Liu Yu's family was poor, and his so-called home was nothing more than three sparse thatched houses. His big dark hands held up the door, but before he could use any force, the door opened from the inside.
"Brother, you are back!"
"We are all waiting for you to start dinner!"
The eldest brother Liu Daolian was twelve years old, but he still looked childish. When he saw Liu Yu, he immediately pulled him into the house.
On the simple table, there are several plates of dishes. Even though they are ordinary home-cooked dishes, there are also meat and vegetables, which is quite rich.
Liu Yu washed his hands in the copper basin and went to the table. Xiao Wenshou, who was in Jingchai's cloth skirt, heard the sound at the door and walked out of the back room.
"Jinnu, thank you for your hard work these days!"
"Quickly, eat some fish soup to replenish your body."
Xiao Wenshou has a long face and a gentle and quiet look. This family has been thanks to her all these years. Otherwise, what would the three boys do?
Since Liu Yu was able to start working, chopping firewood and selling shoes, although he didn't make much, it made his family's life easier.
These days, he seems to have become more enlightened, and he also imitates other people's search for ways to make money, collecting reeds, helping out, and searching for any profitable trade.
The situation at home is finally getting better, especially the food standard, which is getting better and better. We can eat meat and vegetables for several days in a row.
The two younger brothers were holding rice bowls and eating deliciously. Liu Yu looked at their satisfied faces, with rice grains still stuck on both sides of their mouths, and felt happy in his heart.
He gave his little brother Daolin a chicken drumstick and put it in his bowl.
Dao Lin smiled and said: "Brother, I have eaten a lot of meat these days, I will give this to my second brother!"
"Second brother is older and needs to eat more."
A chicken leg was transferred from Daolin's bowl to Daolian's bowl. Daolian was not polite and took a few big bites: "Yeah!"
“It smells so good!”
"Thank you, little brother!"
"I'll teach you how to box tomorrow!"
Dao Lin took a mouthful of rice and said disdainfully: "I think it's better to forget it. It's useless to learn your bastard boxing. I'd better find a serious master to learn kung fu!"
Seeing the children's respectful brotherhood, Xiao Wenshou picked up the handkerchief and wiped the corners of his eyes. The children have grown up and are still growing up so well. He is worthy of his husband!
"Aniang, my son plans to join the army in the next few days. In the future, I will have to worry about this family."
Liu Yu hesitated for a long time before saying this, but Xiao Wenshou in front of him was not as surprised as he imagined.
She remained silent, poured a bowl of soup for Liu Yu, and placed it in front of him.
"Auntie, you already knew this?"
Xiao Wenshou sighed and said with a hint of sadness: "Beifu soldiers have come to guard Jingkou again. They have been recruiting new soldiers in the past few days. Di Qin in the north is also ready to invade. Even if you don't tell me, I will let you do it."
To join the army."
"A good man with ambitions all over the world, how can he spend his days in peace and quiet at home, woodworking, gathering, fishing and hunting? Don't worry, you can join the army. I am at home. I am sorry that they have grown up and can help me with things."
When the two brothers Daolian and Daolin heard this, they immediately jumped up and ran to Liu Yu's side, promising: "Brother, just go ahead. We are here at home, and we promise to let my mother eat and drink well, and no one will dare to bully us!"
"
"yes!"
"Brother must kill more enemies and come back with military exploits. Our whole family's faces will be bright!"
Looking at their childish little faces, even their voices still sounded milky, Liu Yu was suddenly filled with thoughts.
He will be leaving this home soon, and he is really reluctant to leave...
Liu Yu raised his hand and stroked the heads of his brothers, and said earnestly: "You are still young, just do what you can. The most important thing is that you must be obedient and sensible and not get into trouble, especially if you express mercy, do you hear me?
?”
Comparing the two younger brothers, the younger brother Daolin has a calm temperament and will not cause trouble even if Liu Yu doesn't ask him.
This eldest brother, Daolian, is really a headache. Even though he is only twelve years old, he is very naughty.
Every now and then, in front of Liu's house, neighbors would bring their children to complain, all of whom were bullied by him.
Liu Daolian curled his lips, obviously disapproving of Liu Yu's special instructions.
"Brother, I have grown up. I know what I should do and what I should not do. Don't worry."
Liu Yu secretly smiled. Based on his performance these days, it is not easy to be reassured. However, time waits for no one, and he doesn't have to worry about much now.
Opportunities must not be lost, and they will never come back. He instinctively felt that this contest with Di Qin must be a life-or-death battle, and he must participate in it.
Ever since he heard about the new movements of the Beifu soldiers, Liu Yu's life has been unsettled these days. He has something hidden in his heart and his face is always a little heavy.
For a boy from a poor family like him who wants to build a great career, joining the army is the most convenient way. He is highly skilled in martial arts, so this is also the most suitable path for him.
However, the situation at home made it difficult for him to open his mouth. He had just grown up, and before his family could live a good life for a few days, he had to leave home to join the army, leaving behind orphans and widowers. He really couldn't let go.
Therefore, his mind went back and forth several times as to whether to go to Beifu or not.
Finally, he decided to go.
After today's battle with Beifu's cavalry, he strengthened his belief. It turned out that the elite Beifu soldiers who trained every day had mediocre martial arts skills.
With Liu Yu's ability, as long as he enters the barracks, he will definitely be able to hold up the sky.
"Auntie, I will go to the horse shop to help them sell horses in the past few days to make more money. During the war, you don't have to worry about your livelihood." He turned around and said to his mother.
Xiao Wenshou cleared away the dishes and replaced them with tea. She frowned, always feeling that this matter was a bit suspenseful.
"Slave, my mother also wants to ask you whether your equestrian skills are good. Are you lying?"
Xiangma is a new way of making money that Liu Yu is looking for. If you only make a little money by selling reeds, how can you eat such big fish and meat?
Although Liu Yu is an ordinary farmer now, in fact, he has never given up his pursuit of martial arts.
His mother, Xiao Wenshou, once wanted him to study in the countryside and enter an official career through study and knowledge. Even if he was a minor official such as a scribe, he could be regarded as continuing the official career of the Liu family.
Who would have known that Liu Yu didn't like reading at all, but was extremely passionate about bow and horse hunting. A few years ago, when the previous Jingkou County Sheriff was still there, Liu Yu served as a member of his account, accompanying him on hunting trips.
It can be said that what those Beifu soldiers did today was something Liu Yu had done before.
It was precisely because of these two years of experience that he became familiar with bow and horse archery and enhanced his martial arts skills. After that, the county guard was transferred and he was dismissed and returned to his hometown.
Although he has supported the family business dutifully over the years, Xiao Wenshou knows that one day he will get back on horseback again.