My father Liu Xuande

Chapter 417 Liu Bei Urges Marriage
Liu Feng stayed in Wanling for more than a month. After He Qi left, he met with Yu Fan and Zu Lang, who arrived later.

Yu Fan held Liu Feng in high esteem, almost to the point of following his lead. Given Yu Zhongxiang's personality, it was not out of mere flattery, but rather out of genuine admiration for Liu Feng's talent and awe of his abilities.

Zulang surprised Liu Feng. This well-known leader of the Yue tribes was dressed as a Han Chinese and treated Liu Feng with great respect. After inquiring, Liu Feng learned that Zulang had disguised himself specifically to meet Liu Feng.

Liu Feng did not look down on Zu Lang because he was a Baiyue person. On the contrary, he specially set up a banquet to entertain Zu Lang and Yu Fan, and also invited many famous scholars to accompany them.

This high-level treatment immediately broke Zu Lang's defenses. After getting drunk, he burst into tears and clung to Liu Feng's leg, vowing to repay him with his life.

It's no wonder that Zulang was moved to tears. He was the leader of the Baiyue tribe in Danyang County. Although he was not the supreme ruler, he was indeed one of the most famous chieftains.

Within Danyang, the interaction between the Baiyue and Han people became more frequent. Zu Lang usually associated with Han people, but very few scholars and powerful figures respected him.

When had he ever seen so many elegant and distinguished scholars?
Not to mention that these celebrities came specifically to accompany him to the banquet.

Seeing Zulang's reaction, Liu Feng was also very moved and personally escorted him back to his guest room to rest.

After finishing, Liu Feng couldn't help but sigh that the late Eastern Han Dynasty was truly a good time, as people still possessed the simplicity and honesty of the pre-Qin era, repaying even the smallest kindness with their lives.

It is truly incomparable to the Three Kingdoms period that followed—the "Northern and Southern Dynasties".

The early Three Kingdoms period was full of heroes who valued loyalty and righteousness above life and death, and who kept their promises.

Although the later Three Kingdoms period far surpassed the first three kingdoms in terms of strategy, tactics, and political struggle, it lost the spirit and custom of valuing righteousness over profit.

Consider that Yuwen Tai and Gao Huan both had a history of being abandoned by their subordinates, and even Li Shimin of the Sui and Tang dynasties had cases of being left alone on the battlefield.

Liu Feng couldn't help but sigh, "People from the Three Kingdoms period were so kind and honest."

The following day, Liu Feng appointed Yu Fan as the governor of Poyang Commandery and Zu Lang as the commandant of Poyang Commandery to guard Poyang.

At the same time, he also granted Yu Fan and Zu Lang many policies of light taxes and levies, and specially approved 20,000 shi of coarse salt and 8,000 bolts of cloth and other materials to recruit and pacify the various tribes of Baiyue.

Although Zulang was one of the major leaders in Danyang County, he also enjoyed high prestige among the Baiyue people in Yuzhang County.

In fact, a simple look at a map makes it clear that the so-called Danyang Baiyue was merely a classification made by the Han people. Essentially, the Danyang Baiyue lived at the southernmost tip of Danyang Commandery, and were actually connected to the Yuzhang Baiyue.

Therefore, Zulang's reputation remained very high in Dongyuzhang, and he was well-known far and wide.

Besides Yu Fan and Zu Lang, Liu Feng also met with many local gentry and powerful families in Danyang and appeased them.

After finishing all that, he was preparing to return to Wu County when he suddenly received a letter from Liu Bei.

In these few months, Liu Bei also began to adjust and expand his military forces in the north.

Having just finished dealing with these matters, and remembering that Liu Feng was about to take action against Jingzhou, he wrote to him, asking him to return to Xuzhou to get engaged first.

Liu Feng then remembered that the engagement had been postponed again because of his trip south to Jiangdong.

Thinking about it carefully, now is indeed the best time to get engaged.

While Yuan Shao was still enjoying a close relationship with Gongsun Zan, Cao Cao was already eyeing Guanzhong, wanting to seize Hongnong, Hedong, and Guanzhong.

Liu Zhang is currently locked in a fierce battle with Zhang Lu, and has launched numerous northern expeditions to Hanzhong, but has suffered repeated defeats. It is estimated that the Zhao Wei Rebellion is not far off.

As for Liu Biao, Zhang Xian is now quite unruly and has repeatedly opposed him, so the relationship between the two is likely to become increasingly strained.

From this perspective, it appears that the Liu family is currently without any rivals or battles around them. The various armies have just been reorganized and expanded and urgently need rest and training. They will not take any action against the Shanyue for at least two or three months.

After thinking it over, Liu Feng decided to heed his father's call and go home to get married... no, to get engaged.

Therefore, while arranging for the cabinet and various ministries to relocate to Wu County, Liu Feng also launched several covert operations and then traveled by water to Xuzhou.

At this point, Liu Bei had already left Shouchun and returned to Tancheng.

Liu Feng returned by waterway, first going to Xiapi.

Cao Bao was overjoyed to hear that Liu Feng had returned.

Now that Liu Feng and Liu Bei's status has risen higher and higher, Cao Qing's marriage has become a major worry for Cao Bao. He never imagined that Liu Bei and his son would end up like this.

This has left him feeling extremely uneasy and lacking confidence. In the past six months, he has even had nightmares about Liu Feng coming to his door to break off the engagement.

Upon receiving news of Liu Feng, Cao Bao, as the governor of the prefecture, went fifty li outside the city to greet him, which startled Liu Feng.

"Your subject, Bao, the Prefect of Xiapi, respectfully welcomes the Left General."

Cao Bao stood respectfully on the shore, bowing deeply to Liu Feng, who had just appeared on the boat.

Liu Feng quickly reached out to help him up, saying, "Prefect Cao, please rise. You are my elder, how could I accept such a courtesy from you?"

Upon hearing Liu Feng's words, Cao Bao was secretly pleased and felt somewhat relieved.

Liu Feng hurriedly disembarked from the boat: "Uncle, what are you doing here?"

It's no wonder Liu Feng asked such a question. Cao Bao had traveled a full fifty li outside the city, and the news of Liu Feng's imminent arrival in Xiapi had only reached the city three days prior. Considering the distance, it meant that Cao Bao had left the city immediately upon receiving the news and rushed here.

Therefore, Liu Feng couldn't help but wonder if Cao Bao had just happened to be out of the city on business and had met him by chance, rather than deliberately coming here to greet him.

Unfortunately, Cao Bao's next words immediately shattered his assumptions.

"General Zuo's fame spread throughout the land. He quelled rebellions for the court and the emperor, restored Jiangdong, and made great contributions to the country and the nation."

Cao Bao's face showed five parts flattery, three parts amazement, and two parts trepidation. He kept glancing at Liu Feng while speaking, afraid that he might accidentally say the wrong thing.

“We only went fifty miles outside the city to welcome you; how can we compare to General Zuo’s hard work for the country?”

Cao Bao bowed and said, "It's a pity that we are not very talented or capable, so this is the only way we can express our respect for General Zuo."

“The prefect is absolutely right.”

"We all share this sentiment; General Zuo's hard work and great achievements are truly commendable."

"The Prefect knows that we are eager to see talented people, which is why he went to great lengths to bring us here, so that we can meet General Zuo as soon as possible."

The powerful clansmen of Xiapi behind Cao Bao also praised him, including members of the Chen family of Xiapi.

Now that Chen Deng's position is secure and he enjoys the trust of Liu Bei and the respect of Liu Feng, the status of the Chen family has naturally risen, and they are poised to become the leading aristocratic family in Xuzhou.

The Chen family's reputation, honor, and future are all inextricably linked to the Liu family. Even Chen Deng's half-brother, Chen Gui's half-son, and Chen Yu's legitimate son have come out to serve Liu Bei and Liu Feng. What face can't they give?

Chen Yu's eldest son, Chen Wan, and Chen Deng's younger brother, Chen Ying, were already county magistrates with a salary of 600 shi (a unit of grain), having crossed the most important hurdle in the early stages—the transition from a prefectural official to a local county magistrate.

Without Chen Deng and Liu Bei and his son, how could Chen Wan and Chen Ying have had such smooth official careers?
It's only been two short years. Besides, Chen Yu himself has now completely humbled himself, frequently writing to his cousin Chen Gui and nephew Chen Deng, hoping they can speak well of him to Liu Feng and Liu Bei, father and son. Ideally, he could be reinstated as a prefect, or at the very least, he hoped to find a good position in the General of Chariots and Cavalry's or the General of the Left's staff.

In Chen Yu's heart, he actually preferred to go to Liu Feng's Left General's staff.

Chen Yu secretly believed that Liu Bei's staff was full of famous people of the time, such as Chen Deng and his son Chen Gui, Chen Ji and his son Chen Qun, the two Zhangs of Xuzhou (yes, the two Zhangs were actually from Xuzhou, and there will never be two Zhangs of Jiangdong again), Xu Qiu of Guangling, and so on.

None of these people are people Chen Yu can easily scam.

On the contrary, in Liu Feng's Left General's staff, although there were many famous scholars, they were obviously a generation or even two generations younger than the previous generation.

Given Chen Yu's qualifications, reputation, ability, and influence, he felt that becoming a chief clerk or military commander was quite possible.

Then, after serving as the Chief Clerk and Military Advisor in the Left General's office for a year or two, and using that as a stepping stone, there would be no resistance to becoming a prefect.

"My lord, a banquet has been prepared at the post station."

Chen Yu stood beside Cao Bao, his face devoid of its former coldness. Instead, he gently suggested to Cao Bao, "Why don't we invite General Zuo to take his seat first?"

Now Chen Yu is all about the air of a high-ranking official, but two years ago, when Cao Bao first arrived, he showed Cao Bao absolutely no respect.

At that time, Cao Bao would spend every day in his mansion cursing the powerful clans and gentry of Xiapi, and Chen Yu alone accounted for half of the words.

"Gongwei is absolutely right!"

Cao Bao suddenly realized and nodded repeatedly: "General Zuo, we have already prepared a banquet at the post station. In this haste, there are hardly any delicacies. We only hope that you can wash away the dust of your journey. Please do not refuse."

Liu Feng smiled and said, "Then I shall respectfully accept your offer?"

Liu Feng's first pot of gold came directly from Cao Bao.

Cao Bao not only gave it to him, but he doubled it, and even gave him an extra wife.

Liu Feng couldn't forget this kindness, so as long as Cao Bao didn't go astray, he was guaranteed a life of wealth and honor. Besides, Cao Bao's behavior was quite good; he basically stayed within Liu Feng's circle and often surprised Liu Feng.

This made Liu Feng feel even better about Cao Bao, and he appreciated and liked Cao Bao even more.

Actually, let alone Liu Feng, even Liu Bei now cherishes Cao Bao very much. After all, the Liu family are all people who value loyalty and righteousness.

Upon arriving at their destination, Liu Feng discovered that Cao Bao, Chen Yu, and the others had lied.

Although the post station was somewhat dilapidated, it was cleaned and tidied up quite well. There were carpets and silks laid out in the hall, and the dishes on the table were quite neat. It was not luxurious, but it was certainly not simple.

"Uncle, thank you for your trouble."

Liu Feng gently patted Cao Bao's forearm and praised him.

Cao Bao was overjoyed, secretly thinking, "Qing'er was right after all; the dishes shouldn't be extravagant." Before they came, Cao Qing had instructed Cao Bao that the banquet should not be lavish; wine, meat, vegetables, and fruits were sufficient, and extravagance was strictly prohibited.

Despite the objections of others, Cao Bao rejected the suggestions of Chen Yu and others, and chose to listen to his own daughter.

Looking at it now, it's clear that Qing'er understands the young master best.

After the main guests and guests took their seats, Cao Bao, Chen Yu, and others began to flatter and fawn over them.

Liu Feng didn't seem to care much about it. Firstly, he was immune to flattery, and secondly, Cao Bao and Chen Yu's boasts were too crude and didn't really appeal to him.

However, Liu Feng could also discern Cao Bao's intentions from this.

Halfway through the banquet, Liu Feng suddenly clapped his hands.

Then, Xu Chu appeared with a group of strong men, two of whom carried a large box and placed it in the center of the hall.

The hall fell silent for a moment, and everyone's eyes were on the box.

Liu Feng nodded to Xu Chu, who then opened the boxes one by one.

It contained all sorts of rare and precious treasures, including pearls, agate, spices, silk, pearls, shells, glass, jade, tortoiseshell, rhinoceros horn, and so on. Although there were only one or two of each item, the variety was remarkable.

In addition, there were ten whole vats of sesame oil.

Liu Feng clapped his hands, and two more people came up from below the hall. They brought out a stove, which was shaped like a coal stove from later times, and it was filled with honeycomb briquettes.

Then, one of them put down the large pot he was carrying on his back, rinsed it with water, and placed it on the stove.

Cao Bao, Chen Yu, and the others looked at Liu Feng with puzzlement.

Liu Feng responded with a smile: "Gentlemen, please do not be impatient, and let's see what happens next."

Then, the man opened the sesame oil, scooped out a small amount, and poured it into the iron pot.

Before long, the sesame oil in the iron pot boiled, filling the air with its aroma.

"What is this? It smells so good!"

Cao Bao asked Chen Yu in surprise, but the latter shook his head in confusion.

Soon, the man poured the washed and shredded meat strips into the pot, stir-fried them until they were no longer raw, then added scallions and ginger and stir-fried them to remove any fishy smell. Finally, he added fermented black bean sauce for seasoning.

Before long, a simple yet fragrant stir-fried shredded pork dish was ready.

The cook placed the dish in individual small plates and then served it to Liu Feng and the others on their tables.

"Gentlemen, please try this dish first."

Liu Feng picked up his chopsticks, took a piece, and began to taste it.

Seeing this, Cao Bao, Chen Yu, and the others followed suit. They had already been salivating from the aroma of the stir-fried shredded pork, and now that Liu Feng had invited them, they naturally followed suit.

But when they put the food in their mouths, they were completely stunned.

An unprecedented sensation stimulated their taste buds, a feeling completely different from their previous experience with raw or cooked food, yet far superior to the former two.

For a moment, most of the people in the hall were immersed in this wonderful feeling.

For most people, fried food tastes much better than raw or boiled food, since it involves oil. This is especially true for Chinese people; otherwise, sashimi wouldn't have gradually disappeared from Han Chinese tables.

It's important to know that during the Han Dynasty, sashimi was not only a main dish but also a regular dish that almost everyone could eat. The only difference was that the sashimi served in poor households wasn't as refined; the rich would have raw fish slices, while the poor would have raw fish chunks. However, its status was undeniable.

(End of this chapter)