Chapter Five: Learning Skills Part One

  So from the next day on, little Fu Su, who was only five years old, began his long journey of seeking knowledge!

  Every morning, Fu Su gets up early! Knowing that the old man loves quietness, Fu Su dismisses all attendants and goes alone to listen to his teachings. The old man's teaching method is quite unique, unlike the modern Chinese way of cramming, the old man always uses vivid analogies and stories to slowly instill knowledge into Fu Su's mind. As Fu Su is deeply shocked by the old man's vast knowledge, the wise old man is also surprised by Fu Su's incredible learning and acceptance abilities! (Of course, Fu Su was a double master's degree holder in his past life, after all, he has some skills!)

  From the palace to the outside, from the city to the countryside, in the high mountains and fields... In short, the old man and Fu Su's figures can often be seen around Xianyang. The guards sent by the King of Qin all followed the king's orders, only keeping a distance and protecting them without daring to disturb them. Actually, Ying Zheng was overthinking it, with 'Zhong Yin Lao Ren's' astonishing swordsmanship, although he is older now, it's not easy to get anything from him!

  The old man often took Fu Su to the streets and alleys of Xianyang in various identities, feeling the poverty and coldness of the people. Especially, he often took Fu Su to play with the poor children in the slums where the poor people lived, first to let Fu Su know the hardships of the people, and second to cultivate his leadership ability to deal with the masses.

  After lunch, the old man would often stay in due to physical reasons and either teach poetry, books, etiquette, music and other miscellaneous knowledge or let Fu Su help with work in the vegetable garden. Because of the old man's heuristic teaching method, sometimes when Fu Su was feeling frustrated and threw a tantrum, the old man wouldn't force him!

  In the five years, Fusou got more than just basic education. The old man pulled open the curtain that separated him from the real world, teaching him to recognize the warm and joyful side of the world, as well as the tragic and painful side. Although Fusou had grown up in a rural area since childhood, when he truly saw the lives of the poor class in ancient society, he was still deeply shocked by the low level of living: muddy roads, dirty streets, dilapidated thatched cottages, hungry people, many widows... It seems that the Qin people paid a huge price while building the sharpest war machine in the world!

  In this way, Fusang spent his childhood wandering around the streets and alleys of Xianyang, getting along well with the children on the street. Because Fusang grew up in a remote rural area in his previous life, his childhood was not very happy either. Now that he can relive this wonderful childhood, Fusang cherishes it very much, trying to forget his age and identity, truly starting to integrate into the group of children!

  The children on the street did not know his true identity and were not jealous of him. Of course, they also had no resistance or ridicule. They all didn't know where he came from and accepted him wholeheartedly.

  In their playful activities, they sang together, played games together, and shared the little food they had. Although sometimes they would occasionally fight or scold each other, the forgetful children were busy making up with each other and playing together again. Among these children, Fusou quickly became the leader of the group with his outstanding wisdom and noble temperament, although most of the children were older than him!

  Among these children, Fu Su even got to know a shy little girl. She was also eight years old, the same age of innocence! (Hmm, it seems not right, Fu Su can't be counted! His actual mental age is much older! Hehe!)

  At first, while Fu Su and the children were playing happily, Fu Su caught sight of a beautiful little girl wearing a red dress who was watching them with envy. When the little girl asked to join in on the fun, she was rejected by the other children. The reason was simple: the little girl's clothes were extremely luxurious, so she must be from a wealthy family. Therefore, the poor children didn't want to accept her.

  When the little girl cried with grievance, Fusou's heart was moved and he took the initiative to walk up and hold her hand, leading her to the middle of the children. As Fusou was the king of the children, under his guidance, the children finally reluctantly accepted the little girl. For a moment, the beautiful little girl was so happy that she showed a bright smile, which made Fusou's eyes wide with wonder. Fusou thought to himself in surprise: At such a young age, she is already so captivating, when she grows up, she will definitely be an extraordinary beauty!

  In the midst of playing and chatting, Fu Su was shocked to learn that this little girl's identity. Her name is Wang Xia, she is the daughter of Wang Jian, a lieutenant in the Hu Bao army. Due to being deeply hidden within the high walls of the mansion, she felt extremely lonely, so one day from behind the high wall saw Fu Su and the children playing very happily, then secretly ran out of the house asking to join!

  I knew it! So coincidental! He immediately met the daughter of Wang Jian, the most famous Qin general in the late Warring States period! And in history, this Wang Xia is Fu Su's future wife! Fu Su suddenly fainted and couldn't help but wonder: his arrival seemed to have not changed much of history, Wang Xia still met him according to history, it seems that this beautiful wife can't escape in the future!

  Fu Su, who had been harboring evil thoughts in his heart, would from then on often stare blankly at the beautiful Wang Hua, making him a laughing stock among the children and causing Wang Hua to feel extremely embarrassed.

  However, the strong Fu Su then began to regard himself as Wang Ya's protective god. Every time the children bullied Wang Ya again, he bravely stood up to protect her. And when he saw Wang Ya's eyes full of admiration for him, Fu Su felt very proud! (Faint, it seems that the hero saves the beauty complex, as long as it is a man, regardless of size, will have it. Hehe!)

  In these years, there was nothing major happening in Qin State. Since the completion of Zhengguo Canal in 236 BC, the Guanzhong area of Qin State had truly become a granary with thousands of miles of fertile land. The Qin army began to accumulate strength and prepare for an expedition against the six states! (The ingenious design of Zhengguo Canal connected the Jing River and Luo River, taking water from the river, using it on the land, and returning it to the river. From today's perspective, such a design can also be called cleverly stealing from nature. Originally, Han State sent a spy named Zheng Guo to persuade Qin to build the massive hydraulic project of Zhengguo Canal in order to exhaust Qin's strength, but this became a clever move for Qin to accumulate national power and prepare for unification! This is also a famous example in history of "moving stones to hit one's own foot"!)

  In the year when Fu Su was ten years old, that is, in 231 BC, Qin Wang Zheng's sixteenth year, Gong Sun Yu was finally established as queen by Qin Wang Ying Zheng. When Fu Su heard this news, his hands trembled slightly, but he immediately clenched his fists. With his current ability, he couldn't do anything to prevent Gong Sun Yu from becoming the empress or to prevent Hu Hai's birth. Moreover, Gong Sun Yu was very kind and virtuous, and had always taken good care of Fu Su as the eldest son of Qin Wang. So if Fu Su really took action, he would be in a dilemma!

  Just as Fu Su was still worried about this matter, one day, the 'middle-aged old man' took Fu Su to a bamboo forest outside the city. The old man saw with wise eyes that Fu Su's current mood was not very good, but he deeply knew that Fu Su had a stubborn temper and did not ask anything, just thinking of a way to make Fu Su forget that worry for the time being!

  In the swaying bamboo leaves, the old man began to formally teach Fu Su how to wield a sword! Unlike the bamboo swords used when Little Fu Su and the old man had fought before, this time the old man was using a genuine treasured sword!

  "Fu Su, pull it out!" The old man handed Fu Su a heavy treasure sword!

  A loud dragon's roar, the sword body flashed out of its scabbard, emitting a piercing cold light!

  Fu Su carefully examined the treasured sword in his hand, and saw that it emitted a cold glow, casting a fantastic light under the surrounding illumination. On the back of the sword, an ascending dragon was clearly visible, its head pointing straight at the sword's tip; on the reverse side, the characters "Hao Cao" were engraved. Hao Cao, Hao Cao... Fu Su tried his best to recall these two words from memory, and finally, a line appeared in his mind: "Pure Hook, Zhan Lu, Hao Cao, Yu Chang, Ju Que - all five swords were crafted by Ou Yezi."

  Fu Su exclaimed in surprise: "So this is the famous sword 'Hao Cao' forged by Ou Yezi! Grandmaster, where did you get it from?" The old man smiled and said: "This sword was obtained by me during my travels when I was young, and has been with me for many years. As I am now nearly a hundred years old and my time is limited, to prevent the precious sword from being buried underground, I will pass it on to you!"

  Fu Su was overjoyed and said, "A famous sword must have a virtuous owner to wield it. I am unworthy of this precious sword!" The old man laughed loudly and said, "Don't be modest, you are still young, your future achievements will be boundless. I hope that in the future you can bring peace and prosperity to the people, don't disappoint my expectations!" Fu Su hastily replied with respect, "Thank you, Grandmaster. Your disciple will remember this in his heart!"

  The old man nodded, and then pulled out another sword from behind his hand. This sword was a bronze sword, also with a cold light flashing and a fierce aura rising, obviously not an ordinary product! However, after all, it was made of bronze, compared to the "Hao Cao" made of superior meteorite iron and crafted by a famous master, it was still one grade lower!

  The old man raised his right hand, holding the sword above his eyebrows, and with a light flick of his left index finger on the blade, it emitted a "dang" sound, vibrating slightly as a dragon's cry escaped. The old man's originally calm face suddenly revealed a solemn and excited expression, and his eyes flashed with a fierce glint. With the sword in hand, the gentle and amiable old man instantly transformed into a majestic and awe-inspiring swordsman!

  "The old man said solemnly, 'Fu Su, listen carefully. The sword is the best close combat weapon because in short-range combat, thrusting has an advantage over slashing and chopping, with greater killing power. Remember these four words: "Thrust to kill, slash to wound"!'"