Insufficient balance

  The caliph's cavalry that defeated the Mongolian cavalry

  Thinking of San Niang, Zhao Fu's heart was racing with a "thud", if San Niang were to discover what he and Shu Yu'er were doing in this main hall, he feared that his skin would not be spared.

  At the thought of San Niang's stern gaze, his liver trembled involuntarily. If he were to think again about the family rules governed by San Niang, the skin on his body would become extremely tense.

  She quietly raised her head, her eyes swept over her own eyebrows and glanced at San Niang. When she saw San Niang this time, she still hung her head with white hair, tightly pressing her forehead against the brightly polished floor, feeling greatly puzzled again.

  "Not San Niang, but who is it then......?"

  Just as Zhao Fubo was introspecting, Shu Yiner, who had suddenly knelt behind San Niang, shouted out the proceedings of the ceremony in a clear voice. The people on the platform all bowed their heads one by one at this sound.

  "A knock on the head, years of vicissitudes, body and mind as one."

  Knock twice on the forehead, with a long and lingering sigh for all the people.

  Three knocks on the head...

  It's time to put aside the golden armor and see how far Zhao's son has progressed in his studies.

  The large and beautiful armchair that was the master's seat returned to its original place. The large map of China on the wall behind it naturally became a painting of the dragon traveling through nine states again. As for San Niang, she naturally leaned on her dragon-headed cane and returned to the chair.

  The Zhao family's sons are assessed on their skills, unlike those landlords who return once a year. Instead, they are evaluated once a season, whether in literature or martial arts, and if any item is unqualified, the monthly silver allowance for that season will be reduced by half, and they will not be allowed to go out for half a month.

  The Zhao brothers were one a scholar and the other a warrior, neither of whom was accomplished in his field, which was also a frequent cause of Third Sister's anger.

  Shu Yun'er stood beside San Niang and looked at Zhao Fu-bo with a worried heart for San Niang.

  The eldest in the western house is a material that can read books. However, what he reads are all some romantic and useless things, and everyone in the family understands that they cannot be used for great purposes. On the other hand, this Erlang Fubo is a brave and intelligent guy, but unfortunately, he lacks parental guidance and is an ignorant fellow who doesn't like to read books.

  This was demonstrated in the following duel. At this time, Wei Zhuang was introducing the warriors he had brought to San Niang and others present.

  "San Niang is above, this is the strongest among the warriors of similar age to the two young masters in our Yu Lin Manor's Yu Lin Guard."

  Wei Zhen's Yu Lin Zhuang trained Mamluk cavalry, but unlike the Arabs, they did not castrate them all. From each batch of purchased Caucasians, they selected those with strong physiques and intelligent minds to become Yu Lin guards. From a young age, they were taught Han language and the norms of seniority and respect in the Central Plains, more importantly, they were required to be forever loyal to the Zhao family.

  In the process of their growth, in addition to learning the combat skills of Mamluk cavalry itself, they also need to learn the combat skills of Central Plains people. As for those who were eliminated, they would be castrated and trained as Mamluks according to the training methods of Arabs, or as needed by the caliphs or provincial governors.

  When this Mamluk cavalry appeared before everyone, it made people's eyes shine.

  This is a boy of about 15 or 16 years old. The Caucasian race gave him fair skin, flaxen hair and a pair of eyes that were almost green under it. He was wearing thick back-plate armor on his body, holding a sharp double-handed long knife in his hand, and the long knife looked like something made in Huangsha City.

  The long knife has a slight arc, the tip of the knife is an axe blade that is good at breaking armor, and the curved body of the knife is beneficial for chopping on horseback. The length of 1.2 meters (meaning in metric units, no need to bother everyone or myself) does not appear heavy in the hands of a tall Caucasian youth.

  His chilly green eyes revealed nothing of his thoughts. The long knife in his hand was raised, its tip slightly off the ground. His eyes were fixed on the two brothers who were to be his opponents, completely a mindless man-eating monster.

  Zhao Fubo wasn't worried about this martial arts competition. At the moment, he was still kneeling there, just waiting for San Niang to give the order before making his move. On the other hand, his older brother Zhao Xu felt a bit uneasy in his heart. He secretly worried that he might not be a match for that guy. But the wild kid went forward and wanted to get many benefits.

  He slightly raised his head and glanced at his father. Zhao Wuji received his son's pleading gaze, and couldn't help but secretly resent his son for not being competitive enough. But if Ruo was to be outdone by Zhao Erlang in front of everyone, he would naturally take the lead. With a surge of anger in his heart, he quickly left his seat and came to San Niang's side, raised his hand, bowed, and paid his respects.

  "Third Sister is above, may I be so bold as to say a word!"

  San Niang was satisfied with the young Ma Mu Luoke in front of her, knowing that Wei Zhen brought this young man to show off his own military skills. Seeing Zhao Wuji come out to speak, she thought he had seen the shortcomings of the soldier in front of him.

  "It doesn't matter, Master Zhao!"

  Zhao Wuji holds a special position among the four manors, although he is inferior to his brother in both literary and military skills. However, as a member of the Zhao family, he still deserves some respect. Therefore, whether it's San Niang or other manor owners, they all have to give him some face secretly.

  "Your Majesty, I've heard that our great Song Dynasty emperor founded the country with a strong bow and horse, but ruled the world with benevolent heart and literary governance. Your humble servant thinks, should today's trial prioritize literary matters first? Please instruct me, Your Majesty!"

  The third daughter didn't say a word, she had never been one to make decisions on her own, and instead looked at several of the village heads.

  Ruiyu Zhuang's Shu Zhuang master, stroking his long beard with a peaceful and serene expression. Haasan twirled his mustache with an air of nonchalance, while Wei Zhenhuan's eyes widened in apparent displeasure. After looking around, San Niang paused for a moment before issuing the order through Lang Sheng.

  "Alright then, let's test our literary skills. Since you're a bit weaker in this area, Second Brother, you can go first!"

  This is the rule of the Zhao family, those who are weak in literature will be tested first, and those who are weak in martial arts will naturally have to compete first. Shu Yun'er's heart, which was familiar with this rule, suddenly lifted up.

  Zhao Fubo, kneeling there with his head down, had apparently begun to worry. His head was lowered in a posture that seemed prepared to take a beating, which made Shu Yiner's small mouth pucker and her eyebrows furrow, feeling uncomfortable for a while.

  Looking at Erlang's appearance, San Niang sighed lightly in her heart. She knew Erlang's nature, mentioning back book was not as good as directly giving him a few slaps, the dragon head cane in her hand tapped on the ground twice.

  "Second Brother, you'd better recite the military strategy you've memorized. If you can't recite it, you won't be allowed out of the house for three months, and your monthly allowance will be cut in half!"

  When he heard that he had to recite first, Zhao Fubo's mind was like a thunderclap. He begged and pleaded, but this rule still didn't change in the slightest.

  Zhao Fubo's eyes darted out of the corner of his eye, quickly sizing up the situation around him.

  His older brother Zhao Xu, one year his senior, had thick curly hair and big eyes that often flashed with arrogance. He was not bad at reading books, but the skills in his hands could not compare to those of Zhao Fu Bo, yet he was still the eldest son of the family.

  If Zhao Fu Bo can't achieve both literary and military skills, then there will never be an opportunity for the Zhao family to lift their heads.

  His eyes swept across the courtyard, where the dry and scorching wind was blowing, to the faces of the village head and the leader of the household, and his heart sank even more. Especially when he saw the smile on his second uncle's face, his heart skipped a beat.

  Her eyes quietly found Shu Yu'er's figure in the courtyard, but she stood there as if she were a clay statue. Her pretty face was tightly closed, her eyes cast down, looking only at her own feet. No matter what angle you looked from, it didn't resemble the smiling and cheerful girl who used to be in the East Courtyard.

  "My Bodhisattva, you'd better move your mouth, even if it's just a silent mention of a word, it would be considered saving my life!"

  Zhao Fubo was so anxious that his heart was racing, and his knees felt sore on the blue brick floor. The books he had carried on his back a few days ago with Shu Yiner seemed to have been forgotten in Java along with the pain, and he couldn't think of a single sentence.

  Although San Niang is already old, her eyes are not dim and her ears are not deaf. When she speaks, she still has a strong voice. Especially when scolding this little monkey, her voice is as cold as iron.

  "Hum, you little beast, is this the book you've been carrying on your back for so long? And you, Xiao Yu. I told you to supervise him in his studies, and yet he's produced such a result! Do you think you can deceive me, Third Madam?! Someone bring me a rattan cane, and you two get down on your knees and recite the Family Rules!"

  When San Niang got angry, no one in the Zhao family was not afraid. Not to mention others, even Zhao Fu Bo was already scared.

  Shu Yiner didn't dare say a word, and simply knelt upright beside Zhao Fubo. Her small face was as white as snow, without a hint of blood color, her long eyelashes trembling nonstop.

  "Third Sister is upstairs, please listen to Second Brother's words."

  Being beaten was no longer a painful thing for Zhao Fubo. He, who had been used to it, wasn't afraid of being beaten, but what he couldn't bear was that he had dragged down Shu Yu'er, the only person who had been good to him.

  "You speak!"

  San Niang is not an unreasonable person, and Er Lang also knows this. As long as you speak reasonably, she will definitely not act arbitrarily without distinguishing right from wrong.

  "Upon hearing this, San Niang learned that Shu Yun'er was diligent and serious in her studies, but Er Lang was foolish and couldn't remember Chun Chun's teachings, only knowing how to be lazy and play. He begged San Niang to spare Shu Yun'er, and he would take on all the punishment himself!"

  His words were met with a loud slap on the armrest of the chair by San Niang, followed by an even more severe scolding.

  "How dare you, you reckless servant! You've neglected your duties and only know how to indulge in frivolous pleasures with the beautiful maid. What use are you, a mere plaything? I'll have you beaten to death today, lest you become a future scourge."

  Upon hearing this, Zhao Fubo knew he was in trouble. Shu Yiner was afraid that this time she wouldn't be able to escape. Turning back to look at them, what she saw was Shu Yiner's white eyes and Second Uncle's face had already turned into a smug smile.

  Xin Zhi Shu Yun'er was annoyed with herself, but didn't dare to speak out in her own defense. She could only bend down, using both hands to support herself on the ground, waiting for the arrival of the rattan stick. At the same time, she loudly recited the family rules from memory, and as soon as he opened his mouth, everyone would discover that the Zhao family's rules were also uniquely strict.

  "Indignant hair stands on end, leaning against the railing, the rain has stopped."

  Raise your head, gaze up at the sky and let out a long whistle, with an unbridled passion.

  Thirty years of fame and fortune turn to dust and dirt, eight thousand miles of road merge with clouds and moon.

  Don't waste time, youth is gone, empty sorrow!

  The shame of Jingkang has yet to be avenged. The hatred of the subjects, when will it be eliminated!

  Drive a long chariot and tread on the broken path of Mount He Lan.

  Ambitious youths eat Hu barbarian meat for breakfast, and drink Xiongnu blood to quench their thirst in conversation.