My father Liu Xuande

Chapter 9: I Have Something Great to Tell You, Father
“My son, I have some great news to tell you.”

Liu Bei's face was filled with joy, his lips slightly upturned, his happiness tinged with a hint of pride.

Just from his expression, you can tell how happy Liu Bei was about this great thing, and how proud he was of himself for accomplishing it.

Liu Feng smiled slightly and leaned forward to play the supporting role: "Congratulations, Father. Your son is all ears."

Are you all ears?
Liu Bei pondered the new phrase and found it to be insightful and thought-provoking.

Liu Bei was already used to Liu Feng spouting new and memorable phrases, but each time it still made him feel even more fond of Liu Feng.

"Feng'er, I have found a renowned scholar to be your teacher today!"

After Liu Bei finished speaking, he couldn't help but burst into laughter, stroking his beard with satisfaction: "I have always been on good terms with Yuanlong. Yuanlong also played a significant role in my smooth succession as governor. Yuanlong and my father are both prominent figures from prominent families in Xuzhou. His great-uncle, Chen Qiu, was one of the Three Dukes during the reign of Emperor Ling, holding the official position of Grand Commandant. He was once taught by my teacher, Lu Zhi. So, in a way, Grand Commandant Chen can be considered my grandmaster."

Like Ma Rong, Chen Qiu was Lu Zhi's teacher. Lu Zhi was Liu Bei's teacher, so Liu Bei could indeed be considered Chen Qiu's direct disciple.

However, there's a slight suspicion that Liu Bei is trying to claim this grand-disciple position by force, since he's not Lu Zhi's true inner disciple, but at most an outer disciple.

"I have long wanted to find you a teacher, but I have never been able to do so. After I met Yuanlong, I intended to have you become his student, but I was worried that I would force Yuanlong and make him unhappy. However, I did not expect that Yuanlong had already heard of your reputation for filial piety and your dedication to serving your grandparents and mother. He praised you highly."

"As soon as I brought it up, Yuanlong immediately agreed, hahaha..."

After Liu Bei finished speaking, he burst into laughter again.

No wonder Liu Bei was so happy.

The Chen family was a second-tier aristocratic clan in the Eastern Han Dynasty, and a prominent family in Xiapi, Xuzhou. Starting with Chen Gui's grandfather, Chen Wei, as many as seven or eight members of the family held official positions with a salary of two thousand piculs of grain. Furthermore, Chen Wei's son and Chen Gui's uncle, Chen Qiu, rose to the rank of one of the Three Dukes and was appointed Grand Commandant during the reign of Emperor Ling of Han.

If Chen Qiu hadn't aroused the vigilance and retaliation of other powerful eunuchs during his elimination of the powerful eunuch Wang Fu, leading to his death, Chen Ji and Chen Deng, with their talent and reputation, would very likely have produced another high-ranking official of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers level.

Even so, the Chen family was still a noble family, comparable to the highest-ranking officials. Compared to such a prestigious clan, Big Ear Brother's family was nothing short of nouveau riche. Not to mention, Big Ear Brother's capital for nouveau riche status—the position of governor—was obtained through the combined efforts of Chen Deng and his son, along with Mi Zhu.

Both publicly and privately, at this time, Big Ears Brother dreamed of becoming deeply bound to the Chen family, and becoming their apprentice or through marriage was the most effective means.

Since ancient times, the teacher-student relationship has been another kind of father-son relationship, and the Eastern Han Dynasty brought this relationship to its peak.

In the Eastern Han Dynasty, the teacher-student relationship was not only similar to that of father and son, but also had a layer similar to that of ruler and subject.

The master is responsible for the disciple's future and has an obligation to use his political influence to secure an official position for the disciple. The disciple, in turn, has a duty to the master akin to that of a subject to a ruler, and must be loyal to the former.

At the same time, due to the recommendation system of the Han Dynasty, teachers and students were politically bound together. If one side lost their official position or title, it would inevitably affect the other side.

If the person being recommended loses their official position due to wrongdoing, it may even implicate the recommender, leading to imprisonment and prosecution.

This is also a unique feature of the dual monarchy system in the Han Dynasty.

To put it more bluntly, from the perspective of conventional thinking in peacetime, Chen Yuanlong's willingness to accept Liu Feng as his disciple was an act of kindness to Liu Bei that was even greater than recommending him as governor.

Because Liu Bei's position as governor was incomplete; his actual territory consisted of only two devastated commanderies. In case of trouble, Chen Deng and the Mi family's recommendation could be used to justify their actions as being for the public good, thus quickly severing ties with Liu Bei.

But once Chen Deng accepts Liu Feng as his disciple, then at least Chen Yuanlong himself will be deeply bound to Liu Bei.

That means they're in the same boat, sharing both glory and ruin, so it's no wonder Big Ears was so happy. He and Chen Deng were kindred spirits, fell in love at first sight, and longed to talk all night long.

Now that the other party is willing to support him so much, it is like a long-awaited rain for Big Ears, who has been suffering from the lack of support from gentry and famous people.

He probably had already secretly laughed several times before meeting Liu Feng.

Big Ears was unaware of the good deed Liu Feng had secretly done behind his back; his joy was about to turn to sorrow.

"Chen Gongcao is a renowned scholar from Xuzhou. He is cheerful, calm, open-minded, wise, and resourceful. I have long admired his reputation and longed to be his teacher. Now, thanks to Father's kindness, I am fortunate to have such a great man as my teacher. This is my greatest blessing."

At this time, Liu Bei promoted Chen Deng to the position of Chief Clerk of the State Administration, responsible for the selection and evaluation of officials in Xuzhou, which was a high-ranking and powerful position.

As a junior, Liu Feng addressed Chen Deng as Chen Gongcao to show his respect and admiration.

Liu Bei nodded happily, looking as if to say, "Feng'er, your words have struck a chord with your father."

What he didn't know was that the worst thing about everything is a "but".

Then, Liu Feng immediately changed the subject: "However, now is not the time to become an apprentice of the Chief Clerk, otherwise a great disaster will surely occur."

Big Ears was nodding happily when his smile suddenly froze, and he stared at Liu Feng with a bewildered expression.

Liu Bei even wondered if he was hallucinating and had misheard his son's words.

Therefore, he asked hesitantly, "What did my son just say?"

Liu Feng replied solemnly, "My son said that it is absolutely forbidden to become an apprentice of Gong Cao at this time, otherwise my father and I will be in great trouble. At best, we will lose our family and property; at worst, we will lose our lives."

"you!"

Enraged, Big Ears suddenly stood up and glared at Liu Feng.

It must be said that Liu Bei truly deserves to be called a hero of the late Han Dynasty and a veteran general on the battlefield.

In his anger, he unleashed an immense pressure that enveloped Liu Feng, putting him under tremendous strain.

If Liu Feng had been even a little more timid, he probably wouldn't have been able to say a word, let alone even look up at Liu Bei.

"You...you're absurd!"

Big Ears was so angry at Liu Feng that he trembled all over and couldn't help pacing back and forth, but his fierce eyes were always fixed on the latter.

A moment later, Liu Bei walked up to Liu Feng, his face ashen, and coldly demanded, "Whose slander have you listened to, that you have developed such a rift with Yuanlong? Tell your father, who is it!"

Liu Bei couldn't believe his son would be so disobedient, and instinctively suspected that someone was stirring up trouble between his son and Chen Deng.

Faced with Liu Bei's anger, Liu Feng knew that this was a critical moment and he could not back down even a step.

(End of this chapter)