Chapter 009: Practicing Martial Arts

Everyone in the household knows that the eldest master is easy to talk to, while the second master is shrewd and holds grudges the most

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Whether it is on the stove or the lights, or the gardener, the vegetable farmer, those on duty, or the young servants, the senior maids, the little girls, the seamstresses, the wet nurses, the household guards, the butler accompanying the master out, those in the account room, everywhere in the family, there is a vibrant and splendid scene. Especially when Xiao Weigong pointed at the second master and said that there is plenty of time ahead, the astonished voices of everyone nearly lifted the roof off.

People are like this; the things that are unattainable and those that are lost seem even more precious. Zhang Yuangong looked at his only son before him, and his heart felt an even greater pang of affection.

This child is quite stubborn, which instead brings great comfort to Zhang Yuangong... He himself has a character that is overly timid; had he persisted a bit back then, perhaps things would not have reached such a point. Especially since Weigong's mother has already passed away, it makes him feel even more regretful.

Thank you

Yuanfang, the reason I have summoned you and your spouse here today is indeed sudden and unavoidable

Thank you, Brother Xie

Someone remarked: "Truly, the child does not know the depths of the situation. Just wait and see, there will be a good show to watch in the future. As for Lady Zhao, is she not a force to be reckoned with? I fear she might very well torment this wild child to death before her heart is satisfied"

Yuanfang, younger siblings, please take a seat

It is said that the British nobility also engages in agriculture. If our ancestors had not practiced martial arts back in the day, we might not be living such a life now

On the morning of the second day, as the sky was just beginning to lighten, and the morning star still lingered in a corner of the sky, Gong had already risen.

If he does not ascend to the position of Duke, this embarrassing situation will not improve

Thank you, Master Xie

However, regardless of the circumstances, my son's request to learn martial arts is truly unexpected and beyond imagination

Zhang Yuangong felt quite helpless: "This child, having been poorly disciplined since childhood, has now also lost his father. I hope you two can understand."

Zhang Yuangong frowned and said: "The matter of practicing martial arts is something only military generals, guarding martial masters, and bodyguards are willing to engage in. Although martial examinations were established during the Tian Shun era, they are hardly respected in the current dynasty. It is not uncommon for a martial champion to end up as a lowly soldier at the border. If you wish to stand out and bring glory to your mother, practicing martial arts may be too difficult for you."

Zhang Weigong finally settled down in the Duke's residence. After being adopted, his adoptive parents also benefited from his status. Originally living outside the residence, they were now allocated a small courtyard in the southwest corner of the estate. In addition to this small family of three, there were also two rough servant girls and two young servants assigned to them. The family of three could receive five taels of silver from the public treasury each month, prepare their meals in the large kitchen, receive clothing according to the seasons, and have ready-made furniture and household items. In this way, they could be considered settled.

As for the recruited border troops, they are often engaged in battles; the dangers are not to be mentioned, and the benefits are not significantly high. The composition of their members is complex. Apart from the Zhejiang soldiers recruited by Qi Jiguang, who were mainly farmers, the other troops consist primarily of rogues and criminal convicts, or the utterly bored and malicious types. Such a military discipline is naturally poor, and their reputation is even worse. This vicious cycle makes it impossible to rise through military service in the Ming Dynasty.

A man must encounter certain challenges in order to mature. This young man possesses a resolute spirit; once he sets a goal, he is determined to achieve it, and he will undoubtedly achieve great success in the future

Zhang Yuanfang's voice was very kind. After giving a few instructions, he added: "I heard from your elder brother that you wish to practice martial arts and that your resolve is unwavering, making it impossible to persuade you otherwise. It is somewhat amusing that although I am also an official in the martial arts department, I am not well-versed in martial studies or the arts of war. Fortunately, there are teachers in the residence who are well-versed in family traditions; you may go and learn from them."

The speaker is Aunt Mei from the Qi family. After spending a day with her, Gong has realized that this woman bears no resemblance to his mother; she lacks his mother's grace and intelligence, and seems to be illiterate. However, she is relatively kind and represents the typical Chinese woman.

Thank you, Aunt Qi

I only call you Uncle Seven and Aunt Seven

The matter of the official entering the residence has caused a great uproar in the Duke's household in England. The details, after various embellishments and amplifications, had spread throughout the entire estate by nightfall. The atmosphere in the Duke's residence, which houses over 400 people, was as lively as during the New Year celebrations, with chatter and gossip echoing everywhere, and the remarkable aspects left countless people astonished

Zhang Yuangong did not expect that his son would make such a request. He originally thought it would be about some financial matters, after all, Wei Gong's mother might have had some instructions before her passing. The title of Duke was something his son could not attain, so he could only hope for some compensation in terms of money or property. Zhang Yuangong was quite willing in his heart. However, he had no personal savings; the public funds were closely monitored by the second son and could not be touched, as their father would not agree. As for private funds, the mother tiger kept an even tighter watch. It was pitiful for the legitimate eldest son of the Duke, a man in his thirties, to be without a penny to his name, only receiving money as needed for necessary social engagements.

After dark, a middle-aged couple arrived at the Guantao Garden of the master of the upper house. The man was dressed in a somewhat worn but not entirely old outfit, adorned with a silver-cornered belt, and wore cloud-patterned shoes. His face bore a kind and composed smile. The woman, on the other hand, was in a simple gray coat and skirt, appearing ordinary, with a somewhat timid demeanor, giving off the impression of coming from a humble background.

So be it

The situation arose suddenly, and Zhang Yuanfang did not know how to react, so he simply looked at his wife. Upon hearing Zhang Yuangong's words, Mei felt that Wei Gong was truly pitiable, as she herself had no children. Rather than asking her husband to take a concubine and have children, it would be better to adopt.

If Zhang Weigong had not witnessed General Tao's martial skills and the astonishing slingshot techniques of Chun Ge'er on the day of the massacre in the mountain village, the performances of these individuals would not have revealed to him an unprecedented world, which also made him, who was eager to settle scores, establish his aspirations long ago; otherwise, he might not have persevered.

There is porridge in the pot on the stove, along with steamed buns, and boiled eggs for you to eat

Zhang Yuangong waved his hand and said, "We are all family, why be so formal?"

This is your towel, Qingyan. From now on, use this to clean your teeth and wash your face in the morning

After finishing the meal, Gong clasped his hands and bowed to Aunt Qi in gratitude, then called for a rough servant to lead the way to the training ground in the mansion

Thus, disregarding the impoliteness in Wei Gong's words, he spoke in a gentle manner: "Having said that, no matter what you wish for, as your father... uh, I will grant it all!"

Although it was common at the time for such transfers to occur and contemporaries did not oppose it, I held a firm conviction in my heart, which is why I immediately refuted it

Casting a glance at her husband, Mei hurriedly prepared his court attire, waist badge, official boots, and other items, finally adorning him with a waist sword, transforming him into a spirited middle-aged military official before her eyes

Although they refer to each other as family, Zhang Yuanfang's father, Zhang Lu, and Zhang Rong are cousins, with their grandfather being Zhang Lun. By the time of Zhang Yuanfang, the relationship has become quite distant, and in another generation, it would be five degrees of separation. They usually reside on South Street outside the manor, having established their own way of life, only coming together with the family during the Lantern Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and New Year for ancestral worship. Today, being summoned, both husband and wife feel somewhat surprised and anxious, uncertain about the nature of the matter at hand

Martial arts practice

Seeing his son willingly descend into depravity, Zhang Yuanhe, feeling quite pained, said: "You should first learn some archery and physical training at home; I will have the martial arts instructor in the house provide you with some guidance. As for advanced martial arts, it is not easy to master, so we will discuss it again when a renowned teacher becomes available."

Zhang Yuanfang, standing there without a care, yawned and said: "Our family is like a large tree with deep roots; my brothers and I are indulged in comfort, and this life has been spent in idleness!"

After so many days of worry, the exhaustion of both mind and body had already drained his physical strength. At this moment, letting go of his concerns, the worst outcome was nothing more than this. As his mind relaxed, he felt as if he had collapsed entirely.

After the small figure of the child disappeared, Zhang Yuanfang said to his wife: "This child harbors a deep resentment in his eyes, clearly indicating that he has encountered tragic events in the world. I believe his practice of martial arts is not as simple as it appears on the surface; it is not merely about wanting to achieve success through martial skills, as my elder brother suggested."

He felt his body stiffen slightly, thought for a moment, then turned around and sat down, served himself a bowl of rice, picked up a steamed bun, and began to eat heartily.

In a vague sense, I felt someone lift me up, and after that, I knew nothing at all.

Alas, this child is pitiable

Only Gong understood that what this weak and incompetent father said was the truth. In the mountain village, he often heard phrases like "a good man should not serve in the military," which is far removed from the honor associated with military service in later generations. During the founding of the Ming Dynasty, soldiers held some status, but now it is purely civil officials who govern, leading to severe suppression of military men. Both their political treatment and economic income are exceedingly low. The military households of the Ming Dynasty were forcibly conscripted into service, and they could not change their occupation for generations. The lives of military households are sometimes worse than those of beggars; at least beggars can move to different places to solicit alms, while military households can only inherit their status from generation to generation and cannot leave their assigned garrison at will.

Upon his wife's gesture, Zhang Yuanfang stood up and replied, "This is a wonderful matter, I will naturally agree. However, we must choose an auspicious day and invite the elders of the clan to be present, so that everyone can celebrate together"

Thank you, Uncle Qi

On this day, Mei turned over and over, thinking about such matters. For these years, she had been unable to bear children and was wholeheartedly wishing for a son. Having an adopted one would also be good. Zhang Weigong, with his delicate features, was a very handsome young man, and just looking at him brought joy to her heart. However, the Weigong family had encountered misfortune, which, in Mei's eyes, was indeed quite pitiful

Um

He is just a little child, and being new here, Zhang Yuanfang and the Mei family always thought he would be lazy and sleep in. Having just been adopted, they were reluctant to urge him. Unexpectedly, Wei Gong got up early by himself, which left the couple, who were using willow leaves to dip in green salt for their teeth, looking at each other in astonishment

Zhang Yuangong naturally had no objections, and nodded in agreement. He then called out Weigong and said, "This is your seventh uncle and seventh aunt. After the adoption, they will be your father and mother."

Virtue

I want to practice martial arts

Such a trivial assistance, yet Zhang Weigong earnestly expressed his gratitude. As he bowed, he suddenly felt a darkness before his eyes and fainted.

Zhang Yuanfang, being a scion of a prominent family, speaks and acts in an orderly manner, is also reasonable, and is able to accept the title of Seventh Uncle.

Zhang Yuangong truly deserves to be the future Duke. Having received a good education, he recounted the events in a detailed manner, far surpassing what those servants could convey. After finishing, he addressed the couple, saying: "My father has permitted me to choose someone myself. Brother Yuanfang, I recall that you have no offspring yet. Although you are still young, it has been a long time without a child at your knees. How about adopting one first? I wonder what your thoughts are on this?"

Such discussions were incessant, continuing late into the night. Yang Da and Madam Qian, among others who were directly involved, found no respite throughout the day. From morning till evening, they could hardly tell how many pots of tea they had consumed to soothe their throats and endure the day.