xie Yan both served as governors of Xuzhou.

Most of the generals in the Northern Army were from Xu Si. As members of the Liu clan of Pengcheng, it was customary for them to join the Xie clan.

Unfortunately for Liu Daolian, Xie Yan died before he could take office...

"What are your plans, Second Brother?" After all, they were brothers born of the same mother, and Liu Daogui cared about his future and hoped that he could join the army with him.

Liu Daolian's eyes darted around, and he smiled, "I've already talked to Asu, and he'll act as a go-between to get me into Commander Liu's service, maybe as a chief clerk or something."

Liu Daogui was quite disappointed, not because he was unwilling to join the army with him, but because after all these years, he was still the same, frivolous in speech and ambitious but unrealistic.

Liu Huaisu was now just a low-ranking official of the ninth grade, and he couldn't say much in front of Liu Laozhi.

If he could act as a liaison, he himself would become the chief clerk or secretary of the Northern Army...

"Then I wish you a bright future, brother." Liu Daogui didn't say much more, knowing better but not saying it out loud.

"Why look for a way out? You are the only male in the family now. Agui and Jinu are both successful. You should get married first, and wait a few years. Agui and Jinu will pave the way for you."

Xiao Wenshou's face was full of reproach but also showed affection.

A doting mother often spoils her son. Liu Daolian was better at studying than Liu Yu and Liu Daogui. In his early years, he was the hope of the whole family and thus received some favor from his mother. While Liu Daogui and Liu Yu supported the family by chopping wood, fishing, and selling straw mats and sandals, Liu Daolian devoted himself to studying the classics and did not have to worry about making a living.

Over the years, I've developed a bad habit of being lazy and unwilling to work.

Liu Yu and Liu Daogui, having endured hardship early in life, possessed resilient character and were not afraid of difficulties and obstacles, which enabled them to achieve great things.

"The Tan family? This is indeed a good match between them." Liu Daogui was slightly surprised.

Xiao Wenshou said, "Yes, it was Ji Nu who acted as matchmaker, and Tan Pingzhi made great efforts to bring them together."

The Tan family chose the wrong side several times, causing Tan Pingzhi's status in the Northern Army to plummet, while his relationship with the Liu family became increasingly close.

However, the decline in social standing did not mean the decline of the Tan family. The several nephews that Tan Pingzhi raised were all outstanding talents.

Tan Shao and Tan Zhi both served in the Northern Army, while Tan Daoji served under Liu Daogui.

The two families became even closer after the marriage alliance.

It seems that Liu Yu had already paved the way, and in some ways even preceded his own actions...

Of course, this is also a good thing. In this era where aristocratic families monopolize everything, it is impossible for someone from a humble background to rise up by fighting alone.

"With the Xiongnu not yet defeated, how can I think of a home? I have a wealth of talent, but I regret that I have no place to use it." Liu Daolian raised his head, waved his sleeves, and stood with his hands behind his back, actually putting on the airs of a scholar.

With a "smack," a five-finger mark appeared on his upturned face.

(End of this chapter)