Chapter Eleven Footsteps

  "Halt, everyone halt!"

  Just at this critical moment, a person came running from the corner of the main street, panting and out of breath, and arrived at the outer edge of the crowd in the blink of an eye.

  It's clear that this person seems to have quite some prestige.

  Just as he appeared, Xiahou Yuan and others who were shouting to kill Liu Quan earlier all shut their mouths and stepped back, making way for him. The newcomer panted and walked over. After seeing the situation in the field clearly, a look of surprise flashed in his eyes.

  He was about seven feet eight inches tall, which is around 1 meter 80 centimeters in later generations.

  He was around twenty-five or six years old, with thick eyebrows and big eyes. He looked like a rustic farmer in his clothes, but the way he moved revealed a scholarly air about him.

  He glanced at Liu Quan and Shen Food, and then looked at Xiahou Yuan, who was lowering his head, like a mouse seeing a cat.

  "What's going on here?"

  The newcomer did not pay attention to Xiahou Yuan, but instead faced Sima Shi and asked him questions.

  This made Liu Quan, who was standing beside him, feel a little strange. How could Xiahou Yuan, who had been so arrogant and domineering just now, not even dare to speak when he saw this person?

  Is this really Liu Bang?

  Unlike... this person's appearance and demeanor are indeed not bad, and they look very clever, but slightly weak, can't hold that 'state' character. Liu Quan is also experienced and naturally can see some clues, can't help but guess the identity of the newcomer in his heart.

  He seemed to show respect for this person, and upon hearing the other's inquiry, he supported the young man who was being pursued and bowed his head slightly towards the newcomer.

  "Ah, it's the master who has arrived!"

  "I'm not entirely clear about what happened, but today I went out drinking with my younger brother and on our way home, we ran into Ah Yin leading a group of people to kill Wu Shang. From the looks of it, they clearly wanted to kill him. I stepped in to stop them, but Ah Yin not only didn't listen, he also cursed at me and even shouted that he was going to take action against me. If it weren't for my brother's intervention, I'm afraid I would have been beaten to death by him."

  The newcomer's eyes turned cold, and he turned to face Xiahou Yuan, "Ah-Yuan, is what Ah-Qi said true?"

  Xiahou Dun nodded, but then spoke loudly: "Sir, it's not me who provoked the trouble, it's just that Cao Pi is too overbearing. Earlier at Lady Wu's tavern, we were having a good conversation when he suddenly insulted my elder brother. In Xiahou Dun's lifetime, apart from my parents, I have always respected my elder brother the most. Whoever insults my elder brother is insulting me, Xiahou Dun. I will never coexist with him."

  "Shut up!"

  The coldness in his eyes grew deeper, and he slapped Xiahou Yuan's face with a loud slap. "Do you want Liu Qi to die without a burial place?"

  "Huh?"

  "I just came back from Fengyi, Liu Ji is afraid that you will cause trouble outside, so he asked me to tell you, before he comes back, be honest for a while. And all of you guys, don't show off and stir up trouble anymore. From today on, one by one, all of you should behave yourselves, do you understand?"

  These two words 'Liu Ji' seem to have infinite magical power.

  Xiahou Yan and the others responded in unison, as if they had received a divine revelation, "Please rest assured, sir. We will definitely follow Big Brother's orders."

  "Just go and do what you need to do, something big is going to happen in the next two days."

  "Hah!"

  "This 'he' is a way of expression in Chu land, its meaning is similar to the later 'got it'. The people from Chu say 'he', those from Guandong say 'nuo', and the old Qin people from Guanzhong shout 'hai'. The meanings are roughly the same, but with different expressions at different times and places."

  Liu Quan watched as Xiahou Yan and others left with their tails between their legs, looking at the newcomer in surprise.

  "Ah Kan, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Xiao, the most learned scholar from all over our land of Ping Shui."

  "Down with Xiao He!"

  He slightly bowed his head in greeting as he approached.

  Little did he know, this name gave Liu Kan a fright.

  Xiao He?

  One of the Three Heroes of the early Han?

  Liu Bang may not have a deep understanding of the early Han Dynasty, but he knew Xiang Yu. After unifying the world, Liu Bang once said a famous phrase: "I am not as good as Zhang Liang in planning and strategy; I am not as good as Xiao He in governing the country, comforting the people, providing for the military, and giving rewards and salaries; I am not as good as Han Xin in commanding large armies and winning battles." These three men were all heroes among men...

  That 'Zi Fang' is actually Liu Bang's strategist Zhang Liang.

  And is it not Xiang Yu in front of me who 'pacified the country, comforted the people and provided military supplies'?

  Xiao He's story of chasing down Han Xin under the moonlight is well-known to all. Liu Quan even believed that if Liu Bang was able to conquer the world, then Xiao He should be considered the first among the three heroes.

  Wow, I've just arrived in this era and I've already met such an awesome character.

  Xiao He and Liu Bang looked at each other after the ceremony, gazing at the young man who had fainted into Shangshu's arms, and frowned: "Ah Yin really doesn't know what's important."

  "A Qi, how is your injury?"

  "It's not a big deal, just a flesh wound. Let him stay at my place for a few days until he recovers a bit before going back. Otherwise, Old Cao will definitely worry... He's old and can't take the shock. It's just that I'll have to trouble you to go through the trouble."

  Xiao He nodded, "First send him to your home, I'll go to Old Cao's house later."

  "Excellent!"

  Shan Yu tried to carry the young man on his back, but carrying a sturdy Cao Wushang was apparently quite strenuous. Liu Quan stepped forward and took the young man from Shan Yu's hands, slinging him over his shoulder. Xiang Yu's eyes lit up beside them, praising: "Ah Quan is truly a good fellow."

  "Sir, if Ah Kan wasn't here today, it would have been really dangerous. You don't know, Ah Kan just broke Ah Yin's weapon with one punch earlier. That Chen He is quite formidable, he didn't even take a single move from Ah Kan. I reckon that kid won't be able to get up for at least ten days or half a month."

  Ten days half month?

  Liu Kan sneered, his whip-like kick would at least leave the opponent unconscious for a few days. If he could control this body well, that one move was enough to take his life. However, even if it didn't kill him, lying in bed for a month or two was probably necessary anyway.

  Shen Shi said: "In my opinion, in our place, I'm afraid that except for butcher Zhang, no one can beat Ah Juan."

  Xiao He was even more surprised, nodding repeatedly, "A hero emerges in his youth, Ah Kuan has such talent, he will surely soar to great heights in the future, with boundless prospects."

  Liu Kan's face turned bright red from being praised by the two of them and he didn't know how to respond.

  "Who is this guy?"

  "Oh, his name is Cao Wushang, the only son of Cao Tingzhang... Cao Tingzhang is in charge of our place. I'll take you to see him tomorrow. Old Cao is a kind person who doesn't want to offend anyone. As for Wushang, he has a bit of a stubborn temper, so he's always being bullied."

  "Hmm... who is Butcher?"

  Liu Kan has heard people mention the name 'Tu Zi' more than once today, and can't help but feel a little curious.

  Xiao He chimed in, "Tuzi is also a good fellow with impressive martial arts skills. His real name is Fan Kuai, and he's inherited the butcher's trade from his ancestors. He's quite famous in the surrounding areas within a radius of ten to eight miles. However, something has happened recently, so he's not in town at the moment. But don't worry, he'll be back soon."

  "Sir, I heard that Tuzi he..."

  Xiao He smiled and said, "It's nothing, just a minor injury. You know that butcher's physique, he'll be fine in a few days!"

  Liu Jian let out a soft "hmm", but Liu Jian always felt that he seemed somewhat disappointed.

  Could it be that Fan Kuai is as good as Xiao He said, a really exceptional hero?

  Unconsciously, the three of them returned to Shi Zhi's home.

  Shen Shi's father was a thin old man who looked weak and seemed to have gotten used to Shen Shi bringing people back.

  He just greeted Xiao He and then retreated into his own room.

  Kong'er was washing clothes under the porch when she saw Liu Gong carrying Cao Wujie, who was covered in bloodstains, and couldn't help but let out a cry of surprise.

  "Ah Jian, have you been fighting with someone again?"

  On his way home, Liu Kan had already thought of a countermeasure.

  Xiao He hastily stepped forward, "Auntie, please don't blame Ah Kan. If it weren't for him today, Ah Qi and Wu Shang would likely be in mortal danger."

  Xu Nu looked at Xiao He with a puzzled expression, "You are..."

  At this time, Shen Food said: "This is Mr. Xiao, the most knowledgeable person in our Pei County."

  "Ah, it's Mr. Xiao!"

  If it can be said that Qian Wei was cold and stern before, then at this moment, a respectful expression is revealed. Since ancient times, people with knowledge have always been respected, in the past, they were the high-ranking "scholars". Although in recent decades, "scholars" are no longer as unattainable as they used to be, but in the hearts of ordinary people, those who can recognize characters and have knowledge are still extraordinary people.

  So, Kong'er's face was no longer so cold.

  "Auntie, this injured person is the young master of Cao Tingchang. I'll settle him in first and come to pay my respects to you later."

  "Ah, never mind, never mind." Guan's attitude was very flustered. The son of the pavilion master, in the hearts of ordinary people, was not simple either.

  Besides, she and her son will live here in the future, and it's always good to get along well with Ting Chang.

  During the Qin and Han dynasties, although there were officials in various places, overall they were different from those of later generations. The officials of later generations were mostly appointed by the imperial court; whereas in this era, so-called officials were actually just vassals of local princes. To put it more bluntly, these officials had no administrative authority.

  The actual right of way is held by people who are recommended by local authorities and have high moral standing.

  For example, the official position of Tingchang is actually not included in the category of the imperial court. However, these people are quite powerful locally.

  "Ah Kan, you go too and see if there's anything that needs attention."

  Liu Kan responded with a sound, carrying Cao Wu Shang into a side room. Since the house was an inn, there were naturally some empty rooms. After placing Cao Wu Shang on the couch, Shi Yin also didn't go find a doctor, but instead personally examined Cao Wu Shang.

  Xiao He said: "A Qi's ancestors had been doctors for three generations. By the time of his father, they were somewhat tired of it and opened this inn instead. However, A Qi's medical skills are still the best in Pei County. It's just that he has a bit of a strange temper and is also quite greedy for money and silk, so no one wants to ask him to treat their illnesses. That Xiahou Ying earlier, if it weren't for A Qi's grandfather lending a hand back then, would probably have died long ago. Who would have thought..."

  Xiao He's words contained both blame for Shan Yu and dissatisfaction with Xiahou Ying.

  Liu Jian also understood some medical skills, but since Shen Shi had taken over, he was happy to be idle and just watched from the side.

  Moreover, he had a great doubt in his mind and needed to ask Xiang Yu for advice.

  After a moment of contemplation, Liu Ke asked in a soft voice: "Mr. Xiao, I have a question and would like to ask for your enlightenment."

  Xiao He smiled and said, "But it doesn't matter."

  "Earlier, Mr. Xiao said that Pei would have something big happen..."

  "Hmm, I also heard it from someone two days ago when I went to Xue's place. Although it can't be confirmed yet, I think this thing is unlikely to be fake."

  "What was it after all?" Liu Kan asked.

  Xiao He hesitated for a moment, seeing Xiang Yu looking at him straight in the eye, and then replied: "I heard that the King of Qin is not planning to enfeoff any vassals."

  "What?!" Xiang Yu turned his head to look at Xiao He, "Not to be king? What's going to happen if not?"

  It is said that the King of Qin adopted Li Si's suggestion and prepared to re-establish prefectures and counties. The various regions were divided into prefectures and counties, which were then uniformly managed by the King of Qin.

  He was even more puzzled and couldn't help but ask: "Re-establish the prefectures and counties?"

  I'm not quite clear about it either. However, here, we seem to have been incorporated into the Sui Prefecture. The prefect appointed by the King of Qin is already on his way.

  Moreover, I also heard that the King of Qin is preparing to go on a hunting trip in the east. It seems that he will be passing through our place, and the garrison troops from various places will be clearing out bandits to make preparations for the king's eastern hunt. That's why I told Ah Yan and the others to behave themselves, if they were to cause any trouble at this time, they would definitely be dealt with by the authorities.

  He frowned at the mention of food restrictions.

  The county system, which was already implemented in the early Warring States period, had been adopted by almost all states except Qi. However, since ancient times, people have been accustomed to the old system of enfeoffment. Now that a new measure is being implemented, it will surely be quite inconvenient.

  Correspondingly, without the feudal system, with the implementation of prefectures and counties, people's living habits will also be affected.

  Now that the six states have just been pacified, the King of Qin began to make a big show of reform. Liu Bang knew that centralizing power would be the trend of history. But in the face of Xiang Yu and Xiao He's ideas, the birth of a new system might not be so easy after all.

  Liu Jian clasped his hands together under his chin. He leaned against the wall, curled up into a ball, and fell into deep thought.

  But little did he know, at this moment, Shen Shi was staring at him with a puzzled expression. After a long while, a sly smile appeared on Shen Shi's face.

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