Han Ji

That evening, Liu Yuanqi summoned Liu Bei and Liu Deran to his study and carefully analyzed the gains and losses of the entire business transaction. He discussed the laws of market supply and demand, the interpersonal relationships in the counties, and the choices of business strategies, as well as the management of potential risks. The two brothers felt they had benefited greatly, as if they had attended a vivid practical lesson.

"Xuande did a very good job this time," Liu Yuanqi concluded, his eyes filled with approval. "He knows when to be bold and vigorous, and he also knows when to stop. He knows when to quit while he's ahead. This is the way of doing business, and it will also apply to his conduct in the future."

After the grain business entered a stable and profitable track, Liu Bei made a decision that surprised all his companions.

"Uncle," he solemnly pushed the neatly arranged account books and contracts signed with the boatmen and porters in front of Liu Yuanqi, "from now on, I'll trouble you to manage this business in a unified manner."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yuanqi looked at him with considerable surprise: "What do you mean? You guys have finally managed to open up the market and gain a foothold. It's the perfect time to press your advantage and expand your business. Why are you suddenly handing it over to me?"

"My nephew wants to focus on his studies and practice martial arts to strengthen his body," Liu Bei replied sincerely. "These days I've been busy with business, and although I've made some gains, my studies have indeed suffered considerably. I haven't seriously studied the classics, military texts, and strategies for a long time. Besides..."

His gaze fell upon Qian Zhao, who was practicing his martial arts with great vigor in the courtyard outside the window: "A true man born between heaven and earth should always have some ambition to serve his country and some talent to bring peace to the nation. Learning more skills is never a bad thing."

Liu Yuanqi gazed at his nephew, whose eyes had grown increasingly calm and resolute after months of training, and couldn't help but show clear approval in his eyes: "Good! It's excellent that you have such insight and aren't preoccupied with short-term gains! In that case, I'll temporarily manage this business for you. From now on, after deducting necessary expenses, 30% of the monthly profits will be yours, enough for you and your son to live a comfortable and prosperous life."

Liu Bei was deeply grateful for this distribution plan. Based on the current profits of the grain store, he could receive at least two thousand coins per month. This would not only be enough to hire two servants to take care of household chores, but also leave him with ample surplus money to purchase the necessary books, writing materials, and even better weapons.

From that day on, Liu Bei's life seemed to return to the path of studying, but his actual situation was completely different from what it had been a few months earlier.

Now, he gets up before dawn every day to practice martial arts and boxing with Qian Zhao in the courtyard, strengthening their muscles and bones. In the morning, he goes to the clan's private school on time to listen attentively and study the classics. In the afternoon, he often gets together with Jian Yong to discuss classics such as the Erya and the Classic of Filial Piety, quizzing each other. A sturdy and spacious new tile-roofed house has been built, and the granary is filled with golden millet. His mother no longer has to work hard weaving straw sandals on cold winter nights to supplement the family income, and her face has gradually regained its healthy and rosy glow.

After school that day, the three of them, as usual, gathered under the familiar old mulberry tree. The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the gaps in the lush mulberry leaves, casting dappled and shimmering shadows on the ground.

"Xuande, are you really willing to give up your business like this?" Jian Yong still felt a little regretful, and said while fiddling with the tea set, "Now we have a stable income of several thousand coins every month."

Liu Bei picked up the rough pottery teapot and slowly poured slightly bitter tea into the teacups in front of the two men, his expression calm: "Money is ultimately just an external thing; enough is enough. Besides, Uncle's business acumen is far superior to ours. With him in charge, the business profits are actually more stable and substantial than when we managed it ourselves."

He put down the teapot, pointed to the clearly visible rings on the trunk of the old mulberry tree beside him, and said, "Look at this mulberry tree. It only grows one ring each year. It seems slow, but in fact, its roots are solid. Only by doing this year after year can it grow lush and leafy. The way of learning and self-cultivation is also like this. It requires perseverance and accumulation before it can flourish."

Qian Zhao seemed to understand something, scratching his head: "So, that's why you insisted on dragging me and A Yong to study and practice martial arts together?"

"That's exactly right." Liu Bei nodded, his gaze sweeping over the young and energetic faces of his two close friends. "This world may seem calm on the surface, but it's actually turbulent beneath. If unforeseen events occur in the future, having more real skills will give you more leverage to secure your livelihood and protect your family. Besides..."

He paused, his tone becoming exceptionally sincere: "If the three of us brothers can always stay together, support each other, and progress together, wouldn't this friendship and shared growth be far more important than how much money we earn?"

Upon hearing this, Jian Yong's joking expression vanished. He raised his teacup and laughed heartily, "Well said! Xuande, for your words, I must raise a large cup! Let's use tea instead of wine, to celebrate the lifelong friendship between the three of us brothers!"

"For the sake of our brotherhood!" Qian Zhao echoed loudly, raising his teacup.

Three rough earthenware cups gently clinked together, producing a crisp sound. The tea rippled slightly in the cups, reflecting three faces that were still somewhat immature, yet already showing signs of determination.

After that, Liu Bei lived a fulfilling life. He would get up before dawn, practice swordsmanship with Qian Zhao for an hour, and then go to the clan's private school to listen to lectures. In the afternoon, he would read the Erya and the Classic of Filial Piety with Jian Yong, and review his studies in the evening.

Seeing his nephew's ambition, Liu Yuanqi specially invited a retired veteran to teach him martial arts and also asked someone to buy books from Luoyang. With good food and diligent training, Liu Bei grew taller and his martial arts skills improved rapidly.

That day, Liu Bei practiced his new sword technique in the courtyard, while his mother sewed new clothes under the eaves, a smile on her face. Sunlight filled the courtyard, cured meat swayed gently under the eaves, and millet gleamed golden in the granary.

"Xuande's swordsmanship has improved even more." Jian Yong brought the newly acquired "Book of Documents" into the courtyard.

Qian Zhao wiped his knife, looked up, and smiled: "Of course, I spar with you every day!"

Liu Bei sheathed his sword and wiped his sweat. Looking at the peaceful scene before him, he was filled with emotion. Just a year ago, he was worried about having enough to eat; now he was well-off.

More importantly, this business venture not only improved his family's financial situation but also earned him his uncle's trust and honed his interpersonal skills. Now he can focus on his studies and plan for the future.

"Come, come and see this new scroll of the Book of Documents that I just acquired," Jian Yong excitedly unrolled the scroll, pointing to the text, "It records a great deal of wisdom from the ancient kings on governing the country and ensuring peace, as well as the art of diplomacy and strategy..."

Three boys sat around a tree, engaged in a lively discussion. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dancing on their skin. The distant sounds of market vendors' calls drifted in, and a gentle breeze blew through the courtyard; everything was peaceful and full of hope.

Liu Bei knew this was just the beginning. In this rapidly changing world, knowledge and martial skills were the foundation for survival. Now he had laid a solid foundation for his future. With financial security, accumulated knowledge, and like-minded partners, he could face future challenges with greater ease.

Night fell, and Liu Bei read the *Spring and Autumn Annals* by lamplight. He struggled to understand it—a complete annotated version, like the *Zuo Zhuan*, would require a cartload of bamboo slips, something he couldn't afford even if he sold everything he owned. He had no choice but to force himself to study the original text; no wonder reading was so difficult in this era.

Mother gently pushed open the door and placed a bowl of hot millet rice on it, her eyes filled with loving eyes: "Bei'er, get some rest."

Seeing his mother no longer toiling, Liu Bei became even more determined in his choice. His current prosperity was just the beginning; he had already provided a good life for his mother through his own efforts. Now, he would forge his own path in this era. Since fate had ordained him for this journey, what was wrong with him, Liu Bei, ending the chaos of the late Eastern Han Dynasty?