Chapter 6, Mundane Affairs Are Numerous

Zhao Ping intended to test the depth of Yi Louzhen's abilities, thus he did not counterattack, but merely adopted a defensive stance. With a knife, he blocked left and dismantled right, as if strolling leisurely in a garden. Even though Yi Louzhen exerted all his strength, he was unable to break through Zhao Ping's defense

Cui Shi let out a helpless sigh; after all, Zhao Ping was merely his grandson, not his direct descendant, and thus he had little standing to influence matters. Upon entering the study, the maidservant presented hot tea. Zhao Ping conveyed his intentions to his grandfather, which were quite ordinary—merely a visit. Subsequently, Zhao Ping disclosed the matter of his grandfather sending someone to the capital after the Dragon Boat Festival.

As for Zhao Ping, Cui Shiyue grew increasingly fond of him, and his envy deepened. In terms of family background, the Cui family is one of the six prominent families of the current dynasty, while the Zhao family is merely a recently risen yet declining clan, only qualifying as a gentry family and hardly considered a prominent family; in terms of scholarship, he himself is the emperor's teacher, and with nearly two hundred years of his family's accumulation, it is likely that no other family can surpass it; regarding military strategy, few of the existing prominent families have not risen through military achievements. Yet, the individuals cultivated by his family are hardly comparable to Zhao Ping. Moreover, with nearly two hundred years of his family's accumulation, it is likely that no other family can surpass it; regarding military strategy, few of the existing prominent families have not risen through military achievements. Yet, the individuals cultivated by his family are hardly comparable to Zhao Ping.

Upon learning that his grandson was coming to visit, Old Master Cui felt greatly comforted and personally welcomed Zhao Ping from the study, leaving him quite flattered. At seventy years of age, Cui Shichang was three years older than Zhao Lin. Unlike Zhao Lin, who had been hardened by a lifetime of battles, Cui Shichang was cultured and elegant, exuding the aura of a scholar. After warmly grasping the hand of his grandson, who had come to pay his respects, Cui Shichang led Zhao Ping into his study.

Zhao Ping greatly admired Yi Lou's straightforward personality. He then returned to his room, changed his clothes, and went with his wife and Qingyue to pay respects to his grandfather and parents.

In accordance with the principle of preferring quality over quantity, there are currently only six hundred family guards in the Zhao family. As the day grew brighter and the hour of the rabbit approached, one hundred family guards stationed at the Zhao residence arrived at the training ground, where they were assigned their tasks for the day by the commander

A heavy rain at night washed away much of the summer heat, and a gentle breeze brought a refreshing coolness. Zhao Ping, accustomed to rising early, arrived at the training ground along the bluestone path in the courtyard.

For the sisters Xiao Xi and Xiao Rong, Zhao Ping, like his wife, dotes on them immensely, never treating them as servants. He even freely imparts the martial arts skills from his school to the two of them. Xiao Rong, excitedly holding Zhao Ping's hand, looks towards the courtyard, and Zhao Ping, unable to bring himself to say anything to her, can only follow behind.

Due to Zhao Lin possessing his own fiefdom, the security of the fiefdom is naturally a priority. Not only are there five hundred family generals stationed there, but those warriors who are over forty and can no longer serve as family generals have also been appointed as officials of various ranks, managing Zhao Lin's fiefdom.

After staying in the training ground for a while and chatting briefly with the warriors who had come for roll call, Zhao Ping left this place that not only bore the glory of the Zhao family but also had once been drenched in his own sweat

Zhao Ping remained calm and unhurried, raising his long knife. With a light sound of "clang," the two blades met, effortlessly neutralizing Yi Louzhen's lethal move. Seeing his attack easily countered by Zhao Ping, Yi Louzhen did not lose heart. He deftly drew his curved blade, following the momentum to flick upwards along Zhao Ping's long knife, aiming directly at Zhao Ping's face. Zhao Ping secretly nodded; although Yi Louzhen's two strikes were simple, they possessed an ethereal quality reminiscent of an antelope's horns, elusive and without trace, embodying the essence of martial arts.

Yilou Zhen was even less courteous, lightly exclaiming "Look at the knife," and in an instant, he charged forward two steps, reaching in front of Zhao Ping. The curved blade in his hand traced a strange arc, directly targeting the open flank beneath Zhao Ping's ribs

Seeing that she could not prevail after a long struggle, Yilou truly sheathed her sword and, with a face full of admiration, said to Zhao Ping: "I humbly concede defeat!" After saying this, she beckoned her sister Xiaoxi to follow her into the room.

This courtyard was specifically built by Zhao's mother for her son. Coming from a prominent family, the Cui family is a noble lineage that can be compared to the Zhao family of Jinyang. As the eldest daughter of a distinguished family, she possesses great depth and insight. A small courtyard is merely a trivial matter for her; this courtyard, named "Cuiwei," is simply a preliminary exercise for Zhao's mother.

More than ten of the Zhao family's guards were organizing the weapon racks that had been put away due to the rain. Upon seeing Zhao Ping, they all bowed in unison to pay their respects, and Zhao Ping smiled as he greeted them.

Upon seeing Zhao Ping return, Yi Louzhen flicked her wrist, and the curved blade in her hand spun in response, instantly gathering the myriad lights of the blade. Yi Louzhen tucked the curved blade behind her elbow and looked at Zhao Ping with eager eyes, asking, "How about a match with me?"

Compared to Zhao Ping, those so-called talented individuals in his own family are only fit to hold Zhao Ping's horse and assist him, which greatly frustrates Cui Shiyu. However, his grandson is admirable in many ways, yet he possesses one flaw: he is indifferent to fame and fortune. While others are eager to vie for any official position, he, on the other hand, refuses the positions offered to him, preferring a carefree and unrestrained life like a wandering cloud or a wild crane

Zhao Ping was just curious about Yi Louzhen's martial arts, and of course, he would not refuse. He smiled and nodded. Seeing that there was excitement to watch, Xiao Rong hurried back into the house, fetching a knife while calling for Yue Yao, Tu Shu, Qing Yue, and Xiao Xi. Zhao Ping watched Xiao Rong busily with a wry smile, but he was too lazy to intervene. He nodded to his wife and Qing Yue, took the long knife that Xiao Rong handed him, and gestured for Yi Louzhen to proceed.

Stepping on the morning light spilled on the ground, Zhao Ping'an walked slowly towards the eastern courtyard where he resided. Passing through a finely crafted archway, a corner of the green-tiled roof of the eastern courtyard emerged, shaded by lush trees. In contrast to the overall bold and simple style of the Zhao residence, this modest courtyard was exquisite and elegant, clearly reflecting considerable effort in its design

Under the elegantly grand entrance, a lively figure was standing there, gazing around. Upon seeing Zhao Ping return, she hurriedly ran over; it was Xiao Rong. Xiao Rong greeted Zhao Ping with a crisp salute, saying: "I have met the son-in-law."

Returning to the courtyard, Xiao Rong turned around to close the vermilion door. As the two of them walked past the front hall to the back courtyard, they saw Yi Lou truly practicing with a knife. A Uzi curved blade glimmered in Yi Lou's hand, and amidst the dazzling flashes of the blade, it appeared as radiant and enchanting as blooming black lotuses.

As a family that rose to prominence through military achievements, the Zhao residence lacks a certain delicacy, instead exuding a more robust grandeur. The expansive drill ground is surrounded by lush green trees, with towering trees isolating this nearly two-mile square area into a separate realm. The ground, compacted from yellow earth, is remarkably level, and even after a heavy rain last night, the solid and even surface shows no signs of standing water or mud.

Having grown accustomed to the simple yet robust architectural style of the Zhao residence, this small but exquisitely crafted courtyard immediately catches the eye. With its blue bricks, green tiles, and pink walls, complemented by a well-arranged and appropriately placed array of plants, bamboo, stones, and pavilions, this courtyard comes to life.

When you were young and went to your grandfather's residence, tell your grandfather that Zhao Kuan will be going to the capital soon," Zhao Ye said to Zhao Ping淡淡.

The circular training ground is surrounded by wooden fences that are taller than a person, adding a touch of solemnity to the tranquil arena. At the far end of the training ground, dozens of archery targets are lined up in a straight row.

The Cui clan is one of the prominent aristocratic families in Jinyang and even during the Later Han Dynasty, alongside the Zhao family of Jinyang, the Li family of the capital, the Liu family of Jingzhou, the Wang family of Yizhou, and the Wan family of Yangzhou, collectively known as the six major families of the Later Han Dynasty. Zhao Ping's maternal grandfather, Cui Shi, was the teacher of Emperor Zhi when he was still the crown prince. After Emperor Zhi ascended the throne, the Cui clan naturally rose in prominence, seizing the opportunity to displace the Song family of the capital, thus becoming one of the six major families, enjoying a moment of great honor. Although Cui Shi chose to withdraw from the political scene, the members of the Cui clan took advantage of this opportunity to further consolidate their position. Even though the power center of the Cui clan was primarily in the capital and Jingzhou, they also possessed considerable strength in Bingzhou.