My father Liu Xuande

Chapter 54 Freedom of Coming and Going
When Liu Li and Saheli met at a training ground in the city, both sides' teams had increased tenfold, numbering over four hundred people.

Fires had already been lit on the drill ground, and large pots were simmering with white rice.

The rice was still hulled, pure white, and tumbling with the flow of hot water, making the boys' mouths water and causing some to become restless.

Liu Li and Saheli gave the boys of Liu'er Camp a look, and the others knew what to do.

One by one, they took out sticks from their tents and began directing the orphans to line up.

If they encounter something they don't understand, the boys from Liu'er Camp will kindly offer guidance. Even if they can't learn it the first time, they will patiently teach it a second or third time.

Unlike the first time, before teaching a second time, he would beat the child severely with a stick before explaining the reasoning.

During this process, Pan Jun was also hit several times, and the burning sensation on his buttocks was unpleasant, which made him much more alert.

After about half an hour, the boys finally realized their positions, and very few people were standing in the wrong place anymore.

These boys were all descendants of soldiers from Danyang. They usually played in groups, and many of the games played by boys in the Eastern Han Dynasty were related to military simulations.

This is why these teenagers accepted lining up so quickly.

After the ranks were formed, the boys from Liu'er Camp stood outside, holding sticks, each one like a wolf or tiger, staring at the newly arrived boys with ill intent.

The newly enrolled boys could only continue standing. The boys from Liu'er Camp had just said that anyone who moved without orders and disrupted the formation would be dragged out and given ten lashes.

Fortunately, the boys from Liu'er Camp did not shirk their responsibilities; instead, they stood outside the ranks and stood with them.

Even Liu Li and Saheli, the two leaders, were no exception; they stood at the very front of the line.

After standing for about half an hour, when many people in the group were starting to feel the strain, Liu Li and Saheli exchanged a glance and nodded to each other.

That's about enough. These young lads are all naive and incompetent; it wouldn't be good if they caused any trouble.

"Listen to my orders!"

Liu Li shouted loudly at the ranks, "No one is allowed to move! Sit down where you are standing!"

Upon hearing this order, the newly enrolled boys felt as if they had been granted a pardon. Even Pan Jun, who was in good physical condition, was a little overwhelmed and quickly sat down.

After sitting down, the fatigue in my body doesn't dissipate so quickly; on the contrary, the feeling of hunger surges up and I can't suppress it no matter what I do.

At this time, the boys of Liu'er Camp began to distribute bowls to the newly enrolled boys in the ranks.

"One bowl of porridge for each person, the finest rice porridge!"

As Saheli distributed bowls to the boys in the first row, he shouted, "Remember! The food you eat is given by the young master, and the food your families receive is also given by the young master. Your lives will belong to the young master from now on! Those who are willing can stay, and we will all be brothers and have enough to eat. Those who are unwilling can leave after drinking the plain porridge. You don't need to return the food given to you; consider it the young master's act of kindness."

"You can start thinking about where to go while you're eating your porridge."

"The young master said that from today onwards, you are all free to leave within seven days, and the food given to you will not be taken back."

"But we only have seven days!"

"You can withdraw within seven days."

"But if you want to leave after seven days, you will be treated as a deserter!"

"At that time, he will be executed without mercy!"

"You can start thinking it over carefully now. Remember to think it through carefully, because once you make a decision, there will be no chance to go back on your word."

Amidst Saheli's shouts, the boys of Liu'er Camp poured spoonfuls of hot porridge into their bowls.

The portion was about the same for everyone, half soup and half dry. The rice grains were cooked until soft and tender, and the rice soup had a fragrant aroma and a very faint sweetness. The boys couldn't wait for the porridge to cool down and started drinking it down with gusto, frequently scalding themselves with the hot porridge, but they couldn't bear to put down their bowls.

Soon, the hot porridge was completely eaten, and even the bottom of the bowl was licked clean several times.

Liu Li and Saheli did not urge them, but simply waited for the boys' decision.

Pan Jun held his bowl without moving. He had already thought it through. He only had a few younger brothers and sisters in his family. If it weren't for Liu Feng's kindness in giving them a bushel of grain earlier, at least one or two of them would have starved to death by now.

He's the son of a governor, while I'm just a poor soldier's son. What do I have that's worth others coveting?

Having eaten Liu Gongzi's food, drunk Liu Gongzi's water, and taken Liu Gongzi's grain, if you don't work for him, even your own father in the underworld won't forgive you.

Not to mention, what if we leave now and then run out of food again in ten days or so?
Should we then go and beg people to show kindness?

Pan Jun doesn't have that kind of face.

Sitting on either side of Pan Jun were acquaintances. One was called Monkey, with a pointed mouth and monkey-like cheeks, and a pair of very bright eyes. The other was called Dog Leftover, who looked a bit dull and had a simple and honest appearance.

These two men had a very good relationship with Pan Jun; they were childhood friends, and Pan Jun was implicitly considered the leader of the three.

"Brother Junzi, what do you think, should we stay or not?"

The monkey, being talkative, asked the question on behalf of Gou Sheng.

Pan Jun glanced at the two of them: "I was planning to stay. Our fathers were paid by others and worked for them back then, so it's just a matter of doing it all over again."

The monkey nodded and chimed in, "That's true. I think the new magistrate's son is more generous than the old magistrate."

Gou Sheng suddenly blurted out, "He's even kinder than the old magistrate."

The monkey laughed and said jokingly, "Hehe, Gou Sheng, you know how to flatter the young master, but unfortunately he can't hear you."

Gou Sheng was getting a little anxious. He was speaking from the heart; it wasn't flattery at all.

Pan Jun glanced at the Liu'er Camp boys outside and advised his two companions, "Alright, since you've decided to stay, then stay put and don't cause trouble, or you'll get a beating."

Upon hearing this, Monkey and Dog turned to look outside and discovered that several young men from Liu'er Camp had indeed set their sights on them.

The two quickly quieted down and dared not cause any more trouble.

Liu Li and Saheli were not in a hurry. This was also what Liu Feng had instructed them not to force them. Only those who were truly willing to stay were worth cultivating.

Let those who want to leave go.

Opportunities come at a price; not everyone deserves them.

The newly arrived boys had finished their hot porridge, and the initial heat had worn off.

A boy with a pointed snout and monkey-like face raised his hand: "If I quit now, I really don't have to pay back the food?"

Saheli glanced at the other party and nodded: "Yes, no need to return it."

Upon hearing that they wouldn't have to return the grain, several people were tempted.

After entering the camp, they were punished by being forced to stand still and then pinned down and beaten with sticks, which made many people grumble in their hearts.

As soon as Saheli finished speaking, a boy stood up and tentatively walked out of the camp.

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(End of this chapter)