Liu Jin heard this, waved his hand, and said with a smile, “It’s normal for a ten-year-old to be playful; there’s no need to be too harsh.”
“I see this boy is full of vigor, with a broad forehead; his future achievements will surely be extraordinary. He will certainly soar to great heights, be enfeoffed as a marquis, defeat generals, and rank among the Grand Tutor.”
When Guo Yun heard these words, his originally serious expression instantly vanished, replaced by excitement.
He never expected Liu Jin to think so highly of his son, even predicting he would rank among the Grand Tutor. Wouldn't that mean surpassing his ancestors and bringing the entire Guo family to glory?
Although he found it somewhat unbelievable, he still greatly anticipated his eldest son's growth, hoping he wouldn't disgrace the Guo family.
After bidding farewell, Liu Jin took Guo Huai, rode in a carriage, and, accompanied by over a hundred people, departed along the official road, heading all the way to Luoyang.
Sitting in the carriage, Guo Huai showed no signs of unfamiliarity or fear. His tiger-like eyes constantly scrutinized Liu Jin beside him.
Suddenly, he spoke, “Liu Shu, are you Liu Wenyi, who killed Zhang Liang on the Hebei battlefield and pacified Guangzong?”
After saying this, Guo Huai's eyes were filled with anticipation.
Liu Jin heard this and chuckled. He never expected even a ten-year-old child to know his reputation. It seemed the Yellow Turban Rebellion had brought him great fame.
He adjusted his robes, a proud look on his face, and said with a smile, “Indeed, I am Liu Jin, Liu Wenyi. With three thousand men, I slew Zhang Liang, and with thousands, I broke through Guangzong, shaking Hebei and terrifying the Yellow Turban into fleeing in disarray.”
Guo Huai heard this, and the excitement in his eyes grew even stronger. He seemed to be pondering something when he suddenly said, “Liu Shu, I don't want to study. Can I learn martial arts from you?”
Liu Jin heard this and gave a wry smile.
He had intended to display his prestige before the child, but he never thought the boy would want to learn martial arts from him. If his father found out, he would probably be hacked to death with a knife.
He reached out and stroked Guo Huai's head, asking with a smile, “Tell me, why do you want to learn martial arts from me? Isn't studying good? Later, you can become a high-ranking official at the court and won't have to experience life and death on the battlefield.”
Guo Huai heard this and shook his head like a rattle-drum, mumbling, “I don't want to study! It's like a girl, all scholarly and weak, without any masculine vigor.”
“I want to follow Liu Shu and learn martial arts, to serve the court in the future, wield sharp blades, command thousands of troops, fight on the battlefield, and defend the borders of our great Han.”
“That's the skill a boy should learn.”
At this point, his large eyes showed anticipation, as if he greatly desired to become a general on the battlefield.
Liu Jin heard this and sighed inwardly. He never expected such ambition at such a young age. No wonder he became a famous general in later generations.
However, Liu Jin truly dared not teach the boy martial arts. After all, he came from an aristocratic family, with a noble status, and didn't need to rely on military achievements to hold high positions.
Thinking of this, he paused. Historically, this boy didn't seem to have studied under Zheng Xuan, which meant this trip to Luoyang would definitely be in vain.
Historically, he was recommended by his family to serve as an official and slowly worked his way up to become a famous general.
If that were the case, this boy truly wasn't cut out for studying.
Liu Jin decided to help the boy thoroughly understand military matters, lay a solid foundation early, become a famous general sooner, and serve him in the future.
With a smile on his face, he slowly said, “Teaching you martial arts is probably not possible. After all, your father wants you to study hard, and I wouldn't dare interfere casually.”
“However, I can give you a book on military strategy. Study it well, and understand the matters of war within it. When your father agrees for you to learn martial arts from me, it won't be too late for me to teach you.”
Guo Huai heard the first half and couldn't help but feel a bit dejected. But when he heard the latter half, his eyes instantly lit up with joy, and he quickly said, “Liu Shu, please give it to me quickly! This boy is willing to learn!”
“After returning from Luoyang, I will definitely make my father agree. If he doesn't, I'll jump off a building and leave him alone for the rest of his life!”
Liu Jin heard this, and the hand he had reached into his embrace paused slightly, a strange expression on his face.
This boy, he's quite wild, willing to harm himself eight thousand to kill an enemy a thousand.
Seeing his anxious look, he immediately pulled out the Spring and Autumn Annals, which Guan Yu had treasured for a long time, from his embrace.
He carefully handed it over and said seriously, “You must study this well, and understand all the knowledge within it thoroughly.”
“Then you will have a foundation of knowledge. After some time of diligent practice, you might well become a great general.”
Guo Huai looked at the yellowed Spring and Autumn Annals, his heart filled with excitement.
He quickly took it and began to read it carefully.
His eyes showed a fervent light. It was as if a new world had opened up for him, and he became completely engrossed in it, unable to extricate himself.
Seeing his engrossed look, Liu Jin grinned, took out another Spring and Autumn Annals from his embrace, and began to read it carefully.
Thus, the carriage traveled along the official road, heading towards Luoyang.
Three days later!
The convoy had arrived at the Yellow River bank and stopped at a ferry crossing.
Guan Yu rode his swift horse slowly and called out loudly to Liu Jin inside the carriage, “Big Brother, we have arrived at the Yellow River. To cross here, we must queue and wait.”
Liu Jin heard this, lifted the curtain, and stepped down from the carriage.
He looked at the Yellow River bank, which was bustling with people, everywhere groups of wealthy merchants, powerful clans, high officials, and nobles.
Even Liu Jin's hundred-plus men were insignificant in this surging crowd at the Yellow River ferry.
He immediately instructed Guan Yu beside him, “Yun Chang, send someone to inform the soldiers stationed here, state our identities, and let us cross the river to Luoyang earlier.”
“If we queue here, we won't cross the Yellow River until the year of the monkey.”
Upon receiving the order, Guan Yu immediately sent someone to state their identities.
The Commandant guarding the area, learning that Liu Jin, who had pacified the Yellow Turban, was present, dared not neglect him.
He personally came to the spot, a respectful look on his face, and cordially called out, “General Liu!”
Liu Jin heard this and looked towards the Commandant, who was about thirty years old, with a sharp face and a sturdy build.
Seeing the other party's politeness, he did not appear aloof, but instead smiled and nodded slightly to the man, acknowledging his greeting.
After the Commandant arrived by his side, he cupped his hands and said politely, “This humble one, Duan Wei, pays respects to the General.”
Liu Jin heard this and said, “Oh,” realizing it was a person whose name was recorded in history.
Moreover, his reputation was quite prominent; he could be considered a loyal subject and good general of the Han Dynasty. After Dong Zhuo's death, Li Jue and Guo Si controlled the court, oppressing the Emperor.
Duan Wei obeyed Emperor Xian's command, led his troops to defeat the two villains, beheaded Li Jue, and stabilized the court for a period of time.
He carefully scrutinized Duan Wei: thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a sturdy build, indeed worthy of being called a fierce general.
With a smile on his face, he said in a gentle tone, “So it is General Duan. I have long heard of you, guarding the capital and resisting bandits. Seeing you today, you are truly extraordinary.”
