Journey to the West: Sun Wukong's Advice System-Chapter 232 How do you know it’s not me?

Deng Yu and Zhu You, who traveled with Liu Xiu, were still amazed, wondering when Liu Xiu had made so many friends in Wan County.

Wan County was the administrative center of Nanyang Commandery, and the host of this banquet was the powerful Li family from Wan County.

The head of the Li family, Li Shou, was currently serving as a minister in charge of imperial clan affairs at court, wielding significant power.

At this moment, seeing how cordially Liu Xiu and Li Tong, the son of Li Shou, were talking, the two realized that their relationship was anything but shallow.

Upon exchanging glances, the two friends recalled that before Liu Xiu went to the Imperial University, he had traveled the world with a Taoist priest named Sun, which led them to some speculations.

Just then, Cai Shaogong from Rang County in Nanyang said with a laugh, "It’s strange to say, but I heard a prophecy the other day claiming that Liu Xiu will become the Emperor."

Deng Yu and Zhu You’s expressions changed drastically, and the other guests were equally astonished, all turning to look at Liu Xiu.

After a brief silence, someone jokingly asked aloud, "Is it the Liu Xiu who is the national teacher?"

Liu Xiu replied with a laugh, "How do you know it isn’t me?"

The crowd burst into laughter, taking it all as a joke.

They knew that Liu Xiu had made a name for himself at the Imperial University in Chang’an and had recently written two classics of beginner studies, earning him the title of a great scholar in beginner education by the great Confucian and national teacher Liu Xiu.

But that was just a title, without the foundation for rise to power, because Liu Xiu was a declining relative from a distant branch of the Liu clan.

Moreover, Liu Xiu’s father had passed away early, and he was raised by his uncle Liu Liang.

With such a background, what hope was there for him to become Emperor?

Only Deng Yu and Zhu You looked at Liu Xiu earnestly and then fell into deep thought.

A hint of indescribable color flashed in the eyes of the banquet host Li Tong, but he quickly returned to normal, continuing to entertain the guests and subtly shifting the topic elsewhere.

Yet Liu Xiu’s demeanor remained unchanged, still calm and composed.

Before going to Chang’an, he had traveled to different places with Taoist Priest Sun and had studied at the Imperial University for two years.

Without modesty, his experience and knowledge could truly be said to be broad and far-reaching, far beyond what these scions of noble families could compare.

He knew the state of the whole world, from the rivers and lakes to the imperial courts.

Just as Taoist Priest Sun said, Wang Mang was nothing but a fame-seeking charlatan, constantly changing decrees from day to day, going to the ridiculous extent of using seashells as currency merely to bring back the ancient system.

Later, he reformed the currency system several times, silently plundering the wealth of the world.

Even more detestably, Wang Mang squandered national resources building thousands of temples, demanding that people chant the name of Amitabha Buddha, using faith to control the masses.

On the surface, the world seemed peaceful, but in reality, monks produced nothing and were amassing large tracts of farm land in every county and commandery, pushing people to the brink of survival.

Meanwhile, the officials and nobles of Chang’an, along with the families of great houses, continued to live in peace and joy.

Liu Xiu had seen all of this and carried the world in his heart.

How could these noble offspring of Wan County know of his long-held ambitions?

But according to Taoist Priest Sun, for now, it was indeed necessary to rely on the great families and nobles. Real change would require plans to be made later.

With these thoughts, Liu Xiu’s smile grew wider as he continued to converse jovially with everyone.

After the banquet ended, the guests dispersed.

Liu Xiu stayed overnight at the Li residence and had a long conversation with Li Tong through the night.

The next morning, Liu Xiu and his companions, Deng Yu and Zhu You, continued their journey to Caiyang County.

Half a day after their departure, an Edict for a Sea Arrest from Chang’an arrived at the government office in Nanyang Commandery, and it also became known to the government office of Wan County.

The content of the Edict for a Sea Arrest quickly spread, along with another piece of news: the national teacher Liu Xiu and the Liu clan relatives from Chang’an had plotted rebellion with a Sash Decree, intent on usurping the throne. They were executed by the Emperor, with over ten thousand people put to death.

For a time, the great families and nobles of Nanyang were utterly shocked.

Yet, those noble scions who were invited to Li Tong’s banquet yesterday could hardly believe their eyes, for the Edict for a Sea Arrest explicitly stated, "Whoever kills Liu Xiu will be rewarded with tens of thousands in gold, whoever kills Liu Xiu of Nanyang will be appointed Marquis of Ten Thousand Households!"

What’s more, the name of Liu Xiu of Nanyang was also listed among the twelve in the Sash Decree!

They all recalled how at yesterday’s feast, when Master Cai said Liu Xiu was destined to become emperor, no one believed this prophecy, taking it merely as a joke. Many even looked down on Liu Xiu’s humble origins with a heart of envy for his talent and learning.

But now, everyone understood that they had underestimated this Liu Xiu of Nanyang.

All of them were in the Age of Crowned Adulthood, still indulging in pleasures of wine and women, while Liu Xiu had already made a significant reputation for himself, even joining hands with the renowned scholar-official Liu Liang in the great endeavor against Emperor Wang Mang!

Now, it wasn’t just about Liu Xiu having fame; he had laid the foundation for gaining momentum.

Some admired, some sighed, others envied, and still more were greedy.

Upon learning that Liu Xiu had left Wan County for Caiyang, some noble families discreetly dispatched their retainers to pursue and assassinate Liu Xiu.

It wasn’t just them; the magistrate’s office in Nanyang prefecture had sent out armies long ago.

In Wan County, at the Li residence, Li Tong knelt on the ground, wailing loudly. Even though Liu Xiu had informed him last night, telling him that his father was involved in the plot of the Sash Decree in Chang’an and could be in danger,

when he indeed heard that his father had been murdered along with the others by Wang Mang’s traitors, he was still devastated with grief.

After slowly regaining composure from his sorrow, he looked toward Chang’an with resolute eyes and thought to himself, "Father, rest assured."

His father Li Shou was an expert in astronomy and prophecy, far more formidable than the likes of Master Cai – he had long heard from his father the prophecy that "the Liu family shall rise again, with the Li as its aide."

Now, that prophecy was coming true, and he had witnessed Liu Xiu’s abilities firsthand, knowing that the world was about to change.

...

Although Zhu You was from Wan County, he was born there but, like Liu Xiu, he lost his father at a young age and left his hometown early to live with his maternal grandfather’s family, the Liu’s, which is how he became acquainted with Liu Xiu since childhood.

Now that Liu Xiu had left Wan County, he naturally followed.

The three rode in an ox cart, bumping along their way to Caiyang County.

The events of yesterday’s banquet had left Zhu You bursting with words. It was only after they had traveled far from the city of Wan County that he could no longer hold back and asked, "Uncle Wen, what exactly are your aspirations?"

Deng Yu also looked at Liu Xiu, his eyes full of expectation.

Liu Xiu looked at his two dear friends and then out to the vast fields, declaring solemnly, "My aim is to establish a heart for heaven and earth, to forge a destiny for the living, to continue the lost teachings of past sages, and to inaugurate an era of peace for all generations!"

His calm voice resounded like thunder in Deng Yu and Zhu You’s ears, echoing deep within their souls.

They were shocked as they looked at Liu Xiu, finding this even more astonishing than hearing Liu Xiu say, "My ambition lies in all under heaven."

The ox cart rumbled on.

After a moment of silence, Deng Yu earnestly said, "I had originally thought, should Uncle Wen extend his virtue across the four seas, I would contribute my modest strength to your cause and gain honor for myself in the annals of history.

Now, it seems I must adjust my aspirations as well!"

Zhu You laughed heartily, "I feel the same!"

As they left the territory of Wan County, suddenly they heard the sound of galloping horses and shouting from behind.

"Liu Xiu, halt!"

"Execute Liu Xiu!"

"Liu Xiu, leave your head behind!"

The complexions of Deng Yu and Zhu You changed in an instant as they had no time to ponder why they were being pursued but immediately began thinking about how to deal with the unexpected crisis.

They were in an ox cart; how could they outrun those swift horses?

Yet Liu Xiu laughed loudly on the ox cart, "Haha, they have come to provide us with horses!"