Chapter 4: Mr. Xue You Cheng's Departure

  After Ma Teng left, Ma Chao finally got up and put the two books on the case in his hands and flipped through them. Although many words were not recognizable, he knew that these were absolutely two top-notch good books.

  He carefully put away the book and planned to study with his master for a while, learning to read and recognize characters before coming back to take a closer look. If there were still any characters he didn't know, he would copy them down and ask his master.

  At this time, Ma Teng returned to the study again, but this time there was one more person by his side.

  "Come on, Xiao Hai, hurry up and go greet Mr. Cui."

  "Yes." Ma Chao hastily walked up to the person in front of Ma Teng, bowed his head and saluted, "Disciple Ma Chao, greetings sir!"

  "There's no need for formalities." The person beside Ma Teng nodded slightly towards Ma Chao, apparently this was Mr. Cui.

  "Sir, this is Ma Chao, the son of a dog." Ma Teng said, pointing at Ma Chao.

  Ma Chao felt displeased in his heart, if he was a dog's son, then what would you be, an ancient person, alas.

  "How old are you this year?" Mr. Cui asked.

  "The student is three years old this year."

  "Oh, you're three years old, great. Then I'll ask you, why read books?"

  "The students should report to the state and settle the people at ease. I know that if you don't study, it's impossible to achieve!"

  "You're young, but you don't think small! However, good, very good. Indeed, a child is teachable!" Mr. Cui said with a smile, stroking his beard.

  "From today on, I am your teacher. Every day at 4 o'clock for one hour, I will teach you to read and recognize characters. Remember, don't be late!"

  "Yes, students obey your teachings!"

  "Alright, let's get started."

  Ma Teng retreated, leaving only Ma Chao and Mr. Cui in the study. It was then that he had the opportunity to steal a glance at Mr. Cui. Mr. Cui was around forty years old, seven feet tall, with a weak and bookish appearance.

  Ma Chao was somewhat worried that if he encountered a strong wind, this gentleman would probably be blown away, as he was really too weak and thin. He had a small goatee under his chin, and at first glance, he looked like a refined and elegant scholar.

  Mr. Cui's name is Hong, and his courtesy name is Ruhong, both of which were given by his grandfather. His family has been in business for generations, so they have never had to worry about food and clothing, but they also didn't have any social status, always being looked down upon. So although they were engaged in commerce, every generation of the family hoped to enter officialdom and become officials, unfortunately, heaven did not grant their wishes, every generation studied hard, but none of them had any talent, so naturally, none of them became officials either.

  By the time of Cui Hong's generation, he was the only male in the family, so his family pinned all their hopes on him. His grandfather gave him the name Hong, with the last character being a reversal of the two characters "Hong Ru", showing how deeply they expected great things from him.

  Since he was a child, his grandfather had taken Cui Hong on travels to various places. Why wasn't it his father who took him? Because his father was busy running the family business and rarely had time for him, while his grandfather had long since handed over the business to his father to manage, devoting himself wholeheartedly to cultivating his grandson's talents and bringing honor to their ancestors.

  Every time he went to a place, his grandfather would tell him about the local aristocratic families, famous scholars in history and contemporary times, their stories, and other things. His grandfather's learning was not deep, but after traveling all over the country for decades, his knowledge and experience were indeed much more than ordinary people.

  Sometimes they would stay in one place for half a year or at most a year. During this time, his grandfather would invite some local scholars to be his tutors.

  His grandfather also wanted to let Cui Hong worship under a great Confucian or famous scholar, the great Confucians didn't need to think much, but his grandfather had brought heavy gifts and took him to visit several famous scholars, but they didn't know each other, and couldn't establish any relationship, more importantly, as soon as they heard he was a merchant's son, not one of them was willing, all politely declined, and there was even one who hadn't even entered the door, directly being sent away.

  Every time this happens, his grandfather would helplessly say to Cui Hong: "Hong Er, you've seen it all now. This is why I and your father let you study but not do business."

  Watching his grandfather's lonely back, Cui Hong secretly made up his mind to study hard and live up to his family's expectations.

  In this way, if they stayed in one place for long, his grandfather would invite a teacher to instruct him in reading. Later, after his grandfather's death, Chui Xing returned to his hometown of Fufeng Maoling.

  Three years after returning, he was promoted to filial and incorrupt, then went to Bingzhou as a small official. However, Cui Hong's temper was too straightforward, which offended his superiors, and as a result, he was dismissed from office within two years.

  Cui Hong felt that the officialdom was too dark, so he didn't want to be an official anymore. He started teaching in his hometown and enjoyed it very much, being happy with it for nearly twenty years.

  Ma Chao didn't know about these things at first, and he only found out later. After finding out, he couldn't help but exclaim, "This person really has a story to tell!"

  Now he was stealing glances at Cui Hong, and as a result, he got caught, "Ma Chao, don't be distracted, listen carefully!"

  "Yes, sir." Ma Chao thus began his own studies.

  Cui Hong may not be as good as a famous scholar, but his learning is still quite good, much stronger than an average teacher. He found that Ma Chao was a talented child, no matter what word he taught him, he would learn it immediately, and even if he only wrote it once, Ma Chao would remember it. Moreover, Ma Chao often brought some words to ask for instruction, Cui Hong thought he was just diligent, but he didn't think that a three-year-old child could have seen so many words from somewhere.

  Ma Chao studied with Cui Hong on one hand, and also self-studied the books left behind by Nan Hua. The book on astrology and medicine had too many things to remember, Ma Chao's head was spinning just looking at it. Just this one book would take several decades to write, and Nan Hua wrote three of them - how many years did he spend writing? Indeed, he was an old freak, not ordinary.

  Although astrology is quite mysterious, Ma Chao didn't have much interest in it. He was more interested in medical skills, especially the part about treating external injuries and detoxification.

  He has his own ideas, and it's inevitable to get injured on the battlefield later. It's better to treat himself first. As for the antidote, in case he gets poisoned by an arrow or something, it will come in handy. So even if he can't understand this now, he should copy a book and carry it with him in the future.

  But as soon as he thought of copying books, his face turned green. So many, when would it be finished? He had indeed neglected this problem, and it seemed necessary to let movable type printing appear as soon as possible. However, considering the current situation, it could only be said later. Now that there was a plan, the printing technique could be done slowly over the years.

  The book on gun and knife techniques, Ma Chao liked it very much. Some sentences could be understood, but some sentences no matter how hard he tried, Ma Chao just couldn't understand. He secretly blamed Nan Hua for not drawing a few pictures when writing the book.

  In the TV dramas, other people's martial arts manuals and such usually have pictures, so why doesn't yours? It seems like I can only practice what I understand for now, and worry about what I don't understand later. Ma Chao thought to himself.

  When reading books, Ma Chao felt that his memory was extremely strong. Was it due to the reason of crossing over? In his previous life, Ma Chao's memory was also good, but not as strong as this. Now he can remember a page of book after reading it three or four times, although it can't be said to be memorized at a glance, it's quite abnormal, isn't it?

  Ma Chao picked up the wooden spear, starting to mimic the moves written in the book. The wooden spear was specially made by Ma Teng, and it was just a wooden stick with one end sharpened into a spearhead. Ma Chao felt that this wooden spear was too light and didn't have any real feel to it. With a flicker of his eyes, he suddenly had an idea.

  The wooden spear is too light, no problem. Ma Teng is a martial artist and he must have his own weapons. The spear is indispensable. Thinking of it, Ma Chao sneaked to the front of Ma Teng's weapon rack. Ma Teng's own weapon was not here, and most of the time, the weapons on the rack were just decorations. Ma Teng basically didn't use them for practice.

  Ma Chao grasped the long spear and pulled it out with force, surprisingly, he was able to pull it out. He was very puzzled, he wasn't even four years old yet, how could he single-handedly pull out an iron spear that weighed nearly twenty kilograms? Was this also an advantage of being a transmigrator? Innate divine power? It seemed like he had to go test it out.

  Ma Chao drew out his spear and shook it a few times in his hand, but it was too long for him now. He couldn't use it, so he put it back and went out the door.

  He went to the mountain, on the mountain Ma Chao found a big stone, estimated at least one hundred kilograms. He used all his strength and really lifted up the stone. After putting down the stone, Ma Chao felt that his current limit was about one hundred kilograms or so, but with age growth, the power he could bear would also increase. Having counted in his heart, he happily returned home.

  Ma Chao returned home and found his mother, Liu. He asked her for money. She asked him what he wanted to do with it, and he truthfully told her that he wanted to find a blacksmith to make a short spear for him to practice his spear techniques.

  Liu's family is opposed to practicing martial arts, as she thinks it's too dangerous to be waving swords and guns all day. Ma Teng can't control her anymore, Ma Teng's martial arts skills are already well-established, and now that they're not on the battlefield, Liu's family doesn't worry about anything.

  However, Ma Chao was still young, and if he got hurt, she would be heartbroken, so she repeatedly reminded Ma Chao to be careful, but in the end, she still gave him the money. Although Liu did not want Ma Chao to practice martial arts, she still supported her son's endeavors.

  Ma Chao hastily nodded in agreement, assuring his mother that he was fine, so she could rest at ease. Then, taking the money, he left.

  He found a blacksmith's shop and, based on his own height, had the blacksmith custom-make a short gun for himself. The blacksmith understood. Ma Chao paid the deposit and left, waiting to pick it up tomorrow.

  By the second day, Ma Chao had retrieved his custom-made short gun. The length was just right, weighing fifteen catties, and although the weight couldn't be helped, it was much better than a wooden gun. Holding this gun, he began to learn shooting techniques again.

  Ma Chao spent two years studying and practicing archery as well as researching medical techniques, during which time went from Jianning 4 to Xiping 2.

  In two years, Cui Hong not only taught Ma Chao to read and write but also taught him the Analects of Confucius and Mencius. In Cui Hong's words, I can barely manage with these two books, others are a bit worse.

  Indeed, when Ma Chao listened to Cui Hong's lectures on the Analects of Confucius, he found that many of Cui Hong's views and understanding of the Analects were similar to those of previous experts. Ma Chao felt that Mr. Cui was indeed quite capable.

  Today, Ma Chao still went to the study room and waited for Mr. to come and give lessons.

  Just as he was about to enter, he found Cui Hong had already arrived, "Hello, sir."

  "Super boy you've arrived, take a seat."

  "Alright." Ma Chao sat down.

  Cui Hong said, "Chao Er, you've done very well these past two years. Not only have you never been late, but you've also studied hard. The teacher is extremely pleased with you. Usually it's you waiting for the teacher, today the teacher is waiting for you."

  "The student does not dare."

  Chui Hong waved his hand and said, "Sir, today I came to bid you farewell." After finishing speaking, he stood up, put his hands behind his back, and looked out the window.

  "Is the teacher dissatisfied with the student, or is it the family that is dissatisfied with the teacher's slowness?"

  "No, I've mentioned it before, sir is very satisfied with you, and no one in your family has been slow to me."

  "Why did the gentleman want to leave?"

  "The thing is, sir, you are already forty-three this year and your body is getting worse. There has been an unfulfilled wish for me to complete, originally I was going to leave two years ago, but at that time your father asked me to come and be your teacher."

  I didn't want to come, but I couldn't refuse due to social obligations, so I agreed to come and take a look first before making a decision. However, after seeing you and talking with you for a few sentences, I decided to stay temporarily, and it's been like this until today."

  "Then, why must you leave again, sir?"

  "Chao'er, I've already taught you everything I can. The world is so big, and there are many more scholars and sages who know more than me. You should follow them to learn even more. Besides, your father has his own plans for you. And I have unfinished wishes that I must attend to, so I must leave."

  "But the students still can't bear to part with you, Mr."

  "How could Master ever bear to part with you!"

  "Why didn't that gentleman..."

  "Alright, Super Boy, I'm leaving now. The only thing I couldn't bear to part with is you and my useless son. After I leave, please take care of him for me. If I... Ah, please take care of it." He said this while bowing deeply to Ma Chao, who was startled and hastily stepped aside to make way.

  "How can you be so generous, I don't dare accept it! Please rest assured about everything, sir!"

  Cui Hong had a son named Cui An, who was 16 years old this year. Cui Hong got married relatively late, and his wife died due to difficult labor. He named his son "An" in the hope that he would live a peaceful life forever.

  Chui On was not good at business, nor did he have the same level of learning as his father. The only thing he was strong in was martial arts, and he was very obsessed with it. His skills were quite impressive, especially when wielding a spear. It's said that the spear had a name - "Painted Spear with Golden Trim" - which was left to him by his teacher. His teacher was a renowned master of spear techniques from Pingzhou, but was an extremely low-key person; otherwise, he would have been famous throughout the land long ago.

  Cui An was six years old when his father, Cui Hong, took him to learn from a master. His teacher accepted him as a closed-door disciple, and he studied for ten years. This year, his teacher had just passed away, so he came back. Cui An is still a good person, but sometimes his brain doesn't work well, so Cui Hong let the five-year-old Ma Chao take care of him.

  Cui Hong had seen it early on, Ma Chao may be young in years, but his words and deeds are just like those of an adult, and sometimes even stronger than adults. More importantly, Cui Hong believed in Ma Chao's character. And Cui Hong also believed that Ma Chao would have a great future, and his son following him was definitely not wrong.

  Chui Hong was about to leave, and Ma Chao's eyes became moist.

  "A real man should stand tall and firm, don't be like a little girl!" Cui Hong said, giving Ma Chao a punch.

  "Sir, take care!" Ma Chao watched as Cui Hong left.