Chapter 29: The Nine Maiden Castle (2/3) Rushing to the Top, Seeking Recommendations

  The last day of Jian'an's first year was sunny and clear.

  Spring is just around the corner, and the air is filled with a hint of spring. With the sun shining brightly, all things are coming back to life, and people generally have a good mood on days like this. Cao Peng was no exception, getting up early in the morning feeling particularly energetic, and fully immersing himself in his practice. The White Ape Turning Back Eight Brocade combined with the Buddhist Esoteric Eight Character True Words produced an unimaginable effect.

  Zhenyan promotes Qi and blood circulation, shaking internal organs; Baduanjin stretches tendons and fascia, strengthening bones.

  Within a short span of twenty days, Cao Peng had already felt an unusual change. The most obvious one was that his spirit had become much more vigorous than when he was first reborn. His originally thin arms had also started to thicken, and his slender body looked much stronger than before. Of course, this wasn't just the effect of practicing martial arts. After arriving in Ji Yang, their living conditions had improved significantly, especially after Cao Jing took on the task of repairing the county government's armory. Kuang Zheng had promptly paid the repair fees in advance, making their family life much more comfortable than before. With better living conditions, their diet naturally improved as well, further promoting Cao Peng's growth.

  The first four moves of the Eight Pieces of Brocade, both hands hold up the sky to regulate the Triple Burner, left and right open like shooting a bird, regulating the spleen and stomach requires single-handed lifting, looking back at the five labors and seven injuries. Its main function is to comb the Qi and blood, adjust Yin and Yang, and make the body's functions in a balanced state, in other words, it cures diseases.

  Cao Peng's body has been poor since childhood, and being worn out from overwork may be a bit exaggerated, but the fact that his physique is weak is indisputable.

  So the first four forms of Baduanjin are suitable for his current physical condition. The last four forms, shaking head and swinging tail to reduce heart fire, hands holding feet to strengthen kidneys and waist can tonify the kidneys, as the kidneys are the origin of qi and blood, strong kidney yuan makes the body naturally healthy; clenching fists and glaring eyes to increase energy is a qigong method for nourishing energy. The last form, seven reversals behind the back, dispels hundreds of diseases, which can make the practitioner's blood vessels unobstructed, qi and blood sufficient, and strong physique...

  Twenty days ago, Cao Peng mainly practiced the first four sections.

  As his body gets healthier day by day, he estimates that after the spring, he can focus on the last four sections.

  Having a good body will make it possible to achieve great things in the future.

  Isn't it said that one's body is the capital of revolution? Everything he does now is for future planning, even including this practice.

  After finishing his work, Cao Peng strolled along the riverbank, occasionally gazing out at the opposite shore.

  But Zhang Wan Zhen still didn't appear, leaving him with a slight sense of loss in his heart.

  On the riverbank, Wang Mai and Deng Fan were practicing their skills. Wang Mai had made great progress, whether in terms of his internal energy or physical flexibility, compared to twenty days ago; Deng Fan's situation was more special, in terms of physical strength, he was almost as good as Wang Mai, maybe even a bit stronger. However, Wang Mai had been hunting with his father in the mountains since he was young, and his agility far surpassed that of Deng Fan. But if it came to street fighting, Deng Fan, who had spent years fighting on the streets, was better than Wang Mai. As a result, although Deng Fan had just started practicing, he could already fight evenly with Wang Mai. Looking at Deng Fan's physique, he was also suited for Bajiquan, especially the hard bridge and horse stance.

  Wang Mai is smaller than Deng Fan, but relatively more plastic.

  Deng Fan is slightly older and for various reasons, his path has become somewhat narrow.

  According to their different situations, Cao Peng taught them differently. Deng Fan mainly focused on endurance training, while Wang Mai was more comprehensive.

  After walking two laps on the river embankment, Cao Peng's breath gradually calmed down.

  He looked up at the sky and shouted to Wang Mai and Deng Fan: "It's getting late, everyone go back home! Today is the end of the year, after Deng Fan goes back, I'll go to pay my respects to Uncle and my wife... Tiger Head, you can stop practicing too, go home and do some chores, there's a lot to do today."

  Wang Mai and Deng Fan responded in unison, then stopped.

  Deng Fan returned to Deng Village alone. Wang Mai and Cao Peng walked shoulder to shoulder, with Cao reminding him of his breathing rhythm as they went, helping him calm his energy.

  Drunk yesterday, woke up this morning.

  Wang Mai seemed to have forgotten what he had said to Cao Peng, as if nothing had happened.

  But Cao Peng understood in his heart that some things didn't need to be put into words. Don't look at Wang Maipeng being fierce and sharp, but he wasn't a fool.

  "Brother Tiger!"

  "Huh?"

  "I've made up my mind!"

  "What's decided?"

  "When I was in second grade, I crossed the river to Old Zhang's house and made things clear... Why don't you come with me?"

  "Good!"

  Wang nodded slightly and a smile appeared on his face.

  In his opinion, a real man should be like this... If he can't even pursue a woman boldly, how can he accomplish great things in the future?

  A Fu used to say: barefooted people are not afraid of those wearing shoes!

  Even if Jiang Xia Huang's family is powerful again, what can they do? I'm just a barefooted man, at most my head will have a big scar the size of a bowl, who cares!

  ——————————————————————

  However, Cao Peng obviously underestimated Huang She's methods.

  This extra who has hardly appeared in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms indeed has some thoughts. Jiang Xia Huang Shi? Cao Peng is not very clear.

  If he says that among the famous people in Jingzhou, the one who left the deepest impression on him is Huang Zhong, who was still able to fight despite his old age.

  Apart from this, it seems that only Huang She's old father, Jiang Xia Taishou Huang Zu has some impression. Apart from this, can't think of any other characters.

  So from the very beginning, Cao Peng never took Huang She seriously...

  "Brother-in-law, why did you come back so early?"

  As soon as Cao Peng returned home, he sensed that the atmosphere in the house seemed a bit abnormal.

  Deng Ji should have been on duty in the county government's public house at this time. However, when Cao Peng entered his home, he saw him frowning and sitting in the middle of the hall.

  "Mom, what's wrong?"

  Zhang raised her head, didn't open her mouth, tears flowed first, and after a long time she couldn't say anything.

  "Dad..."

  Cao Quan sighed and pointed at Deng Ji, "Ask Shu Sun."

  "Brother-in-law, what's going on?"

  Deng Jiqiang forced a smile, "Nothing, just a small matter... Ah Fu, I'm afraid I won't be able to spend the New Year with you this year."

  Originally, your brother-in-law promised to take you to see the flower lanterns in the city on the fifteenth. But now, a piece of official business has suddenly come up and I need to go deal with it immediately... Dad, Mom, don't worry, it's just a normal summons and can't be considered a bad thing. Once things are taken care of, who knows, maybe next year our son-in-law will receive an important appointment. Hehe, at that time we'll buy another house in the county town and the whole family will move there to live.

  Deng Ji said it lightly, but between his eyebrows, a hint of worry was revealed.

  Mobilization?

  Cao Peng was taken aback for a moment, and suddenly he had a bad premonition in his heart.

  "Sister's husband, who summoned you?"

  Before Deng Jie could respond, Cao Nan couldn't help but interrupt and say: "A Fu, you're always clever, quickly think of a solution to help your brother-in-law."

  Today, your brother-in-law was on duty when the county magistrate of Kuai suddenly summoned him, saying that the military officer of Jiangxia had summoned your brother-in-law to Jiunü City. You said your brother-in-law is clearly a person from Jiyang County, what right does the military officer of Jiangxia have to summon him? And at this critical juncture of the year, can people still pass through?

  Zhang's family is also good, Cao Nan is also fine, but mainly considering the conscription during the Chinese New Year, a family cannot be reunited.

  Other ideas, probably won't work either...

  But Cao Qu and Wang Meng seem to think otherwise.

  Wang Meng has a broad vision, and Cao Quan has also undergone subtle changes since the ordeal in Zhongyang Town. Thinking about it, his wife was bullied and framed, but he was powerless to do anything, even looking around nervously. It was his son, who had been bedridden for a long time, who finally avenged his mother. This made Cao Quan, as the head of the family, feel unbearable. As Cao Peng gradually revealed his talents, Cao Quan seemed to have gained a new backbone. For the sake of this family and his son, he knew that from now on, he must take on more responsibilities.

  For this reason, he even started learning to read and write with his son-in-law Deng Ji...

  This man with a sense of responsibility is naturally different. Even if he doesn't have Deng Ji's knowledge or Wang Meng's insight, he still feels that something is off about this matter.

  Deng Jie?

  A small bookkeeper in Qiangyang County, who was just promoted to Assistant Historian a few days ago.

  In the eyes of ordinary people, Zuo Shi is also an official of the imperial court; but in fact? Zuo Shi was just a senior clerk and could not enter the rank.

  A monthly salary of eleven pecks is just a hundred stones, and it's on the same level as Sanlao's food allowance.

  The majestic Jiangxia Bing Cao Shi, the son of Jiangxia Taishou, why would he suddenly call out Deng Ji's name for recruitment? He can't even be considered a Xiaolian, what fame does he have? Outsiders may not understand, but the Cao family knows that Deng Ji being able to become a assistant historian is also thanks to Cao Peng's good fortune...

  "What do you know?" Cao Ju's face sank, and he said to Cao Nan: "You're just a woman, how can you understand court affairs? Although the Jiangxia army is under the jurisdiction of the Jiangxia governor, once they are deployed, they will be directly under the command of Governor Zhou. Whoever he recruits represents Governor Zhou... Not to mention the county magistrate of Kuaiji, even if it were our own Nan Yang Prefecture's governor, I'm afraid no one can refuse."

  "Huh?"

  Zhang was perplexed and turned his head to ask: "Shu Sun, is this really what happened?"

  Deng Jie smiled wryly and nodded, "What you said is true. This time, Jiang Xia's army officer Shi led the troops to garrison at Jiuniu City's large camp, it was Liu Jingzhou who dispatched him, even General Deng couldn't control him. He holds Liu Jingzhou's tiger tally, which can summon county magistrates and below, all officials. Qu County Magistrate told me that he also finds it strange, but cannot refuse. Mother, don't worry, Qu County Magistrate said there won't be any big deal. I reckon it's just because the Jiuniu City large camp is short-handed, so Huang Bingcao gave the order to recruit officials from the county city to help with the work."

  This can deceive Zhang's family but cannot fool Cao Peng.

  If it's really because of a shortage of manpower in Jiunü City Garrison, Huang She could have been recommended by the county government instead of being summoned by name...

  This is obviously targeted, and it's aimed at you, Deng Ji.

  But he couldn't say these words out loud, or it would make his already somewhat panicked family even more frightened and uneasy.

  "A Fu, what do you think about this matter?"

  Wang Meng, who had been quietly observing Cao Peng in secret, suddenly spoke up and asked.

  Cao Peng thought for a moment and suddenly burst out laughing!

  My brother-in-law was recruited, which is also a good thing. This shows that my brother-in-law's reputation has begun to be known to others, and his future prospects are boundless.

  "It's nothing serious in my opinion, parents don't have to worry. By the way, is there a rule that prohibits bringing attendants for this expedition of brother-in-law?"

  Deng Ji thought for a moment, "There's no such rule. Usually, people who are summoned can bring their own attendants, but they must register at the county yamen. Ah Fu, why did you ask this?"

  Cao Peng smiled and said, "How about this? I'll go with my brother-in-law too, so we can take care of each other."