Liu Jin heard this and quickly said,
“Thank you for the Prefectural Supervisor’s praise.”
“My father often told me that the Prefectural Supervisor is an upright person, learned and talented, exceptionally wise, and cares deeply for the common people, like a lamp in the dark, illuminating the people of the entire prefecture.”
“It is also thanks to the Prefectural Supervisor’s kindness in promoting my father that he told me not to forget my roots, so this junior has kept it in his heart and dares not forget the Prefectural Supervisor’s kindness to my father.”
When Liu Chong heard these words, a faint smile appeared on his stern face, clearly enjoying the flattery.
His tone also softened!
“You boy, stop flattering, it’s a bit vulgar.”
“Your father and I are cousins; it’s inappropriate to always refer to me by my official title. When no one else is around, just call me Uncle.”
Liu Jin was overjoyed at these words. Being able to call him Uncle meant their relationship had deepened, indicating that he still remembered their old ties.
As for whether it was his own father or just a relative, he didn't think too much about it, as long as it could bring him closer to Liu Chong.
Immediately, he cupped his hands and respectfully said,
“Nephew greets Uncle.”
Liu Chong stroked his beard, nodded, and asked in a neutral tone,
“Tell me, why have you come to my residence this time?”
Liu Jin bowed again, bending deeply, and immediately said,
“Uncle, in my early years, Nephew practiced martial arts at home and has now completed his training, possessing valiant strength, but has no connections.”
“So I can only seek out Uncle, hoping you can arrange for this junior to join the army, to serve the Han Dynasty and live up to the expectations of my ancestors.”
Liu Chong heard this and let out a soft “Oh.” He had thought this boy wanted to become an official in the prefecture, like his father, to secure a position and earn money for marriage and children, but he didn't expect him to want to join the army.
His action of stroking his beard did not stop, and a faint voice came,
“It is possible to join the army, and I can also secure a good official position for you, but to establish yourself, you can only rely on yourself.”
“If you achieve nothing, you cannot blame Uncle.”
Liu Jin was overjoyed at these words. He truly wanted to advance.
Without any hesitation, he knelt on one knee with a thud, his face resolute, and proclaimed loudly,
“Thank you for Uncle’s kindness, this junior will never forget it.”
“In the future, whatever Uncle commands, this junior is willing to go through fire and water, even if it means being torn to pieces, I will not refuse.”
Liu Chong laughed heartily upon hearing these straightforward words.
He was very satisfied with this boy’s character; this kind of declaration of loyalty was exactly what he wanted.
He immediately waved his hand and said loudly,
“You may leave now. Wait at home for a few days, and I will send someone to deliver a message to you then.”
Liu Jin bowed again, respectfully retreating backward.
After closing the study door, he let out a sigh of relief, feeling as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
After calming down for a moment, a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
As long as he could secure an official position in the army, he would have a foothold in this chaotic world.
He left the two boxes of Wu Zhu coins in the residence.
Although fifty thousand coins were not a huge sum for Liu Chong, it was not a small amount either, at least enough to satisfy him.
After all, when asking for favors, besides speaking nicely, one also had to take some action to have a chance to meet again.
After handling this matter, he and Zhao Ergou left the place.
In the study, after Liu Chong learned of the matter, a satisfied smile appeared on his lips.
It seemed this Nephew was quite sensible and understood the rules of officialdom.
As the two walked down the street, Zhao Ergou said with an excited expression,
“Jin-ge, today was truly an eye-opener! We actually came to the Prefectural Supervisor’s mansion, this is a six-hundred-dan noble!”
“And he’s even willing to help you secure an official position in the army! Jin-ge is going to soar to great heights, you can’t forget me!”
Liu Jin chuckled, patting Zhao Ergou’s shoulder and saying,
“Don’t worry, I’ll definitely take you with me when I join the army.”
Zhao Ergou’s face was filled with joy, and he was a little excited.
He was just a commoner, idle all day, and being able to follow Liu Jin into the army, to earn merit like his father, meant a boundless future.
Just like that, the two walked down the street. When they passed a pork stall, many people had already gathered, seemingly arguing about something.
Liu Jin immediately took Zhao Ergou and squeezed into the crowd.
He saw a middle-aged man with several retainers standing at the pork stall, angrily saying,
“You, the owner of this meat stall, why aren’t you selling meat yet?”
The thin young man at the stall said with a chuckle,
“Sir, I’m truly sorry, this meat cannot be sold.”
The middle-aged man’s face grew even angrier, and he cursed,
“You, a meat seller, and I, a meat buyer, why won’t you sell meat when I have money? Are you trying to make a fool of me?”
“Go quickly and call Zhang the Butcher!”
The thin young man quickly shook his head and said with a chuckle,
“Eh, I wouldn’t dare.”
“If you want to call him, you go call him.”
Liu Jin in the crowd was slightly stunned by this scene; this situation felt so familiar.
Could this be the place where Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei met?
His eyes scanned the surroundings, and sure enough, Guan Yu was selling mung beans nearby, seeming eager to approach the pork stall.
However, Liu Bei’s figure was not yet found.
Liu Jin’s eyes darted around. He couldn’t let Liu Bei benefit for free.
He immediately took a step forward, bringing Zhao Ergou with him, and said loudly,
“Why are you like this?”
“Someone has come to buy meat, just sell it to him.”
The people gathered around also shouted,
“Exactly, exactly! How can a meat seller not sell meat? Then why do you even have a meat stall?”
Seeing the crowd’s indignation, the thin young man hesitated and slowly said,
“It’s not that I don’t want to sell.”
“My master said beforehand that all the meat is under this millstone. Whoever can move it, the meat inside belongs to them.”
He pointed to a dry well nearby, on top of which was a stone millstone, covering the entire well opening.
When Liu Jin heard this, he was certain that this pork stall belonged to Zhang Fei.
However, he deliberately placed it there, hoping to make friends with heroes and brave individuals passing by.
After all, this millstone was very heavy, and anyone who could move it would at least possess valiant strength, naturally making them worthy of his acquaintance.
Having understood this, he immediately took Zhao Ergou and walked over.
The surrounding people gathered around, all examining the millstone.
The thin young man looked at everyone, a hint of arrogance on his face, and said with a smile,
“Whoever has the ability, come and move it.”
“The meat in the well can be taken freely; my master will not say a single word more.”
Liu Jin heard this and, without hesitation, stepped forward, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt.
He said with a smile,
“Is that true?”
The thin young man glanced at Liu Jin, patted his chest, and said loudly,
“Absolutely true!”
“If you can’t move it, then stop with the empty talk and leave quickly.”
