Chapter 22, Chapter Six: Taking on a Critical Mission
On the day of the grand ceremonies in the fifth year of the Yongjia era, Liu Zun's wife gave birth to his eldest son in Luoyang, who was also Liu Kun's eldest grandson. Although he was far away in Jinyang, Liu Kun was overjoyed and distributed rewards to all his officials.
Liu Jun was not surprised. He ordered the cook to slaughter a sheep and invited Lu Jing, Liu Yong, and others to have a big meal with his retainers.
Yin Xiaocheng, the sergeant who had saved him before, had repeatedly distinguished himself in battle and had become a captain. Liu Jun had always valued him, so he personally cut off a piece of mutton and handed it to him. "Captain, are you from Bingzhou?"
Yin Xiaocheng quickly thanked him, "Your Highness, my ancestors were once servants of the Cao family. After the founding of this dynasty, they resigned from their official posts and went into seclusion. My father was a wanderer who came here from Bozhou..."
Liu Jun paused, his gaze sharp, "Could your grandfather's name be Yin Damu?"
Those around him looked on in bewilderment, but Yin Xiaocheng could hardly contain his surprise and delight. "How could someone so insignificant make the young master famous!"
Liu Jun smiled bitterly. There were so few loyal ministers in Cao Wei that it would be hard not to know them. Moreover, Yin Damu was also an important witness to Sima Yi's oath at Luoshui. How could he not be remembered in history?
So he raised his glass and said, "Your grandfather may have been disgraced, but he endured humiliation and hardship. He was a true man. I hope that you will also have his loyalty and courage in the future."
"Thank you, Your Highness! I would give my life for you!" Yin Xiaocheng said excitedly.
Lu Jing immediately echoed, "I would give my life for the young master!"
The generals' oaths resounded like a thunderclap, reminding Liu Jun of the imperial guards who had followed him to their deaths years ago. Overwhelmed with emotion, a mixture of nostalgia and heroic spirit, he laughed heartily, "The world is in chaos now, a time for heroes to emerge. I, a mere youth, have no great ambitions, only the wish to protect the people of this land and ensure the safety of my family. That would be enough for me. You have all followed me on this journey. Life is unpredictable, and I cannot promise you wealth, honor, or titles, but... Heaven and Earth bear witness, if you do not betray me, I will never fail you!"
Having said that, Liu Jun downed his wine in one gulp and then ordered Lu Jing to take out the private savings he had accumulated over this period and distribute them to the soldiers. “Since the warring princes began, there has not been a day without war in the world, but at least the world still belongs to the Jin people. However, it seems that the barbarian army is at its strongest and is heading straight for Luoyang. If you gentlemen do not work together, the day when the country is overthrown is just around the corner. Bingzhou is isolated in the north, poor and weak, and is very likely to become the first place where the barbarians will fight. This money is not much, but it is my heartfelt wish. If you gentlemen still want to contribute to the world, take it to settle your families; if you have unspeakable reasons and want to retire from the army, this money will be your severance pay, and I will not stop you.”
"Retiring from the military and returning to the countryside, where in this day and age can one still find a peaceful place to farm?"
"Glory and honor can only be gained on horseback. We should follow our lord and the crown prince to kill the barbarians. Who knows, we might even become generals and bring glory to our ancestors!"
"I fled from Guanzhong, and I'm still waiting to fight my way back to my hometown."
...
Everyone chimed in with their opinions, and Liu Yong, who held the highest rank, spoke up at the opportune moment: "Serving the country and being loyal to our lord is our duty. How can we accept the heir's money? The heir should keep this money for the purpose of discussing marriage in a couple of years."
Upon hearing this, the men in the camp began to clamor again. Having been reborn, Liu Jun would not be distracted by such a trivial matter. He immediately made a few jokes to brush it off and insisted on dividing the money among himself.
Back in his tent, Liu Jun paced back and forth before finally calling Liu Yong and Lu Jing over together. “After much deliberation, I think we should plan ahead. While we’re on good terms with the Xianbei, we should exchange some horses and armor. I also have some jade and precious items here. Send a reliable person with you, preferably someone easy to talk to, someone we can keep in touch with long-term.”
The two agreed. Liu Jun pressed his forehead, leaned back against the armrest, and sat down. "How much more chaotic can this world get?"
In fact, he underestimated the Sima family's filial piety and brotherly love.
One day in March, he was urgently summoned back to the mansion by Liu Kun from the camp.
Liu Kun, holding a cup, was deathly pale. His advisors dared not utter a sound, while the generals were filled with excitement. Upon seeing Liu Jun, Liu Kun immediately looked at him eagerly and handed him the intelligence report, saying, "Maotou, take a look."
Upon seeing this, Liu Jun was greatly alarmed. Previously, Emperor Sima Chi and Prince Sima Yue of Donghai had been vying for power. Since November of last year, Sima Yue had stationed a large army in Xiang County, observing the situation from both sides. Facing the rising military might of Shi Le, he had done nothing. At the same time, Sima Chi felt that this was a golden opportunity and seized the chance to compete with Sima Yue for power.
"Now many powerful clans have moved south, and the refugees have nowhere to live, so they have started to revolt..." Liu Jun looked over and found that this person was another cousin, Lu Chen, who had previously served as an official in Luoyang and had even married Princess Xingyang and been appointed as the Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant. However, the princess died young before they could officially get married.
Seemingly noticing his gaze, Lu Chen explained, "I came here first to deliver a message to my uncle. My parents will soon be leaving the city to seek refuge with you. The Central Plains are in turmoil, thank you for taking us in, uncle!"
Liu Kun laughed and said, "Now is the time when we need people. Your risk to come and join us is like adding wings to a tiger. Besides, we are all family. How can you say that I am taking you in?"
"How is Brother Wen?" Liu Jun immediately thought of the Prince of Qin. "Is he doing well at the Prince of Qin's residence?"
Lu Chen shook his head: "I lost contact with him after leaving the city, but I saw him serving by the King of Qin, as if he was also looking for an opportunity to leave the city."
"It's terrible! It's terrible!" A servant rushed in, trembling, and knelt on the ground, sobbing, "Left Chief Secretary, no, Marquis of Dingxiang... please, my lord, go to his rescue immediately!"
"What's wrong, brother?" Liu Kun hurriedly stood up, his clothes even knocking over the table in front of him.
"He...is dead!"
My uncle is dead!
The room fell into a deathly silence, then, as if some unspoken understanding had been unlocked, a chorus of wails erupted. Not to mention them, even Liu Jun was momentarily stunned. After all, this was an extremely sensitive time, and almost instinctively, he began to sort through Liu Yu's news over the years.
After gaining Sima Yue's favor and being recommended by him to be the governor of Bingzhou, he briefly disappeared from the public eye until Sima Chi began to appoint ministers such as the Miao brothers, Miao Yin and Miao Bo, and supported the imperial guards in an attempt to seize power...
This was similar to the view of the Duke of Gaogui in his previous life. However, Liu Yu was no ordinary person. He conspired with Pan Tao to persuade Sima Yue to launch a palace coup, killing more than a dozen trusted ministers, including the Miao brothers, and dismissing all the imperial guards generals cultivated by the emperor.
Liu Jun's eyes turned cold. He bent down and grabbed the servant by the collar. "Speak! Has the King of Donghai already passed away? Who sent you, and what do you want?"
The servant wailed, "In such a critical moment, why would Your Highness wrong me like this! The whole family is waiting..."
Although Liu Kun's eyes were still filled with tears, he had recovered. "Why does Mao Tou think he's treacherous?"
“My cousin, a member of a distinguished family, has faced many hardships and hardships on his journey to join us. Yet he is merely a messenger servant, and his clothes are impeccably neat, even his shoes are not worn out. However, what he says may be true; Luoyang may indeed be lost.” Liu Jun glanced around, and Lu Jing immediately stepped forward and grabbed the servant by the throat to prevent him from committing suicide. “Bingzhou controls the vital passage from Guanzhong to the Central Plains. Father is stationed here and cannot leave without permission. I request to go to Luoyang, firstly to be loyal and seize the opportunity to rescue the Emperor, and secondly to fulfill my filial duty by escorting the clan members in the capital back to Jinyang.”
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