Chapter 10

Liu Jun estimated that this was just a small group of bandits who had originally intended to launch a surprise attack and take advantage of Macheng County's lack of preparation to rob them. However, when they saw that Macheng was already prepared and even sent people to give them dispersal fees, they would surely think that their movements had been discovered and that Macheng was well-prepared. Of course, the most critical factor was that the bandits were not very strong; otherwise, they would have attacked regardless of the circumstances.

"Even if we manage to fool them with an empty city ruse, I fear they might return. It's best to leave this place as soon as possible," Liu Jun said to the old man, though he was not too upset about losing a hundred taels of silver in gifts, as he had saved his life.

"Hmm, I plan to return to the county town. Would you like to come back with me, young nephew?"

After some thought, Liu Jun still declined. He wanted to go to the Liu family immediately, as his future was important.

"Where do you plan to go, young nephew?"

"The old patriarch of the Liu family at Suokou River is celebrating his birthday. I am going to wish him a happy birthday."

"I see. So, the gifts you gave to the bandits were originally meant for the birthday celebration. Now you don't have any gifts to offer."

Liu Jun shrugged and smiled bitterly, "I'll find a couple of gifts later."

The old man looked at Liu Jun and suddenly said, "Today, we owe a lot to you, young nephew. I have a piece of calligraphy and painting here, a gift from an old friend. I happen to have it with me today. Why don't I give it to you as a gift for the birthday celebration?"

The scholar beside the old man frowned and whispered, "Sir, that painting was hard to obtain and is worth a thousand taels. Is it really appropriate to give it away so easily?"

"Money is just an external thing. Why should I be reluctant to part with it? Besides, if it weren't for your nephew's wisdom in repelling the bandits today, this item might have fallen into their hands, and we might have been in danger." The old man then instructed his attendant to bring a long box, which contained a scroll.

Liu Jun did not hear the conversation between the scholar and the old man and did not know how valuable the painting was. He did not open the scroll in front of them but politely declined several times before finally accepting it due to the old man's sincere insistence. He thought it was just an ordinary painting and decided to accept it as a replacement for the lost gifts.

"Let's part ways here. If we meet again, it will be a pleasure!" The old man waved goodbye to Liu Jun with a graceful gesture.

The old man and his attendants left. Liu Jun then bought a hundred steamed buns for the dozens of refugees from Xiangyang and set off on his journey.

The rest of the journey was uneventful, and by the afternoon, Liu Jun had arrived at the Liu family's residence at Suokou River.

Suokou River is located 25 li west of the county, named for its mountain and water resembling a lock. Surrounded by green mountains, the central area is open and fertile, with two clear streams flowing southeast. The southeast is guarded by Turtle Mountain and Pavilion Mountain, creating a scenic and auspicious area. If one speaks of mountains and rivers gathering energy, this place is like a golden lock securing a treasure, tightly enclosing it within a basin.

The Liu family's ancestral home is situated here.

The Liu family of Suokou River is not only one of the four major clans in Macheng but is also a prominent family in the entire Hubei region, the entire Huguang province, and even the entire late Ming dynasty.

Only Chu has talent, and Hubei is the best.

During the Ming dynasty, the imperial examinations produced over 20,000 scholars, of which Huguang had over 1,500, and the nine counties of Huangzhou Prefecture had nearly 400, with Macheng County alone producing 136 scholars, not including military scholars, making it the top county in Huguang, known as the "Land of Scholars."

The first scholar of Macheng during the Ming dynasty was from the Liu family of Suokou River.

During the Ming dynasty, the Liu family of Suokou River produced 49 scholars and 20 civil and military scholars.

Among them, notable figures include Liu Xun, known as the best administrator in the country; Liu Sui, a famous minister and the best official in Jiangyou; Liu Tianhe, the Minister of War and the best official in the country according to the imperial assessment; Liu Shouyou, the commander of the Jinyiwei; Liu Qiao, the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince; and Liu Chengxi, the collector of the first edition of the famous book "Jin Ping Mei," as well as the famous literary figure Liu Tong.

In the Suokou River area, no one is unaware of the Liu family. In fact, the vast majority of the fertile land in the region belongs to the Liu family.

The Liu family has even formed a prosperous town, much more prosperous than Xibay. Upon entering, one can see the Liu family ancestral hall towering high, with the imperial plaque "Jinghu Dingu" (Pillar of Jinghu) personally inscribed by Emperor Yingzong of Ming, prominently displayed.

As one approaches, a couplet can be seen at the entrance of the ancestral hall:

"Ten generations of noble lineage, nine generations of official families"

The imperial plaque and the couplet both highlight the glory of the Liu family of Suokou River.

Today, the Liu family has become a prominent family of the Jinyiwei. The thought of it excited Liu Jun. He was a part of this great family, and once he returned to the clan, he could surely secure a position as a Jinyiwei officer, wearing the flying fish robe and the spring knife, leading a group of Jinyiwei, which would be very impressive.

Since Huguang produced an emperor, the people of Huguang have risen to prominence in the imperial court.

When Emperor Zhengde had no heir, he chose the grandson of Prince Xian of Ming, the second son of Prince Xing of Huguang, to succeed him and become the emperor.

This lucky fellow was Zhu Houcong, later known as Emperor Jiajing, who reigned for 45 years. As a prince of Huguang, he naturally promoted people from Huguang after ascending the throne, leading to the rise of many officials from Huguang, including the Liu family, which truly became a prominent family during the Jiajing era.

Liu Jun stood at the entrance of the Liu family ancestral hall, looking at the grand and majestic gate with the emperor's personal inscription, feeling a sense of pride and aspiration. However, when he reached the entrance of the Liu family's main residence, the noisy environment and the pungent smell of sweat quickly dispelled his feelings.

The 70th birthday of Liu Gongbao's father, the Jinyiwei commander, was a major event. Not only did the county magistrate of Macheng, Lu Jinxi, bring a group of officials and a large number of clerks to help organize the event, but also many families from Macheng came to celebrate. Even the Huangzhou Prefecture and the Hubei provincial government sent representatives to offer gifts and congratulations.

It was even said that the emperor had sent a eunuch to convey his congratulations, a great honor.

At the main gate of the Liu family compound, only officials of a certain rank and the children of prominent families like the Mei, Li, Zhou, and Dong could enter. Ordinary people who came to offer gifts had to use the side gate, where a long queue had already formed, and they had to wait their turn to offer their gifts.

Although the people who used the side gate were not of high status, Liu Jun noticed that most of them were dressed in silk and brocade, with golden belts, indicating that they were wealthy and influential. The gifts they brought were also very valuable.

At some point, a group of young men, dressed in fine clothes and carrying fans, appeared at the side gate. They stood there, pointing and laughing at the people in the queue. They seemed to have entered through the main gate and thus felt superior, mocking those who had to use the side gate.

"Look at that country bumpkin, as black as charcoal, with mud still on his feet, and he dares to come to a birthday celebration. His gifts are two wild boars and six pairs of pheasants! Ha!"

"Exactly, this is like a countryside wedding. How can such gifts be acceptable? Do they think the Liu family would appreciate such things?"

"Ha ha ha!"

The group laughed loudly, making no effort to lower their voices, and even seemed to want others to hear them.

Liu Jun had originally wanted to enter through the main gate, but without an invitation, he couldn't even get close. He couldn't tell them he was a Liu family member coming to recognize his kin, so he had to go through the side gate to register his gift and secure a place at the banquet.

At the side gate, there were both wealthy people who brought lavish gifts and those who brought more modest gifts. For example, the person in front of him had brought two wild boars and six pairs of pheasants, which was actually a decent gift. He was the head of a Liu family estate, managing the tenants, and such a gift was not insignificant.

Soon, it was Liu Jun's turn to register his gift.

"Name?" The Liu family's registrar looked down his nose at Liu Jun, making Liu Jun inwardly annoyed but still trying to control himself. "I am Liu Jun, a martial scholar from Xibay Town in Macheng."

"What gift are you bringing?"

"To celebrate the old patriarch's birthday, I am bringing a piece of calligraphy and painting." Liu Jun had never opened the painting and did not know its details, so he could only answer this way.

The registrar glanced at Liu Jun, seeing that he was dressed in ordinary scholar's clothing and not in any luxurious attire, and his tone became even more dismissive. "Liu Jun, a martial scholar from Xibay Town, bringing a piece of calligraphy and painting." Someone recorded this in the register.

From behind, a wave of mocking laughter came. "What kind of calligraphy and painting? It doesn't even have a name. Did he just scribble something and bring it as a gift? I think he's just here to freeload."

Another voice added, "Hey, Liu registrar, why don't you open the painting and let us see? Let us see what masterpiece it is."

"Right, open it and let us see."

The registrar's face was also not pleasant. Liu Jun had not shown him any respect, and now he was bringing such a gift. Hearing the young men's taunts, he immediately instructed his attendant, "Didn't you hear the noble guests? Open it and let us see."

Although this would clearly offend the martial scholar, a small martial scholar was nothing compared to the young men from the government.

The box was opened, and a painting was revealed to everyone.

The mountains and forests stretched endlessly, and Liu Jun, seeing the painting for the first time, was immediately captivated. Even though he was not an expert in art, he could tell that this was a very good painting, full of artistic depth. He did not expect the old man to have given him such a fine piece.

When the painting was opened, it drew many exclamations of surprise. No one expected it to be such a good painting. The young men who had been mocking Liu Jun felt embarrassed, and one of them, unwilling to admit defeat, carefully examined the painting and found a flaw.

"Xiangguang Jushi? A painting by Dong Qichang? How is that possible? I know all of Dong Qichang's works, and I've never heard of this one. It's called 'Snowy Mountains in Clear Weather,' which I've never heard of. Young man, if you can't afford a valuable gift, at least don't bring a fake painting. Do you think we are all blind and that the Liu family can be easily deceived?"

"This painting is quite good," someone said.

"It's just a fake. What's good about it? It's worth nothing."

"Is it really not a painting by Dong Qichang?"

"I've never heard of Dong Qichang painting 'Snowy Mountains in Clear Weather.' If it were by Dong Qichang, someone would have recognized it by now."

"So, it really is a fake. To bring a fake painting to celebrate the old patriarch's birthday is truly shameless."

"This man claims to be a martial scholar, but he might be a fake too!"

"Kick him out!"

"Get lost!"