Liu Xuande would never be a succubus of the Eastern Han Dynasty!

Their heads were touching each other, which looked quite cozy under the firelight.

Mr. Lu sat alone opposite, watching the scene with an expressionless face.

She did feel a little jealous. Xuande was obviously her disciple, so where did Jia Xu come from?

But what I feel more in my heart is anxiety and confusion.

It is okay that Xuande is still young and ignorant of the ways of the world, but Master Lu has long passed the age of youthful recklessness and is now at the age of establishing herself on her own feet.

He studied hard in his youth in order to gain knowledge, and he repeatedly refused the government's call-up because he liked to live in seclusion... However, how can he have a monologue when the world is all black?

She went from a wooden house to a school, and then from a school to a government office. The people around her also changed from classmates to disciples, and then from disciples to officers and soldiers.

Master Lu originally thought that this was not bad, at least he could make the world less dark, but unfortunately, things in the world are unpredictable.

For thousands of years, the war between Tiandao and Chixiao has never ended.

The more Master Lu saw about the world, the more confused and delusional he became. He wondered whether his life was controlled by the way of heaven.

Everything she did and thought... was it all arranged by heaven, just like a puppet?

If it were just that, it would be fine, but the current emperor is too gloomy and crazy, and is not a wise and benevolent ruler. I am afraid that this will further provoke conflicts with the world.

The rebellion in Jiujiang County must also be resolved as quickly as possible to avoid any further complications and to prevent others from harboring evil intentions.

...The recent situation has become more and more complicated and numerous, and the number of times I have used the fragments of the Heavenly Dao has gradually increased. If this continues, I am afraid that I will really become a child.

Besides.

Xuande, this handsome, calm and ambitious disciple... has he also been targeted by the so-called Heavenly Dao?

Master Lu stared at Liu Bei's sleeping face for a long time, and then sighed slightly.

She gently stretched out her hand, and an arrow appeared on the palm of her tender hand. The arrow head flashed with white light, and she flicked her finger.

The arrow silently buried itself in Liu Bei's forehead and eventually disappeared.

This is a method that can block the prying eyes of the Heavenly Dao.

From then on, as long as Liu Bei did not obtain the third fragment of the Heavenly Dao, he would always be in the state of "no such person".

After completing this step, Mrs. Lu's hands became smaller and her beautiful face looked even more childish.

Even though she hated being smaller, there wasn't a trace of regret in her red eyes.

Yes, a teacher should protect his disciples.

Xuande, you can be happy because of my happiness, and so am I.

-

Day two.

As soon as Master Lu opened his eyes, he found an extremely handsome face close to him, and those peach blossom eyes seemed to be looking him up and down.

"...?"

Mrs. Lu raised her hand and wanted to tap Liu Bei on the forehead, but the latter just raised his head, and she found that she couldn't tap him no matter how hard she raised her hand.

His expression suddenly became a little aggrieved.

But soon, she put her hands on her hips and angrily scolded, "You disrespectful disciple, you are so rude so early in the morning... Humph, squat down quickly and let me spank you."

Liu Bei naturally wouldn't disobey his master's orders. He squatted down and asked in confusion, "Master...why do you seem to have become smaller?"

"Have it?"

"It's covered."

“Snap!”

Mr. Lu didn't even bother to play the game angrily. He just punched him on the forehead and then ran away with a "clatter" of his feet.

"oops…"

Master Lu's strength was very great. Liu Bei was caught off guard and was knocked far away, falling straight into a full chest.

"Why, were you taught a lesson?"

There was a hint of gloating in Jia Xu's tone, as if he was happy to see Liu Bei suffer a loss.

"Asking knowingly."

Liu Bei immediately stood up, glanced at her, and said, "Hurry up and wash up, we are about to set off."

"As you command, Master Xuande..." Jia Xu stretched out his words, "But I'm only a mortal. My hands are a little numb from sitting and sleeping all night... Would Master Xuande be willing to help me wash up?"

Liu Bei's heart moved, and then, in front of her slightly surprised eyes, he hugged her like a princess, and then threw her straight forward -

"Go away, you stinky turtle."

"what?"

After some fun, Liu Bei and his two companions returned to the horses, led them, and started their journey again.

It rained last night, and the ground is still covered with rainwater. If you ride a horse on high ground, you will fall flat on your face. You have to walk for a distance first.

But the atmosphere is a little subtle now.

Master Lu put his head down, led his horse and walked alone in front, leaving Liu Bei with an angry head.

"?"

Liu Bei naturally didn't know that Master Lu became smaller because he had been given a buff, so he blinked innocently.

Jia Xu beside her still had a smiling face. I don’t know what she was thinking in her heart, but there seemed to be joy in her eyes.

Liu Bei glanced at her and said, "You are really a woman full of evil tastes."

"…Hey, I appreciate the compliment, Master Xuande."

Jia Xu puffed out his chest with pride, not shame, and said happily, "Things in the world, after all, are just like that... I don't have Master Lu's benevolent heart to help the world, nor do I have your ambition to achieve great things."

"So, you take pleasure in the suffering of others?"

"No, no, my philosophy is not to enjoy myself while others suffer," Jia Xu shook his head. "It's because it's 'interesting'. That's all I pursue, and I follow you because it's interesting."

Liu Bei pondered and said, "So, if one day in the future I become less interesting, will you turn around and leave?"

Jia Xu smiled and said, "What if I say yes?"

"Then I will sink you to the bottom of the sea tonight."

"Hahaha, Xuande, you're joking. I'm not such a heartless and ungrateful person," Jia Xu said, laughing even more happily. "What's more, as long as you don't give up your ambition, I will never leave you."

Anyone with great ambitions will surely be able to use her plans and satisfy her interests. Add to that her handsome face and gentle personality...why wouldn't she follow her?

"Humph."

Master Lu in front turned his head and glared at Jia Xu, but did not say anything harsh. He just silently quickened his pace.

Jiujiang County: Chapter 15: Shouchun County

Yangzhou, Shouchun County, Jiujiang County.

Liu Bei and his two companions arrived in the city before nightfall.

Since the purpose of this trip was not tourism, Mr. Lu went straight to see the county magistrate as soon as he entered the city.

The journey was smooth and there were no people who came out to extort money or look down on people. The officers and soldiers we met didn't even come forward to ask questions or check.

After all, Master Lu wore a seal around his waist and an official hat. Even if the officers and soldiers could not identify his rank, they could still tell whether he was noble or not.

As the three of them entered the county magistrate's mansion, they heard a conversation from inside.

"…County Lieutenant Chen, Magistrate Lu hasn't officially taken office yet. Without further orders, you must not act rashly!"

Long before Master Lu and others set out, the court had submitted the name of the new chief to each county, and they all knew that she was on the way.

"Would I act rashly? Those barbarians are plundering along the way, leaving the common people homeless. Winter is coming soon. If we continue to wait, the entire Jiujiang and Lujiang counties will be plundered!"

The county lieutenant is theoretically in charge of public security in a county, but those troops are used to maintain public order. If they want to lead them out to fight or quell a rebellion, they need to discuss it with the county magistrate and the county magistrate in advance, and finally jointly petition the county governor.

Of course, there is no need to report to the superiors now, as long as the county magistrate, county magistrate and county lieutenant agree.

The barbarians migrated to the vicinity of Lujiang and Jiujiang counties during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han. Although they intermarried with each other over the centuries, they still identified with their own culture at heart, which was the basis for conflict and rebellion.

Historically, there have been many county governors in these two places who have wanted to take action to rectify the situation, but after they have poured money and manpower into it, they will discover a horrible fact...

Behind this group of barbarians, there are actually some of the Yangzhou aristocratic families.

Only with their support could the barbarians of Lujiang and Jiujiang survive.

The county magistrate was obviously an knowledgeable man, or perhaps someone had informed him long ago. In any case, even if a barbarian army was a hundred miles away, he would pretend not to see it.

The county lieutenant was a passionate young man, so his thinking was naturally not so complicated. He wanted to send troops for two reasons: one was to win merit, and the other was for the people's livelihood.

"Boy, showing off your talents is not a good thing!"

"Showing off one's talents is always closer to bravery than being a cowardly fool like you!"

County Lieutenant Chen flicked his sleeves and turned to leave. As he emerged, he happened to run into Liu Bei and his two companions. He was startled at first, then bowed. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly said, "...Sir, is this Prefect Lu?"

As an official, he could only distinguish the official seal hanging around Master Lu's waist.

"Ah."

Master Lu regained his usual cool demeanor, nodded slightly, and instructed, "Let's go in first. I need the full story behind this matter."

"only."

County Magistrate Chen was overjoyed and wanted to lead them inside. However, when he caught a glimpse of Liu Bei's face, he was stunned and asked, "... Is this young man married?"

"?"

"...Who's making so much noise outside... Oh, it's the governor. Please come in, please come in."

The county magistrate heard the voices outside and naturally came out to take a look. When he caught a glimpse of Liu Bei's appearance, his eyes lit up and he actually said, "Hey, young man, are you married?"

"..." Liu Bei was a little amused and helpless, but he was not surprised by it.

He was still young, and had come here with the new governor. He had a good appearance, and these alone were enough for others to come and make friends with him and chat about family matters.

This custom can be traced back to the time of Emperor Taizu, when Lu Gong married off his daughter. Therefore, officials from aristocratic families all liked to marry their daughters to promising young people.

But they wouldn't be as direct as the county magistrate and the county lieutenant. They would at least have to hold a banquet and give gifts to build friendship, and then talk about marriage naturally...

It can't be done - Great, Liu Bei is here, everyone, quickly get your daughters ready!

Master Lu naturally frowned at this rude thing and said in a deep voice: "The marriage of our children should be done in private, but now I need to know the full details of these barbarians. Is that okay?"

“…Ah, okay, sure.”

The county magistrate led Liu Bei and others back inside, and then began to tell them what he knew.

The main activity area of the barbarians was between Lujiang and Jiujiang counties. Every time the officers and soldiers went to suppress them, they were thrown around by the enemy who took advantage of the dangerous mountain terrain, so they stopped sending troops.

Originally, relying on the military forces of the two places to deal with this group of barbarians, it would not be more than enough, but at least it could easily suppress the other party and prevent them from coming out.

But the key point is that there was a severe drought here some time ago, and the common people had no income and could not afford to eat.

Although the previous prefect had written to the court many times requesting exemption or reduction of taxes, the replies he received were all orders urging the payment of taxes.

But there was no money to be squeezed out of the Li people. If the pressure continued, there would be public outrage. So the former prefect's chief secretary made a stupid move - using the barbarians to make money.

The result was naturally playing with fire. Not only was the governor himself killed, but many common people who could not survive also joined the barbarian camp.

Liu Bei almost collapsed upon hearing this. "So, you're saying this barbarian rebellion is all the fault of the prefect alone?"

The county magistrate and the county lieutenant looked at each other and said nothing.

Finally, Master Lu spoke up and said, "Xuan De is my disciple. When you see him, you will see me. Just answer him as you would."

"I see."

Nowadays, the relationship between teachers and students is sometimes even deeper than that between father and son. It is normal for a teacher to lead his disciples to gain popularity and experience in official circles.

The county magistrate nodded immediately and said, "The former prefect, seeking wealth, colluded with foreign tribes, condoned looting, and harmed the common people. This is truly a heinous crime, unforgivable under the law."

Liu Bei and Jia Xu looked at each other and both felt that they were being treated like fools.

The former governor died suddenly and mysteriously, the barbarians rebelled, refugees invaded... How abstract and stupid a person could be to cause such a thing?

There must be other culprits behind this, but I don’t know which aristocratic families in Yangzhou they are.

"Many refugees from the disaster have joined the barbarians. Their total number is now around 5,000, and this nearby tribe has over 700," the county magistrate said, seeming to hesitate. "May I ask how many officers and soldiers are you bringing with you, Your Excellency?"