Chapter 3: Reflecting on the Present and Lamenting the Past
The Liu brothers, busy navigating the complex relationships among the various princes, could no longer afford to attend to their family's education. At this time, official schools were in disarray, and the children of powerful families relied entirely on the guidance of their elders. Among the Liu brothers, Liu Kun and Liu Yu were the most learned. With them so busy, the family's education became utterly useless to Liu Jun. Unfortunately, his family's generals went on campaigns with Liu Kun, and one day, a wandering knight left without saying goodbye. Liu Jun's life suddenly became incredibly dull.
Aside from visiting his grandparents morning and evening to pay his respects and being filial to his wife, Cui, he would only go to the family school to do his daily routine of calligraphy practice. The rest of the time, he would be alone, quietly studying and practicing martial arts.
The situation outside was constantly changing. Sometimes Liu Jun would ask his grandfather Liu Fan, but the latter was also busy with clan affairs and had no time to pay attention to the child's ramblings. Helpless, he could only inquire with the women in the household. Fortunately, his grandmother was from the Guo family of Taiyuan and was Jia Nanfeng's aunt. His mother, Cui, came from a noble family and had extraordinary knowledge. Many of her insights were enough to make men ashamed.
For example, when Cui heard that Liu Yuan, a Xiongnu, had ascended to the throne of Han, she curled her lip and said, "I heard that he is the descendant of a Han princess and the Xiongnu Chanyu, and was given the surname Liu. How ridiculous that such a barbarian dares to claim the title of a member of the Han imperial family to contend for the world."
Guo smiled and said, "They put on quite a show, posthumously honoring Liu Shan, the Duke of Anle, as Emperor Xiaohuai, and holding sacrifices to the Three Ancestors and Five Ancestors. It really fooled quite a few people. Although everyone knows he is a barbarian, if he is invincible in battle and can bring peace to the people, what does it matter whether he is really surnamed Liu or is pretending to be one?"
“Grandmother, if there were a member of the Cao clan at this time, would the people support him?” Liu Jun finally found an opportunity to interject.
Guo sighed softly, "Do you know how the Hu people refer to us Jin people? They still call us Han people. The Han Dynasty lasted for four hundred years, how can it be compared to the short-lived Cao Wei Dynasty? Emperor Wen of Wei usurped the Han throne, which was ultimately a sin against his conscience. All the later emperors of Cao Wei died young..."
The world is in chaos now, and the gentry are very self-important. They speak quite casually in their own homes. When Cui heard this, she couldn't help but lower her voice and say, "Although usurping the Han throne is reprehensible, the three kingdoms were still won by the Cao family themselves. In terms of illegitimate acquisition of the country, Cao Wei was far superior to our dynasty."
Most of these powerful families originated in the Han Dynasty, but flourished during the reign of Emperor Wen of Han, when the Cao Wei dynasty was known for its nine-rank official system. These words are quite accurate. However, the thought that Cao Wei was ultimately inferior to the Han Dynasty inevitably brings a sense of melancholy.
Liu Jun was pursing his lips and remaining silent when he heard Madam Guo say slowly, "Speaking of which, the reason why my Guo family has become so illustrious over the years is mostly due to Grand Tutor Jia. But thinking back to that day in Luoyang, I have to say, it's a pity about the Duke of Gaogui."
Shocked, Liu Jun finally realized that Guo was ten years older than Cao Mao and had very likely witnessed the events of that day.
“Aunt, with Maotou beside us, it would be inappropriate if what we said today were to be spread by him, who is just a child.”
Guo sneered, "The world is already in chaos. The imperial family is too busy to take care of themselves and their own family members are killing each other. How can they have time to pay attention to the words of women and children?"
"I will keep my mouth shut." Never expecting that his name would be spoken by a lady from a secluded mansion, and eager to know how the world would view him, Liu Jun, contrary to his usual behavior, grabbed Cui's sleeve.
Looking into his bright eyes, Cui felt overwhelmed with affection and smiled as she pulled him into her arms.
"At that time, Grand Tutor Sima Fu, General-in-Chief Sima Zhao, and others submitted a memorial, saying that they could be granted the honor of being buried with royal rites on the banks of the Chan River. Many people went to see it, and I went with them. There were only a few funeral carriages, and no banners were set up. There was no more frugal royal rite than this. Everyone was saying that it was the emperor who had been killed the day before, and the cries of mourning shook the heavens. When I thought that the person who killed the emperor was my own relative by marriage, I felt fear and shame in my heart, which was beyond words."
Liu Jun said in a muffled voice, "But he is very incompetent. Chen Shou said that he was 'reckless and impetuous, and brought disaster upon himself'..."
"If Wang Jing and the other man hadn't leaked the secret, and if it hadn't rained that day, perhaps he would have succeeded as well." Guo sighed with emotion. "A heavy rain in Shangfang Valley saved Emperor Xuan, and the heavy rain in the fifth year of Ganlu saved Emperor Wen from disaster. It can only be said that our dynasty is indeed blessed with the virtue of water."
"The world had only been at peace for a short time, why has it fallen into chaos again?" Cui murmured.
Madam Guo sighed, "My eldest and second sons wrote to us earlier, saying that there is chaos in Luoyang and that we should all go with them to Xuchang. With the war raging, the journey will be difficult."
Liu Jun looked up and said, "I will protect Grandmother and Mother."
"Good!" Madam Guo smiled and stood up, taking Liu Jun's hand and leading him to the backyard. "Your father and brothers have served the country well, and you must also become a man of integrity and uprightness in the future, so as not to disgrace your ancestors!"
Liu Jun felt bitter. Now, regardless of whether he was related to Liu Xuande or Liu Adou, in the end, the glory he brought to his ancestors would only be for someone else's ancestors. What was the point of making achievements?
As the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law strolled leisurely, they discussed the matter of the whole family leaving the capital. However, Liu Jun was still deeply uneasy. In the chaotic world, even the empresses and princesses sometimes lived in constant fear. Even the Empress Yang, who was so respected, had been deposed and imprisoned several times. With the men of his family fighting on the frontier, how could the safety of the elderly, weak, women and children be guaranteed?
In the second year of Yongxing, Liu Jun fled to Xuchang with the rest of his clan, leaving behind Luoyang, a city ravaged by war.
When Liu Jun saw Liu Kun again, perhaps because he had been tempered by the flames of war, he felt that Liu Kun's demeanor was completely different from when he used to wander among the flowers and compose poems in Luoyang. He truly had the heroic spirit that people at the time had described.
Liu Kun was overjoyed to see him and actually picked him up, lifting him up with some effort. "Liu Na reported earlier that my son studies literature and martial arts diligently every day, and now it seems that his words are true. My son has grown taller and stronger!"
He was still wearing his armor, which made Liu Jun's face sting, but he still said happily, "With Father gone, I've become a bit lax. Now that the whole family is safe and sound, and I can receive Father's guidance again, it couldn't be better!"
Liu Kun put him down, and Cui Shi, who was standing to the side, saw several red marks on his fair face and couldn't help but scold him, "You're still wearing armor at home, as if you're afraid others won't know you're a general. You've hurt my child."
Liu Kun smiled awkwardly, but did not take off his armor. Seeing that Cui was about to ramble on, Liu Jun quickly said, "In the letter to relatives and friends that Father sent back earlier, he mentioned, 'I am ready to fight at dawn with my sword at my pillow, determined to kill the rebellious enemy. I am always afraid that Zu Sheng will beat me to death.' Since I am ready to fight at dawn with my sword at my pillow, I cannot take off my armor."
Liu Kun was extremely pleased to hear this. "You can actually recite this text, and even quote it?"
Madam Cui gently patted Liu Jun's head and said softly, "These days, whenever my husband writes a letter, he asks me to read it to him, and then he goes back to trace and copy it. He has copied it countless times."
"Excellent!" Liu Kun exclaimed repeatedly, "My son is just like me!"
Liu Jun pursed his lips and said shyly, "Father is a great man who stands tall and upright. If I could be even half as good as my father, I would surely be remembered in history."
Little did he know that if he had a choice, he would rather live a peaceful and mediocre life...
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