Time Travel to 1859: The Iron-Blooded Soldier King

Chapter 292 Liu Ye Visits the Sage

Liu Ye asked, "Does Magistrate Li know him?"

Li Junfeng smiled bitterly and said, "Why, did he offend you? If so, please give me some face and forgive him this time..."

Liu Ye was stunned and said, "He didn't offend me. Could it be that you two are related?"

Li Junfeng sighed and replied, "Your Excellency, that fellow is my cousin, and we are brothers from my aunt's family. I'm already quite straightforward in the officialdom, and he's even worse. At least I can still barely survive in the officialdom, but this Zhang Chunping is almost incompatible with it. Look, this time he offended the Dengzhou General, and in a fit of anger he quit. Now even if I want to go back, it's difficult. I received a letter from Dengzhou General Ke a few days ago. This time, there is no hope at all. General Ke directly rejected my apology..."

Liu Ye laughed and said, "Okay, okay. Ke Zhenhai doesn't want Zhang Chunping, but I, Liu Ye, do. Li Zhifu, you must help me with this. I'm organizing a militia and I'm in need of talented people. If he comes under my command, I will definitely not treat him unfairly!"

Li Junfeng was surprised and happy. He was surprised that someone actually liked a talent like his cousin. He was happy because his cousin was a really capable person. If he could be valued by the governor, it would be a great blessing for him!

Li Junfeng whispered, "Sir, I'm afraid that my cousin is not worthy of your approval."

Liu Ye waved his hand and said, "Don't worry about anything else. I just want to ask you, does he have the ability?"

Li Junfeng said sternly, "Sir, I can't guarantee anything else, but my cousin's abilities are absolutely first-rate. At least I can't compare to him. He's an expert at marshaling the army and pacifying the people. Even the suggestion I boldly made to you was made by him during our conversation. I was inspired by him and came up with this suggestion..."

"Alright!" Liu Ye shouted, "Prefect Li, I'll have to trouble you to make a trip for me. No matter what, I want to bring him to my shogunate. If he wants anything, just ask!"

Li Junfeng smiled bitterly and said, "Sir, he's a very strange person. Even if I come in person, I might not be able to persuade him. In ancient times, Liu Xuande visited Zhuge Liang three times. Why don't you follow his example? Otherwise, relying solely on my reputation, I'm not sure..."

Liu Ye's eyebrows jumped, and he asked in surprise: "Why, you are a fourth-rank prefect, and even your cousin can't come forward?"

Li Junfeng smiled bitterly and said, "Sir, I was somewhat confident in what you said before, but this time he returned home in anger, and I was really disheartened. Sometimes I even turned him away..."

Ding Ruchang frowned and replied, "Master Li, Zhang Chunping is so arrogant, who can afford to employ him?"

Li Junfeng gave him a wry smile. Liu Ye pondered, "If that's the case, then I'll travel light and go with you to see this Zhang Chunping and see what he's capable of. Remember, don't reveal my identity for now."

The next day, accompanied by Li Junfeng, Guo Ye took Gao Qi to Zhang Chunping's home.

Arriving at the door, Li Junfeng walked straight in. The three of them entered the yard and saw a large rattan chair in the middle of the yard. A strong man was lying on it reading a book.

Li Junfeng called out, "Chunping."

The sturdy man put down the book and looked up, "Oh? Cousin, how come you have time to come to my place? Don't you mind that my poverty makes you feel uncomfortable?"

Liu Ye's face turned dark. This guy's words were really speechless. He was so stupid. He was so rude to his cousin who came to visit. What's more, Li Junfeng came with an outsider?

Li Junfeng had long been accustomed to Zhang Chunping's tone of voice and replied, "I came to Jinan this time to welcome the new governor, and I came to see you and your aunt. Is she here?"

Zhang Chunping's face straightened, he stood up, and said respectfully, "Cousin, you are so thoughtful. My mother is in good health. Thank you."

Liu Ye nodded. This guy was a little arrogant, but he was still kind of human. Li Junfeng just greeted him and he stood up with a respectful look on his face. His filial piety was really great.

Li Junfeng smiled and said, "That puts my mind at ease. I'll go visit her later. Let's chat first."

Zhang Chunping smiled bitterly and said, "Cousin, please don't lecture me. I will never go back to that Green Camp and will never suffer their bullying again. That Ke Zhenhai has no ability at all. He only holds the high position by relying on his connection with the governor. Without me, his Dengzhou Green Camp would have been defeated by the Nian Army sooner or later. Humph!"

Li Junfeng replied, "Okay, brother, you still want me to persuade you? Even if you want to go back, they won't want you anymore! This time, Lord Ke has even lost my face and directly replied to my letter rejecting my mediation. Now, let's see how you can support your aunt! Support your wife and children!"

Zhang Chunping sneered, "Cousin, you don't have to worry about that. I'm good at both civil and military matters. I can handle the bow, the sword, the stone, the horse, the archery, and everything in between. If I switch to the imperial examinations, with my skills, even if I can't say I'm guaranteed to get the top three spots, at least getting a Juren should be a piece of cake. If that doesn't work out, I'll be a teacher. If that doesn't work out, I'll just do street fighting and make a living. That'll be enough to support my family!"

Li Junfeng's face darkened, and he said unhappily, "Alright! I know you're capable, kid. If you're capable, why don't you become a governor and show me? Why don't you become a minister and show me?"

Zhang Chunping said proudly, "Is this foolish court still worth my life? The governor? The chancellor? Are their abilities superior to mine? Hehe, among the civil and military officials in the court, there are really few who can catch my eye. Since they don't know what they are worth, why should I get close to them? Isn't it better for me to just give up this government job?"

"Okay, I know you're naturally proud. You won't bow down for a few dollars! You're noble!"

Li Junfeng really didn't want to waste time talking to this guy. Talking to him would shorten his life by ten years. He would make him so angry that he would die!

"Brother, I brought two friends with me this time. I want to get to know you, and I'd also like to invite you to come out of retirement. What do you think?"

Zhang Chunping was stunned and said, "Cousin, do you still want me to join the government? I've already said I don't want to go. Even if I have to perform on the streets, I won't bow to those scum!"

Li Junfeng angrily said, "Chunping! If it weren't for not wanting your aunt to worry about you, do you think I would care about you, a piece of wood? You deserve the hardship and suffering you endure. Why should your aunt, your sister-in-law, and your nephew suffer with you? Do they owe you anything? You piece of wood!"