Volume One: From Farmer to Official Chapter Four: Biao Will Brave Fire and Water Without Hesitation

“Are we going to build a raft today, Chu Liu?”

Pang Dun was Ma Fengya's precious son, nicknamed Dunzi, but this child seemed to gain weight just by drinking cold water. Chubby and round, everyone in the village, young and old, called him Pang Dun. He was two months younger than Chu Liu, yet inherited his mother’s talkative nature; once he started talking, he simply couldn’t stop.

Chu Liu only shook his head. In times like these, who had the leisure to build a raft?

“Pang Dun, climb up this tree and get that dead branch down.”

A thick, arm-sized dead branch hung conspicuously from a big tree. Chu Liu pointed it out, and Pang Dun, nimble as a civet, scrambled up the tree with both hands and feet.

“Take it easy, Pang Dun. Be careful, don’t fall.”

“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing!”

Pang Dun grinned, hugging a thick branch above his head tightly, stomping hard on the dead branch. Pang Dun was a skilled climber and strong; with a loud crack, the dead branch snapped and fell. He was prepared, and as soon as his footing gave way, he swung like a monkey from the sturdy branch. Then, clamping the trunk between his legs, he slid down in one smooth motion.

“Come give me a hand and clear away the twigs.”

The group of children rushed over, picking off leaves and smaller branches, then carried the bare dead branch toward the river.

“Don’t go in the water. Pang Dun, you and I will push the branch toward that person…”

“Alright!”

The two brothers stripped off their clothes and waded shoulder to shoulder into the water, pushing the narrow end of the dead branch toward the middle of the river.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Pang Dun whispered, “Chu Liu, you swim so well. Why not just swim over and rescue the person directly, instead of using the branch?”

“When someone is drowning, they panic and will grab onto anything within reach—including the rescuer. If you’re not careful, you won’t save them; you’ll get dragged under yourself…”

A rescue should not end in tragedy.

“Don’t be afraid. Hold on to the branch, and we’ll get you to shore…”

The brothers swam to the person, pushing the thick end of the branch toward him. The child, acting instinctively, clung tightly to the branch.

“Don’t let go!”

Chu Liu gave a few reminders, then he and Pang Dun, one on each side, gripped the branch and began to swim slowly toward the shore.

“Pang Dun, don’t go too fast, in case he loses his grip.”

They moved cautiously, towing the branch. When they reached shallower water, the other children waded in, helping to lift the child onto the riverbank.

After dressing, Chu Liu began first aid. The children gathered around, eyes full of concern.

Chu Liu laid the child face down and pressed on his chest. After a moment, the child coughed up some water and slowly opened his eyes, weakly murmuring, “Th…thank you…”

“You’re lucky today. Remember this lesson: don’t swim in deep water, especially where there’s no safety equipment or rescuers…”

Chu Liu slipped, inadvertently reciting the six rules of water safety. Wisdom beyond his years left the children puzzled.

The rescued child tried to explain, “I wasn’t swimming in deep water on purpose. I got bitten by a water snake, panicked, and accidentally ended up in deeper water…”

Chu Liu looked and saw bite marks on the child’s calf.

“Let me treat the snakebite first.”

Wild violet was blooming now, with purple flowers easy to spot. Chu Liu dug up a plant, crushed the root as his father had taught him, and squeezed the juice onto the wound.

The child gradually recovered. Seeing that Chu Liu could not only rescue from drowning but also treat snakebites, admiration sparkled in his eyes.

“My name is Su Biao, from Muddy Creek Village in Xiangyang Town. What are your names?”

Su Biao’s voice was earnest, still tinged with childish innocence.

“I’m Xie Dunzi, he’s Xie Chu Liu. We’re from Qingshi Village, Liuxi Town. Using the dead branch to save you was Chu Liu’s idea. I got the branch…”

Pang Dun recounted everything before Chu Liu could answer.

Su Biao stood up, imitating adults, clasped his hands and bowed, “Thank you, gentlemen, for your righteous deeds. Su Biao will never forget your life-saving kindness. From now on, if you need anything—even if it’s through fire or blades—I’ll go without hesitation…”

He struck a heroic pose, full of bravado mixed with humor.

Would a hero stand naked, swinging his little bird in gratitude?

The scene was downright hilarious.

Chu Liu teased, “Hey, who would have guessed you’re a man of noble spirit?”

“A man should be so.”

Su Biao puffed out his chest, proud. “I, Su Biao, don’t like studying or reading. I admire heroes of old. When I grow up, I’ll roam the world with sword in hand, righting wrongs and spending fortunes without regret…”

Another innocent youth led astray by storybooks.

With such lofty ideals, his family must be well off.

Money to spend, spent freely.

In other words, a prodigal son.

If you save someone, save them completely—pull him back from his dreams.

“With your ambition, you should take the military exam, serve the nation, and save the people. Do you know the greatest heroes serve their country and the people…”

Su Biao did not fully understand, but was moved, solemnly praising, “Chu Liu, I’ll remember your words and take the military exam… Chu Liu, I want to become sworn brothers with you. From now on, we’ll share blessings and hardships together…”

Chu Liu waved his hand, breaking the solemnity with a single sentence.

“Put your pants on first, then talk about brotherhood.”

Su Biao realized he was naked, hurriedly covered himself, and blushed, “No peeking!”

“Master Su! Master Su…”

Just then, children across the river saw Su Biao rescued, carrying his clothes and running from the bridge.

Su Biao quickly dressed and began recounting his glorious history.

“My father wants me to study, but I can’t stand the teacher’s nagging, so I skipped school. My dream is to be a great general…”

Tch!

He just said he wanted to be a wandering hero, now his ambition has changed.

“Me too!”

Pang Dun chimed in, his comical face full of admiration and resonance for Su Biao’s ambitions.

Chu Liu sighed.

The poor pursue learning, the rich pursue martial arts.

Pang Dun might have a sturdy body, but his family had no money—he could forget about the military exam.

“Look!”

Everyone turned toward the shout, and saw several adults appear on the opposite riverbank, anxiously scanning the water as if searching for something.