Liu Bei: My younger brother is a deity.

Chapter 65 Attacked Midway

"Gongsun Bogui is truly something else!"

In the evening, after listening to Liu Quan's analysis, Liu Bei looked incredulous.

Liu Deran frowned and said, "I hadn't noticed until Quan mentioned it. Come to think of it, since that news spread, Senior Brother Bogui has indeed visited less often. The last few times Abei went to invite him, he made excuses to decline."

Zhang Fei picked up a piece of mutton and put it in his mouth, chewing it while mumbling, "This matter is as simple as it gets. Since Gongsun Zan has distanced himself from us to curry favor with that bastard Yuan Shu, then we don't need to treat him like a brother anymore."

Liu Bei hesitated, then asked, "Could it be... that we're overthinking it?"

Liu Quan smiled slightly: "Then let's test him again. After he returns from Funiu Mountain, A Bei can go and invite him a few more times, and see if he comes or not."

Several days later, after Gongsun Zan returned from Funiu Mountain, Liu Bei invited him several times, following Liu Quan's advice.

Gongsun Zan, as expected, found another excuse and repeatedly declined.

Only then did Liu Bei become convinced.

May arrived in the blink of an eye.

Within a few months, Liu Kuan had arranged all the preliminary rites for the marriage between Liu Quan and Cai Wan: betrothal, asking the name, and auspicious date selection. Now all that remained was for the Liu family to present their betrothal gifts.

For this reason, Liu Kuan's wife nagged him a lot.

One day, the lady brought up the matter again, scolding, "I told you long ago that I wanted to marry my niece to Liu Yuangu, but you went and arranged for him to marry a daughter from the Cai family. Do you look down on my family?"

Liu Kuan smiled wryly and waved his hands repeatedly: "Madam, you are mistaken. It's not that I look down on your family, it's just that that Cai girl was chosen by that boy Yuan Gu himself. As an elder, I can't just forcibly break up someone's marriage, can I?"

In mid-May, the weather gradually warmed up. Liu Quan, Liu Bei, Liu Deran, and Zhang Fei finally packed their belongings and prepared to set off back to Youzhou.

There are two reasons for my return.

Firstly, Liu Quan had to return to Lousang Village to personally prepare the betrothal gifts.

Although the Cai family was not greedy for money, the betrothal ceremony could not be taken lightly. He planned to make good preparations so that when he went to Luoyang again next year, he could marry Wan'er in a grand and glorious manner.

Secondly, and more urgently, the war between the Han Dynasty and the Xianbei was about to begin.

This battle is quite large, and the imperial court is already mobilizing troops. They need to rush back to keep up with the fighting.

Of course, they did not participate as regular soldiers of the Han Dynasty, but rather as "wandering knights" accompanying the army on expeditions.

This was a common practice in the Han Dynasty's foreign wars.

When Li Guangli led two expeditions to Dayuan, tens of thousands of unruly youths from various counties and prefectures followed him, their numbers even exceeding those of the main army.

These wandering knights bring their own weapons, horses, and provisions, without costing the imperial court a single penny or grain.

So what are they after?

One reason is to gain fame.

In the Han Dynasty, martial arts were highly valued. Those who killed enemies and made meritorious contributions on the battlefield could become famous in their hometown and even be recruited by the government and embark on an official career.

Young men from border regions often take this route.

Secondly, to make a profit.

War has always been accompanied by plunder.

Once the army wins and the enemy is routed, the captured goods, horses, and slaves will be real wealth.

After a battle, a lucky wandering knight could earn enough to support his entire family for years without worrying about food and clothing.

Zhang Fei was quite excited about this, and for days he kept stroking his iron spear, shouting that he wanted to kill a few Xianbei leaders to show off his martial prowess.

Although Liu Bei was not as flamboyant as him, his eyes also gleamed with eagerness.

Liu Deran will not participate in this operation, but he doesn't want to stay in Luoyang alone, so he will also go home.

He calmed down considerably and said, "The most important thing for everyone on this expedition is to ensure their own safety; nothing else matters."

On the day I left, it was just beginning to get light.

The three Liu brothers had already bid farewell to their teacher, Liu Kuan.

As for Lu Zhi, he had already set off for Lujiang to take up his post in April.

At this point, all you need to do is say goodbye to a few close friends before you set off.

The group intended to leave quietly, but they greatly underestimated Liu Quan's reputation in Luoyang.

In particular, the story of Liu Quan rescuing a beauty from Yuan Shu spread like wildfire in Luoyang, far exceeding the fame he gained from his two literary discussions.

Countless women were moved by this.

Outside the city gate, a large group of people stood along the roadside, mostly women. Some were in carriages, some were walking, some covered their faces shyly, and some gazed with smiles...

Even more daring individuals stepped forward and threw their handkerchiefs, purses, and sachets at Liu Quan's carriage, calling out, "Young Master, please wait!"

Upon seeing this, Fu Xie stroked his beard and laughed, "Yuan Gu, this isn't just leaving the capital; it's clearly an imperial tour. With so many beauties seeing you off, even the Emperor's procession might not have this kind of spectacle."

Liu Quan laughed heartily, cupped his hands and looked around, then said loudly, "Gentlemen, please don't laugh. Yuan Gu is just a commoner, yet he has been seen off by beauties all over the city. This kind of fortune is something even His Majesty can't envy."

Everyone laughed upon hearing this.

He Yong mingled in the crowd, watching Liu Quan and his party leave from afar.

Watching that receding figure, he couldn't help but sigh to himself, "He came into obscurity, but left with fame throughout Luoyang! This Liu family lad truly deserves to be called a hero of his time."

Xu You stepped closer and lowered his voice, saying, "Bo Qiu has certainly made a name for that Liu family lad this time. If you hadn't arranged for people to spread the story of that 'hero saving the beauty' everywhere, and hadn't announced his departure date from the capital in advance, would there have been such a grand scene outside the city gates today?"

Upon hearing this, He Yong simply sighed softly and did not respond.

Xu You thought to himself, "He Boqiu seems to have good intentions, but he is actually malicious. This move of his will probably make Yuan Shu hate Liu Yuangu even more. Liu Quan should be burning incense with gratitude if he can return to Youzhou alive."

Then, on second thought, he sighed again, "But Bo Qiu is truly devoted to Ben Chu; in this respect, I am not as good as him."

…………

Several days later, the group had traveled south of the Yellow River, and it looked like they were only ten miles away from the ferry crossing.

Suddenly, a cavalry unit emerged from the rolling hills ahead, arrayed itself in the middle of the road, and blocked the way.

This cavalry force numbered around a hundred men, each riding a fine horse and wearing leather armor. The horses were strong, the riders were fierce, and the ranks were orderly and disciplined, clearly indicating that they were a well-trained elite force.

Liu Bei reined in his horse, frowned, and muttered, "Such elite troops, could they be the border troops the court has transferred to the north?"

Liu Quan did not hesitate at all. He dismounted, took his leather armor from the packhorse, and put it on while saying calmly, "They are not the imperial army; they are here for us."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fei's tiger-like eyes widened, and he grabbed his iron spear, shouting, "Who the hell dares to block my way?"

Liu Deran also became alert, his hand on the hilt of his knife, and he looked around.

Liu Bei's expression changed slightly, as if he had guessed something, and he said in a low voice, "Yuan Gu, you mean...?"

Liu Quan fastened the last leather belt of his armor, mounted his horse, and a cold smile played on his lips.

"There are only a handful of families in the entire city that can mobilize such elite private troops near Luoyang. And the one who happens to have a grudge against us is just that one."

As soon as he finished speaking, the opposing cavalry parted to make way for him.

A chestnut-red steed slowly emerged from the crowd.

The man on horseback, dressed in brocade robes and wearing a golden crown, had a sinister face; it was none other than Yuan Shu, Yuan Gonglu.

Liu Bei's face darkened, and he cupped his hands, saying, "Yuan Gonglu, what is your intention in leading troops to block our path?"

Yuan Shu sneered, his gaze fixed on Liu Quan like a venomous snake, and said, word by word, "Liu Xuande, this matter is none of your concern. I'm looking for that little brat—"

He pointed a finger, gritting his teeth: "Liu, Yuan, Gu! You insulted me too much at the White Horse Temple, and then spread it around, ruining my reputation. Today I will make you kneel here on the banks of the Yellow River and kowtow to admit your mistake!"