About Cao Cao's reincarnation as the emperor's uncle

Chapter 52 The Regret of Entrusting One's Child to Another Will Not Be Fulfilled Now

"More than sixty years have passed... and the land remains..."

Liu Fang murmured the recitation, only to find his vision blurred.

past life...

When his eldest son died in battle, Qiao Xuan only wrote one sentence in the military report: "My son has served his purpose..."

When his young son was kidnapped by thieves, Qiao Xuan ordered a full-scale attack, declaring, "How can we let traitors of the nation escape the life of a single son!"

One person praised him, saying, "Qiao Gong has an indomitable spirit and is unyielding in the face of adversity."

No matter how stern Qiao Xuan appeared, or how much she forced a smile...

He was, after all, a human being with flesh and blood, and a father who was also afraid.

"Having heard that she could conquer the barbarians, Yu'er sharpened her sword at night until the rooster crowed..."

"It is evident that the bloodline of our ancestor, Qiao Gong, is still warm..."

What were Qiao Xuan's feelings when he saw Qiao Yu sharpening his sword?
When Qiao Xuan wrote these words, were he already in tears?

Liu Fang never expected that Qiao Xuan would choose to take his second son to the battlefield again in this life.

It was incredibly difficult for Qiao Xuan to take this step... incredibly difficult...

His knuckles cracked as he repeatedly rubbed the handwritten letter.

"Entrusting an orphan... another entrustment of an orphan..."

In his previous life, when Qiao Xuan died, people called him:

"None of his sons or relatives held high-ranking positions...and upon his death, he had no property to live on, and no means of burial..."

This was the same Qiao Gong who entrusted all his affairs after his death to him. At that time, Qiao Yu and Qiao Lan knelt before his spirit tablet.

But what about him?
Amidst the chaos, Qiao Gong's family was displaced and forced to flee their homes.

When news of Qiao Lan was heard again, she had already disappeared without a trace, and Qiao Yu had fled south alone to live in seclusion.

Later, Sun Ce defeated Yuan Shu and, together with Zhou Yu, married Qiao Yu's two daughters.

Zhi'er's "Ode to Climbing the Platform" contains only the line "Embracing the two bridges to the southeast"...

Then those filthy rumors began to circulate, saying that I, the Bronze Sparrow Terrace, was built by the bridges of all sizes.

absurd!

Not to mention that the original intention referred to the scenery of the two bridges on the side of the platform.

Even if Gu Zhen wanted to welcome Erqiao, it was only because of the regret in his heart, and he should treat him as his own flesh and blood.

People always talk about the afterlife... the next life...

How fortunate I am to be able to go through this again...

Liu Fang took a deep breath and slowly said:
"Zilie, tomorrow go to the palace on my behalf to ask His Majesty for two sets of soft armor. Take a good look at them, choose carefully, and send them to the Qiao residence."

"Here!"

After saying this, Liu Fang stood up and bowed deeply to the moon.

May Mr. Qiao and his son rest in peace...

They've staked their children on me. If I can't protect them, how will I face Lord Qiao in the afterlife?

Three handwritten letters: a hostage, a bet, and entrusting an orphan...

Shaking off his lingering thoughts, Liu Fang straightened his clothes:
"Lan'er, please summon all the children to my presence."

……

Night dew condensed on the eaves, just about to drip onto the blue bricks.

Upon hearing this, Qiaolan took the lantern and was about to leave when she suddenly realized...

A tremor in my fingertips, and I suddenly turned around:

"Lord Yuanyi, what did you just call me?"

The moment their eyes met, she suddenly felt the lamp wick burning her eyes.

Liu Fang took a half step forward, his eyes still filled with tenderness:
"From now on, just call me Mr. Liu; there's no need to be so formal."

Qiao Lan was startled, and the lamp slipped from her hand.

The two bent down to catch it, the lamp wick shimmering and casting their intertwined shadows, as if they were entwined.

When she looked down, she saw that his fingertips were still suspended in mid-air, and there seemed to be lingering warmth where they had just touched. Her ears turned bright red instantly.

The uncollected calligraphy by Qiao Xuan on the desk, rising and falling with the light and shadow, just happened to obscure the other characters, leaving only the character "Lan" trembling lightly on the silk.

As she bowed, her white dress swept across the steps, revealing a blush on her face.
"Lan'er will follow Liu Lang's words."

Everyone tacitly remained silent.

Only Liu Fang, watching the sash of her clothes flutter as she turned, suddenly chuckled softly, his knuckles tapping the stone railing with a clear sound.

"looks good?"

The group, who had been exchanging glances, were startled and abruptly looked away.

Feng Xu was the first to react, his hunched back suddenly straightening:
"Perfect match made in heaven!"

"In my humble opinion, the daughter of Qiao Gong is truly a beauty of unparalleled grace..." Zuo Feng interrupted, but was knocked back by Jian Shuo's elbow.

Those triangular eyes narrowed into thin slits with a smile:

"To put it bluntly, the scene just now... I was completely stunned..."

Xu Shao stroked his beard and chuckled:

“Qiao Gu Zi stood beside Ming Gong, truly possessing the bearing of a dragon and the grace of a phoenix, envied by all.”

Seeing that Xu Feng had been holding back for a long time, he looked like he wanted to say something.

Liu Fang waved his hand repeatedly, stopping the others, including Xu Feng, who were about to speak.

"You are even more eager than I am..."

Just then, the noise of the boys came over.

Everyone burst into unrestrained laughter.

……

Amidst Qiao Zhu's bewildered gaze, Qiao Lan clutched her sash and walked to Liu Fang's side, standing quietly by his side.

Zhu Jun and Li Kui kept their eyes down, pretending nothing had happened, and walked to the center of the field.

Zhu Jun let out a low roar, drawing the attention of the boys.

Li Kui then rudely pulled the boys into a line.

Liu Fang stood with his hands behind his back on the steps, scrutinizing the nine teenagers before him.

Liu Dai was fair-skinned and gentle, yet possessed an air of arrogance.

Liu Yao was born with a square face and thick eyebrows that accentuated his tiger-like eyes.

Xun Yu was refined and scholarly, with a dignified and solemn demeanor.

The bamboo on the bridge is playful and lively, like a fledgling eagle spreading its wings.

Shi A was as thin as a monkey, exuding a江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry

Yan Liang possessed extraordinary talent and the imposing presence of a bear.

Wen Chou wore a short shirt and had wild hair, looking like a hermit.

Gao Lan was cold-eyed and taciturn, like a ghostly shadow.

Huangfu Yan resembled his father; he was just waiting for his day to rise.

Just as I was pondering this, I suddenly heard a muttering:
“Father’s friends…the brothers stand like pillars…”

Xun Yu hurriedly coughed lightly to cover his mouth, but Liu Fang burst into loud laughter:
"Jian Shou, Xun Lang, Zhu Er, do you know what the letter says?"

Huangfu Yan stepped forward and bowed first:

Before leaving, my uncle and father all gave me instructions, telling me to serve Yuanyi Gong from this day forward.

A hint of hesitation flashed in Xun Yu's eyes:
“My father… has a message for me to convey: if you intend to establish a stable regime, the Xun family is willing to lead the way.”

Qiao Zhu raised her face and stared wide-eyed:

"I don't know... My father only said... that Zhu'er should listen to her father in everything."

A night breeze swept through the corridor, and Liu Fang's gaze lingered briefly on Xun Yu's troubled expression before he noticed something else:

"In that case...would you all be willing to become my disciples?"

Upon hearing this, Xun Yu lowered his eyes and murmured:
"But... we haven't prepared any gifts for your studies."

Liu Fang waved his sleeve and picked up three handwritten letters:

"The apprenticeship certificate and tuition fee are included, so you need not worry."

As soon as he finished speaking, Huangfu Yan immediately knelt down on one knee.

Xun Yu hesitated for a moment, then bowed deeply to the ground.

Qiaozhu cheered and grabbed onto the hem of Liu Fang's robe.

Liu Fang stroked the top of the bamboo on the bridge and helped the other two up.

My gaze fell on the boy's broad shoulders:
"The son of the Yan clan of Langya..."

He paused:

“My grandfather died in battle at Wuyuan, and my father died in battle at Shuofang. My grandmother supported me by weaving sandals. I wanted to join the army to serve my country, but I was repeatedly ostracized. Is that right?”

"Ming Gong..."

Yan Liang trembled and suddenly knelt down:

"Without my grandmother, I would not have grown up; without your wise guidance, I would not be where I am today!"

As Liu Fang bent down to help him, her fingertips touched a patch under his outer garment:
"I know of your loyalty and filial piety. Would you be willing to become my disciple?"

Yan Liang's tiger-like eyes were filled with tears. He didn't say a word, but instead slammed his forehead heavily against the blue bricks.

Liu Fang walked slowly past Yan Liang, his gaze fixed on the wild grass at the temples of another young man:

"The son of Anping Wen..."

(End of this chapter)