Guan Yu nodded upon hearing this, deeply disgusted by Liu Chong's hypocritical demeanor.
Most importantly, he was extremely displeased that his Big Brother had to humble himself, wishing he could cleave him in two with a blade.
Liu Jin saw his two brothers standing up for him, laughed heartily, and immediately explained!
"Things aren't as simple as they appear. To survive in officialdom, the first rule is not to offend anyone. You have to be polite to everyone you meet to gain their favor."
"Moreover, your Big Brother only holds the position of Military Marquis, not Prefect. In Zhuo Commandery, he can't have absolute power, so he naturally can't ignore Liu Chong."
"When your Big Brother becomes Prefect, with an official rank of two thousand piculs, controlling the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, then he will naturally see others' flattery."
"So, a true man cannot be without power for even a day; all must strive for power."
Guan Yu and Zhao Ergou nodded slightly upon hearing this. Although they didn't fully understand, they grasped the last sentence.
Their eyes filled with fervor, and they declared loudly!
"Big Brother, we brothers will definitely assist you in cutting down all thorns and becoming the most powerful man!"
Liu Jin laughed heartily, tilting his head back.
His eyes showed determination, and his hands in his sleeves clenched tightly. He wanted to become the most powerful man.
The carriage proceeded straight along the street. As it passed a row of stalls, a shout suddenly rang out!
"Straw sandals for sale! Straw sandals for sale!"
"Wear my woven straw sandals and walk as if flying!"
Liu Jin, inside the carriage, felt that the voice sounded somewhat familiar, so he immediately lifted the curtain.
He saw a young man sitting by the side of the street, with a resolute face, prominent ears, and hands that reached past his knees. He was holding a pair of straw sandals, shouting to the passing commoners!
Liu Jin was slightly stunned. It was Liu Bei! He didn't expect him to still be selling straw sandals here.
It seemed that after he recruited Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, Liu Bei hadn't received financial support and could only choose to sell straw sandals.
However, with this man's character and ambition, as soon as the Yellow Turban Rebellion arrived, he would definitely recruit local volunteers and organize militias to resist the bandits, hoping to secure a good position.
Thinking of this, he immediately ordered the coachman to stop the carriage.
Guan Yu and Zhao Ergou were puzzled by this situation and looked out the carriage window, where they saw Liu Bei.
Zhao Ergou exclaimed in surprise!
"It's him!"
Guan Yu heard the exclamation and asked in confusion!
"Fourth Brother, do you and Big Brother know this person?"
Zhao Ergou nodded, a look of disdain in his eyes, and slowly said!
"Big Brother once shot and killed a tiger and was selling it in the city. He then met this person, but he was a bit ostentatious."
"He immediately claimed to be a Han Dynasty imperial clansman, a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan, wanting to elevate his status and recruit Big Brother to serve him."
"Who would have thought that while Big Brother is already an imperial official, this person is still selling straw sandals on the street? What a joke!"
Guan Yu also showed disdain in his eyes upon hearing this. This kind of person wanted to recruit his Big Brother? It was wishful thinking.
If Liu Jin had truly followed him, his Big Brother's talent would probably have been buried. He wouldn't be thriving as he is now, and even he himself would probably still be selling mung beans.
He had only one thought: this big-eared fellow in front of him was not a good person.
Seeing his Big Brother get out, the two of them also followed without falling behind.
Liu Bei was selling the straw sandals he had woven when a carriage suddenly appeared and stopped at his stall.
He frowned, feeling a bit angry. It was just a broken carriage, wasn't it?
At his peak, he had washed several carriages for wealthy families.
Just as he was about to scold them, the owner of the carriage suddenly stepped down.
What met his eyes was a young man, dressed in brocade robes, with a smile on his face, but with a copper seal and yellow ribbon at his waist, exuding an imposing aura.
When he saw this man's appearance, Liu Bei's eyes widened in surprise. It was Liu Jin!
When they had met on the street before, he heard that this young man had shot and killed a tiger, and he knew that this person was extraordinarily brave, so he had the intention of recruiting him.
Who would have thought that this young man was also a descendant of the Han Dynasty imperial clan, and even a descendant of the Prince of Zhao, a higher status than his own Prince Jing of Zhongshan?
So, they only chatted for a moment before he left. However, he hadn't given up on recruiting this young man, but he searched for several days without finding him.
More than a month later, this young man, who was once in coarse cloth clothes, was now wearing brocade robes, especially the copper seal and yellow ribbon at his waist, which dazzled his eyes.
He was not a fool. To wear a copper seal and yellow ribbon meant at least an official of four hundred piculs or above.
He hadn't expected such a rapid transformation; he had become a noble beyond his reach.
Liu Jin looked at the stunned Liu Bei, a smile on his face, and said kindly!
"Brother Xuande, long time no see."
Liu Bei snapped out of his shock after hearing the voice, opened his mouth, and didn't know what to say.
However, he still said with a smile uglier than a cry!
"Jin brother, long time no see. I didn't expect you to become an imperial official. I am truly envious."
Liu Bei almost bit through his molars at this moment, his eyes filled only with envy.
Originally, they were both struggling Han Dynasty imperial clansmen, happily selling things on the street. But in the blink of an eye, you are wearing a copper seal and yellow ribbon, becoming a noble in the commandery.
While he was still selling straw sandals on the street, this contrast was more unbearable than killing him.
Liu Jin said with a smile!
"It was just by chance. I was recommended by my clan elders to become a Tuncun in the commandery, and then I rendered some meritorious service and became a Military Marquis."
"By the way, I have now adopted a courtesy name. My name is Liu Jin, courtesy name Wen Yi. Brother Xuande can call me by my courtesy name."
Liu Bei nodded, a bitter smile on his face, a mix of emotions in his heart.
He just wanted to lie in a warm embrace and cry, recounting the hardships of his years.
Liu Jin pondered for a moment and then asked with a smile!
"Brother Xuande, I see you are currently weaving straw sandals. Are you willing to come to my army to weave straw sandals for my soldiers to wear? I am willing to purchase them at a high price."
Liu Bei heard this and, without thinking, immediately shook his head!
"Thank you for your kindness, Brother Wenyi."
"As a Han Dynasty imperial clansman and a descendant of Gaozu, how can I weave straw sandals every day? Naturally, it is my duty to assist the Han Dynasty and rescue the common people from their suffering."
Guan Yu heard this and almost burst out laughing, letting out a cold snort!
"You are truly arrogant! A mere mat weaver and sandal seller, without even an official position, yet you dream of rescuing the common people!"
"My Big Brother offered you a way out, hoping you could live comfortably in these chaotic times, yet you are so unappreciative!"
Liu Bei heard this, raised an eyebrow, and didn't expect someone to dare mock him. He immediately looked in the direction of the voice.
He saw a nine-foot tall man, with a face like a red jujube, phoenix eyes, silkworm eyebrows, a two-foot long beard, a robust physique, and an imposing aura.
When he saw this appearance, Liu Bei's heart was startled. Why did this person feel so familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before?