Chapter 3: Liu Zhang's Gift of Thanks (2)

  "Cough, cough, actually, I've only heard of your great reputation, sir. I wanted to spend more days with you and learn from you. If I have been impolite in any way, I hope you will forgive me."

  His gaze swept across Kong Rong's face, and Liu Zhang immediately sensed the caution in his words. With a flicker of his eyes, he put on a bashful expression, but still replied with a childlike innocence.

  Kong Rong looked at him deeply, closed his eyes for a long time, shook his head slightly, and turned to Liu Yan: "Your son is not an ordinary talent. In my opinion, it's hard to invite that western scholar. I used to travel and study, and I knew one or two high-ranking scholars. Now I recommend them to you, hoping to be of some help."

  Liu Yan was taken aback, then bowed his hands in gratitude and asked about it at the banquet. Liu Zhang, who was sitting next to him, felt a bit downhearted, knowing that Kong Rong had said so, he would definitely not stay behind. However, due to Kong Rong's solemn recommendation, he also became curious and listened intently with his ears perked up.

  "The way of learning is nothing more than the two paths of literature and martial arts. As for this literary path, I don't know if you can understand Zheng Xuan's character?" Kong Rong glanced at Liu Zhang with his eyes, and then asked Liu Yan.

  "Ah!" Liu Yan exclaimed softly and hastily asked: "Is Wen Ju referring to the great Confucian scholar who was banned by Your Majesty, Zheng Xuan, also known as Zheng Kangcheng?"

  "Indeed!" Kong Rong nodded slightly, and without waiting for Liu Yan to ask, he continued: "This gentleman is currently residing in Beihai's Gaomi, relying on his ancestors' reputation. I am still considered a close friend of his. If you are willing, I can write a letter to recommend your son to him."

  Liu Yan was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly to express his gratitude. At the same time, he scolded Liu Zhang to come forward and thank him. When Liu Zhang heard the name Zheng Xuan, he also felt a stir in his heart. This person was indeed an extremely exceptional existence at the end of the Eastern Han dynasty.

  He experienced three dynasties in his life, rising and falling several times. Except for the days when he was with the Qing party, he had been imprisoned since the fourth year of Emperor Ling's Jianning reign until he was pardoned in the first year of Zhongping. Calculating the time, he still considered himself a prisoner waiting to be punished. Kong Rong was able to recommend himself under his door, and it can't be said that he didn't try his best. At this moment, he stepped forward and paid his respects to thank him.

  Kong Rong waved his hand and said, "This is the way of literature. If it's the way of martial arts, I have a friend who is from Pingzhou, surnamed Li and named Yan, whose martial arts skills are unparalleled. However, he likes to wander around and has no fixed abode, making it difficult for him to be a teacher. But I know he has an older brother in the same school, surnamed Tong, named Yuan, with the courtesy name Xiongfu, who is hiding in the Taihang Mountains not far from the west of Jizhou. This person's skills are even more exceptional than Li Yan's, especially his expertise in spear techniques. If you're interested, I can try to recommend him to you, just mention Li Yan's name and he'll definitely accept you."

  He paused slightly at this point, made a fist and smiled: "Today I have seen your husband's great talent, and I appreciate his painstaking efforts. As for the two paths of literature and martial arts, how to decide, it is up to you to decide."

  Liu Yan beside did not understand Tong Yuan very well and was extremely inclined towards Wen, so he opened his mouth to ask Kong Rong to recommend Zheng Xuan.

  Liu Zhang heard the name of Tong Yuan, but his heart was greatly shaken. Others did not know, but he knew that Tong Yuan himself did not reveal his name. However, taking in three disciples was a very famous affair.

  The eldest disciple was the later Western General Zhang Ren, the second disciple was the nephew of Dong Zhuo's general Zhang Ji, Zhang Huai, who had the reputation of being the "Northern Territory Gun King". The third disciple was the most famous, none other than the one with the white horse and silver spear, known to later generations as the one who was called "all guts" - Changshan Zhao Yun Zhao Zilong!