Super Cultivation System of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 30: Appointment of Xiaolian
After everyone dispersed, Liu He and his men, who had seemed so majestic just now, suddenly collapsed in the Liu family's yard.

"Ouch..." Zhu Ye was the first to yell and sat down on the ground. Zhang Yong and Liu He were also a little unsteady and sat down against the earthen wall.

"Phew...it was really dangerous..." Liu He let out a long breath.

"Murder... Today we... We killed someone..." Zhang Yong's eyes were a little dazed and he stuttered.

When the situation was critical before, the few of them didn't think too much about it, but now that the incident is over, thinking back on it, these four children who were only in their teens began to feel a little scared.

"You said we killed someone, will the government arrest us?"

Zhu Ye seemed to suddenly think of such a serious problem. He sat up straight and asked with some concern.

"That shouldn't be the case. We should have made contributions. When Lord Wu came, he didn't say anything and even praised us happily."

Although Zhang Yu said this, there was some worry in her tone.

Liu He did not have such worries. From a legal perspective, he and his group had made great contributions. From a personal perspective, the county lieutenant obviously had a good relationship with Zhu Ye's father, and today he was giving him credit for nothing. From a public and private perspective, he and his group would not have to bear any guilt.

The reason why Liu He's face was pale now was purely because of the murder he had just committed.

Liu Qian and Zhang Tong also came over to comfort them. In fact, these two fathers were still trembling in their legs, but seeing their children like this, they could not care about themselves and kept comforting them.

It was not until the sun rose in the west that the few people gradually regained their composure. At this moment, a servant of the Zhu family came running over, and it turned out that he came to invite everyone to go to the Zhu Mansion for a celebration banquet.

According to etiquette, children of Liu He's age must be accompanied by their parents when attending banquets at other people's homes. However, these children had a different status from ordinary children in the eyes of others. In addition, Liu Qian and Zhang Tong felt inferior and did not dare to go to the "former county lieutenant's mansion" for a banquet, so the children had to go by themselves.

Of course, as a woman, Zhang Yu would not have the opportunity to be seated in this era.

Led by Zhu Ye and the servant, Liu He and others finally arrived at Zhu's Mansion.

Although the Zhu Mansion was far inferior to the official residences that Liu He had seen on TV in his previous life, it was still a private residence with high walls and a large plaque. For families like the Liu and Zhang families today, it was definitely considered a wealthy family.

Zhu Ye seemed very excited and talked about this and that with Liu He and others. It was not until they arrived at the dining room door that he calmed down a little.

Several people entered the dining room together. Mr. Zhu sat in the main seat, and on his left sat Mr. Wu, and on his right sat an old man with white hair and beard.

Seeing Liu He and others coming in, Mr. Zhu was very happy and quickly asked them to sit down.

After everyone knelt and sat in their seats, Master Zhu ordered the servants to serve the dishes.

Liu He and others only saw various plates, basins, bowls, tripods and jars being brought up one by one, and soon everyone's small table was filled with various delicacies.

Zhu Ye and Liu He were better off, but Zhang Yong and Zhang Yu had never seen these delicacies before, and had not even seen many of the utensils, so they couldn't help but feel curious.

In this era, the real wealthy families would use tripods to hold food and wine cups to drink, and would use bells and chimes to play music and enjoy various performances. That’s why there is the idiom “the bells ring and the tripods eat.” The Zhu family was still far from those aristocratic families, but it was a hundred times better than families like the Liu and Zhang families.

"Today, several young heroes have made great contributions in capturing thieves. I have prepared some wine to celebrate. Fortunately, Lord Wu and Mr. Chen have come to visit. It is an honor for our humble home!"

Mr. Zhu politely bowed to the two people beside him, and they returned the greeting.

Before the meal, Mr. Zhu had already introduced these two people to Liu He and others.

Needless to say, Lord Wu was the county lieutenant in Langtiao County, promoted by Zhu Ye's grandfather. And the old man was the third elder in the county.

Liu He had also read about these three elders in his previous life.

The Book of Han Gaodi Ji (Volume 1) states: "Citizens aged 50 and above who have cultivated themselves and can lead the people to do good are selected as the Three Elders, one for each village; one of the Three Elders in a village is selected as the Three Elders in a county."

To put it bluntly, it is probably equivalent to the moral benchmark of each place, responsible for educating the people and mediating disputes.

The Three Elders enjoyed a relatively high status and power during the Han Dynasty. They reduced taxes and exempted labor service. From time to time, they had the opportunity to receive rice and silk as gifts from the government, and they also had a high voice in the government.

Liu He didn't quite understand why Mr. Zhu would invite such a big shot to such a banquet. Logically speaking, the contribution made by them was great, but considering their ages, this matter itself was not enough to alarm people at this level.

At this time, Master Zhu suddenly changed the subject: "My son is naughty and has a bad reputation in the village. I have failed to teach him well, and I feel guilty in the village."

Having said this, Zhu Ye's face suddenly turned a little ugly. This was embarrassing him in public.

But his father's next words made him smile again.

"Fortunately, I met this young hero of the Liu family and recognized him as my brother. In just two years, my son's personality has changed a lot. Although I can't be called humble, polite, benevolent, filial, righteous and brave, I can be said to be able to know shame and then be brave. Now, under the leadership of this brother, he has defeated the bandits with wisdom and protected the country and the people. I am very pleased."

Mr. Zhu's remarks belittled his own son and praised Liu He highly, making Liu He and others really confused about the situation, so they had to stand up and say some humble words.

Mr. Zhu waved his hand and asked Liu He to sit back.

"Today, I have invited Master Chen and Master Wu to be here. I would like to act as a guarantor and recommend these young men from the Liu and Zhang families, as well as my son, to serve under Master Wu. If they behave kindly and filially in the next few years, after they have completed their adulthood ceremony, I hope Master Chen can recommend them as filial and honest officials. What do you think?"

When Master Zhu said this, Liu He and the other children were shocked. However, Master Wu and Old Chen did not look surprised at all, and it was obvious that they had already discussed it before coming over.

Sure enough, after hearing Mr. Zhu's request, Lord Wu was the first to agree with a smile.

"Master Zhu, you are too polite. These young heroes are both wise and brave. The little girl is also as capable as any man. It would be a great honor for me to have them serve under me! But they are still young now. In five years, I will come to greet them in person!"

County Lieutenant Wu is a fat man with rat-like eyes. He doesn't look like a good person at first glance. The fact that he agreed so readily shows that Master Zhu promised him some benefits.

(End of this chapter)