Chapter 008 Please Drag

Jia Ke said: "Please come out, sir, I would like you to witness my martial skills"

Jia Ke then smiled and said, "In the future, I will also send you two taels of silver as monthly allowance."

Li Wenbin thought for a moment and said: "It is only your own words that I do not believe. If you want me to discuss this with Lord Jia, you must demonstrate it to me first to gain my trust"

Li Wenbin nodded slightly: "You are indeed very diligent on a regular basis, but talent is evident. In the future, as you grow older and gain more experience, it is still possible to pursue further studies."

In the end, it was Jia Ke who agreed to maintain the progress, and with a proud expression, he reluctantly stated that he would forgive Jia Ke today.

Upon hearing this, Jia Ke also felt that it was quite a lot. He seemed to remember that in the book "Dream of the Red Chamber," Liu Laolao mentioned that their family had an annual expenditure of only twenty taels of silver, and yet their family was not an ordinary peasant household, but a small landlord's family, with maidservants in the house, and her son-in-law could often enjoy banquets. It is evident that Chun Cao's monthly salary of five hundred wen is considerable.

In the afternoon, the teacher assigned homework, followed by self-study, which included copying calligraphy and memorizing texts. Before the end of the afternoon class, the teacher would conduct a check.

Jia Ke bowed and said: "Sir, the student does not possess a high talent for studying. Over the years, I have worked hard in my studies, mostly to please my father, who loves scholars. Therefore, I have endeavored to learn, hoping to achieve success in the imperial examination. However, during my recent illness, I have contemplated much and feel that it may be difficult for me to achieve success in the examination. I wonder if you share the same opinion, Sir?"

When asked how much monthly allowance Aunt Zhou receives, Chun Cao replied that it is two taels of silver

Jia Ke felt a wave of disdain in his heart, questioning the need for such bluntness. Is it not implied that only someone in their several decades, of considerable age, could possibly pass the examination to become a scholar?

When Jia Ke arrived, Li Shi (the respectful title the three students used for Li Wenbin) had just finished eating and was reading at his desk. Upon seeing Jia Ke enter, he was quite surprised, as Jia Ke was not like Jia Zhu, who frequently came to seek advice. They usually only met in the study, and there was rarely any interaction at other times. Today, seeing Jia Ke come alone, he wondered what matter he wished to discuss

However, Jia Ke decided to confront his master tomorrow; otherwise, life would be unbearable. As for the promise made to Jia Lian about mutual support, he felt that if his master agreed to explain to Jia Zheng tomorrow, then his progress in studies would likely fall behind even Jia Lian, which would not be considered a breach of trust.

At noon after class, they had their meal in the study, with three people having four dishes each, consisting of two meat and two vegetable dishes. However, Mr. Li dined alone in the side room, with eight dishes.

Jia Ke bowed and said, "Master Li, the student has a matter to request, but does not know how to begin speaking."

Usually, the comparison with Jia Ke is not very obvious, but today even Jia Ke has memorized more than half of the book, while Jia Lian has not memorized anything at all. This is unacceptable, so I immediately instructed Jia Zhu to fetch the ruler. However, Jia Lian looked at Jia Ke with a face full of grievance, believing that Jia Ke had betrayed their friendship. As a result, Jia Lian was struck five times on the palm by the teacher, and seeing his handsome face change, Jia Ke felt pain on his behalf

The next day, in the morning, Jia Ke first went to Aunt Zhou's room to pay his respects to Jia Zheng, and then after having breakfast, he went to class as usual. Upon arriving at the study, he saw Jia Zhu, but Jia Lian had not yet arrived, so he headed towards Mr. Li's room

Li Wenbin, after finishing the formalities, asked him: "Why are you here instead of reviewing your lessons in the study?"

Jia Ke continued, "In fact, students have a secret; from birth, they feel immensely powerful, effortlessly wielding various weapons to their satisfaction. In their leisure time, they also observe the household servants and guards practicing martial arts, instinctively sensing that their skills are merely superficial and easily defeated. Therefore, I wish to ask the teacher to speak with my father, allowing me to learn martial arts, as joining the military could be a viable path in the future."

Mr. Li spent the entire morning lecturing, with a focus on the Four Books, as this is a crucial subject for the imperial examination. Jia Zhu listened with great delight, while Jia Ke and Jia Lian felt as if they were sitting on pins and needles.

After class, the teacher checked the homework. Jia Zhu not only completed the task but also memorized an additional passage. When it was Jia Ke's turn to recite, he stumbled through more than half of it. Jia Ke had been expecting the teacher to scold him and then hit his palm, but unexpectedly, the teacher not only refrained from punishment but also praised Jia Ke, considering him relatively diligent. However, when it came to Jia Lian, the teacher became furious, as Jia Lian had only completed the copying and had not memorized anything at all.

After school, Jia Ke went to visit Jia Lian, as today Jia Lian was the only one who had been beaten. Jia Ke did not accompany him in the same manner as before. However, Jia Lian looked at Jia Ke without saying a word, his face filled with sorrow and indignation, as if Jia Ke had committed some heinous act.

The gentleman has a complex relationship with Jia Lian, feeling both love and hate. He loves Jia Lian for his intelligence, which is no less than that of Jia Zhu. However, he hates that Jia Lian does not dedicate himself to his studies, merely attending classes each day to get by.

How can it be the same? Our household's food, clothing, and expenses are different from those of others. Even my little maidservant is superior to the young ladies of ordinary families. Not to mention, even a third-rank maidservant receives a monthly allowance of one hundred wen.

Jia Ke asked again: "How wonderful it is to be at home, to find work for oneself; as long as one is willing to work, one will not starve. Why must one come to the mansion to serve others"

Mr. Li has no housing in the capital. As it is quite difficult to live in the capital, Mr. Li teaches at the Jia residence, which not only solves his food and accommodation issues but also provides him with a salary. Therefore, Jia Ke believes that Mr. Li is not pedantic and does not look down upon the nobility like other scholars. Meanwhile, the Jia family has found a good teacher for their children. It can be said that both parties benefit mutually.

Li Wenbin said: "Feel free to speak if you have something to say, but I am just a minor official, so whether I can accomplish it is uncertain."

Jia Ke casually took Chun Cao's hand and asked her with a smile, "So what rank are you?"

After lunch, the gentleman may rest in the parlor, while the three of them can only crawl on the desk for a while

Jia Ke quickly said: "It is not his matter, it is regarding the students' academic affairs"

My lord, how would you know this? The maids in our household are limited in number; for every new one that comes in, one must be sent away. Since the founding of the country, the number of children born in the family has increased several times, so not everyone can enter the household. Now, with this concubine adding another person, there is no telling how many people below will be asking for favors, trying to push their own daughters in.

Li Wenbin said: "In that case, I am all ears."

Returning to her own courtyard, she first went to Aunt Zhou's room to have a conversation with her. Upon entering, she noticed a new maid named Xia Mai, and it was evident that the name had been given by Aunt Zhou.

The spring grass, feeling quite shy, forcefully withdrew her hand and walked out of the room. As she walked, she said, "I will go to the big kitchen to fetch some food for you." Just as she reached the threshold, she looked down and said, "I am waiting for you to give me the two taels of monthly salary." With that, she ran out.

Jia Ke's training is much happier compared to others. While others must first temper their muscles and bones, then practice their qi and strength, Jia Ke possesses the external advantage of Lu Bu's courage, continuously transforming his body. Even if he does nothing, after three years he can reach Lu Bu's peak combat power. If he practices qi guidance daily, after three years he is likely to surpass Lu Bu.

Jia Ke arrived outside the door and called out loudly: "Student Jia Ke requests an audience."

Since I have decided to explain to the gentleman today, it would be better to finish it early; the sooner one dies, the sooner one can be at peace.

Chun Cao pulled her hand a few times but could not free it, so she let him hold it. Blushing and a bit proud, she said: "Ever since I followed you, I have been promoted to second rank, receiving a monthly allowance of 500 wen."

Jia Ke felt puzzled; he had been told that the new maid would arrive a few days ago, so why had she only come today? Upon returning to his room and seeing Chun Cao pouring tea for him, he asked, "I have a question for you. The maid who is coming to our house, why has she only just arrived? Didn't the master arrange for her to come a few days ago?"

In the evening, Jia Zheng went to spend the night in Aunt Zhou's room. After Jia Ke went to pay his respects, he exited the main room and returned to his own quarters. Seeing that there was nothing to do, he instructed Chun Cao to return and rest first. He then remained in his room, practicing the techniques of Lü Bu to circulate his vital energy and refine his guiding exercises.

Mr. Li said in the room: "Come in and have a chat"

Jia Ke exerted all his efforts to complete the large character copying, but he was unable to memorize the text no matter what. By the end of the class, he could only barely remember more than half of it

Jia Ke entered the room and once again paid his respects to Mr. Li. After the formalities, he stood at the lower end, waiting for Mr. Li to ask questions