Chapter 5: An Yuan Tang's Second Master (Part 1) Revised Edition

  Zheng Yanqing didn't know whether it was Xu's mother's idea or her own initiative that Doudou came to find him.

  It's more likely that she acted on her own. Because according to his observation, Xu's mother was a cautious and careful woman who would never easily do anything out of line. Having been in the Zheng family for three years, Xu's mother was extremely low-key and never caused any trouble.

  There is a factor of Zheng Shian in this, but more because of Xu's mother herself.

  For example, she rarely left Zheng Shian's residence and was very careful when interacting with others, never vying for attention. To say the least, Xu Ma was quite elegant in appearance, but she never dressed up and instead intentionally or unintentionally concealed her looks.

  After Madam Choi got married, she also brought two maidservants with her.

  As time went by, Zheng Renji even forgot about Xu's mother. The little thought from back then also disappeared into thin air.

  So Zheng Yanqing thought that today Doudou came to find him on her own initiative, probably hiding it from Xu's mother.

  According to her, she has completed the foundation and needs sufficient conditions to break through the bottleneck and enter the refining stage as soon as possible. Although Zheng Yance didn't understand what Doudou meant by "suitable age", he thought it was almost approaching.

  Otherwise, how could Dodo find herself?

  Zheng Shi'an is the steward of Anyuandang, holding the financial power in his hands.

  An Yuantang's income and expenditure should be controlled by Zheng Dashi and Zheng Renji, or taken over by Miss Cui. However, Zheng Dashi trusted Zheng Shian very much, while after marrying Miss Cui, Zheng Renji became more and more smooth in his official career, and even climbed up to the position of Yang Su, the Neishi commander, as a law officer in the Neishi prefecture, a sixth-grade official.

  As a result, Zheng Renji had no time to take care of household chores.

  Miss Choi's gentle nature couldn't calm down those guys in the mansion. Zheng Dashi simply handed over all matters to Zheng Shian to handle. If there were no special circumstances, Zheng Dashi wouldn't ask about anything, and would just read books, cultivate his energy, and enjoy a carefree life.

  Zheng Yanqing guessed that Duo Duo probably had her eye on the power in Zheng Shian's hands.

  She made an excuse to let Zheng Yanqing practice martial arts, in order to gain benefits and quickly break through her current bottleneck. However, a little girl who was only seven or eight years old could have such a plan, and come up with such a method, which was quite surprising to Zheng Yanqing.

  But he still agreed, after all, it's a two-for-one deal, why not?

  ————————————————

  "Do you want to learn martial arts?"

  That night, Zheng Yanqing made a request to Zheng Shian to learn martial arts.

  After all, he wants to learn martial arts and lay a foundation, so he must have Zheng Shisan's support. Otherwise, how can he afford such a huge expense?

  Yan Qing said: "Grandpa, I saw Doudou sister practicing martial arts, it's very interesting, so I want to learn from her."

  Duo Duo's martial arts skills were also well-known to Zheng Shi'an.

  Zheng Dash's ancestor Zheng Lianshan was famous for his bravery back then. There is a stone tablet at the entrance of Anyuantang, which is said to have been erected by Zheng Lianshan himself, with the inscription: "Seven Virtues of Martial Arts: Prohibit violence, sheathe arms, protect the country, establish merit, unite the people, and enrich wealth."

  This sentence comes from "Zuo Zhuan - Xuan Gong Shi Er Nian", where the word 'Wu' refers not only to martial arts, but also includes military strategy and other aspects. In general, during the Sui and Tang dynasties, martial arts and military affairs were collectively referred to as 'Wu'.

  Zheng Dashen himself was skilled in riding and shooting, and was familiar with bows and horses.

  Zheng Shian may not be considered a master, but he also has some strength, and when he was young, he even fought in battles and killed people, so his eyesight is still good. Since the opening of the Kaihuang era, although the world has been greatly governed, Emperor Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty is also a warlike person, and the martial spirit that has been passed down from the Two Jins and the Northern and Southern Dynasties is still very strong. Not only do the sons of aristocratic families practice martial arts, but ordinary households will also learn forms.

  However, the martial arts practiced by ordinary people and those from aristocratic families are different.

  It takes a systematic effort and practice, which is difficult for ordinary people to grasp. Even though Zheng Shisan holds a low position in An Yuantang, he is still a slave-born inferior mouth, and the kung fu passed down by the Zheng family cannot be taught to him.

  So Zheng Shi'an knew that Duo Duo was practicing martial arts, but he wasn't clear about the subtleties involved.

  His grey and white eyebrows furrowed slightly as Zheng Shi An fell into deep thought.

  "Yan Qing, has Duo Duo told you what method she wants to teach you?"

  "It seems like Dragon Subduing Skill."

  Zheng Shi'an had never heard of such a technique, but he was certain that Doudou's origins were probably not too bad!

  Since the Northern Zhou conquered Qi and Emperor Wen of Sui launched a southern expedition, it has been common to see once-prominent families decline, which is not considered unusual.

  If Duoduo was born into a wealthy family, it's understandable that she would know how to behave.

  In fact, Zheng Dashi could also see that Xu's mother and daughter were not ordinary people, so he arranged for them to be with Zheng Shian, which also meant letting Zheng Shian keep an eye on them. Originally thought that some clues could be found from this method, now it seems that it may not be easy.

  But it's nothing out of the ordinary!

  Zheng Shi'an sneered inwardly: Just wait and see what tricks you can play in this An Yuan Hall.

  At the same time, he also sincerely hopes that Zheng Yanqing can have self-defense skills and may even rely on his martial arts to gain a foothold in the Zheng family. Zheng Shian is a slave, but it doesn't mean he wants his children to serve others for generations. He has served the Zheng family for five generations, and from the bottom of his heart, he has very deep feelings for the Zheng family, naturally hoping that one day he can stand firm in the Zheng family. This is difficult, but not impossible. Aristocratic families also need new blood.

  Zheng Shi'an's mother was from a side branch of the Zheng family.

  If he hadn't lost his fertility, he might have been included in the Zheng family tree by now. The things he couldn't achieve in this life are now pinned on Zheng Yanqing. Maybe someday, Zheng Yanqing will really fulfill his wish.

  Zheng Shi'an thought for a moment before saying in a deep voice: "Yan Qing, if you really want to learn martial arts, then you must practice hard and not give up halfway."

  "Other things, don't worry about them, but there's one thing you need to remember. No matter what kind of pill or formula Doudou gives you, you must let me take a look first. These things may be very useful in the future... Don't ask why, just remember."

  Zheng Shi'an, start thinking about the future.

  Yan Qing didn't quite understand his idea, but still nodded vigorously.

  Like this, Zheng Yanqing's life, in addition to the original writing and painting, there was another thing.

  He was good at calligraphy in his previous life and had imitated many posts. Although he changed his body after rebirth, the foundation is still there.

  But paper and brush were expensive, and ordinary families could not afford them.

  Even if Zheng Shian managed the finances of Anyuan Hall, he couldn't embezzle openly.

  Then Yan Qing imitated the ancients, using twigs to practice writing on sandy ground. First, he laid a solid foundation, and later he would write with brush and paper when the time was ripe. However, after practicing martial arts, his time for practicing calligraphy gradually shortened, practicing martial arts in the morning and evening, and practicing calligraphy at noon.

  Time flies day by day, winter goes and spring comes, two years have passed in a flash.

  Zheng Yanqing has unknowingly spent five springs and autumns...

  According to traditional calculations, Zheng Yanqing was seven years old.

  Compared with his peers, Yan Qing didn't show any outstanding qualities. However, in the eyes of adults, he was a bit strange. For example, he wouldn't play with other kids and rarely caused trouble, being quiet and calm like a little adult, very well-behaved. To the point where many people said that Zheng Shi'an had a good grandson.

  But for Yanqing, two years have given him a much deeper understanding of this era.

  Just like the art of combat, the ancients created the method of combat to seek a way of survival in the world. The living environment faced by the ancients was harsh and they had to constantly fight against fierce beasts to survive. Over time, the technique of combat emerged, and later on, it merged with various schools of thought and the way of nourishing life, creating unique fighting techniques.

  Compared with the so-called routine martial arts seen in previous lives, it is simply worlds apart.

  During the Two Jins period, Lu Jingxian also created a set of complete systems by combining and refining Qigong techniques, which have been passed down to this day.

  The Dragon Subduing Technique taught by Doudou to Yanqing is a powerful technique that strengthens one's vital energy and blood.

  Nourishing the spirit and conserving essence through qi and blood is the foundation of Qigong. According to ancient Chinese health preservation theories, at around 7 or 8 years old, people's teeth and hair start to grow again, and their qi and blood begin to take shape. The purpose of Qigong is to stimulate one's potential, strengthen the circulation of qi and blood, and make the blood vessels flourish.

  By the time they are seven or eight years old, their vital energy and blood will be far superior to those of ordinary people, and their essence, spirit, and vitality will be even more abundant.

  Duoduo, with the help of Dan medicine, successfully activated her qi and blood a year ago, allowing her to condense her energy and strengthen her bones, advancing her cultivation by leaps and bounds.

  Yan Qing is still in the foundation-building stage.

  According to Duo's words, Yan Qingru is still young this year, and premature arousal of qi and blood will cause the body to produce adverse reactions.

  So even though Zheng Yanqing had mastered the Dragon Subduing Technique, he never managed to break through.

  Xing Qing himself was not in a hurry, he practiced martial arts just for fun, and if he could achieve something, that would be the best. If not, as long as he could strengthen his bones, it would be fine. Zheng Xing Qing didn't rush himself, let alone Dangdang forcing him. Originally teaching Zheng Xing Qing the Dragon Subduing Technique was to exchange for auxiliary medicine. The more Xing Qing took it lightly, the happier Dangdang became. Because every time she opened up a Dan formula, most of them were completed by Dangdang, so why bother worrying about Xing Qing's progress and waste her thoughts?

  "Duo Duo, you said last time that Feisi cannot be used as a gun, what does it mean?"

  In his spare time, Yan Qing likes to chat with Duo Duo to broaden his horizons.

  Duo Duo explained: "This 'shi', has two layers of meaning. Shi is a cavalry weapon, powerful and majestic, but extremely difficult to master. The preface to the 'Ma Shi Pu' says: Although the use of Ma Shi is not an ancient method, it has been passed down through generations, and with some effort, one can become proficient. To wield a good shi, there are many requirements. On the one hand, one must reach the level of spiritual transformation and ease of movement, only then can one deploy the shi."

  On the other hand, the use of the spear and avoiding the spear both have secret techniques that are passed down within each family and are not known to outsiders.

  Besides, there's also the matter of one's innate abilities... In short, the spear is powerful and majestic, but it's very difficult to master. If you want to learn how to use a spear, unless you have some special talent, it'll be hard for you to become proficient. Little scholar, I advise you to give up on learning how to use a spear and focus on cultivating your internal energy instead."

  The Mabu Pu is a book written by Emperor Jianwen of Liang of the Southern Dynasties period, describing various methods for using the mabu.

  But this book is mostly controlled by the gatekeeper aristocracy, and ordinary people can't even touch it. I don't know if there's a copy of this book hidden in An Yuantang?

  Yan Qing knew that Zheng Da Shi might have hidden this "Ma Gong Pu", but it was probably hard to find.

  He didn't have to learn from Doudou, but the tone of his speech was filled with a hint of disdain and mockery, making him very uncomfortable.

  Those words clearly meant to mock him, a low-born fellow who also wanted to learn spear techniques?

  Fortunately, Zheng Yanqing's skill in nurturing his energy was not bad. Although he was ridiculed by Duo Duo, he didn't show it on his face. After all, he was also a man in his forties, did he need to fight with a little girl? However, in his heart, there were other plans.

  Cheap mouth means cheap household.

  Zheng Yanqing knew that this was an era where family background was emphasized, and if he always carried the reputation of being from a humble origin, he would eventually be looked down upon. To catch Li Shimin's attention, he had to do something, at least get rid of the humble name.

  It's not easy to change one's household registration.

  Not to mention the tedious procedures in the government office, if people knew he wanted to lift his household registration, Zheng's family would not be able to get through this pass.

  When an opportunity is right, grab it!

  Zheng Yanqing couldn't help but feel a little disheartened when he thought of these things.

  Duoduo stood up, "I'm going to wash clothes now... Little Xiūcái, don't think too much either, it's better to be down-to-earth."

  Don't look at Duo Duo's usual coldness and sharp words, but actually she has a good heart.

  I think he felt what I said earlier was too heavy, so he opened his mouth to comfort me.

  Zheng Yanqing smiled and also stood up: "Then I'll go brew some tea, Grandfather will be back soon, just in time to refresh him."