Chapter Five, Master An Yuan Tang, Part One

Zheng Shian's mother is from a collateral branch of the Zheng family

Zheng Shi'an is the chief steward of Anyuantang, holding significant financial authority.

Do you want to practice martial arts

Zheng Shi'an is not unaware of Duoduo's martial arts training

Thus, even though Zheng Yanqing has mastered the Dragon Subduing Skill, he has never managed to break through

However, it seems more likely that she acted on her own accord. Based on his observations, Xu Ma is a cautious and careful woman who would never easily engage in inappropriate behavior. Having been with the Zheng family for three years, Xu Ma has maintained a very low profile and has never caused any trouble.

Although Duoduo appears quite aloof and speaks somewhat acerbically, she actually has a good heart

Therefore, Zheng Yanqing believes that Duoduo's initiative to seek him out today is likely done in secret from Xu Ma

According to Duoduo, Yan Qing is still young, and prematurely stimulating the vital energy and blood may lead to adverse reactions in the body

Yan Qing knew that Zheng Dashi might possess this "Ma Shuo Pu," but it would likely be difficult to locate.

Yan Qing said, "Grandfather, I saw Sister Duo Duo practicing martial arts, and it was very interesting, so I want to learn from her"

Although Zheng Shian cannot be considered a master, he possesses considerable strength and has fought in battles and killed in his youth, demonstrating a certain level of insight. Since the beginning of the Kaihuang era, although the world has been largely peaceful, Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, is also a warlike individual. The martial spirit inherited from the Two Jin Dynasties and the Southern and Northern Dynasties remains strong. Not only do the sons of noble families practice martial arts, but even ordinary households engage in such training.

Duo Duo got up and said, "I am going to do the laundry now... Little Scholar, you shouldn't overthink things; it's better to stay grounded."

Thus, in Zheng Yanqing's life, in addition to his previous activities of writing and painting, there was one more thing added.

Zheng Yanqing, without realizing it, has already passed five years of spring and autumn

Yan Qing was unclear about his thoughts, but still nodded vigorously.

"Jian kou" refers to the meaning of a lowly household

After all, in order to practice martial arts and establish a solid foundation, he must have the support of Zheng Shi'an. Otherwise, how could he afford such enormous expenses

It is necessary to have a certain level of skill and practice in both the system and library management, which is generally difficult for most people to master. Even though Zheng Shian holds a relatively high position in Anyuantang, he is ultimately a servant of lowly origin, and the martial arts passed down in the Zheng family cannot be taught to him.

Fortunately, Zheng Yanqing's skill in cultivating his temperament is commendable. Although he was mocked by Duoduo, he did not show it on his face. After all, he is a man in his forties; is it necessary to bicker with a young girl? However, in his heart, he still harbored different intentions

Zheng Yanqing speculated that Duoduo was likely attracted to the power held by Zheng Shi'an.

According to ancient methods of calculation, Zheng Yanqing is seven years old

For instance, the art of combat was created by ancient people to seek a means of survival between heaven and earth. The survival environment faced by the ancients was perilous, and in order to sustain themselves, they had to constantly battle fierce beasts. Over time, this led to the development of combat techniques, which later integrated various schools of thought and principles of health preservation, resulting in the creation of unique methods of fighting

Thus, Yan Qing emulated the ancients by practicing calligraphy with branches on the sandy ground. He first laid a solid foundation, intending to write with paper and brush later when the time was right. However, after training in martial arts, the time dedicated to practicing calligraphy was consequently reduced, with martial arts training in the morning and evening, and calligraphy practice at noon

Compared to the so-called routine martial arts that Yan Qing encountered in his previous life, this is simply worlds apart

Therefore, there are also considerations regarding one's background... In summary, the power of the spear is immense, yet it is very difficult to master. If you wish to learn the spear, unless there are special circumstances, it is hard to become proficient. Young scholar, I advise you to abandon the desire to learn the spear and focus on practicing your skills instead

On the other hand, both the techniques of thrusting and evading with the spear are secret arts, passed down within various schools, and are not known to outsiders

Zheng Shian, begin to consider the future

Appropriate opportunities and suitable events are necessary

Otherwise, how could Duoduo possibly find herself

Yan Qing, has Duoduo told you what techniques to teach you

Had he not lost his fertility, he might have already been included in the Zheng family genealogy. The things he could not achieve in this lifetime, he places his hopes on Zheng Yanqing. Perhaps in the future, Zheng Yanqing will truly be able to fulfill this wish of his

Yan Qingze is still in the foundational stage

This text appears to be a placeholder or a non-specific symbol. Please provide a specific text for translation.

That evening, Zheng Yanqing made a request to Zheng Shi'an to learn martial arts

Zheng Dashu is also skilled in horseback riding and archery, demonstrating proficiency in both disciplines

Since the Northern Zhou's campaign against Qi and the Southern expeditions of Sui Wen, the number of fallen noble families has become quite common, and it is no longer considered a remarkable occurrence

However, he still agreed, after all, this is a win-win situation, so why not go for it

Duo Duo explained: "This 'spear' has two layers of meaning. The spear is a cavalry weapon, powerful in its might, yet extremely difficult to master. The 'Preface to the Spear Manual' states: Although the use of the cavalry spear is not an ancient method, it has been passed down in modern times and has somewhat become an art. To wield a good spear, there are many considerations. On one hand, one must reach the level of transforming the spirit and changing the muscles in order to effectively utilize the spear.

Zheng Shian secretly scoffed to himself: As long as we are in this Anyuan Hall, let's see what tricks you can play.

If Duoduo comes from a wealthy family, it would be quite normal for her to understand martial arts techniques

Yan Qing was not in a hurry himself; his practice of martial arts was purely out of interest, and achieving success would certainly be the best outcome. If he did not succeed, it would suffice to strengthen his body. Zheng Yan Qing was not anxious, and Duo Duo would not pressure him either. The reason for teaching Zheng Yan Qing the Dragon Subduing Skill was to exchange for auxiliary medicinal ingredients. The less Yan Qing cared, the happier Duo Duo became. This was because a significant portion of the elixirs she formulated had benefited Duo Duo, so why should she worry about Yan Qing's progress and waste her efforts

However, for Yan Qing, the two years have greatly enhanced his understanding of this era

I think I spoke too harshly just now, so I opened my mouth to offer some comfort

Zheng Yanqing did not know whether Duoduo was looking for him at the suggestion of Xu's mother or if she was acting on her own initiative

In his spare time from practice, Yan Qing always enjoyed chatting with Duo Duo to enhance his knowledge and experiences

With his grayish-white eyebrows slightly furrowed, Zheng Shi'an fell into deep thought

This website contains elements related to Zheng Shi'an, but more significantly, it is due to Xu Ma's own circumstances

Even though Zheng Shi'an manages the assets of Anyuantang, he cannot brazenly embezzle them

Compared to his peers, Yan Qing did not exhibit any remarkable qualities. However, in the eyes of adults, he appeared somewhat peculiar. For instance, he did not play with other children and rarely caused trouble; his temperament was calm, resembling a little adult, and he was very considerate. As a result, many people remarked that Zheng Shi'an had a good grandson

In this way, Zheng Renji had even less time to manage household affairs

The "Ma Shuo Pu" is a work authored by Xiao Gang, the Jianwen Emperor of the Liang Dynasty, which describes various methods of using the horse lance

Duo Duo's meaning is clearly to mock him, a guy from a lowly background, who also wants to learn the spear

Changing one's household registration is not an easy task

After Miss Cui entered the household, she also brought along two maidservants.

Therefore, although Zheng Shi'an is aware that Duo Duo practices martial arts, he is not clear about the intricacies involved

After careful consideration, Zheng Shi'an said in a deep voice: "Yan Qing, if you truly wish to practice martial arts, then you must train diligently and not give up halfway

The Dragon Subduing Skill taught to Yan Qing by Duo Duo is a powerful technique that enhances vital energy and blood.

However, paper and pen are expensive and not something an ordinary family can possess

Using the excuse of training in martial arts, Zheng Yanqing aimed to gain benefits and quickly break through her current bottleneck. However, it was quite surprising to Zheng Yanqing that a little girl of only seven or eight years old could possess such cunning and come up with such a plan.

The income and expenditure of Anyuantang should logically be managed by Zheng Dashi and Zheng Renji, or perhaps taken over by the young lady of the Cui family. However, Zheng Dashi has an immense trust in Zheng Shi'an, and after Zheng Renji married the young lady of the Cui family, he became successful in his official career, even establishing connections with the Grand Minister of Internal Affairs, Yang Su, and was appointed as a military officer in the Internal Affairs Court, rising from a sixth-rank position.

Zheng Yanqing felt somewhat dispirited upon thinking of these matters

For instance, she rarely leaves Zheng Shi'an's residence, and her interactions with others are quite modest and reserved, never vying for attention. To speak of it, Xu Ma is quite delicate in appearance, yet she never adorns herself, instead intentionally or unintentionally concealing her beauty

However, the martial arts practiced by ordinary families differ from those of the scions of noble families

However, it is not a big deal

According to her, she has completed the foundational stage and requires sufficient conditions to break through the bottleneck and enter the Qi Refinement stage as soon as possible. Although Zheng Yanqing does not understand what age Duoduo considers appropriate, it seems that it is approaching soon

In his previous life, he was skilled in calligraphy and had copied many works. Although he has been reborn into a different body, his foundation remains.

He does not necessarily have to learn the spear; it is just that the tone in Duoduo's speech carries a hint of disdain and mockery, which makes him quite uncomfortable

At the same time, he indeed hopes that Zheng Yanqing can acquire self-defense skills, as in the future, he might rely on his martial arts to secure a place within the Zheng family. Zheng Shi'an is a servant, but that does not mean he wishes for his descendants to serve others for a lifetime. Having served the Zheng family for five generations, he harbors a profound emotional connection to them and naturally hopes that one day he can establish himself within the Zheng family. This is difficult, but not impossible. Prominent families also require fresh blood. Having served the Zheng family for five generations, he harbors a profound emotional connection to them and naturally hopes that one day he can establish himself within the Zheng family. This is difficult, but not impossible. Prominent families also require fresh blood.

During the Two Jin Dynasties, Lu Jingxiu integrated the art of refining qi, ultimately forming a complete system, which has been passed down to the present day

Nourishing the spirit and conserving essence through vital energy and blood is the foundation of the Dragon Subduing Skill. According to ancient health theories, at the age of seven or eight, teeth and hair regenerate, and vital energy and blood begin to form. The Dragon Subduing Skill aims to stimulate potential, strengthen the circulation of vital energy and blood, thereby invigorating the blood vessels

This sentence is derived from "Zuo Zhuan, Year Twelve of Duke Xuan". The term 'Wu' mentioned therein refers not only to martial arts but also encompasses various aspects such as military strategy. Overall, during the Sui and Tang dynasties, martial arts and military affairs could collectively be referred to as 'Wu'.

Miss Cui's temperament is gentle, yet she cannot manage the individuals within the household. Zheng Dashi simply entrusted all matters to Zheng Shi'an. Unless there are special circumstances, he does not inquire about the affairs of the household, preferring to read and cultivate his spirit, enjoying a carefree life.

Zheng Shi'an had never heard of this technique, but he was certain of one thing: Duoduo's background was likely not inferior

Zheng Yanqing understood that this was an era that emphasized one's background. If one was always associated with a lowly origin, they would ultimately be looked down upon. To attract Li Shimin's attention, it was necessary to accomplish something significant, at the very least to rid oneself of the stigma of a lowly background

However, this book is largely controlled by the aristocratic families, making it inaccessible to the general public. I wonder if there is a copy of this book hidden in Anyuantang

Moreover, not to mention how complicated the procedures within the government would be, if it were to be known that he intended to elevate his status, the Zheng family would face significant difficulties in this regard

By the age of seven or eight, one's vital energy and blood will far surpass that of ordinary individuals, and the three treasures of essence, energy, and spirit will be even more abundant

Duoduo, what did you mean last time when you said that a non-soldier cannot use a spear

Other matters need not concern you, but there is one thing you must remember. No matter what prescriptions Duoduo gives you, they must first be shown to me. These items may prove to be of great use in the future. Do not ask why; just make a note of it.

Time passes day by day, winter gives way to spring, and in the blink of an eye, two years have gone by

In fact, Zheng Dashu could also discern that Xu Ma and her daughter came from a distinguished background. Arranging for them to be with Zheng Shi'an also implied an intention for Zheng Shi'an to keep an eye on them. Initially, it was thought that some clues could be found from this technique, but it now seems that this may not be easy.

It seems to be the Dragon Subduing Skill

Zheng Yanqing smiled and stood up, saying, "Then I will go brew some tea. Grandfather will be back soon, and it will be just in time to relieve his fatigue"

Over time, Zheng Renji even forgot about Xu Ma's existence. The little thoughts from those years also faded away.

Zheng Dashu's ancestor, Zheng Lianshan, was renowned for his martial prowess in his time. At the Anyuantang entrance, there is a stone tablet, which is said to have been erected by Zheng Lianshan himself, inscribed with: "The Seven Virtues of Martial Deeds: Prohibit Violence, Restrain Arms, Protect the Great, Establish Achievements, Harmonize the People, Enrich Wealth"

A year ago, Duoduo successfully stimulated her vital energy and blood through the power of elixirs, enabling her to condense her energy and strengthen her bones, making remarkable progress in a short period of time