The leisurely life of the Qin people

Chapter 344 Returning Hometown
Xiao He nodded and said, "If he wants to go home, no one can stop him."

Heng said, "I really hope Liu Fei will take up a post in Xianyang. He is actually very knowledgeable about governance."

"Hmm." Xiao He nodded.

Liu Fei came to Guanzhong when he was young and followed Xiao He.

Living together, even without Xiao He's instruction, Liu Fei witnessed Xiao He governing Weibei. In addition, after passing the exam at Tongguan, he also took a position at the Imperial Academy.

Heng sighed, "When Father Emperor ordered the reform of the official selection system, the matter was debated for several years. It was only this year that a result was reached, and it was renamed the Imperial Examination, which was divided into subjects."

"As you know, the imperial examination is not a difficult task for Liu Fei."

Heng said, "I studied with him, so I know his level of knowledge very well."

Xiao He brushed the mud off his hands and smiled, "I don't know what he plans to do in the future."

Liu Fei rode his horse through Tongguan once again, and arrived at Hangu Pass at dawn the next day.

When someone came to question him, Liu Fei took out his teacher's token and the army's token, and the guards here quickly let him pass.

Upon seeing the ramrod straight-standing guards, Liu Fei felt immense respect among the Qin army.

After leaving Hangu Pass, Liu Fei saw groups of people, some in groups of three or five, heading towards Hangu Pass on the imperial road.

As Liu Fei led his horse, he heard the voices of passersby. Some of them spoke in authentic Guanzhong dialect, while others spoke with a local accent. This was a scene that could be seen almost every day on the imperial road.

After walking for a while, Liu Fei saw Luoyang City again, which had been under renovation for many years but had not been repaired.

When the number of pedestrians in front of him decreased, Liu Fei mounted his horse and headed east.

After leaving Hangu Pass, Liu Fei felt that the scenery in front of him was much more open. As he got further and further away from Guanzhong, he could still see villages that had remained unchanged in the old lands of the Six Kingdoms. He also saw some children and people teaching them.

Liu Fei was in a good mood. He felt free. He sat on his horse and wanted to let out a long whistle. He was finally going home.

He wanted to tell his father and mother that he had become a teacher at the Imperial Academy, and that he had served as a teacher in the Qin army and even as the Sima of the Western Army, an officer under the Commandant in the Qin army.

Now Liu Fei and his family can enjoy the same treatment as the Qin army, and he can even move to Guanzhong with his whole family.

The chestnut horse galloped along with its strong limbs, and the wind blowing by lifted Liu Fei's long hair.

Starting from Guanzhong, Liu Fei traveled for five days to reach Suiyang.

When I saw Brother Guan Ying again, he had returned to his hometown and had not continued his cloth-selling business.

Upon seeing Liu Fei arrive as promised, Guan Ying served him the finest wine and meat.

Liu Fei met Guan Ying's family, as well as Guan Ying's son, Guan A.

Guan Ying's family also only had two or three thatched huts and a small courtyard, where the children were playing.

Guan Ying poured Liu Fei a bowl of wine and said, "Drink!"

The two picked up their wine bowls and drank them down in one gulp.

Liu Fei asked, "What are Brother Guan Ying's plans for the future?"

As he took a sip of the liquor, Guan Ying exhaled, "I learned skills in the army, and I'll go and make my way in the military in the future."

"Going back to the military?"

Guan Ying nodded.

Liu Fei said in a low voice, "My Uncle Xiao He will return to Chu in the future. At that time, Brother Guan Ying should help my Uncle Xiao He."

Guan Ying did not agree immediately, but Liu Fei looked at his son Guan A and said in a low voice, "It is fine for a young man to travel far, but Brother Guan Ying still has a family. If he can settle down in one place, he will not have to travel to the border army."

Guan Ying's eyes were full of hesitation. He knew that Liu Fei was a good man and that Liu Fei had befriended the emperor's two sons. He said, "In that case, how should I, Guan Ying, repay you?"

Liu Fei hurriedly helped Guan Ying, who was carrying his luggage, up and said, "I brought several scrolls of books, all of which are related to the Chu region. I would like to ask Brother Guan Ying to stay here for three years and wait for my reply."

Guan Ying nodded without refusing, and said, "I, Guan Ying, am skilled in many ways, and I am willing to protect Master Liu when the time comes."

Liu Fei nodded with a smile.

When Liu Fei first arrived at the border army, he received a lot of care from Guan Ying. However, after leaving the border army, Liu Fei could feel that Guan Ying, who was doing very well in the border army, needed to rely on him, Liu Fei, after leaving.

The Guan family saw Liu Fei off at the door and watched him ride away.

Standing on the edge of the field under the starry night, Guan Ying said to his ten-year-old son Guan A, "You must become like him when you grow up."

Guan A asked, "Why?"

Guan Ying said, "He is a good person, a very good person."

Back in the army, Guan Ying befriended Liu Fei with ulterior motives, hoping to use Liu Fei to make connections with more people in the army, as well as several generals or young masters.

While Guan Ying did have ulterior motives back then, Liu Fei is still thinking of Guan Ying's future.

People in the army are known for their loyalty, but Guan Ying has rarely seen anyone who is as loyal outside the army.

This year, the area affected by rainfall during the plum rain season in southern China is very large.

It should have been the height of summer, but it was still raining in Pengcheng, making the ground damp and even the largest prefecture in Chu seem wet.

The chestnut horse didn't like the rainy days here and snorted all the way.

Liu Fei soothed the chestnut horse, which was in a bad mood. This warhorse came from the northwest border and was not well adapted to the climate here.

Pedestrians, seeing Liu Fei wearing a sword and riding a horse, all avoided him.

Liu Fei's hair was wet, and his beard had grown quite a bit because he hadn't groomed it for many days.

The location of Pei County remained unchanged. Following his memory, Liu Fei arrived at Pei County. Upon reaching the city wall, soldiers approached him for questioning. Liu Fei dismounted and handed over his documents and the Master's Decree.

They immediately went to report to the county magistrate.

You must understand that a teacher from the Imperial Academy coming to the county in person is a very important person. Moreover, he is also a military commander, an official with a salary of three hundred bushels of grain, someone who advises the general at the front lines.

Pei County is still a small place, and the arrival of someone like Liu Fei would definitely alarm the county magistrate.

Before the official who went to report had returned, Liu Fei had already led his horse into the city. He saw the passersby, but did not recognize many familiar faces.

That makes sense, since this is within Peixian County, not the small village of Sishuiting.

Just as he was thinking this, a large hand landed on his shoulder.

I don't know who's behind me, but I can see that the big hand is quite strong, so I guess the person who came here is up to no good.

Just as Liu Fei was about to draw his sword, he saw that the other person's hand was also on the hilt.

In the blink of an eye, Liu Fei smelled the familiar scent again and said, "Uncle Fan Kuai?"

"Haha!" A loud laugh came from behind. Fan Kuai said, "I just heard that a big shot has come to our county. I'd like to meet him."

Liu Fei turned around and saw Fan Kuai laughing and several of his father's old brothers. He bowed again and said, "Liu Fei greets his uncles."

He was my father's good brother back then, and he still is now.

The changes in Guanzhong are huge, almost changing every year, but when Liu Fei saw the uncles in front of him, he felt like he was still a child, that nothing had changed here, that this place was still the same as before.

Liu Fei was given a big hug by Fan Kuai and said, "Uncle Fan Kuai, I've grown taller."

Fan Kuai nodded emphatically and said, "Yes, you've grown up. Now all of us uncles have to bow to you. You are the most respected person in our county."

Liu Fei, of course, dared not let his uncles bow, and quickly helped them up again.

However, during the conversation, he came across a restaurant. The restaurant had few customers, but it was exactly the same as the one outside Sishui Pavilion back then. Even though it was now in Pei County, Liu Fei would never forget its appearance.

Then, Liu Fei saw the lady standing in front of the house, covering her mouth and looking at him. Seeing the tears in her eyes, Liu Fei quickly stepped forward.

The old uncles behind him were no longer there. When Liu Fei saw his mother, he knelt down and said, "Mother, your son has returned."

Cao helped Liu Fei to his feet and said, "It's good that you're back. I thought you had forgotten your mother."

"How could I forget Liu Fei?"

Cao said again, "You've grown taller, you've grown up... and you've become handsome."

The mother and son entered the restaurant, and Liu Fei talked to his mother about things that had happened in recent years.

Cao said, "Xiao He is our family's greatest benefactor."

Liu Fei nodded heavily and said, "I also made an agreement with Liu Ying that when he returns from guarding the border, we will also return to Pei County."

Cao held her son's hand and said nothing more. She just looked at her son and, after a while, she couldn't help but sob again.

Liu Fei asked, "How has Mother been lately?"

Cao said, “It’s all good. Your father still treats me very well. Our two families are at peace. I originally wanted to stay in Sishui Pavilion, but your father was unwilling. Later, Lu decided to build an identical restaurant here, and my mother came along. Over the years, I have heard about your work in the army. You are a good child.”

As they were talking, a commotion came from outside, as if someone was running quickly towards them.

When the other person got close, he grabbed the door with both hands and went inside, then closed the door behind him.

Upon seeing Liu Ji arrive in this manner, Cao Shi first gave him an unpleasant look, and then went to the backyard.

Liu Ji looked at his son, whom he hadn't seen for many years, and called out softly, "Son?"

Liu Fei nodded.

Liu Ji asked again, "Son, you're really back?"

"Father, I'm back."

"Hahaha!" Liu Ji laughed loudly, holding his son. "My son is back, he's back!"

The sound was very loud, I was afraid others wouldn't be able to hear it.

After calming down, the father and son sat down again, and Liu Ji asked, "Is Xiao He still in Guanzhong?"

Liu Fei truthfully recounted Xiao He's recent situation, and noticed the aroma of rice; his mother was preparing a meal.

Liu Ji asked again, "Is he planning to come back?"

Liu Fei nodded again.

Liu Ji asked in bewilderment, "How can he come back? He is currently the governor of Guanzhong, and he is someone who can enter the prime minister's office in the future."

"Actually, Uncle Xiao He always kept this place in mind."

"Concerned?" Liu Ji looked around and said, "What's there to be concerned about here?"

Liu Fei continued, "Uncle Xiao He came to govern the Chu region. Even if he came from Guanzhong to the Chu region, he is still a high-ranking official, different from ordinary officials. Moreover, the emperor has met Uncle Xiao He several times, and the emperor has high hopes for Uncle Xiao He."

“Is that so…” Liu Ji muttered to himself, “Then why didn’t he mention it in the letter?”

“Father knows Uncle Xiao He’s character.”

"Hmm." Liu Ji slapped his thigh and said, "He always thinks I'm stupid."

(End of this chapter)