The Three Great Han Dynasties: Awaken Liu Bei with a scolding; you weave mats and sell sandals.

"Do not speak, do not speak."

Liu Hong quickly stopped the two men from bowing, then glanced at Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, who were beaming with excitement. He smiled slightly and said, "The fact that the three of them have become sworn brothers is a great help to my Liu family. It is also my scheme to benefit my two virtuous brothers."

Liu Hong was speaking from the heart, but to Guan Yi and Zhang Hong at this moment, it seemed like he was giving them a great deal of face.

Even if beauty is in the eye of the beholder and a son is in the eye of the beholder.

They could never have imagined what great achievements Guan Yu and Zhang Fei would make in the future.

At this moment, in their eyes...

I would be content if these two children could serve as minor officials in Zhuojun; I would be even more satisfied if they could serve as mid- to high-ranking officials like Jian Yong before them.

When everyone performs their duties in the courtroom, it can be called bringing glory to one's ancestors.

Compared to their previous livelihoods, this was several times better; it completely changed the fate of their entire family, transforming them from a lowly profession to official positions. For the Guan and Zhang families, it was an absolute and miraculous change of destiny.

Liu Hong then discussed with the two whether the Guan and Zhang families' businesses could be moved to Zhuojun as well.

Guan Yi readily agreed.

He was already doing small, scattered business, selling groceries from a cart and occasionally other crops.

In Zhuo County, ever since Guan Yu joined Youlinban, his business has been booming. The Liu family private school even bought all of his daily mountain produce and sent it to the canteen as meals.

Therefore, whether he stayed in Zhuoxian or moved to Zhuojun, it had no impact on him.

Zhang Hong had to consider this carefully. After all, the Zhang family was a local family, and although the clan was small, there were still some connections. He had to go back and discuss it with the elders in the clan.

But he was very confident and assured that he would live up to the trust placed in him and accomplish the task.

Liu Bei led Zhang Fei and Guan Yu to Xu Shu, and said with a displeased expression, "Why didn't you join the three of us in becoming sworn brothers just now?"

"If Jian Yong weren't here, I would definitely have brought him here too."

Xu Shu gave a wry smile, and said meaningfully, "If we have just sworn brotherhood, and I have already acknowledged Lord Liu as my godfather, I wonder whether I should address Xuande as elder brother or younger brother in the future?"

"In terms of age, I am a year or two older than Xuande. Brother Xuande, wouldn't you say?"

Xu Shu said with a smile.

Upon hearing this title, Liu Bei felt a jolt, goosebumps rose all over his body, and a strange feeling arose within him. He quickly waved his hand and said, "Forget it, forget it."

It's one thing to call someone older "uncle" or someone who came before you "elder brother," but Liu Bei had always considered Xu Shu, someone he had known and understood for years, as his elder brother. Now that Xu Shu had suddenly become his junior, it was quite difficult for him to adjust.

Anyway, it's about the relationship between the two of them.

Even without swearing brotherhood, they were always much closer than ordinary people, and even if they faced a life-or-death situation in the future, Xu Shu would never abandon him.

This is what true, unwavering brotherhood looks like, a bond that transcends life and death.

After the day of their sworn brotherhood, the young men were overjoyed.

Liu Hong had already discussed the matter with his wife, Wu, at home.

All the important figures of the Liu family clan were present, and Liu Yuanqi and Liu Zongran also returned from the fortress manor outside.

Only one hundred loyal soldiers were needed to remain at the fortress and manor. The rest of the righteous followers returned to gradually protect the Liu family and move safely to the next prosperous land, the magnificent Zhuojun Prefecture.

"We will obey the head of the family. The head of the family has never been wrong. Today, the Liu family of Zhuo County has been able to accumulate small streams into a great river, all thanks to the head of the family's efforts."

"Master, we may depart for Zhuojun now."

The elders of the clan dared not disobey and hurriedly voiced their agreement.

These people used to struggle to even have food in Zhuoxian when the harvest was bad. But since Liu Hong claimed to be from the Liu family of Zhuoxian and gathered everyone here, their living standards have undergone a dramatic change.

So over the years.

They dared not disobey in the slightest, for they were unwilling to lose their wonderful life again.

"it is good."

With a decisive and forceful voice, Liu Hong declared, "Today, the Liu family is fully prepared to depart for Zhuojun."

Having said that,

It will take another two or three days to get everything ready.

……

Outside Zhuoxian County, on the official road.

The people spontaneously gathered here, their eyes filled with tears. Some even knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "Lord Liu, you will be a pillar of justice on your journey. Please, Lord Liu, do not forget the people of Zhuo County."

"Please come back and visit more often when you have time. The Liu family of Zhuoxian will always welcome you and is willing to make things convenient for you."

"Wishing Mr. Liu a bright future and a meteoric rise to great heights."

It is precisely because some members of the Liu family still live in Zhuo County, and Liu Yuanqi is still a county magistrate in Zhuo County, that the people are able to barely accept the situation and have not taken any more extreme actions.

They can also realize that.

Although Liu Hong has left, Zhuo County is still Liu's territory, and their lives will not change much because of this.

Leaving the official road of Zhuo County, the procession moved forward in a grand and imposing manner.

The 150 guerrillas protected the front and rear of the group, each clad in fine iron-fur armor, their faces serious, their vigilant eyes scanning the surroundings, ready to guard against any potential dangers.

These 150 assassins were not the entirety of Liu's forces.

Liu Bei held a book in his hands, with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei beside him, and Xu Shu behind him.

At this time, Xu Shu was studying the military strategy books that Cui Yan had taught him in the past few days, and he was reading them with great interest and concentration.

Around the three carriages they were riding in, dozens of nimble-footed rangers, their eyes slightly narrowed, formed a formidable armed force.

Liu Hong kept glancing at Liu Bei, who dared not stray or break the rules on the road ahead.

One thing can subdue another.

It seems like Liu Hong's father was sent by heaven specifically to deal with this brat.

However, after these days of sworn brotherhood, Liu Bei was also holding back a lot of anger, determined not to be underestimated by Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.

On military force.

He was no match for the two, but when it came to strategy, one must have a specialty, otherwise how could he be content?

Using one's status to intimidate others is not something Liu Bei enjoys.

"I never imagined that you would also be going to Zhuojun."

Inside the main car where Liu Hong was riding.

His gaze searched, and he looked at Cui Yan with a hint of doubt.

Cui Yan stretched out her arms.

Although he was a scholar, he was fond of military strategy.

In his early years, when he traveled the world with his fellow disciples and his mentor Zheng Xuan, he carried a three-foot-long sword at his waist and took the lives of many bandits and villains, earning him a reputation for chivalry.

"Cui Yan of the Qinghe Cui family came here for Lord Liu. Lord Liu was in Zhuo County, so Cui Yan was in Zhuo County; now that Lord Liu's ambitions lie in Zhuo County, Cui Yan will naturally follow."

"After all, Lord Liu's ambitions are vast. Now that the Cui family of Qinghe has already placed its bets, how can we abandon our efforts halfway?"

Cui Yan did not evade Liu Hong's probing; instead, she returned the question in a few words.

Upon hearing this, Liu Hong burst into laughter: "In this land of Youzhou, shouldn't the current governor be valued more by the Cui family of Qinghe?"

"perhaps."

Cui Yan shrugged slightly, responding with a nonchalant attitude, "But that was merely the family's choice, not my choice, Cui Yan's."

Liu Hong followed his gaze and looked out of the carriage.

Before anyone knew it, the caravan was getting closer and closer to Zhuojun, and the number of refugees and common people along the official road was increasing.

The displaced people, disheveled and filthy, still looked gaunt and weak under the warm spring sun.

Every so often, many refugees would break away from the group, some collapsing by the roadside, others already dead and lifeless.

From time to time, wild dogs can be seen emerging from the mountains and forests to gnaw on the corpses.

The scene was truly horrific, a sight unbelievable to anyone in the human world.