Chapter 1: Entering the World

Xue Jie agreed and said: "Third brother, let us practice together tomorrow morning. Today, several brothers from the army are gathering, so I will take my leave."

In this large courtyard, only grandfather treats me the best, while grandmother does not treat me well either. Perhaps this is how a big family is! It is quite helpless to think about it, so I turned around and left the Xue residence, heading towards the bustling street in the west

The old servant said to Xue Yun: "Young master, it is time to take your medicine"

Xue Yun was just about to leave when his grandfather called him back, saying: "In the next few days, let your second brother Xue Jie practice with you. He will also teach you some military regulations."

Xue Yun said to Qi Bo: "Qi Bo, I would like to go outside for some fresh air"

Xue Aoren said: "Alright, you may go!"

Xue Yun said as Mao Laoyao approached, "I understand."

Xue Yun responded and walked into the inner hall. Upon entering, he saw that many people were seated in the main living room, with his grandfather, Xue Rui, occupying the seat of honor. Grandfather Xue Rui had served in the military for many years, achieving notable military accomplishments and holding the rank of second grade. Due to injuries, he was now retired and staying at home

Xue Yun hurriedly bowed in greeting. The middle-aged man smiled and said: "Second brother's youngest has grown up, Yun'er, your aunt often mentions you. When you have time, go visit your aunt in Jiangnan"

A few days ago, the young master fell seriously ill, to the point of losing consciousness and speaking nonsense. Just now, several bolts of lightning struck his body, and his mind gradually began to recover. He slowly contemplated how the lightning had infused his brain with memories and his body with strength. Gradually, he integrated the memories and power from the lightning into his own brain and body, and many things in this world began to surface before his eyes. He slowly sat up, reflecting on everything that had just happened. The young master, named Xue Mingyun, was the illegitimate son of Xue Fang, a captain in the capital's military. His family had served in official positions for several generations, establishing a certain foundation in the capital. Xue Aoren had one wife and three concubines, with five sons and three daughters; Xue Yun's mother had long since passed away. At this moment, an old servant entered with a bowl of medicine. This old servant, around sixty years old, had been serving Xue Yun since he was old enough to understand, and was an old retainer from his mother's family.

In the capital, the sky was ablaze with a fiery red, accompanied by rolling thunder, as the earth trembled and several bolts of lightning struck the outskirts of the city. At that moment, the heavens and the earth suddenly returned to tranquility. In a small courtyard outside the capital lived a young gentleman, but his life was not easy. He resided in a dilapidated courtyard, where an elderly servant couple also lived. The three of them relied on a mere few dozen mu of thin soil to make a living.

Qiber said to Xue Yun: "Alright, I will go prepare some food for the young master."

The second son, Xue Aoren, is also known as Xue Yun's family. The eldest brother, Xue Bin, and the second brother, Xue Bo, are of legitimate birth, while Xue Yun is the third. The fourth, Xue Shuang, and the second sister, Xue Huan, are born of the second concubine. The fifth, Xue Rong, is born of the fourth concubine. The eldest sister, Xue E, and the third sister, Xue Qiang, are born of the third concubine

Grandfather is well

The Xue family has four sons and two daughters. The eldest son, Xue Aogu, perished in the Battle of Salhu, leaving behind two sons. The second son, Xue Aoren, had five sons and three daughters. The third son, Xue Aotian, is missing in action from the Battle of Salhu, and the court has declared him dead in battle. The fourth son, Xue Aobiao, served as a Qianzhong in Henan. The eldest daughter, Xue Aoxiang, married the Jinshi Song Wen from the Wanli era and had one daughter. The second daughter, Xue Aorao, married Qian Kai, a scion of a Jiangnan family, and had one son and two daughters.

A servant named Xue Wu approached at the door and said: "The ancestors and the master have been waiting for the young master for quite some time; the young master should hurry."

Xue Yun said: "Father, I would like to go out for a walk"

Xue Ruidao: "This is your uncle by marriage; you should go pay your respects."

Xue Aoren responded affirmatively. Xue Rui then spoke with his descendants for a while before instructing everyone to disperse

Xue Yun nodded and said to Tu Shudao: "Qi Bo, I will go now." Xue Yun rode on horseback, with Mao Laoyao following closely behind, heading towards the capital. The capital is vast, known as the Jing Shi in the Ming Dynasty. Xue Yun's era is the late Ming Dynasty, and the current emperor is the Tianqi Emperor. Xue Yun rode his horse towards Guangqumen, the only city gate on the eastern side of the outer city wall of Beijing, formerly known as Datongqiao Gate and also called Shawo Gate. Built during the Jiajing period, it is considered low among the city gates, as not many people enter and exit through it. Xue Yun rode his horse, with Mao Laoyao leading the way. Upon reaching the city gate, Mao Laoyao greeted the soldiers guarding the gate, and Xue Yun rode through the city, heading towards his home near Chongwenmen. The area around Chongwenmen is predominantly inhabited by officials, and the Xue residence is located on the eastern side, where many military officials' residences are found. By this time, it was past noon when Xue Yun arrived at the entrance of the Xue residence, handed the horse over to Mao Laoyao, and walked towards the house.

Xue Yun exited the inner hall, and Xue Ao Ren called out: "Xue Er, the room has been tidied up by the servants. You will live here from now on, and do not return to the countryside."

Qi Bo responded and soon came out of the courtyard leading a horse. He said to Xue Yun: "Go ahead, take it slow; you need to recover. Bring some food with you." As he spoke, he handed the horse and a flatbread to him

I am hungry in the afternoon

Old Mao stepped forward quickly and said: "Today, the master has been promoted, what a joyous occasion!"

Xue Yun glanced at the person approaching, who was the grandson of the old butler. He was one of the few in the household who treated him well, named Mao Shun, and everyone affectionately called him by his nickname, Mao Laoyao. He was the youngest in the family and the most clever.

Grandfather is on the road, and the grandson has already eaten

Second brother Xue Jie quickly left. Second brother Xue Jie served as the General of the Great Han in the imperial palace, due to the death of his elder uncle in the Battle of Salhu, for which the court specially summoned him to take office. His elder brother Xue Cong held the position of a thousand-man commander in the Liaodong army, and among the two brothers, Xue Jie was even more robust and imposing

Xue Yun nodded in agreement. Only then did he stand beside Xue Aoren, looking across to see a middle-aged man sitting opposite, next to him was his second brother Xue Jie from the main house, and beside him sat his elder brother Xue Bin and second brother Xue Bo.

Qi Bofu helped Xue Yun to the entrance of the courtyard and brought a chair for Xue Yun to lean against. He then returned to his room. Leaning on the chair, Xue Yun looked at the land outside the courtyard, which had already sprouted patches of new green. While he was lost in thought, a person on the distant path was walking quickly towards him, calling out from afar: "Third Young Master, is your illness better? The ancestor wants you to return to the residence for a visit"

Xue Rui further remarked: "Yun'er, your father has been promoted to a thousand-man commander, which is indeed a joyous occasion for the family. This is also the Emperor's commendation for the Xue family's generations of loyalty to the country. Although your father knows that you excel in literature rather than in martial arts, it is a pity that the old Xue family has always been a family of warriors. You also understand that civil and military affairs are equally important; you should settle down and focus on your work."

Xue Yun had long since lost the desire to stay. His relationship with his elder brother Xue Bin and second brother Xue Bo had always been poor. When they were young, the elder brother and second brother, relying on their status as legitimate sons and being older than Xue Yun, often bullied him. For some reason, their father was also indifferent towards him. As he grew older, he moved to the countryside to live with the Qi couple.

Xue Aoren said: "Yun'er still needs to compete in the young elite army, so do not be careless."

Xue Yun said to the old servant, "Qibo, put the medicine back; my illness has improved." Qibo looked at Xue Yun's complexion and said, "Young master, your complexion is much better now"

Xue Yun turned to the courtyard and said, "Qi Bo, I need to return to the Xue residence for a while"

Xue Ruidao: "Yun'er lost her mother at an early age, and when she was young, her aunt was the one who cared for her the most."

Grandfather called Yun'er over for a matter; the palace is recruiting a group of young imperial guards. Unexpectedly, the palace has specifically named you. Prepare well and bring honor to grandfather

Grandfather Xue Rui said with a smile, "Yun'er has come, have you recovered from your illness?"