On this day, Liu Xiu looked after the crops in the field, and then went to the mountain forest to continue to practice martial arts.

Since meeting the two 'robbers' that day, Liu Xiu realized that his skill was still far from being proficient.

During this time, Liu Liang's house never lacked firewood.

Due to the practice of martial arts, Liu Xiu was only able to cut down a small tree of half a man's waist every day at first. Later, he was able to cut down a big tree thicker than one person a day.

The fallen trees were naturally split into firewood by him.

Seeing Liu Xiu carrying a lot of firewood home every day, Liu Liang just started to be quite happy, but as Liu Xiu came back from day to day, there was a big pile of firewood, and there was no more place for it at home.

Liu Liang deliberately found Liu Xiu and said meaningfully, "A'Xiu, you are tired enough to work in the field every day. You do not have to chop so much firewood every day. Let yourself rest."

After listening, Liu Xiu just laughed and did not speak. In the future, he no longer carried firewood at home. All the chopped firewood was stored near the log cabin. After accumulating more, he loaded it on the bullock cart and pulled it to the market, sold it here and made a small extra money.

It had been nearly a month since Long Yuan left. Liu Xiu's arm strength and foot strength had made great progress. Now he could cut down a tree as wide as a man with an axe within two hours.

Of course, after this two hours' work, Liu Xiu's clothes were almost soaked with sweat.

On this day, after cutting down a tree, Liu Xiu was sitting on a tree stump to rest, preparing to split the fallen tree later. At this time, the rustling footsteps came from behind him.

Liu Xiu almost stood up from the stump in a subconscious reaction, took the axe standing upside down, and looked back. He saw a man with a rotten shirt and a beard coming to his side.

He fixed his eyes closely and recognized the coming person for a while. This man who looked like the victims of the disaster was Long Yuan who had been away for a month.

After Liu Xiu recognized him, he exclaimed in shock and joy: "Zhongbo, you are back!"

Dusty, dirty, and sloppy Long Yuan first flicked the dust on the body, and then he quickly approached Liu Xiu, bowed to the ground, and said: "Lord, I am back!"

Liu Xiu pulled him and said, "Sit, sit!" He asked Long Yuan to sit on the stump and asked, "Zhongbo, did you find Long Zhun and Long Bo on this trip?"

Long Yuan smiled and shook his head bitterly, saying: "Although I couldn't find them, I found the mark they left me in Lantian County. I also left them a mark. As long as they saw, they will come here to find me. "

Liu Xiu nodded, but was a little disappointed in his heart.

First, he was very curious about Long Zhun and Long Bo. Second, to realize his dream, there must be a group of trusted people around him. Long Zhun and Long Bo were brothers of Long Yuan, and they could naturally be used for himself.

It was a pity that Long Yuan went back to Lantian County without finding them this time and failed to bring Long Jun and Long Bo back.

Liu Xiu suddenly thought of something, and asked, "Zhongbo, have you heard that Wang Mang sent Lian Dan to lead a hundred thousand-soldier troop and entered Yizhou Province to fight against the Southerns Barbarian Army?"

Long Yuan nodded and said, "I heard it a little bit."

Liu Xiu said: "In addition to the 100,000 soldiers led by Lian Dan, Wang Mang will also form a Volunteer Army with 100000 volunteers. My elder brother plans to join the Volunteer Army, and I want to go too!"

Long Yuan took a deep breath and frowned slightly, and said, "Joining the Volunteer Army, does it mean to help the thief Wang Mang?"

Liu Xiu shook his head and told Long Yuan about the matter, and then he said: "My elder brother thinks that joining the Volunteer Army this time is a good opportunity to make money. I also think this opportunity should not be missed."

"It turns out that this is the case." Long Yuan nodded thoughtfully. To overthrow Wang Mang's tyranny, it would certainly be impossible to have no money in hand. He said in earnest: "If lord wants to go to Yizhou province, I will certainly go with you! "

Liu Xiu smiled and patted Long Yuan's shoulder and said, "My uncle and elder brother are against me. We will have to go there secretly." Then, he looked at Long Yuan and asked, "I haven't eaten yet. Go, let's cook and eat! "

Back at the cabin, Liu Xiu asked Long Yuan about the trip in detail.

Long Yuan told him briefly.

Two days later, Liu Yan said goodbye to his family, carrying a suitcase with a group of his friends, marching forward into Yizhou Province with mighty power.

There were really many people who followed Liu Yan. In addition to Zhang Ping and Zhu Yun, who were inseparable from him, there were more than 20 people.

Among them, only Liu Yan's equipment was relatively complete. He got a leather helmet and leather armor, and a short sword hung under his rib. These were all what he had.

His equipment was still the most complete in the team. Most people did not even have a decent weapon, let alone armor. They either carried a sickle in their waist or a hoe on their shoulders.

In fact, it can be understood. Anyone who had a little money at home and could live a life, would not like to go to Yizhou Province to fight against the Southern Barbarian Army desperately.

Nanyang Prefecture was next to Yizhou Province, and Caiyang County was closer to Yizhou Province. Xiangyang City was more than 50 miles west, and Hanzhong Prefecture of Yizhou was 50 miles west.

During Wang Mang's reign, the country's geographical names were changed again, which was very confusing. Xiangyang City was also changed to Xianyang City. However, among the people, they were still used to call it Xiangyang City.

Xiangyang City was one of the gathering places of the volunteers. Liu Yan's destination was Xiangyang City. Fifty miles for them was not so difficult, and they could arrive in Xiangyang City in one day easily.

Liu Yan and others set off at half past four o'clock in the morning. It was still dark at this time, and it was very bright when it five o'clock in the morning.

Walking forward, a young man quickly caught up with Liu Yan in front and said, "Brother Bosheng, there have been two people following us all the time. Will they be the eyeliner of nearby bandits?"

There was a drought in the world, and the people lived in misery. There were many people who fall into the grass as a pirate, and there were occasions of murder and robbery.

Hearing that his party might have encountered bandits, Liu Yan was not afraid, but also cheered up. Zhu Yun grinned and said, "Hey, this time I have fun. Before we go to Yizhou Province, we can just use the bandit to practice!"

The people who followed Liu Yan were usually loafers who were idle and doing nothing. They had no other skills but they were quite doos at fighting. One could fight against two other people. After listening to Zhu Yun 's words, everyone 's eyes were brighter, their arms were lifted, their sleeves were pulled, and they together looked at Liu Yan enthusiastically, looking eager to try.

Liu Yan grinned and gestured at the woods on the road ahead, "We will ambush in the woods ahead, see who is following us, and then decide whether or not to take actions."

Everyone saw Liu Yan as the head, and when he finished, people nodded together. The group headed by Liu Yan suddenly accelerated their pace. They had walked to the woods in a short time.

Under Liu Yan's indication, the group immediately divided into two groups, one to the left and the other to the right, hiding in the woods at a very fast speed.

The two walking behind them seemed to notice that Liu Yan and his party suddenly disappeared and both of them accelerated their pace.

When the two approached the woods, all of a sudden, a whistle heard from the forest, followed by a hula, Liu Yan and others rushed out and surrounded them.

Seeing how they both looked, everyone was dumbfounded, Liu Yan exclaimed: "A'Xiu?"

It was Liu Xiu and Long Yuan who followed Liu Yan. Liu Xiu looked at everyone and cleared his throat a little embarrassedly. He first bowed his hand to the elder brother and then greeted Zhang Ping, Zhu Yun and others.

Liu Yan quickly calmed down from the shock, and he knew Liu Xiu's purpose to follow them without asking him. He asked calmly, "A'Xiu, did you sneak out?"

With his uncle's temper, it was impossible for him to let A'Xiu join the volunteers. Even if himself decided to join the Volunteer army, his uncle had a lot of trouble at home.

"Well." Sure enough, Liu Xiu nodded and whispered, "Elder Brother, I have left letters to uncle, aunt and Younger Sister!"

Liu Yan pursed his lips and said, "Did I say that, you can't follow us to Yizhou Province! You have to stay home and take care of Younger Sister!"

Liu Xiu said with a serious look: "Elder Brother, Younger Sister has uncle and aunt to take care of her. She does not need me at all!"

Seeing that Liu Yan was going to refuse him, he said in a hurry, "Elder Brother, I have run out now, and I have left a letter . Uncle must have seen it. Now, when I go back, uncle will not treat me kindly! Besides, brothers are stronger when they get to the battlefield. I and Elder Brother go to Yizhou to join the volunteers. It is also a matter of course. "As he said, he turned his head to look at the most familiar Zhang Ping and Zhu Yun, blinking at them repeatedly. .

Both Zhang Ping and Zhu Yun were amused by Liu Xiu's expressions and said to Liu Yan: "Bosheng, there are officers and soldiers to fight in the big battle. We do not need to work so hard. And there will not be so much danger. Let A'Xiu join us. We can take care of A'Xiu. Why are you feeling uneasy?"

"Yes, Elder Brother, I'm not a child anymore. I am already twenty. Let me go!" Liu Xiu looked at Liu Yan with expectation.

Liu Yan frowned, and refused him: "No! You return home immediately!"

Liu Xiu said with a sad face: "Elder Brother, it may not be safer at home than in Yizhou Province. Have you forgotten what happened last time?"

He was reminding Liu Yan that he almost died in the hands of two 'bandits' last time. Upon hearing this, Liu Yan's face changed, and his attitude became less determined.

He took a deep breath and said quietly: "Do you think it is a trifle to fight a war? It will really kill people!"

"Elder Brother, I have the ability to protect myself!" Liu Xiu said anxiously.

"Are you capable?" Liu Yan was almost amused, and even he didn't dare to say that he would be safe on the battlefield, not to mention A'Xiu?

"I don't care! I'm out anyway, I won't just go back even if you kill me!" In front of Liu Yan, Liu Xiu had always been a very obedient and reasonable younger brother, but this time he was a rare showing his temper.

Looking at Liu Xiu's firm face, Liu Yan thought about it for a long time, and finally compromised, saying: "This time joining the Volunteer Army, no matter what happens, you have to listen to me. Do you understand?"