(In the early stage, develop and accumulate strength; in the middle stage, wield power and carve out a territory; in the later stage, claim kingship or emperorship and unify the land. Remember, this is just a novel and differs from history. I hope all benefactors understand.)
Guanghe Year Seven!
184 AD, early January!
Inside Zhuo Commandery, within a secluded small courtyard.
Liu Jin, dressed in coarse linen clothes and straw sandals, sat on a small stool, looking up at the clear blue sky, appearing somewhat lost in thought.
He hadn't expected to transmigrate to the chaotic times of the Han Dynasty.
Even if that were the case, the crucial point was that it was Guanghe Year Seven, the very year of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, when Zhang Jiao and his two brothers led the followers of the Way of Great Peace to rise up.
In just a few days, they swept across various states and commanderies of the Han Dynasty. As their scale and numbers grew, the personnel became mixed and difficult to control. The lower-level Yellow Turban followers engaged in burning, killing, and looting, causing widespread suffering, displacement, and immense hardship for the common people.
Thinking of this, Liu Jin felt a pang of fear, afraid of dying in these chaotic times.
He, a dignified, good young man from China, had actually been thrown into this place.
He roared up at the sky!
"No!"
After a moment of calm, Liu Jin could only choose to accept everything.
His previous self was also named Liu Jin, eighteen years old this year, a descendant of Liu Liang, the King of Zhao, a legitimate descendant of the Han Dynasty.
Although he was a descendant of the Han Dynasty, by his generation, he was no different from an ordinary commoner, perhaps even worse off.
After all, Emperor Wu of Han's Edict of Grace meant that no matter what Han Dynasty imperial relative you were, you were all to go and weave straw sandals.
My children become emperors, your children become commoners—it's all for the service of the Great Han, right?
Fortunately, Liu Jin's father, Liu An, had secured a position in the government through his connection as an imperial relative, leaving behind a legacy.
That legacy was this very residence. Unfortunately, two and a half years ago, his parents died in an accident, leaving Liu Jin to live a lonely life.
Additionally, many kind-hearted people among the Liu clan and the villagers occasionally provided assistance, preventing him from starving to death.
After sorting out his thoughts, Liu Jin sighed. His parents' death was a catastrophic beginning.
Since he had already come to the Han Dynasty, the first priority was to preserve his own life. As for imperial ambitions or rebuilding the Han Dynasty, that could wait.
Thankfully, when his parents were alive, he ate well, so he still had some strength, much stronger than an average person.
Just then, his stomach rumbled a few times at an inopportune moment!
Liu Jin stood up and tightened his waistband, which could reduce the feeling of hunger.
His brows furrowed. He had to find a way to get something to eat first; otherwise, he would starve to death.
Since his parents' passing, his former self had been gluttonous and lazy, idle, squandering all the family's savings, leading to his current reliance on the clan and neighbors for assistance.
Thinking of this, Liu Jin decided to go to his neighbor Ergou's house for a meal to fill his stomach, and then figure out a way to find a path forward.
He couldn't continue to live aimlessly like his former self, no different from a salted fish.
He pushed open the dilapidated main door and walked out, arriving outside the adjacent courtyard.
Liu Jin knocked on the old wooden door in front of him, producing a clanging sound!
A moment later, a woman's voice came through!
"Who is it?"
Hearing the voice, Liu Jin knew it was Zhao Widow, Ergou's mother.
He politely said!
"Aunt Zhao, it's me."
A moment later, the courtyard gate was pushed open. A woman, wearing a headscarf and coarse cloth clothes, with a thin face and cracked hands, was wiping water from her hands onto her clothes.
She smiled and said!
"Oh, it's Jin'er. Please come in quickly."
"We just happened to have some leftover grain at home, so I baked two flatbreads. I was going to have Ergou bring you one, but I didn't expect you to come."
Hearing this, Liu Jin was quite touched. He hadn't starved to death, largely thanks to Zhao Widow, who had often helped him out.
After entering the house, he saw a thin young man, dressed in coarse clothes, grinning broadly, walk over!
"Jin-ge."
Liu Jin smiled and nodded. This thin young man was his neighbor and good friend, named Zhao Ergou.
The reason he was named Ergou was because when he was a child, Ergou fell seriously ill and couldn't be cured. He met a wandering Taoist priest who changed his name to Zhao Ergou, commonly known as a 'humble name is easy to raise.' His condition subsequently improved, and the name Ergou has been used ever since.
The two were the same age, grew up together, and had a very close relationship, like brothers.
Unfortunately, the other's family had fallen on hard times. His father had been a squad leader in the border army, and their life was quite good, sending a good amount of money and grain home each year.
However, a year ago, news came of his death, leaving the mother and son to depend on each other.
Zhao Ergou, seeing his mother still busy, quickly pulled Liu Jin aside and mysteriously whispered!
"Jin-ge, I have something to tell you."
"The other day, I was lucky enough to find a bow and arrow and a long saber outside, hidden in the woods outside the city."
"We can go to the desolate mountains and wilderness outside the city to see if we can catch some wild game to bring back for a feast."
"Or we can sell them in the city to earn a little money, so we're not idle all day."
Liu Jin was a little surprised to hear this, not expecting Zhao Ergou to be so lucky as to find a bow and a long saber.
In these impoverished times, when even eating was a problem, having a saber at one's waist would be considered a well-off family.
However, he was a bit suspicious; it was probably left by the boy's father, and now he was just finding an excuse to bring it out, as military weapons in private hands could easily lead to unnecessary trouble.
Liu Jin didn't say anything, just nodded, agreeing with Zhao Ergou's idea. Hunting wild animals in the mountains outside the city could indeed solve their hunger.
Just then, Aunt Zhao's voice came through!
"What are you two discussing there?"
"Let me tell you, the world is chaotic now. Don't do anything sneaky. If the officials catch you, no one can save you."
Zhao Ergou scratched his head and said with a chuckle!
"Mom, don't worry."
"With Jin-ge here, we definitely won't do anything bad."
Hearing this, Zhao Widow pouted, muttering to herself!
It's precisely because Jin-ge is here that there are too many bad ideas, easily leading to trouble.
However, she didn't say much more. Both children had grown up under her watchful eye, and their character was definitely not a problem.
Aside from being idle and spending time cockfighting and dog walking in the city, they wouldn't cause any major trouble.
Zhao Widow brought over the hot, freshly baked flatbreads, a simple smile on her face, and said softly!
"Ergou, Jin'er, the two flatbreads are ready, and I've also cooked some millet soup. Hurry and eat them while they're hot."
The two looked at the steaming flatbreads, emitting a rich aroma, their throats constantly moving, making swallowing sounds.
Zhao Ergou's dark, grimy hand took the flatbread in front of him, and ignoring the heat, he began to devour it.
Although Liu Jin was very hungry, he was still a bit shy. Looking at the flatbread on the wooden plate, he quickly asked!
"Aunt Zhao, there's only one flatbread left on this plate. You should keep it for yourself."
"I'll just have some millet soup."
Zhao Widow, hearing this, smiled simply and said softly!
"Silly child, you're at the age where you're growing. How can you have strength just drinking rice soup? Hurry and eat this flatbread."
"Your aunt will be fine with just some rice soup."
After saying this, she put the flatbread from the wooden plate into his hand.
Liu Jin looked at the slightly hot flatbread in his hand, somewhat lost in thought.
To be able to meet such a kind aunt in these chaotic times was a great blessing.
Zhao Ergou, who was devouring his food, mumbled!
"Jin-ge, just eat quickly."
"If we don't have strength, how can we earn money?"
Hearing this, Liu Jin nodded and didn't continue to be coy.
He would fill his stomach first, and once he had strength, he would find a way to earn money and help Aunt Zhao well.
He put the flatbread in his hand into his mouth and began to eat frantically. Although the taste was bland, with only a hint of saltiness.
But in his heart, this was the best flatbread he had ever eaten.
He picked up the yellow millet soup from the wooden table and began to drink it down.