Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Shu, Loyal Officials of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 17 Boyan, I love him very much.

"Lu Boyan! This is not a place for you to joke around. Apologize now!"

Despite Lu Jun's stern words, the young man called Lu Boyan ignored him. He simply raised his eyes and met Yuan Shu's gaze with neither arrogance nor servility, then waved his sleeves and began to speak eloquently.

"Now the Han dynasty is in decline, the world is in chaos, and various warlords are rising up to vie for control of the Central Plains."

Now that Lord Yuan has obtained the Imperial Seal and intends to occupy the Jianghuai region, observing the political situation across the land in anticipation of any change in the world, does he truly lack any ambition for advancement?

"Lu Boyan?"

Yuan Shu laughed.

Who do we have here? It's you, Lu Xun!
The fire burned down seven hundred miles of camps, reducing the essence of the Shu Kingdom to ashes.

He was the Grand Commander, General, and Chancellor of Eastern Wu, second only to the emperor, wielding military and political power and controlling the court.

Calmly gazing at the twelve-year-old Lu Xun before him, a sharp glint lurked in his eyes, as if he could see the magnificent life of this white-clad youth in the long river of history.

"Qiang!"

The sound of metal clanging echoed through the hall as a long sword struck the table in front of him. Yuan Shu straightened his posture, his face displaying an expression of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism.

“My ancestors served as high-ranking officials for four generations, enjoying the Han dynasty’s stipends for generations. If we do not think about serving our country, how are we different from beasts?”
Gentlemen, there's no need to test us. Anyone who dares to speak of this matter again will face the same fate as this case!

Seeing this man, a loyal and righteous man, drawing his sword and looking around, ready to rid the country of traitors, Lu Jun was so frightened that he cried out and knelt down.

"Lord Yuan, please spare my life! Boyan is just a child and doesn't know any better. Please don't hold it against him."

Lu Xun, who was standing nearby, showed no fear. His brows were furrowed and his eyes were full of strangeness. Why was this reaction so different from what he had expected?

At this moment, Yuan Shu did not respond to him, so he had no choice but to swallow the words and plans he had prepared.

However, before he could think of his next reply, Yuan Shu had already sheathed his sword and was looking Lu Jun up and down with a smile.

"Don't worry, Lu Lang. Children say the darndest things, and I won't take it to heart."

As he spoke, his gaze fell on Lu Xun, "However, what Boyan said is quite insightful. He has such talent and courage at such a young age, I admire him very much."

He placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, the broken table and plates scattered at his feet, and stared intently at Lu Jun.

"Once Jiangdong is pacified, I intend to emulate the Jixia Academy of the pre-Qin period, reopen the academy, and use the Mengshi Yi, a family heirloom of the Yuan family, to recruit talents from all over the world and recreate the glorious scene of having students all over the world."

I greatly admire Boyan's talent and wish to have him enroll early and take him as my disciple. I wonder if Young Master Lu is willing to do so?

"This"

Lu Jun was stunned for a moment!

Just moments ago they were shouting for violence, and if they dared to say anything more, they would face the same fate as this case! How could they suddenly become so fond of it after just one sentence?

However, before he could react, someone else had already realized what was happening and rushed forward to bow down.

"I lost my father at a young age and was displaced. Now, thanks to Lord Yuan's kindness, I wish to study at the academy, assist my teacher, and work together to achieve great things!"

"it is good!"

Yuan Shu nodded in satisfaction and personally went down the steps to help him up, saying, "Now that we have Boyan, what is there to worry about in achieving great things?"
You are still young, so please return to Shouchun and study at my residence. We will discuss the matter of opening an academy when I return.

Since Young Master Lu will accompany you, let us travel together and both attend the academy for our studies.

Before he finished speaking, he looked at Lu Jun and instructed him, "Young Master Lu, you might as well bring your mother to Shouchun as well. I will take care of her on behalf of Brother Lu Kang, so that you won't have to worry about missing your mother next time you hide oranges."

“Yes, what Lord Yuan said is very true.”

Lu Jun was at a loss for words. The two people in front of him were acting like a kind teacher and a filial disciple, and their rapid changes of attitude left him completely bewildered.

No, we were talking together, weren't we? Why can't I keep up?
It wasn't until the banquet ended, and in the carriage on the way back from the Lu family home, that Lu Jun finally found an opportunity to ask him something. "Boyan, I know you've been exceptionally intelligent since childhood, far beyond the average person, but what you did today was truly risky."

"How could I not know what you were saying, Uncle? I was just joking with you."

Lu Xun smiled and retorted sarcastically, "You said that children speak without restraint. If a teacher were to argue with a mere child like me, wouldn't that make all the feudal lords of the world laugh at us?"

"And now, at this banquet, distinguished families abound, and wise men are all seated. But when I ask my question, besides you, Uncle, is there anyone who will stop me?"

Meeting his intriguing gaze, Lu Jun pondered for a moment and realized it was indeed true, which only increased his surprise and doubt.

Lu Xun didn't keep him in suspense and patiently explained, "Now, it would be mutually beneficial for us to unite with our teacher. We are willing to follow him to govern Jiangdong together, not for a short-term plan, but for the long term."

But what his ambitions are and what he plans for the future remains unknown!
At today's banquet, I deliberately asked this question, not for my own sake, but to test our noble families.

At that moment, I suddenly asked a question, and since there was neither a strategist to plan nor a chance to think things through, I was able to see what was on his mind.

If he is overjoyed and thinks that he has the power to become emperor by controlling Jiangdong and having our support, then he is short-sighted and only has a superficial appearance. He should make plans as soon as possible and seek another wise ruler.

If he suddenly changes his expression and resolves to restore the Han Dynasty, then we can peacefully remain in a corner of the country, confined to the Yangtze River for self-preservation, and thus we can plan for the future together. As long as he is in Jiangdong, we will be his subjects.

"What about today?"

Recalling the strange behavior of Yuan Shu and Lu Xun at the banquet, Lu Jun had a feeling that things were not so simple.

"I told him about the Imperial Seal of the State and offered to help him. He was so passionate that he was willing to draw his sword and fight back, determined to be a loyal and virtuous man of the Han Dynasty."

But what happened afterward? They turned on me and told me they were going to open many academies, recruit talents from all over the land, and even invited me to become their disciple.

Thinking of this, the handsome young man in white, as white as snow, clapped his hands and laughed inside the car, disregarding his image.

"Outwardly, he claimed to be loyal to the emperor, but inwardly he harbored extraordinary ambitions!"

A teacher like this is a remarkable person, capable of accomplishing great things.

Seeing that the two of them were chatting happily, seven-year-old Lu Ji also came over and chimed in like a little adult.

"Yes, he asked me to go with him to see my nephew Gu Boyan go to school, and he even asked my brother to bring my mother along so that she could ease her longing for her family. It is clear that Master Yuan values ​​us highly."

"."

Seeing that the two of them were chatting again, Lu Jun was speechless for a moment.

“Valued? I don’t think so. Other aristocratic families like Gu Yong and Bu Zhi all received official positions and rewards, but I was frightened by Boyan’s words and gained nothing.”

Hearing him say this, Lu Xun smiled faintly, while Lu Ji blinked. Both of their expressions were somewhat subtle, as if everything was understood without being said.

Seeing that Lu Jun was still unaware of his own ignorance and wanted to press the matter further, Lu Xun changed the subject at the right time and lowered his voice.

"Moreover, I have not forgotten the tragic death of my great-uncle in Lujiang, where nearly half of my Lu clan perished."

When our teacher sent troops to attack Lujiang, it was only to demand grain. It was a common occurrence between feudal lords, and there was no personal grudge involved. After the city was breached, we followed our great-uncle and surrendered.

As a result, Sun Ce led his troops to besiege the city for two whole years. The losses and waste far outweighed the gains, and the city of Shouchun had long since given up on fighting.

It is clear that Sun Ce harbored resentment because his uncle refused to see him when he visited him in his early years, which led him to spend two years of manpower and resources to conquer Lujiang in order to establish his own reputation and achievements.

After the city fell, they sent troops to slaughter my people, killing nearly half of my clan. This is an irreconcilable hatred, how can I not avenge it?

Now, somehow he has won the teacher's favor and been adopted as a son. Unless we are willing to abandon our Jiangdong land and ancestral heritage and seek refuge elsewhere.

Otherwise, if I don't demonstrate my talents and thus get closer to my teacher, how will I control him in the future, protect the Lu family, and await revenge?"

(End of this chapter)