Liu Bei: My younger brother is a deity.

Liu Quan could understand Liu Bei's resentment.

However, the teacher-student relationship with Lu Zhi could not be severed.

Lu Zhi hadn't really taught them much, but that didn't seem important to Liu Quan.

If Liu Bei and De Ran want to learn knowledge, I can teach them; I even have more advanced knowledge available.

The reason Liu Quan insisted on maintaining his teacher-student relationship with Lu Zhi was not because of how much knowledge Lu Zhi could teach them, but because of Lu Zhi's reputation and status.

In the Eastern Han Dynasty, the teacher-student relationship was not merely about imparting knowledge and resolving doubts, but also a kind of political alliance.

Becoming a disciple of Lu Zhi was tantamount to boarding a path to officialdom in Luoyang.

This path may not be needed now, but what about in the future?

In the original history, Liu Bei's career in officialdom began with his assistance to Lu Zhi in suppressing the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

Of course, Gongsun Zan's help was indispensable.

But if Liu Bei wasn't Lu Zhi's disciple and Gongsun Zan's junior brother, why would Gongsun Zan help him?

Liu Quan had read the historical materials in the Pangu database.

The relationships between people from the same hometown, classmates, and schoolmates in this era are as close as those between blood relatives.

Cao Cao had his fellow villagers from Qiao County, Xun Yu recommended scholars from Yingchuan, and Yuan Shao had his protégés and former officials from the Yuan family...

"Ah Bei, you shouldn't complain anymore. Master Lu is a truly capable person," Liu Quan said calmly. "He is well-versed in classics and history, knowledgeable in military strategy, and skilled in both literature and martial arts. He is rare in this era. It's not that he doesn't want to teach us; he's just genuinely busy."

Liu Bei pursed his lips, clearly still unconvinced.

Liu Quan added, "Besides, with Master Lu's reputation and abilities, he will surely be highly valued by the court in the future. With our teacher-student relationship, it will be much easier to ask for things. These days, fellow townsmen, fellow students, and classmates are all part of the network of relationships."

Liu Bei remained silent.

He knew Liu Quan was right.

But I just couldn't bring myself to like that teacher.

Seeing that neither of them spoke, Liu Deran couldn't help but urge them, "Hey, Abei, Aquan, say something! Are we going to study at home or go to Mount Goushi? Mount Goushi isn't far from Luoyang; who knows, Master Lu might find some time to personally teach us!"

Liu Deran wanted to go to Mount Goushi; young people all yearn for distant places.

But he dared not set off alone, hoping that Abei and Aquan would also choose to go to Goushi Mountain.

Liu Bei naturally didn't want to go, but since A Quan was going, he would go too.

"Let's go to Mount Goushi," Liu Quan said.

"But didn't we agree to go beyond the Great Wall with the imperial army next August?" Liu Bei wanted to try and argue a little more.

"Next August is still a long way off, we'll come back then," Liu Quan said.

Liu Quan continued, "Going to Mount Goushi is not only for studying, but also to let people know that Master Lu and we students are here."

"Besides, we should go out and see the world. Lousang Village is too small, and Zhuoxian County is too small. Luoyang is vast, and the world is vast. Don't you want to go and see it?"

Liu Bei was stunned, his thoughts wandering.

He recalled his childhood, standing under the big mulberry tree at the village entrance, boasting to a group of friends that he would become emperor, and that the mulberry tree was his canopy carriage…

When did my heart begin to be confined to this small Zhuoxian County?

I, Liu Bei, am a man destined for great things!

His eyes lit up, and he nodded vigorously, "Okay, let's go to Goushi Mountain."

He then turned to look at Guan Yu, his eyes showing a hint of a smile, but also a touch of solemnity.

He patted Guan Yu's arm, which was much thicker than a normal person's, and said in a trusting tone, "Yun Chang, it's good that you've settled down in Lou Sang Village. Quan and I will be gone for a while. We can't let our little brothers fall behind. I want Yun Chang to lead them in continuing their training. Their daily practice can't stop; fist fighting, weapons, and drills—nothing can be neglected."

After saying that, he turned to Liu Quan and asked, "Quan, could you teach Yun Chang your methods of training troops?"

Liu Quan: "Of course it's possible."

Guan Yu looked over in shock, "A method for training troops?"

Then I recalled that when Liu Bei fought Jian Yong, he did indeed use military formations...

Could it be that the Liu family truly possesses a lineage of military strategy?

Guan Yu was both excited and apprehensive.

He rarely showed such emotional expression.

This is truly... a military strategy!

Military strategy is an extremely precious thing, even for aristocratic families, and it is rarely passed on to outsiders.

Because in this era of cold weapons, military strategy is not only a combat technique, but also a top-level knowledge of governance and power operation, ranging from small ethnic groups to large countries.

Powerful families controlled military power through hereditary succession, and military strategy became part of their "family learning," passed down from generation to generation to consolidate the family's core position in the regime.

For example, during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the noble families of Jin and the three families of Qu, Jing and Zhao in Chu all held military power for generations. Their children studied military books from a young age (such as "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu and "The Art of War" by Wu Zi), deeply binding military theory with family interests.

Although the recommendation system and the imperial examination system gradually rose during and after the Han Dynasty, aristocratic families still incorporated military strategy into the compulsory curriculum for their children through an education system that emphasized practical application of knowledge, in order to ensure that they could maintain the initiative in times of war or political upheaval.

It can be said that from the Eastern Han Dynasty to the Wei, Jin and Southern and Northern Dynasties, and then to the Sui and Tang Dynasties, top aristocratic families mostly aimed to cultivate "generals and ministers".

Their children were not only required to be proficient in Confucian classics, poetry, and songs, but also to study military strategy, government affairs, and even personally manage manors and retainers.

Before Zhuge Liang emerged from seclusion, he farmed the fields, and Pang Tong was merely known for his eloquence.

But once the opportunity arises...

Their strategic vision and practical organizational skills, cultivated by the family system, found their place, allowing them to rise directly from commoners to commanders of armies and officials in charge of prefectures and counties.

This is a foundation that the powerful, the poor, and even ordinary people can never match.

For an ordinary person to reach the rank of 2,000 shi (a unit of grain measure), they must start from a minor official or soldier, go through countless trials and errors, solve countless problems, and also have the blessing of luck to possibly reach this point.

For scions of aristocratic families, their starting point is the destination that ordinary people may not be able to reach even after a lifetime of struggle.

This is not unfair; it's the rule of the times.

After all, these so-called prestigious families have worked their way up through generations.

"Is this really the way to pass on a certain military strategy?" Guan Yu's voice was somewhat hoarse.

"That's absolutely true! Brother Yunchang," Liu Quan said, "If Abei believes you, then I will believe you too."

Guan Yu was deeply moved, feeling that he might have to give his life to the Liu brothers, otherwise how could he repay their kindness?

He is unwilling to refuse, nor will he refuse.

Such a precious opportunity, even with his pride, made him willing to temporarily set aside his pride.

Han Dang stood aside, watching this scene with envy in his heart.

Some even began to have doubts, wondering if joining the Liu brothers might not be a bad idea?

Once the thought arose, it sprouted like wild grass.

"With Lu Zhi as their teacher and their family's military strategy passed down through generations, the Liu brothers are also extremely capable individuals... They might very well achieve great things..."

Liu Quan noticed Han Dang's change in mood and gave Liu Bei a wink.

Liu Bei immediately understood, just as A Quan had immediately understood his expression earlier.

He put one arm on Guan Yu's shoulder and the other on Han Dang's shoulder, saying, "Lord Yi, why don't you stay and be Yun Chang's deputy? I'm afraid he can't handle everything by himself."

Han Dang's lips moved, but he neither refused nor agreed.

Liu Bei was overjoyed; there was hope!

He added hurriedly, "Ah Quan and I will be leaving in half a month. During this time, Ah Quan will teach you military strategy, which will be a good opportunity to practice on those kids. Before we leave, I'll have Ah Quan make a copy for you to keep. You can study it on your own. If you don't understand anything, you can ask Ah Quan when we come back next year."

Han Dang's face flushed red, but he could not resist the temptation of military strategy. He clasped his hands and said, "Abei and Aquan are so generous. I, Han Dang, am willing to give you my life."

Liu Bei laughed loudly, "No, no, we're brothers, we should advance and retreat together, share wealth and honor!"

"We'll advance and retreat together, we'll prosper and prosper together!"

Guan Yu and Han Dang couldn't help but loudly agree.

That night, Liu Bei insisted on having everyone sleep in the same bed.

Well, luckily the tatami mat is big enough.

They talked until well past midnight.

Their feelings for each other deepened.

People these days seem to really like this kind of thing.

Liu Quan thought to himself.