Volume 1: Kyoto Storm Chapter 12: The Thin Golden Body Surprises the Great Confucian

  He carefully looked at the young man standing in front of him, wearing a warrior's uniform with a short sword inserted at his waist, which was slightly longer than a dagger. He had red lips and white teeth, long arms, and thick calluses on his palms. Liu Zhang bowed and said: "I don't know who you are?"

  "Protecting Liu Zhang's son by your majesty's order!" The young man smiled and said: "My name is Shi Ah!"

  "Shi Ah?!" Liu Zhang was a bit dizzy, he heard Shi Ah's name and thought of Emperor Wang Yue. Subconsciously, Wang Yue is one of the three great masters at the end of Han Dynasty, and Shi Ah has even taught Cao Pi. So Liu Zhang was so excited that he forgot that Wang Yue was only in his thirties this year, how old could his disciple Shi Ah be? Coming with excitement and leaving with disappointment, this is the true portrayal of Liu Zhang's heart.

  Back home, Liu Zhang began to practice martial arts under Shi Ah's guidance. In fact, they were just some basic skills, such as pressing legs, splitting forks, and standing horse steps. Actually, he had learned them in his previous life, but the requirements were much stricter this time! However, Liu Zhang still persisted, after all, these were things that could save his life, and he would definitely use them in the future!

  After a few days, Shi Ah was amazed! The training he gave to Liu Zhang was the same as what Wang Yue had given him in the past, and even more so! Because he was very dissatisfied with protecting Liu Zhang, he hoped to strengthen his training, making it unbearable for Liu Zhang, and then drive him away. But he did not expect that Liu Zhang not only persisted but also insisted on practicing another set of fist techniques after finishing his training.

  At first, Liu Zhang's slow and clumsy Tai Chi made Shi Ah very disdainful. In Shi Ah's view, the world's martial arts were invincible, only speed was not broken. But it was Liu Zhang's slow and clumsy fist that gradually gave Shi Ah a feeling of powerlessness. Because Liu Zhang's Tai Chi fists became more and more rounded as he fought, and in his previous life, he only knew how to fight with Tai Chi, and couldn't even be considered proficient. Now, through Shi Ah's explanation, Liu Zhang also understood the Tai Chi fist spectrum, which he had not understood before, such as virtual spirit top, middle right comfort, etc. He began to understand! No matter what, it's just that the word "proficient" is feared. As long as one is proficient, even if it's a third-rate move, it can be played with first-rate effect. Moreover, Tai Chi itself is the essence of China's hundreds of years of martial arts.

  Of course, Liu Zhang not only followed Shi Ah to learn martial arts, but also followed Liu Yan's invited scholar to learn characters. Originally, Liu Hong said let Liu Zhang be a reading companion, but Liu Hong suddenly discovered that Liu Zhang had never been to school and naturally couldn't read. A child who can't read, you ask him to listen to the great Confucian scholars lecture on classics and history, isn't this like playing the lute to a cow? In the end, Liu Hong asked Liu Yan to first find a teacher for Liu Zhang to learn to recognize characters, and when he could recognize them, he would go be his reading companion! However, Liu Zhang can enter the palace at any time to play!

  To be honest, Liu Zhang's past life loved history, and after coming to the Han Dynasty, he didn't forget what he learned in his past life. However, the writing of the Han Dynasty really gave him a headache because they used clerical script! Even university students from later generations couldn't recognize traditional characters, let alone clerical script? Even if Liu Zhang's past life loved history, he wouldn't deliberately learn clerical script or seal script! Even if his past life practiced calligraphy, he chose Zhong Yao's regular script and Song Huizong's thin gold body! However, in comparison, Liu Zhang still preferred the thin gold body.

  Liu Zhang was very diligent in his studies, and even the imperial palace was neglected. Liu Hong hadn't seen Liu Zhang for several days and missed him, so he sent Zhao Zhong, a yellow gatekeeper, to see what he was up to. Zhao Zhong had a good relationship with Zhang Rang, so naturally, he learned about Liu Zhang from him. When he arrived at Liu Zhang's residence, he saw that Liu Zhang was studying and didn't disturb him. However, regarding the emperor's errand, Zhao Zhong didn't dare to slack off either. He ordered his attendants to take a few pieces of writing from Liu Zhang's study and then returned to report back to Liu Hong.

  Zhao Zhong returned to the palace, where Liu Xuan was listening to Cai Yong's lecture. It wasn't until Cai Yong finished his lecture that Zhao Zhong approached him and handed over Liu Zhang's letter to Liu Xuan, telling him about Liu Zhang's recent activities. Since entering the palace, Liu Xuan had been studying "Flying White Script" with Cai Yong, but when he saw Liu Zhang's "Thin Gold Script", he couldn't help but be enchanted. It is worth noting that Thin Gold Script was created by Emperor Huizong of Song, and as an emperor, his calligraphy naturally carried a hint of nobility, which was precisely what Liu Xuan lacked. After all, before becoming the emperor, Liu Xuan was just the son of a declining marquis, from a poor family! If he hadn't been chosen to be the emperor, it's likely that he would have ended up like his ancestor Liu Bei, losing his title and fortune!

  "Teacher!" Seeing Cai Yong was about to leave, Liu Hong hastily called out to him, "Zhao Zhong brought me a few pieces of calligraphy, please, teacher, critique them for me!"

  "Oh?" Cai Yong smiled and asked: "I don't know who wrote it."

  "It's laughable, just the handwriting of a five-year-old child!" Liu Hong saw Cai Yong frowning and hastily said: "But this work seems to be different from today's calligraphy, so I'd like to ask Teacher to take a look too!"

  Cai Yong was somewhat displeased, thinking that a five-year-old child's handwriting could have some characteristics, but how good could it be? However, Liu Hong was the emperor, and he had to give him face. Cai Yong took over the handwriting and looked at it, suddenly becoming stunned. The characters on the paper were slender and straight, with horizontal strokes ending in hooks and vertical strokes ending in dots. The na (a stroke that resembles a knife) was like a dagger, and the pie (a stroke that resembles a chopping motion) was like a cleaver. The vertical hook was long and thin, and some of the connected strokes were like floating silk threads. It was truly an exceptional piece of handwriting, but the person who wrote it should have been lacking in calligraphic strength, hence it was somewhat soft. Nevertheless, this handwriting brought great benefits to Cai Yong!

  "Who wrote this?" Cai Yong's originally furrowed eyebrows relaxed and then furrowed again, "The style of these characters is absolutely that of a famous master. If it was really written by a five-year-old child, the person who taught him must be a great calligrapher!"

  Liu Hong only felt that Liu Zhang's words were arrogant and oppressive, but he didn't think of this. He smiled and said: "This character was written by the youngest son of Liu Yan, the imperial censor, as for who his teacher is, I don't know. Why don't we go to his house and take a look, and also ask about the calligraphy master in his teacher's mouth, how about it?"

  "I'll go myself!" Cai Yong smiled and said, "Your Majesty is the ruler of a country, how can you travel at will? If something unexpected happens, wouldn't it be my fault?"

  "Alright!" Liu Hong knew that Cai Yong's words were absolutely reasonable. He helplessly said, "Then please ask the teacher to run an errand!"

  "Ah! The name Liu Zhang seems familiar!" Cai Yong seemed to recall something and said: "Isn't he the new imperial reader that Your Majesty has recently appointed?"

  "Exactly!" Emperor Liu Xie smiled and said: "A few days ago, Liu Yan entered the palace. I saw that his young son Liu Zhang was quite clever, so I thought of letting him study with me together. However, I didn't expect that he couldn't even recognize a single character! But in just a few days, he could learn to such an extent. It's also said that he is practicing martial arts and has achieved great results. He is indeed a talented young man!"

  "I will go and take a look at that talented individual for Your Majesty!" Cai Yong bowed and said: "I bid farewell!"

  "Go! Go!" Liu Hong understood that once he entered the imperial palace, it was equivalent to entering a cage. If he wanted to come out again, he could only wait until after his own death and be buried in the imperial mausoleum.

  After leaving the palace, Cai Yong went straight to the residence of Liu Yan. When Liu Yan learned that Cai Yong had come to visit, he suddenly felt honored and surprised. Who is Cai Yong? The Emperor's teacher! A great Confucian scholar! Even if Liu Yan himself paid a visit, it was uncertain whether he would be received or not! But now Cai Yong has actually come to pay his respects in person, how can Liu Yan not be overjoyed?! It's just like when Kong Rong asked Liu Bei for troops, and Liu Bei was delighted, saying: "Kong Beihai also knows that there is a Liu Bei in this world?" Liu Yan's feelings at the time should have been similar to those of Liu Bei, but unfortunately he didn't know that Cai Yong had actually come to visit his son!

  "Mr. Boji has arrived at my humble abode, it's truly an honor! I don't know what important matter you have?" The main gate was wide open, and Liu Yan personally came out to welcome him with his two sons. Of course, here refers only to the eldest son and second son. As for Liu Yan's third son, he was studying at a private school, while Liu Zhang was learning to read in the study!

  "Today, I saw a calligraphy work at Your Majesty's place, and it is said that it was written by the young son of Grand Master Zong. The font of this calligraphy is actually a new style! Cai Yong, as the Emperor's teacher, spoke straightforwardly: "If it is true, then the person who taught the young master calligraphy must be a great master. I have come to visit presumptuously, and I hope Grand Master Zong will forgive me!"

  Liu Yan was shocked. The teacher he had invited for Liu Zhang was just an ordinary scholar, after all, the purpose of education was only to teach children to recognize characters. And Liu Zhang had already been designated by the emperor as a companion reader, his teacher was Cai Yong, and Liu Yan would not take the initiative to look for trouble. But now Cai Yong said that the teacher he had found for Liu Zhang was a master of calligraphy, Liu Yan couldn't help but laugh: "Mr. Boji, aren't you mistaken! The teacher I invited for my son is just a humble scholar, how could he be a master?"

  Cai Yong frowned and said: "Heroes don't ask about origins, just because someone has a humble background, can't you look up to him?"

  "Yes! Sir, you are right!" Liu Yan also didn't want to pretend with Cai Yong. Otherwise, if Cai Yong said a few words that weren't true, he wouldn't be able to mix in Luoyang anymore! To shift the attention, Liu Yan smiled and said: "Someone, go invite the young master's teacher over!"

  "Slow!" Cai Yong smiled and said: "Since it's everyone, how can I yield? I'll personally pay a visit!"

  "Mr. Boji, please!" Liu Yan naturally would not go against Cai Yong for such a small matter.

  Under Liu Yan's leadership, Cai Yong arrived at the study!

  "Sir, what is this character?" Liu Zhang's clear voice came out as he walked to the door of the study room. Cai Yong nodded in satisfaction, a diligent and studious student was one that all teachers liked!

  "Jiang Er! We have a guest!"

  Hearing Liu Yan's voice, Liu Zhang immediately opened the door and came out to pay his respects, saying: "Father is well! I have seen this gentleman!"

  "Not bad!" Cai Yong nodded and said: "Knowing books and reaching courtesy, Master Zongzheng has given birth to a good son!"

  "Sir, you're overpraising!" Liu Yan feared that Liu Zhang didn't know who Cai Yong was and would slight him, so he immediately introduced them, saying: "Zhang'er, hurry up and pay your respects. This is Mr. Cai Yong, also known as Cai Bogong, your teacher!"

  "Oh dear! It's the teacher who has arrived, and I'm afraid I didn't welcome you from afar. Please forgive me!" Liu Zhang hastily performed a grand bow. Anyone can be slow, but not this teacher. The ancients emphasized: one day as a teacher is a lifetime as a father! Not respecting parents, older brothers, and teachers is unfilial, and being filial is the foundation of being an official!

  "Get up!" Cai Yong was very pleased with Liu Zhang's behavior, and since Liu Zhang was also chosen by the emperor, he tacitly accepted this student. However, Cai Yong did not forget his original purpose, and he smiled and asked: "Whose calligraphy did you learn from?"