I did it all for the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 6 Money! Food! People!
To restore the Han Dynasty!

Upon hearing these four words, Lu Kang's gaze towards Liu Miao changed somewhat.

When Liu Miao saw the change in Lu Kang's eyes, he knew that he had made the right bet once again!

Lu Kang came from a prominent family, yet he remained loyal to the Han dynasty.

Even Liu Miao's presence in Lujiang was due to his encounter with Lu Kang's envoy in Chang'an, which led to their travel together.

In these chaotic times, Lu Kang, though thousands of miles away, still remembers the court and sends a scholar with gifts to pay tribute. What kind of spirit is this?
Therefore, Liu Miao catered to Lu Kang's preferences and specifically targeted the phrase "to restore the Han Dynasty" to strike at Lu Kang's weak point, which indeed played right into Lu Kang's hands!

Lu Kang's eyes were eager, yet he hesitated to speak.

Seeing this, Liu Miao pressed his advantage, pointing directly at Madam Lu and saying—

“When Zhongyi saw me singing loudly yesterday, it was not because I was dissolute, but because I was truly happy.”

"I shed tears at yesterday's banquet, truly moved by the hardships the nation is facing! But upon seeing the Lu family, I was reminded that Emperor Shizu himself had also wandered to Hebei, where he met the Pei family and was able to achieve the restoration of the Han dynasty."

Lu Kang was even more astonished upon hearing Liu Miao's words!

"Does Your Excellency actually emulate the Emperor Shizu?"

Meanwhile, Lu's eyes lit up.

Liu Shijun is truly a hero!

But Lu Kang was not so easily persuaded.

Having lived most of his life, Lu Kang had seen too many hypocrites who said one thing and did another.

He talks a good game about slaying dragons, but when it comes to actually fighting, he doesn't even dare to kill a chicken.

We still need to test Liu Miao's true worth!
“Lord Liu, there is something I should have told you, but yesterday’s banquet was a private one, and it was not appropriate to discuss official business. That’s why I’ve delayed it until today.”

Lu Kang stared at Liu Miao: "Does Lord Liu know that Yuan Shao recently appointed Zhou Ang from Kuaiji as the governor of Jiujiang?"

Ok?
Liu Miao was somewhat surprised; he really didn't know about this.

However, Liu Miao immediately flew into a rage—

"I am the Prefect of Jiujiang appointed by the imperial court, and I still hold the silver seal and blue ribbon! Where could there be another Prefect of Jiujiang?"

Seeing that he had provoked Liu Miao's anger, Lu Kang immediately asked again, "Lord Liu, are you not afraid of Yuan Shao?"

Yuan Shao?

Of course I'm not afraid!
This was because Liu Miao knew that Yuan Shao would most likely never be able to leave Hebei or reach the Central Plains, let alone Huainan, where he was located!

Compared to Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu is the one Liu Miao should be troubled by now.

Therefore, if Lu Kang were to ask Liu Miao now whether he feared Yuan Shu, Liu Miao would hesitate somewhat. But if the question were about Yuan Shao, Liu Miao would naturally answer with four words—

"What is there to fear?"

"Yuan Shao disregarded the imperial decrees and appointed officials privately. What was he planning to do? Was he plotting a rebellion?"

Lu Kang kept looking at Liu Miao.

Seeing that Liu Miao truly showed no fear of Yuan Shao, he immediately sighed with admiration, "Lord Liu is truly a hero!"

In the Han Dynasty today, who dares to say they are not afraid of Yuan Shao?
First, he facilitated the alliance of the warlords of Guandong, which led to the capture of Luoyang, making him the first warlord in the two hundred years since the Later Han Dynasty to trample on the dignity of the imperial court. Then, he seized Ji Province and decisively defeated Gongsun Zan at Jieqiao, his prestige reaching its zenith!
With the support of Yuan Shao's former officials all over the country, anyone who heard Yuan Shao's name, even if they were not afraid, would at least show some respect to avoid unintentionally offending him.

But Liu Miao's words just now, let alone respect, were practically shouting "traitor to Han" at Yuan Shao's nose!

This attitude confirmed one thing for Lu Kang—

Liu Miao truly had the courage to resist Yuan Shao and become an enemy of the Yuan family!
That alone makes him superior to most people in this world!
Liu Miao then stood up and said, "Zhou Ang's acceptance of Yuan Shao's appointment without authorization is most likely a treason!"

"If loyalty and righteousness are not a concern, then give me a swift sword and a fine horse, and let me go and kill this scoundrel right now!"

Lu Kang was overjoyed, but then waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "No! No!"

"The Zhou family is a prominent clan."

"His elder brother is the Prefect of Danyang, and his younger brother is the Governor of Yuzhou appointed by Yuan Shao. We cannot be so abrupt."

Lu Kang stepped forward and grabbed Liu Miao's sleeve.

"Governor Liu is in high spirits today; it's only a matter of time before things are set right. Why be impatient?"

"Why not settle down in Lujiang first, use money and grain to recruit soldiers and horses, and then fight against Zhou Ang!"

That's it!

Liu Miao knew he was safe!
Lu Kang's words had already made it quite clear: he would provide the money, and he would also provide the food!
Lu Kang is genuinely willing to support me!

It's not just about money and food.

If Lu Kang were to offer his full assistance, would Lu Xun, whom Liu Miao longed for, be far behind?
Liu Miao immediately stood up and thanked Lu Kang, saying, "How can I ever repay Lu Zhongyi's kindness?"

Lu Kang quickly helped Liu Miao up: "We are all loyal and virtuous officials of the Han Dynasty, serving in the same court, and we all have the ambition to restore the Han Dynasty. How could we need your reward?"

……

Liu Miao knew, of course, that Lu Kang would not do without a return.

The relationship between the two is now clearly one of mutual need.

Although he needed the help of Lu Kang and the Jiangdong gentry to establish a foothold for his career, Lu Kang and the Jiangdong gentry also needed a prominent figure to counter the rising power of Yuan Shao.

If one were simply chosen from among the Jiangdong gentry, they would likely lack prestige and righteousness, and would be unable to contend with the Yuan family.

On the other hand, Liu Miao was not only a legitimate member of the Han imperial family, but also the governor of Jiujiang appointed by the court. Wasn't he perfectly positioned to hold the great cause in his hands?
Although both sides got what they wanted, Liu Miao could clearly feel that he was no longer a duckweed without water, but had a stable foundation beneath him.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Liu Miao understood that yesterday's banquet, in which he inadvertently chose Lu Xun and subsequently took a concubine, was almost a turning point in his life!
Although his reputation might suffer some damage, such as the spread of his "lecherous" name... what does that matter compared to what he is about to gain?

Upon realizing this, Liu Miao's thoughts were clear, and he felt that the chaotic era at the end of the Han Dynasty was officially unfolding before him!

Lu Kang no longer doubted Liu Miao's ambition, and instead inquired about another matter—

"In that case, please do not forget the marriage agreement made at last night's banquet!"

marriage?

Oh, right! The wedding!

Liu Miao looked at Madam Lu, struggling with how to phrase his words, when Madam Lu spoke first—

"Lord Liu is a hero sent by Heaven to restore the Han Dynasty. Following Lord Liu is something many people dream of, so why would I be an exception?"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Note 1:

Xin, courtesy name Daming, traveled to the capital in his youth, studying under Grand Tutor Chen Fan. He was widely read, skilled in divination and prophetic, and adept at predicting calamities and anomalies. He was appointed to the Grand Commandant's office, passed the imperial examination with high honors, and was later promoted to Prefect of Danyang. When Cao Cao raised his army, Xin dispatched over ten thousand soldiers to assist him in his campaigns. — *Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Wu, Volume Six*

(End of this chapter)