Chapter 19, Chapter 3: Unwavering Commitment to Painting

Liu Jun personally oversaw the implementation of the military-agricultural colonies, largely following the precedent set by Cao Wei. Jinyang was like an isolated city, frequently raided by Xiongnu cavalry.

Therefore, both soldiers and civilians carried wooden planks on their backs while farming to protect themselves from arrows falling from the sky, and even Liu Jun was no exception.

No one knew why the Xiongnu were so persistent with them. It was only after Liu Kun's spies found out that Liu Yuan had appointed Liu Jing as Grand General, but Liu Jing was defeated by Liu Kun at Banqiao. From then on, Liu Yuan held a grudge. Some strategists advised him to "kill Liu Kun, pacify Hedong, establish an imperial title, conquer Chang'an and make it the capital, and then sweep through Luoyang with the forces of Guanzhong."

Liu Kun was greatly alarmed. After discussing with his advisors, he secretly sent spies to sow discord among the non-Xiongnu tribes. As a result, more than 10,000 tribes surrendered.

As a result, Jinyang suddenly became much more populous. The area, which was previously so desolate that one could not hear a sound for miles around, now had tens of thousands more people, and suddenly became full of life.

Unlike some generals of his time, Liu Kun did not enslave these Hu people. While he did not treat them with exceptional courtesy, he treated them all equally. Many strong and healthy men were incorporated into the army, and the elderly, women, and children were also properly taken care of and provided with land to cultivate.

Aside from going to Liu Kun's place every morning to report for duty and discuss matters, Liu Jun spent most of his time in the military camp, either practicing swordsmanship and archery with the soldiers or doing farm work himself. In the evenings, he would study diligently by lamplight. Apart from not sleeping in the communal sleeping quarters, his training and living conditions were the same as everyone else's, without any special treatment.

Over time, both the retainers he brought with him and the soldiers he recruited later changed their opinion of Liu Jun. Not only were there sycophants who fawned over the powerful and wealthy serving him valiantly, but there were also loyal and honest people who genuinely followed his lead.

So one day when the Hu bandits attacked, a squad leader stood in front of Liu Jun and took an arrow for him. Liu Kun was overjoyed and rewarded the squad leader handsomely. However, worried that there might be some hidden story, he summoned Liu Yong, a retainer who followed Liu Jun, to ask him in detail.

Liu Yong said, "Although the Crown Prince does not sleep in the same tent as the soldiers, they eat and train together every day without ever complaining. Whether in battle or farming, the Crown Prince always leads from the front without ever slacking off or backing down. In addition, the Crown Prince always remembers the names of those who have spoken with him or who have made contributions, so everyone respects him."

Liu Kun remained silent for a long time before slowly saying, "A general must share the joys and sorrows, the safety and dangers of his soldiers, only then can the enemy be defeated. The Crown Prince is right."

Honestly, he couldn't bring himself to set aside his airs of a scholar and share the hardships with his sergeant and squad leader.

Therefore, Liu Kun entrusted more affairs to Liu Jun with greater confidence, allowing him to fully engage in the trials and tribulations of military life.

News arrived in early summer that the emperor was reviewing major policies and paying close attention to minor affairs. Grand Tutor and Prince of Donghai, Sima Yue, was displeased and insisted on being sent to govern Xuchang.

The departure of his most powerful patron to a fiefdom was not good news for Liu Kun. He sighed for a while, but when he realized that the court's attitude towards Bingzhou had not changed, he felt relieved.

After all, Liu Kun didn't ask for much—just to keep his title as governor of Bingzhou. He couldn't rely on him for grain or manpower, and he just wanted to avoid causing trouble.

With the world in such a state of chaos, whether the emperor was virtuous or not was no longer important.

However, no one expected that, in addition to the Prince of Donghai, Sima Yue, who had previously given silk and cotton, the Prince of Qin, Sima Ye, also sent people to deliver grain and a lot of farming tools. It is unknown whether he thought of it himself or Wen Qiao suggested it.

Regardless, Sima Ye's kindness had solved his immediate problem, and he should thank him. However, Jinyang was poor and could not offer a generous gift, so Liu Jun had no choice but to present him with a painting. He then returned to his government office and spent his time grinding ink and licking his brush in Liu Kun's study.

Liu Zun, who also rarely returned home, stood to the side, full of curiosity about his younger brother's painting skills. "What does Mao Tou want to paint?"

Recalling his strengths from his past life, Liu Jun slowly said, "Do you want to paint a hermit like Qian Lou or Yu Lingzi?"

The court greatly admired this kind of mysterious and ethereal demeanor, so Liu Zun was not surprised and said with great interest, "I heard that Yin Dan, the governor of Dunhuang, listed seven famous scholars, including Shan Tao and Wang Rong, and they were called the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove. Father said that you particularly admire Ji Kang and have been studying his qin scores. Why don't you paint this?"

Liu Jun had never heard of this before, but when he thought of Shan Tao and Wang Rong, both loyal ministers of the Jin dynasty, and Ruan Ji, whom he had once admired most and who had served by his side for two years, praising Sima Zhao for "assisting the Wei dynasty and pacifying the world" and "Your Excellency's great achievements surpass those of Huan and Wen," he felt a little resentful. However, he felt it would be inappropriate to give Ji Kang's painting to a member of the Sima clan, so he said lightly, "The times are turbulent, and there is no need for people who have withdrawn from the world. The Holy Dynasty governs the world with filial piety, so why not paint a picture of a filial son?"

"But the King of Qin is the heir..."

Liu Jun thought about it and agreed. After all, he was one of the few friends he could have in his life, so it was best not to offend him. After thinking for a moment, he picked up his pen and began to sketch carefully.

Painting is a meticulous task, so Liu Zun did not want to disturb him and did not return until two hours later. Just then, Liu Jun put down his brush, and on the small piece of silk, he saw willows swaying, spring water flowing, tourists bustling about, and spring clothes fluttering in the breeze...

Each person in the painting is dressed differently and has a different posture. Even the hair is depicted in great detail. What is most remarkable is that, apart from the figures, the scenery in the painting has also been carefully depicted. The fish swimming in the water, the bricks and tiles on the platform, and the willow leaves in the wind are all meticulously crafted.

"What a wonderful painting! I never knew you were such a skilled painter. To have such talent at your age, wouldn't you become a master painter in the future?" Liu Zun was first surprised, then looked at it carefully and exclaimed in admiration, "In late spring, when the spring clothes are ready, five or six adults and six or seven children bathe in the Yi River, enjoy the breeze at the Dance Altar, and sing as they return."

"Brother, you flatter me." Liu Jun himself was quite satisfied. "Indeed, this painting is indeed titled 'Returning Home in Song.' I never imagined that you and I, brothers, would find ourselves in such high spirits today. There's another hidden meaning in the painting; would you like to take another look, brother?"

Liu Zun became interested. "Oh?"

He stared at it for a long time, then shook his head: "I am dull-witted."

Liu Jun smiled and pointed with his pen. Only then did Liu Zun realize that one of the five or six people in the crown looked quite like Wen Qiao. Looking at the center of the picture, there was a boy in brocade clothes with a handsome face. Wasn't that Sima Ye? And the boy next to him, who was talking and laughing, was obviously Liu Jun himself.

"A stylish and clever idea," Liu Zun laughed. "The others look unfamiliar; I wonder who they are?"

Liu Jun smiled and pointed to each of them, all of whom were ancient sages such as Zengzi and Yanzi.

"With the King of Qin and Tai Zhen, there's one more person. Who is this person?" Liu Zun noticed a handsome man in a hat who was far away from the crowd, standing with his hand on his sword, his gaze fixed on the distance.

Liu Jun said indifferently, "Just a passerby."

He blew the ink dry. "I will write another letter later and ask you to send it to me along with this painting."

Liu Zun agreed, looking at the children singing and dancing in the spring scenery of the painting, and felt a sudden pang of sadness. He said softly, "If it were a peaceful year, you should be living such a life too..."

Upon hearing this, Liu Jun looked up at the dark night outside the window and whispered, "I'm afraid that what we have today will become a distant dream in the future..."

The words came true.