Liu Bei: My younger brother is a deity.

Chapter 8 Butcher Zhang and His Son

The first year of the Xiping era.

Liu Bei was twelve years old, and Liu Quan was eleven years old (by the traditional Chinese age reckoning).

In that year, a political storm swept through Luoyang, the heart of the Han Empire.

Emperor Liu Hong issued an edict to revoke Hou Lan's seal and ribbon, and this powerful and extravagant eunuch hanged himself with a white silk ribbon.

A large number of officials who had flattered him were dismissed in the court, and Grand Tutor Hu Guang died at this juncture. The court then sent Yang Ci, Liu Kuan, and Zhang Ji to the palace to teach the emperor.

The storm in Luoyang was nothing more than a tiny butterfly flapping its wings when it reached Zhuoxian.

People would mention it briefly during their leisure time, and then forget about it.

Life in Lousang Village remains the same.

The crops in the fields were harvested and replanted, and the water level of the Juma River rose and fell.

Liu's straw sandal business grew bigger and bigger, and not only in Zhuoxian County, but also in Fanyang, Liangxiang and Fangcheng counties, the name "Liu's Straw Sandals" became known.

Not only that, Liu also opened a restaurant in the county town.

This eatery doesn't sell ordinary dishes; it specializes in something called tofu.

This tofu is truly unique; it's smooth, tender, and melts in your mouth, with a subtle bean aroma and an indescribable deliciousness.

It has attracted many wealthy gourmets who have made special trips to taste it.

Mapo tofu, braised tofu with scallions, tofu balls, tofu pudding, and soy milk pudding... all are popular.

Mapo tofu, in particular, is glistening with red oil, spicy and fragrant, and you can easily eat three big bowls of rice with it.

It is said that the seasoning used in this Mapo Tofu is a specialty of Lousang Village, something called "chili".

This thing was naturally created by Liu Quan, who had stored quite a few Blue Star plant seeds in his internal storage pouch.

One day, an oxcart suddenly appeared at the east end of the village, with two people sitting on it.

The driver was a dark-faced man, around forty years old, with broad shoulders and a thick waist, a full beard, and piercing eyes.

Behind him sat a boy, about seven or eight years old, who was a head taller than the average child. He had a chubby face, round eyes, thick, black eyebrows, high cheekbones, and thick lips, exuding a fierce and courageous air.

At first glance, he doesn't look like a child, but rather like a boy of about ten years old.

This dark-faced man was Zhang the butcher from Zhuoxian County.

He would come to Lousang Village every two weeks to collect pigs.

I brought my son along today, firstly to broaden his horizons, and secondly because my mischievous son can't stay still at home. He's always playing with knives and sticks and associates with the local bullies. I really don't feel at ease leaving him with me.

At this moment, the boy was holding a bowl of Mapo Tofu and eating it with great gusto.

After he finished eating the Mapo Tofu, the oxcart arrived at Lousang Village.

The boy wiped his mouth, followed his father off the oxcart, and arrived at the village entrance.

"Wow, this village is quite grand; every household has built a large courtyard."

The boy was somewhat surprised.

Butcher Zhang remained calm and composed.

He has frequently come here to buy pigs over the past few years, and has almost watched Lousang Village develop from scratch to its current state; he has gotten used to it.

"Ah Fei, your father is going to the village head to discuss the pig purchase. You just play around in front of the village, don't run around or cause trouble."

"Don't worry, Father, how could I cause trouble? I'm the most honest person."

The boy was eager to try it out.

He had already seen a group of teenagers about his age playing in the open space over there, and he couldn't wait to join them.

In the open space in front of the village, Liu Deran was playing with his friends.

It was a rare occasion that Liu Bei was at home studying, supposedly learning some military strategy. So he brazenly usurped the throne and became the Grand Marshal.

Just as he was directing his minions to attack the enemy group (chickens) ahead, he suddenly saw a dark-skinned boy running excitedly towards him.

Despite his fair complexion and delicate features, Liu Deran has a sharp tongue.

He loved to make fun of people, and the village children were often bullied by him.

Upon seeing the dark-skinned boy, he couldn't help but whisper and chuckle to his companion beside him, "Look at that dark-skinned boy, doesn't he look like the black-faced boy in front of the Kitchen God? The only white thing on his body is his eyes and his teeth; everything else is completely black."

The children covered their mouths and chuckled, but the boy heard them clearly.

The dark-faced boy glared at Liu Deran and the others, asking, "You dare to laugh at me?"

Liu Deran tried to imitate Liu Bei, putting his hands on his hips and sticking out his thighs, but it looked rather awkward. He said, "Who's laughing at you? Aren't I just telling the truth?"

The black-faced boy was furious. He took two steps forward, reached out, and grabbed Liu Deran by the collar.

Although Liu Deran was older than Tong Zi, he was much weaker. He struggled a couple of times, but he couldn't break free.

The boy clenched his other hand into a fist and punched him in the shoulder.

The punch wasn't particularly hard, but it was enough to hurt Liu Deran.

He cried out "Ouch!" and tears streamed down his face. He covered his shoulder, squatted on the ground, and sobbed uncontrollably.

The boy snorted, released his grip, and cursed, "Serves you right for being so foul-mouthed! If you dare mention your grandfather Zhang Fei again, I'll knock both of your teeth out!"

Liu Deran stood up crying and ran towards the village while wiping away his tears.

He was going to find Abei to avenge him.

Before they even reached Liu Bei's house, they saw Liu Quan, the only person in the village who was fairer-skinned than them, wandering around the village (actually, he was going to inspect the workshop).

"Ah Quan, Ah Quan, where's Ah Bei? Where's Ah Bei?"

"Your brother is studying at home, no, why are you crying?"

"Waaaaah, I got beaten up by some outsider."

"It must be you who's being a smart aleck again," Liu Quan thought to himself.

However, Liu Deran is family after all. We can bully our own people, but we can't bully outsiders.

Liu Quan said, "I'll avenge you."

"Don't go. That dark-skinned kid is very strong. What use would you be? Only Ah Bei can go."

Liu Quan usually didn't like to show off his skills in front of the village children, and he taught Liu Bei martial arts in his own courtyard, so the village children didn't know how powerful he was.

"A-Bei is reading, don't disturb him."

As he spoke, Liu Quan walked towards the village entrance.

Liu Deran was alarmed. If Liu Quan got beaten up because of him, wouldn't his own father beat him up too?!

No, I still have to go find Ah Bei.

When Liu Deran rushed into Liu Bei's house, Liu Bei was in the courtyard, leaning against a mulberry tree and reading bamboo slips in his hand.

"The soldiers are about to go into battle, and their bodies are already weak and unable to withstand the weight of their armor. Furthermore, the weapons used must be sturdy and strong. We must select strong soldiers and have them practice with weapons. The soldiers must be able to lift the armor, and the weapons must be able to penetrate and pierce through the armor. Take the armor and have them practice cutting and shooting..."

This book, "The Art of War by Duke Wei," was copied and given to him by Liu Quan from Pangu's archives.

"Sanpang, no, Abei, stop reading! I've been beaten up! Go avenge me!"

Liu Bei frowned slightly. "Who hit you?"

"A big, strong black guy from out of town."

"You must have said something about someone again."

"Uh, I, I—" Liu Deran's eyes darted around, "Abei, Quan just went to find that person. If you don't go over there soon, Quan is going to get beaten up."

Liu Bei laughed.

"Ah Quan? Got beaten up?"

"Little Dezi, look how awesome I am!"

"sharp!"

Liu Deran spoke these words sincerely; it was admiration born from being beaten up.

"All my skills were taught to me by my younger brother, Quan."

Liu Deran was stunned and blurted out, "You're lying."

Why would I lie to you!

"Is Ah Quan really better than you?"

"Of course it's true."

Liu Bei rolled up his sleeves and said, "Let's go take a look. I bet the kid who beat you up has already been beaten to a pulp by Quan."