I was living in the Five Dynasties period, just after crossing the Zhongdu Bridge.

This royal brotherhood has always been the most questionable thing in the world.

If they were born into an ordinary family, brotherly love and respect would be a beautiful story.

But if one is born into an imperial family, then the title of "elder brother" is different.

Sometimes it's called for family ties, sometimes it's for power, or some kind of ambition to take someone else's place.

Liu Chengyou, who barged in, was a few years younger than Liu Chengxun. Although he resembled Liu Zhiyuan in some ways, he lacked composure and had more of a fierce air about him.

"Since you're here, Second Brother, please sit down with us."

Liu Chengxun waved his hand, signaling the servants to add more bowls and chopsticks.

Although it was somewhat impolite to barge into the mansion without prior notice, Liu Chengxun was, after all, the eldest brother and a well-known gentleman, so he naturally wouldn't embarrass his younger brother in front of others.

"I am currently discussing the old story of Zhongdu Bridge with Commander Shen. If you are interested, my second brother, you may join me."

"Greetings, Second Prince."

Although Shen Lie and Guo Rong and Guo Dong felt animosity towards each other, they dared not break the rules of etiquette and immediately stood up to bow.

"No need."

Liu Chengyou waved his hand casually, but his gaze kept lingering on Shen Lie.

"You're Shen Lie?"

Liu Chengyou walked straight to the table, plopped down to Liu Chengxun's left, and grabbed the wine pot to take a swig.

Logically speaking, as the Second Prince, even at a family banquet, Liu Chengyou's seating arrangement should be below Liu Chengxun's.

But it's obvious that this second prince doesn't care about these things, or rather, he did it on purpose.

"I heard from Su Fengji that you dared to go to Yaozhou with only a few hundred men to challenge Zhao Kuangzan and Hou Yi?"

"Your Highness, that was the Emperor's divine authority; I merely happened to be there," Shen Lie replied demurely, his answer perfectly compliant.

"Alright, stop learning these stale, pretentious things from your older brother!"

Liu Chengyou scoffed, slamming the wine pot on the table. "A real man should have a bit of wildness. If I were you, I'd just accept the credit; why hide it?"

"But you don't look like you have three heads and six arms, you're just a bit more human-like than those killers."

These words were crude and carried an unwarranted hostility.

Guo Rong frowned slightly but remained silent.

He was a subject, and to interrupt at this time would be an act of usurpation.

Liu Chengxun watched from the side, frowned slightly, and said gently, "Second brother, Commander Shen is a former subordinate of General Wang Qing. We invited him here today to commemorate the martyrs. We must not be impolite."

"Heroes and martyrs?"

Liu Chengyou burst into laughter.

"Big brother, you're just too soft-hearted."

"How many times has Father taught us the principle that a compassionate ruler cannot command an army? Our Liu family's empire was won by the living, not by crying over the dead."

"A dead man is a dead man. Even if he is posthumously granted the titles of Grand Tutor or King, he is still just a skeleton in a tomb!"

After saying that, he turned his head away, completely ignoring Shen Lie's already somewhat unpleasant expression.

"Shen Lie, I know that Su Fengji suggested you join the Left Guard."

"Brother, you're a mild-mannered person who doesn't like to fight. My Left Guard General's mansion happens to be short-handed. Instead of going to Ye City to suffer in the sand, why not come and work with me?"

"As long as you nod, I will personally speak to my father."

In the current Imperial Guard system, although Liu Chengxun is nominally the General of the Left Guard, the real power is mostly in the hands of the strong-willed Liu Chengyou.

Liu Chengyou's words, seemingly aimed at recruiting talent, were actually a ploy to snatch away the person his elder brother had his eye on, right in front of him.

The logic behind this is quite simple.

Those my elder brother values, I will snatch; those my father praises, must be mine.

Upon hearing this, Shen Lie was at a loss for words.

Liu Chengxun made people willingly bow down, while Liu Chengyou forced you to give up your life.

"Seungwoo."

Liu Chengxun, who had been smiling gently, spoke up, thus saving Shen Lie from this awkward situation.

"Today is a private dinner; we will not discuss business."

But Liu Chengyou didn't buy it and retorted, "I don't like hearing what you're saying, brother."

"How can recommending talents for the Emperor be considered official business?"

"Commander Shen, didn't you hear what I said? The Left Guard is the Emperor's personal army; countless people want to get in. What, you look down on them?"

This sentence reveals the true intention behind the final touch.

Shen Lie felt helpless. When he could no longer avoid it, he had no choice but to raise his head and meet Liu Chengyou's aggressive gaze.

"I am deeply grateful for Your Highness's kindness. It is my great honor to be able to serve in the Left Guard and guard the palace."

Start by praising them, making sure they've adopted the right attitude.

"But my life was bought with the lives of the brothers at Zhongdu Bridge."

"As long as Du Chongwei is alive, I will never have peace of mind. Every night at midnight, when I close my eyes, I see the faces of my comrades."

"Furthermore, His Majesty has already granted me the authority to quell the rebellion. If I were to refuse, wouldn't that be tantamount to deceiving the Emperor?"

"I hope Your Highness will grant me this small token of my affection."

After saying this, Shen Lie finally suppressed his nausea and bowed to Liu Chengyou.

This tactic of retreating to advance utilizes the very principle that Liu Chengxun had just mentioned.

No matter how domineering you are, Liu Chengyou, you can't stop important officials from avenging national and personal grievances, can you?

If we forcibly detain them, it will be said that you, Liu Chengyou, disregard the greater good and obstruct the soldiers from suppressing the rebels.

Liu Chengyou was speechless with shock at these words. His smile froze, and anger began to rise on his face.

He could naturally tell that this was just an excuse.

It's just an excuse for not wanting to work under him.

"What a silver tongue..."

Liu Chengyou sneered, about to retaliate, when he felt a tightness on his wrist.

It was Liu Chengxun!

Even if the prince had the best temper, he couldn't withstand Liu Chengyou's repeated trouble-making.

"Second brother, stop fooling around!"

While trying to persuade him, Liu Chengxun stood up and stood between Shen Lie and Liu Chengyou.

"I'll keep this man for you. When he returns victorious, I'll personally order him to be transferred to the Left Guard as your deputy. Are you satisfied with that?"

Liu Chengyou wanted to shake off Liu Chengxun's hand, but when he looked up, he met the other's eyes. After staring at him for a while, he finally just snorted and backed down.

"Since the eldest brother has said so, how dare the younger brother disobey?"

Seeing that Liu Chengyou had backed down, Liu Chengxun finally let go of him, and even straightened Liu Chengyou's slightly disheveled collar.

Seemingly feeling that he had lost face by being stopped by Liu Chengxun, Liu Chengyou spoke up again.

"Shen Lie, I'm telling you this right now: after Du Chongwei's matter is settled, don't try to give me any excuses!"

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness," Shen Lie replied, but inwardly a murderous intent was rising.

What Zhang Heng said back in Zhangjiawu was indeed true.

He ate people, and Shen Lie suddenly killed him, but Liu Chengyou belittled Wang Qing and others to nothing, and Shen Lie could only endure it.

Seeing that Shen Lie had agreed, Liu Chengyou didn't linger. He said goodbye to Liu Chengxun and left in a hurry.

As for Guo Rong and Guo Dong, he acted as if he hadn't seen them.

Liu Chengxun sighed as he watched his younger brother's departing figure.

"I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Commander Shen."

"My younger brother is young and spoiled by our father. He has a somewhat impatient temperament, but his true nature..."

He originally wanted to say that he was not a bad person at heart, but he felt that the words were weak.

"Your Highness need not take it to heart."

Shen Lie stood up and bowed. "I have benefited greatly from Your Highness's words today. I will do my utmost in the trip to Ye City."

Upon hearing Shen Lie's self-identification of change in his words, Liu Chengxun understood his intentions.

Just as he was about to show his friendliness again, he seemed to suddenly remember something.

"I still don't know Commander Shen's courtesy name? It's too formal to address him by his official title."