boyutpedia Chapter 53 Condensing Words into Soldiers! Confucian and Taoist Methods!
Chapter 53 Condensing Words into Soldiers! Confucian and Taoist Methods!
The flickering candlelight illuminated Zhang Yuan's still somewhat immature yet already sharp and shrewd face.
He spread out a sheet of plain white Xuan paper, took out ink, and ground it.
The ink stick touched the inkstone, producing a steady and rhythmic soft sound, as if brewing an invisible storm.
Take a deep breath and clear your mind.
Zhang Yuan picked up his brush and dipped it in thick ink.
The brushstrokes land on the paper, penetrating its depth!
A huge character for "knife" appeared instantly on the paper.
The strokes are vigorous and sharp, like iron strokes and silver hooks.
Every stroke contains the brutality of battlefield combat and the resolute determination to cut off everything!
Just as the final stroke was completed—
"Buzz!"
On the paper, the ink-written character "knife" suddenly burst forth with a faint golden light!
The light flowed and condensed, eventually taking shape. A phantom of a golden longsword, about a foot long and simple yet refined, floated in mid-air above the page!
Although faint, it exuded a sharp aura that seemed to cleave through the air, making the entire study glow with golden light and filling the room with a chilling atmosphere!
Condensing the word "soldier" is the essence of warfare!
Confucian and Taoist methods!
This is the result of his study of Confucianism and Taoism under Chen Wenyuan.
Looking at the floating phantom of the golden sword, Zhang Yuan's eyes gleamed even brighter.
He picked up his pen again and neatly wrote two lines of small regular script in the lower right corner of the page:
"Disciple Zhang Yuan respectfully studies."
"Please correct me, Mr. Ning'an."
Ning'an was Li Decai's courtesy name.
This page, written in gold ink and imbued with a trace of his martial arts killing intent and Confucian and Taoist cultivation, is the "gift" he will use to knock on the tightly closed door of the Li family tomorrow!
Martial arts kill, Confucianism and Taoism reach to the heavens.
Zhang Yuan is determined to demonstrate his exceptional talent in both literature and martial arts to everyone in Fengming County!
With Li Decai's shrewd business acumen and powerful family background, how could he not see his potential?
Is it worth it for him to suppress his concerns about the Wang family and invest heavily in them?
Meanwhile, in the back hall of the county government office.
A middle-aged man dressed in the uniform of a clerk was standing respectfully in front of Chen Wenyuan's desk.
"Counselor Chen," the clerk said carefully, "I've heard that Young Master Zhang Qingyang seems to have had some disagreements with the Black Tiger Gang from the east of the city?"
"That scoundrel Qin Hu has always been arrogant and domineering; he might be a threat to Young Master Zhang..."
He glanced at Chen Wenyuan's calm face and continued, "Captain Wang is currently patrolling Blackwater Ferry and won't be back for a while."
"However, Lord Wang Ji, the clerk, just returned from the countryside two days ago after collecting grain taxes, and is currently resting at his residence."
"If Counselor Chen gives his approval, I am willing to go to the Wang family and ask Clerk Wang to intervene and restrain the Black Tiger Gang."
"Presumably, no matter how arrogant Qin Hu is, he wouldn't dare to offend Wang Sili, and therefore wouldn't dare to make things difficult for Young Master Qingyang."
This clerk is quick-witted.
Although Chen Wenyuan was only a ninth-rank advisor, a low-ranking official, he was a trusted advisor to the county magistrate and participated in many affairs of the county government, holding a prominent position.
Zhang Yuan, being the descendant of the Imperial Guard Commandant, had already shown extraordinary talent.
Doing this favor for the teacher and student will come in handy someday.
Chen Wenyuan put down the official document in his hand, looked up at the clerk, his gaze deep and unwavering.
He slowly shook his head, his tone calm: "Wang Sili is busy with official duties, so there's no need to bother him with such trivial matters."
"But..." The clerk hesitated, somewhat puzzled, "Young Master Zhang is only eight years old, still a child, facing those hooligans alone..."
When he mentioned "eight-year-old child", he suddenly remembered the battle report from Songshi Town.
That figure who fearlessly drew his sword amidst mountains of corpses and seas of blood, slaying fleeing soldiers in succession.
Could that be an ordinary eight-year-old child?
His next words caught in his throat, turning into a self-deprecating silence.
Yes, how many people in this world can kill on the battlefield at the age of eight?
Which of the core disciples of those long-established great families and sects is not precocious at the age of seven or eight, and whose methods of doing things are far beyond those of ordinary adults?
Zhang Qingyang was no ordinary person to be chosen by Chen Wenyuan as his disciple.
It seems I was overthinking it.
Chen Wenyuan observed the official's reaction, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said calmly, "I am merely a Confucian teacher in Qingyang. If he truly finds himself in a difficult position, he will naturally come to me. Since he has not spoken..."
He put down his teacup, his voice even colder: "Let him handle it himself."
The clerk understood Chen Wenyuan's attitude: he wanted to let Zhang Yuan take the lead and solve the problems on his own.
He bowed and said, "I understand. Then... I will take another look."
The next morning, as dawn broke.
Zhang Yuan pushed open the courtyard gate, and sure enough, several hooligans from the Black Tiger Gang were loitering around the alley entrance.
Upon seeing him emerge, the group of hooligans immediately exchanged knowing glances and began to chuckle in hushed tones.
"Hey, look! It's that 'little hero' Zhang, the cow-slaughtering master, out here!"
"Tsk tsk, the young master of the captain's family, what a grand display!"
His words were full of provocation and contempt, attempting to provoke this seemingly young "young master".
Zhang Yuan acted as if he hadn't heard anything, his gaze not even shifting slightly towards them.
He walked steadily through the alleyway and headed towards Chen Wenyuan's residence.
That disregard made those hooligans feel a strange sense of frustration, more so than any angry outburst.
Halfway there, Zhang Yuan turned and walked into an inconspicuous grocery store on the street.
The shopkeeper was a lean man. Seeing a customer arrive, he put on a professional smile: "Good morning, sir. What would you like to buy?"
Zhang Yuan's gaze swept across the shop, but he didn't look at the goods. He just said in a low voice, "Guzhu is helpless. I've come to find someone."
The shopkeeper's smile froze instantly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He then quickly looked Zhang Yuan over, as if to confirm something.
After a moment, he nodded slightly and lowered his voice as well: "What message does the young master need to send? I will arrange it immediately. The news from here will be sent back to the gang right away."
Zhang Yuan nodded, took out a folded piece of paper and handed it over, then turned and left without saying anything more.
This is the secret liaison point set up by the Guzhu Gang in Fengming County.
The Black Tiger Gang occupies the eastern dock of the city, a place where there is plenty of money to be made.
The Guzhu Gang is currently in dire straits and is short of money.
At Chen Wenyuan's residence, everything remained the same as before.
Chen Wenyuan didn't mention a word about the Black Tiger Gang, as if he knew nothing about it.
He focused solely on explaining the new scriptures and examining Zhang Yuan's understanding.
Zhang Yuan was also focused and attentive to the instruction.
The teacher and student tacitly kept the hustle and bustle of the city outside their study.
As soon as he finished class and stepped outside, Wang Quanfu was already waiting, his face showing a mixture of anticipation and trepidation: "Nephew, shall we go to the Li residence now?"
"Okay." Zhang Yuan responded and followed Wang Quanfu onto the oxcart, heading towards the grand courtyard of the Li family in the west of the city.
Outside the gate of the Li residence.
The butler, who had already been informed, stood at the steps with a smile on his face.
"Master Wang, Young Master Zhang," the steward bowed slightly, "It's really unfortunate, but my master went out of town early this morning to inspect the estates and hasn't returned yet. If you two have anything to say, this old servant can pass it on to you."
Upon hearing this, Wang Quanfu's brows furrowed immediately, and he couldn't help but step forward: "Steward Zhao, this... I clearly sent someone last night..."
Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Yuan stepped forward and calmly pulled a neatly folded sheet of plain white Xuan paper from his sleeve, handing it to the steward.
"In that case, please ask the steward to pass this item on to Mr. Ning'an." Zhang Yuan's voice was clear and bright. "I have long admired your literary cultivation, sir. I have recently made some progress in my calligraphy practice and have written this humble piece. I have come here to ask you for some guidance."
The butler was somewhat puzzled, but he still took the paper as instructed and carefully unfolded it.
Just as the pages were fully unfolded—
"Buzz!"
A flash of golden light!