Chapter 6: Li's Mother Educates Her Children
"Hmph! Stubborn and unyielding. Xiaoxue, let's go." After hearing this, Master Yao's face turned ashen. He stood up, disregarding Li Xin, packed his medicine box, nodded slightly to Li Gaoshi, and said, "I will come again tomorrow to change the dressing. Hmph!" Saying this, he pulled Yao Muxue and turned to leave, ignoring her struggles. Li Gaoshi hurriedly escorted them out.
"Xiner, what are you thinking about?" At this moment, Li Gaoshi walked over and sighed, "This time, thanks to Master Yao, otherwise your life would have been hard to protect."
Even if you can achieve merit, with your abilities, there will inevitably come a day when your accomplishments overshadow your master. At that time, it is certain that you will meet the fate of the cunning rabbit being hunted and the loyal dog being cooked. When that day comes, it will not only be you who dies, but also your wife and children.
Hmph! After hearing this, Master Yao felt dissatisfied in his heart and glared at his daughter. Yao Muxue seemed to realize something, her cheeks flushed with a hint of crimson as she lowered her head and remained silent. Master Yao snorted and said to Li Xin: "Although you possess some brute strength and your martial skills are commendable, that is merely the courage of a common man. I have heard that you studied before?"
"Revenge? How do you plan to take revenge? Although you possess some martial skills, you must understand that no matter how high a person's martial arts are, they cannot withstand the overwhelming numbers of others." Li Gaoshi's voice grew increasingly sharp as he sternly said, "Take this matter as an example: you may be able to kill a dozen people, but can you withstand dozens or even hundreds? Can you defend against arrows?"
Since you want to be a military general, you cannot merely be a fierce general. A fierce general will always be subject to the commands of others, and one's life will be in the hands of others. Li Gaoshi turned around and walked back to her chamber, but her voice continued to reach Li Xin's ears, saying: "Xin'er, what I actually want to tell you is that, no matter the circumstances, your life must be in your own hands. You cannot rely on anyone else; otherwise, no matter how much you endure, if someone wishes to kill you, it is merely a matter of words. Even if your martial skills are exceptional, it will not matter."
What does that mean, Mother?" Li Xin hesitantly inquired, realizing that Li Gao was a formidable figure. The wisdom of ancient people should never be underestimated, especially for someone like Li Gao, who, despite being a person with a story, willingly chose to be a maid and had not revealed a hint of her past over the years
Li Xin turned his head in surprise to look at his mother, not expecting her to have such insights. Could this be something a maid could achieve? He thought of the yellow scroll, and Li Gaoshi appeared before him like a heavy fog, completely unclear.
What you said is indeed true, this young man, sigh!" Li Gaoshi gently sighed
"Madam, there is no need to worry. Sanlang is robust and unlike ordinary people. Now that he has already pulled through, recovery is just around the corner." Master Yao said with amazement to Li Gaoshi, "I have never seen such a constitution; the speed of recovery is astonishing!"
Aunt Gao, Brother Li is about to recover, you should feel happy. Yet, Yao Muxue had a face full of joy as she said: I know the medicinal herbs my father uses, and when Brother Li recovers, I will accompany him to gather herbs
"Earning fame? Do you not know that this world belongs to the aristocratic families? The aristocracy has dominated the court for over a hundred years. Even if you, a bastard of the Li family from Shouyang, manage to achieve some merit, it is likely to be credited to someone else." Li Gaoshi said with a cold laugh.
Li Xin opened a military book, and the first page bore the inscription "Chang Gong Ji Lu." Who exactly is this Chang Gong? Although Li Xin is a physical education teacher, he is quite familiar with history. He has not studied it in depth, nor has he ever considered who in history might be a military strategist known as "Chang Gong." It is important to note that during that time of information explosion, many military strategies were encountered, yet none were like this one. Who exactly is this "Chang Gong"? However, judging by the expression of the Li Gao family, it seems they would not disclose this information to him. He could only continue to open the military book to see what it contained. It is important to note that during that time of information explosion, many military strategies were encountered, yet none were like this one. Who exactly is this "Chang Gong"? However, judging by the expression of the Li Gao family, it seems they would not disclose this information to him. He could only continue to open the military book to see what it contained.
The child wishes to join the military to earn a name for himself. Li Xin quickly explained: "The recent failure in the first campaign against Liao will surely lead to another attempt, and due to the construction of the Grand Canal, public grievances are boiling over. The child believes that the world is bound to fall into chaos, and at that time, heroes and talented individuals will undoubtedly rise up. The child wishes to dedicate himself to the military and earn a name for himself."
Li Xin nodded. He could only endure the situation of that day. Just as Li Gao had said, he had no backup plan and could only bear it. Perhaps Li Gao herself was in a similar situation; she had no backup plan, so she too could only endure.
Li Xin gazed at the Li Gao clan, utterly shocked. The reason why aristocratic families have occupied the court for hundreds of years is not merely due to power and wealth, but more importantly, because of books. They hold the license to ascend to the pinnacle of power, and books are hard to come by. Those from humble backgrounds who wish to read must borrow them, and after borrowing, they must carefully copy and study them. This illustrates the rarity of books. Military texts are even more difficult to obtain; even aristocratic families would not lend them out, as they are unique to the noble families and prohibited by the court. They possess the license to ascend to the pinnacle of power, and books are hard to come by. Those from humble backgrounds who wish to read must borrow them, and after borrowing, they must carefully copy and study them. This illustrates the rarity of books. Military texts are even more difficult to obtain; even aristocratic families would not lend them out, as they are unique to the noble families and prohibited by the court. Now, to find that there are military texts in the hands of the Li Gao clan, and judging by their tone, there are many, raises the question of what status the Li Gao clan truly holds.
Li Xin absolutely would no longer study; he wished to learn martial arts. "I want to devote myself to the military," Li Xin said in a low voice, his eyes gleaming with a cold light. "A man should achieve his fame on horseback."
At all times, one must prepare for two contingencies and have a means of self-preservation. If there is no way to protect oneself, one must endure what ordinary people cannot bear; only then will you succeed. Li Gao said calmly, "Your ability to endure that day brought great comfort to your mother. Had you been unable to endure and killed everyone present, what would have happened afterward? You would have been left to flee for your life."
Mother, do not worry; a true ruler would never commit such acts. I only possess some martial prowess," Li Xin said nonchalantly. He had already defined himself as a fierce general, or perhaps he would become a renowned general in the future. However, he did not believe in the saying that when the cunning rabbit dies, the hound is cooked. At this moment, the only true enlightened ruler is Li Shimin. After Li Shimin seized the world, most of the renowned ministers and military generals were able to preserve their lives and had a favorable outcome. He had already defined himself as a fierce general, or perhaps he would become a renowned general in the future. However, he did not believe in the saying that when the cunning rabbit dies, the hound is cooked. At this moment, the only true enlightened ruler is Li Shimin. After Li Shimin seized the world, most of the renowned ministers and military generals were able to preserve their lives and had a favorable outcome
Li Xin fell silent; his impression of Li Shimin was solely derived from history, having never encountered the real Li Shimin. He himself was a modern soul, and according to his plan, he intended to first become a military general, clinging to Li Shimin's side, and then, once the world was unified, he would seek wealth and prosperity. He had no other thoughts at all, but now, after hearing what the Li Gao family had to say, he suddenly hesitated
It is still Uncle Yao's miraculous skills that allow the medicinal materials to enable Li Xin's recovery so swiftly Li Xin lay on the bed, his face filled with smiles, and quickly said However, he couldn't help but marvel in his heart, wondering whether it was the effective luck passed down from the Overlord or the changes brought about by his soul's crossing that made him feel his injuries healing remarkably fast
Where can one find such a wise ruler? Even among biological brothers, familial affection pales in the face of imperial power. Li Gaoshi said lightly: "One day, can you guarantee that you will not have other thoughts? Even if you can assure yourself, can you guarantee the same for your descendants?"
"This is a set of three military treatises. Since you are prepared to embark on a military career, your mother will naturally not stand in your way." Li Gaoshi approached, holding the three volumes of military texts, placing them beside Li Xin, and said: "This book is a culmination of military knowledge, meticulously compiled by our predecessors who devoted their heart and soul to it. There are three volumes here, and there are more that I will give you once you have finished these."
Hmph, you little rascal are aware of it. My Heavenly Medicine Powder was crafted using numerous precious herbs, and now it has all been spent on you. Once you recover, you will obediently go up the mountain to gather herbs for me. " Master Yao snorted twice, casting a dissatisfied glance at Yao Muxue beside him. If it weren't for his daughter's pleas, he would not have taken out the Heavenly Medicine Powder to save Li Xin. He could see through his daughter's feelings; if it were in the past, no matter how much Li Xin had helped his daughter, he would not have allowed such a thing to happen. Now that Li Xin has recovered and returned to being a normal person, some things are not impossible. However, thinking that it would be so easy to take his daughter away is not that simple.
"Shouyang Li clan, and you, Liu Dajian, wait for me with your books. I will surely avenge today's grievances," Li Xin said through clenched teeth in a low voice. If it were not for his exceptional talent, he would have likely been beaten to death by them long ago. Li Xin vowed not to be considered a man until he avenged this grudge
"Mother, do not worry; after I recover, I will surely repay Uncle Yao," Li Xin said softly. "I will avenge grievances and repay kindness. I understand, Mother."
Li Xin fell into a moment of silence. In modern society, the world is at peace; under the management of the red regime, the nation is prosperous and the people are secure, with strong legal protections in place. Naturally, few would harm you. However, this is ancient society, where even the current emperor Yang Guang ultimately met his demise at the hands of his own ministers. Imperial power surpasses the law, and in reality, every individual's life is not truly in their own hands.
Sun Tzu said: "War is a matter of state, the realm of life and death, the path to survival or extinction; it must not be neglected." The first chapter precisely outlines the content of the Art of War, which he had read before. However, what captured his attention the most were the tiny annotations in blue ink that reflected his own insights; this was of utmost importance. Li Xin, who had experienced the era of information explosion and had browsed through various military treatises, could not help but be astonished by the annotations before him. He could discern that the handwriting varied, suggesting that it was likely not solely written by someone named "Chang Gong." Li Xin was so engrossed in reading that he lost track of when Li Gao left.
On the bed in the chamber, Li Xin lay on his stomach, his upper body bare, with an unknown ointment smeared on his back, dark and emitting a strange aura. A middle-aged scholar, looking thin and refined, occasionally nodded at the ointment on his back. Meanwhile, Li Gaoshi and Yao Muxue stood nervously to one side.