The ace special forces who dominated the Sui dynasty's late period

  "You two, this is what they call being blinded by one's own position." Hong Dangnu smiled and said, "The sixteen courtyards of Shanglin, such a large area, can't just be let to the Xiunv girls to live in as they please?"

  Li Jing suddenly realized, "Right! When the emperor selects a concubine, her name and hometown must also be recorded. Younger brother, you went to Xiū Wén Diàn at night, it must be there!"

  Liu Ziqiu couldn't help but feel dizzy for a moment.

  Xiuwendian had been inside, and it was quiet, without a single shadow. On both sides were rows of ten or more houses, all filled with books, totaling over 100,000 volumes. Liu Ziqiu wasn't someone who disliked reading, but the characters in those books required him to combine context and repeatedly ponder before he could barely recognize them. However, it seemed that Hong Duan's method was the most reliable, so for these ten days, he would have to learn to recognize characters.

  "Alright! I'll go again in ten days." Liu Ziqiu nodded, but then said, "Sister-in-law, tomorrow you go to the street and help my little brother buy a few pig bladders, and also get a piece of leather back."

  Li Jing said: "Younger brother, what do you want this for?"

  Liu Ziqiu smiled and said: "When the time comes, I'll show you something good, brother and sister-in-law."

  In the following days, Liu Ziqiu no longer considered the matter of storming the palace. During the day, he practiced writing and reading, while at night, he discussed military tactics and martial arts with Li Jing, and his life gradually became calm.

  Actually, Traditional Chinese characters are not as difficult to learn as Liu Ziqiu imagined. In this era, the main script is still Kaisho, and Simplified Chinese characters also evolved from Traditional Chinese characters, so Liu Ziqiu quickly grasped them. However, writing them was still a bit of a challenge, with big and small characters all twisted and turned, looking quite pitiful.

  However, in terms of martial arts, Liu Ziqiu gained a lot. Li Jing was not only good at military strategy and tactics, but also had a long spear that could be used with great skill. Liu Ziqiu was proficient in boxing techniques and had several unique skills, but he had little knowledge of ancient cold weapons, so he took this opportunity to make up for it. In addition to spear techniques, Liu Ziqiu also learned knife and archery techniques from Li Jing. Of course, Li Jing also gained something, as he was very interested in Liu Ziqiu's military boxing and capturing enemy boxing.

  The only thing that made Liu Ziqiu regret was that the Li family was not wealthy and could not afford to raise horses, so he lost the opportunity to learn horseback riding skills. In fact, Liu Ziqiu knew how to ride a horse, but riding a horse and fighting on horseback were two completely different things.

  On the ninth day, with the help of Hong Bu Nu, Liu Ziqiu's "good stuff" was finally completed. He washed and dried the pig bladders, and cut the skin into small pieces. The outer shell of the ball changed from two pieces to eight pieces, and its shape became more rounded. The filling inside was replaced with inflated pig bladders.

  Cuju was a way of governing the country and practicing martial arts at that time, and it was especially popular in the military. Li Jing was also one of the enthusiasts. Seeing this new leather ball, Li Jing couldn't help but smile: "Younger brother, what you said is good stuff, isn't it just a cuju? There's nothing special about it."

  Liu Ziqiu handed the ball to Li Jing and said, "Big brother, you try kicking it."

  Li Jing was a Zhong Xing master, and with a shout of "Good!", he lightly tapped the tip of his right foot, executing a perfect "Drought Land Fishing" move. The ball bounced back up in a spinning motion, landing precisely on Li Jing's left knee. Li Jing flipped the ball twice, shouting "Rise!" The ball shot upwards with a loud "Whoosh", flying high into the air.

  Just then, a flying bird flew over the courtyard. The ball shot straight up and actually passed over the bird before slowly falling back down. Li Jing leapt into the air, using his shoulders to hold up the moon, and steadily stopped the ball, repeatedly exclaiming: "What a great kick! It's effortless to kick it up, I've never kicked one so high!"

  Hong Fu Nu also liked this way, snatched the ball and said: "I'll give it a try."

  Her kicking method is different from Li Jing's, with a series of movements such as hooking, treading, covering, kicking, and twisting, turning the universe, swallows returning to their nests, slantingly inserting flowers, winds swinging lotus, and Buddha's beads, all sorts of fancy moves emerging one after another, the ball seems to be stuck on her body, never falling off, matched with her elegant posture, it is really beautiful.

  "Pharmacist, brother. I've thought of a great way to get rich." Hong Dangnu suddenly stopped what she was doing and said excitedly, "This ball is incredibly light, kicking it doesn't hurt at all. If we make a few more and sell them on the market, we'll definitely be able to make a good profit!"

  Liu Ziqiu smiled and said: "Sister-in-law, I think at most it can only earn me and my brother some drinking money."

  Hong Zhaonu said: "But why is this?"

  Liu Ziqiu took the leather ball and said, "This leather ball was made by your sister-in-law. Your sister-in-law should be clear that as long as someone buys one back, takes it apart to take a look, they can understand the subtleties inside, and then they can make their own, who will still buy yours?"

  Hong Zan thought for a moment and couldn't help but feel a pang of regret: "Brother's words were indeed true."

  Liu Ziqiu smiled and said, "Don't be discouraged, sister-in-law. If one day I become a great official, I will issue an edict that anyone who wants to imitate your leather ball must pay you a penny!"

  Hong Fu's wife also burst out laughing and said, "Brother, this method of yours is quite novel, I've never heard of it before. If it really works, I'll have to give you half of the credit! This way of making leather balls was thought up by you, so when the time comes, I'll share half with you!"

  Li Jing shook his head and said: "Out of dust, my younger brother has the ambition to soar into the clouds, how can he care about this little profit?"

  "Haha, big brother shouldn't underestimate this article of money. Think about it, how many leather balls are there in the world?" Liu Ziqiu suddenly changed the subject and said, "However, big brother is right. A lifetime is like a single autumn for all living things. I also really want to achieve something earth-shaking and make my life worthwhile!"

  As Li Jing got along with Liu Ziqiu, he felt that there were many unsolved mysteries in him, and he couldn't help but ask: "Younger brother, what are your plans for the future?"

  "Little brother hasn't thought it through yet, but when he has a goal in the future, he'll definitely tell big brother first." Liu Ziqiu knew that now wasn't the time, so he changed the subject and said, "Big brother, do you know where Minister Zhangsun's residence is?"

  Li Jing said in surprise: "I just heard that Changsun Gentleman has been promoted to the position of Right Xunwei General, what does my younger brother want from him? Could it be that you want to join the army through him?"

  Liu Ziqiu smiled and said, "That's not it. When I came to Luoyang, my younger brother and his two children traveled together on the same boat, and I promised to give them a leather ball. A person without credibility cannot stand, so I plan to go there tomorrow."

  According to the news brought back by Li Jing, the defense of the imperial palace and Shanglin Garden has been as usual in the past few days, indicating that the little princess did not leak the secret. Tomorrow is the tenth day, which is also the end of the month, just in time to explore the Forbidden Palace again. Liu Ziqiu also understands that every time he breaks into the palace, it is a life-and-death test, and if he is discovered, even if he can escape, he will not be able to avoid the fate of being a fugitive. He wants to fulfill his promise to Guanyin before this, and at the same time, further strengthen his relationship with Changsun Wuji.

  Since Liu Ziqiu got drunk and lost his way, no one has been looking for him anymore. He can now appear openly on the streets of Luoyang.

  Changsun Sheng was a trusted minister of Yang Guang, and his mansion was located on Xuanwu Avenue in the northern district of Luoyang, a typical high gate and large courtyard. The vermilion-painted gate was tightly closed, with a pair of stone lions in front, and four burly guards stood on either side.

  Before Liu Ziqiu had even stepped onto the steps, a servant came forward, hand on the hilt of his sword, eyes gleaming with ferocity, and growled in a low voice: "This is the residence of the General, how dare you trespass! All idlers, leave at once!"

  Liu Ziqiu bowed slightly and said: "I am Liu Ziqiu, I have come to visit your family's Wuji Gongzi and Miss, please announce my arrival!"

  He specially put on a new set of clothes today. Although this new set of clothes was made by the clever hands of Hong Fu Nü and fit perfectly, it was still just ordinary clothing.

  Chang Sun's father and son usually came and went in the mansions of the wealthy, how could the family servants put Liu Ziqiu in their eyes? With a wave of his hand, he said, "Go away, go away, my young master and miss are not people who can be seen by anyone?"

  Liu Ziqiu knew that these household servants looked down on him, and didn't bother to argue with him. He coldly laughed and turned to leave from the side. He had never been one to follow rules and conventions; since he wasn't allowed in through the main gate, he would just go in through a side door. The walls of the Longsun estate may be high, but they couldn't keep him out.

  The people living here are all high-ranking officials, and there are not many idle people around. The alleys are exceptionally quiet. Liu Ziqiu saw that there was no one around, so he jumped up onto the wall. Inside the wall was a garden, with lush flowers and trees, artificial hills and ponds, winding corridors, very secluded, and faintly came the sound of women's laughter. Liu Ziqiu followed the sound to find two maidservants frolicking there.

  An official's family, with heavy gates, if one were to fly around like a headless fly, they would probably not be able to find Changsun Wuji and Guanyin Bi by evening. Liu Ziqiu didn't think twice, and jumped out, cupping his hands: "Two young ladies, may I request your accompaniment to meet your family's young lady?"

  This is not a palace and he didn't have any malicious intentions, so there's no need to worry about revealing his tracks.

  Those two maidservants were chatting about something, just as they were getting to the exciting part, when suddenly a big man appeared in front of them, and they were so frightened that their faces turned pale. One of them was trembling with fear, while the other was about to let out a loud shriek, but before she could make a sound, Liu Ziqiu slapped her on the neck, and she fell softly to the ground.

  Liu Ziqiu's face sank, and he shouted at another maid: "Quickly take me to see your young mistress!"

  The maid pointed tremblingly at the pavilion by the pond and said, "M-miss is over there."

  Liu Ziqiu abandoned her and rushed towards Liangting, but saw a leather ball rolling in front of her.

  He stretched out his foot and gently stepped on it, fixing the ball in place. Then a girl's surprised voice rang out: "Wow, is that Big Brother? How did you get here?"

  "I've brought the leather ball for you." Liu Ziqiu took a closer look and saw that it was indeed Guanyin, and couldn't help but smile. He tossed the new-style leather ball from behind him and said, "Take a look, brother didn't go back on his word, did he?"

  "Sister, are you alright?!" A young man hastily ran over and upon seeing Liu Ziqiu's stunned expression, immediately exclaimed with joy, "Brother, it's really you! I thought some rascal had snuck into the mansion."

  "I didn't sneak in, but rather, I climbed over the wall to get in!" Liu Ziqiu said with a smile, "I've delivered what I promised to Guanyin, and now it's time for me to leave."

  "Big brother, I've got something to tell you. My dad replied to the letter and said that the name Chang Sun Wu Guo is pretty good, so from now on I'll be called Wu Guo."

  "We brothers and sisters are just about to thank you for saving us twice, why is brother in such a hurry to leave?"

  The two siblings almost spoke at the same time, and Liu Ziqiu didn't know who to answer first. Just then, someone in the garden shouted loudly: "Wujin, Guanyinbi, what kind of stray cats and dogs are you bringing home! And calling a commoner brother, aren't you afraid of disgracing our family?"