Chapter 12

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Pangzi was surprised, Li Chunjiang was surprised, and Liu Jun was even more surprised.

Li Chunjiang had heard all the comments and evaluations of the painting. He did not expect that the old man, with whom he had only a fleeting acquaintance, would give him such a priceless and valuable painting.

Especially when the old man gave it to him, he did not mention the value of the painting at all, as if it were just an ordinary New Year's painting.

Damn, who is this person, to be able to give away something so valuable without batting an eye, and even without mentioning its value? I've met a tycoon. Thinking about the four attendants and the old man's demeanor, he must be a big shot.

Unfortunately, I missed the chance to get in touch with them, without even leaving a contact.

"I am Li Chunjiang. May I know your honorable name, sir?" Li Chunjiang was now very interested in Liu Jun. Standing in line to give gifts at the side door, he was dressed in ordinary student attire, without any sign of wealth, yet he gave away a painting worth a thousand gold.

Of course, what he was most interested in was how the painting ended up in his hands. According to his knowledge, the painting should be in the hands of Li's relative, Mei Zhihuan. The Mei family is one of the four major clans in Macheng, not just any ordinary family.

His aunt Mei's father, Mei Guozhen, had served as Deputy Minister of War. In his early years, he and his brother and brother-in-law all passed the imperial examination on the same list, making a name for themselves. Later, his other two brothers also passed the civil and military examinations.

His nephew Mei Zhihuan and his father were both imperial scholars.

Mei Zhihuan, at the age of fourteen, passed the examination for scholar, and at twenty-eight, passed the imperial examination, and then the examination for Shujishi. After several decades in office, he held important positions such as governor of Nan'gan and Gansu. After retiring a few years ago, he still could not bear to be idle and personally organized a local militia, even obtaining dozens of red-coated cannons from his former subordinates in Nan'gan.

Although Mei Zhihuan was a scholar, he was also very skilled in military affairs, suppressing pirates in Guangdong and bandits in Nan'gan, and defeating the bandits in Gansu. Even after retiring, he did not want to be idle. He would personally handle any grievances brought to him, whether by vendors, children, beggars, or peddlers.

For those corrupt officials who preyed on the people and were ignored by the government, he would send his servants to arrest them, scold and punish them, and then hand them over to the county government for disposal.

Therefore, in recent years, although many high-ranking officials in Macheng have retired, no one has been as energetic as Mei Zhihuan, nor has anyone received as much praise from the locals. Because Macheng has many mountains and bandits, he personally organized a local militia, trained according to military regulations, and maintained a strong force of several hundred. He also recruited many displaced people as mobile troops and obtained cannons from his former subordinates in Nan'gan and Guangdong to defend the passes and fortresses. He even established a cavalry unit to patrol the area, which made the bandits and outlaws avoid the city for years, not daring to attack easily.

Now, with the resurgence of bandits in various places, Mei Zhihuan has built a large fortress in Shen Village in the southeast of the county, called Baosheng Fortress, to accommodate displaced people. His influence has grown, and in Macheng, the county magistrate is not the most influential person, but Mei Zhihuan, followed by retired high-ranking officials like Li Changgeng, and then the noble families.

Li Chunjiang greatly respected Mei Zhihuan, believing that such a local gentry was a role model for scholars, capable of benefiting the people while in office and continuing to do so after retirement.

He knew that Mei Zhihuan, besides being a capable official and a skilled military leader, was also a literary master, leaving behind many famous works and belonging to the Gong'an School. Dong Qichang, who had a good relationship with the Gong'an School, was also a close friend of Mei Zhihuan, which is why his masterpiece eventually ended up in Mei Zhihuan's hands.

But how did the painting end up in this young man's hands?

He was very curious, extremely curious.

Since this young master Li was so polite, Liu Jun naturally responded with courtesy, quickly saying, "I am Liu Jun, Liu Jiyeh from Xibay in Macheng, currently a military student at Huangzhou Guard."

"May I ask where you obtained this painting, sir?"

"A passing old man gave it to me. At the time, I had lost the birthday gift I had prepared for Old Master Liu, and the old man saw this and gave me this painting to use as a gift. He didn't mention how valuable it was, and I didn't notice it at the time. I didn't realize it was so precious, it was quite a surprise."

"Hmph, I find that hard to believe. I think this is a scam, and the painting is stolen." The fat man didn't believe Liu Jun's story, thinking there was no such good thing.

Liu Jun turned to the fat man and smiled slightly, "Actually, you should have seen the old man. He was the one in the teahouse whom you were shouting to beat and kill. This painting was given to me by him."

The fat man was surprised, "That old coot?"

Li Chunjiang, hearing this, was moved, "Can you describe the old man you mentioned, Liu brother?"

Liu Jun gave a rough description.

Li Chunjiang nodded frequently, then turned to the fat man, "What exactly happened in the teahouse, Liu brother?"

The fat man was reluctant to recount such an embarrassing story, but since Li Chunjiang asked, he finally stammered through it. After hearing the fat man's account, Li Chunjiang was almost certain that Liu Jun was telling the truth and that the old man they mentioned was undoubtedly Mei Zhihuan.

Thinking about the unexpected things Mei Zhihuan often did, Li Chunjiang felt that the matter was now clear. Mei Zhihuan clearly appreciated Liu Jun and generously gave him the valuable painting. Although he did not reveal his identity, this was not unusual.

"Liu brother, now that you know the value of this gift, do you still want to give it as a birthday present?"

Liu Jun smiled, "A gift is a token of affection."

"Very well, such a valuable gift, I believe Old Master Liu will be very pleased to receive it. Why don't I take you to see Old Master Liu and let you present the gift personally?"

"Thank you very much." Liu Jun quickly thanked him. He didn't forget the purpose of his visit. Although he had a conflict with the fat man, his main goal was to join the Liu family, not to join the fat man.

Inside the Liu family's main residence, Old Master Liu carefully examined the valuable painting for a long time, then scrutinized Liu Jun for a while.

"You say you are from Xibay Liu?"

"Exactly."

"Who is Liu Chengye to you?"

Liu Jun, looking at Old Master Liu Chengqi, replied seriously, "He is my ancestor!"

Old Master Liu frowned slightly. Upon hearing "Xibay Liu," he had a good idea who the visitor was and even guessed the visitor's purpose. He had intended to wave him away, but he asked one more question, "Are you a military student now?"

"Yes."

"Alright, I will accept your gift, and I like it very much. However, I must tell you that Liu Chengye was long ago expelled from the Liu family and removed from the family register. Since you have established roots in Xibay, you should live there well."

"Uncle Ancestor..."

"Do not call me that, you are not a member of the Liu family."

"I know my grandfather made mistakes, but after so many years, he has passed away. Can we not be allowed to return to the clan now?"

"The state has its laws, and the family has its rules. This was a decision made by the old clan leader, my uncle, and it cannot be changed." Old Master Liu said impatiently, "Young man, be down-to-earth. Don't just think of climbing the social ladder. Your grandfather did exactly that, which is why he was expelled from the clan."

"I hope the Liu family can give us a chance."

"But the Liu family does not need such a chance." Old Master Liu rejected him coldly.

Liu Jun did not expect the old man to be so unyielding and was momentarily stunned.

"You can leave now, and do not come again."

"Also, I hope I will not hear anyone using the name of the Liu family of Suokouhe to deceive others. Otherwise, the consequences will be severe, do you understand?"

Although he was unwilling, Liu Jun had to nod in response to Old Master Liu's cold attitude.

"Goodbye!"

"Goodbye!"

As he left the study and came to the front hall, Li Chunjiang was still sitting there. Seeing him come out, he came forward to greet him.

"How did it go?"

"Nothing much." Liu Jun shook his head.

"Xibay Liu, I should have guessed. You are the descendant of the person the Liu family expelled years ago, right? You came today hoping to return to the Liu clan, but it seems Old Master Liu refused."

Liu Jun was somewhat surprised that the other party knew so much about the Liu family's old affairs.

"Don't forget, the four major families in Macheng are interrelated, and they are all aware of each other's affairs." Li Chunjiang, seeing Liu Jun's confusion, explained with a smile.

"Indeed, he refused."

"Actually, you don't need to be too upset. Starting your own family can also lead to success. You look like a capable person. Even without relying on the Liu clan's influence, you can still achieve great things. You are a military student now, and this year is the year of the provincial examination. If you pass the military examination and become a military scholar, and if you pass the imperial examination next year and become an imperial scholar, the Liu family of Xibay will rise. After a few generations, who knows, the Liu family of Xibay might become as prosperous as the Liu family of Suokouhe, or even surpass it."

"It won't be that simple." Liu Jun shook his head.

However, after his encouragement, his mood did indeed lighten. Even if he couldn't recognize the Liu family, and couldn't rely on this big tree, he could still make it on his own.

"What about the Dong Qichang painting?" Li Chunjiang asked.

"Once a gift is given, it cannot be taken back."

Li Chunjiang laughed, "Old Master Liu is just unwilling to give up the fat meat in his mouth. He refused to recognize you as a clan member but still accepted such a valuable gift, which is quite shameless."

"You are related to the Liu family, isn't it inappropriate to say that?" Liu Jun was surprised.

"Ha ha ha, I stand by the truth, not by family ties."

"Ha ha ha" The two laughed together and walked out of the Liu residence side by side.

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