Chapter 15: sophistication

"Abu is very capable~" Li Zheng looked at Lu Bu with a slight frown but didn't take his rudeness to heart. He accepted the prey with a smile and continued to interact with Lu Bu.

Over the next few months, Lu Bu followed his father's advice, occasionally delivering game to Lizheng's family. Even when the Lu family faced scarcity, they still shared their resources. Lu Bu often contemplated giving up, but his father's persistence prevailed. He even accompanied Lu Bu to personally offer gifts to Lizheng's family.

As autumn arrived, Father Lu received 50% of the harvest from their land, a 20% increase over other tenant farmers. Though the taxation process appeared similar, Lu Bu sensed that their actual tax burden was lighter, almost half of what others paid.

"Father, despite this, the game we give to Lizheng's family exceeds the value of these grains." At year's end, Lu Bu expressed his dissatisfaction, though this time with significantly less resentment.

"Wait and see, you'll understand next year." His father's words were filled with a mysterious confidence.

Although Lu Bu remained hesitant, he continued to provide game to Lizheng's family throughout the year, as his father had suggested.

"Abu, tomorrow I'll send a few tenants to your home. Here's an official permit from the county magistrate for new land reclamation." Lu Bu stayed for dinner at Lizheng's house and was handed an approval letter by Father Lu.

Lu Bu was surprised. He had never imagined receiving such an opportunity. He stood up and bowed gratefully to Lizheng, expressing his gratitude.

"You're quite the young man now. It's time you had a drink," Li Zheng remarked, handing Lu Bu a wine glass.

"Thank you." Lu Bu accepted the glass with both hands, taking a seat once more.

As the night wore on, Lu Bu found himself returning home, his thoughts muddled. His original purpose for entering this world was for revenge, but he now faced the question of what to do next.

Father Lu was seated on the doorstep, feeding the chickens, when Lu Bu arrived home. Walking over quietly, the chickens scattered around him, eventually circling back.

"Why?" Lu Bu inquired, looking at his father in confusion. His father paused his task, sighing softly.

"It's a rule. Just as wolves share their prey with the pack, the wolf king eats first. You've been hunting all this time, so you understand," his father explained.

Lu Bu nodded, absorbing his father's words.

"In life, many rules dictate that if you want something, you must first give something. No one treats you kindly for no reason. Like the situation with Lizheng, you don't always need words. Just take action, and most people will understand. If someone shows kindness without asking for anything in return, be cautious. Some kindness can be dangerous." Father Lu tossed aside the chicken feed, picking up a chicken. "Get some rest. Tomorrow, your mother will cook a chicken for you."

Lu Bu remained silent for a while before asking, "Father, what would happen if I didn't give in initially?"

"In our position, without Lizheng's support, we'd always be on the outskirts of the village. Sudden improvements would stir jealousy. It's a complex situation," Father Lu admitted.

Lu Bu was speechless. This insight was new to him. His actions had often been driven by personal preferences, but today's events had offered a new perspective. Many aspects he had been ignorant of were now clear. While he wasn't entirely sure, he had grasped that Dong Zhuo's friendliness had been a result of his actions, not an inherent fondness for him. It was a lesson that even a rural person understood, and Lu Bu had only just fully comprehended it.

The world was full of gray areas, where force wasn't the only means to achieve something.

In the ensuing days, the Lu family grew busy. With their ten-acre plot, they enjoyed relative wealth for common folk. The four members of Lu Bu's family, with their twelve acres of land, were able to secure food and even save some surplus.

Lu Bu, accustomed to stability, began feeling unsatisfied with this life. He didn't want to be a farmer forever; he desired change. Even if he couldn't achieve the same brilliance as in reality, he refused to settle for an ordinary existence.

However, transitions between social classes were never easy, regardless of the era. If Lu Bu wished to ascend, hunting down wild beasts and offering them to Li Zheng wouldn't suffice. Furthermore, Li Zheng wasn't from the upper echelons of society. Climbing the social ladder with his help seemed unlikely. Lu Bu could only think of one option: joining the army.

Despite the peaceful state of Dagan, barbarian incursions along the borders were commonplace. The occasional large-scale southern invasion demanded military prowess. To stand out, Lu Bu considered returning to his former occupation. He contemplated joining the army.