Chapter 37, Chapter 4: The Courage of Blood and Spirit

Liu Jun returned home dejectedly, only to find Liu Yi waiting for him in the main hall. "Maotou, why don't we pay our respects to our grandparents together?"

Seeing Liu Jun's gloomy expression, he thought for a moment and tentatively asked, "Is it about the matter of the Jinyang magistrate?"

"I never expected him to be so quick-witted. He's just like his father," Liu Jun sighed. "Indeed, Father used to only enjoy playing and feasting with him. Why is he now entrusting all political affairs to him?"

Liu Yi, being subordinate to Liu Kun, dared not speak ill of him behind his back. For a moment, he was at a loss for words and awkwardly said, "Perhaps the magistrate of Jinyang has some extraordinary qualities."

Fortunately, Guo's voice came at that moment, "Maotou, Wutou, why aren't you coming in yet?"

The two said no more and went inside together.

Guo sat upright with a serene expression, while Cui served her attentively.

After paying her respects, Madam Guo said, "I have heard what you said just now. Maotou, you should give your father some advice."

Liu Jun lowered his head. "When I met with Father today, that shameless Xu Run was by my side. I almost told him to leave. I wanted to speak frankly and offer my advice, but Father was quite displeased, so I said nothing more. Anyway, there's plenty of time in the future..."

Guo interrupted him, "Either you know very little about your father, or you're just being polite and can't bring yourself to say it. Your father has really lost his mind because of Xu Run. Many generals have advised him, but he doesn't listen to them at all. How can this continue? When you were in the staff headquarters, you were by your father's side, and things were a little better. But in the past six months, you've been gone, and apart from Xu Run, your father won't listen to anyone else."

Liu Jun was slightly uneasy. "Has it really come to this?"

Just then, Yin Xiaocheng stumbled in, "Young Master, Xu Run said something in the tent, and the lord wants to kill General Linghu!"

"What!"

Not only Liu Jun, but also Guo Shi and Liu Yi were startled. Guo Shi immediately said, "Hurry up and go! There might still be time!"

Liu Jun hurriedly rode off, but before he even reached the camp, he saw many generals waiting outside the tent, all with grief and indignation on their faces.

Linghu Sheng, the Protector of the Army, was known for his upright character and high reputation in the army. He had repeatedly advised Liu Kun to expel Xu Run, but Liu Kun had not heeded his advice. Now, unexpectedly, he was about to lose his life at the hands of a villain.

Liu Jun could wait no longer and hurriedly drew his sword and rushed over.

Sure enough, Linghu Sheng was pinned to the ground, and just as the axe was about to strike him, his nephews and generals nearby were furious, but were stopped by someone.

Xu Run stood a few steps away, looking smug and self-satisfied.

Liu Jun shouted angrily, "Stop!"

Upon seeing him arrive, Xu Run immediately urged, "What are you waiting for? Get started!"

The axe-wielder had clearly been bribed by him; after a moment's hesitation, he actually swung his axe, eliciting gasps of surprise from those around him.

Before hesitating, Liu Jun had already rushed over and used his sword to block the axe, his hand trembling with pain.

Linghu Sheng said with tears in his eyes, "Your Highness, I have been wronged!"

Seeing this, Xu Run looked down at him angrily and said, "Linghu Sheng is a traitor. Your Excellency personally ordered his execution. Is the young master going to disobey orders?"

Liu Jun looked at him coldly, then laughed angrily, "You say he's a traitor, but do you have any evidence?"

Xu Run smiled dismissively and stroked the huqin hanging at his waist. "Since Run says so, the evidence is conclusive. If the Crown Prince has any doubts, he may ask the Duke himself."

He turned to leave, but then heard Liu Jun say quietly, "The magistrate of Jinyang, Xu Run, has rebelled, so there's no need for any evidence."

Xu Run's hair stood on end, and he turned to run, but then he saw a cold glint in his eyes, and then felt a sharp pain in his chest—a gleaming sword had pierced through his chest.

He wanted to turn around and question and curse, and wanted to cry out to Liu Kun for help, but he had no strength left.

His once handsome face was now deathly pale and ashen, and blood soaked the soil beneath him.

Xu Run's personal guards had already gone in to report the news. Liu Jun pursed his lips and said to the soldier holding Linghu Sheng, "If you still acknowledge me as your heir, then untie me."

He had served in the army for many years and was highly respected. The man hesitated only slightly before untying him.

“I happen to have a letter that I want to send to His Highness the Prince of Qin in Chang’an,” Liu Jun said, taking out a prepared letter from his sleeve. “Tell your brother-in-law about what happened today, and he will arrange your whereabouts.”

Linghu Sheng, having narrowly escaped death, felt both disheartened by Liu Kun and grateful to Liu Jun. Upon hearing this, he took the letter without hesitation and left with his generals and nephews.

He had just mounted his horse when Liu Kun rushed out of the tent. Upon seeing Xu Run's dead state, he raised his hand and slapped Liu Jun across the face, yelling, "You wretched child!"

Liu Kun was already tall and imposing, and had spent half his life in the military. With one slap, he knocked Liu Jun to the ground.

Even so, he was still not satisfied and kicked Liu Jun in the chest again.

Although Liu Jun has lived a life of constant wandering and frugality, his grandparents and parents have always doted on him. They have never even scolded or beaten him.

To resort to violence in front of everyone like this, showing no regard for the decorum of a scholar or the dignity of a prince, is simply madness.

Not to mention the soldiers watching around him, even Liu Jun himself was stunned. He took the kick head-on, and his vision went black on the spot, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Young Master!" Liu Yong, Yin Xiaocheng and other family retainers panicked, and Lu Jing rushed forward to shield Liu Jun.

Liu Jun pushed Lu Jing away, endured the pain, knelt down straight, and gritted his teeth, saying, "I have committed the crime of killing an official of the imperial court, but I have done nothing wrong in eliminating traitors in Bingzhou!"

Liu Kun was already heartbroken when he saw Xu Run's corpse. Seeing that Xu Run refused to admit his mistakes, he became even more furious and simply took a horsewhip and whipped him.

Liu Yong ordered the remaining unrelated soldiers to return to camp for training, leaving only the family generals to block them in vain. Lu Jing then returned to his residence in tears to seek reinforcements.

After being whipped so many times, Liu Jun became somewhat numb, and even the pain gradually faded, causing his mind to become somewhat unclear.

He was not the eldest son of the Marquis of Guangwu, but the eldest son of the Prince of Donghai.

He was not precocious, but rather possessed hidden talents.

He was not favored, but rather frequently offended.

His father didn't love him; his father even hated him.

His grand ambitions will inevitably fail, and he is destined to die without achieving anything.

"Stop right now!"

Liu Fan rushed over and, upon seeing Liu Jun kneeling on the ground covered in wounds, immediately felt heartbroken and burst into tears. He then struck Liu Kun in the face with a stick.

Liu Kun instinctively backed away, only then noticing Liu Fan's arrival. "Father."

Liu Fan ignored him completely, only ordering his men to carefully carry Liu Jun away, leaving Liu Kun standing there, tears streaming down his face, staring at Xu Run's corpse.

Regardless of how Liu Kun prepared Xu Run for burial, the mansion was in complete chaos, with doctors rushing back and forth and women sobbing softly.

Cui almost fainted from crying while clinging to Liu Jun. In recent years, Liu Kun had indulged in sensual pleasures, and the couple had long been estranged. Their only hope was this handsome and promising son.

Now, her husband beat him unconscious for the sake of a treacherous minister, and his eyes are filled with such hatred that blood is about to drip from them.

Therefore, when Liu Fan and Guo came to visit, Cui knelt on the ground and cried, "Please, maternal uncle and aunt, do justice for Maotou!"