But times have changed, and some of the people from back then have sacrificed their lives on the battlefield, while others have been demobilized and returned to civilian life, making it impossible to contact them at all.

After so many years, to suddenly hear news of an old friend from back then, one can imagine how complicated Liu Changde's feelings must have been.

"This, this is too much of a coincidence, isn't it? Master, are you sure?" Sheng Xiping asked tentatively.

"It's him, it must be him, our regimental commander."

Liu Changde wiped away his tears and looked up at Qin Qiuyan, "Old woman, where's the sheep blood? Give it to Xiping and have him take it to the regimental commander. We owe him a life, and it's time to repay it."

Upon hearing this, Qin Qiuyan immediately got up without saying a word, opened the box on the kangqin (a type of zither), and took out a small box from inside.

They opened the box and took out a round-bellied porcelain bottle, slightly larger than a goose egg.

The porcelain bottle was sealed tightly with wax, indicating that it was very well preserved.

"Xiping, this is the sheep blood that has been passed down in our family. You can take it."

Regardless of whether Old Wu was your master's regimental commander back then, even if he wasn't, since we have this thing and he can use it, we should give it to him.

Qin Qiuyan had spent her whole life with Liu Changde, and she had never seen Liu Changde so heartbroken and sad.

She understood the old man's heartache, so without saying a word, she took out the precious sheep blood and handed it to Sheng Xiping.

Sheng Xiping did not take it. "Master's wife, you can keep it for now. I can't accept this."

When Sheng Xiping spoke to the Wu family, he only said that he was helping to inquire, but he didn't intend for him to deliver the package to the Wu family.

On the way back, Sheng Xiping had already decided that if the Liu family really agreed to take out the sheep blood, then Sheng Xiping would let Liu Yujiang and his brother go to the capital with him.

The items came from the Liu family, so the Wu family should be grateful, and they should also thank the Liu family.

If Sheng Xiping manages to get his hands on the items through a combination of coaxing and deception, and then turns around to give them to the Wu family in order to gain their favor and goodwill, then he would be a truly despicable person.

Sheng Xiping is a man who is always loyal to his friends, and besides, the Liu family are his relatives.

Sheng Xiping cannot bring himself to use his relatives' possessions to fulfill his own desires.

"What's wrong? Are you afraid it's fake? It's real, don't worry, this thing can last for many years, it won't expire." Qin Qiuyan misunderstood.

"No, no, Master's wife, I'm not talking about whether it's real or fake. What I mean is, I can't keep this." Sheng Xiping quickly explained upon hearing this.

“Master, come with me to the capital and meet Old Wu. If he really is your former regimental commander, it would be a reunion of old friends.”

"It would be better if you gave it to me personally." Since there's this history between us, it would be better if Liu Changde did it himself.

"No, I won't go. I can't face my old boss again."

I promised myself I would return to my unit after my visit home and go south with the rest of the army, but I disappeared after I got home. How can I face them now?

Upon hearing this, Liu Changde immediately waved his hand and shook his head.

"What else is there? Back then, we were all forced into it by circumstances."

Filial piety in the family means one cannot be loyal to the country; loyalty and righteousness are hard to reconcile, and the master's choice was also out of helplessness.

"Master, you're already this old, and Elder Wu is over seventy. If we miss this opportunity, we might never see him again," Sheng Xiping patiently advised.

Upon hearing this, Qin Qiuyan also joined in the persuasion. Just then, the Liu brothers, Liu Yujiang and Liu Yuhe, who had gone up the mountain to work, returned.

The two men were taken aback when they entered the room and saw the scene. "Oh, what brings you here, Xiping? Didn't you say you went to the south?" Liu Yujiang asked the same question.

"Dad, what's wrong? Did you cry?" The atmosphere in the room seemed a bit off. Liu Yujiang looked around and noticed that his father's eyes were red, as if he had been crying.

His dad cried? That can't be right, I've never seen my dad cry before. What's going on?

"Big brother, second brother, please sit down, I'll tell you slowly."

Sheng Xiping invited the Liu brothers to sit down and then told them the whole story.

“I asked my master to come with me to the capital, but he refused, saying he was too ashamed to face people.”

Eldest brother, second brother, please help me persuade them. I really can't take the sheep blood to the Wu family myself.

The items belong to your family, and you all know how valuable they are. I can't do something so unethical.

"If Master isn't going, either of you can come with me to the capital."

Liu Yujiang and Liu Yuhe finally understood and immediately nodded, "Dad, then let the second son and Xiping accompany you."

I think Xiping makes sense. You're all this age, and what happened back then wasn't your fault.

Why not go see your old boss, catch up, and that will resolve your inner conflict?

Old Wu is quite old; nobody can say what will happen to him in the future. If you can see him, then see him. You weren't afraid of fighting and bloodshed, so why are you afraid of seeing someone?

“That’s right, that’s right, Dad, there’s nothing scary about the capital. What’s there to be afraid of?” Liu Yuhe also tried to persuade him.

The whole family, including Sheng Xiping, tried to persuade Liu Changde, and in the end, Liu Changde seemed to be swayed. "Then, shall we go to the capital?"

Hearing Liu Changde's words, everyone laughed. "Go ahead, I've never been to the capital before, I'll go and see it with Dad this time."

"Alright, I'll pack your clothes and luggage for you men tonight. You can set off tomorrow. Take advantage of the less busy work in the fields and come back as soon as possible."

Qin Qiuyan smiled and put the sheep's blood back into the small box.

Since Liu Changde and the others have decided to go to the capital to see Elder Wu, there's no need to hand over that thing to Sheng Xiping.

“Then it’s settled, Master. Second Brother, I’ll go find a car right now. If we can secure a car, we’ll leave early tomorrow and get to the capital as soon as possible.”

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