My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 328 The General's Kindness

May 27th.

It rained heavily a few days ago, but then it stopped.

A village near Tuancheng is called Liujiazhuang, because most of the villagers share the surname Liu.

In a small courtyard at the entrance of the village, the courtyard was not large, but it was well-maintained. The person living in this courtyard was called Liu Yougen.

His family is descended from the Liu family of the Han Dynasty. A hundred years ago, they moved here to avoid the ravages of war.

The villagers were skeptical, because the Liu family was the only literate family in the village. As for why they would choose such a vulgar name as "Yougen" (meaning "rooted").

That's because Liu Yougen was a son his father had late in life, so he was given such a 'humble' name, which was good for raising and nurturing the Liu family, and it also meant that the Liu family had a strong foundation!
Originally, Liu Yougen's family owned hundreds of acres of land, but after Gao Yu arrived, he ordered a land survey, and the dozens of acres of unclaimed land that the Liu family had seized were all returned. Now, they only have a dozen or so acres of land left.

"Father, I plan to give it a try. This is an order from General Tian Ce."

"Where are some good places to go?"

A middle-aged woman advised, "If General Tian Ce were truly a good person, how could he allow someone to seize my family's good land!"

"That sounds nice, but I'm afraid if you go there, they'll just use you as a conscript to be sent to your death."

Liu Yougen's father, in terms of appearance, was no different from an ordinary old man, but his eyes were bright and he could be described as having a slightly scholarly and refined demeanor.

"It might be worth a try. How can we bring glory to our family by just guarding this small plot of land? If we can get this opportunity to get in touch with the Tian Ce Mansion, they are the emperor's favorites. Who knows, we might be able to rise to the top."

"I think so too."

"If I could become a soldier in the garrison, I would immediately be allocated land and a retinue of soldiers. Where else could I find such a good deal?"

Liu Yougen nodded. If his dozen or so acres of land yielded poor harvests and he suffered from famine year after year, his family's savings wouldn't last long.

"no!"

The woman firmly disagreed, saying, "We're counting on you to carry on the family line. What if something happens to you?"

"Hmph, what a woman's view!"

The old man said, "In my opinion, General Tian Ce must not want to be controlled by others, which is why he is unwilling to employ too many people from aristocratic families. This is an opportunity! Son, you can go if you want, but this name is not good. I will change it for you right away."

"How about calling him Jingxuan? It's a more elegant name and it can also show that my Liu family ancestors were once glorious."

"From this moment on, you are Liu Jingxuan."

Liu Yougen immediately knelt down and kowtowed several times. "Father, Mother, your son will surely rise above others, bring glory to our family, and make sure you two can also live in a house in the city!"

After making some preparations, Liu Jingxuan set off for Tuancheng to register.

Liu Family Village is not far from Tuancheng. As sunset approached, Liu Jingxuan arrived at the drill ground outside the city, covered in dust from his journey.

Along the way, he also saw many people who had the same destination as him.

At the entrance to the drill ground, soldiers clad in armor and wielding long spears stood on duty, their faces stern and their eyes revealing a murderous intent. They were clearly elite soldiers who had crawled out of piles of corpses, brave and valiant.

Ordinary people would lower their heads and not dare to look him in the eye.

Liu Jingxuan braced himself, raised his head, and met the other's gaze. His scalp tingled; the other's eyes sent chills down his spine.

Like a tiger in the forest, the moment you see him, your gaze is fixed on his neck, arms, groin, and other vital areas, as if you could kill him with a single move.

They are truly elite...

"Who are you!"

"me……"

The immense pressure made Liu Jingxuan unable to speak clearly, and he stammered.

"You have nothing to hide, and you're not a bad person. We won't hurt you, so why are you so nervous?"

After hearing this, Liu Jingxuan took a few deep breaths to calm himself down and said, "I can read. I heard that as long as you can read, you can become a soldier in the Tian Ce Prefecture."

"Does he really know how to read?"

"really!"

Liu Jingxuan watched as the soldier turned and entered the drill ground, then called over another person, saying, "Since you can read, you can follow him."

Liu Jingxuan followed them into the training ground in a daze.

"kill!"

He looked up and saw a group of soldiers training, thrusting their spears out and shouting battle cries that shook the heavens!
This startled him.

The guide laughed and said, "There's no need to be afraid. We are all subjects under the general's command. The soldiers of Tian Ce Prefecture always have their weapons pointed at the enemy. They will protect us."

Liu Jingxuan nodded and soon arrived at a tent.

Just then, someone lifted the curtain and walked out happily. He had obviously become a soldier and had been allocated land and troops.

Otherwise, why would you be so happy?

"Hmph, my father taught me to read since I was a child, I will definitely not lose to anyone!" Liu Jingxuan cheered himself up inwardly, and then entered the tent.

As soon as I entered.

He then saw a man sitting in the main seat.

With fair skin and an upright posture, he possessed an air of authority that commanded respect without anger, a quality cultivated only by those who had long held high positions.

But this person had a slight smile, and when you looked into their eyes, it felt like a gentle breeze, making them seem very approachable.

Beside the man sat several young men, each with an elegant demeanor, clearly from a distinguished family, their refined air a result of being pampered since childhood.

"Meet the General!"

Liu Jingxuan suddenly bowed and paid his respects.

"What general?"

"Naturally, it is the General Tian Ce who, outside Luoyang, defeated an enemy army of 300,000 with only 3,000 men, and was praised by His Majesty as 'the resurrection of the ancient overlord'!"

"Oh? Why are you so sure?"

"These young masters are clearly of immeasurable nobility, yet they are not in the main positions. This shows that those in the main positions must be of immeasurable nobility. Right now, within Tuancheng, in terms of status, who can compare with General Tian Ce?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Yu couldn't help but chuckle. "You're quite quick-witted. What's your name?"

"Reporting to the general, I come from Liu Family Village, and my name is Liu Jingxuan."

“Come, write your name down.”

Liu Jingxuan took the paper and pen, and the characters he wrote were not particularly beautiful, but they were indeed the three characters 'Liu Jingxuan'.

Gao Yu nodded slightly, and then had someone hand him an official document.

"Come on, read the contents of this document aloud."

"The key to victory lies in assessing the general's abilities, judging the enemy's strength or weakness, determining the terrain's terrain, observing the opportune moment, securing victory before engaging in battle, and defending the territory without losing it. This is the way to certain victory..."

It wasn't actually an official document, but rather part of the content that Gao Yu planned to use in his lessons at the Martial Arts Academy.

He had Yu Xin polish it, and there were no obscure characters.

So far, I haven't met anyone who can read it fluently, but since they can recognize most of the characters, Gao Yu has included them as well.

After all, you can continue learning slowly later.

To his surprise, Liu Jingxuan knew them all.

"good."

After he finished reading, Gao Yu couldn't help but praise him, "He actually knows so many characters."

My father taught me to read from a young age.

"very good!"

Gao Yu nodded, "I will have someone take you to register and assign you land and troops. From now on, you will be a soldier of the Tian Ce Prefecture."

Liu Jingxuan probably didn't expect it to be so simple, and stood there stunned for a moment.

That's it?

The land is in hand, and the vassal corps is in hand too?

Gao Yu then asked, "So, according to you, your father also knows many characters?"

"Yes."

"Where is your father right now?"

"Naturally, it's inside the manor."

“Listen to me, after you have registered him, go home and talk to your father. Tell him that I am willing to give him grain and cloth as payment to hire him to teach and educate people to read. If you are willing, bring your family with you and I will arrange accommodation for you.”

This is also a talent.

It would indeed be a waste of talent to have people as talented as Yu Xin, Cui Xian, and Yang Yin teaching and learning to read and write, and they might not even be willing to do so.

Gao Yu wouldn't do something like using a cannon to kill a mosquito.

Judging from his clothes, Liu Jingxuan knew that his family was of average means. Since his father was able to teach him so many characters, he was very suitable for teaching children of literacy.

Is there any specialization in the art industry?

"Thank you for your kindness, General!"

Liu Jingxuan was overjoyed and immediately bowed again!

The general's kindness is as vast as the heavens!
(End of this chapter)