Chapter 4: Great Chaos and Escape to the Countryside

The following months were arguably the happiest time of Liu Jun's two lifetimes.

Although the world was engulfed in war, Xuchang remained relatively peaceful for the time being, and the whole family gathered together. Whenever Liu Yu and Liu Kun had free time, they would gather their brothers and sisters to teach and enlighten them. They were people who were focused on achieving fame and making a living, and did not indulge in metaphysics like the scholars of the time. They taught their children and nephews mostly practical subjects such as classics, history, poetry, and prose. Liu Kun even often taught them military strategies despite the objections of his father and brothers.

“In chaotic times, human life is as worthless as grass. People are too busy running away to teach them these things.” Guo was the most disapproving. Whenever she saw Liu Kun, she would glare at him with a cold eye. “In my opinion, the world is in great chaos. Many people have abandoned their official posts and returned to their hometowns. We should also make plans as soon as possible.”

In Liu Jun's opinion, what Guo said was the most practical. But he also knew his own father. He was always thinking about becoming a high-ranking official and would never be interested in comfort.

As expected, Liu Kun said solemnly, "I have received the Emperor's favor for generations. At this critical moment, I should be loyal and devoted to the country. How can I abandon loyalty and righteousness for the safety of my own family?"

"Loyalty and filial piety are hard to reconcile, but the Great Jin Dynasty does not govern the world with loyalty and righteousness, but with filial piety. Are you really going to disregard the safety of your parents?" Guo was so angry that she almost fell over.

When the topic turned to the relationship between the current dynasty and loyalty, filial piety, and righteousness, Liu Kun seemed to want to say something, but he held back. Guo understood and her expression was also very strange.

Liu Jun, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but laugh out loud – ever since the emperor was openly murdered on the imperial street, the Sima family could no longer be legitimate in their rule. To clear themselves of any involvement, Sima Zhao and his generation dared not usurp the throne. Even after his son Sima Yan founded the country, he dared not mention the word "loyalty" again.

Even though Jia Chong, who ordered the assassination of the emperor, later came to prominence, he was despised by the world until his death.

Guo once mentioned that at a banquet, Jia Chong debated with Yu Chun, the governor of Henan. Jia Chong used the concept of "filial piety" to pressure him, saying, "If you do not return to support your elders, you have no heaven and earth!"

Unexpectedly, Yu Chun shut him down with a single sentence: "Where is the Duke of Gaogui Township?"

Jia Chong was filled with shame and rage.

On another occasion, Jia Chong sarcastically remarked to Sun Hao, the last emperor of Wu: "I heard that you are gouging out people's eyes and peeling off their faces in the south. What kind of punishment is this?"

Sun Hao said calmly, "This punishment is only for ministers who murder their ruler or who are treacherous and disloyal."

According to records, Jia Chong was "deeply ashamed" at that time, but Sun Hao remained calm and composed.

This is why even though the truth about the matter was leaked, the magistrate of Gaogui Township was willing to risk his life to start an uprising.

The life of a puppet emperor was exchanged for the eternal infamy of the Sima clan's usurpation of the Wei dynasty; it was certainly not a bad deal.

“One day, you will harm us…” Guo could not persuade him and could only let out a long sigh.

No one expected that Guo's worries would come true so quickly.

Liu Jun lay prone on his horse, with the carriage carrying the women beside him, and behind him billowing dust and relentless pursuers.

At this time, his grandfather Liu Fan had already fallen into enemy hands, and his elder brother Liu Zun and the other cousins ​​were missing. Looking around, Liu Jun found that apart from Guo Shi and Cui Shi, the only people who were with him were Liu Yu's wife Hua Shi and Liu Zun's birth mother Chen Shi. The other concubines who were originally with him had all mysteriously disappeared.

I was supposed to ride in the carriage with them, but firstly, I couldn't really treat myself as a six-year-old child, and secondly, I felt that riding a horse was faster. So, despite everyone's objections, I chose a small but steady warhorse.

They ran for more than ten miles before finding a secluded place to stop. Only then did Liu Jun feel a real stinging pain on the inside of his legs. Looking down, they found them to be a bloody mess, which distressed the women.

"What exactly happened?" Guo asked anxiously when she saw one of Liu Kun's personal guards, her face pale.

The guard, with a mournful face, reported, "Madam, Liu Qiao, the governor of Yuzhou, has attacked. He is not only targeting the Prince of Fanyang, but also intends to attack the two lords. Now that they have been defeated, the two lords have fled to Hebei with the Prince of Fanyang!"

Guo was shocked. "So that's how it is!"

Liu Jun frowned. Liu Fan had already been captured, and it was only a matter of time before the elderly, women, and children were captured by Liu Qiao's army.

It would be best to escape Xuchang, but if that's not possible, we must not let our female relatives fall into the hands of the rebel army.

But I'm just an ignorant child; who would listen to what I say?

Seeing the women discussing which town to hide in, Liu Jun stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Grandmother, there is an old saying: 'When there is minor chaos, go to the city; when there is major chaos, go to the countryside; when there is a catastrophe, go to the wilderness.' Do you think the current situation is just a minor chaos?"

Looking at the sounds of swords and spears in the distance, and then at the fleeing people, Guo pondered, "Does Maotou mean to go to the countryside?"

Liu Jun nodded. “Liu Qiao harbors deep resentment towards Father and will definitely use any means necessary to find us. He will be extra vigilant on official roads and in towns. In my humble opinion, it would be better to split into two groups. We should select one or two maids to disguise themselves and continue to Hebei by carriage, while the rest of us will hide in the countryside and choose a remote farmhouse to stay temporarily.”

Before he could finish speaking, Madam Hua screamed, "The pursuers are almost here! Aunt, don't listen to him! In this chaos, without a carriage, we're doomed! We should hurry on our way; maybe we can still catch up with them..."

Guo remained silent. Cui looked at her mother-in-law, then at her son, her mind blank. Seeing the maturity beyond his years on his young face, she gritted her teeth and said, "Aunt, I think we should just trust Mao and give it a try. This carriage is carrying so many people and we can't change horses. It's bound to go far, and it's only a matter of time before the pursuers catch up with us. We might as well wait and see what fate has in store."

Guo composed herself and, remembering that Liu Fan had also been captured alive by the chaotic soldiers while in a carriage, no longer hesitated and said to Hua, "If you want to leave, then so be it. But life and death are predestined. If you fall into the hands of the pursuers, you must cherish your life."

Although Hua was unwilling to travel alone, she was even more afraid of dying in the desolate village with them. So she disregarded her filial duty to her mother-in-law and hurriedly left with a few maids in the carriage.

Madam Guo sighed, and then heard Liu Jun inquire about a servant he had recently recruited. She said kindly, "I heard that your residence is nearby?"

The servant had been thinking that if these nobles insisted on going north, he would quietly escape. Unexpectedly, things took an unexpected turn, and they actually intended to stay here. He was both surprised and delighted and said, "It's only two or three miles away! If the ladies and gentlemen don't mind, you can stay at my house for a while."

Liu Jun acted decisively, took out a small piece of silver from his person and gave it to him, bowed and saluted, which startled the man quite a bit. "Please be sure to keep our whereabouts a secret. Once we are out of danger, we will reward you handsomely."

He interrupted the servant's refusal and turned to Guo Shi and the others, bowing and saying, "There is no time to lose. Please, Grandmother, Mother, and Aunt, mount your horses."

There were only three or four horses in total. He gave the horses to the women and then trotted along with his personal guards and servants.

Looking at the tiny figure that wasn't even as tall as a horse's leg, both Guo and Cui couldn't help but tear up.