Jian Yong heard this, a hint of bitterness on his face, and sighed!
“This is a long story. Back then, Brother Xuande did want to invite me to Guangzong to join his teacher, Lu Zhi.”
“Unfortunately, my mother unexpectedly caught a cold at home. As the only son in the family, how could I abandon her? So I stayed home to take care of her.”
“Alas, my mother didn't hold on and passed away half a year ago.”
At this point, tears welled up in Jian Yong's eyes, seemingly very sad.
Seeing this, Liu Jin quickly comforted him!
“Xianhe, you are a filial person. Surely your mother, knowing in the afterlife, wouldn't want to see you weeping.”
After wiping the tears from his eyes, Jian Yong slowly returned to normal and continued!
“After I finished handling my mother's funeral, I originally wanted to go and join Xuande, but I couldn't contact him, and I didn't know where he was.”
“Coupled with the recommendation of elders in my clan, I became a minor official in the Prefect's Mansion. To facilitate business in the city, I bought this courtyard to live in.”
“I never expected it to be the Marquis's old residence. What a coincidence!”
Liu Jin's heart tightened when he heard this. Fortunately, his arrival in this world had caused a butterfly effect for Liu Bei as well.
If history had progressed as it should, Jian Yong would have definitely joined Liu Bei, and the two would have been inseparable. It would have been impossible for him to win Jian Yong over.
The current Jian Yong could at most be considered a fellow townsman and good friend of Liu Bei. Their relationship was not as intense as it was historically. He still had a great chance to recruit him.
Jian Yong looked over with a hint of anticipation and asked!
“Marquis, when Xuande went to the Guangzong battlefield to join Lu Zhi, you must have met him. Do you know where Xuande is now?”
Liu Jin's heart skipped a beat when he heard this. Could it be that Jian Yong still wanted to find Liu Bei?
He secretly pondered, he couldn't let this talent run away just like that.
He narrowed his eyes and said!
“After the Yellow Turban Rebellion was quelled, the imperial court had already bestowed rewards. Xuande had also rendered many meritorious services and was appointed by the court as the County Lieutenant of Anxi County. He recruited many capable individuals, and I presume he should still be there.”
At this point, Liu Jin's gaze fixed on Jian Yong, and he counter-questioned!
“Xianhe, what I don't understand is, it's been so long since the Yellow Turban Rebellion was suppressed, didn't Brother Xuande send someone to send a letter inviting you to go?”
Jian Yong was initially happy to learn that Liu Bei was serving as a County Lieutenant.
But after hearing that sentence, he instantly fell silent, with an unnatural look on his face.
He was somewhat unwilling to accept this fact. He and Xuande were fellow townsmen and good friends, and they had agreed to seek a future together.
He never expected that he had already prospered, yet he had long forgotten him.
Especially since he was still foolishly waiting at home, hoping to receive an invitation from Liu Bei.
Jian Yong's thoughts were very complex.
Now that he knew Xuande's location, should he go and join him or not?
But Xuande had promised him that after achieving success, he would definitely invite him.
However, it had been so long, and he hadn't received any news from Liu Bei. Should he really go and join him?
For a moment, he found it difficult to decide.
Liu Jin, sitting next to him, looked at the bewildered Jian Yong, a subtle smile on his face.
It seemed Jian Yong was lost in thought. It looked like he needed to add fuel to the fire.
He lightly coughed, pulling the somewhat bewildered Jian Yong back to reality, and hesitantly said!
“There's something I don't know if I should say or not!”
Jian Yong looked up, his face filled with confusion, and slowly said!
“Marquis, please speak your mind. There's nothing you shouldn't say.”
Liu Jin's voice slowly came out!
“When I first met Xuande, he was accompanied by two sworn brothers: the mighty Pan Feng and the skilled swordsman Liu Sandao.”
“The three of them helped each other, moving like the wind through the Yellow Turban Army, forging a formidable reputation. They had already sworn brotherhood, becoming a much-talked-about story in the army, envied by others.”
When Jian Yong heard this, his mind buzzed, and his body trembled slightly.
He seemed somewhat unwilling to accept that he had known Liu Bei for so long, yet they had never become sworn brothers.
He never expected that in just over half a year, he had become sworn brothers with others. Was he merely a backup, dispensable in Liu Bei's eyes?
If he truly considered him a good brother, why was there no correspondence after he rose to prominence? Clearly, he looked down on him.
Jian Yong secretly made up his mind. Since you, Liu Bei, look down on me, why should I shamelessly follow you?
There are countless talented people; who do you, Liu Bei, think you are?
He probably couldn't even compare to a single hair on Liu Jin. Liu Jin, despite his high position, didn't bully others. Instead, he treated scholars with respect, was polite to everyone, and even took care of his relatives and friends.
In contrast, you, Liu Bei, got an official position, but you had long forgotten about me, your waiting brother.
Liu Jin looked at the complex thoughts of Jian Yong, smiling inwardly.
As long as he broke up his relationship with Liu Bei, and he appeared as a warm man, showing care, protection, promotion, and rewards, he would surely be moved, and recruiting him would be no problem.
After a moment of silence, Jian Yong seemed a bit downcast, his voice hoarse as he said!
“Marquis, since you want this courtyard back, I will pack up and leave now.”
Liu Jin heard this and quickly waved his hand, smiling as he said!
“Hey!”
“This house is yours to begin with, why would you leave?”
Jian Yong heard this, looked up, and asked doubtfully!
“Marquis, wasn't your purpose in coming here to reclaim this ancestral home?”
Liu Jin shook his head!
“Since you live here peacefully, how can I disturb you? This house is still for you to live in.”
After saying this, Liu Jin stood up, glanced at the house, and said with a smile!
“Besides, this house already has an owner, what use is it for me to cherish it?”
After saying this, he left with Zhao Teng, who was beside him.
Jian Yong heard what was just said, a confused look on his face, and murmured to himself!
Since Liu Bei doesn't need me, why should I still cherish him?
Thinking of this, he sighed softly!
After leaving the courtyard, Liu Jin immediately got into a carriage and, surrounded by dozens of guards, left the place.
Soon, he returned to the Liu Residence and walked towards the backyard.
He saw Yin Yue and Aunt Zhao sitting in a pavilion, both smiling from time to time, looking very happy.
Beside them stood several maids, attending to them.
Liu Jin's lips curved into a smile as he walked over and called out affectionately!
“Aunt Zhao.”
The two, still chatting, heard the voice and turned around to see Liu Jin.
Aunt Zhao quickly stood up, a respectful look on her face, and bowed!
“Greetings, Marquis.”
Seeing this, Liu Jin frowned, quickly reached out to stop her, and asked!
“Aunt Zhao, why are you so formal?”
“Has Jin'er offended Aunt Zhao in any way?”