My son, how could you be Lü Bu?!

Chapter 126 Yuan Shao's Recruitment + Hunting at Goushi (Two-in-One)

Luoyang.

It was the economic and political center of the Han Dynasty, and also the most prosperous city in the world at that time.

early morning.

The autumn sun swayed between the mountaintops, and a thick chill permeated the air.

It's early.

The streets were bustling with people, shoulder to shoulder.

A shop that had only been open for a dozen days was crowded with scholars in long robes in front of it, which was displaying a large banner with the character "Zhi Lü" at the entrance.

The crowd was huge and the atmosphere was incredibly lively, almost taking over the entire street.

Time passed, and the sun gradually rose.

The wooden door in front of the shop was finally taken down, and a sleepy-eyed young man walked out. He glanced at the large group of scholars crowding in front of him, looking as if he was already used to it.

With a shout from a young man.

"The paper's been put out!"

A large retinue of servants emerged from the shop, carrying stacks of white, silky-looking Cai Lun paper.

I found Cai Lun's paper.

The usually refined scholars, almost like madmen, squeezed forward with handfuls of five-zhu coins in their hands.

This caused some villagers who were busy passing by or working to frown and look at the group of scholars blocking their way with dissatisfaction.

And it was among this group of passing villagers.

A young official, hurrying towards the palace to catch up with his duty, was frowning at the scholars blocking his way, just like the other villagers.

But when he turned his head and curiously glanced at the shop, he saw the young man's face at the shop entrance.

The young official was stunned. He stepped forward and grabbed Shen Rong, who was selling Cai Lun paper.

"You, Shen Zizhao!"

"Why didn't you stay put in your Wei Commandery? Why did you run back to Luoyang?!"

"What are you still selling here?"

Shen Rong, who was assigned by Lü Ping to sell paper, was already unhappy.

Seeing someone pulling him, he frowned slightly, thinking it was some scholar who hadn't been able to buy Cai Lun paper and was trying to cause trouble.

Shen Rong frowned and looked up, about to reprimand him, but after just one glance, his face immediately lit up with joy.

"Zhi Xin?!"

Shen Rong recognized the young official before him as Xin Pi Xin Zuozhi, who came from the Xin family of Yingchuan, a family with a combined rank of 2,000 shi (a unit of grain measure) for generations.

This was also a companion he had met in Luoyang while accompanying his father, who was an official there.

Shen Rong looked Xin Pi Xin Zuo Zhi up and down, and seeing that he was wearing an official robe, the joy on his face instantly faded a bit.

He frowned slightly.

"George is not even twenty years old yet, and he's already an official?"

"Where is your official position?!"

The young official, known as Xinpi, didn't have many hidden thoughts; he simply smiled and showed off the seal of office at his waist.

"He only got a position as a vice minister in the palace because of his family connections."

"If Zizhao is willing to do it, relying on your connections with the Shen family of Wei Commandery, you will surely be able to do it even better!"

This statement came out.

The displeasure on Shen Rong's face vanished instantly, and he smiled again.

Yes, that's right.

"If Rong is willing to do it, he can certainly become a vice minister like George."

Xinpi Xinzuozhi laughed a few times with Shen Rong, then glanced at the crowded scholars around him and asked curiously.

"As for Zizhao, it's been over a year since we last met. Why have you suddenly returned to the capital? And even opened a shop here?"

"Business looks pretty good!"

Shen Rong glanced at the scholars who had snatched Cai Lun's paper and were happily leaving, and looked helpless.

"To be precise, this shop isn't actually owned by my family."

"My family only holds a small share."

Xinpi looked up in astonishment at Shen Rong.

"This is a long story, George, please come inside and tell me in detail," Shen Rong sighed.

Ignoring that Xinpi had to go to the palace for his duty, he pulled Xinpi and tried to walk into the shop.

Xinpi couldn't break free, and with a helpless expression, he followed him into the house to sit down.

I had just sat down.

After hearing only a few words from Shen Rong, Xin Pi immediately stood up, his eyes filled with shock.

"etc!"

"Zizhao just said that what you sell in your shop is that high-quality, inexpensive, and durable Jiuyuan Cai Lun paper?!"

He looked up, his face full of curiosity as he looked around.

"A few days ago, I heard from my elder brother that a new shop specializing in Cai Lun paper had opened in Luoyang. Because the shop owner was from Jiuyuan, the scholars in the city called it Jiuyuan Cai Lun Paper."

"So this is the place!"

Helpless, Shen Rong reached out and tugged at Xin Pi's sleeve, forcing him to sit down.

"George, that's not the point!"

"The key point is this shop; it was opened by Lü Ping, also known as Lü Zizhi, a man from Jiuyuan!"

This statement came out.

Sinpi Sinjor, who had just sat down, was startled and stood up again.

"etc!"

"What is it now?" Shen Rong took a deep breath, a hint of impatience already showing on his face.

"Zizhao, are you saying that the owner of this shop is Lü Ping, Lü Zizhi, who shot and killed Tan Shihuai and returned from the north?!"

Xin Pi said repeatedly.

"So what if it is?" Shen Rong asked, looking puzzled.

"Does George still recognize my Uncle Lu?"

"Of course!" Xinpi nodded, unable to help but sigh.

"This Lü Ping, Lü Zizhi, has only been in Luoyang for a few days, yet he has already made a name for himself."

Now it was Shen Rong's turn to be completely stunned, and he asked curiously.

"What did Lü Bo do now?"

"This Lü Ping, Lü Zizhi, pointed at Wang Fu, the head of the Ten Attendants, and cursed him loudly in the government office two days ago."

Xinpi picked up the tea poured by the servant on the table and put it in his mouth.

"It just so happened that Kong Wenju saw it."

"You know Kong Wenju's temperament; he's arrogant and has always looked down on eunuchs."

Seeing the behavior of Lü Zizhi, a border resident, he was overjoyed and immediately praised Lü Ping, saying that his act of sharing pears was no less impressive than his own.

"And so, your Lu Bo's reputation immediately resounded throughout half of Luoyang."

Shen Rong suddenly realized something. He glanced at the scholars who had arrived late and were filled with regret for not being able to get Cai Lun's paper.

"No wonder business has been so much better lately; it turns out Uncle Lu's reputation has grown even more!"

Xinpi nodded, moved slightly closer to Shen Rong, and asked in a low voice.

"Oh, right!"

"The other day, when my elder brother Bi was having dinner at the Yuan residence, Benchu ​​mentioned that he wanted to meet the rising star Lü Zizhi."

"Since Zizhao and Lü Zizhi are acquainted, why don't I inform Zizhao next time I visit the Yuan residence, and Zizhao bring Lü Zizhi along to the banquet?"

The two characters "本初" were uttered.

Shen Rong's eyes lit up instantly.

It should be noted that the "Benchu" mentioned by Xin Pi is none other than Yuan Shao, Yuan Benchu, from the Yuan clan of Runan, a family that has held high office for four generations.

Yuan Shao, also known as Yuan Benchu, was quite famous and was almost hailed as a model for scholars.

So.

All the scholars who were qualified to attend banquets in his mansion were renowned figures in the prefecture and county!

If an ordinary scholar could enter his residence, his reputation would soar within a few days!

When Shen Rong was in Luoyang, he was just a member of the Shen family of Wei Commandery, and his reputation was not well-known, so he was not qualified to enter.

at this time.

Xin Pi said that as long as he brought Lü Ping and Lü Zizhi along, he could also go to the banquet at the Yuan family residence and meet Yuan Shao.

Shen Rong was immediately intrigued and asked repeatedly.

"Is this really true?!"

Xinpi smiled and nodded.

"Of course it's true!"

"grown ups!"

"Rumors are already circulating in the city that you were angrily rebuked by Lü Zizhi on the spot!"

"Some even said that you were afraid of that Lü Zizhi!"

"We can't just stand by and do nothing about how Lü Zizhi has humiliated you like this!"

Luoyang City.

The North Palace, a secluded dwelling.

Wang Fu sat expressionless in the main seat.

Two young eunuchs, whom he favored and had adopted as his godsons, stood bowing before him.

One of the eunuchs spoke up sharply.

After hearing what this person said, Wang Fu raised his head slightly and asked in a low voice with great interest.

"Oh?"

"So what do you think I should do?!"

Seeing Wang Fu's expression, the young eunuch was overjoyed and said repeatedly.

"A petty person has three strategies: superior, middle, and inferior!"

"The best course of action is for you, sir, to simply stand beside the emperor and say a few bad things about Lü Zizhi. The emperor will naturally dislike him."

"The middle strategy: Your Excellency should write a letter to Duan Ying, the current Grand Master of the Palace, instructing him to embarrass Lü Ping in public. If Lü Ping dares to make a move, Duan Ying can kill him on the spot!"

"The worst option: Duan Ying is, after all, a famous general from the north, and he has many fierce soldiers who have crawled out of piles of corpses by his side. You could borrow a few from him, find an opportunity, and assassinate Lü Ping in the street!"

That's all.

The eunuch, thinking his plan was brilliant, couldn't help but look up at Wang Fu, his eyes full of smugness.

only...

"Kneel down!"

The young eunuch looked completely bewildered, not knowing what had happened, until the person beside him tugged at him, and he came to his senses and quickly knelt down.

"grown ups..."

The young eunuch instinctively opened his mouth, but before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Wang Fu, who was standing to the side.

"Speak," Wang Fu said coldly.

"So how much money did Tian Yan give you?"

The eunuch panicked and repeatedly lowered his head to hide his expression.

"Return to my lord."

"I have none!"

"No?" Wang Fu turned to look at another eunuch, and sneered again.

"Ding Su, how much did Tian Yan give you?"

The young eunuch lowered his head and said softly.

"Ten gold pieces."

"However, I did not accept it; I returned it all."

This statement came out.

The young eunuch, who was still kneeling on the ground, immediately showed fear and trembled all over.

Wang Fu nodded slightly and looked at the kneeling eunuch again.

"Given Tian Yan's personality, if he were to give a gift, he would certainly not show favoritism. If he gives a gift to him, he would definitely give one to you as well."

"Considering this is your first offense, I'll fine you a year's salary. Go back and collect your thirty strokes of the cane."

"Are you convinced yet?"

Feeling Wang Fu's gaze, the kneeling eunuch showed gratitude and kowtowed repeatedly.

He exerted so much force that blood seeped from his forehead.

"Thank you for your mercy, sir!"

"I'm convinced!"

The words were finished.

The young eunuch raised his head, his face already covered in blood. Although his eyes were filled with fear, he still gritted his teeth and asked in a low voice.

"There is one thing I still do not understand."

"What is it?!" Wang Fu looked up.

"Why has Your Excellency done nothing despite Lü Ping's blatant insults?!"

Wang Fu gave him a cold look.

"Stop talking nonsense, and you'll get ten more lashes!"

Upon hearing this, the young eunuch kneeling on the ground shuddered and nearly collapsed in fright.

He wasn't afraid of being beaten or killed.

To be honest, since they were all acquaintances in the palace, the force of the blow could be adjusted. With a little money, the blow could be made as light as a feather.

What he feared was that in order to avoid those forty strokes of the cane, he would have to spend most of his life savings.

But the eunuch dared not refute, and could only respond sullenly.

"yes!"

Goushi Mountain.

As a gentle breeze blew by, the autumn leaves covering the mountain swayed in the breeze.

Wild rabbits can be seen darting about in the low bushes in the mountains from time to time.

With autumn more than halfway over, the wild animals in the mountains have just fattened up, making it the perfect time for hunting.

Down the mountain.

On a relatively flat open space, a dozen or so mounted riders, each wielding a longbow, galloped across the ground.

The two leading figures were none other than Lü Bu and Gongsun Zan, who had been fighting in the schoolhouse earlier.

It seemed like they were competing with each other.

Both Lü Bu and Gongsun Zan spurred their horses at lightning speed, drawing their longbows left and right.

Whenever the bowstring is released and the arrow flies out, a wild beast will surely be hit by the arrow, screaming and falling to the ground!

In less than half an hour, the two men had used up all the arrows they had brought.

Seeing that the guards were busy starting a fire, he went forward to retrieve the shot-down wild beast, preparing to roast some meat for dinner.

With nothing else to do, the two sat down together.

"No wonder Fengxian was able to shoot down that Tan Shihuai; his archery skills are truly superb!"

Gongsun Zan glanced at the wild beasts brought by his guards and discovered that Lü Bu's arrows had hit more targets than his own.

Even though he was known for his archery skills, he couldn't help but sigh.

"Zan is ashamed of his inferiority."

Hearing Gongsun Zan, whom he had just beaten up, praise him, Lü Bu was caught off guard and paused for a moment.

After realizing what he meant, he instinctively replied, mimicking his father's usual manner.

"Brother Bogui's archery skills are also quite good."

A few days ago, when facing Lu Zhi, Lü Bu thought he was going to be kicked out, but he was secretly delighted.

He just didn't expect that Lu Zhi, who looked dignified, was actually just a lenient and lenient person.

He only scolded me a few times before telling me to study with him.

Seeing that he couldn't escape his fate of studying, Lü Bu resigned himself to it and actually studied diligently with Lu Zhi for a few days.

However, old habits die hard. After studying diligently for a few days, Lü Bu couldn't wait any longer. Taking advantage of Lu Zhi's absence, he dragged Gongsun Zan along to go hunting.

They showed no regard for the life or death of Lu Zheng, who was in charge of disciplining the disciples.

Upon hearing Lü Bu's words, Gongsun Zan simply waved his hand.

His gaze, however, was drawn to the white horses ridden by the riders who had come to ride him.

"A whole fleet of white horses, how dazzling!" Gongsun Zan stared intently, swallowing hard, and couldn't help but mutter to himself.

"Why didn't Zan think of replacing some of his trusted riders' horses with white ones?"

"Who knows, we might even be able to assemble a White Horse Cavalry unit someday!"

He looked away, but couldn't help glancing at Lu Bu, silently complaining to himself.

"It's a pity that the Lü family father and son beat them to it!"

While the two were chatting, the guards had already plucked and gutted the beast and hung it on a rack.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Mount Goushi, dozens of Yongliang cavalrymen were also guarding a stout middle-aged official, hunting with bows.

Unlike the cavalry retinues of Lü Bu and Gongsun Zan, which were mostly Han Chinese, this group of Yongliang cavalry included quite a few Qiang people.

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