Second-hand time travel: Liu Bei, the big-eared bandit

Chapter 100 What is Loyalty and Filial Piety?
During the mourning period, weddings and celebrations are prohibited, as are official duties, shaving one's head and trimming one's beard, and visiting friends and entertaining guests.

One must not be angry, must not have sex, must not hold banquets, and must not wage war or kill.

For more than a year, Liu Bei slept on the straw mat his mother had woven years ago, with his head resting on a white stone, and wore mourning clothes according to the proper etiquette of that era.

Even when Cao Cao came to fight, Liu Bei never got angry, let alone used force.

He lived by the principles of benevolence and virtue, and originally intended to continue to strictly observe filial piety.

but now……

Dukang Pavilion.

“Father, I have always remembered your kindness in helping me in the past. It was also thanks to your help that I was able to enter Master Lu's school. Now that I have some wealth, I should repay you in some way…”

Liu Bei brought all his retainers, almost each of them pulling a large cart.

He pointed to the carriages and horses behind him, and bowed to Liu Yuanqi with a blank expression: "My paternal uncle gave me five thousand coins back then, and I am willing to repay him ten thousand times over. Paternal uncle, here are fifty million coins... Please accept them."

As Liu Bei finished speaking, all his men lifted the cloth covering the cart.

Cart after cart of copper coins, like mountains of copper, were placed in front of Liu Yuanqi.

"Why must you do this, Xuande? I have not demanded any repayment from you. Why must we, as family, act like this? Xuande is still in mourning. Why have you brought weapons here? This violates filial piety..."

Sweat beaded on Liu Yuanqi's forehead. Fifty million coins...

It looks really tempting.

But if I accept this money, then all the past friendship will be gone.

Since Liu Bei had no more debts to his clan, no one could stop him from doing anything.

“Uncle Yuanqi, the soldiers and troop carriers were all brought by Yong, and have nothing to do with my elder brother. With so much money, there must be warriors escorting it... I wonder if someone will try to rob it…”

Jian Yong stood in front of Liu Bei, indicating that they shouldn't label Liu Bei, as there were plenty of people around who could easily be blamed.

"Xuande, Xianhe, what are you two planning to do?"

Liu Yuanqi asked with a frown.

He certainly knew why Liu Bei had brought his men there.

If Liu Bei could investigate things clearly at Xihe Pavilion, it would be even easier for Liu Yuanqi to find out.

Liu Yuanqi knew that someone in the clan had robbed Su Shuang of her valuables, and he knew that it was a very unethical thing to do, but... protecting one's relatives is the duty of the Liu family.

Liu Yuanqi is no longer the clan head, but only a clan elder. The clan head is named Liu Boli, who is the eldest direct descendant among Liu Yuanqi's generation.

But this person is currently hiding in the fortified village and dares not go out at all.

“I’ve come to deliver money to the tribe… I’ll dump the money under the walls of the fortified village.”

Liu Bei waved his hand: "The bond between me and my clan is now sealed. From now on, I will live alone, with my own household."

Hundreds of cartloads of five-zhu coins were dumped into the ditches at the base of the fortified village walls, filling them completely.

The sewage gradually overflowed the copper coins, and the stench of copper emanated from the upper reaches of the ditch.

Looking at Liu Bei's cold face, Liu Yuanqi's heart sank.

"Someone in this clan murdered Su Shuang's family of over a hundred people for their money, and looted their property. Does the clan elder know who did this?"

Liu Bei, still expressionless, asked, "I know this matter has nothing to do with my paternal uncle. If my paternal uncle is unaware, then I will inquire myself. Please make way, paternal uncle."

“Xuande, Su Shuang is just a mere merchant. You are a junior member of the clan. Why should you commit such a grave act of filial impiety for such a matter? Even Su Shuang’s family has not reported you. Why should you insist on stepping forward?”

Liu Yuanqi asked in a low voice.

“If I don’t stand up for my brothers, who will consider me a brother in the future? My paternal uncle is a learned man; he should know what morality and virtue are…”

Liu Bei's face grew even colder: "If the clan has lost its virtue, then it should be repaid with morality; otherwise, it is an immoral family! Clan elder... you must first cleanse the clan before you can continue to live a clean life." "And what about your reputation for filial piety? Xuande... if you enter the fortress, you will never be able to hold office again! No one in the entire Youzhou will recommend you! No one in the clan will help you anymore!"

Liu Yuanqi did indeed have some consideration for Liu Bei's sake.

"I do not care."

Liu Bei said indifferently, "To become an official by relying on the corpses of friends is too filthy..."

"Besides, Father, who in the clan has ever helped me besides you? Those born to the eldest son of the main branch... has any of them even glanced at the orphan and widow?"

Liu Bei slowly shook his head: "I don't even know them... Clan elders, can people you don't know be considered relatives?"

Why did Emperor Zhaolie in history face such difficulties on his journey?
Because the Liu clan never looked up to Liu Bei... they never did.

There is a biased ideology in this world.

People from wealthy families rarely treat others as human beings.

For Liu Bei, home was a place to manage wealth within the house, with the doors open and family members sharing the profits and benefits.

For Hao You, home... is like having pigs under the eaves; if you don't raise them, you slaughter them.

Don't assume that Liu Bei's past official position gave him a high status within the family. To the eldest son of the main branch of the family, they were born with the view that the collateral branches of the family were like pork, rice, mules, or cattle...

It is not human.

Even if this branch of the clan becomes famous throughout the land, the clan will only regard it as a hunting dog... They are used to using a rope called 'filial piety' to tether the hawks and hounds in their eyes.

This is what loyalty and filial piety are all about.

"Xuande... if I don't stop you, what do you plan to do? Kill your own clansmen to avenge your friend?"

Liu Yuanqi lamented, "Is loyalty to friends more important than loyalty and filial piety?"

Liu Bei was about to refute, but Qian Zhao stopped him—neither Jian Yong nor Qian Zhao wanted Liu Bei to break his vows during the mourning period.

"When they killed my men, did they ever consider the principles of loyalty and filial piety?"

Qian Zhao walked out with a frosty expression and pointed to the gate of the fortified village: "The Protectorate of the Wuhuan is pursuing the culprits! Those inside, open the gate and surrender!"

Liu Yuanqi was shocked: "Qianzi Jing, what does this mean?"

"Sixty regular soldiers of our Han army died unnatural deaths. What do you think I mean? This is a crime of treason and rebellion! I also have a history with Su Shuang! Manager Su has always been responsible for supplying the military horses to the Protectorate of the Wuhuan Commandant! He is a soldier of our unit!"

Qian Zhao gritted her teeth and angrily rebuked, "Brother Xuande gave you a chance, wanting you to hand over the murderer yourself, strip him of his surname and dismantle his family, so as to prevent the extermination of your entire clan! But you still dare to talk about loyalty and filial piety! Murder, robbery, and murder of soldiers, can you call that loyalty and filial piety in your eyes?!"

"It seems that, in the end, no one can run this household..."

Liu Bei shook his head, turned around and walked away: "Zijing, you should handle things impartially."

"At your command, break down the door!"

He raised his hand and gave the order.

"No, no... We can talk this over, don't hit me..."

The gates of the fortress opened.

Sect Leader Liu Boli wiped the sweat from his brow and went out the door: "Chief Qian, if you want the murderer, I'll hand him over to you..."

"Good, it seems that Chief Liu has finally understood..."

Qian Zhao stepped forward, grabbed Liu Boli by the collar, and dragged him into the fortified village: "Anyone who participated in the plot to murder Manager Su, step forward, or... you will be killed without mercy!"

“Father, you should go in and preside over the division of the family property…”

Liu Bei calmly addressed Liu Yuanqi: "Separate all the families within the clan into dozens of smaller households to prevent you and Deran from being implicated. After this matter is settled, we still need to go to Anping to pursue the murderer... Please, Father, handle this matter quickly."

(End of this chapter)