Chapter 36, Part 3: Remonstrating with Extreme Confession

Before formally meeting Liu Kun, Liu Jun made thorough preparations. He learned about the various events that had occurred in Bingzhou during this period from his advisors to his servants. He then sat at his desk and pondered carefully for an hour or two, rehearsing his prepared remarks a thousand times before finally going to sleep peacefully.

Who would have thought that the good manners he had cultivated over two lifetimes would vanish the very next day when he stepped into the main hall.

Beside Liu Kun sat a slick-haired, fair-skinned young man with frivolous manners, leaning casually against a low table, sipping tea with the air of a refined scholar. This was undoubtedly Xu Run.

Liu Jun pretended not to know, first bowed to Liu Kun, then pointed at Xu Run and said, "I wonder which lord this is, that he is so magnanimous."

Liu Kun smiled and said, "This is the magistrate of Jinyang, a close friend of my father."

"When the magistrate of Jinyang met the heir of the Marquis of Guangwu, who was bestowed the title by imperial decree, and the appointed Gentleman Attendant, he was able to sit calmly and composed. What a fine demeanor!" Liu Jun had been granted the honorary title of Gentleman Attendant, and Sima Ye had promised him that once he assumed power, he would be directly appointed as General Jianwei, at which time he would have his own staff. Now, it would be convenient for him to act.

Liu Kun was momentarily embarrassed. Xu Run, though looking displeased and about to storm off, somehow managed to suppress his anger.

Liu Jun knew that he was worried about Liu Kun having a private conversation with him, fearing that he might ruin Liu Kun's future. Some sycophants in the world take themselves too seriously, but in the end, aren't they just being indulged by their ruler? If there were no incompetent rulers, where would sycophants come from?

Thinking of this, Liu Jun smiled and said, "Moreover, Father's confidants are the Twenty-Four Friends of Golden Valley Garden. Even if some of them are no longer here, Lord Zhuge is in Bingzhou, and Father can enjoy himself with him. In addition, there is my grandfather who preceded me in the whip. What great works have you accomplished, and what achievements have you made?"

Xu Run's face grew even uglier, and Liu Kun's expression gradually darkened. Liu Jun kowtowed and said, "If the world is in turmoil and heroes rise up, you and I should retreat to the Central Plains. If Father misses Grandfather, I can send someone to deliver a message, asking Grandfather to discuss important matters with Father."

"However, I have important military matters to discuss with you right now, so please dismiss everyone else, Father."

Liu Kun nodded, and all the servants and advisors dispersed, but Xu Run remained motionless.

Liu Jun then said, "The matter I want to report is unrelated to the duties of the Magistrate of Jinyang. Please, Lord Xu, step down."

Xu Run looked up at Liu Kun in disbelief, as if questioning why Liu Jun treated him so lightly. Little did he know that Liu Jun was also surprised and uncertain at this moment. After all, Xu Run was neither from a prominent family nor the descendant of a powerful minister, yet Liu Kun turned a blind eye to his obvious overstepping of authority, which was truly incomprehensible.

After all, Liu Junfang had returned with great merit and was once again the heir whom he was so proud of. Liu Kun said gently to Xu Run, "My lord may have some private words to say. Xu Qing, please go back."

Xu Run left in a huff, but Liu Jun was startled by the address "Xu Qing" and said dryly, "I've troubled Father."

Liu Kun looked him over and sighed, "After going out and enduring wind and rain, fighting on the go, my son has become even taller and stronger. Good!"

Liu Jun smiled and said, "I have indeed broadened my horizons and gained some insights."

Although he knew that it was highly likely that someone else had already reported to him, Liu Jun still recounted in detail everything that had happened after he left Jinyang, from rescuing Liu Qiao and Zhuge Quan in Ningping City to his chance encounter with Sima Ye, and how he later managed to rescue Sima Ye and Liu Chou from bandits and Yan Ding. Of course, he also recounted in great detail how the Xun brothers' administration sent out proclamations to the world and how they appointed officials and generals.

It took almost half an hour to recount each and every incident.

Seeing that Liu Jun was tired but his eyes were shining, Liu Kun was reminded of his youth when he and Zu Ti got up at the crack of dawn to practice martial arts. They were once so spirited and fearless, thinking they were invincible.

For a moment, he was somewhat dazed. When had he changed? Was it when he repeatedly failed to win over the princes? Was it when he struggled to manage Bingzhou? Was it when he tried to win over Shi Le but failed? Or was it because Wang Jun in the north was so arrogant and overbearing?

Although I thought myself to be resolute and strong, I was still human after all. I would get tired and disheartened. In the dead of night, I would occasionally have the thought of crossing the Yangtze River to the south, but then I would think of the soldiers and civilians in the north and force myself to suppress it.

A formidable enemy that could strike at any moment, endless battles, and ever-present threat of death were all tormenting his heart.

So he could only drink and make merry, indulging in sensual pleasures, as if in this way he would still be that talented and eloquent young man from Wuling, with guests and old friends still gathered in the Golden Valley Garden.

"When his father sent Shi Le's relatives back and promised them high-ranking positions and generous salaries, what was Shi Le's reaction?"

He spoke briefly, but in fact, Liu Kun's letter was not particularly polite. He said that Shi Le "traveled the world but had no place to stand, and won a hundred battles but had no merit" because "attacking the rebels would make him a bandit." As for the official positions and titles promised to him, they were hard to deliver. He himself only had Bingzhou, so how could Shi Le be interested in it?

Liu Jun's words interrupted Liu Kun's wandering thoughts. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "He sent people to deliver fine horses and jewels, but he declined."

This was not unexpected. Liu Jun nodded slowly, "He is originally a Jiehu, so his heart must be different."

"By the way, among the horses he sent, there are several rare and precious ones. One of them is even entirely golden. I think you'll probably like it, so I've kept it for you." Liu Kun was always generous, and he certainly wouldn't be stingy with his most valued son.

Liu Jun smiled and said, "It is indeed rare, and it is no exaggeration to call it an auspicious omen. However, as Father knows, swords have no eyes, and the gold color is too striking, which is not beautiful. It would be better to either keep this horse in the manor or give it away. I want to choose one with an inconspicuous coat color, good stamina, and fast speed."

Liu Kun understood this perfectly well and had anticipated his answer. He cursed him inwardly for being ignorant, but then let it go. "Anyway, the horses are all there. Go and pick one you like. By the way, General Xing Yan presented you with a piece of jade. Keep it and give it away as a gift later."

The jade was round and translucent green, truly a rare find. Liu Jun did not refuse again, thinking that he would present the horse to Sima Ye in a couple of days and keep the jade for the time being, so that he could present it to anyone in the future.

Liu Jun looked up at the much more magnificent main hall and slowly said, "Father, the other day I consulted my cousin about the state of the world, and I felt that his words were quite insightful, so I asked him to write an article for you to read."

Having said that, he stood up and presented a memorial. Liu Kun seemed a little drunk from the banquet today. He put the memorial into his pocket and said with a smile, "It's getting dark. I'll read it tomorrow morning."

Liu Jun felt a lump in his throat and wanted to say something more, but he thought that he had already made Liu Kun a little unhappy because of Xu Run. He thought that being too hasty would not be good, so he suppressed the idea of ​​advising him to cut back on food and clothing. "I have rested up enough. I wonder what task Father has for me? Otherwise, I will feel uneasy if I hold a position without doing anything."

"Since you are the heir apparent, you are entitled to participate in all matters concerning Bingzhou," Liu Kun said with a smile.

Liu Jun bowed and thanked him, saying, "In that case, I will continue to do what I used to do and manage the military farms for now."

As soon as he stepped out of the tent, he left Yin Xiaocheng outside, saying, "Xu Run will definitely slander me again. Keep an eye on things for me, and report back immediately if there are any unusual movements."